‘Bush visit sends strong signal to US investors’
Ivailo Kalfin, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, in an interview with Bulgarian National Television
After this meaningful visit (by US president George Bush)... In fact, you were the first to welcome president Bush and his spouse at the airport, and accompanied him to almost all of his meetings today. We just heard the US president thank his Bulgarian counterpart for the advice given for Kosovo. Today, the French Le Figaro wrote that Sofia joins the game of the great powers with this visit. However, the question is how exactly this is to happen. Would you tell us, from your point of view, as a diplomat, what did you find essential in this visit?
Kalfin: The visit itself is really important. It is news. It is not by chance that the US president pays a visit to a certain country. Today, I spoke to his chief of staff. The schedule of the US president is full till the end of this year. Thus, a visit of the US president is of real importance. It is significant, and it is a signal sent to US investors. Of course, themes discussed during his visits are also of great importance. In Bulgaria, he emphasised the Kosovo issue, the development of the situation in Kosovo, Iran, Afghanistan.
Did you discuss this topic? It was somehow left aside.
Kalfin: Yes, we discussed the issue. We discussed many issues. The visit was full of really intensive talks. These were some of the issues discussed by the two presidents.
Did they discuss the issue concerning the US bases in Bulgaria?
Kalfin: Not in detail - if you mean last year’s agreement on mutual and military installations. It was mentioned that the agreement is an important element in our bilateral relations.
Anything else?
Kalfin: There is nothing to discuss in detail concerning the topic, after the agreement has been already signed, and there are many supplementary agreements regarding the exact implementation of Bulgarian legislation. The Ministry of Defence has the leading role in such agreements. I believe these agreements will soon be negotiated and signed. It’s a matter of technical work.
What about Iraq? Was there anything surprising, new, which we have not heard yet?
Kalfin: The Iraq issue. The US president emphasised that it was a long-term engagement to Iraq and its democratic development. It is expected that the presence of foreign troops will increase the commitment of Iraqi authorities. It was ascertained that recently there is stronger co-operation between foreign military officials and local inhabitants in the opposition against Al Qaeda and the terrorists. Of course, the US discussions on the issue were also mentioned. You know that the US congress has a different stand on the issue. There is a bill restricting the duration of the US presence. The bill was voted and there was a veto put on the president. It was really useful for us to hear at first hand the president’s intentions and view on the situation for the future, in order to consider Bulgaria’s involvement.
In fact, before the visit started, you said what would possibly be the front-runner issues to be discussed. We did not manage to comment on all of them. There was one issue, however, which grabbed the media’s attention - the fate of the Bulgarian nurses in Libya. Do you find any definite support, a stronger evidence for US commitment in Bush’s words?
Kalfin: I was reassured of a definite commitment, a summit promise for commitment made by the US president. You must have heard at the news conference when he said that US was doing its best and wants the issue to be solved as soon as possible and the nurses to be sent back home in Bulgaria. Of course, he did not fail to mention the Libyan families. You are aware that this is a really painful issue for Libya. I believe we should count on active US support, not only political, but also some definite actions.
What is the real US commitment so far? You spoke about it at the meeting with John D. Negroponte. I will ask you to briefly tell us something more on the issue - the prevention and control of the HIV-AIDS fund, for instance.
Kalfin: First of all, we have made a clear political commitment, which is really important and cannot be underestimated. This is a front-runner issue in US-Libya relations. President Bush reassured us of his commitment to the issue for yet another time. In actual fact, there is a US College, and a hospital, which have been engaged with the issue. The hospital was established about 15 years ago especially for HIV prevention and control. The hospital, on the other hand, has established eight centres on three different continents. The Baylor College has much experience in AIDS research and the establishment of such AIDS centers. This is exactly the engagement made in the frames of this international fund and efforts, which will be spent on the establishment of such a centre in Benghazi.
This sounds like really strong support. As we witnessed, the visits of the US presidents are always well covered by international, and of course, Arabian media. Al Jazeera also reported the news, especially the president’s stand on the Libyan case. We, however, know that Libya is rather reserved about such summit statements. Do you think that the fact that Bush put emphasis on compensation for the families of infected children may mitigate Libya’s position?
Kalfin: I hope that Libya will apreciate the US president’s commitment to the families’ tragedy.
Another important question, which concerns Bulgarians - when they will be able to travel to the US without visas? The US president answered this question. However, sometimes the words of political figures are hard to understand.
Kalfin: I will explain the procedures. There are some legislative changes needed, which must be approved by (the house of representatives) and the senate, with the active assistance of the president’s administration.
There is some serious disagreement in congress?
Kalfin: As far as this issue is concerned, President Bush plans to establish a special commission to deal with such issues. Obviously, such change needs to be done in several steps, and procedures. It was important to us to be reassured of such engagement, and yes we were - we heard it in Sofia.
Well, let’s now talk about American investments in Bulgaria and the way they can be attracted to our country. Vidima Ideal, for instance, is heading towards withdrawing its business in Bulgaria. How can we retain investors?
Kalfin: The process is just the opposite. In recent years, there is increasing interest among US companies in Bulgaria.
As far as American Standard’s case is concerned, the company is selling off its whole business. It is not withdrawing from Bulgaria.
Ok then, how to attract American money to Bulgaria?
Kalfin: We should seek competition. US money can be attracted with clear projects, transparency in administration and state government. Combating corruption is highly important. I will list only some of the US companies, which have entered the Bulgarian market. US AIG is about to acquire the majority stake in the Bulgarian Telecommunication Company (BTC).
You said that the US president put the accent on the fight against corruption, transparency, combating organised crime. All these issues were discussed at the meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister, the executive power in Bulgaria. Does this mean that some domestic issues were discussed?
Kalfin: Internal political issues are not a matter for foreign head of states’ concern. They discussed, rather, Bulgaria’s development. He even mentioned the thing Bulgarian became known for at the beginning of the transition period - the wrestlers’ brigades, which are now left in the past of the Bulgarian economy and society.
In Bulgarian we call them “mutri” (“ugly faces” or “thick necks” a term used for organised crime figures)
Kalfin: The Bulgarian word “mutri” is translated with the word wrestlers and wrestlers’ brigades. Bush in fact congratulated Bulgaria on its improvement, the efforts made, which are now bearing fruit. He also gave similar examples of US anti-corruption actions. Combat against corruption must not allow any compromise.
I would now ask you to comment on some issues concerning foreign affairs, which were also discussed at the meeting with the US president - the US anti-missile shield in Central Europe. Will Bulgaria be protected?
Kalfin: Bulgaria won’t be protected by this US anti-missile shield. The US is building a system, which will protect its territory from possible attacks, coming from a definite place - from Asia.
What is Bulgaria’s stand on the issue?
Kalfin: If the shield is installed in the Czech Republic or in Poland, then the most European countries will be protected.
Is Bulgaria included in the list of these countries?
Kalfin: No, it isn’t. This list includes all countries except for Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and Turkey - South East European countries.
What will be Bulgaria’s stand on the issue then?
Kalfin: Bulgaria can hardly reflect on US decisions and projects. If the US reaches an agreement with the Czech Republic and Poland, then the project will definitely be carried out. Bulgaria, however, will insist on avoiding any tension in the relations with Russia.
It is possible for Bulgaria to find itself in the middle of such conflict.
Kalfin: Bulgaria will be hardly affected by such a conflict. However, any tension between the two sides will be of no good. Bulgaria will also insist that Nato discusses the issue and secures equal protection for the whole territory. I want to emphasise again that this isn’t some offensive system but is used for protection.
However, it evokes much concern.
Kalfin: Thus, Nato should discuss the issue.
Is this what was said to the US president?
Kalfin: Yes, it was, to John Negroponte too.
The Kosovo issue is also interesting, as it is a Balkan issue. It is interesting that President Bush thanked President Purvanov for his advice on the issue. He also revealed some of the advice - to balance the different interests, when speaking about Kosovo... Do you think that the way the US president acted, shows that Bulgaria may be a key player in solving the problem? Bulgaria is on good terms with both the sides involved in the issue.
Kalfin: If we try walking in President Bush’s shoes, one of his main goals to visit Bulgaria was to hear its opinion about the problems in the region, including the Kosovo issue.
As far as I could personally reassure myself, he was really interested in Bulgaria’s opinion and asked many questions both to Bulgaria’s president and vice president. He also wanted to hear Bulgaria’s position in these issues.
What Martti Ahtisaari did was to combine two opposite stands. He spent over a year to cope with the issue. At the same time, I believe we must do our best and put much of efforts to adopt the resolution of the UN Security Council. There is no need for further delay. We should seek for the most constructive attitude and at the same time send a clear signal for Serbia’s perspectives, without turning the issue into some kind of a deal.
By the way, I expect that negotiations on association and stabilization with Serbia will be renewed soon.
At the end, I would ask for a brief answer. As someone who spent a whole day with the US president, can you tell us your personal impression of him? Is he really so freehearted? What kind of person is he?
Kalfin: He is in fact a really freehearted and frank man, who clearly forms his thesis and expresses his personal opinion. He takes part in the conversation and does not hold just formal meetings but gets involved in the topic discussed. He is easy to talk to.
