(The leopards attempt at changing spots)
BP By Any Other Name – The Anglo-Iranian Oil Dispute – 1951
When Iran, under Mohammed Mossadegh nationalized Iran’s oil production in March of 1951, it put a crimp in the relations between Iran and Britain, who had enjoyed massive profits from drilling operations going back to 1909 and who, by 1950 had come to rely (as did the U.S.) on Middle East oil for 70% of its consumption (even back then). After a hotly contested dispute, which brought in the League of Nations to re-negotiate in 1933, Iran got slightly more of a percentage and by 1946 had negotiated to get 30% profits to Britain’s 70%.After Mossadegh took over and nationalized Iran’s oil production, Britain quickly attempted to negotiate a 50/50 split, but Mossadegh would have none of it. The dispute between Britain and Iran went on for two years. So on August 22, 1953, with the help of our very own CIA the Mossadegh government was overthrown and The Shah was reinstated. Shortly after, Britain and Iran were negotiating oil.
And shortly after, The Anglo-Iranian Oil Company became British Petroleum. And the rest, as they say, is history.
This clip comes from a CBS newscast of August 21, 1951 when the negotiations had broken down.
Interesting comments on that article regarding Bush and Cheney… (click the audio link to get to comments) It’s funny how quickly people forget…
Btw- I am looking forward to the day that the US is not dependent upon Foreign oil- perhaps that day will bring Peace to the world. 😉
We should also perhaps look forward to the introduction of alternative fuels, such as alcohol, which is used in Brazil, and hemp, which is banned in the United States.
Some time back, I posted an article here on how some say that Rockefeller donated to th
e temperance movement in the US, which resulted in prohibition — this at a time when the Ford T model was produced so it could run on both gasoline and alcohol, which was more readily available at that time in rural areas.
Prohibition banned the production and consumption of ALL alcohol, irrespective of use.