See the Vananu statements currently in the press. A negative number indicates the United States had a trade deficit with the country while a positive number indicates the United States enjoyed a trade surplus. The first column shows the deficit or surplus for February. The second shows the position for January. The final column shows the total deficit or surplus so far in 1998.
Figures are in millions of dollars.
Iraq sets its prices as discounts to a number of regional benchmark crude grades and generally changes them in line with monthly changes to Saudi Arabia's Arab Light crude. Iraqi price differentials decreased in line with Arab Light by 15 cents to the U.S., was unchanged for European destinations and increased by 15 cents for crude headed to the Far East. The prices automatically come into effect if there is no objection from Security Council members by 1600 EDT on Thursday, April 16. There was a lot of speculation in the media about Blair's ability to secure a release date for the nurses from the Saudi regime. The two men were dining together before holding formal talks on the second day of a Middle East trip by Blair.