Mariano Rajoy (main photo, right), the president of the right-wing Partido Popular yesterday stated that it was "absolutely shameful" that two socialist members of the Valencian parliament, Antoni Such and Jose Camarasa, record conversations with businessmen, and present a "completely vapid" case to the Valencian Courts.

Mr Rajoy added that in his opinion the two members of the Valencian parliament now have "a terrific political responsibility" following these events.

He added: "I find it incredible that two socialist MPs can record conversations with some businessmen inside the regional parliament building, and from what I understand, they were also paid for their declarations."

Mr Rajoy voiced his complete support for his spokesman Eduardo Zaplana (photo, centre), and said: "this attack on him is an attempt by the socialist government to draw a smokescreen across other far more important subjects that affect all of Spain such as what is happening in Bolivia or people being jailed illegally."

Camps attacks socialists over Zaplana corruption probe
By: valencialife.net
Tuesday, May 16, 2006

After the presentation of the action plan 2006-2010 for the Valencia Metro service, regional president, Francisco Camps (second photo), gave a press conference during which he stated that he: "fully supported without any reservations whatsoever" the actions of former president Eduardo Zaplana over the creation of the Terra Mitica theme park.

He added that the main problem for the region is the socialist party, "As I consider it quite scandalous that socialist members of the Valencian parliament have a meeting and then record it, which now appears to be the norm of the socialist government."

He went on by saying: "All the accounts of Terra Mitica have been registered, audited and justified, and the honesty and honour of the Partido Popular has never been placed in doubt. For all the years the PP has been in power in the region, everyone has constantly been aware of their improved lifestyle and general living conditions thanks entirely to the policies that we have undertaken that are always clear, honest and fulfill our election promises. I am seeking an immediate explanation from the socialists as to how it is possible that two members of the Valencian parliament undertake these recordings, that in themselves are completely illegal, and then, without any sort of proof or foundation whatsoever, suddenly turn around and level their accusations at a high-ranking former regional president."

Zaplana faces theme park fraud charges
By: valencialife.net
Saturday, May 13, 2006

An official complaint has been made against Eduardo Zaplana, PP party spokesman and former regional president of Valencia, alleging that he along with two businessmen was involved in a massive financial fraud over the construction of the Terra Mitica theme park in Benidorm.

Socialist MPs Jose Camarasa and Antoni Such also presented what they alleged were tape recordings which directly involved Mr Zaplana in the receipt of kickbacks for works contracts, and added that the invoices they presented were deliberately inflated to pay commissions.

It is further alleged that these ended up in a numbered account in a bank in Andorra held in the name of Vicente Conesa, "who then shared the proceeds with Eduardo Zaplana."

For his part, Mr Zaplana stated that he was intent on taking legal action against the two socialist MPs for presenting such allegations, and added that he was also intent on asking government first vice-president Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega during the next parliamentary session why she had sent messages to several journalists about the complaint prior to it being made public.

Mr Zaplana added in a statement that these allegations "which I have been told by the prosecutor do not involve me in any judicial case whatsoever, are an accumulation of various complaints made against the PP by the socialist party, but this time they have completely overstepped the mark."