Weekly Review of the Parliament’s Plenary Sessions. Extraordinary Session, July 18-20, 2001

JULE 18, WEDNESDAY

1. Discussion of the Issue Related to the Abrogation Reasons and Solution of 1999 Istanbul Summit Paragraphs on Withdrawal Russia Bases From Georgia State Territory.

Deputy minister of Foreign Affairs Giga Burduli informed that Euro Parliament discussed the issue of abrogation of Istanbul agreement from Russia side and passed special statement on it. 

“Traditionalists” represented their version of resolution project on it. Tedo Paatashvili (“Traditionalists”) made speech.

The head of CUG (Citizen’s Union of Georgia) faction Revaz Adamia represented the alternative of the project.

The main difference between projects was that Tradionalist demanded to change CES peacekeeping forces with OSCE or other international organization troops. Majority demanded to take out this paragraph, as Georgia still stayed the member of CES.

Socialist Vakhtang Rcheulishvili declared that he would support the resolution only without the following paragraph:  “in 1992-1994 years accomplished ethnic cleansing followed the fact annexation and occupation of Georgia’s territory” from Russia’s side. Rcheulishvili explained that strained relations with Russia would bring nothing to Georgia.

Ex-head of Security service Irakli Batiashvili declared that Gudaita base is the place of illegal trade with weapons.

When Abkhazia faction representative Geno Kalandia insisted to fix in resolution text Abkhazia de-facto annexation phrase Rcheulishvili answered with irritation that Abkhazia faction did nothing for Abkhazia problem solution; they only serve the leading party not to loose their deputy mandates. 

The very critical and offended speeches of Khatuna Khoperia, Dimitri Jaiani, Jemal Gogitidze caused conflict between Abkhazia and Revival factions and fighting attempt.

Finally, the joint version of Traditionalits and CUG faction was voted without the paragraph on change CES peacekeeping forces with OSCE or other international organization troops.

For – 163 
Against – 0

After the voting opposition demonstratively left plenary session.

2. Draft Project on State Management and Regulation Rules in Transport and Communication Sphere”

The minister of Transport and Communication Merab Adeishvili represented draft project.

By the project policy-making, regulation and economical functions will be delimited. There will be four administrations: automobile, railway, and naval and civil aviation.

The reform will refer total staff – they’ll be dismissed and chosen again by testing. Staff reducing by 50% will give chance to increase salary to the 500 GEL.

Project will be realized with the financial support of World Bank.

The committee on section economy asked to pass it by rushed rule.

For – 113 
Against – 2  /I hearing/

For – 111 
Against – 1  /II hearing/

For – 112 
Against – 0  /III hearing/

3. Draft Project on “Amendments to the Law on Interest Incompatibility in Public Service and Corruption” /connected to draft project on “sate management and regulation rules in transport and communication sphere”/

Voted by simplified rule.

For – 104 
Against – 0

4. Draft Project on “Amendments to the Law on Values and Value Creating” /connected to draft project on “sate management and regulation rules in transport and communication sphere”/

Voted by simplified rule.

For – 120 
Against – 3

5. Draft Project on “Amendments to the Law on Budget and Budget Authorities” /connected to draft project on “sate management and regulation rules in transport and communication sphere”/

Voted by simplified rule.

For – 111 
Against – 0

6. Draft Project on “Amendments to the Law on Automobile Roads” /connected to draft project on “sate management and regulation rules in transport and communication sphere”/

Voted by simplified rule.
For – 115 
Against – 0

7. Draft Project on “Amendments to the Law on Public Service” /connected to draft project on “sate management and regulation rules in transport and communication sphere”/

Voted by simplified rule.

For – 112 
Against – 4

8. Draft Project on “Amendments to the Law on Automobile Transport” /connected to draft project on “sate management and regulation rules in transport and communication sphere”/

Voted by simplified rule.

For – 107 
Against – 4

JULE 19, THURSDAY

1. Draft Project on “Changes and Amendments to Tax Code of Georiga”

The chairman of Agrarian committee Bejan Gonashvili represented draft project.

Voted by III hearing.

For – 121 
Against – 0

2. Development Credit Agreement (Energy-Carrying Transit Institutional Development Project) Between Georgia and International Development Association.
 
Finance minister Zurab Nogaideli represented agreement.

Independent MP Nodar Grigalashvili expressed his negative position on credit, as 9.5 million US$ is directed to foreign experts service and nothing is left for state except debt.

The issue failed on first attempt.

 For – 113 
Against – 0

On the second attempt parliament could ratify agreement.

For – 126 
Against – 0

3. Draft Project on “Amendments to the Law on State Property Privatization”

The minister of Property Management Levan Dzneladze represented draft project.

The draft project regulates ways and methods of internal debt covering.

Voted by simplified rule.

For – 111 
Against – 1

4. Draft Project on “Amendments to the Law on State Possessed Non-Agrarian Land Management and Ordering” /connected to draft project on “amendments to the law on state property privatization”/

Voted by simplified rule.

For – 109
Against – 4

5. Draft Project on “Amendments to the Law on State Budget 2001” /connected to draft project on “amendments to the law on state property privatization”/

Voted by rushed rule.

For – 118 
Against – 0  /I hearing/

For – 125 
Against – 0  /II hearing/

For – 123 
Against – 1  /III hearing/

Plenary session was declared closed for media; it continued discussion of Pankisi region situation. Law-enforcing minister attended closed session.

JULE 20, FRIDAY

1. Resolution Project On “Changes and Amendments to the Resolution April 30, 1996 of Georgia’s Parliament on Joining Convention on International Importance Extra-Humid, Especially Water Birds Living Suitable Territories”

The chairman of committee on Environment and Natural Resources Kakha Chitaia represented resolution project.

K. Chitaia declared that in order not to disturb the Kulevi terminal construction in Khobi rayon it’s necessary to withdraw the territory from Ramsar Convention exchanging it with different territory.

The only MP, who suspected the legacy of construction was Khatuna Khoperia criticizing executive authority in attempt to legalize their black issues by Parliament. K.Khoperia spoke with accent on ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, where the documentation was very imperfect. 

For – 118 
Against – 0

2. Draft Project on “Amendments to the Law “Military Server’s Status”

The deputy chairman of Defense-Security committee Giorgi Kheviahsvili represented draft project.

Voted by simplified rule.

For – 118 
Against – 2

3. Resolution Project On “Temporary Prohibition of Wood Log’s Export”

The chairman of committee on Environment and Natural Resources Kakha Chitaia represented resolution project.

The resolution will be effective till 2002 year.

Only Finance ministry demanded to postpone the issue, as they hadn’t consulted with IMF on it.

 For – 124 
Against – 0

4. Draft Project on “Changes and Amendments to the Law on Guarantees of Social Protection of the Members of Georgia’s Constitutional Court”

 Parliamentary secretary of president Valeri Khaburzania represented draft project.

Voted by simplified rule.

For – 106 
Against – 3