Lithuanian security pushes extension of KGB lustration

VILNIUS (BNS) - Some 400 former agents of the Soviet KGB security police have registered at the Lithuanian State Security Department as of June 6. However, the lustration could be extended for at least another year, said the department's director general, Mecys Laurinkus.

Laurinkus spoke to reporters following the meeting June 5 of the parliamentary National Security and Defense Committee where the classified report of the department's activities of 1999 was presented.

He said that lustration "is conducted at a normal pace," however, "people should not be rushed."

According to the law, former secret KGB agents are to make a voluntary written avowal in the Feb. 5 - Aug. 5 period this year. Those who admit their KGB collaboration will be listed in a secret file, while names of those who fail to do so can be made public.

As the lustration law covers the entire 50-year period of the Soviet rule over Lithuania, some sources say that there could be more than 10,000 collaborators in the country. Laurinkus' proposal to extend the term of lustration for another year came under severe criticism of the chairman of the parliamentary National Security and Defense Committee, MP Algirdas Katkus.

"I have taken a negative stance on the issue. [The term] should not be extended. Those who wanted to come forward had enough time to do that," said Katkus.

He said the reason for his opinion is the "propaganda that the law is temporary" and will be revoked.