You'll have a little gift, Saudis tell oil importers

The Saudi Arabians say they may have ''a little Christmas gift'' for oil-importing countries, prompting speculation that oil exporters might cut their prices.

When pressed for details, Saudi Oil Minister Ahmad Zaki Yamani said, ''When you send a Christmas gift, it has to be nicely wrapped and a surprise.''

Experts said the price-shaving would knock only a few cents off the average world price, so nobody should expect cheaper gasoline at the pumps.