US to Replace Warlick with New Ambassador to Bulgaria - Report

James Warlick, the "superstar" US Ambassador to Bulgaria, might be recalled ahead of schedule, according to unconfirmed reports. Photo by BGNES

The Obama Administration is set to recall US Ambassador to Bulgaria James Warlick before the end of his three-year term, according to unconfirmed reports.

The Bulgarian government has already received a request from the USA for the accreditation of a new American ambassador in Sofia, the private bTV channel reported Wednesday night citing anonymous diplomatic sources.

Earlier on Wednesday, Warlick presented a new program of the US Embassy in Sofia designed to streamline the visa renewal process.

Warlick did the presentation in perfect Bulgaria, which earned him praise from the reporters on the spot. He did, however, water down his response to the question about his potential recall ahead of schedule.

"I am ready to give you an interview any time you wish since you praised my Bulgarian pronunciation. My personal wish is to stay in Bulgaria as long as possible but this is a decision that's up to my President," Warlick declared, as cited by bTV.

"And let me be completely clear – there is still no decision on how long my stay here will be," he added.

The bTV channel did reported, however, that the request for the accreditation of a new US ambassador in Sofia filed with the Bulgarian government is for a woman who now works at the US State Department and was a former US Ambassador to Albania.

The report about the recall of Warlick – who has become known as a "superstar" ambassador in Bulgaria with his highly active agenda and frequent public appearance – including a role in a hit Bulgarian TV series – has not been confirmed by any official sources from the US or Bulgarian governments.

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