MOSCOW CUTS GAS SUPPLIES TO BELARUS.

In a move that willcause many Belarusians to rethink their views on closer ties withRussia, Moscow gas officials have cut daily gas deliveries toBelarus from 20 million cubic meters to only 8.5 million, Finansovyeizvestiya reported June 29. Gas supplies were reduced becauseBelarus had failed to pay some of its bills–even though Russiahas continued to supply gas and oil to Belarus at lower pricesthan to other former Soviet republics. As a result, the Belarusiangovernment has been forced to dip into its reserves for next winter.That step sets the stage for either a serious economic and politicalcrisis in Minsk, or for Moscow to demand and get more concessionsfrom the Belarusian government.

Lukashenko Announces More Populist Measures.