Vilnius, Nov 20: Lithuania's President Rolandas Paksas repeatedly ignored secret service warnings alleging his National Security Adviser had links with Russian mobsters, the country's foreign minister told a parliamentary probe Lithuania has been in turmoil since the secret service accused some of Paksas's aides, including security adviser Remigijus Acas, of serving Russian mafia interests.

Former stunt pilot Paksas denies wrongdoing, but the crisis is being investigated by a special parliamentary committee and prosecutors.

Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis told the committee yesterday some western ambassadors had warned the Baltic state, which is set to join Nato and the European Union next year, that Acas was a security risk. ''Ambassadors from Nato countries told me they were concerned about Acas's presence in the president's office,'' Valionis said.

Paksas, visiting Lithuanian soldiers in Iraq, was due back to Vilnius on Thursday and may appear before the committee next week amid growing calls for his resignation.


Bureau Report