Published by Wikileaks & Bivol.bg
date: 7/15/2009 14:17 refid: 09SOFIA389 origin: Embassy Sofia classification: CONFIDENTIAL destination: header: VZCZCXRO7984 OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHSF #0389 1961417 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 151417Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6184 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000389 SIPDIS PASS TO EUR/NCE, INL/AAE E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2019 TAGS: PGOV, BU SUBJECT: BULGARIA: CLEANING UP MOI Classified By: Ambassador Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 1. (C) Summary: Interior Minister designate Tsvetan Tsvetanov told Ambassador he wanted to bring major changes to the MOI and criminal justice system and welcomed American assistance and advice. He is determined to show progress on corruption issues within the first few months of the new government and thus to establish credibility both domestically and with Bulgaria's international partners. He and the Ambassador discussed ideas for reforms and the Ambassador handed him a report prepared by DOJ experts last year but never acted on. Tsvetanov has a track record as an honest cop; if his openness and enthusiasm to work with us is matched with effective reform of the bloated and tainted Ministry, there may be a chance to make real progress. End Summary. 2. (C) On July 13 GERB party chairman and Interior Minister designate told the Ambassador that the incoming GERB government is planning major reforms at the MOI and in the criminal justice system and welcomes any U.S. assistance. He recalled good cooperation with American law enforcement when he worked at the MOI as a subordinate to incoming PM Boyko Borissov and, referring to himself, said there is "no one more pro-U.S." He noted that the outgoing government had sidelined good officers who had trained with Americans, but the GERB government will move them up to responsible positions. 3. (C) Tsvetanov said the GERB government would undo some of the law enforcement missteps taken by the outgoing government. He focused on the need to de-politicize DANS (National Intelligence Agency) and return it to its intended intelligence role. He pointed particularly to problems with special advisor Alexei Petrov, who is "a very dangerous man." (Comment: Petrov's known criminal connections made his role in DANS highly controversial. End comment.) He pledged that DANS would again be a reliable partner for the US. A well regarded former DANS Officer, Tsvetan Yochev, is being considered to replace current DANS Chief Petko Sertov. Tsvetanov emphasized all changes would be made in consultation with American and European partners. 4. (C) Tsvetanov said the new government planned to show results within six months. Ambassador noted the public would be looking for clear steps in first 100 days. She urged him to move quickly but also correctly so as not to appear partisan. A good start would be to deal with people who embezzled EU money. Bringing them to justice, after so many years of impunity, would have broader positive ramifications throughout the country and in Bulgaria's relations with the EU. 5. (C) The Ambassador gave Tsvetanov a paper with findings and suggestions from DOJ consultations with the MOI last year. The outgoing government never acted on them. Tsvetanov said he would consider the recommendations seriously. On the suggestion for an organized crime strike force, Tsvetanov noted GERB had similar ideas. The new government was also considering establishing a panel of special prosecutors to handle serious corruption cases, and he was interested in the proposal, being prepared by our USDOJ advisor, to establish a special panel of judges for such cases. The Ambassador said we could provide a senior judge as an advisor to the panel; Tsvetanov welcomed the idea. She also noted the FBI official in charge of cooperation with Europe would be in Bulgaria in early August and could discuss training and other programs. 6. (C) Comment: We had an excellent relationship with Tsvetanov during his previous stint in the MOI. He was both eager to cooperate and effective in getting things done. He appears serious about reform and acknowledges the herculean task in front of him. His return to the MOI creates the basis for reform to finally begin. End comment. McEldowney
