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The only logical reason given for their action was that they had become disgusted by corruption in high places. Pan American Airways, according to Moroccan reports, complained that $1,800,000 was demanded in payoffs before construction could begin on its Intercontinental Hotel in Casablanca. As a result of the airline's protest, the ministers of tourism, education, finance and commerce were sacked by the King. There have also been rumors of huge kickbacks in the sale of mineral concessions. Led by the rigidly upright Medbouh, the rebellious officers presumably hoped to end corruption by making Hassan their captive and establishing a Moroccan republic with the King a mere figurehead to lend them authority.
After the attempt was foiled, Hassan scornfully described it as "undeveloped in the worst sense of the term—a Libyan-style coup with all its imperfections." But the King also admitted that there had been "a certain number of errors of judgment, some of which were mine." Morocco is expected to lure 1,000,000 tourists this year for the first time, and the gross national product has risen by 26% in four years. But the population has grown by 13% in the same period, university and high school graduates cannot find jobs, and the average per capita income is still a hardscrabble $151. Since 1965, moreover, the King has dampened opposition and ruled the country as an absolute monarch. Ignoring criticism, Hassan lives in opulence in the midst of national poverty. At a party celebrating the circumcision of his eldest son, guests at the royal table discovered gold coins mixed into their food.
Fading Kings. Moroccans insist that Hassan, as a direct descendant of Mohammed, possesses baraka, or the indefinable charisma that brings blessings to others. But even that may not be enough in a changing Arab world where four other Kings—Farouk of Egypt, Feisal of Iraq, Badr of Yemen and Idris of Libya—have already been deposed. To many, the situation recalls Farouk's prediction before he fell in 1952: "Some day there will be only five Kings in the world—the King of England and the four in the deck of cards."
There are still three Kings in the Arab world alone, and the other two were quick to give Hassan moral support. Hussein of Jordan, who has survived at least nine assassination attempts, personally piloted a Royal Jordanian Airlines Boeing 707 to Rabat to participate in funeral services for 20 loyalist officers and men killed at Skhirat. Feisal of Saudi Arabia stayed home, but sent his Foreign Minister to Morocco.
Maghreb Neighbors. Hassan also received unaccustomed support from Arab socialist leaders, who might have been remembering an old Moroccan expression: "Kiss the hand that you cannot cut off." He was supported by Tunisia and even revolutionary Algeria, his neighbors in the Maghreb, the ancient Arab littoral of North Africa, whose members have formed associations for economic cooperation, tourism and culture. Algeria's President Houari Boumedienne not only telephoned the King but sent a delegate to express his good wishes.