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The News in Brief

Thursday, November 3
2010 Corruption perception index shows Georgia rated 68th

Georgia is in the 68th place in the 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index of Transparency International. The Index measures the perceived level of public sector corruption in 178 countries around the world. Countries are scored on a scale from 10 (highly honest) to 0 (highly corrupt). Georgia is in 68th place on the list with a score of 3.8.

Denmark, New Zealand and Singapore are tied at the top of the list with a score of 9.3, followed closely by Finland and Sweden at 9.2. Bringing up the rear is Somalia with a score of 1.1, slightly trailing Myanmar and Afghanistan at 1.4 and Iraq at 1.5. In the group of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where Georgia is listed number as 68, Turkey has the lowest level of corruption while Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are perceived as highly corrupt. (Interpressnews)



Davit Bakradze discussed security issues with US Senators and Georgian lawmakers meet with Harvard experts on reforms

The chairperson of the Georgian Parliament, Davit Bakradze, met with American Senators during his official visit to the United States. Bakradze discussed regional security issues, the situation in Georgia`s occupied regions and Georgia-US relations with John McCain, Roy Blunt and Mark Begich.

Bakradze will hold more meetings in Washington to discuss cooperation issues with Congressional representatives and the US administration. A meeting with the US Undersecretary of State, Mr. William Burns is also on the agenda. Bakradze is also expected to deliver speech at the Marshall Foundation.

On Friday, Georgian senior lawmakers will leave for Boston to give a report to the Kennedy School of the Harvard University on reforms carried out in Georgia in recent years. (Rustavi 2)



Pre-school educational programs and other prerogatives of the Ministry of Education being discussed

Working on preschool educational plans and other programs would be a prerogative of the Ministry of Education and Science. An amendment presented in a bill created by the Ministry would also give the Ministry of Education the right to prepare and ratify programs of final exams and to conduct research to promote the development of general education. Parliament has not yet discussed the bill. (Interpressnews)



Members of the Georgian Academy and other citizens rush to open accounts in Cartu Bank

Members of the citizen action movement, Georgian Academy and other public representatives have opened accounts in Cartu Bank As the Head of the Georgian Academy, Nukri Kantaria, told InterPressNews, they want to show support for the Cartu Group and Bidzina Ivanishvili through this gesture, as he has supported the arts for years and has carried out other significant accomplishments.

“Each Georgian is obliged to try to improve the situation in the country, and Bidzina Ivanishvili is exactly this type of person. I opened an account for 50 lari”, he said.

Gia Gachechiladze, known as Utsnobi was also in Cartu Bank. He said that many Georgians went to the Cartu Bank today and those who opened an account are thus declaring support to the people who want change and well-being in Georgia. Supporting Cartu Bank started at the initiative of Davit Maghradze several days ago. (Interpressnews)



Group of journalists from Southern Africa visits Georgia

A group of leading journalists from Southern African countries are visiting Georgia. For the next few days, the journalists will become familiar with the reforms carried out by the Georgian Government in recent years and observe the work of several state offices. The journalists will prepare reports on Georgia and its culture after returning to their countries. The journalists have already met with the State Minister for Diaspora Affairs, Papuna Davitaia. They will tour the Kakheti Region after other meetings with senior officials. (Rustavi 2)



Labour Party objects to the hikes in public transport costs

The Georgian Labour Party objects to growing public transport costs and calls upon passengers and the drivers both to join a rally planned for November 7 in front of Parliament.

Party leaders assembled on November 2 in Tbilisi's Orbeliani Square near the center of the city, and alleged that the President and his family have personal interests in the transport business in Tbilisi. They said that drivers were worried about the rising costs for city transport especially as they have very low salaries. The opposition party members distributed flyers about the upcoming rally. (Rustavi 2)