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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Tensions rise in Belarus gas row | Tensions rise in Belarus gas row |
| (about 23 hours later) | |
| Belarus and Russia have traded accusations of "blackmail" in their dispute over gas prices. | Belarus and Russia have traded accusations of "blackmail" in their dispute over gas prices. |
| Russian state-controlled energy giant Gazprom wants to raise the price Belarus pays by 123%, threatening a cut-off at 0700 GMT on New Year's Day. | Russian state-controlled energy giant Gazprom wants to raise the price Belarus pays by 123%, threatening a cut-off at 0700 GMT on New Year's Day. |
| While negotiations continue in Moscow, however, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has said he will not agree to the price rise. | While negotiations continue in Moscow, however, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has said he will not agree to the price rise. |
| The stand-off could see a reduction in supplies to Europe. | The stand-off could see a reduction in supplies to Europe. |
| It echoes a fierce row last year between Russia and Ukraine, and comes as Russia is pushing up prices for many of its customers. | It echoes a fierce row last year between Russia and Ukraine, and comes as Russia is pushing up prices for many of its customers. |
| "Belarus won't bow to Gazprom's blackmail," Mr Lukashenko said, according to Belarus state news agency BeITA. | "Belarus won't bow to Gazprom's blackmail," Mr Lukashenko said, according to Belarus state news agency BeITA. |
| "If they keep putting pressure on us we will go down into the bunkers, but we will not surrender." | "If they keep putting pressure on us we will go down into the bunkers, but we will not surrender." |
| RUSSIAN GAS COSTS FOR 2007 Ukraine: $130 for 1,000 cubic metres (was $95)Georgia: $235 ($110)Moldova: $170 ($160)Belarus: Gazprom wants $105 ($47)Azerbaijan: Gazprom wants $235 ($110) | RUSSIAN GAS COSTS FOR 2007 Ukraine: $130 for 1,000 cubic metres (was $95)Georgia: $235 ($110)Moldova: $170 ($160)Belarus: Gazprom wants $105 ($47)Azerbaijan: Gazprom wants $235 ($110) |
| Earlier on Friday, Gazprom vice-president Alexander Medvedev was quoted by France's Le Figaro newspaper as calling Belarus's tactics of warning of shortages in Europe a "grotesque blackmail". | Earlier on Friday, Gazprom vice-president Alexander Medvedev was quoted by France's Le Figaro newspaper as calling Belarus's tactics of warning of shortages in Europe a "grotesque blackmail". |
| Talks are due to continue on Saturday after the sides failed to reach an agreement on Friday. | Talks are due to continue on Saturday after the sides failed to reach an agreement on Friday. |
| Energy diplomacy | Energy diplomacy |
| Russia has been accused of using its energy muscle to reimpose its will on what is sometimes called Russia's "near abroad" - the countries that were once part of the Soviet Union. | Russia has been accused of using its energy muscle to reimpose its will on what is sometimes called Russia's "near abroad" - the countries that were once part of the Soviet Union. |
| Although some of the targeted countries, such as Ukraine and Georgia, have strained relations with the Kremlin, Belarus has historically remained an ally throughout the post-Soviet period. | Although some of the targeted countries, such as Ukraine and Georgia, have strained relations with the Kremlin, Belarus has historically remained an ally throughout the post-Soviet period. |
| Gazprom insists the planned rise from $47 to $105 merely reflects market prices. | Gazprom insists the planned rise from $47 to $105 merely reflects market prices. |
| However, as has been the case with Belarus, the price rises are often coupled to demands for shared ownership of those countries' gas or oil distribution networks. | However, as has been the case with Belarus, the price rises are often coupled to demands for shared ownership of those countries' gas or oil distribution networks. |
| A half-share in Belarus' gas monopoly Beltransgaz, which operates its own pipelines and Gazprom's export pipeline, is up for grabs - but only, says the government in Minsk, if the price of gas stays lower. | A half-share in Belarus' gas monopoly Beltransgaz, which operates its own pipelines and Gazprom's export pipeline, is up for grabs - but only, says the government in Minsk, if the price of gas stays lower. |
| People in Belarus may have to wrap up even warmer at New Year | People in Belarus may have to wrap up even warmer at New Year |
| Russia's gas customers, meanwhile, are urging that a deal be struck as soon as possible. | Russia's gas customers, meanwhile, are urging that a deal be struck as soon as possible. |
| European Union countries in particular are keen to avoid a repeat of the gas shortages which accompanied the Russia-Ukraine dispute. | |
| At that time, Gazprom accused Ukraine of siphoning off gas meant for Europe, and is now warning Belarus against doing the same thing. | At that time, Gazprom accused Ukraine of siphoning off gas meant for Europe, and is now warning Belarus against doing the same thing. |