Incoming PM produces document to show he did not collaborate with communist-era secret police

The incoming Czech Prime Minister, Jiri Paroubek, has publicly presented a copy of a government document proving he did not collaborate with the StB, the communist-era secret police. The document, which dates back to 1992, was originally released by an independent committee for Czechoslovakia's Interior Ministry. Under the Communists Mr Paroubek was monitored by the StB, who listed him as a potential candidate for collaboration - a listing the secret police used to designate persons who failed to sign on.

On Friday Mr Paroubek even joked that the StB had a sense of humour when they code-named his file "Roko" - after his pet parrot.