07 April 2004 18:59
RUSSIA: FINANCIAL WOES STRIKE FAR EASTERN CITY
Bailiffs in Vladivostok are confiscating the property of persistent energy-bill debtors, REN-TV reported on 6 April.
The report showed bailiffs confiscating computers and television sets after breaking down apartment doors to gain entry.
In October, Dalenergosbyt General Director Nikolai Tkachev told ORT that his company is prepared to confiscate the pets
of persistent debtors in order to force them to pay their bills. "Let Dad answer to his daughter or son why their
favorite cat has been taken away," Tkachev said (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 3 October 2003). Meanwhile,
members of the city's legislature have appealed to the President Putin to cancel the mayoral election scheduled for
June because there is no money to pay for the ballot, "Moskovskii komsomolets v Vladivostoke" reported on 1
April. According to the report, the city's budget deficit is more than 40 percent. JAC Copyright (c) 2004. RFE/RL,
Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
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