Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), the presumptive Republican nominee for president, said he wants to end the federal government's ban on offshore oil drilling.

McCain, the former chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, said offshore development would decrease America's dependence on foreign sources. His view, which comes amid record-high gas prices, is a reversal of one he took during the 2000 presidential campaign.

McCain said he still opposes development of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Inupiat Eskimos who own land and mineral rights in the refuge support drilling but the Gwich'in Nation fears it will destroy an important caribou herd.

Inupiat Eskimos, however, oppose offshore development because they say it will impact whales they depend on for subsistence.

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Illinois), the presumptive Democratic nominee, criticized McCain's proposal. Obama opposes development in ANWR.

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McCain Seeks to End Offshore Drilling Ban (The Washington Post 6/17)
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