SHELL CHIEF EXECUTIVE HERKSTROTER ARRIVES IN THE HAGUE, 1998-02-12 (photo)

Dutch Chief excecutive of the Anglo-Dutch oil giant Royal Dutch Shell is flanked by a security man as he arrives at his news conference to anounce the fourth quarter and annual results of the oil giant in The Hague February 12. The oil giant shocked the markets today with annual results below expectations and a statement laced with gloom about the Asian economic and oil prices. Shell said current cost net income before exceptional items dropped 23 percent in the fourth quarter to 1.04 billion pounds (USD 1.7 billion) below lowest forecasts of 1.1 billion. For 1997 as a whole, income dropped six percent to 4.90 billion pounds while Shell Transport's divident, at 13.1 pence, also undercut forecasts. SHELL DUTCH