Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Belarus to cut Europe-bound Russian gas deliveries
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
ADVERTISEMENT
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Photos
Sitemap
Belarus to cut Europe-bound Russian gas deliveries
AFP - 34 minutes ago
Send
IM Story
Print
MINSK (AFP) - – Belarus on Tuesday ordered a shutdown of Russian gas transit deliveries to Europe, as Moscow insisted the latest energy feud with its ex-Soviet neighbour would not hit supplies to European clients.
Belarus' maverick leader President Alexander Lukashenko ordered the move after Moscow slashed supplies to Minsk in a row over unpaid debts, the fiercest in a string of two-way disputes over energy prices and trade.
In a televised remarks during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Lukashenko warned the conflict was turning into a full-blown "gas war" and that he would not tolerate humiliation by Moscow.
Moscow accuses Minsk of failing to settle a debt of 192 million dollars (156 million euros) to Russian gas giant Gazprom, but Belarus says the firm also owes it more than 200 million dollars in transit fees.
The Belarussian president said Tuesday Minsk had found the money to pay his country's debt to Gazprom by borrowing from "friends" and that it would settle its debt "shortly".
But he also insisted Russia owed money to Belarus.
"I have now ordered the government to shut down transit through Belarus until Gazprom pays for transit," Lukashenko said.
Lukashenko slammed Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who said Monday after Belarus offered to foot the bill with machinery and equipment that Russia could accept "neither pies nor butter nor cheese nor pancakes".
"The Russian leadership's statement humiliates the Belarussian people," Lukashenko told Lavrov. "I am sorry, when they start humiliating us with either cutlets or sausages or butter or pancakes, we perceive this as an offence to the Belarussian people."
Russia cut its normal daily gas supplies to Belarus by an initial 15 percent on Monday after Minsk failed to act to settle its debt.
On Tuesday it announced it was reducing supplies by 30 percent and warned the cuts could reach 85 percent if the debt is not settled in the coming days.
The energy row has raised the spectre of a 2009 dispute between Russia and Ukraine, when supplies to European customers were cut off for two weeks in the dead of winter.
Europe has activated crisis planning measures faced with the dispute and the EU Commission on Tuesday called on Belarus and Moscow to respect their "contractual obligations".
European parliament president Jerzy Buzek, speaking during a visit to Moscow, said that pressure levels were lower than normal in gas pipelines in Lithuania, Germany and eastern Poland.
"The volumes being delivered are lower than expected," he was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.
Later Belarussian first vice premier Vladimir Semashko said in televised remarks that Minsk had given the order to start diverting Russian gas bound for European markets "in order to support Belarus' gas supply system".
Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov told AFP it was "possible" that further cuts would be decided on Wednesday, but pledged that Europe would not see any disruptions in gas supplies.
"There are no problems. We are convinced that our European customers will receive all necessary gas supplies in accordance with our contracts regardless of Minsk's actions," Kupriyanov said.
"Gazprom has begun exploring the possibilities of alternative gas supply for our customers in Europe," he said.
Back-up plans to keep gas flowing to Europe include an alternative route through Ukraine, through which most of Russia's gas to Europe already transits, as well as gas stored in Europe and a spot market.
Buzek said the European Union was prepared to send observers to monitor the transit of Russian gas -- as it has done in the past -- but would not get involved in the conflict.
Analysts said the impact of any potential disruptions would be less serious because of lower gas demand in the summer.
According to analysts, the dispute was triggered by Lukashenko turning away from Moscow and towards the European Union.
In Belarus, a senior official with the presidential administration accused Russia of seeking political revenge.
"They are trying to humiliate Belarus and settle accounts with it for its political position," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
News Search
Top Stories
Belarus to cut Europe-bound Russian gas deliveries
Britain launches emergency tax hikes, spending cuts
Nadal, Murray and Serena cruise through at Wimbledon
Judge overturns Gulf deepwater drilling ban
Europeans to lobby G20 over bank levy plans
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
France's richest woman moves to defuse scandal
Volvo recalls nearly 30,000 cars
N.Korea picks the wrong game to start live broadcasts
Early menopause doubles risk of heart problems: study
Oil firms challenge US drilling freeze
More Most Viewed »
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Wednesday, 23 June 2010 U.S. says Iran anxious as sanctions bite
Belarus to cut Europe-bound Russian gas deliveries
Iran says inspector ban is 'notice' to atomic watchdog
US-TECH Summary
Europeans to lobby G20 over bank levy plans
U.S. says Iran anxious as sanctions bite
|
Cyprus probes weapons on Sudan-bound ship
Judge overturns Gulf deepwater drilling ban
OSCE denounces Internet restrictions in Turkey
Bees tagged to assess pesticide brain damage
U.N.'s Ban names advisory panel on Sri Lanka war
|
3 NATO troops killed; bomb explodes in clinic
U.S. to target foreign websites in anti-piracy push
Obama Administration Unveils Plan To End Homelessness
Clinic bomb kills Afghan provincial health chief
Nearly 50 killed in Congo train disaster: official
Apple iPad sales hit three million
US unveils strategy to fight piracy of intellectual property
Apple says iPad sales hit 3 million mark
Google to launch music service: report
White House summons McChrystal over scathing interview
New Study Adds To Evidence Coffee Protects Against Head, Neck Cancers
Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony Headline Michael Jackson Tribute On CBS' "Early Show"
Istanbul bus bombing kills five as Kurdish violence flares
Van Fleeing From Police Injures, Kills Pedestrians On Busy Harlem Street
Mexicans hint that draw will do against Uruguay
Witness: Polo Mogul Was Looking For Coke Before Fatal Crash
J.P. Morgan Reassigns Roles Of Three Executives
Existing Home Sales Take Surprise Dip In May
Conservative Newcomers In Runoff For GOP Senate Nomination
UN sets up Sri Lanka war crimes probe
Japan, Iceland rebuke critics at whaling talks
2 Indian Women Figure In Forbes List Of Notable Heiresses
Survey: Seniors Citizens Safer Drivers Than Teens
Indonesian court jails militants over hotel bombings
Apple says iPad sales hit 3 million
|
S.Korea accuses N.Korea of 'blackmail'
U.S. to target foreign websites in anti-piracy push
|
Japan coach predicts bruising match against Danes
Vietnam president praises Cambodia cooperation: state TV
Pakistan PM reverses stance on U.S. sanctions on Iran
Asian banks to weather European contagion: Moody's
Software cuts CT radiation dose in half: study
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Troubled "Footloose" movie remake gets cast together
Wellies at the ready as Glastonbury Festival turns 40
Madrid's Thyssen stages Italian Renaissance exhibition
Lady Gaga says has finished new album
Troubled Footloose movie remake gets cast together
|
Uruguayan singer Jaime Roos ponders vuvuzela song
|
NATO toll in Afghanistan rises to 14 in two days
Russian leader Medvedev starts first US visit
Afghan women footballers dream of World Cup
"Shark Tank" to return -- for one episode
Aussie men shoot each other in buttocks 'to see if it hurts'
Alleged drug lord Dudus Coke captured in Jamaica
|
Israel launches spy satellite
Taxes up, spending cut in Britain's 'bloodbath' budget
Apple iPhone 4 has Samsung and Micron chips: report
Refugees return to shattered Kyrgyz city
|
Australia may start Afghanistan pullout in 2 years
Crowds expected for new iPhone model debut Thursday
Johns Hopkins Medicine Chief Optimistic With Medicaid Expansion Proposal
Pakistani PM ignores US warning on Iran gas deal
Geithner's spending cuts warning, urges yuan float
RealNetworks cuts five percent of workforce
Japan PM seeks to quell Okinawa anger over U.S. base
|
Disney To Launch Electronics, Toys Inspired By "Tron"
Nadal, Murray and Serena cruise through at Wimbledon
Large study finds no cell phone mast link to cancer
Taiwan, China to sign trade deal June 28-30: sources
|
Congress Questions Defense Department About Bribes to Afghan Insurgents
3 NATO troops killed; doctor dies in clinic blast
US lawmakers target 'libel tourism'
Russian minister says unaware of tycoon oil theft
|
U.S. Markets Fall On Housing Data, Slumping Energy Sector
Conde Nast puts Gourmet back on the menu
3 NATO troops killed; bomb explodes in clinic
Israel launches spy satellite
|
Judge Lifts Six Month Deepwater Drilling Ban
Google Voice telecom service opens to all in US
Flood-hit dyke in south China suffers new breach
|
Indonesia peaceful protesters face torture: report
|
Apple iPhone 4 has Samsung and Micron chips: report
Wanted Jamaican druglord captured: police
McChrystal showed 'poor judgment': Obama
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
Apple's new iPhone approaches as iPad surprises again
|
FCC OKs AT&T buy of assets from Verizon
|
Apple iPhone 4 has Samsung and Micron chips: report
|
Sri Lanka slams UN over war crimes probe
Shark Tank to return -- for one episode
|
Bangladesh re-opens factories after rioting
Australia says could leave Afghanistan in 3 years
Large study finds no cell phone mast link to cancer
|
China warns of fresh onslaught in flooded regions
Flood-hit dyke in south China suffers new breach
Nissan CEO earned 9.8 million dollars last year
Lithium market could bloom as tide goes out on oil
Bleary-eyed S.Koreans celebrate W.Cup last 16 spot
Taiwan to issue $3.75 bln government bonds in Q3
Political prisoners an 'ugly stain' on Indonesia: HRW
Seoul shares lose 0.3 pct as exporters fall
Hong Kong steps up security for democracy vote
China clamps down on online gaming market
Bomber believes N.Korea's Kim ordered ship attack
Lugano classical music gem: Martha Argerich festival
China to scrap export tax rebates on some goods
Toshiba to make motors for Ford hybrid
Indonesia peaceful protesters face torture
"Two Escobars" a timely mix of soccer, murder
PAKISTAN
Toyota's China car assembly plant remains idle
More N.Korean workers at industrial park despite row
Organic farming gains ground in China
Weird Al ponders Lady Gaga parody
DreamWorks Animation plans Good Luck Trolls movie
Lego World Cup replays score Internet hit
Polaroid photographs raise $12.5 million at NY auction
Belarus To Cut Russian Gas Supply To Europe Over Gazproms Unpaid Debt
"Twilight" fans camp out for days ahead of premiere
Fresco Restoration Uncovers Oldest Images Of Apostles
Sotheby's sets Manet record, auction hits target
Twilight fans camp out for days ahead of premiere
|
DreamWorks Animation plans Good Luck Trolls movie
|
Weird Al ponders Lady Gaga parody
|
Timberlake dancer to play lead in new Footloose
|
Two Escobars a timely mix of soccer, murder
|
Polaroid photographs raise $12.5 million at NY auction
|
Film shows life and bloody death of Iran protester
|
Afghanistan backs US General McChrystal to keep job
Two German aid workers kidnapped in Darfur: UN
British pound climbs after budget, interest rate hint
Russian president to Silicon Valley: Help!
Two German aid workers abducted in Darfur
Global whaling talks collapse
Medvedev visit showcases warmer US-Russia ties
Israel launches spy satellite
|
Bing spotlighting films, music, games and TV shows
Afghan leaders warn against firing Gen. McChrystal
Prince Albert of Monaco announces engagement
Egypt court sentences militant leader to death
|
BP's Hayward hands over Gulf spill management
Afghan leaders warn against firing McChrystal
Monaco's Prince Albert to wed Olympic swimmer
|
Algeria bar path of USA into W.Cup last 16
Afghan leaders voice strong support for McChrystal
Michael Jackson's death triggers billion dollar bonanza
Afghan police struggle ahead of U.S. pullout
|
Australia may start Afghanistan pullout in 2 years
Cocaine market shifts to Europe, hurts Africa -UN
|
Turkey detains 27 over Istanbul bus attack: agency
|
US-TECH Summary
Congo train crash death toll rises to 76
|
Apple iPhone 4 has Samsung and Micron chips: report
Australian PM to fight shock leadership challenge
Thailand could hold elections in early 2011: minister
Myanmar restricts political activity ahead of polls
Australian PM to fight shock leadership challenge
World Bank Lending To India Touches $9.3 Billion
"The Lion King" To Hit Theaters In 3D
Passengers Held On Plane For Hours In Connecticut
Mexico Gets Involved In Immigration Law Battle
Australia PM Rudd calls leadership ballot
Opera widens lead over iPhone in mobile browsers
|
Mike Lee Defeats Fellow Tea Party Conservative In Utah Senate Runoff
Pakistani forces kill 24 militants in northwest
FDA Bans 'Light' Smokes
"Glee" Reality Competition Show Canceled
Good Tech software may aid corporate iPhone sales
|
Abused Kids More Prone To Migraines As Adults
"Suite Life On Deck" Finale Gives Disney Channel Strong Ratings
Russian president to Silicon Valley: Help!
|
U.S.-India CEO Forum Discusses Bilateral Ties Sans Bhopal Gas Tragedy
China's Hu heads to G20 amid pressure over yuan, N.Korea
Pakistani stocks egde up in dull trade; rupee firms
China's central bank sets weaker yuan exchange rate
POSCO says no longer considering Ukraine mill buy
S.Korea buys 200 T tin ingot; seeks 200 T more
Pakistan risks IMF, other aid if tax reform fails
Asian gaming demand greater than 'five Las Vegases'
Colour lights up Milan men's catwalks
S.Korea fin min sees bigger inflation risk ahead
Jackson death triggers billion dollar bonanza
Jackson children adjusting to life in spotlight
Wood construction making comeback in Canada
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights