EUROPE: Slipping Around the Embargo

Clearly, something mysterious was afoot. While Ahmed Zaki Yamani, Saudi Arabia's oil minister, wandered about Europe promising a continued flow of oil to the Arabs' "friends" and privation to enemies, almost the opposite seemed to be happening. In Britain, Germany, Italy and other nations classified by the Arabs as friendly or neutral, serious energy shortfalls loomed. But in The Netherlands, the one Common Market nation on the Arab embargo list, some Christmas lights continued to blaze and visitors reported hotel rooms occasionally so toasty that windows had to be thrown open. Though the Dutch led Europe in banning Sunday driving,...

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