Executive orders - Tom Clancy [179]
I presume your satellite photos are as clear as ours on the issue. Their military is at an unusually high state of readiness.
Our people are divided on that, Ryan said. They might be building up to put some more pressure on Taiwan. They've been building their navy up.
Their navy isn't ready for combat operations yet. Their army still is, and their rocket forces. Neither is going to cross the Formosa Strait, Mr. President.
That made the reason for his trip clear enough. Jack paused to look out the window at the Washington Monument, surrounded as it was by a circle of flagpoles, rather like a garland. What was it George had said about avoiding entangling foreign alliances? But it had been a far simpler world back then, two months to cross the Atlantic, not six or seven hours
If you are asking what I think you are, yes-or should I say, no.
Could you clarify?
America would not look kindly upon an attack by China against Russia. Such a conflict would have very adverse effects upon world stability, and would also impede your progress to full democratic status. America wants to see Russia become a prosperous democracy. We were enemies long enough. We should be friends, and America wants her friends safe and peaceful.
They hate us, they covet what we have, Golovko went on, not satisfied with America's statement.
Sergey, the time for nations to steal what they cannot earn is past. It's history, and not to be repeated.
And if they move on us anyway?
We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, Sergey, the President answered. The idea is to prevent such actions. If it appears that they are really thinking about a move, we'll counsel them to reconsider. We are keeping an eye on things.
I don't think you understand them. Another push, Ryan saw. They really were worked up about this.
Do you think anyone does? Do you think they themselves know what they want? The two intelligence officers-that was how both men would always think of themselves-shared a look of professional amusement.
That is the problem, Golovko admitted. I try to explain to my President that it is difficult to predict the behavior of undecided people. They have capabilities, but so do we, and the calculus of the matter appears different from both sides-and then the personalities come into play. Ivan Emmetovich, those are old men with old ideas. Their personalities are the major consideration here.
And history, and culture, and economics, and trade-and I haven't had the chance to look them in the eye yet. I'm weak on that part of the world, Jack reminded his guest. I spent most of my life trying to figure you people out.
So you will stand with us?
Ryan shook his head. It's too early and too speculative to go that far. We will do everything in our power, however, to prevent a possible conflict between the PRC and Russia. If it happens, you'll go nuclear. I know it. You know it. I think they know it.
They don't believe it.
Sergey, nobody's that stupid. Ryan made a mental note to discuss this with Scott Adler, who knew the region far better than he did. It was time to close the book on that issue for the moment, and open another. Iraq. What are your people saying?
Golovko grimaced. We had a network go down three months ago. Twenty people, all shot or hanged-after interrogation, that is. What we have left doesn't tell us much, but it appears that senior generals are preparing to do something.
Two of them just showed up in the Sudan this morning, Ryan told him. It wasn't often he caught Golovko by surprise.
So fast?
Ryan nodded, handing over the photographs from the Khartoum airport. Yep.
Golovko scanned them, not knowing the faces, but not really needing to. Information passed along at this level was never, ever faked. Even with enemies and former enemies, a nation had to keep its word on some things. He handed the photos back. Iran, then. We have some people there, but we've heard nothing in the last few days. It's a dangerous environment in which to operate, as you know. We expect that Daryaei had something to