Fujimori to Stay in Japan

L I M A, Peru, Nov. 21 -- A disgraced President Alberto Fujimori today saidhe would stay in Japan “for a long time,” while the leader of Peru’s opposition-controlled Congress emerged as his likely successor.

After Fujimori’s resignation, two of his former allies in line to succeed him stepped aside. That opened the way today for Valentin Paniagua, a political moderate aligned with the opposition, to become interim president until a new president is sworn in July 28 after April elections.

While many Peruvians celebrated at home, Fujimori said he was talking to Japan’s Foreign Ministry about staying in his ancestral homeland, though he said he was not seeking political asylum.

“I want to go back [to Peru] someday, but I don’t know when,” Fujimori said today at a news conference at the Tokyo hotel where he has been holed up. “I should be here for a long time.”

Fujimori, 62, the Peruvian-born son of Japanese immigrants, had little to say about why he had resigned, saying the reasons would be made public someday.

But he insisted his decision to stay in Japan had “nothing to do with the scandal” that led to the collapse of his rule. He also denied having bank accounts abroad — apparently referring to suspicions he was connected to the millions of dollars his former spymaster, Vladimiro Montesinos, allegedly stole from state coffers.

Fujimori soared into office 10 years ago in a stunning election upset. He subdued leftist insurgencies and brought economic chaos to heel while imposing an authoritarian rule. His popularity in his third term was eroded by corruption scandals surrounding Montesinos.

After he submitted his resignation Monday, Fujimori’s jubilant foes cavorted in public fountains or raised signs declaring: “The people have triumphed, the dictatorship has fallen!”

Opposition Poised to Take Over

Congress today voted to accept the resignation of FirstVice President Francisco Tudela, removing him from the line of succession and opening the way for a vote, expected later in the day, to confirm Paniagua as interim president.