Parliamentary Committee Supports Increased Military Spending

(Tbilisi. January 4. Civil Georgia) – Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Security will not support the 2002 budget if the military spending is not increased, Committee Chairman Giorgi Baramidze stated on January 4.

Georgian Defense Ministry defines its needs to equal 71 million Lari (approximately $33 million) in 2002. Finance Ministry is ready to grant only less than 57 million Lari.

Starting from January 4, State Minister Avtandil Jorbenadze is to hold consultations with the representatives of the Parliamentary Committees and factions on the budget. The most of the MPs are against the proposed budget.

The Parliament is to discuss the draft budget in mid-January.

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