DATE=2/3/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S-RUSSIAN TANKER (S)
NUMBER=2-258783
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  U-S Navy ships have stopped and diverted a 
Russian tanker in the Persian Gulf to determine if it 
was violating a United Nations ban on exporting Iraqi 
oil.  The White House says the U-S government is 
keeping Moscow informed about the incident.  V-O-A's 
David Gollust reports from the White House.

TEXT:  It is the first Russian ship to be diverted by 
U-S forces in the gulf.  But officials here say it is 
not an unusual occurrence in what they describe as a 
"robust" effort involving naval forces of several 
countries to enforce the U-N oil sanctions against 
Iraq.

Iraq has been barred from selling oil on the open 
market because of its failure to implement Gulf War U-
N resolutions, though limited exports are allowed 
under the United Nations' oil-for-food program.

White House spokesman Joe Lockhart says 700 tankers 
were boarded under the U-N enforcement operation last 
year, and in 19 cases ships suspected of smuggling 
were - like the Russian vessel - taken to a gulf port 
for further investigation.

Mr. Lockhart said there have been discussions with 
Moscow about the incident, though he said he is 
unaware of any Russian protest.  Russian officials 
deny any violation of the U-N sanctions and say the 
detained vessel is carrying Iranian fuel oil. (Signed)

NEB/DAG/JP




03-Feb-2000 10:49 AM EDT (03-Feb-2000 1549 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.