Outgoing US Ambassador: Bulgarian Cabinet Must Stay Course

American Ambassador in Sofia, James Warlick, refuted once again Tuesday media information that he has been recalled early.

In an interview for TV7, which the channel says might be his farewell one, the diplomat explained that the US has started the procedure to nominate his replacement, but the decision has not yet been finalized.

On May 25th US President Barack Obama officially announced that he has nominated Marcie Ries for Ambassador to Bulgaria, where she will replace James Warlick. The announcement was published on the site of the White House.

In the interview, the Ambassador also touched on the last developments in the country's fight against organized crime, saying the arrest of alleged drug lord Evelin Banev AKA Brando is a significant step forward of the government in this fight. He stressed once again that criminals must not only be arrested, but tried and receive just sentences under the rule of law.

Warlick pointed out that as Rome was not built in a day, the fight against organized crime is a long and difficult process.

"The series of arrests of key figures from the underground such as Brando or the alleged "Octopus" gang ringleader Alexey Petrov, are proof that the Bulgarian government is making the necessary efforts and must stay the course," said he.

Commenting on the new law for confiscation of illegally acquired assets without the need to have an effective Court verdict, the diplomat explained that all individuals in Bulgaria who have "unexplainable" wealth must be probed.

The Ambassador further reiterated his support for the decision of Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, to scrap the project to build a second Nuclear Power Plant, NPP, in the Danube town of Belene, adding he agrees with Borisov's motive that such project is a very expensive undertaking.

"If this was an economically beneficial project, investors would have shown up," Warlick stated.

He also commented on the exploration of shale gas deposits in Bulgaria, saying Bulgarians are right to give top priority to preserving the environment. The diplomat, however, voiced the opinion that there is a need of in-depth and unbiased debate about such exploration as shale gas can end up being an alternative energy source for the country.

See the rest here:
Outgoing US Ambassador: Bulgarian Cabinet Must Stay Course