On the surface, his remarks were not all that different from stated American and Saudi policy.

Officials said it was too early to tell whether the withdrawal would affect Saudi policy.

The Boston Globe reported that the agency had also given him more than $100,000 in research money for a study of Saudi foreign policy.

The statement appeared to indicate a change in Saudi policy, which for four years has favored lower oil prices.

But they cautioned that such arrangements have been in existence for some time and should not be taken as a major change in Saudi policy.

Consequently, postwar Saudi policy focused on ways to contain potential Iraqi threats to the kingdom and the region.

It is a major change in Saudi policy.

Saudi foreign policy is designed by the King, not by the Foreign Minister.

The move signals at least a temporary end to the Saudi policy of maximizing production.

American officials said they hoped the Saudi policy might put immediate downward pressure on oil prices, even though the expansion plan has been public for weeks.