site.btaAir Force Commander Radev Tenders Resignation, Withdraws It after Meeting with Prime Minister

Air Force Commander Radev Tenders Resignation, Withdraws It after Meeting with Prime Minister

Sofia, October 1 (BTA) - Air Force Commander Major General Rumen
 Radev withdrew his resignation after a meeting with Prime
Minister Boyko Borissov. He had tendered it hours earlier on
Thursday.

Valentin Radev, deputy chair of the parliamentary defence 
committee, called the general "a capable officer who stands by
his position" and said that he was surprised by the resignation
which was unnecessary.

BSP-Left Bulgaria deputy floor leader Atanas Merdzhanov said
that Radev is not a "fuse" and his departure will be a huge blow
 to the Armed Forces. Merdzhanov said he didn't know the motives
 behind Radev's resignation and added that the political
leadership of the Defence Ministry and the Defence Minister
himself have no idea how to develop the Armed Forces.

Reformist Bloc co-floor leader Radan Kanev said that the correct
 defence policy was more important than the commander of the Air
 Force. He was asked by journalists in Parliament whether it was
 worth beheading the Air Force so that Defence Minister Nenchev
could keep his post.