LITHUANIA: Lithuanian President Mr Rolandas Paksas, facing impeachment for alleged links to the Russian mafia, pleaded with parliamentarians investigating his case yesterday to defuse a looming political crisis ahead of the country's EU accession on May 1st, writes Daniel McLaughlin in Moscow
A parliamentary committee investigating Mr Paksas' relationship with controversial Russian businessman Mr Yuri Borisov is to report its findings on February 13th, after a preliminary probe declared the president a potential risk to national security. Mr Paksas (47) has been under the cosh since a security service dossier alleged that his camp had been infiltrated by a public relations firm linked to Russian intelligence, and that Mr Borisov's funding for the former stunt pilot's election campaign had left him "vulnerable" to blackmail.
Mr Paksas says the allegations are politically motivated, and has rejected criticism for personally granting Lithuanian citizenship to Mr Borisov - who is accused of illegal arms dealing - just after winning election last January.
"My door is always open to you personally, and to parliamentary parties and committees," Mr Paksas wrote in an open letter to parliament yesterday.
"There are only three months left until we fully join the EU. I believe our meetings will not only strengthen our country's resolve as it crosses the threshold of the EU, but guarantee the stability of the state and calm the passions that are dividing society." Official records show that Mr Borisov, who helped manage Mr Paksas' election campaign, was also its single largest donor. Another Russian citizen, accused of running a smuggling network, is also alleged to have established links with aides to Mr Paksas and sought a residence permit in Lithuania.
A final vote on impeachment is expected in mid-April, just weeks before Lithuania is due to achieve its long-held ambition of EU membership.
Mr Paksas has refused to attend sessions of the investigative committee, saying he would decide whether to co-operate only after he and his lawyers had seen all the evidence against him. Twice prime minister and mayor of Lithuania's capital Vilnius, Mr Paksas came to power on a populist platform, impressing voters with promises of social equality.