BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

11/10/2007

Belarus To Build Nuclear Plant For National Security And Energy Self Reliance

(RTTNews) - Belarus will start building a nuclear power reactor in 2008 to guarantee national security and to ensure self-sufficiency for its energy requirements, Interfax quoted Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko as saying on Thursday.

The former Soviet republic, which depends heavily on gas from Russia to meet its energy demands, has accused the neighboring country of using its monopoly of energy supplies as a political weapon.

The proposed nuclear plant, which will cost about $2.8million, is expected to be complete in four to eight years with credit from abroad, said Lukashenko. "Unfortunately, energy has been turned from a purely economic issue into a political one, into a factor affecting relations with other countries and with organizations," he added.

Unlike Ukraine and Georgia, both of which also buy gas from Russia, Belarus maintains a healthy relationship with its gas supplier. Despite that, Belarus often lag behind in prompt payments due to increases in oil prices, prompting threats of supply cuts from Russia.

Source:

http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/NewsStory.aspx?cpath=20071011%5cACQRTT200710110935RTTRADERUSEQUITY_0619.htm&

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