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)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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