KARUNA SHINSHO, CNN ANCOHR: But just as U.S. markets appear set for an upbeat opening, there's some disturbing news from the OPEC oil cartel. Its secretary-general says OPEC members are unlikely to raise production quotas when they meet in Vienna tomorrow. That despite Iraq's announcement over the weekend that it will stop oil exports, and despite U.S. appeals to OPEC to help lower the price of oil. Jim Boulden has more.</s>JIM BOULDEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Gasoline prices are never far from the minds of U.S. consumers, and therefore, they're important to the White House. President George W. Bush is holding private meetings with OPEC members, and his spokesman says OPEC should release more oil. But prices are easing at pump, and there is plenty of oil on the market at the moment. Therefore, OPEC is unlikely to do anything when it meets.</s>AXEL BUSCH, ENERGY INTELLIGENCE GROUP: We are building</s>BOULDEN: But one country could upset the oil market however -- Iraq. It exports over two million barrels a day under the current oil-for-food program. Iraq is not happy with the current plan, as its cut off production over the disputes.</s>PETER GIGNOUX, SCHROEDER SSB: You've see the Iraqi prime minister do this before. At the end of the they, are in the business of selling oil to their consumers. If they do, it will be for a short period of time.</s>BOULDEN: Even so. The use of the oil in the summer and the usual higher demand in the autumn leave many folks to believe OPEC will have to increase production come September. Jim Boulden, CNN Financial News, London.
OPEC Secretary-General Says Members Unlikely to Raise Production