Russia's debt down 0.5% in the first half of 2005 - source

MOSCOW, August 30 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's debt fell 0.5% in the first half of 2005 to $138 billion (24% of GDP), a government source said Tuesday.

"With respect to GDP, the volume of national debt is insignificant," the source said, adding that domestic debt was still increasing and foreign debt decreasing.