MINSK : Sharing the Poverty
Leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States, which shows signs of breaking up even before it is fully formed, meet Friday in the capital of Belarus to try and iron out differences on two troublesome problems.
Economic relations were to form the bedrock of the Commonwealth by preserving an open, unified market for its members. But Ukraine and other members are resisting what they see as the danger of Russian economic domination.
Military issues are also particularly sensitive, with both Russia and Ukraine wanting to control the former Soviet Black Sea Fleet.
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