VOL. XL No. 239-June-1997SYRIASyria Claims Russian Debts Should Be $2Bn

According to a report in the London-based Arabic daily al-Quds, a gap of about$10bn separates the Syrian and Russian sides in their long-running negotiations overoutstanding debt incurred by Syria in the days of the Former Soviet Union (FSU). TheRussian authorities estimate loans due from Syria at $12bn but the Syrians are arguing forsubstantial write-offs because of non-completion of contracts to reduce the debts to...