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Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder backed Bulgaria's aspirations for NATO membership during his talks with President Georgi Parvanov in Berlin. The meeting lasted by 15 minutes longer than initially envisaged which, according to Germany's protocol, is evidence of well intention and very positive attitude. "Bulgaria's expectations for the forthcoming summit in Prague are not groundless," Schroeder said. Then he smiled and added: "I can't put it more diplomatically, can I?" Photo AP
MACEDONIAN - ROMANIAN ECONOMIC FORUM IN SKOPJE.
MIA
Macedonian and Romanian Presidents Boris Trajkovski and Ion Iliescu addressed Wednesday the Economic Forum which took place in the framework of Iliescu's first official visit to Macedonia.
The two presidents reported that on behalf of the two countries they signed a Memorandum for free trade, and the Agreement for free trade between Macedonia and Romania will be signed in the next 30 days. The enforcement of this agreement should start on January 1, 2003.
As President Trajkovski said, the Economic Forum represents possibility for establishing partnership relations based on the existing trade relations between the businessmen from the two countries.
Speaking about the need from following the global trends, the Macedonian President said that it is devastating for any country if it is left on the margins, which is the reason why Macedonia builds open economy in compliance with the global economic trends.
At the economic forum, President Trajkovski pointed out the main benefit from Macedonia's positive economic policy, and that is its entry in the world Trade Organization.
"Macedonia pays great importance to the mobilizing of the domestic financial resources, and the domestic saving will enable lower dependence from the foreign capital, which will provide possibility to the small and medium sized companies to take the leading role in the economic development of the country," he said.
Since the economic development also influences on the stability of the state, as Trajkovski said we should focus on enhancing the economic development and in that context, to improve our present cooperation. He added that the representatives of the two countries in the past period have intensively work on coordination of the text from the free trade agreement.
Romanian President Ion Iliescu said that there is a legal framework adopted by the two countries which will result not only with the free trade agreement, but also with other agreements in different economic sectors.
In that context, Iliescu reported that the agreements for the air traffic and railroad traffic, as well as the agreement for cooperation in the field of tourism would be soon signed.
"The signing of the free trade agreement will open space for the Romanian products on the Macedonian market, mainly from the metal, chemical and textile industry and the construction materials," Iliescu said, adding that the Romanian enterprises could offer their services for reconstruction of the Macedonian airports and railroad, as well as for repairing of the agricultural machinery.
As he said, the Macedonian businessmen will now have a chance to use the Romanian ports on the Black Sea, as well as the ports on the Danube River.
In order all planned projects to be realized, Iliescu said, the two countries will have to start to open banks and other financial institutions.
He also underlined the importance of the European conference for information technology and telecommunications which will start in Bucharest on Thursday, underlining that the cooperation between the two countries is not possible without access to information.
The Romanian president also referred to the need of reduction of the differences between the rich and the poor countries. He reminded that the developed countries have seven times higher development rate then the poor countries.
One of the ways how these differences can be reduced is the new regional division in Europe, which, as Iliescu said, so far was political. He said that so far Romania was put among the South East European countries although it does not belong there.
"From an economic point of view Romania is becoming more and more interesting. That is why the governments should support the direct contacts between the businessmen from the two countries," Iliescu said.
Economy Minister Ilija Filipovski said in his address that the Macedonian - Romanian Free Trade Agreement should be signed on January 1, 2003, reminding that the economic cooperation between the two countries was regulated with the bilateral Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation signed in September 1996 in Bucharest.
According to Filipovski, with the signing of Free Trade Agreement some Macedonian products, such as tobacco, wine and agricultural products would be offered on the Romanian market. He emphasized that the Macedonian production potential could not destabilize the Romanian market with the preferential export, but could only enrich the diversity of the offer.
He said that the trade liberation and the concessions in the agricultural sector should create conditions for preferential trade exchange, which would be a turning point in the overall trade exchange. So far, the exchange from the Macedonian part was in constant deficit.
He reminded that the overall trade exchange in 1995 was US $ 32 million, with balanced import and export, while the Macedonian deficit was just US $ 3 million.
"Since then, there is a tendency of decline in the trade exchange and increase in the Macedonian trade deficit, so the trade exchange amounted to US $ 14 million in 2001. The import was hardly US $ 1 million, while the import was over US $ 13 million," Filipovski said, emphasizing that the overall trade exchange between Macedonia and Romania was only two percent of the regional trade exchange.
Therefore, it is necessary to undertake some measures in the trade exchange, which would open the Romanian market of 22 million consumers to the Macedonian businessmen, he added.
Filipovski spoke of the situation in Macedonia since its independence, emphasizing that the country has went through turbulent crisis moments last year, which directly reflected on the Macedonian economy and the gross domestic product that has declined for 4,5 percent in 2001.
He said that the governmental program has foreseen string of measures for revitalizing the economy, increasing the employment and attracting foreign investments as stimulators of the economic development and trade liberalization.
Reminding that Macedonia has become the 145th member country of the World Trade Organization with the recently signed Agreement, Filipovski stressed that the country has also become the first associate member of the European Union in the region and was a leading country considering the number of free trade agreements signed with SEE countries.
State Secretary in Romanian Foreign Ministry Eugen Dijmarescu welcomed the announced signing of Free trade agreement, expressing hope that the overall trade exchange between the two countries would reach the level of 1995 and would amount to US $ 30 million.
According to the Romanian Center of Foreign Cooperation, it is planned the trade exchange between the two countries to be doubled.
An advantage should be taken from the cooperation in the agriculture and the industry for joint performance on the third markets, Dijmarescu said.
He also suggested improving of the cooperation between the economic chambers, banks and the transport companies, adding that with the creation of joint energy market, the energy systems of the two countries should be also connected.
President of the Macedonian chamber of commerce Dusan Petrevski and President of the Romanian trade and industrial chamber Jorje Kozokaru also addressed the economic forum.
ROMANIAN PRESIDENT ION ILIESCU VISITS MACEDONIA.
MIA
Returning visit of the Romanian President to Macedonia is a confirmation of the friendship and mutual cooperation between the two countries, Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski said after the meeting with his guest Ion Iliescu.
Iliescu assessed the Romanian - Macedonian relations as a role model on the Balkans, emphasizing that there were still many options for enhancing them.
Trajkovski and Iliescu signed a Consular Convention and exchanged ratification documents for the Agreement on Cooperation and Friendship between the two countries.
In the same time, Macedonian and Romanian Foreign Ministers Ilinka Mitreva and Mircea Geoana signed Memorandum on concluding the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries.
The two Presidents were satisfied with the talks and assessed them as open, friendly and pragmatic. According to them, the meeting was focused on the bilateral relations, the current situation in Macedonia, Romania and the wider region, the problems regarding the integration in EU and NATO, the fight against the terrorism, as well as the cooperation between the two countries, particularly on economic plan.
"We talked about our common interest - the European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. I welcome Romania's admission in the next round of NATO enlargement at Prague Summit. We think that Romania's admission in NATO and according to their expectations in the EU in 2007 is a huge step for making this region a part of Europe," Trajkovski said.
Romania plays an important role in the region, thus opening new perspectives for Macedonia as well, he added.
"Until all European countries become NATO and EU members, we will not be able to see free and united Europe, and this concept is the ground for stimulating and intensifying the future cooperation towards the European perspectives," Trajkovski said.
He expressed his anticipation to sign the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries in 30 days.
"The regional cooperation is not only a joint activity and interest for defending the security and peace in the region, but also contributes to develop the economic perspectives," Trajkovski said.
Iliescu emphasized that the relations between Macedonia and Romania were very good and were developed in compliance with the European values and the mutual commitments of the two countries.
He pointed out that they agreed with Trajkovski to intensify the cooperation in all areas of common interest.
"We concluded that the economic cooperation was insufficient, which can be explained as a result of the objective circumstances. There are solutions and suggestions, which will be discussed within the economic forum," Iliescu said, adding that they also talked about enhancing the cultural, scientific and educational cooperation, as well as the assistance that could be granted to the Vlachs in Macedonia by the Romanian part.
Iliescu said that they were considering the opening of Romanian cultural center in Skopje, which would enhance the mutual understanding.
The Presidents also addressed the Economic Forum in Skopje, organized by the Macedonian Ministry of Economy and the Romanian Embassy in Macedonia.
Previously, the Romanian President met with Parliament Speaker Nikola Popovski.
Popovski emphasized at the meeting that Macedonia appreciated Romania as friendly country, and Iliescu's visit as an option for enhancing the mutual relations. He also thanked for Romania's support during last year's crisis, both on bilateral and multilateral plan. Popovski emphasized the role of Mircea Geoana, who was OSCE chairman last year and therefore frequently visited the country.
Iliescu congratulated the appointment to Popovski, wishing him success as Parliament Speaker. He emphasized that Romania constantly followed the situation in Macedonia and expressed satisfaction from the stabilization process, which according to him successfully continued. Pointing out that the parliamentary diplomacy is being enhanced, Iliescu acquainted Popovski with the Romanian MPs who were part of the delegation and also members of the Romanian - Macedonian cooperation group.
Popovski informed the guest that parliamentary group on cooperation with the Romanian Parliament would be established in December, hoping that the cooperation between the two parliaments would continue in the future. As part of the parliamentary cooperation Popovski pointed out the forthcoming session of CEI Parliamentary Assembly, which would be held on November 8 in the Macedonian Parliament. Emphasizing the Euro-Atlantic orientation of Macedonia, Popovski said that the Romanian experience on harmonizing their legislation with the European one would be a precious experience for Macedonia in its process for getting closer to EU. Regarding Romania's invitation for gaining NATO membership, Popovski said that Macedonia supported Romania in its aspirations, assessing that Romania and Bulgaria's admissions in NATO would be a positive sign for the other countries in the region.
The meeting also focused on the mutual cooperation, and the two officials agreed that the economic cooperation was lagging behind the political. However, it was emphasized that the Memorandum on signing the Free Trade Agreement and the Free Trade Zone, which should be established in the near future, would enhance the economic cooperation.
Popovski and Iliescu expressed hope that the relations between the two countries would be further intensified on bilateral, regional and multilateral plan.
Iliescu is also expected to meet Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski later this afternoon.
Iliescu visited the church "St. Spas", where he laid flowers at Goce Delcev's grave.
Macedonia Destroys 22,800 Antipersonnel Mines.
Reality Macedonia
By Irina Gelevska
Today, Macedonian Army (ARM) destroyed 22,800 antipersonnel mines PMR-2A at the military polygon Krivolak, following the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction. ARM inherited 42,871 antipersonnel mines from the former Yugoslav Army (JNA). The cost for this disposal of the mines is 22,800 US dollars. Macedonia is obliged to destroy all the antipersonnel mines till the end of February 2003.
"The destruction of 14,071 mines of four other types will be done in three phases," said Brigadier General Dragan Andrevski at the Krivolak polygon.
Military attaches, observers from OCSE and representatives of UNMAO were present at the today's event in Krivolak.
Macedonia is one of the participants of the Ottawa Antipersonnel Mine Agreement, which can be taken as first international disarming agreement.
Ottawa Convention, signed in the Canadian capital in December 1997, entered into force on the first day of the sixth month after the Treaty's 40th ratification, by Burkina Faso. As of 1 March, 134 States had signed, and 65 States had signed and ratified, the Convention. Among the notable landmine-possessing States which have not signed are the United States, China, Russia, India and Pakistan.
from Disarmament Diplomacy,
Issue No. 34, February 1999. SECOND BRIDGE OVER THE DANUBE.
BTA
Oryahovo (on the Danube), November 6 (BTA) - The construction of a bridge between Oryahovo (Bulgaria) and Bechet (Romania) is not an alternative to the bridge at Vidin-Calafat, but a necessity, according to the Romanian side and private investors, Oryahovo Mayor Neicho Savchev said.
The two countries are ready to invest the required 30 million leva, Savchev said, adding that the municipality asked the government only to issue a permission for a road bridge. The rest will be done by a private joint-stock company.
The project for the Oryahovo-Bechet bridge is based on an expert evaluation by Britain's Sir Alexander Gibb & Partners and Belgian experts. The entire documentation is held at the ministries of transport and of regional development and public works.
The construction of bridges in the western section of the Danube meets Bulgaria's economic interests to the largest extent, because it is connected with Corridor IV, which links Western Europe with the Middle East, Israel and Turkey, and carries traffic to Greece via Sofia.
The designs and the investment scheme for the bridge at Oryahovo are ready. The investors undertake to build the bridge in 12 to 15 months without seeking financing from the two countries' budgets if they are awarded a concession, Savchev said.
The road bridge with two 4.10-metre lanes, two pedestrian strips and two lay-bys 1.50 metres wide each, will have a through capacity of 1,300 cars per hour. The municipal authorities expect this project to energize the region, threatened with depopulation. The need for it is even greater in light of the forthcoming decommissioning of units of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant and the consequent job losses in Kozloduy, Mizia and Oryahovo, Neicho Savchev said.
PREPAREDNESS FOR NATO - REPORT.
BTA
Bulgaria Prepared to Start Integration in NATO after Expected Invitation, Nongovernmental Coalition Says.
Sofia, November 6 (BTA) - Despite various problems, Bulgaria is prepared to start its integration in NATO after it receives a membership invitation, because the country is advancing in the right direction at a fine pace and has made serious progress over the last five years.
Statements to this effect are available in a report entitled: "Bulgaria: Preparedness for NATO Membership," the third such report drawn up by the nongovernmental Coalition for Security Sector Reform. The coalition includes the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria and the George Marshall Association. The report was presented in the National Assembly's East Hall on Wednesday. Attending were MPs, military officials, diplomats, members of the executive branch of government, and NGO representatives.
The authors of the report made the following points:
The democratic process in Bulgaria in May-October 2002 was consistent and stable. All political parties and the public continued to support the country's drive for NATO membership.
A future law on defence and the armed forces will enforce the model of an integrated Defence Ministry. Work on an emergency management bill and debates on laws regulating the functioning of the special services and the Interior Ministry are underway.
The implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, the initial stage of judicial reform, and administrative and penal measures taken over the last few months have limited the breeding ground for corruption.
Bulgaria's economic development inspires confidence in the country's ability to meet its obligations as a future member of NATO.
The Government should pay particular attention to the problems of the defence industry, infrastructure for civilian, military and international use, and defence spending control.
Important government decisions for the economy have been made in the conditions of low transparency. Here the authors of the report cite as examples the customs consultancy agreement with Britain's Crown Agents and the privatization procedures for Bulgartabac and the Bulgarian Telecommunications Company.
Bulgaria is expanding the scope of its regional policies to cover the countries of Central Europe and the Black Sea area. A regional emergency management centre should be set up to contribute to various initiatives of NATO as well as the EU.
Bulgaria is among those NATO aspirants which allocate the most resources for defence, but they are not utilized reasonably enough.
The presentation of a plan for the modernization of the national armed forces has been delayed, and it is unlikely that such a plan will be approved by the Government and Parliament before the Prague Summit.
It is advisable to fix the key parameters of army reform by legislative instruments, for example by adopting a special law on military reform.
Greater transparency is observed in the activities of the Defence Ministry's political leadership and the senior command of the armed forces. (Valeri Rachev of the Military Academy, who contributed to the report, said during the discussion that the recent destruction of discarded missiles is an example of greater transparency, even when making difficult decisions.)
Many decisions on key issues, such as the national military command system, the structural model for the Defence Ministry, and the philosophy of the Defence and Armed Forces Act and the Interior Ministry Act, were all based on conceptual patterns applied during the totalitarian regime when the country was a member of the Warsaw Pact. (According to Deputy Foreign Minister Lyubomir Ivanov, this is an exaggeration. Totalitarian laws would not work in the contemporary democratic society, he argued.)
A lot has been done over the last few months to make up for Bulgaria delay in becoming involved in collective peacekeeping and emergency management efforts. This is one of Bulgaria's most dynamic characteristics relevant to its NATO membership bid.
In the context of the new processes within NATO, it is necessary to organize continuing monitoring and analysis of current trends in the Alliance in order to update the Bulgarian integration strategy with new elements and priorities, the report says.
All participants in the discussion assessed positively the cooperation between the government and the nongovernmental sector in implementation of the national priority of NATO membership. They agreed that the current international anti-terror effort has caused a change in the concept of participation in the Alliance. The participants noted the need to train professionals specializing in security affairs.
Vladimir Donchev, who chairs the parliamentary Committee on Internal Security and Public Order, noted the role of the National Assembly in the country's drive to meet the NATO membership criteria. An example of the National Assembly's contribution in the field of security is the adoption of the Protection of Personal Data Act and the Safeguarding of Classified Information Act, Donchev said.
According to Nikolai Mladenov of the opposition United Democratic Forces, certain guarantees are necessary to bar former secret service informers from classified information.
Valeri Rachev of the Military Academy said political parties are supposed to translate the NATO membership priority into the language of domestic policy. Otherwise people would not understand the possibilities provided by NATO membership, Bulgaria's responsibilities and the efforts made to this end, he said.
Parvanov Met with Royal Salute.
Standartnews
After a meeting with the visiting Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov here Tuesday morning, German Federal President Johannes Rau declared his country's support for Bulgaria's efforts to join NATO and the European Union. President Parvanov arrived on a state visit to Germany Tuesday morning on the invitation of his German counterpart Johannes Rau. This has been the first Bulgarian state visit to Germany since 1991. The German head of state called the reforms in Bulgaria "impressive". "Germany wants to support this process as much as it can, as well as Bulgaria's aspirations to become a member of NATO and, one day, of the European Union too," he said.
President Parvanov stressed Bulgaria's progress in meeting the NATO membership criteria and its expectations to get a membership invitation later this month. He said that these expectations are based not only on the success of the military reform and the modernization of the Bulgarian army, but also on the indisputable fact that Bulgaria acts as a stabilizing factor in Southeast Europe and Europe in general. Parvanov went on to say that the position Bulgaria has acquired is largely due to its cooperation with Germany and the consistent German support in the military and other fields that are part of the NATO membership requirements.
The Bulgarian President told the press after the meeting that he had also talked about Bulgaria's progress towards EU membership and its hope to get a road map and a target date for accession in 2007 at the upcoming Copenhagen European Council. Bulgaria relies on German support in this department too, said Parvanov. "At this stage the relations between Bulgaria and Germany can acquire a new European quality. This visit is an opportunity to recall the traditionally good Bulgarian-German relations and to express our attitude to Germany as a strategic partner of Bulgaria," Parvanov said.
Johannes Rau stressed that there are no disputes and open issues between the two countries, but only multiple options for development of cooperation. He expressed hope that the ongoing presidential visit will make a contribution to the promotion of bilateral relations. Before the presidential talks in the Bellevue Palace President Parvanov decorated his host with the Order of the Balkan Range with Ribbon - the highest Bulgarian state award - for his exceptional contribution to the promotion of Bulgarian-German relations. German First Lady Christina Rau was conferred a Golden Order of the Rose for her role in advancing bilateral relations. President Parvanov and his wife Zorka Parvanova were decorated with the highest degree of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. President Parvanov was met with military honours and a royal salute at Berlin's Tegel Airport.
GERMANY-PURVANOV-FISCHER-PASSY.
BTA
Germany Views Favourably Bulgarian Request for Peer Review of Kozloduy N-Plant, Decision to Be Made by All EU Countries.
Berlin, November 6 (BTA special correspondent Iva Toncheva) - The issue of setting an EU accession date for Bulgaria no later than January 1, 2007 was raised on Wednesday morning at a meeting between Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov and German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer.
"We set forth our request for a roadmap and larger pre-accession assistance," Foreign Minister Solomon Passy told journalists. He is on the delegation accompanying Purvanov on his four-day visit to Germany. A decision will be made by the 15 member states. However, Passy said the matter met with a good reception.
Germany is particularly sensitive to the nuclear energy issue. The German side laid emphasis on nuclear power engineering and negotiations on the Energy chapter, Passy said, answering a question if Germany set conditions in response to the Bulgarian request for a specific date for EU accession.
Asked by BTA if Germany committed itself to support the Bulgarian request for a peer review of Units Three and Four of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, Passy said that Germany viewed it favourably, but that the decision would be made by the 15 member states together.
Purvanov stressed that the conversation with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder left him with the impression that the German position would be voiced within the EU and that a solution should be sought through the European institutions, not on a bilateral basis. So far none of the German officials has objected to a peer review, but the decision will probably be made at joint meetings in Brussels and Copenhagen, rather than in Berlin, Purvanov said.
GERMANY-BULGARIA- PRESIDENT.
BTA
Bulgaria, Germany to Update Agreement on Fighting Organized Crime.
Berlin, November 6 (BTA spec. corr. Iva Toncheva) - Bulgaria and Germany will update their Agreement on Fighting Organized Crime, German Interior Minister Otto Schily said after meeting Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov who is on a state visit to Germany.
The meeting also discussed the fight against terrorism, cooperation in the field of internal affairs and the police, Bulgaria's bid to join NATO and the EU and issues related to the movement of people.
"We agreed to step up our joint work, Otto Schily said. According to him, the agreement on cooperation in fighting organized crime which Bulgaria and Germany signed ten years ago needs to be updated.
It was agreed for the agreement to be updated in the next few weeks. The German Interior Minister is scheduled to visit Bulgaria next year at the invitation of his Bulgarian counterpart and the updated version of the document will be signed during the visit.
Interior Minister Georgi Petkanov is on the delegation accompanying President Georgi Purvanov on his state visit to Germany.
EU-BULGARIA-TRANSPORT.
BTA
Transport Minister Plamen Petrov Discusses in Brussels Negotiations on Transport Chapter.
Brussels, November 6 (BTA) - Transport and Communications Minister Plamen Petrov, who is on a two-day visit to Brussels, discussed with Eneko Landaburu, Director General at the Directorate General on Enlargement of the European Commission, the development of Bulgaria's transport sector and this country's progress in its negotiations with the EU on the Transport chapter of the acquis. The meeting was also attended by the leader of the Bulgarian mission to the European Communities, Ambassador Stanislav Daskalov.
Petrov stressed Bulgaria's considerable progress in the harmonization of its transport legislation with EU law and its intensive preparations for the implementation of new legislation by the newly established specialized administrations, the Information and PR Directorate of the Ministry of Transport and Communications said.
The two sides also discussed concrete aspects of the negotiations with the EU in the transport sector: sea transport and navigation safety, the restructuring of the sector, the setting up of a new national air carrier, the building of European transport corridors on Bulgarian territory, including financial assistance form the EU, etc.
Landaburu stressed the commitment of the European Commission and of the Enlargement Directorate General in particular to prepare Bulgaria for full membership in the European Union. He commended Bulgaria's achievement in the transport sector and its striving to promptly solve the difficult problems encountered by all candidate countries in particular.
Bulgarian Migrant Tipped for Turkey' PM.
Standartnews
or at least for a minister, as quoted by Reuters. Lawyer and AKP General Secretary Ertugrul Yalcinbayir is of the old Bulgarian Ethnic Turk migrants and was elected as an MP from Bursa.
Two Options for Bulgartabac.
Standartnews
No one can afford to comment on the judiciary's decisions, Parvanov said.
The Privatization Agency (PA) is considering two options for Bulgartabac deal. The first - to insist on improvement of the offers in line with the Supreme Administrative Court instructions. The second one is to contest the court ruling. The privatizors will tell about their intentions on Friday, PA sources said. President Georgi Parvanov expects that Deutsche Bank will remain committed to Bulgaria because the bank is a major partner and an economic group important for the Bulgarian economy. Parvanov made this statement before leaving on a state visit to Germany, commenting on the reaction in Tuesday's press by an unnamed Deutsche Bank source to a decision of the Supreme Administrative court about Bulgartabac. The source allegedly said Bulgaria acted purposefully against an investor like Deutsche Bank. Last week the Supreme Administrative Court cancelled a decision by the Privatization Agency to choose Tobacco Capital Partners, backed by Deutsche Bank, as the buyer of Bulgartabac. No one can afford to comment on the judiciary's decisions, Parvanov said.
Passy and Kuneva Tipped for Vice-Premier.
Standartnews
Elena Yaneva
The new appointments expected after the Prague summit, said NMS and MRF.
European Affairs Minister Meglena Kuneva or Foreign Minister Solomon Passy are the most probable successors in the vacant office of former Vice-Minister Kostadin Paskalev, it transpired after yesterday's sitting of the NMS Political Council and the following discussions between them and MRF. The election of the new Vice-Minister will be in line with the pre-accession process and Bulgaria's aspiration for EU membership. According to MPs of the King's party, the PM's favourite for his Deputy for now is Milena Kuneva, Minister of EU Affairs.
Iraqi diplomat urges Bulgaria not to support possible U.S. strike against his country.
AP
SOFIA, Bulgaria - An Iraqi diplomat urged NATO applicant Bulgaria Wednesday not to support a possible U.S. military strike against his country.
"We asked Bulgaria not to get involved with U.S. demands in a possible military operation against Iraq," Iraqi charge d'affaires in Sofia Yahia Mahdi said after meeting Plamen Panayotov, a senior lawmaker of the ruling party.
Bulgarian Defense Minister Nikolai Svinarov said last month his country would allow its airspace and its airport of Sarafovo, 400 kilometers (250 miles) east of the capital, Sofia, to be used in a military strike against Iraq if the U.N. Security Council authorizes such an action. U.S. refueling aircraft have been based in Sarafovo for service in Afghanistan.
Svinarov has indicated that Bulgaria would also consider a bilateral agreement to logistically support the United States if it attacks Iraq on its own.
Speaking on the issue Wednesday, Panayotov said Bulgaria prefers a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis. However, it will act according to the international community should it resort to force, he added.
"We shall closely stick to the resolutions adopted by the U.N. Security Council," he said.
Panayotov also said parliament has the final word on whether or not to support a military strike against Iraq.
Bulgaria is one of ten east European applicants expected to join NATO at its summit in Prague, the Czech Republic, later this month. It largely relies on U.S. support for its bid.
11:39: Russia asks Lithuania to close Chechen centre on its territory.
Gazeta.ru
Russian ambassador to Lithuania Yuri Zubakov raised the question, at a meeting with Lithuanian foreign minister Antanas Valenis, on stopping the activity of the "Chechen information centre" in Vilnius, reported the information and culture department of Lithuania on Wednesday. Lithuanian foreign minister Antanas Valenis confirmed, on his part, that the "information-cultural centre of Chechnya" is a public organisation which works in compliance with Lithuanian laws and is engaged, above all, in humanitarian activity. According to him, the centre is headed by a citizen of Lithuania. //RIA-Novosti
Western Press Continues to Be Hostile Over Chechnya.
Pravda.ru
Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY
The Times, a reputable British daily newspaper, today printed an article which is typical of the western press coverage of the war against the Chechen terrorists, reflecting an ignorance which is blatantly apparent: the West does not understand that Russias war is against Chechen terrorists and foreign mercenaries, not the Chechen people.
The article, written by Robin Shepherd, Refugees reveal the other side of terrorism tellingly refers to the terrorists as separatists and claims that the lives of the Chechen citizens deteriorated after President Vladimir Putin sent the armed forces to attack Chechen terrorist positions in 1999. After interviewing a Chechen car mechanic, who claims his sister was raped by a drunken Russian soldier, the article goes on to claim that In the Chechen refugee camps of Ingushetia, everyone has a similar story.
This absurd statement claims that 110,000 Chechen refugees have been badly treated by the Russian troops, a notion which is as demonstrative of bad journalism as it is of innocence, at best, and extreme bias, at worst. Nothing is said of the Russian humanitarian programmes working inside Chechnya and Ingushetia and there is no mention of the excellent relations between the Russian Federation Armed Forces and the Chechen civilians they are risking their lives for to protect.
The article paints a picture of sympathy for the terrorists, who are referred to as separatists and hostage-takers who have run out of options and so they had no other course of action to follow. This is paramount to condoning the terrorist attack on the Moscow theatre where 119 people died, plus the fifty terrorists.
The fact that an article of this calibre with such a blatant anti-Russian slant can be published in what claims to be a quality British daily newspaper speaks volumes about the British press, and more sinister than this, gives a frightening insight into the mind-set of the West, which winks at Russia with one eye but hides a knife behind its back.
So much for friendship and solidarity.
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