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Simeon: 'Bulgaria Is Paradise on Earth. God endowed us Bulgarians with a heavenly beautiful place to live in, PM Saxe-Coburg-Gotha said at the opening of the conference on tourism 'Bulgaria - Dream Country'. 'I love Bulgaria and would like to visit this country again', former president Bill Clinton said in a video-clip address. The tour-operators used the forum to complain of the VAT in tourism. Photo Stoyan Nenov (PY)

Ethnic Albanian children talk to a member of an ethnically-mixed police patrol in village of Orlance, 7 miles northeast of Macedonia's capital Skopje, Friday, Jan. 11, 2002, while the police officers are waiting to enter into the neighboring ethnic Albanian village of Mojance. Despite the peace accord, the ethnically-mixed police patrol was prevented from entering the village of Mojance on Friday. (AP Photo/Maja Zlatevska)

Zemir Halilovic, 34, of Bosnia, recently living in Jacksonville, Fla., walks into Derry, N.H., District Court, Friday, Jan. 11, 2002. Halilovic was charged with making a bomb threat at the Manchester, N.H., Airport Thursday, when he allegedly told a translator he was carrying bombs from Osama bin Laden to bring on his flight. On Friday, Halilovic told another translator he had been joking. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)

MSNBC - AP

Ethnic Albanian guerrillas say government reneged on accord.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

TETOVO, Macedonia, Jan. 11 The ethnic Albanian rebel army that launched an insurgency last year said Friday it was reorganizing and reactivating its units and accused the Macedonian government of ignoring a peace accord.

IN A COMMUNIQUE delivered to the Associated Press, the rebels National Liberation Army warned the troubled Balkan nations Slavic majority to grant minority ethnic Albanians more rights under the Western-brokered agreement or face the possibility of fresh conflict.

Just as the Slav Macedonians do not feel any commitment to the agreement, we the members of the NLA as of today are forced to declare that we have no commitment toward the agreement whatsoever, the statement said.

We have proved that we are ready to live freely and in peace with an agreement, it said, but added: We have proved that we can fight for our rights.

There was no immediate reaction from the Macedonian government.

The rebel force handed in its weapons to NATO troops in October and said it was disbanding in a show of good faith after the leaders of Macedonias rival ethnic groups signed the peace accord, which ended months of conflict that began in February 2001.

The Macedonian parliament has amended parts of the constitution to grant broader rights to ethnic Albanians, who account for about a third of the countrys 2 million people, and President, Boris Trajkovski has pledged amnesty to rebels who committed no major crimes.

Other changes envisioned under the peace accord would grant the ethnic Albanian minority a greater role in the police, parliament and educational systems and expand the official use of the Albanian language.

CONTROVERSIAL LAW.

But the accords implementation has been stuck for weeks in a dispute over a controversial law on local self-government a measure that ethnic Albanians hope would give autonomy to regions where they live.

We have respected our part of the agreement. We have been fair in the implementation of the whole agreement, the NLA statement said. The Slav Macedonian bloc has avoided any kind of agreement with us. It has neglected and finally blocked the signed agreement and basically has completely ignored it. They have basically made it nonexistent.

The statement, which was signed simply by the spokesman for the NLA, accused Macedonian authorities of using the past several months to purchase weapons and step up patrols in ethnic Albanian settlements.

MIXED POLICE PATROLS.

Under the peace accord, ethnically mixed police patrols consisting of Macedonian and ethnic Albanian officers have entered about 20 ethnic Albanian villages with the approval and support of Western peace monitors.

But on Friday, a crowd of some 2,000 angry ethnic Albanians confronted the lightly armed units and refused to let them enter five villages in the volatile northwest, government spokesman Zoran Tanevski said.

There was no violence, and the officers managed to start patrolling another three villages near the western town of Gostivar, where they did not encounter resistance, Tanevski said.

In its communique, the NLA warned the Macedonian government to cease the patrols until all rights of our people are put into practice.

We warned the Slav Macedonians police and military forces that we will take no responsibility for their security, it said.

AP

Guerrillas accuse government of inaction on peace accord.

TETOVO, Macedonia (AP) In a fresh sign of tensions in this troubled Balkan country, a former ethnic-Albanian rebel commander issued a statement Friday saying the militants were reorganizing because of government inaction on a peace accord.

The communique, hand-delivered to The Associated Press by a former guerrilla officer who insisted on anonymity, said the rebels no longer would abide by the western-brokered peace pact because leaders of the Macedonian majority "do not feel any commitment to the agreement."

Although the statement did not threaten any new fighting, it warned authorities to stop police patrols of ethnic-Albanian villages "until all rights of our people are put into practice."

It said the rebels could no longer guarantee the safety of officers who venture into such areas.

The statement was signed by the National Liberation Army, whose fighters disbanded in October after handing in weapons to NATO troops. Since then, however, there have been persistent reports that disgruntled ex-guerrillas have formed new units to fight on for their cause.

An NLA spokesperson, Nazmi Beqiri, denied that the rebels were reactivating their force, which he said "has completed its mission and returned to peace."

NATO spokesperson Mark Laity said the alliance was aware of the communique but "we still believe the NLA remains disbanded."

He called on all sides to "quickly implement all the agreements."

The Macedonian government did not immediately react to the statement, which came as ethnic-Albanian political leaders struggle break a logjam in getting the full peace accords implemented.

The agreement, brokered by the United States and the European Union, ended an insurgency that began in February 2001 by rebels fighting for greater rights for ethnic-Albanians, who account for about a third of Macedonia's two million people.

The Macedonian parliament has amended parts of the constitution to give ethnic-Albanians a greater role in the police, parliament and educational systems and expand the official use of the Albanian language. President Boris Trajkovski has pledged amnesty to rebels who committed no major crimes in the insurgency.

But the accord's implementation has been in limbo for weeks in a dispute over legislation on local self-government a measure that ethnic-Albanians hope will give autonomy to regions where they live.

"We have respected our part of the agreement," the statement said. "We have been fair in the implementation of the whole agreement."

"The Slav Macedonian bloc has avoided any kind of agreement with us. It has neglected and finally blocked the signed agreement and basically has completely ignored it. They have basically made it non-existent."

"We have proved that we are ready to live freely and in peace with an agreement," said the statement, adding: "We have proved that we can fight for our rights."

Under the peace accord, ethnically mixed police patrols consisting of Macedonian and ethnic-Albanian officers have entered about 20 Albanian villages with the approval and support of western peace monitors.

But on Friday, a crowd of some 2,000 angry ethnic Albanians confronted the lightly armed units and refused to let them enter five villages in the volatile northwest, government spokesman Zoran Tanevski said.

There was no violence, and the officers managed to start patrolling another three villages near the western town of Gostivar, where they did not encounter resistance, Tanevski said.

CNN

Some of the weapons handed in by the NLA during Operation Essential harvest.

January 11, 2002 Posted: 1811 GMT

TETOVO, Macedonia -- The fragile peace in the Balkans is threatened after the ethnic Albanian rebel army announced it was "reorganising and reactivating" its units.

In a communique delivered to The Associated Press on Friday, the rebel National Liberation Army also accused the Macedonian government of ignoring a peace accord.

NATO spokesman Mark Laity said the alliance was aware of the communique but "we still believe the NLA remains disbanded." He called on all sides to "quickly implement all the agreements."

The NLA, which launched an insurgency last year, warned the troubled Balkan nation's Slavic majority to grant minority ethnic Albanians more rights under the Western-brokered agreement or face the possibility of fresh conflict.

"Just as the Slav Macedonians do not feel any commitment to the agreement, we -- the members of the NLA -- as of today are forced to declare that we have no commitment toward the agreement whatsoever," the statement said.

"We have proved that we are ready to live freely and in peace with an agreement," it said, but added: "We have proved that we can fight for our rights."

There was no immediate reaction from the Macedonian government.

The NLA handed in its weapons to NATO troops in October and said it was disbanding in a show of good faith after the leaders of Macedonia's rival ethnic groups signed the peace accord, which ended months of conflict that began in February 2001.

Other changes envisioned under the peace accord would grant the ethnic Albanian minority a greater role in the police, parliament and educational systems and expand the official use of the Albanian language.

But the accord's implementation has been stuck for weeks in a dispute over a controversial law on local self-government -- a measure that ethnic Albanians hope would give autonomy to regions where they live.

"We have respected our part of the agreement. We have been fair in the implementation of the whole agreement," the NLA statement said.

"The Slav Macedonian bloc has avoided any kind of agreement with us. It has neglected and finally blocked the signed agreement and basically has completely ignored it. They have made it nonexistent."

The statement, which was signed simply by "the spokesman for the NLA," accused Macedonian authorities of using the past several months to purchase weapons and step up patrols in ethnic Albanian settlements.

Under the peace accord, ethnically mixed police patrols consisting of Macedonian and ethnic Albanian officers have entered about 20 ethnic Albanian villages with the approval and support of Western peace monitors.

But on Friday, a crowd of some 2,000 angry ethnic Albanians confronted the lightly armed units and refused to let them enter five villages in the volatile northwest, government spokesman Zoran Tanevski said.

There was no violence, and the officers managed to start patrolling three other villages near the western town of Gostivar, where they did not encounter resistance, Tanevski said.

In its communique, the NLA warned the Macedonian government to cease the patrols "until all rights of our people are put into practice."

"We warned the Slav Macedonians' police and military forces that we will take no responsibility for their security," it said.

In the village of Celopek near the western city of Tetovo, police were barred by roadblocks set up by local residents, a sign of enduring mistrust and suspicion months after the guns fell silent.

The force did not even try to begin patrols in four other villages in the area, either because the villagers still did not want them there or, in one case, because of snow, fog and icy roads.

"We assessed, and international monitors concurred, that it would be unsafe to enter those villages now. We want to avoid any incidents and that's why we need a couple more days to build up confidence," a government official told Reuters.

MIA

Semi Hebibi; photo published by vMacedonia.

Skopje, January 11 (MIA) - German Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Macedonian Embassy in Berlin that it approved extradition of Semi Habibi, Macedonian citizen prosecuted for criminal activities in the country.

Announcement from the German foreign ministry reads that at the court hearing, Habibi did not agree with simplification of the extradition to Macedonia and refused to give up from the principle of specificity.

"Since the prosecuted person is dangerous, we advise special precaution measures," reads the announcement. Both Macedonian and German authorities suggest Habibi to be surrended to the Macedonian authorities at the Berlin airport.

The extradition will be prolonged because the German authorities have also started a procedure against him for crimes committed in Germany.

MIA

At a press conference on Friday, spokesman of the Macedonian Army General Headquarters Blagoja Markovski said that security situation in the country is "fragile"

"The crisis is not completely controlled. However, there have been no large-scale attacks by Albanian terrorists on Macedonian security forces for the last few days. Intensity and number of armed provocations have been reduced in the Kumanovo-Lipkovo region, and in the region of the Skopska Crna Gora. Its not the case with the region of Tetovo, where shootings have been heard in the central city area tending to spill over in the mountain villages and suburb settlements - mostly populated with ethnic Albanians," Markovski said.

He pointed out that the army units were at their posts, and in close cooperation with the police and representatives of NATO, the European Union and OSCE "are creating conditions for realization of the plan for re-deployment of police patrols and delivery of aid to citizens in the crisis regions."

Markovski considers that security situation requires for the Army to keep its strategic positions, but now as a factor for protection of peace and confidence.

Markovski also referred to the yesterday's briefing of Defense Minister Vlado Popovski and Chief of the ARM Staff Metodi Stamboliski to Macedonian President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Boris Trajkovski and Prime Minister Ljubcho Georgievski. The briefing presents the results that the Army has achieved so far in its reconstructing, and the future tasks within its international cooperation.

Yesterday, General Stamboliski also presented a proposal for the ARM's future reorganization, based on the strategy for the country's defense, former combat experiences, economic potential of Macedonia and the country's determination to become NATO member.

In that respect, Markovski said that in 2002 the Multinational Peace Brigade of Southeastern Europe would be included in a peacekeeping mission in Bosna, under a command of an ARM official.

Markovski said that high Army delegation, led by general Stamboliski would pay an official visit to the Ukraine on January 14-16. The talks would be focused on defense cooperation, Markovski said, denying any possibility that purchasing of weaponry would be part of the discussions.

He also informed that recently a German team of NATO carried out an inspection of the ARM arms and equipment. Similar inspection took place two years ago at the Airport "Petrovec" and the military polygon "Krivolak".

Referring to reports on alleged spring offensive by Albanian terrorists, including the one of the US National Intelligence Council, Markovski said: "We are on the ground, monitoring the developments, and accordingly may conclude that no illegal terrorists groups have entered in Macedonia from Kosovo and vice versa."

"The Army has no authority in the inhabited areas. However, it offers full combat support to the process of re-deployment of police in the crisis regions. The Army will react immediately if the police units or international missions need protection, or in case of terrorist acts against the population," Markovski said.

Referring to restoring of citizens' confidence in the ARM, Markovski said the Army was trying to work for the benefit of all citizens of Macedonia.

MIA

Macedonian Minister of Education and Science Nenad Novkovski and Secretary of Development and Science Vuko Domazetovic signed Friday in Skopje a Program on scientific - technical cooperation for 2002 - 2004.

The Program was adopted on the First session of the Joint Macedonian - Yugoslav Association on scientific and technical cooperation that was held on Thursday and Friday in Skopje.

The Program includes several areas from the scientific-technical cooperation such as the agriculture and the veterinary medicine, information technology, electronic and telecommunication, biotechnology, energy, environment, new materials, chemical technologies, providing and protection of waters, seismology and seismological engineering.

Minister Novkovski stressed in his address that these initiatives on regional cooperation are ground for getting involved in the EU projects for rapid scientific and technological development. He announced that the specific activities for the jount projects would start in the next few months.

Yugoslav Secretary for Development and Science Vuko Domazetovic expressed hope that this cooperation will lead to joint projects of the scientists and the scientific institutions of both countries and they could exchange their equipment and staff. According to him the program is a ground for further cooperation.

Asked whether Macedonia has used some of EU programs, Minister Novkovski said that so far TEMPUS program, NATO's program "Science for peace," as well as "Copernikus" program have been implemented although the results were not obvious yet.

"Macedonia needs to get closer to the European Union in order to implement its programs," Novkovski emphasized.

The deadline for submitting joint research projects is April 15, and the evaluation will be carried out between April 15 and Amy 15, 2002.

The second session of the joint Macedonian - Yugoslav association will be held in June in Belgrade.

The Agreement on scientific - technological cooperation was signed between the Macedonian and Yugoslav governments on July 3, 1997.

MIA

Macedonian Foreign Minister Slobodan Casule met Friday with his French counterpart Hubert Vedrine in D' Orsay.

The two Ministers exchanged their opinions on perspectives of the Macedonian - French relations and security conditions in Macedonia and the region, particularly on activities for implementation of the Framework Agreement. In that respect, Casule underlined the significant role of the French foreign policy in the region, saying that Macedonia has confirmed the stability of its democratic institution and the high level of political compromise in accordance with the European principles.

Stressing the readiness of the Macedonian Government and its institutions to implement the Framework Agreement, the Macedonian Foreign Minister warned about the possible consequences resulting from further existence of organized crime and terrorist network in certain parts of the region. Vedrine welcomed the efforts made by Macedonian Government to stabilize the security situation in the country, adding that France would continue to support Macedonia in its efforts to become part of the EU. French and Europe would keep on with their activities in helping Macedonia to heal the wounds from the crisis.

Casule and Vedrine agreed on intensifying the activities for opening the broadcasting directory on Radio France Internationale, as well as for broadcasting its programs in Macedonia.

Casule is expected to address at the Francophony Conference today.

MIA

Washington, January 10 (MIA) - The conflict that emerged last year in Macedonia could escalate into large-scale conflict, and even Europe could feel the consequences from it, the US National Intelligence Council warns in the report published on Thursday regarding the possible crisis focuses in 2002.

According to the report, the potential escalation of the ethnic conflict in the western part of Macedonia could evolve into civil war and could destabilize Southeastern Europe.

If the situation further develops, the Council estimates that more than dozen thousands of Macedonian citizens will seek refuge in other parts of the country or abroad.

The Council estimates that seven conflicts in Africa, Asia and Europe could cause humanitarian catastrophes during 2002.

MIA

Information by so-called, self-promoted "armies," that in the name of humanity kill, torture and kidnap civilians, provides perfect example of how wide and influential is the organized crime web thats committing an aggression on Macedonia. From Tetovo to Prague, they even have the ear of Radio Free Europe...

Tetovo, January 11 (MIA) - The so-called NLA, which was "formally disbanded" in October 2001, released another announcement on Friday, threatening with new violence and accusing the Macedonian authorities for ignoring the Framework Agreement.

At the press-release sent to the news agency Associated Press, this terrorist organization threatens to "reorganize" and "reactivate" its units in Macedonia. The announcement also reads that the Macedonian government feels no obligation in regard to the Framework Agreement, "and therefore, this document is no longer considered to be obliging by NLA."

The announcement, signed by "the NLA spokesperson", also warns the Macedonian authorities to cancel police patrolling in the regions populated by Albanians, because "on the contrary, the NLA will not take responsibility for their fate."

Former "NLA" Representatives Deny The Announcement Signed By "NLA Spokesperson"

Prague, January 11 (MIA) - Representatives of the so-called NLA denied on Friday accuracy of the press-release published by Associated Press, which warns on new violence in Macedonia.

Self-proclaimed "commander Dreni" said for Radio Free Europe that such document was never released, at least not by an NLA representative who has mandate to announce its positions.

Former "NLA" leader Ali Ahmeti said that "such speculations, as well as announcements for new clashes this spring, represent verbal terror against the Macedonian citizens." In his opinion, the public attention should be focused on implementation of the Framework Agreement.

AP

Multiethnic police patrols entered into three out of eight pilot villages situated in troubled northwestern region of Macedonia on Friday, attempting to regain control of about one third of the territory held by ethnic-Albanian secessionist rebels who use terrorist methods during six-month-long armed conflict.

The re-entering is going well only in three villages in the western crisis region of Gostivar. Some 2,000 ethnic Albanians in the troubled Tetovo valley set up blockades on the main road Tetovo-Jazhince and averted the police patrols from entering into three villages. Multiethnic police patrols failed to enter into two villages near Skopje, the spokesman for Government's crisis management body, Zoran Tanevski told MakFax news agency.

This looks like an orchestrated resistance, a government official told MakFax news agency, speaking on condition of anonymity.

On Friday, the so-called NLA warned Macedonian security forces not to enter into Albanian villages because it can not guarantee their security.

We gave peace a chance. We gave the government and the parliament additional time to implement the Ohrid peace accord. Neither of these things has happened. We have no other option but to declare that we have no further obligations regarding the peace plan. The Slav Macedonians abused the post-war period to purchase weapons, to reinforce the paramilitary structures and to patrol in areas predominated by ethnic Albanian population. We warn the army and police forces, as well as the so-called multiethnic patrols that we are not going to take any responsibility for their personal security and we recommend that no patrols should be enacted in Albanian villages, says the latest communiqu released by the so-called NLA, signed by its spokesman.

The government officials refused to give any comments to the latest communiqu of the so-called NLA.

The Macedonian security forces, following a six-month-long armed conflict, ignited by terrorist activities of the ethnic Albanian secessionist rebels in February 2001, had entered into first five villages in conflict-affected areas at the end of October. Another 15 villages situated in areas affected by the crisis, were added to the west-engineered peace plan in December 2002.

The national security council completed the two-day meetings dedicated on the current security-political matters. The council concluded that security situation in the country is stable, however, there are indications of possible violations of public order and peace.

A total of 25 villages are now under control of the government forces, said Tanevski. Roughly 60 villages in conflict-affected areas in northwest Macedonia are still under control by the ethnic-Albanian rebels. President Trajkovskis peace plan foresees that territory still held by the ethnic-Albanian gunmen will be reintegrated step by step, depending of the security conditions.

Western monitors and ethnic Albanians have urged the Macedonian government to remove the security police checkpoints in the crisis regions as a sign of "good faith" within a trust-building pledge.

The prime-minister Ljubco Georgeivski and interior minister Ljube Boshkoski strongly oppose the removal of the police checkpoints and, even, suggest additional security upgrades.

Skepticism deepened among the members of the national Security Council. The fact that they disagree on pivotal issues is less and less deniable, MakFax quoted an anonymous official. The source explained that Georgievski and Boshkoski remained steadfastly opposed to president Trajkovskis initiative that nine to ten police checkpoints should be removed from conflict-affected areas and mobile police patrols be organized. He added that the pilot plan on re-entry of the security forces into areas affected by the crisis will be reviewed by Government experts and Western monitors.

Western diplomats confirmed the problems that occurred during the re-entry of the Macedonian security forces into the villages once held by the ethnic-Albanian insurgents.

Each village in the troubled regions seems to have its own history connected to recent armed conflicts. The local population has different demands. Nonetheless, the ethnic Albanians strongly oppose the security police checkpoints. They see the checkpoints as a chilling deterrent. They also insisted that amnesty be fully implemented before the re-entry of the security forces, a Western diplomat told MakFax news agency, speaking on condition of anonymity.

AP

By ERMIRA MEHMETI, Associated Press Writer

TETOVO, Macedonia (AP) - Ethnic Albanian rebels who launched an insurgency last year are reactivating their units because the government has ignored a peace accord, a statement hand-delivered by a former guerrilla commander warned Friday.

The statement to The Associated Press warned the troubled Balkan nation's Slavic majority to grant minority ethnic Albanians more rights under the Western-brokered agreement or face the possibility of fresh conflict.

The rebels' self-styled National Liberation Army disbanded in October after handing in its weapons to NATO troops. Since then, there have been persistent reports that disgruntled former rebel fighters have formed new units to fight on for their cause.

``Just as the Slav Macedonians do not feel any commitment to the agreement, we - the members of the NLA - as of today are forced to declare that we have no commitment toward the agreement whatsoever,'' the statement said.

``We have proved that we are ready to live freely and in peace with an agreement,'' it said, but added: ``We have proved that we can fight for our rights.''

There was no immediate reaction from the Macedonian government to the statement, which was released to AP by a former rebel commander who insisted on anonymity.

An NLA spokesman, Nazmi Beqiri, denied that the statement spoke for the entire guerrilla force.

``The NLA has completed its mission and returned to peace,'' Beqiri said.

In Brussels, Belgium, NATO spokesman Mark Laity said the alliance was aware of the communique but ``we still believe the NLA remains disbanded.'' He called on all sides to ``quickly implement all the agreements.''

The Macedonian parliament has amended parts of the constitution to grant broader rights to ethnic Albanians, who account for about a third of the country's 2 million people. President Boris Trajkovski has pledged amnesty to rebels who committed no major crimes in the insurgency, which began in February 2001.

Other changes envisioned under the peace accord would grant the ethnic Albanian minority a greater role in the police, parliament and educational systems and expand the official use of the Albanian language.

But the accord's implementation has been stuck for weeks in a dispute over a controversial law on local self-government - a measure that ethnic Albanians hope would give autonomy to regions where they live.

``We have respected our part of the agreement. We have been fair in the implementation of the whole agreement,'' the statement said. ``The Slav Macedonian bloc has avoided any kind of agreement with us. It has neglected and finally blocked the signed agreement and basically has completely ignored it. They have basically made it nonexistent.''

The statement, which was signed simply by ``the spokesman for the NLA,'' accused Macedonian authorities of using the past several months to purchase weapons and step up patrols in ethnic Albanian settlements.

Under the peace accord, ethnically mixed police patrols consisting of Macedonian and ethnic Albanian officers have entered about 20 ethnic Albanian villages with the approval and support of Western peace monitors.

But on Friday, a crowd of some 2,000 angry ethnic Albanians confronted the lightly armed units and refused to let them enter five villages in the volatile northwest, government spokesman Zoran Tanevski said.

There was no violence, and the officers managed to start patrolling another three villages near the western town of Gostivar, where they did not encounter resistance, Tanevski said.

The statement warned the Macedonian government to cease the patrols ``until all rights of our people are put into practice.''

``We warned the Slav Macedonians' police and military forces that we will take no responsibility for their security,'' it said.

Standartnews

Elena Yaneva

The first official visit of the new president Georgi Parvanov after he takes office will be with NATO secretary general Lord George Robertson in Brussels, the future presidential secretary for Eurointegration Zlatin Trapkov announced yesterday. The meeting was discussed at yesterday's talks between Georgi Parvanov and British general Sir Jeremy Mackenzie, former deputy commander of NATO's forces in Europe. The two discussed the reform in the army and Bulgaria's forthcoming NATO membership. Mackenzie promised aid for the social adaptation of the dismissed military. For his part Parvanov assured him that the reforms in the Bulgarian army would go ahead at the same pace as before.

(SB)

Standartnews

His Holiness grants no audiences abroad, ladies should forget about slits and low-necked dresses.

Milena Orozova
Silvia Nikolova

The police is to take unseen to this days measures on the occasion of pending Papal visit to Bulgaria. No foreign guest has been guarded so carefully ever. His Holiness is to set foot for the first time on Bulgarian soil on May 23 and will stay till May 25. The measures to be taken will be twice as serious as during Bill Clinton's visit to Bulgaria, sources from the police said. Because of the visit of the US ex-president, downtown Sofia was blocked for a few days and snipers were placed on the roofs. Many plain-clothes policemen will mingle with the crowd. It is mainly the National Security Service to be in charge of Pope's guard. If necessary, police officers from diverse services will also take part. The president, the PM and deputies will welcome Pope John Paul II with state honours in front of the eternal fire to the Unknown Soldier on May 23. The Holy Father will bring some of his Swiss guards. According to an unwritten but strictly kept rule, John Paul II does not give interviews abroad save for his official statement.

(ML)

Standartnews

Nikolay Vassilev,
Vice-Premier

The meeting with the representatives of the Austro-German consortium was of a common nature. We must pay attention to the most huge foreign investors in Bulgaria. MobilTel is extremely important, structural determinant company for the Bulgarian economy - with good future in a priority branch to us.

(SH)

Standartnews

Simeon gave his consent the establishment to take place within two weeks.

Nadelina Aneva
Elena Yaneva

NMS will become a party after two weeks at the latest. Three dates are fixed for the constituent conference. The most probable of them is on January 26, the other variants are January 19 or February 2, Valentin Tzerovsky said for 'Standart'. He's a member of the working group, that is responsible for the technical preparation of the conference. The constituents will be about 500 and will meet in Sofia. Tzerovsky didn't elaborate why the turning of the NMS into a party is speeded up. But he confirmed that this happens with the consent of Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Most of the king's deputies were surprised by the urgent plans of their leaders.

(PY)

Standartnews

The military strength of Bulgarian army in wartime is envisaged to number 100,000, amendments to the military doctrine the government adopted yesterday, read. The ministers also considered amendments to the Defense Act. Minister Nikolay Svinarov elaborated that it includes a 45-thousand army. The former version envisaged a 250-thousand mobilization army. To the head of MoD, actually the army in peacetime is to number about 41,000.

(ML)

Standartnews

Kolev submitted the complaint to the SJC (Supreme Judicial Council) on Wednesday at 9 o'clock. By law, the complaint should reach the SAC (Supreme Administrative Court) along with the written statement from the voting and the decision of the SJC by Monday morning at the latest. If in the complaint SAC finds evidence of any violation of the Constitution, it may also approach the Constitutional Court. There have been precedents already, commented magistrates. In their view the case will be resolved precisely at the CC (Constitutional Court). Nikolai Kolev was pensioned off by the SAC at the end of March 2001 on the insistence of Nikola Filchev. Kolev appealed before the SAC and not long ago the court restored him as prosecutor at the Supreme Administrative Prosecution. Sofia City Court suspended two of Kolev's cases on the grounds that during that time in his capacity of prosecutor he had immunity.

(SB)

Standartnews

Foreign Minister Solomon Passy was not notified for the incident.

Victoria Seraphimova
Yuri Mihalkov

Italy restored the visa regime for the Bulgarian transport companies, said for 'Standart' drivers, who had been turned back by the Italian authorities for lack of the document in their passports. 'There was no one to notify us that visas are necessary for Italy,' protesting drivers said yesterday in front of the Transport Ministry. After the visa lifting from April 1, 2001 on, Greece and Italy were the only states from Schengen zone to insist the sojourn permits to be effective for the Bulgarian international drivers. Later, they also lifted them. From January 1, 2002 on, however, the requirement is reinstated, but neither MoFA, nor the Transport Ministry had informed the carters. The officers in the Foreign and in Transport Ministry were informed of that. Currently over 50 transporters are blocked at the Slovenian checkpoint 'Ferneti' at the border with Italy. The Bulgarian consulate office in Slovenia initiated solving the problem, said high-level diplomat from the Italian embassy.

(SH)

Standartnews

Dr Jeffrey Simon military expert from the National Defence University in Washington, for 'Deutsche Welle'

We, in Washington are still unaware of Bulgaria's new government. Despite the fact that we had earlier met with foreign minister Solomon Passy, no one knows anything about defence minister Nikolai Svinarov or anyone of his team. Besides, at the presidential elections Bulgaria elected socialist Georgi Parvanov. As far as foreign observers are concerned, this is a strange combination a bit - a monarchist and a former communist. Concerning Bulgaria's membership, I'm skeptical. For the time being Washington will observe the activity of the new Bulgarian government and the new president. We are concerned over whether vice-president Anguel Marin who was dismissed from the army precisely because he opposed the changes, won't directly influence Georgi Parvanov and delay thus the reform within the Bulgarian army. The rhetoric we, in Washington have been listening to for 10 years must be brought to an end at long last. Bulgaria's army command is among the slowest progressing ones as compared to the rest of the NATO candidate-members. At the National Defence University we can't understand where are the officers who got their training here in the hope that they will fully participate in the Bulgarian military reform. Most of them are being changed with every new government.

(SB)

Standartnews

Naftex signed contracts on Wednesday with 4 Serb football players. Nikola Malbasa and Sasa Viciknez from Haiduk (Kula) sealed 3.5-year-contracts with the Bourgas club. Few hours later CEO Hristo Portochanov aired that two more Serbs - Uros Stamatovic from Haiduk (Koula) and junior international Deyan Kikezovic from Spartak (Soubotica) have sealed contracts for 2.5-year term each. The amount for the four Yugoslavian players exceeds 1.5 million levs.

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INTERVIEW Standartnews: Vladimir Naidenov

At a confidential meeting Finance Minister yielded to 3 firms with a strong lobby in the NMS, says chairman of the branch chamber of medicines wholesale traders, Vladimir Naidenov.

Neika Krasteva

- Mr. Naidenov, what event on Wednesday made the government to give up the agreement about introduction of VAT on medicines?

- At a confidential meeting with Finance Minister Milen Velchev several firms managed to reverse the decision. These are "Sanita", "Kaliman" and "Traders' League". They represent the association of wholesale traders comprising only seven ventures. They have a strong lobby in the NMS, which helped them to press the cabinet, because they found themselves in a vulnerable position. These firms violated Article 62 of the VAT Act: they sold medicines imported before January 1, 2002 at new prices.

- Doesn't the Decree of the Council of Ministers dated December 29, 2001 give them this right?

- Yes, it does. But it says explicitly that the prices cannot be raised by more than 9 percent, while these firms sold medicines 38 percent more expensive at the average. Who has entitled them to do so? Are there any controlling institutions in this country? Or the state wants to crash small and medium-scale ventures and to establish the monopoly of certain firms that will dictate the prices in the future? In the state procurements for drugs there should be no conditions which go contrary to the interests of small and medium business. If a certain trader takes part in a tender for a hospital pharmacy he has to pay a 30,000-lev guarantee. It's clear as daylight that only certain 'players' can win. Then annexes are signed which no one controls later. This is exactly what we call big corruption. A contract for medicines' supply is signed with lower prices, lower even than ex-factory. Then the annexes enable traders to up the prices. The profit is shared between a trader and director of a hospital.

- Is it necessary to have VAT on medicines?

- Medicines are not an ordinary commodity. People are compelled to buy medicines, because doctors prescribe them. Moreover, that people are not told to buy a medicine for sore throat or coughing, they have a prescription for a definite drug. In different pharmacies, however, the same drugs are sold at different prices, like vegetables. Throughout Europe these prices are fixed. Portugal is the only exception. People's health is not a commodity for sale.

- In Europe they do have VAT on medicines.

- Yes, it's true, but throughout the world the VAT is limited by 7-8 percent. In GB it is zero percent. We would like it to be 5 percent in Bulgaria. Thus certain firms will not have a chance to find chinks in the law. So far the Health Ministry and Health Insurance Fund allowed the life saving medicines to be imported without VAT. Among these drugs, however, the firms managed to import other, too. Which means that introduction of VAT is logical and reasonable. It is apparent that's also a condition set by the IMF.

AP

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) - A Bulgarian TV program in which young women disrobe as they deliver the day's top headlines has been suspended, the station said Friday.

``The Naked Truth'' will stay off the air until the station's owners decide whether to cancel the popular show, program director Stilian Ivanov said. Plans for the show are to be announced Jan. 20.

The 10-minute news program was launched last month on private MSAT TV, and ratings have surpassed those of state television's traditional late-evening newscast.

MSAT TV did not say why the show was being suspended.

The Council on Electronic Media, a watchdog panel appointed by parliament and the president, has voiced concerns that the station may have committed plagiarism by using the name of a defunct Russian show.

The Russian program - which featured segments with naked reporters going to parliament to interview politicians - was canceled several months ago after a drop in ratings.

Nikolai Zheliazkov, a reporter for MSAT TV, said the company's decision was unrelated to the panel's concerns.

AP

By BARRY SCHWEID, AP Diplomatic Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Prime Minister Coastas Simitis of Greece said Friday he had suggested to President Bush that the U.S. peacekeeping force in the Balkans be reduced to a token level.

Simitis, winding up a friendly visit, said he advised Bush not to pull out completely but to leave a few U.S. soldiers there as a political message of American commitment.

``Use the Europeans,'' was the advice he offered Bush at the White House Thursday, Simitis said.

There are about 8,800 U.S. troops on peacekeeping duty in Kosovo, Bosnia and Macedonia.

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld proposed at a NATO meeting last month in Brussels, Belgium, that the alliance cut its force of 10,000 in Bosnia-Herzegovina by up to one-third.

Over breakfast at Blair House, the presidential guest house across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, Simitis said, ``The Europeans now should be able to police the situation.''

Among the 19 North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies, Greece was the only one to object vigorously to the U.S.-led bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 that forced withdrawal of Serbian troops from Kosovo.

Greece did not try to veto the use of force, though, and has supported peacekeeping operations in the Balkans as well as the U.S.-led fight against the Taliban militia and the al-Qaida terrorism network in Afghanistan.

Simitis said Greece would offer $1 million at a donors' conference later in the month in Tokyo toward the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Brightened U.S.-Greek relations were on full display at the White House Thursday as Bush thanked Simitis for being a friend in the fight against terrorism.

Before news cameras in the Oval Office, Bush also credited Simitis for easing longtime tensions with rival Turkey. And the two leaders shared a laugh when Simitis presented Bush with a sweat shirt for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.

``You can come and run in it,'' Simitis offered.

On Friday, Simitis told reporters Greece was spending $600 million in security and other preparations. ``We are working hard; there will be no problem,'' he said.

Terrorism was at the top of the agenda in his meetings with Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Secretary of State Colin Powell, the prime minister said.

At home, Simitis said, investigators were following new leads in the unsolved murder of British Defense Attache Stephen Saunders in Athens in June 2000. The revolutionary organization 17 November is suspected in the slaying and in other terrorist attacks.

Simitis said the group has no more than 20 to 30 members, is concentrated in an area of Athens and has no links elsewhere in Greece.

While there is some anti-American sentiment in the country, ``we don't think they will attack the Olympic games,'' he said.

``But we will have to take care,'' Simitis said.