site.btaNovember 21, 1999: US President Bill Clinton Pays Official Visit to Bulgaria

On November 21, 1999, US President Bill Clinton arrived on a three-day official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of his Bulgarian counterpart Peter Stoyanov. This was the first visit of a US President to Sofia since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1901.

Following is BTA’s news piece about the arrival of President Clinton in Bulgaria.

US President Bill Clinton arrived on a three-day visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of Bulgarian counterpart Peter Stoyanov.  This is the first ever visit by a US President to Sofia since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1901.

The US President's plane, Air Force One, landed at Sofia Airport at 21:40 hrs local time on Sunday.  Bulgarian President Stoyanov was there to welcome him. The US President is accompanied by his daughter Chelsea.

The official delegation includes John Podesta, Head of the Office of the US President, Samuel Berger, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and Christopher Hill, Special Advisor to the President and Director of the for Southeastern Europe at the National Security Council.

Clinton and Stoyanov talked for about a minute.

Before going into his limousine which was waiting for him at the foot of the ladder, Clinton exchanged a few words with one of his bodyguards and then surprisingly went to the group of Bulgarian journalists at the airport.  The US President shook hands with most of them and greeted them.  His attention was probably attracted by the group of welcoming journalists.

About 45 US journalists accredited to the White House landed here with Bill Clinton.  Another 70 journalists are flying to Sofia to cover the visit.  The group of foreign journalists includes newsmen from the US largest newspapers, "The New York Times", "Los Angeles Times", "The Washington Post", "Chicago Tribune" and others. Over 230 Bulgarian journalists have been accredited to provide coverage of the event.

Clinton's arrival was broadcast live on national television. The five biggest televisions, CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC and Fox will cover the US President's visit. Besides the welcoming ceremony, CNN will air live the rally in St Alexander Nevsky Square and Clinton's departure on Tuesday.

On Monday, the guest is scheduled to meet President Stoyanov and Prime Minister Ivan Kostov and to visit the National Assembly.

The US President will deliver a speech at a concert and rally marking the 10th anniversary of democratic changes in this country. 

In February 1998, Bulgarian President Stoyanov was received at the White House and conferred with President Clinton during his US visit. At the time they issued a Joint Statement entitled "US-Bulgarian Partnership for a New Era".

In September 1998, President Stoyanov represented Eastern Europe in a discussion with President Clinton, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the then Italian prime minister Romano Prodi.  The discussion was part of a conference on strengthening democracy in global economy, held at the University of New York.

Another of BTA's news pieces of November 21, 1999 gives information about the security measures in Sofia ahead of President Clinton's arrival.

US President Bill Clinton can feel a safe landing at Sofia Airport.  No threats against his security has been received by 14 hrs local time, BTA learnt from the Interior Ministry press centre. There were no reports about anonymous calls or planted bombs.

Clinton is expected to land at the Sofia Airport by an Air Force 1 plane at about 20:30 hrs local time.  There are no problems with the plane's landing, the Airport said. The US President's dogs, cars and security will fly with another two planes.

The arrival will be broadcast live by the Bulgarian National Television.

Journalists will be the first to see Bill Clinton. There will be no restrictions for them at the welcoming ceremony, the Bulgarian President's Press Secretariat said.  The only condition they should have to comply with is to keep a certain distance from the guest.

Clinton's escort will pass along a line of policemen on its way to Sofia.  Police has been on alert since the morning hours.

About 2,000 policemen ensure the security of the US President. They are concentrated mainly in the centre and the main crossings. They could be seen also in the McDonald's restaurants.  The number of the US security has not been officially announced.

Throughout the whole day Sofianites were barred from the city's main streets.  The space around the St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is sealed off with ropes and crowd-control barriers.  Policemen would not let anyone pass through the barriers and patiently explained to the citizens how to go to their destination.  Sofianites showed understanding.

However, certain policemen's reactions were too far-fetched.  A policemen did not admit a BTA reporter to the Sheraton hotel where a meeting on the 10th anniversary of the transition was taking place and the journalist was not able to provide coverage of the event. According to preliminary information, Clinton will stay at the same hotel.

At the same time pedestrians could walk undisturbed past the US Embassy.  However, there was a police cordon around the permanent barriers in front of the building.  At lunch time US Ambassador here Richard Miles was seen to enter the Embassy in a sports suit and smiling.

Sofia's main streets were not closed to traffic by 14 hrs. The parking in front of the Alexander I Batenberg Square was empty and the cafes there were closed.

About 20 people marched past the Dondoukov Boulevard carrying protest slogans against the US President in English and Bulgarian.

A lot of Americans could be seen in Sofia.  Some were walking around the city, some were jogging and others were seen booking rooms at the Bulgaria Hotel.