GEORGIA AND UKRAINE READY TO STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP IN ALL DIRECTIONS
This is the information delivered by the President of Georgia, while commenting his weekend visit in Ukraine. In Shevardnadze’s words, he has held a “unique negotiations” with the President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma, during which the sides managed to reach a complete mutual understanding in all the questions.
PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA STRESSED GREAT IMPORTANCE OF REGIONAL COOPERATION IN FOREIGN POLICY
Eduard Shevardnadze made this announcement in his radio interview today, commenting on his last week’s visit in Armenia. He noted the completely satisfactory level of the bilateral relations and the perfect potential for their future development.
SHEVARDNADZE IS READY TO MEDIATE IN CHECHNYA-RUSSIAN NEGOTIATIONS
As the President of Georgia declared at the briefing today, this is possible in case of consent of the both sides. Besides, he noted that Russia and Chechnya are not in need of mediators, as they can settle the relations themselves.
GEORGIA WILL CONSIDER THE ISSUE OF ITS PRESENCE AT THE CIS PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
Today, at the briefing the President has not excluded the possibility to refuse to participate in it. This has been prompted by the Russian observers’ presence at the presidential elections in Abkhazia, not acknowledged by Georgia as well as the world community.
ARDZINBA HAS RECEIVED 99% OF VOTES
This information has been fanned by mass media of the self-declared Republic, supporting on the Central Electoral Committee’s data (CEC). According to the same data, 96% of the population has voted affirmatively on the current constitution during the referendum held in parallel to the presidential elections.
SHEVARDNADZE DOES NOT APPROVE NOMINATION OF ABASHIDZE AS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
This is the information delivered by the President of Georgia at the briefing today, noting that “the Ajarian leader should not have done this on this stage”. Shevardnadze expressed his opinion that it would be better to utilize “illegal resources” used by Abashidze for his pre election campaign, for the population of the Republic.
TODAY THE FRENCH PATROL BOAT ENTERED POTI PORT WITH A FRIENDLY VISIT
The crew of the antisubmarine patrol boat (port of registry – Toulon) will meet Georgian mariners. The French divers will share their experience with them.
THE COMMITTEES AND FRACTIONS OF THE PARLIAMENT HAVE STARTED THE DISCUSSION OF THE DRAFT BUDGET FOR 2000
The next year’s budget revenue has been forecasted to be around 883.1 million Lari, expenditure – around 1.34 billion Lari. The budget deficit will make up 457.6 million Lari, that is the one third of all the supplies of the budget.
THE PRESIDENT THINKS THAT MEASURES AGAINST TAX DODGERS ARE TO BE TIGHTENED
Shevardnadze made this announcement today in his radio interview refering to the IMF experts, which pointed to the presence of the unutilized reserves in the Georgian taxing sphere. Noting the certain progress in the works of the tax services, the President stressed once again that “taxes are to be paid by everyone”.