http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=2934§ionid=3510206The U.S. is planning to deploy its first army brigade to Bulgaria and Romania in the summer of 2007.
Supreme Allied Commander Europe for NATO, Bantz Craddock, said approximately 2000 to 3000 U.S troops will be deployed to six U.S. army bases in Bulgaria and Romania, IRNA reported.
Craddock added the task of the force is to maintain the U.S military presence near the strategic regions of Black Sea and Caucasus.
U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, signed an agreement with Bulgaria's Foreign Minister, Ivaylo Kalfin, last April to deploy 3,000 to 5,000 troops to the East European country.
Under the agreement, the U.S will be able to use three Bulgarian military bases near the Novo Selo range bordering with Turkey, the Graf Ignatievo airfield in central Bulgaria and a storage facility near Burgas port in the west of the country.
Romanian and Bulgarian people have repeatedly staged demonstrations to oppose any U.S military presence in their countries.