Georgia’s Saakashvili refuses to move from presidential palaceNovember 4, 2012 - 16:57 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has refused to fulfill the request by Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili to leave the presidential palace, RIA Novosti reported. “The presidential palace is a presidential palace and not Mr. Saakashvili’s private property," Saakashvili’s spokeswoman Manana Mandzhgaladze said. "This building is intended for the president’s work,” she told journalists on Friday, Nov 2. Ivanishvili earlier on Friday proposed that Saakashvili move from the presidential palace, the premier said was too expensive to maintain to the cheaper-to-maintain State Chancellery building where the government holds its meetings. The new Georgian premier also said it was a heavy load on the country’s budget to maintain two presidential planes, adding that the monthly maintenance expenses amounted to about 800,000 lari ($484,000), which he said was unacceptable in a country where there are so many poor people. The Georgian parliament on October 25 approved the new cabinet led by Ivanishvili, leader of the Georgian Dream coalition that won the country's October 1 parliamentary elections. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |