N264 (93) Thursday, June 16th, 2005
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Various
All Tenders
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Parliamentary Round-up
Old and New Problems
The Georgian parliament is confronting two extremes: according to its chair, Nino Burjanadze, if the committees do not shape up their work, soon issues for the plenary session will run . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Towards Europe with Georgian light-heartedness?
Georgian politicians adore European values in words, but sometimes their deeds and behavior give an impression of being disorganized. On Tuesday, the meeting with a respectable delegation from the Council . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
All Is Not Gold That Glitters
On the agenda of a parliament plenary sessions of November 22-27, there is included a seemingly routine subject the bill on nullifying the law on State Control, Marking and . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Parliament and Government Play Ping-Pong with Bills
Apparently financial amnesty represents neither a strategic approach nor a conceptual vision of the government. Its aim more likely is to decide the fate of officials and businessmen comprising Eduard . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Grappling Over a Double-edged Sword: Majoritys Majority Opposes Government
We should immediately finish the bureau session, otherwise an unpleasant ending is inevitable, Nino Burjanadze, chair of the Georgian parliament, half-jokingly addressed the participants of yesterdays session. The speakers joke . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Rightist Opposition Scoffed at as Education Bill Passes with Ease
The Rightists tried to thwart the bill on higher education but received negative results. Despite their opposition, parliament approved the document by a margin of 143 to 10 at the . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Neutralization of Ardzinba Getting Expensive for Abkhazians
Exactly in a week, on December 6, inauguration of the self-proclaimed republic of Abkhazias president should be held. Sergey Baghapsh diligently strives towards the cherished goal. He made a rather . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Zviadists and Wayward Ships Top Talk in Parliament
In parliament, National Forces Union representatives reminded the government that the dismantling of Eduard Shevardnadzes regime commenced in Tsalenjikha [a district in the western Georgian region of Samegrelo] and with . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Second Take of Public Television
Yesterday, the new proposed bill on Broadcasting was discussed at a second hearing at three parliamentary committees namely the Legal Affairs, Science, and Sectoral Economy Committees. The debates lasted . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Kote Gabashvili VS Heikki Talvitie
Visit of the Foreign Affairs Minister, Salome Zurabishvili, to the parliament never ends without vociferous statements. Last visit was not the exception too. The only difference was that if previously . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Parliament and Government Weak Without President
In Georgian politics all roads lead to Mikheil Saakashvili as soon as a disagreement arises between the government and the parliamentary majority both sides address the president to find . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Government Empties Gotsiridzes Purse
Yesterday, the parliament of Georgia supported the Tax Code with the second hearing 136 votes for and 13 against. As a result of this, Roman Gotsiridze, chair of the . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Episode II The State Budget of 2005
The draft laws on the new Tax Code and Higher Education are no longer intriguing; parliament has already rolled them over with two hearings, which means that no further obstacles . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Foreigners Find no Fault with Budget Draft
Noghaideli Gets A+
Yesterday, the parliament of Georgia returned to the 2005 state budget draft, approved with the first hearing. Opening season with the second hearing was also attended by Finance Minister Zurab . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Final Autumn Break of Parliament
The autumn session of the parliament was officially closed after the bureau session on December 17. Now the winter vacation is still to come. An extraordinary session, which will last . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
New Year Tree in Georgian Parliament... Crammed with Bills
Parliament of Georgia plans to become world-famous; according to Roman Gotsiridze, head of the Finance-Budgetary Committee, more than 100 bills should be adopted during the small period before the New . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Purse of Power Ministries Grows Bigger
The government of Georgia pays 126 million GEL for augmenting defense ability of the state in 2005. The progress in the issue of financing the Defense Ministry will become even . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Conservatives Unhappy with Government
The Conservative party of Zviad Dzidziguri and Koba Davitashvili are accusing the Georgian government of ignoring events unfolding in Abkhazia. Davitashvili and Dzidziguri qualify Russiaâs behavior as blatant interference in . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
NGO Stand Together on South Ossetian Problem
The events of the second half of 2004 have demonstrated that the curing of “paralyzed” Osetian limb is a very dangerous process and this may cause permanent harm to the . . .
Various
Giorgi Asanishvili
Opposition Cannot Forget About Georgian Ocean Shipping Company
The noise caused by the privatization of the Georgian Ocean Shipping Company has not eased even after the opening of bids. The Right-wing Opposition thinks that the bidding process brings . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Russias Good Intentions are Misunderstood In Georgia:
Russians are hostages to their own myths
When rumors become old, they become myths; Russians are hostages to their own myths. The Russian Embassy in Tbilisi has dug up again on January 17, 2005 the temporarily forgotten . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Burjanadze Asks For Help
Nino Burjanadze, chair of Georgian Parliament, appealed to the United Nations, the European Union, the European Parliament, and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on behalf of the Georgian . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Lavrov’s Confession
Russia Blocked the OSCE Mission
At a press conference on Russian foreign policy, Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke about the future of Georgian-Russian relations. He says he is planning an official visit to . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
All the World Can See Our Real Desires
Nino Burjanadze, Chairperson of the Georgian Parliament shares some initial comments on Mikheil Saakashvili, the President of Georgia, January 26 speech on the occasion of the first part of session . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Georgian MPs must change their ways – “on the straight and narrow path”
The spring session of the Georgian parliament will officially commence on February 1, 2005 and will be followed by a plenary session on February 8. Nino Burjanadze, Speaker of Georgian . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Five Steps in Conflict Resolution
Non-governmental organizations continue to work under the direction of President Mikheil Saakashvili and provide him the most complete model that can be used in how to solve conflicts. Aside from . . .
Crime
Giorgi Asanishvili
Zurab Zhvania Responds to Opponents via Radio
According to Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania, the public excitement around the Ocean Shipping Company was artificial and groundless. As he states, the privatization process is transparent and the government . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Spring Session of Georgian Parliament to Officially Open & Various bills to consider and debates to take place
Mikheil Machavarian, Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament officially opened the spring sessions on February 1, in session main hall. The MPs paid tribute to victims of the terrorist act . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Alternative Military Service
The introduction of a bill for an alternative civilian obligatory service was recently presented to Parliamentary Committee of Defense and Security. The ombudsman Sozar Subari introduced the proposed legislation to . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania Dies
Yesterday morning, Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania was found dead. According to preliminary statements, carbon monoxide poisoning was the cause of death. . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Proposals on South Ossetian Status Becoming Fashionable in Georgia
The Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs has become a magnet for proposals on the status of South Ossetia. The Committee has been systematically discussing different proposals from several non-governmental organizations. . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Noghaideli’s “First Night” and “First Impression” by the Parliament
Old Habits are hard to break … but better later than never
The nomination of Zurab Noghaideli as the candidate to the post of Georgian Prime Minister came as an eye-opening event for Nino Burjanadze, Speaker of the Georgian Parliament. She said, . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Koba Davitashvili’s Meets the Government Half Way …
MP Koba Davitashvili tends to disappear from Georgian political scene at critical moments, as was the case in the run-up to the Rose Revolution. And the same track record holds . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Unmasking the Events of February 2005 Deaths, party politics, and terrorist acts
So many things have happened during the first 10 days of February 2005 and these events and fallout provide us more than enough grounds for arguments and discussions that will . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
New Government, Old Programs and Faces
Some old faces will be seen in the new government majority. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili presented the new government to Parliament on February 11 and it became clear that 10 . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Conservatives and Republicans Dislike Government
From the hall, someone said . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Constitutional Revisions in Parliament
At its second hearing yesterday, Parliament voted in favor (181 to 1) of proposed Constitutional . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
PHP: Kublashvili’s Formula of Success
Yesterday Georgian parliament unanimously supported candidacy of Kote Kublashvili for the post of the Supreme Court chair. Kublashvili’s formula of success is quite simple; it is based on three principles . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Echo of Georgian-Ossetian Conflict in Parliament
Like a boomerang, criticism of the government always comes back to the Rightwing Opposition. Yesterday was no exception, when Mamuka Katsitadze named Mikheil Kareli as the local father of contraband. . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
New Parliament with “Old Habits”
Georgian Parliament works with a strange schedule and with some habits that are reminiscent of another administration. The working schedule of the plenary sessions illustrates the point, which ended on . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Parliament’s “Reaper Blade” Sharpened on Site
Yesterday Parliament had a second hearing to discuss a proposed constitutional amendment reducing the number of MPs from 235 to 150. The third hearing, to be scheduled sometime in the . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Schools ‘Call For’ MPs
Discussion of the Law on General Education, taking place in the Georgian parliament yesterday, was as clamorous and excited as the discussion of the Law on Higher Education at one’s . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Help Wanted: “Truant Officer Needed to Control MPs”
When working turns into torture….
The parliament leadership tries to improve the undisciplined parliamentarians, to rein them in, and show them the right path into the session hall, and to keep them on the straight . . .
Society
Giorgi Asanishvili
Liberty Institute: Freedom of Speech Under Attack
Nata Imedaishvili, head of the information service of Adjarian television, retired yesterday as a sign-off protest. She spoke about the pressure she was under from Zaza Khalvashi, head of Adjaran . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
NATO Sends Liaison Officer to Tbilisi
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has announced it will send a liaison officer to Georgia under the Partnership for Peace program, PfP. The Georgian Parliament’s Defense and Security Committee unanimously . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Parliament Shows Red Card to Russian Military Bases
The first issue for tomorrow’s plenary session at parliament will be a bill declaring Russian military bases in Georgia as illegal. Mikheil Machavariani, the vice speaker of Georgian Parliament, considers . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Beginning of the End of Russian Military Bases in Georgia Vote to be held today or tomorrow morning
The joint session of the Parliamentary Committees of Foreign Affairs and Defense and Security resulted in unanimous vote to adopt the bill making the existing Georgia of Russian military bases . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Parliament’s Verdict on Russian Bases
With 158 votes in favor yesterday, Georgian Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution on Military Bases of the Russian Federation Stationed on Georgian Territory. The MPs dubbed their decision “historic,” stood . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Tragic Events: December-January 1991-1992 Was it “Coup d’etat” – or not?
A political evaluation of the events of December-January 1991-1992 – overthrowing of the first democratically elected president of Georgia by force – is still too early. The situation was extremely . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Trips Abroad for MPs – Perks or Punishment
It has been already two years since Georgian parliamentarians consistently failed to fully participate in different events and be represented in international organizations. Many MPs want to travel, but existing . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Opposition Cant Topple Lomaia
Georgian parliament has offered its support to Kakha Lomaia, the minister of education and science of Georgia. Parliament has rejected the Rightist Oppositions proposal to begin procedure for Lomaias dismissal . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Parliament Approves National Bank Council
Parliament has approved a new staff for the National Bank Council. The following candidates have been chosen: Roman Gotsiridze, Chair of Financial-Budgetary Committee; Eka Galdava, member of International Monetary Fund . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Presidents Salary and Button Pressing
Deputy Finance Minister Giorgi Godabrelidze presented a draft law to raise the presidents salary to 4,000 GEL. Godabrelidze said that the salary was originally set to increase to 7,000 GEL, . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Georgiaâs âBright Economic Futureâ or Wishful Thinking
Proposed amendments to the 2005 Georgian budget began . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Charges From the âRightâ â Smuggling Continues in Shida Kartli
The Rightist Opposition raises grave charges against the Georgian government. According to MP Pikria Chikhradze, despite the fact that some officials have been severely punished over smuggling in the Shida . . .
Economy
Giorgi Asanishvili
Parliament vs. Government â âThank You and Finger Pointingâ Inflation Pressures and Diesel Fuel Heat Up Debates
Last week Zurab Noghaideliâs cabinet of ministers had it first âcontactâ with the legislative branch of government which is two months following the formation of the new government. The parliament . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Government Will Not Commit Political Suicide
Finance Minister Valeri Chechelashvili cannot get used to the habits of Georgian parliament. Like a true, punctual diplomat, he comes to committee sessions on time and waits for MPs to . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Money and Time Parasites in Parliament
Members of Georgian parliament have found paradise on earth: the law does not oblige them to do or contribute anything valuable. Georgian MPs only have to appear at parliament a . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
MPs Donât Give âLicenseâ For Licenses
The right hand of Georgian executive body does not know what the left is doing: Yesterday, when president Mikheil Saakashvili was speaking at the State Chancellery about the reduction of . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Future Ambassadors Criticized in Parliament
Georgian MPs, Work Ethics and Political Diplomats
Government ministers still have not adjusted and fully embraced to the specifics of life and work as a member of the Georgian parliament. As a rule, members of Prime Minister . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Definitive Assessment Impossible Ombudsman Reports to Parliament
Ombudsman Sozar Subari finds it difficult to make any definitive assessment of the situation regarding human rights protection in Georgia, stating that in some spheres the situation is better while . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Finger Pointing and Moot Points in Georgian Parliament
Nino Burjanadze, the chair of the Georgian Parliament, said that there was no personal divide between her and Salome Zurabishvili, minister of foreign affairs. However, in spite of public statements, . . .
Capital characters
Giorgi Asanishvili
Not Terrorists, But Political Bombshells in Parliament
âI will tear off your earsâ
The warning about the bomb in Parliament fortunately appeared to be a false alarm and there was not an explosion on Tuesday. Nonetheless, Georgia MPs were in an âexplosiveâ mood. . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Public Forum Addresses Foreign Policy
Members of the oppositionist union National Forum gathered at the Tori Hotel on April 24 to discuss priorities in foreign policy. Akaki Asatiani, one of the founders of this union, . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
A Year on Legislative Olympus
Burjanadze to âIgnorantâ MPs: âYouâve Been Working Here for a Year and Still Canât Understand the Difference Between Secret and Open Ballots?â
A year has passed after the current parliament began operating. MPs themselves are satisfied with their work, unlike most of the public. âMaybe not everything was perfect, but I think . . .
News
Giorgi Asanishvili
New CEC and Public Broadcasterâ Filled Board
Georgian parliament approved new Central Election Commission members on Friday after strained debates. Gia Kavtaradze was elected to the commissionâs chairmanship with 147 votes followed by Lukhum Burjaliani, Gizo Mchedlidze, . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Baltic Path to European Integration
Years ago, the Baltic States and Georgia never had very close relations. These relations became closer after Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were accepted to the club of âelite European statesâ . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
We Do Not Envy Lithuania - We Only Wish To Be As Successful
Like the other two Baltic States, Lithuania has waited 11 years to join the Northern Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU). At a press conference with Georgian . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Alexandr Lukashenko Will Become Persona Non Grata Soon
Georgian Parliament is promptly reacting to the decision of Belarus President Alexandr Lukashenko that would establish a one-sided visa regime for Georgian citizens. At the initiative of Kote Gabashvili, chair . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
,
Arnold Kalandadze
French Consul Sparks Scandal
Georgian officials have always been hesitant to criticize western diplomats in public. But parliamentâs foreign relations committee chairman Kote Gabashvili was the first to break the âtaboo.â Recent denial by . . .
Politics
Giorgi Asanishvili
Summer Session Ends, Parliamentary Fights Continue
The opposition has demanded the new staff of Central Election Commission (CEC) to appear before parliament. On June 15, Rightists and Conservatives stated that the partial controllers of the National . . .
