Posted on 03/11/2003 11:04:12 AM PST by Lando Lincoln
'US may move bases'
Staff Reporter
BULGARIA will take a position on the draft resolution on Iraq after the weapons inspectors presented their findings, and consultations were held with all UN Security Council members, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lyubomir Todorov said on Tuesday.
Bulgaria will take a position based on its sovereign interests, Todorov said.
However, Bulgaria was already considered a very close ally to the United States, especially in the light of the numerous media reports that the country was going to host US military bases.
According to Todorov, the moving of US military bases to Bulgaria would be a natural result of NATO enlargement. However, no official offers had been made to the Bulgarian side and no talks had been held with Bulgarian officials on the issue, he said. Only when Bulgaria became a full member of the Alliance, would it be able to make proposals concerning the structuring of such military bases.
Todorov did not rule out the possibility of Bulgaria and the US signing bilateral agreements on the setting up of US military bases on Bulgarian territory, but believed that this was not very likely as the structure and location of bases were decided by all member states.
Bulgaria had no information concerning the alleged eavesdropping on the Security Council delegations of Bulgaria, Chile, Angola, Cameroon, Guinea and Pakistan by the US National Security Agency.
Todorov said this after British media alleged such eavesdropping had taken place.
He said that there would be an investigation, and if the allegations were proven, Bulgaria would act accordingly.
So far no talks had been held on the redeployment of US troops from Germany to Bulgaria, Foreign Minister Solomon Passi told the media on Monday.
Last week, upon his return from the US, Defence Minister Nikolai Svinarov said that some vacant Bulgarian military bases could be offered to the US for inspection. In a radio interview, Svinarov said that if US military bases were established in Bulgaria, the redeployment of US troops from Germany to Bulgaria would be very likely.
Meanwhile, the US sent two air refuelling planes to Sarafovo Airport near Bourgas on Sunday.
The KC-10A refuelling planes flew from a base in New Jersey, in the eastern United States, Bulgarian news agency BTA said.
Two US transport planes had flown in equipment and supplies last week to get the base ready for the refuelling planes.
In terms of Parliament's decision on February 7, a total of 18 refuelling planes are authorised to use Sarafovo Airport.
Embassy address:
1621 22nd Street, NW, Washington D.C. 20008
Telephone and fax are 24 hours / 7 days:
Tel: (202) 387 0174,
(202) 387 0365,
(202) 483 1386
Fax: (202) 234 7973
EMAIL: office@bulgaria-embassy.org
Looks like it might be a cool place to vacation. I spent some time on the Black Sea Coast in Odessa, Ukraine. During the summer its was a feast for the male eyes. I think our guys are going to like Eastern European women better than Western.
Yes, Basil Bulgaroctonis was harsh in modern eyes by blinding the prisoners and sending them home. But you must remember by the standards of his time, this was an act of mercy. Killing prisoners out of hand was common, and the Roman practice of blinding when others would kill allowed for a life of prayer and repentence afterwards. Modern Bulgarian culture, like that of the Serbs, Romanians and Russians is in part transplanted (East) Roman culture. The "Byzantines" didn't 'rip' the Bulgarians, they civilized and Christianized them.
Hi, We're just average American citizens but wished to send regards and appreciation for Bulgaria's support & alliance with the US and our mutually shared interests, particularly in matters currently before the United Nations. Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
Mr. & Mrs. xxx USA
Muslims succeeded in Bosnia due to United States help.
In Kosovo the Muslim Albanians were organised trained and directly supported from the air and on the ground by the United States military.
When the Russians wanted to reinforce their units in Kosovo at the end of the war, with paratroopers, they were denied access to fly over Bulgaria as it was requested by the United States.
When it was the war in Macedonia with the Albanian Muslims and the Macedonian army purchased Su-25 fighter jets from Ukraine to defend the country it was Bulgaria that didn't allow the planes to fly over after United States request.
United States placed an arms embargo on Macedonia to prevent it from purchasing arms to defend itself against the Muslim Albanians.
The Muslims in the Balkans would not have prospered if it was not for the DIRECT support by the United States military and goverment past and present (Clinton and Bush).
Poor Bulgaria is a very "trustworthy" friend!In 1010 they signed a treaty with Serbia and Greece for the joint attack on the Turks,which happened in 1912(First Balkan War).Then,in 1913 they attacked Serbia but got trashed!Then in 1915 they sided with Germany and attacked the Serbs from behind and occupied Macedonia.Then they lost,again,in 1918!In 1940 they joined Germany,again and attacked Yugoslavia,and occupied coveted macedonia.Thousands of Serbs and Macedonians were killed during the two years of their occupation...They thore Macedonia appart,not other way arround,LS!
In 1944 Red Army entered Bulgaria pursuing Nazis,and Bulgars,immediatelly changed sides,and from occupiers become "liberators"!!!Since 45 till 91 they were the most loyal Soviet allies!Now,suddenly,they are bigger and better friends and "democrats" that French or Germans???
I suppose that now,Macedonia is doomed!If Americans station their troops in Bulgaria,any future attack by Albanians in Macedonia(best American friends ,too) will cause brake up of the country and as a reward for their "friendship' Bulgaria will get what is left of Macedonia!
Bobi,you`re f****d!Sorry,mate!
You people,don`t know who youre reall friends in Balkans or Europe are!
I know the nation and I know Macedonians. I know about all the divisions and all the treachery.
I am a guy who had one grandfather serving 2 years with the Serbian army before 41 then 3 years with the Bulgarian army until 44 and 2 years with the partizans and the other grandfather was 4 years with the partizans.
They were both from the villages from the opposite sides of the same city and both settled into the city after the war.
But back then a simple villager does not know who is who and what is what. To them Germany was just rich and powerful country
As for friends I know who our friends are but they need to start behaving as friends.
I, for one, did NOT favor the war against Serbia---but they are hardly a model of trustworthiness and decorum.
The Greeks? Good fighters vs. the Nazis in WW II; leftists ever since. Albania? There is a fine former communist nation. No, they are all dirty. I say, work with whoever works with us.
Never mind.And,BTW,this is not about Serbs,or Serbian crap!
But,I see your point.
The Albanians are not well educated simple people that are led and fully trust and support the small minority well educated Albanian leaders.
The Macedonians are better educated more complex people that have enough education to think for themselves but too much inteligence to trust their leaders. All the Macedonian leaders are seen with suspicion and mistrust. All the neighbouring countries are seen like that as well.
The place has been screwed too many times in history.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.