From Novinite
Bulgarian Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov, addressing Parliament on November 3 2010, has given an account of the origin of his properties in a statement reported live by the Bulgarian National Television.
Apart from giving a detailed account of his property, Tsvetanov also struck a defiant note, saying that the smokescreen laid by the opposition (the debate over his properties), would not derail the authorities' determination to stamp out corruption, and that those who had demanded answers from the Interior Minister should prepare for a similar grilling very soon.
He offered what he said was "
a full account of his income over his 26 years of professional experience"
, breaking it down by years and occupation. He also offered an explanation for his wife's income. His statement did not differ much from previous versions in which he listed properties he had inherited. He outlined that he has only purchased one property (two apartments – amalgamated into one) for 130 000 leva, which will have to be paid over in installments over 30 years.
He said that his income accounted for 362 000 leva for the period 2004-2009 alone in his capacity as a member of GERB and Interior Minister and deputy Prime Minister. He also said that "
ever since he met his wife, she was always employed, and for the period that he had known her, she had made a little more than 99 000 leva"
.
Tsvetanov then turned his sights at those he blamed for triggering the scandal in the first place – notably members of the opposition, the Bulgarian Socialist Party, including Sergei Stanishev. He repeatedly said that this was "
the last time I will answer questions to the criminal world in Bulgaria who speak through their representatives here in Parliament"
The Minister said that "
the fight against organised crime will continue relentlessly, and those here, in Parliament, who defend them and speak on their behalf, will also be held accountable"
.
"
Dear members of Parliament – when you choose to become representatives of organised crime and try to destabilise this country, I can assure you that we will pursue you,"
he said.
"
When one enters Government, one must always remember what one entered politics with, and what one will have at the end of the day, when one departs from the world of politics"
.
The allegations against the Interior Minister were first lodged by Yane Yanev, leader of the Bulgarian party Order, Law and Justice, who accused Tsvetanov of not declaring his income in October.
Tsvetanov said at the time that each of his properties had been officially declared and all transactions conducted by the book. In the case of the first property, purchased in the centre of Sofia in 1964, it was transferred over to his wife from her parents. The second property, also purchased by his in-laws, was transferred to his daughter, he said.
Regarding the third property, Tsvetanov inherited one sixth from his parents, following the death of his father. The fourth property – and his current primary residence since 1973, was also transferred over to him from his parents, he said.
Finally, the two flats, which Tsvetanov purchased himself in 2008, will be paid over a 30-year-term with a monthly installment of 900 leva. When asked why those flats were sold to him considerably below the market price, Tsvetanov said that they were purchased under Article 14 – when the building was not fully constructed;
additionally, Tsvetanov is the best man of the construction firm's owner.
The minister insisted that all financial transactions were wired through a bank. According to Tsvetanov, everything is documented and no cash payments were made.
During his statement in Parliament on November 3 2010, Tsvetanov kept mentioning Operation Octopus, involving Alexei Petrov, Marchelo Djotolov, Plamen and Yordan Stoanov, Momchil Krustev, Nikolai Velkov, Anton "
the Hamster"
Petrov and Dimitar "
the Policeman"
Mitrov (who turned himself in after a brief investigation) who were all arrested as part of an operation by the Central Directorate for Combatting Organised Crime.
They were all charged with participating in an organised crime group, created to allegedly carry out a wide variety of crimes, ranging from racketeering to money laundering, from tax crimes to procuring and offering sexual services for money.
Tsvetanov said that the "
it was apparent that the Octopus had sank its tentacles deep everywhere in the country, including here, in Parliament"
.
He then urged all Members of Parliament to fill their declarations as he had done, and be prepared to have their incomes and properties examined meticulously in the near future.
"
The only way forward for Bulgaria, if the country is to improve, to be secure, and to have foreign investments is for all of us to help combat organised crime, instead of becoming representatives of it,"
Tsvetanov said.
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I believe this man is being vilified for various political motives.
Wed Nov 03, 2010 6:38 pm
