RUSSIA, SOUTH KOREA REACH DEBT AGREEMENT.

Russia and South Korea have reportedly reached agreement on a barter deal by which Moscow will pay Seoul up to US$63 million of government debts worth US$160 million–due by the end of this year–in commodities such as aluminum and copper. The agreement came during negotiations in Moscow on November 20. South Korea also reportedly agreed to defer the rest of this year’s payment for one year. In addition, Russia offered to deliver an additional ten Ka-32 helicopters–two to three units per year–to South Korea. Russia has thus far sent more than twenty Ka-32 helicopters to South Korea to help pay off its debts to Seoul. The two countries are to meet early next year for talks on rescheduling Russia’s total, US$1.6 billion debt to South Korea (Asia Pulse, Xinhua, November 20).

PRO-KUCHMA PARTY DIVIDED OVER PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN STRATEGY.