GLENN VAN ZUTPHEN, WORLD NEWS: Some OPEC members are harshly criticizing Saudi Arabia. Riyadh announced that it will increase production if world fuel prices continue to rise. Other OPEC members accuse Saudi Arabia of bowing to pressure from the United States. With Iraq's view of these developments, here's CNN's Jane Arraf.</s>JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Iraq's oil minister, seen here with a trade delegation, is consulting with other OPEC oil ministers on Saudi Arabia's move to increase production in an attempt to push down prices.</s>GENERAL AMER RASHEED, IRAQI OIL MINISTER: We have all agreed that no single country would violate any consensus within OPEC, so we condemn any unilateral action by any member country.</s>ARRAF: Iraq hasn't been part of OPEC's production quotas since the Gulf War and the ensuing sanctions. Despite that, Iraq is still one of the world's biggest oil producers and a major player in the markets. The country produces more than three million barrels of oil a day. Its biggest customer for the UN-approved oil sales - the United States. General Amer says Iraq won't cut its own production to combat the Saudi move, but he says Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally, is clearly prompted by U.S. pressure for lower prices.</s>RASHEED: We do not want to play a game of the American administration. We have an independent policy within OPEC and as a country.</s>ARRAF: In fact, Iraq, which has the world's biggest oil reserves after Saudi Arabia, is gradually increasing its own production to generate revenue. But its biggest problem is equipment and spare parts, ordered through the UN but held up by the U.S. because of fears they could be used to make weapons. (on camera): Iraq says it could pump up to four million barrels a day by next year, about a 30 percent increase from current levels. But only if the U.S. releases holds on spare parts. Jane Arraf, CNN, Baghdad.
Iraq Critical Of Saudi Intention To Increase Oil Production