OIL PRICES EXPAND M.E. MILITARY BUDGETS

LONDON [MENL] -- The Middle East remains the world's largest arms market assoaring high oil prices are busting defense budgets, a new report says. The International Institute for Strategic Studies reported that theMiddle East maintained its position as buying more weapons than any otherregion in the world. Saudi Arabia continued to be the world's largestimporter -- at $6.1 billion -- although deliveries declined by 40 percent in1999.