Bulgaria's Ex-EconMin Disses Former US Envoy over WikiLeaks Cable

Rumen Ovcherov, Bulgaria's ex-Economy Minister during the country's three-way government (2005-2009) refuted claims made by John Beyrle in a leaked 2007 diplomatic cable published Monday by WikiLeaks.

"Apparently, John Beyrle worked not only as a diplomat but as a creative writer," the former Minister ironically remarked Tuesday when asked to comment the former US envoy's allegations in the cable.

The cable, dated February 26, 2007 was prompted by plans for Ovcharov's visit to the US. It warns those, who are due to meet with him, that he is an enigmatic, but controversial figure as he is linked to corruption and Russian energy interests.

Beyrle poitns out that the former Minister concluded a 23-year deal with Russian company Gazprom, leading many to question what the country really gave up for this. Bulgaria committed itself to building its second Nuclear Power Plant in Belene in exchange for the deal, the Ambassador claims.

The Embassy's concerns about Ovcharov's dark side were sufficient for them to recommend against meetings with his counterparts at the cabinet level, according to the leaked document.

"When US cops cite information heard by Bulgarian cops, things aren't serious," the former Minister stated Tuesday regarding the cable, according to the Dnevnik daily. He pointed out that the Russian -European project was deemed better than a US-Czech one for Belene during his government and warned that Bulgaria may end up importing electricity instead of exporting it if it does not finish constructing the plant.

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