The Slightly Democratic King

The greatest of the few absolute monarchs left on earth has come out--in his own fashion--for democracy. Two years ago, towering, half-blind King Saud of Saudi Arabia, deep in debt in an oil-rich nation, beset by Nasser's efforts to stir up trouble inside the country, was compelled to call upon his more vigorous and cultivated brother, Crown Prince Feisal, to take charge of the country, save its finances, and restore its prestige in the Arab world. Since then, the treasury has been built up, and the throne has not been embroiled in the intrigues of Arab politics. But last January, Feisal, moving his country gradually forward into the 20th century, cautiously allowed a little press freedom--and the king saw a way of regaining the initiative that he had so humiliatingly lost.

He began encouraging newspaper editors to say things never before publicly uttered in Saudi Arabia. One newspaper called for election of a council with legislative powers, "so the people may feel they are exercising their rights as other people do." Others reported that King Saud himself favored forming parliaments in the provinces--half appointed, half elected--from which a grand national parliament would be chosen to advise the Council of Ministers.

Feisal, believing Saudi Arabia unready for any change so drastic, found himself unexpectedly maneuvered into the company of reactionaries. While the king sipped coffee in his air-conditioned palace with the liberals, and as father of a nation continued to enjoy the companionship of four women daily (one just before morning prayer, one after lunch, one in early evening, one for the night). Premier Feisal had to placate fanatical religious leaders who exploded in fury at every mention of reform. Even the most progressive of his brother princes think no good can come of introducing democracy right now, and fear that the feudal kingdom of Saudi Arabia might fragment if local parliaments were allowed. Frustrated, entangled in bigotry and the ever-sprouting tendrils of corruption in government, Feisal fell seriously ill (most of his life, he has had to endure chronic pain, reportedly the result of a childhood appendectomy). Last week, looking drawn and dejected, he announced that he would leave for Switzerland for medical treatment. King Saud, 58, looking more regally splendid than ever in his new style of democratic monarch, took off for Jidda and Mecca to welcome the year's first pilgrims at the holy places of Islam.

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