EXXON ISSUES PUBLIC APOLOGY FOR OIL SPILL

Exxon apologized this week for the nation's worst oil spill. Exxon chairman L.G. Rawl wrote his apology in full-page advertisements placed in US newspapers. ``We cannot, of course, undo what has been done. But I can assure you that since March 24, the accident has been receiving our full attention and will continue to do so,'' the statement said.

Authorities, meanwhile, said Joseph Hazelwood, the captain of the oil company's tanker, has taken steps to surrender to face charges of being drunk when the vessel ran aground. The Exxon Valdez rammed a reef, spilling 10.1 million gallons of oil into Prince William Sound.