Paroubek removed Zdenek Dolezel from office Aug. 29, one working day after the prime minister received a cassette recording of a meeting between Dolezel and Polish lobbyist Jacek Spyra.

According to Czech media Spyra worked for the Czech company Seta Trade, which ultimately lost its bid for a controlling stake in Unipetrol, an oil and chemical company, to PKN Orlen. Polish oil group PKN Orlen won the Unipetrol tender in May with an offer of 13 billion Kc ($535.6 million).

On the recording, made by TV Nova, Dolezel allegedly uses coded language to discuss what appears to be a bribe and fails to protest when Spyra discusses kickbacks accepted by other government leaders.

"Hearing what he heard," Paroubek told reporters, "Dolezel should have stood up and left."

As head of the government office, Dolezel arranged Paroubek's meetings and trips abroad. Besides firing Dolezel, Paroubek pressed criminal corruption charges against him and Spyra.

On the tapes, Dolezel says, "Let's meet in the forest. On the table will be five," according to Mladá fronta Dnes. Dolezel denies that "five" indicated a 5 million Kc bribe.

"I meant we should eat at a restaurant near Krcsky´ forest" in Prague 4, Dolezel told the newspaper. Five was a code that meant "high functionaries will join us," he said.

Dolezel said he met with Spyra to discuss investigations by a Polish prosecutor into possible corruption surrounding the Unipetrol privatization.

TV Nova said it planned to air tapes Aug. 30 of four meetings between Spyra and Dolezel. Among other prominent politicians mentioned by Spyra in connection with kickbacks is former Prime Minister Stanislav Gross, according to Czech press reports.