Official expects Russian gas to cost less than $160 in 2009

The Belarusian government hopes to buy Russian gas at a price of no more than $160 per 1,000 cu meters in 2009, Uladzimir Adashkevich, deputy economy minister, said noting that the gas price is tied to oil prices. He said that the price is to be set on December 25. "The Russian side has kept silent so far," BelaPAN quoted him as saying.   Belarus currently pays $128 per unit.