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Enter content here Skopje,Macedonia, laying fresh flowers on the grave of our great revolutionary Goce Delcev (2104) MIA
Ohrid,Macedonia, Vilma Trajkovska - Zorka Prvanova (2111) MIA
Ohrid,Macedonia, Vilma Trajkovska - Zorka Prvanova (2109) MIA
SITUATION IN CRISIS REGIONS.
MIA
It is calm in Tetovo crisis region Wednesday morning differently from last night when rifle and sporadic shootouts have been registered from several directions.
Wednesday morning a series of shootouts have been registered from the area of Tetovo Teke.
Police and army sources say late Tuesday until early Wednesday morning shootings have been heard from Rasadiste locality, Kupenik and Vonvardarska settlements, Stipska street near Interior Ministry Department, as well as from the villages of Selce, Gajre, Odri, Prvce, Dolno Orasje and Vratnica lake locality.
Macedonian security forces have been provoked with reflectors from the villages of Gajre and Lisec between 06:00 and 07:30 hours.
Around of 28 sporadic and 24 rifle shootouts have been registered in Kumanovo - Lipkovo region in the past 24 hours from the villages of Vaksince, Slupcane, Matejce, Vistica and Ropaljce.
Three severe detonations have been heard in the area of Slupcane and movement of uniformed persons has been noticed in the area of Vaksince.
Ethnically mixed police forces continue the patrolling in Matejce, Otlja, Orizare and Lipkovo. MINISTRY OF INTERIOR DISCOVERS TWO GROUPS THAT PLANNED TERRORIST ACTIONS IN SKOPJE.
MIA
The Macedonian Ministry of Interior discovered two groups composed of "NLA" members who planned execution of terrorist activities in Skopje.
As Minister of Interior Ljube Boskovski said, the members of one of the arrested groups participated in the bombing assaults in august and September last year.
"According to the results from the investigation carried out so far, this is a group of outlaws whose task was to collect funds from the rich Albanians for the so-called Albanian cause. Those who refused to pay faced with bomb explosions in their yards, as a warning sign," Boskovski stated.
He informed that another terrorist group was discovered Tuesday night, which in sign of revenge for the detention of the first group planned to carry out terrorist attacks against the security forces. "One female-Albanian, known from the movie report for Commander Teli, was also arrested with the second group," Boskovski said.
BULGARIAN PRESIDENT PRVANOV VISITS MACEDONIA.
MIA
Bulgarian President Georgi Prvanov, who pays a two-day visit to our country, Wednesday, delivered an addressed at the Macedonian Parliament, within the frameworks of the 102nd parliamentary session.
Prvanov, conveying the wishes of the Bulgarian people for peace, stability and prosperity, as he said, to our Macedonian friends, stressed that this is the first time Bulgarian President to have the opportunity to address the parliamentarians and people of free and independent Republic of Macedonia.
"My key message is that the Republic of Bulgaria will actively continue to co-operate with the Republic of Macedonia and to stimulate the efforts within the frameworks of possibilities for strengthening of its nationality and territorial integrity, its example for tolerate coexistence of ethnic and religious communities and the wish to be integrated in the EU and the NATO," Bulgarian President said.
He said that without stable Macedonia there could not be stability and security in the Balkans.
Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski, Prime Minister Ljubcho Georgievski, the members of the government, the officials of the judiciary, of the religious communities and the diplomatic corps attended the session.
Bulgarian President Prvanov prior to his address at the Macedonian Parliament met with the President of the Parliament Stojan Andov and laid flowers on the tomb of Goce Delcev in St. Spas Church in Skopje.
Presidents of Macedonia - Boris Trajkovski and Bulgaria - Georgi Prvanov expressed satisfaction with their talks at a meeting held in Skopje on Tuesday and outlined their firm commitment for integration of the two countries in the European institutions.
"Prvanov's first visit to Macedonia is certainly a honor for us and shows the high level of cooperation between our countries," Trajkovski said, adding that "this is not only evidence for the friendship, but also evidence for the trust and understanding between the two countries."
The meeting between the two Presidents was focused on several aspects of the cooperation between the two countries, as well as on the current situation in the region, in Macedonia in particular, after the adoption of the constitutional changes and the Framework Agreement.
"We agreed that the economic development and the efforts for peace are our contribution to the development of the region," President Trajkovski said.
In his opinion, the meeting with Prvanov had a "European dimension", and it was also discussed about more specific joint interests, like the energy and the opportunities for enhancement of the trade exchange.
"We seek space for our young generations to join in the European trends and not to be hostages of the past, but to have equal opportunities like the European youth. We must not let the region to become catalyst of crime, but it should be catalyst for foreign investments," Trajkovski stated.
Prvanov stressed that the fact that right after his visit to Brussels, he is paying a visit to Macedonia, shows that "for Bulgaria, Macedonia is priority, because it is factor of stability for the entire region."
As he reported, the meeting was also focused on several projects from the field of economy, infrastructure and energy, as well as on the project for construction of a railroad from Skopje to Sofia.
"We also suggested construction of an international road that will enable access for the Macedonian business to Bulgaria, and we also reviewed several other ideas, like the one for construction of a long-distance power line and opening of joint tourist facilities," the Bulgarian President said.
"We hope that the Parliament will adopt the package of laws and normative acts which will expand the path that leads to European integration for Macedonia," Prvanov said, adding that Macedonia could count on Bulgarian assistance in the process of harmonization of the legislation with the one in the EU.
In his opinion, "the NATO membership of the two countries will be an investment from the Alliance in the stability and peace in Southeast Europe and the continent as whole."
Ministers of Interior of Macedonia - Ljube Boskovski and Bulgaria - Georgi Petkanov signed two agreements for cooperation between the two countries on Tuesday in Skopje.
The first agreement refers to the struggle against terrorism, organized crime and illegal trafficking in drugs, and the second one to training of Macedonian police cadets in Bulgaria.
Macedonian Minister of Culture Ganka Samoilovska-Cvetanova and Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Pasi also signed an agreement for cooperation which refers to the Program for cultural cooperation between the two countries in the period 2002-2004.
Petkanov and Pasi are members of the Bulgarian delegation led by President Georgi Prvanov, which is in official two-day visit to Macedonia.
This is the second visit of a Bulgarian President to Macedonia, as well as Prvanov's second official visit to a foreign country since he took power on January 22, 2002.
As Sofia media say, Prvanov's choice for Macedonia to be his second destination after Brussels, shows the country's priority position in the Bulgarian foreign policy.
Bulgaria considers that there is no stability in Southeastern Europe without peaceful, stable and prosperous Macedonia, the Bulgarian President's Cabinet said in a press release.
Bulgarian president addresses Macedonian Assembly, urges cooperation.
SERBIANA - Macedonian Radio
Bulgaria's President Georgi Purvanov has become the first Bulgarian president to address the Macedonian Assembly. Purvanov promised that Bulgaria would continue to cooperate actively with Macedonia. He said that Bulgaria was interested in stabilizing the situation in Macedonia, and preserving its restored sovereignty, territorial integrity and internationally recognized borders.
Referring to the longstanding debate on Macedonia's relationship with Bulgaria, Purvanov remarked that it was necessary to "defy efforts to regress and inflame" old disputes. The president went on to emphasize the importance of economic cooperation and working together to combat organized crime and drugs trafficking. The following is an excerpt from a live relay of the address by President Purvanov to the Macedonian Assembly in Skopje broadcast by Macedonian radio on 27 February:
[Purvanov in Bulgarian with superimposed translation into Macedonian] Thank you Assembly chairman. Dear president, prime minister, Assembly deputies, ministers, your excellencies, and ladies and gentlemen. This is the first time that a Bulgarian president has had the opportunity to address the Assembly deputies and the people of the Republic of Macedonia. It is a great honour for me to speak from this rostrum, the rostrum of independent and free Macedonia. I wish to convey to you the greetings of the Bulgarian statesmen and politicians, as well as the wishes of the entire Bulgarian people for peace, stability and prosperity for our Macedonian friends.
My first major message is that the Republic of Bulgaria will continue to cooperate in an active manner with the Republic of Macedonia and aid to the best of its capacities your efforts to strengthen your country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, your strivings for tolerance and cohabitation, and your wish to integrate in the EU and NATO...
Some 10 years ago - to be more precise, in January 1992 - Bulgaria was the first to officially recognize the Republic of Macedonia as an independent and sovereign country. We could freely say then as we can say now that Bulgaria's recognition of the Republic of Macedonia under the latter's constitutional name was historically and morally justified, from the perspective of both countries' interests and regional stability. The establishment of the statehood and territorial integrity of the new republic, the stabilization of the political and economic situation in the country, and its international recognition were a major guarantee for the renewal of the historical contradictions in Macedonia [as heard]...
In all the difficult moments for Macedonia - above all, from the time of the Kosovo crisis till now - Bulgaria has supported the Macedonian politicians' efforts to diffuse the crisis...
We are alive to the fact that there cannot be stability in the Balkans without a stable Macedonia... Hence Bulgaria, along with the international community, is interested in more speedily diffusing the crisis, stabilizing the situation in the Republic of Macedonia, and preserving the latter's restored sovereignty, territorial integrity and internationally recognized borders. One of the reasons underlying this is the recent attempts to bring into question some of these borders.
I believe that the Assembly and all the institutions will adopt the package of acts ensuing from the Framework Agreement on time, because only through reasonable compromises can the way towards reconciliation and social and economic growth of the country be paved...
One of the serious schools of thought in recent times is that we should leave history to the historians... We should defy efforts to regress and inflame the old [word indistinct]; we should write together a new page of the two countries' history, namely, a page of the partnership for security and stability and European integration and prosperity...
The Bulgarian and the Macedonian governments and our statesmen are obliged to the citizens and companies in their respective countries, and I believe that the elimination of bureaucratic obstructions, the opening of the borders for business deals, the significant curbing of corruption and crime, and the development of the infrastructure of energy links will stimulate trade exchanges between the two countries and make way for future foreign investments... Hence the Republic of Bulgaria gives priority to our relations with the Republic of Macedonia and joint infrastructure projects within the framework of Corridor 8...
The all-encompassing enhancement of relations between Bulgaria and Macedonia is an inextricable part of the growing Balkan dialogue. Bulgaria is developing a new Balkan policy, which negates the lines of division, the axes, triangles and activities towards other countries [as heard]... The dilemma that the region as a whole faces is the following: cooperation and integration on the bases of the principles established by the EU and adapted to the regional peculiarities on one hand, and continuing confrontation and dropping out from the European processes, on the other. This is the choice that we face...
Our future activities should be aimed at stimulating economic growth, with a view to enhancing access to goods in the countries of the region and creating a single internal market. The region's links to the EU in the realm of monetary policy, customs offices, stimulation of small and major businesses, and the Stability Pact should also be enhanced. With regard to regional stability, it is indispensable to recognize unconditionally the inviolability of the borders in the Balkans; work out a universal mechanism for applying the [word indistinct] regional accords for timely detection and prevention of conflicts; establish a bilateral basis for clear international control and for applying additional measures for confidence-building and control; and engage in joint activities to combat crime, drugs and organized crime, with regard to which the two countries' Interior Ministries signed an accord yesterday [26 February]...
I wish to stress something of overriding importance. The realization of our European and Euro-Atlantic advantages [as heard] depends above all on us, the regional countries. The Southeastern European countries should demonstrate that they are capable of tackling their problems through peaceful means and for the long run, and pursuing foreign policies that are projections of European policy...
I want to emphasize categorically that the integration process should not lead to rivalry, but rather to partnership and mutual help between the applicant countries. In this context, I wish to point out Bulgaria's engagement in offering comprehensive help to the Republic of Macedonia based on our experience in this respect. I want to convince you from this rostrum that I view the future [EU and NATO] membership of Bulgaria and Macedonia as a major investment in the peace and security of Southeastern Europe... Further, I use this opportunity to voice our full support for the Macedonian government's efforts towards effecting the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU...
My visit to Skopje should be interpreted as a well-intentioned and peaceful spring initiative, a signal of the upcoming political spring in relations following a series of cold seasons, and finally, as categorical proof of Bulgaria's unconditioned and interest-free support for a stable, independent and prosperous Macedonia, and our common European future.
GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON A DRAFT LAW FOR AMNESTY.
MIA
At the session held on Tuesday, the government decided to send the draft-law for amnesty to the Parliament, governmental spokesman Gjorgji Trendafilov said after the session.
Explaining the statement given by Ixhet Memeti, Justice Minister, who said that the law would refer to certain period before 2001, Trendafilov said that the law would include a period of so-called preparations for the armed conflict in Macedonia, and the amnesty would be in context only to activities related with the conflict.
He reported that the draft-law includes provision for its application for foreign citizens, but, as he said, "we will see how the discussion in the Parliament will end."
Asked how ordinary criminals would be separated from the so-called NLA members, Trendafilov said that "all open issues will be resolved in the period before this law to be submitted to the Parliament."
"There are certain provisions for which persons to be exempted, but conditionally said, there is no sharp limit between the criminal activities and political activities," he stated.
On a proposal from the Ministry of Finance, the Government passed a decision for creation of banks, i.e. mini-financing, which will revive the business sector in respect to better cooperation and stimulation of opening small and medium sized enterprises. The reason for this decision, as Trendafilov explained, is that the existing banks were mainly oriented to the large companies, while main condition for gaining long-term credit is long-term profitable working. "Little attention is paid to the small and medium sized entities," Trendafilov said.
Regarding the social packages for the employees in the public administration, the Government concluded that the distribution was somewhat delayed and the reasons for the delay will be reviewed at the next session.
The governmental spokesman confirmed that construction of temporary houses for the displaced ethnic Macedonians from Aracinovo was reviewed as temporary solution. "Lasting solution will be provided with complete reconstruction of their houses in Aracinovo," he said. JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE OF NATO, OSCE AND EU MISSIONS TO MACEDONIA.
MIA
"The international community welcomes the agreement on the draft-law on amnesty, which will be in favour of everyone and will create stability," Lieutenant Colonel Michael Terhegen, deputy director of NATO's Press Center in Skopje said at the joint press conference with OSCE and EU spokespersons.
The adoption of the Law on amnesty, according to EU spokesperson Irena Gjuzelova will be a big step forward in the peace process. "It the Law is as comprehensive and extensive as we thought then it would represent big step in the peace process. We welcome the adoption of this law as courageous step," Gjuzelova said.
OSCE spokesman to Macedonia Florin Pasnicu informed that OSCE monitors and the police advisors continue to work on confidence building among the residents within their efforts to re-deploy the police in the crisis regions. He pointed out that they contributed for the police entrance in several villages located around Zerovjane village in Tetovo area.
According to Pasnicu, OSCE representatives have already talked with the residents from Tetovo villages who obstructed the return of the police and request the police patrols to be comprised only of ethnic Albanians. "Our job is to build confidence. Our monitors are on the terrain, discuss, monitor and want to solve the problems," Pasnicu said.
He announced that head of OSCE Office for Human Rights Ambassador Gerard Studman would arrive Tuesday afternoon in Macedonia and would have meetings with the leaders of the political parties and other officials.
According to Gjuzelova the Macedonian Government should make the decision on the date for holding the early parliamentary elections.
"We are here to facilitate the implementation of the Framework Agreement, and not to instruct the parties when to hold the elections," she said.
OSCE spokesman expressed hope that the elections would be free, fair and well prepared. ALL DONORS, WHICH HAVE GRANTED AID TO MACEDONIA SO FAR, WILL COME TO BRUSSELS.
MIA
Macedonian Finance Minister Nikola Gruevski said Wednesday that Prime Minister Ljubcho Georgievski would lead a Macedonian delegation at the Donors' Conference in Brussels, scheduled for March 12.
Asked if there were serious announcements on participation of some multilateral or bilateral donors in the conference, Gruevski said that all donors, which have granted aid to Macedonia so far, would be present.
He refused to speak about the expected amount of financial means that would be gathered at the Conference.
BULGARIA - LIBYA.
BTA
Seif al-Islam al-Qaddafi to Visit Bulgaria.
Paris, February 27 (BTA exclusive by Zoya Gekova) - Seif al-Islam al-Qaddafi is planning to visit Sofia after the Bulgaria-related issue currently handled by his Foundation is settled.
The human rights advocate, son of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi, made a statement to this effect at a news conference held in the French capital Wednesday. It was organized by a club of Arab journalists.
Since September 2001 the Qaddafi International Foundation for Charity Associations, headed by al-Islam, has been acting as observer of a trial in Tripoli against six Bulgarian health professionals charged with deliberately infecting 393 Libyan children with AIDS. There are also other defendants in the case.
Taking another question by BTA, al-Islam said he likes Bulgaria very much, has many friends in the country, and has met the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the Parliament Chairman.
Passy Undersigns Agreement Instead of Abrashev.
Standartnews
Foreign Minister Solomon Passy signed an agreement with the Minister of Culture of Macedonia, Ganka Samuilovska. He undersigned it instead of her Bulgarian counterpart, Bozhidar Abrashev, who was not included into the BG delegation We do not know why Abrashev was not invited, commented in the Bulgarian Embassy. The document will be effective till 2004. It will regulate the cultural exchange between the countries - theater, cinema, music and ballet. Another agreement is envisaged between the national libraries of Bulgaria and Macedonia that will exchange information and books. A week ago in Skopje the exhibition of miniature sculptures by Bulgarian sculptress Ljubka Kirilova was closed. At the moment in the "Sredets" Hall there is an exhibition of Macedonian artists.
USA Allotted DM 1 Mln to OMO 'Ilinden'
Standartnews
Evgeni Genov
The USA had given 1 million DEM to OMO 'Ilinden'. Pro-Turkish organization in Bulgaria was sponsored separately by other 500,000 DM . Thus Macedonian national Mitko Georgiev from Stroumitsa yesterday broke the news during the Conference on the National and Regional Security. To Georgiev, the finance operation was bound with the appointment of James Pardue as U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria. He prognosticated stirring up of ethnic conflicts in this country. Georgiev, who introduced himself as a member of the 'Bulgarians' confederation, was owner of a radio station. It had broadcast only Bulgarian folk music. Georgiev was expelled out of Macedonia, because he had openly defended the interests of the Albanians.
BULGARIA-MACEDONIA-PRESIDENTS.
BTA
Purvanov, Trajkovski Agree to Speed Up Drafting of Agreement on Good Neighbourly Relations and Cooperation.
Skopje, February 27 (BTA spec. corr. Roumyana Kinkina) - Presidents Georgi Purvanov of Bulgaria and Boris Trajkovski of Macedonia agreed at a meeting Wednesday to speed up the drafting of an Agreement on Good Neighbourly Relations and Cooperation, the two presidents said at a joint news conference at the end of Purvanov's official visit to Skopje.
The two sides agreed to review the legal framework of bilateral relations and update it where necessary. Purvanov pointed as an example to the free trade agreement which needs to be revised in the part concerning the quotas, thus improving the business conditions for Bulgarians and Macedonians.
The two presidents discussed the possibility that their countries apply together for EU funding for various infrastructure projects. Bulgaria and Macedonia will try together to provide money for the Sofia-Skopje railway line.
Macedonia reiterated its readiness to complete the 400-kV power line by the end of this year. Under the preliminary agreements, Macedonia is to build the powerline while Bulgaria will cover its part of the expenses by electricity export, Purvanov recalled.
At a meeting with Macedonian Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski earlier on Wednesday the sides agreed on holding a meeting of the joint intergovernmental commission for trade and economic cooperation, possibly as early as March, Purvanov's press secretariat said.
At the news conference the two presidents stressed that bilateral relations are characterized by "friendship, goodneighbourliness and understanding of the highest order." "There are no differences in our plans for integration in the Euro-Atlantic structures," said Trajkovski. He thanked for Bulgaria's support, which in his words, is a little ahead of Macedonia in the integration processes.
The Macedonian president stressed he shares with Purvanov the stand that the two countries should move from the sphere of declarations to what is practical and in the interest of the two peoples.
In Trajkovski's words, bilateral relations need to be economized. He described Corridor VIII which links Bulgaria, Macedonia and Albania as a "symbolic Corridor I in Bulgarian-Macedonian relations".
"I assess positively what Bulgaria's previous government and president Peter Stoyanov have accomplished in the sphere of bilateral relations," Purvanov said asked to comment on his words before the Macedonian parliament that his official visit is an indication of a political spring in bilateral relations.
Taking up a question Purvanov pointed out that the February 1999 agreement, which found a solution to the so called language dispute, may be imperfect but that a revision is unacceptable.
A Macedonian journalist asked Purvanov how come Bulgaria claims it is pursuing a European policy and yet, in the journalist's words, violating the minorities rights. Purvanov replied that this issue was not on the agenda of the talks.
Purvanov and Trajkovski were asked to comment claims that according to a new study in lexicology that appeared in Bulgaria, the Macedonian language is a Bulgarian dialect. They stressed that bilateral relations should be free of prejudice, that the two countries should not return to the past but should look to the future.
"We should not make a political problem out of a slip of the tongue," said Purvanov. Earlier on Wednesday Macedonian Parliament chairman Stoyan Andov called Purvanov by mistake Macedonian president.
After meeting with Georgievski in his capacity as Macedonian prime minister and VMRO-DPMNE leader, Purvanov conferred with the leaders of the other main parliamentary groups - the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, the Democratic Party of Albanians, and the Party for Democratic Prosperity.
On the second day of his visit Purvanov visited the St. Spas church in Skopje and laid a wreath at Gotse Delchev's grace in the churchyard.
"I express my deep respect to the memory and the historic deeds of Gotse Delchev," the Bulgarian head of state wrote in the visitors' book.
MACEDONIA-BULGARIAN PRESIDENT'S VISIT-COVERAGE.
BTA
Skopje, February 27 (BTA) - All Macedonian newspapers cover the first day of Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov's official visit to Macedonia. The general conclusion is that by making his first Balkan visit to Skopje immediately after Brussels Purvanov showed Bulgaria's attitude to its relations with Macedonia.
"Nova Makedonija" headlines its story "Macedonia: Purvanov's First Destination after Brussels". The front-page story is accompanied by photos of the two heads of state, Purvanov and Trajkovski, at the welcome ceremony. The newspaper highlights the signing of cooperation agreements between the two countries' interior ministries and culture ministries.
"Vecer" says Purvanov will address the Macedonian Parliament on Wednesday. It publishes excerpts of the two presidents' statements after the signing of the agreements on Tuesday night. It regrets the fact that Foreign Minister Slobodan Casule was absent and could not exchange letters with his Bulgarian counterpart on construction of a Skopje-Sofia railway.
Covering Purvanov's first visit to Macedonia, "Dnevnik" recalls that Bulgaria was the first country to recognize Macedonia as an independent sovereign state on January 15, 1992.
"Utrinski Vesnik" focuses on the one-to-one meeting between Trajkovski and Purvanov. It says this is the Bulgarian president's first official Balkan visit, which is "indicative of the importance Bulgaria attaches to Macedonia".
The major electronic media covered the first day of the visit, giving prominence to the agreements signed and the two presidents' statements on their countries' common future in Euro-Atlantic integrations. Macedonian television covered Interior Minister Georgi Petkanov's meeting with his Macedonian counterpart Ljube Boskovski.
MACEDONIA-BULGARIA-PURVANOV-INTERVIEW.
BTA
Skopje, February 27 (BTA special correspondent Roumyana Kinkina) - More pragmatism and less ideology are needed in Bulgarian-Macedonian relations, President Georgi Purvanov said in an interview on Macedonia's national television on Wednesday.
The interview, given on the second day of Purvanov's official visit here, will be broadcast on Wednesday evening.
"Our present relations and particularly our children's future should not be held hostage by history," Purvanov said. The moments in history that bring the two neighbouring countries closer together are by far more than those that keep them apart.
Purvanov assessed positively bilateral relations in the ten years since Macedonia declared its independence.
"At a declarative level, Macedonia has always had Bulgaria's support, but I hope that now we will proceed from a qualitatively different, purely working, level," Purvanov said.
Purvanov also talked about the situation in Bulgaria.
"It is true the new government failed to live up to all expectations. They have scaled down their economic commitments, especially those regarding small and medium-sized business, which has caused just discontent in part of the Bulgarian citizenry," Purvanov said. In this sense the Bulgarian government is indebted to the people who elected it and to the Bulgarian people in the search for a more acceptable social cost of reform.
"The government has my support in this respect, but I will also be the social corrective to its actions if necessary," Purvanov said.
Thousands of Service Workers to Block Sofia.
Standartnews
Hundreds of cars will block the center of Sofia tomorrow, when the national protest of all the service workers against the high patent tax is fixed, Yonko Ivanov, deputy chief of the Service Workers' Association said. 6 processions of protesting people will gather at the square in front of the parliament. 4 of them are from Sofia, one from Bourgas and one from Varna. Protesting service workers will join them on the road to Sofia. The protesting people will hand letters to the PM and the MPs. The protest will be supported by the 'Podkrepa' trade union and the CITUB. This year from about 350,000 service workers only 40% have registered, leader of 'Podkrepa' Konstantin Trenchev said. This means that the revenues to the treasury will drastically decrease, he said.
Lord George Robertson Is to Arrive Tomorrow.
Standartnews
in Bulgaria on a two-day visit. The NATO Secretary General will have meetings with President Georgi Parvanov, Premier Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Parliamentary Chairman Prof. Ognian Gerdjikov, Defense Minister Nikolai Svinarov and Foreign Minister Solomon Passy. It is the fourth visit of Lord Robertson to Bulgaria. He is to say if Bulgaria is ready to join NATO.
NATO - BRUCE JACKSON - VISIT.
BTA
NATO Wants to Admit Seven New Members, President of US Committee on NATO Jackson Tells Bulgarian Defence Minister Svinarov.
Sofia, February 27 (BTA) - Conferring with Bulgarian Defence Minister Nikolai Svinarov here on Wednesday, President of the US Committee on NATO Bruce Jackson said there is political consensus that NATO wants for seven countries to be admitted as members, the press office of the Defence Ministry said.
Jackson is quoted as saying that a discussion is underway between the idea and reality for such big enlargement.
The US official said that the arguments for strengthening NATO's Southern wing assume ever bigger credibility among UD senators.
There is strong approval of the fact that Bulgaria and Romania work together in such a conflict-ridden region and that their efforts are categorically supported by Turkey and Greece, Jackson is quoted as saying.
The US guest said that Frances and Spains joining the above position will be of much help.
Jackson said that what is important is that during the remaining months until the NATO summit in Prague, the applicants should show concrete results in their preparatory work. The US officials said the important thing is for all of the seven applicants to "finish in Prague", and not the order of the finishing.
Ways to speed up the reform in the armed forces were among the issues Jackson discussed in Parliament with Chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy, Defence and Security Stanimir Ilchev.
Later on Wednesday the US guest and National Assembly Deputy Chairman Yunal Lyutfi discussed Bulgarias successful steps as well as what this country is yet to do. Speaking to reporters after the meeting Lyutfi said that the discussions were not only about the reform in the Bulgarian army but also on building a free and democratic society where protection of human rights, the rights of minorities and separation of powers are guaranteed.
After the meeting, Ilchev told reporters that the US official was interested in the Classified Information Act and in the guarantees for the information which NATO will share with Bulgaria once this country joins the Alliance.
Ilchev said that the Classified Information Act includes a provision that each person demanding a certain type of information will be checked for loyalty, as well as for the motives and reasons of the demand. The only likely exceptions are the President, the National Assembly Chairman and the Prime Minister, Ilchev said.
The participants in the meeting also discussed the Foreign Trade in Arms and in Potential "Dual-Use" Goods and Technologies Control Act. Ilchev said it was suggested that in addition to tradesmen, the act should cover intermediaries so as to preclude the possibility for deliveries of arms to regions and entities who represent potential threats for the stability in a given region or are sources of possible terrorist plans.
Jackson and Ilchev also talked about the future law on the special services and the bill on emergency management.
"Bulgaria should not worry about certain speculations about the reforms in the country which seem to imply that it does not stand good chances of receiving an invitation to join NATO in November 2002," Ilchev said. He said that Bulgaria will not change its foreign policy orientation even if it fails to be invited to accede to the Alliance. However, the opposite would be a very big encouragement, Ilchev said.
At his meeting with Lyutfi, Jackson said that irrespective of the fact that Bulgaria needs to make more efforts to achieve the membership criteria, the country is one of the serious applicants to receive an invitation in Prague, Lyutfi said.
"One could say that the idea for NATO to admit seven new members is gaining more ground but now no one can say who they will be," Lyutfi said.
Bulgaria should make more effort with regard to legislation so as to provide the legislative groundwork for guarantees against leaking of classified information and measures relating to the approximation of its laws with the legislation of the member states, Jackson said.
After a meeting with the US official, Union of Democratic Forces floor leader Nadezhda Mihailova said that the important thing is for the executive power and the ruling majority to show clear signs and political will to carry out the reforms connected with Bulgarias accession to NATO.
Mihailova said that concrete steps should be undertaken that will be taken into account when the US Administration and the governments of the other NATO member states make the decisions on the enlargement of the Alliance.
Two Bombs Scared Sofia.
Standartnews
An inspector in the Power Distribution Company and an apache are the victims of the blasts.
Milena Orozova
Two cars were blasted for one night in Sofia. A little bit after midnight a mighty bomb blasted under 'Audi 80' in the 'Fondovi Zhilishta' Sofia residential district. Eight hours later a second bomb destroyed an 'Opel Kadett' parked in front of the Electric Distribution Company. Yesterday a little bit after midnight two blasts were heard in the 'Fondovi Zhilishta' residential district in Sofia. A luxurious Audi 80 burnt at the parking. Policemen cordoned the region immediately. 27-year old Simeon Plachev is the owner of the car. Lately 29-year old Emil Damyanov, who has a long criminal record, drove it. Eight hours later policemen received a signal for a blast near the building of 'Balkanton' on 'Haydushka Polyana' street. The bomb was planted under the driver's seat of an old 'Opel Kadett', which was blasted at 8.10 a.m. Collector from the Power Distribution Company Dimitar Dimitrov, nicknamed the Fog, is the owner of the car and the bomb was a revenge. This is the new version of the policemen. To the collector somebody is taking a revenge, because he had stopped his electricity.
Minister of Education Invites Pupils on April 8.
Standartnews
Minister Vladimir Atanassov invites all pupils who have to pose questions to him, to a meeting and discussion on April 8. The reason were the pupils' protest rallies on Sunday last. The meeting aims to clear out all about the moot points in the school-leaving examinations and the entire reform in the secondary education, sources form the MoE said. The Plovdiv deputies from the Coalition "For Bulgaria" will insist the exams for the pupils with excellent academic performance to be canceled, it transpired after Academician Blagovest Sendov, Prof. Ognian Saparev and Associated Prof. Borislav Borissov met school directors, teachers and pupils. The MPs decided to submit amendments to the Public Education Act. To the new texts, the exams will not be mandatory for those of the graduates whose average academic performance in the respective discipline are higher than "very good".
Venelina Yanakieva
Proshkov Dismissed At Long Last.
Standartnews
Apart of Krasteva, members of the new Board will be well-known representatives of the Bulgarian sports - Neshka Robeva, Hristo Markov, Damyan Damyanov and Alexander Tomov. 'The purpose is to find more resources for the sports,' Vassil Ivanov - chairman of DAMS, said. To well-informed sources, part of the money from the revenues, which remained in the Totalizator, had been used by Proshkov to keep his office. Certain MPs are severely surprised by the news about Nedelcho Proshkov's dismissal.
DANUBE BRIDGE II-CONSULTANT.
BTA
Sofia, February 27 (BTA) - Within 10 days, the requirements for the international consultant that will prepare a project for the technical documentation for the construction of a second bridge over the Danube section shared by Bulgaria and Romania at Vidin-Calafat will be posted online and will also appear in European Commission's "Official Journal", Transport Ministry chief secretary Krasimir Stoyanov said.
The consultant will be paid five million euros from the IPSA pre-accession program and will be required to be in a sound financial state and to have past experience related to the construction of similar facilities.
The construction of the new bridge will be divided into three phases, said Dimitur Zoev, director of the ministry's Transport Policy, Infrastructure and Construction Directorate.
The contract for the launch of construction work on the bridge itself and on the adjoined viaducts will be signed during the first phase.
The second phase is divided into two subphases: one for the construction of the railway infrastructure and one for the construction of the roads to the bridge. The implementation of these two subphases will have a three-month lag on the construction of the bridge. All construction work is due for completion in 2006.
Companies form the 15 EU member states and the 13 countries receiving pre-accession funding will be eligible as contractors.
Pensions to Up by 10% till End of the Year.
Standartnews
Till the end of the year pensions cold become by 10% higher, Vice-PM and Social Minister Lidia Shouleva said. To her the increase would be possible only if the social monthly distributions enter regularly in the State Insurance Institute (NII). The other variant is we to overfulfil the national budget, Shouleva explained. Her team started negotiations for signing of a national agreement with the trade unions and the employers. Social aids for criminals to be canceled, regional governor of Vidin Martin Dinchev demanded.
Companies Owe 1 Bln for Power and Gas.
Standartnews
Former state-run mastodons are mostly indebted to NEC and Bulgargas.
Victoria Seraphimova
The liabilities of industrial ventures for electricity and gas have already exceeded 500 million levs. The debts are accumulated only within 1999 and 2002, said yesterday Vassil Anastassov and Kiril Gegov - CEOs of NEC and Bulgargas respectively. Both debt-laden companies are the largest taxpayers to the state. Former socialist mastodons 'Kremikovtsi', 'Chimko', 'Nova Plama' as well as the so far state-owned BDZ, VMZ - Sopot, coal mines, etc. are enrolled in the black list of the power-transfer company. Currently, the total amount of debts runs at 188.889 million levs. Together with the liabilities of the electric distribution companies the sum soars to the terrific 250 million levs. Only the thermal power plants in this country haven't paid 161 million levs for fuel supply to 'Bulgargas'. Sofia-based company had accumulated the largest debt of 130 million levs, CEO Kiril Gegov stressed. The industrial ventures owe 100 million levs more in addition.
Slaughterhouses Checked for "Mad Cow" Disease.
Standartnews
Veterinarian experts from the EU are checking for a second day now, on how the measures against the "mad cow" disease are observed in Bulgaria. This is the first of five routine checkups carried out this year over all the EU countries and aspiring countries, elaborated Dr Yanko Ivanov, Director General of the National Veterinary and Medical Service. "During the checkups special attention was paid to the incinerators and slaughterhouses," Dr Ivanov said further. He reminded that no cases or symptoms of the "mad cow" disease were reported in Bulgaria.
Bulgarians Are Chronically Undernourished.
Standartnews
Velichka Rangelova, Ph.D., in economics.
According to data of the NIS (National Institute of Statistics), along with the natural household consumption for December 2001, total incomes decreased to 410 levs as compared to the preceding year. Then it was 471 levs. The decrease accounts for 61 levs per household, and by 18 levs - per capita of it. The expected, but unpaid 13th salary and pension as well as the inflated electric energy and heating bills in December last, forced a big part of the people to spend Christmas and the New Year in fast and prayers. The monetary income of the households in December 2001 also marked a 61 lev decrease as compared to the same month of 2000. It means a per capita decrease of 15 levs according to statistical figures. According to them the Bulgarian survives thanks to the sale of property and the natural economy. The products of the latter are assessed at 84 lev per household on average for December 2001. What impresses is the decrease in the share of the incomes which come from business. From 4,4% it dropped to 3,8% for the two compared months. Which testifies that the conditions in the country are worsening. The share of the expenses for food in the total income for the last month of 2001 increased from 48,1% to 49,5%. This is at the expense of the money for clothes, shoes, rest and leisure. The share of the expenses for electric power and fuels marked a rise from 10,8% to 13,3%. The increase accounts for 2,5%. According to comparative data the health of our people has been increasingly deteriorating, with the expenses for health services growing respectively. In December of last year the average Bulgarian spent a total of 120 levs which is by 7 levs less than in the same month of 2000. Of that money 49 levs were spent on food and another 24 levs - on home made winter supplies, potatoes and other products grown in the household farm. Actually, 1/3 of the Bulgarian's food in the XXI century comes from the natural household economy. In December last we spent 16 levs on average on the maintenance of the lodging, on electric power and fuels. 4,3 levs were used for medicines and medical checkups. We spent 4,24 levs on transport, 5,30 levs - on clothes and shoes, 4,37 - on alcohol, cigarettes, etc. The Bulgarian consumes less bread, milk, yoghurt, fruits and vegetables. These data testify that the crisis in providing for the population which started three years ago has been aggravating. The reasons for this are in the larger scale unemployment, the held up incomes and the ever growing prices of monopolists , as well as of the taxes which lead to a chronic undernourishment of the population.
(SB)
Pope to Bless a New Cathedral in Sofia.
Standartnews
A meeting between the Holly Father and Patriarch Maxim is already agreed upon, Nuncio Menini said.
Matey Bonev
Pope John Paul II will lay the first stone of a new catholic temple in Sofia during his visit in Bulgaria, Pope's Nuncio Antonio Menini said yesterday in Stara Zagora. He is a guest of his friend Bishop Galaction on occasion of his 53th anniversary. The new cathedral in Sofia will be built near the 'St. Nedelya' square. It'll bear the name of St. Joseph and will be built on the spot where a catholic temple existed till 1944. It was destroyed during the bombings of Sofia. Since then the catholics in Sofia pray in adapted for the purpose former public education club. Together with the situated nearby Orthodox church 'St. Nedelya', the synagogue and the mosque a kind of a square of the world religions will form. The full program for the visit of the Pope who will be in Bulgaria from May 23 to May 26 is already made, Monsignor Menini said. A meeting of the Pope with Bulgarian Patriarch Maxim has been agreed upon. President Georgy Parvanov, PM Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and parliamentary chief Ognyan Gerdzhikov will receive the Pope. Except for Plovdiv, where the holly father will say a mass, he will visit a monastery, as well. Most probably this will be the Rila Monastery, but the final decision isn't taken, yet.
"Customs Officer" Must be a Proud Sound.
INTERVIEW Standartnews: Milen Veltchev
Finance Minister Milen Veltchev is assured that it is not "Crown Agents" but our custom officers who must boost revenues.
Pavlina Zhivkova
- Mr. Veltchev, will the customs officers who were unlawfully dismissed by Emil Dimitrov-Revizoro be restored to their posts?
- It's the new director of the "Customs" Agency who can answer this question best.
- How the customs administration is going to boost foreign investments?
- I have already explained that the foreign investors we are going to draw in are representatives of the legitimate business. They pay taxes and customs duties to the state treasury. However, every month they complain of shadow and semi-shadow economic groups which are engaged in smuggling. The smuggled goods are then sold at lower prices. That's why we have to encourage and attract the legitimate foreign investors.
- How much have the customs revenues decreased under the former management?
- In December the yield was by 40 million levs lower, in other months it didn't differ from the last year. We expected, though, that the revenues will increase more than they actually had. I think that we still have a lot to do to boost revenues from the customs.
- Who will put to use the funds allotted by the World Bank for the customs administration - "Crown Agents" or Finance Ministry?
- The Ministry of Finance has committed itself to develop an information system. We are planning to upgrade the now functioning Bulgarian Integrated Customs Information System (BICIS).
- How would you qualify the attack the UtdDF launched against the contract with the "Crown Agents"?
- I do not think that it can be regarded out of the purely political context. I am sure that all accusations are groundless. I asked Ivan Iskrov to convene an extraordinary meeting of the parliamentary Budget Commission on Thursday. Regrettably, it will be held behind close doors, because some of the texts in the contract are a state secret. I hope that Boiko Borissov and the heads of the national services will attend this sitting. I will acquaint with the contract all MPs who would show interest.
- How far have gone the experts from the working group in their research? Do you think the contract with the British consultants will have to ratified?
- The working group continues the dialogue with the EU and the European Commission. However, all lawyers I consulted with are unanimous that parliamentary ratification of the contract is unnecessary. The contract is concluded between the Ministry of Finance and "Crown Agents". If it were signed between Bulgaria and the British consultants then the ratification would have been necessary.
- One of the chiefs of the "Crown Agents" said that the Bulgarian party insisted that there should be no clause concerning the increase of revenues in the contract.
- We have preferred to omit it, because such agreement would have meant bigger commission for the "Crown Agents". After all the larger share of work will be the priority of our customs administration and our state. We'll Have to Search for a Compromise about Patents Kemal Ejup, MP from the MRF.
INTERVIEW Standartnews: Kemal Ejup
Nadelina Aneva
- Mr. Ejup, on Thursday chief of NATO George Robertson will be met in Sofia by protesting people on the streets. What will be the impact of that not only on the image of the country, but on the present rule, too?
- I think that there's nothing alarming, because there are protests in other European countries, too. But for us, as rulers, the issue is much more difficult, because the communication with the protesting people has been spoiled. This is a political issue that will be discussed by the parliamentary groups of NMS and MRF and a decision will be taken. Then the excuse was that the working group had negotiated and undertaken a promise, but the political decision was different. My personal opinion is that a dynamic should be searched for in the macro-frame of the budget.
- What will your political decision be?
- Who to negotiate with the protesting people and at what level. We have invited Finance Minister Milen Velchev to discuss the problem with him.
- Do you think that there is a strategic center which deliberately looks for such a coincidence like the protests and the arrival of Robertson?
- I don't believe that such a center exists out of Bulgaria or even in the country. The problem is elsewhere - there should be a more active dialogue with the trade unions. WORLD BANK - PORTFOLIO REVIEW.
BTA
Bulgaria Works on Nine World Bank-Supported Projects Totalling USD 315 Mln
Sofia, February 27 (BTA) - There are currently nine active investment projects supported by the World Bank in Bulgaria, with committed financing of 315 million US dollars, the press office of the World Bank Sofia Office told BTA on Wednesday.
The annual Joint Portfolio Review (JPR) of the World Bank-financed projects in Bulgaria was held on Wednesday at a meeting attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Nikolai Vassilev and Andrew Vorkink, World Bank Country Director for Bulgaria, senior Government officials and Bank staff.
The 2002 JPR is the eighth annual review undertaken jointly by the Bulgarian Government and the World Bank. In comparison with other countries the World Bank-financed portfolio in Bulgaria continues to be better than average in its overall rating, the press release says.
Among the achievements in 2001, the World Bank lists successful completion of two highly satisfactory projects and states that eight out of nine projects under implementation are with fully satisfactory status, including sustained highly satisfactory status of the Social Insurance Administration project. Three new investment projects for a total commitment of 52.4 million dollars were approved in 2001, along with the second Agriculture Sector Adjustment Loan (ASAL II) for 50 million dollars.
At the same time the review identifies some areas for portfolio improvement. The elections and change of Government in July last year and consequent appointment of new staff led to delays in the decision-making process and some coordination issues between different institutions. These factors caused implementation delays in some projects, the press release says.
At the Wednesday meeting, an agreement was reached to monitor implementation closely, and conduct the next review in six months.
In addition to the project work, the World Bank continues to carry out many analytical and advisory activities that provide the Government of Bulgaria with a strong analytical basis for policy decisions, the World Bank says. These include the dialogue on the poverty alleviation policy, completion and dissemination of a Country Economic Memorandum for EU Accession, completion and dissemination of an Energy and Environment Review and preparation of a Public Expenditure Review.
The World Bank-assisted programme in Bulgaria to date comprises 27 projects for total financing commitments of 1,543.1 million dollars. These include ten adjustment loans totalling 900.8 million dollars, sixteen investment loans adding up to 632.4 million dollars, and a Bank-managed Global Environmental Fund grant amounting to 9.9 million dollars.
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