James Pardew: 100th Anniversary of US-Bulgarian Relations Marks New Start

Novinite Insider » INTERVIEW | September 18, 2003, Thursday // 00:00
James Pardew: 100th Anniversary of US-Bulgarian Relations Marks New Start Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (novinite.com)

James William Pardew was sworn in as Ambassador of the United States of America to Bulgaria in 2002. Ambassador Pardew previously was the U.S. negotiator on the international team, which completed the Framework Agreement in Macedonia in 2001. He earlier served as Deputy Special Advisor to the President and Secretary of State for Democracy in the Balkans during the conflict in Kosovo and subsequent peace implementation from 1999-2001. He directed the Military Train and Equip Program for Bosnia from 1996 to 1999, and represented the Secretary of Defense on the U.S. negotiating team that concluded the Dayton Peace Agreement ending the war in Bosnia. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, and earned a B.S. degree in Journalism at Arkansas State U niversity in 1966, and an M.A. in Political Science at Loyola University of Chicago in 1973. Married; he and his wife Kathy have three sons.

H.E. James Pardew spoke to novinite.com Editor-in-Chief Milena Hristova

Q: While the two countries organize additional events around the actual September 19 anniversary date of US-Bulgarian diplomatic relations, the visit of US Secretary of State Colin Powell to Bulgaria launched the celebrations and turned into the centerpiece of the centennial commemoration. Do you think the visit was emblematic about the state of US-Bulgarian relations?

A: State Secretary Powell's visit to Sofia in May was symbolic of a new relationship. He stressed the importance of Bulgaria's relationship with the United States and how much we appreciate what Bulgaria is doing with us, how we welcome Bulgaria as a new ally, a new friend, a new economic partner.

We share the same values of democracy and freedom, rule of law. The 100th anniversary of US-Bulgarian diplomatic relations is a benchmark, which lets us assess our past hundred years and more importantly it's a symbol of a new start, a new beginning.

Q: In June former US Ambassador to Bulgaria Avis Bohlen said that the relations between the two countries "have never been better". Which are the major events that symbolize the state of our relations? In which areas do you expect to appear dark spots?

A: What both Secretary Powell and Avis Bohlen said and what President Bush will say is that we have the best relationship we have ever had over the past one hundred years. It is based on our shared values of democracy, market economy, rule of law, respect for human dignity. One can see that being manifest in the new relationship - membership in NATO, US support for Bulgaria's membership in the European Union, tremendous amount of cooperation in almost every field, more American investments in Bulgaria in the last few years than ever before and hopefully even more in the future. We are new economic, political, military partners and we expect this relationship to grow and to develop further.

I am sure that as we engage with each other more intensively in the future there will be moments of time to disagree, because Bulgaria is going to act in its own interest. More often than not, because of our shared values, we expect the US and Bulgarian positions to be similar. We will have rough spots but that's normal in any relationship, be it either relations between human beings or relations between nations.

Q: What was the main challenge for the United States in its relations with Bulgaria up till now? What was the main challenge for Bulgaria? Did it manage to rise up to it?

A: The past one hundred years has been a period of great change for both Bulgaria and the United States. Back in 1903 the United States was just emerging as an international power. At the same time Bulgaria was just coming out of a hundred years of domination and has really been defining itself as a nation - is it looking north, east or west, is it a democracy or some other form of government. When you look over history there is a common theme of Bulgarians struggling for democracy. It seems that at the end of that period Bulgaria has reached consensus that it is European, a democracy, a market economy, and internationally engaged. Those are values that we strongly support and we can build a strong relationship on that.

Q: Washington highly appreciated Bulgaria's support in the UN Security Council during the debates of the resolutions on Iraq and during the war in Iraq. Do you think Bulgarian society had too great expectations about the benefits from the country's stand?

A: Maybe. When there are major decisions, it is natural for people of any country to have high expectations that something is going to happen very quickly. It rarely happens as quickly as people expect. Since 1989 Bulgarians have an expectation that things are going to change very rapidly and it has been slower and more difficult than people expected. I do think that the change has been dramatic and we will keep working, as there are no miracles and instant successes.

Q: How do you see Bulgaria's role in modern transatlantic processes?

A: We are very pleased with Bulgaria's position on the war on terrorism and what has happened since September 11. As Bulgaria becomes more integrated into transatlantic institutions like NATO and more engaged with the European Union and the modern economic world, the relationship will become stronger. We believe we have a consistent and strong partner in Bulgaria.

Q: Should Sofia expect Washington to move military bases to Bulgaria in the near future?

A: It is too soon to say. The Cold War is over and my country is looking at force deployment around the world where we need them, where they can best be. From my own security standpoint and from the standpoint of our allies Bulgaria is an option. This option has been considered but no decisions have been made.

Q: Sofia has been widely praised for its achievements on its way to gain NATO accession. Which are the weak points that Bulgaria needs to eliminate in this respect?

A: Bulgaria should remain committed to the improvements of its military force, following the tremendous changes in the military structure. Bulgaria has done everything it has been asked to modify the military to become a fully functioning member of the Alliance, but it still has a lot of things to do.

Q: Which are the major obstacles that impede Bulgaria's economic progress?

A: One of the hindrances of economic development is the judicial system, which can assure foreign investors that they have legal recourse. The influences of organized crime and corruption also hinder economic development. I am a big believer in small and medium-sized enterprises and I think this is an area that could improve the job situation in Bulgaria. More authority at the local level would mean making the environment friendlier towards small and medium entrepreneurs and enterprises. Bulgaria has tremendous agricultural potential, so this might be another area where Bulgaria can develop economically.

Q: Can you describe Bulgaria in three words?

A: I will just leave it at two words - great potential.

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