200 anti-war protesters on the streets of Sofia

10 February 2003

The dailies on 10 February report about an anti-war protest rally at the center of Sofia on 9 February ,quoting some of the slogans: "No to War", "No to NATO," "We Won�t Die for America". The protesters were no more than 200 people � mostly pensioners, Palestinians and Kurds. There were 15 people enrolled for volunteers to protect the Iraqi people, �Sega� daily writes. The demonstration was organised by Bulgarian Committee for peace.

There is no information as to how and when the volunteers gathered by Bulgarian Labour party � will depart for Iraq. �Sega� quotes 36-years old Evgeni Stoyanov who said that he will go to fight for Iraq because he is a communist and USA are fascistic state. The real aim of American policy is not to protect democratic values and human rights but to control Arabic petrol. Protesters flew red flags with sickle and hammer and photos of Che Guevara and Abdulah Odzhalan. The music of �L� International� was played. Children showed photos of American President Bush with painted moustaches a � la Hitler.

The press informs about the expected arrival at Sarafovo Airport of a US plane, the first out of 18 for which Parliament has granted permission. "Iraqi National detained, he knows Saddam's Secrets," "24 Chassa" reports. Sahib al Hadad, 59, was arrested at Sofia Airport on 25 November 2002 at the request of Germany where he will face trial on charges of supplying weapon parts to Iraq. According to the daily he is "one of Saddam Hussein's most important arms suppliers". Two of his accomplices were convicted on January 31st in Germany.

�Saddam won 1st round � he divided Europe from USA� "Troud" daily (10 February) focus on France and Germany's opposition to the U.S. The Iraqi leader succeeded to win 1st struggle he divided Europe and USA. Belgium appealed on 9 February France and Germany to block USA initiative in NATO for military help to Turkey in case of intervention against Iraq. "Sega" published a commentary "Iraq and the 'Confidential Trap". Its author accuses Foreign Minister Solomon Passy of holding a full monopoly over information under the disguise of the introduction of NATO working standards for classified data.