Nation and world in brief, 12/8/07

| The Associated Press

12/7/2007 -

South Korea oil spill reaches shoreline

SEOUL, South Korea — Oil from a damaged supertanker has reached an ecologically sensitive shoreline on South Korea's western coast, a coast guard official said today.

About four miles of coastline near Mallipo Beach, approximately 95 miles southwest of Seoul, has been affected by the oil, said Jung Se-hi, a spokesman at the coast guard headquarters in Incheon. The region is popular for its scenic beaches and is also the site of fish farms and a national maritime park, and is an important rest stop for migrating birds.

Some 2.7 million gallons of oil gushed from a 146,000-ton Hong Kong-registered supertanker after a Samsung Corp. vessel slammed into it. South Korea's Coast Guard dispatched dozens of ships Friday to try to contain and keep it from reaching the sensitive shoreline. But strong winds and currents carried the oil slick to the coast.

Senate looks for compromise on stalled energy bill

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats searched for a compromise on energy legislation as Republican leaders made clear Friday that they will oppose oil industry taxes and a mandate for utilities to use more wind and solar-generated electricity.

The sharp divisions within the Senate over the taxes and renewable fuels mandate surfaced when Democrats fell seven votes short on a procedural vote, 53-42, as the Senate began considering an energy package approved by the House on Thursday.

"I would hope this sends a signal," said Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M. after the test vote.

Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada acknowledged the House-passed bill will require some surgery, and he said he planned to return to the legislation next week. Whatever changes are made would have to be approved by the House.

Much of the legislation, including the first increase in automobile fuel economy requirements in 32 years, has "near universal support," said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

But he said the House-passed bill "won't become law" unless the "twin millstones of utility rate hikes and massive tax increases" are removed. Democrats acknowledged they don't have the 60 votes needed to overcome a GOP filibuster with the bill as it stands.

Prosecutors narrow Blackwater focus

WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors investigating the shooting deaths of 17 Iraqi civilians have narrowed their focus on as few as three Blackwater Worldwide bodyguards and have given others immunity for cooperating in the case, The Associated Press has learned.

New information about the deadly Sept. 16 incident, which has strained relations between the United States and Iraq, reflects progress by the government to prosecute Blackwater guards for the shooting in Baghdad's Nisoor Square.

A final decision on whether to prosecute the guards — and how many — could still be months away. But two weeks into a federal grand jury investigation, people close to the case told AP that authorities have focused the number who could face charges to about three of the dozen or more guards on the security detail.

Despite the progress, the people who discussed the case noted concerns about testimony given by the four Blackwater guards who have so far appeared before the secret panel. Details were discussed on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the information.

The concerns stem, in part at least, from the fact Blackwater is paying one law firm to represent as many as 10 guards, raising concerns their stories could be coordinated. The Justice Department tried to get the firm removed from the case but, in a closed-door hearing last week, a federal judge refused the request.

Gates: Gulf allies must counter Iran threats

MANAMA, Bahrain — Defense Secretary Robert Gates plans to tell Gulf countries today they must work together to help the U.S. counter Iranian threats, including Tehran's ballistic missiles and meddling in Iraq.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the United States still wants new sanctions.

Gates, ending a weeklong trip to the region, intended in his keynote speech at an international security conference in Manama to urge Gulf allies to cooperate more as part of a broader strategy for containing Iranian influence, according to U.S. officials traveling with Gates on Friday.

Gates' speech was to follow Rice's assertions Friday in Brussels, Belgium, that Washington would continue along a two-track strategy, pressing for new sanctions against Iran while holding talks to persuade Tehran to come clean about its nuclear program. But Russia ignored her calls to punish Iran.