Rice wants "serious answer" from Iran
07.21.08
posted by runner
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned Iran on Monday that it faced more sanctions if it defied a two-week deadline to agree to curb its nuclear program. Rice said Iran was stalling and must give a "serious answer" within the deadline set by six world powers, which offered trade and technical incentives if Tehran halts its uranium enrichment.
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Bush Says Saudi Oil Boost `Not Enough' to Ease Prices
05.17.08
posted by jason
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President George W. Bush said Saudi Arabia's decision to raise oil output 300,000 barrels a day is ``not enough'' to ease U.S. energy prices and that more domestic oil exploration and refining capacity are needed.Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, said that the country's daily output will rise to 9.45 million barrels a day in June.
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FROM THE AP:
President Bush said Saturday that the Saudis' modest increase in oil production "doesn't solve our problem," and that the United States must act itself to help bring down soaring gas prices.
"We've got to do more at home," the president said on the lush lawn of a resort overlooking the Red Sea. Speaking after a private meeting with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, he mentioned moves that have long been part of his agenda but stymied in Congress, such as developing alternate fuels, improving conservation and expanding domestic exploration.
Bush said he told Saudi King Abdullah during talks Friday that the kingdom should be concerned that high energy prices are hurting some of its biggest customers, including the United States. He asked Abdullah for an injection of oil supply to help ease the pain. "High energy prices are going to cause countries like mine to accelerate our move to alternative energy," he said he told the king.
But Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi said Friday it had decided a week before Bush's visit to raise production by 300,000 barrels a day to 9.45 million barrels a day and didn't see any need to do more. Energy analysts called the boost a token — it represents just 3 percent of the total — and it was seen as a rebuff, if a gentle one, of Bush by Abdullah.
Still, the president steered clear of criticism of the Saudis. He noted they are increasing refining capacity as well as pumping more oil.
"It's not enough. It's something but it doesn't solve our problem," Bush said. "One of the interesting things about American politics is, those who are screaming the loudest for increased production from Saudi Arabia are the very same people who are the fighting the fiercest against domestic exploration, against the development of nuclear power and against expanding refining capacity."