DATE=7/30/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-217874
TITLE=BULGARIA /  SECRET FILES (S ONLY)
BYLINE=ART CHIMES
DATELINE=PRAGUE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  BULGARIA HAS MOVED ONE MORE STEP AWAY FROM ITS COMMUNIST 
PAST AS THE PARLIAMENT PASSED A LAW OPENING UP OLD SECRET POLICE 
FILES OF TOP OFFICIALS.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS 
FROM OUR CENTRAL EUROPE BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT:  THE RULING UNION OF DEMOCRATIC FORCES HAD MADE OPENING THE
FILES A KEY PROMISE IN ITS ELECTION CAMPAIGN THREE MONTHS AGO.  

THE REFORMIST GOVERNMENT SAYS MAKING THE FILES PUBLIC WILL 
PREVENT ATTEMPTS TO BLACKMAIL OFFICIALS ABOUT THEIR POSSIBLE PAST
COLLABORATION WITH SECURITY FORCES.   

BUT OPPOSITION POLITICIANS SAY THE MEASURE IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL 
AND WILL UNDERMINE NATIONAL SECURITY.  DEPUTIES FROM THE 
SOCIALIST PARTY OF FORMER COMMUNISTS WALKED OUT OF PARLIAMENT TO 
PROTEST THE BILL.  

THE NEW LAW WILL ALLOW PUBLIC ACCESS TO FILES OF SENIOR OFFICIALS
INCLUDING MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND GOVERNMENT MINISTERS.  

ELSEWHERE IN FORMERLY COMMUNIST EUROPE, DISCLOSURE OF SECRET 
POLICE FILES HAVE EMBARRASSED MANY WHO COLLABORATED WITH SECURITY
AUTHORITIES.  (SIGNED)

NEB/ART/JWH/KL

30-Jul-97 12:15 PM EDT (1615 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.