Putin to live in bungalow in Sea Island

Like all the other G-8 leaders, Vladimir Putin will live in a bungalow in the US and move around in an electromobile, a Kremlin source told RIA Novosti on Monday.

The summit will be held on June 8-10 on Sea Island on the Atlantic coast of the United States about 60 miles away from Savannah, Georgia.

Sea Island is a private island of 8 sq. miles, which is a long narrow strip along the coast. There are 600 private houses there, which have either been purchased or leased.

The G-8 leaders will meet in two buildings, which are ten minutes' drive from one another. "The first building will host working sessions, and the second - ceremonial and working lunches," said the Kremlin representative.

"Each leader will be provided with his own bungalow - a fairly big cottage 100-150 meters away from the coast. Supposedly, it will accommodate each leader, his wife and some delegates. The others will live in Savannah - at the same place as reporters covering the G-8 meeting," said the source. The press center of the summit will be based in Savannah as well.

The heads of state will move around the island in small electromobiles specifically designed for the occasion, which have been named "bush-mobiles". "They are very simple - they have only a steering wheel and an accelerator," the source said.

In his words, the cars are designed for G-8 leaders only. Leaders of the Middle East and Africa who were invited by "the host" of the meeting, US President George Bush, will not be transported by such cars.

They are not expected to stay for the night on the Sea Island either - special helicopters will take them to the island for the events they are invited to.

Journalists who will be covering the summit have already expressed discontent that they will have to pay for many services, which previously were free (certain services of the press center), on Sea Island.

When commenting on this fact, the Kremlin spokesman said, "The problem is that services that were free at previous summits will now be paid, and the hosts of the summit know about it."

"They have promised to think it over, and take some measures," said the source. At the same time, he found it difficult to say whether this appeal would have any effect. He only remarked that both journalists and national delegations would suffer from the materialism of the organizers.