Press Review
Sofia, January 20
BULGARIA – EU
Most newspapers lead with the news that the new Bulgarian candidate for European commissioner is Kristalina Georgieva, currently Vice-President of the World Bank. Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has informed European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso about his intention to suggest Georgieva as member of the EC. Commenting on Rumiana Jeleva's withdrawal as Commissioner-designate, Barroso said he "fully respected" her "personal decision."
* * *
Although Borissov did not accept Jeleva's resignation as foreign minister, too, "Troud" writes there are speculations about her possible successor. The candidates include Deputy Foreign Minister Marin Raikov; the Bulgarian ambassador to the European Union in Brussels, Boyko Kotsev; the former ambassador to the United Nations, Stefan Tafrov; the new deputy foreign minister, Konstantin Dimitrov (affiliated to the Democrats for Strong Bulgaria).
* * *
According to "Sega," by staying in the cabinet Jeleva is in breach of the principles of at least two statutory acts - on administration and on the prevention of conflict of interest, because she has not ended her participation in the management of the company ETKO Schneiders.
* * *
"A strong candidature in Jeleva's place," "Novinar" says in a subtitle on the topic. "Klassa" quotes Georgieva as saying: "It is difficult, but we will manage it." "Klassa" publishes Georgieva's profile under the headline "All Is Work."
* * *
Commenting on the EC portfolio she would get, Georgieva says, as quoted in "Troud," that it has themes in it that are close to what she is in charge of at the World Bank. In her words, her experience at the mega-bank will help for her successful presentation at the hearing in the European Parliament.
* * *
"Standart News" discusses Georgieva's nomination under the headline "European Commissioner from America."
* * *
"24 Chassa" observes that Borissov has suggested his "strongest possible player." Georgieva has huge experience on the world scene, she knows the hot spots in the world, has been in very dangerous situations and knows how to react to particular problems, the daily says. Her experience at the World Bank is just another advantage. Brussels can now be relieved that Bulgaria is going to name an elite player forgetting any party biases.
In "Standart News" Borislav Borislavov, Rector of the University of National and World economics, describes Georgieva as an excellent specialist; Stoyan Aleksandrov of the same university, who is former finance minister, says she is an "unshakable authority."
* * *
Political scientist Andrei Raichev observes in "Troud" that Borissov is Bulgaria's first prime minister who knows how to "go into reverse gear" and still have complete control of the power.
* * *
The press reports that Borissov has sent a letter to the EC President Barroso insisting that urgent measures be taken to end the blockade of the Bulgarian-Greek border that prevents the free movement of goods and people. Bulgarian economy will suffer a loss of at least 10 million euro as a result of the blockade on the Greek side of the border, "Standart News" notes.
* * *
Bulgaria wants 10 million euro in compensation for the border blockade, "Ataka" says.
* * *
"Douma" says tourism in Sandanski, Bansko and the entire surrounding area has collapsed totally due to the blockade.
HOME SCENE
"Telegraf" runs an interview with Health Minister Bozhidar Nanev who says that his Ministry plans the opening of 100 emergency rooms. A doctor on 12-hour emergency duty will be paid between 60 and 100 leva (about 30-50 euro).
* * *
"The State Agency for National Security (SANS) is examining my papers to find out if my visit to the US in November 2009 involved a conflict of interest. Should they find there is something irregular about it, I am prepared to resign," "24 Chassa" quotes Health Minister Nanev as saying on Kanal 3 TV. Talking to "24 Chassa," however, Nanev said he had in mind taking on responsibility and not resigning. In November the US-based company Osteotech, Inc. paid the flight fare and hotel accommodation of a group of Bulgarians invited to the US by the Euro-Atlantic Fund (EAF) and the Americans of Bulgarian Descent Federation. The delegation included Nanev, Transplants Executive Agency Director Teodora Djaleva and EAF member Roumen Hichev. Hichev is vice president of Osteotech's daughter company Osteocenter Bulgaria, which exports tissue from corpse donors and imports allografts for the US-based company.
* * *
A new approach to the reform of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences envisages to merge its institutes with universities concerned with similar scientific fields, Education and Science Minister Sergei Ignatov says in "Monitor." The first step to the merger would be the conclusion of framework agreements.
Some 15,000 permanent jobs in tourism have been lost in a year, "Douma" quotes Bulgarian Tourist Chamber Chairman Tsvetan Tonchev as saying. In 2008, nearly 110,000 people were permanently employed in the tourism industry. During the same period, the seasonal workers decreased by 30,000 from nearly 180,000 before.Branch organization surveys show that the volume of work in tourism has not decreased, but prices are falling, "Douma" observes.
* * *
The retirement age in Bulgaria will become 65 years for both men and women but people would have a chance to retire earlier - at 60 for women and at 63 for men, former deputy prime minister and social minister Lidia Shouleva, currently a member of the Consultative Council on Pension Reform, says in "24 Chassa." However, those who retire earlier will get smaller pensions.
* * *
"Pari" quotes Plamen Bonev, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Radomir Metal Industries, as saying that Bulgaria's industry has been ruined by the thefts of energy monopolists who, with the consent of politicians, poured money into the Treasury, as well as in party funds.The newspaper carries an interview with Manuel Rivera, President of the Bulgarian-Catalonian Chamber of Commerce, who says that small businesses in Spain are looking for Bulgarian partners.
* * *
In a small country such as Bulgaria it is possible to limit the influence of organized crime because, except for the biggest cities, which are three or four, in all towns the locals know who belong to the underworld and what they do, "Tihomir Bezlov of the Centre for the Study of Democracy writes in "24 Chassa." In his words, it will take time to see a new generation uninvolved in the criminal redistribution of national wealth. This is the optimistic scenario, he notes. According to the pessimistic one, Bulgaria may remain in the periphery of the EU ridden by organized crime just like Southern Europe. Quoting Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov, Bezlov writes that "250-300
emblematic figures of the criminal world are harassing this country" and observes that there is a 70,000 strong army of policemen, prosecutors, investigators and SANS agents to counter them. He says further on that 14 years ago the then interior minister, Lyubomir Nachev, put the number of "bandits" at 2,315; in 2001 General Vassil Vassilev, who then headed the National Police Service Directorate, said they were 2,787; and ex-interior minister Roumen Petkov (2005-2008), put them at several hundred. Bezlov says that now an attempt is made to make an assessment of the really active and risky criminal structures.
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, January 20, 2010
· Boyko Borisov’s government will have two new ministers. Bulgaria’s current Defense Minister, Nikolay Mladenov, is going to become the new Bulgarian Foreign Minister replacing Rumiana Jeleva, and his deputy Anyu Angelov takes over the post of Defense minister. The reshuffle of the cabinet of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has to be confirmed by the Parliament before it takes effect.
· The Vice President of the World Bank, Kristalina Georgieva, has been approved by the Bulgarian government to be Bulgaria’s new EU Commissioner-Designate.
· At 11:00 a.m. Greek farmers again blocked Ilinden-Exohi checkpoint for all vehicles. Kulata checkpoint is closed for a second day due to the blockade at Promahonas checkpoint. 192 vehicles are waiting on the Bulgarian side of the checkpoint, with 185 of them being TIR trucks.
onsdag den 20. januar 2010
tirsdag den 19. januar 2010
Bulgarian press review, January 19, 2010
Press Review
Sofia, January 19(BTA)
THE HOME SCENE
"Troud" leads with the Monday meeting of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and the leadership of the Interior Ministry, the prosecuting magistracy and the State Agency for National Security (SANS), on the efforts against organized crime groups in Bulgaria. The story quotes the Prime Minister as saying that there are 250-300 people who harass Bulgaria and 70,000 policemen, investigators, prosecutors and SANS agents are trying to crush them. It also highlights the words of Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov who said that no adequate action was taken against these 250-300 major crime figures in the past, and that this situation will change now. Prosecutor General Boris Velchev reportedly said that they get full cooperation from the Interior Ministry and SANS and have a strong will to do away with organized crime in Bulgaria.
***
"Troud" reports that MP Hristo Bisserov (Movement for Rights and Freedoms) has put forward amendments to the Electronic Communications Act whereby Internet and phone operators will charge the law-enforcing services a fee for the printouts with their clients' communications. The idea of introducing a fee cropped up during a public debate last week when mobile phone operators complained that no other European country has a deadline of 2 hours within which cell phone providers are required to produce a printout of a user's phone calls upon the law-enforcers' request. The minimum required time for this is between 3 and 5 workdays, they said.
***
"Sega" runs a commentary ("Unions to Burn Down in the Flames of the Riot") on the situation in the railway sector and says that last week's protest of railway workers was spontaneous and took by surprise the trade union headquarters. The author believes that civil society in Bulgaria is changing its structure and official trade unions are losing their meaning. "Authentic leaders stand out and self-organizing communities come into being. Official structures go gradually down." The author goes on to comment that this is a sad conclusion because workers need reliable protection and employers need experienced mediators in resolving labour disputes.
***
In a "Troud" interview, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) President Nikola Subotinov says that the number of institutes with the Academy will be halved and the whole Academy will have a new structure. Decisions on whether to keep or lose institutes will be based on an international evaluation, the number of researchers capable of valuable research work, and the needs of society. The goal is to shed redundant administration, streamline the coordination procedures and improve the economic efficiency of research, the BAS President says.
***
A story in "Standard News" ("Phantoms in the Hospitals") says that hospitals facing closure are offering up to 3,000 leva under the table to medics to sign a contract with them only to secure the requisite number of medical specialists without actually using their services - or else get imminent closure and bankruptcy. The alarm for this new trick was sounded by the director of the municipal hospital in the Northern town of Byala Slatina.
In a "Monitor" interview, Dr Stoyan Alexandrov of the Health Ministry says that the restructuring of hospital services will help improve conditions for patients. He says that by January 20 it will be clear which hospitals will stay and which will be restructured - because they wonТt be shut down but will be transformed into facilities for follow-up treatment or hospices.
ECONOMY
Money invested in Bulgaria in 2009 totalled 2.6 billion euro, "Troud" writes quoting the head of InvestBulgaria Agency, Stoyan Stalev ("EUR2.6Bln Despite the Crisis"). Stalev used central bank premilinary figures. The like figure in 2008 was 6 billion euro. Bulgarians living and working abroad contributed over 2 billion leva last year, which is 38 per cent of the reported total investment. Indeed, last year's investment was smaller than before but even that was good, considering the circumstances, Stalev commented.
***
Another front-page story in this paper says that Bulgarians will have the freedom to choose when to retire instead of having to follow mandatory retirement age rules - if an idea which is being considered by an advisory board on pension reform is pushed through. The idea is to set an extended period of time (between the age of 60 and 65, or 63 and 65, for example) during which people can choose to retire or continue to work. It will make it easier for them to accept the change and will make them take the best decision about when to retire, the paper says quoting experts from the advisory board.
***
"Sega" reports estimates by the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA) that one in five Bulgarians will be out of job in 2010 and that real unemeployment will go up to 19-20 per cent. This is much higher than the government's forecast of 13.7 per cent of unemployed people this year. BIA says that this level was reached in late 2009 when 530,000 - 540,000 people were jobless. The Employment Agency reported 9.13 per cent unemployment in December which means that 338,000 Bulgarians were out of job at the time.
BULGARIA - EU
Most papers have updates on the procedure for the approval of EU Commissioner-designate Rumiana Jeleva by the European Parliament. "Brussels Concludes than Jeleva Is Clean" is a headline in "Standard News" which cites an opinion by the EP Legal Service quoted by Deutsche Welle Monday evening. According to this paper, this opinion ended the dispute over the Bulgarian commissioner-designate.
***
"Troud" says that the battle is "to at least save Jeleva's honour". Joseph Daul of the European People's Party Monday against called upon those who had questioned Jeleva's integrity, to appologize to her. "Many saw in his persistence an attempt to save Jeleva's honour and that of the EPP, in case they are unable to push through her designation. Everybody but her own party is against the Bulgarian [candidate] and she seems to stand in the way of Barroso Commission 2 to getting the majority they need for their approval," writes the "Troud" correspondent in Brussels.
***
In "24 Chassa", Justice Minister Margarita Popova says one shouldnТt go as far as finding fault with the Bulgarian legislation in his wish to say how strongly he dislikes a particular EU Commissioner-designate. It was Popova's comment to criticism by Bulgarian lawyers against a legal opinion by her Ministry which said that Jeleva broke no law with her declarations of financial interests. The Justice Minister further said that it makes sense to consider revisions to the law on the election of Bulgarian representatives to the EU and introduce the same rules for MEPs as those that apply for MPs. "But until then the restriction in the parliamentary rules of procedure which does not allow MPs to participate in companies, does not apply to MEPs," popova says.
***
"Sega" reports that Bulgaria is no longer the poorest EU nation. Latvia has the largest proportion of its population (26 per cent) threatened by poverty. Next is Romania with 23 per cent and only then comes Bulgaria with 21 per cent, according to Eurostat. The Czech Republic and Slovakia have the fewest poor (9 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively).
FOREIGN POLICY
"Sega" says that Bulgaria "tried to lift the Greek blockade with quiet diplomacy" but didnТt succeed. This emerged Monday when some of the checkpoints on the Bulgarian-Greek border remained sealed by protesting Greek farmers. Bulgarian Foreign Ministry spokesman Dragovest Goranov says (on Bulgarian National Radio), "Our country has not received an official reply from the Greek authorities further to our expression of concern over the blocked border. We will first take the matter to the European Commission but at this stage we are trying to find other opportunities for a political agreement with the Greek government."
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, January 19, 2010
· Bulgarian commissioner-designate Rumiana Jeleva has withdrawn her candidature and has resigned as foreign minister after pressure for her removal mounted both on the European and home front. Prime Minister Borisov received a letter from Zheleva, in which she wants to withdraw her candidacy as EU Commission and as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria. Bulgarian Prime Minister has refused to accept the resignation of Rumiana Jeleva as foreign minister. Sofia plans to send Kristalina Georgieva, currently a vice-president of the World Bank, as its replacement candidate. Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso also "took note" of Jeleva's decision and welcomed the "swift reaction of the Bulgarian government to this situation."
· Bulgarian Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, has requested EUR 10 M from the European Union for the ongoing blockade of the Bulgaria-Greek border by Greek farmers. He have sent a letter to the President of the European Commission Jose Barroso, seizing the Commission over violation of Articles 30-36 of the Treaty Establishing the European Community and Regulation 2679/98. Regarding to this Prime Minister insist on the European Commission to undertake urgent measures. Borisov said categorically that he wanted the border to be unblocked and that Bulgaria should not be punished for problems inside another EU country.
Sofia, January 19(BTA)
THE HOME SCENE
"Troud" leads with the Monday meeting of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and the leadership of the Interior Ministry, the prosecuting magistracy and the State Agency for National Security (SANS), on the efforts against organized crime groups in Bulgaria. The story quotes the Prime Minister as saying that there are 250-300 people who harass Bulgaria and 70,000 policemen, investigators, prosecutors and SANS agents are trying to crush them. It also highlights the words of Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov who said that no adequate action was taken against these 250-300 major crime figures in the past, and that this situation will change now. Prosecutor General Boris Velchev reportedly said that they get full cooperation from the Interior Ministry and SANS and have a strong will to do away with organized crime in Bulgaria.
***
"Troud" reports that MP Hristo Bisserov (Movement for Rights and Freedoms) has put forward amendments to the Electronic Communications Act whereby Internet and phone operators will charge the law-enforcing services a fee for the printouts with their clients' communications. The idea of introducing a fee cropped up during a public debate last week when mobile phone operators complained that no other European country has a deadline of 2 hours within which cell phone providers are required to produce a printout of a user's phone calls upon the law-enforcers' request. The minimum required time for this is between 3 and 5 workdays, they said.
***
"Sega" runs a commentary ("Unions to Burn Down in the Flames of the Riot") on the situation in the railway sector and says that last week's protest of railway workers was spontaneous and took by surprise the trade union headquarters. The author believes that civil society in Bulgaria is changing its structure and official trade unions are losing their meaning. "Authentic leaders stand out and self-organizing communities come into being. Official structures go gradually down." The author goes on to comment that this is a sad conclusion because workers need reliable protection and employers need experienced mediators in resolving labour disputes.
***
In a "Troud" interview, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) President Nikola Subotinov says that the number of institutes with the Academy will be halved and the whole Academy will have a new structure. Decisions on whether to keep or lose institutes will be based on an international evaluation, the number of researchers capable of valuable research work, and the needs of society. The goal is to shed redundant administration, streamline the coordination procedures and improve the economic efficiency of research, the BAS President says.
***
A story in "Standard News" ("Phantoms in the Hospitals") says that hospitals facing closure are offering up to 3,000 leva under the table to medics to sign a contract with them only to secure the requisite number of medical specialists without actually using their services - or else get imminent closure and bankruptcy. The alarm for this new trick was sounded by the director of the municipal hospital in the Northern town of Byala Slatina.
In a "Monitor" interview, Dr Stoyan Alexandrov of the Health Ministry says that the restructuring of hospital services will help improve conditions for patients. He says that by January 20 it will be clear which hospitals will stay and which will be restructured - because they wonТt be shut down but will be transformed into facilities for follow-up treatment or hospices.
ECONOMY
Money invested in Bulgaria in 2009 totalled 2.6 billion euro, "Troud" writes quoting the head of InvestBulgaria Agency, Stoyan Stalev ("EUR2.6Bln Despite the Crisis"). Stalev used central bank premilinary figures. The like figure in 2008 was 6 billion euro. Bulgarians living and working abroad contributed over 2 billion leva last year, which is 38 per cent of the reported total investment. Indeed, last year's investment was smaller than before but even that was good, considering the circumstances, Stalev commented.
***
Another front-page story in this paper says that Bulgarians will have the freedom to choose when to retire instead of having to follow mandatory retirement age rules - if an idea which is being considered by an advisory board on pension reform is pushed through. The idea is to set an extended period of time (between the age of 60 and 65, or 63 and 65, for example) during which people can choose to retire or continue to work. It will make it easier for them to accept the change and will make them take the best decision about when to retire, the paper says quoting experts from the advisory board.
***
"Sega" reports estimates by the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA) that one in five Bulgarians will be out of job in 2010 and that real unemeployment will go up to 19-20 per cent. This is much higher than the government's forecast of 13.7 per cent of unemployed people this year. BIA says that this level was reached in late 2009 when 530,000 - 540,000 people were jobless. The Employment Agency reported 9.13 per cent unemployment in December which means that 338,000 Bulgarians were out of job at the time.
BULGARIA - EU
Most papers have updates on the procedure for the approval of EU Commissioner-designate Rumiana Jeleva by the European Parliament. "Brussels Concludes than Jeleva Is Clean" is a headline in "Standard News" which cites an opinion by the EP Legal Service quoted by Deutsche Welle Monday evening. According to this paper, this opinion ended the dispute over the Bulgarian commissioner-designate.
***
"Troud" says that the battle is "to at least save Jeleva's honour". Joseph Daul of the European People's Party Monday against called upon those who had questioned Jeleva's integrity, to appologize to her. "Many saw in his persistence an attempt to save Jeleva's honour and that of the EPP, in case they are unable to push through her designation. Everybody but her own party is against the Bulgarian [candidate] and she seems to stand in the way of Barroso Commission 2 to getting the majority they need for their approval," writes the "Troud" correspondent in Brussels.
***
In "24 Chassa", Justice Minister Margarita Popova says one shouldnТt go as far as finding fault with the Bulgarian legislation in his wish to say how strongly he dislikes a particular EU Commissioner-designate. It was Popova's comment to criticism by Bulgarian lawyers against a legal opinion by her Ministry which said that Jeleva broke no law with her declarations of financial interests. The Justice Minister further said that it makes sense to consider revisions to the law on the election of Bulgarian representatives to the EU and introduce the same rules for MEPs as those that apply for MPs. "But until then the restriction in the parliamentary rules of procedure which does not allow MPs to participate in companies, does not apply to MEPs," popova says.
***
"Sega" reports that Bulgaria is no longer the poorest EU nation. Latvia has the largest proportion of its population (26 per cent) threatened by poverty. Next is Romania with 23 per cent and only then comes Bulgaria with 21 per cent, according to Eurostat. The Czech Republic and Slovakia have the fewest poor (9 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively).
FOREIGN POLICY
"Sega" says that Bulgaria "tried to lift the Greek blockade with quiet diplomacy" but didnТt succeed. This emerged Monday when some of the checkpoints on the Bulgarian-Greek border remained sealed by protesting Greek farmers. Bulgarian Foreign Ministry spokesman Dragovest Goranov says (on Bulgarian National Radio), "Our country has not received an official reply from the Greek authorities further to our expression of concern over the blocked border. We will first take the matter to the European Commission but at this stage we are trying to find other opportunities for a political agreement with the Greek government."
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, January 19, 2010
· Bulgarian commissioner-designate Rumiana Jeleva has withdrawn her candidature and has resigned as foreign minister after pressure for her removal mounted both on the European and home front. Prime Minister Borisov received a letter from Zheleva, in which she wants to withdraw her candidacy as EU Commission and as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria. Bulgarian Prime Minister has refused to accept the resignation of Rumiana Jeleva as foreign minister. Sofia plans to send Kristalina Georgieva, currently a vice-president of the World Bank, as its replacement candidate. Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso also "took note" of Jeleva's decision and welcomed the "swift reaction of the Bulgarian government to this situation."
· Bulgarian Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, has requested EUR 10 M from the European Union for the ongoing blockade of the Bulgaria-Greek border by Greek farmers. He have sent a letter to the President of the European Commission Jose Barroso, seizing the Commission over violation of Articles 30-36 of the Treaty Establishing the European Community and Regulation 2679/98. Regarding to this Prime Minister insist on the European Commission to undertake urgent measures. Borisov said categorically that he wanted the border to be unblocked and that Bulgaria should not be punished for problems inside another EU country.
mandag den 18. januar 2010
Bulgarian press review, January 18, 2010
Press Review
Sofia, January 18(BTA)
FOREIGN POLICY
The opinion of the legal department of the European Parliament, to be made public officially today, will refute allegations that Bulgarian Commissioner-designate Rumiana Jeleva was involved in a conflict of interest while being an MEP in Strasbourg, Andrei Kovachev MEP of GERB told "Monitor."
* * *
The item which "Troud" devotes to the Bulgarian commisisoner-designate is headlined "Last Battle for Jeleva." Bulgaria has been maligned in Brussels by political stooges, political scientist Ognyan Minchev writes in "Troud." "If Jeleva lied, even unknowingly, that she is not involved in a conflict of interest between her status as MEP and her past as a business woman, her candidature should have been withdrawn immediately. This should have been done timely, with dignity and by respecting the rules that apply to all. Not through malicious reports made by Bulgarian MEPs who owe their career to notorious gangsters and who managed to make it to the European Parliament because they bought votes. And not through Positano's intrigues and lobbying." [The headquarters of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) is in Positano Street, Sofia.]. In Minchev's view, if the political enemies of Irina Bokova and Meglena Kouneva had thrown "even one-tenth of the mud which the Social Liberal coalition used to besmear Jeleva's public image," their success in UNESCO and the European Commission would have been "problematic and scandalously disgracing." "Bulgaria has no other chance for success but by mobilizing its most competent and dignified citizens to represent it."
* * *
The BSP attacks on Jeleva are political revanchism, sociologist Antonii Gulubov notes in "Monitor." In his opinion, the change of the government has removed the umbrella covering organized crime. Svetoslav Terziev writes in "Sega" that Europe does not like Prime Minister Boyko Borissov any more. "Being focused on the Rumiana Jeleva show, we failed to notice that Brussels deprived us of 2,000 million euro," the subtitle of the item reads.
* * *
The European Commission has approved the allocation of 116 million leva in state aid to Bulgarian tobacco growers in 2010, the press reports quoting Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov. A letter was received from Director-General Jean-Luc Demarty, who heads the European Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, which says that Bulgaria's arguments that the aid for tobacco producers is part of an already existing and approved scheme, included in Bulgaria's Europe Agreement, were accepted.
* * *
"Agca Released, We Should Sue Him for Libel," Georgi Milkov suggests in "24 Chassa." The slanderous allegations made by Ali Agca, a proven terrorist and killer, caused harm to innocent Bulgarians and their families, to the entire Bulgarian state, he says. "Some may say there is no legal ground for his trial. Or that quite a long time has passed since then. But I think a claim cannot become void by prescription when the question is about justice and retribution."
HOME SCENE
"Instead of a moratorium, we could introduce sticter requirements for projects involving renewable energy sources," Environment Minister Nona Karadjova says in an interview given to "Dnevnik."
* * *
"We have collected 228 million leva more than we did in 2009 and over 600 million leva more than expected," National Revenue Agency Executive Director Krassimir Stefanov says in an interview for "Troud." "I expect the public to help us remove corrupted employees from the system; members of the public may call telephone number 070018700 for alerts," he says. The interview is headlined "Football Players' Pay Comes to Light."
* * *
"Why should I step down, given that the BSP and its partners achieved Bulgaria's accession to the EU," Socialist leader and ex-prime minister Sergei Stanishev asks in an interview given to "24 Chassa." He describes the four-year term of his cabinet as the most successful time for Bulgarian economy during the transition when the highest rise in living standards was achieved. Stanishev says that the BSP should be made a leading political force by the local and presidential elections to be held in 2011. Commenting on the incumbent government, he says that Prime Minister Boyko Borissov seems willing to introduce an authoritarian rule and that a feeling of non-freedom is emerging again, starting with the media and ending with the serious pressure put on the business.
* * *
"Douma" and "Zemya" quote Stanishev as saying that the executive government owes huge amounts of money to various municipalities for infrastructure projects and that the money is withheld on purpose so that Finance Minister Simeon Djankov could report Bulgaria has the smallest budget deficit.
* * *
Transport Minister Aleksandar Tsvetkov says in "24 Chassa" that new revisions to the Road Traffic Act will introduce ceiling prices taxi drivers could ask envisaging harsh fines for non-compliance. The minister, who sponsored the revisions, says that there are taxi drivers requesting unexplainably expensive fares; there are 300-350 such drivers in Sofia alone. The fare ceilings will be fixed by municipalities.
* * *
The National Union of Driving Instructors proposes that the legal driving age be set at 16 years for driving a motor car, "Troud" reports. This is the practice in the US and some EU countries, Union President Milena Todorova says. Young people would get a provisional driving licence entitling them to drive under the supervision of a full licence holder. It is also suggested to drop education requirements for driving licence applicants; now they are required to have at least primary education.
* * *
In 2009, there was a drop of 22 per cent year-on-year in the average amount of loans up to 36,260 euro (46,800 euro in 2008), shows the annual report of CreditCentre quoted by "Klassa." The reasons include sluggish economic activity in the first half of 2009, declining real estate prices and shrinkage of the portion of financing the banks were prepared to provide. Experts expect that in 2010 loans will increase by 20-25 per cent and that there will be a gradual downward trend in interest rates. A trial census of Bulgaria's population will be taken in the first two weeks of September 2010; the actual census will commence on March 1, 2011, National Statistical Institute Chairperson Mariana Kotseva says in "Telegraf." In 2011, a census of the population will be taken in 27 EU countries at one and the same time.
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The Sofia City Court did not find evidence proving that Krassimir Marinov (aka The Big Marguin) was running a criminal drug operation, "Novinar" reports. Marinov was released by the court for a second time in the past few days. He was detained on charges of starting and running an organized crime group involved in drug distribution. Three days ago he was released for lack of evidence to substantiate another charge - ordering the assassination of journalist Boby Tsankov. "The Big Marguin: Prosecution Put on Big Trial," "Dnevnik" says in the subtitle of its item on the topic.
* * *
Little Tiger and Sniffer are the new helpers of smugglers bringing cigarettes from Macedonia to Bulgaria,"Standart News" writes. They are two customs officers clearing trucks that carried illegal cigarettes at the Gueshevo checkpoint (on the border with Macedonia), sources in the state security machine told the newspaper. Allegedly, there are seven big smugglers of cigarettes into Bulgaria.
* * *
"We have instituted over 100 pre-trial proceedings for misuse of European funds," Sofia CityDeputy Prosecutor Bozhidar Djambazov says in "Klassa." "We are keeping in mtough with OLAF and discuss various cases every week with them," he says.
* * *
Crime agents have found that some elite disco clubs in Sofia make moonshine alcohol, "Telegraf" says.
CULTURE AND EDUCATION
The public sees the modernization of schools as a key priority for improving secondary education, show the results of a national representative survey conducted by BBSS Gallup International which are published in "Klassa." According to 36 per cent of respondents, upgrading and extending school sports facilities is an important priority. One in five respondents said schools should be equipped with a sufficient number of computers and provided with access to the Internet.
* * *
"Political economics returns as a subject to the University of National and World Economics," Rector Borislav Borislavov says in "Standart News. Besides Marx, students will study John Keynes, too.
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, January 18, 2010
· Protesting Greek farmers are set to block the Bulgarian border for ten days from today as they rally against unpaid subsidies and low prices for their production. There is no information how long the protests will continue. Bulgarian authorities will hold a meeting along Kulata-Promahonas border checkpoint with the strike committee of the Greek farmers to set a passing regime and to receive information about the duration of the blockage.
· Krassimir Marinov - "The Big Margin", was set free on January 17 2010 after the Sofia City Court released him on bail, rejecting the prosecution's third attempt to keep the alleged crime boss behind bars. This was the second time in four days that the court released Marinov on bail, after on January 14 the Sofia Court of Appeals found no evidence to support prosecutors' claims that Marinov and his brother Nikolai "The Little Margin" Marinov had plotted the murder of former radio host Bobbi Tsankov.
Sofia, January 18(BTA)
FOREIGN POLICY
The opinion of the legal department of the European Parliament, to be made public officially today, will refute allegations that Bulgarian Commissioner-designate Rumiana Jeleva was involved in a conflict of interest while being an MEP in Strasbourg, Andrei Kovachev MEP of GERB told "Monitor."
* * *
The item which "Troud" devotes to the Bulgarian commisisoner-designate is headlined "Last Battle for Jeleva." Bulgaria has been maligned in Brussels by political stooges, political scientist Ognyan Minchev writes in "Troud." "If Jeleva lied, even unknowingly, that she is not involved in a conflict of interest between her status as MEP and her past as a business woman, her candidature should have been withdrawn immediately. This should have been done timely, with dignity and by respecting the rules that apply to all. Not through malicious reports made by Bulgarian MEPs who owe their career to notorious gangsters and who managed to make it to the European Parliament because they bought votes. And not through Positano's intrigues and lobbying." [The headquarters of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) is in Positano Street, Sofia.]. In Minchev's view, if the political enemies of Irina Bokova and Meglena Kouneva had thrown "even one-tenth of the mud which the Social Liberal coalition used to besmear Jeleva's public image," their success in UNESCO and the European Commission would have been "problematic and scandalously disgracing." "Bulgaria has no other chance for success but by mobilizing its most competent and dignified citizens to represent it."
* * *
The BSP attacks on Jeleva are political revanchism, sociologist Antonii Gulubov notes in "Monitor." In his opinion, the change of the government has removed the umbrella covering organized crime. Svetoslav Terziev writes in "Sega" that Europe does not like Prime Minister Boyko Borissov any more. "Being focused on the Rumiana Jeleva show, we failed to notice that Brussels deprived us of 2,000 million euro," the subtitle of the item reads.
* * *
The European Commission has approved the allocation of 116 million leva in state aid to Bulgarian tobacco growers in 2010, the press reports quoting Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov. A letter was received from Director-General Jean-Luc Demarty, who heads the European Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, which says that Bulgaria's arguments that the aid for tobacco producers is part of an already existing and approved scheme, included in Bulgaria's Europe Agreement, were accepted.
* * *
"Agca Released, We Should Sue Him for Libel," Georgi Milkov suggests in "24 Chassa." The slanderous allegations made by Ali Agca, a proven terrorist and killer, caused harm to innocent Bulgarians and their families, to the entire Bulgarian state, he says. "Some may say there is no legal ground for his trial. Or that quite a long time has passed since then. But I think a claim cannot become void by prescription when the question is about justice and retribution."
HOME SCENE
"Instead of a moratorium, we could introduce sticter requirements for projects involving renewable energy sources," Environment Minister Nona Karadjova says in an interview given to "Dnevnik."
* * *
"We have collected 228 million leva more than we did in 2009 and over 600 million leva more than expected," National Revenue Agency Executive Director Krassimir Stefanov says in an interview for "Troud." "I expect the public to help us remove corrupted employees from the system; members of the public may call telephone number 070018700 for alerts," he says. The interview is headlined "Football Players' Pay Comes to Light."
* * *
"Why should I step down, given that the BSP and its partners achieved Bulgaria's accession to the EU," Socialist leader and ex-prime minister Sergei Stanishev asks in an interview given to "24 Chassa." He describes the four-year term of his cabinet as the most successful time for Bulgarian economy during the transition when the highest rise in living standards was achieved. Stanishev says that the BSP should be made a leading political force by the local and presidential elections to be held in 2011. Commenting on the incumbent government, he says that Prime Minister Boyko Borissov seems willing to introduce an authoritarian rule and that a feeling of non-freedom is emerging again, starting with the media and ending with the serious pressure put on the business.
* * *
"Douma" and "Zemya" quote Stanishev as saying that the executive government owes huge amounts of money to various municipalities for infrastructure projects and that the money is withheld on purpose so that Finance Minister Simeon Djankov could report Bulgaria has the smallest budget deficit.
* * *
Transport Minister Aleksandar Tsvetkov says in "24 Chassa" that new revisions to the Road Traffic Act will introduce ceiling prices taxi drivers could ask envisaging harsh fines for non-compliance. The minister, who sponsored the revisions, says that there are taxi drivers requesting unexplainably expensive fares; there are 300-350 such drivers in Sofia alone. The fare ceilings will be fixed by municipalities.
* * *
The National Union of Driving Instructors proposes that the legal driving age be set at 16 years for driving a motor car, "Troud" reports. This is the practice in the US and some EU countries, Union President Milena Todorova says. Young people would get a provisional driving licence entitling them to drive under the supervision of a full licence holder. It is also suggested to drop education requirements for driving licence applicants; now they are required to have at least primary education.
* * *
In 2009, there was a drop of 22 per cent year-on-year in the average amount of loans up to 36,260 euro (46,800 euro in 2008), shows the annual report of CreditCentre quoted by "Klassa." The reasons include sluggish economic activity in the first half of 2009, declining real estate prices and shrinkage of the portion of financing the banks were prepared to provide. Experts expect that in 2010 loans will increase by 20-25 per cent and that there will be a gradual downward trend in interest rates. A trial census of Bulgaria's population will be taken in the first two weeks of September 2010; the actual census will commence on March 1, 2011, National Statistical Institute Chairperson Mariana Kotseva says in "Telegraf." In 2011, a census of the population will be taken in 27 EU countries at one and the same time.
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The Sofia City Court did not find evidence proving that Krassimir Marinov (aka The Big Marguin) was running a criminal drug operation, "Novinar" reports. Marinov was released by the court for a second time in the past few days. He was detained on charges of starting and running an organized crime group involved in drug distribution. Three days ago he was released for lack of evidence to substantiate another charge - ordering the assassination of journalist Boby Tsankov. "The Big Marguin: Prosecution Put on Big Trial," "Dnevnik" says in the subtitle of its item on the topic.
* * *
Little Tiger and Sniffer are the new helpers of smugglers bringing cigarettes from Macedonia to Bulgaria,"Standart News" writes. They are two customs officers clearing trucks that carried illegal cigarettes at the Gueshevo checkpoint (on the border with Macedonia), sources in the state security machine told the newspaper. Allegedly, there are seven big smugglers of cigarettes into Bulgaria.
* * *
"We have instituted over 100 pre-trial proceedings for misuse of European funds," Sofia CityDeputy Prosecutor Bozhidar Djambazov says in "Klassa." "We are keeping in mtough with OLAF and discuss various cases every week with them," he says.
* * *
Crime agents have found that some elite disco clubs in Sofia make moonshine alcohol, "Telegraf" says.
CULTURE AND EDUCATION
The public sees the modernization of schools as a key priority for improving secondary education, show the results of a national representative survey conducted by BBSS Gallup International which are published in "Klassa." According to 36 per cent of respondents, upgrading and extending school sports facilities is an important priority. One in five respondents said schools should be equipped with a sufficient number of computers and provided with access to the Internet.
* * *
"Political economics returns as a subject to the University of National and World Economics," Rector Borislav Borislavov says in "Standart News. Besides Marx, students will study John Keynes, too.
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, January 18, 2010
· Protesting Greek farmers are set to block the Bulgarian border for ten days from today as they rally against unpaid subsidies and low prices for their production. There is no information how long the protests will continue. Bulgarian authorities will hold a meeting along Kulata-Promahonas border checkpoint with the strike committee of the Greek farmers to set a passing regime and to receive information about the duration of the blockage.
· Krassimir Marinov - "The Big Margin", was set free on January 17 2010 after the Sofia City Court released him on bail, rejecting the prosecution's third attempt to keep the alleged crime boss behind bars. This was the second time in four days that the court released Marinov on bail, after on January 14 the Sofia Court of Appeals found no evidence to support prosecutors' claims that Marinov and his brother Nikolai "The Little Margin" Marinov had plotted the murder of former radio host Bobbi Tsankov.
fredag den 15. januar 2010
Bulgarian press review, January 15, 2010
Press Review
Sofia, January 15 (BTA)
BULGARIA-EU
The developments involving Bulgaria's candidate for European Commissioner Rumiana Jeleva continue to be one of the most commented news items in the newspapers. "Troud" quotes Prime Minister Boyko Borissov that if Jeleva did something wrong in her application documents and hearing, he will withdraw her candidacy. Borissov is also quoted as saying that many other candidate commissioners did not make a good presentation in Brussels on account of "the tension they were put under". Borissov argued that already before the hearing in the European Parliament Jeleva has been made the target of attacks which tried to confuse and unsettle her. The Prime Minister said also that he will wait until Monday to hear the opinions of the legal experts about whether there is conflict of interest in Jeleva's candidacy and will decide what to do only then. He once again stressed that he had talked with important people in Brussels and that for the time being, the European People's Party firmly supports Jeleva.
* * *
"24 Chassa" highlights the reactions against Jeleva of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament and their insistence before European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to replace her. The newspaper says that a common front has been formed of Socialists and Liberals against Jeleva.
* * *
In a comment capped, "Bulgaria Should Snap at Brussels," "24 Chassa" says that it is true that Borissov could have found a more appropriate candidate as it would have been a bit too much for Jeleva to become a member of the European Parliament, Bulgarian Foreign Minister and European Commissioner in just a year. It is also true that Jeleva did not make a good performance at the hearing and started a pathetic dispute with Antonia Purvanova, another Bulgarian MEP. However, despite all shortcomings, Borissov should not give in as the question for Jeleva's approval as European Commissioner is a matter of national sovereignty; she has been selected by the lawfully elected Government of Bulgaria, says the author of the comment.
* * *
"Monitor" quotes Deputy Foreign Minister Marin Raikov as saying that information about a planned attack against Jeleva's candidacy had been known back in November 2009. Raikov said that the plot against her is a revenge of the political forces in Bulgaria who lost the democratic race at the July general elections and are now looking for retribution in the European Parliament.
* * *
Bulgarian MEP Dimiter Stoyanov tells "Telegraph" that the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and the National Movement for Surge and Stability (NMSS) are revenging for outgoing Bulgarian European Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, whom the two formations had tried to put forward for a second term in the European Commission. The proposal was flatly rejected by Borissov, which, according to Stoyanov, prompted the revenge of BSP and NMSS. The overall effect was anti-Bulgarian, says he, adding that the biggest thing that can "kill" one's image is not whether the person is a professional or not but the fact that his or her own fellow countrymen take part in a campaign against him/her.
"Dnevnik" runs an interview with David Rennie, EU correspondent of "The Economist", who says that Jeleva's hearing was a court of that Bulgaria which Brussels does not like. Rennie says that if Borissov refuses to withdraw her candidacy, it will be difficult for Barroso to say he does not want her. According to Rennie, the aim of the Liberals and the Greens in the European Parliament was to "unclog" the battle between the European People's Party and the socialist, and not to wage an attack against Jeleva.
* * *
"Troud" argues that at least five scenarios are now possible about Jeleva's candidacy. The first is for her to "survive". This could only happen with a political deal between the European People's Party, the biggest in the European Parliament, and the other groups. The second option is for Jeleva to have a different portfolio, which, according to knowledgeable sources is only possible in theory. The third scenario is for her to decide to resign on her own free will. The fourth option is for Borissov to come up with another candidate. The fifth, and most painful, scenario according to "Troud" is for the committees who heard Jeleva to give a negative mark which will be sent to the President of the European Parliament and the floor leaders who will then start "bargaining". Another possible scenario, according to the daily, is for Borissov to withdraw immediately Jeleva's candidacy or to wait until Monday to see if she "passes". If she does not, the Prime Minister will have to think about both a new foreign minister and a new candidate.
THE HOME SCENE
"It is not fair to explain everything with the MRF [Movement for Rights and Freedoms]," former Prime Minister Filip Dimitrov says in an interview to "Troud" daily. He regards claims that the MRF is the worst and most corrupted party as unsubstantiated. Dimitrov says further that assigning such an important role to a party would turn it into a target for attacks, to the detriment of those Muslims and Turks who are not members of the MRF. According to Dimitrov it is inappropriate and short-sighted to flash any kind of veto against Turkey. Filipov claims that an end should be put to anti-Turkish rhetoric, used by most parties to attract votes at the last elections.
* * *
"Sega" says in a headline that citizens' protests "sobered up" the incumbents in their plans for planned revisions of the Electronic Communications Act, which provide for direct access of the Interior Ministry to Bulgarian citizens' Internet and mobile phone communications. The protest rally was held under the slogan "Bulgaria Is Not Big Brother, 2010 Is Not 1984".
* * *
After a public discussion, it emerged that GERB will make new concessions before the second reading debate of the proposed amendments. According to the latest drafts, Internet and mobile phone operators have to retain for one year traffic data and submit such data to the Interior Ministry within two hours after being requested.
* * *
"Troud" frontpages the news that 150 of over 350 hospital across Bulgaria will be closed, quoting Bulgarian Medical Association Head Tsvetan Raichinov who dismisses previous reports that the number of closed hospitals will be 100 only. The reason behind this move are the new requirements imposed by the National Health Insurance Fund on hospitals, under which all medical institutions must provide round-the-clock emergency coverage.
In a comment "Sega" writes that all citizens who do not use their rights will be punished. Under a proposal by National Assembly Deputy Chair and head of the parliamentary Health Care Committee Luchezar Ivanov, all citizens who pay health insurance contributions are obliged to travel to the EU using their European Health Insurance Card which entitles them to free emergency help. The proposal transforms into an obligation a right laid down in the Health Insurance Act, thus creating a "legal absurdity". To pay or not to pay for medical treatment is a matter of choice, the author writes. What is more important is that stupidity, insanity and lobbyism are equally harmful and should remain outside the walls of Parliament, the author says.
* * *
In a headline "Troud" informs that the Sofia Appellate Court has released Krassimir Marinov, aka The Big Marguin, for lack of evidence proving that he has commissioned the murder of radio anchorman Boris "Bobby" Tsankov. Later on Thursday, however, Marinov was detained again, this time for heading a drug ring together with Stefan "Sako" Bonev.
ECONOMY
The contractor for Lot 2 of the Trakia Motorway will go through rigorous checks, Regional Development and Public Works Minister Rosen Plevneliev warns in an interview for "Sega" daily. Plevneliev explains that the requirements listed in the tender documentation are extremely hard to fulfil. The penalties which will be imposed in case of failure to meet them are substantial. According to Plevneliev, that is the reason why only 8 companies have submitted tender bids. All of them know the Bulgarian market well and are in the privileged position to assess risks and to take them, he says.
* * *
Interviewed by "24 Chassa," Chairman of the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission Angel Semerdjiev says that he expects electricity prices to increase by up to 5 per cent in July but notes that there will be no sharp markups of gas, heating and water in the winter. Semerdjiev says the Commission is thinking of how to aid poor people for the high electricity prices, whether by cheaper rates or welfare benefits.
* * *
The annual inflation of 0.6 per cent for 2009, the lowest in the past ten years, is headline news in all Friday newspapers. The inflation for December 2009 was 0.5 per cent, month on month, and 0.6 per cent, year on year, the National Statistical Institute reported on Thursday.
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, January 15, 2010
· Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and his Greek counterpart Georgios Papandreou have officially unveiled the fourth border checkpoint between the two countries – Zlatograd-Thermes-Xanthi, FOCUS – Smolyan Radio reports.The event was attended also by Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov, Foreign Minister Rumyana Zheleva, Smolyan district governor, mayors, MPs and hundreds of citizens form both countries. The Greek prime minister walked nearly 100 meters on foot and his Bulgarian counterpart welcomed him on the border line. The two cut two ribbons – one with the Greek national flag and one with the Bulgarian flag.
· Bulgaria’s EU Commissioner-Designate Rumiana Jeleva has made no legal violation in reporting her financial situation, according to a document issued by the Bulgarian Justice Ministry. The EP has EC President Jose Manuel Barroso to make public his position by the end of the day on Friday as to whether Jeleva was involved in conflict of interests
Sofia, January 15 (BTA)
BULGARIA-EU
The developments involving Bulgaria's candidate for European Commissioner Rumiana Jeleva continue to be one of the most commented news items in the newspapers. "Troud" quotes Prime Minister Boyko Borissov that if Jeleva did something wrong in her application documents and hearing, he will withdraw her candidacy. Borissov is also quoted as saying that many other candidate commissioners did not make a good presentation in Brussels on account of "the tension they were put under". Borissov argued that already before the hearing in the European Parliament Jeleva has been made the target of attacks which tried to confuse and unsettle her. The Prime Minister said also that he will wait until Monday to hear the opinions of the legal experts about whether there is conflict of interest in Jeleva's candidacy and will decide what to do only then. He once again stressed that he had talked with important people in Brussels and that for the time being, the European People's Party firmly supports Jeleva.
* * *
"24 Chassa" highlights the reactions against Jeleva of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament and their insistence before European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to replace her. The newspaper says that a common front has been formed of Socialists and Liberals against Jeleva.
* * *
In a comment capped, "Bulgaria Should Snap at Brussels," "24 Chassa" says that it is true that Borissov could have found a more appropriate candidate as it would have been a bit too much for Jeleva to become a member of the European Parliament, Bulgarian Foreign Minister and European Commissioner in just a year. It is also true that Jeleva did not make a good performance at the hearing and started a pathetic dispute with Antonia Purvanova, another Bulgarian MEP. However, despite all shortcomings, Borissov should not give in as the question for Jeleva's approval as European Commissioner is a matter of national sovereignty; she has been selected by the lawfully elected Government of Bulgaria, says the author of the comment.
* * *
"Monitor" quotes Deputy Foreign Minister Marin Raikov as saying that information about a planned attack against Jeleva's candidacy had been known back in November 2009. Raikov said that the plot against her is a revenge of the political forces in Bulgaria who lost the democratic race at the July general elections and are now looking for retribution in the European Parliament.
* * *
Bulgarian MEP Dimiter Stoyanov tells "Telegraph" that the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and the National Movement for Surge and Stability (NMSS) are revenging for outgoing Bulgarian European Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, whom the two formations had tried to put forward for a second term in the European Commission. The proposal was flatly rejected by Borissov, which, according to Stoyanov, prompted the revenge of BSP and NMSS. The overall effect was anti-Bulgarian, says he, adding that the biggest thing that can "kill" one's image is not whether the person is a professional or not but the fact that his or her own fellow countrymen take part in a campaign against him/her.
"Dnevnik" runs an interview with David Rennie, EU correspondent of "The Economist", who says that Jeleva's hearing was a court of that Bulgaria which Brussels does not like. Rennie says that if Borissov refuses to withdraw her candidacy, it will be difficult for Barroso to say he does not want her. According to Rennie, the aim of the Liberals and the Greens in the European Parliament was to "unclog" the battle between the European People's Party and the socialist, and not to wage an attack against Jeleva.
* * *
"Troud" argues that at least five scenarios are now possible about Jeleva's candidacy. The first is for her to "survive". This could only happen with a political deal between the European People's Party, the biggest in the European Parliament, and the other groups. The second option is for Jeleva to have a different portfolio, which, according to knowledgeable sources is only possible in theory. The third scenario is for her to decide to resign on her own free will. The fourth option is for Borissov to come up with another candidate. The fifth, and most painful, scenario according to "Troud" is for the committees who heard Jeleva to give a negative mark which will be sent to the President of the European Parliament and the floor leaders who will then start "bargaining". Another possible scenario, according to the daily, is for Borissov to withdraw immediately Jeleva's candidacy or to wait until Monday to see if she "passes". If she does not, the Prime Minister will have to think about both a new foreign minister and a new candidate.
THE HOME SCENE
"It is not fair to explain everything with the MRF [Movement for Rights and Freedoms]," former Prime Minister Filip Dimitrov says in an interview to "Troud" daily. He regards claims that the MRF is the worst and most corrupted party as unsubstantiated. Dimitrov says further that assigning such an important role to a party would turn it into a target for attacks, to the detriment of those Muslims and Turks who are not members of the MRF. According to Dimitrov it is inappropriate and short-sighted to flash any kind of veto against Turkey. Filipov claims that an end should be put to anti-Turkish rhetoric, used by most parties to attract votes at the last elections.
* * *
"Sega" says in a headline that citizens' protests "sobered up" the incumbents in their plans for planned revisions of the Electronic Communications Act, which provide for direct access of the Interior Ministry to Bulgarian citizens' Internet and mobile phone communications. The protest rally was held under the slogan "Bulgaria Is Not Big Brother, 2010 Is Not 1984".
* * *
After a public discussion, it emerged that GERB will make new concessions before the second reading debate of the proposed amendments. According to the latest drafts, Internet and mobile phone operators have to retain for one year traffic data and submit such data to the Interior Ministry within two hours after being requested.
* * *
"Troud" frontpages the news that 150 of over 350 hospital across Bulgaria will be closed, quoting Bulgarian Medical Association Head Tsvetan Raichinov who dismisses previous reports that the number of closed hospitals will be 100 only. The reason behind this move are the new requirements imposed by the National Health Insurance Fund on hospitals, under which all medical institutions must provide round-the-clock emergency coverage.
In a comment "Sega" writes that all citizens who do not use their rights will be punished. Under a proposal by National Assembly Deputy Chair and head of the parliamentary Health Care Committee Luchezar Ivanov, all citizens who pay health insurance contributions are obliged to travel to the EU using their European Health Insurance Card which entitles them to free emergency help. The proposal transforms into an obligation a right laid down in the Health Insurance Act, thus creating a "legal absurdity". To pay or not to pay for medical treatment is a matter of choice, the author writes. What is more important is that stupidity, insanity and lobbyism are equally harmful and should remain outside the walls of Parliament, the author says.
* * *
In a headline "Troud" informs that the Sofia Appellate Court has released Krassimir Marinov, aka The Big Marguin, for lack of evidence proving that he has commissioned the murder of radio anchorman Boris "Bobby" Tsankov. Later on Thursday, however, Marinov was detained again, this time for heading a drug ring together with Stefan "Sako" Bonev.
ECONOMY
The contractor for Lot 2 of the Trakia Motorway will go through rigorous checks, Regional Development and Public Works Minister Rosen Plevneliev warns in an interview for "Sega" daily. Plevneliev explains that the requirements listed in the tender documentation are extremely hard to fulfil. The penalties which will be imposed in case of failure to meet them are substantial. According to Plevneliev, that is the reason why only 8 companies have submitted tender bids. All of them know the Bulgarian market well and are in the privileged position to assess risks and to take them, he says.
* * *
Interviewed by "24 Chassa," Chairman of the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission Angel Semerdjiev says that he expects electricity prices to increase by up to 5 per cent in July but notes that there will be no sharp markups of gas, heating and water in the winter. Semerdjiev says the Commission is thinking of how to aid poor people for the high electricity prices, whether by cheaper rates or welfare benefits.
* * *
The annual inflation of 0.6 per cent for 2009, the lowest in the past ten years, is headline news in all Friday newspapers. The inflation for December 2009 was 0.5 per cent, month on month, and 0.6 per cent, year on year, the National Statistical Institute reported on Thursday.
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, January 15, 2010
· Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and his Greek counterpart Georgios Papandreou have officially unveiled the fourth border checkpoint between the two countries – Zlatograd-Thermes-Xanthi, FOCUS – Smolyan Radio reports.The event was attended also by Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov, Foreign Minister Rumyana Zheleva, Smolyan district governor, mayors, MPs and hundreds of citizens form both countries. The Greek prime minister walked nearly 100 meters on foot and his Bulgarian counterpart welcomed him on the border line. The two cut two ribbons – one with the Greek national flag and one with the Bulgarian flag.
· Bulgaria’s EU Commissioner-Designate Rumiana Jeleva has made no legal violation in reporting her financial situation, according to a document issued by the Bulgarian Justice Ministry. The EP has EC President Jose Manuel Barroso to make public his position by the end of the day on Friday as to whether Jeleva was involved in conflict of interests
torsdag den 14. januar 2010
Bulgarian press review, January 14, 2010
Press Review
Sofia, January 14 (BTA)
FOREIGN POLICY
A political deal will decide Rumiana Jeleva's fate, "Dnevnik" writes. Her fiasco at the confirmation hearing at the European Parliament on Tuesday is about to trigger a crisis in the approval of the entire European Commission, which is voted en bloc, the daily says. That is why there was talk in Brussels all day Wednesday of shuttles between the two largest groups - the European People's Party (EPP) and the Party of European Socialists - in an effort to find a solution.
***
"Telegraph" says Jeleva's fate is in Barroso's hands.
***
"Zemya" runs a story headlined "3 Million Victims of Haiti Quake; 8 Million Disgraced by Jeleva Scandal". The daily compares the Commissioner-designate's performance at her confirmation hearing at the European Parliament on Tuesday to that of a bottom-of-the-class student.
***
"Ataka" offers a different take on the situation: "Jeleva Attacked with Discrediting Material about Corporate Interests; Yotova [from the Socialist Party] and Purvanova [from the National Movement for Surge and Stability] Tried to Discredit Bulgarian Commissioner-Designate".
***
"Sega" writes that Jeleva was an MEP in breach of the law for two years, and claims that the Bulgarian government has been under strong pressure from Brussels to come up with a different candidate for the post.
***
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has a back-up candidate for EU Commissioner in case Foreign Minister Rumiana Jeleva fails to win approval, "Troud" and "24 Chassa" write. Still, Borissov believes things will not come to this and the final decision will be in Jeleva's favour. "I talked last [Tuesday] night until very late with people from the EPP who believe she did well. They said that given the trap she was forced into, she did her best," Borissov told "Troud". Asked if he made a mistake by nominating her, the prime minister says in "Troud": "I don't think so." "Let's commend the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) on its subversive activity, it has always been good at it, as in bombing churches, opening forced labour camps," he also says, implying that he considers the Socialists the main culprits for the scandal during Jeleva's hearing in the European Parliament. However, "Troud" says there are serious discrepancies in the statements of her financial interests.
***
"24 Chassa" speculates that the possible candidates for a Commissioner's portfolio are Defence Minister Nickolay Mladenov, Yuliana Nikolova, Secretary of the Council on EU Funds Management, and Andrei Kovachev, leader of the Bulgarian delegation to the EPP group in the European Parliament.
***
An opinion piece in "Douma" says Jeleva's failure at the hearing was not caused by a plot but was a sad consequence of Boyko Borissov's smugness. The writer adds that as it often happens in Bulgaria, people in power do not want to see the truth.
***
"24 Chassa" says there was a plot, unlike at the election of Irina Bokova as UNESCO Secretary General. No right-wing group plotted against Bokova, while now the Communists and the Liberals conspired against Jeleva. The gist of the issue is that Jeleva concealed significant circumstances: that she was discharged of responsibility for the company in question in March 2009, while she claims that this happened in 2007, says political analyst Evgenii Dainov.
***
Antonia Purvanova MEP (National Movement for Surge and Stability) says in "Troud" Jeleva's nomination is a major failure for Borissov. Purvanova says in "24 Chassa" that it was not she that opened the eyes of the foreign media - Jeleva's problem is in her own documents.
***
In "24 Chassa", Jeleva's husband Krassimir Jelev says: "How am I to take the headline 'A Gangster Bride for the EC?' [a reference to a story in the German newspaper Die Welt]. What piques me most is the question mark. I am asking this as a lawyer. Is the question mark intended as a safeguard against possible legal action against the journalists? I am in consultation with several German law firms about taking legal action and I want to know if I stand a chance to win."
***
Bulgaria has until the end of January to submit a report on the steps it has taken to ensure regularity and effectiveness of the investment projects financed under Operational Programme Environment, or else the European Commission will stop the overall financing, Dirk Ahner, Director General of the Commission's DG Regional Policy, said in a letter to Finance Minister Simeon Djankov of January 8, "Klassa" reports. The letter which analyses the absorption of EU funds was sent to 11 more senior officials at ministries and departments. The problems will be discussed at the meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the National Reference Strategic Framework in Sofia on Thursday and Friday. Ahner said DG Regional Policy had already expressed concern about the quality of many of the 29 investment projects for the environment and 157 projects for technical support for the environment.
***
"I want every German to feel he or she is among friends," Mariana Cholakova, the new German honorary consul, says in "24 Chassa".
HOME SCENE
"If the steps we have taken start working, I hope unemployment will not top 11.4 per cent," Labour and Social Policy Minister Totyu Mladenov says in "Troud".
"Troud" writes that the Europeanization of Bulgarian prisons will cost at least 90 million euro. A new prison in Sofia will cost at least 100 million euro, and a new prison in Varna will cost nearly as much, says Peter Vassilev, head of the Directorate General of Implementation of Penal Sanctions. Bulgaria must improve prison conditions by 2012. At present 9,000 prisoners live in 12 prisons and 23 closed- and open-type prison facilities.
***
Commenting on the first day of the National Assembly's second session, "Ataka" writes that Borissov called on the majority to work hard to pull the country out of the crisis. The power-holders' priorities include the fight against crime and improving the business climate.
***
Quoting a municipal councillor, "Klassa" reports that there will be a new law on Sofia by mid-year. Councillor Andrei Ivanov says that if residents want the capital to be twice as clean as now, the litter collection fee must double.
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
"Troud" reports that prosecutors and the State Agency for National Security (SANS) are conducting an investigation into SAPARD funding triggered by suspicions of contacts between Paying Agency employees and consulting firms. Agriculture State Fund Chair Kalina Ilieva says the investigation is targeting people under suspicion or people involved in proven irregularities. The Fund's new leadership alerted SANS last October.
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, January 14, 2010
· Up to now the only thing my colleagues in Brussels and I agreed on is to wait for the jurists to announce their decision on the case – whether there is a conflict of interest. Rumyana Zheleva believes there is not, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov says in an interview with Bulgarian National Television, commenting on the row around Rumyana Zheleva’s hearing in the European Parliament. I hope she has checked everything, he said. I rely on Ms. Zheleva’s doing what the law states, pointed out Borisov. Asked what will happen is she did not do what the law states, he said: “She will not receive my support.”
· Bulgaria Chief Prosecutor Boris Velchev has stated that those arrested from the major kidnapping gang in two successful special operations codenamed “The Impudent” will be charged. The high-profile kidnappers’ gang is believed to be responsible for 19 cases of kidnappings of rich Bulgarians. It was busted in December 2009. A total of 30 people were arrested initially, 10 were left behind bars.
· Over 300 people gathered outside the Bulgaria Parliament to protest against the center-right GERB government’s proposed changes to the Electronic Communications Act. Representatives of the National Movement for Stability and Progress joined the protest. They are carrying large flags of their party and the EU flag. MPs from the Union of Democratic Forces, including party chairman Martin Dimitrov, also joined the protest.
· Bulgaria’s had 0,5% inflation in December 2009, according to latest data provided by the National Statistical Institute.The average annual inflation for January-December 2009 is estimated at 2,8% compared to the same period of 2008.
Sofia, January 14 (BTA)
FOREIGN POLICY
A political deal will decide Rumiana Jeleva's fate, "Dnevnik" writes. Her fiasco at the confirmation hearing at the European Parliament on Tuesday is about to trigger a crisis in the approval of the entire European Commission, which is voted en bloc, the daily says. That is why there was talk in Brussels all day Wednesday of shuttles between the two largest groups - the European People's Party (EPP) and the Party of European Socialists - in an effort to find a solution.
***
"Telegraph" says Jeleva's fate is in Barroso's hands.
***
"Zemya" runs a story headlined "3 Million Victims of Haiti Quake; 8 Million Disgraced by Jeleva Scandal". The daily compares the Commissioner-designate's performance at her confirmation hearing at the European Parliament on Tuesday to that of a bottom-of-the-class student.
***
"Ataka" offers a different take on the situation: "Jeleva Attacked with Discrediting Material about Corporate Interests; Yotova [from the Socialist Party] and Purvanova [from the National Movement for Surge and Stability] Tried to Discredit Bulgarian Commissioner-Designate".
***
"Sega" writes that Jeleva was an MEP in breach of the law for two years, and claims that the Bulgarian government has been under strong pressure from Brussels to come up with a different candidate for the post.
***
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has a back-up candidate for EU Commissioner in case Foreign Minister Rumiana Jeleva fails to win approval, "Troud" and "24 Chassa" write. Still, Borissov believes things will not come to this and the final decision will be in Jeleva's favour. "I talked last [Tuesday] night until very late with people from the EPP who believe she did well. They said that given the trap she was forced into, she did her best," Borissov told "Troud". Asked if he made a mistake by nominating her, the prime minister says in "Troud": "I don't think so." "Let's commend the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) on its subversive activity, it has always been good at it, as in bombing churches, opening forced labour camps," he also says, implying that he considers the Socialists the main culprits for the scandal during Jeleva's hearing in the European Parliament. However, "Troud" says there are serious discrepancies in the statements of her financial interests.
***
"24 Chassa" speculates that the possible candidates for a Commissioner's portfolio are Defence Minister Nickolay Mladenov, Yuliana Nikolova, Secretary of the Council on EU Funds Management, and Andrei Kovachev, leader of the Bulgarian delegation to the EPP group in the European Parliament.
***
An opinion piece in "Douma" says Jeleva's failure at the hearing was not caused by a plot but was a sad consequence of Boyko Borissov's smugness. The writer adds that as it often happens in Bulgaria, people in power do not want to see the truth.
***
"24 Chassa" says there was a plot, unlike at the election of Irina Bokova as UNESCO Secretary General. No right-wing group plotted against Bokova, while now the Communists and the Liberals conspired against Jeleva. The gist of the issue is that Jeleva concealed significant circumstances: that she was discharged of responsibility for the company in question in March 2009, while she claims that this happened in 2007, says political analyst Evgenii Dainov.
***
Antonia Purvanova MEP (National Movement for Surge and Stability) says in "Troud" Jeleva's nomination is a major failure for Borissov. Purvanova says in "24 Chassa" that it was not she that opened the eyes of the foreign media - Jeleva's problem is in her own documents.
***
In "24 Chassa", Jeleva's husband Krassimir Jelev says: "How am I to take the headline 'A Gangster Bride for the EC?' [a reference to a story in the German newspaper Die Welt]. What piques me most is the question mark. I am asking this as a lawyer. Is the question mark intended as a safeguard against possible legal action against the journalists? I am in consultation with several German law firms about taking legal action and I want to know if I stand a chance to win."
***
Bulgaria has until the end of January to submit a report on the steps it has taken to ensure regularity and effectiveness of the investment projects financed under Operational Programme Environment, or else the European Commission will stop the overall financing, Dirk Ahner, Director General of the Commission's DG Regional Policy, said in a letter to Finance Minister Simeon Djankov of January 8, "Klassa" reports. The letter which analyses the absorption of EU funds was sent to 11 more senior officials at ministries and departments. The problems will be discussed at the meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the National Reference Strategic Framework in Sofia on Thursday and Friday. Ahner said DG Regional Policy had already expressed concern about the quality of many of the 29 investment projects for the environment and 157 projects for technical support for the environment.
***
"I want every German to feel he or she is among friends," Mariana Cholakova, the new German honorary consul, says in "24 Chassa".
HOME SCENE
"If the steps we have taken start working, I hope unemployment will not top 11.4 per cent," Labour and Social Policy Minister Totyu Mladenov says in "Troud".
"Troud" writes that the Europeanization of Bulgarian prisons will cost at least 90 million euro. A new prison in Sofia will cost at least 100 million euro, and a new prison in Varna will cost nearly as much, says Peter Vassilev, head of the Directorate General of Implementation of Penal Sanctions. Bulgaria must improve prison conditions by 2012. At present 9,000 prisoners live in 12 prisons and 23 closed- and open-type prison facilities.
***
Commenting on the first day of the National Assembly's second session, "Ataka" writes that Borissov called on the majority to work hard to pull the country out of the crisis. The power-holders' priorities include the fight against crime and improving the business climate.
***
Quoting a municipal councillor, "Klassa" reports that there will be a new law on Sofia by mid-year. Councillor Andrei Ivanov says that if residents want the capital to be twice as clean as now, the litter collection fee must double.
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
"Troud" reports that prosecutors and the State Agency for National Security (SANS) are conducting an investigation into SAPARD funding triggered by suspicions of contacts between Paying Agency employees and consulting firms. Agriculture State Fund Chair Kalina Ilieva says the investigation is targeting people under suspicion or people involved in proven irregularities. The Fund's new leadership alerted SANS last October.
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, January 14, 2010
· Up to now the only thing my colleagues in Brussels and I agreed on is to wait for the jurists to announce their decision on the case – whether there is a conflict of interest. Rumyana Zheleva believes there is not, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov says in an interview with Bulgarian National Television, commenting on the row around Rumyana Zheleva’s hearing in the European Parliament. I hope she has checked everything, he said. I rely on Ms. Zheleva’s doing what the law states, pointed out Borisov. Asked what will happen is she did not do what the law states, he said: “She will not receive my support.”
· Bulgaria Chief Prosecutor Boris Velchev has stated that those arrested from the major kidnapping gang in two successful special operations codenamed “The Impudent” will be charged. The high-profile kidnappers’ gang is believed to be responsible for 19 cases of kidnappings of rich Bulgarians. It was busted in December 2009. A total of 30 people were arrested initially, 10 were left behind bars.
· Over 300 people gathered outside the Bulgaria Parliament to protest against the center-right GERB government’s proposed changes to the Electronic Communications Act. Representatives of the National Movement for Stability and Progress joined the protest. They are carrying large flags of their party and the EU flag. MPs from the Union of Democratic Forces, including party chairman Martin Dimitrov, also joined the protest.
· Bulgaria’s had 0,5% inflation in December 2009, according to latest data provided by the National Statistical Institute.The average annual inflation for January-December 2009 is estimated at 2,8% compared to the same period of 2008.
onsdag den 13. januar 2010
Bulgarian press review, January 13, 2010
Press Review
Sofia, January 13 (BTA)
THE HOME SCENE
"Troud" has a front-page story on the reshuffle in the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) leadership ("Dogan Paves the Way for New Leader"). "For the first time since MRF's establishment, its leader Ahmed Dogan takes on a very heavy burden: total purge of the territory around him and elimination of key figures in MRF's 20-year life since its establishment. He is doing it at a time when the party is isolated from allies and friends, has drawn upon itself much public ire, and is accused of all political sins. In his report to the 7th MRF conference late last year Dogan warned his men that serious changes were coming up in the leadership but noone believed that he would be forced to part with Kassim Dal and Yunal Lyutvi, and shed MRF's top economist Yordan Tsonev and Emel Etem. The new faces in the leadership is where Dogan will be looking to find the next party leader," the story goes.
***
"Sega" comments that Dogan "is testing the party loyalty". It says that he is getting rid of the old guard, most of whom have been compromised by their presence in the government and in the party leadership, to give a chance to somebody new and unknown. The paper speculates on whether, may be, Dogan is preparing to wind down the party - which he had long been threatening to do, and says this is very much unlikely.
***
In "24 Chassa", MRF's Prof. Lyudmil Georgiev says that the most likely successor of Dogan as MRF leader is Kassim Dal ("Kassim Dal: the MRF Leader in the Future"). On Monday Dogan did not mention Dal among his deputies and the leadership members were left with the impression that he is allowed a well-deserved break before he takes on bigger responsibilities than those of MRF deputy leader, Prof. Georgiev says.
***
According to "Standard News", two of Dal's henchmen were elected to the MRF top leadership which goes to show that Dal himself is strengthening his positions. "What exactly is about to happen at MRF, only Dogan can say," the story says adding that Dogan is the only Bulgarian politician who knows the secret of always emerging stronger and with bigger electoral support after each government he participates in.
***
In a "24 Chassa" interview, Kamen Kostadinov of the MRF Central Bureau says "nobody feels demoted". He is adamant that the removal of some people from the leadership is not over poor performance but because MRF "is in a new situation". "A new political cycle starts for the party and it requires building a new team," he says. He goes on to dismiss allegations about clashes among various fractions in MRF: "MRF is united and consolidated and has its party vision".
"Sega" reports the latest poll by the MBMD pollsters ("Only Three Parties Make It into Parliament during Elections") saying that only GERB, the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and MRF get the 4 per cent (or more) needed for a party to win seats in Parliament.
***
"Troud" quotes Democrats for Strong Bulgaria leader Ivan Kostov as saying that the government should catch the masterminds of the Impudent, a group of kidnappers which was busted recently in a large-scale operation of the law-enforcers. He also calls for catching the people in the high corridors of the Interior Ministry and the State Agency for National Security, who have provided umbrella for the Impudent and the likes of them. Kostov also said that GERB has so far been unable to handle the crisis.
***
"Troud" writes about BSP's intention to challenge before the Constitutional Court two laws. One is the National Budget Act where Article 17 allows government ministers to cut back spending that has been approved by Parliament. The socialists' other objection is to the manner of adopting amendments to the Archive Fund Act.
***
"24 Chassa" leads with a story saying that Parliament leader Tsetska Tsacheva has banned access to the Tsarska Bistritsa residence for tourists as of the end of December 2009. The ban is part of a moratorium that has been imposed on property owned by Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Any operation and construction works is also prohibited until a special law is adopted about property that has been left by King Ferdinand and Boris III.
***
A front-page story in "Troud" says that 11 drug dealers and thieves were arrested in Sofia in the night between Tuesday and Wednesday. The operation started on Monday evening when 200 policemen searched 157 offices and bars known to be used by underworld figures. 22 crimes were solved during the operation, including seven robberies and five thefts.
***
"Sega" says that the government is introducing serious penalties in a bid to make its citizens use their rights. The story refers to amendments to the medical insurance legislation whereby Bulgarians with medical insurance will be unable to travel abroad unles they have taken out a European medical insurance card. This card certifies that its holder has regularly paid medical insurance and is entitled to free emergency medical aid. The ban on foreign travel by people without such a card has been in effect since December 18, 2009, but is not being observed.
ECONOMY
The budget is waiting for 7 billion from VAT, "24 Chassa" writes. The story is prompted by a remark by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he said that he is very much likely to put to practice his advice about financial policies, including a reduction of VAT with immediate effect. The author observes that VAT brings in close to half of all tax revenue in the public purse and reducing it by 0.5 per cent means losing at least 135 million leva. The head of the parliamentary budget committee, Menda Stoyanova, comments that bringing down VAT this year is a risky step. Bozhidar Danev of the Bulgarian Industrial Association says that such a step this year would be dangerous because it could destabilize the macro-economic framework. According to Georgi Angelov of the Open Society Institute, further tax reforms by reducing VAT should follow bringing social insurance contributions to low enough levels. Currently social insurance contributions make up 30 per cent of the monthly wage.
***
In "Douma", MP and former Economy Minister Peter Dimitrov says that bringing down VAT now is too adventurist. "Such measures are undertaken where there is surplus: you bring down a tax and cut back the surplus but none of the systems of the state suffers".
***
"We are out of the crisis but nothing good follows from that," financier Emil Hursev says in a "Pari" interview. He expects "a much worse and much more danerous period" in the next three or four years: a period of depression which is worse than recession. "We will be witness of coercive debt collection, bankruptcies, final sales, closure of jobs. Exiting the crisis does not mean going back to the times of tempestuous economic development and a boom in lending. Bulgaria lacks resources to pour money in the economy and return it to the track of growth. Unlike Germany, we can't take out 1,000 billion euro," says Hursev.
***
In a "Troud" interview MEP and former Foreign minister Ivailo Kalfin warns that ADIS, the state-owned company which runs the diplomatic properties in Bulgaria, is being driven to demise. He says that in the past three years the company was saved from financial troubles and was handed over to the new government with zero debts and 11 million leva in its account. What has happened since then is that everybody hired by the previous CEO has been sacked, one of the profit-making activities of the company - dealership - has been done with, and what probably comes next is spending the 11 million in the company accounts, declaring the company as financially troubled and starting the sale of assets, Kalfin says. "I will try to make sure this is not done in the dark," he adds.
BULGARIA - EU
The papers report the Tuesday hearing of EU Commissioner Rumiana Jeleva at the European Parliament's Development Committee. "Sega" ("MEPs Crucify Rumiana Jeleva") says that the Q&A session turned into a public lynch as several green, liberal and left MEPs asked Jeleva questions about her financial interests leaving in the background the question about her competence and priorities.
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, January 13, 2010
· Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Rumiana Jeleva, nominee for commissioner, said she will not withdraw her bid, even though her hearing at the European Parliament on Tuesday evening descended into disarray amidst claims that she was less than frank in declarations about her business affairs. Earlier in the day Prime Minister Boyko Borisov defended Jeleva, saying that she has fallen victim to a plot, concocted by the opposition Socialist and NDSV parties.
· Nikolay Marinov a.k.a The Small Margin has not appeared in the court during the hearing of the case against him. Krasimir and Nikolay Marinovi have been accused of initiating the killing of radio presenter Bobi Tsankov, over which Krasimir Marinov, a.k.a The Big Margin has been arrested. His brother was declared for national search. He was expected to be arrested today (Wednesday) at the hearing of the case, which has lasted for over three years.
· Two masked and armed attackers have robbed a unit of a bank in downtown Sofia. According to an employee in the bank office two men burst into the office, located in a block of flats. They threatened her with a gun, took about BGN 20 000 and run away in an unknown direction.An investigation into the case has been launched. There has been a surge in brazen robberies in the Bulgarian capital lately, which the prime minister has seen as a plot against his government.
Sofia, January 13 (BTA)
THE HOME SCENE
"Troud" has a front-page story on the reshuffle in the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) leadership ("Dogan Paves the Way for New Leader"). "For the first time since MRF's establishment, its leader Ahmed Dogan takes on a very heavy burden: total purge of the territory around him and elimination of key figures in MRF's 20-year life since its establishment. He is doing it at a time when the party is isolated from allies and friends, has drawn upon itself much public ire, and is accused of all political sins. In his report to the 7th MRF conference late last year Dogan warned his men that serious changes were coming up in the leadership but noone believed that he would be forced to part with Kassim Dal and Yunal Lyutvi, and shed MRF's top economist Yordan Tsonev and Emel Etem. The new faces in the leadership is where Dogan will be looking to find the next party leader," the story goes.
***
"Sega" comments that Dogan "is testing the party loyalty". It says that he is getting rid of the old guard, most of whom have been compromised by their presence in the government and in the party leadership, to give a chance to somebody new and unknown. The paper speculates on whether, may be, Dogan is preparing to wind down the party - which he had long been threatening to do, and says this is very much unlikely.
***
In "24 Chassa", MRF's Prof. Lyudmil Georgiev says that the most likely successor of Dogan as MRF leader is Kassim Dal ("Kassim Dal: the MRF Leader in the Future"). On Monday Dogan did not mention Dal among his deputies and the leadership members were left with the impression that he is allowed a well-deserved break before he takes on bigger responsibilities than those of MRF deputy leader, Prof. Georgiev says.
***
According to "Standard News", two of Dal's henchmen were elected to the MRF top leadership which goes to show that Dal himself is strengthening his positions. "What exactly is about to happen at MRF, only Dogan can say," the story says adding that Dogan is the only Bulgarian politician who knows the secret of always emerging stronger and with bigger electoral support after each government he participates in.
***
In a "24 Chassa" interview, Kamen Kostadinov of the MRF Central Bureau says "nobody feels demoted". He is adamant that the removal of some people from the leadership is not over poor performance but because MRF "is in a new situation". "A new political cycle starts for the party and it requires building a new team," he says. He goes on to dismiss allegations about clashes among various fractions in MRF: "MRF is united and consolidated and has its party vision".
"Sega" reports the latest poll by the MBMD pollsters ("Only Three Parties Make It into Parliament during Elections") saying that only GERB, the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and MRF get the 4 per cent (or more) needed for a party to win seats in Parliament.
***
"Troud" quotes Democrats for Strong Bulgaria leader Ivan Kostov as saying that the government should catch the masterminds of the Impudent, a group of kidnappers which was busted recently in a large-scale operation of the law-enforcers. He also calls for catching the people in the high corridors of the Interior Ministry and the State Agency for National Security, who have provided umbrella for the Impudent and the likes of them. Kostov also said that GERB has so far been unable to handle the crisis.
***
"Troud" writes about BSP's intention to challenge before the Constitutional Court two laws. One is the National Budget Act where Article 17 allows government ministers to cut back spending that has been approved by Parliament. The socialists' other objection is to the manner of adopting amendments to the Archive Fund Act.
***
"24 Chassa" leads with a story saying that Parliament leader Tsetska Tsacheva has banned access to the Tsarska Bistritsa residence for tourists as of the end of December 2009. The ban is part of a moratorium that has been imposed on property owned by Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Any operation and construction works is also prohibited until a special law is adopted about property that has been left by King Ferdinand and Boris III.
***
A front-page story in "Troud" says that 11 drug dealers and thieves were arrested in Sofia in the night between Tuesday and Wednesday. The operation started on Monday evening when 200 policemen searched 157 offices and bars known to be used by underworld figures. 22 crimes were solved during the operation, including seven robberies and five thefts.
***
"Sega" says that the government is introducing serious penalties in a bid to make its citizens use their rights. The story refers to amendments to the medical insurance legislation whereby Bulgarians with medical insurance will be unable to travel abroad unles they have taken out a European medical insurance card. This card certifies that its holder has regularly paid medical insurance and is entitled to free emergency medical aid. The ban on foreign travel by people without such a card has been in effect since December 18, 2009, but is not being observed.
ECONOMY
The budget is waiting for 7 billion from VAT, "24 Chassa" writes. The story is prompted by a remark by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he said that he is very much likely to put to practice his advice about financial policies, including a reduction of VAT with immediate effect. The author observes that VAT brings in close to half of all tax revenue in the public purse and reducing it by 0.5 per cent means losing at least 135 million leva. The head of the parliamentary budget committee, Menda Stoyanova, comments that bringing down VAT this year is a risky step. Bozhidar Danev of the Bulgarian Industrial Association says that such a step this year would be dangerous because it could destabilize the macro-economic framework. According to Georgi Angelov of the Open Society Institute, further tax reforms by reducing VAT should follow bringing social insurance contributions to low enough levels. Currently social insurance contributions make up 30 per cent of the monthly wage.
***
In "Douma", MP and former Economy Minister Peter Dimitrov says that bringing down VAT now is too adventurist. "Such measures are undertaken where there is surplus: you bring down a tax and cut back the surplus but none of the systems of the state suffers".
***
"We are out of the crisis but nothing good follows from that," financier Emil Hursev says in a "Pari" interview. He expects "a much worse and much more danerous period" in the next three or four years: a period of depression which is worse than recession. "We will be witness of coercive debt collection, bankruptcies, final sales, closure of jobs. Exiting the crisis does not mean going back to the times of tempestuous economic development and a boom in lending. Bulgaria lacks resources to pour money in the economy and return it to the track of growth. Unlike Germany, we can't take out 1,000 billion euro," says Hursev.
***
In a "Troud" interview MEP and former Foreign minister Ivailo Kalfin warns that ADIS, the state-owned company which runs the diplomatic properties in Bulgaria, is being driven to demise. He says that in the past three years the company was saved from financial troubles and was handed over to the new government with zero debts and 11 million leva in its account. What has happened since then is that everybody hired by the previous CEO has been sacked, one of the profit-making activities of the company - dealership - has been done with, and what probably comes next is spending the 11 million in the company accounts, declaring the company as financially troubled and starting the sale of assets, Kalfin says. "I will try to make sure this is not done in the dark," he adds.
BULGARIA - EU
The papers report the Tuesday hearing of EU Commissioner Rumiana Jeleva at the European Parliament's Development Committee. "Sega" ("MEPs Crucify Rumiana Jeleva") says that the Q&A session turned into a public lynch as several green, liberal and left MEPs asked Jeleva questions about her financial interests leaving in the background the question about her competence and priorities.
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, January 13, 2010
· Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Rumiana Jeleva, nominee for commissioner, said she will not withdraw her bid, even though her hearing at the European Parliament on Tuesday evening descended into disarray amidst claims that she was less than frank in declarations about her business affairs. Earlier in the day Prime Minister Boyko Borisov defended Jeleva, saying that she has fallen victim to a plot, concocted by the opposition Socialist and NDSV parties.
· Nikolay Marinov a.k.a The Small Margin has not appeared in the court during the hearing of the case against him. Krasimir and Nikolay Marinovi have been accused of initiating the killing of radio presenter Bobi Tsankov, over which Krasimir Marinov, a.k.a The Big Margin has been arrested. His brother was declared for national search. He was expected to be arrested today (Wednesday) at the hearing of the case, which has lasted for over three years.
· Two masked and armed attackers have robbed a unit of a bank in downtown Sofia. According to an employee in the bank office two men burst into the office, located in a block of flats. They threatened her with a gun, took about BGN 20 000 and run away in an unknown direction.An investigation into the case has been launched. There has been a surge in brazen robberies in the Bulgarian capital lately, which the prime minister has seen as a plot against his government.
tirsdag den 12. januar 2010
Bulgarian press review, January 12, 2010
Press Review
Sofia, January 12
FOREIGN POLICY
"Klassa" reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recommended to his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borissov phasing in a lower VAT, by 0.5 per cent each half-year beginning now, rather than reducing it by 2 per cent in a one-off act in 2011, which is what the Bulgarian government is contemplating in a leading article, "Sega" writes that Israel has convinced Borissov to reduce VAT rates. "Pari" caps "Borissov Likes Shocking Idea about VAT." During Netanyahu's term as Finance Minister, the same step took Israel out of a recession, the newspaper explains.
***
"Zemya" reports that Bulgaria will give Israel access to its military bases. The prime ministers of Bulgaria and Israel agreed that Israeli aircraft will use Bulgarian military bases for training. The two countries signed a memorandum on military cooperation.
***
"Jeleva One Step Short of Being EU Commissioner," report "24 Chassa" and "Troud." Commissioner-designate Rumiana Jeleva has assured European Commission President Jose Barroso that her declaration for conflict of interest is in compliance with the Code of Ethics, the media report, citing the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry. Barroso's statement came in response to a letter by the Green Group in the European Parliament, regarding media reports about Jeleva. Barroso also said that allegations of abuse have to be proven. In an interview for "Telegraph", MEP Andrey Kovachev (GERB) is confident that Jeleva will pass the test.
***
In a "Troud" interview, Raina Mandjoukova, head of the Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, says that more Bulgarian schools have to be opened abroad. In her words, the most active student organizations are in Germany, France, the UK and Ukraine.
HOME AFFAIRS, JUDICIARY
"Telegraph" reports that a check by the prosecuting authorities has found that half the members of the gang, dubbed the Impudent, were undercover agents with various services of the Interior Ministry. Now magistrates are examining documents to see who the recruiting officers were.
***
In an interview for "Novinar", Sofia City Prosecutor Nikolai Kokinov says that 12 proceedings against ten members of the Impudent were joined. Kokinov also says that information, provided by radio host Bobby Tsankov, who was shot January 5, was true and he wanted to be useful.
***
"The fact that snow on the street was still melting from Bobby Tsankov's blood, when the Big Marguin was arrested and charged with commissioning Tsankov's murder, most likely means that the authorities already knew how and why someone bore a grudge against Tsankov," writes Anna Zarkova in "Troud". The question according to her is why the prosecuting authorities and the police did not use this information and did not appoint a surveillance of Tsankov who thought of himself as a spokesperson for the underworld. Zarkova argues that if the services had shadowed Tsankov, they might have seen who got scared of his book, which encouraged him to write it, or even who had plotted his murder. They might have even caught his killers.
THE HOME SCENE
Quoting the Health Ministry, "24 Chassa" reports that from April 1, those leaving the country have to carry an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Anyone who fails to produce it before the border authorities will not be able to leave. Although the card is required under current legislation, a period of several months free of fine will be given. The Health Ministry explained that the new requirement entitles individuals to free medical aid abroad. The Ministry also said that between 80 and 100 health establishments will close by the end of the year.
***
"24 Chassa" reports that parties in 2010 will cost taxpayers 49,902,612 leva (roughly 25 million euro). This is the amount allocated as subsidy to the six parties in Parliament and the two out-of-Parliament opposition formations, LIDER and the National Movement for Surge and Stability, which won more than 1 per cent of the vote in the general elections. The subsidy has risen five times in four years, as it is pegged to the minimum monthly wage. Under latest changes to the Political Parties Act, the subsidy has been increased to shield parties from outside influence.
***
Under the leading headline "Thorough Purge in MRF", "Troud" reports that Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) leader Ahmed Dogan has uprooted the party's top crust and has appointed new deputies. "In opposition we need a new face, new vision. We need to break away from our old ways of governance," said Dogan. The MRF leader went on about taking up "a panel approach", meaning that the MRF has to get rid of its image as a party where decisions are made single-handedly and instead adopt a team decision-making approach, "Troud" explains. Lyutvi Mestan is the only one of Dogan's deputies who has kept his post. Emel Etem, Kassim Dal, Yunal Lyutfi and Yordan Tsonev were demoted to members of the Central Operative Bureau. Dogan's new deputies are Mestan, Filiz Hyusmenova, Hristo Bisserov, Roushen Roza and Aliosman Imamov, the Tuesday media report. According to "Troud", Bisserov is appointed as the MRF strategist. Rossen Vladimiriov, the first Bulgarian to become MRF deputy leader, is not on the movement leadership. Vladimirov did not attend the MRF national conference at the end of December. MRF members say that he is residing abroad.
***
In a "24 Chassa" article, Mira Radeva of the MBMD says that in six months the real challenges for GERB will begin. According to her, in 2011 local structures will answer the question whether GERB lives up to the image, created by Boyko Borissov for its political project. The local elections will be an indicator of what people think of GERB local structures. Any irregularities on a regional scale will be brought to light by then, which will inevitably influence the outcome of the elections. The real problem for the government will be the second half of the year: to take the country out of the recession and to prove that it has the political will to handle shady organizations, oligarchy and crime. Crackdowns on crime and Interior Minister Tsvetanov’s attempts to purge the police from within have improved police approval ratings from 35 to 46 per cent, and Tsvetanov's ratings by 9 percentage points to 61 per cent, Radeva says.
***
Veliko Turnovo's national military university, Bulgaria's largest military school, is currently attended by just 17 cadets from Vietnam. Bulgarian trainee officers have been forced to take a holiday for the first time in the history of the school. University Rector Gen. Tsvetan Harizanov took the unprecedented step to suspend classes because of mounting debts. All Bulgarian cadets will be preparing at home until exam session begins on March 1 to spare them from the cold and hunger.
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, January 12, 2010
· Discussion on the amendments to the Electronic Messages Act has acquired new dimensions after dissensions have occurred between the operators and the interior ministry about the tome the information can be provided. According to representatives of the three mobile operators the requirement information from the data base to be presented in the frames of two or three hours is not realistic. According to a research among the mobile internet suppliers at least 34 hours will be needed. The non-governmental organizations and the interior ministry has reached and agreement on dropping off the direct interface. Then mobile operators said this is probably the only way to provide fact access to the information.
· The commission of nine people, which will choose the executor of the Lot 2 of the north main motorway “Trakya “, will work under extremely security measures, says Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Rosen Plevneliev. Eight companies have tabled their offers on the construction of lot 2 of Trakiya motorway. They are: Turkish Doush Company, Australian Shtrabak Company, Bulgarian motorways consortium (Glavtroy and Black Sea motorways), Greek Terna le, Alpine Holding Roads, Union Trace motorway, Greek Actor, Construction under Construction Contracts Act Constructor Trakya.
The offers are filled by leading companies in the region-Croatian, Greek, Turkish, Bulgarian as part of them are united in consortium, Plevneliev said.
Sofia, January 12
FOREIGN POLICY
"Klassa" reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recommended to his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borissov phasing in a lower VAT, by 0.5 per cent each half-year beginning now, rather than reducing it by 2 per cent in a one-off act in 2011, which is what the Bulgarian government is contemplating in a leading article, "Sega" writes that Israel has convinced Borissov to reduce VAT rates. "Pari" caps "Borissov Likes Shocking Idea about VAT." During Netanyahu's term as Finance Minister, the same step took Israel out of a recession, the newspaper explains.
***
"Zemya" reports that Bulgaria will give Israel access to its military bases. The prime ministers of Bulgaria and Israel agreed that Israeli aircraft will use Bulgarian military bases for training. The two countries signed a memorandum on military cooperation.
***
"Jeleva One Step Short of Being EU Commissioner," report "24 Chassa" and "Troud." Commissioner-designate Rumiana Jeleva has assured European Commission President Jose Barroso that her declaration for conflict of interest is in compliance with the Code of Ethics, the media report, citing the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry. Barroso's statement came in response to a letter by the Green Group in the European Parliament, regarding media reports about Jeleva. Barroso also said that allegations of abuse have to be proven. In an interview for "Telegraph", MEP Andrey Kovachev (GERB) is confident that Jeleva will pass the test.
***
In a "Troud" interview, Raina Mandjoukova, head of the Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, says that more Bulgarian schools have to be opened abroad. In her words, the most active student organizations are in Germany, France, the UK and Ukraine.
HOME AFFAIRS, JUDICIARY
"Telegraph" reports that a check by the prosecuting authorities has found that half the members of the gang, dubbed the Impudent, were undercover agents with various services of the Interior Ministry. Now magistrates are examining documents to see who the recruiting officers were.
***
In an interview for "Novinar", Sofia City Prosecutor Nikolai Kokinov says that 12 proceedings against ten members of the Impudent were joined. Kokinov also says that information, provided by radio host Bobby Tsankov, who was shot January 5, was true and he wanted to be useful.
***
"The fact that snow on the street was still melting from Bobby Tsankov's blood, when the Big Marguin was arrested and charged with commissioning Tsankov's murder, most likely means that the authorities already knew how and why someone bore a grudge against Tsankov," writes Anna Zarkova in "Troud". The question according to her is why the prosecuting authorities and the police did not use this information and did not appoint a surveillance of Tsankov who thought of himself as a spokesperson for the underworld. Zarkova argues that if the services had shadowed Tsankov, they might have seen who got scared of his book, which encouraged him to write it, or even who had plotted his murder. They might have even caught his killers.
THE HOME SCENE
Quoting the Health Ministry, "24 Chassa" reports that from April 1, those leaving the country have to carry an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Anyone who fails to produce it before the border authorities will not be able to leave. Although the card is required under current legislation, a period of several months free of fine will be given. The Health Ministry explained that the new requirement entitles individuals to free medical aid abroad. The Ministry also said that between 80 and 100 health establishments will close by the end of the year.
***
"24 Chassa" reports that parties in 2010 will cost taxpayers 49,902,612 leva (roughly 25 million euro). This is the amount allocated as subsidy to the six parties in Parliament and the two out-of-Parliament opposition formations, LIDER and the National Movement for Surge and Stability, which won more than 1 per cent of the vote in the general elections. The subsidy has risen five times in four years, as it is pegged to the minimum monthly wage. Under latest changes to the Political Parties Act, the subsidy has been increased to shield parties from outside influence.
***
Under the leading headline "Thorough Purge in MRF", "Troud" reports that Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) leader Ahmed Dogan has uprooted the party's top crust and has appointed new deputies. "In opposition we need a new face, new vision. We need to break away from our old ways of governance," said Dogan. The MRF leader went on about taking up "a panel approach", meaning that the MRF has to get rid of its image as a party where decisions are made single-handedly and instead adopt a team decision-making approach, "Troud" explains. Lyutvi Mestan is the only one of Dogan's deputies who has kept his post. Emel Etem, Kassim Dal, Yunal Lyutfi and Yordan Tsonev were demoted to members of the Central Operative Bureau. Dogan's new deputies are Mestan, Filiz Hyusmenova, Hristo Bisserov, Roushen Roza and Aliosman Imamov, the Tuesday media report. According to "Troud", Bisserov is appointed as the MRF strategist. Rossen Vladimiriov, the first Bulgarian to become MRF deputy leader, is not on the movement leadership. Vladimirov did not attend the MRF national conference at the end of December. MRF members say that he is residing abroad.
***
In a "24 Chassa" article, Mira Radeva of the MBMD says that in six months the real challenges for GERB will begin. According to her, in 2011 local structures will answer the question whether GERB lives up to the image, created by Boyko Borissov for its political project. The local elections will be an indicator of what people think of GERB local structures. Any irregularities on a regional scale will be brought to light by then, which will inevitably influence the outcome of the elections. The real problem for the government will be the second half of the year: to take the country out of the recession and to prove that it has the political will to handle shady organizations, oligarchy and crime. Crackdowns on crime and Interior Minister Tsvetanov’s attempts to purge the police from within have improved police approval ratings from 35 to 46 per cent, and Tsvetanov's ratings by 9 percentage points to 61 per cent, Radeva says.
***
Veliko Turnovo's national military university, Bulgaria's largest military school, is currently attended by just 17 cadets from Vietnam. Bulgarian trainee officers have been forced to take a holiday for the first time in the history of the school. University Rector Gen. Tsvetan Harizanov took the unprecedented step to suspend classes because of mounting debts. All Bulgarian cadets will be preparing at home until exam session begins on March 1 to spare them from the cold and hunger.
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, January 12, 2010
· Discussion on the amendments to the Electronic Messages Act has acquired new dimensions after dissensions have occurred between the operators and the interior ministry about the tome the information can be provided. According to representatives of the three mobile operators the requirement information from the data base to be presented in the frames of two or three hours is not realistic. According to a research among the mobile internet suppliers at least 34 hours will be needed. The non-governmental organizations and the interior ministry has reached and agreement on dropping off the direct interface. Then mobile operators said this is probably the only way to provide fact access to the information.
· The commission of nine people, which will choose the executor of the Lot 2 of the north main motorway “Trakya “, will work under extremely security measures, says Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Rosen Plevneliev. Eight companies have tabled their offers on the construction of lot 2 of Trakiya motorway. They are: Turkish Doush Company, Australian Shtrabak Company, Bulgarian motorways consortium (Glavtroy and Black Sea motorways), Greek Terna le, Alpine Holding Roads, Union Trace motorway, Greek Actor, Construction under Construction Contracts Act Constructor Trakya.
The offers are filled by leading companies in the region-Croatian, Greek, Turkish, Bulgarian as part of them are united in consortium, Plevneliev said.
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