The Avesta news agency has learnt at the Tojiktransgaz (Tajik gas transportation)] open-joint stock company that Uztransgaz sent a telegram to Tojiktransgaz on 10 June, saying that if the debt worth US$18 million was not paid by 15 June 2009, Uzbekistan would fully suspend natural gas supplies to Tajikistan at 1700 hours [1200 gmt] the same day.

The source also said that the Uzbek side suggested that Tajikistan should settle last year’s US$8 million debt first.