09-11-05 The United States is negotiating for access to military bases in Bulgaria and Romania to help ensure security and prosperity in the vital Black Sea region, the Washington File, the information newsletter of the US State Department, reported in its first article on the topic.
"We are negotiating with Bulgaria and Romania for the use of shared military facilities, which will improve our joint ability to respond to crisis and which will allow us to train together and operate together more effective," the Washington File reported, citing statements of US Ambassador to Bulgaria John R. Beyrle at the Black Sea Maritime Conference in Sofia.

A report said US interest in providing security and prosperity in the Black Sea region is related to the transport of oil. It cites the Washington File report, which says shipping traffic into and out of the Black Sea has more than doubled since 2001, with 150 ships a day passing through the Turkish Straits, including an average of 25 oil tankers per day.
A terrorist attack against shipping or port facilities "would directly threaten the interests and economic security of the United States, and of all the nations which use the energy from the region," the newsletter cited Ambassador Beyrle as saying.

The Washington File recalls that on October 23, US National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley visited Bucharest, Romania, and said the United States and Romania expected to reach an agreement "very soon" that would allow American troops to use military bases near the Black Sea.
"Hadley did not discuss basing negotiations in neighbouring Bulgaria, but US officials have been negotiating with both countries for more than a year."