The Subcommittee on Europe with the US Congress postponed a vote on the legal amendment that would greenlight military aid to Bulgaria, Sofia's envoy to Washington said. Elena Poptodorova, Bulgarian Ambassador to the United States, revealed that some congressmen supported the amendment vigorously but there were also more reserved moods. However, she hopes to see the text passed till the end of the week.

The amendment tabled by Congressman John Shimkus would exempt Bulgaria from sanctions over its EU-inspired position on the fledging war crimes court in The Hague. If it gets passed, Bulgaria, together with the six other NATO invitees from Eastern Europe, will be treated as an equal member of the Alliance.

The Shimkus amendment was also discussed Wednesday at the Committee on Armed Services with the US Senate. To get passed, the text will have to secure a yes-vote in both the Congress and the Senate.


At the start of this week, the United States warned Bulgaria of freezing nearly USD 20 M of additional military aid to the Balkan country over its stand on the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The dispute over signing immunity pacts with Washington boils down to the right of forces overseas personnel to be shielded from frivolous or politically inspired prosecutions.

The Bush administration has already formally warned European Union nations of a "very damaging" fight if they continue opposing immunity for US citizens at the ICC.