Foreign Minister: NATO Radar in Bulgarian Mountains is Hoax

Defense | May 29, 2011, Sunday // 17:34|  views

Botev Peak, the highest in the Stara Planina mountain range, has been named after famed Bulgarian poet and revolutionary Hristo Botev. File photo.

The rumors that NATO will place a radar, part of its projected missile shield, on Botev Peak in the Bulgarian Stara Planina mountains are not true, stated Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolay Mladenov Sunday.

Speaking for the Bulgarian National Radio, Mladenov recalled Bulgaria's full commitment to NATO and the missile shield, but followed an earlier statement from the Ministry of Defense, in dismissing recent rumors that a NATO radar is to be placed at the 2376 m peak right in the center of Bulgaria.

"The alleged reports that a radar from the American missile shield will be placed on Botev are pure speculation," said Mladenov.

He nevertheless stated that Bulgaria will press that once implemented, the missile shield must cover its whole territory, and that the country would accept some facilities of the system.

"What elements will be placed in Bulgaria and where exactly is a matter of technical discussion," said Mladenov.

He added: "I want to assure everyone that our national dignity will in no way be affected by implementing the missile shield."

Botev Peak is named after Hristo Botev, a one of the most prominent Bulgarian freedom fighters and poets, who died in 1876, aged 28, at the head of an armed unit attempting to stir a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire.

Meanwhile, a NATO Parliamentary Assembly forum is presently held in the Bulgarian Black Sea city of Varna.

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Tags: Hristo Botev, botev peak, Stara Planina, radar, NATO, missile shield, Anyu Angelov, Nikolay Mladenov

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