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25 March 2003 U.S. Aims to Ensure Uninterrupted Shipping in Persian Gulf Coalition military forces will provide security to ships, tankers According to a March 25 statement issued by the State Department, the U.S. aims to ensure uninterrupted movement of shipping and tanker traffic in the Persian Gulf. Coalition forces, the statement says, will be ready to provide any needed security. Uninterrupted shipping is important in assuring the delivery of humanitarian supplies to the region. The statement calls for the U.N. Security Council to take prompt action to modify the Oil-for-Food program in order to assure the continued delivery of humanitarian supplies to Iraqi civilians. Following is the text of the statement issued by State Department Spokesman Ricahrd Boucher on March 25: U.S. Department Of State The United States is taking steps to ensure the continued movement of shipping and tanker traffic to and from the Persian Gulf. Coalition military forces will provide security if required or requested. The Department of Transportation will continue, under existing authority, to provide war risk insurance for vessels, including cargoes and crew entering the region, when commercial insurance cannot be obtained on reasonable terms and conditions. The uninterrupted movement of shipping in the region means that delivery of humanitarian supplies to the region can continue. As a result, we believe that the UN Security Council should take prompt action to modify the Oil-for-Food Program in order to assure continued delivery of humanitarian supplies, particularly foodstuffs and medical goods, to Iraqi civilians. |