(CPOD) Jun. 3, 2004 - Americans are split over who is responsible for rising gas prices, according to a poll by Harris Interactive. 37 per cent of respondents say the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other oil producing countries are mainly to blame, while 35 per cent think oil companies are liable.

For the past four weeks, gas prices have risen all over the United States. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average cost of a gallon of fuel is currently $2.03 U.S., a 35.2 per cent increase in a year. 23 per cent of respondents blame the U.S. government for the problems.

Eleven oil producing countries—Algeria, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Qatar, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela—are part of OPEC. The Organization recently implemented a reduction in crude oil production of 1 million barrels a day.

Yesterday, oil minister of the United Arab Emirates Obaid ibn Saif al-Nasseri said his country would increase its oil output by 400,000 barrels a day during the month of June.

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Who do you think is mainly to blame for the increase in fuel prices?

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