NEWSBRIEFS (03/03/96)

NEWSBRIEFS

Belarus and Russia draw closer

MOSCOW - After a February 28 Kremlin meeting with Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka, Russian President Boris Yeltsin said that deeper Russian-Belarusian integration is aimed at eventually reaching the goal of unity between the two states, Russian and Western agencies reported. Without defining "unity," Mr. Yeltsin described this goal as "achievable" during his presidency. Mr. Lukashenka agreed and subsequently told journalists that in March a major agreement would be signed accelerating the integration of the two states and creating a supra-national organization with a jointly-funded budget to oversee military cooperation and work on overcoming the consequences of the Chornobyl disaster. At the meeting, Russia agreed to cancel $470 million in outstanding Belarusian debt and Belarus waived its $300 million claim on Russia. Going into the meeting, Mr. Lukashenka had claimed Russian debts for troop deployments and compensation for stationing ICBMs on Belarusian territory totaled $914 million, but apparently this figure was cut by two-thirds at the Kremlin meeting. The Russian newspaper Segodnya questioned whether Russian-Belarusian integration was worth the cost to the Russian economy. At the same time, Russian Duma Deputy Nikolai Gonchar said he regarded the debt renunciation deal as "extremely favorable to Russia." (Respublika)

New Black Sea Fleet commander named

MOSCOW - Russian President Boris Yeltsin appointed Vice-Adm. Viktor Kravchenko commander of the Black Sea Fleet, according to a February 21 order. Prior to his appointment, Vice Adm. Kravchenko was the deputy commander of the Russian Baltic Fleet. (Respublika)

Ukraine may shut 70 unprofitable mines

KYIV - Prime Minister Yevhen Marchuk said the government may close down up to 70 unprofitable coal mines in the next few years, reported ITAR-TASS on February 27. Kyiv had announced earlier it would shut down 28 pits in an effort to restructure the ailing coal industry. Mr. Marchuk said the coal sector still has a bright future because the country has 600 years' worth of coal deposits. However, his government intends to support only profitable and efficient mines, he added. (OMRI Daily Digest)

Crimean lawmakers elect prime minister

SYMFEROPIL - Crimean deputies have elected Arkadiy Demydenko as the region's prime minister, international and Ukrainian agencies reported on February 28. The 46-year-old engineer is considered a moderate and served as deputy prime minister in the government of Anatoliy Franchuk, who was dismissed in December for his alleged pro-Kyiv sympathies. Mr. Demydenko promised to pursue greater economic independence for the peninsula, particularly through developing offshore oil and gas deposits and alternative energy sources. UNIAN reported on February 26 that Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma expressed satisfaction with Mr. Demydenko's selection for the post. (Respublika)

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