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| 5 Mar 2012, Issue 3335 · USD: 1.47978 EUR: 1.95583 · Sofia: min -3°, max 8° Varna: min -2°, max 4° · |
| BUSINESS POLITICS WORLD SOCIETY SPORTS FORUM |
Ex FinMin: Bulgaria Heads for Disaster with No Fiscal Reserve
 By
the start of 2013 Bulgaria will have spent its entire fiscal reserve
due to the policies of center-right GERB cabinet, argued former
Bulgarian Minister of Finance Plamen Oresharski.
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Bulgarian Transport Minister Opens Revamped Varna Airport
 Bulgaria's
Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski and representatives of
concessionaire Fraport Twin Star Airport Management officially opened
the rehabilitated runway of Bulgaria's Varna airport.
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Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria Hopeful on Belene NPP, South Stream
 Sofia
and Moscow may finish the negotiations on the Belene nuclear power
plant and the South Stream gas pipeline projects and start fulfilling
them after the presidential election in Russia, Russian Ambassador to
Bulgaria Yuriy Isiakov believes.
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PUTIN EXPECTEDLY REGAINS RUSSIA PRESIDENCY
Russia's president election day ended at 9 pm Moscow time on Sunday, with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin expectedly winning, as he gathered 61.78% according to preliminary results. Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov finished second, gathering 17.89%. Head of the Liberal Democratic Party Vladimir Zhirinovsky won 7.93% , while independent candidate Mikhail Prokhorov came fourth with 7.57%, according to data released by ORT. Officials say turnout was higher than for the last election in 2008. Opposition groups have reported widespread violations, with many people voting more than once, BBC says. In the fall of 2011, current Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and PM Vladimir Putin agreed to swap positions after presidential elections at a forum of the United Russia party Putin chairs. In the months preceding the polls, Russia was grappled by the most wide-spread anti-establishment protests in its modern history, with tens of thousands marching in major cities. Those rallies were answered with counter-rallies of tens of thousands supporting the policies of Putin and United Russia. Putin, 59, will be inaugurated as new president in May and will serve for six years, not four as previously. 
BULGARIAN TRANSPORT MINISTER OPENS REVAMPED VARNA AIRPORT Bulgaria's Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski and representatives of concessionaire Fraport Twin Star Airport Management officially opened the rehabilitated runway of Bulgaria's Varna airport. "The concession of the Burgas and Varna airports is a good example of public-private partnership," Moskovski said at the ceremony. "We managed to attract EU financing for the railroad infrastructure, but when it comes to airports and ports concession is the best approach," he added, as cited by Varna 24. The Transport Minister expressed his certainty that the concessionaire's investments will turn the Varna and Burgas airports into modern European airports and will lead to an increased number of passengers and the attraction of more airline companies. The Varna airport resumed serving passengers and flights after it was closed in October 2011 for rehabilitation of its runway. Since the fall of 2011, concessionaire Fraport Twin Star Airport Management has invested BGN 40 M to improve the runway. In November 2011, Fraport Twin Star Airport Management signed the contract for the construction of the new terminals with the selected constructor, Turkish consortium TIE-ICDAS. The construction of the two passenger terminals is estimated to cost the concessionaire a total of BGN 130 M. As early as July 2011, the concessionaire of the Bulgarian Black Sea airports Varna and Burgas Fraport Twin Star Airport Management announced plans to invest BGN 170 M in their modernization in the next 3 years. FOOD PRICES IN BULGARIA STEADILY ON RISE The prices of basic food products in Bulgaria have continued to rise during the month of February, reports Bulgaria's state agency in charge of wholesale. Eggs have marked a record rise of 35% for wholesale price during the month of February, which makes 60% on a yearly basis. The white cow cheese price has risen with 4%, while meat sausages have risen with 1.6%. The prices of beans, rise, milk and meat products have made a 5-10% rise of the price on a yearly basis. Sugar and fish meat have been marking especially steep hikes, with 18% and 21% on a yearly basis. Sunday a new string of protests against what some believe to be unduly high prices of car fuels are scheduled across the country, reports the Bulgarian National Radio. EX FINMIN: BULGARIA HEADS FOR DISASTER WITH NO FISCAL RESERVE By the start of 2013 Bulgaria will have spent its entire fiscal reserve due to the policies of center-right GERB cabinet, argued former Bulgarian Minister of Finance Plamen Oresharski. In an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio Sunday, Oresharski was critical of his successor Simeon Djankov's approach of spending from the reserve and failure to gather adequate revenue. "At the start of next year, after Bulgaria pays dues on sovereign bonds, our country will no longer have any fiscal reserve," said the ex-FinMin and current Bulgarian Socialist Party MP. "After that, except for funds that are geared for specific purposes and limited use, Bulgaria will have at its disposal a very modest amount verging on zero," added he. Oresharski likened the situation that he argues is going to occur with the financial crisis that gripped Bulgaria in 1996-7. Thursday the Bulgarian Ministry of Finance released data, according to which in January the reserve has shrunken to BGN 4 B from BGN 5 B during the same month in 2011. MOODY'S DOWNGRADES GREECE'S CREDIT RATING TO LOWEST LEVEL Moody's Investors Service has downgraded the sovereign credit rating of Greece to the lowest level, from 'Ca' to 'C', the rating agency said. The agency said on its website that the decision "was prompted by the recently announced debt exchange proposals for Greece, which imply expected losses to investors in excess of 70%, which is consistent with Moody's criteria for a C rating." Two weeks ago euro zone officials agreed to a second EUR 130 B bailout aid package for Greece and called for private investors to waive 53.5% of their principal in a bond swap to cut Greece's massive EUR 360 B debt by EUR 107 B. Last week international ratings agency Standard & Poor's downgraded on Tuesday Greece's long-term sovereign credit rating from 'CC' to 'selective default.' Moody's lowered Greece's sovereign rating to C from Ca, arguing that the risk of default remains high even a bond-swap deal with banks and other private investors, due to be completed this month, is successful. It said it would "re-assess the credit risk profile'' after Greece issues the new bonds. The swap deal aims to cut euro107 billion (4 billion) from the country's debt, and would see private investors lose more than half the face value of their Greek bonds in exchange for new ones issued with more favorable repayment terms for the crisis-hit country. The exchange is an integral part of a second bailout package for Greece by other eurozone countries and the International Monetary Fund. "Looking ahead, the EU program and proposed debt exchanges will reduce Greece's debt burden, but the risk of a default even after the debt exchange has been completed remains high,'' Moody's said. "Moody's believes that Greece will still face medium-term solvency challenges: its stock of debt will still be well in excess of 100 percent of gross domestic product for many years, the country is unlikely to be able to access the private market once the second assistance package runs out, and its planned fiscal and economic reforms will still face very significant implementation risks.'' BULGARIAN PROTESTERS RISE AGAINST HIGH FUEL PRICES Protests took place in a number of Bulgarian cities on Sunday against high fuel prices in the country. The protesters gathered in Sofia, Sliven, Kyustendil, Pazardzhik, Blagoevgrad, Varna, Burgas, Lovech and other cities and town, with the demonstration in Sliven being most massive, according to the Bulgarian National Television. Some 300 people and approximately 150 vehicles gathered in the southern Bulgarian town. In Blagoevgrad, three effigies representing what protesters perceive to be monopolists in Bulgaria were symbolically hanged from a bridge. The effigies represented Lukoil, mobile operators and the CEZ power distributor. Protesters have once again complained about what they see as the abuse of a dominating marked position for car fuels in the country by Russian-owned company Lukoil Bulgaria. RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO BULGARIA HOPEFUL ON BELENE NPP, SOUTH STREAM Sofia and Moscow may finish the negotiations on the Belene nuclear power plant and the South Stream gas pipeline projects and start fulfilling them after the presidential election in Russia, Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria Yuriy Isiakov believes. In an interview for the BGNES news agency, Isakov expressed his hope that the Bulgarian-Russian diplomatic relations will change for the better, as he said their potential has not been fully reached yet. "First of all, I have to say that these projects surpass the frames of the Russian-Bulgarian relations. These projects are indeed big common European ventures in which some ten countries participate, as the case is with South Stream. And if we take all participants in the construction of Belene, there are probably from several European countries, too," Isakov commented on the two key Bulgarian-Russian energy projects. Isakov stated he expects the real construction of South Stream to begin in December 2012, adding that the project would fully insure Bulgaria's energy security for the next 100 years. Speaking on the day Russians vote for their next President, Isakov further reminded that Bulgaria is very attractive for Russian tourists. 
BULGARIA ENJOYS LIBERATION DAY GREETINGS FROM BAN KI-MOON, OBAMA, ELIZABETH II World leaders – including UN chief Ban Ki-moon, US President Barack Obama, and UK's Queen Elizabeth II – have sent greetings to Bulgaria on the occasion of its National Liberation Day, March 3. On March 3, 2012, Bulgaria celebrated 134th years since its liberation from the Ottoman Turkish Empire, and the restoration of its nation-state after a 500-year yoke, achieved after the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878. "This is an opportunity to celebrate the proud culture and history of your country and a chance to demonstrate the role that Bulgaria plays in our globally connected world," UN Secretary-General Ban stated in his address to Bulgaria's head of state Rosen Plevneliev, the Presidency press service announced. "I welcome the contribution, commitment and leadership of Bulgaria in the quest for a just, peaceful, and prosperous future for all people," Ban added. "Bulgaria is a reliable ally in NATO and an important partner of the United States. We appreciate highly your continuing strong support of the International Security Assistance Foreces, and the contribution of your brave fighters in Afghanistan. We welcome your commitment to democratic reform, and your valuable cooperation in the fight against terrorism, in intelligence and law enforcement with which we protect the security of all of our citizens," US President Barack Obama declared in a letter to Plevneliev for March 3. "It is with great pleasure that I present to Your Excellency my greetings on the occasion of your national holiday, as well as my best wishes for happiness and success of the government and people of Bulgaria," Queen Elizabeth stated in her March 3 message. Bulgaria's President Plevneliev has also received greetings from the acting heads of state of Austria, Azerbaijan, Germany, India, Ireland, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Greece, Kazakstan, Switzerland. JUNCKER TO QUIT CHAIRING EUROZONE DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS Luxembourg PM Jean-Claude Juncker, who has for long presided eurozone meetings, is highly likely to withdraw in June. During the European Council over the week, Juncker has stated that in June he will hand over the position to someone else, report agencies. In the meanwhile, Juncker has to find a suitable successor to chair the meetings of the 17 Ministers of Finance from the common currency area. "It is a matter of time constraints. In view of the crisis I hardly manage to do my duties in Luxembourg and at the same time tense work in the euro group," said the Luxembourg PM. He has been serving as the eurozone president ever since 2005. Juncker commented that the hard work and what he described as "moments of anger and disappointment" were not what made him make the decision. EU RECOGNIZES SYRIA'S ANTI-ASSAD OPPOSITION The European Union has recognized the Syrian National Council, the opposition to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, as a "legitimate representative of Syrians." At their summit in Brussels, the EU heads of state and government have also called on Syrian opposition members to unite in their struggle for peace. "The European Union supports the Syrian opposition in its struggle for freedom, dignity and democracy, recognizes the Syrian National Council as a legitimate representative of Syrians and calls upon all members of the Syrian opposition to unite in its peaceful struggle," a document of the EU leaders said. The decision by the EU also called on Russia and China, which prevented resolutions regarding Syria at the UN Security Council, to cooperate in efforts for end of violence in Syria. BULGARIAN PM VOWS TO FIRE OFFICIALS WHO KEPT BONUSES Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, will be proposing changes in the structure of the cabinet, beginning Monday, if it is established that there are senior officials, who failed to return bonuses received in the last two years. The information was published officially Saturday by the cabinet's press center and comes from the short-hand notes of the Wednesday Council of Ministers meeting. During the meeting, Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, had explained that until Friday, the task of calculating and collecting these bonuses is assigned to his other Deputy, Finance Minister, Simeon Djankov, while with the start of the new week Tsvetanov will be the one to plan the said changes. "In this case, you have until Friday to deal with the "good" Djankov, otherwise on Monday the "bad" Tsvetanov will step forward," the PM had declared. Bonuses of regional governors and their deputies will be assigned to the Council of Ministers' Secretary, Rosen Zheliyazkov, it had emerged from the notes. "I think that right here I said that officials such as ministers, their deputies, heads of political cabinets, regional governors and their deputies have a Friday deadline to return or donate all bonuses they have received no matter what they call them and that they should not have gotten any additional money in times of crisis. Those who failed to comply will be replaced – if he or she is a minister, I will submit proposals for their replacement in the Parliament; if he or she is a deputy minister – I will fire them; it he or she is a head of political cabinet, and had not been fired by the respective minister, the latter will be replaced," Borisov has said. "Since on Friday, I will sign a letter notifying the opposition that there are no people with bonuses in my cabinet, those who still have them will make me look like a liar, which is impossible. I think I am clear and to the point, and you understand me," the PM continues reiterating his earlier appeal to the former cabinet of the Three-Way Coalition to do the same, since they have gotten times more. The Finance Ministry was supposed to announce by the end of the workday Friday how much money had been transferred to the special account opened by Djankov for the return of the bonuses, however, such announcement was not made. Instead, at the last moment it was decided to first analyze "the action" for the return of the bonuses at the next meeting of the cabinet and disclose the results after it. TOP BULGARIAN NATIONALIST WITH LIBERATION DAY 'COMEBACK' SPEECH Bulgaria's far-right, nationalist party Ataka organized Saturday in the capital Sofia its traditional for the country's National Liberation Day march and meeting. The organizers explained how the party is preparing for the 2012 general elections to a crowd of about 3 000 supporters and followers from all over the country, gathered at the square before the "Alexander Nevsky" Cathedral. The march started from the National Palace of Culture all the way through downtown Sofia to the "Nevsky" square, with several stops, such as the buildings of the Finance and Economy Ministries. There, Ataka leader, Volen Siderov, demanded the resignation of their respective ministers – Simeon Djankov and Traicho Traikov, for betraying national interests and working for colonizers and for the impoverishment of Bulgarians. Siderov delivered a 50-minute-long speech, asking for decent jobs for all Bulgarians, European wages, eliminating monopolies and transferring all business back to Bulgarian hands. He accused European leaders of trying to cut Bulgaria to pieces, as all Great Forces have done, not caring about Bulgarian people and their well-being, and labeled the EU the "new Soviet Union." The nationalist leader further slammed Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, and his cabinet of not doing anything to improve the situation for fellow countrymen and women. At the end of the speech, Siderov, appealed to all, who are banging him and want his post, to have the courage to look him in the eye and tell him what they want and let people be the judge. "Any action against Ataka only serves Turkish and Gipsy interests, and all enemies of Bulgaria," said he. Despite the large crowd, known as prone to fights, the march went on without incidents and clashes with police. BULGARIA CELEBRATES NATIONAL LIBERATION DAY Bulgaria celebrates on March 3rd its National Holiday, marking the 134th anniversary of its Liberation from five centuries of Ottoman yoke. The Team of Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency) congratulates its Bulgarian readers on the occasion of Liberation Day! The 134th anniversary of Bulgaria's Liberation will be honored with ceremonies, traditionally held throughout the country, particularly solemn in towns and cities boasting victorious battles of Russian and Bulgarian soldiers in the 1877-1878 Liberation War. The Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, known in Bulgaria as the Liberation War, started in the spring of 1877. Russia was moved to declare war on the Ottoman Turkish Empire after the atrocities against the Bulgarian population during the April Uprising of 1876, which were made known to the world by US journalist working for the British press, Januarius MacGahan. Some 66 000 Russian, Belorusian, Ukrainian, Finnish, and Romanian soldiers were killed and about 140 000 were wounded on the Russian side of the war. About 30 000 Bulgarians were slaughtered by Ottoman troops and irregulars during the fighting. On 3 March 1878, the Peace Treaty of San Stefano (a tiny town near Istanbul) between Russia and the Ottoman Empire was signed, bringing Bulgaria back to the political map. The Peace Treaty of San Stefano marks the revival of the Bulgarian State, dominated by the Ottoman rule since the end of 14th century. However, the San Stefano Treaty was not final and was revised at the Congress of Berlin, which took place a couple of months later in 1878. It ended with the redistribution back to the Ottoman Empire of certain Bulgarian territories that the previous treaty had given to the Principality of Bulgaria, most notably Macedonia. The Congress of Berlin (June 13 - July 13, 1878) was a meeting of the European Great Powers' and the Ottoman Empire's leading statesmen. In the wake of the Russian-Turkish War, 1877-78, the meeting's aim was to reorganize the countries of the Balkans. Otto von Bismarck, who led the Congress, undertook to balance the distinct interests of Britain, Russia and Austria-Hungary. The congress was aimed at the revision of the Treaty of San Stefano and at keeping Constantinople in Ottoman hands. March 3 was honored for the first time in 1880, on the occasion of the Enthronement of Russian Emperor Alexander the Second. Since 1888, March 3 has become Bulgaria's Day of Liberation, but it was not declared National Holiday until 1978. With a Parliamentary Decree from 1990, March 3 was included in the list of Bulgaria's official holiday. GOOGLE CELEBRATES BULGARIA'S NATIONAL LIBERATION DAY, TOO The starting page of the Google search engine in Bulgaria, www.google.bg, marked Saturday, March 3, Bulgaria's National Liberation Day with its logo. Bulgaria celebrates on March 3rd its National Holiday, marking the 134th anniversary of its Liberation from five centuries of Ottoman Empire yoke. The Google Doodle logo featured the famous Shipka Pass Battle Monument – honoring probably the most important battle in the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878, i.e. the Bulgarian Liberation War. The Shipka Monument replaced the letter "L", with the Bulgarian national flag as a background (see screenshot above). Google Doodle has already featured a number of logos dedicated to Bulgarian national holidays. On May 24, 2011, the Day of Slavic Script and Bulgarian Culture, it was written in Cyrillic, "Гугъл". On March 1, 2011, the Google logo wore a Bulgarian martenitsa to celebrate the traditional Bulgarian holiday of Baba Marta or Martenitsa, and on September 22, 2008, when Bulgaria marked a centennial of its formal independence from the Ottoman Turkish Empire, it featured the Bulgarian flag. BULGARIA'S NATIONAL LIBERATION DAY CELEBRATED IN MOSCOW Bulgaria's Day of National Liberation from the Ottoman Empire, March 3, has been celebrated in Moscow by Bulgarians living in Russia and Russian officials. Bulgaria celebrates on March 3rd its National Holiday, marking the 134th anniversary of its Liberation from five centuries of Ottoman yoke, which came after the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878. In the Russian capital, Bulgaria's Liberation was celebrated on the Slavic Square at the Monument of the Heroes Who Died at Pleven, the city in Northern Bulgaria which in 1877 was the major battlefield in the war between the Russian Empire and Ottoman Turkey. "This is a remarkable day for the Bulgarian nation because it became free again. We will gather at this holy spot in order to honor memory and pay tribute to the sacrifice of the Bulgarian and Russian warriors who died in the name of freedom," said Russian bishop Sava Voskresenskiy, who performed a remembrance service on the Slavic Square in Moscow, as cited by the Bulgarian National Radio. On the occasion of March 3, the Moscow History Museum is showing an exhibit entitled "A Balkan Triumph. Pages from the Heroic History of the Russian-Turkish War. The Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, known in Bulgaria as the Liberation War, started in the spring of 1877. Russia was moved to declare war on the Ottoman Turkish Empire after the atrocities against the Bulgarian population during the April Uprising of 1876, which were made known to the world by US journalist working for the British press, Januarius MacGahan. Some 66 000 Russian, Belorusian, Ukrainian, Finnish, and Romanian soldiers were killed and about 140 000 were wounded on the Russian side of the war. About 30 000 Bulgarians were slaughtered by Ottoman troops and irregulars during the fighting. On 3 March 1878, the Peace Treaty of San Stefano (a tiny town near Istanbul) between Russia and the Ottoman Empire was signed, bringing Bulgaria back to the political map. The Peace Treaty of San Stefano marks the revival of the Bulgarian State, dominated by the Ottoman rule since the end of 14th century. CHICAGO CELEBRATES BULGARIA'S NATIONAL LIBERATION DAY The Bulgarian community in Chicago, IL, has started the celebrations for March 3, Bulgaria's National Liberation Day marked the 134th year since its liberation from the Ottoman Empire. The events dedicated to Bulgaria's National Liberation anniversary in Chicago started as early as March 2, 2012, with the opening of an exhibit at the Ukrainian National Museum (2249 West Superior Street Chicago, IL 60612), with works of Bulgarian artists, reported EuroChicago, a Bulgarian immigrant community's news site. On March 3, Saturday, the Bulgarian National Liberation celebrations continue with the raising of the Bulgarian flag before the Chicago city hall on Daley Plaza, where the Bulgarian flag will stand next to the flags of the USA and the State of Illinois. Chicago has the largest Bulgarian immigrant community of all cities globally. Special buses have been provided for the students of the Bulgarian weekend schools in the city, EuroChicago reported. During the celebrations, EuroChicago is to announce the ten events nominated as the "Bulgarian Events of the Year in the USA" for 2011, and will launch an online voting campaign to determine the top event. Later Saturday night, the Bulgarian National Liberation day will be celebrated with a concert organized by the Bulgaria newspaper at Avalon Banquets, (1905 Е. Higgins Rd., Elk Grove Village, Il 60007, /Higgins § Oakton/). BULGARIAN OHRID LAKE VICTIMS FAMILIES FINALLY GET DAMAGES The families of the Bulgarians, who drowned over two years ago in the Macedonian Lake Ohrid, are to receive in just days compensations in the amount of EUR 4 500. The news was reported by several Bulgarian media Saturday, citing unnamed relatives of the victims, saying they have been negotiating for several months now to get the amount they are owed, according to the insurance policy with a Macedonian company. The families are asking additional compensations from the Macedonian Transport Ministry, the head of the navigation office of the Ohrid Lake and the two defendants. A separate claim will be launched against German company Lloyd for certifying the Ilinden ship as safe. The incident happened on September 5th, 2009, when the boat, with 55 Bulgarian passengers on board, on its way to the St. Naum monastery, overturned and sank in the waters of the lake. On July 5, 2011, exactly 22 months after the Ohrid Lake tragedy, the court in Ohrid sentenced Macedonian Sotir Filevski, captain of the Ilinden ship, and Croatian Branko Baic, representative of the German company Lloyd, which issued the necessary certificate ensuring Ilinden can be used to transport tourists, to one year behind bars. The Ohrid Court resumed the case in February after it obtained official rights to try in Baic's absence. The accident with the Ilinden boat was caused by a torn steel rope, according to the conclusions of engineering experts.The steel rope in the left side of the outdated ship Ilinden ripped shortly after the more than 50 Bulgarian tourists boarded it, which led the vessel to overturn. The ensuing panic led 12 tourists to go to the right part of the overcrowded ship, which accelerated its sinking, the engineering experts say. The ship was allowed to take up to 43 passengers on board. The Bulgarian organizer of the ill-fated trip to Ohrid a year ago, Boryana Georgieva, has already been sentenced for carrying out business activities in violation of the Tourism Act. She was sentenced to pay a fine of BGN 4 500, and was banned from commercial activity for 2 years. The Ilinden vessel was produced in 1924 in Regensburg, Germany, as a military boat later refashioned into a tourist ship. Its last technical check had been carried out by Lloyd in May 2009. The victims' families' lawyer, Valdimir Vladimirov, who is requesting the case to be tried all over again, believes that the ship captain Sotir Filevski was well aware how many Bulgarian tourists boarded the vessel, and that their number was higher than what was allowed. The lawyer is further convinced that the inspections of the Ilinden that Croatian national Banko Baic carried out in 2007, 2008, and 2009 could not have been real because each inspection took only a day, while it should have technically lasted longer. Another major issue the Bulgarian attorney sees with the Ilinden trial is the function of two additional panoramic decks that were added to the Ilinden ship, and which were presumably unsafe. Meanwhile, it was reported that the memorial for the Macedonian people who helped in the rescue effort, mounted by Bulgaria, has been robbed and destroyed several times. THOUSANDS OF BULGARIANS BRAVE SNOW TO HONOR LIBERATION DAY Thousands of Bulgarians braved snow and cold to pay homage to the Shipka National Memorial on March 3, Liberation Day. The Shipka peak in the central Stara Planina mountain was site to some of the most fierce and pivotal battles in the Russo-Turkish war 1877-8, which lead to the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire. The solemn ceremony began with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, and Vice President and former Justice Minister, Margarita Popova. On Saturday, scores of Bulgarians traveled to Shipka by bus and with cars in the cold and in a strong snowstorm to commemorate the thousands of Russian, Romanian, Finnish soldiers and Bulgarian volunteers who fell for Bulgaria's freedom. The mass was served by the Stara Zagora Bishop Galaktion. BULGARIAN PRESIDENT: FREEDOM IS FULFILLED DREAM OF OUR REVIVAL Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev has addressed the nation at the official celebrations of Liberation Day Saturday evening. On March 3 Bulgarians celebrate the end of the 1877-8 Russo-Turkish war, which led to the liberation of the country from a 5-century rule by the Ottoman Empire. "Liberation is the dream come-true of the Bulgarian Revival. Today we not only bow to the victims, but we realize that we are obliged to work to fulfill their hopes, to find ways to lead us to the dream of pure and sacred Republic in the interest of citizens. Education, spirituality, consistency, and a clear vision – this is what we need in order to realize the future of a strong Mother Bulgaria," the President said. The sacred national colors and flags were brought out on the square in front of the building of the Bulgarian Parliament Saturday evening where the fireworks and the military roll-call ceremony were held. Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Tsetska Tsacheva, politicians, diplomats, representatives of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, and many citizens were present. The President is also giving a reception at his office building later to mark the national holiday. "The first spark was the legendary "History of Slavs and Bulgarians," written 250 year ago by the modes monk Paisiy Hilendarski which woke up fellow countrymen and women for a new life," he pointed out. Plevneliev outlined four ways through which Bulgaria achieved liberation and independence: creation and strengthening of Bulgarian education; the fight for religious and spiritual freedom, the sacrifice and heroism of the heroes of the National Revival, and the building of the newly-liberated country as a modern State. NAT GEO'S AUGMENTED REALITY TO ENTER BULGARIA People in Bulgaria will have the opportunity to experience National Geographic and Appshaker's interactive Augmented Reality between March 8 and March 11, it has been announced. The fascinating experience will be available for free in the Bulgarian capital's Mall of Sofia. Each visitor will have the chance to "touch" a lightning, "enter" the eye of a storm, "visit" an alien planet or "pet" a tiger. A screen will be set up which broadcasts quality 3D images where those passing by could interact with the world covered by National Geographic. CARS CONTINUE TO BURN DOWN IN BULGARIA 5 cars have burned in Bulgarian Black Sea city of Burgas overnight, with 3 others set aflame in the region of southern city of Stara Zagora. This is the latest of a string of unexplained intentional night car fires that have left dozens of vehicles decimated. The epidemic started in November 2011 in capital Sofia and then the vogue spread to other cities across the country. Since then, more than 60 cars have been burned in Sofia, with some 60 more in other parts of Bulgaria. Overnight, a BMW had been set aflame in the Burgas neighborhood of Meden Rudnik, but the fire spread to nearby vehicles. The BMW has burned down completely, while other cars have been significantly damaged. Vehicles have also been set aflame in the city of Stara Zagora and nearby villages. 2 YOUTHS DROWN WHILE FISHING IN RESERVOIR IN BULGARIA Two young men were confirmed drowned Sunday, after they went out fishing in the Kaylaka reservoir in Bulgaria's southern Sliven region. The youths, aged 20 and 21, set off with a rowing boat at the southern tip of the reservoir Saturday morning. At one point, the security officers at the reservoir called 112 saying the boat has capsized and the men have disappeared. Police rescuers as well as divers from Burgas were mobilized only to recover the dead body of one of the boys. The body of his companion, who also drowned, was recovered Sunday morning. BULGARIANS HONOR ST. THEODORE Christian Orthodox Bulgarians celebrate St. Theodore, a popular and much-revered saint, Saturday. The day honors St. Theodore Tyron (of Amasea), and is honored as a warrior saint and great martyr by the Orthodox Church. The day of St. Theodore - Todorovden - is also the nameday of people called Todor, Teodor, Teodora and the like. Traditionally, Bulgarians not only hold special festive services in honor of the saint, but organize horse races on that day, St. Theodore having been a horseback warrior. Although March 12 (the first Saturday of the grat lent) is the traditional Bulgarian Todorovden, the Orthodox Church honors the death of St. Theodore Tyron on February 17. February 8 the Church honors the other great martyr called Theotore - St. Theodore Stratelates. BULGARIAN ECO ACTIVISTS WITH NEW RALLY AGAINST FORESTRY ACT Bulgarian environmentalist staged once again Saturday a protest rally against looming amendments to the Forestry Act. The march was organized by the coalition of NGOs, known as "For Keeping Nature in Bulgaria" with the support of other civic organizations. Rallies are also held in the cities of Plovdiv and Burgas. Over one hundred demonstrators reiterated demands to the Members of the Parliament to not pass the amendments which give big investors rights to build in Bulgarian mountains. In addition to the traditional posters for the protection of forests and against local monopolies, many carried handmade signs reading "I Love the Forest," "Forests Are Not Only Lumber, They Are Our Lungs and Our Heart. Keep Them," "Let's Save the Forests from the Law," "We Want Forests, Not Concrete!" The demonstrators remind that the second reading of the amendments is forthcoming in the Parliament and if passed they will doom Bulgaria to cheap felling of State and private woods to build ski lifts and tracks, to landslides and floods. According to them, the forests in protected areas of Bulgaria, which occupy only 5% of the country, will be the most vulnerable. The new Act will be further proof that the State does not serve public interest, but private economic interests of one businessman, who now controls 3 of the 4 major ski areas in Bulgaria - Bansko, Borovets and Vitosha. The Coalition further points out that the government plans to "cut" 12% from the territory of the National Park "Pirin," which is one the UNESCO world natural heritage list, with the sole goal to allow the expansion of the Bansko ski area. This and other recent protests were triggered by Vitosha Ski's refusal to turn on lifts and other ski facilities on the Vitosha Mountain at the beginning of December 2011 on the grounds texts from the Forestry Act were making such activity illegal. The current law mandates owners of such equipment and facilities to have an established "servitude" (a status for full-rights on the use of real estate) in order to clean and secure the lifts paths. Vitosha Ski cannot apply for such servitude because they do not have an approved comprehensive development plan (PUB). The company proposed a PUB for a new ski zone, but it was rejected because it included protected territories and because the environmental assessment was not done according to the rules. The company attacked the decision of the Ministry of Environment and Waters in Court, but left their PUB unchanged. The Directorate of the Vistosha "Natural Park" countered that the paths of the lifts can be cleaned without the servitude and through the rent contract. The Forestry Agency confirmed they are not against and would not interfere with the use of ski tracks and lifts. Nevertheless, "Vitosha Ski" did not turn on the lifts, withdrew their ski instructors, and demanded amendments in the Forestry Act, interpreted by many as an attempt to blackmail the State by opposing winter sports lovers and the institutions. At the last meeting of the cabinet in 2011, its members voted the amendments, providing for an alleviated process of construction of ski facilities without the need to change the status of the land. According to environmentalists NGOs, these amendments benefit the owners and are hidden State assistance because with them the owners will save about BGN 50-60 M in the next two years from expenses that would have been needed to change the status of the land. The NGOs labeled the amendments a "Christmas gift for offshore business"- the latter represented by a handful of oligarchs with shady reputation, but Agriculture Minister, Miroslav Naydenov, countered they would contribute to the development of tourism and were not voted for the sake of just one company. BULGARIA'S PLOVDIV RUNS TO HOST WORLD ROWING, CANOE KAYAK CHAMPIONSHIPS The Bulgarian city of Plovdiv will run to host the World Canoe Kayak Championship in 2016 and the World Rowing Championship in 2017. The announcement was made as Matt Smith, head of the International Rowing Federation, visited the country to inspect Plovdiv's preparation to host the upcoming 2012 World Rowing Senior and Junior Championships for non-Olympic events in August. "We have promised our canoe-kayak colleagues to help them prepare thei candidacy, as we have more experience in designing the documents," former Olympic champion and head of the Bulgarian Rowing Federation Svetla Otsetova said on Sunday, as cited by dnevnik.bg. It was recently revealed that the Plovdiv municipality plans to build a second rowing canal with funding from JESSICA, a joint EU initiative for financing sustainable urban development. The construction of Plovdiv's second rowing canal is expected to be officially launched in August. BERBATOV SEEKS EARLY UNITED TITLE TO 'RELAX' Dimitar Berbatov wants United to retain the Barclays Premier League title with games to spare - so he can enjoy the latter stages of the season for once, he himself told the Manchester United TV. The Bulgarian striker says the title run-in is a more positive experience for the punters than it is for the players, but if the Reds usurp Manchester City at the top sooner rather than later, then the pressure on him and his team-mates could dissipate. "Hopefully, we can be in the top spot and claim the title before the season ends," Berbatov told MUTV. "Then, with two or three games left, we can relax. This is the plan and if we can fulfil that, it will be nice. We have experience and we have to stay fresh, but the most important thing is to win games and take points." The 2011/12 title race is the fourth Dimitar has experienced since joining United from Sunday's opponents Spurs, and even though he's been a winner in two out of three so far, he says the challenge doesn't get any easier. "I think it is maybe more enjoyable for the fans because it is always tense," Berbatov explained. "We don't know who is going to win the games, who will take the points or who will stay on top and the last two or three months are always going to be difficult." Berbatov also believes the quality of the opposition has improved during his time in England, and says this is particularly noticeable in the current campaign. BULGARIAN TOP DRUG LORD 'OCHITE' RELEASED FROM JAIL Bulgarian drug boss Dimitar Zhelyazkov, aka Mityo Ochite (i.e. the Eyes) is a free man after he served his sentence and walked out of jail late Friday. The information was reported by the largest, private TV channel bTV Saturday. Zhelyazkov's jail time was marked by a number of scandals – such as a light regime, regular releases to visit his close-ones, and a fistfight with another drug lord and jail mate. In mid-July 2011, Bulgaria's Supreme Court of Cassations confirmed a ruling of the Burgas Appellate Court to extend by 18 months the sentence of the mafia boss. By demanding that Zhelyazkov serve more time in jail, the Prosecutor's Office has practically abrogated his plea agreement with the defendant. "Ochite's" gang was busted during the term of the previous cabinet. After being jailed, he had to part with most of his assets, which were seized by the State. In 2008, Zhelyazkov was sentenced to 4 years and 10 months – below the minimum required by law - for heading an organized crime group specializing in drug distribution on the southern Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Back then, Zhelyazkov's sentenced was widely advertised by the Three-Way Coalition government as a sign that it was cracking down on mafia bosses even though few, if any, such sentences of high-profile criminals have been seen since then. In 2000-2007, Zhelyazkov had 7 sentences but somehow failed to spend much time in jail. If he had not made a deal with the prosecution, he could have been sentenced to up to 16 years in jail. As the court in Pleven ordered his release from the Belene prison in January 2011, the Burgas prosecution demanded that his total sentenced be increased to 7 years and 3 months since he failed to obey his deal from 2008. WIKILEAKS: BULGARIAN INTERNET GURU WAS STRATFOR INFORMER Click here to read the story: www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=137218 BULGARIAN ICANN STAFFER LINKED TO HACKED INTELLIGENCE FIRM* Click here to read the story: www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=137219 CHINESE CARS, MADE IN BULGARIA Click here to read the story: www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=137236 AT LEAST 150 KILLED IN CONGO BLASTS A series of blasts in the Republic of Congo capital Brazzaville has left at least 150 people dead, according to authorities. Hundreds more are reported to have been injured in the explosions. The series of powerful explosions took place at an arms depot in the Regiment Blinde base in the riverside neighbourhood of Mpila. China's Xinhua reports that at least four Chinese workers were among those killed and that dozens of others were injured. According to Congo's Defense Minister Charles Zacharie Bowao, the blasts had been caused by a fire. Bowao appeared on national TV to urge calm in Brazzaville and across the Congo river in Kinshasa. "The explosions that you have heard don't mean there is a war or a coup d'etat," he said, as cited by BBC. PUTIN CASTS BALLOT IN RUSSIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS Russian PM and presidential hopeful Vladimir Putin and his wife Lyudmila cast their votes in Sunday's presidential elections in Russia. The couple voted at the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow, reported RIA Novosti. Putin has been casting his ballot in this station at the last presidential elections, in 2004 and 2008. This time over, he is slated for a comeback as Russia's president, this time for a 6-year term, with one possible re-election. Apart from Putin, candidates in the election are Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov, Head of the Liberal Democratic Party Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Sergei Mironov from A Just Russia, and independent candidate Mikhail Prokhorov. In the fall of 2011, current Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and PM Vladimir Putin agreed to swap positions after presidential elections at a forum of the United Russia party Putin chairs. In the months preceding the polls, Russia was grappled by the most wide-spread anti-establishment protests in its modern history, with tens of thousands marching in major cities. Those rallies were answered with counter-rallies of tens of thousands supporting the policies of Putin and United Russia. Opinion polls ahead of elections predict some 50-60% for Putin, which means a victory at the first round. Although he is believed to be the certain winner of the race, not winning at the first round will mean an unconvincing result and blow for Putin. RUSSIANS VOTE FOR PRESIDENT, PUTIN HOPEFUL Citizens in Russia are voting for President of the nation in countrywide elections Sunday, expected to bring the comeback of erstwhile President and current PM Vladimir Putin. Apart from Putin, candidates in the election are Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov, Head of the Liberal Democratic Party Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Sergei Mironov from A Just Russia, and independent candidate Mikhail Prokhorov. In the fall of 2011, current Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and PM Vladimir Putin agreed to swap positions after presidential elections at a forum of the United Russia party Putin chairs. In the months preceding the polls, Russia was grappled by the most wide-spread anti-establishment protests in its modern history, with tens of thousands marching in major cities. Those rallies were answered with counter-rallies of tens of thousands supporting the policies of Putin and United Russia. Opinion polls ahead of elections predict some 50-60% for Putin, which means a victory at the first round. Although he is believed to be the certain winner of the race, not winning at the first round will mean an unconvincing result and blow for Putin. GRUESOME TRAIN CRASH KILLS 15 IN POLAND 15 people have perished a heavy train crash in southern Poland, believed to be the worst train crash in the country for the last 2 decades. Another 54 persons have been injured and hospitalized; 40 of them are in a grave condition. The accident happened late Saturday night in the region of the town of Szczekociny in Silesia. The Warsaw-Krakow train, composed of 4 cars, and the Przemysl-Warsaw train, composed of 6 collided when turning out racing against each other on one track. The two trains, servicing major Polish cities, had a total of 350 passengers travelling in them. SUICIDE BOMBER KILLS 2 IN SYRIA'S DERAA A suicide bomber has killed two people and wounded several others in the southern Syrian town of Deraa, a key center of the resistance against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, on Saturday. "The terrorist explosion led to the martyrdom of two citizens," the Syrian state news agency Sana said, as cited by The Jerusalem Post. Opposition activists denied that the explosion was caused by a bomber but did not give an explanation for the reported attack. The reported attack comes after UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday expressed concern about "grisly reports" that Syrian government forces were arbitrarily executing, imprisoning and torturing people in the battle-scarred city of Homs, allegations Damascus sharply rejected. "The Syrian government has failed to deliver on its responsibility to protect its people," Ban told the 193-nation UN General Assembly. "Civilian populations are under military assault in several cities." "A major assault on Homs took place yesterday," he said, adding, "Civilian losses have clearly been heavy. We continue to receive grisly reports of summary executions, arbitrary detentions and torture." RUSSIANS IN SOFIA VOTE SHOWING AFFECTION FOR PUTIN Russians residing in the Bulgarian capital Sofia are voting Sunday at the Russian Embassy for the president who is to rule the country for the next six years. According to a report by Dnevnik.bg, people are freely discussing and expressing their affection for their candidate of choice, current PM Vladimir Putin. One of the people in line had recalled to his fellow citizens that it is not allowed to canvass and show support for a candidate on election day, but discussions continued anyway, writes the reporter. Another thing of note this Sunday is what one of the people waiting to vote saw as an exceptionally long line of people eager to cast their ballots. "You voted for Boyko, we'll vote for Putin," said a woman, referring to popular Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov. According to Russian voters in Sofia, Putin has brought real stability, prosperity and a strong reputation for their country, making it recover from a deep crisis, while the other candidates are either inadequate or yet inexperienced. TOPLESS FEMEN ACTIVISTS ASSAULT PUTIN POLLING STATION Three female Femen activists stripped to the waist and started chanting slogans against Russian presidential frontrunner Vladimir Putin at the polling station in the Russian Academy of Sciences, where he cast his ballot. Three semi-naked activists covered with protest slogans disrupted voting just 20 minutes after the premier left the building. According to eyewitnesses, the activists tried to steal the box in which Putin had just cast his ballot, Russia Today says. The Femen activists can be sentenced to 15 days in jail for disorderly conduct at the polling station, RIA Novosti informs. The police have initiated an administrative offense case against them. Voter turnout for the Russian presidential election reached 56.3 percent at 6 p.m. Moscow time, according to the Central Election Commission's Deputy Head Leonid Ivlev. The voter turnout was 47.6% by 3 p.m., RIA Novosti has reported. CASTRO VISITS CANCER-STRICKEN CHAVEZ IN HOSPITAL ROOM Cuban revolution leader Fidel Castro has visited cancer-stricken Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who is currently recovering from a medical surgery. Fidel Castro visited Hugo Chavez together with his brother, current Cuban President Raul Castro, the Univision TV channel reported on Saturday, as cited by RIA Novosti. Fidel Castro spent about two hours with Chavez in his hospital room, Venezuelan Information Minister Andres Izarra said on his Twitter profile. Cuban doctors operated on Chavez on Monday night to remove a tumor. The new formation was detected in roughly the same spot where Chavez had a malignant tumor of the intestine, which was removed in summer 2011. Chavez has between nine and 12 months to live, the ABC Spanish daily quoted his doctors as saying in January. Former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, as well as current President Dilma Rousseff and Paraguay's leader Fernando Lugo have all been diagnosed with cancer in recent years. 'DAY OF SILENCE' IN RUSSIA BEFORE PUTIN'S EXPECTED REELECTED Russia entered on Saturday in the so-called "day of silence," prior to the March 4 presidential elections, when any form of election propaganda is prohibited. A day before the vote, Vladimir Putin, current PM and President of Russia in 2000-2008, is widely expected to win, securing a third term, this time of six years. Election campaign billboards, which were mounted earlier, could remain in their places on condition that they are situated not closer than 50 m (164 feet) from a nearest polling station. The "day of silence" is aimed to give a voter an opportunity to make a final decision on his choice of a future president without being pressured by any election propaganda, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti said. The post of president, who this year will be elected for a term of six years for the first time, is being fought over by the following candidates: current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov, Head of the Liberal Democratic Party Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Sergei Mironov from A Just Russia, and independent candidate Mikhail Prokhorov. CHINA'S POSITION ON THE POLITICAL RESOLUTION OF THE SYRIAN ISSUE The "Diplomatic Channel" section of Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency) and Novinite.bg is intended to provide ambassadors and senior diplomats with the unique opportunity to express their views through our media outlets, thus reaching hundreds of thousands of diverse, high-profile readers from all around the world. China's Position on the Political Resolution of the Syrian Issue By H.E. Guo Yezhou, Ambassador of China to Bulgaria China follows closely the developments of the situation in Syria, firmly maintains that the current crisis should be resolved through political dialogue in a peaceful and appropriate manner, and has made unremitting efforts to this end. It is deeply worrying that the situation in Syria remains grave. Violent clashes are continuing, political dialogue still cannot start, and the prospects of a peaceful settlement to the crisis are still dim. China is a responsible country and a friend of the Arab people, including the Syrian people. China adheres to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations. China is committed to upholding the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria, peace and stability in the Middle East, and peace and tranquility of the whole world. For realizing a political settlement of the Syrian issue at an early date, China advocates and appeals for the following: 1. The Syrian Government and all parties concerned should immediately, fully and unconditionally cease all acts of violence, particularly violence against innocent civilians. Various factions in Syria should express political aspirations through non-violent means. 2. The Syrian Government and various factions should bear in mind the long-term and fundamental interests of their country and people, immediately launch an inclusive political dialogue with no preconditions attached or outcome predetermined through impartial mediation of the Joint Special Envoy of the UN and the Arab League, agree on a comprehensive and detailed road-map and timetable for reform through consultation and implement them as soon as possible with a view to restoring national stability and public order. 3. China supports the UN's leading role in coordinating humanitarian relief efforts. China maintains that under the precondition of respecting Syria's sovereignty, the UN or an impartial body acceptable to all parties should make an objective and comprehensive assessment of the humanitarian situation in Syria, ensure the delivery and distribution of humanitarian aid. China is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people. We oppose anyone interfering in Syria's internal affairs under the pretext of "humanitarian" issues. 4. Relevant parties of the international community should earnestly respect the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria and the right of the Syrian people to independently choose their political system and development path, create conditions and provide necessary and constructive assistance for the various political factions of Syria to launch dialogue, and respect the outcome of dialogue. China does not approve of armed interference or pushing for "regime change" in Syria, and believes that use or threat of sanctions does not help to resolve this issue appropriately. 5. China welcomes the appointment of the Joint Special Envoy on the Syrian crisis by the UN and the Arab League and supports him in playing a constructive role in bringing about the political resolution of the crisis. China supports the active efforts made by the Arab states and the Arab League to promote a political solution to the crisis. 6. Members of the Security Council should strictly abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations. As a permanent member of the Security Council, China is ready to earnestly fulfill its responsibilities, engage in equal-footed, patient and full consultation with other parties on the political solution to the Syrian crisis in an effort to safeguard the unity of the Security Council. |
China's Position on the Political Resolution of the Syrian Issue
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