LUKASHENKO MERGES TWO MAJOR BELARUSIAN BANKS.

To strengthenhis country’s shaky banking system, Belarusian president AleksandrLukashenko has signed a decree merging the State Savings Bankand the Belarus Commercial Bank, Minsk radio reported August 30.The new bank will represent a powerful lever to "help peopleand work for the economy rather than fraudulent interests,"Lukashenko said. Meanwhile, the IMF announced that on September12 it would consider extending additional credits to Minsk.

Ukraine May Sell Russia Grain.