Arab oil nations weigh special tie with Europe

Arab oil producers may soon establish a "special relationship" with European industrial nations, the Wall Street Journal reports. The United States opposes any such alliance.

The plan, receiving support at a Rome meeting of Arab officials and representatives of several European countries, calls for Arab oil producers to take over much of the refining and petrochemical processing done in Europe, with Europe receiving a steady supply of oil without abrupt price boosts. One of the plan's chief attractions for the Arabs is that it would split European nations from the US, and could diminish American influence in the world oil market.