CRAWFORD, Texas - US President George W. Bush said that he would discuss high gas prices in the United States and Saudi oil output in talks at his ranch Monday with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.
"I'll talk about energy, and the crown prince understands that it's very important ... to make sure that prices are reasonable. High oil prices damage markets and he knows that," Bush said as he awaited Abdullah's arrival.
Asked whether soaring US gas prices, which have eroded his approval ratings, could be lower, the president replied: "That depends on supply and demand."
"But one thing is for certain: The price of crude is driving the price of gasoline. The price of crude is up because not only is our economy growing, but economies such as India and China's economies are growing," said Bush.
The US president then formally welcomed the crown prince to his Prairie Chapel estate, embracing Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler and taking him by the hand up the walk to the building where they were to meet.
Vice President Dick Cheney and White House national security adviser Stephen Hadley stood silently behind Bush.
04/25/2005 17:09 GMT