U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor said the Clinton administration soon may unveil a policy on Alaskan North Slope oil that would lift the 20-year export ban on it while preserving U.S. maritime jobs.

Under the proposal, the export ban would be lifted, but oil deliveries in the international market would have to be carried in U.S. ships.

Speaking at the international trade seminar in downtown Baltimore, Mr. Kantor was purposefully vague on details, saying the policy proposal is "on the president's desk right now" and that he did not want to pre-empt the White House.

Mr. Kantor told the largely maritime gathering, including Rep. Helen Bentley, that "you are not going to be disappointed on this issue."

The administration is "going to stand up for U.S. workers," he said.