Elections in custom-house style

Ex intelligence agent in Svilengrad is fighting against 220 kg. mayor-nominee supported by the masons and the mafia

Nadia Cholakova

58-years old Vassil Vassilev – Djamala is flying through the main street in Svilengrad wearing a Chinese shirt stamped with fighter squadrons and undone fly.

"Georgi Dimitrov" Bulgarian communist party and Green Party mayor-nominee is flourishing pre-election placards with his own face on them. He tumbles in an eating-house and starts a lottery for free tripe soup and offal. The mayor-nominee is embracing his ex math teacher. They begin to discuss politics. I bet on the model:

Svilengrad – the Bulgarian Hong Kong

I mean social initiative and lawfulness, Djamala declares and all of a sudden whispers: I get together in secret with my voters in order to evoke the sabotages. The competitors are pounce upon me! I am a patriot. My father has built the local cycle-racing track during the totalitarian regime and I want to finish off his life-work."

After 9^th of September 1944, the father of the mayor-nominee is the first director of the police in Svilengrad. The shadow of the deceased communist is connected with dark thriller style stories.

58-years old mayor-nominee has a baby face. During the communist era he is personnel of the reconnaissance and assistant to Second Main department of the State Secret Services. Later he becomes a lecturer at Military Academy and at the military school in Simeonovo. He drilled the generals Boyko Borisov and Bogomil Bonev. "Bonev participated in the channels around Svilengrad. Why now he is playing the full?", Djamala laughs and strafes with lash his colleague Brigo Asparuhov. He is a real Narcissus and always wants to be drifted on the waves!"

Ex intelligence officer is a specialist in enemy intelligence services and the ideological diversion. "Exiles from the king’s family are recruited by the strategic intelligence of Beria in USSR", shakes finger the local James Bond.

The stranger has lived in "Velchova zavera monastery" and has come from "Walter" Guard Company. After that he incorporates in Czech and Holland. Djamala expects his election campaign to be funded by the representatives of the military industry. There are no positive results, so far. He considers himself as the moral winner out of these elections, because thanks to his candidacy he managed to defeat the two poles political model Bulgarian Socialist Party + Simeon II National Movement + Movement for Rights and Freedoms against Union of Democratic Forces.

Djamala is a father of "Thank you, go home!" anti-movement.

"For the miserable teachers from Bulgarian Communist Party I am awkward men", half-closes his eyes the intelligence agent. "They can not beat up me! Behind my back are the old intelligence agents and a secret list with 300 names in it, which by Lykanov’s order are taken away from 1 billion to 100 billions dollars. Some provocateurs are following me, because I made big noise with subversive activity, intelligence and humor."

"James Bond" gestures more and more jerky and the tripe shop is crowded with listeners. They are drinking in every word he says. The mayor-nominee is irresistible. "I had predicted all the murder in Bulgaria connected in a chain."

From Andrei Lukanov to the famous Parik /deceased Fatik/. When they shoot somebody I just ask: "So, it already happened?. We had to provoke a hundred times the ruling parties till now!", Djamala is fighting for recreation of "Strandja-Sakar Republic of the Youth" project. He invites Bulgarian emigrants from wall over the world to come back to their country and to start ennoble the land. "James Bond" makes his way to a party together with old city songs singer. At the promenade he meets one of his competitors. Djamala kisses him in the lips and confesses: "I love you, mayor-nominee! I will give up in your favor! Once I was an intelligence agent on the Greek direction. I am giving it to you."

The lucky man is the lawyer Dobri Todev, mayor nominee of the Bulgarian Social-Democratic Party leaded by Krum Slavov, ex ambassador in Denmark. Because of his nomination the structure is built in the city. "Coordinators under cover were sent to Svilengrad right from Gunter Ferhoigen’s chancellery. They explained that are looking for a candidacy to serve as a bridge between Svilengrad and EU in the process of integration.", Dobri Todev reveals and starts to speak about himself in third person: they pitched on Dobri Todev because he shares the Western moral values. Today Gunter Ferhoigen is a member of the German Social-Democratic Party, but Dobri Todev is a member of the Bulgarian Social-Democratic Party. It does not happen by chance. His party managed to win around 400 supporters in the city only for three months. But Bulgarian Socialist Party – 500 adherents for 100 years! The lawyer needs two months to threat them down! If someone could have some claims on Duzdludja, no doubt this is Dobri Todev, but not Bulgarian Socialist Party! He protects the working class. 350 people came to the inauguration of his pre-election campaign, compared to those capitalists – up to 50-70 people. Furthermore

Behind his back are standing closely so called MM formation -

A party of the masons and the mafia

They guarantee him that not a hair of his head shall be touched."

Lawyer Dobri Todev is full of spirit of sport malice. He trains for political dispute at the community center. He expects his opponents not to appear. "I will argue with their placards. I will tell such things that will make the mouths of the pictures to stick to one another!", Todev encourages himself. Pay attention: Dobri Todev, Andrei Lukanov, Vladimir Putin and Slavi Trifonov are born under the sign of Libra. That’s us … As a favorite of this campaign I ignore the Olympic principle to participate for the participation itself. If only my old girlfriends vote for me I will win from the first tour", Todev said curtly knocking with a big ring on the table: During my ruling of the town

Svilengrad will become the Balkan Venice,

and cocaine will rain from the sky. We will bread and see in pink!"

Under the initiative of "24 hours" daily and "168 weekly" he declared his property: 11-years-old Mercedes. Dobri Todev talks nineteen to dozen by tirelessly knocking with his ring. The detachment of the mayor-nominee has occupied the central refreshment room. Old man dispels a telltale tear-drop with a paper-serviette. Whenever man looks all are speaking about the elections drinking coffee. Hristo Krastev an ex custom house chief and mayor-nominee of the national movement Bulgarian Agrarian National Union Yani Yanev, has a high forehead, fluffy mustache and a grey costume. He looks like a personage from the Bulgarian national revival who thinks over the development of the region. "We are worried by the national

complete lack of interest regarding the silk-worm-breeding,

Hristo Krastev wrinkles his forehead. – The biggest silk-worms factory is located in Bulgaria. We have available planting material, grafts, but nobody is doing something about this business. Everything is in a deadlock. We are negotiating with Japanese companies. They are ready to lend a helping hand to the bloom of the silk-worm-breeding." Krastev is popular as the most uncorrupted and ill-fated custom house chief in the town – from 1992 to 1995 three times discharged and reappointed. They fire him of interest to the work. The archive of Svilengrad custom house burned during his management. Today Yani Yanev’s nominee has a forwarding company on a small scale. The man with mustaches possesses an old "Fiat Ritmo" and lives in a small accommodation. Engineer Gergi Manolov slowly and with misty look takes a sip of his coffee sitting in the sniffy "Central" hotel. Behind his name are standing

the weight-cavalry of Svilengrad

and the best of the bunch from Simeon II National Movement.

Until a little while ago the civil engineer had watched the politics mainly on TV. Before the elections he is nominated as a candidate from the Bulgarian Socialist Party. The 100-years old party denies accepting him and puts up to the post its old leader, served from many years. Dexterous chess maneuver that launches engineer Manolov as a face of a colorful coalition. It is created with the intent to support the independent engineer Manolov. The coalition joint: BSChP "Revival", "DA" Coalition, BDS "Radikali", Gergiovden National Movement, Simeon II National Movement, Union of Democratic Forces, Bulgarian Agrarian National Union "Alexander Stamboliiski 1899", Bulgarian Agrarian National Union "National Union" and Movement for Rights and Freedoms.

The talk of the town is how engineer Manolov fall into such rich political bouquet? They claim that his candidacy was approved by the leadership of the Simeon II National Movement in Sofia. For the opening of his pre-election campaign there was a party and a Swedish table prepared. Bulgarian Union of the Private Contractors presented by Dobromir Gushterov was the talisman of the event. In his speech the businessmen made connections between St. Goergi Pobedonosetz, engineer Manolov and electoral victory. Gushterov wears a dark costume and is surrounded by 5-6 bodyguards. Representatives from the local Rotary club, who also supports Manolov attend also the event. In fact the mayor-nominee is a secretary of the club. Behind the engineer are standing chiefs of key state services in Svilengrad, numerous stocks of former and current custom-house officers, hoteliers, representatives of forwarding companies with mixed participation and proprietors of trade spots in a duty-free zone.

A tale for the heavy hitters

At down of his career Manolov is a civil engineer. His is a chairman of the Youth Communist Union in Svilengrad. After 10^th November he sells cigarettes and alcohol in a duty free shop, part of "Transimpex". He is fired because of 9 thousands dollars overcharge, claim with one voice his opponents. "I am not sure if we have to discuss such gossiping things", the engineer dodges. Then he comments: a big German company awarded me as an excellent employee with an excursion to Honolulu, Hawaii. The German people would not send to Honolulu employee who had misappropriated. This is my response to those who are speaking about overcharges. The truth is that Union of Democratic Forces throws me out of this job, because of my participation in the ticket for municipal counselors of Bulgarian Socialist Party".

At the present the engineer runs a building materials storehouse. In Svilengrad rumors are spread that he is a man of straw and that operates with other people’s money. "Persons with interest in stake can talk everything in the small city especially before the elections. My company gives work and living to twenty families. Everyone who is interested can check my documentation", Manolov defends himself. He declares that has a massive, two-story house, approximately 680 sq.m. land, Woltzvagen Golf and Mercedes. 3000 dollars in a bank account and ½ part of company for production and trade with building materials. He says his company costs him 25 000 levas. He finances this activity with his own funds and donations from other companies. He is a representative of the business elite, who wants to change the currents ruling of the municipality. He defines himself as a person of action, over jumped the partisan bias and the political parties.

"I am leaving to win!"

Georgi Iliev, mayor nominee of Bulgarian Socialist Party and PSD, alarms from his headquarters, covered all over in white, green and red. He is also supported by the Thracian Society, Club of the people with disabilities, Bulgarian Communist Party, Bulgarian Socialist Youth, Gergiovden, KNSB. The nominee is smiling and wears a white shirt. He speaks predictable: "We have ob our side the youth of Svilengrad and the future! We do not feel sorry even for a moment of our spare time. I gave to the soccer fens 7-meter long national flag. Together with the scouts of Bulgarian Socialist Party we are paving the small paths. There are students, born in 1980 in my counsellor’s ticket. We will let the youth in the deep water, let it swim! Our Bulgarian Socialist Party is evaluating in a direction, nobody has dreamed about.", Georgi Iliev declaimed as if he is reading a socialist movie review. Enthusiastic girls are giving away red balloons and mineral water. The new and the old shift of the Bulgarian socialist Party are united under one mutual catchword.

With all our forces for Svilengrad!

Georgi Iliev is an ex service-man, he has left the army after a tragic incident. Since 4 years he is a Bulgarian Socialist Party municipal leader. The heating company he run has brought him the nickname Gogo - The Steam. He posses an old second hand Ford Siera, an office in partnership with a colleague and 96 sq.m. apartment. According to the rumors he is supported by ex custom-house officers and active ones, "AKB Fores" and local Bulgarian Socialist Party hardliners. Iliev claims to funds his pre-election campaign all alone.

Dr. Nedyalko Apostolov is among the big players in the contest, mayor nominee from ODS, Union of Democratic Forces, Bulgarian Agrarian National Union, Bulgarian Social Democratic Party and VMRO. He is obstetrician and chief of the local hospital. This is the place where his pre-election campaign passes. For the last week Apostolov helped 8 children to see the world. "I do not have political ambitions and if you hear that I’ve become a candidate for a deputy, come and spit upon me", Dr. Apostolov smiles and adds: "I do not approve the moral of the new time. All failures from Bulgarian Socialist Party and Union of Democratic Forces are using "the brand" Saxe-Goburg with one idea in their heads – to enter to the politics."

If you ask him there is no such profession as a mayor. To stand behind the desk eight hours per day is a waste of time. This is just a motive to pretend to be a great man or an alibi to benefit you from different shadow municipal robberies.

"If I win the elections, my main responsibility will be to control the team of the municipality. For the rest of the time I will be at the hospital. Each month I will donate one salary to an orphanage", Dr. Apostolov promises.

He never has sent away a patient. Presents he accepts with pleasure. Pamela Andersen smiles to him from the desktop of his computer. "The meat-salesman all day chops up meat, but puts the bon file in his plate. With me the situation is the same.", the obstetrician jokes. He has two apartments, three Mercedes and huge sheep dogs. The last time he had taken day off because of illness was 20 years ago. That time in town a rumor that he had passed away was spread and everybody has believed it.

Balkan games

The mayor-nominee from the United Agricultural Forces neurologist Georgi Skerlev wears brightly green jacket and looks around feverishly. His opponents are trying to make his life bitter that it is. They set him up to be a representative of the non-existing organization. In addition: that he is everlasting candidate and permanent dissatisfactions. He is so called weak opponent. "I represent the united agrarians of the old and well known man Petko Iliev!" – overtrumps Dr. Skerlev. – I do not have force groups and friendly circles around me. I did not borrow anything that I have to give back after the elections."

There is a local newspaper opened in front of the Skerlev with color portraits of "the biggest three": engineer Georgi Manolov, Dr. Nedyalko Apostolov and the smiling Bulgarian Socialist Party representative Georgi Iliev. Skerlev covers with hand the picture of each one of them. He closes his eyes and evaluates their chances: "Both three of them have to win, but they can not. The accounts of somebody will not balance. It is not clear form whom exactly … There will be a second round of the elections!", Skerlev foresees.

According him the pledge in the fight will be the control over the border authorities. "The man who has the use of them, holds also the channels", Skerlev stands on end. Money reigns in this town. In Svilengrad everyone is against everyone. The ill persons do not like the health ones, and the poor ones to not like the rich ones. The penalty vote against the money works for me. I have an enormous chance for the second round!.", Skerlev shines folding in two his newspaper with "the big three".

On the day after the central coffee in town collects Skerlev, Djamala and lawyer Todev. Both three of them are shaking hands. They are wishing luck to each other on the second round of the elections. The rest of the ambitious mayor nominees are around the coffees. Among them with a flower in his hands, wrinkled costume and lolling is walking the idiot of the town Muncho – Marincho. He collects two levas from each of the mayor nominees and promise to vote.

When I become a mayor, cocaine will rain from the sky.

The lawyer Dobri Todev could win an Oscar for a most colorful mayor nominee in Svilengrad. The candidate from Bulgarian-Social Democratic Party speaks about himself as a very close person to Licho Djeli - the legendary Italian boss of "P-2". The lawyer’s speeches attract many people in the custom house town. He promises during his mandate the municipal councilors to be with hands up and swathed in bandage. This is to vote as they must to vote. "If they do not want to, I will put them into the car and will drive them to the forest.", the lawyer plans. "I will tire them with their heads down till they become smarter. Only after this operation I will allow them to come back to the municipality."

- Mister Dobri Todev, is it true that if you become a mayor of Svilengrad, cocaine will rain from the sky?

- They are asking me: "Lawyer, how you are planning to put in order our town?" I response: "Easily. I will make Svilengrad the Monte Carlo of the Balkans. The peasants will plant neither water melons nor tobaccos. All the people that can work will sow cannabis and poppy plantations. The mayor will be responsible for the market." They are opposite: "O.K. but how you will solve the problems in Gipsy neighborhood?" My response is: "I will train them to be dealers and will stew them to Kiro – The Japanese guy. This way Svilengrad will enjoy its Bronx!"

In the basement of the municipality I will open a lab for cocaine production as per different customers’ enquiries. The second step will be to make Kabul, Amsterdam and Svilengrad sworn towns because those are the places in the world where the biggest drug markets are located. Ben Laden will be nominated as a citizen of honor of our town and will walk down the main street with his sheets and submachine-gun in hands. During my mandate in Svilengrad the white powder will replace the snow during the spring. We will bread and see in pink. But

My work is blabla – blabla - blabla

The sense of humor is a mirror of the person’s intellect. My way of thinking is not about Bulgaria. When I am elected to be a mayor, you may write in your newspaper: "An American from Svilengrad headed the municipality".

- It is true that you are keeping in your house a placard showing you and Licho Djeli the Iatlian cappo di tuti cappi in a warm embrace?

- He is my treasure. We are very close. I’ve been his guest in Nitza. Only the pictures in his house cost 76 millions dollars. Licho Djeli is the smartest man in the world I know. The Bulgarian admission in the European Union depends on him. This is because Berluskoni acts as Licho Djeli instructs him to act.

- Really?

- Oh, my God! When Berluskoni visit him in his villa, Licho Djeli smokes his pipe. He looks down on him and condescendingly waves his hand: "Have a seat!". Facing him Berluskoni is like a soldier. When we give a chase to all the thieves around the borders, Licho Djeli will arrange to accept us quickly in the EU. He is asking me all the time what is the direction taken by Bulgaria.

- Are you sure that you have his telephone number?

- Could not I do not have it?! A year ago his son came to see me in Svilengrad with his Audi TT. The policemen envy him, because they saw a big guy. During the search they ask him: "Mister are you a bank owner?". He replied: "those are my pocket money for gambling".

So, such kind of people are standing behind the back of lawyer Dobri Todev, but not some custom-house officers who cheat and steal and not some Rotari Club – the second division of the Masson lodges. It is not by chance that Dobri Todev speaks German fluently, but the other mayor nominees are familiar only with calf tongues. Lawer Todev is playing a higher class game!

- Prove it!

- On October, 2 in Svilengrad official Mercedes are arriving all branded with – Athen’s municipality. The deputy mayor appears and says to the custom-house officers: "I want to meet the mayor nominee Dobri Todev". People have replied: "Madam, it is several minutes after midnight and lawyer Dobri Todev probably is sleeping.". Then the deputy mayor has said: "In Athens we’ve prepared for him around 10 millions of EURO came from the pre-admission funds of the EU. We will give this money only if Dobri Todev becomes a mayor of this town. Otherwise we will keep them."

I have lobbies all over: Italy, Greece, Spain, and Turkey. If Todev enters the power his fellow-townsmen will understand what kind of connections he has in the EU! But his connections are not only in the EU, but also in USA and Russia.

Do you now what the Serbians are telling? – Mayor without money is a sheet!

- Who stands behind you?

- The secret services. We are ruling the whole world, but the politics are just puppets speaking in front of the microphone. Now the secret services have decided Dobri Todev to go up! He fights against the corruption and is doing his work all alone like a wolf. He is just the same as Boyko Borisov. All millionaires in dollars are fighting against us.

- Who is your biggest adversary in this contest?

- Georgi Manolov who I could describe as feather-brain man! Irreplaceable custom-house officers and some mafia guys are flattering him, but we are fighting against them. He made a placard wearing T- shirt "La Costa" type. He grins, regardless the fact that the voters are about to cry. He wrote at his placard: "More work!" So, tell me who will vote for him with such an offer? I personally offer money, but not work. And you will se that Dobri Todev will be the new mayor of Svilengrad!

- Will you play kyuchek at the gipsy neighborhood?

- Dobri Todev is a heavy mayor, around 130 kilograms. He will enter and goes out of the gipsy neighborhood just one time. I will make the curban, the orchestra will start to play. We will drink and play kyucheks. After this I will leave with a head proudly raised. They have to have an appointment in order to see us! We are too important and it is impossible everybody to have us.