With the kind permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, InfoUkes Inc. has been given rights to electronically re-print these articles on our web site. Visit the RFE/RL Ukrainian Service page for more information. Also visit the RFE/RL home page for news stories on other Eastern European and FSU countries.
POLAND REPORTS CUTS IN RUSSIAN OIL SUPPLIES VIA BELARUS. Several Polish officials told Western news agencies and Interfax on January 8 that there have been "disruptions" in deliveries of Russian oil via Belarus through the Druzhba pipeline, but did not elaborate (see "RFE/RL Newsline," August 17 and September 11, 2006). Some of the Polish officials noted that they have asked the Belarusian authorities about the disruptions and plan to ask Russia's pipeline monopoly Transneft, too. The problem reportedly affects Germany and Ukraine as well, news.ru reported. Minsk and Moscow are currently embroiled in a dispute over energy prices, transit fees, and pipeline ownership (see Part II). Meanwhile, Semyon Vainshtok, who heads Transneft, said in Moscow on January 8 that Belarus has been siphoning off oil destined for Europe since January 6, RIA Novosti reported. PM