Russia to pay nearly $15 billion in debt in 2003

[ChrisD(RJ)]

07.08.2002 19:31:01 
Russia to pay nearly $15 billion in debt in 2003
MOSCOW. Aug 7 (Interfax) - Russia will pay a total of 507 billion rubles, or
$14.9 billion dollars, in national debt in 2003, a senior Finance Ministry
official told the press on Wednesday, citing the first draft of the 2003
budget as his source. 

   Of that amount, foreign debt accounts for nearly $10 billion, he said. 

   Interest payments in 2003 will total 277 billion rubles, somewhat less
than in 2002, the source said. The reduction of interest payments is
attributable to the reduction of the overall debt, he said. 

   About $17 billion in principal foreign debt and interest will be paid in
2002, the source said.