Refineries for Fields?

Bloomberg | 22 July 03

[RussianConservative]

MOSCOW (Bloomberg) -- Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has proposed that Surgutneftegaz, Russia's No. 4 oil producer, buy stakes in Belarus' two largest oil refineries and pay for them with Siberian oil fields, according to an interview with the president posted on NTV television's web site.

Lukashenko proposed swapping Belarus' stakes in the Naftan and Mozyr refineries for unspecified oil fields, according to NTV.

The offer "was reviewed by the government and the president of your country," Lukashenko said in the interview.

Belarus did not receive any bids in May when it offered minority stakes in state-controlled petrochemical companies worth $1.2 billion. The government offered stakes in Naftan, Polimir, a plastics maker, and two smaller chemical companies.

[RussianConservative]

Lukashenko live on fantasy economy...he get soviet style state only because Russia pay all oil/gas bill. Soon he have no choice but reunify as part of greater Russia....Belaruss still in 1991 while Russia moving into 2004. If Russia switch off free ride, Lukashenko will pull Mousalini. Time to accept reality, it for better of peoples...but death to Luko's career and dream of new Stalin head of new Soviet Empire.