Criminal probe against Kohl termed 'deep scar'

[Ulhas Joglekar]

31 December 1999
Criminal probe against Kohl termed 'deep scar'
BERLIN: German prosecutors' decision to press a criminal inquiry against
former Chancellor Helmut Kohl over financial irregularities has represented
a dramatic escalation in the political funding scandal involving an
estimated $1 million and has been termed as a "deep scar in German history."
The prosecutors have declared that they would start a criminal probe against
one of Europe's leading statesmen and the architect of German unity for
breach of trust after he admitted taking illegal cash donations and
operating a system of secret slush funds during his 16-year rule.
German parliament President Wolfgang Thierse has been informed of the
prosecutors' move and has to decide whether to block their request for
starting a probe. Parliament would eventually have to vote to lift Kohl's
legal immunity as a member of parliament before any prosecution takes place.
Thierse said since Kohl has already admitted breaking party financing laws,
it was important that justice ran its course so that public faith in the
political system could be restored.
"This whole affair is a deep scar in German history. We will have to work
together now to clear up what happened so that we can limit the damage that
this affair has caused to democracy," said Thierse, who has begun
consultations with party leaders to see if there are grounds to block the
probe.
If convicted, Kohl would face a maximum sentence of five years in jail or a
hefty fine even as he faces intense pressure to reveal the donors of secret
funds managed by him.
According to the prosecutors, a three-week review of the case showed they
have found "sufficient suspicion" of a breach of trust that warranted a
full-scale criminal investigation.
Kohl's spokesman said the former chancellor has promised to "support the
work of the investigating authorities with all means at his disposal".
The 69-year-old Kohl, who ran the Christan Democratic Union (CDU) for a
quarter, acknowledged early this month that he had employed a system of
secret bank accounts to handle undeclared cash donations, which are illegal
in Germany. The money was distributed to local party chiefs to ensure their
loyalty.
Kohl, who has steadfastly denied that he used any of the money to enrich
himself or that he was corrupt, has said the names of donors would not be
disclosed since he would not not like to break the promise of keeping their
identity anonymous.
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has urged heavy penalties for politicians who
accepted illegal campaign contributions. German law requires political party
donations of more than $10,000 to be made public.
The mystery over the sources of the money has intensified because of various
revelations suggesting that donations were made to Kohl's party in response
to favours provided by his government.
For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service
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Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 1999.