Shevardnadze Denies that He Obstructs Anticorruption Bill

(Tbilisi, January 14, Civil Georgia) – President Shevardnadze denied accusation of radical reformers’ team that he hinders discussion of draft “Law on Return of the Unjustified Property to the State”, which would allow for confiscation of the property of public officials origins of which can not be justified through their tax files.
 
“I do not have enough influence on the Parliament any more to convince legislators doing something,” Eduard Shevardnadze stated at the briefing on January 14.

Shevardnadze announces that the outcome of the privatization of state property will not be revised. President stated that Justice Ministry would create a new version of the draft law.

The draft law was first presented last summer by then-Justice Minister Mikhail Saakashvili. Heated debates on the draft triggered Saakashvili’s resignation in September 2001.