SOFIA, Bulgaria, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- Bulgaria sold weapons to the government of Yemen only after seeking approval to do so from Washington, cables released by WikiLeaks imply.
WikiLeaks in a series of U.S. diplomatic cables published by London's Guardian newspaper suggest Sofia backed a private weapons sale to the Yemeni government with U.S. support.
A cable from the U.S. Embassy in Sofia states that export officials in Bulgaria were considering a deal funded by the United Arab Emirates to send more than 30,000 rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and ammunition to Yemen.
The cable notes that Washington was concerned about the possible spread of weapons to Yemeni militants, including al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.
"In light of the increasingly unstable situation in Yemen and in response to our proposal for greater end-use monitoring, the Bulgarian Export Commission agreed to take extra steps to ensure proper delivery, storage and accountability for the shipments, which began on January 5," the U.S. Embassy cable reads.
The Sofia News Agency notes that the cables suggest the Bulgarian government is looking for U.S. support on some arms deals, though such approval isn't mandatory.
