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Article: A passion for palaces. (King Hassan II of Morocco)
- Article from:
- The Economist (US)
- Article date:
- April 14, 1990
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1990 Economist Newspaper Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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KING HASSAN'S new palace at Agadir was inaugurated on March 3rd. It is decorated with carved cedar-wood, gold leaf, marble and mosaic. One room contains an 11-ton Venetian crystal chandelier. Within the palace grounds lie three golf courses (one has only nine holes): the king is an enthusiastic golfer. The royal pile reputedly cost $360m. It is his tenth palace.
"The government", said the king in his first speech from the Agadir palace, "must reduce all expenditure." He warned fellow Moroccans of hard times ahead. The country has widening trade and budget deficits. Besides, it needs to pay for the king's 11th palace, in the Saharan oasis of Tafilalt, the ...