Word: libya
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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Despite all this, one knowledgeable U.S. diplomat admits that "the U.S. would never win in any popularity contest in Libya." Like all newly independent nations, Libya is extremely sensitive about its dependence. "We advise the American people to study the psychology of the Libyans," warned the newspaper At-Talia recently. "Any assistance given at the expense of our dignity and pride will be regarded as an offense and not a help...
Black Prince. Part of Libya's touchiness grows out of its realization that it could not survive six months if the U.S. and Britain (which has given Libya $64 million) withdrew their support. Libya's meager exports of esparto grass (for paper currency), olive oil, nuts and camels pay for only a fraction of its imports, and U.S. grants total more than half Libya's annual budget. Rumors rife in Libya of local mismanagement of allied funds are small encouragement to pull out U.S. technicians and let the Libyans spend away on their own. Most...
...King's ministers want to renegotiate. For the use of Wheelus, the U.S. paid an initial sum of $7,000,000 and 24,000 tons of wheat, agreed to an annual $4,000,000 rental until 1960 and $1,000,000 a year after that for eleven years. Libya has now demanded ten times as much-a whopping $40 million a year-in rent for Wheelus, and more perks besides. The U.S. has countered with an offer...
Rooftop Antennas. The man who keeps his divided country from getting out of hand is 69-year-old King Idris, who runs Libya from a honey-colored palace...
Tobruk and lives by the tenets of the Senussi sect, which holds Libya's diverse tribesmen together: no alcohol, no tobacco, no coffee, no immodesty. So modest and unassuming is Idris that he ordered his own image removed from Libya's postage stamps and currency and has given two of his palaces to the state...