One of Borodin`s deputies Igor Selivanov was appointed acting state secretary of the Union of Russia and Belarus. As for the state secretary himself, his destiny will be determined on Thursday in the US court.

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January 24 Alexander Lukashenko spoke about the structural and other types of re-arrangements in his Cabinet, which will take place shortly. Lukashenko released his statement before the newspaper correspondents in Minsk, right away after his return flight from Moscow. Lukashenko told the press that before the elections for the presidency he would optimize the structure of the government, some ministries and agencies. It needs special mention, though, that the government structure has already been optimized by Lukashenko, when he ruled to dismiss the heads of the country`s security services and the procuracy.

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For the very first time this year we witnessed the growth of electricity tariffs. For instance, the phone use got 15% more expensive, while one minute of telephone conversation went 8% up in cost, so did the price for electronic phone cards.
Moreover, radio, fax machine of collective use and telegrams will get costlier too.

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January 23 the Belarusian government approved the new free-market wholesale prices on petroleum products, sold through the "Belneftehim" concern and retail prices on gas, sold via the country`s gas stations network. "Belneftehim" will sell A-76 gasoline for 450 rubles per liter, A-92 - 556 rubles, AI-95 - 636 rubles, diesel fuel - 383, winter diesel - 400.

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