Georgian Defense Ministry asked Georgian President and Commander-in-Chief Eduard Shevardnadze to summon an extraordinary meeting of the National Security Council. The meeting is necessary due to the disastrous financial standing of the Georgian Armed Forces, a source in the Georgian Defense Ministry reported to RBC. Over the first six months of 2003, the Georgian Armed Forces received only 62 percent of due financing, and many servicemen have not received their pays for a considerable period of time. Moreover, the implementation of several military programs was off. Some of them were aimed at promoting Georgia\'s joining NATO. Additionally, the government, following a corresponding IMF requirement, has recently made a decision on budget cuts, for a third time since the beginning of the year. The cuts focused on the funds that should have been allocated to the Armed Forces and law-enforcement agencies. (RBC)