BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

03/08/2007

Belarus transfers $190Mln to Gazprom - Beltransgaz

MINSK. Aug 3 (Interfax) - Belarus has transferred $190 million to Gazprom to settle its gas debt, Beltransgaz first deputy general director Tsvitomir Sorokhan said.

"The first tranche, part of the debt amounting to $190 million, was transferred to Gazprom today at 8.30 a.m.," Sorokhan said.

"At the moment our delegation in Moscow is continuing negotiations on a timeframe for the payment of the remainder, as it is technically impossible to transfer the entire amount [almost $460 million] in one day," he said.

Sorokhan said that "there is no reduction in gas supplies to Belarus - all consumers are receiving it in full." "Gas transit is not only being carried out in full - but in excess of target," he said.

Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko said Friday that the debt of $460 million that accumulated in the first half would be paid over the coming days. He said that the country's gold and currency reserves, a state credit from Venezuela and a credit from Western banks would be used to pay the debt.

Source:

http://www.interfax.com/3/299267/news.aspx