Word: saud
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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Nothing was too good for old Ibn Saud, monarch of Saudi Arabia. Did he want a railroad? The Arabian American Oil Co. began a standard-gauge, 350-mile Arabian railroad, though convinced that highways would be more practical. Did he consider eight seats on the regular U.S.-bound T.W.A. plane too few to set aside for one of his 30-odd sons? A special plane was wheeled up. Aramco tried its best to anticipate Ibn Saud's every wish, from arranging lend-lease for Saudi Arabia and a cowboy outfit for one of the young princes to furnishing limousines...
...Majesty. For its pains, Aramco (owned by California Standard, Texaco, New Jersey Standard, Socony-Vacuum) got 440,000 square miles of Ibn Saud's domain, the world's largest oil concession, the most productive (866,000 barrels daily) and one of the most profitable...
Last year, when the Middle East blazed with disputes between oil companies and kings over royalties, Aramco announced a 50-50 profit split with Ibn Saud, increasing his 1951 oil royalties from $60 million to $100 million. Other oil companies, particularly Anglo-Iranian, privately deplored such generosity, but belatedly offered to do likewise. American-British-owned Kuwait Oil Co. had to give Kuwait's Sheik an even better split, and American-British-Dutch-French-owned Iraq Petroleum topped that by agreeing to bring Iraqis into the board of directors...
Last week the wave that Aramco set rolling swept back over the company: 72-year-old Ibn Saud decided he wanted more from Aramco. He summoned Aramco chiefs, complained excitedly: "Every time there's a decision to be made, you say you have to refer it to New York. Well, in the future, let's refer it here...
...rulers got along fine. Ibn Saud reportedly offered to restore to Talal $1,400,000 of jewels and household effects belonging to the Hashemites. Talal went on the radio to thank the King for his "real hospitality." As Talal left for home, Ibn Saud, who had journeyed out to the airport to see him off, gave the younger King a sword encrusted with precious stones...