At the end of his visit to the US, Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov said that the support given by US president George Bush to the Bulgarian nurses in Libya might change the case completely. The five Bulgarians have been sentenced to death for the alleged infection of more than 400 Libyan children with HIV. During a meeting with Purvanov, Bush called for the release of the nurses. Libyan authorities responded immediately that they would not give in to international pressure, Sega newspaper reported. Purvanov said that though the initial Libyan reaction was negative, the country was sending other signals, as well. He said that he expected more intensive dialogue with Libya on bilateral relations and co-operation. Bush's statement should not provoke negative sentiments, because he also considered the fate of the infected children, Purvanov said.
Purvanov said he was happy about the formation of a non-government organisation which is to establish contact with the families of the infected children. The idea to set up such an organisation came after a visit to Libya, Purvanov said.