-Caveat Lector- Peruvian ex-president says he made decision to resign suddenly By JOSEPH COLEMAN The Associated Press 11/27/00 11:43 AM TOKYO (AP) -- Alberto Fujimori had a busy, but hardly unusual, schedule the last time he left Peru: fly to Brunei for an economic summit, then a brief stopover in Tokyo on his way to Panama. But that plan took a sudden twist in Japan. Instead of leaving, he holed up in a Tokyo hotel, claiming to have a bad cold. Days later, he announced his resignation as president of Peru. He is now the guest of one of Japan's best-known novelists. And though he says he expects to be in Japan for an extended stay, he has not ruled out returning to Peru someday. "I don't know exactly what will be my political future," he told The Associated Press in an interview Monday. He added, however, that he believes he'll be vindicated. Despite the conspiracy theories back home, Fujimori said his decision to relinquish the presidency and make an extended stay in his ancestral homeland came on the spur of the moment. "I made the decision in Japan, all of a sudden," he said in a 30-minute talk in a Tokyo hotel room. "I didn't have it planned at all." Fujimori was vague about why, saying only that he received "additional reports" from Peru that encouraged him to stay put. Whatever the reasons, the move has made Fujimori Japan's most closely watched -- and enigmatic -- national house guest. Questions surround the former autocrat, who arrived in Japan on Nov. 17. Speculation is rampant that he may attempt to take Japanese citizenship if he does not, as some say, have it already -- to avoid returning to face any legal problems in Peru. Fujimori said he was registered with the Japanese consulate in Peru when he was born, but the Japanese Foreign Ministry says it is unclear whether that entitles him to Japanese citizenship. Then there is the question of whether he would ever try to make a comeback in Lima. He said Monday he is "reconsidering" a bid for the Peruvian Congres s. An eventual return to public life is not out of the question, he said. "We cannot say that this is the end of an era," Fujimori said. "I think that the so-called `Fujimori-ism' will continue in some way or another." But a triumphant return to Peru is unlikely any time soon. The Peruvian Congress ignored Fujimori's resignation -- issued from Japan -- and dismissed him last week instead, declaring him morally unfit to govern. A special prosecutor is planning to investigate him for possible money laundering, corruption of public officials and illicit enrichment. Fujimori, who spent 10 years in office, blamed his former master spy, Vladimiro Montesinos, for his current political problems and the corruption allegations. "I have no doubt that this is the network of Montesinos," he said, repeating his denial that he has illicit money hidden in bank accounts outside Peru. He said his conscience was "tranquil and clean." How would he like to be remembered? "As a decisive president who took actions in favor of the people of Peru," he said. "As a president who took the bull by the horns." Copyright 2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
