Chapter 959: Swimming against the current (first update, please subscribe)
In recent days, Nanyang Petroleum Company has undoubtedly been the darling of the news, from its oil exploration rights in the Suter Basin in Libya to its offshore interests in the Persian Gulf. Oil exploration is undoubtedly good for the market.
Nanyang Petroleum Company's overseas oil resource reserves have naturally become the focus of the market's attention. As the stock price rises, newspapers naturally pay more attention to it.
However, for Herman, who is the general manager of Nanyang Petroleum, he does not care about the attention of the outside world. Whether there is media attention or not, it is not important to Nanyang Petroleum at all. Just like he never cared about the rise or fall of oil company stocks.
That evening, Hermann had dinner with an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and took him to his club. This club is one of the high-end clubs in Chang'an. Those who can enter this club are either rich or expensive.
Although Herman had already obtained a promise from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, that kind of promise was always just a promise and could not completely solve the problem.
To solve the problem, we also need information from other aspects, and the reason why we invited Chen Dehua to have dinner together was actually just because he worked in the Economic Intelligence Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Although Herman has learned about the internal turmoil in Saudi Arabia from Ma Baoguo, he still hopes to learn more information.
As the head of the intelligence department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chen Dehua is obviously his most important channel for understanding Yemen. At this moment, Chen Dehua was sitting opposite Herman in the room, with doubts on his face.
Herman told him some truth, but never mentioned the Saudi affairs. He was just talking about Yemen, but exaggerating its role.
"Although we don't know whether there is oil there, we always need to try it and speak out. The current diplomatic differences between Yemen and Saudi Arabia make it difficult for us to decide whether to enter Yemen, so..."< br>
After a pause, Herman asked.
“I hope to know whether the territorial differences between Yemen and Saudi Arabia will further expand.”
Chen Dehua understood everything, and a smile appeared on his serious face. , said.
“There is indeed a territorial dispute between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, but it will not turn into a war. Mr. He need not worry about this.”
Herman wondered.
“Oh? Why is this?”
“The reason is simple, strength. Compared with Yemen, Saudi Arabia can obtain hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue from oil every year, although this amount is not It is much, but it is enough to support Saudi Arabia in establishing a relatively modern army. Moreover, the United States and Saudi Arabia signed the "Joint Defense Mutual Assistance Agreement" and the "Dahran Airport Agreement" a few years ago. Saudi Arabia agreed to use the Dhahran Airport built in 1946 and leased to the United States. The lease of the Helan Air Force Base will be extended for five years. In exchange, the United States will provide weapons and equipment to Saudi Arabia and also send a military delegation to train the Saudi army. Although the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States is average, the training and equipment of the Saudi army far exceed that of Yemen.”
After thinking about it, Chen Dehua added.
"And what about Yemen? Their equipment is relatively outdated. In the three or four years of the war, Yemen was defeated by Saudi Arabia with tanks and armored vehicles. Now, they only have some old tanks and armored vehicles. In this case , it is almost impossible for Yemen to risk going to war with Saudi Arabia. Even if they regard the "Taif Agreement" signed with Saudi Arabia as an unequal treaty, Saudi Arabia's strength cannot be challenged by Yemen. This world is completely built on In terms of strength. If nothing else happens, the two of them are just having a diplomatic war of words, so Mr. He does not need to worry about this at all."
As a diplomat, Chen Dehua certainly knows what these companies are worried about. What they are worried about is nothing more than the local situation. So, all he needs to do is tell the other party that there is no security problem there.
“It’s really hard to make a decision,”
Herman said,
“Overseas investment, if you are not careful, you may lose everything, so you have to be careful. ! ”
Although there is a guy in Egypt waiting for their help, Herman knows about organizations like the "Free Officers Movement". They are generally nationalistic, and there is no doubt that they will cooperate with them. After all, the king may not necessarily nationalize the oil fields, but the "Free Officers Movement" is very likely to do so, because their own position is nationalist and anti-colonial.
Deal with people like this...unless you have to.
So, in Herman’s opinion, the best option is to take advantage of the conflict between Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
Of course, Hussein is also the target he wants to use. After all, what he needs is not a winner, but a Saudi Arabia trapped in civil war.
But this is unknown. Just like now, they have cooperated with Black Knight Company and have begun their layout in Yemen.
Who would have thought?
They are going to destroy a country now!
To subvert a country. Or to destroy a country.
In short, this was something that was unimaginable in the past. Who could believe that a company could do this?
However, now they are achieving this goal step by step.
“Indeed, there are too many political risks in overseas investment.”
Chen Dehua said while looking at the general manager of Nanyang Petroleum Company who was in the limelight in front of him.
“However, compared to Yemen, I think you need to worry more about Saudi Arabia. After all, you already have investments there. The Persian Gulf is very popular recently.”
Her Mann wondered. "Oh? Why worry about Saudi Arabia."
"Free Officers Organization!"
Chen Dehua wiped his hands with a napkin and said.
“After the war, military coups launched by nationalist officers who were dissatisfied with the status quo were common in Middle Eastern countries. After Egypt’s Nasser successfully seized power in 1952, Nasserism spread among the people of Arab countries, especially among the military. . Currently, there is also an opposition called the "Free Officers Movement" in the Saudi army, who are trying to follow Egypt's example in overthrowing the king's rule and establishing a government similar to the one under Nasser in Egypt."
He should know this. Regarding the situation, Chen Dehua looked at the silent Herman and thought in his heart that these companies must have done some homework, and now they just want to know more details.
"If they succeed, they will inevitably confiscate the oil company's mining rights and nationalize the oil. By then, you will probably lose a lot! Although their previous actions have been destroyed, who can Guarantee that they will not continue to act in the future? And..."
Chen Dehua specifically added.
"Judging from the current situation, the nationalization of oil in the Middle East countries will be inevitable in the future. After all, no country is willing to let foreign oil companies use oil pumps to drain away their wealth."
< br>In fact, as far as traditional education is concerned, Chen Dehua opposed colonialism and opposed these foreign companies seeking huge profits in other countries.
But as a Nanyang diplomat, Chen Dehua also needs to safeguard the interests of his own companies, and in his view, his own companies have invested abroad and should be protected.
Well, sometimes people's positions are so strange. When he was young, Chen Dehua was a person who firmly opposed colonialism.
But what about now?
It can only be said that the situation has changed and the position has also changed.
"Indeed, judging from the current situation, it is indeed only a matter of time,"
Herman asked with a grin.
“The question is, what will the officials do then? If they want to tear up the agreement, will the officials sit back and watch?”
“They will basically remain silent!”
Chen Dehua's answer made Herman's eyes slightly open, and there was something strange in his eyes.
"If Western countries go to war because of the "nationalization of oil" in those countries, and even use force to protect the interests of their own companies. In this way, it will actually help the Soviet Union. Nasserism itself is Those who oppose imperialism and colonialism are closer to the Soviet Union than the West. If those oil-producing countries turn to the Soviet Union, God knows what trouble they will cause to Western countries in the future."
Chen Dehua thought for a while and said. .
“So, the possibility of state intervention is almost zero!”
This is the most realistic problem in post-war international politics, and it is inevitable. The most fundamental reason why small countries can survive and jump between big countries is the special international environment under the Soviet Cold War.
Now Nanyang's diplomatic community is gradually adapting to diplomacy in the Cold War environment.
“So you also need to adapt to this change.”
Faced with this kind reminder, Herman smiled.
“Yes, we are now adapting to this change bit by bit.”
Although his answer was adaptation, only he knew clearly in his heart what he meant by adaptation. What is.
In the end, the two of them were just there chatting about Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and oil.
Soon, the dinner was over. Herman sent Chen Dehua out of the restaurant and put him in a taxi. Then he looked at the car going away and said to himself.
"We just have different ideas..."
(End of this chapter)