

Currently released so far... 12453 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
ASEC
AORC
AMGT
APER
AU
AF
AS
ACBAQ
AFGHANISTAN
AFIN
AR
AE
AJ
ADANA
AEMR
AG
ATRN
ADPM
APECO
AGAO
AMED
AX
AM
AL
ADCO
AA
AECL
AADP
ABUD
AMEX
ACAO
ANET
AODE
ASCH
AY
APEC
AID
AORG
ASEAN
AFSI
AFSN
AINF
AGR
AROC
AO
AMBASSADOR
AFFAIRS
ASIG
ABLD
ASUP
AND
ARM
ARF
AQ
ATFN
AC
ACOA
AORL
ADM
AUC
AGMT
ACABQ
ASEX
AFU
ALOW
AZ
APCS
AVERY
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AER
AN
AIT
AMG
AGRICULTURE
AMCHAMS
ACS
BR
BA
BD
BL
BO
BF
BU
BILAT
BEXP
BRUSSELS
BK
BN
BM
BT
BY
BX
BTIO
BIDEN
BG
BE
BP
BBSR
BC
BTIU
BWC
BB
BH
BMGT
CH
CY
CA
CU
CS
CO
CVIS
CPAS
CMGT
CE
COUNTER
CASC
COUNTRY
CJAN
COUNTERTERRORISM
CG
CI
CD
CIDA
CJUS
CDG
CBSA
CEUDA
CR
CM
CLMT
CAC
CBW
CODEL
COPUOS
CWC
CIC
CW
CBE
CHR
CFED
CT
CONS
CIA
CTM
CDC
CVR
CF
CLINTON
CITEL
CLEARANCE
COE
CN
CACS
CAN
CONDOLEEZZA
CB
CSW
CITT
CARSON
CNARC
CACM
CDB
CARICOM
COM
CROS
CAPC
CTR
CV
CKGR
CBC
CL
CICTE
CIS
ECON
EFIN
ELAB
ETRD
EIND
EC
EINV
EAGR
ENRG
ETTC
EAID
EPET
ELTN
EWWT
EAIR
EFIS
EMIN
EG
EU
ER
EUN
EPA
ENVI
EXTERNAL
ECPS
ENGR
ETRC
ECIN
EN
EI
ELN
ET
EINT
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ES
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EZ
ETRO
EDU
ETRN
EFTA
EAIG
EK
EUREM
EURN
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
ENVR
ELECTIONS
EAP
ENIV
ECONOMY
ESA
EINN
ECONOMIC
EIAR
EXBS
ECA
ECUN
EINDETRD
EUR
EREL
EUC
ESENV
ECONEFIN
ECIP
ENERG
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EFIM
ENGY
EAIDS
EINVEFIN
EINVETC
EUMEM
ETRA
ETC
ERNG
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
ECINECONCS
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EXIM
ERD
EEPET
IR
IS
IZ
IAEA
IO
IAHRC
ID
IC
IT
IRAQI
IWC
IN
IL
ISLAMISTS
IV
ICAO
INDO
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
IPR
ICRC
INTERPOL
IQ
IBET
IMO
INR
ITRA
INTERNAL
ICJ
ICTY
IRS
ILO
INRA
INRO
ISRAELI
IEA
INRB
ITALY
ITU
IBRD
IIP
ILC
INTELSAT
IZPREL
IMF
INMARSAT
IRAJ
IDA
ICTR
IA
IGAD
IF
IDP
ITF
ISRAEL
IEFIN
IRC
IACI
KN
KCRM
KOMC
KNNPMNUC
KIPR
KPAL
KWBG
KSCA
KFRD
KNNP
KUNR
KTIP
KWMN
KSTC
KFLU
KOLY
KISL
KPAO
KMDR
KJUS
KSTH
KDEM
KCOR
KIRF
KAWC
KU
KTFN
KWAC
KNPP
KERG
KSEO
KACT
KHLS
KZ
KGHG
KTIA
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCRCM
KE
KPKO
KCIP
KDRG
KVPR
KV
KIDE
KICC
KPRP
KBIO
KSUM
KGIT
KCFE
KG
KBTS
KFLO
KMPI
KS
KGIC
KPAI
KHSA
KTLA
KSEP
KTEX
KFSC
KOCI
KHDP
KPLS
KTDB
KHIV
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KID
KMRS
KOM
KSAF
KRVC
KR
KMOC
KNAR
KIRC
KBCT
KSPR
KFIN
KBTR
KJUST
KNEI
KAWK
KGCC
KMCA
KREL
KMFO
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KVRP
KCOM
KO
KLIG
KAID
KVIR
KNSD
KHUM
KSEC
KRAD
KPRV
KCMR
KPWR
KCHG
KIFR
KCFC
KICA
KPIN
KSCI
KESS
KDEV
KTBT
KCRS
KCGC
KOMS
KRIM
KTER
KREC
KPOA
KWWMN
KRGY
KPAK
KWNM
KMIG
KDDG
KRFD
KWMM
KWMNCS
KX
KRCM
KPAONZ
KNUC
KDEMAF
KNUP
MARR
MOPS
MASS
MCAP
MTCRE
MNUC
MIL
MX
MEDIA
MO
MPOS
MU
ML
MA
MP
MY
MERCOSUR
MG
MD
MW
MK
MAS
MEETINGS
MR
MT
MI
MOPPS
MASC
MTS
MLS
MILI
MAR
MTRE
MEPN
MAPP
MTCR
MEPI
MQADHAFI
MAPS
MARAD
MASSMNUC
MEPP
MCC
MZ
MILITARY
MDC
MRCRE
MC
MV
MIK
MUCN
NATO
NL
NZ
NPT
NI
NAFTA
NU
NDP
NIPP
NP
NPA
NG
NRR
NO
NSC
NEW
NE
NH
NR
NA
NS
NSF
NZUS
NATIONAL
NSG
NC
NT
NAR
NK
NGO
NV
NSFO
NSSP
NASA
NW
NPG
NORAD
NATOPREL
OTRA
OAS
OPRC
OIIP
OVIP
OREP
OPDC
OEXC
OSCE
OFFICIALS
OMIG
ODIP
OFDP
OECD
OPIC
OBSP
OPCW
OFDA
OTR
OSAC
OSCI
ON
OCII
OES
OVP
OIC
OPAD
OIE
OHUM
OCS
PREL
PGOV
PK
PHUM
PINS
PARM
PA
PTER
PINR
PREF
PHSA
PBTS
PBIO
PO
POL
PE
PARMS
PM
PROG
PL
PAK
POLITICS
PORG
PTBS
PNAT
PUNE
POLICY
PDOV
PCI
PROP
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PP
PS
PAO
PG
PY
PTERE
PGOF
PALESTINIAN
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PSEPC
PREFA
PGOVE
PINF
PHUMPGOV
PNG
PMIL
PGOC
PFOR
PCUL
PLN
PSA
PGIV
POLINT
PAS
POGOV
PHUMPREL
PHUMBA
PEL
PGGV
PNR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PGOVLO
PRAM
PHUS
PDEM
PECON
PF
POV
PROV
PRL
PREO
PAHO
PHUH
PSI
PINL
PU
PRGOV
PAIGH
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POSTS
RS
RU
REACTION
REPORT
REGION
RIGHTS
RO
RW
RCMP
RF
RM
RFE
RSP
RP
RICE
ROBERT
ROOD
RELATIONS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
RSO
SU
SNAR
SO
SOCI
SW
SENV
SMIG
SCUL
SP
SZ
SENVKGHG
SR
SY
SA
SYRIA
SF
SI
SC
SWE
SARS
STEINBERG
SN
SG
SIPRS
ST
SEVN
SL
SPCE
SNARIZ
SSA
SNARCS
SYR
SK
SPCVIS
SHUM
SIPDIS
SHI
SH
SOFA
SEN
SNARN
SAARC
SAN
SANC
SCRS
TRGY
TBIO
TU
TF
TERRORISM
TI
TSPL
TPHY
TH
TIP
TSPA
TC
TO
TW
TX
TZ
TNGD
TT
TL
TV
TFIN
TS
TRSY
TINT
TN
TURKEY
TBID
TD
TK
TR
THPY
TP
TAGS
UNGA
UN
UK
US
UNC
UNSC
USUN
UG
UP
UY
USEU
UNESCO
USPS
USTR
UZ
UNHRC
UNO
UNMIK
UNAUS
UNHCR
UNCHR
USAID
UNVIE
UAE
USOAS
UNFICYP
UV
UNEP
UNODC
UNCHS
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNDC
UNCHC
UNDP
UNCND
USNC
UNPUOS
UNICEF
UNCSD
UE
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 05SOFIA1561, SENATOR HAGEL MEETS NEW BULGARIAN GOVERNMENT
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #05SOFIA1561.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
05SOFIA1561 | 2005-09-08 16:04 | 2011-04-29 12:12 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Sofia |
Appears in these articles: http://www.bivol.bg/wlbelene.html http://www.capital.bg/politika_i_ikonomika/bulgaria/2011/04/29/1082317_mrusna_energiia/ http://wlcentral.org/node/1722 |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 SOFIA 001561
SIPDIS
CODEL
STATE FOR H, PASS TO SENATOR HAGEL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2015
TAGS: PGOV OVIP PREL OREP ENRG MARR EINV LY BU
SUBJECT: SENATOR HAGEL MEETS NEW BULGARIAN GOVERNMENT
REF: SOFIA 1460
Classified By: AMB. BEYRLE FOR REASONS 1.4 B&D
ACTION REQUEST PARA 9
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Senator Hagel was the first Washington
official to meet the new government after the June elections.
He stressed energy and investment issues, Bulgaria's
strategic importance as an ally in the region that extends
eastward, and Bulgaria's need to improve its investment
climate by addressing government corruption and regulatory
roadblocks. Bulgarian officials stressed their desire for
increased U.S. investment. They also proclaimed Bulgaria a
loyal partner of the U.S. in NATO, Afghanistan and Iraq, and
said they were looking at ways to continue participation in
Iraq after their end-of-year withdrawal. END SUMMARY
BULGARIAN GOVERNMENT MEETING PARTICIPANTS
¶2. (U) President Georgi Purvanov
Minister of Defense Veselin Bliznakov
Minister of Economy and Energy Rumen Ovcharov
Speaker of Parliament Georgi Pirinski
MP and Deputy Foreign Minister-designate Gergana Grancharova
Deputy Foreign Minister Lyubomir Kyuchukov
Member of Parliament, Foreign Affairs Committee, Christian
Vigenin
-------------------------
POLITICAL-MILITARY ISSUES
-------------------------
BULGARIAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS
¶3. (C) Purvanov stressed that relations between Bulgaria and
the U.S. are the best in history. Bulgaria is a serious and
predictable strategic partner which is firmly with the U.S.
in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). Purvanov - whose
position was not up for election in the June ballot -
believes this support will continue in the new
administration. He pointed to the continuity of foreign
policy under the new government as proof of the strength of
the relationship. Bliznakov said his goal is to stabilize
and strengthen Bulgaria's relationship with NATO countries -
particularly the U.S. Purvanov and Pirinski were grateful
for the prompt and generous assistance the USG provided for
flood-stricken areas.
¶4. (C) Senator Hagel described the purpose of his visit to
Bulgaria and the region, explaining the strategic importance
to the U.S. of the "arc" of countries from Bulgaria and
Romania across the Black Sea and Caspian Sea to the Caucuses
and Urals. Grancharova said it was important to get
congressional members to Bulgaria. She pointed to the need
to prove to the Bulgarian public the benefits of the
relationship with the U.S. The public mainly sees the "bad
news" out of Iraq and the relatively small amount of
U.S.-origin foreign direct investment. Pirinski described
his visit to the U.S. in September as an opportunity to meet
Senator Lugar and prepare for the visit of Purvanov.
GWOT: IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN
¶5. (C) Purvanov looks forward to meeting President Bush in
October, where he hopes the two can discuss the format under
which Bulgaria can continue to participate in the coalition
in Iraq. He said Bulgaria has an idea of how to reinforce
its presence in Iraq, but did not elaborate. Bliznakov said
Bulgaria takes its Iraq commitment very seriously and will
stay until the end of the year. All withdrawal preparations
will be coordinated with the U.S. and other partners. The
GOB is discussing alternate ways to participate in future
missions in Iraq in order to preserve stability, Bliznakov
said. The military is also preparing for 2006 when Bulgaria
will assume responsibility for the airport in Kabul. Ten
percent of the Ministry of Defense budget is allocated to
participation in missions abroad. Bliznakov reiterated
Bulgaria's commitment in the war on terror, and supports the
U.S. goal of addressing terrorism in the regions that foment
it. He said there is currently no threat of fundamentalism
in Bulgaria, but the MOD will create an interagency team on
the issue. The only potential threat here is due to
Bulgaria's profile as a participant in anti-terror operations
worldwide, said Bliznakov.
U.S. BASES
¶6. (C) The U.S. and Bulgaria will now have to step up
negotiations on the U.S. presence here, which were slowed by
the elections, Purvanov said. He pointed to a clear
political will in parliament and in the country across all
major parties in support of the bases, but noted some details
would have to be ironed out. Vigenin, the Socialist
parliamentarian, said Bulgarian officials need to work with
voters to convince them of the benefits of the basing. Local
residents already support the plan, but that view does not
extend across the country. Vigenin said almost all parties
in parliament understand the need for a strategic partnership
with the U.S., the only opposition on this issue comes from
the extreme nationalist group Ataka.
DEFENSE ISSUES
¶7. (C) Bulgaria will strive to be an active member of the
NATO alliance, and will strike a balance between its own
self-interest and the needs of the allies, said Bliznakov.
He said Bulgaria after NATO entry was a stabilizing factor in
the Balkans, and the country is helping prepare regional
states for eventual NATO membership.
¶8. (C) According to Purvanov, Bulgaria wants to play a
stabilizing role in the Balkans. He hopes the U.S. and
Bulgaria can cooperate to modernize the military so Bulgaria
can be a more reliable NATO partner. Bliznakov said Bulgaria
will expand upon its current military achievements
domestically and in operations abroad, and modernize its
forces. He thanked the U.S. for the military assistance we
provide. Bliznakov outlined a plan through 2015 for
modernizing the military. Some of the highest 11 priority
areas - out of 35 - have already begun. Problems are
primarily due to lack of resources, not will. Ovcharov
called for increased cooperation between U.S. and Bulgarian
defense companies, including the need for offsets.
¶9. (C) Minister Bliznakov requested a meeting with the
Secretary of Defense at the Berlin Defense Ministerial
SIPDIS
September 13-14. (Post comment: We strongly support this
request believing that such a meeting could influence
Bulgaria's decision to take on a new mission in Iraq and/or
increase its military presence in Afghanistan.)
BULGARIAN MEDICS IN LIBYA
¶10. (C) Purvanov extended his personal gratitude to the Bush
Administration for its consistent support of the imprisoned
medics in Libya. He said this issue is a more painful one
for Bulgarians than Iraq or Balkan problems, and mentioned
that settlement of the issue would go a long way to "calming
the situation here." Pirinski said Bulgaria is concerned
about the upcoming November 15 court decision regarding the
death sentence of the medics.
---------------
ECONOMIC ISSUES
---------------
AMERICAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY
¶11. (SBU) Senator Hagel met with members of the American
Chamber of Commerce to learn about U.S. business issues. The
businessmen see the environment improving and noted both an
increase in business activity and a decrease in the amount of
corruption and regulatory inefficiencies. However, they
stressed that Bulgaria has a long way to go to become a
transparent destination for U.S. capital. Government
corruption - primarily at the mid-to-lower levels - is still
"prevalent." Deliberate slow-downs and selective enforcement
of the regulatory framework have worked against some
investors, presumably at the behest of competitors.
Investors feel the business climate overall will improve with
accession to the EU, but are concerned about Bulgaria's
capacity to absorb large amounts of assistance. MFA
officials agreed on the need for Bulgaria to improve its
ability to absorb the EU funds. The energy sector is a major
opportunity for investors, including possibilities in the
nuclear sector with the new plant at Belene, and with the two
pipeline projects, AMBO and Bourgas-Alexandropolous. AmCham
officials also raised the continued importance of a Double
Taxation Treaty to assist U.S. investors.
U.S. INVESTMENTS
¶12. (C) Purvanov stressed the need to increase the level of
bilateral trade between our countries, saying he was not
satisfied with the current $760 million, or the $560 million
in U.S. direct investment. He said this amount was smaller
than neighboring countries with much smaller economies.
Senator Hagel agreed with the importance to both countries of
increased U.S. investment here, but stressed to all GOB
officials the concerns of American investors regarding
government corruption. He also raised the need for the
regulatory authorities to transparently and fairly manage
their sectors so as not to impede U.S. investors considering
Bulgaria as a destination.
¶13. (C) Purvanov agreed the criticism was warranted and
elaborated on the issue, saying Bulgaria had to improve the
efficiency of the judiciary and Bulgaria's administrative
capacity. He and Ovcharov pointed to constitutional changes
and legislation that will improve the judiciary and
investment regimes. But Purvanov stressed that the
implementation phase is where real efforts will be needed.
¶14. (C) Ovcharov said the government needed to start more
public-private partnerships similar to those in the U.S. and
improve conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Purvanov said both the finalization of a Double Taxation
Treaty with the USG and a roadmap for facilitating Bulgaria's
inclusion in the visa waiver program would help improve
investment. Senator Hagel raised the privatization of the
Bulgarian film studios with the officials. Kyuchukov said
the government would not reverse the process, but the deal
could be challenged in the courts.
¶15. (C) Ovcharov said he wants to see more investment by U.S.
companies in the fields of information technology, automotive
technology, defense industries, mining, agriculture
(particularly organic), the chemical and pharmaceutical
industries, wine and energy. He said existing U.S. projects
are good ones and should continue to be supported by the GOB,
despite some minor problems.
ENERGY
¶16. (C) Senator Hagel noted the success of current U.S.
investments in the energy sector and suggested an increase in
the fields of nuclear, geo-thermal and hydro development. He
said the U.S. would like to work closely with Bulgaria to
further develop its energy sector and strengthen the economy.
Purvanov stressed the desire to continue building nuclear
power so as to increase its electricity exports in the
region. Ovcharov said the government must promote
investments, particularly in energy infrastructure projects
such as the Nabucco gas pipeline and the
Burgas-Alexandropolous and AMBO oil pipelines.
BULGARIA'S EU ACCESSION
¶17. (C) Pirinski said parliament is focused on passing
legislation necessary for entry in the areas of Justice and
Home Affairs, agriculture, environment, trade and commercial
law, the latter to improve investment climate, intellectual
property rights.
¶18. (C) EMBASSY COMMENT: Bulgarian officials were clearly
pleased to welcome Senator Hagel as their first Washington
visitor after the elections. They took pains to stress the
continuity of the close relationship that the previous
government had worked hard to develop. GOB officials laid
out what they wished to accomplish in the short-to-medium
term - from EU accession to improved foreign investment and
continued participation in the GWOT. Senator Hagel's
meetings began what will be a period of intensive engagement
with Bulgaria and its new government. The Senator's visit
will be followed by a series of high-level introductory calls
by the new U.S. Ambassador, a possible meeting between MOD
Bliznakov and SecDef Rumsfeld at the informal NATO Defense
Ministerial, FM Kalfin's possible meetings on the margins of
UNGA, and Finance Minister Oresharski's planned bilats during
the World Bank/IMF meeting. This period of intensive
engagement will culminate with the meeting between the two
Presidents in Washington on October 17. END COMMENT
THIS CABLE WAS CLEARED BY SENATOR HAGEL'S PARTY
BEYRLE