Ministers of Bulgaria, Greece Unveil Tobacco Factory in Sandanski ...

Daily NewsJanuary 31, 2011, Page 2Discussion of Use of Special SurveillanceMeans to be Held in European Parliamentin FebruarySofia - A discussion of the use of special surveillancemeans (SSM) is expected to be held in February in theEuropean Parliament in Strasbourg, Bulgarian MEPKristian Vigenin told a news conference Sunday. Thediscussion is arranged on a request supported by theGroup of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats forEurope. Vigenin said the participants in the discussionwill look into the tendency in some countries towardslimitation of the freedom of expression and towards usingpolitical pressure. The European Parliament will probablypass a resolution with recommendations to EUmember states, Vigenin said.Vigenin expressed his opinion that attempts are beingmade to reduce the significance of the recent scandals inBulgaria involving the leaking of recordings and transcriptsof wiretapped conversations of top politicians.The MEP said that "there is hardly a leader in Europe whowould gladly sit at the same table with Bulgarian PrimeMinister Boyko Borissov". The MEP argued that theprosecuting magistracy must investigate the case whilethe Prime Minister should withdraw until the facts areestablished.Vigenin expects the next technical report on Bulgariaof the European Commission to be a lot more negativethan before and to include texts concerning the largescaleuse of SSM.On Friday sources from the extra-parliamentaryNational Movement for Surge and Stability (NMSS) saidthat at some of its next session the European Parliamentis expected to hold a discussion of "the excessive use ofSSM in Bulgaria," as the NMSS put it. The NMSSPolitical Council has supported the efforts of MEPStanimir Ilchev so that "the shameful and uncontrolleduse of SSM in Bulgaria receive a proper assessment atEuropean level", the party said in a press release.Prime Minister Boyko Borissov inaugurates Saturday a new care homefor the elderly in Botevgrad. The Prime Minister said that the newfacility is a testament to the good cooperation between the municipalityand the government.The home houses 60 people, and its kitchen feedsa total of 250 peopleBTA PhotoTobacco Growers Stage Protests inSouthern BulgariaHarmanli, Southern Bulgaria - Tobacco growersof Southern Bulgaria gathered for a protestrally in Harmanli, demanding higher purchase pircesfor the 2010 crop and government subsidies for thetobacco growing industry. This emerged from aBTA Photostatement by Assen Kyuchoukov, deputy leader ofthe Association of Tobacco Growers, who is at therally.In Kyuchoukov's words, some 90 per cent of thetobacco crop have not been purchased, and purchaseprices are 30 per cent lower from last year's.Some 200 tobacco growers gathered at a parking lotnear Harmanli's bus station.A spokesperson for the police said that 180 policehave been dispatched at the site.On Monday, some 5,000 tobacco growers from theregions of Haskovo and Kurdjali gathered near the villageof Gorski Izvor, Dimitrovgrad Region, demanding governmentsubsidies for the tobacco growing industry, aswell as lower taxes and insurance contributions fortobacco growers.National Revenue Agency Checks 264Senior OfficialsSofia - The National Revenue Agency (NRA) willconduct checks of 264 persons at top public positions, theNRA said. The plan for such checks was disclosed afterthe National Audit Office established that the said personshad not properly declared property in the declarationsrequired under the Publicity of Property of SeniorOfficials Act. The omissions in tax returns range fromundeclared purchases of cars by spouses to receivedroyalties, acquired land plots and apartments.The inspections will cover not just the undeclaredproperty but all income and expenditure of the checkedpersons and their spouses. The checks will also comparewhether the declared incomes match the family property.The average duration of one such check is three months.The NRA noted that not each violation of the Publicityof Property of Senior Officials Act constitutes a taxbreach.