BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

30/07/2007

Moscow Tentatively Appoves Gas Loan To Belarus

The Russian government has given preliminary approval to Belarus's request for a loan, which will be partially spent on paying off the country's debt to Russia's Gazprom gas monopoly, Belapan reported on July 27, quoting Russian Finance Minister Aleksei Kudrin. Earlier this year Belarus asked Moscow for a $1.5 billion stabilization loan, following an increase in gas prices in January. "This is preliminary approval, and the final decision will be taken by the government in the form of amendments to the budget," Kudrin told journalists on July 27. He added that Moscow is now considering the amount and terms of the loan. JM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2007/07/3-cee/cee-300707.asp