First of all I want to say a few words about the American military bases in Bulgaria. Although it seems that the Bulgarian government negotiated much better deals with the representatives of Uncle Sam, I am still not convinced that this is such a good idea. The argument that Bulgaria will now become a target for Muslim terrorists doesn't fly with me since this country already put itself on that map when it joined the Yankee doodle dandies in their `War for Oil' in Iraq.

No, I am much more concerned about the impact the presence of American military will have on the local economy. Besides the fact that many, mainly conservative, villages will see whorehouses and saloons being opened to facilitate the fleshly needs of the foreign soldiers, there will also be a massive impact on the general cost of living in these parts. Of course, the use of cannabis and stronger drugs will become rampant.

Past experience has shown this to be true from Okinawa to Bangkok and from Malaga to Rome to Kaiserslautern.
Anyway, the deal is done and now it's just a question of waiting for the damage to follow.

On a brighter note, Bulgaria had the pleasure of hosting the always dynamic minister of economy and deputy prime minister of the Netherlands Laurens Jan Brinkhorst (www.minez.nl). Brinkhorst was at the head of a trade delegation that visited both Romania and Bulgaria. It was interesting to note that this very experienced and shrewd politician was not only massively impressed by the Bulgarian Government at large, but specifically by young Sergei Stanishev (www.government.bg), our (now) Social Democrat Prime Minister. Although I am always wary of ex-communist flag wavers, I have decided to have another look at this wunderkind of the revolution and keep an open mind for the next few months.

I understand that the trade mission was very successful and others will follow later this year. You other foreigners better keep an eye on the Dutch; we're here to take over…

The opening of the Belsma Furniture Factory (www.bylsma.nl) in Lovech was a good example of how anything is possible in Bulgaria if you only get the right support from both local and national government. Within a period of six months, a completely run-down wreck of a factory was rebuilt, equipped and open for business. With the ongoing support from the mayor and promises of future help where needed by President Georgi Purvanov (www.president.bg), who took care of the official opening, their future in Bulgaria can only expected to be a bright one. I totally agreed with the Ambassador of the Netherlands, Willem van Ee (www.netherlandsembassy.bg) who reminded all present that although the future for both the factory and the country is bright, there still is a lot of work to be done.

The article in the Times by Anthony Browne is an absolute must read for all who care about Bulgaria. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-2176371,00.html Browne deals in a very direct way with some of the grim realities of the Bulgarian accession and the actual situation in Bulgaria.

One of the many truths in the article was about EU money for Bulgaria: "Brussels would give a country of eight million people a total of ?10 billion in development funds between 2007 and 2013. Mr Todorov said: `In the first two years the money will be entirely wasted - it will go into the pockets of politicians and their client companies.' "

Another: "Would-be member states are supposed to meet strict criteria for membership, including a market economy, an independent judiciary and respect for human rights. But many EU leaders privately believe that drawing Bulgaria into their embrace is the best way to encourage reform. One senior EU diplomat said: `There is a society of evil here. These gangs are everywhere and control everything - private industry, municipalities, members of parliament, everything.' "

And finally: "John Menzies, chairman of the Canadian mining firm EurOmax (www.euromaxresources.com), learnt about organised crime when he upset a Bulgarian rival by winning a licence to prospect for gold. The rival organised and financed violent protests. EurOmax's site was occupied and its equipment sabotaged under the eyes of local police. Mr Menzies was told that he would be beaten to death with hammers. `It is an incredibly confrontational society,'" he said.

He now warns other international investors to be wary. "This is a risky place for foreign investment. Every foreign investor has had the same experience — it's universal."

Although I do recognise many of his statements as true and possibly true, I am now convinced that any delay in accession would only work in favour of the thieves and robbers.

Maybe one day I will make sense of it all, in the meantime I just watch and wonder.

Koos Jan Schouten (1954) was born in Amsterdam, has lived in Bulgaria since 1998, owns webfactorybulgaria.com and is married since 2002 to his lovely Lilly.