Parliament Sessions Weekly Review. October 9-12, 2001
OCTOBER 9, TUESDAY
Plenary session began with the statement of MPs on Abkhazia issue. MPs demanded closing the session and hearing of law enforcement ministers. They couldn’t hide the indignation on informational vacuum the legislative authority appeared.
MPs acknowledged the loss of informational war with Russia. According to them in comparison with Russian mass media Georgian media acts in discordance with authority and often spreads one another excluding information. The leader of faction “Alliance for new Georgia” Irakli Gogava demanded the creation of special information bureau, where from the information of national interest level will be spread.
1. Resolution decree on “stopping authority to MP Roland Giligashvili before term”.
For – 124
Against – 0
2. Draft project on “changes and amendments to Georgian Organic Law “Georgian Election Code”.
The member of committee on Legal Issues, the Legitimacy and Administrative Reforms and Vakhtang Khmaladze represented the draft project.
Vakhtang Khmaladze declared that all paragraphs related to formation of election commissions were taken out temporary, as the issue still stays disagreed among different political powers. Represented project included only those paragraphs without their irresolution election process could fail.
Request to president on approving election date in the beginning of December were attached in the end of project. It’s remarkable that President initiated letter entered Parliament, where he asked Parliament to prolong the authority term to “Sakrebulo” until holding local government elections.
Industry faction insisted holding local government election in 2001 year. Vise versa constitutional vacuum will be produced and obligations towards international organizations violated; fear precedent for Georgia.
The discussion of the bill paragraph by paragraph lasted on Friday also. The difference of views among factions made voting postponement.
OCTOBER 10, WEDNESDAY
1. Draft project on “total census of population”.
The head of state department of statistics Teimuraz Beridze represented draft project.
It was discussed by III hearing.
For – 121
Against – 0
2. Draft project on “changes and amendments to the law on “creative workers and creative unions”.
The deputy chairman of committee on Education, Science, Culture and Sport Davit Magradze represented draft project.
It was discussed by III hearing.
For – 87
Against – 0
3. Resolution decree on “creation control subcommittee in Tax-Revenue committee”.
For – 84
Against – 29
OCTOBER 11, THURSDAY
Resolution decree of Parliament on situation created in Akhazia territory
Revival block estimated Parliament resolution as President’s attempt to replace total responsibility on Parliament.
MP Koba Davitashvili initiated changes in agreement law, which would give Parliament right to cancel international agreement. So, Parliament will have ability to decide the issue of Georgia leaving CIS.
After discussing a lot Parliament passed resolution by two hearing.
For – 157
Against – 2 /I hearing/
For – 163
Against – 1 /II hearing/
OCTOBER 12, FRIDAY
1.Draft project on “changes to Organic Law on “National Bank”.
The head of Finance-Budget committee Zaza Sioridze represented draft project.
It was discussed by II hearing.
For – 121
Against – 1
2. Draft project on “changes to Organic Law on “Commercial banks”.
The head of Finance-Budget committee Zaza Sioridze represented draft project.
It was discussed by II hearing.
For – 110
Against – 8
3. Resolution decree on “prolongation of authority to the commission on study of the legitimacy of actions by single high position officials”.
The head of commission on study of the legitimacy of actions by single high position officials Mikheil Osadze represented draft project.
The commission was prolonged authority for a year.
For – 120
Against – 0
4. Resolution decree on “agreeing the approval of Giorgi Gachechiladze as the minister of State Property management”.
Parliamentary secretary of President Valeri Khburzania represented the candidature.
For – 129
Against – 1
5. Draft project on “changes and amendments Tax Code of Georgia”.
The minister of Finance Zurab Nogaideli represented draft project.
Changes refer to additional preferential duties in energy. The importer firms of electricity will be free of VAT till October 1, 2003.
MPs met dilemma: in case of not passing the bill tariff on electricity could increase. Though the guarantees on keeping existing tariff nobody could give.
These changes are directly related to AES-Telasi being in Georgia.
The majority of MPs were against of the issue. The agreement between AES-Telasi and state will be reviewed.
It was voted by simplified rule.
For – 116
Against – 11
6. Ratification of “Development credit agreement” (education system transition and strengthening credit) between Georgia and International development Association.
Lots of MPs were against the credit. Only after second attempt of rating voting parliament could hold voting. The minister of Education Alexandre Kartozia asked MPs to support the agreement.
Two candidates were named as the speakers on fulfillment of credit legally: Zaza Dvali and Koba Amirkhanashvili.
For – 125
Against – 5
7. Response statement of Parliament of Georgia to the statement of Russia Duma.
Two project of statements were represented: one of committee of Foreign Affairs and second of Revival faction.
Because of more constructive tone MPs supported Revival’s version.