26 May 2004 06:00
Russia: Boatmen lift blockade of Siberian river
Irkutsk, 26 May: Boatmen working on the Lena River unblocked navigation today after directors of the fleet's
Kirenskaya and Alekseyevskaya maintenance and repair shops submitted letters of resignation, as the boatmen had
demanded, the administration of Irkutsk Region's Kirenskiy District has told ITAR-TASS.
The boatmen began blocking the river on 20 May, closing its fairway with over 60 vessels. The social situation in the
town of Kirensk and in the village of Alekseyevsk had deteriorated owing to wage arrears. The boatmen also accused the
shops' management of the fleet being unready for navigation.
Vessels carrying cargo to Yakutia and northern areas of Irkutsk Region started sailing on the river at 0700 [0300
gmt] today.
[In a separate report, at 0400 gmt on 26 May, NTV has said that the prosecutor's office has brought criminal
charges against general directors of the Kirenskaya and Alekseyevskaya maintenance and repair shops in relation to
embezzlement, misappropriation of state funds and non-payment of wages.]
[ITAR-TASS news agency] |
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