Georgian Premier: Adjarian economy feeling effects of blockade

Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvaniya admitted that due to his government's blockade of the Adjarian autonomous republic prices there have increased for all goods and services. Zhvaniya told journalists in the Georgian port city of Poti that 'the center is concerned about increases in prices and the high demand for food products and staple products.'

Serious delays have also been reported in regard to worker's pay and pensions because all bank operations on the territory of the autonomous republic have been halted. 'The Georgian government is doing all it can to see that the humanitarian situation in Adjaria does not worsen too much,' said Zhvaniya. However, he did not confirm how the government would achieve its aim. Moreover, he emphasized that the question of reestablishing banking operations in Adjaria is not being reviewed because 'Adjarian leaders could use money allocated for pensions to pay for weapons.' Before the blockade, Adjaria was the only region of Georgia that paid out pensions and worker's pay on time.