BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

10/01/2007

Compromise reached in oil dispute with Russia, Belarus says

The Associated Press

MINSK, Belarus: Belarus announced Wednesday that it had reached a compromise with Russia in a dispute that has halted oil flows along a key pipeline to Europe after telephone talks between the two countries' presidents.

The Kremlin did not confirm any agreement although it said in a brief statement that Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus had held telephone talks on the oil transit row.

Analysts suggested that Russia was distrustful of Belarus and additionally that Lukashenko could be seeking to pressure the Russians into concessions by trumpeting an accord in the eyes of the West.

"In the course of the conversation, a compromise was found which enables us to resolve the current deadlock, including concerning the transit of Russian oil to European countries through the territory of the Republic of Belarus," the Belarusian presidency's press service told The Associated Press.

The press service added that Presidents Putin and Lukashenko had ordered their prime ministers to work out within two days a package of measures to resolve the dispute and submit them for approval by the two leaders on Friday.

Source:

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/10/europe/EU-GEN-Russia-Belarus-Oil.php