“I am surprised, Madame Ambassador,” the ambassador from China said, “that you oppose this motion.” He paused for an appreciative murmur to sweep across the room. “Surely the United States is concerned about the massacre of so many civilians, women and children among them?”
“Of course we’re concerned,” she said immediately, silently damning him for even daring to play that card. As if China had any right to protest the massacre of countless civilians, given their own record on human rights. “Our forces are now standing by to augment and support the UN peacekeeping efforts in the area.”
The ambassador laughed softly. “Peacekeeping. An aircraft carrier loaded with missiles, bombs and fighter aircraft is an excellent weapon — I mean to say, tool — for peacekeeping, yes?”
“Many nations have thought so,” she shot back. “Including your own, I believe.”
“The United States confuses peace with imposing its own wishes on a region.” T’ing nodded at the shouts of agreement now, primarily from China’s client states. The young Asian Tigers, she thought bitterly, sweeping her gaze over them and counting their numbers. The world applauded their economic aggressiveness, sought to emulate them in ways that would never ever work in the American culture. But let China follow the path she feared it was taking, and they would be the first to cry for United States intervention. If China ever moved to dominate the region, there would be no stopping her. At least not without another world war. Couldn’t they see that? That someday in the not too distant future they would need the aid of the other country they now tried to humiliate in this very forum?
“The USS Jefferson is at the United Nation’s disposal,” she said.
“A careful choice of words,” the ambassador replied. “But of course, it is not under the direct command of our UN task force commander, is it? No, it sits there willing to provide resources to support this noble effort only at those times that the United States deems it appropriate. In reality, it is no more than a pawn in these games we play.”
Aha, got him! “It is hardly a game, Ambassador. Not when so many lives are at stake.”
“Is the United States serious about peace in Macedonia?” he asked. “Prove to me that she is serious. Prove it to the world.”
Do not ask the question. Alarms were going off in her mind as she saw what he intended to do. Do not ask it, oh no, do not ask it. Not because you do not know the answer — but because you do. And what he’s about to propose is completely unacceptable. Completely.
“We’re following the well-established and eminently sensible practice that characterizes UN actions today. Our forces are available. As are the forces of other nations that have agreed to participate.”
The ambassador nodded sagely. “Oh, yes. As in the previous UN peacekeeping forces that were actually a front for American aggression. As in the Persian Gulf. As in Hong Kong. Infringing on the rights of other nations under the pretext of international relations.”
Is that what this is about? Hong Kong? Probably… and I’m afraid I don’t like what it is going to cost us this time.
She thought of Hong Kong as she had known it over the decades, an amazing, teaming center of financial activity and commerce in the midst of isolation and ethnic suspicion. It had survived because it must. That part of the world needed a Hong Kong in order to trade, as a buffer zone between their own isolationist cultures and the rest of the world. But since the Chinese takeover of administration of the area, the Chinese government had come to a startling realization: given enough money, enough power, and sufficient reason for action, the Chinese political ideology was as vulnerable to corruption as any of the Western governments. With the economic well-being of so many tied to the political maneuverings, it was no wonder that China was still smarting over the last U.S. intervention in the area.
“The only way, I believe, that the United States can demonstrate her complete commitment to this force is to place operational command of USS Jefferson in the hands of the UN commander. That, and that alone will prove her sincerity.” He said the words carefully, throwing down the challenge in dulcet tones.
I had not expected you to be so blunt. What do you know that I do not, what makes you so sure of yourself that you’d make this move in public? There’s something we’re missing — something that will get too many of our men and women killed if I don’t find out what it is.
Now speaking out loud, she said, “Of course, this is outside my range of expertise.” No one missed the sardonic expression on the Chinese ambassador’s face. “But I can consult with the president and determine his wishes. It is unlikely that we would be willing to do that unless every other nation committed to this effort did so as well.”
“Then I suggest an immediate poll of the other ambassadors,” he said. “Perhaps hearing how the rest of this world views the notion might have some impact on your president.”
Is that what it is? You already have your supporters lined up?
“It is certainly something to be discussed,” she said calmly. She turned to the current secretary general, the ambassador from Iceland. “In fact, it is so important a question that I suggest a special subcommittee be appointed to investigate.”
The secretary general, who’d been watching the entire play-by-play with no expression on his broad impassive face, said immediately, “Of course. An excellent idea. If the following members will agree to serve, they may consider the matter and advise us of their recommendations. Britain, Yemen, Ethiopia, and Singapore. Do the members consent?”
And what drives you? You’re usually on our side for one reason or another. I see the point to Britain and Yemen and Ethiopia as well — they’re all probably on our side. But Singapore? What is it that you know about them that I do not? Is that what the Chinese ambassador is worried about, something to do with Singapore? She glanced over at T’ing. His face was a carefully orchestrated mask of outrage. But the secretary general’s order required no vote from the membership.
“Do the members agree to serve?” the secretary general asked.
The British Ambassador rose. “Of course. We are honored to be a part of such an undertaking with such possible broad implications for both this august body and others in the world. This question of sovereignty, of cooperation between peoples to achieve world peace — it is a difficult matter. And this one central question often arises.”
And what did he mean by that, other bodies such as this? She stared at the British Ambassador for a moment, hoping to pick up some clue from his expression. He turned in her direction, offered a bland smile that revealed nothing, then turned back to his notes. Yemen and Ethiopia accepted in short order, as did Singapore, although apparently with some hesitation and confusion on the part of its ambassador.
“Well, then.” The secretary general had the expression of a man who should be rubbing his hands together vigorously, please with a difficult task well done. “Shall we table this matter until our subcommittee reports in?”
And there’s no telling how long that could take. Is that what he’s doing, simply kicking it over to the subcommittee to buy me some time? But then Singapore… what is it about Singapore?