In 1992 China, by then its only major ally, suspended free oil shipments.

Since Jan. 1, oil shipments into the reserve have reached record levels, about 150,000 barrels a day.

But the group already owes about $47 million on previous oil shipments.

"It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war, and I don't think any oil shipments will stop," he said.

Gradual progress was made on some issues, like textiles and oil shipments, this morning.

Already, some oil shipments had been embargoed, and there were threats of more to come.

Other countries that had decided to stop oil shipments would be invited to do so as well, he said.

Are we there to protect oil shipments through the gulf?

For China, the most effective signal would be a short-term suspension of oil shipments.

The Bush administration and its allies responded by cutting off oil shipments.