Published by Wikileaks & Bivol.bg
id: 170413 date: 9/18/2008 13:17 refid: 08SOFIA620 origin: Embassy Sofia classification: CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN destination: header: VZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHSF #0620 2621317 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 181317Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5400 INFO RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 0735 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 0525 RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC 0237 ----------------- header ends ---------------- C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000620 SENSITIVE SIPDIS EUR/CE FOR TOM YEAGER INL FOR ELIZABETH CARROLL DEA FOR ROBERT CASSITTAS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2028 TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KCOR, KCRM SUBJECT: BULGARIAN CHIEF PROSECUTOR DETERMINED TO SHOW SHORT-TERM RESULTS Classified By: Political Counselor James Bigus for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). 1. (C) Chief Prosecutor Boris Velchev told the Ambassador on September 12 that the EU report's criticism of Bulgaria's rule of law efforts was helpful and that the Prime Minister was determined to show progress in fighting organized crime and corruption before the next EU report is released in February. Noting difficulties in convincing witnesses to testify, Velchev said he hoped to arrest key high-profile organized crime figures within a few days. 2. (C) Though Velchev trusts and respects the new Interior Minister, he is convinced that the Interior Ministry (MOI) is "broken, corrupted and incapable of progress." Velchev was bitterly disappointed to learn that the MOI has no evidence to show criminal activity by Bulgaria's 14 most notorious criminals. Believing he has no other alternative, he relies on the new security agency, DANS, even though it lacks investigative capacity and must draw resources from its primary mission of counter intelligence and counter-terrorism. As a long shot, Velchev has turned to the U.S. (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and Bulgaria's European partners for any information that may lead to prosecution against these known criminals. 3. (C) Comment. Velchev's comments indicate that other GOB officials on their own are coming to the same damning conclusions about the state of the MOI. (DOJ has completed a report that we will present to the Interior Minister next week.) Velchev acknowledges the situation in the MOI is worse than he imagined and he sometimes seems overwhelmed by how deep the rot goes. Many European embassies have given up on Velchev, complaining that he says the right things, but is incapable of following through. He appears to be an honest man struggling under very difficult circumstances. End comment. McEldowney
