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Russia issues warning over Baumgertner's arrest

Russia may change its mind on a number of issues of bilateral cooperation with Belarus because of the arrest of Vladislav Baumgertner, director general of Russia's potash company Uralkali, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich says in a statement issued on Thursday, according to RIA Novosti.

He describes the arrest of Mr. Baumgertner as unacceptable, inappropriate and inconsistent with partnership relations. "I want to point out once again that Baumgertner arrived in Minsk for talks at the invitation of Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich," Mr. Dvorkovich says.

"Russia and Belarus have a broad spectrum of relations and a large number of problems within their framework, but we have always tried to find compromise solutions," he says. "Given the general nature of the current situation, [we] are forced to look more attentively and seriously at a number of issues."

Russia does not rule out the possibility of bringing charges against those responsible for supplying diesel fuel under the guise of solvents from Belarus to third countries in 2011 and 2012, Mr. Dvorkovich says.

Russia is believed to have lost billions of US dollars because of this scheme, he says, adding that if Russian law-enforcement agencies confirm this information, a decision may be made to punish the perpetrators, "irrespective of their citizenship."

Mr. Dvorkovich warns that Russia will supply less crude oil to Belarus in the fourth quarter of 2013 than in the previous three quarters.

Russia continues to supply oil to Belarus based on the assumption that the exports would total 18.5 million tons this year, whereas Belarus wants to receive 23 million tons, he says.

According to Mr. Dvorkovich, Russian governmental agencies have also been ordered to pay closer attention to the quality of Belarusian agricultural products. A number of products have been found to fall short of quality and safety requirements, he explains.

The 41-year-old Baumgertner was arrested on Monday as he was about to fly out of Minsk after a meeting with Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich, BelaPAN said.

The arrest of Mr. Baumgertner is apparently linked to Uralkali's July 30 decision to stop exports through Belarusian Potash Company (BPC), its joint trader with Belarusian potash giant Belaruskali. Mr. Baumgertner is chairman of the BPC supervisory board.

Explaining its move, Uralkali cited Alyaksandr Lukashenka's December 2012 decision to allow Belaruskali to export potash through other traders.