Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA), 96-12-29

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From: Embassy of Bulgaria <bulgaria@access1.digex.net>

EMBASSY OF BULGARIA - WASHINGTON D.C.

BTA - BULGARIAN TELEGRAPH AGENCY

29 December, 1996

CONTENTS

[01] NATIONAL ASSEMBLY APPROVES CABINET'S RESIGNATION

[02] EXTRAORDINARY SITTING OF PARLIAMENT

[03] CULTURAL NEWS BRIEFS

[04] SATURDAY NEWS BRIEFS

[01] NATIONAL ASSEMBLY APPROVES CABINET'S RESIGNATION

The seventh Bulgarian Government since the beginning of the democratic processes in the country in 1989 was in office for nearly two years, the longest term compared to its six predecessors. Videnov's government was appointed in late January, 1995 after the Socialists gained an overwhelming victory in the parliamentary elections in October 1994.

The government's resignation is linked to the current realities in the country, as well as to the expected important decisions to be taken in the financial field, outgoing PM Videnov said, motivating in the National Assembly the Cabinet's resignation. In his view the Cabinet's stepping down will allow the Parliament to choose the best way for the country's development. The outgoing cabinet is ready to provide maximum cooperation to the Parliament to make this choice. It will present already in early 1997 all its draft projects on the budget and the privatization together with the draft bills on the introduction of a currency board, Videnov said. We hope that the new government, which the Left will form in the shortest possible time, will receive more political will for the realization of the measures for financial stabilization and structural reforms in the country, Videnov said in conclusion.

The opposition described the resignation as a necessary but belated move. The leaders of the opposition Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), the Popular Union and the ethnic Turks' Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) said that the Government's resignation is but a belated admission of the failure of the Bulgarian Socialist Party to rule. UDF Leader Ivan Kostov recalled that the opposition described BSP's government as dangerous and harmful for Bulgaria already after the first 100 days of Videnov Cabinet's tenure. Its resignation is a failure of the programme on which the BSP won the parliamentary elections in 1994, Kostov said. He described the programme as a populist and unrealizable one and said it was used by the Socialists only as a means of gaining the power.

The resignation of Videnov's Cabinet is a result of intraparty reshuffles of power and is not linked to a willingness to seek dialogue and consensus with the opposition, MRF Deputy Floor Leader Youdjel Atilla said. In his view during its tenure the BSP led unprecedented war with the state institutions.

The opposition MPs focused on the grave situation in Bulgaria which, in their view, is a result of the rule of the Left. The projections for the 1996 macroeconomic indicators were described as a complete failure. Instead of 25 per cent inflation, 25 per cent average base interest rate and exchange rate of 85 leva for 1 US dollar, as the 1996 Budget Act planned, we are faced with 300 per cent inflation, exchange rate of 560 leva for 1 US dollar and the need to introduce a currency board at the end of 1996, UDF MP Valentin Vassilev said. The increased internal borrowing, the collapse of the banking system, of the system of public health, of culture, the withdrawal of foreign investors, the emigration over the past year of dozens of thousands of people, the dramatic pauperization of the Bulgarians, according to the opposition MPs, is a proof of the failure of the government of the Left. According to the opposition, the only solution is early parliamentary elections and the formation of a democratic majority in the National Assembly.

The Bulgarian Business Bloc (BBB) supported the Cabinet's resignation but said it will give to the Left another chance for a dialogue, which has not been held for two years.

The Left MPs did not take part in the debates on the resignation. Leader of the radical wing in the BSP, prof. Chavdar Kyuranov warned that no political force will be able to solve the country's problems on its own.

The resignation of Videnov's cabinet is not an act of evading responsibility. We bear our responsibility and expect to receive a new term to govern, Left Floor Leader Krassimir Premianov said after the vote. In his view, a consensus should be achieved for the financial stabilization of the country.

The second item on the Parliament's decision, which charges the Government to move the 1997 Budget Bill and related laws by the end of this year, provoked unexpected debates. The opposition UDF, the Popular Union and the BBB walked out and the proposal was adopted on the votes of the BSP MPs.

Later on Saturday Parliament's press office said Parliament Chairman Blagovest Sendov had sent President Zhelyu Zhelev the decision to accept the resignation of Videnov's Cabinet. Under the Constitution, President Zhelev may take steps towards the formation of a new Cabinet.

[02] EXTRAORDINARY SITTING OF PARLIAMENT

The draft declaration was submitted by the United Democratic Forces (UDFs), a broad opposition coalition consisting of the Union of Democratic Forces, the Popular Union and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms. The UDFs calls for a new governing board of the National Bank which will hold talks with the IMF on the introduction of a currency board in Bulgaria as proposed by the multilateral institution. The opposition forces state that consensus is needed in Parliament to form a team that will work with the IMF and the World Bank in the process of restructuring, as well as for the passage of laws on the possible introduction of a currency board.

The opposition calls for Parliament's immediate dissolution and early parliamentary elections. In a statement issued on December 19 the ruling Left called the draft document "strange and incomprehensible" and said it would not abdicate power.

[03] CULTURAL NEWS BRIEFS

The national ballet has made long tours of Germany and Switzerland, organized by the International Ballet Centre in Berlin, for two years running. It will give thirty performances in forty days in the largest concert halls of Cologne, Munich, Essen, Aachen, Mannheim, Nuremberg; Zurich, Lugano, etc.

The German press stressed that with its 120 dancers the Sofia national ballet is among the largest in the world.

Anatoly Rudenko (Zor Alef), author of two books on magic, recently met with the press at BTA's press club. Bulgarian-born Rudenko, 20, lives in Moscow. He is head of the Zor esoteric school, a society of 300 teachers, students and healers, set up in 1991. Sofia's private Nova TV will devote several parts of its Magic Key series to his work. Rudenko hopes to finish and publish in Bulgaria his third book, "Sacred Therapy: Methods of Esoteric Medicine". He claims that after Egypt, Greece, India and Judea, Bulgaria was the fifth country to have given the world a great spiritual leader, Orpheus.

Theatre director Zdravko Mitkov, who staged Durrenmatt's "Romulus the Great" (1949) at the Theatre of Satire, says he was impressed by the idea that the destroyer of an empire must be at least as talented as its founder. The play was premiered on December 23. "I was fascinated with the astounding current relevance of the play, as well as with the intellectual juggling with established norms and concepts," Mitkov told the press.

[04] SATURDAY NEWS BRIEFS

Outgoing Prime Minister Zhan Videnov received US Ambassador Avis Bohlen at her request. The sides discussed economic contacts between the two countries, the government press office said. Ambassador Bohlen declined to comment after the meeting.

The Scientific Research Fund announced its annual awards. Experts have assessed 540 projects launched in 1992 and completed in 1996 by 1,100 scientists and have given nine awards. Education Minister Ilcho Dimitrov presented the awards to the leaders of research teams in physics, chemistry, geoscience, medicine, biology, agronomy, the technical and social sciences and the humanities. For the first time two journalists writing about scientific achievements received awards.

Teachers from nine schools in Roudozem municipality (Southern Bulgaria) have been on strike for 22 days now, claiming unpaid wages, Teachers' Union leader Yanka Takeva told the press. In 1996 the Union organized strikes in over 50 municipalities and rallies in some 20 municipalities, union representatives said.

The National Bank of Bulgaria extended a loan of 24,000 million leva to the Finance Ministry in compliance with the amended 1996 Budget Act. The loan is repayable over 15 years with a five-year grace period at the base interest rate, the central bank said.

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