This is actually part of a conversation I had with another Bulgarian friend, who happens to also be anti-Russian - alas, the truth is that BG will perpetually be emotionally divided over the issue.

He too is very quick to label Russian attitude as "Soviet" or "Commie" and so we ended up in trying to get to the bottom of the usage of the terms, so easily resorted to in conversations.

It turns out that his idea of Communism was basically arbitrary, non-transparent rule, which is also strongly centralized. Not surprising for a Bulgarian because this is how we were introduced to it, and it's what we identify the period with.

However, every one of those qualifications, can be applied to Imperial Russia as well, not to mention to various degrees the Habsburg-ian Austria and others in Europe before the Great War, yet no one would think of them as "Communist" in any way... With other words, he equates Communism with Totalitarianism, in his few, Communism is impossible in a transparent democratic society.

I take issue with that. In my view Communism can be democratically chosen by a society and can function with popular consent, provided it corresponds with historical instincts, as it is the case in the Scandinavian countries today, which I dare say are much more Communist than Russia. At the core of Communism/Marxism is social (financial) equality. The means of achieving that can be Totalitarian or democratic, but those are means, not essence.

"It is germane with the Soviet way of doing politics, by using any means to engineer a crisis and then appear to save the situation.."

I have to remind you Ivailo that you saying that as their rival the US, is engaged in wars and military build up and maneuvers all around their borders... she is the victim here.

From placing missiles in countries like Poland and Czech, to actually conducting joint military training with the Georgian military, as we speak - think about that - Americans are playing war IN what used to be the USSR, something the Americans would never tolerate in their own backyard...

I think that far from creating crises, Russia is actually managing the crises created for her, by the US, quite well and is attempting to defuse tensions, unless of course faced with naked violence, as was the case of the Georgians. The sheer concept of the State Department talking about "resetting" their relation with Moscow, as they drive around in tanks in the area, is I think, outrageous and we actually have to give credit to the Russians for not using enough whatever leverage they ma have to combat western aggression...

As far as BG - Ivaylo we are in the EU - how much closer to our "European roots" can we get?

It is, factually, one of the few tools left in the Kremlin arsenal to assert Moscow's will abroad. It is germane with the Soviet way of doing politics, by using any means to engineer a crisis and then appear to save the situation, and it demonstrates an unbroken continuum with apparatchik policy. Of course, Ukraine is not the only non-payer; so is Belarus. But the latter has no issue licking Russian boots, and there is great ideological affinity between the two regimes. The Ukraine exercises its right to self-determination, on the other side, and this is something that the nomenklatura takes issue with, as it is unaccustomed to accommodate those desirous of greater freedom. One may hope Bulgaria learns to see this, and the SANS report on Russian policy to create dependancy to its natural resources as a political tool is instructive here, and returns to its European roots. Because this is where she has traditionally belonged.

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No, this is what happens when NATO and the US flirt with ex-USSR republics.

Few of them have mature leaderships and any western "support" and encouragement is likely to result in disasters, like the war in Georgia, when the Georgians initiated the violence, believing that the US is behind them, or like Ukraine forcing Russia to shot the supply, by stealing from the pipe.

Russia did nothing wrong in both cases.

This is what happens when you put your trust in Russia. Bulgaria needs alternative suppliers and quick.