-Bureaucracy Blues-

2-15-2007

OK………so the last few weeks have been hell for me because of a few snags at work. The following is the day by day account of why my life has been stressful lately. I was going to post it when the story ended; but I am not sure when that will be.. I have decided to just post it now, and write the second half later when things are all worked out. I have also included a bit of the local press. If you are not interested, I do not blame you; I don’t imagine this blog is very interesting. It is merely a venting log of an angry and frustrated volunteer.


1-26-2007

Well it is a miserable, dark and drizzly afternoon in Chirpan Bulgaria. Yesterday was probably the most frustrating day of my life. I am dumfounded by the ridiculous situation I have been confronted with. To make a long story short; I had absolutely every detail mapped out precisely, all documents in order and was anxiously awaiting the 40ft container with ($530,000.00) of medical supplies and equipment on their way to Chirpan Municipal Hospital. At this point I had confirmation the container would arrive 1-27-2007. What could possibly go wrong??????????? Haha…………well………..everything. Like I said before yesterday was a complete disaster, and an unforeseen nightmare. I don’t think I have said the F-word so many times in one day since my rebellious junior-high phase.
The AIA(agency for international aid) whom had already cosigned for the container two months ago, and had guaranteed in writing a hassle free, and tax exempt customs clearance of the container pulled a 180 on me. They gave us a call yesterday and explained to us that since Bulgaria’s accession into the EU January 1, 2007 the AIA was stripped of their power and were no longer able to receive any tax exempt shipments. So now it is Friday afternoon, I have a 40ft container arriving at the port in Varna tomorrow, and basically am told that I have to pay a 20% VAT tax on the contents. 20% of $530K is a lot of money ($106,000.00), and something that my municipality is not planning on paying (and they shouldn’t have to!!!!!!) Another interesting element to this equation is this:
- Project CURE sent all official forms and documents to the AIA via courier 1-3-2007; this included the bill of lading for the container.
-The AIA received and signed for these document 1-5-2007
-The containers sailing date was 1-12-2007
OK………………..did you notice the one week space between the time that the AIA received all documents, and the time of the official sailing date?
-perhaps this would be a good time to inform us that we should not send the container.
Here is where I get frustrated…………………if the AIA new that they did not have power for tax exempt import since 1-1-2007; why in the hell did they not inform us until 1-25-2007………two days before the container will arrive……… F@#*!
-The Solution-
Well the wheels are turning at the moment, and we are trying to figure out a solution to this ridiculous problem. For the last two days I have been on the phone with Bulgaria’s Peace Corps Country Director, The director of USAID in Bulgaria and various US Embassy officials. It has been a great blessing to be able to use connections acquired through the Peace Corps to try and get this problem straightened out. Right now we are doing all we can, and hopefully all will work out. If it doesn’t work out, I will probably go crazy. Failure is not an option!!!!!

1-29-2007

Well it is now Monday and unfortunately all of my problems are not solved as of yet. The container arrived in Varna on Saturday; and is at a stand still. I spoke this morning with a woman from the US embassy that has been helping me with this problem. She assured me that all the American big dogs in the country have been working hard to sort out my container and get its tax free clearance. She told me not to worry; and that things will be sorted out very soon. Also the Peace Corps Country director of Bulgaria will have a meeting with the US ambassador of Bulgaria on Tuesday. I actually feel quite relaxed about the situation at the moment. I now know that a group of powerful people are doing all that they can to ensure that this container makes it to my hospital tax exempt. Thankfully the shipping firm we are using allows 5 days of port storage cost free. So I will not begin cursing and punching things until late Tuesday afternoon.

1-30-2007

OK deep breaths………Nothing is straightened out. The container is rotting away in Varna, and tomorrow is the last day of cost free storage at the port. Things have however been moving along slowly; well in truth nothing has actually been able to nudge the container any closer to Chirpan but the gears are grinding. Today a few of the big dogs of the country met together to try and figure out exactly how to pressure the government into allowing this container of international aid into the country without being savagely violated by taxes. Tomorrow the US ambassador will meet with the Bulgarian Ministry of Finance on my behalf and hopefully be able to convince him that this container deserves to make it though tax exempt, the ambassador will also present the fact that Project CURE has had a successful past in Bulgaria, and that the future is now greatly threatened by these new government changes (specifically taxing international aid donations). This is the climax of all the ground work that has been laid since last week. The minister of finance is the only person in the country with the power to clear this container of all taxes. If all goes according to plan this container will create the crack that breaks the dam, and from here on out all humanitarian aid donations from foreign NGOs will be made tax exempt. On the other hand if the meeting does not go according to plan; this container gets stuck and stays in Varna with a 20% VAT (value added tax). And of course it will likely pointlessly sit there under the supervision of customs employees for eternity or until someone decides to pay the $106,000.00 in taxes (which of course will never happen).

1-31-2007

It is another painfully frustrating day in the office; it is 2pm now and I still have no word about the containers status. I am waiting for a call from either my Country Director or someone from the embassy. Today is the last day of cost free port storage of the container; after today the bill will rapidly accumulate. I guess there is nothing I can do at this moment except for wait……and hope for the best.
In other news my Gita medical center project is in full swing. The construction of the new roof will not begin until March 1st, however the classes have already begun. The clinic now has a full supply of informational health brochures, and hosts a bi-monthly class on healthy living. This probably sounds almost useless in most people’s eyes; but the fact is that people in rural Bulgaria (actually in of Bulgaria) tend to be unaware of the consequences of simple life choices. As an American I was constantly drilled with anti-smoking and drinking campaigns; so imagine a world without those repetitive and condescending campaigns. That world would be Bulgaria, and sometimes it is good to learn the real life consequences of the choices you make. Drinking and smoking is a big part of the average Bulgarians lifestyle, and unfortunately this has become a determinate factor in Bulgaria’s lower than average life expectancy age. For example 87% of Bulgaria’s population smokes; I was at a municipal party last weekend, and was the only person out of 20 people at the table that was not smoking. So I would say these days I second hand smoke about a half pack a day. Which reminds me of something interesting I heard a few months ago……………I was talking to one of my colleague and she was talking about her morning ritual of meeting her friends for coffee at the café……..(she does not smoke) she told me that she feels much better in the morning if her friends around her are smoking………..so perhaps it is possible for one to be addicted to second hand smoke……..interesting. Well I am pretty sure I am doing ok, I am not off to the store to buy nicotine gum just yet. Perhaps I will wait until my second hand smoking starts giving me a thick cough and dark rings around my eyes.
I know it may be a bit early to think about, but I have started to think about the logistics of my COS (closure of service) trip. Peace Corps will be giving me a chunk of cash after I COS called a readjustment allowance. After all it would be a bit challenging for PCVs to hop back into American society without a dime in their pocket. This money is supposed to ease the transition into the real world. However this money is also great for world travel; and that is my game plan. I plan on seeing as much of the world as I can for as little money as possible. If I stay in Hostels and travel by train I should be able to stretch my readjustment allowance quite a long way.

2-1-2007

Well it is now Thursday afternoon; the container is now overstaying its welcome at the port of Varna. I have not received any firm information yet but I know for a fact that half of the people in the US embassy are working on it, and doing all they can to resolve this problem. There is an important meeting taking place this afternoon and the outcome will decide the fate of the container.
This morning a newspaper in Sofia announced the official closing of the AIA.
--------BULGARIA CLOSES INTERNATIONAL AID AGENCY------------------------------------------Bulgaria's MPs decided Wednesday to close the Agency for International Aid as the country doesn't need it anymore. Created in 1990, the Agency is a state institution that deals with accepting, keeping and allocating all humanitarian aid from other countries and foreign organizations. The government now believes that it is no longer useful as the Bulgarian Red Cross has proved capable to handle all the aid on behalf of the state.With the new law in motion, the Council of Ministers has until July 1, 2007 to settle all of the agency's accounts and appoint a liquidation commission. All of the agency's assets, liabilities, rights and obligations will go to the Labour and Social Policy Ministry.
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I strongly disagree with the decision!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So it is 10pm now and I am finally finished with work. Things have been absolutely crazy here; a lot of ins a lot of outs you know how it goes. But the bottom line is that I think we have finally solved the problem. We do have a solution, and some verbal confirmations; but we are not quite over the finish line yet. And judging by past experiences in Bulgaria; it is not over until it’s over. So about mid day tomorrow I should know exactly what is going on, and if this damn container will actually make it to Chirpan (fingers crossed).
2-2-2007
OK………so the plot thickens……..I received a phone call last night from a woman from the US embassy to brief me on all the meetings. Apparently after a few long meetings with Bulgarian Government officials; they had been presented with a loophole for us to get through. Ideally we wanted the Government to reinstate the AIA; and make steps toward restoring foreign humanitarian aid relations. Unfortunately it did not work out this way; and the sad part of this half-good news is that there are around 15 similar containers that are stuck at the port, and my container is the only one that will make it through. Well……..it is not over until it is over…….so I guess I should still have my fingers crossed. Right now we are waiting to hear back from customs officials; to find out if our new paperwork will get the container through.
Unfortunately these new Government policies will greatly affect Bulgaria’s hospitals, orphanages, and other vital institutions. This abrupt end to tax free import of humanitarian aid donations will deter foreign NGO’s from future donations. It is very probable that Bulgarian organizations and institutions in need; will simply be skipped over, and Foreign aid organizations will bring their services to countries with more accommodating import laws.
It is 4:30pm now………….1/2hour Left in the work day……..I just got a Call from the lady(she has a name, but I feel it is more appropriate to leave peoples names out of public writings) from the Embassy, and pretty much nothing was accomplished today. This of course is not due to lack of effort. She and several other people have been working very hard to get things taken care of. I feel like we are taking steps backward. Every day there seems to be another fool proof solution. I am sooooooooooooo pissed off right now; I can barely think. I have no idea how I am going to get through this weekend with any fraction of sanity. All day long I have had people coming in and out of the office asking me questions and prepping for media attention. Apparently a national paper will be doing a story about the project. And I am not interested in this at the moment……….I just cannot think about any type of praise or recognition for something that is still not a sure thing. It makes me sick to think about how horrible wrong everything is going. Well that’s all for now……..its time for another sleepless weekend.

2-5-2007
1:00-Well it is now Monday afternoon; and the container is still hopelessly sitting in Varna. I am now waiting for a phone call with briefing of a meeting today between the US ambassador and a few Bulgarian Government officials.
4:30- I have heard absolutely nothing today, all of my contacts have not been answering their phones. I am not sure what this means; perhaps they are busy working, or just annoyed at my persistent nagging and desire to know all information regarding my case. Either way I am more than frustrated right now, and have been feeling antisocial and agitated all day. I just want this to end; so I can get some stability back in my life. There is 20 minutes left in the work day, and I know absolutely nothing more than I did last Friday. The only certainty I have is that the container has accrued another 100eu in daily storage fees.
I just got off the phone with my contact from the embassy; she informed me that basically last Fridays proposed plan was officially shot down by customs. So basically we are at square one. The only good news is that they have recruited even more people to work on this problem. Apparently almost everyone from the US embassy, as well as people from USAID are now working on finding a solution. In many situations similar to this; the appropriate reaction would be to end all effort and just let things be. After all you cannot force people to help themselves; this is not actually our problem. The drive to make this work comes from a deep and strong motivation and desire to help Bulgaria and its people. Also I personally have way to much time and effort invested in this project to ever consider failure. If I were to give up now, it would mean all of my work, and the work of my colleagues, officials in Bulgaria, friends, and family will have been in vain. I fiercely vow never to let that happen.

2-6-2007

Well the frustration is building; all I know is that there are in fact people from the US embassy who are trying to help get this container through the rigid Bulgarian customs regulations. Today in the Stara Zagora newspaper ’24 Hour’ a front page article was written about my project and our dilemma. Hopefully this article will spread a bit of awareness, and I hope media picks up this story and runs with it. I don’t think most Bulgarians are aware of these new Customs regulations, and how they will affect their lives. Right now all I am able to do is wait, and hope that this conflict will be settled soon; before the port storage bill becomes too big to handle. 100eu a day can easily become too much money for a poor Bulgarian hospital to handle.

2-7-2007

Well I heard next to nothing today; all I know is that there are several people working diligently to get this container where it needs to be. I have hopes that things will be worked out by the end of the week; of course I said the same thing last week.

2-9-2007

It is now Friday afternoon; and the container is now a familiar face down at the port of Varna. I was supposed to catch my big break today; but of course this did not happen. I was to send a letter from CURE releasing the container from the AIA(because the AIA no longer exists) directly to the Chirpan municipal hospital. Basically I am battling through a bunch of annoying paperwork loopholes. Every day I am told that this problem is very close to being solved; but every day I find myself being horribly disappointed. So now days, my morale is low; and I do not have much hopes for a happy ending. It seams like whenever I have a hint of optimist about the situation; I become incredibly disappointed soon after. Another agonizing weekend is here, and all I am able to do is wait impatiently for Monday to roll around.

2-10-2007

Well the waiting game continues; the wheels are still turning but have not been able to free us from the pit of mud. Tomorrow the US ambassador will meet with the Minister of Finance, in hopes that he will be able to push for a temporary reinstatement of the AIA. On Wednesday the Bulgarian Parliament will do its final reading of the act that shuts down the AIA; we are hoping that the ministry of finance will be able to convince the parliament to extend the AIA until June. This proposition will make the transition easier; and ultimately save me from going crazy.

2-14-2007

It is starting to feel a lot like progress............the container is in Varna, but all the papers I have been pushing must be helping.
I just had a meeting with my colleagues and Dr. Totev our hospitals director. Apparently Dr. Totev has been working with Customs in Plovdiv; and has more or less been assured that they can get the container in without problems. So the new game plan is to send the container from Varna to Plovdiv. After we change around a few documents; they will send the container from Plovdiv to Chirpan. After the container arrives customs officials will separate all the equipment into taxable categories, and then give us the total bill. I have been told that the Minister of Finance has verbally agreed to pay the value added tax for import. This situation sounds halfway promising, but I will continue to keep my fingers crossed. I guess it all comes down to ‘Murphys Law’ and of course everything that could go wrong has.....so in a way things could only get better........unfortunately my optimist has been drained by this ordeal.