Saudi Oil Minister Mocks US Energy Independence
Charles Johnson
Wed May 3, 2006 at 1:26 pm PDT • Views: 223
Virtually ignored by mainstream media among the politicians’ bickering and pandering over high gas prices, Saudi Arabia’s oil minister mocks the US energy independence initiative: Saudi derides energy independence. (Hat tip: zombie.)
Washington — Saudi Arabia’s oil minister scorned the popular notion that America can achieve energy independence as a myth, saying Tuesday the idea denies the existence of interdependent global markets and the need for countries to work together for oil-price stability.
Top Democrats in Congress, who argue that America can become independent of foreign energy sources within 10 years, reacted heatedly to Saudi minister Ali Naimi’s statement, insisting their goal is realistic. The exchange came as Congress was locked in a testy debate about how to react to record high gasoline prices, an issue that both parties recognize has jumped to the top of voters’ election-year agendas. …
The Saudi oil minister Naimi, in Washington for a Saudi-U.S. energy conference, rejected the idea that energy self-sufficiency is a worthwhile goal for America.
“While self-reliance is appealing, the efficacy of such an approach for achieving long-term energy security is an illusion built on the myth that security can be achieved through protectionist measures aimed at blocking certain types of imports or goods and investments from certain regions of the world,” Naimi said.
Frank says: