The 12-member commission on the possible impeachment of Lithuanian President held its first meeting

The 12-member commission on the possible impeachment of Lithuanian President Rolandas Paksas held its first meeting on 29 December. Commission Deputy Chairman Julius Sabatauskas said that the first session did not resolve any of the issues on its agenda, which include determining who should be called as witnesses. The closed-door session was attended by Paksas's legal counsel, which has increased from the three lawyers who represented him at an earlier meeting of the Constitutional Court to six. The new additions are Kestutis Stungys, Vytautas Sviderskis, and Rimas Andrikis, three of Vilnius's most sought-after criminal-defense lawyers. Sabatauskas said the president's lawyers may present proposals to the commission, but are prevented from protracting its work since all decisions are made collectively by the commission itself. The commission will seek security clearance from the State Security Department to receive classified information, Sabatauskas added.