Gazprom To Cut Gas Supplies To Belarus Almost By Half

Gazprom's Moscow headquarters (ITAR-TASS) August 1, 2007 -- Gazprom, Russia's state-controlled gas monopoly, says it will reduce natural gas deliveries to Belarus by 45 percent as of August 3.

Gazprom made the announcement today after Russian and Belarusian officials on July 31 again failed to reach an agreement on Minsk's $456 million gas debt.

The company said the cuts will not affect gas shipments to Europe.

Gazprom in January more than doubled the price it charges Belarus for natural-gas deliveries. Belarus has asked Gazprom to delay its gas payments, but the two sides have been unable to reach an agreement.

The European Commission today urged Russia and Belarus to swiftly resolve their dispute.

(Reuters, AP)