MOSCOW, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov announced Wednesday a $2.5 billion oil-pipeline deal with China has been postponed, a radio report said.
Kasyanov said after meeting his Chinese counterpart, Wen Jiabao, in Beijing, three or four more months were needed to improve "the basic technical plan and meet the environmental needs" for the construction of a 1,500-mile pipeline from Siberia to northeastern China.
"Both proposals that have been presented to us plan for the pipeline to run near Lake Baikal which is, as you know, a world treasure and a UNESCO-protected site," Kasyanov said. "It is protected not only by Russian law but also by international law."
The project has been discussed for some 10 years, with many expecting a Russian decision during Kasyanov's visit, Radio Free Europe reported.
Kasyanov also said Russia would increase oil exports to China by up to 5.5 million tons through rail transport.
