Press Scanner
Compiled by Liana Bezhanishvili
Friday, December 25
I did all this, says Baghaturia
Leader of Georgian Troupe and MP Jondi Baghaturia says that most of the social benefits the Government has introduced have come about as a result of his political activities, Sakartvelos Respublika writes.
Baghaturia said at special briefing in Parliament that the reduction of parking fines from GEL 15 to GEL 3 and improved parking regulations in the city were the consequence of his intensive work on this issue. He also asserted that the Government had satisfied his requests to freeze arrears on some communal taxes. From New Year pensioners and the socially unprotected will use public transport for 20 tetri rather than 40 as at present.
The opposition MP added that his demand for an increase in pensions and reduction of the pension age was still in force.
Niko Orvelashvili: 2009 was the year of shocks for the Georgian economy
Member of the National Forum Niko Orvelashvili has said in an interview with Kvela Siakhle that 2009 was the year of ‘shocks’ for the Georgian economy. "The first shock was the transfer of the Engurhesi plant to Russian possession. This took place in ambiguous circumstances. Moreover, I have heard that there is a cunning plan to transfer Engurhesi to the permanent possession of Russia," Orvelashvili said.
"Saakashvili’s Government uses the same old methods – firstly it makes the facility bankrupt and then sells it off for the cheapest price. Its new owner often turns out to be Russia or a half-state owned company. The Government intends to use the similar methods in relation with the railways. While our dear President and his team scold Russia in a loud voice, they do their best to hand everything over to Russia. His actions undermine our state, and since the war the inflow of foreign capital has been seriously reduced,” Orvelashvili said.
Orvelashvili also talked about the three months of opposition rallies in spring and admitted that continual protest rallies hindered the development of the economy. “But the question is: who started them? Saakashvili and his team created this situation by stating that the war which hindered foreign investment had not ended yet! You may remember Saakashvili saying that if he had been in opposition he would have overthrown the Government in three months. We know how to overthrow the Government, but we care about the consequences of doing it, unlike Saakashvili,” Orvelashvili said.
Orvelashvili thinks that prognoses for next year are not good. “The major part of the international assistance will run out and the donors will only give the rest of it under strict conditions. If the present Government manages to find resources it will spend them on social programmes prior to the elections. Therefore the second half of 2010 will be harder for us. But the positive fact is that people have learned much and hopefully will not hand power to such persons again,” Orvelashvili concluded.
Alexander Shalamberidze has joined Koba Davitashvili
Alia reports that former member of the National Movement and MP Alexander Shalamberidze has joined Koba Davitashvili’s team by becoming the Political Secretary of the People’s Party. He said at a press conference that he had decided to do this because he wants to bring normal political life into the capital and end the authoritarian regime peacefully, and these aims are shared by Davitashvili.
Koba Davitashvili outlined the party’s plans and the programme it will undertake if it gains power.
Leader of Georgian Troupe and MP Jondi Baghaturia says that most of the social benefits the Government has introduced have come about as a result of his political activities, Sakartvelos Respublika writes.
Baghaturia said at special briefing in Parliament that the reduction of parking fines from GEL 15 to GEL 3 and improved parking regulations in the city were the consequence of his intensive work on this issue. He also asserted that the Government had satisfied his requests to freeze arrears on some communal taxes. From New Year pensioners and the socially unprotected will use public transport for 20 tetri rather than 40 as at present.
The opposition MP added that his demand for an increase in pensions and reduction of the pension age was still in force.
Niko Orvelashvili: 2009 was the year of shocks for the Georgian economy
Member of the National Forum Niko Orvelashvili has said in an interview with Kvela Siakhle that 2009 was the year of ‘shocks’ for the Georgian economy. "The first shock was the transfer of the Engurhesi plant to Russian possession. This took place in ambiguous circumstances. Moreover, I have heard that there is a cunning plan to transfer Engurhesi to the permanent possession of Russia," Orvelashvili said.
"Saakashvili’s Government uses the same old methods – firstly it makes the facility bankrupt and then sells it off for the cheapest price. Its new owner often turns out to be Russia or a half-state owned company. The Government intends to use the similar methods in relation with the railways. While our dear President and his team scold Russia in a loud voice, they do their best to hand everything over to Russia. His actions undermine our state, and since the war the inflow of foreign capital has been seriously reduced,” Orvelashvili said.
Orvelashvili also talked about the three months of opposition rallies in spring and admitted that continual protest rallies hindered the development of the economy. “But the question is: who started them? Saakashvili and his team created this situation by stating that the war which hindered foreign investment had not ended yet! You may remember Saakashvili saying that if he had been in opposition he would have overthrown the Government in three months. We know how to overthrow the Government, but we care about the consequences of doing it, unlike Saakashvili,” Orvelashvili said.
Orvelashvili thinks that prognoses for next year are not good. “The major part of the international assistance will run out and the donors will only give the rest of it under strict conditions. If the present Government manages to find resources it will spend them on social programmes prior to the elections. Therefore the second half of 2010 will be harder for us. But the positive fact is that people have learned much and hopefully will not hand power to such persons again,” Orvelashvili concluded.
Alexander Shalamberidze has joined Koba Davitashvili
Alia reports that former member of the National Movement and MP Alexander Shalamberidze has joined Koba Davitashvili’s team by becoming the Political Secretary of the People’s Party. He said at a press conference that he had decided to do this because he wants to bring normal political life into the capital and end the authoritarian regime peacefully, and these aims are shared by Davitashvili.
Koba Davitashvili outlined the party’s plans and the programme it will undertake if it gains power.