President Vows Amnesty in Return for ?Legalization of Businesses?

President Saakashvili offers big business an informal amnesty in return for better tax discipline.

He told the press conference on February 20 that all the companies and businessmen will be offered amnesty, if until April 1 they indicate in their tax declarations previous cases of tax evasion and repay the debts.

He said that no criminal charges would be brought against those businessmen, who ?legalized their businesses.?

?I give my presidential word that the relevant corrections will be made to the law and these people [businessmen] will be free from any responsibility, if they pay the previously hidden taxes and legalize their incomes,? Saakashvili said at a news briefing on February 20.