Yeltsin backs Belarus plan

MOSCOW - President Yeltsin yesterday threw his weight behind plans for a union with neighbouring Belarus, despite warnings that…

MOSCOW - President Yeltsin yesterday threw his weight behind plans for a union with neighbouring Belarus, despite warnings that the deal could be costly for Russia.

"President Yeltsin states clearly and unequivocally that he is an initiator of the unification of the two fraternal states and their peoples, a consistent and firm supporter of it," a Kremlin spokesman said. Mr Yeltsin is due to sign the Union Treaty today.

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