The World - News from Sept. 22, 1987

An American research vessel stopped in the Soviet port of Provideniya, across the Bering Strait from Alaska, becoming the first foreign ship allowed to dock there in 60 years, officials said. The Seattle-based Surveyor, carrying 71 crew members and scientists, is conducting research in the Chukchi Sea, off northwest Alaska, to learn more about the environment in areas that might be explored for oil. The port call was especially significant because the Soviets last year denied permission for a visit to Provideniya by the Alaska Performing Artists for Peace, a group that included Alaskan Eskimos who toured other parts of the Soviet Union.