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No-Confidence Motions to Be Put to Vote Today. The opposition tarnished the success Bulgaria has achieved in Prague, Bulgarian No.1 Diplomat Solomon Passy said referring to the non-confidence motion tabled by the BSP and UDF. Photo Victor Levi
The Chief of General Staff of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, General Nikola Kolev (left), welcomes NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Joseph W. Ralston during a formal ceremony at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier in Sofia. Pressphoto BTA: Vladimir Shokov
Gen. Joseph Ralston, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, left, talks to Bulgarian Armed Forces' General Staff Chief Gen. Nikola Kolev during a welcoming ceremony in downtown Sofia, Bulgaria, on Friday, Nov. 29, 2002. Ralston said Friday that the Western military alliance hopes Iraq will peacefully surrender any weapons of mass destruction and avert a showdown. (AP Photo/Dimitar Deinov)
"SASA" MINERS PUT AN END TO HUNGER STRIKE.
MIA
"Sasa" miners put an end to their hunger strike Friday evening after signing of an agreement for sale of 5,000 tons of lead and zinc concentrate from "Sasa" mine to Veles Smeltery.
Trade Union representatives say that an amount of US$ 165,000 was transferred on the mine account, as an advance payment from the Veles Smeltery.
According to the agreement, one salary will be paid to the miners on Monday. They will receive the second one in 15 days.
NATO SECRETARY GENERAL ROBERTSON VISITS MACEDONIA.
At the meeting with Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski, NATO Secretary General George Robertson reaffirmed NATO's commitment to maintain the open doors policy and to help Macedonia in the implementation of the defense reforms.
After the meeting, President Trajkovski said that Macedonia would be seriously taken into consideration at the next round of NATO enlargement.
"The next NATO mission is intended not only to maintain the stability in the country but to be also engaged in the defense reforms," Trajkovski said.
He said that Robertson supported the trilateral cooperation between Macedonia, Albania and Croatia, assessing that it would enhance the defense reforms and would shorten the path to the Euro-Atlantic institutions.
Expressing his satisfaction with the visit to Skopje, Robertson said that the doors of NATO remain open, adding that the Alliance will do its best to help Macedonia to implement the reforms, which is condition for the country's integration in NATO.
He said that although Macedonia was not invited to join the Alliance at the Prague Summit, there would be new NATO enlargement and therefore the military and political reforms in the country should continue.
"The new NATO mission, 'Allied Harmony', will continue its presence in Macedonia after December 15," he said, pointing out that Macedonia is located in a region that no longer presents source of problems.
Robertson expressed hope that the investments in Macedonia would increase in the future, which would result in lowering of the unemployment rate.
Asked whether crime and corruption were discussed at the meetings with the Macedonian state leadership, Robertson said that today the region had excellent opportunity to deal with those who use crime in order to achieve their goals, adding that they should be challenged through the strength of democracy and the rule of law.
"You will either deal with the criminals or they will deal with you," he said.
Asked whether the killing of several Pakistani citizens in the Rastanski Lozja locality represents obstacle for Macedonia's integration in NATO, Robertson said: "I will not comment local legal cases, because they are a matter for the local authorities, but if one country wants to join NATO it has to resolve the criminal cases."
He said that preconditions for NATO integration are high democratic standards, rule of law, free media, strong laws against corruption and stable interethnic relations.
Today, Robertson also met with Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski.
At the meeting, also attended by Macedonian Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Interior Ilinka Mitreva and Hari Kostov, Crvenkovski welcomed the NATO policy of open doors and the continuity in the process of NATO enlargement.
Macedonia's strong commitment to comply with the obligations from the Action Plan for NATO membership was also underlined. The Action Plan was assessed as significant instrument for the reforms in the filed of defense.
Robertson and Crvenkovski hailed the initiatives for regional cooperation between Macedonia, Albania and Croatia, which, as they said, would enhance the stability and security in the region and would bring these countries closer to NATO.
They confirmed that a regional conference for security of the borders in Southeast Europe would be organized in Macedonia this spring.
At the meeting, Crvenkovski also raised the issue on the kidnapped persons and asked for NATO assistance in resolving of this problem.
The NATO Secretary General was also informed on thr beginning of border demarcation process between Macedonia and FR Yugoslavia. In that context, the cooperation between the Macedonian authorities and UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) was underlined.
RAILWAY TRAFFIC BLOCKADE CONTINUES.
MIA
The railway traffic in Macedonia is still disrupted because of the strike over pay and benefits of the "Traction of Trains" branch and train operators.
The members of the strike board are hoping that a suitable solution will be worked out to meet their demands, as according to them "the government owes them Euro 4,2 million."
Members of the Trade Union of Railway Workers and the Autonomous Trade Union of Maintenance Personnel are joining the general strike complying with the demands.
Trade Union leader Toni Gjurevski told MIA that they would block the road junctions in Madzari settlement, "Komuna" factory and the livestock market between 10:00 and 11:00 h, after which the strike would continue at the working posts.
Macedonian Railways management team has already requested a meeting with representatives of the other two unions, which according to Gjurevski would probably take place after lifting of the blockade.
The strike board of the "Traction of Trains" branch and train operators have distanced themselves from the blockades, assessing them as "unnecessary and with no effect."
"It is not a matter of disagreeing with our colleagues, but having a different approach. We think the blockade will spark the anger of the citizens," the strike board said.
RALSTON-VISIT.
BTA
President Purvanov Decorates NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. Ralston with Stara Planina Order update.
Sofia, November 29 (BTA) - President Georgi Purvanov decorated NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Joseph W. Ralston with the Stara Planina order, class I with swords.
General Ralston arrived Friday on a two-day official visit here.
General Ralston receives the highest Bulgarian order that can be conferred on foreigners for his exceptional contribution to the achievement of Bulgaria's strategic goal of NATO membership, the Bulgarian President said. "We remember well, and we are grateful for, the high assessment of Bulgaria's progress towards NATO which General Ralston gave in person gave before the US Congress and the US President, as well as for his contribution to the army reform," said Purvanov.
The President noted the guest's contribution to improving interoperability between Bulgarian forces and NATO, the combat readiness of the Bulgarian army and the capacity for defence of the country's national security.
Today's ceremony is a good occasion to stress that Bulgaria is aware of its big responsibility in the future effort to meet the NATO membership criteria in view of the ratification, said Purvanov.
General Ralston thanked for the order and congratulated Bulgaria on the perseverance that led to a NATO membership invitation. He assured the President that NATO Allied Command Europe will continue to help Bulgaria on the path to NATO membership.
Purvanov and General Ralston had a one-to-one meeting after the ceremony.
During his visit General Ralston will be familiarized with the progress of the army reform and activities related to the country's NATO accession.
He is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Defence Minister Nikolai Svinarov, Foreign Minister Solomon Passy and Chief of the Army's General Staff General Nikola Kolev.
General Ralston's latest visit here was on March 18. Back then, he noted Bulgaria's progress in the implementation of reforms and commended the army's general staff and Plan 2004.
Raikov Headed E-Media Council.
Standartnews
Antoaneta Peteva
Raicho Raikov is the new head of the E-Media Council, replacing the hitherto chairwoman Margarita Pesheva whose mandate expired on Wednesday. Yuliana Toncheva was re-elected as the spokeswoman of the Council. Raicho Raikov was PM Lyuben Berov's spokesman and years ago he was the anchorman of the "Otzvuk" (Reaction) TV talk show.
Plant of 'Puma' to Be Opened in Dobrich.
Standartnews
Krastina Marinova
Sportswear with 'Puma' trade-mark will be manufactured in Dobrich from early-2003 on. The contract with 'Puma' is effective until 2021, said Zhivko Zhechev - owner and partner in 'Toursport' OOD, which will build this modern plant. The investments in machines, equipment and facilities amount to 1.5 million levs. The funds will be allocated with the partnership of Raiffeisenbank. 432 jobs will be created. The workers will be provided transportation and food for free.
Carps at Discount for Pensioners.
Standartnews
Violeta Nikiforova
Hectic preparations for the St. Nicholas' Day are underway in Rousse. This year one could order stuffed and baked fish to be delivered at home. Not only the residents of Rousse, but the fishermen from the neighboring villages along the Danube valley are preparing for the big Christian feast. Locals in Slivo Pole, Marten and Ryahovo often go fishing expecting rich catch and good profit. There's no fish market in Rousse, but the one in Tutrakan is not bad. It is expected that in December the prices will be lower and there'll be special discounts for pensioners. In the 'Belitza' shop in Rousse the discount for the old people is 0.2 levs per kilo on all kinds of fish.
Short-sighted Policy of the Cabinet is Dangerous.
INTERVIEW Standartnews: Dimiter Ivanov
Vassil Zakhariev
The price we have to pay to exit the maze we've been in for 12 years is again getting higher. Prof. Stiglitz came to Bulgaria well aware of the situation yet was amazed, says Prof. Dimiter Ivanov.
Dimitar Ivanov is a Doctor of Economy. He has graduated in economy management. He specialized in Moscow, Tokyo and Paris. He has worked for a long time in the Institute of Economy to the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. For 11 years already he has been living in London where he's a teacher in international business and finances. He was a strategic consultant of big investment banks and multinational companies. Currently he's the economic adviser to President Georgy Parvanov and coordinator of the International Economic Council.
- Professor, you came from London to take part in the debates about the budget initiated by President Parvanov. What kind of opinion have you shared with the head of state?
- This is not the budget that would work in favor of the Bulgarian business.
- Was this the kind of critical remark that the IMF made about the budget?
- Instead of pursuing real economic reforms the government came out with the budget which betrays their shortsightedness and social demagoguery. This is the essence of the conflict between the IMF and the government. Instead of being cut down, the price you've got to pay for exiting the maze you have been wandering in for 12 years is on the rise again. This is what's worrying me.
- Do you share the opinion of Prof. Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Prize laureate in economy, who is also the President's economic adviser?
- Prof. Stiglitz came to Bulgaria fully aware of the situation. However he was genuinely amazed by what he has seen. Especially the two basic things - that Bulgaria goes on exporting skilled manpower while at the same time the unemployment rate in the country assumes dramatic dimensions.
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