"Our immediate priority," McDonough said, "is a stable, neutral and genuinely moderate regime in Iran. Naval bases and listening posts may come later."
Alientar nodded, but his expression showed skepticism. "Of course. So what will you tell the president?"
"Tell him? Well, I believe I'll tell him that President Alientar has promised the world. Again. I'll offer the opinion that you are in no position to deliver anything, that you can't even guarantee your own safe return to Iran."
The Iranian nearly threw the glass of whiskey to the floor. "You are an insulting—"
"I'll also tell him that the factions inside Iran that engineered the terrorist attacks in Washington, D.C., still exist and still influence your actions — the evidence is in your self-imposed exile. I'll also tell him that you don't have the power to stop the on-going Revolutionary Guard speedboat attacks on neutral shipping in the Persian Gulf. And that any substantive deal with you would be a waste of time."
Alientar appeared ready to go for McDonough's throat. "However, sir, the president disagrees with my view in this matter. He will ask me what you have offered, and I will say that you have offered to form a stable, moderate Muslim government friendly to the West; that you have offered naval bases and air strips; that you generally feel that the United States is the lesser of two evils and you can better profit by us than by the Russians. I'll tell him about your supposed concern for the strategic balance in the region but also make clear that above all you are looking out for number one. "
Alientar kept seated, trying to decipher McDonough's words.
"Will that supply the requisite amount of humility and defiance, Mr. President?"
Alientar managed a smile: a bright man, this McDonough… "You are indeed insolent, McDonough, just like the rest of your kinsmen in Scotland. But you have another very annoying attribute — you seem to know what you are talking about. You are a man I can deal with — for now."
"That's real good, Mr. President, because until there's a noticeable and positive shift in the political climate in Iran, I will be your only contact with the American government… For now, I've been authorized to deliver to you the following message: The United States views the evolving political scene in the Republic of Iran as a necessary and vital precursor to future stability in the region. Such stability is without question of major importance to the United States. Outside intervention of any kind would be seen as a destabilizing influence on this politically sensitive area, and we would view such outside actions as a potential threat to the security of the United States and her allies." McDonough took a deep breath, needing more breath for this diplomatic jargon with its weight of hot air, which was not especially his style… "Therefore, the United States will take such actions as it deems necessary to protect our interests in Iran, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea region to prevent such destabilizing influences. We ask for the full cooperation of the government of President Falah Alientar in any future conflicts where our two governments might be at risk."
Alientar tossed down the rest of the Scotch. "Your president has just written himself a blank check, drawn on our account. "
"It's a matter of public record that the president supports you and your government. I'd suggest that you nourish his support. There are others besides myself who'll be pushing him to have nothing to do with your government until we have some assurances that you won't become an embarrassment. "
"And what would you have me do, Mr. McDonough? You've already told me that my promises mean nothing to you. "
"Free elections, open negotiations, end actions against neutral or nonaligned shipping in the Persian Gulf…"
"You think it is so easy," Alientar said. "Just stop the fighting. Lay down your weapons; come out and shake hands, eh?"
"Could be."
"Perhaps you are more naive than I thought, McDonough. From the time when I took control of the government my weapons have been my survival. If I lay them down… I will be destroyed, from without as well as within."
"Your internal fight will be your own. Washington won't hiterfere. This president feels differently than past presidents — to him political unrest, even civil war, is another turn of the wheel of social evolution. Only when outside governments try to influence or intervene is action dictated."
Alientar stood and retrieved his coat. "What assurances do I have, McDonough, that your government will act to protect Iran from foreign interference?"
"None. But you understand the workings of the American govermnent better than most in the Middle East. The president wants to strengthen ties with Iran and keep Soviet influence in the region to a minimum. In an election year like this, open commitments to you will be few if any. But if we're pushed to protect our interests in the Persian Gulf, we will act. You can take that one to the bank, sir. And you know about banks, they're the ones with stuff that makes the world round."
CHAPTER 4
The crack of the bat reverberated through the stadium like a shot from a high-powered rifle. It was one of those unmistakable, instantly recognizable sounds — a good, solid, snapping thwack that even those who didn't follow baseball knew meant "home run." The left fielder did not even bother looking up for the ball, merely hung his head in disbelief, spit on the turf and punched a fist into his glove as he watched four men orbit the bases and stomp on home plate. Twenty thousand fans in the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum groaned as Reggie Jackson, manager of the Oakland A's, headed for the moufid to give the pitcher the hook and put in the fourth A's reliever of the game. "It's about time Jackson took that guy out," veteran battleship commander Captain Matthew Page, age fifty, said, his face a deep crimson. "Three innings, five earned runs. Great. Just great." He took a gulp of beer.
His wife shook her head at him. "Matt, your blood pressure… "
"My blood pressure would be a damn sight better if Jackson would learn how to tell when a reliever is starting to miss the strike zone. Kelly has a split-finger, a curve, and a slider. In the sixth inning he came out and pitched ninety percent split-fingers. His one slider went straight in the dirt. The man was in trouble. In the seventh he shook his right arm before he went into his motion and everyone was surprised when he walked two guys and allowed two base hits. Now Wade Boggs… God, isn't that guy ever going to retire?… Nails a half-assed curve for a grand slam. I would've had a guy warming up in the bullpen the minute I saw—"
Captain Page's daughter, Ann, reached over to her right and picked up the wall phone in the U.S. Navy's officer's Coliseum skybox and handed the receiver to her father. "What's this?"
"It's for you." The other navy commanders and their families in the skybox. strained to listen. "It's Reggie Jackson. He wants you to be quiet and stop annoying your family."
Captain Page's ears reddened beneath his sandy salt-and-pepper hair. "You're right about his blood pressure, Mother," Ann said, tweaking one of the battleship commander's ears. "He looks like he's ready to pop any second."