Bulgaria corrupt? Whoda thunk it?

al-Reuters has the story of the European Commission's 'indictment of corruption in Bulgaria' and their suspension of aid. "The two reports on Bulgaria -- one on funds and the other on judicial reform -- were the harshest criticism ever levelled by Brussels at a member state. A report on fellow newcomer Romania, which also joined in January 2007, pointed to political and judicial obstruction of corruption trials but avoided sanctions... But the EU softened the blow at the last minute by toning down the toughest wording of earlier drafts and omitting a threat to delay Bulgaria's entry into the euro single currency zone and the Schengen area of passport-free travel."