The US has struck a deal that would allow it to establish three military bases in Bulgaria. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice signed the agreement that will see around 2,500 American soldiers deployed on short rotation over the next ten years. The Bulgarian parliament is yet to ratify the document, which is seen as payback from Sofia for Washington supporting its entry into Nato.

The US will be allowed to launch attacks against third countries from the bases, with Bulgarian support. A recent survey showed 60 per cent of people in the former communist country are opposed to the US bases, despite the investment and jobs they will provide.

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