Babylonian Empire

Page 645

Who would have imagined that the huge red empire is not only empty in the treasury, but also in debt to survive the day, and now, even the debts are not repaid!

"Gostev, don't we have any other options?" Gorbachev asked.

"Yes." Gostev said: "As long as the general secretary approves, we can use our gold reserves."

Gold reserve!Gorbachev's heart tightened.

The Soviet Union is one of the main gold producing countries in the world. Its output ranks second in the world after South Africa, reaching more than 500 tons per year. The Soviet Union's gold reserves have reached more than 3000 tons.

Gold also played a great role in the Soviet Union's national economy. Using gold as a means of payment, it imported advanced technology and equipment from Western countries, imported food and feed, and used the method of selling gold in exchange for hard currency to raise foreign exchange funds. It is regarded as a means of balancing foreign trade payments and reducing deficits. This is the means by which gold is used.

However, if it was not for emergency situations, the Soviet Union did not sell gold in large quantities. The Soviet Union mainly used gold as an important means of balancing the international balance of payments.Only when the international gold price soars, they will sell part of their gold reserves to seek the maximum benefit.

The use of gold reserves requires approval from the general secretary, but now, I'm afraid the timing is not right.

"Is there no other way?" Gorbachev went on to ask.

"The main source of the decline in crude oil prices is the oil-producing countries in the Middle East. If they are willing to reduce oil production and oil prices rise, we can continue to rely on oil to increase income." Fedor said.

Hearing these words, Gorbachev already had a plan in mind.

Chapter 767 Yes, this is blackmail!

The morning sunshine softly sprinkles the entire land of the Middle East. Here is a hot land where people can sway their youth. There is also a person full of personality charm here, so that everyone is willing to selflessly dedicate everything for him, including life. The people here, the people here, are the leader of Iraq, the god of war in the Middle East, Qusay-Abdullah!

Hidari got off the plane, and once again smelled a fiery smell that was already hot in the morning. This is his hometown that he has been thinking about day and night!

Hidali looked behind him. In the past few months, during the interrogation period, he has been able to keep a clear head and did not speak, because it is the firm belief in his heart that for President Qusay, any He is willing to do anything!

Behind him is the unique plane, which is the special plane of President Qusay. Because of the so-called espionage incident, Hidali was unfortunately detained by the British side. The Iraqi government has been actively working hard, and even launched the oil production increase of the entire Arab country , to put pressure on the UK, and finally, the British compromised. After learning that the British had finally let him go, President Qusay personally ordered to use his own special plane to bring Hidali back to Iraq!

This is a high-profile action, showing President Qusay's concern for every Iraqi citizen, and showing Iraq's great ambitions!

One day, when Iraqis walk in any corner of the world, they will hold their heads high, because there is a powerful country behind them!

Hidali saw the flashing lights of those reporters, and Taha, the number two man in Iraq, came to the airport to greet him in person.

Hidari was very excited, took a step and walked over.

Qusay was in a good mood looking at the British Energy Minister Webb who came again before him.

This time, Qusay did not embarrass the Englishman who came from afar and let him sit on the bench.As a big country, Iraq should show the tolerance and tolerance that a big country should have. This is what Qusay said. When he said this, those confidantes around him knew that this was definitely not President Qusay. Originally, he probably couldn't wait to embarrass that poor Weber again.

Now that the UK has released the people, it is bowing to Iraq. What kind of tricks are the British planning to play this time?Qusay thought to himself.

"Weber shows that you are welcome to come to Iraq again," Qusay said.

"It's a great honor. I'm here this time, and I also brought greetings from Queen Elizabeth II," Weber said.

"Thank you very much," Qusay said, "Please also convey my regards to Her Majesty the Queen, and may she be young forever."

In the United Kingdom, the queen has no real power, but only a symbolic nature. This Queen Elizabeth II, from her coronation in 52, to Qusay's previous life, is still on the throne, which can be said to be an old birthday star.The real power in the UK is the prime minister, that is, the tough Mrs Thatcher.

After finishing the polite words, the two sides finally turned to the topic.

"Some time ago, because of the unstable situation in the Middle East, we stopped military technical cooperation with your country. Now, the Middle East has restored stability, so we have come up with a new plan and will continue to fulfill our cooperation with your country. Those agreements," Weber said.

The so-called unstable situation is all rhetoric. The United Kingdom followed the Americans and imposed sanctions on Iraq. As a result, now that the United States has cheated the United Kingdom, they want to resume arms exports.

new plan?Qusay knew that he had already mentioned this issue before, the contract was terminated, and then the British side needed to compensate him. However, the British guy would definitely not accept his request, so he might as well listen to the other party first. we have a deal.

"About the sky flash project, we will continue. Our zhèngfǔ has approved all export projects, and our aerospace company has also made preparations. As long as your infrastructure, factory buildings, power and other facilities are properly provided, we will always Both can export production lines to your country, your country will have the ability to produce the world's advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, and the missiles we pre-produced for you and Saudi Arabia are also ready and can be delivered to the air forces of the two countries at any time."

It turns out that the smart British want to continue to fulfill the contract and earn their own money, Qusay thought quickly in his heart.The development of active sky flashes will take a few years. Now, the main missiles of Iraq, the Sparrow and Matra 530, are not as good as this kind of sky flashes. The history of the Lord has a great effect, so it is also possible to continue the sky flashing project.In the later period, the air-to-air missile researched by Sweden mainly changed the seeker, and the missile body remained the same. At that time, the production of the active sky flash can also be accelerated, which is of great benefit.

However, even if the British continued to fulfill the contract, it would be a breach of contract. According to the contract, this missile is now produced in Iraq at a low rate.

This liquidated damages, I have to figure it out, at least 100 million US dollars, right?

"As for the hunting fan early-warning aircraft project, we will continue to provide technical support, and we will extend the waiting maintenance period for you for one year, and help your air force ground staff to fully master the maintenance of our advanced radar system .” Seeing that Qusay didn’t respond, Weber continued.

It seems that the British are being honest. Although these two conditions did not satisfy Qusay completely, the British finally let go of their airs and changed from being superior to being on an equal footing with him. Qusay is still very happy with this change. have witnessed.

"President Qusay, do you accept the two conditions we proposed?" After finishing speaking, Weber asked cautiously.

"Except for the sky flash project, you delayed the delivery, and you need to pay us a liquidated damages of 100 million US dollars according to the contract. For the rest, we Iraq suffered a loss for the friendship between the two countries. For this late I welcome your friendliness," Qusay said.

Liquidated damages?Hearing these words, Weber was startled, but he thought again, 100 million US dollars is indeed not a lot, which is acceptable.

"So, can your country's oil production be reduced?" Weber asked.

Seeing President Qusay's expression now, Weber feels that things are turning for the better. Now that Britain has shown enough, Qusay won't be so unreasonable, right?

Who knows, Qusay said casually: "What does this have to do with our oil production?"

What a fool!If it weren't for oil prices, would the UK have made such a gesture?Weber had the urge to vomit blood.

Seeing Weber's expression, Qusay suddenly realized: "You have agreed not to carry out military cooperation with Israel, and to allow our funds to enter your country?"

Seeing this young man teasing himself, Weber couldn't bear it any longer. He blushed and said, "President Qusay, please don't fool our feelings. China came here to negotiate with you about our issues in the energy field. Now, we, the UK, have made enough representations to release your country’s suspected spies and resume military cooperation with your country. I think , We have tried our best, please your country, but also show enough sincerity!"

"Really? Our people were originally detained by you rudely. Our contract should have been carried out long ago. It was your sanctions that made our contract impossible to perform. Now that you have restored the contract, this is also called enough Sincerity?" Qusay said: "These are things that you should have done a long time ago, and our Iraqi side's requirements will never change."

"President Qusay, you are blackmailing us, you are using oil to blackmail us!" Weber finally became angry. If he was not worried that his body would not be able to beat the young man who fought on the battlefield in front of him, Weber really wanted to rush over and fight with him. The opponent fights!

"Yes, I'm blackmailing," Qusay said, "I originally had a very friendly attitude towards your country, but your government has never recognized the situation, thinking that we, a small country in the Middle East, are obediently Those who accept your gift, now is no longer the era when the Mizi flag is flying all over the world!"

"President Qusay, don't think that you can use oil as a weapon to make us compromise in the UK. We are ready to sell our oil company's shares in Texas to American oil merchants." Weber In my heart, I cursed myself for being stupid just now, and actually had such a conflict with the person in front of me!What are you here for?He had no other choice but to show his hole cards.

"Really?" Qusay said: "I'm very happy to hear this news. Then, your oil company can no longer support it. It first sold its shares in the United States, and then sold its shares in Canada, Amman and other countries. Shares, finally, do you have to sell the shares in the Beihai Oilfield? It’s fine if you don’t sell them, and then wait for the loss-making operation, or wait until one day, the world’s oil prices suddenly soar, and your country’s oil industry has collapsed , want to reproduce again, but also have no ability.”

Qusay was lying on his chair, looking at the ceiling above his head, and said softly, he was also muttering in his heart, saying that the British are gentlemen, it is true, if someone bullied him like this, he should beat him up first He said it again.

Weber's current mood is not angry, but terrible. The other party's words touched the weakness of the British oil industry.

No matter how hard they fight, they can't fight the oil fields in the Middle East where the oil will spew out by making a hole in the ground. In this price war, Britain can only lose. They can sell the shares in the United States, so they can support for how long?half a year?a year?So what about a year from now?Continue to sell other oil field shares?

The final outcome is terrible. Although the income in the Middle East is reduced, the entire oil industry in the United Kingdom will be completely squeezed out.

If it was someone else who said that, Weber would still feel alarmist, but the person in front of him can definitely say and do it.

Chapter 768 Killing Two Birds With One Stone

I originally thought that the Iraqis should have retreated after throwing out this weight, but they didn't expect that they wanted to hurt both sides?If the British oil industry is brought down, Iraq will not gain anything. On the contrary, because of the low oil price, the interests of them and other OPEC members will also be lost. Isn't this harming others and benefiting oneself?

God knows what the young man in front of him is thinking, regardless of what they are like, Weber knows that Britain will absolutely not be able to bear it any longer.

The other party is right, the UK can accumulate enough funds to fight against them by selling the shares it holds in other countries' oil companies. , and even in the end, the local oil industry had to end in bleakness. This is a bottomless pit.