The Messenger #158 (1425)

Monday, August 20, 2007, #158 (1425)

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Headline: Liquefied natural gas has become more expensive in Georgia
The price of liquefied natural gas has increased dramatically in the country, according to Akhali Taoba. The cost of a "balloon," the container the fuel is typically sold in, has shot up from GEL 2 to GEL 8.

Many rural villages outside the country's energy network rely on liquefied natural gas for heating and cooking.

According to the chair of the Union of Oil Product Producers, Importers and Consumers, Vano Mtvralashvili, prices are up because the Azerbaijani state factory which produces Georgia's supply of liquefied natural gas has cut production as it upgrades its equipment.

Mtvaralashvili predicted that supplies would rebound to normal levels by the end of September, along with prices-a sure relief for cash-strapped villages.

Headline: Orthodox faithful protest the opening of a mosque in Kvemo Bolnisi
The Davit Agmashenebeli Orthodox Believers' Union demonstrated against the opening of a mosque in the village of Kvemo Bolnisi in Kvemo Kartli province on August 18, reports Akhali Taoba.

"We are protesting because not only did they not confirm the opening of the mosque with the Patriarchate, but they didn't even inform the Church about it. The Patriarchate knew nothing about today's opening of the mosque in Kvemo Bolnisi. The Orthodox Church isn't able to use the rights awarded to it by the Concordat because of the antinational and anti-Orthodox policy of our government," said organization head Avtandil Ungiadze. Citizens from the Bolnisi region reportedly joined in on the protest march.

Ungiadze also claimed that "to create their own local governments, Azeris and Turks, with the help of their consulates, bring money into Georgia" to build mosques and set up communities, without asking permission from the Georgian state and Church.

"Imagine what would happen if we decided to open an Orthodox church in Saingilo [a collection of ethnic Georgian villages in western Azerbaijan]," Avtandil Ungiadze reported.

Headline: Pork quarantine lifted in several Georgian regions
On August 17, the Ministry of Agriculture lifted the quarantine on pork in Shida Kartli province and the districts of Sighnagi and Dedoplistskaro in Kakheti province.

There is no more danger of African swine fever there, Ministry officials say. The devastating livestock disease hit Georgia in June, leading to quarantines and preventive slaughters of most of the country's pigs.

Headline: Authorities request Irakli Tsereteli to leave his office
The Ministry of Economic Development informed the National Independence Party by letter that they need to vacate their Machabeli Street offices by August 18, writes Akhali Taoba.

Party leader Irakli Tsereteli refused to leave without compensation from the government. Tsereteli claimed the government gave the office to his party in 1999, and he has the documents to prove it.