Lithuania Replaces Impeached President

28 June 2004 -- Newly elected Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus has pledged to restore Lithuania as a "good partner" of the international community.
Adamkus's comments came as he celebrated his runoff election victory on 27 June over former Prime Minister Kazimira Prunskiene.

Electoral officials said Adamkus won a little over 52 percent of the vote, compared to 47.8 percent for Prunskiene.

The early election had been called following the April ouster of President Rolandas Paksas, who was impeached over alleged links to Russian organized crime and violations of the constitution.

The 77-year-old Adamkus previously served as Lithuanian president from 1998 until 2003, when he lost an election to Paksas.

Paksas supported Prunskiene in the election.

(AFP/AP/Reuters)