|
Enter content here
Bulgarians toast with glasses of champagne in front of a NATO flag in central Sofia, November 21, 2002. Bulgaria is among seven former communist countries that NATO leaders on Thursday invited to join NATO in a bid to adapt the Atlantic Alliance to the post-September 11 world. The Balkan country, which once was the closest ally of the Soviet Union, made a formal bid to join NATO in 1997 and since then achieving membership in the alliance has been its top foreign policy goal. REUTERS/Dimitar Dilkoff
The Bulgarian Atlantic Club cheered the news about the invitation to NATO membership with champaigne, baloons and flags. Pressphoto BTA photo by Vladimir Shokov
Bulgarians celebrate their country's NATO entry invitation in central Sofia, November 21, 2002. Bulgaria is among seven former communist countries that NATO leaders on Thursday invited to join NATO in a bid to adapt the Atlantic Alliance to the post-September 11 world. The Balkan country, which once was the closest ally of the Soviet Union, made a formal bid to join NATO in 1997. REUTERS/Dimitar Dilkoff
Bulgarians celebrate with champagne after NATO's decision to invite the country into the Alliance, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002. After the announcement in Prague was made, people gathered spontaneously on the square in front of Sofia's Palace of Culture. (AP Photo/Dimitar Deinov)
Bulgarians celebrate with champagne after NATO's decision to invite the country in the Alliance Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002. After the announcement in Prague was made, people gathered spontaneously on the square in front of Sofia's Palace of Culture. (AP Photo/Dimitar Deinov)
Bulgarians celebrate with champagne after NATO's decision to invite the country in the Alliance Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002. After the announcement in Prague was made, people gathered spontaneously on the square in front of Sofia's Palace of Culture. (AP Photo/Dimitar Deinov)
Bulgarians watch the live broadcast of the opening session of NATO in Prague on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002 in the Black Sea port of Varna, some 400 kilometers (249 miles) east of Sofia. Bulgaria was invited to join NATO at the summit of the alliance in Prague. (AP Photo/Petar Petrov)
Estonian Prime Minister Siim Kallas (R) adjusts his hair as he speaks with U.S. President George W. Bush (C) and Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov (L) at the NATO (news - web sites) leaders summit in Prague, November 21, 2002. NATO on Thursday extended from 19 to 26 states, inviting seven former communist members to join. REUTERS/Petr Josek
MACEDONIAN DELEGATION PARTICIPATES AT NATO SUMMIT IN PRAGUE.
MIA
The meeting of North Atlantic Council officially opened Thursday the NATO Summit in Prague. Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia have been formally invited to become the new countries to join the Alliance.
"The NATO decision for enlargement is a great historical event which means promotion of peace, stability and democracy in Europe. And the decision for inviting Bulgaria and Romania to join NATO is very important for us because NATO enlarges in the South Eastern Europe, which will have additional contribution for stability of our region," is the position of the President of the Republic of Macedonia Boris Trajkovski regarding the NATO Summit.
Borjan Jovanovski, the Spokesperson of the President, said that with the decision of the Alliance for enlargement and NATO efforts for continuation of the policy of open doors, the Macedonian President considers that this event will discourage all extremist - political structures with anachronistic political agendas that have any dilemmas regarding the future of Macedonia.
On an initiative of President Trajkovski a trilateral meeting with the Presidents of Croatia and Albania, Stipe Mesic and Alfred Moisiu, will take place, MIA's special correspondent reports. Trajkovski will propose concrete ideas for development of the regional co-operation aimed at enlargement of the mutual co-operation in the fight against organised crime, improved border protection and reforms in defence in direction to concordance of the co-operation.
An agreement for joint presentation of Macedonia, Croatia and Albania in the NATO structures will be initiated in the talks Trajkovski-Mesic-Moisiu. Minister of Foreign Affairs Ilinka Mitreva and Defence Minister Vlado Buckovski will hold trilateral meetings with their colleagues from Croatia and Albania.
Today, the Macedonian President Thursday will address the leader's forum organised by Radio Free Europe. He will present Macedonia's position for enlargement of the Alliance, stressing the urge of the country to become a member in the next round of NATO enlargement.
Trajkovski will deliver the formal request for extension of NATO mission in Macedonia to NATO Secretary General George Robertson. The Ministers Mitreva and Buckovski will also attend this meeting. What has NATO offered to Macedonia in relation to the new mission corresponds with the position of President Trajkovski for the need of international presence after December 15, 2002 and it is the mandate which will assist in further stabilisation of the country, will offer assistance in more efficient border control and most important - will help in intensifying of Macedonia's integration in NATO.
The main topic for discussing at a meeting with Robertson will be the further process of Macedonia's integration with NATO whereat President Trajkovski will present his commitment for Macedonia to join the Alliance in the next enlargement round.
Today, Trajkovski will meet with his Polish counterpart Aleksander Kwasniewski and the Presidents of the Vilnius Group member-countries. The Vilnius Group at this meeting is expected to confirm its basic principle upon which it was founded in Riga 2000 and that is solidarity and mutual co-operation until all countries from this group become full-fledged members of NATO.
Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva, besides the trilateral meeting with Tonino Picula and Ilir Meta, Thursday will also hold bilateral meeting with the Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis.
Today, Macedonian Defense Minister Vlado Buckovski had a meeting with his Albanian counterpart Pandeli Majko, focused on the possibilities for enhancement of the cooperation between the two ministries, because, as both defense ministers assessed, it would stabilize the situation wider in the region.
The Macedonian and the Albanian defense ministers also talked about the International conference for border control which is due to take place in March of 2003.
The two delegations agreed that experts' teams from the ministries of defense of the two countries should meet to exchange experiences on the restructuring of the armies, a process that is ongoing in both countries, as well as on the preparations for NATO membership that Macedonia and Albania are making.
Buckovski and Majko said that soon they would review the possibility for opening of temporary border crossings at the Macedonian-Albanian border and they hailed the NATO initiative to establish joint training center for the members of the two armies.
Majko accepted the invitation to pay a visit to Macedonia.
QUESTIONNAIRES FOR MINISTERS' PROPERTY AVAILABLE TO PUBLIC.
MIA
Questionnaires for the property of the ministers in the Macedonian Government and members of their families will be available to the public, according to the Law on prevention of the corruption.
At a press conference Thursday, Vice-Premier Radmila Sekerinska said that the questionnaires would be submitted to the Public Revenues Administration and to the National Commission for Prevention of Corruption. As Sekerinska said, any change in the property should be promptly reported.
"The government is obliged to stimulate transparency of all institutions and holders of public functions," she said, adding that this should be also done by the general managers of the public enterprises.
Priority of the combat against the corruption, as Sekerinska outlined, is the issue related with the financing of the political parties and the transfer of state funds into political parties' budgets. In that context, the government strongly supports the inspections in the ministries, state institutions, funds and public enterprises.
According to the Law for prevention of corruption, state official who has state capital on his disposal must not receive gifts, except for gifts of minor value. The government believes that this provision from the law should be clarified. Until then the gifts from the foreign delegations will be considered as personal gifts if their value is not higher than Euro 100.
Regarding the accusations for nepotism, i.e. for the appointment of her parents on high positions in the Electricity Company ESM, Sekerinska denied that she in any way participated in their appointment.
Regarding the appointment of Hajrula Mesimi, alias commander Spati, on the position of deputy director in the State Archive, Sekerinska rejected all accusations that in this manner many sensitive data will be available to the public or to certain political structures.
Sekerinska said that until the end of this week the problem with the elementary school Dame Gruev in Semsevo would be resolved and the Macedonian students will be able to continue with their education.
Macedonia: Dnevnik daily says Kosovar terrorists are hiding in Tanusevci.
Makfax
Skopjes daily Dnevnik claims some 15 Kosovar terrorists are in hiding in Macedonias northern village of Tanusevci. Referring to foreign intelligence sources, Dnevnik daily claims the UN Police in Kosovo had issued arrest warrants after these persons.
Referring to foreign intelligence sources, Dnevnik daily says the members of the so-called Bali Kombatar, registered in Kosovo as a political party operating in Kacanik and Prizren, have sheltered in Macedonias border village of Tanusevci. This group of terrorists are led by Ekrem Shehu, a former member of terrorist unit Black Eagles.
The local Albanian population in Tanusevci met Wednesday with representatives of Macedonian security forces. The meeting was arranged by the OSCE representatives. The local Albanians urged the Macedonian Army and Police to allow free access and crossing of the border with Kosovo, in particular the Kosovos cities of Vitina and Debalde, otherwise, they threatened to re-ignite clashes with the Macedonian army and police. The local Albanian villagers also urged the Macedonian Army to close four border posts in Tanusevci area, noting that the border posts remain a chilling deterrent to local population.
The Representatives of Macedonian Army and Police said they will convey the demands of Tanusevci residents to high-ranking military officials. OSCE representative undertook to discuss with the Macedonian government the possibility of opening a new border crossing at Tanusevci, Dnevnik daily says.
November 21 in History.
Standartnews
In 1869 Sofia-based association 'Mother' -the first women's society - is constituted.
In 1897 the Navy arsenal is established in Varna.
In 1912 during the Balkan War 'Drazki' mine-layer torpedoed the Turkish cruiser 'Hamidie'. That's the biggest victory of the Bulgarian Navy.
Champagne for NATO in front of NPC.
Standartnews
Champagne will be galore in the square in front of (NPC) in the first minute after our invitation to NATO in Prague is announced. This will happen at about 11 p.m. . BG No.1 diplomat Solomon Passy will pop bottles of "Magura Classic" in the Czech capital. Yesterday he went to the airport in his cult car "Trabant" but left it there. "I am leaving for Prague with the hope to come back with the invitation for NATO. We have been working for it 13 years.", he said. Bulgarian National Television (BNT) will broadcast Vaclav Havel's opening speech and the speech of Lord Robertson, who will name the countries invited. President Parvanov is flying to Prague at 7.30 a.m. today. Defence Minister Svinarov and Chief of the General Staff Gen. Kolev are to accompany President Parvanov. Premier Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha will join them after his visit to Vienna.
NATO - SUMMIT - BULGARIA.
BTA
Bulgaria and 6 Other Countries Invited to NATO Membership.
Prague, November 21 (BTA) - Bulgaria and six other candidate countries: Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, Thursday received invitations to open negotiations on accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
The decision on NATO's enlargement was announced by the organization's Secretary General George Robertson on the first day of the Alliance's Summit in Prague.
BULGARIA - PRESIDENT - NATO.
BTA
President Purvanov: "Prague Just First Step in Bulgaria's NATO Accession"
Sofia, November 21 (BTA) - "We should not assume that Bulgaria's accession to NATO ends in Prague. On the contrary, too much work remains to be done at the ratification stage," Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov said Thursday morning before leaving for the NATO Prague Summit at the head of the official Bulgarian delegation.
"The invitation is a good cause for gratification that Bulgaria's enhanced international prestige has been acknowledged, but it need not occasion needless fanfare and needless euphoria because, as we join the rich nations' club, we must realize that we have a lot more work to do to achieve their living standard," Purvanov said.
Replying to a question, the President said that after Bulgaria gets invited, he will be the first to give credit to everybody who have worked for that over the years: The Atlantic Club, former presidents Zhelyu Zhelev and Peter Stoyanov, former prime ministers Stefan Sofiyanski and Ivan Kostov, their foreign ministers and defence ministers, as well as those who reversed the mood in the Left part of the political spectrum and made possible a substantial public consensus on the subject of NATO.
Asked whether the US has invited Bulgaria to join a possible anti-Iraq coalition, Purvanov said that Iraq will be on the agenda in Prague. He added that Bulgaria will be among the countries contributing to a strict implementation of the UN Security Council resolution on Iraq's disarmament.
BULGARIA - NATO - DECLARATION.
BTA
National Assembly Pledges Resolve to Keep Up Work for Successful Completion of Bulgaria's NATO Accession.
Sofia, November 21 (BTA) - In a declaration prompted by the invitation to Bulgaria to join NATO, the National Assembly stated its "resolve to press ahead with its persevering and focussed work on guaranteeing and successfully completing the accession process." The declaration was carried, 210-1 with two abstentions. The three MPs who voted against and abstained were from the left-wing opposition Coalition For Bulgaria.
"The National Assembly regards the extended invitation as a unique opportunity for this country's full-fledged participation in the international efforts to build peace and assert democratic values, especially in the wake of the tragic events on September 11, 2001, which led to radical shifts in the foundations of international peace and security in the condition of a common global-scale fight against terrorism," the declaration says.
The document, moved by all floor leaders, expresses Parliament's satisfaction with the invitation extended to Bulgaria. "The National Assembly sees the NATO Prague Summit decision as acknowledgement of the efforts made by the entire people over the last 13 years towards assertion of democratic values and development of modern Bulgarian society," the declaration says.
Parliament reaffirmed Bulgaria's will to honour the commitments associated with the preparation for NATO membership, as well as to carry on the modernization of its Armed Forces, reform its judiciary, effectively counter corruption, and ensure economic prosperity. "Bulgaria is ready to prove that it is a dependable ally, worthy of assuming the future responsibilities arising from membership in the Alliance," the declaration says.
It emphasizes that the invitations to begin NATO accession negotiations, along with the forthcoming enlargement of the European Union, conclusively end the World War II legacy of a divided Europe. The National Assembly expresses its conviction that "the seven invitees take their deserved place as an integral part of the Euro-Atlantic democratic family."
BULGARIA-NATO-GOVERNMENT.
BTA
Bulgarian Government Sees NATO's Decision for Enlargement Announced in Prague as Landmark in Europe's Development.
Sofia, November 21 (BTA) - The Government of Bulgaria sees the decision announced at the summit of NATO in Prague to issue invitations to Bulgaria and another six countries to join the Alliance as a landmark event in the development of Europe after which the continent's artificial division goes irreversibly in the past, the Government says in a declaration that Deputy Prime Minister Lidia Shouleva read in Parliament on Thursday. The declaration emphasizes Government's deep satisfaction that NATO proved once again it is up to the level of its historical mission. The Bulgarian Government considers the call to join the Alliance as an expression of the high assessment of the systematic and purposeful efforts the candidate countries have been making to prepare for membership, and as a recognition of their considerable contribution to regional and global
safety, the document says.
At the same time, the Government confirms its resolve to continue to work at an unrelenting pace for carrying out all reforms related to the accession to NATO.
For Bulgaria its NATO membership is first of all a shared responsibility and an opportunity to participate full-fledgedly in the efforts for the consolidation of peace and democratic values, for freedom and prosperity, the Government declaration says.
The Government states its firm intention to continue and enhance the fight against terrorism and to participate effectively in the process of NATO's adaptation to the new challenges to peace and security.
Bulgaria unconditional NATO's open-door policy and will interact energetically will all candidate countries in their preparation for accession to the Alliance, the declaration says.
At the same time, Bulgaria's participation in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, the Partnership for Peace programme and the formats of partnership with the European Union, Russia, Ukraine and the Mediterranean countries will remains one of its majoities since the Government realizes the significance that these structures have for the security in the Euro-Atlantic political space, the Government says.
NATO invites seven countries to join Alliance.
NATO
NATO Heads of State and Government have formally invited seven new countries to join the Alliance: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
The decision was announced today at the opening session of a two-day Summit meeting of NATO Heads of State and Government in the Czech capital Prague, 21 and 22 November.
"This has been a hugely significant decision, for NATO, for these seven countries that we have just invited to start accession talks, and for the Euro-Atlantic Community," said NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson when announcing the decision.
The invited countries are expected to join NATO in 2004 .
This will be the fifth enlargement in the Alliance's history: Greece and Turkey joined in 1952; Germany in 1955; Spain in 1982; and the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland in 1999.
"Today's the invitees will not be the last. Through the MAP [Membership Action Plan] process, we will continue to help you pursue your reform process, and we remain committed to your full integration into the Euro-Atlantic family of nations," said the Secretary General in a message to those aspirant countries who were not invited to begin accession talks.
A meeting of NATO Heads of State and Government with the Heads of State and Government from the invited countries will be held today at 15:30 (GMT +1). The session will be webcast live at NATO Prague Summit website: www.nato.int/prague
In the course of the Summit, NATO Heads of State and Government are expected to take a number of far-reaching decisions on NATOs future roles and tasks.
Mixed feelings among new Nato members.
BBC
Nato has invited Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia to join the alliance in May 2004. Diplomats are delighted, but does it mean anything for ordinary people?
Christina Diminitrova, a reporter on the Sofia Echo, says Bulgarians are interested mostly in the effect, if any, that Nato membership will have on their living standards.
"The 13-year transition of the country from communism has been pretty harsh on people," she says, adding that politicians have long sold Nato and EU membership to voters as the answer to all their problems.
Some people are therefore hopeful that Nato will prove to be a "magic wand".
Christina Diminitrova: Living standards are key.
But some are more skeptical.
Bulgarian photographer Lyulin Stamenov says: "I am not sure if all that is promised will happen. This is delusion and I do not think that the Nato membership will improve living standards.
"On the other hand, Bulgaria will have more security in case of a conflict, which is good."
Border security.
Another Bulgarian, Zlatko, says: "Nato membership, or no Nato membership, we will not live better in the next 10 or 20 years. So, I don't care."
In Lithuania, the largest of the three Baltic states, border guard Rokas Pukinskas hopes that Nato membership will bring security and stability.
"When I was 14, I was outside the parliament when the Russians attacked it," says Rokas Pukinskas.
"I saw all the terrible things about real occupation, so now Nato membership for a country like Lithuania is first of all about military security."
But Darius Jakubauskus, an electronics engineer from Vilnus is not so convinced.
"I'm not sure if it is a good thing or not. Throughout our history Lithuania has always made such unions.
"Ten years ago we had a union with the Soviet Union, now we go into Nato. I think it is better to be a neutral state but it seems that is not possible."
Economic concerns.
In Slovakia, which gained independance when Czechoslovakia split in 1993, feelings are also mixed.
Bambi Badabangova, an administrator at Comenius University in the capital, Bratislava, says: "We are happy to see our country invited to join Nato because it is important for the security of the country, to protect our borders."
But she also recognises that the country's economic problems may cause practical problems with membership.
She says: "I believe that our military forces will be good partners in Nato but the economic situation within the country at the moment is difficult.
"We have little money to build up our army."
Nato creates rapid response force.
BBC
Bush warned that all members must pull their weight.
Nato leaders meeting in Prague have decided to set up a rapid response force to react quickly to crisis situations around the world.
Nato must be able to "field forces that can move quickly to wherever they are needed... to sustain operations over distance and time, including in an environment where they might be faced with nuclear, biological and chemical threats," a communique from the summit said.
The announcement came after the alliance invited seven more countries to join in what will be Nato's biggest expansion in its history.
The candidates - Bulgaria, Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia - are due to become full members in 2004 swelling the alliance's membership to 26.
In what he called a defining moment, Nato Secretary General George Robertson said a "transformed Nato will be a stronger, more effective partner for all our friends" - even though many of the new members are bringing with them only small and poorly equipped armies.
US President George W Bush warned that all Nato members - both new and old - must contribute military strength to the alliance, even if it means increasing defence spending.
The BBC's Europe correspondent, Chris Morris, says that although the enlargement will be trumpeted as a sign of security and democracy in Europe, to some it will be seen as proof that Nato is less a top-notch military alliance and more just a political club.
Quick and flexible.
In his opening statement at the summit, Mr Bush made clear that efforts to set up the rapid response force - consisting of highly equipped air, ground and sea forces - should begin at the Prague summit.
"Never has our need for collective defence been more urgent," he said.
The unit would comprise 20,000 combat-ready troops able to be deployed quickly to trouble spots around the world and play a key role in the US-led war on terror.
The statement said the force should be basically operational as soon as possible, but no later than October 2004.
The leaders spoke of the need to prepare forces to neutralise threats from nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.
"Terrorism... poses a grave and growing threat to alliance populations, forces and territory. We are determined to combat this scourge for as long as necessary," the statement said.
They also pledged to:
to streamline the alliance's military structures, with a US general to be appointed strategic commander for worldwide operations.
to beef up their military hardware and narrow the gap between US military might and European forces in areas such as strategic airlift, air-to-air refuelling, precision-guided missiles and suppression of enemy air defences.
initiate a Nato missile defence study to examine how it could join the United States in setting up an international shield to intercept incoming missiles.
New allies
In their opening statements, Nato leaders focused on the enlargement process.
"Aspirant countries have been working hard to modernise and reform," Lord Robertson said. "It is a reflection of their political determination to join Nato that they have met this challenge. We have been working to ensure that Nato itself is ready to enlarge."
Mr Bush said accepting new members "will not only add to our military capability, it will refresh the spirit of this great democratic alliance. It reinforces the commitment to a Europe which is free and at peace".
He aimed to soothe Russian concerns about its neighbours becoming members of the organisation which once opposed the Soviet Union in the Cold War. Three former Soviet republics - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - were invited to join Nato on Thursday.
But on Iraq, the alliance refused to explicitly support military action to disarm Baghdad.
"Nato allies stand united in their commitment to take effective action to assist and support the efforts of the UN to ensure full and immediate compliance by Iraq, without conditions or restrictions" of the disarmament resolution passed on 8 November, the statement said.
The US had pushed for a stronger language.
Prague Summit Declaration.
Issued by the Heads of State and Government
participating in the meeting
of the North Atlantic Council in Prague
on 21 November 2002
We, the Heads of State and Government of the member countries of the North Atlantic Alliance, met today to enlarge our Alliance and further strengthen NATO to meet the grave new threats and profound security challenges of the 21st century. Bound by our common vision embodied in the Washington Treaty, we commit ourselves to transforming NATO with new members, new capabilities and new relationships with our partners. We are steadfast in our commitment to the transatlantic link; to NATOs fundamental security tasks including collective defence; to our shared democratic values; and to the United Nations Charter.
Today, we have decided to invite Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia to begin accession talks to join our Alliance. We congratulate them on this historic occasion, which so fittingly takes place in Prague. The accession of these new members will strengthen security for all in the Euro-Atlantic area, and help achieve our common goal of a Europe whole and free, united in peace and by common values. NATOs door will remain open to European democracies willing and able to assume the responsibilities and obligations of membership, in accordance with Article 10 of the Washington Treaty.
Recalling the tragic events of 11 September 2001 and our subsequent decision to invoke Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, we have approved a comprehensive package of measures, based on NATOs Strategic Concept, to strengthen our ability to meet the challenges to the security of our forces, populations and territory, from wherever they may come. Today's decisions will provide for balanced and effective capabilities within the Alliance so that NATO can better carry out the full range of its missions and respond collectively to those challenges, including the threat posed by terrorism and by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.
We underscore that our efforts to transform and adapt NATO should not be perceived as a threat by any country or organisation, but rather as a demonstration of our determination to protect our populations, territory and forces from any armed attack, including terrorist attack, directed from abroad. We are determined to deter, disrupt, defend and protect against any attacks on us, in accordance with the Washington Treaty and the Charter of the United Nations. In order to carry out the full range of its missions, NATO must be able to field forces that can move quickly to wherever they are needed, upon decision by the North Atlantic Council, to sustain operations over distance and time, including in an environment where they might be faced with nuclear, biological and chemical threats, and to achieve their objectives. Effective military forces, an essential part of our overall political strategy, are vital to safeguard the freedom and security of our populations and to contribute to peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic region. We have therefore decided to:
Create a NATO Response Force (NRF) consisting of a technologically advanced, flexible, deployable, interoperable and sustainable force including land, sea, and air elements ready to move quickly to wherever needed, as decided by the Council. The NRF will also be a catalyst for focusing and promoting improvements in the Alliances military capabilities. We gave directions for the development of a comprehensive concept for such a force, which will have its initial operational capability as soon as possible, but not later than October 2004 and its full operational capability not later than October 2006, and for a report to Defence Ministers in Spring 2003. The NRF and the related work of the EU Headline Goal should be mutually reinforcing while respecting the autonomy of both organisations.
Streamline NATOs military command arrangements. We have approved the Defence Ministers report providing the outline of a leaner, more efficient, effective and deployable command structure, with a view to meeting the operational requirements for the full range of Alliance missions. It is based on the agreed Minimum Military Requirements document for the Alliances command arrangements. The structure will enhance the transatlantic link, result in a significant reduction in headquarters and Combined Air Operations Centres, and promote the transformation of our military capabilities. There will be two strategic commands, one operational, and one functional. The strategic command for Operations, headquartered in Europe (Belgium), will be supported by two Joint Force Commands able to generate a land-based Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) headquarters and a robust but more limited standing joint headquarters from which a sea-based CJTF headquarters capability can be drawn. There will also be land, sea and air components. The strategic command for Transformation, headquartered in the United States, and with a presence in Europe, will be responsible for the continuing transformation of military capabilities and for the promotion of interoperability of Alliance forces, in cooperation with the Allied Command Operations as appropriate. We have instructed the Council and Defence Planning Committee, taking into account the work of the NATO Military Authorities and objective military criteria, to finalise the details of the structure, including geographic locations of command structure headquarters and other elements, so that final decisions are taken by Defence Ministers in June 2003.
Approve the Prague Capabilities Commitment (PCC) as part of the continuing Alliance effort to improve and develop new military capabilities for modern warfare in a high threat environment. Individual Allies have made firm and specific political commitments to improve their capabilities in the areas of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defence; intelligence, surveillance, and target acquisition; air-to-ground surveillance; command, control and communications; combat effectiveness, including precision guided munitions and suppression of enemy air defences; strategic air and sea lift; air-to-air refuelling; and deployable combat support and combat service support units. Our efforts to improve capabilities through the PCC and those of the European Union to enhance European capabilities through the European Capabilities Action Plan should be mutually reinforcing, while respecting the autonomy of both organisations, and in a spirit of openness.
We will implement all aspects of our Prague Capabilities Commitment as quickly as possible. We will take the necessary steps to improve capabilities in the identified areas of continuing capability shortfalls. Such steps could include multinational efforts, role specialisation and reprioritisation, noting that in many cases additional financial resources will be required, subject as appropriate to parliamentary approval. We are committed to pursuing vigorously capability improvements. We have directed the Council in Permanent Session to report on implementation to Defence Ministers.
Endorse the agreed military concept for defence against terrorism. The concept is part of a package of measures to strengthen NATOs capabilities in this area, which also includes improved intelligence sharing and crisis response arrangements.
Terrorism, which we categorically reject and condemn in all its forms and manifestations, poses a grave and growing threat to Alliance populations, forces and territory, as well as to international security. We are determined to combat this scourge for as long as necessary. To combat terrorism effectively, our response must be multi-faceted and comprehensive.
We are committed, in cooperation with our partners, to fully implement the Civil Emergency Planning (CEP) Action Plan for the improvement of civil preparedness against possible attacks against the civilian population with chemical, biological or radiological (CBR) agents. We will enhance our ability to provide support, when requested, to help national authorities to deal with the consequences of terrorist attacks, including attacks with CBRN against critical infrastructure, as foreseen in the CEP Action Plan.
Endorse the implementation of five nuclear, biological and chemical weapons defence initiatives, which will enhance the Alliance's defence capabilities against weapons of mass destruction: a Prototype Deployable NBC Analytical Laboratory; a Prototype NBC Event Response team; a virtual Centre of Excellence for NBC Weapons Defence; a NATO Biological and Chemical Defence Stockpile; and a Disease Surveillance system. We reaffirm our commitment to augment and improve expeditiously our NBC defence capabilities.
Strengthen our capabilities to defend against cyber attacks.
Examine options for addressing the increasing missile threat to Alliance territory, forces and population centres in an effective and efficient way through an appropriate mix of political and defence efforts, along with deterrence. Today we initiated a new NATO Missile Defence feasibility study to examine options for protecting Alliance territory, forces and population centres against the full range of missile threats, which we will continue to assess. Our efforts in this regard will be consistent with the indivisibility of Allied security. We support the enhancement of the role of the WMD Centre within the International Staff to assist the work of the Alliance in tackling this threat.
We reaffirm that disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation make an essential contribution to preventing the spread and use of WMD and their means of delivery. We stress the importance of abiding by and strengthening existing multilateral non-proliferation and export control regimes and international arms control and disarmament accords.
Admitting Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia as new members will enhance NATOs ability to face the challenges of today and tomorrow. They have demonstrated their commitment to the basic principles and values set out in the Washington Treaty, the ability to contribute to the Alliances full range of missions including collective defence, and a firm commitment to contribute to stability and security, especially in regions of crisis and conflict. We will begin accession talks immediately with the aim of signing Accession Protocols by the end of March 2003 and completing the ratification process in time for these countries to join the Alliance at the latest at our Summit in May 2004. During the period leading up to accession, the Alliance will involve the invited countries in Alliance activities to the greatest extent possible. We pledge our continued support and assistance, including through the Membership Action Plan (MAP). We look forward to receiving the invitees timetables for reforms, upon which further progress will be expected before and after accession in order to enhance their contribution to the Alliance.
We commend Albania for its significant reform progress, its constructive role in promoting regional stability, and strong support for the Alliance. We commend the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 1 for the significant progress it has achieved in its reform process and for its strong support for Alliance operations, as well as for the important steps it has made in overcoming its internal challenges and advancing democracy, stability and ethnic reconciliation. We will continue to help both countries, including through the MAP, to achieve stability, security and prosperity, so that they can meet the obligations of membership. In this context, we have also agreed to improve our capacity to contribute to Albanias continued reform, and to further assist defence and security sector reform in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia through the NATO presence. We encourage both countries to redouble their reform efforts. They remain under consideration for future membership.
Croatia, which has made encouraging progress on reform, will also be under consideration for future membership. Progress in this regard will depend upon Croatias further reform efforts and compliance with all of its international obligations, including to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
The Membership Action Plan will remain the vehicle to keep aspirants progress under review. Todays invitees will not be the last.
The Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) and the Partnership for Peace (PfP) have greatly enhanced security and stability throughout the Euro-Atlantic area. We have today decided to upgrade our cooperation with the EAPC/PfP countries. Our political dialogue will be strengthened, and Allies, in consultation with Partners, will, to the maximum extent possible, increase involvement of Partners, as appropriate, in the planning, conduct, and oversight of those activities and projects in which they participate and to which they contribute. We have introduced new practical mechanisms, such as Individual Partnership Action Plans, which will ensure a comprehensive, tailored and differentiated approach to the Partnership, and which allow for support to the reform efforts of Partners. We encourage Partners, including the countries of the strategically important regions of the Caucasus and Central Asia, to take advantage of these mechanisms. We welcome the resolve of Partners to undertake all efforts to combat terrorism, including through the Partnership Action Plan against Terrorism. We will also continue to further enhance interoperability and defence-related activities, which constitute the core of our partnership. Participation in the PfP and the EAPC could be broadened in the future to include the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Bosnia and Herzegovina once necessary progress is achieved, including full cooperation with the ICTY.
We welcome the significant achievements of the NATO-Russia Council since the historic NATO-Russia Summit meeting in Rome. We have deepened our relationship to the benefit of all the peoples in the Euro-Atlantic area. NATO member states and Russia are working together in the NATO-Russia Council as equal partners, making progress in areas such as peacekeeping, defence reform, WMD proliferation, search and rescue, civil emergency planning, theatre missile defence and the struggle against terrorism, towards our shared goal of a stable, peaceful and undivided Europe. In accordance with the Founding Act and the Rome Declaration, we are determined to intensify and broaden our cooperation with Russia.
We remain committed to strong NATO-Ukraine relations under the Charter on a Distinctive Partnership. We note Ukraines determination to pursue full Euro-Atlantic integration, and encourage Ukraine to implement all the reforms necessary, including as regards enforcement of export controls, to achieve this objective. The new Action Plan that we are adopting with Ukraine is an important step forward; it identifies political, economic, military and other reform areas where Ukraine is committed to make further progress and where NATO will continue to assist. Continued progress in deepening and enhancing our relationship requires an unequivocal Ukrainian commitment to the values of the Euro-Atlantic community.
We reaffirm that security in Europe is closely linked to security and stability in the Mediterranean. We therefore decide to upgrade substantially the political and practical dimensions of our Mediterranean Dialogue as an integral part of the Alliances cooperative approach to security. In this respect, we encourage intensified practical cooperation and effective interaction on security matters of common concern, including terrorism-related issues, as appropriate, where NATO can provide added value. We reiterate that the Mediterranean Dialogue and other international efforts, including the EU Barcelona process, are complementary and mutually reinforcing.
NATO and the European Union share common strategic interests. We remain strongly committed to the decisions made at the Washington Summit and subsequent Ministerial meetings, in order to enhance NATO-EU cooperation. The success of our cooperation has been evident in our concerted efforts in the Balkans to restore peace and create the conditions for prosperous and democratic societies. Events on and since 11 September 2001 have underlined further the importance of greater transparency and cooperation between our two organisations on questions of common interest relating to security, defence, and crisis management, so that crises can be met with the most appropriate military response and effective crisis management ensured. We remain committed to making the progress needed on all the various aspects of our relationship, noting the need to find solutions satisfactory to all Allies on the issue of participation by non-EU European Allies, in order to achieve a genuine strategic partnership.
To further promote peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic Area, NATO will continue to develop its fruitful and close cooperation with the OSCE, namely in the complementary areas of conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation.
The Alliance has played a vital role in restoring a secure environment in South-East Europe. We reaffirm our support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all the countries in this strategically important region. We will continue to work with our partners in SFOR and KFOR, the United Nations, the European Union, the OSCE and other international organisations, to help build a peaceful, stable and democratic South-East Europe, where all countries assume ownership of the process of reform, and are integrated in Euro-Atlantic structures. We remain determined to see that goal become reality. We expect the countries of the region: to continue to build enduring multi-ethnic democracies, root out organised crime and corruption and firmly establish the rule of law; to cooperate regionally; and to comply fully with international obligations, including by bringing to justice in The Hague all ICTY indictees. The reform progress that these countries make will determine the pace of their integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. We confirm our continued presence in the region and we stand ready to assist these countries in the region, through individual programmes of assistance, to continue their progress. In the light of continuing progress and analysis of the prevailing security and political environment, we will explore options for a further rationalisation and force restructuring, taking into account a regional approach. We welcome the successful conclusion of Operation Amber Fox in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. We have agreed to maintain a NATO presence from 15 December for a limited period to contribute to continuing stability, which we will review in the light of the evolving situation. We note the EUs expressed readiness to take over the military operation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia under appropriate conditions.
NATO member countries have responded to the call of the UN Security Council to assist the Afghan government in restoring security in Kabul and its surroundings. Their forces constitute the backbone of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. We commend the United Kingdom and Turkey for their successive contributions as ISAF lead nations, and welcome the willingness of Germany and the Netherlands jointly to succeed them. NATO has agreed to provide support in selected areas for the next ISAF lead nations, showing our continued commitment. However, the responsibility for providing security and law and order throughout Afghanistan resides with the Afghans themselves.
We remain committed to the CFE Treaty and reaffirm our attachment to the early entry into force of the Adapted Treaty. The CFE regime provides a fundamental contribution to a more secure and integrated Europe. We welcome the approach of those non-CFE countries, which have stated their intention to request accession to the Adapted CFE Treaty upon its entry into force. Their accession would provide an important additional contribution to European stability and security. We welcome the significant results of Russias effort to reduce forces in the Treatys Article V area to agreed levels. We urge swift fulfilment of the outstanding Istanbul commitments on Georgia and Moldova, which will create the conditions for Allies and other States Parties to move forward on ratification of the Adapted CFE Treaty.
As NATO transforms, we have endorsed a package of measures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the headquarters organisation. The NATO+ Initiative on human resources issues complements this effort. We are committed to continuing to provide, individually and collectively, the resources that are necessary to allow our Alliance to perform the tasks that we demand of it.
We welcome the role of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in complementing NATO's efforts to project stability throughout Europe. We also appreciate the contribution made by the Atlantic Treaty Association in promoting better understanding of the Alliance and its objectives among our publics.
We express our deep appreciation for the gracious hospitality extended to us by the Government of the Czech Republic.
Our Summit demonstrates that European and North American Allies, already united by history and common values, will remain a community determined and able to defend our territory, populations and forces against all threats and challenges. For over fifty years, NATO has defended peace, democracy and security in the Euro-Atlantic area. The commitments we have undertaken here in Prague will ensure that the Alliance continues to play that vital role into the future.
Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.
NATO-PRESIDENT.
BTA
President Purvanov: After the Nov. 21 Decision Bulgaria Joins the Euro-Atlantic Security and Integration Space.
Prague, November 21 (BTA special correspondent Petko Azmanov) - With the decision of November 21 Bulgaria joins the Euro-Atlantic space of security and integration, Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov said here Thursday. He gave a speech at the Prague Summit following the announcement of a decision by NATO to invite seven countries, including Bulgaria, to start accession talks.
The Summit is also attended by Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Foreign Minister Solomon Passy and Defence Minister Nikolai Svinarov.
"We accept this decision with deep satisfaction because our efforts in the last 12 years, the results of hard reforms and our contribution to regional stability and world security, have been duly recognized," said President Purvanov.
He compared the decision on the enlargement with the fall of the Berlin Wall. "Here in Prague, like years ago in Berlin, we close one of world history's last chapters of injustice and absence of a strategic vision," Purvanov said.
Voicing hope that the process of accession towards full membership will be as short as possible, he said that "by that time Bulgaria will continue to work actively for accomplishing its goals and implementing its commitments in the membership action plan". He also said that the country is ready to join the Alliance activities in an adequate way.
According to the Bulgarian state leader, Bulgaria remains a staunch advocate of NATO's open-door policy even after Prague, and the prospect of further enlargement "is the best guarantee for lasting stability in Europe's Southeast".
Bulgaria supports the decision NATO took in Prague to strengthen its capacity to meet the new security challenges, and to create a rapid reaction force, and is ready to make an extra effort to fulfill the tasks connected with the modernization of its armed forces, the identification of its specific capacity and formulation of its role.
The invitation is not just an honour and recognition for Bulgaria, said President Purvanov. "We are aware that this invitation is the beginning of a new and even harder and more responsible stage of full alignment in the political, economic and military field, of further improvement and development of democracy and the market economy, of heightened responsibility for stability and security in Southeast Europe and the whole Euro-Atlantic zone," said the speaker.
NATO-REACTIONS.
BTA
Prague, November 21 (BTA spec. corr. Petko Azmanov) - Speaking to BTA Thursday, Greek Foreign Minister Georgios Papandreou welcomed Bulgaria to the NATO family. "This is a great moment for both countries," Greece's chief diplomat said. He added that the event is a message to the whole region. "We will establish greater stability and face the challenges together," Papandreou said.
The voice of the Balkans will finally be heard and it will be heard better if we work together," Papandreou said. "We expect a positive message to Bulgaria and Romania at the EU summit in Copenhagen," the Greek Foreign Minister said. "We are working hard for Bulgaria to receive an EU accession date," Papandreou said.
Former NATO Parliamentary Assembly president Javier Estrella congratulated the Bulgarian Government on NATO's decision. "I am convinced that this is only the beginning in achieving Bulgaria's European and Euro-Atlantic goals," he said, speaking to BTA.
Tacan Yildan, Foreign Political Advisor to the Turkish President, told BTA that cooperation between Bulgaria and Romania, on the one hand, and Turkey and Greece on the other in a 2+2 format can continue. "We can continue this process but without creating the impression of being a small nucleus, developing its own measures," the Turkish President's Advisor said. "We can always consult each other as we are in the same region and have the same regional security concerns," he added. Asked whether the Turkish side is considering an extension of this format to include Macedonia, Albania and Croatia, the Turkish representative said that this is a good idea. "I believe we should work hard for these three countries to join NATO," he said.
TRANSPORT-CONFERENCE.
BTA
Sofia, November 21 (BTA) - Bulgaria is about to close the Transport chapter of its negotiations for EU membership but important aspects of its transport policy, such as transport services for handicapped people, still fail to comply with the EU standards and need to be addressed, according to the Secretary General of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) Jack Short.
Jack Short was speaking at the opening of a round table on transport at the Transport Ministry Thursday. He is on an official visit here November 20 through 22 on the invitation of Bulgarian Transport and Communications Minister Plamen Petrov.
Participating in the forum are experts on European integration, road transport, safety of traffic and multimodal transport. Also on the agenda is the infrastructure of the Bulgarian ports, Bulgaria's participation in the European inland waterways, the restructuring of rail transport in Bulgaria, the challenges facing Bulgaria in the process of European integration and transport services for handicapped people including the automobile-train-car scheme.
The participants will hear a presentation of a programme on the development of transport infrastructure in Bulgaria by the year 2005.
BULGARIA-TURKEY-CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION.
BTA
Haskovo (Southern Bulgaria), November 21 (BTA) - The opportunities for cross-border cooperation between Bulgaria and Turkey were discussed at a meeting in Haskovo on Thursday with the participation of Francois Begeot from the Bulgaria Team of the European Commission's Enlargement Directorate General.
The meeting was held on the initiative of the Ministry of Regional development and Public Works (MRDPW).
The Bulgarian delegation, led by Regional Policy Director General at MRDPW Stefan Gerassimov, included the regional governors of Haskovo, Bourgas, Yambol and Sliven, and the mayors of Elhovo and Malko Turnovo.
Gerassimov told the Turkish guests, headed by Edirne Deputy Vali Selim Parlak, that by the end of the year the Bulgarian side would be ready with a draft programme for cross-border cooperation between the border areas of the two countries. The Turkish partners will be familiarized with draft programme first, then it will be coordinated with the European Commission, he said.
According to the Bulgarian side, the priorities of cross-border cooperation should include the development of infrastructure and the opening of new border checkpoints, facilitating border crossing, economic growth and improvement of the environment, promotion of tourism, interaction in culture, sports and education.
The members of the Turkish delegation said that the strategy for cross-border cooperation should aim to promote the development of industry and trade between the border areas, transport communications between Europe and the Middle East, agriculture and stock-breeding, as well as fishing in the Black Sea. In their view, special attention should be paid to resolving the visa problem, constructing new border-crossings, the conservation of environment and waters, and the establishment of contacts between the universities situated in border areas.
BOURGAS-ALEXANDROUPOLIS.
BTA
Sofia, November 21 (BTA) - Bulgaria, Greece and Russia will sign a Memorandum on Cooperation in the Construction of the Bourgas-Alexandroupolis Pipeline, the press office of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works said.
A trilateral working committee will set the dates on which the project will be presented before the international oil and gas community. The meeting will also determine the companies of each of the three countries to implement the project. The three countries will start discussions of a future trilateral trade agreement.
The press office recalls that a commission at the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works is continuing the consideration of letters of intent for participation in the project sent by nine companies. A protocol on the work of the commission will be ready by Friday evening.
On November 25 the Commission will announce the date on which the companies wishing to take part in the project and meeting the requirements will be invited to a joint meeting to set forth their wishes regarding the distribution of the shares in the future consortium among them. If no consensus is reached, the Government will distribute the shares making sure that no participant has a majority stake.
The following companies filed letters of intent for participation in the Bourgas-Alexandroupolis project at the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works on November 15: Gazstroymontazh AD, Glavbolgarstroy AD, Interneftigazmontazhi OOD, LUCOil EOOD, Magnum 007 OOD, Minstroyholding AD, Monolit 3 OOD, Chimremontstroy AD and Holikon AD. They are ready to finance the Bulgarian part of the project worth 227 million euros.
PARLIAMENT - DRAFT BUDGET 2003 PASSED.
BTA
2003 Draft Budget Passed at First Reading Debate in Parliament.
Sofia, November 21 (BTA) - In a 129-89 vote with one abstention Parliament passed the 2003 draft budget after a five-hour first reading debate on Thursday. The bill was supported by the MPs of the parliamentary groups of the Simeon II National Movement (SNM) and the ethnic Turks' Rights and Freedoms (MRF). The votes against came from the MPS of the right-of-centre United Democratic Forces (UtdDF), the left-of-centre Coalition for Bulgaria, and independent MPs.
"This is the best possible budget. This is a budget of high employment," Finance Minister Milen Velchev said before the voting, urging MPs to pass the bill unanimously.
National Audit Office Director Georgi Nikolov said that the passage of the bill complied with the legal requirements for its drafting and submittal for discussion. Nikolov said that the presence of two versions of the draft budget for the judiciary, one made by the Council of Ministers, and one by the Supreme Judicial Council, is in line with the amendments to the Judiciary Act and the National Budget Procedures Act. Parliament will decide which version to support but the submission of a version from the cabinet does not constitute a legal breach, the National Audit Office Director said.
Nikolov noted that the possible risks for the budget for 2003 relate to the financial decentralization and spending ceilings and standards, because this is the first time something as this has been undertaken. Currently, 50% of running expenditure of municipalities remain uncovered, he said. Strict discipline in administering revenue and distributing funds is critical for the success of the financial decentralization, Nikolov said.
UDF MP Yordan Sokolov said that the coalition cannot support the budget over the "shrunk" draft budget of the judiciary, which also contravenes the Constitution. The matter is considered in the Constitution, in an interpreting decision of the Constitutional Court and in a provision of the Judiciary Act, he said. If the Constitutional Court revokes that section of the budget, financial chaos will follow, the MP said. He asked the MPs if this is the true aim of the ruling majority so that they can easily find justification later.
"The reform in the judiciary is a demagogy. The small budget of the judiciary dooms it to inefficiency, which is in the interest of the grey economy and organized crime," Sokolov said. He said such a bill undermines the Bulgarian statehood and raises doubts as to the supremacy of the law.
Justice Minister Anton Stankov said he agrees with National Audit Office Director that the legal requirements for the drafting and submitting of the budget bill have been met. He said he had voiced his fears about the budget of the judiciary and that the cabinet and the Finance Ministry have shown full understanding of the matter. "It is impossible to do in one year the reform in the judiciary delayed for four years," Stankov said.
Agriculture and Forests Minister Mehmed Dikme said that this is the best budget in the past twelve years. "The incumbent cabinet has allocated the largest amount of farming outlays, 150 million leva, than any other government," Dikme said. He said talks are under way about a new agreement under SAPARD amounting to 55 million euros in 2003, and to twice as much in 2004.
UDF MP and former finance minister Mouravei Radev asked why, if the budget is so good, it failed to be approved by the International Monetary Fund experts. The MP noted that the tax revenues have been increased from 29.2% to 30.2% of the GDP, which means 1,000 million leva more in taxes. The actual growth of the average monthly wage will be as little as 2% while pensions are even worse off, he said, adding that allocations for investments are way below the necessary level.
UDF MP Evgeni Chachev said that the 2003 draft budget is a budget of the delayed reforms, one that stalls economic growth and reverts on the SNM's election promises. "No funds for investment are guaranteed; the expected economic growth is not based on objective trends and will not be achieved," Chachev said. The MP is of the opinion that the budget is left-oriented and will have a negative impact on Bulgaria's development in future.
MRF MP Lyutvi Mestan said that the MRF will support the draft budget not only because it is feasible and will ensure higher employment but also because it fully answers the new challenges facing Bulgaria.
Reacting to opposition criticism of the cabinet's social programme, Deputy Prime Minister and Labour and Social Policy Minister Lydia Shouleva said that, 'it is cynical on the part of the previous government to have left many people without any chance and to now criticize a social programme seeking to integrate the jobless people". Shouleva read aloud letters from members of the public who have already found jobs and note their satisfaction and approval of the programme.
The attempts of the opposition to criticize the budget are nothing more than a repetition of old arguments already made during the debate of last year's budget and which, compared to reality today, have proved totally groundless, Velchev told reporters after the passage on first reading of the budget.
Velchev said that revenue in the consolidated budget for 2002 exceeds the target by about 190 million leva while customs revenue as at the end of October is by 125 million leva more that last year, taking into account that imports are decreasing. Velchev said the expected economic growth in 2002 will be between 4.2% to 4.5%.
The Finance Minister said that during its latest mission, the IMF has established that this country has met all its commitments and that an additional economic memorandum is in the making, which will include a venture capital fund.
Answering to a question from Coalition for Bulgaria MP Peter Dimitrov why the target budget deficit is so low, Velchev said people should remember the winters of socialist prime minister Zhan Videnov and thus, what happens when the deficit is higher. The Finance Minister said that debtors should be forced to pay their obligations to the various revenue agencies, including the National Social Insurance Institute, quicker. "First on the list is the Bulgarian Socialist Party," Velchev said.
I Keep My Fingers Crossed for NPP.
INTERVIEW Standartnews: Ivan Khinovski
Vladislava Pejeva
Let us not give out our handicaps and whine for money for a new reactor like Romania does. I wish that the Energy Minister could wrestle out a generous compensation for Units 3 and 4, says Ivan Khinovski, chief of the Bulgarian Energy Forum.
Ivan Hinovski is chairman of the Bulgarian Energy Forum. Currently he is a comnsulting expert to the International Agency of Nuclear Power and Nuclear Safety and manager of "Eco Energy Consult" Ltd. He has been working in this field for over 30 years. He has specialized in the USA, Canada, Japan, France, Italy and other countries.
- Mr. Hinovski, experts claim that imported power will be cheaper.
- This option should be analyzed. Let's assume that we decommission Units 3 and 4 and have to import power. For sure it will be cheap, I would even say it will be sold at a dumping price. However, it can lead to a sink in local economy. All our thermal power stations will go bankrupt. Which means a drastic cut in jobs. And the third phase is the restoration of imported energy price back to normal. Measures should be taken to avoid it. Because the social impact will be appalling.
- We have assessed the losses from the reactors' stoppage. Do we have to think that compensations Bulgaria is asking for is actually what we shall profit from? Energy Minister Kovatchev hinted that we shall fight for getting a default payment of $ 1,5 billion for the early decommission of units 3 and 4.
- If we can wrestle out such a compensation it wouldn't be bad. I wish the Minister fought for it tooth and nails.
- Peer review is a precedent in Europe. What do you expect of it?
- As an expert I'm apprehensive that they will be biased. Hopefully the future will disprove me. Any nuclear power station has faults - it may be personnel, infrastructure or something else. Let us not give out our faults.
(abr.)
Ex-Kosovo Rebels Accused of War Crimes -Indictment.
Reuters
By Shaban Buza
PRISTINA, Yugoslavia (Reuters) - An international prosecutor in Kosovo has charged four former rebels with war crimes against fellow ethnic Albanians in 1998-99, according to a copy of the indictment obtained by Reuters on Thursday.
The prosecutor who issued the indictment, dated November 19, was not immediately available for comment. International officials are part of Kosovo's judicial system to ensure unbiased trials.
It would be the first time former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), which battled Serb forces during the Kosovo conflict, have been indicted for war crimes.
The alleged victims were detained by the rebel force because they were suspected of collaborating with Serb authorities, according to a copy in Albanian of the indictment.
Many Kosovo Albanians regard former KLA fighters as heroes in a war of liberation against harsh Serb rule when Slobodan Milosevic ruled Yugoslavia.
One of the accused is well-known former regional commander Rrustem Mustafa -- known as Remi. He was arrested in August. The three others served under him in northeastern Kosovo, two of whom were high-ranking officers.
"The accusations are very serious, unfounded...and even insulting," Remi's lawyer Mexhit Syla told Reuters. He did not confirm that the charges were related to war crimes.
The indictment accused the four of involvement in the kidnapping, illegal detention, beating and torturing of ethnic Albanian civilians. Three of them, including Remi, were accused of ordering and taking part in the killing of some of the victims.
Western officials insist they will crack down on former rebels guilty of crimes, despite the risk of protest.
Thousands of Kosovo Albanians took to the streets in August to protest against the arrest by U.N. police of Remi. The three co-accused were arrested in January.
The indictment said 30 witnesses would appear in court, but it did not make clear when the trial would start. It was also not clear whether the U.N. war crimes tribunal may have a role.
U.N. chief war crimes prosecutor Carla del Ponte said last month she was having trouble building the first charges against Kosovo Albanians because witnesses were too frightened to testify.
She had earlier said that three former guerrillas were under investigation, responding to months of criticism from Belgrade that only Serbs have been charged for atrocities in Kosovo.
Remi was suspended in 2001 from his post in the Kosovo Protection Corps, a civilian emergency successor force of the KLA, after he appeared on a U.S. blacklist of people suspected of trying to destabilize the Balkans.
Five other ex-guerrillas went on trial earlier this month accused of abducting and beating four fellow ethnic Albanians who subsequently disappeared, presumed murdered.
Kosovo has been under U.N. rule since NATO bombing drove out Serb forces in the summer of 1999 to end their harsh treatment of Albanians under Milosevic, now standing trial in The Haguefor war crimes.
|
