BELARUS GAS SUPPLIES UNDER THREAT.

Russia’s Gazprom has said it will cut supplies to Belarus by half since Belarus has only paid for half this year’s supplies. The Russians say Belarus owes $203 million, while Beltransgaz claims the debt is only $123 million. (ORT, 18 July) On two previous occasions Russia wiped out Belarusan debts by canceling various other claims Belarus had on Russia. It is unlikely that this "zero variant" will be used a third time.

Ukraine Ratifies European Human Rights Convention.