ELECTRICITY PRODUCERS CAUGHT IN CASH BIND.

Russian consumersowe the country’s electric power firms and thermal energy producersmore than 22 trillion rubles, and these firms in turn owe thesuppliers of oil, gas and coal more than 9 trillion rubles, Interfaxreported July 6. Unless this cash flow problem is resolved, oneor both of the energy production sectors is likely to stop supplyingthe other, thus leaving the consumers without power sometime downthe pike.

New Group to Promote Ties with Russians Abroad.