Saudis Deny Oil Prices Tied to U.S. Vote

[emad]

<snip>

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) - Saudi Arabia has denied accusations that it has an agreement with the White House to increase oil production closer to the Nov. 2 election, thus driving down gasoline prices.

``The allegation that the kingdom is manipulating the price of oil for political purposes or to affect elections is erroneous and has no basis in fact,'' said a statement issued in Riyadh by top Saudi foreign policy adviser Adel al-Jubeir.

``Over the past 30 years, the kingdom has sought to ensure adequate supplies of crude at moderate price levels that are acceptable to both producers and consumers. This policy is consistent, and independent of who is in power within consuming countries, including the U.S.,'' al-Jubeir added.

CBS's ``60 Minutes'' reported Sunday night that Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward said Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the Saudi ambassador to Washington, promised Bush that Saudi Arabia will lower oil prices in the months before the election to ensure the U.S. economy is strong on Election Day.
<snip>
More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3998811,00.html

[wtmusic]

1. Maybe it's time to play that tape recording

of Bandar, and set the record straight.

[demdave]

4. The same quote was on the Larry King show.

I can't find the link yet.

[ewagner]

2. That part of Woodward's book is a little fuzzy

Can anyone point me to a thread or link that explains the quid pro quo of this deal?

[emad]

3. Some stuff from the BBC here:

<snip>:

Woodward's book, Plan of Attack, about the Iraq war build-up, claims that Saudi Arabia - the world's largest oil producer - could pump several million extra barrels a day ahead of elections to bring about a significant drop in price. The Washington Post reporter defended the assertion on Sunday night in the CBS programme 60 Minutes.

"I know that that is their plan. Maybe they're going to deny it, or maybe the White House is going to deny something. if you knew my reporting, you would have confidence in it," he said.


Prince Bandar called CNN's Paul Zahn Now programme to deny accusations made in Plan of Attack, which include that he knew about US plans for war with Iraq before Secretary of State Colin Powell.

He acknowledged discussing oil prices with President Bush, but said he had "had the same conversation with President Clinton in the year 2000 about the same issue.... I had the same conversation with President Carter in 1979".
<snip>
From:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3642895.stm

[Moderator]

5. This was reported yesterday

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=497369