SOON after formally presenting his credentials to President Georgi Purvanov on September 8, United States ambassador John Beyrle had talks with Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev.

Beyrle also gave interviews to two mass-circulation Bulgarian-language daily newspapers and to public broadcaster Bulgarian National Television.

At a September 9 meeting, Stanishev congratulated Beyrle on his appointment.

Stanishev said that the US had played a considerable role in the development of democracy in Bulgaria. He said that the strategic partnership between the US and Bulgaria was very important.

Stanishev expressed thanks for the US donation of $ 400 000 to help deal with damage from this summer’s floods in Bulgaria. He told Beyrle that Bulgaria was ready to provide rescue assistance to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Beyrle, who served in the US embassy in Bulgaria some years ago as a political officer, said that he was glad to return to Bulgaria, which he described as an allied country and as a friend of the US.

He congratulated Stanishev on the election of the coalition Cabinet headed by Stanishev, and expressed satisfaction with the stable consensus in support of the Cabinet.

The two discussed the situation in Iraq. Stanishev said Bulgaria was willing to be a predictable and consistent partner. He said that Bulgaria was firm about withdrawing its military personnel from Iraq.

Stanishev and Beyrle agreed that talks on joint military facilities in Bulgaria should continue, taking into account all legal, financial, and other related aspects.

Also discussed was the case of the five Bulgarian nurses on death row in Libya. Stanishev and Beyrle expressed readiness to continue efforts within the current tripartite format – Bulgaria, the United States and the EU – to secure the release of the nurses.

The development of trade and economic ties between Bulgaria and the US, and increasing the volume of US investments in Bulgaria, were among other topics discussed.

In an interview with Trud daily published on September 10, Beyrle discussed several aspects of bilateral relations, including the upcoming visit by President Georgi Purvanov to the White House, Bulgarian involvement in Iraq, the upcoming tender for fighter aircraft for the Bulgarian military in which two of the contenders are Lockheed Martin and Boeing, the possibility of US military bases in Bulgaria, and possible Bulgarian aid for areas hit by Hurricane Katrina.

Beyrle said that there would be no US pressure regarding the choice of fighter aircraft, as long as the procedure was fair and transparent.

He said that the US was deeply touched by the offer of flood aid, and described the offer as a sign of friendship.