The answers the President was looking for were not forthcoming and he decided to raise the temperature by being blunt with his demands.
“I have to make it clear to your Highness that time is something we do not have. I repeat, are you prepared to accept a US military presence? Are you prepared to allow in US teams to control and operate your oilfields?”
The King with his red and white checked headdress did not respond immediately but when he did, he spoke calmly and assuredly.
“Mr President, we are in control of the situation. Please be convinced that restoring oil production is our top priority. I’m advised that we’ll be able to reopen the wells shortly.”
The President’s advisors had made it clear to him that in the current conditions there was no chance of the Saudis completing the j
