MOI and U.S. Conduct a Black Sea Regional Exercise together with Moldova, Georgia and Romania to Respond to Potential WMD Incidents

_{Four Year DTRA/ FBI Nonproliferation Assistance Totals 2.1 Million Dollars}

On September 24-28, under the leadership of the Ministry of Interior, the U.S. Department of Defense/ Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are conducting a Regional Black Sea Weapons of Mass Destruction Exercise at the Ministry of Interior Academy. The Exercise is held simultaneously in the cities of Sofia, Bucharest, Chisinau, and Tbilisi. This Exercise provides a practical opportunity to practice coordination, investigation and response capabilities to a potential WMD accident in the Black Sea region, as well as to support regional cooperation in counterproliferation. Over fifty participants from thirteen Bulgarian agencies are participating.

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) safeguards America's interests from weapons of mass destruction (WMD or chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high explosives) by controlling and reducing the threat to the United States and its allies. The agency focuses DoD efforts to prepare for and respond to chemical or biological attacks on U.S. or friendly forces. To achieve this mission, the DTRA/ FBI International Counterproliferation Program provides a range of law enforcement and border security training and equipment to participating countries. Bulgaria has thus far attended over ten DTRA/ FBI International Counterproliferation Program – sponsored events, worth 2.1 million dollars. These courses support the mission and goals of the Ministry of Interior by providing assistance to prevent and combat the illegal transfer of chemical, biological, and radioactive materials.

On September 26, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., during the Black Sea Exercise, a Field Exercise will take place at the MOI Academy. Reporters are invited at this event.

For more information please visit the U.S. Embassy website http://sofia.usembassy.gov or contact the Press Center of Ministry of Interior at 982-44-49 or 982-37-54.