Mark Spaid - Falcon Down

“Ah, I see you’ve detected my ruse.”

“Well, I didn’t buy in completely to the Hooterville version of yourself. I knew there was more substance than that.”

“You know, growing up I was a simple country girl with no knowledge of the outside world and a naïve impression of everyone around me. Then I entered politics and saw otherwise. I had to adjust and I did but I tried to keep the most important parts of who I was.”

“I think you have, Madam President.” They looked at one another for a moment then they both grinned.

“Okay, I’m guessing you’re ready to cut the jabber and get down to the nuts and bolts of this thing.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Me too, we’ve exhausted the small talk so, let’s go.”

“May I start with questions?”

“Sure.”

“Alright, whose idea was it for the treaty talks?”

“When Russia took over The Crimea during the Ukrainian revolution, tensions between Russia and the U.S. escalated. There’s never been a friendship between the two nations. In the old days of the Tsars the U.S. was calling for more freedom for the lower classes, the end of serfdom, elections, etc. Then under the Communists of course the call was greater. Radio Free Europe beaming broadcasts into the old Soviet Union telling the people how bad their government was. The Soviets came back with our problems such as the racial divide and that argument was not without merit. After the fall of communism in Russia, there was a brief moment of friendship overtures but as time has passed, we’ve descended back into a less tense cold war but a cold war nevertheless. Each side has about seven thousand missiles pointed at each other. So, friends? No, and it’s not likely to occur in the future unless there’s a common enemy that emerges.”

“Muslim extremism?” Justin posed.

“That could work.”

“So, was it Russia or we that made the first overture?”

“Deniken wanted a resolution so we could move forward. He wants out of The Crimea at least as a governing influence. He approached President Clark but Amos wouldn’t even talk. To him it was still 1958 and the commies were everywhere.”

“Then fate intervened and you became President.”

“Yes, and Deniken saw his opportunity. Amos had met with Deniken in Paris about six months before he died. For one of the few times I was along with the President. I managed to get a note to Deniken and suggested that we had a common goal. He arranged a secret meeting. If Amos knew about it, he never let on that he did at least not to me.”

“What’d you talk about?”

“War, peace, the Middle East and finally The Crimea and The Ukraine.”

“The bread basket of Europe,” Justin remarked and Ellen grinned.

“Yes, and it’s still coveted by Russia.”

“Was it Deniken who broached the subject of a treaty?”

“It was veiled but yes. I told him I agreed but that Amos never would as long as he was President.”

“But then you became President.”

“Yes, and Deniken put out a feeler within a week.”

“For a meeting?”

“A secret meeting between Andrew Bellingham and Vasily Glasovitch.”

“Where?”

“Reykjavik.”

“Sufficiently obscure to not raise any eyebrows,” Justin said as he wrote.

“Yes, and we sent Andrew instead of Marty Ingersoll. When the Secretary of State leaves Washington the press is all over it. Andrew took a three am flight and drove himself to the airport.”

“I see, so you were up to clandestine things early in your Presidency.”

“Yes, the idea of a transparent presidency is a fallacy and anyone who proposes that is deluding themselves and if they continue to talk about transparency then they’re a liar. Many things must be kept from the people to get anything done. Of course, we intended to reveal the treaty to the American people and we did but not until it was complete.”

“Can you reveal the contents of the treaty?”

“Oh, sure, it’s not a secret anymore. The two main issues are Russian takeover of The Crimean Peninsula and Ukrainian membership in NATO.”

“I take it Russia views The Ukraine in NATO as a knife aimed at Russia’s throat.”

“Exactly, you know you should be in the diplomatic corps or be an advisor to me.”

“Couldn’t do it, they dress too formally for me. As you can see slacks, a polo shirt and red tennis shoes are my garb.”

“I like informal but you’re right The State Department and the White House Protocol Office are sticklers for formal attire.”

“How long did it take to work out the details of the treaty?” Justin asked.

“Six days and I mean long days. Language was a big hurdle. Andrew understands some Russian but not enough. One word out of place can change the entire meaning of a passage and we needed to be absolutely accurate. Glasovitch speaks English fluently but would only speak Russian during the negotiations.”

“So as not to cow down to the Americans.”

“Yes, precisely. So, with every sentence by both sides undergoing translation it took forever just to say hello.” Justin laughed, put his pencil down and leaned back to stretch.

“Do you always take written notes in an interview?” Ellen asked.

“Yes, people are more open without a tape recorder and I wouldn’t want what we say here to get out somehow. You know someone breaking into my hotel room to steal the tape. I keep my notebook with me at all times.”

“Very wise on your part. No wonder you have a high trust level.” Justin gave a puzzled look. “Remember I told you that we had a thorough vetting process. I know all about you, even that your father is Phillip Randolph.”

“You do?”

“Oh, yes, you have quite a pedigree you know.”

“Yes, I do.”

“I know he’s proud.”

“How do you know?”

“I talked to him about a month ago. He was in Washington and stopped by my office.”

“He has access to the White house?”

“Phillip Randolph has access to just about any place he wants.” Justin nodded understanding.

“Back to the treaty. Why does Deniken want this?”

“He wants to dispel the notion that Russia is a land grabbing imperialist power.”

“But they are, they always have been.”

“I know and so does he and that’s what he’s trying to change.”

“Who opposes the treaty exactly?” Justin asked.

“The Stalinists of course and other sections of the population that don’t want to see the U.S. gain anything.”

“So, we get Russia out of the Crimean Peninsula, I guess that’s a gain but it also eliminates a trigger point.”

“Yes,” Ellen said.

“We lose The Ukraine in NATO but that could be a good thing down the road since they’re going to remain pro-U.S. anyway. The Ukraine in NATO means if Russia attacks them for any reason that’s NATO and then we have war across the board. This is good for both sides,” Justin posed.

“Of course, and Deniken’s reasoning is just like yours and mine and that’s the reason he put forth the idea of the treaty.”

“I see, I hadn’t thought about it much but this is a good idea for both camps. It eases tension and reduces the chances of war. The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty under Kennedy, SALT under Nixon and START under Reagan were very similar. I hope it goes off without any problems.” Ellen said nothing. “But you do anticipate problems.”

“Andrew thinks the Russians may up the ante to express their opposition.”

“Makes sense. I’d say given the dubious value of The Ukraine in NATO, which could only be symbolic, the opposition in Russia feels that Deniken has been too generous.”

“You’re grasp of international relations is exceptional, Mr. Weaver.”