seattlepi.nwsource.com Saturday, March 22, 2003 SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER NEWS SERVICES

OGBE-IJOH, Nigeria -- Exhausted, hungry villagers -- who were fleeing days of fighting in the oil-rich Niger Delta -- told yesterday of Nigerian soldiers and ethnic militants firing indiscriminately, leaving scores dead.

Meanwhile, officials signaled that the ethnic conflict could also threaten world oil supplies as the fighting has begun to limit oil shipments from the country, the fifth-largest exporter of oil to the United States in 2002, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Royal Dutch-Shell, the largest oil producer in Nigeria, invoked force majeure yesterday afternoon, effectively warning customers that events outside the company's control could delay oil deliveries by up to two weeks from its Bonny and Forcados terminals.

ChevronTexaco made a similar announcement Thursday, though the company did not specify the potential duration of delays.

Officials with both companies sought to play down the effect of the violence, but both have removed their employees from their facilities in the Niger Delta.

The fighting between Ijaw and Itsekiri tribes began March 12 and has since drawn in Nigerian military troops who, witnesses say, have launched retaliatory attacks against Ijaw villages in the swampy region.

Ijaw militants say 50 of their fighters were killed in fighting with soldiers in the village of Okorenkoko on Thursday. Ten soldiers were killed in an Ijaw ambush near the village of Oporoza, Nigerian newspapers reported yesterday.

Dozens of deaths have been reported in fighting elsewhere.

The fighting is taking place in a remote warren of creeks and swamps where roads and telephones are practically non-existent, despite the region's oil wealth.

The Niger Delta is the source of nearly all the 2 million barrels of oil Nigeria produces daily.

Some oil-industry analysts and traders cautioned that with so many problems bedeviling world oil markets, a prolonged reduction in Nigerian oil shipments could send prices higher once again.

"This has been building for months, but it has been tremendously overshadowed by events in Venezuela, then Iraq and the cold winter we've had," said John Kilduff, senior vice president of energy risk management at the New York office of Fimat USA, a unit of the French bank Societe Generale. "Nigeria is a key source of supply, and in this kind of situation, we need every barrel."

Nigerian military officials have denied attacking civilians, but as word of fighting spread, villagers were abandoning their communities as soon as they heard gunfire in the distance.

They fear a repeat of the military massacres in 1999 and 2001 that left hundreds of unarmed villagers dead. The conflict is rooted in a longstanding grievance by Ijaws, the region's largest ethnic group. They accuse President Olusegun Obasanjo's government of colluding with minority Itsekiris to draw up unfavorable voting boundaries before April elections. More than 10,000 people have been killed since Obasanjo's election in 1999.

www.lsj.com Published 3/22/2003 By Chris Andrews Lansing State Journal

On the Web

• www.michigan.gov, a Web site tracking gasoline prices, is expected to be available within the next two weeks.

State officials announced plans Friday for a new

Web site enabling motorists to track gasoline prices in their communities.

State officials said that gasoline prices - which dropped Friday after sharp increases in recent weeks - remain volatile now that the war with Iraq is under way.

"It really depends on events and how things go. Tomorrow, something very bad could happen, and we could see crude oil prices jump up," said Jeffrey Pillon, manager of energy data and security for the Michigan Public Service Commission. "Currently things seem to be going well."

Gasoline prices increased dramatically over the past several months as the nation edged closer to war. The average price of gasoline statewide on Monday was $1.77 a gallon for unleaded self-serve, compared with $1.35 a gallon in December.

Prices at some stations on Friday were as low as $1.61.

There are other positive signs on the horizon. Saudi Arabia and Venezuela have increased production, and the U.S. strategic reserves offer a supply if needed.

"The prices were significantly influenced because of the psychological uncertainty that was driving the market thinking about the prospect of war," Pillon said. "When that uncertainty was eliminated, prices began to come back down."

State officials say there have been no signs of the type of gas-gouging that occurred after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

The new Web site, www.michigan.gov/gasprices, will make use of a database created from credit card payments made at gasoline stations around the state, said state Agriculture Director Dan Wyant. The site is expected to be operating within two weeks.

The database collection will cost the state about $16,000.

The site will allow motorists to track the range of gasoline prices in their communities either by city or by ZIP code. It will not give the prices at individual stations.

Last year, Michigan residents purchased 4.8 billion gallons of gasoline.

State officials said there are no signs that motorists have been driving less because of higher gasoline prices.

Earlier this week, Attorney General Mike Cox warned Michigan gas stations of the harsh penalties associated with gouging consumers during a time of war.

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Attorney General's Office charged more than 40 retailers with grossly excessive pricing. The cases were settled with stations refunding consumers who had been overcharged.

Contact Chris Andrews at 377-1054 or candrews@lsj.com

washingtontimes.com By John Haydon THE WASHINGTON TIMES      In a surprise move, Japan has pulled out of next Saturday's exhibition against the U.S. team at Seattle's Seahawks Stadium because of security concerns. Instead, Venezuela will face the Americans.      "We provided [Japan´s] federation with ample evidence of the extensive security measures in place," U.S. Soccer president S. Robert Contiguglia said yesterday. "We continue to have every confidence that Seattle will provide a safe environment for the players and fans to enjoy an outstanding display of soccer.      Japan, which reached the second round of the 2002 World Cup, had been scheduled to play Uruguay at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium on Wednesday and face the Americans in Seattle three days later. More than 16,000 tickets had been sold for the Seattle game.      The United States and Venezuela have met only once, playing a 3-3 tie at the 1993 Copa America in Ecuador.      U.S. coach Bruce Arena has named a mix of domestic and overseas stars for the Seattle game, including 2002 World Cup players Brian McBride, Landon Donovan, Earnie Stewart, John O'Brien, DaMarcus Beasley and home-state hero Kasey Keller. Also called up was Birmingham City-based Jovan Kirovski.      This will be the first time the U.S. team has European-based players on its roster since a 1-0 quarterfinal loss to Germany at the World Cup last June 21.      "We're excited that Venezuela has accepted the invitation to play us," Arena said. "Over the past two or three years, the Venezuelan national team has made great strides, and I think they are perhaps the most improved team in South America."      United at last? — Things are looking up for D.C. United. After a powerful two-hour "chalk talk" by coach Ray Hudson on Wednesday, the club responded the following day with a 2-1 victory over the A-League's Richmond Kickers. It hasn't been a smooth preseason, but Hudson said his team is finally coming together.      "We laid down the demands collectively and individually, and the players responded," Hudson said.      American star Earnie Stewart scored two goals, and key midfielder Marco Etcheverry played stunningly. Hudson called defender Mike Petke the man of the match and raved about the work of reserve forward Ali Curtis, who had appeared out of the club's plans earlier.      "Ali is emerging as a contender to start in Kansas [City for the Major League Soccer season opener April 12]," Hudson said.      Meanwhile, United's attempt to acquire Spanish midfielder Mario Rosas seems to be over. To obtain Rosas, 22, who once played for Spanish giant Barcelona, United would have had to unload midfielders Eliseo Quintanilla and Jose Alegria, and it decided he was not worth it.      In other news, the injury to central defender Galin Ivanov appears worse than expected. The Bulgarian had surgery to repair a double hernia this week and could be out for six weeks.      Next for United is a game against American University on Tuesday, followed by a game at the A-League's Charleston (S.C.) Battery next Saturday.      War woes — According to Hudson, newcomer Hristo Stoitchkov's efforts to obtain a green card are being held up by the "pedestrian pace" of the immigration service, owing to the war against Iraq. United would like to acquire Russian forward Yuri Petrov, 28, but the club has no foreign player slot open until the Bulgarian forward obtains a green card.       United on TV — Comcast SportsNet will air a record 15 D.C. United matches this year, beginning with the opener. Dave Johnson and former United coach Thomas Rongen will call the games. An additional five games will air on ESPN2. The club also has an agreement with WMET (AM-1150) to broadcast all the club's games live on English radio for the first time.      McBride heads home — Brian McBride has played his last game for Everton after the English Premier League club and MLS failed to agree on a deal to extend the Columbus Crew player's three-month loan.      McBride left England yesterday and will play in the Crew's CONCACAF Champions League game against Arabe Unido of Panama at Columbus Crew Stadium tomorrow.      The American World Cup star scored four goals in eight games for Everton.

www.pensacolanewsjournal.com PUBLISHED SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2003 Derek Pivnick

The start of war in Iraq might mark the start of lower gasoline prices.

While prices remain at or near all-time highs, the price for a gallon of fuel could drop as much as 40 cents from current levels in the next five or six months, said Jim Smith, president and CEO of the Florida Petroleum Marketers Association in Tallahassee.

"The problem, and the reason the price of crude oil went up so far and so fast, was because it was unclear what was going to happen," Smith said.

Now that the war is under way, rumors have less impact on oil prices, he said.

The same thing happened in 1991 during the first Gulf War.

"The minute hostilities began, crude prices fell, and it's the same thing that's happening now," Smith said.

AAA Auto Club and petroleum industry representatives issued a joint statement Thursday to assure American consumers that fuel supplies won't be interrupted, and inventories of gasoline and diesel are adequate to meet normal demand.

"There is enough fuel around. We won't have any shortages," said Yoli Buss, director of traffic safety for AAA Auto Club South in Tampa.

It's too early to tell whether war will have any impact on the desire for Americans to travel this summer, when fuel demand typically increases, said Mable Brown, assistant manager at the Pensacola office of AAA Auto Club South.

Brown said her office received no cancellations of travel plans after the U.S.-led assault began.

Other factors led to the recent rise in gasoline prices, such as a strike in Venezuela, which reduced crude oil production.

"I prefer to see long periods of declining prices," said Richard Puckett, president of Puckett Oil Co. in Pensacola, a petroleum marketer. When prices increase, it pressures profit margins, Puckett said.

The highest recorded average price for gasoline in the Pensacola area was Tuesday. A gallon of regular unleaded was $1.688, according to the auto club's daily fuel gauge report. Friday's prices were fractionally lower, with a gallon of regular unleaded costing $1.683.

www.stltoday.com By Dan O'Neill Post-Dispatch updated: 03/21/2003 11:44 PM

Miguel Cairo's versatility at playing different positions has helped him become a valued member of manager Tony La Russa's arsenal.

VERO BEACH, Fla. - Miguel Cairo is not exactly the "Secret Weapon," as Jose Oquendo was known during his 10 seasons playing with the Cardinals. Oquendo could play nearly every position on the field - and he actually played every position at least once during one season.

Cairo isn't likely to ever be assigned center field, probably won't be seen behind the plate or toeing a rubber. But if he doesn't entirely live up to the parameters of the name, Cairo certainly has lived up to the spirit. In 2003, he established himself as one of the top supplemental players in baseball. Perhaps he is no longer a secret but he is a genuine weapon.

For managers like Tony La Russa, players with Cairo's versatility are roster savers. "Why is it that last spring or each spring, clubs are actively looking for versatile, multi-purpose players?" La Russa asked rhetorically. "Because there's so many different situations and problems you face during the season. Not having a guy who can do all that means you either have to go out there shorthanded, or you're constantly moving guys back and forth.

"You may even have to take a pitcher's spot that you really need in order to carry that extra position player. Our goal is to protect our pitchers and we can do that when we have versatility, when a guy like Miguel can play all over."

Cairo demonstrated that versatility and effectiveness in an exhibition game Wednesday against the Mets. After shortstop Edgar Renteria felt sick, Cairo replaced him at shortstop. Later, he moved to second base and, in between, he contributed a home run, triple and three runs batted in to the attack. On Friday, Cairo stroked a pinch-hit single in the seventh before scoring on Wilson Delgado's two-run homer.

When he was claimed on waivers from the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 10, 2001, it seemed an insignificant transaction. In St. Louis, there is a tendency to dismiss former Cubs, especially former reserve Cubs. The club needed infield depth at the time, a righthanded-swinger off the bench. Cairo was available.

But in his first full season with the Cardinals in 2002, Cairo became much more than package fill. He was second in the National League with 19 pinch hits and third with 10 pinch runs batted in. What's more, he made starts at first base, second base, shortstop, third base, left field and designated hitter.

"We got him because we liked a few things, but after we had him, we were like, 'Man, this guy is something,'" La Russa said.

Once a starting second baseman for Tampa Bay, Cairo is still only 28 years old. But he has embraced his role as a part-timer.

"My first three years I played every day. I knew at that time, that was my role," Cairo said. "Right now, my role is to be on the bench, be ready to pinch-hit and play defense. I accept that.

"I like my role and I like to be part of this team. This is an organization and a bunch of coaches that really like to play the game the way it is supposed to be played. If my role is to be a backup and pinch-hitter, than I try to be the best backup and pinch-hitter I can be."

Scott Rolen's injury in Game 2 of the Division Series is commonly regarded as the fatal blow to the Cardinals' NL pennant chances last year. That assessment may be unfair to Cairo, who batted .529 during the postseason. After replacing Rolen at third in Game 2, Cairo drove in the winning run in the ninth inning. He then went three for three with two runs and two RBIs in Game 3. He batted .385 in the ensuing League Championship Series, going three for four with a home run in Game 1.

No one would argue Cairo and Rolen are the same player, but Cairo certainly was productive in Rolen's absence. One reason he is so effective as a reserve is his approach. Again, like Oquendo was during his playing career, Cairo is a student of the game.

"What you don't know until you are around him is that he's really an intelligent player," La Russa said. "You could go to the park at any time, say July 18 on a Tuesday, and he's out there working.

"Oquendo is a very good comparison. Someday, Miguel will be an outstanding coach like Jose is. It is hard for fans to appreciate unless they have binoculars and are watching in the dugout, but you watch how active he is during the game. He's conversing with guys, he's seeing things and making comments. He's really helpful, and Eddie (Perez) was a lot like that, too. So that is a very powerful advantage during the season."

Cairo acknowledges a manager probably lives inside of him, waiting to come out.

"I like to learn about the game," he said. "When I'm not playing, I like to see what happens in certain situations. I like to see how Tony handles it. I watch him a lot when he manages. I like the way he goes about business and I try to be ready because you never know when you're going to play that game."

A native of Anaco, Venezuela, Cairo now resides with his wife, Nicole, and his 20-month old son, Christian Miguel, in California during the winter. He normally plays winter ball in Venezuela, but had to leave early last December when the strikes shut down the league. "Venezuela is close to the heart," he said. "That's where I grew up, that's where I became a baseball player."

As he became a player, Cairo's fantasy was to play with two other Venezuelan-born major leaguers, Ozzie Guillen and Omar Vizquel. Realizing that dream has been a highlight of his career. "I played with Vizquel in winter ball and I played with Guillen in Tampa Bay," Cairo said. "He played short and I played second and that was the best ever. That was my dream."

No doubt there are kids in Venezuela fantasizing about playing alongside Miguel Cairo, fancying themselves as a big league "Secret Weapon."