President’s Briefing. Monday, September 10, 2001

Zhvania Promises to President to Keep the Parliamentary Majority

During the President’s Briefing on September 10 main attention has been paid to the situation in the Parliament and possible boycotting of the local self-governance elections by the Opposition. President regarded Zhvania’s address to the Opposition as a less important issue. Zhvania has declared that he would resign from the Post of the Speaker of the Parliament if his opponent parliamentarians would collect 100 signatures. President Shevardnadze said, that the Parliamentary Ministry has tried to collect these signatures previously as well, however never succeeded.

Shevardnadze talked about the possible boycotting of the local self-governance by the Opposition as well. President stated, that different political  forces within the Parliament have different approach to this matter. There are certain difficulties in the Parliament around this issue. “Despite this, I think that citizens are ready for these elections and political forces should not obstruct the elections” – said President.

After visiting Batumi, President has met Zurab Zhvania to discuss the present situation in the Parliament and evident opposition within the Majority. As Shevardnadze said, Zhvania assured him that there are firm guaranties for maintaining the Majority. This is very important for country’s stability. I am doing everything to ensure that the Parliamentary  Majority would not dissolve and basis of stability in the Parliament would remain firm, said Shevardnadze.

Ministry of Internal Affairs and “Dynamo” Have Nothing in Common

Under the decree of the President, which is a part of anti-corruption campaign, ‘power’ ministries must transfer all commercial entities belonging to  them under the authority of the Ministry of State Property Management. ‘Power’ ministries were ought to present the plan of this process before September 1st. As President has announced, neither Internal Affairs Ministry nor State Security Ministry has presented the plan so far. This is a very sophisticated process, which requires serious work. I will meet Gogiashvili (Secretary of the Anti-corruption Council) in order to clarify which entities we are talking about. Enterprises, that do not coincide with main profile of the ‘power’ ministries must be transferred to the Ministry of State Property Management, said President.

Shevardnadze also mentioned that the Ministry of Internal Affairs and soccer club “Dynamo” do not share anything on a property level. Traditionally Minister of Internal Affairs have been  a member of directorate of the club. But now Internal Affairs Minister has nothing in common with the club – said Shevardnadze.

Property Would Not be Confiscated Illegally to Anyone

Bill on Return of Illegal and Ungrounded Property has caused rumours that Georgian businessmen would transfer their money abroad from the Georgian banks. In this regard, President stated that if the bill would be approved, he would  personally guarantee that none of the citizens would be confiscated their property illegally.

Regarding the bill itself, president said, that even though the document contains interesting and upright moments, none should forget that there already exist organic and non-organic legislation concerning confiscation of illegal property. “My decision was the following: If we need this new law, then we should gather all our lawyers and decide together with them how this document would be written. And now we are working on this: to decide whether we need the new law or not” said Shevardnadze