Redirecting his thoughts, the Deputy Secretary General got on with the formalities of their meeting.
“All of you know our esteemed Energy Minister here.
During a recent conference with Premier Korsakov, Comrade Glebov presented some excellent points as to the future direction of the Motherland’s energy policy.
The Premier gave these points much thought, and subsequently requested that this meeting of minds be called. Though Premier Korsakov would have loved to be here in person, he’s currently preparing for next week’s trip to New York City, where he’ll be addressing the United Nations Security Council. You can rest assured, though, that your suggestions will reach his ear the moment I return to the Kremlin. So with this said, I’d like you to join me at the conference table, and we can get on with the matters of state that have brought us together today.”
Placecards indicated their positions at the table.
Viktor Rykov sat with his back to the fire. On his left sat the close-lipped Energy Minister, Pyotr Glebov, while Vladimir Kamenev placed his sweating bulk to the Deputy Secretary General’s right. This left Alexander Kuznetsov seated directly across from the dapper Rykov.
No sooner did they get settled when Rykov began speaking.
“This meeting has been called today to discuss one extremely important factor of the Rodina’s future energy policy. It is because of outposts like Vorkuta that our homeland now finds itself in the enviable position of having vast amounts of oil available for export.
“In this era of perestroika, the very foundation of socialism is being reformed. As our nation prepares to enter the twenty-first century, this readjustment is taking place on many levels. Comrade Kamenev’s Defense Ministry was one of the first areas to feel the tide of reform. Rather than emerging as a weaker organization, I’m certain that Minister Kamenev would agree that today’s Soviet defense forces are stronger than ever. The fat has been cut out. Wasteful, obsolete, and redundant weapon systems have been scrapped, and hundreds of thousands of troops redeployed to the civilian sector, to create a lean, efficient fighting force second to none.
“Times have drastically changed since our founding fathers first raised the red banner of Communism.
Now, to compete in the new world marketplace, the USSR. has had to make fundamental changes in the way it does business. Our people cry out for more basic foodstuffs and consumer goods, but before we can satisfy these demands, our industries must totally reorganize.
The radical shift from making tanks and other military hardware to automobiles and household appliances can’t be completed overnight. It will take time and most importantly, a great deal of money.
Like never before, hard currency will be needed in enormous amounts to pay for the high-technology production systems, many of which will have to be imported from abroad. Where will this hard currency come from? It is this difficult question that we’ve been called together today to discuss.”
Halting at this point, Viktor Rykov took a second to carefully scan the faces of his rapt audience before continuing.
“What we currently lack in consumer goods, we more than make up for in basic raw materials.
The Rodina is particularly blessed with abundant reserves of oil. Beneath our very feet lies a virtually untapped supply of rich black crude. Only recently have our rigs begun pumping up this treasure. While flying into Vorkuta this morning, I personally saw these platforms at work. Many more will soon be online.
The potential here is enormous. Yet how do we best make use of this valuable commodity?
“Ten days ago, Pyotr Glebov came to the Kremlin to discuss this very subject with our Premier. Our Energy Minister’s thoughts on this matter were most dear, and I’m certain that all of you would be enlightened to hear them. So if you don’t mind, Comrade Glebov, would you please share a portion of your plan with us today?”
All eyes went to the bespectacled Energy Minister, who seemed totally surprised by this request. As he pulled the heavily starched collar of his white shirt away from his scrawny neck, he nervously cleared his throat.
“I had no idea that I was going to be called upon to make a presentation, Comrade Rykov. At the very least I would have brought along my charts and maps to make things clearer.”
“Relax, comrade, you are among friends today,” said Viktor Rykov.
“It was my express desire to make this meeting as informal as possible. So merely do your best to share with us the high points of your visionary plan to distribute the by-products of the Vorkuta oil field. Would a map of Europe help you?”
“By all means,” replied Glebov.
Viktor Rykov reached into his briefcase and pulled out a map, unfolded it and spread it flat on the table, revealing a chart that showed the European continent extending west to the Ural Mountains.
Satisfied with this visual aid, Pyotr Glebov again cleared his throat and continued.
“The main purpose of my recent trip to Moscow was to present to the Premier the final route of the soon-to-be started VorkutatoMoscow oil pipeline. Stretching over eighteen hundred kilometers, this project will be responsible for conveying millions of barrels of oil to where it’s most needed, the industrial heard and of our country.
“Our enlightened Premier was most concerned about the ecological impact of such a project. My ministry has done an extensive study of this aspect, and I was able to allay the Premier’s fears by sharing with him the unique design of the pipeline itself and our emergency contingency plans, which deal with almost any type of disaster.” He looked intently into each face.
“After he was completely satisfied with our efforts in this field, I approached the Premier with an idea that’s been on my mind for some time now. Since the Vorkuta field is capable of producing much more oil than is presently needed by our own industry, why not sell the excess petroleum on the open market? And what better way to distribute this product than to build a pipeline to the West that will carry our oil straight into the heart of energy-starved Europe!”
Newfound confidence guided the Energy Minister’s actions as he reached forward and traced an imaginary line from Moscow to Hamburg, Germany.
“By doubling the length of the Vorkutato-Moscow pipeline, we could have an outlet that will guarantee the Rodina an enormous amount of hard currency for decades to come.”
“That’s quite an idea,” interrupted Defense Minister Kamenev.
“But wouldn’t such a project be incredibly expensive to implement?”
Pyotr Glebov shook his head.
“Not really, comrade.
By ordering the extra pipe now, we could save millions of rubles as the Vorkutato-Moscow order is fulfilled, and our market trends show that even at the going rate for energy, the line will pay for itself in less than five years. Oil will only increase in value as the years go by.”
“But what of the route itself?” countered Vladimir Kamenev.
“Once it leaves our borders, it would be a political nightmare.”
“I beg to differ with you,” returned Glebov.
“Over half of the route lies on Russian soil. The majority of the rest goes through the territory of our Warsaw Pact allies, Poland and East Germany. They too have great energy needs, and I’m certain that a compromise could be reached without too much difficulty.”
The Defense Minister nodded and Alexander Kuznetsov alertly broke in.
“Such an ambitious project indeed looks attractive, comrades. But aren’t we forgetting that Europe already has energy suppliers?
What about Great Britain, the Netherlands, and the Arab states?”
“Your observations are most astute, Admiral,” replied the Energy Minister.
“But we have already factored in these external sources, and the results are the same. As their resources dwindle, ours will increase.