French President Sarkozy urges Russia to support the League of Arab states plan on Syria; Ukraine pays Gazprom US$800 million for the January supplies; Russia and South Korea to discuss North Korea’s nuclear programme in Moscow; Russia to buy underwater d
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  • According to reports, French President Sarkozy has called on Russia to support the plan of the League of Arab States /LAS/, which includes the transfer of power in Syria. 1

    Reports noted that ending months of disagreement, Naftogaz Ukraine has paid Russia’s Gazprom about 800 million dollars for January supplies with the price for gas in the first quarter of the year being fixed at 416 dollars per 1,000 cubic metres. 2

    In another development, according to reports, Russia and South Korea will discuss in Moscow the prospects of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and try formulating ways towards resuming the nuclear dialogue with North Korea. 3

    Reports noted that Russia plans to buy 8 underwater drones at an estimated cost of 729 roubles (US$24.5 million) from Iceland. These drones can be used for surveillance, clearing mines, and anti-submarine warfare. 4

    According to reports, China has supported Russia’s attempts in reaching the political settlement of the conflict in Syria. 5

    In other developments, according to reports, Russia will develop a detailed 30-year plan of strengthening its naval forces by June 2012. The state military program for 2012-2020 has allocated 4.7 trillion rubles ($155 billion) for the military modernization programme and last year, 85 billion rubles ($2.8 billion) was allocated on the construction of nuclear submarines, frigates, ship repair and maintenance. 6 Meanwhile, reports noted that a new generation missile attack warning radar is scheduled for commissioning in Leningrad and other potential sites where they can be installed in the future could be Pechora, Barnaul, Yeniseisk, Omsk and Murmansk. 7

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