NO IMMEDIATE CONTRACTS FOR RUSSIAN OIL COMPANIES IN IRAQ.

Russian oil companies will not be among the first to get Iraqi oil following approval of an "oil-for-food" deal between Baghdad and the UN. A Russian source said yesterday that representatives of Russian oil firms are in Baghdad, but it appears that Western companies will be the first to receive Iraqi oil. The long-negotiated deal with the UN permits Iraq to sell $2 billion worth of oil every six months to purchase necessities for the Iraqi people. (Reuter, December 9)

Moscow Denies Intelligence Breach.