Turkmenistan Protests Russian Official's Comments On Gas Disruption

ASHGABAT (RFE/RL) -- Turkmenistan's Foreign Ministry criticized a director of Russia's Oil and Gas Institute on April 10 because he told a Russian TV channel that Turkmenistan was responsible for a recent pipeline breakdown.

Gazprom announced on April 9 that the blast had interrupted gas deliveries from Turkmenistan to Russia but should not affect the European supply.

Turkmenistan complained that the statement made on Russian television damaged the countries' relations and requested that officials refrain from public statements on controversial issues.