"He didn't punch any tables or shout at anybody. I think he was satisfied."

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Bush fails to win Saudi help on gas prices



RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — President Bush failed to win the help he sought from Saudi Arabia to relieve skyrocketing American gas prices Friday, a setback for the former Texas oilman who took office predicting he would jawbone oil-producing nations to help the U.S.

Bush got a red-carpet welcome to this desert kingdom, home to the world's largest oil reserves, and promised to ask King Abdullah to increase production to reduce pressure on prices, which soared past $127 for the first time Friday. But Saudi officials said they already were meeting the needs of their customers worldwide and there was no need to pump more.

Their answer recalled Bush's trip to Saudi Arabia in January when he urged an increase in production but was rebuffed.

Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi said the kingdom decided on May 10 to increase production by 300,000 barrels a day to help meet U.S. needs after Venezuela and Mexico cut back deliveries.

"Supply and demand are in balance today," al-Naimi told a news conference, bristling at criticism from the U.S. Congress. "How much does Saudi Arabia need to do to satisfy people who are questioning our oil practices and policies?"

Early this week, Senate Democrats introduced a resolution to block $1.4 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia unless Riyadh agreed to increase its oil production by 1 million barrels per day.

Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said the discussion with Bush about oil was friendly. "He didn't punch any tables or shout at anybody," the minister said. "I think he was satisfied."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/16/saudis-see-no-reason-to-r_n_102170.html

[Merlot]

1. So it's the Saudi's fault we have high gas pricess?

and not the gross profits the oil companies are making.

Glad we got that cleared up!

[tanyev]

2. So discussions with the President of the United States of America are successful

when the POTUS doesn't punch tables or shout at anyone? Duh-bya sure has brought the bar down to a previously unimaginable depth.

[asjr]

5. I believe the Saudis have known for

a very long time just what they are dealing with in GWB. He really clarified it with this latest visit. I am surprised he didn't say Please, sir, more gruel.

[baldguy]

3. Bush came away with one big bucket of FAIL.

But then, that's what he's there for.

[JohnnyLib2]

4. Lame duck appeases oil producers.

Damnedest thing.

[tomreedtoon]

6. "Punch tables?" What is that?

I've heard of Kruschchev (spelling?) pounding a table at the UN with his shoe. I've heard of writer Harlan Ellison throwing himself over a table to choke producer Irwin Allen for wrecking one of his scripts. But this is the first time I've ever heard of anyone punching a table. I've never even imagined why anyone would do that, unless they hated Broyhill.

[rucky]

7. They could've stopped at "Bush Fails" n/t

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

8. Does anyone here believe that he really visited to lower the oil prices????

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[VP505]

10. He knew the answer before he asked.

* thinks nobody will notice as he :shrug: and says they are doing everything they can do, then his peanut gallery (RePukes) in the House and Senate chime in with a loud "yes he is" :applause: and "you peons will just have to learn to do with less" :cry:.

[peekaloo]

11. that's why they're larfing in the pic.

either that or Bu$h just increased his gas production.

[alfredo]

9. But didn't SA get an OK to build nuclear plants? BTW, where are our

Mangoes from India? bush traded nukes for mangoes. I haven't seen any Indian Mangoes at the grocery yet?