Bush Asks OPEC for More Oil

OPEC should start producing more oil, President Bush told Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah today, or it risks damaging “consuming economies,” like the US. Bush said high oil prices were reducing consumer purchasing power, and said more supply “would be helpful.” He also warned Iran to avoid another Strait of Hormuz incident, saying any attack on US ships would have serious consequences.

While Bush was schmoozing the Saudis, Condoleezza Rice ducked out for a quick visit to Baghdad, where she commended PM Nouri al-Maliki on passing legislation making former Saddam loyalists eligible for government jobs again. Bush said he was encouraged with progress in Iraq, and that Rice would “help push the momentum by her very presence.” Bush won’t visit Iraq himself. (More Iran stories.)