Visit our website: HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------------------------- [Defy Lockheed-Martin and NATO standards can never be met. Time to check out bomb shelters in Sofia.] Bulgaria Won't Buy U.S. Planes The Associated Press Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2001; 11:12 a.m. EDT SOFIA, Bulgaria �� Bulgaria has scrapped plans to replace some of its Russian-made military aircraft with U.S. F-16 jet fighters, a senior army officer said Tuesday. The government will instead repair and refurbish its 21 Russian MiG-29 jet fighters in an effort to upgrade its force meet NATO military standards. Bulgaria hopes to receive an invitation to join NATO during the alliance's summit next year. Only three of the fighters are in working condition due to lack of spare parts, said Gen. Dimitar Georgiev, air defense commander. The country's 235-plane air force also includes older Soviet-made MiG-23, MiG-21 and Su-25 fighters. The previous government of former prime minister Ivan Kostov considered replacing the MiG-29s with American F-16 fighters so that the fleet would fulifill NATO requirements. But because the country could only afford used planes � which could require extensive and costly repairs � officials decided to forego the purchase. "There is no point in buying recycled U.S. planes," Georgiev said. "They will require different navigation and auxiliary equipment." � __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger http://phonecard.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------------------------- This Discussion List is the follow-up for the old stopnato @listbot.com that has been shut down ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9spWA Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [email protected] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
