Sofia, April 4, 1997 (RFE/RL) - In a major foreign policy shift for Sofia, Bulgaria's caretaker cabinet has declared its willingness, in principle, to participate in an Italian-led multi-national peacekeeping force in Albania.
Since the end of World War Two, Bulgaria has followed a consistent policy of keeping its forces out of A-L-L conflict zones in neighboring Balkan countries. Our correspondent in Sofia says a statement issued by caretaker Prime Minister Stefan Sofiansky's cabinet yesterday shows that Bulgaria is now willing to bear part of the responsibility for the fate of the Balkan region. The statement did not specify how Bulgaria will take part in humanitarian and security operation in Albania.
The Romanian government has already announced its intention to send 400 soldiers to Albania. The Hungarian government this week ruled out sending troops, saying the situation in Albania is an internal matter for Tirana to handle.