BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

06/04/2007

Russia yet undecided on stabilization loan to Belarus

RBC, 06.04.2007, Moscow 19:47:43.Russia has not yet decided to extend a stabilization loan to Belarus, Economy Minister German Gref told journalists today, adding that the parties were currently in talks over the issue. He said that Belarus had asked for $1.5bn, but the sum could be curbed to $1bn.

As reported earlier, Belarus asked Russia for a stabilization loan on February 22, putting the necessity of such a loan down to higher energy prices and resulting increases in government spending. The decision, according to Russian PM Mikhail Fradkov, may be made in mid-April.

Source:

http://www.rbcnews.com/free/20070406194743.shtml