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Yesterday, Defense Minister Nikolay Svinarov took a peace of a SS-23 missile as a souvenir. The defense minister visited the Veliko Tarnovo-based plant to inspect the destruction of the missiles. It was for a first time the MoD to show to journalists workshops where the safe details of the missiles were destroyed mechanically. Save for the minister, neither of the guest was allowed to take a detail as a souvenir.
Supporters of VMRO-DPMNE with party flags and banners attend a rally of the parties VMRO-DPMNE and LPM in the town of Kumanovo, 40 kms (25 miles) north of Macedonia's capital Skopje, late Monday, Sept. 2, 2002. In the run-up to the Balkan country's first elections since last year's ethnic war, new violence is erupting _ and the harmonic, multiethnic society envisioned in a Western-brokered peace accord seems like a distant dream as the Sept. 15 parliamentary elections draws near.(AP Photo/Str)
Trading in compensation instruments was formally launched at the Bulgarian Stcok Exchange-Sofia in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Nikolay Vassilev and Privatisation Agency Executive Director Apostol Apostolov. Pressphoto BTA Photo: Anelia Nikolova
SITUATION IN CRISIS REGIONS.
MIA
Increased intensity of shootouts have been heard during Sunday night in Tetovo region from automatic and heavy machine guns, that stopped early Monday, MIA's correspondent reports.
Interior Department from Tetovo says biggest number of shootouts have been registered from the centre of the town, the Tetovo Teke, the reformatory, the area of "Kuzman Josifovski Pitu" barracks, Makpetrol and Red Cross warehouses and the city stadiums.
Gunshots have been also registered from Dolno and Gorno Orasje, Sipkovica, Mala Recica, Slatino, Prsovce, Tearce, Otusiste, Ozormiste, Radiovce, Celopek and Zerovjane.
The Albanian flags were waved from vehicles out of which fire from automatic weapons was opened during last night in Tetovo.
2002 Elections (Non)Equitable Presentation of Women by Media.
Makfax
The Association of Women Organizations in Macedonia and the Department for Promotion of Sex Equitability within the Macedonian Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, will organize a round table on (non)equitable presentation of women by media.
In the framework of activities ahead of September 15 elections, the female candidates for parliamentary deputies from Electoral District 1 and Electoral District 2 will hold a meeting.
Apostol Apostolov Case Changes Direction.
A1 TV - Reality Macedonia
Translated by Natenane
Italian judiciary has begun to loosen its attitude, most probably because of public pressure, which we created. In the case of Apostol Apostolov, the driver who has been unjustly imprisoned in Italy because of trial omissions, convicted to 3,5 years and is to pay a fine of 200,000 euros, has finally managed to achieve complaint procedure after all the public protests.
According to the last information, after the request by Apostolovs lawyers, to allow Apostol to present his case without being held in protective custody, there will be another procedure at which judgment or decision will be brought forth on September 11.
Because of deteriorated health condition Apostol will await repeated trial in Karitas shelter.
In big help to Apostol will this time be the involvement of Helsinki Committee, which stated irregularities in the procedure, after the published information and submitted documents.
A1 TV received information from Apostolov family that they will be present at the trial if they manage to provide financial means for transport.
They hope that this time the procedure will be legally correct and that Italian lawyers and Macedonian Embassy in Rome which announced presence on this trial with translator from Macedonia, will work out a way for Apostol to be allowed to present his case without been held in protective custody.
Apostols family hopes that the term for lodging the complaint on the main accusation will be considered and that Italian lawyers will lodge a complaint, the term for which exceeds on September 15, unconditionally and without extra payment for their engagement.
INTERIOR MINISTRY: HOSTAGE CRISIS WAS TIMED ACTION.
MIA
"The hostage crisis was very well planned and timed, and it has absolutely nothing to do with some spontaneous gathering," spokesman of the Ministry of Interior Voislav Zafirovski said at a press conference on Monday.
The hostage crisis started on August 29 with blocking of the Tetovo-Gostivar road near the village of Zerovjane, when Boban Jankovski, Sergija Filipovski and Zvonimir Spasovski were kidnapped from a bus of "Zas Bus" transport company. After a while, Aco Popovski, Saso Vucetic and two underage children were kidnapped from a motor vehicle.
According to the information of the Ministry of Interior, the group that kidnapped these persons was composed of 12 to 15 members, while 20 other persons were also involved in the operation in the village where they held the hostages. Most of them were wearing black uniforms without marks and were armed with automatic rifles.
"We have identified some of the persons responsible of this act. Part of them are coming from Kosovo. The terrorists, in smaller groups of three to five members has withdrawn to the woods above the village of Gorna Lesnica during the night and some of them have already crossed in Kosovo," Zafirovski said, adding that the Ministry of Interior has already contacted with the UNMIK officials in Kosovo who promised that they would be actively involved in locating of the kidnappers.
"There was no armed intervention from the police which is important for the lowering of the tensions in the country. No one from the Ministry of Interior made a contact with the kidnappers," Zafirovski said.
On Friday, the Ministry of Interior filed charges against unknown kidnappers, which means that the police is searching for these people and undertakes additional measures to locate them. "No one has mandate to liberate the kidnappers from criminal prosecution," he said.
He pointed out that it is not coincidental that the kidnappers demanded liberation of three persons who are suspects for the murder of two police officers in Gostivar. "It is not coincidental that they demanded liberation of so-called commander Zaki, who is well known by the torture he committed during the crisis, not only on Macedonians but also on Albanians," Zafirovski said.
According to the information of the Ministry of Interior, this group is closely related with Ali Ahmeti and their goal was to provoke Ahmeti's involvement in the liberation of the hostages, by which he would be promoted as peace-maker.
The Ministry of Interior was informed about the case by the Tetovo police department at 21.15h on August 29. Minister Ljube Boskovski immediately issued an order for establishment of crisis headquarters led by undersecretary for police, general Zoran Jovanovski. Priority of the headquarters was to liberate the kidnapped persons without to jeopardize their lives.
The Ministry of Interior spokesman reported that on Friday at about 13.30, one of the kidnappers called the Governor of the National Bank, Ljube Trpevski, telling him that until 10.30h on August 30, the persons Safet from Kicevo, so-called commander Ibrahim, Zaim and Selim from Tetovo and so-called commander Zaki from Bogovinje must be liberated, on the contrary they will start to kill the hostages.
On Friday, at 8.30h, a meeting between highest officials of the Ministry of Interior and NATO ambassador Nicolas Bigman, U.S. ambassador Lawrence Butler, OSCE ambassador Craig Janness, special EU envoy Alain Le Roy and commander of the NATO troops general Deyon took place in the ministry, where it was agreed that the kidnapping should be mutually condemned.
In the meantime, at about 9.15h, representative of the international organizations made a contact with one of the kidnappers who repeated the demands and announced new contact after an hour and a half.
After the realized contact, it was concluded that the headquarters should be expanded to include NATO and EU representatives, who were informed that "the terrorists were located and the special police units would be on a stand by in the area of Dolna and Gorna Lesica villages.
At 23.00h, the kidnappers announced possibility to liberate the hostages, if they are taken by representatives of the international organizations.
The hostages were submitted to representatives of the International Red Cross, the EU monitors and NATO "Amber Fox" at 1.00h in the village of Zerovjane. Their medical condition was good, except for one of the hostages who had serious injuries on the head.
Zafirovski said that the villagers of Dolna and Gorna Lesica were forced to provide premises where the hostages were held. Previously, the kidnappers made pressure on the villagers of Zerovjane and Zelino, but the local population resisted so they were forced to withdraw toward Lesnica.
General Zoran Jovanovski stressed that none of the political parties contacted with the crisis headquarters during the hostage drama.
The Ministry of Interior appeals to the citizens not to misuse the right to peaceful protests and not to block the roads, on the contrary the police will undertake measures according to the laws and the constitution.
PRESIDENT TRAJKOVSKI'S ADDRESS AT JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT.
MIA
In his address at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski called upon a joint action in the solution of the most significant issues in the world, and taking over actions "that will contribute for the prosperity for everyone, especially for the welfare of the citizens in non-developed countries and countries in development".
"We are here to make a bond, a partnership and to jointly agree on a viable Plan of implementation in order to make the world better place for living", Macedonian President emphasised. He expressed his gratitude to the South African Government for the exceptional organisation of the event and the possibility to take over part of the responsibility on the successful outcome of this important gathering.
According to President Trajkovski, "the Doha Conference, the Monterrey Summit and the Johannesburg Summit, taken in an interrelated manner, as far as their commitments are concerned, will influence the prospects of globalization as an outstanding process of the today's world".
"Let us make this Summit, as it is stated in the message of the Danish EU Presidency for its participants, a landmark for a 'Global Deal on Sustainable Development'", he said.
President Trajkovski emphasied that the Republic of Macedonia has embarked upon the way to develop a sound National Strategy for Sustainable Development in accordance with the national interest, regional opportunities, principles related to the integration process with the EU, as well as the United Nations Millennium goals.
"In this respect, based upon the principles of good governance as a prerequisite of a global sustainable development strategy, the National Strategy for Sustainable Development will be directed in creating of adequate public awareness as a set of values and attitudes related to the issue of sustainability, development of an appropriate approach and contents in the educational process that supports generation of knowledge useful in practice, supporting of the organizational adjustment of the public and private organizations along with the principles of sustainability, providing access to all information related to sustainable development and relevant to developing public awareness on that issue", President Trajkovski stated.
He also said that attention would also be given to the creation of a social and legal framework that would stimulate behavior supportive to sustainable development, promotion of good governance at all levels, including democratic values and rule of law, support of economic activities based on reasonable use of natural resource, protection of environment and development of human potentials, providing appropriate legal and business environment for investments that will be no in collision with the principles of sustainable development and will enhance international cooperation, providing better access to world markets.
According to President Trajkovski, sustainable development implies, inter alia, the sensibility to the human needs according to the social status, education, culture, age, gender and so fort.
"In this sense, the economic and social development and the environmental protection are inter-dependable and represent components of the sustainable development. Democracy, respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms that embrace the right to development, transparent and responsible management of all segments of society, as well as effective participation of the citizens in public life, also represent significant part of sustainable development that addresses society and human kind.
Poverty eradication, changing unsustainable patterns of production and consumption, protection and reasonable management of natural resources and social justice, are overreaching objectives of and essential requirements for sustainable development", Macedonian President underlines.
President Trajkovski remarked that during the discussion, several representatives stressed the need for transfer of technology, financial assistance and capacity building and improved market access, debt relief and funds for halting desertification. According to him, "it clearly demonstrates the interlink age of finance, trade, technology, education, science, capacity building and information for decision making".
"The African countries need to revise the negative trends, but the international community must help. We should work together this Summit directly to address the African concerns and propose measures for sustainable development", President Trajkovski said in his address.
"Peace, security and stability are the most important preconditions for sustainable development", clearly states the Macedonian President, underlining "our commitment to the Rio principles and the full implementation of the Agenda 21, as well as to the achievement of the goals agreed at the major UN conferences and international agreements related to the sustainable development". Trajkovski fully agreed with the initiative proposed by the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan concerning the five themes for particular attention of the Summit: Water, Energy, health, Agriculture and Biodiversity, which are critical areas for long-term development and at the same time an integral part of a coherent international approach.
"Macedonia will contribute to the fight against the conditions that pose severe threats to sustainable development, such as poverty, environmental degradation, famine, intolerance, violence and armed conflicts, illicit drug problems, organized crime, terrorism, corruption, and endemic, communicable and chronic diseases", he said.
According to him, in order to fulfil these noble goals, there is a need for strong commitment of all governments of the UN member states, as well as a sustainable partnership with the private sector and the NGOs.
"The most appropriate slogan I have come across during the proceedings of this Summit is the message 'Words in Action'. This is not only the imperative of the day but the best asset for our common future", Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski concluded in his address at the Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.
Today, Trajkovski also met with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, Yugoslav President Voislav Kostunica, President of the European Bank on Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Jean Lemierre and Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigme Tinley.
Bilateral cooperation was on the agenda of the meeting with German Chancellor Schroeder, while President Trajkovski expressed his satisfaction from the ratification of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement by the German Parliament and asked for support in the process of NATO expansion.
Schroeder underlined that FR Germany would continue to support Macedonia in its efforts for stabilization of the security situation. The EU presence in Macedonia has the objective to support the economic development and create conditions for accession in the Union. Schroeder emphasised that NATO and EU would continue in their cooperation for strengthening of the security situation in the country, adding that EU was preparing for taking over the primary responsibility for the security and stability in the region.
At the meeting with Kasyanov, both interlocutors expressed their satisfaction from the development of mutual relations and the high level of cooperation.
The Russian Prime Minister stated that Macedonia could always count on the support of its territorial integrity and sovereignty, not only on a bilateral base, but at a multimedia plan, especially in the UN Security Council.
During the discussions, Trajkovski and Kasyanov emphasised the common interest for enhancement of the economic cooperation, which stood behind the potentials and the possibilities of both countries. Thus, it is necessary to intensify the direct contacts among businessmen. There was also an emphasis on the interest for cooperation in other spheres, such as education, culture and health.
At the meeting with EBRD President Lemierre there were discussions on the cooperation with this international financial institution, with an emphasis that EBRD would continue to assist the Republic of Macedonia through financing of infrastructure projects, but also through direct investments in Macedonian enterprises.
The current situation in the Republic of Macedonia and FR Yugoslavia was the main topic at Monday's meeting of President Trajkovski with his Yugoslav counterpart Voislav Kostunica in Johannesburg.
The meeting, which was also attended by the Yugoslav Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovik, focused on the latest events in Macedonia, and the problem with the extremists that cross over to Macedonia and vice versa.
Both interlocutors pledged for stopping of violence with democratic means.
Trajkovski and Kostunica also exchanged opinions on the upcoming visit of the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana to the Republic of Macedonia and FR Yugoslavia.
Gen. Borissov Took Orphans to Sea.
Standartnews
Nina Rangelova
The day before yesterday, IM Chief Secretary Gen. Boiko Borissov took 50 orphans of police officers and fire-fighters who were killed on duty to have a rest for free in the sports complex nearby Nessebar. The kids are provided with pocket money amounting to 25 levs each. On Saturday, the orphans enjoyed the show anchored by Slavi Triffonov in Nessebar. Gen. Borissov took pains to provide the children with front seats. Earlier in the same day, the general met with the children. Since taking over the post of the IM Chief Secretary, Gen. Borissov has been spending all his salaries to support orphans of killed IM employees. He organized an auction of pictures and a football match between IM employees and foreign diplomats to raise funds for the orphans.
UN SECURITY COUNCIL-FOREIGN MINISTER.
BTA
Balkan Security, Terrorism on Top of UN Security Council Agenda During Bulgarian Presidency.
Sofia, September 2 (BTA) - Counter-terrorism combat and security in the Balkans, especially Kosovo, will top the agenda of the UN Security Council during its Bulgarian presidency in September. "We are not overlooking other issues but just these two are closest to us," Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy told a news conference on Monday.
The country that holds the UN Security Council presidency acts as what Passy described as "manager of world security". In his words, another issue of priority for the Security Council in September will be the Middle East.
Asked to comment the Bulgarian position on Iraq, Passy said that military action should become an option only after all peaceful means have been exhausted. He also believes that Iraq should immediately accept UN arms inspectors.
On September 5, the Bulgarian Foreign Minister will hold the chairmanship of an open debate with a briefing on the situation in Kosovo. On September 11, Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov will chair an open commemorative Security Council meeting at the highest level, to mark the year's anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the US. On the request of Bulgaria, on September 24, the UN Secretariat will brief the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East.
Other issues on the agenda of the Security Council are an extension of the UN mission on the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the situation in
Afghanistan, the Congo, Liberia, Burundi and Somalia.
The Bulgarian presidency of the Security Council coincides with the opening of the 57th regular US General Assembly Session and the General Debate. On September 12, President Purvanov will give an address on the first day of the General Debate.
To this moment, Solomon Passy has 18 meetings confirmed with other foreign ministers. On September 6 he is meeting with the permanent representatives of the Arab countries.
BULGARIA - SOUTH AFRICA - PRESIDENT'S VISIT.
BTA
President Purvanov Meets Expat Bulgarians in South Africa Johannesburg, September 2 (BTA) - Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov, who is in South Africa for the UN World Summit on Sustainable Development, met Sunday with members of the Bulgarian expatriate community.
Nearly 500 Bulgarians, mostly young people, came to the Bulgarian Ambassador's Residence in Pretoria. Many of them have brought their children who staged a musical performance, the President's Press Secretariat told BTA.
Welcoming the expats, President Purvanov said that whenever he visits a foreign country he takes pleasure in meeting the Bulgarian communities. "The large Bulgarian community here consists of highly educated and well trained people, actively involed in the economic and public life of the Republic of South Africa, and this makes me proud that Bulgarians manage to defend their national dignity and are our ambassadors abroad," the head of state said, quoted by his Press Secretariat.
He believes that Bulgaria should reciprocate. "The State has long been not interested enough in expatriate Bulgarians," in his opinion. He will insist on the passage of a new Bulgarians Abroad Act, which will enable the expats to get medical treatment and schooling for their children back home and to do business there.
The President expressed the hope that the time will come when Bulgaria will have the resources to facilitate transport communications with South Africa.
"Bulgaria is now experiencing difficulties and problems, but it looks different than before," the President also said. He noted that the health reform and education are now running into difficulties, and that there is a shortage of investments. Purvanov stressed that Bulgaria has reached the home stretch to Prague where it expects to be invited to join NATO, and is making progress in the negotiations on accession to the European Union.
This first meeting of a Bulgarian president with the Bulgarian community in South Africa went late into the night, with huge interest, informal conversations, Bulgarian songs and folk music.
President Purvanov is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, the head of the Thai delegation, Princess Chulaborn Valayalaksana, and President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria.
Purvanov will address the plenary session of the World Summit on Sustainable Development Monday afternoon.
Later in the day, the President and Mrs Purvanov will visit the Tambo Memorial Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in Johannesburg, which employs 12 Bulgarian doctors and whose medical director is also a Bulgarian.
BULGARIA - EU.
BTA
Bulgaria Strives for Earliest Possible EU Accession Date, Foreign Minister Says.
Sofia, September 2 (BTA) - "The negotiations on Bulgaria's future EU membership are handled in a way that would ensure the earliest possible date of accession," Foreign Minister Solomon Passy told a news conference Monday.
"Most importantly, we are trying to have the earliest possible target date fixed for Bulgaria, and we may wait a little longer for the date to be set in order to achieve what we expect," Passy said.
"The date-setting issue is an open question now. The beginning of 2007 would be a realistic deadline," he said.
"We uphold the principle that obtaining an earlier target date at a later moment is better than obtaining a later target date at an earlier moment," Passy said.
Discussing the outcome of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers which ended in Elsinore, Denmark, on Saturday, the Foreign Minister said that "meetings in such a format usually do not make any concrete decisions." "An official decision may be made in Copenhagen in December," he said.
PRESIDENT-MEETINGS.
BTA
President Purvanov to Visit Ukraine in January, Also Invited to Nigeria, Mongolia.
Johannesburg, September 2 (BTA) - During his visit to Johannesburg, President Georgi Purvanov met with his counterparts of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo, of Mongolia Natsagiyn Bagabandi, and of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma, and Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand, the presidential press office said Monday.
President Purvanov is in South Africa for the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
President Obasanjo invited his Bulgarian counterpart to visit Nigeria, and the invitation was accepted. The two heads of state agreed that the two countries will very soon exchange delegations with representatives of the executive and business circles.
The Nigerian President praised the performance of Bulgarian construction companies and joint ventures with Bulgarian participation, operating in his country. The Bulgarian head of state on his part stressed the need to improve the statutory base for bilateral relations and mentioned the ongoing preparation of agreements on reciprocal promotion and protection of investment, on avoidance of double taxation, and an updated trade agreement.
During another meeting, Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma and Georgi Purvanov agreed on a date for Purvanov's visit to Ukraine in the second half of January next year.
Purvanov also received an official invitation for a visit from the Mongolian President. The two praised the traditionally good relations between the two countries in agriculture, the food industry and tourism. According to the Bulgarian President, however, the commercial exchange of 1.5 million dollars is unsatisfactory. The business issues in bilateral relations will be handled by a mixed intergovernmental commission.
Ways to promote contacts in culture and education were also on the agenda of the talks.
Purvanov and Princess Chulabhorn, who heads the Thai delegation, discussed during their conference cooperation in culture, science and education, and Princess Chulabhorn showed keen interest in Bulgarian history and culture.
Rescue or Doom? NATO's Balkan Hopefuls Beg to Differ.
Reuters
By Dina Kyriakidou and Anna Mudeva
BUCHAREST/ZMEYOVO, Bulgaria (Reuters) - Joining NATO is no small deal for Balkan candidates Romania and Bulgaria, but while many eagerly await the Western bloc as a savior, others fear membership will bring disaster.
Most Romanians have pinned all hope for prosperity and stability on NATO but in neighboring Bulgaria some worry that joining the military pact means doom -- radiation, pollution and even volcanic eruptions.
Bulgaria's tiny southern village of Zmeyovo has lived in fear since a decision to destroy 100 Soviet-made missiles a few miles away as part of Sofia's NATO entry obligations.
"It could well be a second Chernobyl. We may not be able to breathe the air and drink the water," said Nitsa Georgieva.
"We know that decisions are being taken at the top level and nobody cares about people's opinion. But after all what is the benefit of joining NATO?" she asked.
Was it, she wondered, going to increase her pension of $35 a month.
The government of Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg, Bulgaria's former king who won elections in June 2001, has set joining NATO and the European Union as top policy goals.
Sofia, once the Soviet Union's closest ally, has pledged to destroy the missiles before NATO's November summit in Prague, in the Czech Republic, where Bulgaria and Romania hope to win invitations after being left out of a first enlargement round.
The Romanian government has tied its political fate to NATO membership, saying failure "equals death."
"We have said if this thing does not happen, our government resigns," Prime Minister Adrian Nastase said recently.
Polls show that while more than 80 percent of Romania's 22 million people back NATO entry, only half of Bulgaria's eight million support it, compared to 75 percent for the European Union.
HUMILIATING CUTS.
Bulgarians say NATO-required reforms, including cuts in the armed forces which will fuel high unemployment, are humiliating for a country proud of its victories in two world wars.
"Armed forces (45,000) equaling the number of seats at the national soccer stadium, one airworthy MiG-29 (fighter) and no money to buy fuel for the few remaining tanks -- do you call it an army?" said Georgi Vesselinov, 35-year-old Sofia resident.
Bulgaria signed a deal with Washington in May to destroy its arsenal of SS-23, Scud and Frog missiles by the end of October. The Russian-made missiles were also supplied to East Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia but were destroyed.
But pledges by the United States and Bulgarian Defense Ministry to guarantee safety and environmental protection have so far failed to calm people's fears that the destruction may cause radiation leaks, activate ancient volcanoes and lead to earthquakes.
"People are scared. Nobody has come here to explain what will be the consequences and why they are doing it," said Zmeyovo's municipal secretary Stanka Koseva.
Concern has spread to the rest of the country, raising questions of whether NATO was worth the cost.
"We even don't know why they want to join NATO. And it seems the government is ready for too big sacrifices to get there, but what would NATO give us in return?" Koseva asked.
Romania and Bulgaria, which recently decided to join forces in getting into Western blocs, say membership would encourage foreign investment and help stabilize a region still reeling from a decade of wars in the former Yugoslavia.
Washington's shift in priorities after the Sept. 11 attacks on the U.S. and warmer ties between Russia and the West may allow for a sweeping expansion of NATO in which up to seven ex-communist states may be invited to join in November.
COVETED NATO TICKET.
While Bulgarians doubt that joining NATO would boost incomes and create jobs in one of Europe's poorest corners, to the north and across the river Danube, Romanians say their government is not doing enough to win the coveted NATO ticket.
"NATO means safety, experience, ideas, investment. Everyone wants the government to do more. Our image is not good, we must do our best to show the world we are not so backward," said 23-year-old Ana-Maria Sararu, visiting Bucharest's only Western-style mall with friends.
She said most of the throngs of visitors window-shopping at Benetton, Marks and Spencer and the Body Shop could never buy any of the goods.
"Most people can't afford to shop at this mall," she said.
Part of an international chain, the restaurant in the dome-shaped mall is packed.
"For some it's an escape, for others something they could only find abroad," said restaurant manager Sorin Pirneci, 33. Like many others, he believes that only joining NATO will bring about the changes needed to make Romania good for its people.
"NATO will bring a much better market, jobs, salaries, a better economy, a better standard of living. Once we're in NATO we'll be forced to be aligned to the standards of other member countries," he said.
Such views allowed the Romanian government last month to become the first country in the world to sign a controversial agreement with Washington, exempting Americans from a new war crimes court, to the shock of the European Union.
Brussels had urged Romania to wait for a common EU position in September but Bucharest, bending over backward to please the U.S., said it saw no reason to delay.
Only the country's outspoken press saw fault in offending Europe to accommodate Washington. Most people on the street said they did not find their government was servile.
"I don't think we are subservient to NATO or the U.S.," said Irina Androne, a 24-year-old gift shop saleswoman. "The government is not doing enough to change the country. They must do more, start at the very bottom."
Kalina to Be Wedded in Borovets.
Standartnews
Elena Yaneva
The wedding of the PM's daughter and her match Kitin Munos will take place in Borovets, announced the PM Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha on his arrival from Madrid yesterday. It is expected that among the guests to the party there will be members of the royal families of Europe and the Arab world, as well as ministers from the BG cabinet. "Kalina wants to use her wedding as an occasion to advertise Bulgaria", added the PM.
70,000 Sued for Arrears in Heating Bills.
Standartnews
Victoria Seraphimova
'Toplofikatsia' (Central Heating Company) to start legal proceeding from today on, TV sets and cars will be confiscated in Sofia.
Over 70,000 Sofia citizens will be brought to court for arrearages to 'Toplofikatsia-Sofia'. The venture starts filing in claims from today against all inaccurate clients who haven't paid off the liabilities for over two months. The legal term for paying the monthly bills to the venture is one month. Penalty fees are levied upon the due sum after the deadline expires. The law entitles 'Toplofikatsia' to dismantle the radiators of inaccurate customers. A bailiff will confiscate the property of the debtors depending on the amount unpaid. Large-scale debtors will have to say good-bye to their TV sets, ovens, washing machines and even to their cars.
Notes on the Ordeal of Bulgartabak.
Team of "Standart"
According to official sources, Mr. Dominique Redfern is not registered as a person authorized to issue documents on behalf of Deutsche Bank.
How much does Bulgartabak cost? If the government sells it and decides to serve it to itself on a silver platter, it may well be worth less than a cracked penny. For this reason the Privatization Agency is resentful and doesn't want to seal the agreement with Tobacco Capital Partners. Those who represent the notorious "new time" want new bundles. But where from the money will come - from London or from Madrid? In London they don't dish up money, there they prefer to take it. For this reason "Standart" daily asked whose money will pay Bulgartabak? No one dared to give the answer. We only got hold of some documents. On July 22, 2002 one more letter was received in the PA, attn. Apostol Apostolov. It reads as follows: "Deutsche Bank is acquainted with the text of the offer presented by Tobacco Capital consortium, it is aware of obligations assumed and terms of their fulfillment. THIS LETTER IS NOT AIMED AT TAKING UP LEGALLY BOUNDING OBLIGATIONS. Follows signature of Dominique Redfern. What document authorizes D. Redfern to represent Deutsche Bank and involve it in a deal worth 280 million euro? There is no such document. No matter how hard we tried to trace it, nowhere in the official sources could we find the name of Mr. Redfern mentioned as a person entitled to issue documents on behalf of the Bank. Now, a question suggests itself - what if Mr. Redfern, who presents himself as a rep of Deutsche Bank, is in fact hornswoggling the Privatization Agency, ministries and even the government itself?
Bulgarian airline resumes flights to Libya.
AP
SOFIA, Bulgaria - Despite a court case clouding relations, Bulgaria has re-established its air link with Libya, which was severed three years ago, the state BTA news agency reported Monday.
The state-owned Hemus Air will fly once a week to Tripoli and back starting Sept. 17, the report said.
Previously, the national air carrier Balkan Airlines served that destination, but Libya refused to accept its planes after an Israeli company bought it in 1999.
Bulgaria has been seeking to improve relations with Cold War-era friend Libya, which cooled after the demise of communism in 1989.
Five Bulgarian nurses and a doctor are being tried in Libya on charges of infecting 393 Libyan children with the virus that causes AIDS at a hospital that hired them.
Bulgaria claims the medics are innocent. A court has dropped initial conspiracy charges against the Bulgarians, and prosecutors are now preparing a new trial against them.
Establishment Has No Morality and Rules with Cynicism.
INTERVIEW Standartnews: Nikolay Vassilev
Pavlina Zhivkova
Bulgarians are sick and tired of living in "sustainable misery", says Prof. Nikolay Vassilev.
Prof. Nikolay Vassilev was born in 1946. He graduated in Philosophy from the Sofia University. He was a Vice-PM and Minister of Education in Philip Dimitrov-led cabinet. An MP in the 36 National Assembly.
- Mr. Vassilev, a year ago the ruling majority swept the election with the pledges for new morality. Now all are disappointed. What could explain the gap between the promises and prospects for their fulfillment?
- How can we talk about morality of the present political establishment if they flatly refused to fulfill their pledges and continue to run the country on the cynical premise that this is the only possible way to rule over Bulgaria.
- How would you explain the fact that the Premier is so keen on appearing in foreign mass media creating for himself an image of a misunderstood person or even a martyr?
- He has chosen the role of a martyr because he is indeed doomed. He hasn't managed to prove himself as a statesman. I can't think of a single thing he really has accomplished, some concrete step, e.g. signature of some important agreement. In one year he visited 22 countries, but what has he actually done?
- Could it happen that in the fall the PM will try to save his position in power resorting to cabinet reshuffle?
- Every change in the cabinet would mean that it is on his way out. The changes will just put off the end for a while and ease up the tension. They will not relieve it completely, though, because Bulgarians are sick and tired of living in "sustainable misery". |
