oil prices jump on boat issue

"NEW YORK (AP) - Oil prices rose sharply Friday on news that a ship
under contract to the U.S. Defense Department fired warning shots at two
boats in the Persian Gulf. Retail gas prices as expected rose further
into record territory, nearing $3.60 a gallon.

Crude prices rose on initial reports that a U.S. ship had fired on two
Iranian boats; the news raised concerns that a conflict between U.S. and
Iranian forces could cut oil supplies from the region. A Navy
spokeswoman said the origin of the boats was unclear. "


GIVE ME A FREAKIN' BREAK!


We better not discuss it here, or world oil profits---I mean, uh,
prices--will rise on speculative panic.


-c