LATVIA TO SELL GAS MONOPOLY TO FOREIGNERS.

A more ominousconsequence of Latvia’s banking crisis is Riga’s announcementof plans to sell foreigners shares in its energy complex, BNSreported July 11. According to the news service, Russia’s Gazpromhopes to purchase the gas storage facility–the largest in theBaltic states–near Riga. Such a purchase would give Moscow significantleverage over Latvia’s policies and politics.

One-Third of Ukraine’s Banks in Trouble.