Fujimori Resignation Rejected

L I M A, Peru, Nov. 22 -- Peru's Congress rejected PresidentAlberto Fujimori's resignation on Tuesday and instead declaredhim “morally unfit” and removed him as head of state — thefirst time such a censure has occurred in Peruvian history.

“This motion has been approved,” said Congress PresidentValentin Paniagua, a moderate opposition lawmaker who is nowalmost certain to take over as interim president on Wednesdayand lead Peru into April elections.

Bitter End

The way Fujimori announced that he was stepping down —from a hotel room in Japan—incensed the country andopposition legislators proposed a motion to reject hisresignation and formally remove him.

It was a dismal finale for Fujimori, who ruled Peru with aniron hand for 10 years, winning praise for defeating leftistguerrillas and licking hyperinflation but whose governmentgained one of Latin America’s worst rights records.

Opposition lawmakers—many of whom say Fujimori is adictator who won a third term in May by fraud—clapped andcheered after the vote. A Peruvian flag was waved from a publicgallery.

The motion was passed by 62 votes with nine against andnine abstentions. Another 29 pro-Fujimori lawmakers boycottedthe ballot.

Paniagua to Take Helm

The vote was also a step down the road to Congressofficially declaring Paniagua interim president on Wednesday.Fujimori’s two vice presidents—Francisco Tudela and RicardoMarquez—have both resigned.

Constitutional experts say Congress on Wednesday willformally accept Marquez’s resignation—thus making Paniaguathe leader of Peru.

During the debate, Fujimori’s defenders—their ranksdepleted by defections of six lawmakers in the wake of hisabsentee resignation—were drowned out by contemptuousopposition congressmen shouting “shame,” “immorality” and “sin”— referring to the president.