Neither has the President sent to Äripäev an e-mail nor has he confirmed the given allegation in any other way.
It is true that the Press Adviser to the President has told on the phone President Arnold Rüütel recollecting to have made donations to the mentioned political party in previous years and, prior to the elections in 1999, he may have made payments more frequently than usually.
Press Service of the Office of the President of the Republic expresses regrets about Äripäev having disseminated false information.
Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, February 28, 2002
