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Bulgarias Golden Waltz. Bulgarian pair Albena Denkova (L) and Maxim Staviyski perform during the 2002 World Figure Skating Championships in Japans Nagano. ŠEPA
The commander of the NATO troops in Europe Joseph Ralston arrived in Bulgaria to get acquainted with Bulgaria's preparation for joining NATO. He was received by the premier and the president. Ralston and the chief of the General Staff of the Bulgarian army General Miho Mihov were given a ride in the legendary Trabant of foreign minister Solomon Passy.
General Joseph Ralston, NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Europe, gestures during a news conference before his departure from Sofia, March 19, 2002. General Ralston praised the military reform progress of Bulgaria which hopes to win an invitation to join the Western alliance its November summit in Prague. REUTERS/Dimitar Dilkoff
Wilton Park Conference-EU. The 67th Wilton Park conference started at Boyana residence. The three-day forum is dedicated to the EU enlargement. Photo: European Commission chief negotiator with Bulgaria Michael Leigh, Bulgaria's chief negtoator with the EU Meglena Kouneva, and Head of European Commission delegation in Sofia Dimitris Kourkoulas. Pressphoto - BTA photo: Tihomir Penov
SITUATION IN CRISIS REGIONS.
MIA
It is relatively calm in Tetovo and its area Tuesday morning, compared to last night, when the public order and peace was violated with several shootouts from various town districts as well as from many Tetovo villages.
According to police sources, series of riffle and sporadic shots were registered, coming from the direction of the Southeastern European University as well as from the villages of Mala Recica, Gajre, Sipkovica, Strimnica, Lisec, Selce, Semsovo, Djepciste, Dobroste and Prsovce.
As the Interior department from Tetovo informed, lightning missiles were registered at 4:30 a.m., coming from the direction of Cetinska Street. Monday, early in the morning between 7:00 and 6:00h, the Albanian terrorists from the villages of Lisec and Gajre provoked the Macedonian security forces with large flashlights.
Series of about 10 sporadic and riffle shots, coming from the direction of villages of Matejce, Nikustak and Sklupcane were registered Monday night in Kumanovo - Lipkovo crises region.
After conducting a 24-hour police control, the expelled Macedonian and Serbian civilians are expected to visit their homes, accompanied by the International Red Cross and OSCE.
Simultaneously, the preparations for multiethnic police patrols to enter the villages of Vaksince and Lojane, Lipkovo area, proceed as planed.
MACEDONIAN DELEGATION AT WORLD TELECOM CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL.
MIA
Delegation from the Macedonian Ministry of Transport and Communication led by General Director of the Telecommunications Bureau Zoran Trajcevski pays a visit to Istanbul, where the World Telecom Development Conference is held.
Representatives from more than hundred countries in the world participate at the conference, which will last until March 27. Turkish President Ahmet Nexhet Sezer opened the conference, and more than 60 representatives of the member-countries had their addresses.
Trajcevksi informed that the Conference was assessed as very successful. "We scanned the data on the telecommunications in the countries throughout the world, and it was concluded that Macedonia had advanced much in a short period of time," Trajcevski said.
According to the statistics, in the underdeveloped countries only 1,4 percent of the inhabitants had telephone by 2000, and half of the world's populations did not know what is telephone and never had telephone conversation. Trajcevski stressed that around 600,000 persons in Macedonia have public switched telephones, what means that Macedonia has the features of the developed countries.
Istanbul's declaration should be adopted at the end of the conference, which would have three segments. The first is mutual vision for the future development, the second one is strategic plan for digitalization and bridging of the digital exchange and the third one is Action Plan for implementation of the previous two segments.
The representatives from the Macedonian Ministry of Transport and Communications as well as from the Telecommunications Bureau will participate at the conference until March 27.
New World conference is scheduled for September in Morocco, which will be focused on the telecommunications and the broadcasting.
MINISTER BALKOVSKI MET WITH COORDINATOR OF EUROPEAN AGENCY FOR RECONSTRUCTION.
MIA
Macedonian Minister of Transport and Communications Ljupco Balkovski met Tuesday with the chief coordinator of the European Agency for Reconstruction Guy Mastad and Jean Valsesia, head of infrastructure projects in the agency.
Minister Balkovski expressed hope that the cooperation with the agency would be successful and spoke of the donations for several projects realized with EU's office through FARE program.
Considering that the program of the EU member-countries should be developed, revised and adopted in May, Mastad requested information from Minister Balkovski on the priority projects, which could be realized with the means from the European agency.
As one of the most important projects that should be realized in 2002 and 2003, Minister Balkovski pointed out the ring road around Tetovo, which should be completed by the end of the summer. He especially emphasized the importance of Negotino - Demir Kapija section, which will be constructed in three phases. The first phase of construction of 5,3 km should be completed by autumn, the second phase (3,8 km) is in tender's documentation and should begin in September and the last phase (12-km) should begin in spring 2003.
The construction will be supported with 11 million through CARDS program, and the Macedonian Government will cover the costs of land's expropriation.
Minister Balkovski requested occasional meetings to be held in order to exchange information on the realized and planed activities.
The European Agency for Reconstruction was established in Macedonia on March 1, 2002 and its activities are focused on operationalization of the donations in several sectors.
PRESS CONFERENCE WITH STATE SECRETARY IN MINISTRY OF INTERIOR KALACOSKI.
MIA
The State Secretary in the Macedonian Ministry of Interior Venko Kalacoski at a press conference held on Tuesday presented materials and a picture related with the "Rastanski Lozja" case which took place on March 2, 2002, as well as in regard to the detention of two Bosnian citizens.
"Regarding the enormous pressure from the public on the Ministry of Interior and the Minister, Ljube Boskovski, we decided to unveil the mistery from these events," Kalacoski said.
Pointing out that in the Rastanski Lozja case, a seven-member terrorist group was eliminated, Kalacoski stressed that the ministry of Interior created a group, which accompanied by investigative judge, prosecutor and forensics officer inspected the area, made photo-documentation and carried out autopsy on the bodies.
Kalacoski reminded that the goal of the terrorist group was to carry out attacks on foreign buildings in Macedonia, such as the U.S., German and British embassies in Skopje, and also to carry out assaults against Macedonian state officials. He outlined that the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation - FBI was actively involved in the investigation process.
"According to our information, the terrorist group comes from the Middle and Near East," he said, adding that activities for complete resolving of the case were on going.
The Ministry of Interior sent documentation needed for identifying of these persons to 15 countries, but so far there has been no feedback information.
The Ministry of Interior has informed all international representatives in Macedonia about this operation.
Regarding the detention and extradition of the two Bosnian citizens, for whom there was an information that they were members of radical and extremist Muslim group, and for whom there was an interest from the state leadership of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kalcoski reported that these persons were members of the Active Islam Youth in Bosnia. As he poited out, there have been indications that this group was related with the Bin Laden's terrorist group Al Quaeda.
"These are students of the private university 'Zarka' in Jordan, where they attended military training and training in martial arts, characteristic method for 'Al Quaeda' camps," Kalacoski said. He explained that four diskettes with Islamic-fundamentalist contents were found, urging to "jihad - holy war against the non-Muslims, the western civilization and the democracy."
According to him, the police also found "fatva" i.e. an appeal for war against the non-believers, which justifies the deadly terrorist attacks in the world.
Macedonian Ministry of Interior will release more specific information on the contents of the diskettes after they are thoroughly examined, and would submit them to the officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"During the talks with these persons we found out many information on international Islamic radical groups present in Macedonia and in the region under the veil of various humanitarian organizations," Venko Kalacoski pointed out. In that respect the Interior Ministry continuously undertakes highest security measures for protecting the citizens and the interests of Republic of Macedonia.
"The Interior Ministry denies all accusations because according to the Constitution, the domestic and international regulations and agreements it is obliged to detect and prevent these individuals and groups," he was decisive.
Speaking of the latest development in Strumica, when juvenile was injured by a member of the Rapid Reaction Unit "Lions", Kalcoski informed that the Ministry has pressed criminal charges against the member of "Lions" and is in custody.
Kalcoski assessed at Tuesday's press conference that with the disbanding of the special unit "Lions" the integral police system and the security of Republic of Macedonia would be seriously disturbed.
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TRENDAFILOV.
MIA
At its regular session, the Macedonian Government has decided to increase the prices of oil derivatives for about 6%, government spokesman Gjorgi Trendafilov said Tuesday.
Referring to reports of the International Crisis Group and the Council of Europe on high corruption rate in Macedonia, Trendafilov said, "they were unpleasant attempts with slightly naive explanations by people, who work at the ICG or are connected with them, as the ICG report was presented when Macedonia was to ask friendly countries for money to heal the wounds of the crisis, which has not been resolved yet."
"On the contrary, Macedonia has done a lot in this respect. The Interior Ministry, along with other relevant institutions, announced a serious action against organized crime and corruption few months ago," Trendafilov said.
Minister of Transport and Communications Ljupcho Balkovski briefed the Government about the recent dispute between the Civil Aviation Authority and the Macedonian Airlines (MAT).
"The Government's decision to grant MAT a status of national airline company must be respected," Trendafilov said.
Referring to the Government's decision to reemploy 13 medical workers-ethnic Albanians, Trendafilov said, "These people claim that they could not come to work or contact with their superiors due to armed clashes."
The Government also agreed on the financial plan for a project on protection of the Dojran Lake.
"The project includes a construction of pipe system and wells that will raise the water level in the next few years," Trendafilov said.
Tuesday's session of the Macedonian Government, chaired by Prime Minister Ljubcho Georgievski, was focused on the course and the effects of the Donors' conference for Republic of Macedonia held in Brussels and organized by the World Bank and the European Commission.
The Government was satisfied with the success of the Donors' conference for Macedonia because not only enormous economic and political support was granted but also the granted means exceeded the requested ones. The results from Brussels indicate that the efforts of the Macedonian Government were fully supported by almost all donors' countries at this Conference and is another confirmation that Macedonia will be supported by the European Union and USA.
The Government also reviewed and accepted several legal projects in the field of economic system and the current economic policy. As one of the most important legal projects was the approved draft-law on industrial property, which would allow regulation of the responsibilities arising from the international agreements and would surpass some unsettled issues arising from the application of the law.
The special provisions of the law refer to the efficient protection of the industrial property's rights, coordination with the international standards, independence, rule of law, compatibility and responsibility, efficient service of the citizens and legal entities, stability and transparency of the operations.
The Government also reviewed and approved the draft-law on craft's activities. This law should regulate the option - the foreign citizens to be able to perform craft activities in Macedonia, what is part of the process for getting closer to the legislation of the EU member-countries.
The Government accepted the Program on public investments in Macedonia for 2002-2004, and obliged the competent ministries in the talks with the foreign donors that plan to invest in the public sector to suggest the projects included in the program.
The Government also made a Decision to determine the highest prices of some oil derivatives according to the Methodology.
According to the decision, starting from midnight the price of 86-octane's petrol will be 51 denars per liter, price of 98-octane's - 52 denars per liter, price of unleaded 95-octane's petrol - 49 denars per liter. The prices of the petrol are increased for 3,50 denars per liter. The prices of diesel petrol D-1 and D-2 will be 37 i.e. 36,5 denars, the extra light oil will be 27 denars and the crude oil will be 12,76 denars per kilo.
The retail prices of the oil derivatives rose for 6,57 percent as a result of the increase of the raw oil's price on the world market in the past two weeks for 12,9 precent.
GERMANY WILL SOON RATIFY MACEDONIA-EU AGREEMENT.
MIA
Chairman of the Macedonian Parliament Stojan Andov, who is paying a several-day visit to Germany, met Tuesday with members of the Bundestag group for relations with the South-East Europe.
The meeting was focused on the situation in Macedonia, implementing of the Framework Agreement and forthcoming elections.
The Bundestag would ratify the Stabilization and Association Agreement between Macedonia and the European Union before the beginning of summer holiday, Chairman of the German Parliament Wolfgang Thierse said yesterday after a meeting with his Macedonian counterpart Andov.
MEETING OF FINANCIAL COMMITTEE ON SUCCESSION OF FORMER YUGOSLAVIA'S PROPERTY.
MIA
The net-liabilities of SFRY's countries-successors from the former Soviet Union are estimated to 1,292 billion clearing's dollars, while the liabilities of the former Soviet Union's countries from SFRY's countries are 140 million of clearing's dollars.
The representatives of Committee on financial issues referring to the implementation of the Agreement on succession of former Yugoslavia's property announced Tuesday the estimations at the joint press conference.
According to vice governor of the National Bank of Republic of Macedonia Dusanka Hristova the meeting also focused on determining the balance of the means on former Yugoslavia's account.
"We agreed to establish expert group comprised from the representatives of all successor-countries, which will meet on April 4 in the National Bank of Yugoslavia and whose main task will be to prepare a report on the grounds of the documents available in this institution regarding the liabilities towards the former Soviet Union," Hristova said.
The rate of the debt of the former federation towards the Soviet Union as well as the issues necessary for the negotiations with the Russian part were also determined at the meeting. The material, which will be used in the negotiations, will be verified by the Financial Committee.
The next meeting will be held in Slovenia and will be focused on the other open issues from Annex C of the financial part of the Agreement on Succession.
Hristova informed that the first meeting in Sarajevo was focused on the allocation of the monetary gold, the strategy of the clearing's balance was discussed at two meetings, while another open issue is the deposits of the National Bank of former SFRY in the mixed and commercial banks.
Yugoslav representative Veroljub Dugalic, said that the liabilities of SFRY towards former Soviet Union will be reviewed once again. Regarding the deposits in the mixed banks, he said that it was agreed to determine where the means are and on what legal ground it was possible to spend them.
According to representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina Kemal Kozaric only Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina have ratified the Agreement on succession.
MACEDONIAN PUBLIC PROSECUTOR STAVRE DZIKOV MET WITH GREKO GROUP.
MIA
Macedonian Public Prosecutor Stavre Dzikov met Tuesday with the representatives from the Group of States Against Corruption established within Council of Europe (GREKO) and discussed the prevention of corruption.
First deputy of the Macedonian Public Prosecutor Mihajlo Manevski and the representatives from the Public Prosecutor's Office and the prosecutor's offices from Skopje and Stip attended the meeting.
Dzikov informed GREKO representatives on the operations of the Public Prosecutor's Office and the measures and activities undertaken in cooperation with the other institutions in order to fight the corruption.
The delegation was also informed that criminal charges were pressed against 161 persons for bribery, requests for investigation were submitted against 106 persons and 91 persons were accused of bribery. Also 101 verdicts were reached, out of which 37 persons were charged with imprisonment and 64 persons were released on parol and faced fines.
The representatives of the Public Prosecutor's Office also discussed the problems they face during the detection and prosecution of the offenders in regard with the constitutional limitations, which restrict the measures that can be undertaken as well as the necessary technical means and methods for fighting the corruption.
The GREKO delegation was also informed that procedure on changing the Article 17 from the Macedonian Constitution was underway as well as the adoption of special laws for observing the corruption. Also there are ongoing procedures for changing the Criminal Law, the Law on criminal lawsuit and the Law on public prosecutor's office.
They were also informed on the legal setup of the Public prosecutor's Office, appointing public prosecutors, the immunity of the holders of public duties and the legal opportunities for prosecuting them if they commit criminal acts. The delegation was informed on the education of the staff from the Public Prosecutor's Office in order to prevent and prosecute the organized crime and corruption more successfully.
MACEDONIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION AT A SESSION OF THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION.
MIA
A delegation from the Macedonian Parliament in the Inter-parliamentary Union, led by Ljubomir Popovski, and also including Ilijaz Halimi, Cedomir Kraljevski, Abdula Aliu, Renata Kerpicovska-Bosevska and Magdalena Antova-Velevska participates at the 107th Inter-parliamentary conference at the city of Marrakech - Morocco.
At the conference, formally opened by the King of Morocco Mohammed the Sixth, the debate was focused on the role of the parliaments in the creation of public policy in the age of globalization and multi-cultural trade agreements, parliamentary support to the Kioto protocol, as well as about the item "The terrorism - threat for democracy, human rights and the civic society."
The Inter-parliamentary Council is also holding a session in Marrakech, focusing on the reforms in the Inter-parliamentary Union. This session is attended by Ljubomir Popovski and Ilijaz Halimi.
Renata Karpicovska-Bosevska and Magdalena Antova-Velevska participated at the debate of the women-deputies, focused also on the women's role in the struggle against terrorism and the globalization process.
Fan of Moon Fired from President's Administration.
Standartnews
Yesterday, President Georgy Parvanov pensioned the employee, who sent a letter of greetings to the Moon seminar, sources from the Presidency announced. On Saturday on her personal initiative Milka Koleva greeted on behalf of the head of the state the participants in the Forum of the Federation for World Peace of Moon. She worked in the 'Protocol' department. The order for her pensioning takes effect from April 1.
(PY)
Generals Complained to the President.
Standartnews
Chief of the General Staff Gen. Miho Mihov and chiefs of the three kinds of troops Gen. Kiril Tzvetkov, Gen. Stephan Popov and Gen. Peter Petrov met with President Georgy Parvanov yesterday. The generals complained of the amendments to the Defence Act, by which the age for pensioning of the generals is decreased by 3 years. Today the President will discuss the problem with Minister Nikolay Svinarov and head of the Foreign Policy, Defence and Security Commission in the National Assembly Stanimir Ilchev. Because of the consultations the coming into effect of the amended act will be postponed till the next week, MPs said.
(PY)
NATO Chief and Mihov Together in Trabant.
Standartnews
Svetoslav Abrossimov
Commander of the NATO troops in Europe Joseph Ralston and Chief of the General Staff of the Bulgarian army General Miho Mihov had a ride in the legendary Trabant car of foreign minister Solomon Passy yesterday. The guest arrived in this country to acquaint himself with Bulgaria's preparation for NATO. He was received by the premier and the president. Ralston is one of the key persons to advise US President George Bush on NATO's enlargement. His military advice will be best received in the US Senate, Passy said.
(SB)
Simeon: I Don't Like Being Premier.
Standartnews
The government is like a plane, the past 200 days were the take-off, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha says.
The prime minister is optimistic about the Bulgarian economy despite the discontent with the rise in the energy price. I haven't said that everything will be perfect, he answers when asked about the 800 days. The premier rejected speculations that Sofia might again commit itself to Russia. Our priorities are the EU and NATO, he says explicitly. Bulgaria has to abide by the commitment for closing down the 'Kozloduy' NPP units, the chief negotiator with Bulgaria Michael Leigh stressed after a meeting with Premier Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Leigh and the premier discussed the latter's demand for a fixed date for Bulgaria's admittance to the EU. You've made progress, if you keep going at the same pace, the annual report of the European commission this October will be in the positive, he forecast.
(SB)
NMS Appoints Media Censor.
Standartnews
Nadelina Aneva
From now on a press secretary will regulate the statements of the NMS MPs, said the deputy-chief of NMS Vesselin Bliznakov. The candidate was approved last Friday and will be presented to the MPs. Each one of the MPs will have to concert his public statements with the press secretary. The chiefs of committees will be specially instructed not to miss the media expert. It is no attempt at censorship but at putting order, Bliznakov explained. In his view there won't be any sanctions for MPs who give interviews on their own, yet, it isn't correct, he added.
(SB)
Champagne for Take-over in UDF.
Standartnews
Velislava Krasteva
The UDf leadership uncorked champagne to celebrate the take-over today.
The members of the former and the present National Executive Council (NEC) of the UDF gather at a meeting. The ceremony is after the initiative of leader Nadezhda Mihaylova. The aim is the continuity to be stressed upon. The members of the NEC will allocate their duites today. It's almost sure that Plamen Oresharski will be responsible for the finances in the UDF. Vladimir Kisyov will be in charge of the foreign policy and Edvin Sugarev - of the ideology. Nadezhda Mihaylova is to commit herself to the foreign policy. It is expected that the NEC will discuss the nomination for the UDF spokesman, too. Yulia Stoyanova, Albena Ivaylova, Mira Belcheva, Polina Mihaylova, Mira Neinska, Ivan Ibrishimov and Radko Vlaykov will compete for the post.
(PY)
BSP: We Are Not Seeking for Posts, But for Change.
Standartnews
The people won't tolerate the government for another year, Stanishev warned.
Matey Bonev
The rulers may want more serious commitment of coalition 'For Bulgaria' with the power, but that's not our drive, BSP leader Sergey Stanishev said yesterday in Stara Zagora. We don't want posts , but rather transparency on what will be done in the social and economic fields. Thus he commented the declaration of MRF MP - Yunal Tassim in 'Standart', that it would be fine if BSP and MRF had more ministers. We don't pursue early elections, BSP leader added. To him, however, the people won't bear the government another year, as Dogan and certain ministers hope, and then to assess them. If the government should be stable, it must finally show that it's making something useful for the people, Stanishev added. BSP will continue to backup the reasonable proposals of the rulers and will criticize them when they are mistaken, as it was in the case with Crown Agents, he said. The polls show that 92 percent of the population demand an explicit change in the social and economic policy of the cabinet, Sergey Stanishev elaborated.
(SH)
Tax-Payers to Have Their Money Back.
Standartnews
Litter tax dropped from 4 to 3 per mille in Sofia.
Silvia Nikolova
Sofia City Councillors reduced the litter tax from 4 to 3 per mille yesterday. The representatives of the UtDF submitted the proposal, but it was backed also by the left-wing, the radicals of Bakardjiev and two councillors from the BAPU-PU (Bulgarian Agrarian Popular Union- Popular Union). The new tariff will be backdated and valid from January 1 on. The overpaid litter tax in Sofia will be paid back to the citizens, sources from the Sofia City Council said yesterday, while the Finance Ministry is to specify the way it is to be done. Of Sofia citizens, 30 percent have already paid the higher litter taxes this year. Meanwhile, sources from the Chief Taxation Administration said, they were ready to recalculate the litter tax at the 3-per-mille rate as early as Monday. Taxes with a 5-percent discount will be accepted till April 1, also according to the new tariffs.
(SH)
Swedes Paid 14.3 Mln Levs for Bearings' Plant.
Standartnews
Nevena Mircheva
The Privatization Agency (PA) signed a sell-out contract on the Bearings' Plant in VMZ-Sopot (Armory Plant) with SKF-Bearings Bulgaria. The deal's price is worth of 14.3 million levs, already paid cash. SKF should invest 6.75 million euros in the plant in a 3-year-period. SKF-Bearings Bulgaria is 100-percent property of the Swedish SKF AB Ltd. The company is a leding world supplier of products and services in the bearings' and gaskets' business and owns over 80 production ventures worldwide. The PA also sealed a sell-out contract on a 70-percent stake of Bulgarplod-Boyana. The buyer 'Intercommerce Group Plus' overbid the tender with a price of 6,130,500 levs.
(SH)
Bulgaria to Allot Stadiums for the Olympiad.
Standartnews
Our sports facilities are included in a catalogue for Athens'2004.
Victoria Seraphimova
Pavlina Zhivkova
Bulgaria is ready to give its sports facilities for the needs of Greece during the Olympiad in 2004. Moreover, our companies wish to take part in the construction works and reconstructions of Greek sports facilities, further used during the games. Kostadin Paskalev - minister of regional development and public works, and his Greek counterpart, arriving today in Bulgaria, will negotiate the issue. BG sports bases will be included in the catalogue for Athens 2004. Bulgaria will invite the Greek athletes to train for the games in our country. Vice-Premier Kostadin Paskalev and his Greek counterpart will discuss also Bourgas - Alexandroupolis project. Bulgaria insists on equal share in the pipe-line, where Russia is to participate as well. Our stand on setting up of trilateral joint venture to realize the project will be also submitted.
(SH)
President Signed Swap.
Standartnews
Velchev took off to Frankfurt, to advertise the new bonds.
Stephan Kioutchukov
President Georgi Parvanov signed the decree on the swap of foreign debt bonds yesterday with reservation. Yet, two pages of objections were enclosed to the document. The first one expresses his trouble about the way, the transaction had been passed by the National Assembly. To him, the debates were not enough and consensus was not reached within the political forces on such a pivotal operation. Finance Minister Milen Velchev flew off to Frankfurt to promote the new Eurobonds before the investors, before the President signed the document. Tomorrow Velchev will advertise the papers in London. Deputy-Minister of Finance Krassimir Katev is paying a 2-day visit to the USA. Today he will promote the bonds in Boston, and tomorrow - in New York.
(SH)
'Hemus' Highway - Side-Tracked Secretly.
Standartnews
Lobbying and war of interests are the reasons for the scandal.
Evgeni Goranov
The State Agency 'Roads' had decided to reroute the road-bed of 'Hemus' highway in secret from Pleven's local authority, it transpired yesterday. It will duplicate the current main route to Veliko Tarnovo and Varna within Lovech and Troyan. Nikolay Marinov - governor of Pleven, accused sharply the agency's clerks in a plot. The shift resulted from lobbying and a war of interests, well-inform sources consider. The act is not beneficial to the town, protested yesterday employees from the district administration. The old option provides a line with Rouse and thenceforth to Europe..
(SH)
BG to Ask Moscow for Assistance with Cigarette Brands.
Standartnews
The three plants in Russia will sell at the same prices.
Nevena Mircheva.
The restoration of Bulgartabak's rights on the Bulgarian cigarettes' brands, which were registered in Russia, should be resolved on intergovernmental level. The Economy Ministry will ask the assistance of Russian authorities on the issue, Roumen Porozhanov - chairman of the holding's board, said on 'Daric' radio. The venture had lost the brands, when it couldn't prove it was successor of former Bulgartabak State Company. We're discussing united price, marketing and trade policy of the three daughter ventures on the territory of Russia. We aim to avoid the beat down of prices of the individual distributors. They should stop to sale tobacco products under the primal cost, reads the decision. The 3 companies to offer Bulgarian cigarettes on the Russian market are already specified. Bulgartabak's privatization procedure will be called after the new act is effective, sources from the Privatization Agency and Economy Ministry said yesterday.
(SH)
General Borissov - Politicians' Nightmare.
Standartnews
The IM chief secretary was attacked three times. MPs, ministers and policemen who have failed completely are interested in the conflict between the general and the premier.
What do the politicians who have failed and lost the confidence of the people do? They begin to spread rumors against it. And soil its name. This is precisely how some people are trying to do at the moment concerning IM chief secretary, General Boiko Borissov. A number of people in the state can't sleep since the general became the man with the highest rating in Bulgaria. For months on end confidence in him has been over 70%. And keeps increasing. According to the latest data of MBMD it is already 74%. Because General Borissov got a firm grip on things. However, it has already become a thorn in the side of many. Of the corrupt policemen who were being thrown out of the system one after the other. And of the corrupt politicians who worked jointly with them. For the third time now, an attack is being launched to discredit Boiko Borissov. In the first place someone spread a rumor that he would take the seat of his chief Georgi Petkanov. The two began giving public explanations until it became clear that it wouldn't happen. Then followed another rumor - of a conflict between Borissov and Petkanov which can't be settled. Because of the dismissal of the Logistics Department chief in the IM Yordan Kovachev and the pensioning of the Archives chief Serafim Stoikov. Then came the third and strongest attack. Borissov was said to become premier. And that last attack already came too much to the general. And for the first time ever he named his adversaries - people whose interests had been infringed on by the IM, people connected with the shady business and their ties with the political elite. Who will profit from the attack on Borissov? In the first place it will be the NMS MPs. Not a single one of them can match Borissov in terms of loyalty to the premier, or confidence in him. It is a public secret that both the 'Panayotov' and the 'Gerdzhikov' circles (the first one is chairman of the NMS PG, and the second one - of parliament) have people of theirs among the policemen who, since the time of the former chief of the NSS, General Atanassov, have been engaged only in spreading discrediting materials and manipulations.
(SB)
Bulgarians in Kosovo Guard Peace for Free.
Standartnews
For $75 a day from the UN they eat, pay their rent and travel abroad.
Evgeni Genov
Ninety-six Bulgarian policemen work in Kosovo and win the ovations of the foreigners for their professionalism. Several days ago the commissioner of the international police to the UN in person said to Boyko Borissov, who was in Kosovo for the awarding of some of the policemen, that he was proud of the Bulgarians. The estimate of the special representative of the secretary general of the UN for the region was similar. For their work in the former Yugoslav province Bulgarian policemen don't get salaries in contrast to their colleagues from the foreign contingents. In order to serve in Kosovo they have to take unpaid leave. They have a contract for one year and could prolong the term by another year. The UN gives them $75 travelling expenses. With the money they pay for their food and lodging and travel to their homes, when they are allowed to do this. The uniforms are at their expense, too. Gen. Borissov begged their pardon for the lack of money and thanked them for what they do. Otherwise this is really an act of heroism in this dangerous region. Because Kosovo still remains a hot spot in Europe. The Bulgarian policemen are spread all over the province. Our experts in crime investigations are the best there. 'From this activity about 240,000 levs have entered the cash-box of the ministry', commander of the contingent Colonel Kiril Kirilov said. The Bulgarians have considerable achievements in the training of the local policemen. Nostalgia is the feeling that is most tormenting for the policemen in Kosovo. Some of them haven't even told their parents that they are here in order not to bother them.
(PY)
PM SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA-BULGARIAN-AUSTRIA.
BTA
Austrian-Bulgarian Business Club to Be Opened in Vienna during Official Visit by Bulgarian PM Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Sofia, March 19 (Vanya Ivanova of BTA) - Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha leaves for Vienna on Wednesday to make his first official visit there.
During his visit, intended to last until March 22, an Austrian-Bulgarian business club is expected to be inaugurated.
The delegation which Saxe-Coburg-Gotha is leading to Vienna includes Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Nikolai Vassilev, Deputy Foreign Minister Ivan petkov, Privatization Agency Executive Director Apostol Apostolov, Foreign Investment Agency Chairman Nikolai Marinov, and the Prime Minister's Chef de Cabinet, Radi Naidenov.
A 45-member business delegation is accompanying the prime minister.
It includes representatives of Municipal Bank, Balkancar Holding Group, Vassilevi Bros, M-tel, Kremikovtsi Steel Works, Madara AD, and Albena Invest Holding group.
Saxe-Coburg-Gotha's programme envisages meetings with his host Federal Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, Federal President Thomas Klestil, National Council of Parliament President Heinz Fischer, and the President of the Austrian Industrial Chamber.
On March 20 Saxe-Coburg-Gotha will take part in the official opening of an Austrian-Bulgarian business club, and on March 21 he will deliver a lecture at the Institute for the Danube Region St John of Rila Eastern Orthodox Church and will meet Bulgarians living in Austria.
Since 1991, this is the second official visit to Vienna by a Bulgarian prime minister. Former prime minister Zhan Videnov was in Vienna in 1996.
Saxe-Coburg-Gotha's official visit preceded by the official visit of Foreign Minister Solomon Passy in November 2001.
Federal Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel was in Sofia on April 5, 2001 to attend a summit of the European People's Party.
The legal framework of relations between Bulgaria and Austria includes a 1997 agreement on reciprocal promotion and protection of investments, enacted as from November 1, 1997; an agreement on rescheduling the Bulgarian foreign debt to Austria, ratified by the Bulgarian National Assembly in September 1993; a project for rehabilitation and restructuring of the Bulgarian State Railways financed by an export credit under the agreement Bulgaria signed with Kreditanstal Bank totalling 33.308 million Austrian schillings; an agreement between the Austrian Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Economy on the establishment of a joint Bulgarian-=Austrian Institute for the training of Bulgarian specialists and managers, signed in December 1997; a contract signed in December 1997; a contract between National Bank of Bulgaria and Bank Austria signed in July 2001.
According to data of the National Statistical Institute, two-way trade between Bulgaria and Austria totalled 229.4 million US dollars, including 85 million dollars' worth of exports and 114.4 million dollars' worth of imports. In 2000, the turnover amounted to 213.5 million dollars. According to information released by the information directorate of the Bulgarian Government, Austria is the 13th biggest trade partner of Bulgaria and, the 14th largest absorber of Bulgarian exports and the 9th biggest importer in Bulgaria. Compared to the other European Union member states, Austria places 7th larger trade partner of this country.
Data of the Foreign Investment Agency show that Austria is the fifth largest investor in Bulgria, with 280.4 million dollars from 1992 to September 2001, following Germany, Greece, Belgium and Italy. In January ,September 2001, Austrian investments totalled 66.6 million dollars, which places its second after Greece for last year.
Austria's major investors in Bulgaria are EuroBilla (20 million dollars), Reiffeisenbank (14.1 million dollars), and OMV (13 million dollars).
Data released by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry show that there are 71 Austrian-owned companies, 77 representations of Austrian companies , and 70 joint Bulgarian-Austrian companies.
RALSTON-VISIT-SUMMARY.
BTA
SACEUR Ralston Assesses Highly Work of Army's General Staff, Reform Plan 2004 Sofia, March 19 (BTA) - NATO is exerting no pressure whatsoever on Bulgaria to lay off top servicemen who have graduated in Russia, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Joseph W. Ralston, told a news conference at the end of his two-day visit to Sofia.
The reductions in the army, in General Ralston's words, are necessary for a correct pyramid of ranks.
Taking up a question on the modernization of the MiG-29 fleet, General Ralston said that this decision is taken by the Bulgarian army and the Bulgarian people, adding that it is a timely one and that the prospects before the Bulgarian army are for Western type strikers.
PM SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA-BULGARIAN-AUSTRIA.
BTA
Austrian-Bulgarian Business Club to Be Opened in Vienna during Official Visit by Bulgarian PM Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.
Sofia, March 19 (Vanya Ivanova of BTA) - Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha leaves for Vienna on Wednesday to make his first official visit there.
During his visit, intended to last until March 22, an Austrian-Bulgarian business club is expected to be inaugurated.
The delegation which Saxe-Coburg-Gotha is leading to Vienna includes Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Nikolai Vassilev, Deputy Foreign Minister Ivan petkov, Privatization Agency Executive Director Apostol Apostolov, Foreign Investment Agency Chairman Nikolai Marinov, and the Prime Minister's Chef de Cabinet, Radi Naidenov.
A 45-member business delegation is accompanying the prime minister.
It includes representatives of Municipal Bank, Balkancar Holding Group, Vassilevi Bros, M-tel, Kremikovtsi Steel Works, Madara AD, and Albena Invest Holding group.
Saxe-Coburg-Gotha's programme envisages meetings with his host Federal Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, Federal President Thomas Klestil, National Council of Parliament President Heinz Fischer, and the President of the Austrian Industrial Chamber.
On March 20 Saxe-Coburg-Gotha will take part in the official opening of an Austrian-Bulgarian business club, and on March 21 he will deliver a lecture at the Institute for the Danube Region St John of Rila Eastern Orthodox Church and will meet Bulgarians living in Austria.
Since 1991, this is the second official visit to Vienna by a Bulgarian prime minister. Former prime minister Zhan Videnov was in Vienna in 1996.
Saxe-Coburg-Gotha's official visit preceded by the official visit of Foreign Minister Solomon Passy in November 2001.
Federal Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel was in Sofia on April 5, 2001 to attend a summit of the European People's Party.
The legal framework of relations between Bulgaria and Austria ncludes a 1997 agreement on reciprocal promotion and protection of investments, enacted as from November 1, 1997; an agreement on rescheduling the Bulgarian foreign debt to Austria, ratified by the Bulgarian National Assembly in September 1993; a project for rehabilitation and restructuring of the Bulgarian State Railways financed by an export credit under the agreement Bulgaria signed with Kreditanstal Bank totalling 33.308 million Austrian schillings; an agreement between the Austrian Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Economy on the establishment of a joint Bulgarian-=Austrian Institute for the training of Bulgarian specialists and managers, signed in December 1997; a contract signed in December 1997; a contract between National Bank of Bulgaria and Bank Austria signed in July 2001.
According to data of the National Statistical Institute, two-way trade between Bulgaria and Austria totalled 229.4 million US dollars, including 85 million dollars' worth of exports and 114.4 million dollars' worth of imports. In 2000, the turnover amounted to 213.5 million dollars. According to information released by the information directorate of the Bulgarian Government, Austria is the 13th biggest trade partner of Bulgaria and, the 14th largest absorber of Bulgarian exports and the 9th biggest importer in Bulgaria. Compared to the other European Union member states, Austria places 7th larger trade
partner of this country.
Data of the Foreign Investment Agency show that Austria is the fifth largest investor in Bulgria, with 280.4 million dollars from 1992 to September 2001, following Germany, Greece, Belgium and Italy. In January ,September 2001, Austrian investments totalled 66.6 million dollars, which places its second after Greece for last year. Austria's major investors in Bulgaria are EuroBilla (20 million dollars), Reiffeisenbank (14.1 million dollars), and OMV (13 million dollars).
Data released by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry show that there are 71 Austrian-owned companies, 77 representations of Austrian companies , and 70 joint Bulgarian-Austrian companies.
BULGARIA-EU-CHIEF NEGOTIATOR.
BTA
EU Chief Negotiator for Bulgaria Michael Leigh Notes Progress in Combating Corruption and Reform in the Judiciary.
Sofia, March 19 (BTA) - EU Chief Negotiator for Bulgaria Michael Leigh told reporters Tuesday he is greatly impressed by this country's progress and by the strategies it has adopted for speeding up accession and pre-accession procedures.
Leigh, who conferred with Foreign Minister Solomon Passy, underscored Bulgaria's achievements in combating corruption and in reforming the judiciary.
Leigh said he hoped the pace of these processes will be kept so that in its regular annual report in October the EU can give the highest possible assessment to Bulgaria.
Bulgaria's progress in the negotiations and its preparations for joining the EU were in the focus of the talks which were also attended by Deputy Foreign Minister and Chief Negotiator with the EU Meglena Kouneva, as well as by the Head of the Delegation of the European Commission in Sofia Dimitris Kourkoulas.
Possibilities for adapting Bulgaria's pre-accession programme in view of EU discussions at the end of the year for making a new road map for this country's membership of the EU were also discussed, Leigh said.
In connection with the contract with the British Crown Agents for reforming Bulgarian customs, Michael Leigh said he hails the striving of the Bulgarian Government to receive the best possible advice for improving the efficiency and transparency of the customs system. This support, however, should be compatible with the assistance Bulgaria receives from the EU for similar projects, Leigh said, taking a question.
Michael Leigh said the EU was more or less satisfied with the way financial support rendered to Bulgaria under PHARE and SAPARD is being used. So far the EU refrained from extending funds within the framework of the PHARE programme mainly because of the problem of their use, Leigh said. He added that joint work with Bulgarian ministries will improve the use of European assistance.
EU-BULGARIA-MACEDONIA.
BTA
Sofia, March 19 (BTA) - Foreign Minister Solomon Passy and Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister Zoran Krustevski, who is Macedonia's Chief Negotiator with the EU, discussed possibilities for economic cooperation between Bulgaria and Macedonia Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry told BTA.
Krustevski is attending the Wilton Park Conference on EU enlargement.
Passy and Krustevski discussed bilateral steps for the building of the Sofia-Skopje railway, possibilities for opening new border crossings and infrastructure projects related to Corridor VIII, the Foreign Ministry said.
Krustevski and Bulgaria's Chief Negotiator with the EU Meglena Kouneva, who was also present at the meeting, discussed European integration processes. Krustevski invited Kouneva to visit Macedonia.
Deputy Prime Minister Krustevski said he was not officially acquainted with the draft agreement between Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia for restoring ownership over nationalized real property of citizens of the two countries, approved by the Bulgarian Government last week as a basis for negotiations between the two countries at expert level. The agreement is on administrative and not political issues and cannot therefore affect bilateral political relations.
At a meeting later on Tuesday Krustevski and Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Nikolay Vassilev discussed the upcoming second session of the Bulgarian-Macedonian Committee on a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries, the press office of the Foreign Ministry said.
Vassilev acquainted his guest with the economic policy of the Government.
The two were unanimous that trade between the two countries should be activated. In 2001 Bulgarian-Macedonian trade stood at 120 million US dollars, the press office of the Foreign Ministry recalled.
RUSSIA-BULGARIA-GREECE-PIPELINE.
BTA
Sofia, March 19 (BTA) - Regional Development Minister Kostadin Paskalev and visiting Greek Development Minister Apostolos-Athanasios Tsokhatzopoulos agreed that Bulgaria, Greece and Russia will have an equal share in the construction of the Bourgas-Alexandrupolis pipeline.
Experts will prepare the draft of the trilateral agreement in the next two weeks.
The document is expected to be signed in early April, Tsokhatzopoulos said.
The three states will incorporate a joint company for the implementation of the project and transfer some of their shareholding to private investors on the eve of the launch of actual construction work.
Bulgaria will insist that local companies are contracted for the pipeline section on Bulgarian territory and that domestically produced construction materials are used.
The trilateral agreement will have to be approved by the government and by the MPs, Paskalev said.
EU-BULGARIA-CROATIA.
BTA
Sofia, March 19 (BTA) - Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Meglena Kouneva, the country's chief negotiator with the EU, met Tuesday with Croatian Minister of European Integration Neven Mimica, said the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry's Information and PR directorate.
The two talked about the administrative structures preparing Bulgaria and Croatia for EU accession and exchanged opinions on the strategies in the negotiations process.
Croatia, which has still not started accession talks with the EU, will probably apply officially for membership in the beginning of next year, said the Croatian minister. He acquainted Kouneva with his country's plans to bring its legislation closer to EU standards before the negotiations begin.
Kouneva assured Mimica that Bulgaria is willing to share with Croatia its experience and explain its decisions, reads the Foreign Ministry press release.
The only advantage of Croatia's joining the accession process late is that it will have the opportunity to draw on the other applicants' experience, said the Croatian minister.
BULGARIA - TURKEY - BUSINESS FORUM.
BTA
Sofia, March 19 (BTA) - In 2002, Turkey may become Bulgaria's Trade Partner No. 1 in Southeastern Europe. An increase in industrial goods trade is expected. As from the beginning of the year, no customs duty is charged on industrial goods.
The prediction was made by Economy Ministry Chief secretary Milen Keremidchiev at a Bulgarian-Turkish economic forum organized by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) on Tuesday.
Now Turkey is Bulgaria's second biggest trade partner in the Balkans and its sixth largest partner worldwide, according to Economy Ministry statistics.
Turkish Deputy Foreign Trade Minister Abdulah Kuten said that the commodity exchange with Bulgaria accounts for only 1 per cent of Turkey's overall trade. In his view, this volume is extremely low for two neighbouring countries.
The business forum is attended by over 80 Bulgarian and 40 Turkish companies engaged in the food processing industry, the textile industry, metallurgy, mechanical engineering and chemistry.
The BCCI registers show that there are 1,215 Turkish-owned companies in Bulgaria and 814 joint ventures set up with Bulgarian partners.
Since 1992, Turkish investments in Bulgaria have added up to 128 million US dollars.
Bulgaria to Resume Weapon Markets.
INTERVIEW Standartnews: Nikola Yankov
We've invited Russian companies for 'Dounarit' and VMZ, Deputy-Minister of Economy Nikola Yankov said.
Nikola Yankov was born in 1971 in Plovdiv. In 1944 he graduated at the Cornell University in the USA. He used to work in Kraft Jacobs Suschard as expert in 'Finance Planning and Analyses' and as manager on money operations as well as a finance manager in Solvey Sodi. He was also CEO and member of the Directors' Board in Naphtex Petrol AD, and further on - vice-president and member of the Directors' Board of Naphtex Bulgaria Holding.
Nevena Mircheva
- Mr Yankov, how much Bulgaria owes to Russia for the arms' licenses?
- During the intergovernmental Bulgarian - Russian commission in Sofia we signed two agreements. First on regulation the manufacturing of products with a special use under licenses of the former Soviet Union. Another - on military-logistics cooperation within both states. The texts should be ratified by the governments of the two countries.
- Mr Yankov, what do these documents settle?
- The license agreement settles past deals. Ever since 1990 Bulgaria had offended the contracts in two directions. Our state hadn't asked the consent of Russia to export abroad the production manufactured under Russian licence, as well as Bulgaria didn't pay export royalties. In result, the Russians suspended in 2000, the deliveries of equipment completion for the most sophisticated products, we manufactured under their licence. We make only the rough details. While the more sophisticated - war-heads and certain guidance articles, we import as ready-made components from Russia and assemble them here. That's why in 2000, when the Russians suspended the deliveries of those components, we've stopped to produce our best articles, mostly demanded on the market and with highest rate of added value. Our production dropped severely and the works faced a grave financial situation. Now we agreed the deliveries of equipment completion to be resumed. Thus Bulgaria will be able again to emerge on the markets with its top products.
- Does the agreement settle something else?
- The key moment is backtracking of the state from the commissioners' part in that activity. Each Bulgarian producer of special production can agree directly new licenses with the specialized Russian agencies. We've agreed also a mechanism to concur with Russia the export of Bulgarian production for third countries. Moreover, we've offered an industrial cooperation to Russia.
- And what does the second agreement settle?
- The agreement regulates the relations during our joint development activity, the training of personnel. As well as delivery of weapons for the armies of both states.
- Do you expect Russian interests in the privatization of our armories?
- We urged Russia to spread the news that the last two state-run ventures would be sold - 'Dounarit' and VMZ.
(SH) |
