Several officials got out of the cars and strode briskly past the shivering honor guard, walking fast toward a twin-engine executive jet visible just inside the hangar’s half-open doors. Two men led the way, talking intently. Plainclothes security men formed a protective phalanx around them.
Nicolas Desaix was on his way back to France — homeward bound after his second quick trip to Germany in as many weeks.
“You agree, then, Herr Chancellor? That the economic measures I’ve proposed are a necessary first step to closer, more formal cooperation between our two nations?” Desaix was insistent, eager for some sign of progress he could take back to Paris. He found the slow-motion processes of normal diplomacy maddening at a time when events were moving so fast.
Heinz Schraeder turned his head toward the Frenchman. Germany’s Chancellor was tall enough to stand eye-to-eye with Desaix, but he carried far more weight on a much broader frame. Thinning black hair and a dour, fleshy face with massive jowls gave him a bulldog look. He nodded. “I agree, monsieur. My cabinet must concur, of course, but…” He shrugged. “They will fall in line.”
He had reason to be confident. Brought to power by Germany’s prolonged economic woes and by a growing hatred of foreign refugees and immigrants, Schraeder’s control over the Bundestag, the Parliament, had rested on a paper-thin majority — a majority threatened by rising public discontent. But now martial law made public opinion immaterial.
“Good. That’s very good. Then we shall have an agreement to sign the next time I see you.” Desaix sounded certain.
The two men crossed into the neon-lit hangar, followed closely by their aides and bodyguards. Airport workers pushed the hangar doors all the way open behind them. A ground crewman wearing ear protectors already stood waiting on the tarmac outside, ready to guide Desaix’s aircraft out onto the runway. With traffic stacking up over the field, Tegel’s managers wanted to get their government’s guests into the air as quickly as possible.
“A great pleasure, Herr Chancellor. As always. I look forward to our next meeting.” Desaix shook hands with the German leader and then hurried up a set of folding stairs into the jet. He turned and waved a final time before disappearing inside. His retinue of aides and guards followed him.
Schraeder stood watching impassively as crewmen closed the French plane’s hatch.
“An interesting man, Herr Chancellor. I can understand why you find him so charming.”
“Charming?” Schraeder glanced sharply at the aide standing by his side. “On the contrary, Werner. I think he’s a smooth-tongued, manipulating swine.” He smiled at the younger man’s shocked expression. “But what I think of Desaix personally doesn’t matter. His ideas make sense. For us, not just for the French. And that is what matters.”
He spoke with conviction. In his judgment, closer ties with France offered the best hope of creating a unified European political and military superpower — a superpower with German industrial might as its driving engine. Earlier attempts to unite the continent had foundered in a sea of conflicting national economic policies, currencies, and cultures. And, in retrospect, the whole idea of trying to create a closer-knit union under such circumstances had been ludicrous — doomed from the very beginning.
The Chancellor snorted. Germany and France, powerhouses in their own right, should never have been expected to bend to whims of smaller, poorer countries. It was unnatural. No, he thought, the weak must follow the lead set by the strong. That was the only rational way to organize the continent. For all his faults, Nicolas Desaix shared the same vision.
Torn by feuding ethnic groups and rival trading blocs, Europe needed order, stability, and discipline to take its rightful place in the world. And only France and Germany could provide the strong leadership Europe needed.
Naturally Schraeder would have preferred that Germany alone occupy center stage in a united Europe. He was not a fool, though. The world’s memories of German militarism and the Third Reich were still too painful for that. Even the comparatively hesitant diplomatic and financial moves his country had made to regain its old influence in Central and Eastern Europe were viewed with strong suspicion. Working hand in glove with France, even letting Paris appear to take the lead, would help hold those suspicions in check.
Heinz Schraeder nodded to himself. Since the end of World War II, a series of leaders from both nations had toiled fairly successfully to cool the long-standing antagonisms between their two countries. High-level contacts, joint military exercises, and continual affirmations of new friendship had all been employed by French presidents and German chancellors to accustom their peoples to working together. Now he and Desaix would reap the rewards of their hard labor.
NOVEMBER 27 — ”EUROCURRENCY ON THE MOVE,”
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Financial and foreign policy experts were stunned by the announcement yesterday of French and German plans for rapid movement toward a single currency. Although details are still being worked out by central bank representatives from the two nations, French Foreign Minister Nicolas Desaix and German Chancellor Heinz Schraeder promised that the new franc-mark, or FM, would be in active circulation “by early next year.” The two men also hailed the accord as a crucial step toward a long-overdue European monetary union. Their optimism seemed justified by reports that officials in Belgium, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, and other Balkan states are all interested in the new currency.
Earlier efforts to develop a common continental monetary system collapsed when the old European Community splintered over trade tariffs and subsidies.…
DECEMBER 1 — ”SCREAMING EAGLES TO STONEHENGE,”
INTERNATIONAL DEFENSE REVIEW
Highly placed Pentagon sources have confirmed that elements of the 101st Airborne Division will participate in next year’s British Army summer maneuvers on the Salisbury Plain. Reportedly the rapid deployment exercise, code-named Operation Atlantic Surge, will involve two of the division’s three airmobile infantry brigades and a substantial portion of its attack helicopter, troop transport, and artillery assets. With more than thirty thousand U.S. Army and Air Force personnel taking part in the June exercise, Atlantic Surge will represent the largest American military effort in recent years.
Congressional critics of the Defense Department are already decrying what one calls “a titanic waste of time and money.…”
Nicolas Desaix listened to his special ambassador’s report without interrupting. Only the tight, angry frown on his face revealed his growing agitation. Professional diplomats never seemed able to say anything plainly — especially when they knew their news wasn’t welcome.
He waited impatiently for the man to run out of steam.
“To summarize, sir, the Polish government has expressed an interest in further talks, although it is disinclined at this time to proceed with formal negotiations on the subject. Apparently Warsaw believes that internal political considerations must temporarily take precedence over other, broader concerns.”
“They’ve turned us down.”
The ambassador shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Admitting failure was not often a good career move in the foreign service. He forced an optimistic tone. “Not in so many words, Minister. And complicated matters of this kind often require prolonged consideration. I’m sure that further discussions will produce…” His voice trailed away under his superior’s icy glare.
“Cut the crap, Bourcet. I know hot air when I hear it. Poland has rejected our offer out of hand.” Desaix’s fingers drummed on his desk as he waited for a reply. “Well? Am I right?”