"That will happen unless they push through the OPEC decision," Parker predicted levelly.

Still, oil prices rose today after the OPEC decision was announced.

Still, Iraq is not expected to play a major role in OPEC decisions for some time, analysts said.

Oil prices fell sharply as traders responded to the OPEC decision to lift output as well as to reduced fears of war.

"We are committed to our ceiling and will not violate OPEC decisions."

President Clinton today welcomed the OPEC decision to increase crude oil production and urged oil companies to pass the savings quickly along to consumers.

Yesterday's OPEC decision came in response to strong American pressure.

"We know that prices really can't be affected very much" by the OPEC decision.

OPEC decisions explain why prices are up nationwide - but not why they are sky-high in the Midwest.

A week later, responding to an OPEC decision to cut production, the Brent price was back up to $15.