HANDS UP

Meetings of protest against the act of terror in Beslan took place in many Russian cities on Tuesday. About 200 people gathered on the central square in Vladivostok.

They were mainly marine cadets, who came led by their commanders, and representatives of political parties seen at all public events. It is not clear why so few people came - either it was rainy weather, or poor advertising, or people did not believe in such meetings. Vladivostok mayor Vladimir Nikolayev took the floor first.

- Of course, this horrible crime affected the whole country and its leadership. Primorye citizens should support their country fellowmen. It is very important to give support to the president.

Chairman of the veterans' council Yakov Kan said that veterans should not allow the country to be separated into parts, and State Duma member Vladimir Grishukov accused President Putin of everything. He was the only speaker to criticize the president, apart from Yakov Kan's vague hints, who said that "children have paid for negligence on the part of adults." Others were politically cautious in their figures of speech and applied strong terms only to terrorists.

At the end, the organizers requested the audience to vote for their proposed resolution and say "no" to anti-human acts. Embarrassed people looked at each other and hesitantly raised their hands. Not everybody did so, as if being afraid of something. - Yevgenia YURCHENKO.

REGIONAL MEETING ON FISHERY PROBLEMS HELD IN FAR EAST

Minister of agriculture Alexey Gordeyev met with representatives of the Far Eastern federal district's fishing companies in Sakhalin Island on 7 September.

He said to journalists a day before: "We would like to discuss the bill on marine biological resources regulation, because the industry has no law regulating all aspects of its activities. This cause many difficulties both in the federal centre and in regions. It is important for us to hear opinions by fishermen and governors on how to create a proper legal framework."

Next spoke top officials of two newly established federal agencies - Federal Fisheries Agency and Federal Agricultural Supervision Service. They briefed the meeting on the structure of the new agencies and coordination with regions. FASS will assume control functions, and FFA will handle production issues.

Speaking of his visit to Kamchatka, where he was before coming to the island, Alexey Gordeyev said that "mistrust in fishing business is very high now" and singled out two reasons - large-scale poaching and lack of coordination between the federal government and regions. He added that "the federal centre is often late with making necessary decisions" and that "regions should have more authority." - Yulia PROKHOROVA.

SCHOOLS SEEKING SECURITY SERVICES

Emergency evacuation drills planned in Vladivostok schools for September and October will show their state of readiness for action in unforeseen and emergent situations.

As the city education committee informs, educational institutions strengthen their security procedures after the tragedy in Beslan. By words of leading specialist Vladimir Gordeichuk, the majority of city schools have already concluded contracts with private companies licensed for security services.

However, there is no respective line item in school budgets, and parents collect donations to pay for security services. In the aftermath of the tragedy in Beslan, round-the-clock duty was organized in all schools and instructions for unforeseen situation, including hostage taking, worked out for schoolchildren, their parents and teachers. - Yevgeny ITAROV.

LIME HONEY BRAND

In this year, Primorye's honey producing industry had a record-high take in last 10 years.

This season was rather dry, and numerous Far Eastern lime-tree varieties were blossoming three times during July. Bee hives collected up to 25 kg of honey per day (for reference, 25 kg is a yearly take for a bee hive in Moscow region).

Chairman of Primorsky Med apiarists' association Viktor Lazun estimates that this year's production in Primorye may reach 15,000 tons of high-quality honey. In their prime time (late 1980s), 23 honey producing farms and individuals were producing up to 25,000 tons of honey annually, which half the national honey take.

Currently, wholesale price for honey is 60-70 rubles/kg. Prices in market-places vary greatly, with middlemen asking 500-600 rubles for 3-liter containers with honey. Vladivostok's only specialized shop sells proven lime honey at 100 rubles/kg.

If honey producers succeed in organizing a sustained marketing process, their industry will become profitable. There are some signals that the industry is on the rise - thus, the number of apiarists has grown 10 times during a few recent years.

Far Eastern honey, one of healthiest and tastiest in Russia, was awarded a golden medal at the world's apiarian congress in 1969, but still cannot get a foothold in the international market. Due to climatic specifics, its moisture content is 20-21%, while international standards require 19%. In recent years, another barrier to international markets emerged on its way.

China inundated the honey market with man-made product, faked so skillfully that even laboratory testing cannot distinct this chemical honey from natural honey. As a result, its price in the market is within $1 per kilogram, which is unprofitable for Primorye's honey producers.

Another trouble is illegal cutting of lime-trees. The Chinese started buying lime-tree wood for processing, and local poachers fell several trees to select one suitable for processing.

Expected Russia's entry will bring another woe on the industry - cheap chemical honey from China may inundate local markets, and people will buy it because of the lack of honey consumption culture.

Occupied with large-scale goals, authorities pay little attention to the honey industry. The State Duma failed to pass a law on apiary still back in Yeltsin's time, the region's agriculture department has no apiarian specialists, honey producers are seldom seen at farmer's fairs. Adequately supported, this industry could become another Primorye's unique brand in addition to fishing industry. There is a successful example of Bashkiria, supporting and promoting local honey as a worldwide brand.

The honey industry may have good investment prospects. Potential demand for honey is growing in the central regions of Russia and the Far North. And has everybody advertised our sweet riches to the Japanese, so keen about natural products? - Viktor SERDYUK.