BTA inf/Oct. 4, 96

[Embassy of Bulgaria]

EMBASSY OF BULGARIA - WASHINGTON D.C.
BTA - BULGARIAN TELEGRAPH AGENCY
4 October, 1996

GOVERNMENT HOLDS CLOSED-DOOR SITTING
Sofia, October 3 (BTA) - A closed-door sitting of the government
today decided that tough security measures be taken in a bid to combat
terrorism. The measures include strengthen security at state institutions,
major economic units, railway stations, airports and crowded places, on
roads and highways, as well as stiffer fire-prevention measures, the
government press office said after the sitting.
The government also decided to launch an integrated information
system to facilitate counter-crime efforts. The system gives all competent
bodies - police, investigators and lawcourts - prompt access to the
information they need. Customs offices too will be linked up.
At the closed-door sitting Interior Minister Nikolai Dobrev reported
on the conditions of banks and the banking system in general. A week
ago the central bank's Governing Board decided to place nine banks
under special supervision.
Agriculture Minister Krustyu Trendafilov reported on the national
grain balance, the grain that has to date been purchased from producers
and forthcoming imports of grain.

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' DECISIONS
Sofia, October 3 (BTA) - The Cabinet today discussed a loan
agreement between Bulgaria and the Social Development Fund of the
Council of Europe. The money will be used for the construction of
houses for families of Gypsy origin in the Radnevo municipality,
Haskovo district (Southern Bulgaria). The Cabinet decided to submit the
agreement for approval by Parliament.
The project, totalling USD 1,463,000, envisages the construction of
73 houses and the necessary infrastructure. The Council of Europe's
Social Development Fund will extend a loan amounting to USD 574,000.
The remaining funds will come from the state budget or the Radnevo
municipality.
The Cabinet today permitted the state-owned Bulgargas company,
which supplies and trades in natural gas, to leave seven Bulgarian joint-
stock companies. The motive for the withdrawal is the absence of income
to Bulgargas. For the same reason the company will withdraw from the
Bulgarian-Russian Investment Bank where Bulgargas holds 1,250 shares,
Bulgargas Executive Director Peter Subev told reporters today. After two
years of holding of shares in the Bank, the company has received no
dividends. Talks for Bulgargas participation in joint ventures with foreign
investment have begun with likely foreign partners.

The Cabinet today approved the proposal of the central banks' Board
of Governors in which the bankers suggest that the effective minimum
prices of bad debt bonds issued under the Act to Settle Non-Performing
Loans Contracted by December 31, 1990, should remain unchanged in
the fourth quarter. The prices of leva-denominated bonds at face value of
700 leva and 1,000 leva, and of dollar-denominated bonds at face value of
USD 90 and USD 100, remain unchanged.

GOVERNMENT ADOPTS PROGRAMME FOR DEVELOPMENT OF
LARGEST BULGARIAN REFINERY
Sofia, October 3 (Vanya Ivanova of BTA) - The government today
adopted a programme for developing Neftochim Inc. Bourgas, this
country's largest refinery on the Black Sea, in 1996-2005.
The programme provides for complete transition to unleaded petrol
production, said Neftochim Executive Director Stefan Nedelchev at a
news conference. At present Bulgaria produces only one type of unleaded
petrol - 95 Eurosuper, which makes up between 15 and 20% of all types
of petrol produced at the refinery. The programme provides for unleaded
petrol to account for up to 80% of the petrol output of the refinery by the
year 2000 and for Neftochim to produce only unleaded petrol after the
year 2005. Thus Bulgarian production will meet all European
requirements. Now the lead content in Bulgarian petrol is 0.15 g. This is
relatively low, bearing in mind that in some advanced European countries
like Greece, Spain and Portugal, the lead content in petrol reaches 0.2-
0.3 g," the Neftochim Executive Director said.
Diesel fuel production will also be upgraded. Now the diesel
produced at Neftochim has a 0.3% sulphur content. The programme
provides for reaching the European norm of 0.05% by the year 2005.
The programme provides for investment into these two productions
to reach USD 40-45 million. The technology for unleading petrol was
bought from a US company with which a contract will be signed in the
coming five months.
The programme maps out measures for setting up joint ventures
in processing propylene and ethylene, attracting foreign capital. There are
two installations for these products at Neftochim but they are working
below capacity because of insufficient demand. Almost USD 300 million
are needed for the full loading of the capacities, an investment Bulgaria
cannot afford and is therefore seeking foreign partners, Nedelchev said. "I
can definitely state that Neftochim is an enterprise enjoying prestige in
the oil refining business and foreign investors are showing interest in
these two production," the Neftochim Executive Director said. Several
foreign companies have already shown interest in the realization of these
projects and tender procedures have been initiated.
From the technological point of view, Neftochim is the best
enterprise in its kind in the Balkans.
The programme approved by the Cabinet today provides for the
investment of USD 130 million in Neftochim by the year 2005, outside
investment into joint projects.
The Government licensed Neftochim to issue bonds. A bond issue
timetable will be adopted in compliance with the Commercial Code. The
bonds will be denominated in US dollars in view of attracting foreign
banks and credit institutions. The parameters of the bonds will be
determined by Neftochim - the size of the issue, the interest rate,
maturity, etc. These parameters will be submitted for approval by the
Government by next week. Neftochim will continue its negotiations with
the World Bank for a credit for the investment projects included in the
programme.

LOUKANOV: REPERCUSSIONS
Sofia, October 3 (BTA) - Former Communist leader Todor Zhivkov
today cabled condolences to the family of former prime minister Andrei
Loukanov MP of the Left who was assassinated yesterday. Condolences
on the death of Loukanov, shot in front of his home yesterday morning,
have been received at the Bulgarian Socialist Party headquarters from
local BSP organizations nationwide. The politician Andrei Loukanov
always did his best to support friendly relations between Bulgaria and
Russia, the Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry department of
information and the press Gennady Tarasov said at a briefing in Moscow.
He announced that Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin and the
leaders of the State Duma sent messages expressing sincere condolences.
Loukanov's coffin will be laid in state tomorrow. Today his wife
Liliya Gerassimova said she wished to have a family funeral. "For us his
murder is a personal tragedy and not a political game. That has no place
at his grave," Mrs Gerassimova said in a letter to the BTA.
The Constitutional Court today issued a declaration condemning the
assassination. "Terrorism as inadmissible as a tool in political struggles,
business relations and the resolution of personal and group problems,"
the declaration says. The Constitutional Court said that within its
powers, it will firmly and resolutely support constitutional order in
Bulgaria, the supremacy of law and the constitutional rights of Bulgarian
citizens, and, together with other state institutions, it will safeguard peace
and democratic progress in society.
The Alliance for Social Democracy (ASD) in the BSP whose
member Loukanov was, and independent presidential candidate
Alexander Tomov, leader of the extraparliamentary Civil Alliance for the
Republic, described the murder as politically-motivated. "It is our duty to
appeal for national unity, one of Loukanov's favourite ideas," said
Chavdar Kyuranov, leader of the ASD. Tomov expressed his opinion that
the murder was ordered by a powerful group that can afford a contract
killer.
Loukanov's murder remains the top story in Bulgaria. Some of the
largest dailies are running extraordinary issues. "Noshten Troud", an
evening edition of the second largest morning daily "Troud", published
pictures of the body in the morgue and autopsy details. In this connection
the BSP press office protested "the exceeding of all human limits". "The
debasement of a politician and his cruel murder cannot diminish his
stature. We are horrified by this profanity. It places the authors and
editors next to the physical killers," says the protest declaration.
"I am shocked by the murder of Mr Andrei Loukanov whom I knew
well," said French Ambassador Marcel Tremeau who today visited Veliko
Turnovo. "I fear this act will have a negative impact on Bulgaria's image
abroad, something neither Bulgarians nor European countries want," the
Ambassador said.
In an interview for National Radio National Investigative Service
chief Boiko Rashkov said that no new facts casting light on yesterday's
murder of Andrei Loukanov were established today. The investigation
and the Interior Ministry are working round-the-clock but some of the
hypotheses they are investigating should not be revealed to the mass
media so as not to impede the investigation, Rashkov said. He added that
he is surprised by some stories in the press reporting rumours instead of
facts and thus misleading the public. National Investigative Service
investigator told National Radio that the weapon of the murder has not
been found yet, neither have the clothes of the murderer. The
assassination was executed with exceptional professionalism,
investigators and prosecutors claim.

KOSTOV DENIES OPPOSITION INSTIGATED LOUKANOV'S
MURDER
Sofia, October 3 (BTA) - Today the leader of the Union of
Democratic Forces, Ivan Kostov, protested against the way part of the
majority in Parliament interpreted Loukanov's assassination. "Yesterday
Parliament unanimously adopted a declaration on the assassination of
Loukanov," Ivan Kostov recalled. "The allegations that the killing is a
product of seven-year-long confrontation can make people think that its
instigators are among the members of the opposition," Kostov said in a
statement prompted by the theories published in today's press and the
words of Ivan Marazov, presidential candidate of the Bulgarian Socialist
Party, who described the MP's assassination as "a tragic culmination of 7-
year-long confrontation in the country".
According to Ivan Kostov, led solely by the desire not to alarm
people, the opposition insisted on not mentioning in the declaration that
Andrei Loukanov was killed by a professional. "Professional hitmen do
not kill guided by hatred fomenting for years," the UDF leader said. He
called on the left-wing not to play with fire and not to look for instigators
where there are none. "Democracy has nothing to do with murder,"
Kostov said. "The allegations that democracy brings forth hatred in the
society are irresponsible," he said and recalled assassinations in the
circles of the BSP's predecessor, the Communist Party, in the last 50
years.

PROCEEDS FROM LARGE PRIVATIZATION DEALS WILL BE
CRUCIAL
Sofia, October 3 (BTA) - Privatization is one of the basic ways to
increase the share of the private sector in the gross domestic product so
that it can exceed 50 percent already in 1997, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Economic Development Roumen Gechev says in an interview
granted for "24 Chassa".
According to Gechev, the denationalization of companies with
intangible assets will not change considerably the proportion between the
state and private sector. This is why the Government decision for the
urgent privatization of 15 large state-owned companies is a "step in the
right direction".
Most companies in Bulgaria are profitable but given the current
unstable economic situation and especially the drastic change of the
interest rates the dividing of companies into profitable and loss-making is
conditional, Gechev says. Their survival in the near or distant future
depends on whether they will be able to close privatization transactions
with strategic partners having acquired international reputation, the
Deputy Prime Minister states.
Hundreds of millions of US dollars should be invested in most
enterprises in the next three to five years for the upgrading of the
equipment and facilities in order to preserve their rentability, Gechev
says. This money can be provided only through privatization, he adds.
The proceeds from the privatization will be enough to effect stabilization
of the exchange rate, reduction of the interest rates and decrease of the
public debt in all its forms, Gechev says in the interview.

BULGARIA, UKRAINE: COOPERATION IN POWER GENERATION
Sofia, October 3 (BTA) - The signing of a protocol on cooperation
in power generation between Bulgaria and Ukraine today marked the end
of the three-day official visit to Sofia of Ukrainian Energy and
Electrification Minister Yury Bochkarev. The sides agreed to ensure the
efficient joint operation of the two countries' power grids. Bulgarian and
Ukrainian working groups will specify the details. The protocol envisages
cooperation in personnel training. A group of Bulgarian experts will
depart for Ukraine as early as next week where they will familiarize
themselves with the Ukrainian expertise. Ukraine will provide
information to Bulgaria on its latest scientific achievements in power
generation.

DEPUTY P.M. KONAKCHIEV VISITS FR YUGOSLAVIA
Belgrade, October 3 (BTA corr. Lyubomir Mitakev) - We identified
a tangible progress in business and commercial relations between
Bulgaria and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and mapped out
measures for their further promotion by year's end, BTA was told by
Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Construction Doncho
Konakchiev following consultations with his Yugoslav counterpart Jovan
Zebic in Belgrade. Konakchiev, who chairs the Bulgarian side of the
mixed Bulgarian-Yugoslav commission on economic cooperation, today
started a visit to Belgrade.
The two commission co-chairmen reviewed the progress of bilateral
relations following the February visit to Belgrade of Bulgarian Prime
Minister Zhan Videnov and the Sofia session of the mixed commission in
March. The sides are seeking new ways to boost commercial exchange in
which Yugoslavia reports a deficit. They considered opportunities for
industrial cooperation, particularly in the chemical and electrotechnical
industries. The two co-chairmen also exchanged views on some
infrastructure projects expected to improve the links between the two
countries.
Doncho Konakchiev said he was authorized by Prime Minister Zhan
Videnov to state that the Bulgarian government will support Yugoslavias
bid to restore its membership in European economic structures, adding
that it is a major precondition for the further development of bilateral
relations.

TEACHERS PROTEST
Sofia, October 3 (BTA) - Teachers at over 2,500 schools took part
in today's protest actions, Chairman of the Strike Committee of the
Teachers' Trade Union with the Podkrepa Labour Confederation (one of
this country's most influential amalgamations) Lyubomir Paskoulov said.
The Teachers' Trade Union in Podkrepa declared October 3 a national
day of protest.
In most schools protest actions were token. According to data of
Podkrepa's Strike Committee, teachers of about 600 schools went on
effective strikes for an hour, while one-day effective strikes were
organized in 100 schools. In some population centres teachers declared
they will go on an indefinite strike if they do not receive their wages for
previous months.
In an interview on the national radio today, Education Minister
Ilcho Dimitrov said that he justifies the teachers' protest and that he does
not have the right and does not wish to ban them. Dimitrov appealed to
teachers not to disrupt the teaching process during the difficult school
year ahead. He described the actions of Podkrepa's Teachers' Trade Union
as a political act which is directly connected with the presidential race.
He said that the Education Ministry is doing its best to ensure the due
payment of teachers' wages.

OPPOSITION MPs, TRADE UNIONS COORDINATE POSITIONS
Sofia, October 3 (BTA) - MPs of the opposition Union of
Democratic Forces (UDF) and representatives of five trade unions today
met in Parliament to specify their stands and principles for cooperation
before and after the October 27 presidential elections.
Participating in the meeting, that lasted for more than two hours,
were the leaders of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in
Bulgaria (CITUB), the National Trade Unions, the Association of
Democratic Trade Unions and the Community of Free Trade Union
Organizations in Bulgaria, and the deputy leader of the Podkrepa Labour
Confederation.
The participants in the meeting were unanimous that public protests
before and after the presidential elections are a normal phenomenon
unless they violate the effective laws, reads a communique issued after
the meeting. The participants also agreed that the incumbent government
does not have a potential to lead the country out of the crisis. They
believe it is unfeasible for the sitting Parliament to appoint a government
capable of handling the crisis.
The UDF and trade unions will contact each other on a regular basis
before and after the elections. The participants in the meeting vowed to
concert the principles of a new governance of the country in the name of
preserving statehood, life, health and living standards of Bulgarians,
reads the communique circulated after the meeting.

JAPANESE PRINCESS SAYAKO ENDS VISIT TO BULGARIA
Sofia, October 3 (BTA) - Princess Sayako, daughter of Japanese
Emperor Akihito, today left Bulgaria after a several days' visit on the
invitation of the Bulgarian government.
My time was limited but visiting historical sites I got to know your
tradition-rich culture and the memory of these visits will last in my heart,
Princess Sayako said in a statement released by the Japanese Embassy in
Sofia before her departure from the country.
I was deeply impressed that in spite of the difficulties they live
through, Bulgarians are still smiling and cordial, the statement also says.
The Japanese Princess further expresses her satisfaction with the
cooperation of the Japanese volunteers working in this country, with the
Bulgarian side.
Princess Sayako says she keeps in her heart memories of all country
she has visited and she is happy that there is now another country she
feels close to. The Princess has visited nine countries since 1974,
Bulgaria being the last.
Princess Sayako hopes that her Bulgarian visit will help further
understanding and friendly relations between the two countries.
In her statement the Japanese Princess thanks President Zhelyu
Zhelev, Prime Minister Zhan Videnov and all Bulgarians for their hearty
welcome. During her visit to Bulgaria the guest visited the universities of
Sofia and Veliko Turnovo, Northern Bulgaria, the National Museum of
History and other places of interest. She also opened the traditional Days
of Japanese Culture in Bulgaria due to continue till December 6.

NEW ONCOLOGICAL DOCTRINE FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY
Sofia, October 3 (BTA) - The current methods of tumor therapy
frequently contradict biological laws that govern the human immune
system, Bulgarian immunologist Dr Manev argues.
This is one thesis in his report to an international breast cancer
conference in Sofia from September 26 to 28. The report was entitled
"Reasons for Reassessment of the Current Oncological Doctrine and the
Approval of a New Concept of an Oncological Doctrine for the
Immunotherapy of Tumors".
After the conference the Bulgarian press run sensational reports of a
Bulgarian that found a cancer medicine.
It is not a question of a cancer medicine but of a proven possibility
for regeneration of cells responsible for the immune system in patients
with malignant tumors, his team concluded following in vitro lab tests
and developing experimental models.
Dr Manev and his team used a biologically active filter to remove
antigenes produced in the spontaneous disintegration of a malignant
tumor as a result of chemical and ray therapy, the former told BTA.
Tests are now being developed for the clinical testing the created
immunological complex. Eleven teams have been formed to run clinical
tests for a year and patent the studies in the next six months, he said.
The new doctrine does not reject the achievements in oncology so
far but suggests an individual approach and a rearrangement of
approaches in cancer treatment.
A Centre for Immunotherapy and Ummunoprofylaxis was set up in
1995 to work out the new doctrine. The Centre is affiliated with the
Ecoimmunodeficiency Control Humanitarian Health Foundation, set up
in 1991 and chaired by Dr Manev. It employs 47 highly-qualified
specialists, including professors and associate professors of immunology,
genetics and oncopharmacology.
A national charity campaign will be officially launched on October
4 to support the clinical implementation of the concept, Dr Manev said.
Bulgarian and international institutions will be asked for financial
assistance.

[Mikhail Pantev]

In article <533usa$h...@access1.digex.net>,

bulg...@access1.digex.net (Embassy of Bulgaria) wrote:

> At the closed-door sitting Interior Minister Nikolai Dobrev reported
>on the conditions of banks and the banking system in general. A week
>ago the central bank's Governing Board decided to place nine banks
>under special supervision.

So now the interior minister is in charge of the banking system? Cool.
What's next? The minister of defence in charge of the bread supplies?