DATE=2/3/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / IRAQ TANKER (S)
NUMBER=2-258774
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:  Russia has denied that a tanker 
intercepted by U-S ships in the Gulf of Oman was 
carrying Iraqi oil, and is demanding the vessel's 
immediate release.  V-O-A's Peter Heinlein 
reports from Moscow.

TEXT:  Russian officials Thursday expressed 
indignation at news that the Volgoneft-147 has 
been intercepted, and suggested the incident 
would damage relations between Moscow and 
Washington. 

The state-run ITAR-Tass news agency quotes 
Russian Defense Secretary Igor Sergeyev as saying 
he views "negatively the fact that a Russian 
trading vessel was intercepted by American 
military ships."

Another official, Deputy Foreign Minister Vasily 
Sredin, is quoted as saying, "the vessel never 
entered Iraqi waters or Iraqi ports." He demanded 
that the ship and crew be released immediately, 
adding that Russia had expressed "puzzlement" to 
the United States and to the United Arab Emirates 
over the incident. (Signed)

NEB/PFH/GE/LTD/KL 



03-Feb-2000 08:21 AM EDT (03-Feb-2000 1321 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.