U.S. Donates Equipment for Detecting Radiation, Chemical and Biological Weapons to Bulgaria's Interior Ministry

Four Year EXBS Assistance Totals 4.5 Million Dollars

On January 24, the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria will present a donation of $313,000 of equipment for the detection of chemical, biological and radioactive materials to the Interior Ministry of the Bulgarian Government. The equipment, given by the U.S. Export and Border Related Security Program (EXBS), includes equipment for a classroom to train Bulgarian police to halt the illegal traffic of chemical, biological and radioactive materials which could be used for making weapons of mass destruction.  The classroom will be located in Pazardzhik. U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires Alexander Karagiannis and Deputy Minister of Interior Kamen Penkov will participate in the formal dedication of the WMD classroom in Pazardzhik.

The U.S. Export and Border Related Security Program (EXBS) donation supports the mission and goals of the Interior Ministry by providing assistance to prevent and combat the illegal transfer of chemical, biological, and radioactive materials.

The donated equipment includes classroom equipment for the Police NCO School in Pazardzhik, radio-communication equipment, office equipment, and radiation detection devices.

The EXBS program has provided Bulgaria with the most advanced equipment in combating the trafficking and illegal transfer of chemical, biological, and radioactive materials for the past four years. Bulgaria has thus far received USD 4.5 M of equipment and training in this area.

For more information please visit the U.S. Embassy website http://sofia.usembassy.gov or contact the Press Center at Pazardzhik District Police Directorate at 034-433-296.