Ambassador's Interviews
Ambassador McEldowney’s Interview with Trud Daily
Deyan Yotov
August 29, 2008
Pages 12 – 13
“The U.S. Doesn’t Have a Favorite for PM of Bulgaria”
Mrs. Ambassador, prior to his departure Ambassador John Beyrle told Trud that Bulgaria is lucky to have you as Ambassador of the United States. He didn’t say why, though.
It was very kind of John to make that statement. I feel I’m the lucky one. I have the opportunity to work in a country the relationship with which is so important for the U.S. I have the chance to contribute to making this relationship stronger. I find it here a fascinating place. I and my whole family are delighted to be here.
Do you think he meant that you are used to dealing with people from that region disposed to corruption given that you had served at posts like Baku and Ankara?
I can’t say what he might have had in mind. Yet, I’ll be delighted to work here – both personally, and professionally.
During your hearings before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee you said that Bulgaria still suffers from pervasive corruption and organized crime. This is something that every American Ambassador says upon his arrival and - unfortunately – upon his departure. What are you planning to do in this regard?
I have had experience dealing with this issue in a number of places. I know corruption is something that can be debilitating for a society, that can be like a cancer that eats away at the heart of the society. I know that the progress on this type of problem you have to have a concerted effort between the people and the authorities. This is not an issue that is imposed on the outside. It is not American government agenda, it is not EU agenda.
Your predecessors Ambassador Beyrle and Ambassador Pardew were often critical of the wide spread corruption practices and OC. Beyrle used a more diplomatic language while Pardew was more blunt. How aggressive are you going to be?
My intentions are to deal with this issue as I will deal with every other issue which is as a committed friend of this country. And I believe that friends tell each other the truth.
You may have already heard or will hear soon how strong Bulgarian government’s will is to cope with OC and corruption. We don’t see tangible results, though. Do you believe in our politicians vows?
The people of Bulgaria have asked for concrete results and the people of Bulgaria deserve concrete results and this is something that all of us should work together to try to help achieve.
Are there former or incumbent Bulgarian politicians who are on the list of people who will never get U.S. visas?
We don’t’ talk about the specifics of individual visa cases. When evaluating visa issuance we look at the extent to which people meet the criteria for visas. And we have long said that individuals who have associations with OC are not appropriate candidates for visas.
How soon is the day when we won’t need visas to travel to the United States?
We believe that Bulgaria should be in the VWP. We worked together to develop a road map so that Bulgaria has a clear pathway into the program. Bulgaria has said it wants to meet and will meet the criteria and what we’re committed to doing is working together helping Bulgaria meet those criteria so that it can enter this program.
Your Russian counterpart arrived practically a few hours after you. He said his priority would the realization of the Bulgarian-Russian energy projects and the expansion of the economic and trade relations between Bulgaria and Russia. He didn’t say anything about corruption though. Doesn’t that mean that Moscow is ahead of Washington in this regard?
I do not see that there is a divergence between the U.S. and Bulgaria on any of these issues. Both Bulgaria and the U.S. want the same things, we want close collaborative relations with a democratic Russia that plays by the rules for stability and cooperation throughout the region. This is our strategic priority.
On energy - we look at energy as an essential commodity to drive our economies, to support our societies. Every society in the world needs energy, they need reliable supplies of energy. What we want to avoid for ourselves and for all of our friends and allies is a situation in which a country is reliant on a sole source supplier because that creates vulnerability it creates the potential for the supplier of energy to become a tool for political manipulation. And in order to achieve that goal there are three crucial criteria that we use in evaluating an energy project: transparency, diversity, and free market competition. If we use those three criteria as benchmark, as driving force – everybody wins.
Do you think that Bulgaria is too dependent on Russia?
You must know the statistics better than me. As far as I know Bulgaria receives approximately 90% of its energy supplies from Russia.
Can you call Bulgaria a battlefield of the American and the Russian interests?
Absolutely not. There is no requirement for Bulgaria to make a choice between the U.S. and Russia. We - Bulgaria and the United States work together to achieve this kind of relationship that we want with Russia. The situation in Georgia has made that much more difficult.
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev said he was not afraid of a new Cold War. Aren’t you afraid of some “surprises” on the part of Bulgaria in this new face-off between Russia and the West?
I never predict the future because it’s unpredictable. Our cooperation has been very strong and very close. Bulgaria has offered very strong support for Georgia including support for the EU 6-point plan that was agreed to by Russians and Georgians and of which Russia remains in violation. Russian actions in Georgia are deeply, deeply troubling. We have statements by NATO, by the EU Presidency, by G-7 - all of them condemning Russian action and calling upon Russia to abide by those provisions of that agreed plan. No one wants Russia to be isolated. We want to work with Russia to advance democracy in that country and to advance stability throughout this region. This is our goal.
Do you think that Bulgaria is less dependable in this situation?
Bulgaria is a member of the NATO alliance. When each of us joined NATO we took a solemn commitment to defend each other. It’s a profound commitment and I know that Bulgaria takes it very seriously as well.
Have you been to Bulgaria before?
I’ve been here in early 90s. I’ve read a lot about your country, about your history, I’ve read some of your great writers – like Vazov for example.
Have you had the chance to meet any Bulgarian politicians yet? What are your first impressions?
My official meetings are now just beginning but I have had the opportunities to talk with some average Bulgarians. My initial impressions are enormously positive. You are very warm people, hospitable, engaged, and well informed. The Bulgarians have opinion which they share and this is something I appreciate very much. What every Ambassador should do is to listen to people, to what the people and the government have on their minds. We should listen and construct solutions that serve the interests of both of our nations.
What will be Washington’s reaction to possible early elections in Bulgaria? Do you have a favorite to be the next PM of Bulgaria?
The only thing that is certain is uncertainty. There will be elections in the U.S. and we have a date, there will be elections at some point in Bulgaria too. It’s clear that there will be a new U.S. administration since President Bush’s second term in office expires. We can’t know what is going to happen. But there are things that we know with a great certainty. And this is that the U.S. respect for Bulgaria, the U.S. value for the partnership and the friendship with this country – that’s something that is enduring and won’t change.
The U.S. does not play favorites in other country’s elections. We do have a favorite thing in elections and it is called democracy.
From the Bulgarian point of view - who is the better Presidential candidate – Obama or McCain?
You should rather tell me that. The best president will be the one that the American people elect. That’s how our system works.