Parliament Session Weekly Review, June 18-21, 2002
JUNE 18, TUESDAY
1. Resolution decree on “acknowledgment authority of MP Mikheil Machavariani elected in Samgori #6 election district”
For – 111
Against – 3
2. Resolution decree on “acknowledgment authority of MP Jamlet Babilashvili elected in Sagarejo #11 election district”
For – 103
Against – 9
3. Resolution decree on “acknowledgment authority of MP Nika Kvezereli elected in Gurjaani #12 election district”
For – 126
Against – 0
4. Resolution decree on “acknowledgment authority of MP Badri Khatidze elected in Mckheta #27 election district”
For – 118
Against – 0
5. Resolution decree on “acknowledgment authority of MP Zurab Nasaraia instead of MP Levan Gachechiladze “
For – 126
Against – 0
6. Resolution decree on “appointing Tengiz Axobadze as the member of national commission of price papers”
Parliamentary secretary of president Mariam Tsatsanashvili represented the candidature.
For – 115
Against – 1
7. Resolution decree on “appointing Tamaz Kandadze as the member of Control Chamber presidium “
For – 118
Against – 0
8. Draft project on “attestation of high qualified scientific and scientific – pedagogical staff”
Deputy chairman of Georgian expert council Giorgi Kharadze represented the bill.
It was discussed by II and III listening.
For – 99
Against – 0 (II listening)
For – 115
Against – 2 (III listening)
9. Draft project on “national regulation agencies of Georgia”
It was discussed by II and III listening.
For – 136
Against – 2 (II listening)
For – 137
Against – 2 (III listening)
10. Draft project on “amendments to the law on “monopoly activity and concurrence” /connected to draft project on “national regulation agencies of Georgia”/
It was discussed by simplified rule.
For – 132
Against – 0
11. Draft project on “amendments to the administrative procedure code” /connected to draft project on “national regulation agencies of Georgia”/
It was discussed by simplified rule.
For – 133
Against – 0
12. Control Chamber report on its activity in 2001 year.
Chairman of Control Chamber Sulkhan Molashvili represented the report.
Report referred to reform began in Control Chamber and attestation there. Justice department of USA covered finances of attestation. USAID and British Embassy supported reform.
According to Sulkhan Molashvili on the basis of Anticorruption Council recommendation draft project on “state finance joint control” has already entered the parliament; It will help activities against corruption.
For – 103
Against – 8
17. Draft project on “amendment to the law on “basis of enterprises activity license and permission”
The chairman of Agrarian committee Bezhan Gonashvili represented the bill.
MPs expressed their dissatisfaction on imperfect law adoption last month and hoped such fact never repeats in future.
It was discussed by simplified rule.
For – 118
Against – 0
JUNE 19, WEDNESDAY
1. Draft project on “changes and amendments to the law on “registration and personal identification of Georgian citizens and foreigners living in Georgia”
Deputy chairman of legal committee Zakaria Kutsnashvili represented the bill.
Changes refer to cancellation of registration card. From now on addresses of citizens will be set in Identity Cards.
The main reason of changes was registration card effective exploiting in election fraud. The idea of the bill shared each faction.
It was discussed by simplified rule.
For – 140
Against – 0
2. Draft project on “changes to Tax code”
Deputy chairman of Tax-Revenue committee Jambul Bakuradze represented the bill.
Changes refer to liberalization from VAT internal air-trips.
Parliament chairman supported the initiative and hoped population of Kodori Gorge won’t meet financial troubles during travel.
It was discussed by simplified rule.
For – 147
Against – 0
3. Joining Georgia to CIS convention signed in March 6, 1998 on “prisoners’ punishment future realization”
Deputy minister of Foreign Affairs Zviad Chumburidze represented the issue.
For – 155
Against – 0
4. Joining Georgia to convention on “Children rights” extra protocol on “participation of children in armed conflicts”
Deputy minister of Foreign Affairs Zviad Chumburidze represented the issue.
For – 156
Against – 0
5. Ratification of agreement on “establishing military-naval cooperation group of Black sea”
For – 152
Against – 2
6. Notes exchange document between government of Georgia and Japan signed in April 4, 2001 on “grant improving medicine apparatus in national hospitals”; approved protocol of procedural details and discussion protocol”
Deputy minister of Health and Social protection Marina Gudushauri represented the issue.
For – 134
Against – 1
7. Draft project on “changes and amendments to Tax code to Georgia”
Deputy of Finance minister Levan Chrdileli represented the bill.
The bill takes to account 65 changes in code. By changes all tax privileges cancels, taxes increase in different spheres and tax administration improves.
According to Levan Chrdileli 50 million GEL is a loss, that the budget suffers without these amendments.
The bill cancels changes to tax code initiated by “Industry” faction entered into force last months. “Industry” members demanded to take to account their remark for the second listening; vise versa they won’t support bill adoption.
It was discussed by I listening.
For – 135
Against – 4
JUNE 20, THURSDAY
1. Constitutional Changes
Chairman of Abkhazia legitimate government Tamaz Nadareishvili represented the issue.
Constitutional changes refer to definition Abkhazia status in constitution of Georgia setting the words “Abkhazia Autonomic Republic”.
After long political consultations parliament decided to put automatically in agenda constitutional changes after UN Security Council discusses (July 30, 2002) Abkhazia issue.
2. Resolution decree on “agreeing appointment Revaz Adamia as permanent representative of Georgia in UN”
Parliament secretary of President Mariam Tsatsavashvili represented candidature.
Every faction instead of “Revivals”, “Socialists” and “XXI century” supported Adamia candidature.
Opposing factions criticised his unprofessionally (meaning no diplomatic experience), western orientation and political ideology. “Socialist” faction leader Irakli Mindeli stated that it was quite unclear why president Shevardnadze chose representative of Zhvania’s group. “Revivals” explained this fact by existence of Shevardnadze-Zhvania joint group. “XXI century” because of candidate doubted that authority do not care of Abkhazia problem at all, etc.
Chairperson of Parliament Nino Burjanadze supported Adamia candidature and respected president’s choice; who according to Burjanadze “overtook political ideas and named appropriate candidature”.
For – 118
Against – 19
3. Draft project on “changes and amendments to organic law on prosecution”
Chairman of legal committee Gocha Paichadze represented the bill.
Changes refer to postponement of qualification examinations of prosecutors to January 1, 2003.
It was discussed by rushed rule.
For – 130
Against – 0 (I listening)
For – 127
Against – 1 (II listening)
For – 128
Against – 0 (III listening)
4. Annual report 2001 of National Bank of Georgia
The President of National Bank Irakli Managadze introduced report to Parliament.
For – 129
Against – 7
5. Draft project on “Changes and amendments to the law on “military obligations and military service”
Defense minister Davit Tevzadze represented the bill.
Changes have “revolutionary” character and are considered as transitional stage to contract-professional army. According to Tevzadze “Train and Equip Program” set into agenda the bill adoption.
By the bill military commissariats cancel and their function goes to local self-government authority. Also, each person can pay 200 GEL (or 2000 GEL for 9-year period) to delay military service for a year; 20% from this source will be directed to central budget and 80% to special account of Defense ministry. It was noted that budget would accumulate up to 16-18 million GEL annually.
It was discussed by rushed rule.
For – 141
Against – 0 (I listening)
For – 140
Against – 1 (II listening)
For – 140
Against – 0 (III listening)
6. Draft project on “taxes for obligatory military service postponement” /connected to draft project on “Changes and amendments to the law on “military obligations and military service”/
It was discussed by simplified rule.
For – 140
Against – 0
7. Draft project on “changes and amendments to the law on “public service” /connected to draft project on “Changes and amendments to the law on “military obligations and military service”/
It was discussed by simplified rule.
For – 140
Against – 0
8. Draft project on “amendment to labor code” /connected to draft project on “Changes and amendments to the law on “military obligations and military service”/
It was discussed by simplified rule.
For – 127
Against – 0
9. Draft project on “amendment to the law on capital of Georgia – Tbilisi” /connected to draft project on “Changes and amendments to the law on “military obligations and military service”/
It was discussed by simplified rule.
For – 141
Against – 0
10. Draft project on “pension guarantying ex-staff of Defense and internal ministry and their families ” /connected to draft project on “Changes and amendments to the law on “military obligations and military service”/
It was discussed by simplified rule.
For – 147
Against – 0
11. Draft project on “amendment to the law on “military staff status” /connected to draft project on “Changes and amendments to the law on “military obligations and military service”/
It was discussed by simplified rule.
For – 144
Against – 0
12. Draft project on “changes and amendments to the law on “mobilization” /connected to draft project on “Changes and amendments to the law on “military obligations and military service”/
It was discussed by simplified rule.
For – 144
Against – 1
13. Draft project on “amendment to the law on “tax system basis” /connected to draft project on “Changes and amendments to the law on “military obligations and military service”/
It was discussed by simplified rule.
For – 140
Against – 0
14. Draft project on “changes and amendments to organic law on “local self-government and government” /connected to draft project on “Changes and amendments to the law on “military obligations and military service”/
It was discussed by rushed rule.
For – 144
Against – 0 (I listening)
For – 133
Against – 0 (II listening)
For – 133
Against – 0 (III listening)
15. Draft project on “non-bank deposit offices – credit unions”
Chairman of Budget-Finance committee Zaza Sioridze represented the draft.
It was discussed by I listening.
For – 119
Against – 1
16. Draft project on ” changes and amendments to the law on “commercial bank activity”
Chairman of Budget-Finance committee Zaza Sioridze represented the draft.
It was discussed by I listening.
For – 132
Against – 0
JUNE 21, FRIDAY
1. Draft project on “changes and amendment to the law on “lawyers”
MP Valeri Gelbakhiani represented the bill.
The discussion was very noisy. “New Rightist” faction opposed the idea related to obligatory unification of lawyers in associations. They prepared the alternative project referring to principle issues of first listening. But draft has already passed first listening; and authors opposed suggested alternative.
By the bill only beginner lawyers have to pass exams. And examiners are association member lawyers that set unequal of rights the profession.
Finally, the main and alternative drafts both failed. By parliament regulation law only on autumn session will gain authors opportunity to discuss draft again.
For – 72
Against – 30
For – 58
Against – 17 (alternative)
2. Draft project on “leavings and scrap-iron of black and color metals’ export and re-export regulation”
Minister of Economy, Industry and Trade Giorgi Gachechiladze represented draft project.
Changes refer to cancellation of color metal scrap export prohibition. The same takes to account IMF demand for program renewal.
Draft was opposed in parliament. Faction “Revivals” were most active; they traditionally opposed IMF policy.
Draft failed.
For – 73
Against – 17
3. Resolution decree on “electing chairman of Interim Investigation Commission of the Parliament of Georgia to study reasons of election violations”
Parliament approved Zakaria Kutsnashvili (faction “Socialist”) as the chairman of just created investigation commission.
For – 154
Against – 0
4. Resolution decree on “electing chairman of interim investigation commission against corruption of Parliament of Georgia”
The chairman of the commission became Roman Gvencadze from “Industry” faction.
For – 155
Against – 1
5. Resolution decree on “prolongation authority to the interim parliamentary commission on issues related to the problems of Abkhazia”
For – 124
Against – 2
6. Resolution decree on “prolongation authority Tshkinvali region problem studying interim Parliamentary commission”
For – 107
Against – 3
7. Resolution decree on “prolongation authority to National Reconciliation interim Parliamentary commission”
For – 127
Against – 3
8. Resolution decree on “electing chairman of commission on enquiries concerning people missing in the war for territorial integrity of Georgia”
Parliament elected Geno Kalandia (faction “Abkhazia”) as the chairman of commission.
For – 156
Against – 2
Spring sessions was officially closed.