Babylonian Empire

Page 618

"Yes, we are now unsealing the oil wells that were previously blocked due to the reduction in crude oil production, increasing the number of oil workers, and striving to restore the oil fields to the level before the production reduction, and to meet our oil quota allocated according to OPEC." The Minister of Petroleum said.

"It's not just that, we need to improve even more," Qusay said.

"President, we cannot disrupt the management of OPEC."

"I mean, we OPEC countries must increase production to help the global economy recover. In this incident, we had no choice but to adopt the method of reducing crude oil production. Now, we have finally achieved our goal. As the world's energy supplier , It is necessary for us to show the outstanding contribution our Middle East region has made to the world economy, and make up for the losses of other countries in the world some time ago." Qusay said.

……

"Your Majesty, during this period of time, you wantonly reduced oil production, which has caused the price of crude oil to remain high all over the world. We, the United States, have lodged formal diplomatic protests with you several times, but you have always remained indifferent. , and once said that he would change the system of oil settlement in US dollars, which seriously hurt the friendship between our two countries.” Hume Holland, the US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said, looking at Saudi King Fahd in the seat in front of him.

This sentence is full of the United States' serious dissatisfaction with Saudi Arabia. This is Hume Horan's pressure on Saudi Arabia from the United States.

Now, the domestic economic situation in the United States has seriously deteriorated. Due to the oil crisis in the 70s, the price of energy in the United States rose sharply, and severe inflation followed. In order to control the serious inflation, the United States has three consecutive Raise official interest rates and implement tight monetary policy.The U.S. has a double-digit official interest rate and a 20% market interest rate. The high interest rate has attracted a large amount of overseas funds to flow into the U.S., causing the U.S. dollar to soar. In the five years from 1979 to this year, the U.S. dollar exchange rate has risen by nearly 60%. , The sharp appreciation of the US dollar has led to a rapid expansion of the US trade deficit. This year, the current account deficit of the US has reached a record high of 1000 billion US dollars!

$1000 billion!This means that the US economy may collapse at any time.

In order to save the U.S. economy, the U.S. officials have come up with various means to solve the problem. The trade deficit is mainly due to the impact of the economies of Japan and Germany. Now the United States is full of various commodities made in Japan. The U.S. government is Find a way to solve this problem.This year, the Middle East has once again played the trick of reducing oil production. The United States has already taken countermeasures to expand domestic crude oil extraction and increase the proportion of crude oil imported from other oil-producing regions.However, the price of crude oil is internationalized, and when the price of oil rises, those oil-producing countries will not sell it to the United States at the original price. Therefore, this has greatly affected the US economy and made the economy that was already about to collapse even worse. .

In the final stage of the conflict between Israel and Syria, the Arab coalition forces including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait occupied the Golan Heights in the name of peacekeeping, threatening the interests of Israel, but the United States still chose to acquiesce, because the United States The Middle East needs to restore calm as soon as possible, the oil-producing countries need to return to normal, and the high energy problems need to be resolved!

The United States needs low-priced crude oil, and the United States needs its allies Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to increase crude oil production to tide over the US economy!Act hard and soft, let these two countries obediently obey!Last time during the war, the United States exerted pressure and froze their property, but instead of being effective, it had a counterproductive effect. But now that the war is over, the United States has begun to repeat its old tricks.

King Fahd looked at the somewhat arrogant American ambassador in front of him, and of course he knew what the other party was planning. Saudi Arabia's defense policy is pro-American, and it has always supported the United States with all its strength, unless it is in the past Except for the listed issues, the two sides hold opposite attitudes.Saudi Arabia once proposed to allow the world’s oil-producing countries to only use US dollars to settle oil. It once helped the United States survive the economic crisis. The United States and Saudi Arabia have always maintained good relations. A large part of the US dollars obtained by Saudi Arabia’s oil exports are in invested in the United States.

The production cuts, embargo, and soaring oil prices in the past few months have made life difficult for Americans. It is very in line with their style for them to raise their protests in this way. Before that, their protests were even stronger, but at that time King Fahd did not show up, and all of them were received by his secretary. It is said that the ambassador at the time spit and spattered, and was very dissatisfied with Saudi Arabia's statement.

"The last incident was caused by Israel's secret development of nuclear weapons. Moreover, the international community did not have correct sanctions, and Israel refused to accept the resolution proposed by the United Nations. Therefore, we can only through the efforts of the Arabs themselves. To achieve peace in the Middle East and maintain the strategic balance here. Now, Israel has admitted its mistakes and signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, but the compensation has not yet been paid. Given that the current problem has been obtained through us Arabs themselves Resolved and upheld the resolutions of the United Nations, we have completely stopped the previous production cuts and embargoes, and are now gradually returning to normal levels." King Fahd said.He explained it this way, which was sincere enough.

"However, the high crude oil prices in the past few months have caused turmoil in the world economy. The oil-producing countries in the Middle East are largely responsible for these situations." Hume-Holland continued.

Hearing this, King Fahd's face flashed a look of sullenness, the Americans have been deceiving too much this time!Your economic turmoil is blamed on the oil-producing countries in the Middle East?Oil is ours, we can sell it if we want, and we can’t sell it if we don’t want to.However, Saudi Arabia’s defense policy is now pro-American. If the two sides fall out completely, needless to say, at least the military’s complete American equipment will be like the Iranian army at the beginning, and it will completely lose its source of logistics. It seems that in the future It is the right choice for Saudi equipment to gradually approach Iraq.

Of course, King Fahd also knew that what the other party said was to put more pressure on Saudi Arabia and achieve their goal, but what was their goal this time?Also let Saudi Arabia increase its holdings of dollars?Saudi Arabia has to think carefully.

"In order to help alleviate the global economic downturn, OPEC member countries should jointly increase oil production and increase oil exports. Even if you have returned to the original production now, but the annual scheduled export share will not be reached, there will be more oil in the market. There is a huge vacancy, which is not suitable for oil-producing countries and oil-consuming countries."

Originally, the purpose of establishing OPEC was to coordinate oil production and produce as much as the international market needs. If there is too much production and the market is saturated, the price of crude oil will fall. For all oil-producing countries, it is a very loss-making business. , although in fact, some oil-producing countries will secretly export more crude oil in exchange for more foreign exchange. At this time, Saudi Arabia will, as a big country, reduce its oil exports gracefully to adjust the market. A cause of national respect.

But now, because the production reduction and embargo have lasted for several months, even if the normal production is resumed, it still cannot reach the normal production. Internationally, there is still a shortage of oil, so the only way to increase production is!There is some truth in what he said. If he had said this from the beginning, the effect might have been better. However, Hume Horan was already very depressed because he was always rejected some time ago. It implied that he wanted to put some pressure on Saudi Arabia, so he started with a tough tone.

"If we increase oil exports, it will violate the OPEC track." King Fahd said.Although the production cuts in the past few months have caused Saudi Arabia to lose a lot of income, but the Saudi treasury is very abundant, and it is not appropriate to wantonly increase oil exports without caring about this little money.

Didn't he make it clear?Hume-Holand said: "I mean, the Saudis should put out a proposal in OPEC to get everyone to increase oil production and help the world economy get back to normal."

Increase oil production?Is this appropriate?King Fahad was thinking about it, but he said: "We Saudi Arabia will do our best to stabilize the world crude oil market and help the world economy enter a normal development track. We Saudi Arabia are very willing, but this requires the consent of all OPEC members. Just do it."

"We are looking forward to the international crude oil price falling to a reasonable level as soon as possible." Hume-Holand said: "We believe that the performance of our friendly country Saudi Arabia. The KE-3 tanker is undergoing testing, and if there are no problems, it will be delivered by the end of the year, and your new orders, including Paveway laser-guided bombs and Maverick air-to-ground missiles, are in production."

"That's great, our air force will go to the United States to receive it as soon as possible." Defense Minister Prince Sultan said.

"Bah!" Prince Sultan looked at the back of the American ambassador, and spit on the gorgeous carpet. He didn't care about his identity at all, and he couldn't make such dirty actions.

Chapter 7 Thirty: Shai's Marriage

The ambassador's last words just now sounded pleasing to the ear, but the hidden meaning is also very clear. If Saudi Arabia does not follow the US's wishes, the delivery of these weapons may be in the foreseeable future.

Using arms sales, many countries can be firmly tied to their chariots.

The pre-alarm machine was ordered by Saudi Arabia in 81. The production cycle of the pre-alarm machine is long.In this war, the Saudi Air Force has seen the great role of Iraq's fan-hunting early warning aircraft, and its expectations for the E-3 are even stronger.Moreover, it is said that the United Kingdom has also ordered E-3. If Saudi Arabia does not cooperate, these early warning aircraft will probably be delivered to the British first.

The two ground attack weapons are used to make up for the previous exercise and the air blockade against Israel. These ground precision strike weapons are very easy to use, but the consumption is also very large. They need Make up inventory.Moreover, half of them were ordered by Iraq.Now that Iraq wants to order more weapons from the United States, I am afraid it will be very difficult. It is already very good that the United States can continue to implement the original agreement.Therefore, Qusay did not hit the wall.

"We increase crude oil production to help the United States calm the domestic economic crisis..." Sultan said very dissatisfied.

But subconsciously, both Prince Sultan and King Fahd knew that now the Saudis had to do it.In fact, Saudi Arabia will not be greatly affected by doing so.Many OPEC members, in order to increase revenue, have secretly exceeded their quotas to produce more oil.Moreover, Saudi Arabia has also done things to help the United States survive the economic crisis by increasing its holdings of dollars.It is also normal to lower the inflated oil price by producing more crude oil.It's just that the attitude of the Americans at this time is too difficult for them to accept.

"Your Majesty the King, Your Highness the Prince, Princess Feisal is back." At this moment, a voice swept away all the unhappiness in their hearts.Faisal is back?Both Prince Sultan and King Fahd were very happy.Because Faisal has not returned to Saudi Arabia for a long time.

Now, all the princesses and princes in the Saudi royal family may add up to hundreds of people, but among them, the one King Heid loves the most is Princess Faisal.When all the princesses in the royal family are comparing expensive perfumes, luxurious sports cars, and complaining about the lack of pocket money of nearly ten thousand dollars a month, Feisal can be said to be a maverick.Like her brother, Prince Walid, she has built her own business empire.The difference between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait is that Kuwait is more committed to investment.Kuwait's income in the investment field is about to catch up with oil income.As for Saudi Arabia, the main source of finance is still oil.Therefore, looking at those hopeless princes and princesses, the two kind elders naturally loved Feisal even more.

Sarah was wearing a traditional Arabian women's robe, and she had just removed her face scarf.This set of clothes was put on by her before getting off the plane, because according to the domestic laws of Saudi Arabia, if she wears the outfit she wears abroad, a professional and capable suit with white suspenders inside and two erect breasts on the chest Feng was wrapped in a suit just right. This kind of normal professional woman's dress in foreign countries will be imprisoned in China. Although no one dares to do anything to her in her capacity, she still deliberately maintains the royal family. dignity.

"Your Majesty, Uncle Sultan, what's the matter with you calling me back in such a hurry and saying that it's related to our royal family's important affairs?" Sarah asked.

Sarah has always been immersed in her own business. Now, the new direction of the company's development, personal computer and central processor business, is the focus of her attention. She has invested a lot of money and personnel, hoping that projects like the Walkman, like Like the mobile phone project, it continues its glory days.

However, helpless people in the country urged her to return to the country several times in a row. The king and the prince are both her uncles, and she absolutely could not refuse. Therefore, she had to arrange the company's affairs and take a small commercial plane rented by the company. Jet, returned to Saudi Arabia, and when the matter in Saudi Arabia is over, she still needs to go to Hong Kong. Recently, some new problems have appeared in Hong Kong. Zhang Manyu, who is in charge of Hong Kong business, is capable enough, but still a little indecisive.

For a businessman, every minute of her is very precious.

"Faisal, there's actually nothing wrong..." King Fahd was about to start their conversation, so let's set off the atmosphere first.

Unexpectedly, before he finished speaking, a strange sound began to sound from a certain part of Sarah's body.

"Didi, Didi..." Sarah looked at the king apologetically, then generously reached into the robe and took out something: "I have to answer a phone call first."

As a successful person with a busy business, it is absolutely impossible to not have a mobile phone. Even a gangster in Kowloon, Hong Kong, will hold an electronic product that is half the size of a brick in his hand. It is Ousheng Electronics Company of the first generation of products.

Now, Ousheng Electronics' mobile phone technology has been rapidly spread to many countries, especially in Europe, where the penetration rate in big cities has reached nearly [-]%. It doesn't matter whether it cooperates with the government of the country, or it is the sole operation of the government of the country. Whether Ousheng Electronics Company is responsible for project construction and subsequent technical maintenance, Ousheng Electronics Company has already made a lot of money.The motorcycle on the other side of the ocean uses mules to pull the company, which only occupies part of the American market.

As for Saudi Arabia, Ousheng Electronics Company has already started to deploy mobile phone networks covering major cities, all of which belong to Ousheng Company. In Saudi Arabia, Sarah's phone can still be used, but the call fee is high.

"What? The project of the German branch cannot be completed on time? How can it be done? According to the contract, we need to pay 20.00% liquidated damages. Tell Mike to let him finish the project on time no matter what. Isn't it just building ten new base stations? ? Insufficient manpower? Let him recruit again! In short, if the work cannot be completed on time, then let Mike disappear from the company automatically! We don’t need such a project manager, and we don’t even want to get a year-end bonus of £[-]!” Sarah Facing the phone, she was about to growl. She is a shrewd strong woman, how can she look like the delicate princess she used to be?

King Fahd and Prince Sultan looked at each other. Can the plan that they discussed be realized?

five days ago.

"Brother Wang, our conflict with Israel is now over, and the Middle East has temporarily calmed down. In this incident, Israel has suffered for the first time. This shows the strength of our Middle East countries' joint unity. Especially with the strength of Iraq, we should continue to deepen our relationship with Iraq." Prince Sultan said.

"Yes, although President Qusay is still young, he is definitely a hero in our Middle East land. We have already carried out deeper cooperation with Iraq. How can we continue to deepen the relationship between them?" the king asked. .

"Marriage." Prince Sultan said: "President Qusay is still single. If we don't start with such a young president, sooner or later others will take the lead. For example, Hussein and Jaber must have already Choose among your own princesses."

The current countries in the Middle East were originally nomadic tribes. Now the royal families of various countries are the original tribal leaders. Marriage between the two parties is an important way to deepen mutual relations. Although it has entered the modern society, this kind of Ways to enhance the relationship between each other are also very effective.

Hearing Prince Sultan's words, King Fahd's eyes lit up: "Yes, we can choose a wife for Qusay. When we were his age, we were already the fathers of two children. However, Who is more suitable to marry him?"

In an instant, both of them thought of the same person: Princess Feisal.

Both of them are very clear about the experience of Princess Faisal. When Qusay gradually came to the fore in the southern military region of Iraq, Faisal began to show excessive concern for Qusay. For example, he would often pass by The Ministry of National Defense went in to find Prince Sultan and inquired about the progress of the Iraq War, and when they heard the word Qusay, there would be a reserved liking in their eyes.Later, in Kuwait, I met Qusay, and later, I accompanied Qusay on a trip to Europe. After spending so much time with Qusay, we must have been in love for a long time. After that, Faisal didn’t see Qusay very often. , but ran to the UK and became a manager of a company. As a result, the company gradually expanded miraculously and became a world-renowned company now.Does Feisal have such great ability?Growing up to be a strong woman in business?They gradually observed that before OSSUN researched mobile communication technology, the Basra area of ​​Iraq already had wireless phones imported from the Soviet Union, and there was definitely a connection between them.And later, the fan-hunting early warning machine purchased by Iraq happened after Ousheng Company purchased the shares of British Aerospace Corporation. The two people must have had a secret relationship, and the relationship is still relatively close. This kind of thing, don’t She wanted to hide from the two old people who paid attention to her.

Fortunately, Feisal's status is absolutely worthy of Qusay, so the two decided to call Feisal back first to discuss her marriage.

After waiting for Sarah's call to finish, Prince Sultan took over the embarrassing King Fahd's words, and then said: "Faisal, you are not too young, the main reason for calling you back this time is..."

Before the words were finished and the mobile phone was not stuffed into the clothes, it rang again.