Peru allows Russian rafters to cross border.

BOGOTA, January 15 (Itar-Tass) -- Peru allowed a group of Russian
rafters who were sailing the Morona River from Ecuador to cross the border
through an official checkpoint.

"Peruvian authorities allowed the tourists to cross the border at a
nearby checkpoint although it is not intended for foreign citizens, but
only for border exchanges between Peru and Ecuador," a Russian embassy
spokesman in Lima told Tass on Thursday.
"Now the travelers have either to cross the border at the proposed
checkpoint or turn back," he added.
The spokesman said the embassy is in contact with the tourists
currently staying close to the Ecuadorian military base in Puerto Morona.
On January 8 the group sailing down the Morona River attempted to
cross the border into Peru in a dangerous area of former hostilities with
numerous mine fields. Peruvian border guards stopped the rafters saying
they have to go through official border checkpoints.

.US to send poultry experts to Russia next week.

WASHINGTON, January 15 (Itar-Tass) -- The US Department of Agriculture
will send two "technical teams" to Russia next week to discuss poultry
exports following the ban imposed by Moscow on January 1.
US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack told a briefing on Thursday he
hopes poultry exports to Russia would continue.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Thursday Russia may find
alternative sources for poultry imports if the United States refuses to
comply with Russian safety standards that are the same as in the European
Union. The main problem is chlorine used to disinfect poultry in the
United States.
But Vilsack said chlorine disinfection has been tested by time and is
an efficient method that grants access for Russian consumers to cheap
poultry.
He made it clear the United States plans no concessions to Russian
demands and said all disagreements can be settled by experts. "We are sure
that may happen," he said.
US agriculture experts warned the ban on US poultry imports may hike
prices in Russia, but Russian authorities said they have enough resources
to prevent that.

.Bolivia to buy 10 Russian Mi-17 helicopters.

BUENOS AIRES, January 15 (Itar-Tass) -- Bolivia plans to buy ten
Russian Mi-17 cargo helicopters for law enforcers, Defense Minister Walker
San Miguel told Erbol Radio on Thursday.
He said Bolivia's parliament has to approve the 100-million dollar
loan agreement signed by President Evo Morales during his visit to Moscow
in February 2009. After that Bolivia will be able to buy ten cargo
aircraft it needs, the minister said.
Besides, Bolivia plans to buy a new presidential An-148 plane from
Russia as the current aircraft was build nearly half a century ago.
The minister also said China had supplied six combat training K-8 jets
worth 57.8 million dollars that will be used to fight drug trafficking.
K-8 is a two-seat jet designed jointly by China and India for support
of ground forces.

.Yanukovich calls for union with Russia, rejects NATO plans.

KIEV, January 15 (Itar-Tass) -- Ukrainian opposition presidential
candidate Viktor Yanukovich said he would work to restore good relations
with Russia and would abandon plans to join NATO, if elected.
"A union with Russia and gradual integration in the EU are
obligatory," he told the 1+1 TV channel on Thursday and stressed he stands
"exclusively for non-bloc status of Ukraine".
Yanukovich avoided a clear answer to the question whether he would
keep the Russian Black Sea fleet in Crimea after the lease of the
Sevastopol naval base expires in 2017.
"Everything will be done in the Ukrainian interests, but anyway not
against Russia," he said.
Yanukovich promised no reprisals against his political opponents if he
wins the presidential election. "A witch-hunt is ruled out. I have never
planned a bitter political fight," said the Party of Regions leader.

.Timoshenko plans no early parliamentary election.

KIEV, January 15 (Itar-Tass) -- Ukrainian Prime Minister and
presidential candidate Yulia Timoshenko said on Thursday she would unite
the current national legislature rather than call an early parliamentary
election, if elected president.
"After the presidential election no early Supreme Rada election is
necessary, as it would rock the country. The (new) president has to speak
with every lawmaker regardless of the faction. I shall find a possibility
to speak to everyone and unite parliamentarians into a unified team that
will work for the country," she said on a trip to the city of Sumy.
Earlier Timoshenko's main rival and opposition candidate Viktor
Yanukovich also said he would not dissolve parliament if elected.
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