|
Wednesday,
August 22,
2007, #160 (1427)
Headline:
Government and opposition on the cusp of new political season The supposed new candidates for the prime minister's post are Minister of Education Kakha Lomaia and Foreign Affairs Minister Gela Bezhuashvili. President Mikheil Saakashvili is perceived as lending Lomaia visible support in critical moments; the president and the minister were together twice this spring for public meetings with school children. Bezhuashvili, meanwhile, is thought to have a champion in Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili. Lomaia's odds, however, sunk earlier this summer when a sarcastic speech to parliament was derided by many MPs, including majority members. Changes in government can come in September, when parliament gathers for the fall session. Unconfirmed word is that former defense minister Irakli Okruashvili is waiting for that time to unveil his new political party. Curiously, there is more information about Okruashvili and the rumored new party in the regions than in Tbilisi. The ousted former defense minister seems to be seeking support outside the capital. Headline:
The price of rest The de facto authorities of the breakaway region say they're now hosting more tourists than any other season in the past 15 years. "All Abkhazian hotels and boarding houses are busy and all tours are sold through the end of the season," declared the de facto chair of the Abkhaz resorts and tourism committee, Tengiz Lakerbaia. Many of those tourists, he says, head for the towns of Gagra and Bichvinta [Pitsunda]. Abkhazia hosted 600 000 tourists last year, the tourism committee head claims, and is expected a 40 percent increase this year. "Our prices are cheaper than in Krasnodar, which attracts tourists to our republic," explained Lakerbaia. Abkhaz de facto authorities say the high tourist numbers have ironed out wrinkles in border crossing procedures, though long lines remain a problem. Meanwhile, a team from the Russian Ministry of Agriculture is investigating the outbreak of African swine fever among pigs in Abkhazia. "After research, the Russian experts divided Abkhaz territory into three parts. The undesirable territory of Gali, Ochamchire, Tkvarcheli and Gulripshi; the comparatively desirable zone of Sokhumi district, and the fully desirable area where there are no instances of African swine fever, Gudauta and Gagra districts," declared the head of the de facto Abkhaz veterinary service, Erik Anshba. If Russian tour operator claims are anything to go by, the number of Russian tourists to Abkhazia has gone up no less than 50 times since the Abkhazian war. Headline:
Dispute ended with murder Chinchaladze was killed the night of August 18 when neighbors were celebrating Peristsvaloba [an Orthodox holiday]. According to eyewitnesses, Abasashvili assaulted Davit Kukhaleishvili, hitting him in the head with a brick. Chinchaladze, defending Kukhaleishvili, attacked Abasashvili with a bottle. Abasashvili then drew a knife, stabbing Chincaladze in the chest. He died at the scene. Abasashvili is charged with murder and hooliganism; he claims self-defense. Abasashvili also claims he turned himself into police, but authorities say they arrested him far from his house. Headline:
Students who receive loans face risk For example, the paper asks, will you be alright taking out a GEL 2000 loan from the bank, and then adding another GEL 320 to the sum in repayment? 'Charity' banks make their money from these arrangements. And it's not easy to get that 16 percent loan. They'll give that rate if you borrow not GEL 2000, but GEL 20 000. Smaller loans have steeper interest rates, the newspaper advises. If you miss payments you'll be fined; if problems escalate you'll have the courts to deal with. In the end, your property will be confiscated and auctioned off. In short, the newspaper
writes, this 'harmless' project helps students get an education, but
it can drive many to bankruptcy. |
Press
Scanner