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News from Bulgaria, 96-10-30Bulgarian Telegraph Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Embassy of Bulgaria <bulgaria@access1.digex.net>EMBASSY OF BULGARIA - WASHINGTON D.C.BTA - BULGARIAN TELEGRAPH AGENCY30 October, 1996CONTENTS
[01] INTERNATIONAL O.S.C.E. OBSERVERS ON THE FIRST ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN BULGARIASofia, October 29 (BTA) - At today's new conference of the OSCE International Observer Mission, the international press centre for Bulgaria's presidential poll released a statement on the first round of balloting by 11 observers from the U.S. International Republican Institute (IRI). "IRI was impressed that the election was carried out with remarkable professionalism at the sectional and regional election commissions levels with few irregularities. The irregularities the delegation did observe related to minor infractions of the electoral law. Given the harsh political and economic climate in which the election took place, we remain encouraged by the enthusiasm and deepening commitment of the Bulgarian electorate to participatory democracy," reads the statement of the IRI delegation."Observers reported that the polling day had been conducted in an atmosphere of calm and efficiency," Michael Medowcroft, Co- ordinator of the International Observer Mission to the Bulgarian presidential election of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), told a news conference here today. The observers were invited by the Bulgarian Government to monitor this country's second direct presidential election held on October 27. Mr Medowcroft expressed his satisfaction that the OSCE observers were well received everywhere across the country. The voting procedure and counting method are very good and prevent any manipulation of the voters' valid ballots, members of the mission believe. According to them, the method of voting used - putting the chosen ballot paper into an envelope - ensured that the elector cast his or her vote in secret, while the unique practice of displaying a copy of the result protocol publicly at the polling station and of publishing of the vote tabulation after the election is a good safeguard against any possible attempt to manipulate the figures later. "Sufficient safeguards are in place during the central vote tabulation for the public to be bale to have confidence in the declared result," Mr Medowcroft stressed. According to him, there are certain imperfections as regards the method of registration of presidential and vice-presidential candidates and the conduct of the presidential campaign. He noted that the law gives different treatment to registered presidential candidates. Those nominated by political organizations which have representation in Parliament enjoy more favourable treatment than their counterparts without formal parliamentary links. Only candidates whose nominating bodies were represented in Parliament are entitled to be represented on the electoral commissions at all levels, as well as to substantially more time in TV and radio debates, the observers noted. "I cannot offer concrete recommendations on amending the electoral law so at to eliminate such imperfections as this will be an intervention on Bulgaria's internal affairs; I, however, can recommend for Bulgarian competent bodies and people to consult with the Council with the Stockholm-based International Institute," Mr Medowcroft said. [02] CENTRAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION ANNOUNCES FINAL RESULTS OF FIRST ROUND OF VOTING IN BULGARIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONSofia, October 29 (BTA) - The presidential candidate of the opposition, Peter Stoyanov, and his running mate Todor Kavaldjiev emerged as winners in the October 27 first round of elections for President and Vice President of the Republic. Next come the presidential tandem of the Socialist-dominated Together for Bulgaria alliance, Ivan Marazov and Irina Bokova. The official figures were announced by the Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), Prof. Baicho Panev, 13 hours before the expiry of the 48-hour deadline after the official end of election day in Bulgaria and abroad announced at 09:15 hrs local time yesterday.The Stoyanov-Kavaldjiev tandem got 1,889,825 valid votes (44.07%), ahead of Marazov-Bokova with 1,158,204 votes (27.01%). A total of 4,288,500 valid votes were cast by the 6,746,056 Bulgarians listed in the electoral registers. The CEC processed 12,675 tally sheets (100%), said CEC Spokesperson Iliana Rizova. The count included the votes cast in overseas polling stations by about 15,000 Bulgarians. (In 115 polling stations in 67 cities of 55 countries.) The differences in the counts of the regional electoral commissions and parallel vote tabulation established by the CEC are insignificant and could not have influenced the results, Rizova said. Under the Bulgarian Constitution if no presidential candidate polls more than half of the vote in the first round of elections, a run-off is held between the two top vote getters. The run-off will be on November 3, Prof. Panev also said. However, if defeated candidates file complaints against counters, the runoff may be postponed, CEC sources told "Daily News". Bulgarian Business Bloc presidential tandem George Ganchev- Arlin Antonov came third with 21.87% of the vote and therefore drops out of the presidential race. Under the Election of President and Vice President of the Republic Act, campaigning resumes as of today. The extraparliamentary Alternative Social Liberal Party and the Bulgarian Antifascist Union expressed support for the Left's candidates Marazov- Bokova in faxes sent to BTA. The extraparliamentary Radical Democratic Party (outside the Union of Democratic Forces) urged its supporters and members to vote Stoyanov-Kavaldjiev. At a news conference and campaign rally and concert in Pleven (Northern Bulgaria) today Peter Stoiyanov and Todor Kavaldjiev said they did not doubt their ultimate victory. [03] I.M.F. MISSION ARRIVES IN SOFIASofia, October 29 (BTA) - A mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is expected in Sofia on Wednesday. It was supposed to arrive here last week but the election for Bulgarian President and Vice President last Sunday postponed it.The IMF Mission, to be led by Anne McGuirk is coming here to review the implementation of measures the Bulgarian government and central bank pledged to take last autumn in exchange for the fourth standby loan from this financial institution. The mission will review the balance of payments and the draft budget for 1997. Bulgarian financiers believe that if the results of the mission are positive, the second and third tranche of the standby loan, amounting to 180 million US dollars, will most likely be floated simultaneously. Speaking at a news conference here today, Prime Minister Zhan Videnov said the Bulgarian side will try to convince the IMF Mission that all measures mapped out in a bid to improve the financial discipline and order, and boost savings, have been implemented. He said the major loss-making enterprises have been liquidated and bankruptcy procedures have been launched against banks found to have squandered public and financial resources, for which the central banks will be unrelenting. Videnov also said the Bulgarian side will prove that this year it will bring to a completion its major task - voucher privatization, and that it has provided the legislation for a wide-scale cash privatization and attracting foreign investment next year. However, the present macroeconomic situation in the country - that will also be in the focus of attention of the IMF Mission - can hardly be seen as favourable, Videnov said. It did not improve over the recent months and is unpredictable for those to come. He believes, though, that it is the result of many objective factors and not only to the government. [04] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT REJECTS PETITION CONTESTING AMENDMENT TO NATIONAL BUDGET ACTSofia, October 29 (BTA) - The Constitutional Court rejected today a petition filed by a group of MPs contesting an amendment to the National Budget Act. The amendment states that "all amounts due from juristic persons and sole traders for the sale of natural gas delivered under commercial contracts and under international agreements, including the Yamburg Agreement to which Bulgaria is party through its representative Bulgargas Inc., should be treated as government claims." These claims cannot be transferred or serve as guarantees. The petition was rejected and the Constitutional Court will not consider it as it has not been signed by the minimum number of 48 MPs required by the law. At first the petition was filed by 49 MPs of different political forces. Later on three withdrew their signatures and one more MP signed it. Thus, instead of the required 48 signatures the petition was left with 47, Constitutional Court Judge Nikolai Pavlov, rapporteur on the case, told the press.Yesterday President Zhelev approached the Constitutional Court with the same request - to rule on the constitutionality of the same amendment. The Constitutional Court will rule on the admissibility of the claim on Thursday. This July President Zhelev vetoed this amendment but his veto was overruled by the parliamentary majority. The President's veto then sparked the exchange of strong remarks between President Zhelev and Zhan Videnov through the media. Videnov then said that by returning for reconsideration the amendment which tries to settle the dispute between Chimco and the Multigroup economic conglomerate, the President was harming the public finances. In response Zhelev's press office said that the President had returned the amendment guided by principal considerations and that the "amendment is an attempt by Parliament to seize powers which are within the competence of the independent judiciary power." The amendment was apparently occasioned by a highly controversial assignment contract of September 1994, whereby Bulgargas transferred to Credit Bank and Discount House the unpaid bills of this country's largest fertilizer manufacturer, Chimco of Vratsa, and the largest iron and steel works, Kremikovtsi of Sofia, for gas delivered between 1991 and 1993. Chimco and the two financial intermediaries (which are affiliated to the private conglomerate Multigroup) are locked in a legal battle over the contract. The assignee argues that the agreement is perfect and insists on its performance. It is suing Chimco for default, claiming 1,000 million leva. The debtor wants the contract voided, claiming that it has already paid the Exchequer the full amount of principal and almost all interest on its debt to Bulgargas. Multigroup won the case at the first- instance district court, and the Arbitration Court also issued an award in its favour. The case has now gone before the Supreme Court for appellate review. The Supreme Court was expected to postpone the hearing of the case pending Constitutional Court judgement. But the supreme judges said today that they would come out with a final decision on the case within ten days. [05] BULGARIA WANTS CUTS IN RUSSIAN CUSTOMS DUTIESSofia, October 29 (BTA) - A Bulgarian governmental trade delegation started talks today in Moscow, the national radio correspondent said. On the delegation are deputy trade ministers Vladimir Kurpachev and Peter Stefanov and a group of experts. By October 31 the delegation will negotiate liberalization of reciprocal trade. Problems to be put on the agenda of the next session of the intergovernmental commission for economic and scientific-technical cooperation will also be discussed.The visit of the delegation was delayed yesterday over unfavourable weather conditions and the meetings were put off for today. At the first working meeting this morning the parties exchanged information concerning their positions. Both parties are ready to eliminate the obstacles to bilateral trade, but there are differences on the methods for liberalization and on the various groups of goods. After specifying their stands, the parties will start seeking compromise solutions. Bulgaria will insist for cuts in the duties which Russia charges on cigarettes, textile, electric trucks and other traditional Bulgarian export goods. The experts will ask Russia to specify the list of goods subject to tax reliefs. For its part Bulgaria is ready in return to cut the duties on imported Russian equipment for the N-plant in Kozlodoui, the Kremikovtsi steel works and the Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline. There will be a suggestion for establishment of several joint ventures in tobacco processing in Russia. A cigarette JV is currently operating in Russia. The joint ventures are planned to operate with Bulgarian tobacco, which will increase the exports of this commodity for Russia. [06] 33 % INFLATION IN 1997?Sofia, October 29 (BTA) - It is possible that next year inflation be curbed to the 1995 levels, Finance Minister Dimiter Kostov says. In an interview for the National Radio he said that the key objective in the drafting of next year's budget is to seek possibilities to reduce inflation and the budget deficit and restore the stability of the foreign currency market."I consider it possible for inflation to be restricted to the 1995 levels, when price rises were in the range of 33 per cent," the Minister said. In his view this may be done by cutting down the budget deficit. "We are still at the stage of preparing the draft budget bill, because with the recent measures introduced in the banking system and on the foreign currency market it is still difficult to make predictions," Minister Kostov specified. As chief priority in the drafting of next year's budget bill, Mr Kostov identified the restructuring in the budget-financed sector and optimization of the budget systems so that the state may benefit from every lev spent on public services. According to the Financial Minister it is still early for introducing tax cuts. In his view this matter can be considered only after the country achieves macroeconomic stabilization. The tax burden is in practice determined not only by the taxes themselves, but also by the expenses of the state. In this respect a balance must be stricken between the state's expenses and the proceeds collected from taxes, the Minister said. [07] AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN BULGARIA GETS USD 14.8 MILLION SUBSIDYSofia, October 29 (BTA) - The American University gets a 14.8 million US dollar subsidy for the 1996-97 academic year, University President Julia Watkins told a news conference today prompted by the 5th anniversary of the opening of this university. The funding is provided by the US Agency for International Development.The American University in Blagoevgrad was set up in 1991 as a joint project of the Bulgarian and US governments. Being the first such university in eastern Europe, it provides American-style education with an emphasis on general sciences. The University has about 60 lecturers and 620 students of 15 countries, of which 506 Bulgarians. Most of the them come from Albania, FR Yugoslavia, Romania, Macedonia, the United States, Moldova and Poland. The University library has around 100,000 volumes. Graduates of 4-year courses get a bachelor's degree identical with the US one and have a chance to continue their education in master programmes in the US or Europe. The University is scheduled to become financially independent by 2005. At present, it gets most of its fundings from the US Agency for International Development and private donors. Applied economics, business administration, computer sciences, English language, history, journalism, mass media, political sciences, international relations and Balkan studies are the subjects the University students can choose from. A total of 150 students have graduated the University in the past two years. Most of them are working in international companies based in Bulgaria while others decided to further their education. The number of students is expected to reach 700 by 2005, with a third of them being foreigners. Training specialists with a view to changing the social system instead of obeying its needs is a cornerstone of liberal education, applied at the American University, said Prof. Georgi Fotev, Vice Chairman of the University Board of Directors. He believes that it is a challenge - in the positive meaning of the word - for the other Bulgarian universities, that stick to the traditional Bulgarian education system based on the needs of society. [08] F.M.D. SPREADS TO BULGARIASofia, October 29 (BTA) - Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), widely spread in Greece and Turkey, made its way to Bulgaria; the focus of the disease is in the village of Malko Sharkovo, near the Bulgarian- Turkish border, Director General of the National Veterinary Service Dr Yordan Kostadinov said on the national radio today. The FMD spread to this country is attributed to the free movement of animals from Greece and Turkey to Bulgaria through broken fences on the border between the three countries.The infected area near the village of Malko Sharkovo has been put under quarantine; people and animals are banned from entering or leaving the village, Kostadinov said. The infected animals will be killed. Farmers' damages as a result of the measure will be paid in full by the central government's budget. Allocations to this end have already been made. Farmers will also be paid for checks and inoculation of the animals in neighbouring areas. The situation is under control. We hope that we shall be able to contain the spread of the disease, Kostadinov stressed. Commissions have been set up in the areas facing the risk of an FMD spread which will check and inoculate the cloven-hoofed animals, Kostadinov said. Police and Border Troops squads have been set up to guard this country's southern border, he said. A team of veterinary experts started to check the animals in the area of Malko Sharkovo this morning, BTA learned from Mityo Andonov, Head of the regional Veterinary Service in Yambol, Southern Bulgaria. Preparations are under way for the destruction of the 30 FMD- infected cows discovered so far, he said. All animals in this country's southern area have been withdrawn from the two-kilometre border zone, local veterinary centres reported. The area covers 14 villages. All cloven-hoofed animals are being monitored in the 15-km border area, including 12,700 calves, 15,000 sheep and 1,600 goats. The FMD is an acute infectious disease contracted by cloven- hoofed animals. Animals die within three days after being infected. The disease can affect all cloven-hoofed animals but is mostly contracted by calves, swine and goats. Bulgarian Telegraph Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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