THE OIL monopolies" credibility is starting to wear thin.
United States, where 69 per cent of people in a recent poll were convinced that the energy crisis has been engineered by big business.
There are good reasons for the sceptical response. A year ago the papers were full of the 'oil glut'.
The press are now trying to blame the crisis on the Iranian revolution, the OPEC countries or the American "petrol-guzzling' people.
The papers can't quite make up their mind who to attack first.
Most British papers have plumped for the American workers. They have loudly applauded Carter's statements that workers in the USA FIRST WORD At least that's the situation in the Mexico. should choose hetween heating oil and petrol. But the problem is not oil-greedy America, but profits-greedy oil monopolies.
The attempt to blame OPEC Is equally dishonest. OPECcountries increased their supplies to make up for the shortfall of Iranian oil. when Saudi Arabia restores production for former levels it was a decision taken in full colluboration with the oil monopolies who complain so loudly.
There were more than adequale supplies to compensate for the cut-off in oil-production, both in Alaska, the Norsh Ser and But the oil companies are not interested in maximising supplies, hut maximising prolis. They refuse to develop refineries in the LSA until And [for the others see page 5).
trunian the price of old is decontrolled there. Likewise in Britain, One of the last acts of the Price Commission was to let through two big price Increasca for Brilish Petroleum this year — in three months. BP and Faso will be two of the big firms that will mourn the passing of the commission least Under public scrutiny, the American ruling clas have heen forced to admit that they reully de not have a satisfactory explanation for the crisis.
There are explanations und they are to be found in the profit margins of the til companies. That needs to be publicly demonstrated. The oil companies books and plans need to be revealed to the labour movement so thut a workers" solution to the oil crisis can be developed right new