MPS NOTE AGAINST ESCALATING TENSION IN KODORY THE POWER STRUCTURES REMAIN UNDERFINANCED
(Daily News: April 18, 2002)
Deputy Iveri Chelidze said today armed forces of the Abkhazian separatists and the Russian militaries are being concentrated on the territory adjoining the Kodory gorge. The Deputy (the President’s former representative in Kodory) warned about possible complication of the situation in the gorge, which is the only territory of Abkhazia, controlled by Tbilisi.
PRESIDENT THREATENS TO SACK MINISTERS
(Daily News: April 17, 2002)
The Finance Minister and the Minister of Fuel and Energy face a threat of dismissal due to a failure to meet IMF recommendations, the next mission of which has been visiting Tbilisi since April 25. Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze said at a government session today he is poised to dismiss ministers unless they fail to meet recommendation in ten days.
AGREEMENT ON RESTRUCTURING OF THE DEBT TO KAZAKHSTAN TO BE SIGNED WITHIN A MONTH
(Daily News: April 17, 2002)
Agreement on restructuring of the $27 million debt was initialed in the course of Georgia’s Finance Minister Zurab Nogaideli’s last week visit to Kazakhstan.
The Kazakh Government consented to restructuring of the debt capital amount subject to conditions of the Paris Club.
NEW RULES IN THE SPHERE OF TV-RADIO-BROADCASTING RATIFIED IN THE FIRST HEARING
(Daily News: April 12, 2002)
At today’s Parliament plenary meeting corresponding amendments (considered yesterday) were ratified into the law on post and communications (116 MPs – “in favor”, 1 – “against”). The bill, submitted on the initiative of the Branch Economy Committee determines procedure of issuing licenses in the television-radio-broadcasting sphere as well as rights and responsibilities of operators.
CHANGES MADE TO ELECTION CODE AND LAW ON SELF-GOVERNMENT
(Daily News: April 11, 2002)
Parliament last night confirmed amendments to the law on self-government with 112 MPs voting for it and 32 – against. In accordance with the changes elections of local self-government bodies on the first level (villages, townships) will be held according to the majority system, on the second level (regions and cities) – the proportional system.
THE FINANCE MINISTRY INTENDS TO INTRODUCE AMENDMENTS INTO THE BUDGET SYSTEM
(Daily News: April 8, 2002)
Today Finance Minster Zurab Nogaideli held a presentation of the bill on the budget system that is to establish order into the said sphere.
It was stressed the document, in particular, envisages conceptual approach to the procedures, related to the coverage of the external debt, opening of the single consolidated account at the Treasury, replacement of the word “sequestration” by “supplemental budget” and other amendments.
FINANCE MINISTRY RELEASES PRELIMINARY BUDGET RESULTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER
(Daily News: April 2, 2002)
According to Finance Minister Zurab Nogaideli, the first quarter budget “is basically performed”. According to the preliminary data, the plan of budget revenues is implemented by 93%, including 100% by the Tax and 91% by the Customs Department.
CITIZENS’ UNION CONGRESS TO DECIDE PARTY’S FUTURE
(Daily News: April 1, 2002)
Eduard Shevardnadze commented in a radio interview today on his last week’s meeting with the core of Citizens’ Union. President is still a member of the former ruling party the reformative team of which under the ex-speaker Zurab recently declared that the party was in opposition.
QUESTION OF TRANSFERRING POTI TERMINALS TO INVESTOR FOR MANAGEMENT STILL NOT SOLVED
(Daily News: March 29, 2002)
The terminals were planned to be transferred to an investor for management as early as 2000, however, due to a prolonged suit between the Poti port and Sameba, the wine firm (claiming the lot on the territory of the 7th terminal), the tender has yet to be announced.
Court at all levels ruled in favor of the port, however, the lawsuit continues as the Supreme Court sent the case back to the District Court, Gia Todua, head of the Department of the State Property Management Ministry, told Sarke.
EX-SPEAKERS DOES NOT INTEND TO LEAVE CITIZENS’ UNION
(Daily News: March 29, 2002)
Today the State Office hosted a meeting between representatives of Citizens’ Union (CU) and Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze. The ex-speaker Zurab Zhvania participated in the meeting as well.
COMMERCIAL BANKS ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA PREPARES PLANS FOR NEXT TWO YEARS
(Daily News: March 28, 2002)
The organization will promote the development of banking activity and formation of financial markets, the president of the association Zurab Gvasalia told Sarke. The association will focus on expanding service area, crediting a real sector of economics, changing legal norms in the mortgaging sphere.
PARLIAMENT WILL APPEAL TO WORLD COMMUNITY
(Daily News: March 28, 2002)
Parliament today decided to hold a plenary meeting on March 29 in order to prepare a document on an external threat posing to Georgia.
Ex-speaker Zurab Zhvania offered to appeal to those international organizations the duty of which is to insure security.
GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS RESTRUCTURING OF OVERDUE TAX LIABILITIES
(Daily News: March 27, 2002)
Reporting on overdue debts to the budget at a govern session today Levan Dzenaldze, the Tax Revenues Minister, offered to restructure one part and to write off another (bad debts).
34,500 enterprises have overdue debts from the line of Tax Department (by January 1, 2002 data).
LOCAL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 2
(Daily News: March 27, 2002)
Georgian President said at a government session today he would signed a decree on holding local administration and self-government elections on June 2 after considering the question with leaders of Parliamentary factions yesterday.
Zurab Tkemaladze, an MP, told Sarke, Shevardnadze supports holding election on proportional principle, but insists that Gamgebeli (head of the regional administration) be appointed by President.
JUSTICE MINISTRY PRESENTS ITS ALTERNATIVE OF THE BILL ON ILLEGAL PROPERTY
(Daily News: March 26, 2002)
Parliament has not made a final decision on the bill on illegal property after considering it today. It is expected to put to vote the two versions of the bill, prepared by the Justice Ministry and the MP Mikheil Saakashvili respectively, on March 29.
NGO VERSUS NGO OR IN THE RACE FOR “SUCCESSION”
(Weekly Press Digest: March 24, 2002)
It’s a pity everything is so politicized, Akhali Taoba writes, noting the involvement of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the confrontation within the Citizens’ Union (CU) was not difficult to predict. Every more or less solid NGO is related to politics, irrespective of what a grant is allocated for – protection of prisoners’ rights, cultivation of beetles or accomplishment of public toilets, the newspaper writes.
THE GRANTS BECAME THE OBJECT OF PARTICULAR ATTENTION
(Daily News: March 21, 2002)
At present the Finance Ministry continues work on the bill on humanitarian aid and state grants. The Press Center Head Keti Akhalkatsi told Sarke, the final version of the document will be submitted to the Parliament by May 1.
INTRA-PARTY INTRIGUE
(Weekly Press Digest: March 17, 2002)
According to Rezonansi, the Citizens Union (CU) intra-party demolition is entering the new phase. Not long ago election posters claimed the CU is the President's party, the newspaper reminds, today the reformers under ex-Speaker Zurab Zhvania dissociate with the President and name the State Head wrong domestic and foreign policy as a reason.
TREASURY REFORM TO START IN MAY
(Daily News: March 13, 2002)
The process had to start in January but was postponed due to technical reasons, said Zurab Nogaideli, the Finance Minister. The reform, which envisages closing transit accounts and opening a single budget account in the National Bank, will be conducted in four stages.
CHANGES EXPECTED IN CUSTOMS DUTIES
(Daily News: March 13, 2002)
The Finance Ministry offers making some changes to the law on customs tariffs and duties. It, in particular, proposes to increase the tariff on imported goods manufactured in Georgia as well.
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