BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

27/12/2006

Gazprom: Belarus wants to steal Russian gas

MOSCOW. Dec 27 (Interfax) - Belarus wants to illegally siphon off Russian gas, intended for European consumers, Gazprom [RTS: GAZP] spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov said in comments on recent statements from Belarussian First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko.

"The assertion that pending the signing of a contract for the next year Belarus will deem the price for gas to remain at $46.68 for 1,000 cubic meters, as in 2006, only means that in the absence of a contract Belarus plans to illegally siphon off gas, intended for Europe," Kupriyanov said.

Semashko "groundlessly claimed that if the new contracts for gas deliveries is not signed before the end of the year, the old contract will be deemed in force," he said. "Wishful thinking! The current contract expires in four days. Russian gas supplies to Belarus in 2007 will only be possible if a new contract is concluded," said Kupriyanov.

Source:

http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/politics/28.html?id_issue=11654609

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