VIENNA — OPEC on Wednesday accused the U.S. of economic “mismanagement” that it said is pushing oil prices to record highs and rebuffed calls to boost output, laying the blame on the Bush administration.
Oil prices surged past $104 a barrel for the first time after the OPEC announcement and the release of a U.S. government report showing a surprise drop in crude-oil stockpiles.
The 13-nation Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries said it would maintain current production levels because crude supplies are plentiful and demand is expected to weaken in the second quarter.
OPEC president Chakib Khelil told reporters that the global market is being affected by what he called “the mismanagement of the U.S. economy” and that America’s problems were a key factor in the cartel’s decision to hold off on any action.
“If the prices are high, definitely they are not due to a lack of crude. They are due to what’s happening in the U.S.,” Khelil said.
Khelil’s comments came one day after President Bush lashed out at the organization, warning Tuesday: “I think it’s a mistake to have your biggest customers’ economies slowing down as a result of higher energy prices.”
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Wednesday that Bush was “disappointed” OPEC didn’t do more to rein in prices.
