UKRAINE DOESN’T WRITE OFF BELARUS.

Leonid Kuchma and Aleksandr Lukashenko met in Homyel (Belarus) on December 17, officially to discuss large-scale plans for expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Russia-Belarus "integration" plans reportedly figured prominently on the agenda. (UNIAN, Interfax-Ukraine, January 17 and 18) The meeting appears to signal Kiev’s intent to work with Lukashenko, and to compete with Russia for influence over developments in Belarus.

Azerbaijani OMON Infiltrators Came from Russia.