Harazi said, “We would like to see Iran disappear altogether and we would support anything toward that objective, short of nuclear war. Militarily we are somewhat helpless as to send troops far from our borders, for that would be to invite disaster as the entire Middle East would descend upon it.”
Dazdraperm set down the tea and added, “Your president could reiterate that he supports our right to self-defense and could encourage NATO to mobilize. Perhaps more US forces might be pertinent. If Iran saw these forces moving against them from every direction on a grand scale they would view things a bit differently.”
“That is an excellent idea and I will certainly relay that to the president. I like it personally and that may well be the answer he has been looking for.”
Smoke curled around Harazi’s head. “You might mention that it is possible that the Iranians would attack both of our countries simultaneously. Our models indicate a very high probability that would be the strategy most likely to succeed. One could suspect from Khalilullah 'Abd al-Wahhab’s statements the hatred runs equally deep for both our countries. If he was to attack one country and not the other, the models indicate the retaliation would be catastrophic for them.”
Robinson walked over to the window and looked upon the Holy City below. The pair of leaders joined him.
Harazi continued, “They must be stopped before they develop visions of a holy war that the ends in Armageddon. It is unfortunate how many cling to the book of Revelation in that regard.”
“Certainly so, they must be stopped and time is marching against us.”
Chapter Ten
Kuznetsov began his offer of peace to the world by inviting the Ambassadors and their wives of the EU and Baltic States.
As darkness fell over Moscow, the ambassadors arrived from Sheremetyevo International and then were provided Russian armor-plated limousines for the ten minute chauffeured drive. The guests were led to a dining room that Kusnetsov often used for special occasions, a cozy candlelit chamber that featured a large rectangular dining table covered in white linen and Russian-made china that dated back to the early Czars, along with ornate silverware belonging to the former King of Prussia. Name cards engraved in gold could be found at each setting.
Kusnetsov greeted the German ambassador. “Ah, my first guest has arrived!” He offered a vigorous handshake. “Ambassador Schumacher, what a pleasure it is to see you again and welcome you to my gathering tonight. I must inquire how is your wife, Lorelei?”
“She is in good health. Thank you.”
“And your wife Adriana — will she be joining us this evening?”
“Of course — she is looking forward to seeing you. When she heard you were coming, she instructed the chef to prepare Rote Grütze with the bilberries she knows you love. If we catch you sneaking over to the desert buffet before dinner I will not notice. When you leave, I want you to take some home with you. He handed the ambassador a gift wrapped box tied with a bow. “This is for Axil — for his birthday next Thursday.”
“That is more than kind.”
The other guests encountered the same demeanor. Kusnetsov was considered to be the most gracious of the world leaders. He always made it a point to invite any newly appointed ambassador to the Kremlin for an intimate candlelit dinner with his wife. His interest in their personal and professional lives was more than of casual interest — it was genuine and everyone knew it.
Vissarionovich, General Dimochka, and Arkady Mussorgsky, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council, circulated among the guests equally as knowledgeable and charming. Kusnetsov introduced his wife, Adriana as the guests found their seats.
A simple meal of lapsha, olivie salad and studen’, and kvass, a mild wine made from rye bread, was served by courteous servants. A dessert bar was set off to the side with decorative puddings and pastries, all especially prepared for the guests. On occasion, Kuznetsov would leave the table to search for a particular pastry for his wife and then for the other guests. “You must try a small piece of the raspberry tart or perhaps a lemon bread pudding.”
Soon the dinner was nearly completed. Everyone felt comfortable and relaxed as the Vodka and wine flowed as freely as the conversation. Kuznetsov stood at the head of the table and raised his wine glass. “I propose a toast to all the beautiful ladies and to the most endearing of them all, of course, my wife Adriana.”
He continued, “I thank all of you for being gracious enough to attend the dinner here tonight at the Kremlin not really knowing what to anticipate. I do not have any specific agenda and often it is best that we do not, as one becomes suspicious and imagines that one will want a favor from another. Am I right? Many of you are thinking, ‘I bet he wants something.’ You do not need to answer as it is a rhetorical question and we all know the answer. No, I must confess that I do not desire anything and that is the beginning of a new friendship with you and your respective countries. I would not anticipate that you will instantly believe this as I have plied all of you with Vodka and wine.”
He received chuckles with this observation.
“I must be serious now as we face a serious threat to all of our nations now that Iran has detonated a nuclear weapon on one hand, and Khalilullah 'Abd al-Wahhab tells us that he would like to wipe Israel, the United States, and the Zionist allies off the face of the earth. More than once have we heard this — the fanatical hatred knows no bounds. I will not give you a history lesson as you are all distinguished educated individuals and know that this is a war that has been in existence from the death of Mohammad in another time and place. Much of the hatred and violence has been somewhat contained until recent times and the Western World has given it little thought. Nor was any serious thought warranted — until now.
“Africa was unable to defend itself from the spread of fanatical Islam and now that an entire continent has been subjugated they will turn upon us — that is evident. Until now, they had no means to accomplish the spread of their idealism. And now they have the means to threaten the entire world in a chaotic Armageddon as prophesied in the Bible and Koran. There may be those who consider a final event as being inevitable, however I would say that the ramblings of an unknown writer two-millennia years ago has little bearing on the events of our time.
“This is neither here nor there. Today I stand before you as the elected Russian president and it is my decision as to where I lead my country. I can tell you that its direction has been ever shifting for several decades. Each leader had a different vision and now the leaders are given to reflect the views of its citizens as never before as democratic elections give us the power. Russia had come a long way from Stalin and the Bolsheviks Revolution and it is time and reflection that tell us that grand visions lead more often to violence and bloodshed, rather than to a world of Utopia.
“A model rose from revolution on the other side of the world in 1776 which was born of inspiration and genius out of necessity. Other systems prevail throughout the world in many shapes and sizes and one stands above the rest as a proven winner with all the others left far behind. The others struggle and fall to the wayside. In time, each can see that nothing breeds success like success. I must sadly say that Russia tried various systems of government with varying degrees of success, but more so has learned from failures above all. I think of myself as an intelligent man and can easily see — a child could see it — that to repeat the failures of the past is folly.