How many Times were Diplomatic Relations between Russia and Bulgaria Severed
If we look at history, there are not many cases in which relations between Bulgaria and Russia at the state level were as bad as they are at the moment.
Who is (Afraid of) Who?
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Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia News Agency)
By Milena Hristova
It was long overdue. The decision on how Bulgaria should reckon with its painful communist past came Monday sixteen years after the collapse of the regime and only after the country remained alone among former Soviet satellites in failing to reach consensus on the issue. But if time is relative, timing is everything. The government's call for the entire opening of the security police archives showed a few shifts in the stand of the Prime Minister Stanishev himself, linked to what I see as time-sensitive issues and fear. It was only until yesterday that Stanishev fervently urged that the files should be destroyed. It was only until yesterday that he defended the approach of Interior Minister Rumen Petkov of selective release of the files. Being the only one entitled to make available the files, Minister Petkov prompted talks of getting a personal revenge on prominent figures for harshly criticising him. But he also drew the anger of his party fellows. Now the Petkov sacrifice is worth it exactly because of its timing. It comes at a time when people are sick and tired of the "files topic". It comes not under the pressure of the society, but that of the European Union. It comes at a time when it is more than well known that a large part of the files are destroyed, never to be seen. It comes to open the way for the younger generation of the socialist party, who, although linked to the past, has no official records of it. It comes out of Stanishev's fear that he may get stained for keeping silent. It comes out of his fear that frictions in the coalition may topple it over. It comes even at the price of toppling Socialist President Parvanov. It comes in a bid to come to terms with one's past. And hopefully face the future.
It was long overdue. The decision on how Bulgaria should reckon with its painful communist past came Monday sixteen years after the collapse of the regime and only after the country remained alone among former Soviet satellites in failing to reach consensus on the issue. But if time is relative, timing is everything. The government's call for the entire opening of the security police archives showed a few shifts in the stand of the Prime Minister Stanishev himself, linked to what I see as time-sensitive issues and fear. It was only until yesterday that Stanishev fervently urged that the files should be destroyed. It was only until yesterday that he defended the approach of Interior Minister Rumen Petkov of selective release of the files. Being the only one entitled to make available the files, Minister Petkov prompted talks of getting a personal revenge on prominent figures for harshly criticising him. But he also drew the anger of his party fellows. Now the Petkov sacrifice is worth it exactly because of its timing. It comes at a time when people are sick and tired of the "files topic". It comes not under the pressure of the society, but that of the European Union. It comes at a time when it is more than well known that a large part of the files are destroyed, never to be seen. It comes to open the way for the younger generation of the socialist party, who, although linked to the past, has no official records of it. It comes out of Stanishev's fear that he may get stained for keeping silent. It comes out of his fear that frictions in the coalition may topple it over. It comes even at the price of toppling Socialist President Parvanov. It comes in a bid to come to terms with one's past. And hopefully face the future.
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