An investigation story of eight leading journalists from the Financial Times claims to shed light on Bulgaria's part in the events that led to the Vilnius 10 declaration issued on February 5, 2003 in support of US policy on Iraq.

The feature entitled "The Plot that Split Old and New Europe Asunder" follows the clandestine moves behind the preparation of the document. The authors allege that the engine behind the declaration was Bruce Jackson, President of the US Committee on NATO Enlargement.

The story insists that the Bulgarians were ready to sign the document but were nervous about the reaction of the European Union. It follows the trip of Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Passy who flied to Washington to demand amendments of the already prepared text. The authors then describe the consultations that the Bulgarian diplomat had with officials from the EU countries.

The February 5 declaration was signed by 10 countries in central and eastern Europe - all of them candidates to join NATO, and known as the Vilnius 10.