Oil price jumps in wake of Saudi attack

[CShine]

Saudi Arabia's leaders rushed to assure the world they were in full control but crude prices jumped back over $US40 ($A56) a barrel today after a suspected al-Qaeda attack on the kingdom's oil sector. Twenty-two people were killed in the shooting and hostage-taking rampage at the weekend, the second major strike in a month on the Saudi oil industry. Britain warned more attacks were probable in the kingdom, the world's biggest oil exporter.

"(Attacks) are clearly possible. I would go further than that and say they are probable," said Britain's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sherard Cowper-Coles, whose country is the second largest investor in Saudi Arabia behind the United States.

A Briton was among 19 foreigners killed in the attack in the eastern city of Khobar, which like other oil hubs in Saudi Arabia is home to a large Western workforce.

"These criminal acts by deviants will only strengthen our resolve to fight terrorism," said Saudi Arabia's King Fahd, as security forces stepped up efforts to crack down on Saudi-born Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda, which has vowed to topple him.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/01/1086037753423.html

[no_hypocrisy]

1. With regard to oil prices, why do I get the feeling this is a rehash of

one of the last scenes in Animal House with Kevin Bacon screaming, "All is well!!! All is well!!!" against the crowd rushing toward him.

[MurrayDelph]

2. Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of

"Face it Kent, you f*cked up; you trusted us!"