“I take it Russia views The Ukraine in NATO as a knife aimed at Russia’s throat.”
“Exactly, you know you should be in the diplomatic corps or be an advisor to me.”
“Couldn’t do it, they dress too formally for me. As you can see slacks, a polo shirt and red tennis shoes are my garb.”
“I like informal but you’re right The State Department and the White House Protocol Office are sticklers for formal attire.”
“How long did it take to work out the details of the treaty?” Justin asked.
“Six days and I mean long days. Language was a big hurdle. Andrew understands some Russian but not enough. One word out of place can change the entire meaning of a passage and we needed to be absolutely accurate. Glasovitch speaks English fluently but would only speak Russian during the negotiations.”
“So as not to cow down to the Americans.”
“Yes, precisely. So, with every sentence by both sides undergoing translation it took forever just to say hello.” Justin laughed, put his pencil down and leaned back to stretch.
“Do you always take written notes in an interview?” Ellen asked.
“Yes, people are more open without a tape recorder and I wouldn’t want what we say here to get out somehow. You know someone breaking into my hotel room to steal the tape. I keep my notebook with me at all times.”
“Very wise on your part. No wonder you have a high trust level.” Justin gave a puzzled look. “Remember I told you that we had a thorough vetting process. I know all about you, even that your father is Phillip Randolph.”
“You do?”
“Oh, yes, you have quite a pedigree you know.”
“Yes, I do.”
“I know he’s proud.”
“How do you know?”
“I talked to him about a month ago. He was in Washington and stopped by my office.”
“He has access to the White house?”
“Phillip Randolph has access to just about any place he wants.” Justin nodded understanding.
“Back to the treaty. Why does Deniken want this?”
“He wants to dispel the notion that Russia is a land grabbing imperialist power.”
“But they are, they always have been.”
“I know and so does he and that’s what he’s trying to change.”
“Who opposes the treaty exactly?” Justin asked.
“The Stalinists of course and other sections of the population that don’t want to see the U.S. gain anything.”
“So, we get Russia out of the Crimean Peninsula, I guess that’s a gain but it also eliminates a trigger point.”
“Yes,” Ellen said.
“We lose The Ukraine in NATO but that could be a good thing down the road since they’re going to remain pro-U.S. anyway. The Ukraine in NATO means if Russia attacks them for any reason that’s NATO and then we have war across the board. This is good for both sides,” Justin posed.
“Of course, and Deniken’s reasoning is just like yours and mine and that’s the reason he put forth the idea of the treaty.”
“I see, I hadn’t thought about it much but this is a good idea for both camps. It eases tension and reduces the chances of war. The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty under Kennedy, SALT under Nixon and START under Reagan were very similar. I hope it goes off without any problems.” Ellen said nothing. “But you do anticipate problems.”
“Andrew thinks the Russians may up the ante to express their opposition.”
“Makes sense. I’d say given the dubious value of The Ukraine in NATO, which could only be symbolic, the opposition in Russia feels that Deniken has been too generous.”
“You’re grasp of international relations is exceptional, Mr. Weaver.”
“Thanks, but I’m briefed regularly by Little Wolf.”
“Andy and Jozette’s son.”
“Yes.”
“What makes him an expert?”
“He knows everything.”
“How?”
“I think it has to do with his ancestors.”
“Native Americans?”
“Yes, they see things differently than we do.”
“White people?”
“Precisely,” Justin said chuckling.
“Explain.”
“We miss subtle indicators that people give off and Little Wolf sees and understands those. Native Americans are more observant than white people.”
“I don’t doubt that and it makes you wonder how we won.”
“That’s easy, measles and smallpox.”
“Yeah, that was a terrible thing. I mean it wasn’t deliberate but it was deadly and wiped out thousands of Native Americans.”
“Yes,” Justin said.
“Well, that was an interlude, where were we? Oh, I know, the genius of Little Wolf.”
“We got him or rather Jozette and Andy did when he was ten. We all watched him grow up and his wisdom was there even when he was very young. We’ve all been touched by his understanding of the world and the people in it.”
“And he’s quite a lawyer.”
“Oh, yes, you should see him in the courtroom, it's something to behold.”
“Quite a young man… do you suppose he’d come and work for me?”
“I doubt it but what a plum it’d be for you to have his advice.”
“I’ll keep that in mind for the future.”
“Back to the treaty. What do you think Russia will ask for?”
“No idea but I think they might want a naval base on the west side of The Crimea.”
“Near Sevastopol?”
“Yes.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“I don’t think it’s a problem. I don’t want them to feel hemmed in or they’ll want to expand their Baltic presence.”
“And if they don’t get Sevastopol, they’ll want a base in the Baltic Sea.”
“Exactly.”
“Gotland, maybe?”
“Sweden wouldn’t agree to that.”
“Here’s one that is a possibility… Hiiumaa.” Ellen sat back and sighed.
“You’ve thought about this haven’t you?” Ellen gave Justin a long look and he guessed it.
“Wait, Deniken proposed it, didn’t he?”
“Yes,” Ellen said.
“And?”
“I’m thinking about it.”
“Wow, I thought we’d have learned our lesson after Munich,” Justin remarked
“This isn’t Munich.”
“Isn’t it, though, Madam President?” Ellen sighed and shook her head.
“It is to a certain degree but I don’t want to lose this treaty.”
“I assume you’d want to get Estonia’s approval since you’d be giving away part of their country,” Justin posed.
“It’s a potential mess, Mr. Weaver.”
“What could Estonia get in return?”
“Money, probably from us.”
“That won’t work, the people would revolt if the government tried to sell Hiiumaa; the people who live there for certain would go ballistic.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“What if Deniken stands firm for a Baltic base and Estonia won’t budge?”
“Then the treaty will die… we can’t give away a part of someone else’s country without their consent.”
“But you’d be doing that with Sevastopol.”
“Yes, but the population in The Crimea is Russian by ancestry and language. They’d welcome a Russian presence.”
“But you don’t want the Russians close to the Mediterranean.”
“No, of course not but we may have to accept that to get the deal.” Justin nodded agreement.
“I think you’re right. It’s worth it to get them out of The Crimea,” Justin said.
“Do you have what you need so far?”
“Yes, and thank you.”
“And, you won’t breathe a word of this until we’re back in the states.”
“My lips are sealed until then.”
“Good.”