CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: President Clinton is calling OPEC's decision a positive development, but he's still sounding a note of caution. CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace joins us this morning with more. Good morning, Kelly.</s>KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol. Well, while the White House says the OPEC decision is good news for the American consumer, President Clinton says he will be closely monitoring developments in the world oil markets in the next several months. He is also calling on Congress to take action to reduce the United States's reliance on OPEC by passing such measures as providing tax incentives to promote the use of alternative fuels. But that being said, the White House is definitely breathing a bit of a sigh of relief. The OPEC decision should take the heat off the White House from consumers and from Republicans in Congress who accuse the administration of not having an energy policy, as drivers begin to see lower gas prices at the pump.</s>BILL RICHARDSON, ENERGY SECRETARY: Well, the projections that the futures market is making are that you're going to see gradual increases in -- decreases in gasoline prices. The Energy Information Agency of the Department of Energy, which is independent, says we could see about an 11 cent decrease between now and September. So going they're going to be modest, they're going to be gradual, but they're going to happen.</s>WALLACE: Mr. Clinton will likely be asked about the OPEC decision later today when he holds a news conference, his second formal news conference this year. White House aides say Mr. Clinton will use his opening statement to send a message to Congress about what he wants to see accomplished this year. He'll talk about an increase in the minimum wage, tougher gun-control and a patients' bill of rights. After that, reporters will likely have some questions for the president. Likely topics should include the stalled Middle East peace talks and the latest criminal investigation into the Clinton White House, the investigation of missing White House e-mails. Kelly Wallace, CNN, reporting live from the White House. Search CNN.com CNNSI.com CNNmoney.com The Web
Clinton Administration Calls OPEC Decision a 'Positive Development'