Daily Report— Central Eurasia This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination FBIS-SOV-96-014 is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners. Monday be 22 January 1996 Daily Report Central Eurasia FBIS-SOV-96-014 CONTENTS 22 January 1996 NOTICE: An * indicates material not previously disseminated in electronic form. CHECHEN AFFAIRS Political Reaction Russian Leaders Thank Turkey for Resolving Hostage Crisis [ITAR-TASS] — ..........ccccsssesseeeeseoes Russian Premier Thanks Turkish Counterpart [ITAR-TASS] ......c.cccccssereeseeseseeseensseereneecees Yeltsin ‘Not Satisfied’ With Handling of Avrasya [ITAR-TASS] ........c.ccccsccesesseseeerserseseees Russia: Avrasya Passengers Safe, Depressed [INTERFAX] .........ccccccscessessesesseneesessenseennenes Yeltsin: There Was ‘No Alternative’ in Pervomayskoye [ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA 20 Jan] Pervomayskoye Official Says Yeltsin's Staff ‘Deceiving Him’ [Moscow NTV] ......cccccccesseeseees Russia: News Conference on Chechnya Given by Kulikov, Barsukov /ITAR-TASS] — ...........00.. Russia: Barsukov Details Pervomayskoye Casualties //TAR-TASS] a seteiantcihnignt Barsukov on Bombing of Pervomayskoye [Moscow Radio] ..........ccccssssessesesessseeeesseeceneenees Barsukov: Moscow, Yaroslavl Might Face Terrorist Acts [INTERFAX] ...........0c.cc0sceseesees Kulikov: Raduyev May Have Fled With ‘20 to 30° Others [ITAR-TASS] .......c.ccccecseseeees Dudayev: Chechen Raduyev To Be Tried for Kizlyar Incident [Moscow Radio] 0.0.0.0... Raduyev Speaks on Dudayev’s TV, Video Tapes Offered [KOMMERSANT-DAILY 20 COREE e Oe eee CERO EOE EEE EE EEE SEER EEE EEE EE EER EOE ESOS SE EEE EEE TEESE EEE ES ERESESSEESE SESE EEE EEE ES ESSE ESE ESEEE EEE SES EE EEE TEESE EEE EEE ESET EES ES TEES Chechen Head Zavgayev To Maintain ‘Internal’ Dialogue [Moscow ORT] ........c.cc.ccsceseseseeseees Chechen Roundtable Demands Russian Troop Withdrawal {Moscow Radio] eine Chechen Nationalities Minister: Negotiations Will Continue /JTAR-TASS] Terrorist Activity Russians Stay Aboard Ferry Avrasya After Terrorists Leave [INTERFAX] ..cccccccsssccve sescssseseoee Abducted Energy Workers Reportedly Found in Chechnya [ITAR-TASS] ........c.cccccccsesecseeseeeeeees Russia: Further on Missing Power Workers in Chechnya [ITAR-TASS] ......cccccccccseseesereeeeeseeseeves Military Activity Chechen Situation Reported as “Tense’ Despite Ramadan [INTERFAX] .........c.c.ccssscseeceseseseneees 7 Rebels Attack on Chechen Dam Unsuccessful [ITAR-TASS] ........c.ccccccccceeseeseesceeseseeeeeeeeees 7 43 Dagestani Citizens Killed in Kizlyar, Pervomayskoye [Moscow ORT] ..........cccccscesseeeeeeseeeees x Russia's Barsukov, Kulikov on Pervomayskoye Operation /ROSSIYSKIYE VESTI 20 Jan] _..... x 9 ub aaAWU~wA UUW & &wWwWNNN Se i a Chechen Rebel Raduyev Reported Alive, Uninjured [Moscow NTV] ........cccccccccsssseeeceeeseeeeseeeeees Chechen Rebels Pledge To Release Dagestani Hostages [ITAR-TASS] .......c.cscscscsesesseeseenseeeeeens Russian Security Unaware of Hostage Release Plans [Moscow Radio] ............0cc.eeeeere a Escaped Chechen ‘Gunmen’ Said To Be in Gudermes Region [INTERFAX] 2.0.0... 10 Dagestan MVD Denies Discovery of Fighters in Pervomayskoye [ITAR-TASS] ........c.ccccc000000 10 Chechen Guerrillas Say 60 Hostages Still Held [AFP] ........c.cccscccecsesssseseeesesesseceeseeneeseneeenenneenees 10 Russia: Nine More Rebels Captured at Pervomayskoye [INTERFAX] .........c.ccccccseseseseesereeeeneeves 10 Russia: Reports From Pervomayskoye; No Fortifications Seen [Moscow ORT] ............ce000c0es 11 Pervomayskoye Troops Claim They Were “Left Exposed’ [Moscow RTV] .......cccccceccsseeeeeeeeeeenes 11 Chechen Leader Basayev's Location Discovered [Radio Rossii] .......cccccccscseessesessneeeerereeseereneees 11 Troops Free Russian Serviceman Held by Chechen Militants [INTERFAX] _.......... 12 "sar on _— ee —_ ~ wie beta in shstndtnt nacnannateennnd KOMSOMOLETS 19 FBIS-SOV -96-014 22 January 1996 2 Chechen Guerrilla Morale High After Year of War [AFP] ........cccssccccsssessesesesnsesnsesnsenenssensssnsnenes 12 Russian General Talks of Mercenaries in Chechnya [KRASNAYA ZVEZDA 20 Jan] _ ........000000: 13 INTERREGIONAL AFFAIRS Yeltsin Holds News Conference at CIS Summit [Moscow RIV] ......cccccssecsssesesssseeseneesenerseseesesenereseesenes 16 Yeltsin, Nazarbayev Discuss CIS Customs, Payment Unions [ITAR-TASS] .........0c.scsseseeerseseseees 22 CIS: Lukashenka Condemns Kazakh Statement Denouncing Restoration of USSR [INTERFAX] 22 Lukashenka: Belarus Opposed Abkhazia Agreement at CIS Summit (ITAR-TASS] — .........000000 23 Kuchma Puts Ukraine’s National Interests First at CIS Summit [UNIAN] ...........cccccccccseceeseeneees 23 Kuchma Evaluates CIS as ‘Consultative Body’ [INTERFAX] ........cc.ccscccscssoesseseeseseeseseneneseneneneess 23 CIS: Ukraine, Moldova, Russia Confirm Dniester’s Status [INTERFAX] ..........ccccccccccscssseceeeneees 24 CIS Leaders Approve Air Defense Concept [INTERFAX] ........cscesssessesessseseesnseseseneesenesenseneneneees 24 CIS Summit Approves Conflict Prevention, Settlement Guidelines [INTERFAX] — ............00000000+ 24 Kyrgyz President Satisfied With CIS Summit Results [JTAR-TASS] ..cccccccccecsssesneenee 25 RUSSIA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Yeltsin Comments on CIS Summit, Terrorism, Ukraine [INTERFAX] .......c..ccccccccsccscseeeceeesesseceeeeenseees 26 Yeltsin To Boost Peace Efforts in Karabakh [ITAR-TASS] .........cccscscsscssssesesseseseeeeesseseecneeneneeeeees 26 Yeltsin To Visit Ukraine To Sign ‘Major’ Treaty [ITAR-TASS] ........c.ccscscsesesssessneseseesneenseerseneees 26 Kazakh President on ‘Impossibility’ of Restoring USSR [Moscow NTV] .......ccccccesccseesesersesessesseeeseneees 27 EU Document Outlines Future Policies Toward Russia /[ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA 18 Jan] .........0000. 30 IZVESTIYA Reports Washington's ‘Mixed Signals’ to Russia [20 Jam] .....c.cccscssesssseseseseeeseseeenereeees 30 Moscow Notes U.S. Secretary of States’s Remarks [ITAR-TASS] .....c.cccccccssssssssssesseseseeseneeeeneenes 31 Commander of Russian IFOR Troops Interviewed [TRUD 20 Jam] ...ccccccccccsssescesessesseeseeseseenessneeesesnsees 32 Russian IFOR Troop Dispute Raises ‘Equality’ Issue /KRASNAYA ZVEZDA 19 Jan] ..........0+ 33 Yeltsin Signs Decree Levying Tax on Ukrainian Goods [INTERFAX] .......c.ccccscssssesssseseseeeenseseneneeseees 44 New Russian Foreign Minister Primakov Profiled [OGONEK Jan] ........c.ccssssssseseseseseseseseeesrsneeeesaranes 44 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Questioned at Geneva Conference [Radio Rossii} .......cccccccccccsseeseeseeeeseeeee 35 Visit to Japan by Top Russian Military Man Unlikely (7TAR-TASS] ........cccccsccssssesesesseseeeseesesenenenereeees 35 Russia To Build Nuclear Power Plant in PRC’s Liaoning [INTERFAX] .........ccccccccssssseseseessseeseeeeneees 36 RUSSIA NATIONAL AFFAIRS Political Issues Yeltsin Says He Will ‘Supposedly’ Run for President [ITAR-TASS] ........cccccccccsssessceeesseeeeeeenreees 37 Creation of Yeltsin Reelection Support Structure Under Way [INTERFAX] _ 00... 37 OMON Said To Impede Activities of Yeltsin Action Committee [INTERFAX] _.............. 37 Yeltsin Dispelis Rumours Surrounding Chubays’ Dismissal (JTAR-TASS] ...........0.ccccccecessseeeees 37 Russia: Luzhkov Urges Probe Into Chubays’ Privatization Moves [INTERFAX] .............. 38 Yeltsin Congratulates New Duma Speaker Seleznev [INTERFAX] oo... ....ccccccccssecssseeseeseseereseeees 38 Yeltsin Meets With Federation Council Working Group [ITAR-TASS] .......c.cccccccccsssseseseeseeesesees 38 Yeltsin Wants Former Communist To Head Federation Council /JTAR-TASS) _................ 38 Yeltsin Dismisses State Archives Head, Regional Envoy [ITAR-TASS] o..........cccceccecesseesesseeeeees 39 Yeltsin Returns Law on Insolvency of Banks to Duma /ITAR-TASS] o.......0..cc.cccccececceeseeseseeseeres 39 Primakov Outlines His Foreign Policy Priorities for Russia /OBSHCHAYA GAZETA 18-24 Jan] 39 IZVESTIYA Criticizes Yeltsin's Mishandling of Hostage Crisis [20 Jam] o.........c.ccccccccceeeeeeseeee 40 Chernomyrdin: Crisis Shows Talks With Dudayev ‘Useless’ [INTERFAX] .............cc0000+. 42 Chernomyrdin Hopes for Cooperation With New Duma [INTERFAX] ...........cccccccccescseeseesesesees 42 Daily Ponders Party Alignments in New Russian Duma /ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA 19 Jan] 43 TsIK Rules on Signatures To Support Russian Presidential Candidates [INTERFAX] _.............. 45 Gaydar Ready To Discuss Chernomyrdin's Presidential Candidacy [Moscow 2x2 TV] _... 46 Election Itself Seen More Important Than “Who Sits in the Kremlin’ (7TRUD 16 Jan]... 46 FBIS-SOV-96-014 22 January 1996 3 Russian FSB Spokesman Mikhaylov Fired [Moscow Radio] — ........c.scssssesssssesseserersersenenensnneneneners 48 Russia: Decree on State Conversion Fund Role, Leadership [ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA 18 Jan] 49 Russia: Edict on Commission for Protecting State Secrets [INTERFAX] .....cccccccsccseccesseseeeeeeeeees 50 — Decree on Federation Council's Communications System /ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA 18 ~ TTT -sinsieetbibiele aha detadileaniaeetcaehinn darned aieitindiintndiiiaraainaicbatinhtegeenngnbideshiionumveendnniencnnieninemninunine : Media Issues Russia: Program Accuses Television Management of Censorship [Moscow Radio] — ............0.0++. 50 Federal Assembly Yeltsin To Open Russian Federation Council Session [ITAR-TASS] — ...ccccccccsesssscsssseecescneeseeseeneees 51 Russian Duma Disagrees on Pervomayskoye Debate [ITAR-TASS] .....cccsccssssessseseessseeseseeensesaneees 51 Russian Duma Favors Ratification of Document on Abk*:ucia [Moscow Radio] ....cccccccceccseeseees 51 Chairmen of Russian State Duma Committees Announced [ITAR-TASS] ...ccccccccccccceccsseceeeeeeenees 51 Russian Duma Chairman Seleznev Interviewed [Moscow NTV] ......ccccccccscseeseeseceecensseesseeeeeeenenees 52 Regional Affairs Russia: Vandals Damage Monument in Vladikavkaz [ITAR-TASS] .......ccccccccccssssesecsesessseeneeecneees 54 Vladikavkaz Explosion Caused by Firecrackers [Moscow Radio] ........c.ssscssssesesserseerseeees 54 Russia: Ter-Petrosyan-Yeltsin Kremlin Meeting Reported /ARAGIL ELECTRONIC NEWS I aa lenicdimesbcnntbidinaleitiandiabipeeeaniiinnnsts 54 Yerevan: SNARK Details Aliyev Meeting With Shevardnadze ...........cccccccccessesesesessseesenseeseeereeee 54 Blagoveshchensk Meeting Nominates Yeltsin for President [INTERFAX] .........ccccsscsseeeceeeeseeess 55 Yeltsin Reelection Committee Set Up in Stavropol (ITAR-TASS] ...cccccccccssccesssseeseeseeceeeseneerseeeees 55 Moscow, St. Petersburg Residents Think Ministers Should Resign [INTERFAX] _ ...........00000 55 Russia: Lifting of N. Ossetian State of Emergency Regretted [Radio Rossii] .....ccccccseeeseeeeeees 55 Demonstrations Against Chechen War Staged in Kazan [Moscow RIV] ......ccccccsccccsssesseeeeessenses 55 Russia: Mikhaylovka Mine in Kursk Region Deep in Debt [ITAR-TASS] .......cccccccccssssesseesesseeees 56 Russia: High-Energy Source Center Constructed at Zelenograd [Moscow RTV] ........ccccccseeeeees 56 Economic Issues Chernomyrdin To Adhere to Tough Financial Policy [ITAR-TASS] .....ccccccccssssecscessessesssenneesennees 56 Chernomyrdin Assures Investors Following Chubays Departure [iTAR-TASS] ......ccccccccccseeseeees $7 Yeltsin Approves Restructuring of Industrial Debt [INTERFAX] .......cc.ccccccsccsceseseesseecesenseeseseesees 57 Russian Budget Committee Chairman: Treasury ‘Completely Empty’ [Moscow Radio] _........... 57 UKRAINE International Affairs Ukrainian Deputy on Moroz’s Refusal To Meet Perry /HOLOS UKRAYINY 6 Jan] ........000000+. 58 Ukraine's Foreign Minister on Outcome of CIS Summit /Kiev International] ........c.cccccccceeees 58 Kuchma on Moscow Mayor's Presidential Ambitions [INTERFAX] ..........cccccccccsccsceeeceseeeseeseeees 59 Primakov Visit to Kiev Agreed During Talks With Udovenko {MOLOD UKRAYINY 18 Jan] 59 Ukrainian Official Discusses Relations With Russia /DEMOKRATYCHNA UKRAYINA 18 Jan] 59 Ukraine's Kostenko Discusses Nuclear Cooperation in Prague /Kiev International] _................. 60 National Affairs President Kuchma 18 Jan News Conference [INTERFAX] ......c.ccccccccescssersessesensesseeseesenecancaneneenens 60 Moroz 16 Jan Supreme Council Opening Speech /HOLOS UKRAYINY 17 Jan] ........ccccccceccos 63 PO FUPGES TRGRID OS TERE OE BURRS FUTIIIICS —ccceccecerscccccncnsecscsnvecsscsnsceccsessesesensvsentecsesessvseners 0. FBIS-SOV-96-014 22 January 1996 a Central Eurasia Former Ukrainian Navy Commander on Black Sea Fleet Control [UNIAR] ......:csccecesseecsseseeeeees 64 Crimean Muslims Support Chechen Independence [UNIAN] ......css.sssseseesessssseseesnssnerseetneseeenesenes 65 Meshkov Returns to Crimea To Celebrate '91 Referendum [INTELNEWS] .........ccccccesceseeeeeeees 65 Crimean Communist Leader Interviewed [VSEUKRAINSKIYE VEDOMOSTI 16 Jan] _.............. 66 Economic Issues Ukrainian Airline Deal With U.S. Companies Criticized [VECHIRNIY KYYIV 16 Jan] _............ 67 Kuchma Says Local Authorities Hindering Privatization [INTELNEWS] .........ccssssssssseeseeeeeees 69 Ukraine: Supreme Council Adopts Bill on VAT Changes [INFOBANK] _ ...........scscscsseseseeeeeeeesees 69 Ukrainian Presidential Aide: Economic Situation ‘Grave’ [ITAR-TASS] .....cc.cccccccsesecscseeseeseeeeees 69 WESTERN REGION Belarus Belarus: Supreme Soviet Chairman on Parliamentary Tasks [INTERFAX] .......:ccccscssssseeesseeeesees 71 Belarus: KGB Opens ‘Confidential Phoneline’ [Minsk Radio] ......cc.cccccccsssessssesssseeseseeesessescneees 71 Belarus: Rocket Base Commanders Steal 8 kg of Platinum [Moscow Radio] .........c..cccccececeees 71 Moldova Snegur-Led Delegation Departs for CIS Summit [INFOTAG] .....cc.scccscsssessssceseseseeesenssesceenseneerees 71 Aide Explains Moldova's Stance on CIS Customs Union [Radio Rossii] ........s.ccscssecsseeeeeeseeees 71 Russian Commander Denies Missile Transfer to Dniester [BASAPRESS] ............0cccccccecceeseseeeees 72 Diplomatic Heads Visit Russian Troops in Dniester [BASAPRESS] .......:c.ccccccsssessscesesseeseeseseeeees 72 Dniester President Smirnov Signs New Constitution [INFOTAG] ..........ccsccsssesseesscesseseeseesensenees 72 Maracuta Reelected Tiraspol Supreme Soviet Speaker [INFOTAG] — ........ccsscsscsssssceseeseeseeseseeseeees 72 CENTRAL ASIA Kazakhstan Nazarbayev Hails Customs Union With Russia, Belarus [Moscow Radio] .......cccccsssesseeseserseenes 74 Experts Detect Prospects To Find More South Kazkah Gold [PANORAMA 12 Jan] ..........0000. 74 Kazakhstan Allocates More Air Time to Russian Public Television [Almaty TV] _ ...........c0:0000+ 74 Kyrgyzstan President Akayev on Need for Referundum [Bishkek TV] ........c.cccccscsssssssssssssesceseseeseeseeeeseeeeeeeees 74 Tajikistan Tajik Government Reports Opposition Cease-Fire Violations to UN [Dushanbe Radio] _............ 76 Tajik Mufti, Family Murdered by ‘Unidentified Killers’ [ITAR-TASS] .......cccccccccsccsscesseeeceeceeeees 76 President Rakhmanov Expresses Condolences [ITAR-TASS] ........ccccssccesssssesesseseeseeseeaeeeeees 77 Turkmenistan Niyazov Upholds Neutrality Principle at CIS Summit [TURKMEN PRESS] ..........c0-ccccccseeeeeeees 7? Turkmenistan Issues Joint Communique on Karimov Visit /PRAVDA VOSTOKA 18 Jan] _...... 78 Uzbekistan President Karimov on Results of CIS Summit [Tashkent TV] 0.......:cccccccessesseceescecerseeeeseeeseneeecees 78 CAUCASUS Armenia Armenia: Problems With Power System Described /ARAGIL ELECTRONIC NEWS I a le saccades disthsctleidineannianiediuaniane 81 Georgia —— Cooperation Treaty With Russia Ratified ‘Unilaterally’ (ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA 20 COREE E EERE EEE EE REE EEE TE EEE EEE ER EEE EEE EE EES EEE EE EEE TREES EEE ED TEESE ES EEE TEESE EEE ESTES EEE ESE EE EEE EE EEE EEE EE EEE EES EE EEE EEE EE EES EEE EEEEE ERE EE EES 8] FBIS-SOV-96-014 22 January 1996 5 Central Eurasia Georgia: Opposition Criticizes Ratification of Treaty [INTERFAX] ...........cccseeseseeeneneeees 81 SuenENcY) Releases Statement on CIS Summit Resolutions [CONTACT INFORMATION - Shevardnadze Satisfied With Anti-Separatist Policy [ITAR-TASS] .oscceccvccsocrweewenuue 82 Georgia Foreign Minister on CIS Summit Resolutions /Tbilisi Radio] __...........: ictiicsahmanhieeainaedes 82 Abkhazian Official Condemns CIS Decision on Sanctions [INTERFAX] ...........cccccccecccseseeereeees 83 Russian Commander Denies Chechen Training Camps in Abkhazia [IBERIA] _ ..............0000000 84 Besayev Reportedly Observed Crossing Into Abkhazia [Moscow ORT] ............-..ssssceeseveeenseeees 84 Talks on Ossetia Underway in Norway [TDilisi Radio} .........0...cccccscceseseeseeceeenesneeenessneesneeneesesnenes &4 Shevardnadze Assesses Economic Prospects [SAKARTVELOS RESPUBLIKA 9 Jan] .......0.0000+ &4 a Former Security Chief's Links With Mafia Confirmed [SVOBODNAYA GRUZIYA 9 ins ST, . , T Nctween Uzhekista Turkmenistat sat i! > President Karimov on Results of CIS Summit guarantee Of Weir stead mcr LD2101094196 Tashke Iss ws inv ving Tur f { tif f ' ' , lal 4 iv /4¢ f Vi r , ! regional trad ind i NCT ) ' . milion the _ ‘ 4 Ie sat ¢ FBIS 1 rm CUSSeU c oie : ‘ ny AAS T "a Ud ‘ ( IS H ‘5 “4 process meets the fundamental interests of heth states T? » head f beth tate ’ ho, niorete 7a ‘ ' , ic ne aus SLALeS nny ele apreements if resi sCT “A mM FesOlving regional ec zg! promhiems related, first I sie ‘ ‘ vr T and foremost, w ne Consequences the Aral Sea , f the leaders of ( t re! < suCl J Yagecy States niirie ‘ ‘8 way ‘ Presidents Islam Karimov and Saparmur ad Niyazov ing Was surrounded Ny is Of SUPPMS f i? how noted the importance if ling reguiar consultations reiauons among the sta w! n formed a singk hetween f reign ministries and stressed that perauior for 70 years, would dev pin future. [passage omitted This report may contain copynghted matenal Copying and disseminatwrt is prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-014 22 January 1996 An interview with the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, which he gave after the Moscow mecting, contains more details on the work of the council of CIS heads of state and the proposals that our country put forward LBegin recording] (Karimov) | would say that the conference of heads of state proceeded on a4 very constructive basis. The reason for this is that all the the majority of issues were considered very attentively well in advance, at all levels, and at bilateral Mneetings. For example, I think my meeung yesterday with the Russian President Boris Nikolayevich in many respects predetermined the common nature of our approaches, the approaches of Uzbekistan and Russia, to the matters under discussion. Therefore, 1f all the issues are divided up into several groups, on issues eltsin virtually all the issues our proposals, which were agreed in advance, all went through The first group of issues was the fact that we must k I keep Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin as president ' president, but chairman of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth, the CIS for the next term 1996. That was backed unanimously. I a ported that idea, together with the others. Most importantly | made my own contribuuon by stating that in the situation Currently developing in Russia, 4 the candidates ind for some reason their number growing so large with every passing day that it is hard to know what 1s g gp Of it there verynody wi feels like it wanis t hecome pre i toda ind | Jo not think that is a very good sign. Only a worth: man can become president, and I w j f say that not only a president, but even a president candidate, must be a worthy persor There some yardsucks, restrictions and criteria to separate the candidates so as to avoid creating 108 } f the Russian people By supporting Yeltsin for another term as the CIS council, we were thus expressins ‘ to the future presidential candidate. In this case, | said ypenly: When | support your candidacy today for the post of CIS chairman, | am thus making 1 secret of the fact that I support your candidacy for the post of president of Russia If you were to ask me today, simply as 4 person wh probably has the right to express his opinior ldg not have a vote, and I do not intend to influence anybody or to demand anything from anybody I am sim expressing my own opinion, which is that among all the men in the state [gosudarstvennyye muzhi| who are currently laying claim to the job, the most acceptable to Uzbekistan, its interests and its present and future is CENTRAL ASIA 79 Yeltsin. This is because you always choose trom what is available. We cannot create some kind of symbolic figure and make Comparisons with that symbolic figure We always compare candidates with one another. I tell you this: Against the background of all the candidates who have already declared their intentions and who might declare themselves tomorrow, Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin, with al! his merits and for all his short which everybody has Mmiinps is the most suitable man for us If you ask me, | would support this candidacy The second group of issues that was attitude removing all fiscussed was the customs union. QOur here is clear. We ie in favor of harners to creaung 4 common economic area: Aruficial barners, customs juuies, Customs borders, all those searches, checks, and Theretore we are for joining the customs union, but only as long as so on. We are in favor of geting nd of them ur demands and conditions are met. We cannot ipree | iny linkage between the customs union being set up and ir borders being detended by Russian Border Troops We will not accept that. We are capable of defending ur own borders and that is what we w } the s Qualification is that we wall do s f ¢ rdination with the Russian Border Troops. Another point is that ACCESS to the custon t have at { mpact ur ftoreig ind ecco! | . t] sense that what it 1s profitable for us to exy Iw we have to import st 11 ne t UT ind diktat from itside. There 1 t k What there hye henetit ind acceptable hou Uzhekista RR rh I) rd pgrour ! Tank Ou Jer Is } iJ regard Tajik A Ww Tl} jucst ! x | r ¥ he pr f hoth Russia Ar I ( j tingent J the Kazakh and K / I niory of Tajikistan w i | k , everal tim iiw hat | laad dows } } y CX Iu r tert i {te \ J i r Cly everything has t Tt 1 | I y af ie fer | ' , riders r \ ‘ \ ‘ ‘ A ( 7 t ify on keeping w Armed For f ne ON ¢ jition that the Tauk leadershiy f ' Lal f s} advice. We have absolutely 1 jesire influence their f ’ esteem of [Tajik President Emomal: Rakhmanov or his let us Say sense of We have a respectful attitude to that sovereign state and its elected us Own dignity or his own understanding president elected hy everybody However, since our help is needed, they must also ac cept certain of our conditions. Our conditions are sim This report m contain copyrighted maternal Copying and dissemination 1s prohibited without permission of the copyright owners 80 CENTRAL ASIA ple: The sooner this inter-Tayjik confrontation ends, espe- cially on the Afghan border with Tajikistan, the happier we will be, because this could be extended indefinitely Therefore, two conditions must be met. A flexible pol- icy must be pursued in the inter-Tajik negouations and for this reason I have proposed setting up a conciliation commission, to include representatives of the govern ment, the united opposition, the United Nations, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (ther matters were discussed, but on none of the other matters were there any tundamental as heard]. | should like subject, Abkhazia raised by Georgia were discussed in advance. Each of us had his own opinion on the [sentence say something about one he Abkhaz issue and the question subject, but | am glad that I expressed Uzbekistan’s view and, if you like, did my litte bit to ensur spoke three umes today on this matter. My opinion was ¢ that this decision was adopted. | based on one fundamental point Until we adopt a clear affirmation, until we act on the basis that Georgia is 4 FBIS-SOV-96-014 22 January 1996 single, indivisible state and that Abkhazia may belong to it in whatever capacity it likes that is for them | decide and unul we recognize Georgia's borders as indivisible and unified, we will not agre anything there Therefore, it must be written down that Abkhaz in integral part of Ger fgia and that all states that now enter into relauions with Abkhazia and the people w! live there they have also got he ted ire people, respective of whether they are Abkhaz Georgian, Russian r whatever they hav ar led and provided for Dul all these processes go th igh the Georgian mvernment. Oimniy condition will there be an end to that inflated sey ind, ulumately, to all those terrorist measures niy in Abkhazia and Georgia but also throug! { tha region and, if you like, on the whole territ former USSR, and only then wall there he This réport may contain copynghted matenal Copying and dissernination is protubited without permission of the copynght owners Fin. OV-96-014 22 January 1996 Armenia Armenia: Problems With Power System Described NC2101170396 Yerevan ARAGIL ELECTRONIC NEWS BULLETIN in English 1439 GMT 21] Jan 96 {[FBIS Transcribed Text] Yerevan (“AZG" daily), O1/ 16/96 Hydro- and thermal power plants in Armenia have been built some 30 years ago, and have become used up during this perrod, ROA [Republic of Armenia] Ministry of Energy reported Power system too, is far from being ideal. Thermal plants of Yerevan, Hrazdan, and Vanadzor are currently producing less then thew projected power production rate One of the most powerful power sources 1s tie Hrazdan thermal power plant. A new, Sth block ts currently built, with 300 MWI 1 It will be consuming less tuel and producing more wer k wer production rate The same sources reported in regard with the Armenia Nuclear Plant, that most of its equipment was renewed when POSSIDIC, al fit will serve for another 10-15 vears until it becomes used-uy The losses in the power system are too great in Armenia hey should be within the range of 8-10 percent, based on the internal il standards. This figure 1s usually within 16-18 per cent CIS countries, but it was iD 40) per ce ir republic last year. OF Course his figure is not ly Dased on sses themselves, Dut iS a result of fraud fr s alled ‘lett’ connections Dypassing the power counter Ministry of Energy believes that the rrent price of 1. lran per KW 1s 1 w, and does not allow proper renovat ft the energy syste 87 per cent of U price are Ux st of tue ) per cent is used to pay the salaries of the employees in the system, and only a ¢egiigin part is used r re vation. Today the price lor power is Cgua t «' c s rrency not indicated f Baltic countries, S Germany, 4 in Russia, and 2.6 in Armenia. According f the Ministry of Energy, this price , ? will grow to 14.5 drams per KWth starting on | April Press service CAUCASUS SI Georgia Georgia: Cooperation Treaty With Russia Ratified ‘Unilaterally’ MM2201094496 Moscow ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA in Russian 20 Jan96 p9Y [Report by Albert Kochetnikoy Stretch Out Hand to Russia Supplement’ | Georgia Is First Ti from the “Departmenta [FBIS Translated Text} Tbilisi The Georgian pat liament has unilaterally ratified the Treaty on Friend ship, Good Neighborliness, and Cooperation With Rus sia. This document was signed 43 February 1994 dur ing Russian President Boris Yeltsin's visit to Thilist. At that time he stated: “We have reached mutually advar tageous, long-term decisions in the political, e and other spheres of collaboration Over 100 different Georgian-Russian agreements have deen signed in the meanume in order l framework treaty, Dut they have Deen iett { iif The basic document has still not beer The vast majority of the ret ¢ ers ol | are Supporters of Georgian President Ed 1S nadze, which explains the Lalive ratty \ with Russia. It 1s indicative t he f k place without a preliminary official agreement with R Sia i Gate for this procedur iS SI c nauional Protocol Laws Georgia: Opposition Criticizes Ratification of Treaty LD1I9O1172296 M w INTERFAX in Frnelis 1349 GMT 19 Jan 96 FBIS Transcribed Te TBILISI, Jat y (Interfax Leader of the Georgian United Republican P Nodar Natadze has criticized the Georg | atific il ¢ rf ¢ Ge ry je S14 \ ¢ \ pera i ly | t yt f Css He described it as (an irresponsible stey national interests Russia is waging an undeclared war against G " It was only because of the Russian authorities that Cr gia temporarily st Abkhazia and Southern Ossetia Natadze told Interfax Fnday The parliament's raufication of the treaty Thursday wi not change anything in relations with Russia, because the Russian parliament will not take the counter-step 1 the next two years, he said Natadze reminded Interfax that leaders of some Geor gian opposition parties sent an appeal to the Georgian This report may contain copynghted material Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners 82 CAUCASUS president and the parliament on January |1 to demand no ratification of the treaty and withdrawal of all Rus- sian troops from Georgian territory Shevardnadze Releases Statement on CIS Summit Psolutions LD1901155796 Thilist CONTACT INFORMATION AGENCY in Georgian 1455 GMT 19 Jan 96 {[FBIS Translated Text] Moscow [no date as received] A meeting of the leaders of the CIS countries was held in Moscow today. The parucipants in the meeting passed resoluuons on measures to settle the Abkhazian conflict and on the renewal of the mandate of the CIS collecuve peacekeeping forces In this connection, Georgian President Eduard Shevard- nadze has made a staiement. The statement says that confirming their previous resolution on settling the Abk- hazian conflict and rendering full territorial integnty, the CIS support to Georgia's untries will develop a curd sep- aratism, which endangers peace within the CIS common, consistent, and concerted Course | Shevardnadze's statement emphasizes that Abkhazia 1s Georgia's integral part. Each citizen residing in the +} nit t weet reer f region, as well as thousands of retugees torced to leave their homes, 1s an object of concern of the Georgian wuthorities regardless of his/her ethnic origin, rights needs, and the participa tne flict The statement says that the Georg Government ‘s prey red, within existing possibilities render help if lw population of Abkhazia and allocate humanitanan ind other types of aid that is being sent to Georgia In Shevardnadze *s words, none of the points of the resolutions passed at the CIS summut limits the rights t Georgia’ citizens of any ethnic origin In conclusion, the statement says that ippressive sepa rausm, which like 4 malignant tumor is destroying the integnty of many countries, is the primary source of the current disastrous situa Shevardnadze thanks Russian President Boris Yeltsin and each of his colleagues in the CIS council for efforts they make for restoring Georgia's territorial integrity ind establishing peace in Abkhazia Shevardnadze Satisfied With Anti-Separatist Policy LD2001131996 Moscow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 1216 GMT 20 Jan 96 [By ITAR-TASS correspondent Tengiz Pachkoriya] {[FBIS Translated Text} Thilisi, 20 Jan The decisions made in Moscow develop the general consistent and agreed course of the Commonwealth of Independent FBIS-SOV-96-014 22 January 1996 States aimed at preventing separatism, which poses a threat to security and peace in our countries President Eduard Shevardnadze said. The Georgian president's press service today in which he gives his assessment summit Georgian circulated a statement of the CIS Moscow Shevardnadze expressed saustacuon with the biguous positions unam defined in these decisions as well as confidence in the tact that these decisions would fa cilitate the settlement of the conflict in Abkhazia. The Georgian president expressed grautude to Russian Pres ident Boris Yeltsin and all his CIS counterparts for their efforts aimed at the restorauion of Georgia s terntorial integrity All inhabitants of Abkhazia, irrespective of nationality political preterence, and also of their degree of involve ment in the conflict are Georgian citizens, whose nghts needs, concerns, and requirement to the Georgian leaders [ of thousands of refugees trom Abkhazia, expelled the places where historically they have always lived the statement says. As tar as possible and as far as its re sources stretch, the Georgian Government w jo what itcan to help Abkhazia s inhabitants, the document says Shevardnadze found 1 "CCSSATY Stale also Unat the measures to sett'e the conflict envisaged by the decis of the Council of the Heads of CIS States a no Way aimed against the nights I Pos of the citizens of Georg f various nauor ICS citizens ! any ther Comn "y Abkhazia The Ge Tyla } ( M Lt f the troubles } ADK a2 ‘ Sr ted 1 the Atk ; raus Georgia Foreign Minister on CIS Summit Resolutions LD2IO11IOS396 Thi Radw T1 Vetwork in Georgian 1950 GMT 21 Jan 9 [FBIS Translated Text AS Ww reauy reper } 4 Georgian delegatior 1 hy President Eduard She vardnadze, which participated in the CIS summut, re turned from Moscow early this morning. In connects with this, Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Irak Menagh arishhivili held a news conterence today. Here 1s an interview with Irakli Menagharishvili conducted by our correspondent {Begin recording | What decisions were taken al yesterday s important meeting regarding Georgia’ [(Unidenufied correspondent This report may contain copynghted matenal. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-014 22 January 1996 {Menagharishvili] The decisions taken by the Council of the CIS Heads of State yesterday can be described as the most significant ones over the recent period of tuume. Primarily because it was the first clear-cut and concrete decision pertaining to the Abkhazian conflict. It was a logical development of the resolutions passed by the CIS heads of state first in Almaty and then in Minsk. However, those resolutions consisted only of considerauons about the phenomenon of aggressive separalism and general conceptual approaches from the point of view of curbing this phenomenon. Concrete decisions on the concrete situauon were taken for the first ume only yesterday They are important for Georgia so far as they will have to enase us to get the process of negotiations, which was etually trozen last summer, started from the standsull. In addition, they have to enable us to exert pressure upon the separatist regime with regard to the return of refugees to Abkhazia, the definition of Abkhazia’s status and the comprehensive poliucal settlement of the conflict These decisions are of prof they emphasize that Abkhazia 1s Georgia's integral part and that the leaders of the CIS regard Abkhazia only like this. A question may arise weil, Georgia's territorial integrity has repeatedly been recognized and confirmed bilaterally as well as multilaterally. This is true but this sharp and distinct wording of the issue displays the transformation of general sentuments which existed in the CIS states in respect of the conflict, the phenomenon Abkhazia. The radio listeners may be well aware that at the initial stage of the Abkhazian war and even later, we said that we were losing an information war. That 1s why both the latest UN resolution resolution are s ind significance because ind all the issues pertaining which is Known to our society, and this Significant issessments that make the Significant but the concrete hand declares a complete embargo on mulitary equipment and arms supply to Abkhazia from the CIS countries and on the other hand, it supulates economic sanctions, that is, any economic action with regard to Abkhazia may be taken only at the Georgian government's permission However, it is not the decisions excepuonally measures which mn one Apart from this, the CIS leaders appealed to the UN to consent to the necessity of the measures and to call on other countries of the world to become part of the acuon. This is also a significant decision with regard to the geopolitical situation existing currently around Abkhazia The CIS heads of state have consented in principle to a proposal made by the Georgian delegation on CAUCASUS 83 the changes to be introduced to the mandate of the peacekeeping forces and instructed appropriate CIS Structures to draft a new mandate on the basis of the Georgian proposition so that the issue of renewing the mandate might be decided after this. This is also an important achievement In short, yesterday's event can be regarded as the beginning of a new stage in settling this very painful conflict and doubtlessly as a step forward from the point of view of restoring Georgia's territorial integnty and securing peace in Georgia. [end recording] Abkhazian Official Condemns CIS Decision on Sanctions LD2001150596 Moscow INTERFAX tn English 1341 GMT 20 Jan 96 {FBIS Transcribed Text] MOSCOW, Jan 20 (Intertax) Decisions made on January 19 by the heads of state of the Commonwealth of Independent States, CIS, will work for the economic and political isolation of Abk- hazia and can hardly contribute to the search for a non- violent solution to the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict, first deputy speaker of the Abkhazian parliament Sianislay Lakoba said Saturday in an interview with Interfax In Lakoba's view, the CIS heads of state may torpedo a negotiated settlement Russia, which mediates the search for a solution to the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict, is now openly siding with Georgia, Lakoba told Interfax. Its present stand is unacceptable from the point of view of Abkhazia Decisions on the economic isolation of Abkhazia violate the Russian-Abkhazian agreement of October 20, 199§ which provides for the resumption of railroad communi cauon via Abkhazian territory and leaves Armenia and Georgia in dire straits, Lakoba said Lakoba stressed that Abkhazia had moved to meet a Russian demand for the earliest resumpuon of railroad communication but “every time it agrees to Compr mise, Abkhazia faces the imposition of tougher sanc uons.” According to Lakoba, decisions made by the CIS heads of state are detrimental to the interests of the Abk hazians, in particular the Russian-speaking Abkhazians who suffer more than anyone else from the imposition of the economic blockade Lakoba accused the CIS heads of state of using force in a bid to make Abkhazia part of Georgia and dismissed as false ail stories on drug-trafficking, illegal shipment of weapons and the use of Abkhazian territory by paramilitary groups This report may contain copyrighted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners x4 CAUCASUS Russian Commander Denies Chechen Training Camps in Abkhazia LD2001114295 Thilisi IBERIA in Georgian 1100 GMT 20 Jan 96 IFBIS Translated Text] Gali, 20 Jan Vasily Yaku f the Russian peacc’eeping forces stauioned in the Abkhaz-Georgian conflici zone, said on ? January that reports of training camps tor Chechen litants in the Kodor gorge do not correspond with re shev, commander mspection he carried out has proved that there we no such camps in the Kodor gorge and no training i CU nhechen no tants is Deng carried I nere Basayeyv Reportedly Observed Crossin, into Abkhazia [11901223896 Moscow Russian Public Television rirst ( Manse Vemwork in Ru ain FBIS Translated Text] The ARGUMENTY I FAKTY NOVOSTI WS agency niormation trom the Quarter t Russias caceKkeeping forces tne ] } i ( hechen fighters ) I l y SI Basave ‘ B c VSA FOSS Ak ritory. Tl f Ss wife and « b | VAL \ | «¢ Lily mM VK sd \ c lalks on Ossetia Underway in Norway ivi’ "Ut /} Rad /} Network ’ “i GMI 4 Jan OF FRIS 7 ‘ ! x Talk t () N ‘ aa {j und Ose T) ' ny N a ( nN KS g held ler a sfx 7 ’ rsitv. The idea of organiz ‘ 4 ] t< ‘s t ix Vcr I scr ar 4 Ha } SCT I Cy i ‘ ‘ veUd suring ‘ sit to Cee tpia T? ¢ Ossctian side ‘presented by Dirana A rova, Dmitriy Medovey Konsta Kochives K sta Zugayey ind Le Zupayes The Georgian side ts represented by Jann Kashia, Gog Lavarishy Irina Sanshvili, the director of the Center ‘onflicts and the Strategy nd Zaal for Studies ; Neg tiati Kikodze t International ¢ ns, professor Grorg: Khutsishvil: The meeting will last unti! 20 January FBIS-SOV -96-014 22 January 1996 Shevardnadze Assesses Economic Prospects AU1901152196 Thilisit SAKARTVELOS RESPUBLIKA , in Georgian 9 Jan 96 ppl [Interview with President Eduard Shevardnadze by Nat Onianmi tor Georgian Radio in Thilisi on & January Today, Georgia Is a Country That Is Recognized by the World and Has Embarked So Boldly on the Patt ! Democracy and Deep Economic Transformat FBIS Translated Excerpt Passage ! =e Q)niat Last week, for the first ime in the country’s history New Year celebration was organized tor children wt ire orphans and retugees. These ¢ iren W prodabdly soon retur Abkhazia Iw petully t share the fate [the Sat ita Y |WHOSE SIX MCMNCS We;»re tortured | leath by Abkhazian 1 ints Cy Ray S Ja iy In ¢ cel \ 9 Me Statement which y pave a severe assessment of t ine Russ i ,CALCACE) ‘ ! Oserve;rs W ;¥ _ ‘ \ F ¢ Shevardnadze} Pe . ww Repard he tragedy u red in Gali, Iw ke ut i I ‘ ‘ \ \\ I This is | Ca WECUR \y ‘ \ S Say ( ts CIS ] MI ‘A \\ >] \ { IS Russ | ¢ UN | i " ct ‘ Ak () ' i} ‘ ‘ ; ‘\ ‘ ‘ “ — T? \ A ‘ A 4 \ | A ‘ ( ‘ ( " | ' ear | \ Bos ‘ K ‘ , P nK ¢ ADK / . My } ( ‘ | the Ca s, Russ c hor 7 ACY ind Tt cCipgnhhors y Pec ause Vilally if tta communica n routes, the i highways w ne restored which, naturally, w r i VCTY preal sti S for the economic regenera ! the whole reg passape mitted [Oniani}] During the last year and a half, we have traditionally started with this subyect but. for some 4 prohibited without permission This report may contar> copynghted matenal Copying and dissemination f the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-014 22 January 1996 reason, if is now our last item — last week's economic news {Shevardnadze} Our economy is faced with serous, complex, and large-scale tasks in 1996. As you know, according to the president's economic program, this year should see the restoration of production, a percepuble increase in economic growth — I calculate it at 15-20 percent and a nouceable improvement in the popu- lation’s well-being. The basis for this was formed last year. Inflation, which was one of the major factors be- hind the decline of the economy and the impoverishment of the population over the last few years, has been re- juced. As we say here, it has been checked and what has become the classic example of monetary reform, the stable exchange rate of the lar, has been recognized at the international level. The sessions of the interbank currency exchange on Thursday and Fnday confirm this fact: The exchange rate of the lari against the dollar re- mains at 1.23. The strengthening of the monetary system S creating the basis for qualitatively new approaches in the budgetary sphere as well The cornerstone of the country’s economic policy will budget tor 1996. The government has devoted several days of fairly intensive of the draft budget. The day Netore yesterday, we were working almost the entire day substanuve, and suc- cessful work to discussion need several more meetings. The session was presided over by the president and the parameters t the budget and its principal characteristics still need he discussed. However, one can say today that this year s budget will continue the course of reform and it mportant stage in the implementation of the rogram. The new budget, which strengthens w c al President sf is a reform-minded budget. This ts the general issessment. The draft envisages the combination of the tral and local Dudgets, an increase in personal 1n- me, an increase in the efficiency of expenditure, the f taxation and financial discipline, and the formation of a competitive economic environment i terms of taxation for all entrepreneurs, who will have equal nghts. It provides for an increase in funds for the ur potential and a sharp rise in individual tax and non-tax revenue (this 1s par- ticularly important). Specifically, if, in 1998, according preliminary estimates, revenue amounted to $.2 per- cent of the country’s GDP, :ncluding 3.7 percent for tax revenues, these figures will rise to 8.5 and 6.7 percent respectively [in 1996] strengthening social sphere on the basis of The results achieved last year in the taxation sphere form the basis for overcoming such complex tasks (we have hecome accustomed to general figures, but they are very impressive and give us hope). During 1995, the overall revenue for the state budget amounted to 216 CAUCASUS 85 million lari, which exceeds the 1994 level by a factor of 3.5. 1 do not think there are any other countries that have these results. The taxes collected by the taxation body last year exceed the figure for the preceding year by a factor of 2.5. The customs department also collected revenue at a rapid rate and contributed the equivalent of 9 million lari in various Currencies to the budget in the course of the year, which 1s several umes more than the figure for the preceding year. However, this figure sull lags behind the potential tha’ exists in this sphere. We believe that revenue from this s several times this year phere should increase According to an assessment made by the Ministry of Economy, the drop in GDP was halted in 1995 and there was even a certain increase in some subbranches and complexes. As I have already said severa! umes before, this concerns machine-building, light Justry and certain other branches. This halt is the basis that will enable us to increase our economic potential by 15-20 percent Us year The resuils In agriculture are even more significant Ay cording to figures supplied by the Ministry of Ex my for 1995, the producuon of grain crops, including corn increased by 15 percent (as 4 nimum). The produ uuon Of grapes and fruit rose t ¢ } & percent re specuvely. In addition to a! crease in the livestock population, there was an increase in the production of meat and milk. Incidentaliy. the prices of meat and milk ind milk products would have been much lower had the Jelivery of these products been better organized and as sistance provided to the people who wu Nring these goods to the capital and other ers. This question § ld Dex sut SPCK Liscus s10n The advance of agriculture w } f reversible when Parliament passes the law on land reform. This should happen in the near future. Several variants of the law have been prepares J 1 he P ament wi return HISCUSSING af f what is one t ine most cardinal problems } xt few davs. The fate of the Georgian economy will be largely determined by transport. We have already spoke about signs of improvement in the situatior n the railroads. There are indeed pleasing shifts here. At the same time, in assessing 199S, we cannot fail to mention that Georgia is being increasingly singled out as a transit Country, particularly f the question concerning the shipmen the Caspian Sea. 1996 wil! the path toward the realization project of the century wing the resolution of t of early ou from already Dring real results on f what 1s indeed the This report may contain copyrighted maternal. Copying and dissemination 1s prohibited without permission of the copynght owners i) CAUCASUS Significant prospects for reviving production should be created in the process of privatization and shareholding Up to 2,500 small enterprises had been privatized at the beginning of 1995 and 6,500 by the end of the year. As regards medium and large enterprises, the controlling interest of 150 of 840 joint-stock compames have aiready been bought out. This number will shortly rise to 200. The speeding up of this process is being facilitated by the increased use of privatization vouchers. Up to now, 3,250,000 people, or almost 75 percent of the population, have received vouchers (incidentally, it 1s vexing that this very important phenomenon continues to receive inadequate attenuon and our commentators fail to nouce it) The implementation of our big and small plans depends to a decisive degree on electricity. Last year, for the first ume in several years, the amount of electricity produced was maintained at the level of 7 billion kwh At the same time, there was a 25-percent increase 1n the amount of electricity produced at hydroelectric power Stauions. Sernous restoration and repair work was carried Thilis: State Rayon Power Station. In spite Of obstacles, the matter has almost been seen through out at the to the end and this gives us the chance to make a industry, and not only industry, this year. Moreover, with help trom our fnends comparatively normal start in he United St’.es and the El pportunities have been ' | found t btain fuel. Very many things need to be done ’ ‘ ensure that the country has a stable supply of energy However, if the limits on the consumption of electricity we enforced and there is an improvement in payments for the electricity consumed, it 1s possible that we we!! yet through the winter more or less satisfactorily Finally, | would like to say a few words about the en risis. Payment for electricity Consumed (this can y be safely said today) is the key to overcoming [the Georgian Energy Au the verge of bankruptcy the energy crisis. Sakenerg thonty] has been brought t The point | wish t ery cilizen make in mentioning this 1s that ev { Georgia, every entrepreneur, and every director should understand that we will have electricity say for whatever we con ere brought into operation last year and what we are doing this year (we will prob- ably set about restoring the capacity of the 10th bloc makes Vis wholly possible. It is necessary for everyone to heecone involved in this process. Sakenergo is today owed almost 100 million lar. If Sakenergo had this sum today, we could successfully carry out all restoration work, Dring additional capacities into operation before next winter, and start to acquire fuel so that we do not waste lime on this next year proviled that we manage tc sume. Ihe capacities that FBIS-SOV-96-014 22 January 1996 Therefore, all government structures and our press and television should devote special programs and columns to the solution of this problem, which is of vital and decisive importance for the state Georgia: Former Security Chief's Links With Mafia Confirmed AU2001172296 Thilist SVOBODNAYA GRUZIYA in Russian 9 Jan 96 pl {Statement by the Board of the Georgian Ministry of State Security (Published in Abridged Form)” issued in Toilisi on 29 December 1995] [FBIS Translated Text] On 26 June 1995, the board of the tormer Georgian Security Service made a statement in which it viewed as unacceptable the critical attitude of the authorities and the public toward this service and, in the event of such an attitude continuing, threatened to use its right to take lawful measures with the aid of armed formations The subsequent development of events exposed the real author of this irresponsible statement: It was the t Igor Giorgadze. The head of the special service, nicknamed “the commander,” threatened to take iSSaSS1ING n i personal statement lawful Following the terrorist act 5 against Shevardnadze] on 29 August, it became clear what was meant by Measures tt ' emp lawful ilegal Ccommereial activity, close contact with the mafia and “Mkhednoni [former paramilitary terrorist acts, and, finally, the Organization of a State coup by | of state. As ha een cl Igor Giorgadze was carrying out the ¢ iquidating the head nfirmed by the invesugation irect orders of the Under Igor Giorgadze’s leadership, the State Security NETVIC nored tne perauonal service, anarchy and haos reigned in financial and economic activities, and ementary re ents governing financial accounting were not observed The tf i i cl i S that t k place in the Se curity Service, in particular, illegal commercial activ already been it the State Security Service Azerbaijan was resold in a neighboring state. The broker, whose role was played by the special service, along with concealing revenue from the state created a hothed of political complications. On the ba sis Of checks carried out into the acuviuies of the Secu- rity Service during this period, the Georgian Chamber of Control obliged the special service to pay 1,203,850 lari into the state budget. However, this sum does not compare with the sums transferred to separate accounts ted with gasoline, have now exposed. The gasoline tt received trom This report may contain copynghted matenal Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copynght owners FBIS-SOV-96-014 22 January 1996 held with the English “Lloyds Bank" and the "Credit Suisse Bank In connection with the cooperation of the special service with the gasoline and cigarette mafias, criminal proceedings have been insugated for the large-scale misappropriation of state property. Mirianishvili, the former head of the economic department of the Security Service and Igor Giorgadze’s “nght hand,” has been urrested In accordance with an order issued by the Georgian minister of state security, an inventory of material valu- CAUCASUS 87 ables and weapons and a documentary audit are being Carried out. The operational-invesugation group, along with the Georgian Procurator’s Office, will thoroughly investigate the financial and economic activities of the former Security Service The board of the Georgian Ministry of State Security 1s empowered to state that the special service will improve itself in the shortest period of time and become the gZenuine guarantor of the security of the president, the authorities, and the population of Georgia This report may contain copyrighted maternal Copying and dissemination is prohibited without permission of the copyright owners Lithuania Lithuanian Seimas Supports Russia’s Bid To Join Council of Europe LD1801233796 Mosow ITAR-TASS World Service in Russian 1649 GMT 18 Jan 96 {hy ITAR-TASS correspondent Viadas Burbulis] FBIS Translated Text] Vilnius, 18 Jan — Lithuania’s Seimas adopted by a unanimous vote today a special statement in support for Russia's bid to join the Council t Europe [CE] and expressed the hope that “the Russian Federation #*ll adhere to all the obligations set by the CE for every state that wishes to join this international reanizat me the Lithuanian delegation at the CE was instructed to express the wish dunng the discussion Russia's admittance to the CE that “the Russian Federation assume additional commitments to refrain ‘ats Or use of force against other peoples and Tt ‘ iS Statement also says that “Russia must start ¢ and financial disputes with Lithuania noers as § f as pe ssible was recommended that Russta “should settle the Che problem through peaceful dialogue tn line with the CE convention on human rights Kins to account every nation’s right to self- President Brazauskas Addresses Baltic Symposium in Kiel WN/% W096 Vilnius ELTA in English sO ¢,Ml1 Y¥ Jan OW FBIS Transcribed Text] Vilnius, January 18, ELTA Speaking at the international symposium “Future of B “ tates: perspectives for Europe” in the Lithuanian President Algirdas Bravauskas said that the European Associate agree signed by Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia created in the Baluc sea region | i WAS NOt straming to Europe neither with the ind. nor with the full basket of problems The forum marked the solemn celebration of the 125th unmiversary of the Industry and Trade Chamber of the Schieswig-Holstein Land an President said that it would be very useful have the special conference about co-operation of tx S€a States organized on the initiative of the European Union (EU BALTIC STATES FBIS-SOV -96-014 22 January 1996 Brazauskas stressed that he was an active supporter o! such co-operation, adding that the Baluc sea region was unique in its importance and possibilities is there was no other sea in the World uniting important states which had beloged to the hostile blocks tn the past, as well as, the neutral countries President Brazauskas also spoke about the recent prob- lems in the banking system in Lithuania, adding that Strict aculons were | ative tendencies’ with the help of the World Bank and the International Monetary I leader stated that, basically. the state was maintaming Lake! the balanced budget } was valiz The symposium was attended by about | SOO part pants. Lithuanian, Latvian and ie girdas Brazauskas, Guntis | inis and Lennart Mer met German President Roman Herzog and leader the Schieswig-Holsiein | Lithuania: Interior Minister Submits Resignation LD2001120096 Vilnius Radio Vilnius Network ; , in Lithuanian 1000 GMT 2 av [FBIS Translated Excerpt) | } Adoltas Slezevicius told President Al gird Braz K on Friday that he had received eT lt res from Interior Minister R isis \ LIETI VOS RYTAS daily repor } eB News Service According to the newspaper, S news | the president \ president arrived trom Get y. Bras k 4 Germany to take anniversary January} Vaitiekunas ’ ' Pnme Minister Sleze How interview to Lithuar f “ minister said that he had ask him and that this was p assage fT tted Vaitiekunas, $2 | since the end of ML Rew he wa ' / for withdrawing his personal depos t the Lithua Joint-Stock Innovation Bank on the ev t suspet ‘ of the bank's activites ‘ inks and px liticians beheve that the actions of the Intenor Ministry supporting Vytaut lys. cha Litimpeks bank board of directors become the reas for suspension of the bank's activity This report may contain copynghted matenal Copying and disseminatwr 8 prohibited without permission of the copynght owners BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 352 MERRIFIELD, VA. This is a U.S. Government publication produced by the Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS). Its contents in no way represent the policies, views, or attitudes of the U.S. Government FBIS collects, translates, disseminates, and analyzes foreign open-source information on behalf of the U.S. Government. Its publications may contain copynghted material. Copying and dissemination is prohibited with- out permission of the copyright owners. — Bracketed indicators before the first sentence of each item describe the way in which the material was processed by FBIS — Headlines and all bracketed explanatory notes are supplied by FBIS — Personal and place names are rendered in accordance with the decisions of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names as adapted by FBIS. 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