PM: Media Reports on Terrorism Hurt Bulgaria-Arab Ties
Defense | January 6, 2012, Friday // 20:00| viewsBulgaria's Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, says media reports on possible terrorist attacks harm the country's tourism and its relations with the Arab world. Photo by BGNES
Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, called on media Friday to not publish sensational information about possible terrorist attacks in the country.
Borisov's words came on the heels of reports that Israel had warned Bulgaria about a looming terrorist attack. The planned attacks were said to be in connection with the February 12 anniversary of the killing of Lebanese militant Hezbollah group leader, Imad Mughnieh.
"Bulgaria has outstanding record in its relations with the Arab world, except the fact that one day earlier I beat Arab Ambassadors in a football match," the PM said, quoted by the Bulgarian National TV, BNT.
Obviously irked by a reporter's question, asking if security had been upped Borisov answered:
"What security measures? If services wait for some obscure site to write something and then take measures, they must all be fired. Do not spread such writings, this is my only request regarding terrorism. Do not make them important and headline news. You cannot help in such cases; you can only make things worse. Do you think that if there was such threat; if Israeli intelligence had intercepted it, they would not have warned us and we would fail to undertake measures? Do you really believe that?" the PM stressed, adding that anyone can pay any site to publish any information.
Borisov challenged journalists to write how "someone had told them that there would be a terrorist attack in Germany, and see if anyone would pay attention to it and inquire with the German Chancellor."
"All institutions and services assured you that there is no plot – your reporting hurts the country's tourism," the PM concluded.
The reassurances were echoed Friday by Bulgarian Ministers of Defense, Transport and Economy.
Meanwhile Israel's Anti-Terrorist Services stated they did not have any particular information about terrorist attacks in Bulgaria.
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