US commandeers Russian tanker suspected of smuggling oil from Iraq

Just reported on NBC News

-- Olive Oil (@ .), February 02, 2000

Answers

Moving right along to WWIII? Thanks alot Bill Clinton, canidate for the Nobel peace prize.

-- Ed (ed@lizzardranch.com), February 02, 2000.

anyone got a link?

-- CA 4x4 (4x4@my.house), February 02, 2000.

And exactly how is this Bill Clinton's fault?

-- Libd (libd@libd.com), February 02, 2000.

Does anyone really think our Navy would stop and search a Russian ship in international waters without permission of the the State Dept. and the Commander-in-chief?

-- Tommy Rogers (Been there@Just a Thought.com), February 02, 2000.

So then the possibility of a change of policy from covert to overt action might be in cards for Russia, thereby escalating the vortex of sociopolitical meltdown.

-- Michael (mikeymac@uswest.net), February 02, 2000.

story is up on regional (mideast section) of MSNBC "News" page...but "link not found" is the result...hmmmm...

-- John Galt (still@doom.er), February 02, 2000.

Are you sure we commandeered? I'd of thought we were just uh escorting our new friends, to spare them receiving any hostility from them there Iraqi's!

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), February 02, 2000.

U.S. boards Russian oil tanker

NBC NEWS WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 

The U.S. Navy boarded a Russian ship in international waters Wednesday, accusing it of smuggling Iraqi oil in violation of U.N. resolutions. It was the first time a Russian ship has been boarded since the U.S. and British navies began their anti-smuggling patrols after the Gulf war.

The page has the full story.

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), February 02, 2000.

Detained for investigation. Comandeered denotes taken for the use of the U.S. government. The tanker was not taken for our use, but rather for investigation. If it turns out to be cool, it will be released. If not...it could be confiscated...and sold or otherwise disposed of...

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), February 03, 2000.

As I understand it, the Americans met with no resistance from the captain or crew, and some of the oil is now being tested to see if it is Iraqi (how would they know?). Also, apparently there is a second ship that is refusing to be boarded. This could get nasty...

-- Gia (laureltree7@hotmail.com), February 03, 2000.

Gia- where did you find the info on the 2nd ship not allowing them to board??...link? wow, it appears that the `oil` is not only getting THICKER in $$$$ but fast becoming quite STICKY as well! better sit down and do some slow breathing exercises cause this is going to be a "verry interesting" year ahead!

-- mutter (murmur@ya.com), February 03, 2000.

Crude oil from the different oil fields around the world can be traced to its source by techniques which analyze it for trace amounts of various metals and absorbed gases. These traces differ from field to field.

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), February 03, 2000.

mutter- This was on CNN. Apparently the 2nd ship was in waters off Iran and therefore not subject to legal juristicton of search or seizure by US. Dunno why.

-- Gia (laureltree7@hotmail.com), February 03, 2000.