Daily News December 10, 2002	Days:  06 09 10 11 12

politics

INTERIOR AND SECURITY MINISTERS COMMENT ON COUNTER-CRIMINAL OPERATION

Interior Minister Koba Narchemashvili, in a live program of the first state channel last night, said while commenting on the reasons for conducting counter-criminal operation, there had been information on a possible “new criminal wave in Pankisi” and intended terrorist attacks against certain people aimed at disposing the public against the authorities.

Commenting on the Chechens’ detention in Tbilisi, the Minister said: “If I say that the factor of Chechens was not in focus that would not be true, but this was not an act directed against the Chechens”.




LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM PREPARES FOR REFORMS

Bills on reforming the law enforcement structures are due to be introduced to Parliament in February, said Jemal Gakhokidze, the secretary of the National Security Council.

Improving legislation in the sector presents the first stage, he said.




RESULTS OF MAJORITY DEPUTIES ELECTIONS CONFIRMED

It was reported at today’s session of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) that Avtandil Tevzadze became the majority-deputy from Samtredia district.

As for the capital’s Saburtalo district, the CEC declared it a failure due to the light poll (under one third of voters took vote).

economics

FINANCE MINSTER TO NEGOTIATE RESTITUTION OF FOREIGN DEBT TO 3 COUNTRIES

According to the Finance Ministry’s press service, within the framework of Minister Mirian Gogiashvili’s visit (December 10-14) to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Iran, agreements will be concluded on Georgia’s foreign debt restitution.

It is noted that in concordance with the Paris Club of State Creditors’ resolution, from March 5, 2000 the debt’s capital amount will be liable to restitution for 21 years.




WFP TO EXTEND FOOD ASSISTANCE TO MESTIA DISTRICT

According to the Agriculture and Food Ministry, 11,000 persons will receive the 22 tons of flour, 17 tons of sunflower oil and 11 tons of sugar, delivered within the framework of the World Food Program (WFP) to Mestia (high-mountain region of Svaneti) at the end of November. It is noted that this is the first time the WFP extended assistance to the Svaneti district.




THIS TIME GEORGIA MANAGES TO PAY GAS COST

Minister of Fuel and Energy David Mirtskhulava yesterday asked the Tbilisi Sakrebulo (the self-government body) in a letter for a subsidy of 3.2 million Lari to cover the cost of gas consumed by the capital in November. Otherwise, he stated in the letter, the city would stay without gas on December 15.




GOVERNMENT ADMITS INEFFICIENCY OF MEASURES AGAINST CIGARETTE SMUGGLING

The problem of tobacco products’ smuggling was considered during today’s session with State Minister Avtandil Jorbenadze. Jorbenadze said that “the state structures are helpless against the tobacco smuggling” and that “despite their big efforts, no real results are visible”.

business

9^TH POWER BLOCK RESUMES OPERATION

Irakli Melashvili, the lobbyist of AES, the US company, in Georgia, said the 9^th block of AES Mtkvari (capital’s basic thermal power station) commenced operation today and would generate 150 mW by the evening. Afterseveral days, it will reach its maximum capacity of 180-200 mW.




FIRST SPECIALIZED TRADING TAKES PLACE AT GESE

18.59% of shares of JSC Khashuri Glass Plant were set up for sale at the first specialized trading with stated-owned enterprises’ shares on the Georgian Stock Exchange today. Only one deal was concluded with 50 shares sold.