President Eduard Shevardnadze of Georgia says he has spent tens-of-thousands of dollars of his own money to extend and improve security measures at his official residence, because the state could not afford to make the necessary changes.

Speaking on state radio, Mr Shevardnadze -- who has survived several assassination attempts -- said he had spent a total of one-hundred-and-fifty- thousand dollars, with much of the money going on security devices.

He also made public other details of his personal finances as part of his campaign to reduce the tax evasion by Georgians, which leaves the government short of vitalfunds.