Cablegate: Saeima Speaker Emsis Will Not Step Down for Now

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UNCLAS RIGA 000654

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV LG
SUBJECT: Saeima Speaker Emsis will not step down for now

Ref: Riga 671

1. After meeting with the Board of the Union of the Greens and
Farmers (ZZS) and Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis (People's Party -
TP) on September 3, Saeima (parliament) Speaker Indulis Emsis
announced that he will retain in his position. Emsis added that
further decisions will depend on activities of the Prosecutor
General's Office. The statement contradicts to his statements last
week (reftel) which suggested that he is ready to step down over
corruption allegations.

2. Emsis portrayed the decision as one that was asked of his by his
party and the PM, Emsis noted that he does not feel comfortable in
the situation when the "shadow of suspicions is hanging over him."
Therefore, he has made a decision to refrain from his duties related
to international activities (he cancelled a planned trip to Finland,
for example). Further, the Saeima Speaker announced that he would
step down only if the Prosecutor's Office brings official charges
against him. The Prosecutor's Office has stated that their further
activities might follow within a week.

3. Comment: The issue is on hold, and far from resolved. We will
continue to monitor.

SELDOWITZ

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