HIGHLIGHTS: 9% Of US Daily Oil Imports, 2000, Came From Iraq.
House of Representatives Votes on Amendment, Next.
Read photo caption within.

STORY: The US Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of a measure that would prevent the United States from buying oil of Iraqi origin.

Lawmakers voted 88 to 10 Thursday for an amendment to an energy bill that is currently on its way through the Senate. The amendment is aimed at stopping US oil companies purchasing Iraqi petroleum and petroleum byproducts.

The House of Representatives now has to vote on the amendment, which was introduced by Alaska Senator Frank Murkowski, a Republican.

The measure comes after Baghdad on April 8 said it was suspending oil exports for 30 days in response to an Israeli military offensive on Palestinian self-rule areas of the West Bank.

In 2001, the United States imported some 10.6 million barrels of oil per day -- mainly from Canada, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, although around nine percent came from Iraq, according to official figures.

Thursday's vote also comes shortly after the Senate rejected a measure to open up exploitation of oil and gas fields in a protected reserve in Alaska, a proposal that had US President George W. Bush's support.

                                                      SOURCE, WASHINGTON(AFP)

PHOTO CAPTION:
Iraqi Oil Minister Amer Mohammed Rashid speaks with reporters on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 as he announces that Iraq could extend the 30 day oil shut-off if Israel does not withdraw from Palestinian territories. He also said that Iraq would end its suspension if Israel withdrew before the end of the embargo period. (AP Photo/Jassim Mohammed)
- Apr 16 3:48 PM