The decision to put timber exports under a ban until January 1, 2002 was adopted at an extraordinary session of Parliament today. The step aims to put under restraint timber clearance for exports, which has acquired a wide scale recently. Licenses on using timber resources will be issued on condition that the timber processing takes place on the Georgian territory. The document issued by the Forestry Department, confirming the timber user’s right, will allow exporter customs services after timber processing. Zurab Soselia, Deputy Finance Minister, demanded the decision be postponed in order to agree the issue with the international organizations (IMF is against the measures). According to him, moratorium puts bounds to foreign trade. Nevertheless, Zurab Zhvania, chairman of Parliament, put the question to vote. The decision on putting exports under a ban was confirmed by 124 votes. Only representative of the majority participated in the session as the Opposition is boycotting.