Shevardnadze Claims He was Unaware of Pro-Presidential Factions Boycott

(Tbilisi, December 20, 2002. Civil Georgia) – Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze said that during the phone conversation today President Shevardnadze told her that he was not informed about the pro-Presidential factions intention to boycott a session.

“I wish want to believe President,” Nino Burjanadze said at the news briefing on December 20.

Because of the pro-Presidential five factions’ boycott MPs could not start today discussion of the 2003 draft budget.

Vitali Khazaradze, Chairman of the Citizens’ Union of Georgia faction, which is the President’s supporter said at the news briefing today that December 19 walk-out was staged after the Parliament and the Chairperson ignored the President’s proposal to discuss the draft of the structural reform of the executing government, which considers the cancellation of the Ministry of State Property Management and Ministry of Construction and Urbanization.

The Parliamentary Commission on Procedures ruled today that Chairperson Nino Burjanadze violated Constitution while ignoring the President’s proposal.

Nino Burjanadze said that the discussion of the President’s proposal was scheduled for December 20, thus the pro-Presidential accusations are groundless.

She said that the pro-Presidential factions and the government are responsible for the failure of discussion of the 2003 draft budget.

“State Minister [Avtandil Jorbenadze, leader of the pro-Presidential Citizens’ Union of Georgia Party] should explain why the Citizens’ Union hindered the Parliament’s activity,” Nino Burjanadze said.

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