Saudi ambassador..denies politics affected decision to raise oil output

[Nambe]

WASHINGTON (AFX)

Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the US, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, brushed aside suggestions that his country's decision to increase oil production was an effort bolster President George W Bush's reelection chances in November.

"There is no 'secret plan' to help the Bush administration," Bandar wrote in an opinion piece in the Washington Post Sunday, responding to jabs from "some politicians and media commentators".

He wrote that Saudi Arabia's stated willingness to increase oil production by extra 1.3 mln barrels per day is an attempt -- driven in large part by self-interest -- to stabilize skyrocketing global oil prices. ..

Ride Don’t Drive * * It’s Global Cool

[Darth_Kitten]

1. he protests too much........

:eyes: of course, it has nothing to do with helping Bush....

[LauraK]

8. Why would a red neck Texan saddle up with an Arab.

Certainly not influence oil exports.

[Catfight]

2. Is that Bandar Bush, the Bush's good friend who stays over at the WH

and is considered one of Bush's close friends, almost family? What is wrong with Americans? Can they not see that Bush would sell America out for oil profits? A truly evil president for evil times.

[Tight_rope]

9. It most certainly is "Uncle Bandar Bush"....So much love in Bush family!

[readmylips]

3. ...are the bush daughters baptized in oil?

..Saudi Arabia's Godfathers have played this game before to help the criminal bush compadres. Those Saudis are not fooling the American people.

[Massacure]

4. Bush is only one half of the oil card.

If oil gets too high, alternative energies get too competitive for them.

[ClassWarrior]

5. True. But he IS half of the card.

Plus, people need to realize that we need to switch to alternative energies NOW - competitive or not - and kick the terrorist oil habit. In the long run, the alternatives are ultra-competitive.

[Geo55]

7. In the long run, the alternatives are ultra-competitive....

and absolutely necessary for the future survival of everyone.
While the * buddyism plays a small part , the SA oil barons have to keep this oil junkie economy strung out , but not kill the addiction.
They're are having a tough time keeping up with surging demand.
Sure they want to drag down LOTS of money , but if they kill the junkie , or make 'em go straight (alternative) they will LOOSE money in the long run.

[jackstraw45]

6. Well. at least OUR democrat half of the population isn't STUPID

What a joke.

[PATRICK]

10. Good politics by Bandar

No "secret plan" indeed. Everyone knows it! An opinion piece- not the official policy statements of the Saudi government.

Nice political move, just not very smart and a source of much laughter for all the readers of the WP who probably could use a chuckle or two.