news from the Washington file

QUESTION: On a related matter, OPEC is meeting at the week end to discuss the possible increase in output to compensate for the reduction in output in Venezuela. Do you -- does the United States have any views on whether an agreement to increase output would be a good thing?

MR. BOUCHER: We've seen a number of statements from members of OPEC about possibly increasing production and that would be a positive development. Obviously they're going to have to get together and decide, but we're also in touch with various countries involved.

QUESTION: Can you tell us what countries?

MR. BOUCHER: No, I think I'll stop at that.

QUESTION: OPEC members?

MR. BOUCHER: Yeah.

QUESTION: Yeah? And putting -- saying that you think it would be a positive thing if --

MR. BOUCHER: Our view is that it would be a positive development if a -- the various ideas that have been discussed of that production, if those were carried out, that would be positive. And we've made that view known.