Burjanadze Against Privatizing of Gas Pipeline System to Russia

Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze said she is against the selling of Georgia?s gas pipeline system to a Russian company, adding that ?there is no argument that will make me change my position over this issue.?

?In general, I am not against Russian capital, but there are certain facilities, including the gas pipelines, which I think should not be in the hands of Russia, so as to avoid the use of these facilities for achieving political goals,? she said in an interview with the Tbilisi-based Mze television on March 10.

News about the government?s decision to privatize Georgia?s gas pipeline system broke after President Saakashvili told the Italian newspaper La Stampa on February 20 that Georgia is negotiating with Russian energy giant Gazprom over selling of the country’s gas pipelines.

However, Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze said that the Georgian leadership, including the President, is ?very cautious? over this issue.