Larry Pewsey:
Reserves in Alaska aren't "massive"--they'd provide 1% of current US consumption (after a 10-year effort).
Florida voted AGAINST more oil rigs-- its the will of the people.
None of these reserves were economically viable UNTIL the price of oil sextupled.

S Waugh, Jersey City , USA

What Larry Pewsey fails to acknowledg is that for 6 of Clinton's 8 years the GOP controlled House and Senate and blocked energy efficiency legislation ( e.g. CAFE). Inflation Adjust Oil Price 92-96 peaked at $30 per bbl, and peaked at $36 in '00.
Compare that to the last 4 years of Bush..

S Waugh, Jersey City , USA

re: Stephen's mention of mass transport systems---. NY, Chicago, San Francisco and D.C have them but hardly anyone else. The 'national' passenger rail system here is pathetic, true also for buses. For many americans the "alternative" is simply more economical cars for the near future.

S Waugh, Jersey City , USA

Larry: The US has massive reserves in Alaska, California & Florida, yet the US will not drill in those locations. WHY?

Because the US would rather use up other peoples resources and keep theirs for a rainy day!

T.Andre, London,

every other paper and new channel is saying "saudi king snubs bush"
why at the times is it diffrent?

scott m, leeds, uk

price of oil to high?.,stop the speculators. if they are betting that the price of oil will go up, up it will go. someone suggested that speculators have, at the present time, increased the price of oil by some 40%. devolop mass transport systems and stop building gas guzzling cars.s

stephen baron, leith, tasmania

What Martin fails to acknowledge is that for 8 years the Clinton administration did absolutley nothing to develop a national energy policy. 8 Years and no policy.

The US has massive reserves in Alaska, California & Florida, yet the US will not drill in those locations. WHY?

Larry, Pewsey, England

I think Martin of Chicago's idea of a coherent energy policy is the kind of incoherent lunacy which passes for an energy policy on this side of the Atlantic. An incoherent lunacy which impoverishes millions of ordinary people by throwing their money down the drain by the billion.

Martin, Welwyn Garden City, England

If the US taxed petrol at European levels, consumption of oil by the US would fall dramatically overnight, with a knock on effect on prices. While not politically popular, it will have to happen one day ....

Paulus, London , UK

Bush's domestic & foreign policy is a major factor in jacking up oil prices. At home he has induced farmers to produce crops for Bio-fuel instead of foodcrops, resulting in ever spiralling food prices. Overseas he creates fear of more wars in the Middle East with Iran which again jacks up oil prices

Adam, Shipley, West Yorkshire

Martin in Chicago is wrong. Global leaders should focus on two problems;
1. more refineries. Supply reliability.
2. Alternative energy sources with more invention and ingenuity. EVERYTHING holds energy. The trick - how to extract it.

Leigh Vernier, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Wow, here in the U.S., we were told the answer was "no" from Saudi Arabia. Apparently, there are two stories out there. I wonder which one is true. This is scary.

Tina, Los Angeles, USA

What a hopeless and idiotic way to solve our nation's energy crisis Like asking foxes to guard the hen house. Perhaps when the Republicans are swept from office this fall we can finally start to work on a coherent national energy policy.

Martin, Chicago, USA

Saudi Arabia increased production for the US to make up for a reduction of supplies from Mexico and Venezuela. There is no net increase. Your headline is thoroughly misleading as is the claim that the announced "increase" occurred during Bush's trip.

S Waugh, Jersey City,

No mention of the impact of the Iraq Invasion and occupation on global oil trade and the speculation that has caused? Or 6 years of gas-guzzling SUV's, tthe US refusal to modernize power plants or the weak US dollar, due to stupid tax cuts and borrowing for Iraq. This is "analysis" ? 'D"-Fail.

S Waugh, Jersey City,