Opening oil plug

[miscvkb@rogue.unocal.com (Vinod Bhatnagar)]

I've an '86 Audi 5k which I bought sometime back. Last weekend
I got down to change the engine oil but was unable to open the
oil plug. Now I am wondering whether the plug should be opened
in clockwise or counter cw. I was trying anti clockwise but 
didn't force it too hard as it might've damaged the threads.

Also the mechanic who initially checked the car told me that the
cruise control box had gone. Where is it located and how expensive
is the replacement?

Could someone spare a moment and enlighten me on this.

Thanks a lot