Blocks removed from Vladivostok U.S. Consulate General access road, city admin denies political motivation
VLADIVOSTOK. Sept 14 (Interfax) - Blocks of concrete have been removed from the U.S. Consulate General's access road in Vladivostok.
"There was no political motivation whatsoever. The concrete blocks were set up right on the road and hindered the movement of traffic. They have been removed. Road services are repairing the blacktop," a spokesman for the Vladivostok city administration told Interfax.
He said they had received no complaints from U.S. diplomats.
The concrete blocks were placed near the U.S. diplomatic mission in Vladivostok years ago to keep vehicles from driving up. Now, nothing but a sidewalk separates the Consulate General from the roadway.
The diplomats' parking area was closed about 12 months ago and turned into a pedestrian street. Consular officers park their vehicles along the sidewalk.
It was reported earlier on Thursday that the St. Petersburg authorities had closed the parking area near the U.S. Consulate General and set up a pedestrian crossing there.
Also, a sign which permitted U.S. diplomats to park on the road near the Consulate General was removed in Yekaterinburg. The city administration said it was the traffic police's initiative.