Information on changes to the structure and activities of the secret police since the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) government was elected in October 1991 [BGR10735]

According to a report from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the core of the secret services in Bulgaria was State Security (RFE/RL 19 July 1991, 5). This agency was reorganized in 1990 with two departments, the National Protection Service and the National Intelligence Service, being placed directly under the control of the president, and other departments remaining under the control of the Internal Affairs Ministry (Ibid., 5, 6). This RFE/RL report is attached to Response to Information Request BGR9994 of 30 December 1991, available at your Regional Documentation Centre.

According to attached reports, the control of the intelligence service appears to be an on-going controversy in Bulgaria (Demokratsiya 19 Mar. 1992; RFE/RL 13 Mar. 1992; Khorizont Radio Network 29 Feb. 1992; BTA 4 Mar. 1992; Ibid. 1 Mar. 1992; Khristov Botev Radio Network 29 Feb. 1992; BBC Summary 11 Mar. 1992 ). The National Intelligence Service is reportedly still under the legal control of the President of Bulgaria, however, the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) recently put forth a proposal to place this agency under parliamentary control (Ibid.). A number of political parties and President Zhelyu Zhelev, who was elected by the parliament in August 1990 and by popular vote in January 1992, do not support this proposal (Ibid.). However, according to a report from Bulgarian Radio on a meeting between President Zhelev and Aleksandur Yordanov, leader of the UDF parliamentary group, Yordanov stated that "differences exist only in the newspapers, and not between us" (BBC Summary 11 Mar. 1992). Please see the attached articles for further details, including information on the positions taken by various political parties on this matter and a report on an interview with President Zhelev.

In addition, please find attached two reports on interviews conducted with the Chief of the National Intelligence Service regarding activities and recent changes in this agency, and a number of reports related to international conferences on intelligence services held in Sofia in December 1991 and April 1992. Also attached are two brief reports indicating that troops under the Internal Affairs Ministry were brought in to replace police officers guarding foreign embassies (RFE/RL 24 Jan. 1992, 73; BTA 13 Jan. 1992). Further information on the National Intelligence Service or other departments which were formerly part of State Security is not currently available to the IRBDC.

References


BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 11 March 1992. "President Zhelev and UDF Reach Compromise on Intelligence Service." (NEXIS)

Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA) [Sofia, in English]. 4 March 1992. "BSP Favors Control of Intelligence." (FBIS-EEU-92-044 5 Mar. 1992)

_____. 1 March 1992. "Zhelev, SDS 'Conflict' Develops." (FBIS-EEU-92-041 2 Mar. 1992 5)

_____. 13 January 1992. "Interior Ministry Troops Supplement Police." (FBIS-EEU-92-009 14 Jan. 1992)

Demokratsiya [Sofia, in Bulgarian]. 19 March 1992. "Zhelev Explains Position on Intelligence Service." (FBIS-EEU-92-057 24 Mar. 1992, 8)

Khorizont Radio Network [Sofia, in Bulgarian]. 29 February 1992. "Zhelev Expresses 'Negative View'." (FBIS-EEU-92-041 2 Mar. 1992, 5)

Khristov Botev Radio Network. 29 February 1992. "Democratic Center Backs Declaration." (FBIS-EEU-92-041 2 Mar. 1992, 6)

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 19 July 1991. Report on Eastern Europe. Vol. 2, No. 29. Kjell Engelbrekt. "The Lasting Influence of the Secret Services."

Attachments

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 11 March 1992. "President Zhelev and UDF Reach Compromise on Intelligence Service." (NEXIS)

Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA) [Sofia, in English]. 4 March 1992. "BSP Favors Control of Intelligence." (FBIS-EEU-92-044 5 Mar. 1992).

_____. 1 March 1992. "Zhelev, SDS 'Conflict' Develops." (FBIS-EEU-92-041 2 Mar. 1992 5)

_____. 13 January 1992. "Interior Ministry Troops Supplement Police." (FBIS-EEU-92-009 14 Jan. 1992)

_____. 10 January 1992. "Inteligence Chief Describes Current Tasks." (FBIS-EEU-92-009 14 Jan. 1992, 6)

_____. 18 December 1991. "Intelligence Service To Cooperate With U.S." (FBIS-EEU-91-244 19 Dec. 1991, 6)

Bulgarska Armiya [Sofia, in Bulgarian]. 18 December 1991. "Zhelev Opens Conference of Intelligence Services." (FBIS-EEU-91-248 26 December 1991, 5)

Demokratsiya [Sofia, in Bulgarian]. 19 March 1992. "Zhelev Explains Position on Intelligence Service." (FBIS-EEU-92-057 24 Mar. 1992, 8)

Khorizont Radio Network [Sofia, in Bulgarian]. 29 February 1992. "Zhelev Expresses 'Negative View'." (FBIS-EEU-92-041 2 Mar. 1992, 5)

_____. 24 February 1992. "Liberal Party Backs Zhelev on Security Transfer." (FBIS-EEU-92-043 4 Mar. 1992, 5).

Khristov Botev Radio Network. 29 February 1992. "Democratic Center Backs Declaration." (FBIS-EEU-92-041 2 Mar. 1992, 6)

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 13 March 1992. RFE/RL Research Report. Vol. 1, No. 11. "Weekly Review."

_____. 24 January 1992. RFE/RL Research Report. Vol. 1, No. 4. "Weekly Review."

Trud [Sofia, in Bulgarian]. 20 December 1991. "Intelligence Director Says 47 'Retired'." (FBIS-EEU-92-001 2 Jan. 1992, 4)

United Press International (UPI). 9 April 1992. BC Cycle. "Spy Chiefs Meet in Sofia for International Conference." (NEXIS)