Bulgaria’s Image at Stake

A controversial communist-era intelligence chief and a shady Russian businessman threaten NATO accession plans. 13 October 2003 SOFIA, Bulgaria--The possible appointment of a former communist-era intelligence chief as security advisor to the Bulgarian government, coupled with a court decision to allow a shady Russian businessman back into the country, has earned Sofia harsh criticism from the West, which warns that Bulgaria’s image is at stake.

Prime Minister Simeon Saxecoburggotski’s announcement nearly four weeks ago of his intention to appoint former intelligence chief Brigo Asparuhov as security advisor in charge of coordinating the Interior and Defense Ministries’ special services, has continued to spark controversy ahead of Bulgaria’s 2004 NATO accession plans.

NATO spokesperson Robert Pseschel said on 4 October that the possible appointment of Asparuhov is “a matter of great interest to all the countries in the alliance,” though he stopped short of saying that the prime minister’s move could jeopardize Bulgaria’s chances of joining NATO next year.

Asparuhov served as intelligence chief from September 1991 until the anti-communist government of Ivan Kostov replaced him in 1997. Before heading the service, he had worked as an intelligence agent for over two decades. In 1998, he was elected to the leadership of the Socialist Party (BSP) of former communists, and in 2001 he was elected to parliament.

Legal procedures had earlier been launched against Asparuhov for his suspected involvement in the destruction of the communist-era dossier of Bulgarian banker Atanas Tilev in 1993.

The case was frozen in 2001 because of the former intelligence chief’s diplomatic immunity as a parliamentarian. It was renewed on 16 September when the prime minister nominated him as security advisor, forcing him to leave his post in parliament. On 6 October, however, the Bulgarian Prosecutor’s Office suspended the case again.

U.S. Ambassador James Pardew said last month that the former intelligence chief’s appointment would be a “significant decision” that would “diminish the credibility of the country among the members of the alliance.” And again on 3 October, Pardew reiterated his message, urging Saxecoburggotski to rethink his decision.

“We recommend your government discuss its decision with the rest of the partners in NATO before finalizing it,” the daily Trud and 24 Chasa quoted him as saying.

Bruce Jackson, president of the U.S. Committee on NATO Enlargement, said that officials in Washington were “stunned” and “worried” by the news of Asparuhov’s appointment, local media reported. Jackson described the development as a “step back” for Bulgaria and hinted that the appointment might be viewed as an outright insult by Washington.

In the meantime, Western experts say that Bulgaria could be denied access to the alliance’s classified information if the controversial former intelligence chief is serving as a security advisor.

In a 3 October diplomatic letter to the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry, British Ambassador Ian Soutar expressed concerns about Asparuhov’s appointment—a letter that was followed by media reports that the Netherlands and Italy had expressed similar concerns.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Luibomir Todorov confirmed the letter’s existence but said its contents were “confidential.”

Opposition in Bulgaria and even some ruling party members have also protested the prime minister’s decision.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Asen Agov has suggested that Foreign Minister Solomon Passy and Defence Minister Nikolay Svinarov resign their posts, should Asparuhov be appointed.

“They should resign because such an appointment would be contrary to Bulgaria’s foreign policy toward NATO,” Agov said.

The leader of the opposition Union of Democratic Forces (SDS) and former Foreign Minister Nadezhda Mihailova accused the prime minister of “putting the interests of the nation in peril” and isolating the country from its future NATO allies.

Former Deputy Defence Minister Velizar Shalamanov said on 10 October that the potential appointment is “a real threat to Bulgaria’s image … and international security in general.”

Former Prime Minister Kostov told bTV on 5 October, that “Asparuhov is a war-machine,” claiming that the intelligence veteran’s specialty was to carry out sabotage actions against democratic parties and to oust democratic cabinets.

Foreign Minister Passy himself has urged Asparuhov to refuse the appointment in order to avoid harming Bulgaria’s relations with the alliance.

Ahmed Dogan, leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms--a member of the ruling coalition--said on 4 October that the appointment is a test of Bulgaria’s national sovereignty and Western criticism represents “interference in the state’s internal policies.”

Saxecoburggotski has largely brushed off the criticism, saying that the designation of advisors is his business.

“The appointment of an adviser is something very personal and is the prerogative of the prime minister,” Saxecoburggotski said, saying that he was currently searching for evidence to back up Western concerns of Asparuhov’s appointment.

Government spokesperson Dimiter Tsonev told BTA news agency on 6 October that the prime minister would sign the order to appoint Asparuhov along with other expert advisers within “a few days’ time.”

Tsonev said that the prime minister “has not yet signed Asparuhov’s labor contract.”

National Assembly Chairman Ognyan Gerdjikov says that the controversy over the former intelligence chief’s appointment has been “exaggerated.”

“I would not assume that the appointment of an adviser can have such [negative] consequences for Bulgaria,” Gerdjikov said on 4 October. But he nonetheless proceeded with caution, saying, “At the same time, Bulgaria must carefully follow the possible reactions of its future allies. It is particularly important to find the right balance in this case.”

In an interview with Novinite.com on 8 October, Spanish Ambassador Jose Jorrin urged all parties to keep the controversy over Asparuhov’s appointment low-key. “Let's try to keep the controversy down, because it probably will be solved,” he said.

“We know that Bulgaria can be a very faithful and very important member of NATO and the EU,” Jorrin said, assuring the country that Spain supports its membership in both.

CHORNY REEMERGES

As the Asparuhov controversy continued to pick up momentum, another heated debate threatened to mar Bulgaria’s international image when a court ruled to amend a ban on the entry of shady Russian businessman Mikhail Chorny into the country.

The Russian-born Israeli businessman, who is president of the top Bulgarian football team, Levski, was declared a “persona non grata” in August 2000 by the then-ruling government, which suspected him of money laundering and organized crime. Chorny was banned from entering Bulgaria for 10 years.

On 7 October, the Bulgarian Supreme Administrative Court amended the 10-year ban to allow Chorny to stay in the country for 24-hour periods.

“Chorny told me that the truth has triumphed at last,” Todor Batkov, Chorny’s attorney told Darik Radio on 7 October, commenting on the court’s decision. “Unfortunately he is so tired of all these procedures that I’m not sure he will visit Bulgarian in the near future. Probably he will come for a football game or just to visit me.”

Following the court’s decision, however, Interior Minister Georgui Petkanov said on 10 October that he would issue a new ban on Chorny, despite the court’s decision.

--by Konstantin Vulkov