Daily News December 9, 2002	Days:  05 06 09 10 11

politics

PRESIDENT CONVINCED OF NECESSITY OF THE ANTI-CRIMINAL OPERATION

During the radio interview today President Eduard Shevardnadze said that the anti-criminal operation (commenced on December 7) is going to be a “lengthy process and not a temporary campaign”.

Meantime, the President noted that the operation “is not directed against the Chechens”, but aims at carrying out “preventive measures” and “consolidating the registration regime”.




CEC CONFIRMS ELECTION RESULTS IN ABASHA AND RUSTAVI

The Central Electoral Commission declared today at a meeting that Tengiz Kalandadze had become a majority deputy in the Abasha district (Samegrelo region), Roland Mgaloblishvili – in Rustavi.

Despite NGOs claims that the election in Rustavi failed due to low activity of voters, the district electoral committee ruled the election successful.




TWO TBILISI VICE-PREMIERS AND MAIN ARCHITECT CONFIRMED

Tbilisi Sakrebulo (self-government body) members unanimously confirmed today Giorgi Karbelashvili and Temur Kurkhuli on the posts of city vice premiers. The first one has held the post of Deputy Transport Minister, the second has been gamgebeli (head of the administration) of the capital’s Isani-Samgori district.

economics

PRESIDENT AGAIN STRESSES NECESSITY OF TAX CONCESSIONS IN ENERGY UNITS’ CONSTRUCTION

At today’s radio interview President Eduard Shevardnadze noted that in order to attract investments to the energy sphere “it is necessary to provide for tax concessions” in the new Taxing Code.

The President reported that he charged the Ministries of Finance, Fuel and Energy and Justice to within a week prepare a corresponding bill and submit it to the Government session for consideration.




GEORGIA TO RECEIVE 2M EUR FOR FUNDING AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS

Sean O’Grate, an EU expert said at a closed-door meeting with State Minister Avtandil Jorbenadze today 2 million EUR would be disbursed to the agricultural sector.

Minister of Agriculture and Food David Kirvalidze said this was the first installation of 12 million EUR that the country had to receive this year.




361,000 LARI TO BE DISBURSED FOR CULTIVATION OF UNIQUE VARIETIES OF GRAPES

Omar Chkhartishvili, chairman of the Samtrest department, said of 50 applicants in the November 29 tender 20 had been selected. They will get the sum from the budget under the unique sorts of grapes protection program.

business

DEBATES CONTINUE AROUND JSC AZOT’S PRIVATIZATION

At today’s press conference Solomon Pavliashvili, the Minster of State Property Management, reported that the agreement on JSC Azot’s disposal to Itera would be concluded after a month and a half. The Minister assured of the openness of this process, promising that the document would not be concluded “unless the Georgian side’s interests are clearly defined”.




UNITED GEORGIAN BANK STARTS REMOTE SERVICE

According to the United Georgian Bank (UGB), the remote service, offered to the clients, includes receiving of information and controlling of account through telephone and Internet (including through mobile connection), as well as the bank-client system.

Irakli Kovzanadze, the bank’s general manager, assures that the offered service’s security “corresponds to the international standards”.