A fugitive arms dealer who provoked the scandal surrounding secret accounts operated by Germany's former chancellor, Dr Helmut Kohl, warned yesterday that he is planning to reveal more damaging information about payments to the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
The threat came as an opinion poll showed that most Germans want Dr Kohl to resign his parliamentary seat and retire from politics for good.
Germany authorities are seeking Mr Karlheinz Schreiber's extradition from Canada in connection with bribes he paid during the sale of tanks to Saudi Arabia in 1991. He has admitted handing a briefcase with DM1 million (£403,000) in cash to the CDU's treasurer in 1991, but he said he would soon reveal new material.
"That was just the overture," he said.
Dr Kohl has denied that his government's approval of the sale of armoured vehicles was linked to the donation, which was lodged in one of the party's secret accounts. The former chancellor insists that he knew nothing of this donation but he has admitted accepting up to DM2 million in anonymous donations between 1993 and 1998.
Prosecutors started a criminal investigation this week to determine if Dr Kohl's financial dealings were against the law and a parliamentary commission is loo king into possible breaches of the rules governing party funding.
The CDU's popularity has plummeted in recent weeks and the present leadership is clearly impatient with Dr Kohl's stubborn refusal to identify the secret donors.
Mr Michael Luther, a deputy chairman of the CDU in parliament, became the first leading Christian Democrat to call on Dr Kohl to resign his seat in the Bundestag.
"It is time for a change. It would be best for everyone if Helmut Kohl could decide to make an orderly exit from politics," he said, adding later that his departure should be voluntary.
The party's beleaguered leader, Dr Wolfgang Schauble, condemned Mr Luther's intervention as unhelpful and criticised the decision to prosecute the former chancellor.
"Helmut Kohl has taken responsibility for violating party laws. That has to been seen in the context of his achievements over 25 years. I have urged Helmut Kohl to reveal what he knows about the donors, but I can't force him to do anything. He has his reasons. We in the party are doing everything we can do clear the situation up as best as we can," he said.
