Parliament supports setting up U.S. military bases (Bulgaria or Bust)

AP ^ | Dec 19, 2003

[witnesstothefall]

SOFIA, Bulgaria -- An overwhelming majority of legislators on Friday adopted a declaration in support of setting up permanent U.S. military bases in Bulgaria.

The legislature voted 200-3 to endorse the document, which says Bulgaria is ready "to contribute to the efforts of the international community to handle the new threats and challenges for the global security."

Parliament also reaffirmed the country's wish for "wider and deeper strategic partnership and cooperation with the United States as one of the main priorities of Bulgaria's foreign policy."

U.S. officials have suggested they may move troops from bases in Germany to new locations in Eastern Europe. Washington is interested in small, flexible bases, different from those set up to house large numbers of troops during the Cold War.

Last week, U.S. Undersecretary of Defense Douglas Feith discussed with Bulgarian government officials the possible deployment of U.S. troops to bases in this Balkan country, which gave the United States staunch support during the war in Iraq and the war against terrorism. Bulgaria is among seven eastern European countries to join NATO next year.

Bulgaria contributed an airport handling flights during the U.S.-led military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq and has a 485-soldier infantry battalion stationed among coalition forces in Iraq. During the war against Iraq, the airport of Sarafovo was used as a base for U.S. tanker aircraft.

Along with the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta, Sarafovo is considered important because it is closer to the Middle East than other European bases and because of fairly good road, rail and sea links.

U.S. military officials have also toured Bulgarian air force bases and land-force practice grounds.

[witnesstothefall]

200-3 is better than we'd get if the Rats had a vote to save the Constitution.

For reference to our newest bestest ally:

http://www.bulgaria.com/history/bulgaria/

[Truth666]

When the players are deadly serious you can't play games for ever. From now on all the cards are on the table
Russia has warned IN THE MEDIA about the new parts of the "pipeline" (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kirghizia) : step back or face nuclear war

[caisson71]

It's not a far drive from Germany or Belgium either.

[witnesstothefall]

That's frightening - your paranoia I mean.

[Truth666]

Why MY pananoia ? I'm just quoting Russia's equivalent of Rumsfeld.

[witnesstothefall]

You didn't quote anyone, certainly not Russia's defense minister threatening nuclear war. Stop being utterly ridiculous.

[Truth666]

It's up to each one to decide if the statements are equivalent.
In my opinion they are.

[witnesstothefall]

James Baker III just completed a trip to Moscow where he was rewarded with an assurance from the President to help with Iraqi debt relief.

I suspect an imminent nuclear exchange was not discussed, but everybody will have to decide that for themselves as well.

[Truth666]

Nothing surprising about that. The only thing that would surprise me would be the opposite, I'm sure Putin will NEVER stop acting friendly, no matter what NATO does.
Until he acts, I mean. But of course than it will be too late.

[Uncle Miltie]

Good news Bump!

I remember Bulgaria and Romania supporting the U.N. Resolutions against Saddam. I remember their willingness to base troops and allow overflights.

These countries are with us. And I'm happy to have them as friends.

[Neophyte]

Well, Mr Ivanov doesn't really say anything about the nukes, but how else would you imagine Russia to strike anywhere in the world? Transporting and parachuting a division of WWII T-34 tanks to the state of Oregon?

As to Bulgaria, I'm sure the military deployed in that country will have the time of their life there. Climate - balmy, food - excellent, wine - superb, local spirit "rakia" (something like Italian grappa, but stronger) - no match to anything.

Oh yes, and Bulgarian girls are like the local sun, sea and wine with a good deal of spices added.

Please, no objections! I'm married to one for a good 20 years, and the spice is still here.

[Sender]

No one is going to nuke us if we set up bases in Bulgaria. It may not make us any friends at Putin Inc, but then again they didn't like us having bases in Germany either.

[Neophyte]

he was rewarded with an assurance from the President to help with Iraqi debt relief.

Yeah right, and Baker III was squeezing Putin's balls all the way through the reassuring process.

[Truth666]

We are talking about nuclear war, not conventional war.

[Sender]

I have no doubt that Russia still has ICBMs pointed in our direction...but opening a base is not provocation for nuclear war.

If Putin and Ivanov are really that upset about it, there are several intermediate steps such as talking, objecting, appealing to the UN, putting pressure on Bulgarian government, etc that would seem to come before the launch order. Seriously.

[Truth666]

Have you heard about "strategical alarm period" ?

[Sender]

No. What is 'strategical alarm period'?

[sarasmom]

But how we we reward Poland?
hehehe
Give them Germany? Do they want it?

[sarasmom]

- 1 x we