Saudi-Russia oil coalition seems unable to take even its first step

London

A Month after promising cooperation that would rebalance global oil markets, the producer coalition forged by Saudi Arabia and Russia is having difficulty taking its first step.

Opec members and rival producers have yet to decide when, or where, to hold talks on a proposed accord to freeze oil output, a strategy aimed at curbing the worldwide oversupply. Dates and locations suggested by one producer - this month or next, in Moscow, Doha or Vienna - are promptly snubbed by another in the fledgling alliance.