site.btaDefence Minister Nenchev: "I Have the Feeling that Russia Is the Source of Rumours that We Are Preparing for War"

Defence Minister Nenchev: "I Have the Feeling that Russia Is the Source of Rumours that We Are Preparing for War"


Sofia, February 3 (BTA) - "I have the feeling that the rumours
that we are preparing for war come from Russia," Bulgarian
Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev said on Nova Television Tuesday
 morning.

He was referring to recent reports, and especially statements
made by Ataka Party leader Volen Siderov, that the military are
sending out call-up orders and are carrying out a mobilization
in order to send troops "to kill Russian-speaking Ukrainian
citizens."

"This is speculation. The sources of this information are the
same. The people who cause hysteria are the same. There is an
information propaganda centre that wants to spread panic in
people," Nenchev said. "This disinformation has gone beyond all
normal limits: the mobilization, a centre with nuclear missiles
in Shabla, things that do not correspond to the truth. The idea
is to create a sense that we are doing something directed
against Russia or Ukraine," the Defence Minister said.

He categorically denied that a mobilization is under way. "This
is an updating of the list. This is not sending out call-up
orders. We send a letter to the person concerned, asking him or
her to report for a check. We check whether these people are
still in Bulgaria, their health status, whether they are on
maternity leave, if they are servicewomen," Nenchev explained.
In his words, such checks take place periodically and now
concern some 3,000 people.

The Defence Minister admitted that Bulgarian military aviation
is in a very bad condition. Several Russian-made MiG fighters
will be repaired in Russia by virtue of a contract that expires
in September.

"I hope and I strongly believe that we will seek another company
 for repairs in September," Nenchev added. In this connection,
he stressed that the Bulgarian material is incompatible with
NATO standards.

"We have planned upwards of 76-77 joint exercises with the
Alliance in various places. Part of them will be conducted in
Novo Selo," the Minister said. "Several tanks will be brought in
 for the exercises, they will be used temporarily for that
purpose and will then be taken out of the country."

Asked whether there will be a NATO base in Bulgaria, Nenchev
said that "there will be no bases whatsoever. A coordination
centre will be set up in Sofia, and it will be staffed by 50
serviceperson, half of whom will be Bulgarians."