16:21 - 20.08.2003
US eyes Bulgarian Army training grounds for possible use
SOFIA (bnn)--The United States is assessing Bulgaria's military practice grounds for possible use by the U.S. Army, a U.S. senator said Wednesday.
Sen. James Inhofe, a Republican from Oklahoma traveled Wednesday to a Bulgarian Army base, which the Ministry of Defense would not disclose.
Inhofe said the U.S. was assessing practice opportunities in Bulgaria and comparing them to those in West Europe.
"This assessment will be influenced in a great extent by the friendship and loyalty, which Bulgaria has demonstrated," he said alluding to the Balkan country's siding with the U.S. in its war in Iraq.
The U.S. has indicated it might move military bases from Western Europe to Bulgaria and Romania, which are invited to join NATO next year. (snip/...)
http://www.bgnewsnet.com/story.asp?st=1564