This particular plant was producing communications equipment. His designers had developed a router much more powerful than anything Cisco had available, but Kamal made them shelve this project to work on projects of more immediate use. These would later come to market via his Chinese operation.
The plant produced radio systems that were sold all through Europe and the Middle East. Taxi systems, CB radios, walkie talkies, and even mobile telephones were made here.
However, the most important project as far as Kamal was concerned, was the development of 100 % secure communications. Speech from a mobile telephone handset was converted to a digital signal which was heavily encrypted using advanced algorithms. This was then sent across a regular telephone line, but was diverted on many hops around the globe on the way. In this way, not only was the conversation completely secure, but the source of the signal was totally untraceable.
"You have a visitor Mr. Pashwari" said Eva the pretty redheaded receptionist via the intercom system.
"I am expecting no-one, who is it?" asked Kamal.
"He is a very tall man with blue eyes and a strange accent. He would not leave his name but said you would know him from his description" reported Eva.
Kamal knew instantly the identity of the mysterious stranger, "Please direct him to my office. Bring us tea. Then ensure we are not disturbed".
When he opened the door, he was surprised to see The Sheikh wearing western style dress, carrying a briefcase. Gone were his telltale hat and bushy beard.
They embraced warmly at the door for more than fifteen seconds.
"Welcome, come in my old friend" beckoned Kamal.
When they had both gotten comfortable and Eva had brought tea and departed, the conversation began. Both men knew that Kamal’s office was totally secure and they were able to converse freely.
"What brings you to Russian my friend?" asked Kamal.
"There are things soon to happen that will ensure we may never be able meet again" said bin Laden.
"Tomorrow there will be an attack on the ’Great Satan’ which will bring them to their knees. I will probably become the most sought after person in history. I am going back to the hills in Afghanistan. I will avoid all technology to ensure we remain undetected." The Sheikh explained.
"Can I help with this attack? I am prepared to do anything." asked an anxious Kamal.
"That is the reason I have come here to see you Kamal. I have a far more important task for you. Are you still prepared to do anything to help?"
"You have but to ask," said Kamal with excitement.
"I wish you to take over my organization while I am in hiding" smiled bin Laden.
Kamal was astounded, "But I am not capable, and besides, I have a business to run."
"That is exactly why you are the perfect person to take control. You have so much money that funding will not be a problem, and you can travel the world without raising suspicion because of your extensive business interests."
"Of course, I will do what I can to help, but I am not sure I am capable of becoming a warrior leader of Islam" said a nervous Kamal.
"What is needed is someone who can travel the world and unite our brothers. There are other organizations such as Jamiya Islamaya in Indonesia, Hamas in Gaza and Lebanon, and the SPLA in Sudan just to name a few. Now is the time to work together for our common good."
They chatted intently for nearly three hours, with only breaks for the bathroom, and to get more tea.
"Thank you Kamal, I know you will do whatever is needed" said Osama bin Laden as they embraced again.
Bin Laden pushed the briefcase into Kamal’s hand and said "Everything you need to know is in this briefcase, guard it with your life."
The Sheikh turned around and walked into infamy.
Osama had known that the wrath of the whole western world would descend upon him when the two aircraft smashed into the World Trade Centre in New York on September 11 2001. He went into hiding in the mountains of Afghanistan. Without fanfare, Kamal quietly assumed the mantle of the terrorist leader of the Muslim world.
Because of the untold wealth of his family, both funds "on the books" and those inherited from his father’s numbered Swiss bank accounts, Kamal was able to fund terrorism to an extent never seen before. Yet, the funds were never traced back to him since these amounts were so trivial compared to his vast fortune.
But he still longed to have contact with his mentor Osama bin Laden. Kamal knew that even one encrypted radio signal from the mountains of Afghanistan could cause the death of his old friend. They did have an emergency procedure in place if contact was absolutely necessary, but they both knew this was a last resort.
Chapter 26
Kamal loved his regular visits to London. His father first brought him here as a young man and he loved the history of the place. Besides it had lots of memories for him.
Of all the western cities in the world, this was the one most accepting of the Arab culture.
Even Harrod’s, the most famous department store in the world located in the upmarket Knightsbridge area, was now owned by the Egyptian businessman Mohamed al Fayed.
Heathrow airport even had specific immigration counters for speedy processing of Arab business travelers.
"Welcome Mr. Pashwari. Enjoy your visit to the United Kingdom" said a pretty girl with a broad Scottish accent who stamped his passport without delay.
A limousine was waiting for him. It took nearly an hour for Kamal to be settled into his suite at the famous Savoy Hotel.
The Savoy is a London institution. It has been a landmark in The Strand in the heart of the West End theatre district since it opened in 1889. His three thousand pound a night room had an excellent view of the river. The red and white marble bathroom was larger than many complete London apartments.
Kamal picked up his mobile phone and punched the number for Ben Naqi. Ben was the product of an English mother and a Kuwaiti father, and ran a business specializing in tending to the needs of his extensive clientele of wealthy Arabian visitors. His trademark was utmost confidentiality. Of all his customers, Kamal was by far the wealthiest, and Ben ensured Kamal was looked after personally.
Ben Naqi picked up the phone on the first ring and said "as-salaamu ’alakyam" the traditional Arab greeting. It always amused Kamal to hear Ben’s broad cockney accent which belied his outwardly Arabic appearance.
"Hello Mr. Pashwari, can I assume you are once again visiting our fair city?"
"Yes Ben, I will be here for a couple of days".
"Is it business or pleasure sir?" enquired Ben.
"A little of both I am glad to say."
"What would you like me to arrange for you Sir?" asked Ben, already beginning to contemplate his huge fee.
They spoke for about five minutes and Ben took careful notes about what was required by Kamal. There was no question if any request could be fulfilled. It was just a question of logistics, since money was no object.
Kamal then left the hotel for a short walk to the underground rail network known as The Tube. He spent the whole day riding the underground train system, making notes on a notepad in Arabic. On the way back to his room he purchased some paper and envelopes at a convenience store.
When he returned to the hotel, he showered and dressed. He put on a pair of surgical gloves and opened the paper and envelopes.
He condensed the notes he had taken earlier in the day and wrote in English a list of four transport stops onto a piece of paper. He wrote in large block letters. This he placed in an envelope and slipped the envelope into his inside coat pocket.