RI asked to up crude output

RI asked to up crude output

CANBERRA (Dow Jones): Australia's trade minister, Mark Vaile, said he used a meeting Monday with Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid to urge Indonesia and other members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to lift crude output to reduce high oil prices.

"The key to more sustainable prices lies in an early decision by OPEC to increase output," Vaile said in a statement.

"Current oil prices aren't sustainable, and if prolonged, are likely to have an adverse impact on the global economy, including Indonesia's," he said.

"There are therefore compelling benefits for Indonesia, as well as other OPEC members, in achieving more sustainable oil prices," he said.

Indonesia is a member of OPEC and accounts for around 5 percent of the group's crude oil output.