Diplomatic Appointment

As Venezuela got a new President, the nation's biggest private enterprise did likewise. Into the top spot at Creole Petroleum Corp. went Old Venezuela Hand Arthur T. Proudfit, 60, for an unprecedented second term (his first: 1945-54).

Proudfit was the carefully considered choice of Standard Oil Co. (N.J.), Creole's parent company. Seven weeks ago, his predecessor, Harold ("Duke") Haight, 56, got off a bitter blast at the provisional Venezuelan government's unilateral action in changing the country-company profit split from 50-50 to 60-40. The furious Venezuelans in effect declared him persona non grata.

Proudfit is an old colleague of incoming President Betancourt, worked with him on the original 50-50 formula, looked in on him last Christmas while visiting his daughter and Venezuelan son-in-law. Presumably he can restore warm relations.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.