Gene Zolotarev on how to destabilize the EU financial system and re-draw the map of Europe in three easy steps
E-mail this article
Print this articleOil spill could cost ministers' jobs
Ansip had earlier criticized the Border Guard and Environment Inspectorate, agencies subordinate to the Interior Ministry and Environment Ministry, for not immediately forwarding information on the oil slick that polluted Estonia's northwestern coast on Jan. 28. The PM said it was "regrettable" that important information reached the government only on Feb. 2.
Party leader Tonis Lukas told the Baltic News Service that the prime minister should gather his resolve and fire the ministers.
"Now it appears from the utterances of these ministers that they do not have the responsibility it takes in this government to handle their particular area," he said.
Lukas added that Ansip needed to decide if he has a government or not, reveal if he's indeed satisfied with the ministers' explanations, and publicly announce the conclusions he's prepared to make.
The opposition will discuss on the matter on Monday, and decide whether to file a motion of no-confidence against Reiljan of the People's Union and Laanet of the Center Party.
All three Estonian opposition parties -- Pro Patria Union, Res Publica and Social Democratic Party -- said they wanted the environment minister to resign. Both Reiljan and Laanet have said they are not going to step down.
On Jan. 25, Ansip announced at a press conference that a Liberian-flagged tanker had reported an overflow of bunker fuel during an internal operation on Jan. 25. As a result, 1.5 to 2.0 cubic meters of fuel spilled onto the deck. This, in turn, spurred a heated reaction from opposition leaders.
A total of 5,000 birds have already been killed due to the spill, and the number is still growing. The first report of oil pollution was received on Jan. 28. The Estonian Fund for Nature has since called for volunteers to speed up the clean-up operation, and save as many birds as possible.
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Ask
Facebook
MrWong
Netvouz
SUBSCRIBERS AREA
SUBSCRIPTION
The Baltic Times is a cost-effective way of staying in touch with the latest Baltic news and views, enabling you full access from anywhere with an Internet connection. As well as our daily updates, you'll have access to thousands of articles in our Internet archives, which date back to 1998 and provide a unique source of information for researchers, planners and analysts.
OTHER ARTICLES MORE NEWSRIGA - Representatives from companies searching for oil deposits in Latvian territ...
The Latvian government will no longer underwrite bank loans to private companies, ...
The long road for many in the struggle for recognition, and to receive Latvian cit...
TALLINN - The European Union’s three Baltic states agreed on terms for ma...
TALLINN - The company Positium has ascertained, with mobile positioning, that a...
Cargo turnover at Latvian ports reached 6.5 million tons in the first month of ...
CLASSIFIEDS