RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT'S LOWER CHAMBER VOTES FOR HIGHER GAS TARIFFS

Chisinau, 8 july ( INFOTAG ). The Russian State Duma today voted unanimously for stepping up tariffs on natural gas supplied to six former Soviet republics - Moldova, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Estonia.The Duma approved an address to Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov to consider the question of supplying Russian natural gas at world tariffs. The legislature believes it is inadmissible to practice such a great gap between the world price ($160 per 1,000 cubic meters) and the tariffs paid by these republics ($50-$80). As a result, the Federal Budget annually short-receives several dozen billion rubles. The deputies also urged the Prime Minister to take necessary measures to make debtors clear their gas arrears. Experts are pointing out that the tariff revision is being undertaken not only due to economic expediency but also due to Russia's wish to temper the political ambitions of the 6 leaders in question.