Russian Customs Committee Leader Heads for Geneva to Solve Conflict with International Road Transport Union

This morning a delegation of the Russian State Customs Committee, led by Chairman Mikhail Vanin, left on an official visit to Geneva. According to a Rosbalt correspondent, Mr Vanin will hold talks with leaders of the IRU (International Road Transport Union) about the possible suspension of a customs convention on road transportation on Russian territory.

The Russian committee said that the IRU's decision should come into effect from December 24, 2002. The IRU claims that Russian customs officials 'have regularly broken the convention by checking sealed transport.' Representatives of the Russian State Customs Committee say that such measures are necessary to prevent smuggling.