Source: Calgary Sun (Canada)
Contact:  http://www.canoe.ca/CalgarySun/
Pubdate: September 23, 1998

RUSSIAN TEACHERS TO BE PAID WITH VODKA

Moscow (AP) - Teachers in central Russia will be receiving their monthly
salaries in vodka because the government's coffers are empty, a news agency
reported yesterday.

The 8,000 educators in the Altai republic, 3,000 km east of Moscow, will
receive 15 bottles of vodka each, while local leaders put pressure on the
federal government to pay its debts, Itar-Tass news agency said.

Most of Altai's budget comes from the federal treasury, which is far behind
in payments.

Altai officials earlier tried to pay part of the teachers' wage arrears
with toilet paper and funeral accessories. The offer was refused.

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Checked-by: Mike Gogulski