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| 15 Feb 2012, Issue 3321 · USD: 1.48518 EUR: 1.95583 · Sofia: min -7°, max 0° Varna: min -4°, max 2° · |
| BUSINESS POLITICS WORLD SOCIETY SPORTS FORUM |
Bulgarian President Vows to End Police-Judiciary 'War'
 Bulgaria's new President, Rosen Plevneliev, has vowed to tame the "war" between the police and judiciary.
read |
PES Reject Greece Austerity, Launch Shadow Troika
 Bulgarian
socialist MEP Ivaylo Kalfin is reported to be part of a newly created
shadow Troika by the Party of European Socialists to propose rescue
measures for debt stricken Greece.
read |
EC Places Bulgaria in 'Gray List' over Economic Risks
 Bulgaria
has been included by the European Commission in a new "gray list"
representing the bloc's economically and socially vulnerable states.
read |
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BULGARIA FREEZES ACTA, WAITS TO HEAR EU ORDERS
Bulgaria will freeze its participation in the controversial ACTA trade agreement, the country's Economy Minister Traicho Traikov announced on Tuesday. Traikov revealed that he will present a draft resolution on Bulgaria's decision to freeze its ratification of ACTA to the Bulgarian Council of Ministers on Wednesday. "This means that our country will not undertake any actions, including a ratification of the agreement, until the stance of the other EU member states is made clear," the Minister explained, as cited by the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency. It emerged Monday that the Bulgarian government would sign ACTA with reservations regarding spying on internet users or will withdraw its support entirely. Legal experts have advised that Bulgaria will not endure serious consequences if it gives up on the agreement despite having secretly signed it in Japan already. High Bulgarian officials have hinted on several occasions that they will wait to hear what other EU member states have to say before making up their minds about ACTA. The European Commission has defended the agreement aimed at countering online piracy from accusations it would lead to a "witch hunt" on the web, and confirmed it would try to pass it in the European Parliament by the end of the month. Thousands of people gathered in downtown Sofia Saturday to protest the controversial international Anti-counterfeiting Trade Agreement, ACTA. Anywhere between 4000 and 8000 Bulgarians marched in the Bulgarian capital, led by a black sign reading: "АСТА LA VISTA, BABY!" Similar rallies took place in another 15-16 Bulgarian cities and in 150 cities across Europe Saturday. 
EC SAYS IT CAN'T POLICE DUTCH XENOPHOBIC WEBSITE The European Commission has advised those affected by the notorious website created by the Dutch populist Freedom Party to turn to Dutch courts or Strasbourg. The anti-immigration Freedom Party (PVV) launched the website last week to collect complaints about Eastern Europeans from among the Dutch population. The European Commission is not a gendarme for preserving rights, EU Justice Commissioner, Viviane Reding's spokesman Matthew Newman has commented, as cited by Bulgarian media. "Each country is responsible for observing the European legislation and the Commission follows that, but in this case we cannot establish that there has been a violation and launch a sanction procedure," he has added, commenting on whether the website in question violates the European Union Directive for Combating Racism and Xenophobia. EC spokesperson Pia Hansen has said she has no information of a potential conversation between Dutch Prime Minister Mart Rutte and EC President Jose Manuel Barroso concerning the controversial website. On Monday, the ambassadors of 10 Central and Eastern European countries, Bulgaria included, sent an open letter to political party leaders in the Netherlands protesting against the xenophobic website. BULGARIA FINANCE AGENCY ALERTS PROSECUTION OF SKI FEDERATION CHAIR, BANKER Bulgaria's Agency for State Financial Inspection has filed a signal at the Prosecutor's Office against Tseko Minev, in his capacity of Bulgarian Ski Federation president. According to a recent check by the Financial Inspectorate, under Minev's chairmanship, the Federation has awarded a number of contracts to private companies without the due public procurement procedure. What is more, the companies contracted by the Bulgarian Ski Federation reportedly appear to be ones Minev owns or has an interest in. According to the Agency for State Financial Inspection, during 2006-10 the Ski Federation has breached procurement rules 7 times, awarding contracts for BGN 0.86 M. The Inspectorate has issued fines on the 7 breaches amounting to BGN 10,500, which however have not been paid by Minev. "The Inspectorate has made the facts known to the Ministry of Sport, being the financing organ to the Bulgarian Ski Federation, as well as the Public Procurement Agency and the Sofia Prosecutor's Office," reads a statement by teh Financial Agency. Tseko Minev is known as owning a number ski companies, such as Vitosha Ski, and as being the de facto owner of First Investment Bank. End of 2011, Vitosha Ski was implicated in a scandal after it refused to run ski facilities in the Vitosha Mountain nearby Sofia, on grounds of alleged obstructions by the state. State organs reacted by rushing through cabinet and parliament legislation amendments making it easier for companies to build in protected areas, which provoked the ire of enviornmentalists and skiers alike. BULGARIA BRINGS LAST-MINUTE, MAKESHIFT PAVILION TO PRODEXPO'2012 Bulgaria's participation in the prestigious international exhibition of food, beverages and food raw materials Prodexpo Moscow 2012 got off to a disastrous start over delayed payments. Due to the late money transfer, the Bulgarian pavilion was assembled hastily and with materials that happened to be on hand, the Bulgarian National Radio reported on Tuesday. "The manner in which Bulgaria is taking part in this international trade show is humiliating both for our country and for the producers who seek to set foot on the Russian market," representatives of the 14 Bulgarian companies said with indignation. According to Liliya Gyurova, who heads a winery, the organizer of Bulgaria's participation in the 19th edition of the exhibition, the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA), failed to send a representative to Moscow, and, more importantly, to transfer the money for the two pavilions on time. As a result, the two stands had not been ready for the opening of Prodexpo 2012 and had been assembled at the last minute with poor-quality second-hand windows, Gyrova explained. "What is more, the props with the unripe sour grapes are absolutely off-putting to visitors," she told BNR. "Something along the chain obviously went wrong. There is a poor connection between Bulgaria and the Russian Expocentr, without any coordination so that things can be fixed. Regarding the props, I do not know who is in charge of that, but it is simply wrong to waste money and have nothing done for it. Whoever sees this will never think of drinking wine made from these unripe grapes but will rather be reminded of wine gone sour. The Bulgarian participants made bitter jokes that the country would be the unrivalled champion in a potential competition for a badly arranged pavilion. PRESIDENT: BULGARIA MUST SHOWCASE ITS QUALITY WINE The Bulgarian tourist industry must be a flagman of local winemaking, according to Bulgarian President, Rosen Plevneliev. The Head of State met Tuesday, on the day of the traditional Bulgarian celebration - the feast of St. Trifon Zarezan, the patron of vine growing and wine producing, with representatives of 20 winemaking companies. He noted that the local wine industry had marked significant effort and success in the last 20 years, and the tasty food and good wine contribute to the profitable present and future of the country's resorts. "If during the Socialism we were the symbol of mass production, now we enjoy quality Bulgarian wines. The Bulgarian foreign policy must focus on showcasing the success of our home winemaking; Bulgarian Ambassadors must be Ambassadors of Bulgarian wine as well," Plevneliev pointed out. He noted that Bulgaria produces over 102 million liters of wine a year, of which 60% are for export, and promised that the State institutions will continue to help the development of wine growing and making in the country. TITAN MACHINERY ANNOUNCES BULGARIA EXPANSION US company Titan Machinery announced on Tuesday that it has entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire a majority interest of Rimex that consists of seven Case IH agriculture equipment dealership locations in Bulgaria. The dealership locations of Rimex are in Sofia, Dobrich, Burgas, Pleven, Ruse, Montana, and Stara Zagora. The acquisition is expected to close in March, 2012. Upon the closing of the Rimex acquisition, the Titan Machinery network will consist of 91 North American dealerships in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming, Wisconsin, as well as 9 European dealerships in Romania and Bulgaria. "We are excited to expand our international presence with the acquisition of Rimex. This acquisition will enable us to leverage our operations in Eastern Europe following our recent expansion into Romania and further capitalize on the global agriculture economy to complement our core growth efforts in the Upper Midwest," David Meyer, Titan Machinery's Chairman and CEO, said in a statement. Peter Christianson, Titan Machinery's President and Chief Operating Officer, stated, "Over the past twenty years, the Rimex team has built a strong dealership network with strategic locations throughout Bulgaria and cultivated relationships with farmers all over the country. We look forward to working with Rimex's team and applying the Titan Operating Model to the dealerships as we grow our international footprint. We are confident that these dealerships will contribute to our top and bottom line growth." BULGARIA LIMITS TRUCK TRAFFIC DURING HOLIDAYS The traffic of freight trucks in Bulgaria will be suspended in the afternoons of official holidays and days off, announced Bulgarian Minister of Transport Ivaylo Moskovski. The ban will be valid for the remainder of 2012 and will supend all heavy freight truck traffic from Bulgarian roads between 4 pm and 10 pm, including the day before the holiday, and the last official day off. The move is implemented to ease the transportation of Bulgarian citizens who have chosen to travel for the holidays. A prior ban for afternoon freight truck traffic during the summer will be extended, and trucks will have to stay off the roads 4-10 pm, May 20 through September 30. 
BULGARIAN EXPERTS TO SET UP MOVEMENT FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE A Movement for Energy Independence (DEN) will be established next week, the organizers of the initiative announced Tuesday at a press conference. Tuesday's event was attended by Ivan Sotirov, Hristo Kazandzhiev, Evgeny Mihaylov, Alexander Alexiev, Krasimir Momchev, Dimitar Ivanov, Vassil Filipov and Ivan Hinovski, who expressed indignation at the progressive deterioration of the quality of life of Bulgarian citizens. "We ate being governed by people who elbow their way into power only to get involved into a variety of kleptomanic schemes that benefit certain parties, while the Bulgarian society keeps getting poorer and poorer," DEN's founders stated. "When it comes to the past, we know what they did. The renunciation of a gas supply contract by then-Energy Minister Rumen Ovcharov incurred damaged worth billions of dollars to Bulgaria. The current government is also doing nothing to ensure that Bulgaria provides normal living conditions," the organizers of the new movement claimed. They went on to explain that the GERB Cabinet had not adopted any of a series of proposed measures. As an example they cited a project for the construction of a gas grid interconnection between Turkey and Bulgaria which had dragged on for two years despite the fact that the US government had guaranteed the funding. The organizers of the press conference insisted that the Bulgarian government had shifted its focus to the South Stream gas pipeline project which was of questionable benefit for Bulgaria and whose implementation remained uncertain. They drew attention to the fact that no projects were being developed south of Turkey, although the region could be a source of gas supplies at reasonable prices. "The government has so far done nothing to achieve this independence. Everything that is being done is being done in offices, including road maps, memorandums, etc. This government must spare the time to account for its activities. What is more, the Prime Minister must explain on whose recommendations he appointed these senior officials at the Energy Ministry. Energy independence, therefore Bulgaria's national independence, is in our hands," DEN's founders argued. The experts further condemned the Belene NPP project, saying that it had been delayed by some 10 years. "It is important to us that a decision is taken for the immediate suspension of spending on this project and the funds are reallocated to Unit 7 of the Kozloduy NPP," DEN representatives declared, adding that Bulgaria could not afford to run up a debt of EUR 4 B debt due to the financial crisis and the fact that contracting external debt was subject to careful scrutiny. The experts from DEN called for stepping up output from domestic resources. They listed a number of projects they said had been neglected, including the use of the Danube hydro-potential, the proposal for the construction of a new capacity at the Maritsa Iztok TPP, shale gas exploration, energy projects in Galata, Silistar, the Dobrudja coal basin, as well as six tenders for oil and gas drilling. DEN's founders criticized the government's decision to ban shale gas exploration, adding that the technology could have helped to significantly reduce Bulgaria's energy expenses. Insisting that Russia's Gazprom had manipulated Bulgaria into imposing the ban on shale gas development through hydraulic fracturing, the experts noted that Bulgaria was "an absolute champion" in terms of high gas prices. DEN's representatives were adamant that Bulgaria's current situation was the result of a systemic policy for restricting the development of local energy sources, thereby eroding the country's freedom and independent decision making. BULGARIAN ENERGY WATCHDOG ANNOUNCES HEATING PRICE HIKE Heating prices in Bulgaria will go up on April 1 over the increase of fuel prices on global markets, the Head of the State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation, DKEVR, Angel Semerdzhiev, announced Tuesday. Semerdzhiev stressed that these prices have reached their highest levels since 2008. The watchdog is, however, firm that the recently halted export of electric power, over the polar cold that had gripped the country and increased consumption, would not have any direct effect on prices of electricity, but the complicated winter situation would have an indirect effect on bills after all. The DKEVR Head further stressed that there are definitely no grounds for a 27% price hike of natural gas, as proposed by the State supplier Bulgargaz, adding the fact there is a watchdog is a guarantee that it would not happen all while the final proposal is not due until March. According to Semerdzhiev, the reasons of Bulgargaz to increase prices, such as the need to purchase more volumes over reduced reserves cannot be a factor since there is winter in Bulgaria every year and the company had always found reserves. He pointed out the in comparison with 2010, the 2011 financial state of Bulgargaz had improved and the trend is to persist. The DKEVR Head explained that the increase will be within the normal as in previous years, but declined giving any concrete parameters. GOOGLE STREET VIEW PREPARES TO ENTER BULGARIA Google has started collecting images ahead of launching the Google Street View service in the country, it has been announced. Pictures will be taken from the streets of Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Ruse and 66 other cities, towns and resorts over the following moths, dnevnik.bg has informed. Google will dim the license plate numbers and people's faces that get in the images. Google Street View is a technology featured in Google Maps and Google Earth that provides panoramic views from various positions along many streets in the world. It was launched on May 25, 2007, originally only in several cities in the United States, and has since gradually expanded to include more cities and rural areas worldwide. A schedule for the vehicles that will take pictures in Bulgaria can be found on google.bg/streetview. REHN: GREECE MUST TAKE AUSTERITY FOR OWN, EU GOOD The austerity plan to be implemented in Greece is essential to safeguard financial stability in the country and the EU, stated EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn Tuesday. "I can understand the pain and turmoil in Greece, but at the same time this is the framework that has been decided by the euro area member states together with the IMF, and we work on the basis of this framework," Rehn said. The Greek Parliament passed the harsh austerity measures in the wee hours Monday, against the backdrop of violent popular protests that left Athens devastated. However, EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Rehn argued that the measures were essential to avoid a bankruptcy of the Greek state. "A disorderly default for Greece would devastate Greeks and harm Europe,"said Rehn. He moreover stressed he remains optimistic: "I expect that we should soon be able to decide on a new second programme for Greece." Eurozone ministers are expected to meet on Wednesday to finalize a second EUR 130 B bailout plan for Greece, in addition to a write down of 70% Greek debt held by the private sector. PES REJECT GREECE AUSTERITY, LAUNCH SHADOW TROIKA
Bulgarian socialist MEP Ivaylo Kalfin is reported to be part of a
newly created shadow Troika by the Party of European Socialists to
propose rescue measures for debt stricken Greece.
Speaking at a press conference Tuesday, PES European Parliament group
leader Hannes Swoboda announced the move, saying that the European
Socialists rejected the austerity plan developed by the official
creditor Troika comprising the EU, European Central Bank and IMF."The situation in Greece remains fragile and while it is positive that the Greek parliament has accepted the package from the Troika, we as Socialists and Democrats still do not agree with the measures it contains," said Swoboda. "Instead of only offering harsh austerity measures to the people, we need to work on an alternative way out of the crisis based on measures to foster growth and employment," added the PES group leader. He said that the socialist Troika will work closely with the Greek people, including Greek experts to devise a plan that does not involve what socialists regard as unjust and socially insensitive austerity measures. The Greek parliament adopted the austerity package in the wee hours Monday, amid large-scale violent protests in Athens, which left dozens injured and buildings set ablaze. The measures include a 22% reduction of the minimum wage, 7-15% reduction in retirement pensions, firing of 20% of civil servants, a liberalization of the market and cutting down of state spending. According to Bulgarian Cross Information Agency, the PES MEP Troika will consist of Bulgarian Ivaylo Kalfin, Luxemburger Robert Goebbels and Portugese Elisa Ferreira. EC PLACES BULGARIA IN 'GRAY LIST' OVER ECONOMIC RISKS Bulgaria has been included by the European Commission in a new "gray list" representing the bloc's economically and socially vulnerable states. The UK, France, Belgium and Slovenia accompany the Balkan country in the abovementioned list, the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency has informed. The European Commission has also made a "black" list of economically and socially most vulnerable EU countries. The four countries where the situation is seen as critical are Italy, Spain, Hungary and Cyprus. The lists are based on key economic indicators, including the government assets, the macroeconomic situation and the pace of its development, the cost of labour power and social guarantees. BULGARIANS RALLY AGAINST WILDERS' XENOPHOBIC SITE IN THE HAGUE The Bulgarian community in the Netherlands is getting ready to stage a protest rally against the website set up by the Dutch far-right Freedom Party of Geert Wilders. The news was reported Tuesday by the Bulgarian TV channel Nova TV. The protest is scheduled for 11 am on February 21 in front of the building of the Parliament in The Hague. Bulgarian students and workers in the Netherlands say the views of the Dutch far-right are a form of extreme discrimination that needs serious opposition. Geert Wilders' website, launched on Wednesday, asks people to report complaints about central and eastern European immigrants in the Netherlands. "Do you have problems with people from central and eastern Europe? Have you lost your job to a Pole, Bulgarian, Romanian or other eastern European? We want to know," the website states. On Monday, the ambassadors of 10 Central and Eastern European countries, Bulgaria included, sent an open letter to political party leaders in the Netherlands protesting against a website. On Friday evening Europe's justice commissioner Viviane Reding said the website is "an open call to intolerance". "The PVV website completely goes against European principles," Reding said. BULGARIAN AGRICULTURE MINISTER VOWS PIG WELFARE, TOO Bulgaria's Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov has pledged to make the country's pigs happy after he recently made the same promise about hens. "There is no drama, we have a year left – the pigs will be happy, too, which means that they will meet the requirements. We won't butcher them," Naydenov told reporters on Tuesday, referring to EU's requirements for humane treatment of farm animals that will be launched in 2013. The pigs in Bulgaria's farms will enjoy larger living spaces, toys, scratching devices and other measures intended to increase their welfare, Naydenov revealed. "We did it for hens, we will do it for pigs too. The deadline is at the end of the year, the requirements are difficult," he admitted. A total of BGN 50 M – BGN 25 M each - will be spent on the welfare of Bulgarian laying hens and pigs. According to Naydenov, most Bulgarian farms already comply with EU standards. Last Friday, the Agriculture Minister pledged that Bulgaria would manage to implement the ban on the so-called "un-enriched" cages for laying hens before the end-May 2012 deadline. In end-January, the European Commission launched infringement procedures against 13 EU member states, including Bulgaria, over their failure to implement EU legislation concerning the welfare of laying hens. BULGARIAN PRESIDENT VOWS TO END POLICE-JUDICIARY 'WAR' Bulgaria's new President, Rosen Plevneliev, has vowed to tame the "war" between the police and judiciary. Plevneliev made the statement when commenting on the European Commission's interim report on Bulgaria, which was once again highly critical of the judicial system in the country and the progress in the fight against corruption and organized crime. The Head of State explained he has scheduled a number of meetings with the involved parties, after already speaking with the Chief Prosecutor, and the Justice Minister. "I expect concrete measures so that Bulgaria can finally achieve the big goal," said he. Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, already stated that some of the culprits for Brussels' negative assessment are the Ministers of Justice and of the Interior over exchanged remarks between them and mutual accusations. Plevneliev said he would prepare an action plan to help conclude reforms by 2013 so that Bulgaria is no longer placed under the verification and monitoring mechanism of the EC. "This is my goal, not just having one report after another and an avalanche of explanations of who did what and who is guilty of what. What matters here is to finish the reforms we committed to Brussels," the President pointed out. He spoke during his first meeting with the leadership of the Bulgarian Army since taking office. The Commander in Chief praised Bulgarian servicemen for what they have accomplished in 2011. BULGARIA'S NEW PRESIDENT ENJOYS SLIGHT BOOST IN APPROVAL RATING Over 50% of all Bulgarians believe that the country's new President Rosen Plevneliev will be a "good President", according to a poll conducted by Gallup International. A total of 53% of those surveyed have expressed their belief that Plevneliev will cope with his job, while 13% think the opposite and approximately one third cannot decide. Plevneliev's approval rating has been growing recently and is already over 50%, which moves him closer to Bulgaria's most respected political figure according to most polls – the country's EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva. Gallup International has reminded that the previous two Bulgarian Presidents – Petar Stoyanov (1997-2002) and Georgi Parvanov (2002 – 2012) also saw an increase in their approval ratings immediately after assuming office. Stoyanov set an all-time record with an approval rating of 85% in the spring of 1997, while Parvanov's popularity grew over the years to reach 70% in 2005, after which it has been generally decreasing. BULGARIAN CUSTOMS HEAD FACES FINE FOR DISCLOSING CLASSIFIED INFORMATION Customs Agency head Vanyo Tanov faces a fine of BGN 1000-5000 for disclosing classified information, according to Sofia City Prosecutor Nikolay Kokinov. The case was opened on a tip-off from the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) that the Customs Agency Director had revealed the location of the country's wartime fuel stocks in an interview for the morning broadcast of the Bulgarian National Television (BNT) on September 01, 2011. According to the socialists' letter to Chief Prosecutor Boris Velchev, Tanov's words were, as follows: "Speaking about the reserve, it must also be noted that Lukoil Nefochim and Lukoil Bulgaria are under obligation to maintain a certain volume of wartime stocks which is about 8 million liters". The pre-trial proceedings against Tanov had been wrapped up, Kokinov told journalists on Tuesday, and the indictment would be brought before the Sofia City Court by the end of the week. Tanov, who is currently under a remand measure of signed promise for appearance, will most likely be granted an exemption from criminal liability on the grounds that he neither foresaw nor desired the particular outcome. The Customs Agency head is expected to face a fine of BGN 1000-5000, according to sources close to the matter. BULGARIA'S RULERS SCRAP RAISING MP SALARIES MPs from Bulgaria's center right ruling GERB party have filed a motion to continue a freeze on parlamentarians' salaries that expired in the beginning of 2012. In 2011 Bulgarian MPs had their salaries frozen, even though per statute they equals three times the average monthly salary in the country's public sector for the last month of the latest quarter. MPs had nonetheless decided that in view of economic and financial hardships experienced by Bulgaria, they will freeze their salaries to 2009 levels. The moratorum however had expired in the beginning of 2012, raising fears that MP salaries might be automatically indexed again. Internet formus and media were indignant at what they saw as a stealthy self-serving move on the part of Bulgaria's rulers. The motion tabled by GERB MPs Tuesday however signals that such intentions might be scrapped. NEW RESHUFFLE SHAKES BULGARIA'S FISHERY AGENCY The Regional Director for Northeastern Bulgaria of the Executive Agency for Fishery and Aquacultures (IARA) at the Bulgarian Agriculture Ministry, Sashko Grudev, had been surprisingly dismissed from his post. The news was reported by the Bulgarian "Dnevnik" daily, citing its own sources. Grudev held the post for just half year, after being appointed in August 2011 as replacement of predecessor, Prodan Prodanov. The IARA Chief Secretary, Sergey Kostadinov, is going to be temporary in charge until conclusion of the competition for the job. "Dnevnik" sources have said the wave of dismissals at the Agency is prompted by a war between fishery and hunting lobbies and tensions are raging in the sector. Last year, the Director of IARA, Yavor Nedev, resigned along with Prodanov's dismisslal, while Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, explained both have been largely unknown to people from the sector. Three Deputies have left the Varna IARA Unit, along with Grudev, but colleagues say the motives for their dismissals remain unclear, adding that they have been precisely the authors of a recently prepared report on problems in the sector. The report had focused on mistakes in absorbing EU funds, the reasons for them, and factors impeding the sector overall. It had been sent personally to Borisov. According to the same "Dnevnik" sources, speaking off the record, Grudev had replaced Prodanov under strong lobbyist pressure in Varna. Violeta Aleksandrova, Deputy Director of IARA, and the person in charge of financing under the EU Operational Fishery Program, had also been dismissed from her post Monday. She is replaced by Irena Pencheva. UN REPORT: BULGARIA SEVERELY LAGS IN ROMA INTEGRATION
Roma are still largely in the lowest economic and social stratum
among Bulgarians, according to a report presented at the 12th UN Human
Rights Council.
Roma are still experiencing rampant discrimination and exclusion which leaves them marginalized and poor, argues UN human rights expert Gay MacDougall in the report. At the same time, the Bulgarian government is not doing enough to mend that situation, according to the reporter. "Policies of Roma integration in Bulgaria remain lamentably inadequate with uncoordinated initiatives that have only superficial impact," states the report. It argues that government efforts are a long way from the point in which they will pivotally contribute to overcome what it describes as the "enormous challenges" that Roma face. The UN Human Rights report further discusses discrimination Roma in Bulgaria face when applying for jobs in the private sector, as well as the prevalence of poorly qualified labor among the community. BULGARIA REMAINS UNDER CODE YELLOW OVER FREEZE Code yellow for inclement winter weather has been issued for several Bulgarian regions Tuesday, according to the forecast of the National Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) Code yellow means potentially dangerous weather, where the forecast is not for unusual meteorological events, but requires people to exercise caution. The code is effective for the regions of Vidin, Montana, Sofia, Pernik, Kyustendil, Lovech and Gabrovo. The clouds will disperse and the day will be mostly sunny. There will be moderately strong winds in the Danube plain. The minimum temperatures will be between minus 13 degrees C to minus 8 in northern Bulgaria, minus 7- minus 2 C in the southeastern regions and the Black Sea coast. In Sofia, the minimum will be minus 2 C. The mercury is expected to go up with maximum temperatures from minus 3 degrees C to plus 2 C. In Sofia, the maximum will be minus 2 C. Light snow is expected Thursday afternoon. Roads across the country are reported as passable under winter weather conditions - treacherous with snowdrifts and ice at spots. Tractor trailers over 10 tons are banned in a number of mountain passes and in the regions of Haskovo and Silistra; tire chains are required in these areas as well. Meanwhile experts are issuing a very serious warning for new and very dangerous floods next weekend into Monday when the mercury will go up by 6-7 degrees and the snow will start melting. Landslides, which have been activated during the "hurricane" like winter storm, remain a serious threat for the Black Sea coast. BULGARIA GOVT PUSHES CONTROVERSIAL FUNDING OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS Bulgaria's center-right GERB government's plans for state financing of private education have received a new boost by proposed amendments in the Schools Act revealed Tuesday. According to the proposals, unveiled by Minister of Education Sergey Ignatov, private kindergartens and schools will start receiving funding from Bulgaria's state budget. Although further details are to be determined, the Minister of Education said that state funding for private institutions will be "based on an approach comparable with that for public kindergartens and schools." According to Ministry of Education data, some 0.9% of Bulgaria's pupils go to private institutions of primary learning. Bulgaria will have to table BGN 10 M for private schools in 2013, if the proposed amendments to the Law on Pre-School and School Education are passed. Key other reforms mandated by the amendments include a regime under which it will be virtually impossible for pupils through 5th grade to drop out of school due to poor grade. 1st to 3rd graders will no longer receive quantitative marks, but will be graded qualitatively. Pre-school education will be mandatory starting the age of 4. REGIONAL MUFTI OFFICE CLAIMS OWNERSHIP OF BULGARIA'S ESKI DJAMIA The Regional Mufti Office of Haskovo has claimed ownership of the Old Mosque (Eski Djamia) in the southeastern city of Stara Zagora. The Mufti Office has backed its claim with title deeds dating back to the beginning of the last century and has challenged in court the state property deed issued 3 years ago by the municipal administration in Stara Zagora. The civil lawsuit was initially brought before the Stara Zagora Regional Court but was subsequently referred to the Stara Zagora District Court due to the high value of the claim. Under a conservation and restoration project funded under the Regional Development Operational Program, the Eski Djamia was converted into a Museum of Religions in 130 days. The project had a price tag of BGN 2.4 M and the ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on September 16, 2011. The state was expected to transfer ownership of the site to the Stara Zagora Municipality anytime soon. However, the transaction was delayed due to defects in the repair work that had to be urgently removed by the contractor. In the course of the trial, an expert witness report will most likely be required to determine the authenticity of the document presented by the Regional Mufti Office. Eski Djamia has been ranked as a 'monument of national interest' since 1972. It was built in the 15th century on a sacred place occupied previously by a Thracian sanctuary. The mosque is the only building in Stara Zagora to survive the Russian-Turkish Liberation War. BULGARIANS CELEBRATE LOVE AND WINE Bulgarians celebrate Tuesday two holidays in one - the Day of Love and the Day of Wine. Bulgaria has been marking the two holidays on February 14 since the fall of Communism in the late eighties, when the day of the sweethearts came to the country. Previously completely ignored by lovebirds in Bulgaria, St. Valentine's Day enjoyed escalating popularity over the years of the country's transition to Western-like lifestyle. Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages across catholic countries and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date is now marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers, hearts and teddy bears. As lovers celebrate St Valentine's Day, many Bulgarians insist February 14 should be reserved for a traditional Bulgarian celebration - the feast of St. Trifon Zarezan, the patron of vine growing and wine producing. The St. Trifon Zarezan day offers a nice alternative to those who don't have a loved one to share the holiday with, but can still find a reason to celebrate. The professional holiday of vine-growers and wine-makers has been officially celebrated since 1962. When the Gregorian Calendar was officially introduced by the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in 1968, the church services moved to February 1, but the Day of Vine and Wine is still commemorated on February 14. According to old traditions, the culmination is the moment of choosing the "king of the vines" - usually a diligent vine-grower, who is thus said to sweep all good luck. BULGARIA LAUNCHES FREE AIDS TESTING CAMPAIGN ON 'LOVE DAY' On St Valentine's Day, Bulgarians will be able to get free testing for HIV and AIDS in 38 stations across the country. The initiative is part of the national informational anti-AIDS campaign of the Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS Program, financed by the Health Ministry, Darik radio reported Tuesday. 19 stations will be used only during the campaign while the other 19 will be permanent. The campaign also includes health discussions with high school and college students and the distribution of free condoms and educational brochures. According to preliminary data of the Health Ministry, over 84 000 have used in 2011 anonymous and free AIDS testing and another 63 000 used the HIV prevention services. The number of people officially registered with HIV in Bulgaria is 1 486. 13 new cases have been registered since the beginning of 2012 – 10 men and 3 women, ages 24 to 59. BULGARIAN ARMY MOBILIZED TO PREPARE SKI WORLD CUP IN BANSKO A special alpine unit of the Bulgarian Army has joined preparations for the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup round in Bansko, February 18-19 and 25-26. The Bulgarian Army's Alpine Battalion was especially invited by the Bulgarian Ski Federation to help, announced the Ministry of Defense Tuesday. 40 Alpine Battalion service persons from units in Plovdiv and Smolyan have joined in the efforts to prepare the event. Before that, the special army unit had helped in the preparation for the upcoming European Skiing Cup run in Pamporovo. Next weekend, Bulgaria's Bansko will host the men's giant slalom and slalom, and the weekend after - women's downhill and supergiant slalom. BULGARIA THREATENS TO BLOCK NATURALIZED WEIGHTLIFTERS FROM LONDON OLYMPICS The Bulgarian Weightlifting Federation (BWF) has threatened to block the participation of naturalized athlethes Boyanka Kostova and Valentin Hristov in the London 2012 Olympic Games. Bulgaria-born Kostova and Hristov started competing for Azerbaijan after the Azeri federation agreed to pay the Bulgarian counterpart EUR 400 000 in compensation. Hristov holds a bronze medal from the world championship in Paris, which took place in November 2011. The BWF has claimed an additional compensation to allow Kostova and Hristov to take part in the London Olympics. "We shall let them take part in the London Olympics only if we get the additional compensation," BWF Chair Nedelcho Kolev told journalists, adding that the contract with the Azeri federation only provided for the two athletes' participation in world championships, not Olympic Games. The Azeri federation, however, explained in a statement that the agreement provided for no extra compensations. The Azeri federation threatened to take legal action against Bulgaria if the BWF blocked the weightlifters' participation in the London Olympic Games. BULGARIA'S TENNIS STAR DRAMATICALLY DEFEATED AT SAP OPEN Grigor Dimitrov, Bulgaria's top male tennis player, lost to fifth-seeded Kevin Anderson of South Africa in the first round of the SAP Open on Monday. Anderson came from a set down to beat the Bulgarian 2-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3). Despite the loss, Bulgaria's male tennis made history on Monday, as two players from the Balkan country entered the main draw of an ATP tournament for the first time ever. 24-year-old Dimitar Kutrovsky slew the Slovenian competitor, Luka Gregorc, his comfortable 6-2, 6-0 success against the world number 501 allowing him to enter the main draw at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. In the first round,Kutrovski will face local star Dennis Lajola, who downed the Indian challenger, Yuki Bhambri, in straight sets to enter the main draw. BULGARIA'S BALAKOV TO TAKE OVER HERTHA - REPORT Bulgarian coach Krasimir Balakov is likely to take over German club Hertha Berlin, according to German media. The Bulgarian is considered to be a frontrunner for the job, the German goal.com believes. The other contenders are said to be Thomas Doll, Ralf Rangnick, Holger Stanislawski, Falco Geotz, Jurgen Roeber and former Bulgarian national side coach Lothar Matthaeus. As a player, Balakov had quite a successful career in Germany. He played for VfB Stuttgart where he won two UEFA Intertoto Cups (2000 and 2002) and a DFB-Pokal (1997), before retiring in 2003. The prominent former Bulgarian international is currently managing Croatian team Hajduk Split. On Sunday, Hertha Berlin fired coach Michael Skibbe after just five games — all losses — and lost midfielder Andreas Ottl to a three-games suspension after receiving a red card for a rough tackle. BULGARIAN 'HAMMER' DRUG DEALERS REMAIN IN JAIL Bulgaria's anti-Mafia tribunal had ruled late Monday evening to keep behind bars the drug dealers arrested in a special operation codenamed "Hammer." Suspected drug boss and ringleader, Stefan Bonev, aka Sako, remains in permanent detention as well, and had been charged with organizing a crime group and illegal drugs possession. Milen Davranski is also charged with organizing a crime group, while another 8 people are indicted for participation in a crime group for illegal drugs distribution and trade. In their motives, the magistrates point out that there is proof beyond any doubt that Bonev is the organizer of the group, while the rest had been participating in it. Bonev was arrested at the start of the operation on Friday, together with several other men. Four of his aides aged between 37 and 22 were detained on Saturday, the Interior Ministry announced. Stefan Bonev, aka Sako, is under investigation on several counts, and is believed to be linked to crime boss Krasimir Marinov, aka the Big Margin. In searching the homes of the detainees, who had been wanted for some time, the police have confiscated small amounts of cocaine and drug dealing tools. 5 CARS TORCHED IN BULGARIA OVERNIGHT Four cars have been set on fire in Bulgaria's southern city of Yambol and one in the capital Sofia Monday into Tuesday. The call for burning automobiles in Yambol has been placed on the emergency 112 hotline – all have been parked in front of the same apartment building and 3 had Yambol title plates, while one was from the Black Sea city of Varna. A Volkswagen Passat was set on fire in Sofia in the "Fondovi Zhilishta" district, the Sofia police inform. The call was placed at 1:30 am, and fire experts strongly suspect arson. According to the Bulgarian National Radio, BNR, the Passat belongs to Catherine Markova, 43, known for her son's Dzhordzho's kidnapping several years ago by the organized crime group dubbed "The Impudent." The car, however, had been used by Plamen Markov, the brother of known criminal Yordan Markov AKA Sidzhimata, who was gunned down in Sofia six years ago. Yordan Markov is Dzhordzho's father. Though subsiding, there had been over 60 such incidents in Sofia in the last three months and over 30 others outside the capital. Police say that the arsons were committed by several groups with different motives and some have been copycat criminal actions. Others believe the arsons were set on purpose by an unknown, but powerful mastermind in order to destabilize the cabinet of the ruling GERB. Recently, the Sofia District Court ruled to keep Ivan Kamenov, the fourth suspect regarding the recent series of car arsons in Bulgaria's capital Sofia, in custody. The court believes that Kamenov is likely to hide or commit other crimes if he is released. The suspect has had a previous sentence for arson. Kamenov has been accused of torching a vehicle in Sofia's Lyulin residential district. His lawyers have pointed out that the witnesses who have implicated him in the crime have criminal records or have been under the influence of cannabis, which would make their accounts doubtful. Another arson suspect is being held in jail in the Black Sea city of Varna – Georgi Georgiev, an individual with a criminal record, charged with setting on fire two cars in the nearby town of Aksakovo. On December 27, the Sofia Appellate Court released Yuliyan Kovachki , 29, on own recognizance. Kovachki was allegedly responsible for several arsons that took place in the Mladost residential district. He was rearrested on charges of hooliganism on February 1. Several days earlier, another suspect, 33-year-old Vladislav Nikolov AKA Kukata (The Hook) was also released on own recognizance. On December 20, suspect Radoslav Stoyanov was released on a BGN 1700 bail. WEST SUFFERS PROPAGANDA ON SYRIA - BULGARIAN EXPERT Westerners are exposed to one-sided reports about ongoing violent events in Syria, whi favor the rebels, according to Bulgarian Middle East Expert Kiryak Tsonev. "We are the victims of one-sided propaganda from the so-called rebels. From the other side, the side of the government, information is much more scarce," commented Tsonev for the Bulgarian National Radio Tuesday. According to the Bulgarian expert, western media and governments are unduly biased to only one of the side in a violent armed conflict. "At present there is a civil war going on in Syria - army against army. The rebels themselves call their units a Free Army. So demands for ceasefire on both sides are completely justified," added Tsonev. According to him, there are no grounds for an ideological favorization of Sunni Muslims that he sees as prevalent on the part of the West. "We must not forget that the Taliban were Sunni too," clarified Tsonev. The vast majority of Syria's population is Sunni, while it is ruled by the Shiite Al-Assad family, which has been in power since 1971, when the father of current President Bashar Al-Assad, Hafez Al-Assad, became president. Syria has been grappled by pro-democracy protests since March 2011, which have of late turned extremely violent, claiming the lives of thousands. WHITNEY HOUSTON BURIED IN NJ HOMETOWN The late pop icon Whitney Houston will be buried on February 17 in her hometown of Newark, New Jersey, on the US East Coast. According to BBC, Houston's body was released to her family late on Monday morning and was flown from Van Nuys Airport in the Los Angeles area east to New Jersey. A gold hearse took her body from Teterboro airport to a funeral home in Newark, reports say. Born in Newark, Whitney Houston began her singing career as a child at the city's New Hope Baptist Church. On Monday, mourners left tributes, including flowers, balloons and candles, alongside the church's fence. The 48-year-old singer was found underwater and unconscious on Saturday in a bath at a hotel in Beverly Hills, police said. In a news conference on Monday, a Beverly Hills police spokesman informed fire department officials were told the singer was found unresponsive on Saturday morning. He played down reports that prescription drugs might have been involved in her death. No criminal probe is under way, police stated, but LA's coroner said her room did contain some prescription drugs. Toxicology tests are under way after an autopsy on Sunday. The authorities say it may be up to eight weeks before they can confirm the cause of death. Houston was one of the world's best-selling artists from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s, but her career was overshadowed by drug use and a turbulent marriage to singer Bobby Brown. She was found in her hotel room just hours before she was supposed to appear at a gala before the Grammy awards show. At the Grammy awards ceremony on Sunday she was remembered by the music world. Sales of Houston's albums have soared on both sides of the Atlantic following her death in Los Angeles. SAP LABS BULGARIA CEO PLAMEN TILEV: BULGARIA IS ALREADY FACING A SHORTAGE OF IT EXPERTS Click here to read the story: www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=136648 THE BIG DREAMS OF BULGARIA'S BIG POLITICIANS A battle is raging and a bickering is taking place in the Bulgarian left-wing Socialist party on the backdrop of huge problems with the polar temperatures and deadly floods. As soon as he left office, after two terms as President, Georgi Parvanov, former leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, started articulating new political ambitions. His chair's seat at the President's office still warm, he began rounds of TV channels and other media to claim back what he has always believed belongs to him – the Party's leadership. Obviously untouched by the tragic incidents, and the pain of fellow Bulgarians, the one also known by his alias "Gotse" from the time he was agent of the Communist State Security, and as the President who went hunting on another tragic day when 9 Bulgarians burned to death in an obsolete train, (I know I have said this many times, but I will never get tired of repeating it), immediately started talking about the need of change in the left wing and to blame its current leader and former Prime Minister, Sergey Stanishev, for the Socialists being forced into opposition. Stanishev, also in a number of media appearances, vowed respect for his teacher, but also to not give up the party's helm. Recently elected Chairman of the Party of European Socialists, PES, he points at it nonstop as one of his numerous advantages. Curiously enough, both talk about reinstating democracy in the country and solve its numerous problems as they have never been in power and always in opposition in the last decade, and in the last 67 years for that matter. For sure, if Bulgaria's left-wing and ideology have any chance of not only revival, but survival, the change must come from some brand-new, unblemished and non-discredited faces. In a bout of cheap populism and with hopes to score among voters with hinted desire to not only resurrect as Socialist leader, but become Prime Minister under the model "Putin," Parvanov mentioned several times the great pleasure he experienced from finally being home in his panel apartment in the humble and gloomy Sofia "Krasna Polyana" district, drinking rakiya, eating pickles and watching sports on TV. Apparently, the two-term President, sitting in high office away from common people, is yet to realize that voters, who find the above appealing, are near extinction, and the span of the dreams of the younger generation and even the middle-aged in Bulgaria goes far beyond a shabby apartment in a remote Sofia neighborhood, a shot of rakiya with salad, and a colored-screen TV. But, as Antoine de Saint-Exupery's Little Prince said: "A man is as big as are his dreams..." |
The Big Dreams of Bulgaria's Big Politicians
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