Trying to corrupt a tarnished image

Bulgaria is fighting its reputation as a place where anything goes in terms of crime. Noel Baker reports from Sofia.

THE office block selected by Phil Flynn, Cork moneylender Ted Cunningham and others as their business base during their January stay in Sofia stands pristine against the bright sky.

A relatively new structure, growing from its wide base to a narrow, penthouse peak in the city's Lozenetz district, it towers over most other buildings in the area and conveniently has two banks set into the ground floor.