05-25-2005, 11:22 PM
<b>First Pipeline From Caspian Sea Opened</b> <!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>The $3.2 billion U.S.-backed project also realizes several crucial goals for Washington, including reducing dependence on Middle Eastern oil and the need to use Russian pipelines to ship oil westward.</b>
The presidents of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Turkey were on hand for the ceremony at the Sangachal oil terminal, about 25 miles south of Azerbaijan's capital, Baku.
Beginning in Azerbaijan â a mostly Muslim country and a U.S. ally in the war on terrorism with troops in   Iraq â the underground pipeline passes through Georgia and Turkey, ending at the Mediterranean port of Ceyhan. It avoids going through Russia, Armenia,   Iran, Iraq and Syria on its way to the Mediterranean.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The presidents of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Turkey were on hand for the ceremony at the Sangachal oil terminal, about 25 miles south of Azerbaijan's capital, Baku.
Beginning in Azerbaijan â a mostly Muslim country and a U.S. ally in the war on terrorism with troops in   Iraq â the underground pipeline passes through Georgia and Turkey, ending at the Mediterranean port of Ceyhan. It avoids going through Russia, Armenia,   Iran, Iraq and Syria on its way to the Mediterranean.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->