Executive orders - Tom Clancy [260]
Line in the sand? Cliff asked. There's no reason to do that yet. Look, let's be sensible about this, okay? Iran and Iraq merge and form this new United Islamic Republic, fine. Then what? It takes them years to get the new country organized. In that time, forces which we know to be under way in Iran weaken the theocratic regime that's been giving us such a royal pain in the butt. This is not a one-way deal, is it? We can expect that from the influence the secular elements in Iraqi society will necessarily have in Iran. If we panic and get pushy, we make life easier for Daryaei and his fanatics. But if we take it easy, then we lessen the imperative for them to stoke up the rhetoric against us. Okay, we can't stop this merger, can we? Rutledge went on. So if we can't, what do we do? We think of it as an opportunity to open a dialogue with the new country.
There was a certain logic to the proposal, Adler noted, noting also the tentative nods around the conference table. He knew the proper buzzwords. Opportunity. Dialogue.
That'll really make the Saudis feel warm and fuzzy, a voice objected from the far end of the table. It was Bert Vasco, the most junior man here. Mr. Rutledge, I think you underestimate the situation. Iran managed the assassination-
We have no proof of that, do we?
And Al Capone was never convicted for Valentine's Day, but I saw the movie. Being called into the Oval Office had enlivened the desk officer's rhetoric. Adler raised an amused eyebrow. Somebody is orchestrating this, starting with the shooting, continuing with the elimination first of the military high command, and then second with the slaughter of the Ba'ath Party leadership. Next, we have this religious revival now under way. The picture I have of this is one of renewed national and religious identity. That will attenuate the moderating influences you referred to. The internal dissent in Iran will be knocked back a full year at least by these developments-and we don't know what else might be going on. Daryaei's a plotter, and a good one. He's patient, dedicated, and one ruthless son of a bitch-
Who's on his last legs, one of Rutledge's allies in the room objected.
Says who? Vasco shot back. He's managed this one pretty sharp.
He's in his seventies.
He doesn't smoke or drink. Every tape we have of him in public, he looks vigorous enough. Underestimating this man is a mistake we've made before.
He's out of touch with his own people.
Maybe he doesn't know that. He's having a good year so far, and everybody likes a winner, Vasco concluded.
Bert, maybe you're just worried about losing your desk when they form the UIR, someone joked. It was a low blow, aimed by a senior man at a junior, with chuckles around the table to remind him of that. The resulting silence told the Secretary of State that there was a consensus forming, and not the one he wanted. Time to take control again.
Okay, moving on, Adler said. The FBI will be back tomorrow to talk to us about the purloined letter. And guess what they'll be bringing?
Not the Box again, someone groaned. Nobody noticed the way Rutledge's head turned.
Just think of it as a routine test for our security clearances, SecState told his principal subordinates. Polygraphs weren't exactly unknown for the senior people here.
God damn it, Scott, Cliff said, speaking for the others. Either we're trusted or we're not. I've already wasted hours with those people.
You know, they never found Nixon's letter of resignation, either, another said.
Maybe Henry kept it, a third joked.
Tomorrow. Starting at ten o'clock. Myself included, Adler told them. He thought it a waste of time as well.
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