December 27, 2006 -- The head of Russia's state-run gas monopoly Gazprom, Aleksei Miller, today warned European customers that they could face gas-delivery problems because of the company's pricing dispute with Belarus.

The company says Belarus could negotiate a reduction if it hands over a 50-percent share of its state-controlled gas-transport network.

Belarus has responded by saying it will not allow Gazprom to send gas through its pipelines unless a deal on 2007 gas prices is reached by the New Year. It has also threatened to siphon off Russian gas bound to Europe in the event of a gas shutoff.

Miller today accused Belarus of adopting a "destructive position." He said that Gazprom was not "Santa Claus" and that Belarus should not expect any gifts on New Year's Eve.

The dispute comes exactly one year after a similar row with Ukraine briefly disrupted Russian gas deliveries to several European countries.

(compiled from agency reports)