‘You still think we can have an independent Mabalia, without outside support and interference?’
‘I do, but the road will be hard and today is the key. Let me speak to these gentlemen this afternoon to gauge what response our hosts may give to my speech later.’
Despite his resolute demeanour, Alexander was seriously concerned for the future, his own and his country.
After a pleasant lunch in his room, Alexander welcomed the gentlemen from the United States Overseas Development Agency and Department of Energy.
They were young well dressed, their grey pinstripe suits looking very similar, only their ties and hair colour differed. The taller of the two was called Andrew Bush, no relation to the former presidents he assured Alexander. The shorter, stockier one was Albert Perfidy, his palm very warm and hard.
The room had been laid out for a relaxed but formal meeting, the light wood furniture placed by Alexander to afford him seniority and dominance of the room. The two men were seated on a sofa. Both attempted to choose the higher leather chairs, but Alexander’s advisor had been seated before they came in. With the only other chair available obviously belonging to the President, the two men sat next to each other on the couch. Andrew’s laptop tidily placed on the table. Albert held a slim line PDA in his capacious palm. Alexander sat, satisfied that he had put the young men in their place, and demonstrated who was in charge.
‘Gentlemen, let me thank you for your hospitality and your Diplomatic Security Service’s excellent care for me since I arrived.’
Andrew Bush responded, ‘you are very welcome President Uncotto, we value your time and participation in this summit.’
‘That is most gracious, and it is Alexander please, no need for excessive formality here.’
‘As you wish, Alexander. The proposals you have for energy production and infrastructure development in your country, are what we are here to discuss.’
‘You have had chance to study and investigate the proposals?’
‘Yes sir, at length, and we would like to discuss our concerns.’
‘Concerns? What concerns would those be?’
Uncotto had not survived in his country without some guile and diplomatic manoeuvring.
The two men did not respond immediately, both meeting Uncotto’s unwavering gaze, his head tilted slightly to the left. After a brief look at each other, Andrew spoke, ‘Well sir, the requirements you have listed for oil production are the biggest concern. Specifically we do not think we could secure a US oil company to comply with your suggestions.’
‘Why not?’ he was enjoying this, he knew that there was no way any major oil player would hand over sole drilling rights to his country; and definitely not provide the production equipment without financial incentives. Since Venezuela they had learnt their lesson.
Andrew was obviously nervous at Uncotto’s possible reaction, ‘the fact that you wish us to invest in building an oil refinery at substantial cost, and will only begin to repay the investment after one year of oil production is not acceptable.’
‘Why not, the company that builds it will own it, we will just lease it from them, and for that they receive a fixed payment as long as production is constant. We will obviously not have the funds to pay in advance, that is why I am requesting your government to assist in our development.’
‘Yes sir, we understand that, but there are other issues with the infrastructure rebuilding.’
‘Yes, and do tell me young Andrew, what are those issues?’
Now feeling intimidated Andrew was visibly sweating through his thick brown hair. ‘You want to have solar powered desalination plants built on the coast, and underground pipelines to feed this water to inland farming areas.’
‘Yes, that is correct.’
‘But the cost of these desalination plants is immense?’
‘Albert, are you aware of the Ashkelon SWRO plant in Israel?’
‘Yes sir, I have heard of it.’
‘This plant provides three hundred and twenty thousand cubic metres of desalinated water, a day. At a cost of almost half a US dollar. That is over eighty four and a half million US gallons per day; that is a lot of bath tubs gentlemen.’
‘Yes sir, it is, but still the costs involved are high.’
‘The plant in Israel cost US$250 million, and it will make US$825 during its lifetime. Even though I will not be able to charge the same costs as this company, the benefits to my people and reduction in strain on our limited water supplies will be substantial, and much less than providing financial aid.’
‘We cannot justify the cost sir, it is too high, and there are concerns with the impact of desalination plants.’
‘But I will be paying you for this, in oil, refined oil. Which your country is desperate to consume.’
‘Which all countries are.’
‘Not mine, cars, buses, trains, most of them were destroyed years ago; they rust everywhere. So our oil consumption and desire is far less than yours, I am sure of that.’
‘President Uncotto, even if we can secure funds for your refinery, and desalination plants, the other costs of rebuilding by US companies cannot be justified.’
Uncotto paused, seeing he was gaining no ground, despite his thorough investigation before submitting his proposal. ‘Listen gentlemen, if my country were still in a state of civil war, and we had oil that you needed, how much would it cost to station and supply a large military force for a year?’
‘Well we really could not say sir. That is not relevant to your case.’
‘No it is relevant, and I am sure you cannot comment, but your forces in Afghanistan in 2003 were costing $950 million dollars a month to maintain, that is from your own records. Therefore, for the price of one week, I can have a desalination plant; that you can use to copy in America. For the cost of two months, I can have that refinery and tanker facility. Do you see my point?’
‘Sir are you saying that if we do not comply you will allow a state of civil war to prevail?’
‘No I am not! What I am pointing out to you is that you can invest your money in peaceful solutions and it will cost you far less, in lives and financial outlay, than funding any war.’
The two young men were silent, as expected.
‘Of course, if the United States is not willing to assist in my country’s development, then perhaps I could approach the Chinese government? They have been most helpful to some of my neighbours.’
Albert and Andrew’s response was predictable, ‘Well thank you for your time President Uncotto, we will relay your thoughts and information to our senior officials and talk soon.’
Then Albert injected an unexpected comment, ‘President Uncotto, it has come to our attention in the Department of Energy that you are seeking a solar powered device based on crystal technology? Is that correct?’
‘I am curious where you obtained your information Alfred, but yes, I am making enquiries to obtain such a device, if it exists?’
‘I am sorry sir, if it exists? Where is this device from, who manufacturers it?’
‘When I know, I will be sure to inform your government of my discovery and intentions.’
As the President stood, the two men extricated themselves from the luxurious sofa with difficulty, shook the President’s hand and that of his silent aide. With the young men gone, Uncotto’s aide finally spoke, ‘Do you think your proposals will be accepted sir?’
‘No, I never expected they will, but I have put a ‘bee in their bonnet’ I think is the appropriate phrase, someone higher up will be worried. Especially at the mention of the Chinese increasing their influence and oil access in Africa.’
‘But will that not make the United States hostile towards us?’