Tallinn mayor under fire again

TALLINN - Tallinn Mayor Juri Mois is under another wave of political pressure for his close business relationship with Meelis Lao, a businessman currently under investigation by the Estonian security police.

The Reform Party and the Moderates, the coalition partners of Mois' Pro Patria Union in both the Estonian and Tallinn governments, are considering a no-confidence motion against Mois on May 18, accusing him of ruining the credibility of the city government by numerous recent scandals.

"Too much time has been wasted on settling scandals instead of working," the Moderates faction said in a statement.

Mois has kept business ties with Lao for the last 10 years. Lao, aged 35, deals in wholesale fruit sales, real estate, and metal and oil shipping.

According to the security police, Lao was arrested in 1995, but dismissed after 48 hours due to lack of evidence. The police declined to comment on the reason for the arrest.

Some observers, including reporters at the weekly tabloid Eesti Ekspress, claim he is connected to organized crime in Russia. Three attempts were made on his life between 1995 to 1998. Internal Affairs Minister Tarmo Loodus met with FBI Director Louis Freeh in March to reportedly discuss Lao, Eesti Paevaleht reported. Prime Minister Mart Laar had ordered an investigation of Lao's dealings in Estonia, which came up dry.

"We could definitely find something new about Lao if all the leading investigative forces of the Estonian police focused on it, but believe me, our police have many more important things to do," Loodus told The Baltic Times.

Mois says that the accusations regarding Lao are groundless, but insists he severed ties with Lao on April 25.

"At the meeting with Mart Laar, we both decided that I should avoid contact with Lao if public opinion is so against him," said Mois.

Mois' current status will be considered by the Pro Patria Union's Tallinn regional congress on May 12. Mois, however, said he was confident he would retain the mayoral post. The Tartu branch of the Pro Patria Union also wants Mois to continue.

Eesti Paevaleht reported a rift in the coalition partners, which became clear when they found it hard to settle the question of selling some prime property in Tallinn's port area at a public tender. Mois and his party colleagues backed Ober-Haus, while the Reform Party supported Uhinenud Kapitalid, which eventually became the winner.

Mois said he has held talks with the Center Party regarding possible enlargement of the city government coalition, a move that would considerably bolster his chances of surviving a no-confidence vote.

The Pro Patria Union and the Center Party together have 35 votes in the 64-member City Council.

However, Mois admitted the enlargement would need the consent of Pro Patria's present coalition partners. Laar, Pro Patria's leader, is known to be very much against it.