Probe of Lithuanian president opens door to impeachment.(Chicago Tribune)

Byline: Alex Rodriguez

MOSCOW _ A special Lithuanian parliamentary panel investigating allegations that President Rolandas Paksas' office has ties to Russian organized crime called Paksas a threat to national security Monday, setting the stage for his impeachment.

Inaugurated only nine months ago, Paksas could be impeached as soon as Tuesday when parliament meets to discuss the panel's findings.

Paksas has vowed he will fight any impeachment proceedings. And a high-ranking official in Paksas' office told Reuters on Monday, "I definitely do not think the president will resign at this point."

The 47-year-old former stunt pilot stunned the international community when he defeated popular incumbent Valdas Adamkus in January, appealing to disaffected Lithuanians who have struggled to make ends meet during the country's post-Soviet transition.

However, in October, Lithuanian security service report linked top Paksas advisers to Russian organized crime figures and accused the president of being influenced by a Russian public relations firm that allegedly has ties to Russia's Federal Security Service, the KGB's successor. The report also accused Paksas and his advisers of leaking sensitive information.

A special panel of lawmakers formed to investigate the allegations concurred with the report's findings.