Ivan Miklos, former Finance Minister and Deputy Chairman of the opposition Slovak Democratic and Christian Union -- Democratic Party (SDKU-DS), stated on Tuesday that Prime Minister Robert Fico continues disseminating lies about privatization of the gas utility SPP by the previous government. According to Mr. Miklos, it is "clear and easy to recognize [his] attempt to mask his own problems and problems of his ruling coalition." Mr. Miklos hinted at problems with the Slovak Land Fund and problems that the prime minister has in documenting ways used to acquire his own property. "And as the prime minister welcomed Mr. Meciar's opinion, expert on clean privatization as he is, then I think that that speaks volumes," said Mr. Miklos.
Mr. Miklos, however, was not able to express an opinion on how the notary memorandum got lost about the opening of envelopes with bids for a 49-percent stake in SPP about which Prime Minister Robert Fico spoke in association with the SPP sale. Mr. Miklos said he is not able to take a stance on this right now but he expects that opinions will be expressed in parliament during a debate on the SPP privatization report. He underscored that he has to prepare his arguments as he has not yet read the report. The SDKU-DS believes that it will prove that Mr. Fico is lying about SPP privatization during the discussion on the gas utility sale on parliamentary grounds.
Earlier on Tuesday, coalition partners agreed that the parliament would discuss the report on SPP privatization at its next session among the first issues on the agenda. Prime Minister Robert Fico claims that the report contains important findings such as the loss of the most significant documents from the privatization contract, for instance, the notary memorandum from the envelope opening. The prime minister stated that "the sale of SPP was the biggest theft that has ever occurred in Slovakia." He thinks that some findings could be interesting for the general prosecution. After today's Coalition Council meeting Vladimir Meciar, chairman of the junior ruling coalition member the People's Party -- Movement for Democratic Slovakia (LS-HZDS) said that SPP privatization contracts may be disclosed. The former Cabinet of Mikulas Dzurinda pledged to keep the contracts secret in privatization until a third party discloses them, he said. Mr. Meciar also announced that he knows a person in possession of copies of the privatization contracts. He will ask that person to make the papers public.
Ruhrgas and Gaz de France (GDF) acquired a 49 percent stake in SPP for USD 2.765 million in 2002.
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