Caspian Seabed Agreement Could Set a Precedent

Russia and Kazakhstan signed an agreement here that divides the northern part of the Caspian seabed into separate Russian and Kazakh sectors. The three other Caspian nations--Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iran--were not part of the settlement, but the deal could set the tone for additional agreements. Caspian oil reserves are vast, but developing the fields has been set back by legal disputes and the lack of adequate pipelines.