European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 23, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday August 23, 1990 the stars and stripes a Page 3 crisis in the Gulf massive Oil Supply in nato pipelines nations crisis by David Tarrant Brussels Bureau Brussels Belgium a the worlds largest Oil pipeline system built by nato during the cold War could provide a comfortable Cushion for Alliance members during the Oil embargo against Iraq. The nato pipeline system located throughout Western Europe was primarily built in Case of War with the soviet Union a but it has enough branches and spurs t9 be used in a North South role and not just East West a a nato source said tuesday. So far the embargo against Iraq imposed after its aug. 2 invasion of Kuwait poses no threat of Oil shortages to the industrialized West according to nato and Oil Industry sources. That s because the West has accumulated massive Oil reserves and the world Supply remains Good. A a we be been building up our stocks steadily for the last five or 10 years and right now we re in the Best shape we be Ever been a said the nato source who spoke on condition of anonymity. Nations such As Turkey which obtained 63 percent of its Oil from Iraq in 1989, also appear Able to weather the crisis in the Short term because of Oil reserves it set aside for nato. Nato requires each of the 16-Mcmber nations to dedicate Oil reserves in Case of War. The amount has traditionally been based on a possible Large scale War Between nato and the soviet Union. A a you re talking about different Levels of magnitude Quot the source said. A since the turkish Oil requirements were based on a larger threat we done to really Sec any problem right  in the event of a severe Oil shortage the nato pipeline network would make it easier for the Alliance to move Oil the source said explaining a we could shift the product around relatively  the Alliance also could activate the nato wartime Oil organization in an emergency. The Little known Agency is empowered to recommend conservation measures and if necessary redistribution of Oil and Petroleum products. A a it a probably too Early in the game for that right now a the nato source said. Since construction began on the nato pipeline system in 1952, almost 7,500 Miles of pipeline have been Laid. The system managed by the nato pipeline committee is divided into seven regional networks with a total capacity of 550 million Gallons. The largest network located in Central Europe is about 3,700 Miles Long. The second largest is in Turkey with other networks based in Italy Greece Norway and Britain. The pipelines Are not All connected. Turkeys system for example cannot run directly into Central Europe s system. About 80 nato air bases Are plugged into the pipeline As Are civilian Oil refineries. The system including the pipeline 200 pumping stations and 140 depots is Worth about $6.4 billion. To help defray the annual $150 million Upkeep. Nato leases the pipeline to major Oil companies or other countries needing to transport Oil. Nato itself docs not own the Oil that flows through the pipeline or is stored in its tanks. A the reserves belong to each individual country and arc dedicated to either their own use or to nato use. You can occasionally in Case of emergency dip into your wartime reserves but probably not frequently Quot the source said. Most . Wartime Oij reserves Are based in Europe to overcome possible transportation problems in times of crisis. If the United states wanted to move its reserves the pipeline could carry the Oil to the various countries. Because of the healthy reserves however nato is optimistic about its ability to weather the Gulf crisis. A if the europeans and the West can gear up and gut it out for a three to six month period and do some cutting Back on the consumption a the nato source said a then i think we can outlast them Quot by Harry f. Rosenthal associated press writer in Alabama a bookseller finds a run on atlases because a people want to know where it All  in Texas there Are runaway sales of moist towelettes and camouflage coloured muscle shirts. In Georgia a business hands out Little american flags to wave proudly from car antennas. This is How main Street America prepares for War. Along interstate 75 in Northern Georgia convoys of Gray Green trucks rumble southwards taking the 101st airborne div from fort Campbell ky., to Florida where it will Board ships for the Middle East. The troops Are cheered on their Way by people on overpasses. Banners read a get their  and kick their  Don Gage of Dalton ga., supplied a Flag 30 feet by 50 feet. A gosh a he said a we had to do something. We want them to know we care. And ill Tell you this we can to wait to put it on the northbound Side to Welcome them  the mood catches on. Fourteen inmates at Cross City correctional institution in North Florida announce they want to fight in saudi Arabia and redeem their Honor a and in the process gain their Freedom like the heroes of a the dirty  a we Are not just seeking release from prison a the inmates say in a letter. But Bob Macmaster a spokesman for the Florida department of corrections says the inmates have been watching too Many movies. There were other signs of a country gearing for War in a far off place a Bell county. Texas waived the 24-hour wailing period for marriages of fort Hood soldiers and issued a record 160 licenses in one week. A Julie Trahan of the hair Force Barber shop outside South Carolinas Shaw fab Gate figured her customers were headed for a warmer climate when they asked for cuts a almost to the  signs or War Rucker shipped out last week. Diana King of Book keepers in suburban Birmingham ala., said people curious about the location of the crisis spurred Atlas sales at her store. Greg Wilson of books amp news in Birmingham said sales jumped when he set up a special Section with books that Deal with the troubled Region. Troops from fort Benning ga., prepare to ship out for saudi Arabia on tuesday. A country music Singer Hank Williams or. Put his feelings about Iraq and its Poison  into a song that suggested a stick it in your  everywhere that soldiers leave for the oven baked Middle East there is a Rush to buy sunblock Cream. Paul e. Burke sr., president of native Tan inc. Offers to Supply odourless sunblock at Cost. A red hate to see 5,000 of our Guys advancing across the desert toward the enemy smelling like a  he said. A i think they a be  families left behind seek Solace. Eileen Bronko of Naugatuck conn., sister of a saudi based Soldier led a contingent of 50 people to tie a ribbon around the town Flag pole. She wants americans to decorate Trees with red while and Blue ribbons to show they care about the troops and not just about Oil prices. Two Alabama fabric stores a one in Enterprise and another in Dothan a have Given Awu it thousands of Sards of allow ribbons since troops from fort a i guess people Are concerned Quot he said Quot that if we re going to War Well be protecting a  Dean Richards program director for the nationwide satellite music network got a Call from a frightened girl he estimated to be 8 to 10 years old. She asked that he play Quot right Here wailing for you by Richard Marx the youngster said Quot her daddy was in the marines and she was right Here waiting for him to come Back Quot Richards said. Richards devoted air Lime All last weekend to 500 messages to gis along with playing musical requests. The network contacted the armed forces radio and television network and arranged for a tape of the show to be replayed Lor troops in the Middle East. It will happen again next weekend. Hinesville ga., like Many other communities with military bases is feeling the bite of reduced income. A Hinesville has Many other industries a said Gary Walker president elect of the Liberty county chamber of Commerce a but none spends the amount of Money in our City that military people  Hinesville Kmart manager Wesley Bennefield whose store sold 24,000 items of Bug Spray suntan lotion skin lotion lip Balm and foot Power to the army at fort Stewart last week said the service got a discount. Stores in Killeen Texas were left with shelves cleared of canned pudding shoestring potatoes and scented towelettes As elements of the 1st Cav div and the 2nd army div at fort Hood Iclet on operation desert shield. A military clothing store. Fatigues and things Slagt cd open late to sew patches on desert coloured Battle dress Lor $1 apiece