Posted on 08/14/2006 3:16:47 PM PDT by sergey1973
Is Russia -- the world's leading producer of natural gas -- preparing to create a gas equivalent of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)? The possibility of such a cartel has been discussed by Russian policymakers for years. But a "memorandum of understanding" signed between Russia and Algeria on August 4, which significantly calls for coordinated gas prices, could perhaps be a move in this direction.
PRAGUE, August 14, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- The idea of a gas OPEC was first floated by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2002. The idea was supported by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev, but was then shelved -- but not forgotten.
(Excerpt) Read more at rferl.org ...
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