BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

19/12/2008

Belarus wants $5B loan from US

The Associated Press

MINSK, Belarus Belarus' authoritarian president, whom the United States has called "Europe's last dictator," is asking the U.S. for a $5 billion loan.

But Alexander Lukashenko is telling Belarusian TV he isn't hopeful the cash-strapped ex-Soviet republic will get the money.

He also says in the interview, broadcast Friday, that he's confident the International Monetary Fund will grant Belarus a $2 billion loan.

The country also announced recently a $2 billion loan from Russia to help stabilize its, Soviet-style economy. The government has spent its gold reserves in a furious effort to support the Belarusian ruble.

The United States and European Union have criticized Lukashenko for his 14-year iron-fisted rule of Belarus.

Source:

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/business/business_wire/story/421366.html

Google
 


Partners:
Face.by Social Network
Face.by