Press Review
Sofia, February 23 (BTA)
HOME SCENE
National Revenue Agency chief Krassimir Stefanov has proposed an idea of implicating owners of expensive estates and cars, that are formally in the possession of other persons, "24 Chassa" writes. According to Stefanov, this could be done through a legislative amendment envisaging that a person using lastingly given property should be considered its co-owner for tax purposes.
***
The National Revenue Agency (NRA) expects to collect up to 10 million leva in VAT from people with annual income exceeding 50,000 leva from sources different from employment under a contract of service, "Troud" writes. When people have such income they should be registered under VAT. Yet, 90 of the 100 Bulgarians having declared income of over 1 million for 2009 do not have such registration. NRA has begun a campaign of forceful VAT registration. The paper refers to Finance Minister Simeon Djankov as saying before Pro.Bg television that the second stage of the operation involves checks of people having bank accounts in Switzerland. Referring to Djankov "Classa" writes that NRA employees are leaving for Germany to get familiarized with data about people, who have allegedly not paid their taxes in Bulgaria but have placed their money in Swiss banks. Earlier this month it transpired that Germany has been offered a CD containing data on the bank accounts of German citizens in Switzerland. The CD reportedly contained data about nationals of other countries, including Bulgaria. "Novinar" also reports about the issue.
***
Workers of the Kabiyuk studfarm, near Shoumen, have not been paid wages for 34 months now, "Douma" writes citing Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria Vice President Valentin Nikiforov. The same paper cites data showing that employers owe workers a total of 400 million leva in wage arrears. The paper refers to unionists as saying that unemployment is expected to reach 15 per cent this year, which means that the number of unemployed will increase by 200,000 people.
***
Sixty-four per cent of the elderly live in misery, 21 per cent of the Bulgarian population is poor, "Zemya" writes referring to data presented at the opening of the European Year for Combatting Poverty and Social Exclusion. Fifty-five per cent of the people living in poverty are unemployed and 23 of them are women.
***
Electricity in Bulgaria is expensive and non-competitive, eng. Krassimir Purvanov, Executive Director of the National Electric Company (NEK), says cited by "Troud". In his view charges should be increased by some 0.02 leva/kWh as of July 1. Purvanov is also quoted as saying that in the next two years NEK should invest at least 100-150 million leva in reconstruction of electricity pipelines and sub-stations because of the renewable energy sources (RES). This includes the reconstruction of the Shabla and Kavarna sub-stations as well as enhancing the transiting capacity of electric pipelines.
***
The number of new houses has dropped by some 70 per cent in a year. A total of 1,343 construction permits for buildings with a total of 3,921 apartments were issued in the last quarter of last year, which compares to 2,452 permits for 12,881 apartments issued in the like period of 2008. These data, supplied by the National Statistical Institute, are quoted by "Sega" and "Dnevnik". The decrease comes following a continuous increase of the number of construction permits issued in the course of five years, "Sega" recalls.
***
Sofia is second in the efficiency of costs of big cities category within a ranking of European cities, which has been published by the FDI Magazine, owned by "Financial Times", for 2010/2011, "Classa" writes. Within the same ranking Stara Zagora is placed second in the foreign investment strategy category.
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
According to "Telegraf", charges will be pressed against Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) leader and ex-prime minister Sergei Stanishev next week for the lost secret report of the State Agency for National Security (SANS).
It is time that Petko Sertov (the first SANS chief) starts talking about the Octopus, says Metodi Andreev, former chairman of the communist-era secret police files commission, cited by "Novinar". In an operation codenamed Octopus, former State Agency for National Security officer Alexei Petrov and 13 other persons were arrested on the night of February 9 to 10 and were later charged with blackmailing, extortion and racketeering, inducement to prostitution, drug pushing, influence trading, money laundering, concealment of income, tax evasion and fraudulent recovery of VAT input tax.
***
Alexei Petrov worked under a contract of service at the Kremikovtzi metal works in the course of six years, "24 Chassa" writes. He was reportedly hired on January 7, 2000 as Economic Advisor. His monthly salary was 444.20 leva. Petrov quit in late 2006 after submitting a prior notification in November the same year. Petrov allegedly played a role during the scrap crisis in the company heading the taskforce in charge of settling the problem.
***
In an interview for "24 Chassa" former sport minister Vessela Lecheva says that Sergei Stanishev should have tendered his resignation. Lecheva states that she would withdraw from the party, if she sees that there is no will for serious change.
FOREIGN POLICY
The Chief Directorate for Combatting Organized Crime is checking the case with the missing bag with ballot papers in Washington, "Troud" says. This scandal has prompted the recall of Bulgarian Ambassador to the US Luchezar Petkov by ex-foreign minister Rumiana Jeleva. The inspection has been ordered seven months after the July 5 parliamentary elections in Bulgaria.
***
The European Union is not concerned about Russian investments in the Belene N-plant, "Novinar" quotes President Georgi Purvanov as saying after a meeting with EU Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger. Purvanov is on a two-day visit to Brussels. Energy was the top issue on the agenda of his talks. Bulgaria has placed the issue of speeding up the Nabucco gas pipeline project at highest level within the EU, the daily writes. This country is also interested in increasing the role of nuclear power as Europe considers it as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and attaining its goals for delay of global warming.
CULTURE
The idea of the Culture Ministry for the establishment of four museum complexes in Sofia is a global project, which has no precedent in Bulgaria, says Culture Minister Vezhdi Rashidov quoted by "24 Chassa". Rashidov is categorical that the theatre reform will be beneficial for the artists, would guarantee their professional development and boost their self-confidence.
***
Bulgarian popular pop singer Lilly Ivanova has instigated court proceedings against composer Mitko Shterev, having written the music for some of her best songs, "Troud" writes. The singer got insulted from an article by Shterev entitled, "At 80 Lilly Will Still Be The Same Liar". The first hearing of the case is scheduled for Thursday. The claim is for 10,000 leva. "
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
http://www.novinite.com/index.php
http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – February 23, 2010
· Bulgaria can join the Euro area in 2013. This is what President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek said after the meeting with the Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov, the Bulgarian National Radio reported.
· No more reshuffles and appointments will be made in the Cabinet, said Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov in the town of Gabrovo commenting on Ivan Kostov’s (DSB) idea deputy Prime Minister for EU funds to be appointed, Radio FOCUS Veliko Tarnovo correspondent informs. “Reshuffles are not made when the team is working well,” Borisov said.
· Prosecutor’s Office has brought charges against the former Minister of Labor and Social Policy Emilia Maslarova, the Prosecutor’s Office press office announced. Maslarova has been investigated in connection with the award to a close friend of an overpriced contract for repair of a social services centre in Stara Zagora and embezzlement of 9.807 million leva of funding under the Beautiful Bulgaria Programme.
· Russian Embassy in Bulgaria has received a bomb threat signal on Tuesday morning, the Ministry of Interior’s press office announced. The signal was received at 112 emergency phone line. The police have searched the region but no bombs were found.
· Flights from and to Athens, scheduled for February 24 (Wednesday), were canceled over the strike of the employees of the Air Traffic Management in Athens, Sofia Airport press office announced.
tirsdag den 23. februar 2010
mandag den 22. februar 2010
Bulgarian press review, February 22, 2010
Press Review
Sofia, February 22
THE HOME SCENE
The results of a nationally representative political survey conducted by the Alpha Research Agency for Market and Social Research between February 7 and 15 are at the focus of attention in the Monday newspapers. "Confidence in GERB Plummets but Not In PM Borissov" caps a report on the topic in "Sega" which says that public trust in GERB decreased by 13.3 per cent compared to late August but this failed to affect the personal rating of GERB leader and Prime Minister Boyko Borissov whose approval is at 51 per cent. The approval ratings of all political parties with the exception of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms decrease too. If elections were held at the moment, GERB would garner 38-40 per cent electoral support, the Bulgarian Socialist Party, 13 per cent, and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, 6 per cent. The Blue Coalition and Ataka would win some 3 per cent each, and Order, Lawfulness, Justice 0.9 per cent. The average grade of the performance of the Borissov cabinet fell from 4.13 from its 100th day in power to 3.79 at the moment. The Interior Ministry's organized crime networks' dismantling operations, Kristalina Georgieva's election as EU commissioner and Rumiana Jeleva's resignation as foreign minister are the three events that have had the strongest positive impact on the Government's image in recent months, the poll found. Hospital closures, Rumiana Jeleva's failed EU commissioner candidacy and the non-payment by the State of part of the amounts owed to companies have had the most pronounced negative impact.
* * *
"Monitor" quotes a statement by Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov on Sunday that the Octopus criminal group and what came to be known as The Impudent gang were structured not without support from the state. "The Octopus tentacles have reached politicians, as well as the Interior Ministry," Tsvetanov said. The battle is difficult, he says, because the criminal groups have ample financial resources and no one has worked against them "in depth". The Interior Minister said that next week there will be dismissals of officers in the system of the Interior Ministry on suspicions of involvement with criminal groups.
* * *
In an interview to "24 Chassa" Interior Ministry Chief Secretary Kalin Georgiev says that commandos from the specialized squad for combatting terrorism will train officers in each regional directorate of the Interior Ministry how to conduct arrests of members of high-profile organized criminal groups. The commandos mini-squads will take part in all bigger anti-mafia operations nationwide, Georgiev says. He says that many of the victims of the methods of work of the Octopus crime gang reportedly wanted to meet personally top officials of the Interior Ministry and the Minister himself to see that the investigation against the Octopus members is true. In an operation codenamed Octopus, former State Agency for National Security officer Alexei Petrov and 13 other persons were arrested on the night of February 9 to 10 and were later charged with blackmailing, extortion and racketeering, inducement to prostitution, drug pushing, influence trading, money landering, concealment of income, tax evasion and fraudulent recovery of VAT input tax.
* * *
Former National Assembly chairman and prominent lawyer Ognyan Gerdjikov says, interviewed by "Troud", that the legal team of the current Parliament is the weakest so far. Gerdjikov further comments that new political parties appear all the time and attract public trust. Such was the case with the National Movement for Surge and Stability, and also with GERB, which quickly managed to win voters' confidence and become "election hits". It is inevitable for such parties to have some people who are not cut out for political work, he says, noting that there is no way for quickly established formations to find the best persons.
* * *
A report in "Troud" quotes Democrats for Strong Bulgaria leader Ivan Kostov as saying that Movement for Rights and Freedoms leader Ahmed Dogan was one of "The Untouchables". On Sunday Kostov urged the law-enforcement authorities and the prosecuting magistracy to do their jobs properly and reach up to the so-called Untouchables. Speaking on the Bulgarian National Radio Kostov decline to name more "Untouchables" saying that this is not a politicians' job.
* * *
"Sega" writes that Bulgaria's first EU commissioner Meglena Kuneva, who was in charge of consumer protection, may be the National Movement for Surge and Stability (NMSS) candidate in the 2011 presidential elections. NMSS Chair Hristina Hristova broke the news in a Bulgarian National Radio interview on Sunday. Kuneva's nomination has not yet been formally discussed in the party. On Saturday Kuneva said she had declined an offer of President Barroso to continue to work at a high-ranking position in the Commission. Kuneva said she had decided to return to Bulgaria and get involved in politics.
* * *
Interviewed by "Sega" Defence Minister Any Angelov says he pledges his reputation as a guarantee for the biddings held by his Ministry. Angelov stresses that the Ministry works in a very transparent manner. All orders, decisions, as well as answers to MPs' question are made public. Angelov says that since the new leadership of the Ministry took office, all public procurement competitions are open. He stresses that the new leadership does not resort to the ordinance concerning special public procurement in order to hold biddings under the cover of the protection of classified information.
* * *
A headline in "Troud" alerts that the Commission for the Positive Medicines List has decided that patients with Parkinson's Disease and cataract sufferers will have to pay for their treatment while hitherto it was covered by the National Health Insurance Fund. Patients with osteoporosis will have to pay more for their medicines. The most alarming in the decision, which was made on February 18 and enters into force in March, is that diabetes patients will have to pay between 20 and 40 leva monthly for insulin while until now the medicine was provided free of charge.
ECONOMY
A snapshot of people's incomes in 2009 derived from a Gallup database shows that the economic meltdown spared the rich and the poor but badly affect the middle class. Gallup's Zhikov Georgiev comments the snapshot in "Troud", saying that the first 10 per cent of the richest people in Bulgaria hold 41.5 per cent of the aggregate cash incomes of all households. In the next group the percentage is 14.7, while the poorest account for 1.8 per cent of the aggregate incomes. The trends observed in the snapshot are that the middle class has been sharply impoverished and that the gap between the richest and the poorest has widened. Regional differences became more pronounced. Georgiev concludes that Bulgaria is no longer a single space economically, as well as socially.
* * *
In a "24 Chassa" interview Economy, Energy and Tourism Minister Traicho Traikov says that "temporarily, Bulgaria will use Russian money for the Belene nuclear power plant". Traikov notes that only a few months back such an option was "a distant dream". "We now have an offer for financing whereby we do not take a commercial risk and are not asked to offer state or corporate guarantees. However, for this to happen, the sides need to agree on certain key issues so that we are sure that we have a lasting structure," he says, adding that such an entity should include a big strategic investor, a western utility company. According to Traikov, this is the wish of the Russian partners as well.
"Pari" quotes Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) leader Martin Dimitrov as saying that the lobbies in favour of the construction of the Belene N-plant are very strong and that only UDF is against the project. Dimitrov urged Traikov to provide more information about the possible loans for the project and their conditions. The UDF leader is of the opinion that the project can easily ruin the Bulgarian economy and is even dangerous for this country. "The project must be stopped," he says.
* * *
A front-page report in "Sega" says that public servants' monthly salaries vary between 600 and 2,400 leva. The article says that the remuneration in the state administration is chaotic and that the average salaries in some departments are four times higher than elsewhere for no logical reason. An employee of the Commission for the Protection of Competition gets 2,416 leva while an employee of the Social Assistance Agency, as little as 567 leva, says the report. The findings are quoted in a secret report of remuneration in the state administration sent to the Council for Administrative Reform a copy of which "Sega" obtained. Shocked by the findings in the report, Finance Minister Simeon Djankov said last week that a new model of remuneration will be introduced as of January 1, 2011.
* * *
Contraband trade in cigarettes will "swallow" 800 million leva in revenue to the budget, says a report in "Troud". Unofficial data show that the contraband trade in cigarettes reaches 50-60 per cent of the market, and even 70 per cent in some border areas. Chairman of the Association of Producers and Sellers of Tobacco and Tobacco Products Hristo Lachev is quoted as saying that illegally sold cigarettes increased by 30 per cent compared to 2009 while the official market shrinks by 5-10 per cent monthly.
* * *
"Sega" informs that the tax authorities are starting checks of members of the public who reported incomes of more than 50,000 leva for 2009. More than 90 per cent of the natural persons who earn the largest incomes in Bulgaria have failed to register under the Value Added Tax Act even though such registration is mandatory, National Revenue Agency Executive Director Krassimir Stefanov said.The one hundred top earners of incomes from sources other than employment relationships declared an aggregate 347 million leva in their tax returns for 2009. Between them, the top three on the list earned over 48 million leva.
FOREIGN POLICY
"Sans Emotions towards Russia" caps an interview in "Standart News" with Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov. Mladenov says that in the past few months the government has undertaken actions to ensure more flexibility in energy supplies. The fact that a given country is looking for ways to diversify its energy sources and this ensure security of supplies does not mean that the issues is directed against Russia, Mladenov says. "Our relations with Russia should be based on the understanding by both sides that we are sovereign states which solve the outstanding issues between themselves in a normal dialogue, without excessive emotions," Mladenov says. He is categorical that Bulgaria does not hold talks about elements of the United States' missile defence system.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
· http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
· http://www.novinite.com/index.php
· http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – Sofia, February 22, 2010
· Most likely, the Bulgarian National Security Strategy will be adopted before the new strategic concept of NATO, which is expected to be approved in Lisbon in the autumn, Secretary of the Security Council in the Prime Minister Gen. Rumen Milanov explained at a round table discussion: "Strategy for Homeland Security - public expectations and political consensus”.
· Bulgaria will continue talks with Russia on lending some EUR 2 million to back the construction of NPP Belene until a strategic investor is attracted, Bulgarian Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Traycho Traykov told media. Last Friday Traykov met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Shmatko and Rosatom Director General Sergey Kirienko. Traykov said a new project company involving the National Electricity Company (NEK) or the Bulgarian Energy Holding will be set up and financed by the Russian side to ensure the project moves forward. The loan will be secured by existing and future construction with no state guarantees required, he noted. In an interview with 24 Hous Daily, Traykov explained that it was so far impossible to determine what stake the Russian side would have based on the EUR 2 billion investment, but assured that Bulgaria will hold the majority share in the project. He commented on Mr Shmatko’s statement implying that RWE might return as the strategic investor in the project, saying that when the German company had withdrawn the conditions were different. Traykov added that during the official visit of the Bulgarian delegation to Germany, German Chancellor Angela Merkel had promised to encourage German companies to participate in energy projects in Bulgaria. He said that Bulgaria relies upon Russia’s support during negotiations with potential investors.
· Number of unemployed people in Bulgaria is 272,800 in the Q4 in 2009 and the unemployment rate is 7.9%. Compared to the same period in 2008 the number of jobless people is increased with 95,100 and the unemployment rate with 2.9. This emerged from the statistics of NSI. Unemployment rate increases more sensibly among men compared to women (increase in the rate is respectively with 3.5 and 2.3 points), as in the Q4 2009 jobless rate of men (8.4%) exceeds the jobless rate of women (7.4%) with 1 percent.
Unemployed young people (15-24 years of age) are 53,200 and the rate of youth’s unemployment reaches 19.5%- respectively 20.9% for men and 17.3% for women.
In the period Q4 2008 – Q4 2009 there is significant increase in number of long-term (less than a year) unemployed people n Bulgaria. It rises with 86.8% and reaches 155, 200, or, 56.9% of all unemployed people.
Sofia, February 22
THE HOME SCENE
The results of a nationally representative political survey conducted by the Alpha Research Agency for Market and Social Research between February 7 and 15 are at the focus of attention in the Monday newspapers. "Confidence in GERB Plummets but Not In PM Borissov" caps a report on the topic in "Sega" which says that public trust in GERB decreased by 13.3 per cent compared to late August but this failed to affect the personal rating of GERB leader and Prime Minister Boyko Borissov whose approval is at 51 per cent. The approval ratings of all political parties with the exception of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms decrease too. If elections were held at the moment, GERB would garner 38-40 per cent electoral support, the Bulgarian Socialist Party, 13 per cent, and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, 6 per cent. The Blue Coalition and Ataka would win some 3 per cent each, and Order, Lawfulness, Justice 0.9 per cent. The average grade of the performance of the Borissov cabinet fell from 4.13 from its 100th day in power to 3.79 at the moment. The Interior Ministry's organized crime networks' dismantling operations, Kristalina Georgieva's election as EU commissioner and Rumiana Jeleva's resignation as foreign minister are the three events that have had the strongest positive impact on the Government's image in recent months, the poll found. Hospital closures, Rumiana Jeleva's failed EU commissioner candidacy and the non-payment by the State of part of the amounts owed to companies have had the most pronounced negative impact.
* * *
"Monitor" quotes a statement by Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov on Sunday that the Octopus criminal group and what came to be known as The Impudent gang were structured not without support from the state. "The Octopus tentacles have reached politicians, as well as the Interior Ministry," Tsvetanov said. The battle is difficult, he says, because the criminal groups have ample financial resources and no one has worked against them "in depth". The Interior Minister said that next week there will be dismissals of officers in the system of the Interior Ministry on suspicions of involvement with criminal groups.
* * *
In an interview to "24 Chassa" Interior Ministry Chief Secretary Kalin Georgiev says that commandos from the specialized squad for combatting terrorism will train officers in each regional directorate of the Interior Ministry how to conduct arrests of members of high-profile organized criminal groups. The commandos mini-squads will take part in all bigger anti-mafia operations nationwide, Georgiev says. He says that many of the victims of the methods of work of the Octopus crime gang reportedly wanted to meet personally top officials of the Interior Ministry and the Minister himself to see that the investigation against the Octopus members is true. In an operation codenamed Octopus, former State Agency for National Security officer Alexei Petrov and 13 other persons were arrested on the night of February 9 to 10 and were later charged with blackmailing, extortion and racketeering, inducement to prostitution, drug pushing, influence trading, money landering, concealment of income, tax evasion and fraudulent recovery of VAT input tax.
* * *
Former National Assembly chairman and prominent lawyer Ognyan Gerdjikov says, interviewed by "Troud", that the legal team of the current Parliament is the weakest so far. Gerdjikov further comments that new political parties appear all the time and attract public trust. Such was the case with the National Movement for Surge and Stability, and also with GERB, which quickly managed to win voters' confidence and become "election hits". It is inevitable for such parties to have some people who are not cut out for political work, he says, noting that there is no way for quickly established formations to find the best persons.
* * *
A report in "Troud" quotes Democrats for Strong Bulgaria leader Ivan Kostov as saying that Movement for Rights and Freedoms leader Ahmed Dogan was one of "The Untouchables". On Sunday Kostov urged the law-enforcement authorities and the prosecuting magistracy to do their jobs properly and reach up to the so-called Untouchables. Speaking on the Bulgarian National Radio Kostov decline to name more "Untouchables" saying that this is not a politicians' job.
* * *
"Sega" writes that Bulgaria's first EU commissioner Meglena Kuneva, who was in charge of consumer protection, may be the National Movement for Surge and Stability (NMSS) candidate in the 2011 presidential elections. NMSS Chair Hristina Hristova broke the news in a Bulgarian National Radio interview on Sunday. Kuneva's nomination has not yet been formally discussed in the party. On Saturday Kuneva said she had declined an offer of President Barroso to continue to work at a high-ranking position in the Commission. Kuneva said she had decided to return to Bulgaria and get involved in politics.
* * *
Interviewed by "Sega" Defence Minister Any Angelov says he pledges his reputation as a guarantee for the biddings held by his Ministry. Angelov stresses that the Ministry works in a very transparent manner. All orders, decisions, as well as answers to MPs' question are made public. Angelov says that since the new leadership of the Ministry took office, all public procurement competitions are open. He stresses that the new leadership does not resort to the ordinance concerning special public procurement in order to hold biddings under the cover of the protection of classified information.
* * *
A headline in "Troud" alerts that the Commission for the Positive Medicines List has decided that patients with Parkinson's Disease and cataract sufferers will have to pay for their treatment while hitherto it was covered by the National Health Insurance Fund. Patients with osteoporosis will have to pay more for their medicines. The most alarming in the decision, which was made on February 18 and enters into force in March, is that diabetes patients will have to pay between 20 and 40 leva monthly for insulin while until now the medicine was provided free of charge.
ECONOMY
A snapshot of people's incomes in 2009 derived from a Gallup database shows that the economic meltdown spared the rich and the poor but badly affect the middle class. Gallup's Zhikov Georgiev comments the snapshot in "Troud", saying that the first 10 per cent of the richest people in Bulgaria hold 41.5 per cent of the aggregate cash incomes of all households. In the next group the percentage is 14.7, while the poorest account for 1.8 per cent of the aggregate incomes. The trends observed in the snapshot are that the middle class has been sharply impoverished and that the gap between the richest and the poorest has widened. Regional differences became more pronounced. Georgiev concludes that Bulgaria is no longer a single space economically, as well as socially.
* * *
In a "24 Chassa" interview Economy, Energy and Tourism Minister Traicho Traikov says that "temporarily, Bulgaria will use Russian money for the Belene nuclear power plant". Traikov notes that only a few months back such an option was "a distant dream". "We now have an offer for financing whereby we do not take a commercial risk and are not asked to offer state or corporate guarantees. However, for this to happen, the sides need to agree on certain key issues so that we are sure that we have a lasting structure," he says, adding that such an entity should include a big strategic investor, a western utility company. According to Traikov, this is the wish of the Russian partners as well.
"Pari" quotes Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) leader Martin Dimitrov as saying that the lobbies in favour of the construction of the Belene N-plant are very strong and that only UDF is against the project. Dimitrov urged Traikov to provide more information about the possible loans for the project and their conditions. The UDF leader is of the opinion that the project can easily ruin the Bulgarian economy and is even dangerous for this country. "The project must be stopped," he says.
* * *
A front-page report in "Sega" says that public servants' monthly salaries vary between 600 and 2,400 leva. The article says that the remuneration in the state administration is chaotic and that the average salaries in some departments are four times higher than elsewhere for no logical reason. An employee of the Commission for the Protection of Competition gets 2,416 leva while an employee of the Social Assistance Agency, as little as 567 leva, says the report. The findings are quoted in a secret report of remuneration in the state administration sent to the Council for Administrative Reform a copy of which "Sega" obtained. Shocked by the findings in the report, Finance Minister Simeon Djankov said last week that a new model of remuneration will be introduced as of January 1, 2011.
* * *
Contraband trade in cigarettes will "swallow" 800 million leva in revenue to the budget, says a report in "Troud". Unofficial data show that the contraband trade in cigarettes reaches 50-60 per cent of the market, and even 70 per cent in some border areas. Chairman of the Association of Producers and Sellers of Tobacco and Tobacco Products Hristo Lachev is quoted as saying that illegally sold cigarettes increased by 30 per cent compared to 2009 while the official market shrinks by 5-10 per cent monthly.
* * *
"Sega" informs that the tax authorities are starting checks of members of the public who reported incomes of more than 50,000 leva for 2009. More than 90 per cent of the natural persons who earn the largest incomes in Bulgaria have failed to register under the Value Added Tax Act even though such registration is mandatory, National Revenue Agency Executive Director Krassimir Stefanov said.The one hundred top earners of incomes from sources other than employment relationships declared an aggregate 347 million leva in their tax returns for 2009. Between them, the top three on the list earned over 48 million leva.
FOREIGN POLICY
"Sans Emotions towards Russia" caps an interview in "Standart News" with Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov. Mladenov says that in the past few months the government has undertaken actions to ensure more flexibility in energy supplies. The fact that a given country is looking for ways to diversify its energy sources and this ensure security of supplies does not mean that the issues is directed against Russia, Mladenov says. "Our relations with Russia should be based on the understanding by both sides that we are sovereign states which solve the outstanding issues between themselves in a normal dialogue, without excessive emotions," Mladenov says. He is categorical that Bulgaria does not hold talks about elements of the United States' missile defence system.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
· http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
· http://www.novinite.com/index.php
· http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – Sofia, February 22, 2010
· Most likely, the Bulgarian National Security Strategy will be adopted before the new strategic concept of NATO, which is expected to be approved in Lisbon in the autumn, Secretary of the Security Council in the Prime Minister Gen. Rumen Milanov explained at a round table discussion: "Strategy for Homeland Security - public expectations and political consensus”.
· Bulgaria will continue talks with Russia on lending some EUR 2 million to back the construction of NPP Belene until a strategic investor is attracted, Bulgarian Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Traycho Traykov told media. Last Friday Traykov met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Shmatko and Rosatom Director General Sergey Kirienko. Traykov said a new project company involving the National Electricity Company (NEK) or the Bulgarian Energy Holding will be set up and financed by the Russian side to ensure the project moves forward. The loan will be secured by existing and future construction with no state guarantees required, he noted. In an interview with 24 Hous Daily, Traykov explained that it was so far impossible to determine what stake the Russian side would have based on the EUR 2 billion investment, but assured that Bulgaria will hold the majority share in the project. He commented on Mr Shmatko’s statement implying that RWE might return as the strategic investor in the project, saying that when the German company had withdrawn the conditions were different. Traykov added that during the official visit of the Bulgarian delegation to Germany, German Chancellor Angela Merkel had promised to encourage German companies to participate in energy projects in Bulgaria. He said that Bulgaria relies upon Russia’s support during negotiations with potential investors.
· Number of unemployed people in Bulgaria is 272,800 in the Q4 in 2009 and the unemployment rate is 7.9%. Compared to the same period in 2008 the number of jobless people is increased with 95,100 and the unemployment rate with 2.9. This emerged from the statistics of NSI. Unemployment rate increases more sensibly among men compared to women (increase in the rate is respectively with 3.5 and 2.3 points), as in the Q4 2009 jobless rate of men (8.4%) exceeds the jobless rate of women (7.4%) with 1 percent.
Unemployed young people (15-24 years of age) are 53,200 and the rate of youth’s unemployment reaches 19.5%- respectively 20.9% for men and 17.3% for women.
In the period Q4 2008 – Q4 2009 there is significant increase in number of long-term (less than a year) unemployed people n Bulgaria. It rises with 86.8% and reaches 155, 200, or, 56.9% of all unemployed people.
fredag den 19. februar 2010
Bulgarian press review, February 19, 2010
Press Review
Sofia, February 19
THE HOME SCENE
Half of the cigarettes in Bulgaria at the moment are contraband, according to sources of the cigarette business quoted in a front-page story in "24 Chassa". Last year alone Bulgarians smoked 8 billion cigarettes for which no excise duty was paid. Real imports totalled 22.5 billion pieces but only 17.2 billion were declared and the losses for the public purse stand at over 600 million leva. According to unofficial information which is close to the figures of the Customs authorities, in March-December 2009 the decline of the amount of cigarettes for which all dues was paid, was 10 per cent, the story goes.
Analyst Tihomir Bezlov says in "24 Chassa" that with the current shape of the Customs Agency and the excessive levels of excise duties, the Exchequer will only lose some of what it used to collect. The most recent haul of contraband cigarettes in Varna only proves this forecast, he adds.
***
"GERB Soften to Smokers" is a headline in "Troud". The story tells of "an unlikely coalition" which came into being Thursday as GERB proposed softer restrictions for smokers in restaurants and bars and the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) supported them. By amendments to the healthcare law, the majority is trying to reverse the total ban on smoking in public which is due to take effect from June 1 this year.
"Dnevnik" writes that the total ban on smoking "burned down". "Standard News" quotes Parliament Deputy Chair Luchezar Ivanov (GERB) as saying that with cigarettes "we can't be better Catholics than the Pope".
***
"Douma" reports that municipal and private hospitals are preparing a national protest on April 7. That was reportedly decided at two-hour talks of the CEOs of 26 hospitals across Bulgaria. Local token strikes begin on Friday, said the director of the hospital in Purvomai, Southern Bulgaria, Ivan Madzharov.
***
Asked by "Troud" whether social dialogue exists in Bulgaria, the leader of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria, Zhelyazko Hristov, says, "It exists - good, bad or ambivalent". "Prime Minister Boyko Borissov gets much of the credit for this: when you try to contact him, he immediately comes up with an answer and a response. Social Minister Totyu Mladenov is like that, too, even though he is between the hammer and the anvil," says Hristov. He goes on to say that the unions want to know how the healthcare reforms will continue after starting without concord. "Maybe it is better to stop for a second, look around and listen because there is the sound of the train of discontent coming."
***
In a "24 Chassa", former Labour Minister Emilia Maslarova says she can write a book about how a person can be disgraced with media stories alone. Maslarova faces charges for wrongdoings during her tenure as Labour Minister in the government of socialist Sergei Stanishev. She says in "24 Chassa" that she hopes for charges to be pressed against her soon because she knows she had done nothing wrong.
Speaking about the retirement reform, Maslarova says it should start after 2014. Also, all social payments should be removed from the fund for old age pensions.
***
"Troud" carries an interview with American journalist Claire Berlinski where she says that Bulgaria "is west but with a Marxist problem".
***
In a "Troud" interview, the chairwoman of the Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, Rayna Mandzhoukova, describes as "non-sensical" the calls for bringing to Bulgaria another 60,000 of expat Bulgarians. "They don't necessarity want to settle in Bulgaria. There are various reasons for applying for citizenship: some just want to die with a Bulgarian passport in hand," she says.
DEFENCE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS
"Bulgarska Armiya" reports that the condition of three Bulgarian servicemen wounded during in Afghanistan, has improved significantly.
This paper also carries an interview with Deputy Defence Minister Valentin Radev who says that the army should shed any redundant properties.
A front-page story in "Dnevnik" quotes Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov as saying that job cuts in oversees missions will be put on hold. Instead, the Ministry will examine its structure and the structure of the diplomatic service, as well as the proposals for dismissing diplomats, made by Mladenov's predecessor Rumiana Jeleva.
***
"Sega" reports in its website that the Russian Foreign Ministry has told the Bulgarian Ambassador in Moscow, Plamen Grozdanov that it intends to ask Bulgaria officially about the goals and essence of its talks with the US on the deployment of elements of its missle shield in Bulgaria. The paper recalls the Bulgarian and the US position that no negotiations have been held on the matter, and quotes Prime Minister Borissov as saying a couple of days ago that he "pretends he didn't hear" the exchange between US and Russia.
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
All Friday papers report the latest development in the case of former State Agency for National Security (SANS) expert Alexei Petrov on Thursday when the court decided that he stays in remand. "Petrov: Do I Get a People's Court to Try Me?" ("Troud") and "A. Petrov: Stalin-style Repressions" ("Zemya") give an idea of the headlines.
In "Novinar", former Interior Minister Emanouil Yordanov calls "socialist cynicism" the allegations that he was the person to hire Alexei Petrov for the Interior Ministry.
In a "Troud" interview, Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov says that several days from now several Interior Ministry officers will have their clearance revoked for communicating with some representatives of Alexei Petrov's criminal group.
In "24 Chassa", journalist and socialist party member Velislava Dureva dismisses the arrest of Petrov and six other suspected members of his crime group as "a show" meant ony to show the world that Bulgaria is fighting crime. In her words, Petrov is only one of the characters in the deceitful show of the transition (to democracy). "What news is that Bulgaria is run by the fifth power composed of money, politics, crime and 'justice'! This news has been no secret in the past 20 years but nobody is willing to do away with the status quo [Е] just the opposite: they cherish it and use it for their own interests - or for another's after embracing them as own.
ECONOMY
All papers - a front-page story in "Klassa" - report that Bulgaria faces a 20 million euro fine for wrongful payments to farmers in 2008 under the Single Area Payment Scheme.
***
"Standard News" writes that casinos have started acting like loan sharks: they offer loans to hooked gamblers and then get their money and homes. The story is based on accounts from checks about which the paper learnt from Finance Minister Simeon Djankov.
***
The papers report the sale of bTV to the CME television group in a 400 million dollar deal. The reports quote an announcement by News Corporation which owned bTV.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
· http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
· http://www.novinite.com/index.php
· http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – Sofia, February 19, 2010
· Official talks on anti-missile defense shield to be disposed in Bulgaria have not been held yet, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ press office announced as a rely of the note of the Russian Federation, received on February 19. Meanwhile, Bulgaria noted acquisition of nuclear and rocket potential, which violates the agreements on their non-proliferation by countries and terrorist networks, is one of the most serious threats for the common security. Being NATO member state Bulgaria will continue observing strictly the common approach of NATO on taking decision in the security field, including anti-missile defense shield.
· The three people who were detained in a special police operation in Sofia during the night have criminal records. They are known to the police in relation with drugs distribution, Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov said. During the night the police carried out an operation targeting drugs distribution in the capital city. They seized some 4.5 kg of marihuana, 2 kg of amphetamine, small doses of cocaine and heroin packaged and ready for distribution. “This is the Interior Ministry’s systematic approach to drugs distribution,” said Tsvetanov.
· The Sofia Court of Appeals has ordered that alleged crime boss and former undercover agent Alexei Petrov must remain in custody. In a sitting lasting several hours on February 18 2010, the court ruled that Petrov should remain under arrest, together with Marcelo Djotolov, who was arrested alongside Petrov and five others on February 9 2010 as part of a police operation dubbed Octopus, aimed against an organised crime group. This group, according to Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov, had been involved in racketeering, extortion, prostitution, gambling, trafficking of people, money laundering, tax evasion, influence peddling and economic offences, all in the past 10 years. After the arrest it became clear that Petrov had been working as Bulgarian secret services undercover agent since 2000.
Sofia, February 19
THE HOME SCENE
Half of the cigarettes in Bulgaria at the moment are contraband, according to sources of the cigarette business quoted in a front-page story in "24 Chassa". Last year alone Bulgarians smoked 8 billion cigarettes for which no excise duty was paid. Real imports totalled 22.5 billion pieces but only 17.2 billion were declared and the losses for the public purse stand at over 600 million leva. According to unofficial information which is close to the figures of the Customs authorities, in March-December 2009 the decline of the amount of cigarettes for which all dues was paid, was 10 per cent, the story goes.
Analyst Tihomir Bezlov says in "24 Chassa" that with the current shape of the Customs Agency and the excessive levels of excise duties, the Exchequer will only lose some of what it used to collect. The most recent haul of contraband cigarettes in Varna only proves this forecast, he adds.
***
"GERB Soften to Smokers" is a headline in "Troud". The story tells of "an unlikely coalition" which came into being Thursday as GERB proposed softer restrictions for smokers in restaurants and bars and the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) supported them. By amendments to the healthcare law, the majority is trying to reverse the total ban on smoking in public which is due to take effect from June 1 this year.
"Dnevnik" writes that the total ban on smoking "burned down". "Standard News" quotes Parliament Deputy Chair Luchezar Ivanov (GERB) as saying that with cigarettes "we can't be better Catholics than the Pope".
***
"Douma" reports that municipal and private hospitals are preparing a national protest on April 7. That was reportedly decided at two-hour talks of the CEOs of 26 hospitals across Bulgaria. Local token strikes begin on Friday, said the director of the hospital in Purvomai, Southern Bulgaria, Ivan Madzharov.
***
Asked by "Troud" whether social dialogue exists in Bulgaria, the leader of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria, Zhelyazko Hristov, says, "It exists - good, bad or ambivalent". "Prime Minister Boyko Borissov gets much of the credit for this: when you try to contact him, he immediately comes up with an answer and a response. Social Minister Totyu Mladenov is like that, too, even though he is between the hammer and the anvil," says Hristov. He goes on to say that the unions want to know how the healthcare reforms will continue after starting without concord. "Maybe it is better to stop for a second, look around and listen because there is the sound of the train of discontent coming."
***
In a "24 Chassa", former Labour Minister Emilia Maslarova says she can write a book about how a person can be disgraced with media stories alone. Maslarova faces charges for wrongdoings during her tenure as Labour Minister in the government of socialist Sergei Stanishev. She says in "24 Chassa" that she hopes for charges to be pressed against her soon because she knows she had done nothing wrong.
Speaking about the retirement reform, Maslarova says it should start after 2014. Also, all social payments should be removed from the fund for old age pensions.
***
"Troud" carries an interview with American journalist Claire Berlinski where she says that Bulgaria "is west but with a Marxist problem".
***
In a "Troud" interview, the chairwoman of the Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, Rayna Mandzhoukova, describes as "non-sensical" the calls for bringing to Bulgaria another 60,000 of expat Bulgarians. "They don't necessarity want to settle in Bulgaria. There are various reasons for applying for citizenship: some just want to die with a Bulgarian passport in hand," she says.
DEFENCE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS
"Bulgarska Armiya" reports that the condition of three Bulgarian servicemen wounded during in Afghanistan, has improved significantly.
This paper also carries an interview with Deputy Defence Minister Valentin Radev who says that the army should shed any redundant properties.
A front-page story in "Dnevnik" quotes Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov as saying that job cuts in oversees missions will be put on hold. Instead, the Ministry will examine its structure and the structure of the diplomatic service, as well as the proposals for dismissing diplomats, made by Mladenov's predecessor Rumiana Jeleva.
***
"Sega" reports in its website that the Russian Foreign Ministry has told the Bulgarian Ambassador in Moscow, Plamen Grozdanov that it intends to ask Bulgaria officially about the goals and essence of its talks with the US on the deployment of elements of its missle shield in Bulgaria. The paper recalls the Bulgarian and the US position that no negotiations have been held on the matter, and quotes Prime Minister Borissov as saying a couple of days ago that he "pretends he didn't hear" the exchange between US and Russia.
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
All Friday papers report the latest development in the case of former State Agency for National Security (SANS) expert Alexei Petrov on Thursday when the court decided that he stays in remand. "Petrov: Do I Get a People's Court to Try Me?" ("Troud") and "A. Petrov: Stalin-style Repressions" ("Zemya") give an idea of the headlines.
In "Novinar", former Interior Minister Emanouil Yordanov calls "socialist cynicism" the allegations that he was the person to hire Alexei Petrov for the Interior Ministry.
In a "Troud" interview, Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov says that several days from now several Interior Ministry officers will have their clearance revoked for communicating with some representatives of Alexei Petrov's criminal group.
In "24 Chassa", journalist and socialist party member Velislava Dureva dismisses the arrest of Petrov and six other suspected members of his crime group as "a show" meant ony to show the world that Bulgaria is fighting crime. In her words, Petrov is only one of the characters in the deceitful show of the transition (to democracy). "What news is that Bulgaria is run by the fifth power composed of money, politics, crime and 'justice'! This news has been no secret in the past 20 years but nobody is willing to do away with the status quo [Е] just the opposite: they cherish it and use it for their own interests - or for another's after embracing them as own.
ECONOMY
All papers - a front-page story in "Klassa" - report that Bulgaria faces a 20 million euro fine for wrongful payments to farmers in 2008 under the Single Area Payment Scheme.
***
"Standard News" writes that casinos have started acting like loan sharks: they offer loans to hooked gamblers and then get their money and homes. The story is based on accounts from checks about which the paper learnt from Finance Minister Simeon Djankov.
***
The papers report the sale of bTV to the CME television group in a 400 million dollar deal. The reports quote an announcement by News Corporation which owned bTV.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
· http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
· http://www.novinite.com/index.php
· http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – Sofia, February 19, 2010
· Official talks on anti-missile defense shield to be disposed in Bulgaria have not been held yet, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ press office announced as a rely of the note of the Russian Federation, received on February 19. Meanwhile, Bulgaria noted acquisition of nuclear and rocket potential, which violates the agreements on their non-proliferation by countries and terrorist networks, is one of the most serious threats for the common security. Being NATO member state Bulgaria will continue observing strictly the common approach of NATO on taking decision in the security field, including anti-missile defense shield.
· The three people who were detained in a special police operation in Sofia during the night have criminal records. They are known to the police in relation with drugs distribution, Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov said. During the night the police carried out an operation targeting drugs distribution in the capital city. They seized some 4.5 kg of marihuana, 2 kg of amphetamine, small doses of cocaine and heroin packaged and ready for distribution. “This is the Interior Ministry’s systematic approach to drugs distribution,” said Tsvetanov.
· The Sofia Court of Appeals has ordered that alleged crime boss and former undercover agent Alexei Petrov must remain in custody. In a sitting lasting several hours on February 18 2010, the court ruled that Petrov should remain under arrest, together with Marcelo Djotolov, who was arrested alongside Petrov and five others on February 9 2010 as part of a police operation dubbed Octopus, aimed against an organised crime group. This group, according to Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov, had been involved in racketeering, extortion, prostitution, gambling, trafficking of people, money laundering, tax evasion, influence peddling and economic offences, all in the past 10 years. After the arrest it became clear that Petrov had been working as Bulgarian secret services undercover agent since 2000.
torsdag den 18. februar 2010
Bulgarian press review, February 18, 2010
Press Review
Sofia, February 18 (BTA)
HOME SCENE
Interviewed by "Troud", Prosecutor General Boris Velchev says the operation codenamed Octopus will continue. He also says this case has been the most complicated so far in his term. "First, there is the scope and scale of organized criminal activity, and second, there is the question why this happened and who allowed it to happen. The first question is easier to answer because all it takes is a competent investigation. As to the second one, we are usually bogged down in explanations and everyone finds an excuse," Velchev says. He promises that the Octopus case will make amazingly fast progress. "I do not know what Alexei Petrov did for the State Agency for National Security (SANS), but SANS undoubtedly did quite a lot of things for Petrov. We will carefully look into the way classified information of the country's most secret service landed in Petrov's office."
"24 Chassa" says that a mobile phone was found in the cell of a person detained during the operation. Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said the information found in the phone greatly helped investigators by throwing light on the contacts of people arrested together with former SANS advisor Alexei Petrov. Borissov declined to give any details.
"Sega" writes that 10 more witnesses have testified, substantiating charges against Petrov and six people close to him of forming an organized group for racketeering, extortion, VAT fraud, tax evasion and other crimes. Sofia City Prosecutor Nikolai Kokinov said on Wednesday that when the mastermind of a crime group is remanded in custody for an indefinite period, witnesses have more courage to testify against him.
"Sega" writes that prosecutors have called for immunity for witnesses against the Mafia. The magistrates have in mind witnesses from the lower levels of organized crime groups who help uncover serious crimes. The effective Penal Code envisages such protection only in case a crime has been prepared but not committed. The new proposal was prompted by Operation Octopus.
Quoting lawyer Rumiana Radkova, "Klassa" reports that Alexei Petrov has asked for a meeting with US Ambassador James Warlick. Petrov claims he is the victim of political repression and an unfair trial.
"Standart News" publishes the opinion of sociologist Kuncho Stoichev, who says that while corruption, drug dealing and prostitution exist everywhere, the question is if the system fosters their growth or the system is sound but these crimes reflect an inextricable part of human nature. He says that now is the time not only to cut off the octopus's tentacles, but to mend the rules and the system.
In a "24 Chassa" interview, sociologist Andrei Raichev says Alexei Petrov had dealings with three prime ministers: Ivan Kostov, Sergei Stanishev and Borissov. The public needs to know what happened during Petrov's contacts with them and what they talked about. "The political puzzle must be solved because woe is the country in which stability hinges on person - Borissov," Raichev says.
***
"Troud" reports on its front page that senior customs officers will be arrested. A ring smuggling expensive clothes and perfumes was broken up at the Bourgas Customs Unit. Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov said that in several years a customs officer, Krassimir Gochev, handed out over 1 million dollars in "loans" and "investments". Gochev was involved in smuggling at the Lessovo checkpoint on the border with Turkey and paid people above and below him.
***
"Sega" comments on a decision of the Constitutional Court invalidating the elections in 23 voting sections in Turkey. This is the first time in 20 years that the court has transferred seats in Parliament from one party to another. For the first time Bulgarian elections will be brought to the attention of the European Court of Human Rights. The moral of the story is that there is no effective mechanism to challenge election results in Bulgaria. The court ruling has also made it possible for parties to challenge election results to the bitter end.
***
"Sega" reports that the Foreign Ministry is setting up an emergency centre to rescue Bulgarians abroad. Boyko Borissov's promise that the State will help every Bulgarian in trouble abroad has led to the latest change in the Ministry's structure.
***
Quoting Sofia City Prosecutor Nikolai Kokinov, "Troud" says that indictments against two ministers of the previous government - Nikolai Tsonev of defence and Valeri Tsvetanov of agriculture - will be presented to the court in a matter of days. Prosecutors are also putting the finishing touches to indictments against former deputy interior minister Raif Moustafa, former National Revenue Agency director Maria Mourgina and businessman Rosen Marinov.
***
"24 Chassa" reports that traffic police will start using the first batch of 1,200 disposable testers from March 1 to check drivers for drug use.
THE ECONOMY
Quoting Vassil Simov, CEO of the Bulgarian Commodity Exchange, "Klassa" writes that consumption has shrunk and there are no signs that Bulgaria is emerging from the crisis. He argues that Bulgaria is going through an economic crisis, not a financial one. The financial system is operating without a hitch, there is enough money in the market, loans are issued and banks report good liquidity. The point is that businesses are reluctant to borrow because they are afraid they cannot sell their products, Simov says.
"Troud" says that Finmetals Holding, which bought the Kremikovtzi iron and steel mill, must pay 40 million leva in damages to the State for failing to fulfil its investment programme in 2002. Roussi Statkov of the Supervisory Board of the Post-Privatization Control Agency said on Wednesday that this decision was made by the Sofia Appellate Court, which granted the full claim. Finmetals is owned by Valentin Zahariev, who bought Kremikovtzi in 1999 for one dollar. The plant was declared bankrupt in 2009.
"Troud" reports that the two most influential trade unions want an anti-crisis council to be set up with the prime minister to monitor the economic and social situation. In an anti-crisis package sent to Labour and Social Policy Minister Totyu Mladenov, the trade unions demand that EU funding be used to finance anti-crisis projects. They want the State to pay its debts to businesses and to start a public register of obligations to the Exchequer, as well as public procurement contracts to be paid within 15 days of delivery.
"24 Chassa" carries an analysis of the retirement system by experts Vladimir Karolev and Georgi Angelov. They and seven more experts set up an independent council on pension reform on Wednesday. They set two requirements for the retirement system - stability and choice. The two experts cite the pension funds of the Netherlands as an example of stability with their more than half a trillion euro. The two also argue that people should be able to choose when to retire: if they choose an earlier age, they will pay larger contributions. When there is a choice, there is no need for the State to set the retirement age, the experts say.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
· http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
· http://www.novinite.com/index.php
· http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – February 18, 2010
· Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov presented his new team to the media and outlined his priorities.
· Brussels have unblocked seven operative programs due to only one reason - political will and reliable Audit Body, which will not hide anything, Prime Minister (PM) Boyko Borisov said before the mayors at the meeting of the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB) in the town of Plovdiv.
· Alexey Petrov has expressed fears that evidences against him can be invented. Speaking with journalists before the hearing of the restraining order of the arrested in the Octopus operation in the Court of Appeal-Sofia he said: “Tsvetan Tsvetanov (Interior Minister) and Ivan Kostov (leader of DSB) are in a very odd situation over which they will probably invent evidences against me.”
Sofia, February 18 (BTA)
HOME SCENE
Interviewed by "Troud", Prosecutor General Boris Velchev says the operation codenamed Octopus will continue. He also says this case has been the most complicated so far in his term. "First, there is the scope and scale of organized criminal activity, and second, there is the question why this happened and who allowed it to happen. The first question is easier to answer because all it takes is a competent investigation. As to the second one, we are usually bogged down in explanations and everyone finds an excuse," Velchev says. He promises that the Octopus case will make amazingly fast progress. "I do not know what Alexei Petrov did for the State Agency for National Security (SANS), but SANS undoubtedly did quite a lot of things for Petrov. We will carefully look into the way classified information of the country's most secret service landed in Petrov's office."
"24 Chassa" says that a mobile phone was found in the cell of a person detained during the operation. Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said the information found in the phone greatly helped investigators by throwing light on the contacts of people arrested together with former SANS advisor Alexei Petrov. Borissov declined to give any details.
"Sega" writes that 10 more witnesses have testified, substantiating charges against Petrov and six people close to him of forming an organized group for racketeering, extortion, VAT fraud, tax evasion and other crimes. Sofia City Prosecutor Nikolai Kokinov said on Wednesday that when the mastermind of a crime group is remanded in custody for an indefinite period, witnesses have more courage to testify against him.
"Sega" writes that prosecutors have called for immunity for witnesses against the Mafia. The magistrates have in mind witnesses from the lower levels of organized crime groups who help uncover serious crimes. The effective Penal Code envisages such protection only in case a crime has been prepared but not committed. The new proposal was prompted by Operation Octopus.
Quoting lawyer Rumiana Radkova, "Klassa" reports that Alexei Petrov has asked for a meeting with US Ambassador James Warlick. Petrov claims he is the victim of political repression and an unfair trial.
"Standart News" publishes the opinion of sociologist Kuncho Stoichev, who says that while corruption, drug dealing and prostitution exist everywhere, the question is if the system fosters their growth or the system is sound but these crimes reflect an inextricable part of human nature. He says that now is the time not only to cut off the octopus's tentacles, but to mend the rules and the system.
In a "24 Chassa" interview, sociologist Andrei Raichev says Alexei Petrov had dealings with three prime ministers: Ivan Kostov, Sergei Stanishev and Borissov. The public needs to know what happened during Petrov's contacts with them and what they talked about. "The political puzzle must be solved because woe is the country in which stability hinges on person - Borissov," Raichev says.
***
"Troud" reports on its front page that senior customs officers will be arrested. A ring smuggling expensive clothes and perfumes was broken up at the Bourgas Customs Unit. Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov said that in several years a customs officer, Krassimir Gochev, handed out over 1 million dollars in "loans" and "investments". Gochev was involved in smuggling at the Lessovo checkpoint on the border with Turkey and paid people above and below him.
***
"Sega" comments on a decision of the Constitutional Court invalidating the elections in 23 voting sections in Turkey. This is the first time in 20 years that the court has transferred seats in Parliament from one party to another. For the first time Bulgarian elections will be brought to the attention of the European Court of Human Rights. The moral of the story is that there is no effective mechanism to challenge election results in Bulgaria. The court ruling has also made it possible for parties to challenge election results to the bitter end.
***
"Sega" reports that the Foreign Ministry is setting up an emergency centre to rescue Bulgarians abroad. Boyko Borissov's promise that the State will help every Bulgarian in trouble abroad has led to the latest change in the Ministry's structure.
***
Quoting Sofia City Prosecutor Nikolai Kokinov, "Troud" says that indictments against two ministers of the previous government - Nikolai Tsonev of defence and Valeri Tsvetanov of agriculture - will be presented to the court in a matter of days. Prosecutors are also putting the finishing touches to indictments against former deputy interior minister Raif Moustafa, former National Revenue Agency director Maria Mourgina and businessman Rosen Marinov.
***
"24 Chassa" reports that traffic police will start using the first batch of 1,200 disposable testers from March 1 to check drivers for drug use.
THE ECONOMY
Quoting Vassil Simov, CEO of the Bulgarian Commodity Exchange, "Klassa" writes that consumption has shrunk and there are no signs that Bulgaria is emerging from the crisis. He argues that Bulgaria is going through an economic crisis, not a financial one. The financial system is operating without a hitch, there is enough money in the market, loans are issued and banks report good liquidity. The point is that businesses are reluctant to borrow because they are afraid they cannot sell their products, Simov says.
"Troud" says that Finmetals Holding, which bought the Kremikovtzi iron and steel mill, must pay 40 million leva in damages to the State for failing to fulfil its investment programme in 2002. Roussi Statkov of the Supervisory Board of the Post-Privatization Control Agency said on Wednesday that this decision was made by the Sofia Appellate Court, which granted the full claim. Finmetals is owned by Valentin Zahariev, who bought Kremikovtzi in 1999 for one dollar. The plant was declared bankrupt in 2009.
"Troud" reports that the two most influential trade unions want an anti-crisis council to be set up with the prime minister to monitor the economic and social situation. In an anti-crisis package sent to Labour and Social Policy Minister Totyu Mladenov, the trade unions demand that EU funding be used to finance anti-crisis projects. They want the State to pay its debts to businesses and to start a public register of obligations to the Exchequer, as well as public procurement contracts to be paid within 15 days of delivery.
"24 Chassa" carries an analysis of the retirement system by experts Vladimir Karolev and Georgi Angelov. They and seven more experts set up an independent council on pension reform on Wednesday. They set two requirements for the retirement system - stability and choice. The two experts cite the pension funds of the Netherlands as an example of stability with their more than half a trillion euro. The two also argue that people should be able to choose when to retire: if they choose an earlier age, they will pay larger contributions. When there is a choice, there is no need for the State to set the retirement age, the experts say.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
· http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
· http://www.novinite.com/index.php
· http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – February 18, 2010
· Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov presented his new team to the media and outlined his priorities.
· Brussels have unblocked seven operative programs due to only one reason - political will and reliable Audit Body, which will not hide anything, Prime Minister (PM) Boyko Borisov said before the mayors at the meeting of the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB) in the town of Plovdiv.
· Alexey Petrov has expressed fears that evidences against him can be invented. Speaking with journalists before the hearing of the restraining order of the arrested in the Octopus operation in the Court of Appeal-Sofia he said: “Tsvetan Tsvetanov (Interior Minister) and Ivan Kostov (leader of DSB) are in a very odd situation over which they will probably invent evidences against me.”
onsdag den 17. februar 2010
Bulgarian press review, February 17, 2010
Press Review
Sofia, February 17 (BTA)
FOREIGN POLICY
"Zemya" and "Pari" report about the elimination of intermediaries in the gas supplies. The Bulgarian authorities requested from the Chairman of Gazprom's Management Committee Alexey Miller removal of the intermediaries and an increase of the fees for gas transiting to third countries, "Troud" reports. Surprisingly, Miller arrived on a short visit on Tuesday at the invitation of the state-owned Bulgargaz. At his request, the Gazprom chief was received by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and President Georgi Purvanov. The Bulgarian side also raised the issue of taking measures so that Bulgaria does not sustain losses from the future South Stream gas pipeline project by reduction of the revenues from transit fees, for example. Gazprom allegedly showed understanding to Bulgaria's request for the import of gas without intermediaries, Economy Minister Traicho Traikov said. According to "Dnevnik", Traikov's statement has made it clear that Gazprom keeps on making the new contracts on gas supplies conditional on the quantities, which this country would receive from South Stream.
***
There is no and there should be no official diplomatic reaction on the part of Moscow in connection with reports on possible deployment of elements of the US anti-missile shield on Bulgarian territory. Bulgaria takes sovereign decisions and does not owe explanation when choosing the means by which it ensures the sources for guaranteeing its national security, Deputy Foreign Minister Marin Raikov says in an interview for "Troud". "Our decisions in this area are taken in the context of the analysis, which we make jointly with our NATO allies," he adds.
***
"I would like to tell our compatriots that we should be somewhat more open to people, who come from outside to work here. Honestly speaking, we are not very hospitable," Bulgarian EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva says in an interview granted for the "Troud" paper. Prime Minister Borissov opened an opportunity for the Bulgarians abroad to work here, she also states.
HOME SCENE
The dailies report that the Constitutional Court declared unlawful the elections for Bulgarian Parliament held in 23 voting sections in Turkey. "24 Chassa" says that a total of 18,358 votes were cast in these and now they have to be subtracted from the base for vote distribution that determined the election results. GERB will have 117 MPs and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) will remain with 37 MPs. The Blue Coalition and Order, Lawfulness, Justice (OLJ) will keep the number of their national representatives but there will be personal changes in these group.
***
"We expect from the Octopus operation to clear the image of MRF," MRF Deputy Chair Aliosman Imamov says before "Klassa". "We suppose that Alexei Petrov knows where the billions from the privatization have gone. If this is uncovered it would become clear that MRF is not the curse of the transition."
***
The designation of over 126 ha of agricultural lands has been changed as the latter had been obtained by private persons through swaps with the state prior to March 2009. They will be used for storage facilities, wind parks, green houses, tractor repair facilities, a winery, etc. The change of their designation was effected in the past six months, after the GERB Party came to power, from July 27, 2009 to February 2, 2010. Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov presented a list of the companies, involved in the swaps, at the request of Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) MP Anton Koutev, who expressed doubts about violations of the moratorium on the change of designation.
***
Bulgaria has sustained losses of 8,500 million leva due to scandalous swap deals, "Ataka" writes. The country is threatened with a fine of 1,500 million leva because the EU considers the swaps as unauthorized state aid.
***
Interviewed for "24 Chassa" Social Minister Totyu Mladenov says that less people will be laid off in February compared to the previous month but that unemployment is growing. As at January 31 it was 9.9. per cent. According to Mladenov, further reduction of the social security contributions would be perennial for the social security system.
***
In a publication in the "Troud" paper Prof. Alexander Chirkov advises to establish a Medical Chamber and a healthcare fund under the budget.
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
Alexei Petrov was arrested on charges of leading a criminal gang but now he will be sued for tax evasion, "Standart News" writes. Referring to a statement of Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov, the paper writes that Petrov owes 1.5 million leva in taxes. The report from the tax authorities would be enclosed to
the case file. As agent under cover Petrov has earned millions from providing consultations to companies. The Commission Establishing Property Acquired from Criminal Activity was reportedly preparing a request for distraint on half of Petrov's assets.
***
Stefan Hristov, Chief of the Migration Directorate with the Interior Ministry, has been arrested on charges of helping a criminal gang to arrange Bulgarian residence for Moldovan citizens. The price for this "service" would reach 15,000 euro, "24 Chassa" writes.
***
"Novinar" cites a survey of the Centre for the Study of Democracy showing that 4-5,000 million leva are the annual profits from criminal activity in this country. They come from human trafficking, drugs, illicit cigarette smuggling, corruption and VAT frauds. This, however, does not include financial frauds and the money generated from the grey economy, assessed at nearly 30 per cent of GDP in 2009. The boom on the market of real estates in the past ten years has turned Bulgaria into a preferred destination for money laundering by foreigners, the survey also shows.
***
"I am sorry that I did not tender my resignation," Chairman of the State Agency for Refugees Svetoslav Michev says in an interview for "24 Chassa". Asked whether he would accept protection from BSP, he answers in the positive.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
· http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
· http://www.novinite.com/index.php
· http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – February 17, 2010
· No elements of the United States' missile defence system will be coming to Bulgaria at this stage, US Ambassador James Warlick told the press in Sofia. He said that no talks are being held at the moment and it is a thing that is still in the air. The issue has only been discussed informally within the framework of NATO partnership. Asked whether he expected things to make progress, the US diplomat said it is a question that should be addressed to the Bulgarian government.
· The government relieved Svetoslav Michev as Chairman of the State Agency for Refugees (SAR), after considering a report of a commission which conducted a special check in SAR, the government's information service said Wednesday. The government appointed Nikola Kazakov as the new Chairman of SAR.
· The Bulgarian government has consolidated its thesis very clearly - it will not take position on Burgas–Alexandroupolis pipeline at all until a qualitative Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) under the highest international standards is made. Up to now no documents on this issue have been tabled, said Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Rosen Plevneliev. Minister of Finance Simeon Dyankov will do the whole co-ordination and the control over the implementation of the future engagement of the state under the Burgas–Alexandroupolis pipeline.
· Greek farmers are withdrawing the tractors along the Promachonas border checkpoint with Bulgaria, the Border Police announced. It is expected the whole farming technique to be withdrawn and the traffic through Kulata-Promachonas checkpoint to be finally normalized.
Sofia, February 17 (BTA)
FOREIGN POLICY
"Zemya" and "Pari" report about the elimination of intermediaries in the gas supplies. The Bulgarian authorities requested from the Chairman of Gazprom's Management Committee Alexey Miller removal of the intermediaries and an increase of the fees for gas transiting to third countries, "Troud" reports. Surprisingly, Miller arrived on a short visit on Tuesday at the invitation of the state-owned Bulgargaz. At his request, the Gazprom chief was received by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and President Georgi Purvanov. The Bulgarian side also raised the issue of taking measures so that Bulgaria does not sustain losses from the future South Stream gas pipeline project by reduction of the revenues from transit fees, for example. Gazprom allegedly showed understanding to Bulgaria's request for the import of gas without intermediaries, Economy Minister Traicho Traikov said. According to "Dnevnik", Traikov's statement has made it clear that Gazprom keeps on making the new contracts on gas supplies conditional on the quantities, which this country would receive from South Stream.
***
There is no and there should be no official diplomatic reaction on the part of Moscow in connection with reports on possible deployment of elements of the US anti-missile shield on Bulgarian territory. Bulgaria takes sovereign decisions and does not owe explanation when choosing the means by which it ensures the sources for guaranteeing its national security, Deputy Foreign Minister Marin Raikov says in an interview for "Troud". "Our decisions in this area are taken in the context of the analysis, which we make jointly with our NATO allies," he adds.
***
"I would like to tell our compatriots that we should be somewhat more open to people, who come from outside to work here. Honestly speaking, we are not very hospitable," Bulgarian EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva says in an interview granted for the "Troud" paper. Prime Minister Borissov opened an opportunity for the Bulgarians abroad to work here, she also states.
HOME SCENE
The dailies report that the Constitutional Court declared unlawful the elections for Bulgarian Parliament held in 23 voting sections in Turkey. "24 Chassa" says that a total of 18,358 votes were cast in these and now they have to be subtracted from the base for vote distribution that determined the election results. GERB will have 117 MPs and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) will remain with 37 MPs. The Blue Coalition and Order, Lawfulness, Justice (OLJ) will keep the number of their national representatives but there will be personal changes in these group.
***
"We expect from the Octopus operation to clear the image of MRF," MRF Deputy Chair Aliosman Imamov says before "Klassa". "We suppose that Alexei Petrov knows where the billions from the privatization have gone. If this is uncovered it would become clear that MRF is not the curse of the transition."
***
The designation of over 126 ha of agricultural lands has been changed as the latter had been obtained by private persons through swaps with the state prior to March 2009. They will be used for storage facilities, wind parks, green houses, tractor repair facilities, a winery, etc. The change of their designation was effected in the past six months, after the GERB Party came to power, from July 27, 2009 to February 2, 2010. Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov presented a list of the companies, involved in the swaps, at the request of Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) MP Anton Koutev, who expressed doubts about violations of the moratorium on the change of designation.
***
Bulgaria has sustained losses of 8,500 million leva due to scandalous swap deals, "Ataka" writes. The country is threatened with a fine of 1,500 million leva because the EU considers the swaps as unauthorized state aid.
***
Interviewed for "24 Chassa" Social Minister Totyu Mladenov says that less people will be laid off in February compared to the previous month but that unemployment is growing. As at January 31 it was 9.9. per cent. According to Mladenov, further reduction of the social security contributions would be perennial for the social security system.
***
In a publication in the "Troud" paper Prof. Alexander Chirkov advises to establish a Medical Chamber and a healthcare fund under the budget.
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
Alexei Petrov was arrested on charges of leading a criminal gang but now he will be sued for tax evasion, "Standart News" writes. Referring to a statement of Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov, the paper writes that Petrov owes 1.5 million leva in taxes. The report from the tax authorities would be enclosed to
the case file. As agent under cover Petrov has earned millions from providing consultations to companies. The Commission Establishing Property Acquired from Criminal Activity was reportedly preparing a request for distraint on half of Petrov's assets.
***
Stefan Hristov, Chief of the Migration Directorate with the Interior Ministry, has been arrested on charges of helping a criminal gang to arrange Bulgarian residence for Moldovan citizens. The price for this "service" would reach 15,000 euro, "24 Chassa" writes.
***
"Novinar" cites a survey of the Centre for the Study of Democracy showing that 4-5,000 million leva are the annual profits from criminal activity in this country. They come from human trafficking, drugs, illicit cigarette smuggling, corruption and VAT frauds. This, however, does not include financial frauds and the money generated from the grey economy, assessed at nearly 30 per cent of GDP in 2009. The boom on the market of real estates in the past ten years has turned Bulgaria into a preferred destination for money laundering by foreigners, the survey also shows.
***
"I am sorry that I did not tender my resignation," Chairman of the State Agency for Refugees Svetoslav Michev says in an interview for "24 Chassa". Asked whether he would accept protection from BSP, he answers in the positive.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
· http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
· http://www.novinite.com/index.php
· http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – February 17, 2010
· No elements of the United States' missile defence system will be coming to Bulgaria at this stage, US Ambassador James Warlick told the press in Sofia. He said that no talks are being held at the moment and it is a thing that is still in the air. The issue has only been discussed informally within the framework of NATO partnership. Asked whether he expected things to make progress, the US diplomat said it is a question that should be addressed to the Bulgarian government.
· The government relieved Svetoslav Michev as Chairman of the State Agency for Refugees (SAR), after considering a report of a commission which conducted a special check in SAR, the government's information service said Wednesday. The government appointed Nikola Kazakov as the new Chairman of SAR.
· The Bulgarian government has consolidated its thesis very clearly - it will not take position on Burgas–Alexandroupolis pipeline at all until a qualitative Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) under the highest international standards is made. Up to now no documents on this issue have been tabled, said Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Rosen Plevneliev. Minister of Finance Simeon Dyankov will do the whole co-ordination and the control over the implementation of the future engagement of the state under the Burgas–Alexandroupolis pipeline.
· Greek farmers are withdrawing the tractors along the Promachonas border checkpoint with Bulgaria, the Border Police announced. It is expected the whole farming technique to be withdrawn and the traffic through Kulata-Promachonas checkpoint to be finally normalized.
tirsdag den 16. februar 2010
Bulgarian press review, February 16, 2010
Press Review
Sofia, February 16 (BTA)
HOME SCENE
The Prime Minister has dismissed the two deputy chairmen of the State Agency for Refugees with the Council of Ministers, "Troud" reports. Krassimir Kossatev and Dimiter Vladimirov were removed from their positions over very serious violations, Prime MInister Boyko Borissov said Monday adding that he had drawn up a report which he would submit to the Council of Ministers at its meeting on Wednesday proposing the dismissal of the chairman of the Agency, Svetoslav Minchev. The institution has been drained of thousands of leva. "There is no drama in my removal. I am the last agency head left from the team of the previous government and my removal is logical," Minchev is quoted as saying by "24 Chassa."
* * *
"I do not know Alexei Petrov, I have not conferred him any rewards," former interior minister Georgi Petkanov, now a constitutional judge, says in an interview for "Troud." In his words, while he was interior minister Petrov was not well known to the public. During his term, Petrov was an officer at the Interior Ministry but did not have any special achievements as such to deserve honours. Petkanov says the Interior Ministry deserves to be praised for what it is doing now: arresting the Impudents (a group involved in kidnapping), Octopus (a police operation codenamed "Octopus" against organized crime in which Petrov was arrested) and other similar operations. "I would very much like that Operation Octopus ends in sentencing the culprits," he says. "But I doubt they would be convicted." "Troud" devotes space to the opinion of Atanas Atanassov, head of the National Security Service at the time of Ivan Kostov's cabinet. Atanassov calls for "untangling the whole story about the group linked to ex-prosecutor general Nikola Filchev." He recalls that Petrov was recruited in the National Security Service (NSS) on Filchev personal insistence late in the autumn of 2000. "I do not discuss secret agents," another former interior minister, Emil Yordanov, says. When he was interior minister, Petrov was not on the payroll of the Ministry. "DSB: It's Time to Arrest Filchev," "24 Chassa" writes in a headline on the same subject. Democrats for Strong Bulgaria insist on investigating all political links of the persons detained in Operation Octopus and to call to account all politicians who provided a political umbrella for them. "I Was Dangerous! But for Women, Years Ago" is the "24 Chassa" headline of an interview with Filchev. Responding to accusations that he was Petrov's political umbrella, Filchev says he has never favoured anybody and never asked the Interior Ministry for Petrov's appointment to the NSS. He recalls that Petrov's appointment was proposed by Atanassov and the order on it was signed by Yordanov, interior minister in the Kostov cabinet. "Kostov cannot forgive me that I exposed him as a thief and leader of a group of bandits," Filchev says. According to him, at that time the privatization proceeds came up to 30,000 million leva but only 3,000 million went to the Treasury."Where are the remaining 27,000 million," he asks.
* * *
The incumbents are ready to release 400 million leva from the health care reserve fund and allow 15 hospitals one year to meet the requirements for normal operation and conclude agreements with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), which otherwise will be closed down, "24 Chassa" reports. These are mainly hospitals in population centres of remote location. That is what PM Borissov said at a meeting with hospital directors on Monday, trying to ease tension arising from plans to close down smaller hospitals. The purpose is to make these hospitals try to become real ones, and not to close them, MP Borissov said. But if they fail to reform, they will be closed down and emergency medical centres will be set up in their place. The incumbents behave like real estate agents, "Sega" comments on a statement of Health Minister Bozhidar Nanev about plans to privatize state-controlled hospitals. Nanev said the privatization project would be launched after completing the reform of heal care. Now the government will improve the organization and financial state of hospitals on the money of citizens paying health insurance contributions, making them attractive for investors. This government has a very simple and effective concept about reforms: redistributing the last pieces of state property by selling them to private players, "24 Chassa" notes.
* * *
"Troud" discusses the flood situation in Bulgaria. It writes that a lot of rivers and dams has overflowed and hundreds of people had to be evacuated. The Kapitan Andreevo checkpoint on the border with Turkey was closed. Worst is the situation in Elhovo, on the Toundja river, the water level of the river rose to the critical 4.20 m. There is a danger of houses there being inundated. The local Civil Protection unit is prepared to evacuate people. Over 1,000 residents of the village of Bluskovo, Provadia Municipality, had to leave their homes. The heavy rainfalls caused landslides at Evksinograd, near Varna, and Velingrad. Subsoil water flooded graveyards in Shoumen; the civil protection team is pumping out the water.
ECONOMY
Quoting nationals statistics, "Sega" writes that the monthly household income per capita in December 2009 was down 11.9 per cent from December 2008; the number of the employed fell by 182,099. Most badly hit by downsizing were construction and the hospitality industry where 35,000 and 13,000 were laid off. The processing industry lost 71,000 jobs. Household incomes contracted by 44.61 leva a month. The cost of living went up by 0.7 per cent in January 2010, "Troud" writes referring to data released by the National Statistical Institute. The January inflation upped by 0.7 per cent from December 2009; it is 0.5 per cent year-to-year. Entertainment prices went up by 1.7 per cent; transport by 1.5 per cent; food, soft drinks, alcohol and cigarettes by 0.9 per cent; utility services and housing maintenance by 0.9 per cent. However, clothes and footwear were down by 1.9 per cent.
* * *
Pension system incomes fell by 11,000 million leva over the past decade, "Klassa" writes. At the same time, its expenditures are going up. The deficit in the public social insurance system was 89 million leva in 2000, and not it is expected to reach 2,300 million leva, Bozhidar Danev, President of the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA) said Monday. If a reform is not carried out shortly, the financial stability of the country will be exposed to a risk. Commenting on a statement by Labour and Social Policy Minister Totyu Mladenov, "Troud" says that giving up the plans to increase pensionable age starting as of this year is tantamount to not carrying a reform of the pension system. If the incumbents do not implement the reform now, while they are strong, they will not dare carry it out at a later stage of their term, when the next general elections will be nearing. "Courage is needed for the pension reform. I have it," Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Simeon Djankov says in an interview for "24 Chassa." In his words, the reform which is most needed to support public finances is the pension reform, that is why it is unavoidable. Djankov says that Bulgaria cannot afford to pull out of the crisis by "printing banknotes." "We cannot afford a deficit either," he says. Not only because of the plans to join the Eurozone but because of the stability of the currency board mechanism. BIA proposes to implement the pension reform in two stages: before and after the crisis meltdown, "Pari" writes. Criteria such as pensionable age and length of service should still apply during the first stage. After the crisis is over, without abandoning the principle of solidarity of the social insurance fund, every insured could freely choose when to retire on pension irrespective of their age or length of service.
* * *
US and European companies may be the constructors of new generating units at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, N-plant Executive Director Dimiter Angelov says in an interview given to "Dnevnik." The project for building two units - Seven and Eight, is a promising future for the N-plant as they will replace the four units decommissioned so far, using the existing infrastructure. The Bulgarian Energy Holding will only lose if the infrastructure of the N-plant is not used, Angelov notes.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
· http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
· http://www.novinite.com/index.php
· http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – February 16, 2010
· Director of Migration Directorate with the Interior Ministry has been detained, the press office of the Ministry announced. Detention is a result of continuous work in a joint operation of employees of the Directorate for Internal Security-MIA, State Agency National Security (SANS) and the National Investigation Service (NIS) conducted under the direction of the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office.
· Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov met with chairman of Gazprom Management Board Alexey Miler. The two officials discussed on realization of South Stream project and the new agreements for natural gas supply which are to be signed between the two states, the press centre of the government announced. The discussion was attended by Bulgarian Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Traicho Traikov. Prime Minister Boyko Borisov put the issue the existing gas transit for Bulgaria to be considered within South Stream project in a way that not to harm our state.
· The Constitutional Court declared illegal the election of the members of Parliament elected by proportional electoral system, Mariana Ivanova Darakchieva from Blue Coalition at 7th Many-seated constituency -Gabrovo, Rushen Mehmet Riza from Movement for Rights and Freedoms in 8th Many-seated constituency -Dobrich and Atanas Markov Semov from Order, Low and Justice in 23rd Many-seated constituency - Sofia. The reason is - the illegality of elections held in 23 polling stations in the Republic of Turkey in which 18 358 real votes were submitted, that must be excluded from the basis of allocation of votes based on which the election results are determined. That says a message posted on the website of the Constitutional Court.
Sofia, February 16 (BTA)
HOME SCENE
The Prime Minister has dismissed the two deputy chairmen of the State Agency for Refugees with the Council of Ministers, "Troud" reports. Krassimir Kossatev and Dimiter Vladimirov were removed from their positions over very serious violations, Prime MInister Boyko Borissov said Monday adding that he had drawn up a report which he would submit to the Council of Ministers at its meeting on Wednesday proposing the dismissal of the chairman of the Agency, Svetoslav Minchev. The institution has been drained of thousands of leva. "There is no drama in my removal. I am the last agency head left from the team of the previous government and my removal is logical," Minchev is quoted as saying by "24 Chassa."
* * *
"I do not know Alexei Petrov, I have not conferred him any rewards," former interior minister Georgi Petkanov, now a constitutional judge, says in an interview for "Troud." In his words, while he was interior minister Petrov was not well known to the public. During his term, Petrov was an officer at the Interior Ministry but did not have any special achievements as such to deserve honours. Petkanov says the Interior Ministry deserves to be praised for what it is doing now: arresting the Impudents (a group involved in kidnapping), Octopus (a police operation codenamed "Octopus" against organized crime in which Petrov was arrested) and other similar operations. "I would very much like that Operation Octopus ends in sentencing the culprits," he says. "But I doubt they would be convicted." "Troud" devotes space to the opinion of Atanas Atanassov, head of the National Security Service at the time of Ivan Kostov's cabinet. Atanassov calls for "untangling the whole story about the group linked to ex-prosecutor general Nikola Filchev." He recalls that Petrov was recruited in the National Security Service (NSS) on Filchev personal insistence late in the autumn of 2000. "I do not discuss secret agents," another former interior minister, Emil Yordanov, says. When he was interior minister, Petrov was not on the payroll of the Ministry. "DSB: It's Time to Arrest Filchev," "24 Chassa" writes in a headline on the same subject. Democrats for Strong Bulgaria insist on investigating all political links of the persons detained in Operation Octopus and to call to account all politicians who provided a political umbrella for them. "I Was Dangerous! But for Women, Years Ago" is the "24 Chassa" headline of an interview with Filchev. Responding to accusations that he was Petrov's political umbrella, Filchev says he has never favoured anybody and never asked the Interior Ministry for Petrov's appointment to the NSS. He recalls that Petrov's appointment was proposed by Atanassov and the order on it was signed by Yordanov, interior minister in the Kostov cabinet. "Kostov cannot forgive me that I exposed him as a thief and leader of a group of bandits," Filchev says. According to him, at that time the privatization proceeds came up to 30,000 million leva but only 3,000 million went to the Treasury."Where are the remaining 27,000 million," he asks.
* * *
The incumbents are ready to release 400 million leva from the health care reserve fund and allow 15 hospitals one year to meet the requirements for normal operation and conclude agreements with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), which otherwise will be closed down, "24 Chassa" reports. These are mainly hospitals in population centres of remote location. That is what PM Borissov said at a meeting with hospital directors on Monday, trying to ease tension arising from plans to close down smaller hospitals. The purpose is to make these hospitals try to become real ones, and not to close them, MP Borissov said. But if they fail to reform, they will be closed down and emergency medical centres will be set up in their place. The incumbents behave like real estate agents, "Sega" comments on a statement of Health Minister Bozhidar Nanev about plans to privatize state-controlled hospitals. Nanev said the privatization project would be launched after completing the reform of heal care. Now the government will improve the organization and financial state of hospitals on the money of citizens paying health insurance contributions, making them attractive for investors. This government has a very simple and effective concept about reforms: redistributing the last pieces of state property by selling them to private players, "24 Chassa" notes.
* * *
"Troud" discusses the flood situation in Bulgaria. It writes that a lot of rivers and dams has overflowed and hundreds of people had to be evacuated. The Kapitan Andreevo checkpoint on the border with Turkey was closed. Worst is the situation in Elhovo, on the Toundja river, the water level of the river rose to the critical 4.20 m. There is a danger of houses there being inundated. The local Civil Protection unit is prepared to evacuate people. Over 1,000 residents of the village of Bluskovo, Provadia Municipality, had to leave their homes. The heavy rainfalls caused landslides at Evksinograd, near Varna, and Velingrad. Subsoil water flooded graveyards in Shoumen; the civil protection team is pumping out the water.
ECONOMY
Quoting nationals statistics, "Sega" writes that the monthly household income per capita in December 2009 was down 11.9 per cent from December 2008; the number of the employed fell by 182,099. Most badly hit by downsizing were construction and the hospitality industry where 35,000 and 13,000 were laid off. The processing industry lost 71,000 jobs. Household incomes contracted by 44.61 leva a month. The cost of living went up by 0.7 per cent in January 2010, "Troud" writes referring to data released by the National Statistical Institute. The January inflation upped by 0.7 per cent from December 2009; it is 0.5 per cent year-to-year. Entertainment prices went up by 1.7 per cent; transport by 1.5 per cent; food, soft drinks, alcohol and cigarettes by 0.9 per cent; utility services and housing maintenance by 0.9 per cent. However, clothes and footwear were down by 1.9 per cent.
* * *
Pension system incomes fell by 11,000 million leva over the past decade, "Klassa" writes. At the same time, its expenditures are going up. The deficit in the public social insurance system was 89 million leva in 2000, and not it is expected to reach 2,300 million leva, Bozhidar Danev, President of the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA) said Monday. If a reform is not carried out shortly, the financial stability of the country will be exposed to a risk. Commenting on a statement by Labour and Social Policy Minister Totyu Mladenov, "Troud" says that giving up the plans to increase pensionable age starting as of this year is tantamount to not carrying a reform of the pension system. If the incumbents do not implement the reform now, while they are strong, they will not dare carry it out at a later stage of their term, when the next general elections will be nearing. "Courage is needed for the pension reform. I have it," Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Simeon Djankov says in an interview for "24 Chassa." In his words, the reform which is most needed to support public finances is the pension reform, that is why it is unavoidable. Djankov says that Bulgaria cannot afford to pull out of the crisis by "printing banknotes." "We cannot afford a deficit either," he says. Not only because of the plans to join the Eurozone but because of the stability of the currency board mechanism. BIA proposes to implement the pension reform in two stages: before and after the crisis meltdown, "Pari" writes. Criteria such as pensionable age and length of service should still apply during the first stage. After the crisis is over, without abandoning the principle of solidarity of the social insurance fund, every insured could freely choose when to retire on pension irrespective of their age or length of service.
* * *
US and European companies may be the constructors of new generating units at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, N-plant Executive Director Dimiter Angelov says in an interview given to "Dnevnik." The project for building two units - Seven and Eight, is a promising future for the N-plant as they will replace the four units decommissioned so far, using the existing infrastructure. The Bulgarian Energy Holding will only lose if the infrastructure of the N-plant is not used, Angelov notes.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
· http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
· http://www.novinite.com/index.php
· http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – February 16, 2010
· Director of Migration Directorate with the Interior Ministry has been detained, the press office of the Ministry announced. Detention is a result of continuous work in a joint operation of employees of the Directorate for Internal Security-MIA, State Agency National Security (SANS) and the National Investigation Service (NIS) conducted under the direction of the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office.
· Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov met with chairman of Gazprom Management Board Alexey Miler. The two officials discussed on realization of South Stream project and the new agreements for natural gas supply which are to be signed between the two states, the press centre of the government announced. The discussion was attended by Bulgarian Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Traicho Traikov. Prime Minister Boyko Borisov put the issue the existing gas transit for Bulgaria to be considered within South Stream project in a way that not to harm our state.
· The Constitutional Court declared illegal the election of the members of Parliament elected by proportional electoral system, Mariana Ivanova Darakchieva from Blue Coalition at 7th Many-seated constituency -Gabrovo, Rushen Mehmet Riza from Movement for Rights and Freedoms in 8th Many-seated constituency -Dobrich and Atanas Markov Semov from Order, Low and Justice in 23rd Many-seated constituency - Sofia. The reason is - the illegality of elections held in 23 polling stations in the Republic of Turkey in which 18 358 real votes were submitted, that must be excluded from the basis of allocation of votes based on which the election results are determined. That says a message posted on the website of the Constitutional Court.
fredag den 12. februar 2010
Bulgarian press review, February 12, 2010
Press Review
Sofia, February 12 (BTA)
THE HOME SCENE
The Operation Octopus during which former State Agency for National Security (SANS) adviser Alexei Petrov was arrested along with dozens of other persons on February 11 continues to be the most widely discussed topic by the newspapers. The Interior Ministry suspects that the Octopus group was involved in acketeering, blackmailing, drugs, influence trading, economic frauds and other crimes. On Thursday the prosecuting magistracy demanded remands for seven out of the total of 14 arrested persons, the newspapers write.
"Tax Authorities Dig In Octopus" caps a report in "24 Chassa" which says that the National Revenue Agency starts checks into all members of the Octopus crime group, and the persons and companies related with them. Finance Minister Simeon Djankov is quoted as saying that tax checks will be conducted together with each operation of the Interior Ministry. For a month now the tax authorities and the Interior Ministry have been jointly following big cash flows circulating among firms and banks, says "24 Chassa".
The Friday dailies quote Prosecutor General Boris Velchev as saying that he is not displeased by Alexei Petrov. As a SANS officer Petrov was a member of several special teams working on a number of joint operations of the Interior inistry, SANS and the prosecuting magistracy, "24 Chassa" says. "Where we worked with Petrov, we have no grounds to be displeased with him," Velchev said on Thursday. The Prosecutor General also said that he is aware of Petrov's reputation which he described as "ambiguous, to put it mildly".
"Troud" quotes Prime Minister Boyko Borissov as saying that Operation Octopus is like a war testing the endurance of the warring sides. The Prime Minister also described as "absurd" allegations that he had to settle old accounts with Petrov and thus the former SANS officer was arrested.
Quoting Ivan Kostov who chairs the parliamentary committee on SANS supervision, "Novinar" says that information was leaked towards Petrov about his possible arrest. However, the team working on the case managed to contain it, which Kostov said was commendable.
"24 Chassa" quotes a statement by the United States Ambassador to Sofia James Warlick that "the United States congratulates all law enforcement personnel involved in the courageous and professional actions they took in apprehending some of the most notorious suspected criminal figures in Bulgaria".
Former head of the counter intelligence General Atanas Atanassov tells "Troud" that Petrov had been a state security officer from before 1989, the year when democratic changes started in Bulgaria. Atanassov recalls that according to a report of the commission dealing with secret police files, Petrov had been a tenured employee of the Sixth Department of the now defunct State Security in 1987-1990. He argues that this is an extremely important fact. Atanassov says that for many years many people said that organized crime in Bulgaria was created by the repressive machine of the communist regime.
Interviewed by "Troud," former Interior Ministry chief secretary Valentin Petrov says that if the court decides to let Alexei Petrov go, this will be a big failure for Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov and the special services. Valentin Petrov stresses that the most important thing is the presence of evidence so that the detainee is not set free after a couple of days.
Tihomir Bezlov from the Centre for the Study of Democracy tells "Troud" that Operation Octopus is a risk and a threat to the government. According to Bezlov, a clash between Petrov and Borissov is the biggest such happening in the transition period. He says the figures with such big clout in politics and business clashed in a direct confrontation which ended with an arrest. If the charges against Petrov fail, this would not trigger a conflict between the Prime Minister and the Interior Minister, says Bezlov. However, there will be a big risk and threat to the government, he warns.
A comment in "Sega" says that fifteen years ago the lizard did not cut its tail and asks what is in store for Octopus now. The author says that there was not a government under which Petrov did not prosper. His business and his influence grew continually, no matter who ruled Bulgaria. Petrov surely has enough information about the political process in this country, about the economic upsurges and declines, about the underground becoming one with governance, writes the author. No one knows what Petrov will disclose and about whom. In order to prove that Petrov traded in influence, the Interior Ministry and the prosecuting magistracy will have to name the politicians who assisted him in this. It is yet unclear who installed Petrov where - the state in the mafia or the mafia in the state.
* * *
The Friday newspapers write about the report of the latest Bulgarian Christmas fund-raising campaign by President Georgi Purvanov and First Lady Zorka Purvanova. Health is not a commodity and the health care system cannot be restructured solely along financial lines, Purvanov said, speaking to the press after he and his wife met with donors who participated in the Bulgarian Christmas campaign. The President commented that "no fund-raiser can replace the government and no charitable initiative justifies the abdication of the Bulgarian State in health care".
* * *
"Land Swaps: Yes. Alteration of Designated Purpose of Land: No" caps an interview in "24 Chassa" with GERB floor co-leader Iskra Fidossova, who also chairs the parliamentary Legal Committee. She says that land swaps is not a dirty misnomer but has become so due to the bad practice. Fidossova argues that the opportunity for the state and municipalities to make land exchanges should be kept but in the presence of clear rules. What must be banned by all accounts is altering the designated purpose of the land with the intention of developing it, Fidossova says, noting that this is where things go wrong. She says that dubious swaps are being considered one by one and arguments are being sought to challenge and dissolve them.
* * *
"Bulgaria's True Prime Minister is [Interior Minister] Tsvetanov," "Troud" says, quoting Order, Lawfulness and Justice party leader Yane Yanev. Yanev is further quoted as saying that there are deep-running disagreements between Tsvetanov and Borissov which apparently emerged during Operation Octopus. In reality the true prime minister at the moment is Tsvetanov who "rules" GERB's MPs, Yanev said, claiming that two thirds of the people in GERB are personally loyal to Tsvetanov and constitute an internal opposition to Borissov.
* * *
"Troud" reports that the prosecuting magistracy has started corruption investigations against three higher education establishments - the Southwestern University in Blagoevgrad, the University of National and World Economy in Sofia and the Economic Academy. The news was announced on Thursday by Science and Education Minister Sergei Ignatov during a meeting of the parliamentary anti-corruption committee. MPs received unverified alerts for briberies for exam passings.
* * *
Interviewed by "Klassa" social analyst Yurii Aslanov says that the leader of the opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) should name his successor. Aslanov says that even if BBSP calls an extraordinary congress, the forum would not lead to any change, and would instead risk plunging the organization into accusations, petty issues and squabbling which will not change the outlook of the party or take it out from the current stupor. According to Aslanov, such an extraordinary forum will further worsen things as it will can spoil the attitude to BSP of its members and voters and thus, the party will lose.
ECONOMY
"Troud" quotes preliminary data announced Thursday by Finance Minister Simeon Djankov according to which the budget deficit in January stood at 495 million leva. Djankov said there will be a deficit until April, when the budget will break even. A surplus is expected in May and June and by the end of the year there should be a balanced budget, according to the Finance Minister.
Djankov said that the January deficit was due to the 240 million leva paid for programmes with European funding, 214 million leva in foreign debt payments and 40 million leva in overdue budget payments to companies.
* * *
In a leading report "Troud" says that after all the retirement age will remain unchanged for the time being. Its increase has been postponed for the time being, as the priorities of the cabinet in 2010 and 2011 will be the health care reform and the stabilization of the labour market, Labour and Social Policy Minister Totyu Mladenov said Thursday, quoted in the newspapers. The reasons why the pension reform will be delayed are unemployment and the hardships of the economic downturn.
BULGARIA-EU
Bulgaria has received positive compliance assessment for two more operational programmes (OPs), OP Administrative Capacity and OP Environment, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said before the EU 27 informal meeting of heads of state or government in Brussels, quoted by the Friday newspapers. This brings the number of operational programmes with positive compliance assessment to six in the last three days.
OP Administrative Capacity is worth 132 million euro and Environment is worth 1,466 million euro, the dailies recall.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
· http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
· http://www.novinite.com/index.php
· http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – February 12, 2010
· Bulgaria will take a decision on whether to depose anti-missile defense at its territory after a discussion with the EU member states and the Bulgarian Parliament. This is what Prime Minister (PM) Boyko Borisov said as a reply of the question about disposing anti-missile defense in Bulgaria, FOCUS News Agency reporter informs.
· The decision where to depose the anti-missile defense in Bulgaria is half mathematic, half political. I think that at the basis of the military co-operation between the U.S. and Bulgaria-the Bulgarian-American bases in Bulgaria it will be normal to depose anti-missile defense at the territory of Bulgaria, former foreign minister Solomon Passy and president of the Atlantic club told journalists, FOCUS News Agency reporter informs.
· The Ministry of Heath does not closes hospitals but arranges quality criteria of the medical services, said heath minister Bozhidar Nanev during the parliamentary control, FOCUS News Agency reporter informs. According to Nanev there has been a fear for many years it will happen.
· All checkpoints along the Greek-Bulgarian border worked normally, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) said on February 12 2010. On the evening of February 11, Greek protesters who had blocked the border for four weeks opened the Kulata- Promahon checkpoint for automobiles and later that evening for trucks.
Sofia, February 12 (BTA)
THE HOME SCENE
The Operation Octopus during which former State Agency for National Security (SANS) adviser Alexei Petrov was arrested along with dozens of other persons on February 11 continues to be the most widely discussed topic by the newspapers. The Interior Ministry suspects that the Octopus group was involved in acketeering, blackmailing, drugs, influence trading, economic frauds and other crimes. On Thursday the prosecuting magistracy demanded remands for seven out of the total of 14 arrested persons, the newspapers write.
"Tax Authorities Dig In Octopus" caps a report in "24 Chassa" which says that the National Revenue Agency starts checks into all members of the Octopus crime group, and the persons and companies related with them. Finance Minister Simeon Djankov is quoted as saying that tax checks will be conducted together with each operation of the Interior Ministry. For a month now the tax authorities and the Interior Ministry have been jointly following big cash flows circulating among firms and banks, says "24 Chassa".
The Friday dailies quote Prosecutor General Boris Velchev as saying that he is not displeased by Alexei Petrov. As a SANS officer Petrov was a member of several special teams working on a number of joint operations of the Interior inistry, SANS and the prosecuting magistracy, "24 Chassa" says. "Where we worked with Petrov, we have no grounds to be displeased with him," Velchev said on Thursday. The Prosecutor General also said that he is aware of Petrov's reputation which he described as "ambiguous, to put it mildly".
"Troud" quotes Prime Minister Boyko Borissov as saying that Operation Octopus is like a war testing the endurance of the warring sides. The Prime Minister also described as "absurd" allegations that he had to settle old accounts with Petrov and thus the former SANS officer was arrested.
Quoting Ivan Kostov who chairs the parliamentary committee on SANS supervision, "Novinar" says that information was leaked towards Petrov about his possible arrest. However, the team working on the case managed to contain it, which Kostov said was commendable.
"24 Chassa" quotes a statement by the United States Ambassador to Sofia James Warlick that "the United States congratulates all law enforcement personnel involved in the courageous and professional actions they took in apprehending some of the most notorious suspected criminal figures in Bulgaria".
Former head of the counter intelligence General Atanas Atanassov tells "Troud" that Petrov had been a state security officer from before 1989, the year when democratic changes started in Bulgaria. Atanassov recalls that according to a report of the commission dealing with secret police files, Petrov had been a tenured employee of the Sixth Department of the now defunct State Security in 1987-1990. He argues that this is an extremely important fact. Atanassov says that for many years many people said that organized crime in Bulgaria was created by the repressive machine of the communist regime.
Interviewed by "Troud," former Interior Ministry chief secretary Valentin Petrov says that if the court decides to let Alexei Petrov go, this will be a big failure for Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov and the special services. Valentin Petrov stresses that the most important thing is the presence of evidence so that the detainee is not set free after a couple of days.
Tihomir Bezlov from the Centre for the Study of Democracy tells "Troud" that Operation Octopus is a risk and a threat to the government. According to Bezlov, a clash between Petrov and Borissov is the biggest such happening in the transition period. He says the figures with such big clout in politics and business clashed in a direct confrontation which ended with an arrest. If the charges against Petrov fail, this would not trigger a conflict between the Prime Minister and the Interior Minister, says Bezlov. However, there will be a big risk and threat to the government, he warns.
A comment in "Sega" says that fifteen years ago the lizard did not cut its tail and asks what is in store for Octopus now. The author says that there was not a government under which Petrov did not prosper. His business and his influence grew continually, no matter who ruled Bulgaria. Petrov surely has enough information about the political process in this country, about the economic upsurges and declines, about the underground becoming one with governance, writes the author. No one knows what Petrov will disclose and about whom. In order to prove that Petrov traded in influence, the Interior Ministry and the prosecuting magistracy will have to name the politicians who assisted him in this. It is yet unclear who installed Petrov where - the state in the mafia or the mafia in the state.
* * *
The Friday newspapers write about the report of the latest Bulgarian Christmas fund-raising campaign by President Georgi Purvanov and First Lady Zorka Purvanova. Health is not a commodity and the health care system cannot be restructured solely along financial lines, Purvanov said, speaking to the press after he and his wife met with donors who participated in the Bulgarian Christmas campaign. The President commented that "no fund-raiser can replace the government and no charitable initiative justifies the abdication of the Bulgarian State in health care".
* * *
"Land Swaps: Yes. Alteration of Designated Purpose of Land: No" caps an interview in "24 Chassa" with GERB floor co-leader Iskra Fidossova, who also chairs the parliamentary Legal Committee. She says that land swaps is not a dirty misnomer but has become so due to the bad practice. Fidossova argues that the opportunity for the state and municipalities to make land exchanges should be kept but in the presence of clear rules. What must be banned by all accounts is altering the designated purpose of the land with the intention of developing it, Fidossova says, noting that this is where things go wrong. She says that dubious swaps are being considered one by one and arguments are being sought to challenge and dissolve them.
* * *
"Bulgaria's True Prime Minister is [Interior Minister] Tsvetanov," "Troud" says, quoting Order, Lawfulness and Justice party leader Yane Yanev. Yanev is further quoted as saying that there are deep-running disagreements between Tsvetanov and Borissov which apparently emerged during Operation Octopus. In reality the true prime minister at the moment is Tsvetanov who "rules" GERB's MPs, Yanev said, claiming that two thirds of the people in GERB are personally loyal to Tsvetanov and constitute an internal opposition to Borissov.
* * *
"Troud" reports that the prosecuting magistracy has started corruption investigations against three higher education establishments - the Southwestern University in Blagoevgrad, the University of National and World Economy in Sofia and the Economic Academy. The news was announced on Thursday by Science and Education Minister Sergei Ignatov during a meeting of the parliamentary anti-corruption committee. MPs received unverified alerts for briberies for exam passings.
* * *
Interviewed by "Klassa" social analyst Yurii Aslanov says that the leader of the opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) should name his successor. Aslanov says that even if BBSP calls an extraordinary congress, the forum would not lead to any change, and would instead risk plunging the organization into accusations, petty issues and squabbling which will not change the outlook of the party or take it out from the current stupor. According to Aslanov, such an extraordinary forum will further worsen things as it will can spoil the attitude to BSP of its members and voters and thus, the party will lose.
ECONOMY
"Troud" quotes preliminary data announced Thursday by Finance Minister Simeon Djankov according to which the budget deficit in January stood at 495 million leva. Djankov said there will be a deficit until April, when the budget will break even. A surplus is expected in May and June and by the end of the year there should be a balanced budget, according to the Finance Minister.
Djankov said that the January deficit was due to the 240 million leva paid for programmes with European funding, 214 million leva in foreign debt payments and 40 million leva in overdue budget payments to companies.
* * *
In a leading report "Troud" says that after all the retirement age will remain unchanged for the time being. Its increase has been postponed for the time being, as the priorities of the cabinet in 2010 and 2011 will be the health care reform and the stabilization of the labour market, Labour and Social Policy Minister Totyu Mladenov said Thursday, quoted in the newspapers. The reasons why the pension reform will be delayed are unemployment and the hardships of the economic downturn.
BULGARIA-EU
Bulgaria has received positive compliance assessment for two more operational programmes (OPs), OP Administrative Capacity and OP Environment, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said before the EU 27 informal meeting of heads of state or government in Brussels, quoted by the Friday newspapers. This brings the number of operational programmes with positive compliance assessment to six in the last three days.
OP Administrative Capacity is worth 132 million euro and Environment is worth 1,466 million euro, the dailies recall.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
· http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
· http://www.novinite.com/index.php
· http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – February 12, 2010
· Bulgaria will take a decision on whether to depose anti-missile defense at its territory after a discussion with the EU member states and the Bulgarian Parliament. This is what Prime Minister (PM) Boyko Borisov said as a reply of the question about disposing anti-missile defense in Bulgaria, FOCUS News Agency reporter informs.
· The decision where to depose the anti-missile defense in Bulgaria is half mathematic, half political. I think that at the basis of the military co-operation between the U.S. and Bulgaria-the Bulgarian-American bases in Bulgaria it will be normal to depose anti-missile defense at the territory of Bulgaria, former foreign minister Solomon Passy and president of the Atlantic club told journalists, FOCUS News Agency reporter informs.
· The Ministry of Heath does not closes hospitals but arranges quality criteria of the medical services, said heath minister Bozhidar Nanev during the parliamentary control, FOCUS News Agency reporter informs. According to Nanev there has been a fear for many years it will happen.
· All checkpoints along the Greek-Bulgarian border worked normally, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) said on February 12 2010. On the evening of February 11, Greek protesters who had blocked the border for four weeks opened the Kulata- Promahon checkpoint for automobiles and later that evening for trucks.
torsdag den 11. februar 2010
Bulgarian press review, February 11, 2010
Press Review
Sofia, February 11 (BTA)
JUSTICE, HOME AFFAIRS
The Thursday dailies report about Operation Octopus, during which former State Agency for National Security (SANS) adviser Alexei Petrov was apprehended. "Troud" writes that Octopus has sucked in Alexei Petrov, Plamen and Yordan Stoyanov, aka The Dambovs, six pimps and 130 strippers. The newspaper quotes the Interior Minister as saying that yesterday the police had rounded up 13 people, five of whom are at top of the chain. Later, Petrov's right hand Toni The Hamster (Anton Petrov) turned himself in, according to "Monitor". Alexei Petrov's handler of the National Security Service (NSS) has also been arrested, writes "Telegraph". Nikolai Nachev, former head of the NSS economic department, has been among those that were detained. Interviewed by "Troud", Prime Minister Boyko Borissov says he is certain that the evidence police has gathered will hold in court.
Alexei Petrov was arrested after a businessman complained that associates of the former SANS adviser hand pressured him to hand over his business to them, or else they threatened to kill him, writes "24 Chassa". According to the daily, three more businessmen volunteered to testify against Petrov after news of his arrest broke out. The dailies report that Petrov's arrest had been videotaped.
"Troud" writes that some of the arrested suspects used sex tapes to blackmail businessmen. During the arrest the police squad found a tiger and a leopard at the house of the Stoyanov Brothers. The daily cites trade unionists that the brothers ran a fraud scheme along with former Kremikovtzi CEO Alexander Tomov. For his part, Tomov says that he spent four months at the steel maker, while the brothers had worked there for over ten years.
The dailies report that the arrested are allegedly part of a group involved in blackmailing, forcible debt collection and racketeering, soliciting to prostitution, drug pushing, embezzlement of funds from the Kremikovtzi AD to the detriment of Bulgarian State, influence trading, money laundering, concealment of income, tax evasion and fraudulent recovery of VAT input tax.
The Order, Lawfulness and Justice party and Tatyana Doncheva are products of Alexei Petrov's political engineering, according to"Monitor" and "Telegraph".
In a "24 Chassa" interview, Prosecutor General Boris Velchev says that ties between the mafia and the government have been severed. Velchev says that now people are sensing a strong-handed government, which is no accident, as the police backed by SANS has proved to be strong and well-organized.The Prosecutor General explains that informants rarely go to the prosecution authorities. Their first stop is the police. Velchev says that more people will be willing to cooperate after the police and the prosecution authorities begin to command more respect.
Interviewed by "Troud", Kristina Patrashkova, chief editor of the Gallery tabloid, says that Prime Minister Borissov and Alexei Petrov have long known each other. They were on the same karate team, they had a joint business and have continued to keep in touch to this day. It may seem a paradox, but the operation against Petrov could be interpreted as an operation against the Prime Minister too, says Patrashkova. In an interview for "24 Chassa", she says that Petrov has nothing to do with the newspaper ownership, which does not mean that Gallery staff does not know him. Often Petrov provided them with information. In the last issue, Petrov said that he had been targeted by the Chief Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and that his arrest was imminent. He provided a document that a member of the Impudent kidnapping ring had beenpressured through use of force to say that Petrov had contracted a killing, which he refused to do, Patrashkova says.
THE HOME SCENE
The dailies report that the Agriculture Ministry will try to regain part of the forests that were swapped under the previous government. Prime Minister Boyko Borissov convened a security council on Wednesday as Bulgaria is facing a fine of 55 million euro by the European Commission over the swaps.
***
In a "24 Chassa" article, Union of Democratic Forces Martin Petrov proposes an elegant way out if those who benefited break off the deals of their own accord.
HEALTH
The Union of Pharmacists in Bulgaria has proposed to the Health Ministry that drugs be sold at fixed prices (based on the highest one) which will cause a rise by 10-15 per cent, reports "Troud", citing the Pharmacy Owners Association.
The daily writes that the European Commission is against as fixed prices of drugs will kill off competition.
***
In an interview for "24 Chassa", Luchezar Ivanov, chair of the parliamentary health committee, says that doctors will be dismissed if they have asked money from patients. Special teams will be running checks. Ivanov notes that family tourism in Spain boomed after a ban on smoking was imposed. As a doctor he is against people smoking in public places.
***
In an interview for "Troud", Roumen Petkov of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) says that its leader should be replaced within three months. Asked why, Petkov says that the BSP has no answer what would happen if Prime Minister Borissov called early elections at the end of year. Petkov says that the party should not seek rejuvenation at any cost despite its pool of potential, but a sense of security. According to Petkov, Georgi Kadiev and Kornelia Ninova lack the experience to control the party, and Iliyana Yotova will not make a good leader. However, for Petkov Dora Yankova has the experience, the leadership skill, is an undisputed authority and has stayed clear of scandals.
ECONOMY
Two more operational programmes (OPs), Competitiveness and Transport, received positive compliance assessment on Wednesday.The total resource that will be available for small and mid-sized businesses under the Competitiveness OP is 1.3 billion euro, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said. The financial framework for OP Transport is 2 billion euro. Borissov said he hoped that Bulgaria would receive positive assessments under the remaining three operational programmes by the end of the week.
***
"Troud" cites figures of the Bulgarian National Bank, showing 12 new "bank" millionaires in the fourth quarter of 2009. Some 360 households andindividuals have bank deposits which exceed one million leva, totalling 879.9 million leva.
Over 40 per cent, or 22,191 million leva of all loans extended in 2009 were over the one million leva mark. By the end of 20009, 5,238 natural persons and legal entities received seven-digit loans. Their number is 44 down compared with the third quarter of 2009, according to "Klassa". Some 5,124 businesses took loans of over one million leva, worth a total of 21,987 million leva. Their number was 45 down from September. Some 114 natural persons took loans of over one million leva, worth nearly 205 million leva.
***
Associate Professor Vladimir Adamov, Rector of the Svishtov Academy of Economics, has been suspected of plagiarism and will likely be stripped of his doctoral degree.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
· http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
· http://www.novinite.com/index.php
· http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – February 11, 2010
· A protected witness of the prosecution in the trial of notorious suspected crime leaders Krassimir and Nikolai Marinov, aka the Marguins, faces perjury charges after he denied knowing them. Sofia City Prosecutor Nikolai Kokinov said that shortly after a hearing on the Marguins' case here Thursday. The witness, Ivo Ilchev, was brought to the courtroom wearing a mask for the Marguins case hearing and was questioned behind a screen. He told the court he does not know and has never spoken to the Marguin brothers.Prosecutor Kokinov said Ilchev had told him that he was threatened after the previous hearing on the case. He said that the prosecuting office have the telephone number of the person who called to threaten the witness and will investigate the case.
· Bulgaria's foreign trade balance in January-December 2009 (with exports in FOB prices and imports in CIF prices) was negative and totalled minus 9,600 million leva, or 9,700 million leva less than in 2008, the National Statistical Institute said Thursday.In FOB/FOB prices (after eliminating the expenses for transport and insurance for imports), the foreign trade deficit amounted to 8,000 million leva, reaching its peak in March and April.According to preliminary estimates, Bulgaria's foreign trade turnover in January - December 2009 amounted to 55,700 million leva at current prices, registering a drop by 29.3 per cent year on year. The imports (in CIF prices) declined by 33.4 per cent from a year earlier and totalled 32,700 million leva. Imports exceeded exports in 2009, in line with 2008 trends. The value of imports exceeded the value of exports by nearly 42 per cent. Following a lasting tendency of recent years, the turnover in the third quarter of 2009 was the highest. Exports and imports peaked in the fourth quarter of 2009, reaching respectively 28 per cent and 26.1 per cent of their annual volumes.
· Bulgaria has received positive compliance assessment for two more operational programmes, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov told journalists in Brussels Thursday. Operational Programme Administrative Capacity is worth 132 million euro and Environment is worth 1,460 million euro, Borissov said before the informal meeting of the heads of state or government of the EU 27. The Operational Programme Administrative Capacity received today a positive compliance assessment, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Simeon Djankov told a news conference Thursday. This makes it the fifth operational programme to receive positive compliance assessment in three days after OP Competitiveness and Transport the previous day, and Technical Assistance and Regional Development a day before. Djankov pointed out that the total sum of interim payments which Bulgaria can use now amounts to 132 million euro.
Sofia, February 11 (BTA)
JUSTICE, HOME AFFAIRS
The Thursday dailies report about Operation Octopus, during which former State Agency for National Security (SANS) adviser Alexei Petrov was apprehended. "Troud" writes that Octopus has sucked in Alexei Petrov, Plamen and Yordan Stoyanov, aka The Dambovs, six pimps and 130 strippers. The newspaper quotes the Interior Minister as saying that yesterday the police had rounded up 13 people, five of whom are at top of the chain. Later, Petrov's right hand Toni The Hamster (Anton Petrov) turned himself in, according to "Monitor". Alexei Petrov's handler of the National Security Service (NSS) has also been arrested, writes "Telegraph". Nikolai Nachev, former head of the NSS economic department, has been among those that were detained. Interviewed by "Troud", Prime Minister Boyko Borissov says he is certain that the evidence police has gathered will hold in court.
Alexei Petrov was arrested after a businessman complained that associates of the former SANS adviser hand pressured him to hand over his business to them, or else they threatened to kill him, writes "24 Chassa". According to the daily, three more businessmen volunteered to testify against Petrov after news of his arrest broke out. The dailies report that Petrov's arrest had been videotaped.
"Troud" writes that some of the arrested suspects used sex tapes to blackmail businessmen. During the arrest the police squad found a tiger and a leopard at the house of the Stoyanov Brothers. The daily cites trade unionists that the brothers ran a fraud scheme along with former Kremikovtzi CEO Alexander Tomov. For his part, Tomov says that he spent four months at the steel maker, while the brothers had worked there for over ten years.
The dailies report that the arrested are allegedly part of a group involved in blackmailing, forcible debt collection and racketeering, soliciting to prostitution, drug pushing, embezzlement of funds from the Kremikovtzi AD to the detriment of Bulgarian State, influence trading, money laundering, concealment of income, tax evasion and fraudulent recovery of VAT input tax.
The Order, Lawfulness and Justice party and Tatyana Doncheva are products of Alexei Petrov's political engineering, according to"Monitor" and "Telegraph".
In a "24 Chassa" interview, Prosecutor General Boris Velchev says that ties between the mafia and the government have been severed. Velchev says that now people are sensing a strong-handed government, which is no accident, as the police backed by SANS has proved to be strong and well-organized.The Prosecutor General explains that informants rarely go to the prosecution authorities. Their first stop is the police. Velchev says that more people will be willing to cooperate after the police and the prosecution authorities begin to command more respect.
Interviewed by "Troud", Kristina Patrashkova, chief editor of the Gallery tabloid, says that Prime Minister Borissov and Alexei Petrov have long known each other. They were on the same karate team, they had a joint business and have continued to keep in touch to this day. It may seem a paradox, but the operation against Petrov could be interpreted as an operation against the Prime Minister too, says Patrashkova. In an interview for "24 Chassa", she says that Petrov has nothing to do with the newspaper ownership, which does not mean that Gallery staff does not know him. Often Petrov provided them with information. In the last issue, Petrov said that he had been targeted by the Chief Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and that his arrest was imminent. He provided a document that a member of the Impudent kidnapping ring had beenpressured through use of force to say that Petrov had contracted a killing, which he refused to do, Patrashkova says.
THE HOME SCENE
The dailies report that the Agriculture Ministry will try to regain part of the forests that were swapped under the previous government. Prime Minister Boyko Borissov convened a security council on Wednesday as Bulgaria is facing a fine of 55 million euro by the European Commission over the swaps.
***
In a "24 Chassa" article, Union of Democratic Forces Martin Petrov proposes an elegant way out if those who benefited break off the deals of their own accord.
HEALTH
The Union of Pharmacists in Bulgaria has proposed to the Health Ministry that drugs be sold at fixed prices (based on the highest one) which will cause a rise by 10-15 per cent, reports "Troud", citing the Pharmacy Owners Association.
The daily writes that the European Commission is against as fixed prices of drugs will kill off competition.
***
In an interview for "24 Chassa", Luchezar Ivanov, chair of the parliamentary health committee, says that doctors will be dismissed if they have asked money from patients. Special teams will be running checks. Ivanov notes that family tourism in Spain boomed after a ban on smoking was imposed. As a doctor he is against people smoking in public places.
***
In an interview for "Troud", Roumen Petkov of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) says that its leader should be replaced within three months. Asked why, Petkov says that the BSP has no answer what would happen if Prime Minister Borissov called early elections at the end of year. Petkov says that the party should not seek rejuvenation at any cost despite its pool of potential, but a sense of security. According to Petkov, Georgi Kadiev and Kornelia Ninova lack the experience to control the party, and Iliyana Yotova will not make a good leader. However, for Petkov Dora Yankova has the experience, the leadership skill, is an undisputed authority and has stayed clear of scandals.
ECONOMY
Two more operational programmes (OPs), Competitiveness and Transport, received positive compliance assessment on Wednesday.The total resource that will be available for small and mid-sized businesses under the Competitiveness OP is 1.3 billion euro, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said. The financial framework for OP Transport is 2 billion euro. Borissov said he hoped that Bulgaria would receive positive assessments under the remaining three operational programmes by the end of the week.
***
"Troud" cites figures of the Bulgarian National Bank, showing 12 new "bank" millionaires in the fourth quarter of 2009. Some 360 households andindividuals have bank deposits which exceed one million leva, totalling 879.9 million leva.
Over 40 per cent, or 22,191 million leva of all loans extended in 2009 were over the one million leva mark. By the end of 20009, 5,238 natural persons and legal entities received seven-digit loans. Their number is 44 down compared with the third quarter of 2009, according to "Klassa". Some 5,124 businesses took loans of over one million leva, worth a total of 21,987 million leva. Their number was 45 down from September. Some 114 natural persons took loans of over one million leva, worth nearly 205 million leva.
***
Associate Professor Vladimir Adamov, Rector of the Svishtov Academy of Economics, has been suspected of plagiarism and will likely be stripped of his doctoral degree.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
· http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
· http://www.novinite.com/index.php
· http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – February 11, 2010
· A protected witness of the prosecution in the trial of notorious suspected crime leaders Krassimir and Nikolai Marinov, aka the Marguins, faces perjury charges after he denied knowing them. Sofia City Prosecutor Nikolai Kokinov said that shortly after a hearing on the Marguins' case here Thursday. The witness, Ivo Ilchev, was brought to the courtroom wearing a mask for the Marguins case hearing and was questioned behind a screen. He told the court he does not know and has never spoken to the Marguin brothers.Prosecutor Kokinov said Ilchev had told him that he was threatened after the previous hearing on the case. He said that the prosecuting office have the telephone number of the person who called to threaten the witness and will investigate the case.
· Bulgaria's foreign trade balance in January-December 2009 (with exports in FOB prices and imports in CIF prices) was negative and totalled minus 9,600 million leva, or 9,700 million leva less than in 2008, the National Statistical Institute said Thursday.In FOB/FOB prices (after eliminating the expenses for transport and insurance for imports), the foreign trade deficit amounted to 8,000 million leva, reaching its peak in March and April.According to preliminary estimates, Bulgaria's foreign trade turnover in January - December 2009 amounted to 55,700 million leva at current prices, registering a drop by 29.3 per cent year on year. The imports (in CIF prices) declined by 33.4 per cent from a year earlier and totalled 32,700 million leva. Imports exceeded exports in 2009, in line with 2008 trends. The value of imports exceeded the value of exports by nearly 42 per cent. Following a lasting tendency of recent years, the turnover in the third quarter of 2009 was the highest. Exports and imports peaked in the fourth quarter of 2009, reaching respectively 28 per cent and 26.1 per cent of their annual volumes.
· Bulgaria has received positive compliance assessment for two more operational programmes, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov told journalists in Brussels Thursday. Operational Programme Administrative Capacity is worth 132 million euro and Environment is worth 1,460 million euro, Borissov said before the informal meeting of the heads of state or government of the EU 27. The Operational Programme Administrative Capacity received today a positive compliance assessment, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Simeon Djankov told a news conference Thursday. This makes it the fifth operational programme to receive positive compliance assessment in three days after OP Competitiveness and Transport the previous day, and Technical Assistance and Regional Development a day before. Djankov pointed out that the total sum of interim payments which Bulgaria can use now amounts to 132 million euro.
onsdag den 10. februar 2010
Bulgarian press review, February 10, 2010
Press Review
Sofia, February 10 (BTA)
HOME SCENE
Interviewed by "Dnevnik", Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov says that an operation codenamed "Octopus" is being launched, which is expected to show the real picture of the State. It will also show what happened during the transition period while the octopus was growing stronger and its tentacles reached into all echelons of the executive, the legislature and of every branch which exercises control. This is influence peddling, the problem which exists in reality. The lack of a political will in the last 20 years has led to the assessments in the European Commission reports, which are also the views of the Bulgarian public, Tsvetanov says.
***
"Troud" reports that Boyko Borissov will gain one MP at the expense of Ahmed Dogan's Movement for Rights and Freedoms parliamentary group. The calculation was made by election expert Mihail Kostantinov ahead of a Constitutional Court ruling on an application that challenged voting in Turkey during the Bulgarian parliamentary election last summer. Two more groups will see changes. Ventsislav Vurbanov will return to the Blue Coalition, and Atanas Semov, close to Yane Yanev of the former Order, Lawfulness, Justice group, will be replaced by an MP from Gabrovo. The Court put off its decision until next Tuesday.
***
"Standart News" writes that Bulgaria will become a centre of the secret services in the Balkans. This was announced by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on his return from a two-day working visit to London. He explained that several very powerful centres of the secret services can be set up in Bulgaria to fight organized crime and drug trafficking in the country and the Balkans. Negotiations to this effect have begun with the leaders of the largest crime-fighting units in Britain.
***
"Troud" says that the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) called on all Bulgarians who swapped private land for state-owned land to cancel the deals because the European Commission is threatening to impose sanctions of the order of millions of euros. Leader Martin Dimitrov said these swaps constitute state aid, as suspected by the EC. If the swaps are not declared invalid on a voluntary basis, the government should start cancelling them, the UDF also said, asking GERB not to explain to the EC that the swaps constitute an offence and not state aid.
***
Stoyan Koushlev says in "Standart News" that his commission on criminal assets has started legal action for assets worth 150 million leva. Twenty-one proceedings were instituted in January, compared with 12 or 13 a month as a rule. Fourteen decisions were made in favour of attachment to the amount of 24 million leva. In January alone, seven cases for confiscation of property were instituted. A crisis always breeds crime, he concludes.
***
In "Troud" Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova says that it costs about 500,000 leva to properly clear the snow in major boulevards and streets used by public transport. The latest snow cost the capital about the same as the construction of two kindergartens - one million leva. Fandakova also says that Sofia should implement a number of construction projects in 2010 and 2011, which will cause some inconveniences to residents. Thirty projects are in progress now and their number will increase.
***
In "24 Chassa" Sergei Stanishev comments on a statement by left-wing municipal councillor Georgi Kadiev that he will compete for the leadership of the Bulgarian Socialist Party. Stanishev says he is unperturbed by this bid, adding that Kadiev can try for the leadership at the congress in the autumn.
***
In an opinion piece on the parties in office and in opposition, "Sega" comments that if GERB fails, it may not survive in opposition. If this "laboratory experiment" (a reference to GERB) fails, Democrats for Strong Bulgaria, the UDF and Ataka will go under, too. Although much weaker, the Socialist Party will survive, and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms may see its dream of running the country on its own come true.
THE ECONOMY
"Pari" has interviewed economists, financiers and politicians, who concur that a balanced budget is a good thing, but it should not be achieved at the expense of companies. Economists Georgi Ganev and Georgi Angelov believe that a balanced budget is fully feasible this year due to the improved economic outlook. However, former deputy finance minister Krassimir Katev says it is not right to stifle businesses just for the sake of a balanced budget and of joining the eurozone. He warns that unless the government pays its obligations to companies, a wave of corporate failures may occur.
"24 Chassa" reports that all costs of the three electricity distribution companies will be carefully analysed and reduced so as not to have a rise in electricity prices from July 1. The distribution companies have also been advised to cut spending if possible. The daily quotes Angel Semerdjiev, chairman of the state energy and water regulator.
"24 Chassa" reports that tendering for Lot 3 of the Trakia Motorway will be launched by February 15 at the latest. The procedure for Lot 4 will most likely be advanced, and the two procedures will run almost parallel. Regional Development Minister Rosen Plevneliev is quoted as saying that Trakia may prove to be the lowest-budget motorway in Europe. Bulgarian consortium Motorway Thrace made an offer for less than 2.2 million euro per kilometre for Lot 2 last Friday, while the government has planned a budget of 3 million euro/km.
BULGARIA, EU
"Troud" reports that the European Parliament approved the Barroso 2 Commission on Tuesday, and Kristalina Georgieva took over from Meglena Kuneva in front of Bulgaria's 17 MEPs. Kuneva described Georgieva as a very good professional, whose experience at the World Bank will be useful in the new European Commission. In turn, Georgieva said that Kuneva's performance made an excellent impression in Europe, which will help the new Bulgarian commissioner.
"Sega" says on its front page that Brussels finally released 1,300 million euro for Bulgaria, giving it access to EU money for the first two of seven operational programmes after a positive compliance assessment from the European Commission. Before that Stanishev's government had two negative assessments. Bulgaria will have access to 1,300 million euro under Operational Programme Regional Development, and to 48.2 million euro under OP Technical Assistance. Thus Bulgaria was given access to 1,400 million euro, one fifth of the EU money available until 2013. "When the facts and Brussels speak, everyone should remain silent," Borissov said on Tuesday. However, he and the ministers said the problem with the absorption of EU money lies in the lack of projects. "The entire economic team will work towards more and better quality projects," Borissov said.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
· http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
· http://www.novinite.com/index.php
· http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – February 10, 2010
Special joint operation of the Ministry of Interior and State Agency National Security (SANS) called Octopus is underway, press centre of the Ministry of Interior announced. Twelve people have been detained so far within the course of Octopus operation that is carrying out in the capital. The operation has been launched last night under the direction of the Prosecutor’s Office.
***
“Five striptease bars and 13 night clubs have been inspected during the special police operation in Sofia tonight,” Minister of Interior Tsvetan Tsvetanov said for Focus News Agency.
***
Regarding the announced 24-hour strike in Greece today traffic of sleeping cars between Sofia and Athens has been canceled, included in the train composition of two international fast trains between Bulgaria and Greece.
***
Minutes after the “Barroso II” Commission received the approval of the European Parliament, the new Bulgarian European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva convinced her colleagues to grant more financial aid to Haiti that is currently recovering from the devastating earthquake that struck the country on January 12, the Standart daily reported, quoting Nova TV.
Sofia, February 10 (BTA)
HOME SCENE
Interviewed by "Dnevnik", Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov says that an operation codenamed "Octopus" is being launched, which is expected to show the real picture of the State. It will also show what happened during the transition period while the octopus was growing stronger and its tentacles reached into all echelons of the executive, the legislature and of every branch which exercises control. This is influence peddling, the problem which exists in reality. The lack of a political will in the last 20 years has led to the assessments in the European Commission reports, which are also the views of the Bulgarian public, Tsvetanov says.
***
"Troud" reports that Boyko Borissov will gain one MP at the expense of Ahmed Dogan's Movement for Rights and Freedoms parliamentary group. The calculation was made by election expert Mihail Kostantinov ahead of a Constitutional Court ruling on an application that challenged voting in Turkey during the Bulgarian parliamentary election last summer. Two more groups will see changes. Ventsislav Vurbanov will return to the Blue Coalition, and Atanas Semov, close to Yane Yanev of the former Order, Lawfulness, Justice group, will be replaced by an MP from Gabrovo. The Court put off its decision until next Tuesday.
***
"Standart News" writes that Bulgaria will become a centre of the secret services in the Balkans. This was announced by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on his return from a two-day working visit to London. He explained that several very powerful centres of the secret services can be set up in Bulgaria to fight organized crime and drug trafficking in the country and the Balkans. Negotiations to this effect have begun with the leaders of the largest crime-fighting units in Britain.
***
"Troud" says that the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) called on all Bulgarians who swapped private land for state-owned land to cancel the deals because the European Commission is threatening to impose sanctions of the order of millions of euros. Leader Martin Dimitrov said these swaps constitute state aid, as suspected by the EC. If the swaps are not declared invalid on a voluntary basis, the government should start cancelling them, the UDF also said, asking GERB not to explain to the EC that the swaps constitute an offence and not state aid.
***
Stoyan Koushlev says in "Standart News" that his commission on criminal assets has started legal action for assets worth 150 million leva. Twenty-one proceedings were instituted in January, compared with 12 or 13 a month as a rule. Fourteen decisions were made in favour of attachment to the amount of 24 million leva. In January alone, seven cases for confiscation of property were instituted. A crisis always breeds crime, he concludes.
***
In "Troud" Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova says that it costs about 500,000 leva to properly clear the snow in major boulevards and streets used by public transport. The latest snow cost the capital about the same as the construction of two kindergartens - one million leva. Fandakova also says that Sofia should implement a number of construction projects in 2010 and 2011, which will cause some inconveniences to residents. Thirty projects are in progress now and their number will increase.
***
In "24 Chassa" Sergei Stanishev comments on a statement by left-wing municipal councillor Georgi Kadiev that he will compete for the leadership of the Bulgarian Socialist Party. Stanishev says he is unperturbed by this bid, adding that Kadiev can try for the leadership at the congress in the autumn.
***
In an opinion piece on the parties in office and in opposition, "Sega" comments that if GERB fails, it may not survive in opposition. If this "laboratory experiment" (a reference to GERB) fails, Democrats for Strong Bulgaria, the UDF and Ataka will go under, too. Although much weaker, the Socialist Party will survive, and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms may see its dream of running the country on its own come true.
THE ECONOMY
"Pari" has interviewed economists, financiers and politicians, who concur that a balanced budget is a good thing, but it should not be achieved at the expense of companies. Economists Georgi Ganev and Georgi Angelov believe that a balanced budget is fully feasible this year due to the improved economic outlook. However, former deputy finance minister Krassimir Katev says it is not right to stifle businesses just for the sake of a balanced budget and of joining the eurozone. He warns that unless the government pays its obligations to companies, a wave of corporate failures may occur.
"24 Chassa" reports that all costs of the three electricity distribution companies will be carefully analysed and reduced so as not to have a rise in electricity prices from July 1. The distribution companies have also been advised to cut spending if possible. The daily quotes Angel Semerdjiev, chairman of the state energy and water regulator.
"24 Chassa" reports that tendering for Lot 3 of the Trakia Motorway will be launched by February 15 at the latest. The procedure for Lot 4 will most likely be advanced, and the two procedures will run almost parallel. Regional Development Minister Rosen Plevneliev is quoted as saying that Trakia may prove to be the lowest-budget motorway in Europe. Bulgarian consortium Motorway Thrace made an offer for less than 2.2 million euro per kilometre for Lot 2 last Friday, while the government has planned a budget of 3 million euro/km.
BULGARIA, EU
"Troud" reports that the European Parliament approved the Barroso 2 Commission on Tuesday, and Kristalina Georgieva took over from Meglena Kuneva in front of Bulgaria's 17 MEPs. Kuneva described Georgieva as a very good professional, whose experience at the World Bank will be useful in the new European Commission. In turn, Georgieva said that Kuneva's performance made an excellent impression in Europe, which will help the new Bulgarian commissioner.
"Sega" says on its front page that Brussels finally released 1,300 million euro for Bulgaria, giving it access to EU money for the first two of seven operational programmes after a positive compliance assessment from the European Commission. Before that Stanishev's government had two negative assessments. Bulgaria will have access to 1,300 million euro under Operational Programme Regional Development, and to 48.2 million euro under OP Technical Assistance. Thus Bulgaria was given access to 1,400 million euro, one fifth of the EU money available until 2013. "When the facts and Brussels speak, everyone should remain silent," Borissov said on Tuesday. However, he and the ministers said the problem with the absorption of EU money lies in the lack of projects. "The entire economic team will work towards more and better quality projects," Borissov said.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
· http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
· http://www.novinite.com/index.php
· http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – February 10, 2010
Special joint operation of the Ministry of Interior and State Agency National Security (SANS) called Octopus is underway, press centre of the Ministry of Interior announced. Twelve people have been detained so far within the course of Octopus operation that is carrying out in the capital. The operation has been launched last night under the direction of the Prosecutor’s Office.
***
“Five striptease bars and 13 night clubs have been inspected during the special police operation in Sofia tonight,” Minister of Interior Tsvetan Tsvetanov said for Focus News Agency.
***
Regarding the announced 24-hour strike in Greece today traffic of sleeping cars between Sofia and Athens has been canceled, included in the train composition of two international fast trains between Bulgaria and Greece.
***
Minutes after the “Barroso II” Commission received the approval of the European Parliament, the new Bulgarian European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva convinced her colleagues to grant more financial aid to Haiti that is currently recovering from the devastating earthquake that struck the country on January 12, the Standart daily reported, quoting Nova TV.
tirsdag den 9. februar 2010
Bulgarian press review, February 9, 2010
Press Review
Sofia, February 9
FOREIGN POLICY
Bulgaria should be invited immediately to join the Eurozone because of its low budget deficit, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said at his meeting with visiting Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borissov, "Klassa" writes. Brown promised to lobby the European Council on February 11 for making the Nabucco gas pipeline project a priority of the entire EU. "Monitor" quotes the British PM as saying that he will do his best for lifting all restrictions for Bulgarians willing to work in Britain. Britons will invest 100 million leva in a Bulgarian electric car plant, "Standart News" says in a subtitle. The investment project is of the US fund Quorus Ventures, and the money will be provided by British companies. This is what PM Borissov said after a meeting with Quorus Ventures officials.
* * *
"24 Chassa" tells about the arrest of Bulgarian medical workers of the children's hospital in Benghazi, Libya, on February 9, 1999 on suspicion of involvement in the infection of 363 Libyan children with HIV.
HOME SCENE
Two sectors of key importance for Bulgaria's security - healthcare workers and policemen, on Monday warned they would rebel, "Sega" says. Medical workers are discontented with cutting the money for healthcare and the closure of hospitals, and policemen will stage protests if they are not provided with decent pay and normal working conditions. "Doctors Issue Ultimatum, "Douma" writes commenting on the issue. Medical workers insist on increasing the budget for healthcare so that it reaches the 2009 level; if their demands are not met by 17:00 hrs local time on February 15, their steering committee will fix a date for a nation-wide protest. "The situation of the Interior Ministry employees is worsening. We want to talk with the prime minister and tell him our discontent is not politically motivated," Policemen's Trade Union leader Ivan Savov said as quoted by "24 Chassa." Police employees insist on increasing the allowances they are given for clothes and food, as well as on raising their base remuneration. They are also dissatisfied with having been deprived of the specific working conditions supplement they were paid before. The Health Ministry responded by massive checks at hospitals; the Interior Ministry blamed the worsening situation on the crisis, "Sega" notes.
* * *
The State should be refunded the difference between the higher market value and the lower prices of woodlands that passed into private hands through swaps, otherwise the European Commission may open an infringement procedure against Bulgaria over providing unauthorized state aid, "Sega" writes referring to sources in the European Court in Luxembourg. Practically, this means that the government should ask the new owners of the woodlands acquired through swaps to pay that difference. If the money is not refunded, Brussels may claim it in the form of a fine plus penalty interest. The way out is not in cancelling the swaps but making them at market prices, Emil Dimitrov MP of GERB says in an interview for "24 Chassa." He has waived his immunity as MP over a scandal with such swaps. "Troud" also carries an interview Dimitrov headlining it "Woodlands Are Expensive If their Status Is Changed."
* * *
The Super Borovets project is deblocked, the Bulgarian partners are surprised, "Troud" says. It quotes a Reuters release which refers to an anonymous representative of the State Fund of the Sultanate of Oman who said that the Super Borovets project would be completed in 2012 and that 800 million euro would be invested in it. The Fund is the major investor in the mega-project for the Borovets mountain resort (Samokov Municipality). However, Samokov Mayor Angel Nikolov and one of the minor investors, Glavbulgarstroy, have been surprised by the statement that came from Muscat. No work is done on the project, the first sod for which was turned in October 2007, they said.
* * *
Voters like PM Borissov's spontaneous reactions but cause the cabinet ministers to feel uncertain, Genoveva Petrova, Executive Director of the Alpha Research Agency, says in an interview for "Dnevnik." In her words, Borissov's is an almost authoritarian mechanism of government, untypical for the government of a democracy.
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
"24 Chassa" carries an item that tells about one of the wealthiest men in Bulgaria, Veliko Zhelev, who was advisor to two former ministers of regional development and public works, Valentin Tserovski and Asen Gagaouzov. Varna-based companies linked to Zhelev won public procurement contracts for 143.6 million leva before VAT. At the time (2004-2008) he held a senior position at the National Road Infrastructure Agency and was advisor to the said ministers. Zhelev ex-wife and an ex-partner of his held interests in the companies which got the contracts. Zhelev's brother was a member of the Management Board and executive director of one of these companies. The prosecuting authorities have initiated proceedings against an unknown perpetrator; the State Agency for National security (SANS) is investigating the case.
* * *
In the past year, many of the special services in the world have not worked with their Bulgarian counterparts. They were directly told: "We will not work with you but I would not tell why because there are foreign media here," PM Borissov said hours before his meeting with the British MI6 in London on Monday, "24 Chassa" writes.
* * *
The National Centre for Safe Internet will work for the establishment of a public register of persons convicted of sexual abuse of children, "Novinar" says. The idea is to publish the names and pictures of sexual abusers. Thus parents could check if there are such persons in the neighbourhood they and their children live. If this is unacceptable, then the Centre proposes that the register be made available to schools and other institutions working with children.
* * *
Policeman Yordan Kostov who, according to the Interior Ministry, is involved with a gang of kidnappers that now is widely known as "The Impudents," has helped resolve a number of killings, including the murder of the Belneyski sisters, "24 Chassa" says. Kostov has been arrested for taking bribes from inmates willing to be allowed a home leave or get more lenient treatment. However, he was conferred a lot of awards and was punished only twice. He was transferred from the Dobrich police to Sofia in 2000 after he was checked for unauthorized contacts with local business circles. Reportedly, even now Kostov has connections with businessmen and politicians of all parties. According to the author of the item, in his relations with prison inmates Kostov most probably was just doing his work, trying to get information and it was just natural to offer them something in return. As to the home leaves, he arranged them thanks to his connections in the prison administrations and the prosecuting magistracy.
ECONOMY
Having polled economists, "Dnevnik" writes that more forecasts are for about a 5 per cent drop in Bulgarian economy. One of the reasons is the shrinkage of domestic demand which proved to be so serious that even the Christmas and New Year season consumption failed to stimulate the economy as expected. Delayed payments to the private sector by the government and the local authorities also had an adverse effect on the economic growth. The daily recalls that in the autumn of 2009 the government forecast a drop of 6.3 per cent in the economy but later adopted a more optimistic view predicting a contraction of 4.9 per cent. As a result of the rising number of companies in trouble and the active rescheduling and renegotiation of debts in the past year, the banks are increasingly often seeking the services of consulting companies in relation to acquisitions, "Dnevnik" writes referring to a survey of its own. The purpose is finding investors ready to put money in otherwise viable companies which have temporary troubles or establishing a company specially for the purpose of buying out companies in trouble or shares therein, financing the deals with bank loans.
* * *
The press writes about traffic problems arising in connection with the latest heavy snowfalls.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
· http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
· http://www.novinite.com/index.php
· http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – Sofia, February 9, 2010
· The Koulata-Promachonas border checkpoint (between Bulgaria and Greece) was opened at 10.30 am on Tuesday to let 100 trucks in each direction, Commissioner Todor Georgiev, head of the Border Police in Smolyan, told BTA. Some 170 trucks were waiting to pass into Greece. The border authorities on the Bulgarian side are facilitating a speedy passage. The checkpoint, blocked by protesting Greek farmers, was last open to trucks on Sunday afternoon. Since then only cars and buses have been allowed through. The Bulgarian border authorities have no available information of protesting farmers' plans or how long this schedule will be kept.Traffic through the three remaining checkpoint along the Bulgarian-Greek border is normal, said Commissioner Georgiev.
· A police officer was killed and another one was injured in a domestic incident in Enina, Sough-Central Bulgaria, Monday night, the Interior Ministry said. The two policemen responded to an alert for a row in a local home, and were attacked by the home owner. The pepetrator was arrested.
· The energy regulator has instructed the three power distribution companies in Bulgaria, CEZ, EVN and E.ON, to use any internal reserves that may be available, to preclude an increase of electricity prices from the middle of the year, regulator chief Angel Semerdjiev said Tuesday. He suggested that such reserves could come from cost cutting by the companies.
Sofia, February 9
FOREIGN POLICY
Bulgaria should be invited immediately to join the Eurozone because of its low budget deficit, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said at his meeting with visiting Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borissov, "Klassa" writes. Brown promised to lobby the European Council on February 11 for making the Nabucco gas pipeline project a priority of the entire EU. "Monitor" quotes the British PM as saying that he will do his best for lifting all restrictions for Bulgarians willing to work in Britain. Britons will invest 100 million leva in a Bulgarian electric car plant, "Standart News" says in a subtitle. The investment project is of the US fund Quorus Ventures, and the money will be provided by British companies. This is what PM Borissov said after a meeting with Quorus Ventures officials.
* * *
"24 Chassa" tells about the arrest of Bulgarian medical workers of the children's hospital in Benghazi, Libya, on February 9, 1999 on suspicion of involvement in the infection of 363 Libyan children with HIV.
HOME SCENE
Two sectors of key importance for Bulgaria's security - healthcare workers and policemen, on Monday warned they would rebel, "Sega" says. Medical workers are discontented with cutting the money for healthcare and the closure of hospitals, and policemen will stage protests if they are not provided with decent pay and normal working conditions. "Doctors Issue Ultimatum, "Douma" writes commenting on the issue. Medical workers insist on increasing the budget for healthcare so that it reaches the 2009 level; if their demands are not met by 17:00 hrs local time on February 15, their steering committee will fix a date for a nation-wide protest. "The situation of the Interior Ministry employees is worsening. We want to talk with the prime minister and tell him our discontent is not politically motivated," Policemen's Trade Union leader Ivan Savov said as quoted by "24 Chassa." Police employees insist on increasing the allowances they are given for clothes and food, as well as on raising their base remuneration. They are also dissatisfied with having been deprived of the specific working conditions supplement they were paid before. The Health Ministry responded by massive checks at hospitals; the Interior Ministry blamed the worsening situation on the crisis, "Sega" notes.
* * *
The State should be refunded the difference between the higher market value and the lower prices of woodlands that passed into private hands through swaps, otherwise the European Commission may open an infringement procedure against Bulgaria over providing unauthorized state aid, "Sega" writes referring to sources in the European Court in Luxembourg. Practically, this means that the government should ask the new owners of the woodlands acquired through swaps to pay that difference. If the money is not refunded, Brussels may claim it in the form of a fine plus penalty interest. The way out is not in cancelling the swaps but making them at market prices, Emil Dimitrov MP of GERB says in an interview for "24 Chassa." He has waived his immunity as MP over a scandal with such swaps. "Troud" also carries an interview Dimitrov headlining it "Woodlands Are Expensive If their Status Is Changed."
* * *
The Super Borovets project is deblocked, the Bulgarian partners are surprised, "Troud" says. It quotes a Reuters release which refers to an anonymous representative of the State Fund of the Sultanate of Oman who said that the Super Borovets project would be completed in 2012 and that 800 million euro would be invested in it. The Fund is the major investor in the mega-project for the Borovets mountain resort (Samokov Municipality). However, Samokov Mayor Angel Nikolov and one of the minor investors, Glavbulgarstroy, have been surprised by the statement that came from Muscat. No work is done on the project, the first sod for which was turned in October 2007, they said.
* * *
Voters like PM Borissov's spontaneous reactions but cause the cabinet ministers to feel uncertain, Genoveva Petrova, Executive Director of the Alpha Research Agency, says in an interview for "Dnevnik." In her words, Borissov's is an almost authoritarian mechanism of government, untypical for the government of a democracy.
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
"24 Chassa" carries an item that tells about one of the wealthiest men in Bulgaria, Veliko Zhelev, who was advisor to two former ministers of regional development and public works, Valentin Tserovski and Asen Gagaouzov. Varna-based companies linked to Zhelev won public procurement contracts for 143.6 million leva before VAT. At the time (2004-2008) he held a senior position at the National Road Infrastructure Agency and was advisor to the said ministers. Zhelev ex-wife and an ex-partner of his held interests in the companies which got the contracts. Zhelev's brother was a member of the Management Board and executive director of one of these companies. The prosecuting authorities have initiated proceedings against an unknown perpetrator; the State Agency for National security (SANS) is investigating the case.
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In the past year, many of the special services in the world have not worked with their Bulgarian counterparts. They were directly told: "We will not work with you but I would not tell why because there are foreign media here," PM Borissov said hours before his meeting with the British MI6 in London on Monday, "24 Chassa" writes.
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The National Centre for Safe Internet will work for the establishment of a public register of persons convicted of sexual abuse of children, "Novinar" says. The idea is to publish the names and pictures of sexual abusers. Thus parents could check if there are such persons in the neighbourhood they and their children live. If this is unacceptable, then the Centre proposes that the register be made available to schools and other institutions working with children.
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Policeman Yordan Kostov who, according to the Interior Ministry, is involved with a gang of kidnappers that now is widely known as "The Impudents," has helped resolve a number of killings, including the murder of the Belneyski sisters, "24 Chassa" says. Kostov has been arrested for taking bribes from inmates willing to be allowed a home leave or get more lenient treatment. However, he was conferred a lot of awards and was punished only twice. He was transferred from the Dobrich police to Sofia in 2000 after he was checked for unauthorized contacts with local business circles. Reportedly, even now Kostov has connections with businessmen and politicians of all parties. According to the author of the item, in his relations with prison inmates Kostov most probably was just doing his work, trying to get information and it was just natural to offer them something in return. As to the home leaves, he arranged them thanks to his connections in the prison administrations and the prosecuting magistracy.
ECONOMY
Having polled economists, "Dnevnik" writes that more forecasts are for about a 5 per cent drop in Bulgarian economy. One of the reasons is the shrinkage of domestic demand which proved to be so serious that even the Christmas and New Year season consumption failed to stimulate the economy as expected. Delayed payments to the private sector by the government and the local authorities also had an adverse effect on the economic growth. The daily recalls that in the autumn of 2009 the government forecast a drop of 6.3 per cent in the economy but later adopted a more optimistic view predicting a contraction of 4.9 per cent. As a result of the rising number of companies in trouble and the active rescheduling and renegotiation of debts in the past year, the banks are increasingly often seeking the services of consulting companies in relation to acquisitions, "Dnevnik" writes referring to a survey of its own. The purpose is finding investors ready to put money in otherwise viable companies which have temporary troubles or establishing a company specially for the purpose of buying out companies in trouble or shares therein, financing the deals with bank loans.
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The press writes about traffic problems arising in connection with the latest heavy snowfalls.
Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:
· http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
· http://www.novinite.com/index.php
· http://www.focus-fen.net/
Most discussed topics of the day – Sofia, February 9, 2010
· The Koulata-Promachonas border checkpoint (between Bulgaria and Greece) was opened at 10.30 am on Tuesday to let 100 trucks in each direction, Commissioner Todor Georgiev, head of the Border Police in Smolyan, told BTA. Some 170 trucks were waiting to pass into Greece. The border authorities on the Bulgarian side are facilitating a speedy passage. The checkpoint, blocked by protesting Greek farmers, was last open to trucks on Sunday afternoon. Since then only cars and buses have been allowed through. The Bulgarian border authorities have no available information of protesting farmers' plans or how long this schedule will be kept.Traffic through the three remaining checkpoint along the Bulgarian-Greek border is normal, said Commissioner Georgiev.
· A police officer was killed and another one was injured in a domestic incident in Enina, Sough-Central Bulgaria, Monday night, the Interior Ministry said. The two policemen responded to an alert for a row in a local home, and were attacked by the home owner. The pepetrator was arrested.
· The energy regulator has instructed the three power distribution companies in Bulgaria, CEZ, EVN and E.ON, to use any internal reserves that may be available, to preclude an increase of electricity prices from the middle of the year, regulator chief Angel Semerdjiev said Tuesday. He suggested that such reserves could come from cost cutting by the companies.
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