Executive orders - Tom Clancy [554]
GOOD MORNING, PRIME Minister. This is Jack Ryan, the President said.
A pleasure to hear your voice. It is late in Washington, is it not? she asked.
We both work irregular hours. I imagine your day is just beginning.
So it is, the voice answered. Ryan had a conventional receiver to his ear. The conversation was on speakerphone as well, and feeding into a digital tape recorder. The CIA had even supplied a voice-stress analyzer. Mr. President, the troubles in your country, have they improved?
We have some hope, but, no, not quite yet.
Is there any way in which we might be of assistance?
Neither voice showed the least emotion beyond the false amity of people suspicious of each other, and trying to hide it.
Well, yes, actually, there is.
Please, then, how may we be of help?
Prime Minister, we have some ships heading through the Arabian Sea at the moment, Ryan told her.
Is that so? Total neutrality in the voice.
Yes, ma'am, it is, and you know it is, and I want your personal assurance that your navy, which is also at sea, will not interfere with their passage.
But why do you ask this? Why should we interfere-for that matter, what is the purpose of your ship movement?
Your word on the matter will suffice, Prime Minister, Ryan told her. His right hand gripped a number 2 lead pencil.
But, Mr. President, I fail to understand the purpose of this call.
The purpose of this call is to seek your personal assurance that the Indian navy will not interfere with the peaceful passage of United States Navy ships through the Arabian Sea.
HE WAS SO weak, she thought, repeating himself that way. Mr. President, I find your call unsettling. America has never spoken to us about such a matter before. You say you move warships close to my country, but not the purpose for the move. The movement of such vessels without an explanation is not the act of a friend. What if she could make him back down?
WHAT DID I TELL YOU? the note from Ben Goodley read.
Very well, Prime Minister, for the third time, will you give me your assurance that there will be no interference in this activity?
But why are you invading our waters? she asked again.
Very well. Ryan paused, and then his voice changed.
Prime Minister, the purpose of the movement does not directly concern your country, but I assure you, those ships will sail on to their destination. Since their mission is one of importance to us, we will not, I repeat not, brook interference of any kind, and I must warn you that should any unidentified ship or aircraft approach our formation, there might be adverse consequences. No, please excuse me, there will be such consequences. To avoid that, I give you notice of the passage, and I request your personal assurance to the United States of America that there will be no attack on our ships.
And now you threaten me? Mr. President, I understand the stress which has come to you of late, but, please, you may not treat sovereign countries in this way.
Prime Minister, then I will speak very clearly. An overt act of war has been committed against the United States of America. Any interference with, or attack on, any part of our military will be deemed a further act of war, and whatever country commits such an act will face the most serious possible consequences.
But who has done this to you?
Prime Minister, that is not your concern unless you wish it to be. I think in the interests of both your country and mine, it would be well if your navy returned to port forthwith.
And you blame us, you order us?
I began with a request, Prime Minister. You saw fit to evade my request three times. I regard that as an unfriendly act. And so I have a new question: Is it your desire to be at war with the United States of America?
Mr. President-
Because if those ships don't move, Prime Minister, you will be. The pencil snapped in Ryan's hand.