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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 26, 2005)
| National update | Today Wednesday Thursday o M w High: 73 Low: 47 Precip: 20% High: 71 Low: 45 Precip: 30% High: 64 Low: 39 Precip: 30% IN BRIEF Bush meets with Saudi leader to address oil prices CRAWFORD, Texas — President Bush is seeking relief from record high gas prices and support for Middle East peace as he opens his Texas ranch to Crown Prince Abdul lah of Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil producer. Bush said he’ll make clear Mon day that it’s not in Saudi Arabia’s in terests to keep oil prices high. “If they pinch the world economy too much, it’ll affect their ability to sell crude oil in the long run,” he said in a television interview last week. The president also said he’s look ing for “a straight answer" on how close the Saudis are to reaching pro duction capacity. “I don’t think they’re pumping flat out," Bush said. Bush’s goal of spreading democra cy across the Arab world also faces a difficult test with Saudi Arabia, a longtime ally ruled by absolute monarchy. Traditionally Bush holds news conferences with visiting for eign leaders, but there will be none during this visit because Abdullah rarely talks with reporters. Monday’s meeting marks another step in greater U.S. involvement in the Mideast. Two weeks ago Bush met at the ranch with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and said Israel should abandon plans for new con struction of Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories. The Saudis believe the administration’s strong support for Israel harms prospects for Middle East peace. — The Associated Press Safety concerns steer GM to recall 2 million vehicles BY KEN THOMAS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON, D.C. — General Motors Corp. is recalling more than 2 million vehicles, including nearly 1.5 million sport utility vans and pickup trucks that have problems with their seat belts. The company said Monday a few minor injuries were associated with the six separate recalls and owners would be notified of the problems by mail. Among the vehicles affected were 1.48 million SUVs and pickups from the 2003-2005 model years, including the Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab, Suburban, Tahoe, Avalanche; Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT; GMC Sierra Crew Cab, Yukon XL, Yukon; and the Hummer H2s. The recalls represented the latest challenge for the world’s largest au tomaker, which last week reported $1.1 billion in losses in the first quar ter, its largest quarterly loss in more than a decade. GM has cited the financial burdens of providing health coverage for its workers and retirees amid lackluster car sales. Sales of the automaker’s pop ular SUVs and large trucks have been r off, in part because of high gas prices. As for the recalls, spokesman Alan Adler said the center safety belt in the second row of the SUVs and pickups, typically used for child seats, was rid ing high on the occupant’s stomach. Although no injuries have been con nected to the problem, Adler said, there could be a reduced protection in that portion of the body in the event of a crash. Bob Lange, GM’s executive direc tor of structure and safety integra tion, said fixing the seat belts in the SUVs and trucks was “an important precautionary measure. ” “Our commitment to promoting safety and reminding everybody to buckle up properly on every trip led us to this decision,” Lange said. The company announced recalls for the following vehicles: • More than 330,000 1500 Series Chevrolet Suburbans and Yukon XLs from 2000-2001 for potential over heating of fuel pump wires that could lead to engine stalling. There were no known crashes or injuries related to the problem. • More than 142,000 1500 Series Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups from 1999-2002 and 2500/3500 Series pickups from the 2001-2005 model years with manual transmissions for parking brake fric tion. Adler said 26 crashes and one minor injury were connected to the problem. • More than 69,000 Buick Lacrosse and Buick Allure 2005 models from Canada for a bent clip that holds part of the brake. If the clip comes off, it would lead to brake loss and a crash, Adler said. There has been one minor crash from the issue. • More than 39,000 Buick Ren dezvous and Pontiac Azteks from 2004 for intermittent stalling or failure to start because of a faulty ignition relay. *GM said it was aware of one minor crash but no injuries. • More than 22,000 Saturn L Se ries Wagons from 2002-2004 be cause they were built with a center and passenger side rear seat belt an chors that do not comply with U.S. and Canadian safety standards. The company said the problems will be corrected at no charge. GM said in 2005, the company has made 22 recalls accounting for 2.9 mil lion vehicles. During the same period in 2004, the company had 18 recalls for a total of 8.5 million vehicles. General Motors to recall 2.1 million vehicles General Motors announced a voluntary recall of nearly 1.5 million sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks and more than 605,000 other vehicles for various safety reasons. Vehicles to be recalled MODELYEARNO. RECALLED REASON Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab, Suburban, 2003-05 1.49 million Repair to the lap portion of the Tahoe, Avalanche; Cadillac Escalade, second-row center occupant seat Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT; GMC Sierra belt Crew Cab, Yukon XL, Yukon; Hummer H2 Chevrolet Suburban and Yukon XL Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series; GMC Sierra 2500/3500 series (both with manual transmissions) Buick Lacrosse and Buick Allure 2005 69,037 Bent clip that holds part of (Canada only) the brake Buick Rendezvous and Pontiac Azteks 2004 39,078 Faulty ignition relay could cause stalling or failure to start Saturn L Series Wagons 2002-04 22,115 Center and passenger side rear seat belt does not comply to U.S. and Canadian safety standards 2000- 01 332,202 Overheating of fuel pump wires 1999-2002 142,585 Parking brake friction 2001- 2004 SOURCE: General Motors AP Premier Travel 1 ' • Airfare Specials! • Boston - $178.00 Orlando - $198.00 San .lose, CM - $237.00 Honolulu - $411.00 "tax ami Ices not included restrictions apply Subject to chance without notice E urail Passes issued On-Site!!! 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