BELARUS NOT TO ACCEPT RUSSIAN RUBLE NEXT YEAR, EXPECTS PUTIN

MOSCOW, June 6 (RIA Novosti) - Belarus will hardly introduce the Russian ruble as common currency, January 1, 2005, as blueprinted, even though the matter has been fully elaborated by experts from the viewpoint of both countries' economic interests, said President Vladimir Putin of Russia. He was addressing the media after negotiations with Alexander Lukashenko, his Belarussian counterpart, in Sochi yesterday.

"The issue involves politics and the public mentality alike. The community must take time to accept common money. Then, experts still have certain issues to work at. We shall debate all doubtful matters calmly, in no haste, and in an atmosphere of well-wishing partnership.

"We shall by no means give up the efforts," reassured Mr. Putin.

"All understandings are ready but the one which Russia wants amended. We shall make a decision as soon as we can reasonably introduce a common currency," added President Lukashenko.

The summit agenda also included drafting a bilateral union Constitutional Act. A related ad hoc team is working on prospective amendments with which Russia recently came up. The draft will be eventually offered for debates to the Russo-Belarussian Council of Ministers and Supreme State Council, he said.