Lithuanian protesters demand president's resignation over alleged links with Russian mafia

AFP ^ | 23 November 2003

[Tailgunner Joe]

Thousands of people called for the resignation of Lithuanian President Rolandas Paksas who is embroiled in a scandal over alleged links between his office and organized crime, while his supporters held a counter-demonstration.

Amid tight security, about 3,000 people, most of them critics of Paksas, gathered outside the presidential offices and residence in central Vilnius.

An iron fence and police wearing helmets and carrying shields separated Paksas' supporters who numbered about 500 from those demanding that he resign, holding banners saying "It Is Time To Leave".

Some 300 police officers, including mounted police and more than 100 from the special forces oversaw the rallies. Everyone entering the square in front of the offices had to pass through iron fences where police checked bags and pockets.

"Was it worth fighting Russians for 13 years to get a president who is a puppet of Russia?" shouted Giedrius, a student from a youth organization who did not give his family name.

"Goodbye my president, it's time to leave," he sang.

The action follows a report by the country's state security department, which accused several of Paksas' aides of having links with international criminal groups.

It also alleged that Paksas' main financial backer in his election campaign, a Russian-born businessman, was involved in illegal arms trafficking and that Lithuania served as a basis for financing international terrorism.

Paksas has denied the accusations and insists that he has not violated the country's constitution or its laws.

Janina, a teacher and supporter of the president holding a banner saying "We Trust Our President", said: "This is all organized by these old politicians who are afraid of Paksas."

"I myself am a deportee, half of my family was deported to Siberia, others left for the US, but even in Soviet times, the KGB was not doing the things which now are done by the Lithuanian security department," she added.

Following the two-hour simultaneous gatherings which saw the two sides chanting at each other, Paksas appeared in the square.

Saying nothing more than "Thank you", he spent some 10 minutes shaking the hands of his supporters before returning to his office as anti-Paksas protesters shouted "Paksas Out" and "Shame On You".

Next week, a special parliamentary commission established to investigate the security services' report is due to announce its conclusions and based on it, the parliament will decide whether to impeach Paksas.

Analysts say that the president's fate could very much depend on US President George W. Bush, whom Paksas plans to visit on December 8.

[AntiGuv]

Hmm.. I'm detecting a trend..