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Sat, May 26 2012
Bulgaria should take active role in Europe missile shield, PM Borissov says
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borissov and US president Barack Obama in Prague, April 8 2010.
US president Barack Obama and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borissov in Prague, April 8 2010.
Bulgaria should take an active part in the development of a defensive missile shield protecting all of Europe, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borissov said after talks with US president Barack Obama.
Borissov and Obama met at an official dinner in Prague at which the US president met heads of state and government from Central and Eastern European countries, hours after Obama signed an accord with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on nuclear arms limitation.
Borissov said that Bulgaria lacked a means of rapid defence, and a new missile system could defend all of Europe, he said.
Iran had enough enriched uranium to make nuclear weapons and had refused inspections, and already had missiles that could reach Bulgaria, Borissov said.
The same day, Obama expressed confidence that there could be strong sanctions against Iran because of the nuclear enrichment issue.
Borissov hit out at what he called "populists" in Bulgaria who said that a future missile system would be used for offensives. The system would be for defence, he said.
A Government media statement said that at the dinner, Obama and the leaders from CEE discussed Afghanistan, strengthened sanctions against Iran, and energy diversity.
Borissov described Obama as a "reliable partner" of Bulgaria who was acquainted with the problems of each country represented at the meeting, and who during the meeting was seeking ways to assist each country to overcome it problems.
Obama, according to the Bulgarian Government media statement, said that he relied on Bulgaria’s opinion and counsel about security in the region, and said that he wanted to have a direct phone link to Sofia.
Meanwhile, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolai Mladenov hailed the April 8 2010 signing of the new START treaty as of historical importance for all European states, not just for the US and Russia.
Mladenov said that the meeting between Obama and CEE leaders was confirmation that the US was not withdrawing from the region.
At the same, according to a report by Bulgarian National Radio, Mladenov said that hardly anyone considered Russia a threat to the security of Europe and it had to be borne in mind that there were common security challenges, given the recent terrorist attacks in Moscow, the instability in the Caucasus and the Middle East.
Borissov and Obama met at an official dinner in Prague at which the US president met heads of state and government from Central and Eastern European countries, hours after Obama signed an accord with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on nuclear arms limitation.
Borissov said that Bulgaria lacked a means of rapid defence, and a new missile system could defend all of Europe, he said.
Iran had enough enriched uranium to make nuclear weapons and had refused inspections, and already had missiles that could reach Bulgaria, Borissov said.
The same day, Obama expressed confidence that there could be strong sanctions against Iran because of the nuclear enrichment issue.
Borissov hit out at what he called "populists" in Bulgaria who said that a future missile system would be used for offensives. The system would be for defence, he said.
A Government media statement said that at the dinner, Obama and the leaders from CEE discussed Afghanistan, strengthened sanctions against Iran, and energy diversity.
Borissov described Obama as a "reliable partner" of Bulgaria who was acquainted with the problems of each country represented at the meeting, and who during the meeting was seeking ways to assist each country to overcome it problems.
Obama, according to the Bulgarian Government media statement, said that he relied on Bulgaria’s opinion and counsel about security in the region, and said that he wanted to have a direct phone link to Sofia.
Meanwhile, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolai Mladenov hailed the April 8 2010 signing of the new START treaty as of historical importance for all European states, not just for the US and Russia.
Mladenov said that the meeting between Obama and CEE leaders was confirmation that the US was not withdrawing from the region.
At the same, according to a report by Bulgarian National Radio, Mladenov said that hardly anyone considered Russia a threat to the security of Europe and it had to be borne in mind that there were common security challenges, given the recent terrorist attacks in Moscow, the instability in the Caucasus and the Middle East.
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EU ‘gravely concerned’ about Iran and North Korea’s nuclear programmes, foreign policy chief Ashton says, while the US and Iran hit out at each other.
Bulgaria willing to be involved in missile shield
Iranian nuclear programme is a source of concern to Bulgaria, and Bulgaria is within range of Iran's 2000km missiles, along with Greece, Romania and Turkey.
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US president Barack Obama, hosting the Washington 47-nation event, says that he wants the Nuclear Security Summit to produce new commitments to secure nuclear materials to keep them out of the hands of terrorists.
The importance of the Prague April
The signing ceremony in the Czech capital on April 8 2010 is significant not only for arms control but also for the US to respond to concerns among Central and Eastern European countries that they may be sidelined as the Obama administration ‘resets’ relations with Moscow.
Arms control: ifs and buts
Moscow say that it reserves the right to withdraw, if circumstances require, from the US-Russia arms control treaty to be signed in Prague on April 8 by presidents Obama and Medvedev.
Nato chief calls for missile shield that includes Russia
At the annual Brussels Forum, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolai Mladenov says that building a missile defence shield covering all European countries could rebuild people’s confidence in Nato.
Missile defence controversy remains after START accord
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President Purvanov backs missile shield
On February 18 2010, Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Andrei Nesterenko had said that Moscow was "confused" by what he described as contradictions in Bulgaria’s statements about the missile shield issue.
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The Sofia Echo
As far as the USSR, again, the same thing applies.
Russians are not my enemy - socialism is, and the folks that ruined my country were Bulgarian actually, inspired by the people who ruined Russia.
Guess what - Medvedev has not a fraction of the left wing socialism that motivates Obama every day, so why should I, take American side here - because of the past? Who's looking back now?
Stefcho,
I hated socialism in BG and in the US.
Nothing good comes out of it, and the only true security in life comes from ability.
My family was well to do before '44 and my grandfather was basically killed by the commies. (died from beatings)
I have no love for anything left wing as I see it as the rule of the filth.
That said, let's not confuse politics with nationality. Many of your Bulgarian friends confuse them and transfer the political frustration [...]
Read the full comment to the nation as a whole, but that's because their understanding of the time window that represents their own limited turn to be alive, is limited.
This is where history and psychology comes in. It's not excusing but understanding, and you should be able to make the difference.
When it comes to some sort of nostagia, and I don't know what could've given you that impression in me, Stefcho, do you seriously think that the US is less "socialistic" than BG? Or more corrupt on the highest levels, for that matter?
isn't all this because the USA shits his pants for the Muslims? Isn't all this because THEY have issues and want to use "western" countries in eastern Europe to cover their ass. Borisov is selling out the country hoping to get something in return. Welcome to EU Bulgaria, thanks a million but as a nice gesture in return you will not be allowed to work wherever you want in the EU. Thanks for closing the last part of the east border with "Muslim country".
Putting all this other BS aside, you really seem to be a huge fan of the "former Soviet Union" is it because back then everyone was equal? You had a job or at least a place to go each day for 8hrs and make the same money, wait 8-10yrs to get a car. It's obvious that communism is a failure anywhere in the world for the ordinary people, they have no chance to advance to prosper, everyone was equal. Would you really want that today, I'm sure your not driving a Lada today are you? You fasinate me all the [...]
Read the full comment time with your pre 1989 way of thinking, you do seem like a smart guy I'll give you that, your never rude to anyone except an occassional Brit that probably deserved it anyway, your well versed in the history of the region and in fact I'll say that I've learned from you and enjoy your words at times. But to think in some of these old idea's that were once popular 20 some yrs ago is not productive nor does it do anything to improve today. Why not put your thoughts and efforts on how to improve the problems of today and stop with this telling everyone that because of this period, pre 1989 everything was so great and at the same time justifying the problems BG has as a country not because of it's history but because of just down right greed within the govt TODAY. You can blame everything on the US, as you normally do all the time but I think it would be better to look at yourself first before pointing the finger at the US, we don't dictate your domestic policy or lack of a domestic policy. Sorry it's late and I'm gonna crash but I caught up to you, have a nice weekend.
Im quite sure that Vladimir Putin is getting very ungry about this..! Dont forget what happened on the 8/8/2008 !
You guys have a very good proverb:
"if they tell you "it's not the money" - it's the money!
If they tell you "it's the money" - it is the money!
It always is the money!
Oil in this case = money so all this is to render Russia insecure and indefensible .
So there is always more than one reason for any action to be sure, but the main here is the psychological sense of siege that the US is bent of inflicting on the [...]
Read the full comment Russians in case they should have the crazy idea to protect their own oil interests in the region..
Bulgaria has no problem with Russia or Iran and we both know that Iran is not likely to target Bulgaria. I think that any potential spillover from regional instability might be the bigger threat to EU and NATO countries in the future. I think that perhaps Iran is not just afraid of the US in this respect. If they are only pursuing peaceful technology, then where's the problem? The U.S. actually initiated Iran's atomic program (before 1979 of course).
Post 1979, the myriad number of sanctions over many years have not worked either. Israel has stated [...]
Read the full comment that if the US doesn't intervene, it will (and they do have nuclear weapons). So if sanctions and engagement don't work, the next step might end up being a military solution, which will be an even bigger mess which no one wants.
While Russia has been pretty quiet on Iran's program (no sanctions, etc), I read somewhere recently that they are warming up to the idea. Not sure how accurate that is though.
I am still curious though as why they keep pursuing this shield if there is not much scientific confidence in it's capabilities. Ok, ok, other than for diplomatic games.
Right, but that has nothing to do with BG.
Middle East is and will be a mess, and the reason Iran is not agreeing to supervision is fear of the US.
We have no issues with Iran or Russia. The only potential real enemies BG could have are right in NATO which is the main reason why membership is important - deterrent - it's the "keeping your enemies closer" principle.
This is arm twisting and black mail of the worse kind...
For me I think the real concern should be any potential destabilization in the immediate region (Middle East)if Iran successfully develops nuclear weapons. Many of Iran's neighbors (not just Israel) are very nervous about Iran's apparent pursuit of nuclear technology for non-peaceful purposes. Iran is not agreeing to many pacts it signed years ago regarding inspection of facilities. The problem with this of course is not just any malicious intent regarding a weapons program, but accidents as well. The IAEA is not completely sure that safety protocol is being followed as well as it should be. When Iran continually refuses [...]
Read the full comment the IAEA access, it appears as though they have something to hide.
Regarding the shield itself, it remains to be seen if it would ever even work. The accuracy of any defensive missiles as a shield is just not there yet (if it ever will be).
"Iran had enough enriched uranium to make nuclear weapons and had refused inspections, and already had missiles that could reach Bulgaria, Borissov said."
Is that what they told you to say?
Wow, I follow news regularly and never heard that Bulgaria was at the brink of war with Iran...
What exactly was this grandiose point of contention between Iran and Bulgaria that's seemingly on the verge of getting BG annihilated?
BTW don't get me wrong, I think we should've supported NATO in their completely illegal war in the Balkans, because it was in our interests.
It was in our interest to join NATO, it was in our interest to support the US in their illegal war in Iraq, it was in our interest to join the EU and probably the Euro eventually.
It was in the US and UK interest to include us in those institutions as well.
This is not in our interest.
We owe [...]
Read the full comment no one anything, except Russia without which we wouldn't have a country.
BG supported NAZI Germany as well, for our own national interest reasons, as we should have at the time, given the British non stop anti-Bulgarian intriguing ever since liberation, but we did not participate in their war against the Russians. Being allied with a coalition, doesn't mean following blindly everything they do.
There is such a thing like principles and militarizing BG for no notional interest of our own here is close to treason on Boyko's part.
"Of course Bulgaria should take an active role, why else was it allowed to join the EU..."
Dianne we were not "allowed", it was a part of the deal of us supporting NATO in their illegal war in the Balkans.
It was a political deal, so don't make it sound like a mercy f...k
You crack me up at times Valeri, but I know you have the courage of your convictions.
Of course Bulgaria should take an active role, why else was it allowed to join the EU apart from doing the bidding of the US & UK.
"At the same, according to a report by Bulgarian National Radio, Mladenov said that hardly anyone considered Russia a threat to the security of Europe..."
... That would be the USA...
Did he make you an offer you can't refuse?
Terrible idea!
"Borissov hit out at what he called "populists" in Bulgaria who said... "
Funny that Boyko should call any one "populist". but then we have the Americans talk about "peace" all the time while starting wars everywhere...