Human rights abuses characteristic of the Communist era are becoming a thing of the past. Ethnic Turks. previously subject to a brutal assimilation campaign. have had their rights restored. The elimination of the exit visa requirement In January 1991. has led to unparalleled freedom of movement for all Bulgarian citizens. Freedom of speech. association. and religion have burgeoned. And although inequities still exist. including the constitutional ban on political parties based on ethnic affiliation and some societal intolerance for minoritiles---Inequities that I hope will be addressed and rectified as soon as possiblethere is no question about the fact that the Bulgarian Government is continuing to Implement wideranging political and economic reforms.