Kohl refuses to reveal names, quits party post

By Batuk Gathani

BRUSSELS, JAN. 19. The former German Chancellor, Mr. Helmut Kohl was forced last night to resign as honorary chairman of the Christian Democratic Party (CDU), following his refusal to reveal the names of fund contributors to the party. It was an ignominious exit for a man who was Chancellor for 16 years and the architect of the German re-unification.

The cash donations scandal, which sparked a furore in the country, is now under police investigation. The former Interior Minister, Mr. Manfred Kanther, resigned his seat in parliament two days ago, becoming the first victim of the scandal. Mr. Kohl's resignation came shortly after the executive committee of the party instructed him to reveal the names of the secret donors who paid the mark equivalent of nearly Rs. 4 crores when he was Chancellor and party leader.

In a statement, Mr. Kohl said: ``The decision to resign is not an easy one. I have been a member of the Christian Democratic Party for 50 years. The party is and will remain my political home. But I am in no position to meet the party's demand that I break the promise I made to those who financially supported my work in the party.'' He added: ``I have served in important offices for four decades. In so doing, I have also made mistakes which I have publicly acknowledged. I have always tried to do my duty.''

The former Chancellor's admirers feel that Mr. Kohl has done the honourable thing by resigning. They feel his personal reputation is intact with his refusal to reveal the

names of the anonymous donors. It remains to be seen if other party leaders will follow suit. They have, so far resisted calls for resignation, choosing instead to fix the blame on their former leader. Their strategy smacks of opportunism and self- survival. It is no secret that senior CDU leaders in the Kohl era knew about the donations. In fact, these leaders even persuaded Mr. Wolfgang Schaeuble - Mr. Kohl's Number Two and obvious successor - not to quit.

The illegal contributions go beyond the funds controlled personally by Mr. Kohl, who has consistently maintained that he was not a beneficiary of the funds. The investigative authorities have, so far, not come up with any tangible evidence to contradict him. Mr. Kohl was wrong in not having declared the secret contributions to the authorities. It is ironical that his former proteges, who are equally involved in the campaign for party funds, have turned their former boss into a victim. Mr. Schaeuble has also admitted to taking a cash contribution from the same arms dealer, who allegedly gave donations to Mr. kohl, but he has been persuaded not to resign.

The ruling Social Democrats led by the Chancellor, Mr. Gerhard Schroeder, are keenly watching the unfolding crisis within the CDU. Many disillusioned CDU supporters could switch allegiance to the Social Democrats who are seen to be following business- friendly centrist policies. If the Social Democrats and the Greens party launch a bold reformist agenda, it will improve their chances of a second term in office.

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Section  : International
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