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Friday.

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Yambol-Festivities. 16 mummer groups from around the country took part in the Wine Carnival dedicated to Saint Triphon. This was the second edition of the carnival organized by the 1924 winery, the Yambol municipality and the Zora, Suglasie and Probuda cultural centers. PressPhoto BTA Photo: Yurii Igoshin

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Bulgarians shout in front of the parliament during a rally against increased taxes for small businessmen on Friday, Feb. 1, 2002 in downtown Sofia. Some 2,000 craftsmen and women rallied to protest tax hikes they claim will force hundreds of industries to shut down. (AP Photo/Dimitar Deinov)

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Bulgarians shout slogans in front of the parliament during a rally against increased taxes for small businessmen on Friday, Feb. 1, 2002 in downtown Sofia. Some 2,000 craftsmen and women rallied to protest tax hikes they claim will force hundreds of industries to shut down. (AP Photo/Dimitar Deinov)

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Solomon Pasy(right) together with BG Orthodox Church representative Galaktion(center) met with Patriarch Alexei. Photo: monitor.bg

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A masked member of the Albanian National Army's unit "Shadows" poses for a photo Friday Feb. 1, 2002 in Skopje area. The ANA is a splinter rebel group that opposes the peace agreement that ended six months of fighting between Macedonian forces and ethnic Albanian rebels last year. The group has already claimed responsibility for several attacks on government forces last year. (AP Photo/Str)

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An ethnic Albanian man, right, greets police officers during the first ethnically mixed patrol through village of Lipkovo, 25 kms (15 miles) northeast of Macedonia's capital Skopje, Friday, Feb. 1, 2002. Villagers of Lipkovo, the biggest commune in the Kumanovo region, allowed ethnically mixed police patrols to enter their village Friday. (AP Photo/Maja Zlatevska)

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A member of an ethnically mixed police patrol talks with ethnic Albanian children in the village of Orizare, Macedonia, 27 kms (16 miles) northeast of Macedonia's capital Skopje, Friday, Feb. 1, 2002. The ethnically mixed patrol entered the village Friday for the first time since the ethnic Albanian insurgency last year. (AP Photo/Maja Zlatevska)

High Ranking Officials Charged Because of Vejce Massacre.

A1 TV

High Ranking Officials Charged Because of Vejce Massacre.

By Irina Gelevska, A1 TV

Skopje - The parents of 8 soldiers and policemen, victims of the NLA massacre near Tetovo's village Vejce in April last year, started a legal process against 10 high ranged Macedonian officials. They charge them for high treason, conspiracy and aiding the assassins.

President of Republic of Macedonia Boris Trajkovski heads the list of the accused.
It also includes the ex-minister of police Dosta Dimovska,
the ex-minister of defense Ljuben Paunovski [who left the office because of corruption],
the ex-chief of Head Quarters of the Army of Republic of Macedonia, general colonel Jovan Andrevski,
the Speaker of the Parliament Stojan Andov,
the leader of the Albanian political party PDP Imer Imeri,
the leader of the largest Albanian political party in Macedonia DPA Arben Xhaferi,
and the leader of NLA Ali Ahmeti.

The chief of Tetovo police and high ranking officials of the Police Ministry and Defense Ministry also stand indicted for high treason in this case.

Macedonia: Outrage Over Parliamentary Perks.

Institute for War & Peace Reporting

Parliamentary deputies in Macedonia vote themselves life-long parliamentary privileges as early elections approach.

By Gordana Icevska-Stojanovska in Skopje (BCR No. 314, 1-Feb-02)

A new law governing the rights and duties of Macedonian deputies has provoked a storm of protest from political analysts, lawyers and opposition politicians, who claim the legislation is a self-seeking attempt to secure unfair advantages. Under the new legislation, passed on January 24, deputies who have served for at least 18 months would be entitled to early retirement and larger state pensions and all would be entitled to diplomatic passports for life.

Legal experts claim the law is in breach of the constitution and discriminates against ordinary citizens. Under existing rules, for example, diplomatic passports, which allow ease of international travel and certain legal immunities around the world, have to be handed back when a deputy leaves parliament.

Borce Davitkovski, professor of administrative law at Skopje University, said the new rules would make Macedonia a "circus state". "In all states around the world at the moment the rules are clear - when a deputy's mandate ends, the state takes back the passport. The state is the owner of the passport. Everyone will laugh at us. It's strange and illegal," he said.

Deputies also voted to allow themselves to retire after 25 years of work, or when they hit 50 - much earlier than ordinary Macedonians. What's more, their pensions are to be equivalent to 80 per cent of their salaries. Everyone else has to make do with 60 per cent of salary on retirement. "Why should someone who has worked half as long as others be allowed to retire on the back of a couple of years spent sleeping in parliament?" asked an outraged Davitkovski. "The shame is great - the disgrace is both domestic and international."

The law is also retrospective, so every deputy, in this or previous parliaments, who served for a minimum of 18 months, would benefit from the improved pension and retirement terms. Slobodan Danevski, a Liberal party deputy, defended the legislation, saying the new rules outline duties as well as privileges, requiring deputies to give up outside occupations and docking their wages for failing to attend parliamentary sessions.

"Deputies should not be able to just come and go from parliament as they please," said Danevski. "There needs to be order. They need to be either deputies or doctors, professors or managers or whatever." Another requirement in the January rules states that parliamentary representatives must register how much property they own on becoming elected and must update this information after two years in office.

Deputies from the opposition Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, SDSM, and a few smaller opposition parties voted overwhelmingly against the January 24 law. The SDSM claimed ruling parties' representatives simply wanted to guarantee themselves benefits ahead of a general election expected later this year. "The law does not fit with the economic and social situation in the country," said SDSM deputy Ljupco Popovski, reiterating concerns from some economic experts that the enhanced pension benefits alone would put further strain on the already stretched state budget.

Deputies passed a similar law in 2000 but Macedonian president Boris Trajkovski refused to ratify the legislation and returned it to parliament for "polishing". The president's office has indicated that similar stalling tactics are under consideration this time around too. Meanwhile, the Macedonian trade unions are challenging the legislation in the constitutional court. Davitkovski believes it will find against the new law.

Political analysts believe that even if it is overturned, the long-term damage could be considerable. Mistrust and cynicism among Macedonian voters may increase and the country's international reputation be damaged, they suggest. Gordana Icevska-Stojanovska works for the weekly Kapital in Skopje.

MACEDONIA TAKES OVER PRESIDENCY OF "AUDIOVISUEL-EUREKA"

MIA

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The Republic of Macedonia took over the presidency of the Pan-European Inter-Government Organisation of Audiovisual Arts "Audiovisuel-Eureka" (AVE).

Macedonian Minister of Culture Ganka Samoilovska-Cvetanova took over the mandate from Turkish State Secretary Fikret Ucan in Brussels this evening.

Expressing her gratitude on behalf of the Macedonian Government, Minister Samoilovska-Cvetanova said, "this is a great act of support for our country from the European Commission".

The presidency mandate of the Republic of Macedonia is a precedent, because the rule is for one member-country of the Union to chair the organisation in the course of one year, while a non-member country the following. Turkey took over the presidency from Spain.

Presidency of AVE also means presidency of the European audiovisual observatory, which monitors and registers events in this area along with the Brugge Group- Association of the most influential TV stations in Europe.

The National team is consisted of the Minister of Culture, along with the national coordinators and the permanent representative of Macedonia in the Secretariat of "Audiovisuel-Eureka" in Brussels, as well as representatives of "Film Library of Macedonia", "Vardar Film" and Broadcast Council.

On the occasion of the official taking over of the mandate, a short compilation presentation of archive film materials of Manaki brothers was held in Brussels yesterday, accompanied by music by "Dragan Dautovski Quartet" and the world pre-premiere of documentary movie "Joy of Life", written and directed by Svetozar Ristovski. The movie was shot last year and deals with the first concert of the Balkan Philharmonic Orchestra in Skopje.

Round table on topic "Key Issues of the European Movie and Audiovisual Sector" was also held, attended by representatives of the European Investment Bank and the Network of European Documentary Movie. Issues on the creative and economic perspectives of the movie and TV, with the appliance of digital technology were discussed at the round table.

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In the framework of the activities in Brussels, Minister Samoilovska-Cvetanova had a meeting with Belgian Deputy Foreign Minister Annemie Neyts.

The Ministry of Culture also prepared some presents- 2 CD music editions of "Dragan Dautovski Quartet", CD "Century of Movie in Macedonia" and one video-cassette "Day in Macedonia", accompanied by flyers, i.e. presentation of project "Macedonia-Land of Lakes and Monasteries".

Organisation "Audiovisuel-Eureka" has 35 member countries, while the European Commission and the Council of Europe are associate members. The initiative for its establishment was launched in Paris in 1989, on the occasion of the European Audiovisual Conference.

It has been concentrated on activities in favor of countries from Central, East and Southeast Europe since 1996.

The main mission of Audiovisuel-Eureka" is to provide professionals from the region "tools" for better access to the European audiovisual market.

The activities of the organisation are focused on 4 priority areas, such as training, information activities, promotion, favoring exchange of ideas and experiences.

As Macedonian Culture Minister stated, this is a rare opportunity for the Republic of Macedonia to chair significant international organisations, especially in the area of culture.

Presidency with "Audiovisuel-Eureka" will present an opportunity to promote the Macedonian audiovisual sector in the European framework and improvement of the ratings of Macedonian moviemakers at European producers.

Thus, several activities will be realised, such as the ministerial, movie market in Ohrid, which will be open to professionals, distributors and journalists, meeting of the coordinators of AVE and a seminar for digital technology in the framework of Festival "Manaki Brothers" in Bitola.

There will also activities abroad, meetings of coordinators in Brussels and Strasbourg, participation of AVE-Forum in Strasbourg, organisation of "Cannes Umbrella" in the framework of the film festival and showing of Macedonian movies before the Euro-parliamentarians.

One of the priorities of our team is the expansion of the AVE organisation with new members such as Albania, Croatia, Ukraine, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The prior chair-countries of "Audiovisuel-Eureka" were France, Italy, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Poland, Spain, Hungary, Greece and Turkey.

Spanish want EU force in Macedonia.

Independent.uk

By Stephen Castle in Madrid
01 February 2002

The European Union could start an unprecedented military operation within months under proposals outlined yesterday for the EU to take over control of peace-keeping duties from Nato in Macedonia.

Jose Maria Aznar, the Prime Minister of Spain, which holds the revolving EU presidency, said the prospect of an EU force operating in Macedonia was now "possible". He hoped to win agreement on the plan from his fellow leaders in June.

Germany heads a mission of about 1,000 mainly European peace-keepers operating under a Nato umbrella in Macedonia. Their job is to guarantee the safety of international observers, but the mandate expires in March and Mr Aznar envisages a replacement force as a trial run for Europe's nascent defence ambitions.

Mr Aznar said he would like "Macedonia to be the first example of European security and defence policy operationability and we would like the decision on that effectively to be reached under the Spanish presidency [of the EU]."

Nato officials reacted coolly yesterday, saying that they had yet to see the details of any proposal, which some might see as a further blow to an organ-isation that has been margin-alised during the war against terrorism in Afghanistan.

Saudi 'Humanitarian' Convoy Denied Entrance Into Macedonia.

Dnevnik

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Members of the humanitarian organization "Merhmed" in Lipkovo on 12 June last year.

The day before yesterday, the authorities denied entrance to eleven freight trucks owned by the humanitarian organization "Merhamed" from Saudi Arabia that tried to enter Republic of Macedonia. The trucks carried humanitarian aid intended "only for the Muslim inhabitants" of Republic of Macedonia.

The official reason for turning back of this shipment was that they did not pass the regular veterinarian control at the border. Unofficially, the shipment consisted of supplies for the Albanian terrorist groups.

Foreign intelligence sources claim that this humanitarian organization was a branch of the Osama Bin Laden's terrorist organization Al Queda and the humanitarian help was send trough it's branch in Kosovo.

"Merhamed"'s contact-person for Macedonia was some Adnan Ismailovski from Skopje, who was educated in Syria.

"Merhamed" also involved several humanitarian organizations in its aid projects. The trucks of the last shipment, that came through the Thessalonica port, had to wait for three whole weeks on the Greek-Macedonian border.

The aid shipment included blankets, military winter jackets, canned food, powder milk and other meat articles. It originated in Saudi Arabia, and the official sender being the "Saudi Committee For Aid Of Kosovo, Macedonia and Chechnya Refugees."

Dnevnik found out that the Albanian Democratic party made huge pressure this trucks to enter this country.

Foreign intelligence services claim that this humanitarian help was attended for the members of so called "ANA."

Dnevnik claims that, according to the Macedonian Security Forces, "Merhamed" humanitarian organization from Saudi Arabia applied for registration of its branch in the main court in Skopje in 1999. The Skopje court did not grant the application and "Merhamed" opened its branch in Kosovo, making it a center of its operations in the Balkan. American services in Kosovo had big problems with this alleged branch of Al Queda.

Government Puts into Reverse.

Standartnews

Taxes and patents to be reduced. In the event of a change in taxes, the difference will be refunded.

Madeira Aneva

The ruling authorities will look for a way to decrease taxes and patents. That became clear after yesterday's meeting between the leaderships of the parliamentary groups of the NMS and coalition 'For Bulgaria'. We are ready to alleviate the tax burden within the framework of the budget, the deputy chief of the NMS Vesselin Bliznakov stressed surprisingly. Our coalition partner, the MFR has also voiced support for a reduction in the taxes, he added. The specific moves will be discussed at today's meeting of the NMS MPs and the ministers. If parliament votes lower patent taxes for the current year, the taxation authorities will have to refund the difference, taxation experts commented for 'Standart'. If service workers and dealers have paid their taxes only for the first three months, they'll have less amounts to pay by the end of the year. We proposed that the base on which the municipal councils vote local charges and taxes, including litter tax be changed, Roumen Petkov from coalition 'For Bulgaria' explained.

(SB)

BG to Disclose Top Secrets to NATO.

Standartnews

The government will admit an access to an information, being state or official secret, to U.S. experts from NATO and the Pentagon, ran 'Daric' radio, citing Defence Minister Nikolay Svinarov. The teams comprising of Americans will implement two researches and will draw up a report about the progress of the military reform in Bulgaria, which will be further presented to the NATO headquarters in Brussels and to the Pact-member states, Svinarov elaborated. He added, that the conclusions of the report will be taken in consideration at the Prague summit.

(SH)

Turkey To Nominate Us for NATO As Early As May.

Standartnews

Elena Yaneva

We insisted as early as May in Reykjavik Turkey to nominate Bulgaria's candidacy for NATO membership, said UDF leader Ekaterina Mihailova after her meeting with Premier Bulent Ecevit. Nadejda Mihailova- head of the UDF PG also was present at the meeting. Ecevit stated that Turkey would do its best to support Bulgaria. In case of Bulgarian wish Ankara is ready to train Bulgarian pilots and representatives of other kinds of troops, explained the Turkish Premier. Earlier in the day he met MRF leader - Ahmed Dogan and the BSP chairman - Sergey Stanishev. The Atlantic Club granted Ecevit a jubilee coin with the inscription '2002 - NATO' before his lecture at the Sheraton hotel.

(SH)

I Have No Fears, I've Done My Job.

Standartnews

Ventseslav Varbanov, UDF MP

To me, nothing new has happened. I'm not disturbed, I'm not here for the immunity. I'm not acquainted with the order, but I will have enough time to get familiar with it. I can't have fears, since I was doing my job. I will be satisfied, when the truth is to be shown, because lots of lies, too much dirt, was dished up on me and on the ministry. So I'm most interested that the investigation be held and thus the truth to see the light of the day.

(SH)

Claim May Not Be Passed.

Standartnews

Ekaterina Mihailova, UDF Chairman

You know, there were many such precedents for withdrawals of the immunity to be required in the former National Assemblies as well, ending in different ways. In the last parliament, there also was a claim on withdrawing the immunity of Farm Minister Krastyo Trendafilov. A special commission was constituted and though we, the UDF, were the majority, his immunity was not withdrawn because of lack of data and evidence.

(ML)

Chief Prosecutor Demands Varbanov's Immunity Withdrawn.

Standartnews

Filchev submitted to the Parliament 4 files of evidence against the ex-minister.

Nadelina Aneva

Chief Prosecutor Nikola Filchev demanded the immunity of ex Farm Minister Ventsislav Varbanov to be withdrawn. At 8.32 a.m. he deposited in the secretariat of the National Assembly his claim on instituting criminal proceedings against the MP. "There are enough evidence for grave crimes committed by him in his capacity of a minister and chairman of the Managing Board of the "Zemedelie" (Agriculture) State Fund in the period March 1, 1998 - July 27, 2001," the document reads. Filchev enclosed 98 papers devised into 4 files that were brought to the office of the Parliamentary Chairman. As early as yesterday, Prof. Gerdzhikov ordered the Legal Committee to start drafting a stand on the demand of the immunity withdrawal. In this very moment, the Chief Prosecutor's Office is investigating many privatization deals in which MPs form the 38 and 39 National Assemblies were involved.

* * *

In the claim to the Parliament, comprising 40 pages, several acts are reported to be violated: the Banks and Credits Act, because the Fund was transformed into a credit bank, the Accountancy Act, the Act on supporting the farmers and the statutes of the "Zemedelie" Fund.

(ML)

'Aremis Soft' Threatened Bulgaria with Court.

Standartnews

Nothing awful will happen if the contract is cancelled, chief of the NHIF said.

Galin Plahoychev
Neyka Krasteva

The Health Insurance Fund could stop working due to its debt to 'Aremis Soft'. Yesterday at the press conference Vassil Kolev, chief of the firm for Bulgaria, threatened to block the fulfillment of the contract with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). This means that there be a horrible chaos in the service of GPs, dentists and pharmaceutists from all over the country, Kolev explained. If the money are not transferred in shortest terms we will bring the state to court, he added. To Nikola Vassilev, chief of the NHIF, nothing so awful will happen if 'Aremis Soft' cancels the contract. The needs of the NHIF of software aren't satisfied, he said. The product of the firm wasn't addopted by the experts of the NHIF. That's why the NHIF refuses to pay for it.

(PY)

42 MPs Demand Panayotov Fired.

Standartnews

A written pledge for an extraordinary meeting of the NMS PG was submitted, Simeon was invited.

Nadelina Aneva

Yesterday, 42 NMS deputies demanded that PG Chairman Plamen Panayotov be released from office. They insist on holding an extraordinary meeting of the NMS deputies today to discuss the conduct of the PG leadership, as well as on reshuffles in it. In a written pledge, the protesting deputies required Premier Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha in person to take part in the meeting, to have to opportunity to express their stands before him. According to the regulation of the NMS PG, the signatures of 24 deputies are necessary to summon an extraordinary meeting and for Panayotov's ousting two thirds of the NMS votes are needed. "The MRF leadership also gave us a clear-cut sign that it was high time to replace the leaders of our Parliamentary Group," NMS deputies said yesterday in a statement. Yunal Ljutfi was given the floor at the joint sitting of the MRF and NMS MPs. "You have no leader," he said. "The problem with you is that you have no leader to unite you and make you work," Ljutfi elaborated.

(ML)

UK To Give Work to 5,000 More Bulgarian Students.

Standartnews

Galin Plahoichev

The quota of Bulgarian students allowed to work in summer in the United Kingdom is increased by 5,000, the press office of the British embassy to Bulgaria said. The increased number is for the next two years: 3,500 jobs in 2002 and 1,500 more in 2003. Last year, 1,364 Bulgarian youths worked in the United Kingdom. The candidates have to be full-time students at the age of 18 to 25 years. The season starts on May 1 and ends on November 30, the press office reminded.

(ML)

BG Mission to Afghanistan to Take 200-kg Soap.

Standartnews

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Evgeni Genov

Bulgaria's military contingent to Afghanistan departs on February 16, Lieutenant-General Nikola Kolev - Deputy-Chief of General Staff, said yesterday. Our troops will take 100-kg of soap and 50-kg of washing powder. The toilette soap weights other 40 kg. The Bulgarians will do the laundry alone, since the local companies reportedly require $1 per piece. The Defence Ministry has provided each of the troopers with free of charge card for 20-minute phone call. The line will be via satellite. Each will depart will a gun, submachine gun, bullet-proof vest and 'Kevlar' helmet. Special shoes,underwear and bedrooms appropriate to the weather conditions are provided as well. Furthermore, the militaries will take also individual protection parcel. It consists of survival means in extreme situation. All members of the mission are voluntaries, forewarned about the risks to be in store. Women are not included in the group. Bulgarian troopers are banned to leave the campus, Gen. Kolev elaborated. The region will be guarded by German soldiers.

(SH)

Dogan: Turkish Business Lagged Behind with Investments.

Standartnews

Elena Yaneva

The Turkish Business lagged behind with the investments in Bulgaria and now we are not quite insistent, the MRF leader Ahmed Dogan said in a statement after meeting Turkey's PM Bulent Ecevit at the Hilton hotel. The two of them discussed the investments issues and particularly the one with the Gorna Arda project. To Dogan, the negotiations between the two countries are going on well. Chief Mufti Selim Mehmed also met Ecevit. He asked for support from Turkey to reconstruct the properties of the Mufti's office. The guest, in his turn, expressed his fears of the Islamic fundamentalism gathering momentum.

(ML)

Italians to Invest $300 Mln in 'Gorna Arda'

Standartnews

Minister of Foreign Trade Adolfo Urssi arives with delegation on February 8.

Galin Plahoichev

'Enel's investment under the 'Gorna Arda' project will worth $300 million, Alexandro Graphini - ambassador of Italy to Bulgaria, said yesterday. The memo signed on Wednesday doesn't exclude financing from other partners as well, he elaborated. An agreement to settle the situation of our transport companies when crossing Italy, will be sealed in a week, Ambassador Graphini added. The visa regime for our drivers will be lifted if their sojourn is not to exceed 90 days. Italy shows strong interest in the fields of: infrastructure, energy, light industry and the ecology sector, Graphini said more. Italian - Bulgarian business forum will take place on February 8 in Bulgaria. Adolfo Urssi - minister of foreign trade, will head the Italian delegation, which also includes representatives of institutions related to Italy's foreign trade.

(SH)

BG to Manufacture Accumulators for NATO.

Standartnews

Parvoleta Tsvetkova

Montana-based 'Monbat' company took a certificate for conformity with the quality management systems within the NATO zone states, sources from the venture said yesterday (Thursday). That is the first company in Bulgaria for storage batteries to make production for NATO automobiles and aircraft. The document issued for 2-year term, entitles the firm to design, manufacture and sell on the Western market starter storage batteries.

(SH)

NMS In Want of Team.

Standartnews

Associated Professor Tatiana Burdzheva
Political scientist

As the transformation of the NMS into a political party did not take place on January 26, on Wednesday, we witnessed the attempts made by deputies and ministers form the King's Movement to improve their communication with one another. At the sitting it transpired that 8 months after their landslide, they finally established the plain truth that they were in need of cooperation, coordination and exchange of information. The latter is perhaps the weakest spot of the NMS rule. This lack of coordination is the reason for the series of blunders committed recently by the rulers - the ones with the textbooks, taxes, medicines, municipal taxes. And, in the long run, their own lack of coordination on the matter what kind of a party the NMS should be and when to be constituted. Though the NMS leader, Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha said a long time ago that he had chosen April 6, 2002, for the purpose. The only hope left is that the NMS deputies and ministers had already specified at whom of them precisely criticisms were leveled in the speech of the leader, delivered on Saturday. Because everyone felt satisfied with the Premier's reprimands. But no one recognized oneself among those reprimanded. As for the NMS major problem, left unsettled after the sitting, it is the same one: people are waiting for palpable results from the work of the Parliament and Cabinet.

The Dead Body is Awaiting Resurrection.

Standartnews

An atomic reactor and a turbine are kept at the site.

Isak Gozes

Silence covers the 'Belene' NPP for 12 years already. As if there isn't such a thing. None of the governments till now has devoted some of its precious time to the project in which $1 300 000 have already been invested. Engineer Petar Simeonov is an experienced specialist. Five years he had managed the montage of the first two reactors at the 'Kozloduy' NPP. He comes to the 'Belene' NPP in 1981, when the preparation of the spot for the future giant construction is made. Today Mr. Simeonov is the manager of the NPP. During the last 12 years the only minister of energetics who visited the NPP is Roumen Ovcharov. In 1987 the building of the 'Belene' NPP starts. The plan is the first reactor with 1000-megawatts capacity to be put into operation in 1993. After that a new reactor should be put into exploitation, every two years, in order that the reactors become four. The construction progresses with high speed. The 'Belene' NPP has the priority that it's connected to other parts of the country by a railway line. There's an own port for the unshiping of the equipment, which arrives on time. Three administrative buildings are constructed - one for the managing body of the NPP, one for the investors and one for the foreign experts. A canteen, in which 3,000 people have their meals, functions. Until May 1990 the reactor department of the First reactor is built to bench mark 13.20 m. Fully ready it has to reach 70 m height. The hermetic zone construction is coming forth. It should preserve the reactor safe even if a 'Boeing' fell on it. In four months several hundred super-qualified welders make a metal construction, from which the hermetic zone will be build. At the same time the spot for the second reactor is build. The expert estimation of the seismicity of the spot and the constructions of the reactor department, made by the most prestigious world companies, states very good indexes But in May 1990 there's a decision of the then CM with which because of financial problems the construction of the NPP is put in narrow limits. From the middle of 1991 it practically stops.

Our Advantage Is That We Don't Plunder.

INTERVIEW Standartnews: Nikolai Vassilev

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The deputies criticize us for failing to meet and talk long enough with them and they are right, says vice-premier Nikolai Vassilev.

- Mr Vassilev, the present is an unusual situation. Some describe it as chaotic, others think it to be a conflict one. One way or another, there is a lot of uncertainty about it. There are tensions between individual ministers, between ministers and the parliamentary group, as well as inside the parliamentary group of the NMS. How would you comment on it?

- My subjective assessment of the current situation is the following: It is true that we are in the middle of winter, and although it's a nice sunny day today, this winter is unprecedentedly cold. Since I was born I have remembered a winter to resemble this year's. At the same time after almost a whole decade of upsurge of the world economy, now is the first period in which we witness a slowdown in the economic development and a recession is not to be ruled out. It is a pity that it coincides precisely with the start of our rule. Regrettably, we didn't come to power in the beginning of spring when birds begin singing, but in the end of summer. And while the new persons were being appointed to the key posts in the executive power, we entered a difficult autumn. It also coincided with the September 11th events, and with the arrival of the first IMF mission.

It is not an excuse, just the opposite. This is an objective reality which we have to comply with. Yet, I wouldn't describe the current situation as chaotic. Because we work as hard as at the beginning.

- Are there any internal conflicts in the government?

- I don't think there are. Just the opposite. Last Tuesday I had the opportunity of making a statement before the parliamentary group and the Council of Ministers at the joint sitting which last four hours and a half. And there I again voiced my personal contentment with the interaction between the ministers. Naturally, it is the prime minister to say in principle if he is satisfied with every individual minister. But generally speaking I'm contented with the fact that the Council of Ministers works very well as a team and there are no internal conflicts I've heard of.

- Are the MPs dissatisfied with you, the ministers?

- They are supposed to be very demanding and set forth very high requirements. And if we accidentally meet them, they have to require something else from us. It is their task. I accept their criticisms in principle, for things could go better. There were specific constructive criticisms at individual ministers and they boiled down to improving the communication between the ministers and the MPs, which is a fact. It really has to improve.

- If you have to tell the people of Bulgaria now of what is in store for them in the coming several months, what would you tell them?

- In the first place I'd like to assure them that in the government we are fully aware of the dramatic plight of many of our fellow-countrymen. They are embarrassed by the new taxes, the difficult winter, the high unemployment rates, poverty in the country. My message to them is that in the first place we understand them. Secondly, we've been working extremely hard to improve their fate, not our own. I remember very well my statements connected with the pre-election campaign and they were confined to one sentence: 'We can't promise that in a couple of months we'll solve all your problems by a magic wand. All we can promise you is an honest and professional rule'. T believe that they get precisely this at the moment. I believe that this government doesn't plunder. And is perhaps the most moral government we've seen in recent years. I hope they also believe it. If they think differently, let them speak out. And secondly, the team of the government, I mean not only the ministers but also the deputy ministers, etc., are well prepared professionally and are responsible and ambitious. And I consider that most of the decisions are professional and correct.

/abridged/

(SB)

Solomon Pasi delivered a lecture in Moscow.

News.bg

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Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Pasi delivered a lecture at the Higher Economic School in Moscow about the priorities of Bulgarian foreign policy, which marked the end of his visit in Russia. Before the lecture, Solomon Pasi was received by the Russian Patriarch his holiness Alexey II, who assessed highly the attitude of the new government to the Orthodox Church. Solomon Pasi invited Alexey II to visit Bulgaria apropos two forthcoming anniversaries - the 125th anniversary of the establishment of the Third Bulgarian kingdom and the 100th anniversary of building the Shipka church. They also discussed the forthcoming visit of Pope John Paul II in Bulgaria and the relations between the Vatican and the Russian Orthodox Church. Alexey II estimated highly the traditional ethnical and religious tolerance in Bulgaria.

Solomon Pasi and his delegation are expected to come back in Sofia later today after 5 PM.

Craftsmen will protest against exorbitant taxes.

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Bulgarian Chamber of Crafts organized a protest rally against the extremely big patent taxes, which is scheduled to start on 1 PM in front of the Parliament. Other trade unions would also support the rally, among them the biggest organizations Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria and Labor Confederation Podkrepa. In spite of the dialogue between parliamentary parties representatives and the protesters, which started a couple of days ago, protesting craftsmen did not change their opinion. More than 200 policemen and traffic police servicemen would guard the protests. Sofia Municipality had permitted the participation of up to 50 automobiles in the rally.

GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION-PROTECTION-WTO.

BTA

Sofia, February 1 (BTA) - Bulgaria is a pioneer in the protection of geographical indications, Economy Minister Nikolai Vassilev told BTA Friday.

Reuters reported Thursday of Bulgaria's demands to expand the scope of negotiations on the protection of geographical indications, i.e. the names of products relating to a place where they originate or were first made, due to which the opening of a World Trade Organization forum in Geneva was held up. This country insists that the negotiations should "go beyond labelling of wines and spirits", as Reuters put it, to more products such as yoghurt to prevent producers in other countries from calling their own yoghurt "Bulgarian" or "Bulgarian-style".

Nikolai Vassilev said that it is a problem in principle. For Bulgaria the issue may be yoghurt and cheese and for other countries other products.

Bulgaria's permanent representative at the WTO, Dencho Georgiev, is one of the biggest experts in this field and he is defending firmly the Bulgarian interests, the Economy Minister said. According to him, the decision to have a discussion on the issue of protected geographical indications was the most that can be achieved at this stage.

Interviewed by the Bulgarian-language service of BBC Radio Friday, Dencho Georgiev said that over 80 of the delegated to the WTO forum favour one way or another of expanding the scope of protected geographical indications.

UNMIK Displeased With Lack Of Progress In Fight Against Kosovar Organized Crime.

Makfaks

Pristina - The high representative of the UN Police in Kosovo Christopher Albiston voiced discontent with the current efforts to tackle organized crime rampant in Kosovo, noting that no significant progress has been made so far in the fight against organize crime. Nonetheless, he hopes that better results will be achieved in the future.

He underlined that the lack of sophisticated mechanisms on fight against organized crime is one of the main obstacles for arresting individuals linked to organized crime.

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