27 November 2003 14:28
Lithuanian president unwilling to appear at hearing on corruption scandal
[Presenter] President Rolandas Paksas has demanded that law-enforcement bodies present to him all information about
alleged threats to national security [possibly caused by the controversial links of some of his advisers]. He said he
would not distance himself from the main sponsor of this election campaign [Jurijus Borisovas, known in Russia as Yuriy
Borisov] because he is not related to Jurijus Borisovas by business or any other links. Rolandas Paksas is not refusing
to cooperate with the Seimas [parliament] commission investigating the alleged threats to national security, but does
not intend to be interviewed by it at an open hearing.
[Paksas] I am very positive about cooperation with the Seimas commission, as I was about cooperation with the
Prosecutor-General's Office [investigating possible blackmail of Paksas by Borisovas]. I wrote as many as three
letters to the Seimas commission and asked it to formulate and put questions to me in writing. There might be many forms
of responding to them but it should not necessarily be a letter to the Seimas commission. It can also be a very public
response. I do not think that I should set a precedent for future presidents who will come in five or 10 years'
time. That is, for the president to be summoned by any commission that might be set up.
[Lithuanian Radio] |
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