Regions need loans to prepare for winter

The regions and republics of Russia will need RUR800m (about $25.35m) inloans to prepare for the upcoming fall-winter season, Russian EnergyMinister Igor Yusufov said at a briefing after a Cabinet's meeting today.According to him, at today's meeting, they discussed the allotment ofadditional aid to the regions and republics of Russia for preparing for thefall-winter season of 2002-2003. The Minister pointed out that in the nearfuture, applications of regions for the allocation of additional aid wouldbe discussed, and the government would make a decision regarding thisissue..