Tribunal says: vetting "cannot serve as revenge"

Stepien said that positive vetting is only to eliminate threats to democracy, and that that businessmen, journalists, scientists and lecturers from private universities do not pose a threat - even if they worked with the secret service. The Tribunal found that they should not submit positive vetting statements. 90% of those supposed to submit statements waited for the verdict, while Law and Justice (PiS) tried to delay it. The Tribunal wanted to issue verdict before May 15, however, and on Friday Stepien announced that the process of publishing the verdict will be launched immediately. After publication in the journal of bills the Prime Minister's signature is still require, however, even if the verdict is not published by May 15 no one has to worry as fines for failing to submit declarations have also been dismissed. (Rzeczpospolita, May 12-13, p.A1, A3) M.M.