News from Bulgaria / Nov 6, 95

From: bulgaria@access1.digex.net (Embassy of Bulgaria)

Bulgarian Telegraph Agency Directory

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA - WASHINGTON D.C.

BTA - BULGARIAN TELEGRAPH AGENCY

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT ZHELEV CALLS UPON SOFIANITES TO VOTE FOR OPPOSITION

The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) has not yet announced the election results as the tally sheets from some municipalities came later. CEC Spokeswoman Ralitsa Negentsova told a briefing today that election stationery from 254 municipalities have already been processed. Mayors have been elected to 139 municipalities and 115 will have a second round of voting.

At a sitting today the CEC reviewed claims in connection with the local elections, filed since October 29, BTA was told by Haralambi Anachev of the CEC. The most serious voting irregularities were identified in Sandanski and Petrich, Southwestern Bulgaria and Borino and Troyan in Central Bulgaria. The results of the elections there will probably be contested at district law courts and second round of voting will be scheduled, said Anachev.

The opposition is promoting a most negative trend: dividing the voters into educated, wise and democratically-minded on the one hand and backward on the other, according to a political expert council of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). A conclusion to that effect was made at today's sitting of the council. "In other words, the opposition is trying to oppose the voters in Plovdiv [where the UDF candidate was elected to the mayor's office at the first round of voting] and those in the rest of the country," said BSP Spokeswoman Klara Marinova.

The BSP expert council decided to make a meticulous schedule of the campaigning activity of BSP regional election headquarters with a view to demonstrating the high personal and professional merits of as many candidates for the run-off elections as possible.

Steffan Sofiyanski today had a meeting with European Union Ambassador Thomas O'Sullivan. Mr O'Sullivan voiced the readiness of the EU to provide funds under operation PHARE for Sofia's transport, water supply and sewerage systems, said the press office of the united democratic opposition.

Sofiyanski said for his part the meeting confirmed his belief that a democratic government in Sofia has more opportunities for attracting foreign investments for the needs of this city.

[02] NON-PROFIT ORGANISATIONS IN BULGARIA HOLD FIRST MEETING

"Today the will for change is again in the domain of the civil society," the President told the gathering. He voiced hope that what the post-communist state, the political class and the entrepreneurs did not manage to do on their own, they will do it with the assistance of the non-governmental organisations. In their addresses on the first day of the meeting, the representatives of the various foundations, associations and public centres were categorical that today the civil society is given the unique chance of gaining real autonomy from the state. The participants in the national meeting were addressed by EU Ambassador in Bulgaria Thomas O'Sullivan.

[03] PM VIDENOV: INSINUATIONS ABOUT "BULGARIAN CONNEECTION"

Greek and Macedonian newspapers alleged earlier this week that the Bulgarian Multigroup company was involved in the attempt on President Gligorov's life. Bulgarian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Radko Vlaikov described these allegations as an absurd speculation against Bulgaria with obvious ulterior motives. During question time today, Videnov was asked by an opposition MP if he knew the sources quoted by Interior Minister Lyubomir Nachev in an October 5 statement to the press that Gligorov's health was deteriorating. Yordan Sokolov, floor leader of the largest opposition force, the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), and UDF deputy leader Vassil Gotsev asked Videnov if he was going to urge Nachev to resign in the wake of his "irresponsible statements", or if Videnov himself would take responsibility for them. "I have no doubt whatsoever that Minister Nachev was also guided by a sense of concern for our Macedonian neighbours and friends when he gave some unofficial information on President Gligorov's health," Videnov said.

Videnov stressed that both the Minister of the Interior and his subordinates worked hard to meet their commitments proceeding from an agreement between the two countries' interior ministries and to respond to the best of their ability to a request by their Macedonian colleagues in an October 5 telegram raising questions about all kinds of information relating to the assassination attempt.

"Obviously the information shared by Mr Nachev, received from accidental passengers, could not, and was not, particularly reliable," the Prime Minister said. His words provoked displeasure and laughter from the opposition benches. Videnov went on to say that the Cabinet had always sought to help the ongoing investigation in Macedonia by all possible means and information, albeit preliminary, in keeping with the sovereign will of the Macedonian side.

"Confirming the statement of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry on October 5, I would like to say that Bulgaria will continue to pursue a policy promoting bilateral relations with Macedonia, and will continue to render the necessary assistance for Macedonia's international recognition. The constructive policy of the Bulgarian Cabinet and Parliament, promoting peace in the Balkans, has turned Bulgaria into a stabilizing factor in the region," Videnov said.

He also said he wished President Gligorov a speedy recovery and resumption of his functions. "To us, he is a political figure who, with his indisputable authority, is helping promote positive processes in the Balkans," Videnov said.

"I do not think that any talk of resignations can have place here, except from the narrow partisan perspective of the struggle for power in local government, so unsuccessfully waged by the UDF," the Prime Minister said. The Bulgarian Socialist Party, led by Videnov, won the first round of local elections last Sunday.

"Clearly, we cannot be happy with your answer because you did not answer the question at all. We asked, do you approve of irresponsible statements by the Interior Minister about the health of the head of state of a friendly neighbouring country, statements that proved totally false and soured bilateral relations," Yordan Sokolov said after the Prime Minister's answer.

[04] MULTIGROUP BELIEVE CAMPAIGN AGAINST IT SEEKS TO HARM BULGARIA

Multigroup President Ilia Pavlov said he has met Bulgarian President Zhelyu Zhelev and got his support for this stand. Dr. Zhelev reportedly agreed that Bulgarians, irrespective of the institutions they represent, should support each other. Immediately after the news conference the Multigroup management went to a meeting with National Assembly Chairman Blagovest Sendov to discuss this matter with him as well.

Today's news conference was occasioned by reports in the "Thessaloniki" evening paper of Thessaloniki, the "Vecer" and "Nova Makedonia" papers of Skopje and a statement by Macedonia's former Interior Minister Ljubomir Frckovski that triggered the campaign against Multigroup. The Multigroup management did not attack Bulgarian news papers but materials tracing the chronology of the campaign, they handed out at the news conference, say a Bulgarian newspaper "fanned up the issue in the Bulgarian public conscience".

No official request in connection with the press allegations has to date come from the Skopje authorities, said Multigroup Vice President Dimiter Ivanov. "Nova Makedonia" claimed he was personally involved in the production of the explosive device used in the assassination attempt. The author of the "Nova Makedonia" story, Branko Trickovski, who attended the news conference, would not comment the precision of his allegations. Neither would he recall October 28, when he claimed Dimiter Ivanov was in Skopje. He said the publicity this issue got is attributable to a wrong interpretation of his story. According to him, the reports in the Macedonian press have been prompted by the ever growing public interest in this issue after the assassination attempt and the occasion was used "to promote the name of Multigroup".

Multigroup's business in Macedonia includes trade in general goods, nickel production, financial and investment activity. This conglomerate is the principal shareholder in the Bulgarian bank in Skopje set up by Balkanbank. Ilia Pavlov dismissed possible links between Multigroup's economic activity and the assassination attempt. However, he did not rule out the possibility that economic interests have guided those who implicated Multigroup in the crime. The Multigroup lawyers are now studying the possibility for launching legal proceedings to protect the group's interests. "We will pursue our rights and protect them no matter how much it will cost us and how long it will take," Ilia pavlov said. A news conference parallel with that in Sofia was held at the Multigroup regional office based in Skopje. In a dispatch from Skopje, the National Radio correspondent said the Multigroup Skopje bureau chief, Ivan Yanchev, dismissed the allegations in the Macedonian press. He said Multigroup is in no way involved in what he described as a badly patched-up insinuation seeking to prevent a warming of the climate in the Balkans. Yanchev also said that this campaign can only serve the interests of forces or countries that are unhappy with the expansion of Bulgarian- Macedonian relations.

[05] BULGARIA EXPECTS INFORMATION ON MURDER OF 21-YEAR-OLD BULGARIAN

The American side expressed its condolences and assured that everything necessary would be done to find the killers. An official of the Bulgarian National Investigative Service (NIS), which is permanently in touch with the competent American authorities, left for Washington to clarify the circumstances of the murder.

"The are signs that the efforts of the American side to clear up the case and find the murders will soon yield concrete results. We expect information on the case," the Foreign Ministry Spokesman told journalists today.

He also said that an inspection by security experts identified security failures at the Bulgarian Embassy in Washington. The inspection also found that inadequate security at Bulgarian diplomatic missions have been observable in the US and other countries since 1991. In a view of this, specific measures have been considered for improving the situation.

[06] BULGARIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE WANTS BULGARIA'S LEGISLATION AMENDED

Sofia, November 3 (BTA) - The Bulgarian legislation should be urgently brought into line with the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC) pledged today at a news conference marking the 45th anniversary of the Convention which is tomorrow. The Convention was the first international agreement on human rights to be signed after World War II. At the news conference BHC President Krassimir Kunev regretted the fact that Bulgaria is among the last ones in signing regional agreements, suggested by the Council of Europe. Mr Kunev said that the BHC is alarmed at the "anti-European approaches of the incumbent Government," but it hopes that steps towards synchronizing Bulgarian legislation with the requirements of the Council of Europe will be taken in the nearest future. According to Mr Kunev, legal inconsistencies were to be found in all countries and cited Great Britain, which so far has introduced 74 amendments to its legislation.

[07] PRESIDENT ZHELEV'S STATEMENT ON RABINS MURDER

Sofia, November 5 (BTA) - "I was saddened and shocked to learn of the tragic death of the Israeli Prime Minister. Bulgaria feels sympathy for the Israeli people, now mourning one of its most outstanding leaders," Bulgarian President Zhelyu Zhelev said in a statement for the Bulgarian News Agency, National Radio and Television.

"We must say 'Farewell' to Yitzhak Rabin who showed bravery as an Israeli army commander in times of war, as well as in times of peace when he led the Israeli people to goodneighbourly relations and understanding.

"After my personal meetings and conversations with him he stands out in my memory as a politician and statesman who was both wise and far-sighted, open and frank. When I congratulated him on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year, he replied: 'Peace is not a one-man achievement... I have been striving for one thing: to hand down a legacy of peace to our Palestinian and Israeli children'," the Bulgarian President said.

"Just as the link between the Bulgarians and the Jews is strong and permanent and has stood the test of time, so were Prime Minister Rabin and I in constant friendly dialogue.

"Two weeks ago he sent a message to the formal ceremony in New York commemorating the rescue of the Bulgarian Jews, which read: 'Together, we can eradicate hatred and forever turn the page of intolerance in the book of history.'

"To my deepest regret, unthinking hatred did not spare him. I am at a loss for words strong enough to condemn the shocking act of terrorism. Terrorists do not belong to any country. They must not be exonerated or given asylum anywhere in the world.

"Offering my most sincere condolences to Mrs Leah Rabin and the bereaved, the Israeli Government and the Israeli people, I am convinced that there is someone to take over from Yitzhak Rabin, to carry the olive branch of peace that he wanted to hand down to the Israeli and Palestinian children," President Zhelev said in conclusion.

[08] FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT ON RABIN'S ASSASINATION

Sofia, November 5 (BTA) - "Bulgaria was shocked by the monstrous assassination of the Israeli Prime Minister. Yitzhak Rabin dedicated his life to the craving for peace, shared by millions of Israelis and Arabs. His name will go down in history as a symbol of statesmanship and wisdom, dignity and bravery. His resolute efforts contributed to the breakthrough in the peace process in the region and opened up prospects to end the Middle East conflict," the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

Rabin's tragic death is a new warning that terrorist acts and bloodshed are used in the attempt to obstruct the progress to peace in regions with a volatile situation. The Republic of Bulgaria strongly condemns such actions, the statement says.

Expressing a hope that Rabin's untimely death will not stop or slow down the peace process, the Republic of Bulgaria will continue, to the best of its ability, to support all actions of the international community aimed at establishing a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. The Israeli Prime Minister's self-sacrifice must become a symbol and efforts must be redoubled to achieve the security and stability desired by millions, the Foreign Ministry's statement says in conclusion.

[09] BULGARIAN OFFICIALS OFFER CONDOLENCES

Sofia, November 5 (BTA) - President Zhelyu Zhelev, Prime Minister Zhan Videnov, Foreign Minister Georgi Pirinski and Parliamentary Chairman Blagovest Sendov expressed condolences on the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. They expressed a hope that his tragic death will not put an end to the efforts to achieve a lasting comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

"I was shocked to learn of the terrible assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, whose name will go down in history as a paragon of statesmanship and wisdom, dignity and courage," President Zhelev said in a telegram to Israeli President Ezer Weizman. "We join you in your mourning and pay tribute to the work of the statesman and politician Yitzhak Rabin, who will always be remembered by the Israeli people, by all who cherish peace, cooperation and understanding," Prime Minister Videnov said in a telegram of condolences to acting Prime Minister Shimon Peres.

In a telegram to Peres, Foreign Minister Georgi Pirinski stressed that "Rabin's self-sacrifice should redouble the efforts of those who see the peace process as the only option for the peoples of the Middle East".

"I believe that Yitzhak Rabin's work will be continued by the united Israeli people and your Government for the establishment of lasting peace in the Middle East," Defence Minister Dimiter Pavlov said in a telegram to Israeli acting Prime Minister Peres.

In a telegram to Knesset Speaker Shevah Weiss, Parliamentary Chairman Blagovest Sendov said the Bulgarian Parliament was outraged by the act of terrorism which caused the death of the Israeli Prime Minister at a time when hopes for peace and stability in the Middle East have been raised. Sendov expressed a hope that Rabin's work will be carried on.

[10] PRESIDENT ZHELEV, GOVERNMENT DELEGATION TO ATTEND FUNERAL