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Russia to Help Belarus in Building Nuclear Power Plant

by on March 17, 2011

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Russia to Help Belarus in Building Nuclear Power Plant

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Russia to Help Belarus in Building Nuclear Power Plant

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Russia, Belarus trade hits $25b

by on January 23, 2011

Russia, Belarus trade hits $25b

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Russia, Belarus trade hits $25b

Venezuela signs oil agreement with Belarus

October 17, 2010

Venezuela signs oil agreement with Belarus

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Russia cuts gas supplies to Belarus over payment disputes

June 21, 2010

Russia cuts gas supplies to Belarus over payment disputes

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Russia Will Lead Effort to Found `New World Economic Order,’ Medvedev Says

June 18, 2010

By Lyubov Pronina and Lucian Kim June 18 (Bloomberg) — Russia will help lead efforts to recast the global economic hierarchy as the world emerges from the financial crisis, President Dmitry Medvedev said. “We really live at a unique time, and we should use it to build a modern, prosperous and strong Russia, a Russia that will be a co-founder of the new world economic order,” Medvedev said at the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum today. Russia will use tax incentives and other free-market economic policies to turn the country into a destination for innovators from around the world, Medvedev told an audience including Citigroup Inc. Chief Executive Officer Vikram Pandit and French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde . Medvedev, in the third year of his presidency, is promoting modernization to transform Russia from an oil-and-gas economy into a magnet for high technology. Russia’s reliance on natural resources exacerbated the steepest contraction among emerging markets last year, when the economy shrank a record 7.9 percent. Russia is on the road to recovery after the decline, Medvedev said. Sovereign debt is “minimal,” foreign reserves are growing again and inflation is at its lowest level in 20 years, according to the president. The country boasts government debt of about 10 percent of gross domestic product. “Flexibility and adaptability are words that have become much more popular than stability and predictability,” Medvedev said. Russia should become a “dream” for foreigners bringing ideas and capital, he said. Regional Ties Medvedev said he will continue to seek economic integration on a regional level with former Soviet republics such as Kazakhstan and Belarus, a development he said doesn’t conflict with Russia’s aspirations to join the World Trade Organization. In areas where it lags behind, Russia will adopt foreign practices, such as the European Union’s technical standards, according to the president. To contact the reporters on this story: Lyubov Pronina in St. Petersburg at lpronina@bloomberg.net ; Lucian Kim in St. Petersburg at lkim3@bloomberg.net

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UN Aid Arrives for Kyrgyzstan Refugees in Uzbekistan as Death-Toll Mounts

June 16, 2010

By Chris Kirkham June 16 (Bloomberg) — United Nations relief supplies for around 200,000 refugees fleeing ethnic violence in Kyrgyzstan arrived in neighboring Uzbekistan, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said today. “The first of six planned Ilyushin-76 cargo planes, each carrying 40 tons of UNHCR relief supplies for refugees, has landed at Andijan airport in Uzbekistan after departing with supplies loaded from the aid agency’s stockpile in Dubai,” the UNHCR said in an e-mailed statement. The UNHCR said more than 75,000 people have arrived since June 10, citing the Uzbek government, though some reports say the total number of displaced since the ousting of former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev in April may be around 275,000. The death toll from the last six days of rioting in the Osh and Jalalabad regions of Kyrgyzstan may be much higher than previously announced, according to news reports. Interim President Roza Otunbayeva said she believed 700 may have died, the Wall Street Journal reported, while Christian Cardon, a spokesman for the Red Cross, referred to “several hundreds” of deaths, according to the Associated Press. Rupert Colville , spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said there was evidence the violence was coordinated and began with five attacks in Osh by men in ski masks, the AP said. ‘Dangerous’ “This is an extremely dangerous situation given the ethnic patchwork in this part of Kyrgyzstan, it’s a highly complex ethnic mix there with some 80 ethnic groups just in the Osh region,” Colville said, according to the AP. “It has been known for many years that this region is a potential ethnic tinderbox.” The violence erupted on June 10 when supporters of former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev clashed with groups loyal to the interim government. The Uzbeks welcomed Bakiyev’s overthrow in April, blaming him for impeding the minority’s business growth and ignoring its political leaders, while many Kyrgyz in the south supported Bakiyev, who comes from the region. The clashes were aimed at disrupting a June 27 referendum on a new constitution and were funded by people close to Bakiyev, according to the government’s first deputy head, Almazbek Atambayev , Interfax reported yesterday. “It was a carefully planned operation conducted by the enemies of the interim government,” Atambayev said. “Its goal was to overthrow the new authorities of Kyrgyzstan and to thwart the referendum. The information available to our special services confirms that all of these measures were funded by the Bakiyev family, particularly Bakiyev’s youngest son Maxim.” Influence The United Nations and the European Union urged Kyrgyzstan not to allow the unrest to derail the referendum and October parliamentary elections. Otunbayeva yesterday pledged to proceed with plans for the plebiscite, the Wall St. Journal said. The U.S. and Russia have been jostling for influence in Kyrgyzstan, where both countries have air bases. Russia agreed in April to give the provisional government $50 million. Edil Baisalov, the government’s chief of staff, said at the time that the U.S. planned to give emergency aid. The U.S. relies on the Manas air base outside the capital Bishkek to support operations in Afghanistan after Uzbekistan evicted the American military in 2005. U.S. troops gathered food and fuel and sent it to the worst-affected area, according to a statement from the U.S. Air Force received yesterday. Economic Backdrop The International Monetary Fund on May 25 warned Kyrgyzstan’s projected 4.6 percent economic expansion this year may be damped by political upheaval. The fund predicted 8 percent growth for Uzbekistan, the world’s third-biggest shipper of cotton, at the time. Landlocked Kyrgyzstan depends on remittances from migrant workers in Russia for about 40 percent of national income, and also relies on rent paid by the U.S. and Russia for their bases. Kyrgyzstan’s average monthly wage was $132 in January, according to the country’s National Statistical Committee. About a third of the population lives below the poverty level, making the country eligible for aid from the International Development Association, the World Bank’s support arm for the poorest economies. Maxim Bakiyev was detained in Britain on June 14 by the U.K. Border Agency after he landed at Farnborough airport in Hampshire on a rented private plane, Kyrgyzstan’s national security chief Keneshbek Duishebayev told Channel One broadcaster, according to Interfax. His father, who has taken refuge in Belarus, has denied accusations that he is involved in the unrest. To contact the reporter on this story: Anastasia Ustinova in St. Petersburg at austinova@bloomberg.net .

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Kyrgyzstan Death Toll Rises, More Violence Seen as Uzbeks Accept Refugees

June 15, 2010

By Chris Kirkham June 16 (Bloomberg) — The death toll from six days of ethnic violence in southern Kyrgyzstan has risen to several hundred and the fighting may escalate, while about 200,000 refugees have fled to Uzbekistan, according to news reports. Christian Cardon, a spokesman for the Red Cross, referred to “several hundreds” of victims, the Associated Press said yesterday. Rupert Colville , spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told reporters in Geneva there was evidence the violence was coordinated and began with five simultaneous attacks in Osh by men in ski masks, the AP said. “This is an extremely dangerous situation given the ethnic patchwork in this part of Kyrgyzstan, it’s a highly complex ethnic mix there with some 80 ethnic groups just in the Osh region,” Colville said, according to the AP. “It has been known for many years that this region is a potential ethnic tinderbox.” An Uzbek community leader in Kyrgyzstan earlier accused the family of ousted former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev of fomenting violence against the Uzbek community. “This was a planned action against Uzbeks,” said Dzhalaldin Salakhitdinov, president of the Uzbek cultural center in Osh, by telephone. “We supported the interim government but the old officials who used to enjoy life and who lost power didn’t want any stability. They wanted the interim government to lose its authority so they created provocation against Uzbeks.” Loyalties The violence erupted on June 10 when supporters of former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev clashed with groups loyal to the interim government. The Uzbeks welcomed Bakiyev’s overthrow in April, blaming him for impeding the minority’s business growth and ignoring its political leaders, while many Kyrgyz in the south supported Bakiyev, who comes from the region. The clashes were aimed at disrupting a June 27 referendum on a new constitution and were funded by people close to Bakiyev, according to the government’s first deputy head, Almazbek Atambayev , Interfax reported yesterday. “It was a carefully planned operation conducted by the enemies of the interim government,” Atambayev said. “Its goal was to overthrow the new authorities of Kyrgyzstan and to thwart the referendum. The information available to our special services confirms that all of these measures were funded by the Bakiyev family, particularly Bakiyev’s youngest son Maxim.” The United Nations and the European Union urged Kyrgyzstan not to allow the unrest to derail the referendum and October parliamentary elections. Influence UN representative Miroslav Jenca said in the capital Bishkek yesterday that the referendum and elections must go ahead. “The referendum and the elections must be held at the announced times,” Jenca said. Germany’s ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Holger Green, said the EU shared that position. The U.S. and Russia have been jostling for influence in Kyrgyzstan, where both countries have air bases. Russia agreed in April to give the provisional government $50 million. Edil Baisalov, the government’s chief of staff, said at the time that the U.S. planned to give emergency aid. The U.S. relies on the Manas air base outside the capital Bishkek to support operations in Afghanistan after Uzbekistan evicted the American military in 2005. The International Monetary Fund on May 25 warned Kyrgyzstan’s projected 4.6 percent economic expansion this year may be damped by political upheaval. The fund predicted 8 percent growth for Uzbekistan, the world’s third-biggest shipper of cotton, at the time. Poverty Line Landlocked Kyrgyzstan depends on remittances from migrant workers in Russia for about 40 percent of national income, and also relies on rent paid by the U.S. and Russia for their bases. Kyrgyzstan’s average monthly wage was $132 in January, according to the country’s National Statistical Committee. About a third of the population lives below the poverty level, making the country eligible for aid from the International Development Association, the World Bank’s support arm for the poorest economies. Maxim Bakiyev was detained in Britain on June 14 by the U.K. Border Agency after he landed at Farnborough airport in Hampshire on a rented private plane, Kyrgyzstan’s national security chief Keneshbek Duishebayev told Channel One broadcaster, according to Interfax. His father, who has taken refuge in Belarus, has denied accusations that he is involved in the unrest. Refugees The number of refugees fleeing the latest crisis has reached 200,000 people, United Nations High Commission for Refugees spokesman, Andrej Mahecic, said yesterday in the capital Bishkek, Itar-Tass news agency reported. Salakhitdinov said a further 30,000-40,000 people are still waiting to flee. “We don’t have enough food and water in Osh,” he said. There are some areas where we cannot deliver any aid because of violence. We are getting very little humanitarian aid from abroad and Russia so far.” The UN High Commission for Refugees is preparing to deploy an emergency team and aid to help Uzbekistan cope with the influx, the commission said in a statement on June 14. To contact the reporter on this story: Anastasia Ustinova in St. Petersburg at austinova@bloomberg.net .

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Kyrgyz Violence Funded by Former President’s Supporters, Uzbek Leader Says

June 15, 2010

By Chris Kirkham June 15 (Bloomberg) — An Uzbek community leader in Kyrgyzstan accused the ousted former president’s family of fomenting violence that left more than 100 people dead and forced as many as 80,000 from their homes. “This was a planned action against Uzbeks,” said Dzhalaldin Salakhitdinov, president of the Uzbek cultural center in Osh, by telephone. “We supported the interim government but the old officials who used to enjoy life and who lost power didn’t want any stability. They wanted the interim government to lose its authority so they created provocation against Uzbeks.” The death toll from four days of rioting in the Jalalabad and Osh regions is at least 170, news agencies said, with more than 1,700 injured. The violence erupted on June 10 when supporters of former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev clashed with groups loyal to the interim government. The Uzbeks welcomed Bakiyev’s overthrow in April, blaming him for impeding the minority’s business growth and ignoring its political leaders, while many Kyrgyz in the south supported Bakiyev, who comes from the region. ‘Carefully Planned’ The clashes were aimed at disrupting a June 27 referendum on a new constitution and were funded by people close to Bakiyev, according to the government’s first deputy head, Almazbek Atambayev , Interfax reported. “It was a carefully planned operation conducted by the enemies of the interim government,” Atambayev said today. “Its goal was to overthrow the new authorities of Kyrgyzstan and to thwart the referendum. The information available to our special services confirms that all of these measures were funded by the Bakiyev family, particularly Bakiyev’s youngest son Maxim.” The United Nations and the European Union urged Kyrgyzstan not to allow the unrest to derail the referendum and October parliamentary elections. UN representative Miroslav Jenca said in the capital Bishkek today that the referendum and elections must go ahead. “The referendum and the elections must be held at the announced times,” Jenca said. Germany’s ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Holger Green, said the EU shared that position. Influence Struggle The U.S. and Russia have been jostling for influence in Kyrgyzstan, where both countries have air bases. Russia agreed in April to give the provisional government $50 million. Edil Baisalov, the government’s chief of staff, said at the time that the U.S. planned to give emergency aid. The U.S. relies on the Manas air base outside the capital Bishkek to support operations in Afghanistan after Uzbekistan evicted the American military in 2005. The International Monetary Fund on May 25 warned Kyrgyzstan’s projected 4.6 percent economic expansion this year may be damped by political upheaval. The fund predicted 8 percent growth for Uzbekistan, the world’s third-biggest shipper of cotton, at the time. Landlocked Kyrgyzstan depends on remittances from migrant workers in Russia for about 40 percent of national income, and also relies on rent paid by the U.S. and Russia for their bases. Kyrgyzstan’s average monthly wage was $132 in January, according to the country’s National Statistical Committee. About a third of the population lives below the poverty level, making the country eligible for aid from the International Development Association, the World Bank’s support arm for the poorest economies. ‘Calming’ Salakhitdinov in Osh said the violence had abated this morning. “There are no clashes at the moment,” he said. “The situation is calming down a bit. But the government still cannot control it. There is no Kyrgyz house in Osh which was burnt. All Uzbek property, enterprises, restaurants, businesses were looted and burnt. More than 200 Uzbeks were killed.” Maxim Bakiyev was detained in Britain yesterday by the U.K. Border Agency after he landed at Farnborough airport in Hampshire on a rented private plane, Kyrgyzstan’s national security chief Keneshbek Duishebayev told Channel One broadcaster, according to Interfax. His father, who has taken refuge in Belarus, has denied accusations that he is involved in the unrest. More than 60,000 people have crossed into Uzbekistan, according to Cholponbek Turusbekov, deputy chief of the Kyrgyz border guards service. ‘Houses, Cattle’ “People were fleeing and they were leaving behind their houses, cattle, vegetable gardens,” he said by telephone today. “There are already some facts of people coming back to check on their property. In the last 24 hours, we see a change in the situation, it’s becoming better and there are some signs of stabilization and recovery. The border is closed, but if people try to cross it, the guards do not shoot them.” Salakhitdinov said a further 30,000-40,000 people are still waiting to flee. “We don’t have enough food and water in Osh,” he said. There are some areas where we cannot deliver any aid because of violence. We are getting very little humanitarian aid from abroad and Russia so far.” The UN High Commission for Refugees is preparing to deploy an emergency team and aid to help Uzbekistan cope with the influx, the commission said in a statement yesterday. The commission yesterday praised the Uzbek authorities for cooperating with the UN. António Guterres , UN High Commissioner for Refugees said it agreed to support Uzbek efforts to “assist tens of thousands, mostly women and children.” Officials of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which comprises central Asian former Soviet republics, met Russian President Dmitry Medvedev yesterday, according to the president’s website. The group said it would support Kyrgyzstan’s government with equipment, including helicopters, to help transport troops to the strife-affected region. The president didn’t exclude sending Russian soldiers in future. More than 80 human rights groups have demanded Russia send peace-keeping troops to end the bloodshed, Interfax said. To contact the reporter on this story: Anastasia Ustinova in St. Petersburg at austinova@bloomberg.net .

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Medvedev to Hold Kyrgyz Crisis Talks to Prevent Spread of Unrest, Violence

June 14, 2010

By Anastasia Ustinova June 14 (Bloomberg) — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will meet with regional representatives to stem unrest in the former Soviet Republic of Kyrgyzstan as local human rights organizations called on the Kremlin to send peace-keeping troops, Interfax reported. Security Council secretaries of member nations of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which comprises the central Asian former Soviet republics, will meet today to discuss the situation, Interfax reported, citing Medvedev’s press secretary Natalia Timakova. More than 80 human rights organizations have called on Russia “urgently” to send peace- keeping troops to end the bloodshed, the newswire said today. Kyrgyzstan’s interim government yesterday extended a state of emergency throughout the Jalalabad region as tens of thousands of refugees fled the country and Russia sent a battalion of soldiers to protect its military base. The Kyrgyz government declared a partial mobilization of civilian reservists and authorized troops to shoot to kill rioters in a bid to stabilize the situation in the south of the country. Kyrgyz and Uzbek groups are clashing for a fourth day, burning down houses and looting stores. “If we don’t take timely and effective measures, the unrest could become much more serious and descend into a regional conflict,” the government said on its website yesterday. Deaths, Clashes At least 97 have died and 1,247 have been injured since the violence erupted late on June 10 in the southern Osh region. The area was a focus of unrest in April when supporters of deposed Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev clashed with groups loyal to the country’s interim government. More than 75,000 ethnic Uzbeks — mostly the elderly, women and children — have begun fleeing to Uzbekistan, where refugee camps have been set up, state-run RIA Novosti said, citing the local emergency ministry. The Kremlin has sent three aircraft carrying troops to protect Russia’s Kant military base, Interfax reported, citing an unidentified military official. Dmitry Peskov , a spokesman for Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin , yesterday said Russia wouldn’t send troops after the interim leader Roza Otunbayeva asked Moscow to help quell ethnic violence. A call to Peskov wasn’t immediately returned yesterday. In a statement released yesterday in Washington, State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said the U.S. “calls for a rapid restoration of peace and public order in the city of Osh and elsewhere where it appears ethnic violence is occurring.” Bakiyev, who has taken refuge in Belarus, denied accusations yesterday by the government that he is involved in the unrest, Interfax said, citing Bakiyev. To contact the reporter on this story: Anastasia Ustinova in St. Petersburg at austinova@bloomberg.net .

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South Korean Wins Figure Skating, American Gets Nordic Gold

February 26, 2010

By Erik Matuszewski Feb. 26 (Bloomberg) — Kim Yu-na set a world record in winning South Korea’s first Olympic figure skating title, capping a day on which Bill Demong took the first American gold medal in Nordic combined to keep the U.S. atop the medal standings. Germany and Canada also won Olympic titles yesterday at the Vancouver Games to remain tied with the U.S. with eight gold medals each. The U.S. has 32 total medals to lead all nations. Viktoria Rebensburg became the first German in 54 years to win the women’s giant slalom, and the Canadians won the women’s Olympic hockey title for the third straight time by beating the U.S. 2-0 in the final. “It’s so special,” Canada forward Hayley Wickenheiser said of winning the gold medal. “I don’t know if it’s sunk in yet. You grow up in Canada, you know the expectations.” The U.S. overall medal total is six more than Germany’s 26. Norway has 19, followed by Canada with 17. Kim, 19, gave South Korea its sixth gold medal of the Games by winning the figure skating title at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver with a record score of 228.56 points. “I can’t believe this day has finally come for me,” Kim said in a televised interview. Kim’s Record Night Kim, the reigning world champion, broke the record of 210.03 points she set last year during a competition in Paris. Japan’s Mao Asada took the silver medal and Canada’s Joannie Rochette received the bronze. Rochette’s mother died of a heart attack in Vancouver four days before last night’s free skate program. American Mirai Nagasu, 16, finished fourth with a score of 190.15. Japan’s Miki Ando , 22, was fifth, followed by Rachel Flatt , 17, of the U.S. Demong won the Nordic combined event, which includes ski jumping off the larger of two hills and a 10-kilometer cross-country ski race, by finishing four seconds ahead of silver medalist Johnny Spillane of the U.S. Austria’s Bernhard Gruber took the bronze after he was unable to keep up with the Americans in the final 500 meters. Spillane had been the first American to win any medal in Nordic combined when he took a silver medal in the normal hill competition 11 days ago. The U.S. also won a silver medal in the team 20-kilometer relay on Feb. 23. ‘New Heights’ “Our team has reached new heights,” Demong, 29, said during a news conference in Whistler, British Columbia. “Maybe Johnny will be the only one in the room to believe me, but I don’t think either one of us cared who got first or second.” Alexei Grishin won the freestyle skiing men’s aerials for Belarus’s first gold medal in a Winter Games. After Canada’s women defended their Olympic hockey title, the Canadian men’s team will seek a spot in the gold medal game with a semifinal matchup today against Slovakia. The U.S. faces Finland in the other semifinal. The men’s ice hockey championship is the last medal event on the final day of the Olympics, Feb. 28. Canadian Curlers The Canadian women’s curling team plays for gold today against Sweden, while Canada’s men remained undefeated yesterday to set up a gold-medal match with Norway tomorrow. Sweden’s Anja Paerson aims to defend her Olympic slalom title from Turin today in the final women’s Alpine skiing event of the Games. Paerson has won two bronze medals in Vancouver, giving her six career Olympic medals. Maria Riesch of Germany and Marlies Schild of Austria also are considered top contenders. Lindsey Vonn of the U.S. will pursue her third medal of the Games with a fractured bone in her finger, suffered during a crash in the giant slalom. Three gold medals will be awarded today in short track speedskating. Defending Olympic champion Apolo Ohno of the U.S. competes in the men’s 500-meter race in pursuit of his eighth career Olympic medal. There are also finals in the women’s 1,000 meters and the men’s 5,000-meter relay. Biathlon’s final medals are contested in the men’s 30- kilometer relay, while snowboarders seek gold in the women’s parallel giant slalom. To contact the reporter on this story: Erik Matuszewski in Vancouver, at matuszewski@bloomberg.net

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Yanukovych’s Russian Overtures May Signal Ukraine’s Shifting Allegiance

February 18, 2010

By Daryna Krasnolutska and Lyubov Pronina Feb. 18 (Bloomberg) — Ukraine’s President-elect Viktor Yanukovych may be stepping up efforts to move the former Soviet state closer to Russia and end a standoff that’s obstructed gas flows and heightened regional tensions for half a decade. In the 11 days since beating Yulia Timoshenko in a runoff vote, Yanukovych signaled on his Web site he may allow Russia’s Black Sea Fleet to stay in Ukrainian waters. He asked for Russian help to ease gas flows into Europe and yesterday said he wants Ukraine to join Russia’s customs union with Belarus and Kazakhstan, Kommersant reported. Yanukovych’s “policy will steer the country toward a return of good, friendly relations with Russia,” said Sergei Markov , a lawmaker in Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s United Russia Party. “What we observed before was an artificial attempt to make Russia and Ukraine quarrel.” Yanukovych, 59, who has promised to restore Russian as Ukraine’s second official language, also says he will seek to balance Russian and European Union ties. While he wrote in the Wall St. Journal yesterday that he wants to prepare Ukraine for EU membership “when the time comes,” his actions indicate his ambition to renew relations with Moscow may be stronger than he signaled previously. “Yanukovych is still under the influence of his election win,” said Yuriy Yakymenko , an analyst at the Kiev-based Razumkov Center for Political and Economic Studies. “He pledged to implement all changes that Russia would like to see, ignoring Ukraine’s political context and without thinking whether he really can do it.” New Cold War The defeat of outgoing President Viktor Yushchenko in the Jan. 17 first round ended an era of tense Ukraine-Russian relations that contributed to a souring of ties between Moscow and Washington. Former Presidents George W. Bush and Putin used Yushchenko’s ambition to steer the country into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as an excuse to ramp up antagonism between the two former Cold War adversaries and prompted fears of a military clash in the region. The Kremlin curbed natural-gas deliveries to Ukraine in 2006 and 2009, withheld a new ambassador to Kiev and accused Yushchenko of supplying arms to Georgia during Russia’s war with its southern neighbor in August 2008. Markets Yushchenko, who defeated Yanukovych in the 2004 Orange Revolution, had targeted NATO membership and joining the European Union as ways of freeing Ukraine from Russian influence. Ukraine’s economic collapse since then, which has left it reliant on a $16.4 billion International Monetary Fund loan, and his bickering with Timoshenko have left voters jaded and contributed to his defeat. Ukraine’s sovereign debt is the third most expensive to insure after Venezuela and Argentina, according to credit default swap spreads. The country’s CDS spread has widened 2 1/2 times since the Orange Revolution, indicating heightened investor perceptions of a default risk, and stood at 975 basis points yesterday, compared with 946 before the Feb. 7 runoff. The hryvnia has lost 42 percent against the dollar since the start of September 2008, making it the second-worst performer of the 175 currencies tracked by Bloomberg in the period, after the Venezuelan bolivar. ‘Strategic Partner’ In yesterday’s Journal article, Yanukovych pledged to rebuild ties with Ukraine’s nuclear-armed neighbor. “We are a nation with a European identity but we have historic cultural and economic ties to Russia as well,” he wrote. “We will rebuild relations with Moscow as a strategic economic partner.” Russia, which traces its statehood to medieval Kiev, shares close economic, linguistic and religious ties to its neighbor. Without Ukraine, Russia stops being an empire with a foothold in Europe, former U.S. national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski wrote in his 1997 book “The Grand Chessboard.” Ukraine was incorporated into the USSR in 1922 and it was known as the breadbasket of the Soviet empire because of its agricultural produce. Much of industrialized eastern Ukraine is populated by Russian speakers whose first loyalty was always to Moscow. The Crimean peninsula on the Black Sea, associated with some of Russia’s greatest writers including Chekhov , Bulgakov and Tolstoy, was given to the Ukrainian soviet republic by Russia in 1954. ‘East Is Russian’ Russia’s Black Sea fleet is based in Crimea and 80 percent of Russian gas exports to Europe go through Ukrainian territory. Eastern Ukraine will become part of Russia “in five years,” said Vladimir Zhirinovsky , head of the Liberal- Democratic Party of Russia, on Ekho Moskvy radio. “The east is Russian. The population is largely Russian,” Yanukovych is “basically Russian.” Though Yanukovych has made clear he won’t stick to the NATO membership aspiration, some of his promises to Russia will require significant legislative upheaval to enact. His offer to allow the Black Sea Fleet to stay past 2017 ignores Ukraine’s constitution, which doesn’t allow foreign troops outside the terms of the lease. Yanukovych will need to secure a 300 vote majority in the 450-seat parliament to overturn that law. ‘Change in Policy’ Ukraine’s military strategy stipulates that the country should target NATO entry, though membership would require a referendum. Yanukovych’s request to join the customs union seems not to take into account Ukraine’s membership in the World Trade Organization since May 2008. “Yanukovych’s comments obviously reflect a change in policy,” Yushchenko said at a meeting of his Our Ukraine Party on Feb. 16. Yanukovych has been congratulated on his victory by U.S. President Barack Obama , EU Commission President Jose Barroso and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen , though Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was first to invite him for an official visit, Interfax reported on Feb. 15. “Russia gains by having a friendlier and even preferential relationship but not a dominant one,” said Chris Weafer , chief strategist at UralSib Financial Corp. in Moscow. “That delivers the Holy Grail for the Kremlin. Good business and good politics: Putin’s dream.” To contact the reporters on this story: Daryna Krasnolutska in Kiev at dkrasnolutsk@bloomberg.net

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Russia, Belarus end oil export dispute

February 16, 2010

Russia, Belarus end oil export dispute

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Europe Trades Places With Russia as Ukraine Picks Timoshenko or Yanukovych

February 4, 2010

By James M. Gomez and Daryna Krasnolutska Feb. 4 (Bloomberg) — When Yuri Davydov needed investors to expand his Ukrainian food company, he looked west to the European Union, not east to Russia, even though his VAT Creativ Industrial Group is in the Russian-speaking part of the country. “We have good connections with Russia, but we prefer to trade with non-Russian companies,” Davydov said after a Jan. 19 presentation to potential investors in Vienna. “If the European Union removes barriers, we can find a niche.” His attitude may explain why both contenders in the Feb. 7 runoff presidential election, Viktor Yanukovych and Yulia Timoshenko , have vowed to sign a trade accord with the EU. They favor it even though Yanukovych had Russian backing for his first run in 2004 and Timoshenko accused President Viktor Yushchenko of being too confrontational toward Russia. The EU is looking more attractive to executives from Ukraine’s eastern industrial centers of Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk, as well as in Kiev and Lviv farther west. The need to diversify from Russia, Ukraine’s largest single trading partner, has business leaders pushing politicians for easier access to the 27-nation EU. Its market of 449 million people is more than triple the population of Russia. Opposition leader Yanukovych, 59, topped 18 candidates in the Jan. 17 first-round election with 35 percent support. Prime Minister Timoshenko, 49, took 25 percent, while Yushchenko was eliminated after garnering 5.5 percent. Polling less than two weeks before the vote is prohibited. Trade Accord Both finalists say they will repair relations with Russia that deteriorated under Yushchenko, and they question entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Both plan to work with the International Monetary Fund to unblock $5.8 billion in loan funds that were frozen in November when the parliament failed to adopt a budget or cut spending. Timoshenko says she wants to abolish the value-added tax, while Yanukovych would cut that tax rate to 17 percent from 20 percent and cut the corporate tax rate to 19 percent in 2011 from 25 percent now. Both also promise to sign a trade deal this year with the EU. The accord is part of a pledge made by Yushchenko, a former central bank governor, after the 2004 Orange Revolution . Yanukovych’s presidential bid that year, against Yushchenko, was supported by then-Russian President Vladimir Putin and outgoing Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma . Kuchma courted Russia and picked Yanukovych, his prime minister at the time, as the candidate to succeed him. Changing Laws Talks over the EU trade accord have been stalled for more than a year. European Commission President Jose Barroso said on Dec. 4 that Ukraine has only “partly met” its promises to change laws needed for closer EU ties. The next discussions are set for early March in Brussels. Ukraine needs more trade: Gross domestic product probably shrank 15 percent in 2009, Yushchenko’s office estimates, as the global financial crisis cut demand for Ukraine’s products, dried up investments and weakened the currency. Exports make up more than 40 percent of GDP. The accord is intended to ease trade in all goods and services, including energy, and to eliminate a range of tariffs on both sides. The plan would also provide a blueprint for making Ukraine’s regulations on competition, public procurement and customs more transparent, according to the EU’s Web site . ‘European Perspective’ “For Ukraine, it is very important to have a European perspective,” Yanukovych said in an interview on Jan. 21 while campaigning near the Black Sea. “The most important thing is to create a real mechanism for real integration into the EU.” Timoshenko and Yanukovych were both invited by Ukrainian billionaire Viktor Pinchuk , Kuchma’s son-in-law and a 2004 supporter of Yanukovych, to address investors at a luncheon at the World Economic Forum in Davos via satellite on Jan. 29. The two also attended the opening of a soccer stadium in Donetsk financed by Rinat Akhmetov , Ukraine’s richest man. Grammy-winning singer Beyonce performed at the August event. A political leader who wants to support business needs to promote easing trade restrictions to the west, said Jathan Tucker, head of trading at BG Capital investment bank in Kiev. “Most business leaders lean towards a free trade agreement with the EU,” Tucker said an interview. “It would open up a new market for exports that they could take advantage of.” The EU restricts the import of agricultural products that don’t meet EU norms, as well as limiting such manufactured goods as steel pipes and imposing tariffs on chemicals and drugs. Exports to Russia Exports to the 11-nation Commonwealth of Independent States, which includes Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, accounted for 34 percent of Ukraine’s $35.6 billion in international shipments in the first 11 months of last year. Exports to Russia alone totaled 21 percent. Exports to the EU, including steel, food and chemicals, were 24 percent of the total, the government said Jan. 13. “Ukraine needs to win western market share, we need to export more,” said Mykola Tolmachov , chief executive officer of TMM Real Estate Development Plc , Ukraine’s largest property developer, in Kiev. “We believe our investors are not in Russia.” TMM is among Ukrainian companies that have raised money by selling shares in the EU, including in Frankfurt, London and Warsaw, the largest bourse in the EU’s eastern states, rather than in Russia. Kharkiv-based Sintal Agriculture Plc , which grows grains, raised $13 million in October on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange through a private placement of a 17.2 percent equity stake. Creativ offered shares on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 2007. After falling 75 percent from October 2007 to April 2009, the stock has soared 135 percent since then. Davydov is CEO of the company, based in Kirovograd, a Russian-speaking city 299 kilometers (185 miles) southeast of Kiev. He was at the Vienna Euromoney magazine conference seeking as much as $50 million to expand and improve production of his cooking-oil products. His EU market is limited to Italy and Spain because meeting EU standards reduces the products the company can ship there. “Ukraine has a great possibility to export” to the EU, he said. “Standards are very high and only a small quantity of Ukrainian enterprises are certified.” To contact the reporters on this story: James Gomez in Prague at jagomez@bloomberg.net Daryna Krasnolutska in Kiev at dkrasnolutsk@bloomberg.net

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Nadal, Murray, Henin, Roddick, Clijsters Advance at Australian Open

January 20, 2010

By Rob Gloster Jan. 20 (Bloomberg) — Justine Henin’s tennis comeback picked up momentum today when she eliminated fifth-seeded Elena Dementieva 7-5, 7-6 (8-6) at the Australian Open. Men’s defending champion Rafael Nadal also advanced. Henin, a seven-time Grand Slam title holder who was No. 1 in the world when she retired in May 2008, is playing in her first major tournament in two years. “I’m exhausted now, it was so intense,” Henin said in a television interview. “I was almost cramping at the end.” Nadal dropped six games as he moved into the third round at Melbourne Park. U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro had a much tougher time advancing. Andy Roddick , Andy Murray and Kim Clijsters also won at the season-opening tennis Grand Slam. Henin, a 27-year-old unseeded Belgian who doesn’t have a ranking from the WTA Tour yet, saved two set points in the 83- minute opening set. Then she broke Dementieva’s serve four times in the second, overcoming four breaks of her serve as well, and won in a tiebreaker to run her career record to 10-2 against the Russian. Henin, who ended her 20-month retirement earlier this month, served twice for the match but lost both of those games and was forced into the tiebreaker. “It was really difficult for me to close out the match,” she said in a courtside interview. “Finally I made it, so it’s a relief.” The second-seeded Nadal beat Lukas Lacko of Slovakia 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena to set up a match against No. 27 Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany, who defeated unseeded American Wayne Odesnik . “I came here with confidence,” Nadal said in a televised interview after winning in an hour and 53 minutes. “I’m in the right way to come back and play my best tennis.” The Spaniard is seeking his first Grand Slam title since he beat Roger Federer in the Australian Open final a year ago. Del Potro, an Argentine seeded fourth, battled through five sets before defeating unseeded American James Blake 6- 4, 6-7 (3-7), 5-7, 6-3, 10-8. The match between del Potro and Blake, who was an All- American tennis player at Harvard University in the late 1990s, lasted 4 hours, 17 minutes. No. 7 seed Roddick thought he’d won twice before finally eliminating Thomaz Bellucci 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. On the American’s first match point, a forehand from Bellucci was called out. Roddick and his unseeded opponent went to the net to shake hands, then turned around as the Brazilian’s challenge of the call was upheld. Roddick then appeared to serve an ace to end the match. That call also was challenged by Bellucci and was reversed. The 27-year-old Roddick, who won his only Grand Slam title at the 2003 U.S. Open, finished off the match on his second serve. ‘Felt Good’ “I felt good out there today,” Roddick told reporters. “It was just a matter of kind of getting the ins and outs of the points. I thought I did a pretty good job of that.” Roddick, who served 11 aces, will play unseeded Spaniard Feliciano Lopez for a place in the fourth round. No. 5 seed Murray of Britain won 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 over Marc Gicquel of France. No. 11 seed Fernando Gonzalez of Chile, No. 12 Gael Monfils of France and No. 33 John Isner of the United States were winners. No. 21 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic was a loser. Clijsters dropped three games in each set against Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand. The 26-year-old Belgian, who returned to the sport last year after taking two years off to have a daughter, had six aces and 35 winners. “I’ve been pretty consistent with my level,” the 15th- seeded Clijsters said in a courtside interview. “I was able to step it up in the second set.” Safina, Kuznetsova Second-seeded Dinara Safina won in straight sets. Another Russian, French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova , seeded third, reached the third round for the 17th consecutive time at a Grand Slam. Kuznetsova could face Clijsters in the fourth round. No. 8 Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and No. 11 Marion Bartoli of France also won. No. 12 Flavia Pennetta of Italy lost to unseeded Belgian Yanina Wickmayer . In a first-round match that was delayed because of rain on day one, fourth-seeded Dane Caroline Wozniacki , the 2009 U.S. Open runner-up, defeated Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak . Seventh-seeded Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, No. 9 Vera Zvonareva of Russia and No. 16 Li Na of China also won first- round matches today. To contact the reporter on this story: Rob Gloster in San Francisco at rgloster@bloomberg.net

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Albania Plans $431 Million Bond Sale, Nation’s First International Offer

January 18, 2010

By Laura Cochrane Jan. 18 (Bloomberg) — Albania plans to sell its first international bonds to help repay bank loans, joining the busiest start to a year for emerging-market foreign-currency borrowing in a decade as borrowing costs plunge. The Balkan country may offer 300 million euros ($431 million) of three- or five-year bonds and has started the process of hiring a bank to take the lead in managing the issue, the Ministry of Finance said today on its [bn:URL= http://www.minfin.gov.al/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=9 30&Itemid =] Web site []. The Philippines, Mexico, Poland, Turkey, Indonesia and Slovenia have sold more than $13 billion in overseas debt this year, the most by developing nations for the period since at least 1999, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Developing-nation borrowing costs dropped to a 19-month low last week, spurring deals, as recovery from the global recession stoked demand for higher-yielding assets. “There is no way Albania would have been able to sell bonds 12 months or even six months ago,” said Nigel Rendell , an emerging-market strategist at RBC Capital Markets in London. “People are now more positive about the global outlook. Albania will probably sell debt at an attractive interest compared with the next-to-nothing you get on securities out of the U.S. and Europe at the moment.” Albania received a three-year, 95 million-euro loan in May last year and has $225 million of outstanding restructured bonds due 2025, Bloomberg data show. The yield on the restructured bonds was at 6.046 percent on Jan. 15, according to Standard Bank Group Ltd. prices. That compares with an implied yield on U.S. Treasury 10-year futures contracts for March at 3.89 percent today. Vietnam, Slovenia Slovenia sold 1.5 billion euros of 10-year bonds today at a yield of 4.125 percent, or 89.3 basis points more than similar- maturity German government bonds, according to Bloomberg data. Vietnam will start marketing its first international bond sale in four years on Jan. 18, said a person familiar with the matter. Romania may sell 1 billion euros in euro-denominated bonds in the first quarter of this year, and more later in 2010, Finance Minister Sebastian Vladescu said Jan. 12. Angola and Belarus are among countries planning their first international sales. Governments from both countries said in November they were seeking to sell international debt. Kenya’s Prime Minister Raila Odinga said in December the country plans to sell its first Eurobonds. Prepaying Loan Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha said in January 2008 the country envisaged issuing its first foreign-currency bonds in May of that year, a sign its economy had shed the legacy of a half-century of communist-imposed isolation. Emerging-market borrowing costs jumped more than threefold from the time of his remark through October 2008, while sales of developing-economy debt plunged as the global economy fell into recession. Almost 200 million euros of proceeds from the planned bond sale will be used to pre-pay a syndicated loan, the Ministry said. The country has an issuer credit rating of B1 from Moody’s Investors Service, four levels below investment grade, putting it on par with Belarus and Mongolia. It was granted the rating in June 2007. Albania’s economy is forecast to grow 2.2 percent this year after 0.7 percent expansion in 2009, according to an October report from the International Monetary Fund. The country joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in April last year and is a potential candidate for European Union membership. The country remains one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure, according to the CIA Factbook . Democracy Albania, located in southeastern Europe on the Adriatic and Ionian seas, was trampled first by Mussolini, then by Hitler in World War II. Enver Hoxha , who led the revolt against the Nazis, turned the country into a Stalinist fiefdom, then broke with the Soviet Union and allied himself with China. When the communist regime was swept away in 1991, Albania had none of the economic links with the West that smoothed the transition to democracy in more advanced republics in southeast Europe, such as Slovenia. For Related News and Information: For emerging-market new bond sales: TNI EM NEWBON For Albania news NI ALB For Albania international bonds: ALBANI

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Moscow resumes oil suppies to Belarus

January 5, 2010

Moscow resumes oil suppies to Belarus

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Russia suspends oil supplies to Belarus

January 4, 2010

Russia suspends oil supplies to Belarus

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Russia to impose tariffs on Belarus oil supplies

January 3, 2010

Russia to impose tariffs on Belarus oil supplies

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Goldman, Buffett Lead Bloomberg Week in Review

November 20, 2009

Nov. 20 (Bloomberg) — “ Goldman, Buffett Establish $500 Million Small-Business Program ” leads a selection of the week’s best stories from Bloomberg News. The most-read story on Bloomberg.com was “ Obama Aide Dunn Renews Criticism of Fox, Hails Jon Stewart .” Click on the VIDEO tab above for the video pick of the week: Morgan Stanley Chief Executive Officer John Mack, speaking at the “Covering the Crisis” panel hosted by Bloomberg and Vanity Fair on Nov. 18. Highlights of the panel discussion are also available under the VIDEO tab. Click here for stories from the December issue of Bloomberg Markets magazine. Following is a selection of stories from the past week, chosen by senior editors at Bloomberg News. Goldman, Buffett Establish $500 Million Small-Business Program Nov. 18 (Bloomberg) — Goldman Sachs Group Inc., under fire in Washington for setting aside billions of dollars for bonuses a year after getting a taxpayer bailout, is joining Warren Buffett to provide assistance to 10,000 U.S. small businesses. Warren Winning Means No Sale If You Can’t Explain It Nov. 19 (Bloomberg) — In Elizabeth Warren’s world, credit card contracts would be so simple a teenager could read and understand them in four minutes. Loans would be as easy to compare as toasters, and online credit scores would be free. General Growth Makes $9 Billion Debt Restructure Deal Nov. 19 (Bloomberg) — General Growth Properties Inc. reached a deal with some of its largest lenders to restructure about $9 billion of mortgage debt through its Chapter 11 case. Angola to Belarus Plan Bonds as Emerging Markets Soar Nov. 19 (Bloomberg) — From Angola to Belarus, emerging- market governments are planning first-time debt offerings to take advantage of the biggest bond rally in at least 11 years. Madoff’s Boats, Car, Ruth’s Jewels Score $3 Million for Victims Nov. 18 (Bloomberg) — In less than a week, the U.S. Marshals Service has raised $3 million for the victims of Bernard L. Madoff, selling off his personal assets including a teak-accented yacht, diamond earrings and a N.Y. Mets jacket. The top 10 most-read stories on Bloomberg.com in the past week (excluding market coverage): 1. Obama Aide Dunn Renews Criticism of Fox, Hails Jon Stewart 2. Lieberman Independence Hinders Democrats’ Health-Care End Game 3. Deutsche Bank Drowning in Vegas on Costliest Bank-Owned Casino 4. U.S. Economy: Housing Fell as End of Credit Loomed 5. IRS Amnesty Draws 14,700 to Disclose Secret Offshore Accounts 6. GM Generates $3.3 Billion, Will Start Repaying Loans 7. Paulson Bets Bank of America Can Double in Two Years 8. China Will Have Own Bubble to Confront, Pimco’s Gross Says 9. Goldman, Buffett Establish $500 Million Small-Business Program 10. U.S. Economy: Retail Sales Rebound From Year’s Biggest Drop Susan Antilla, Mark Gilbert and Caroline Baum were the three most-read opinion columnists in the past week. Main Street Tells Wall Street, ‘Get a Real Job’: Susan Antilla Nov. 16 (Bloomberg) — Wall Street, meet Eric W. Haugaard, a civil engineer who designs water and sewer-line systems for the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Haugaard says he had tears in his eyes as he watched Barack Obama’s acceptance speech, hopeful that politics would get more constructive and the economic crisis would get fixed. Goldman’s $500 Million Is Day Late, Dollar Short: Mark Gilbert Nov. 18 (Bloomberg) — So now we know the value Goldman Sachs Group Inc. places on salving its conscience for screwing up what Chief Executive Officer Lloyd Blankfein called “God’s work.” It seems that $500 million is all it takes to compensate the world for Goldman’s role in creating the credit crunch. Obama Bows to Japan’s Emperor, Snubs Adam Smith: Caroline Baum Nov. 18 (Bloomberg) — Every morning I’m confronted with more evidence that the world has gone mad. Let’s start with last week’s attention-grabbing headline in the Wall Street Journal: “White House Aims to Cut Deficit with TARP Cash.” # # -0- Nov/20/2009 17:52 GMT

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IMF approves $700m loan for Belarus

October 22, 2009

IMF approves $700m loan for Belarus

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Federer, Nadal, Williams Sisters Roll in U.S. Open Early Finish

September 3, 2009

By Erik Matuszewski and Mason Levinson Sept. 3 (Bloomberg) — Defending champions Roger Federer and Serena Williams had a quick night’s work at the U.S. Open, winning in straight sets after tournament organizers shuffled the schedule. Traditionally, the women play the first night match at the National Tennis Center in New York. Last night in Arthur Ashe Stadium, the U.S. Tennis Association changed the order in the night session for the first time in 23 years. Federer continued his pursuit of a sixth straight U.S. Open title with a 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 win over Germany’s Simon Greul before Williams ousted Melinda Czink of Hungary 6-1, 6-1 in 53 minutes to complete Day 3 play at just after 10:30 p.m. local time. “It’s just fun to mix it up,” Federer said in a televised interview. “It gets really late for us sometimes, so why not do it? I think it’s a good thing.” Venus Williams also won her second-round match in straight sets earlier yesterday and Rafael Nadal triumphed in his first Grand Slam match since May. Today’s night session reverts to the usual format, with former women’s champion Maria Sharapova of Russia starting the action against American Christina McHale before 2003 men’s winner Andy Roddick takes on Marc Gicquel of France. Other women playing today include top seed Dinara Safina , No. 4 Elena Dementieva and No. 6 Svetlana Kuznetsova , all of Russia, and fifth-seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia. Novak Djokovic of Serbia, the men’s fourth seed, is also in action, as is No. 21 James Blake of the U.S. Federer Moves On Federer, 28, needed less than two hours to extend his U.S. winning streak to 36 and set up a third-round meeting with Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt , the 2001 champion in New York. The top-seeded Swiss, who is seeking to improve upon his men’s record of 15 Grand Slam titles, has won 13 straight matches against Hewitt. Serena Williams, who’s seeking to become the first repeat women’s champion at the U.S. Open since sister Venus in 2000-01, then made only nine unforced errors against Czink. Serena advanced to play Spain’s Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez . The USTA said it was the first time that a women’s match has been played after a men’s match in the night session since Aug. 27, 1986. The shuffle followed some complaints from men’s players about late finishes. Fast Play “Playing after Roger, it couldn’t get better because he played pretty fast, especially for a men’s match,” Williams told reporters. “So that was fine.” Men’s No. 3 Nadal, who missed Wimbledon because of knee problems, defeated Richard Gasquet of France 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 in his first Grand Slam appearance since a fourth-round loss to Robin Soderling at the French Open. Nadal had seven aces and 27 winners, while notching 10 unforced errors, 30 less than Gasquet. “I know I am in the right way,” said Nadal, who will play Nicolas Kiefer in the second round. “So if I have the chance to win a few more matches and I get the confidence, we will see what happens later.” Two-time major champion Amelie Mauresmo fell in straight sets to Aleksandra Wozniak in what might have been the Frenchwoman’s final Grand Slam match. Marat Safin , the 2000 U.S. Open winner from Russia, ended his Grand Slam career with a loss to Jurgen Melzer . Santoro Record Frenchman Fabrice Santoro , also playing in his last Grand Slam, lost 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 to Spain’s Juan Carlos Ferrero , the men’s 24th seed. It was Santoro’s 69th Grand Slam event, the most by any player in the Open era. Other men’s seeds to advance yesterday included No. 6 Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina, No. 9 Gilles Simon and No. 13 Gael Monfils , both of France, and No. 18 David Ferrer of Spain. Kim Clijsters continued her major tournament comeback by beating 14th-seeded Marion Bartoli of France 5-7, 6-1, 6-2. Clijsters took almost two years off from tennis to recover from injuries and to have her first child. Other women’s seeds to go through were No. 7 Vera Zvonareva of Russia, No. 8 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus and No. 18 Na Li of China. Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, the women’s 12th seed, was beaten in three sets by Russia’s Maria Kirilenko , No. 15 Samantha Stosur of Australia lost to American Vania King and No. 20 Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain fell to Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens . Eleven of the 32 women’s seeds have now exited. To contact the reporter on this story: Erik Matuszewski at the U.S. Open at matuszewski@bloomberg.net ; Mason Levinson at the U.S. Open at mlevinson@bloomberg.net

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