“And what is your solution?”
“We’ve got to figure out a way to recognize Palestine as a legitimate country and tone down the Israelis. At the same time we need to make it perfectly clear to the terrorists that we aren’t giving in to them. We need some leverage to get all the parties to move in the direction of a lasting and peaceful solution. But I’m not sure yet what that leverage is.” The secretary of state looked sallow and tired from his marathon travels. “But a solution should surface if we continue open dialogue with the Arab nations and our allies.”
“If I may add to that point, Mr. President?” National Security Advisor Caroline Black interjected cautiously. “Women in this country and around the world are beginning to protest in massive numbers against terrorism and global unrest. Their collective voice is becoming louder and louder. The graphic television footage of the death of a female suicide bomber on American soil has galvanized them. They’re tired of seeing women used as tools for terrorists.”
“For Christ’s sake.” exclaimed Senator Stevens, his face reddening. “I can’t believe the drivel I’m hearing. Who gives a damn if it’s a man, a woman, or a dog that carried the bomb? The fact is, little lady, this is war. We didn’t start it, but by God we’re in the middle of it and we have to respond. NOW!”
The senator stood up, spreading his arms for effect. “Let me remind you all of the facts: The beginning of this whole mess was the hijacking of an El Al airliner on July 22, 1968. The hostages were released in exchange for sixteen Arab prisoners held in Israeli jails. The hijackers were also released. I’d say that was a successful operation. So success spawned repetition. And…”
“We know the history, Senator,” sighed Nathan Vance.
“Seems to me you need a reminder. Between 1968 and 1975, there were 204 terrorists arrested after hijackings and other attacks, and every one of the bastards was eventually released. Even those involved in the murders of the Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics, thanks to the sniveling German government. Not surprisingly the rate and intensity of terrorist attacks and the death toll has continued to rise. In 1985 a TWA airliner was hijacked and flown to Beirut; an American passenger murdered and his body dumped onto the tarmac. And then there was poor Leon Klinghoffer, the man in the wheelchair killed by terrorists aboard the cruise ship Achille Lauro. And again the terrorists were released. Are you getting the picture here?”
Stevens was yelling now. “At least three terrorists have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and several have received honorary degrees from leading American universities. How’s that for legitimizing terrorism?”
Senator Mason Stevens sat down, his voice calmer. “The message is very clear. If you believe strongly enough in your cause and kill civilians in cold blood, then you must be justified and we should understand your position. Bullshit. The only possible solution is just the opposite. The United States of America must make it clear that if anyone resorts to terrorism to promote their cause, not only will their cause be hindered but they will be hunted down and killed.”
“But all that changed after September 11,” protested National Security Advisor Black. “They went too far. Now the majority of the world condemns acts of terrorism.”
“That’s just political rhetoric to placate us,” Stevens snapped. “We have evidence of terrorist buildups in the Sudan and Malaysia, and of terrorist leaders freely walking around in France and Italy. They all have second homes in London for christsake! Meanwhile, Hezbollah training camps flourish in the jungle where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay intersect. And they are well funded, pumping out hundreds of assassins and suicide bombers every month. We suspect that the Arab woman who attacked the President came from one of those camps. Look, we have the targets and we know which countries are supporting and funding these bastards. The time to strike is now.” Meaty hands gripped the arms of his chair.
“The problem with suicide bombers,” CIA Director Finch said softly, “is that the threat of retaliation against them is useless. They’re already dead.” He pulled his pipe out, ceremoniously tamped down the tobacco, and looked at the President, who nodded his approval. With a sleek silver lighter Finch took a few long puffs.
“However,” he resumed, waving his hand through the smoke, “there is one way to dramatically reduce the number of individuals willing to become suicide bombers. And that is by retaliating with massive prejudice against their families. Many families of suicide bombers become minor celebrities in their countries. They receive sizeable amounts of money from the terrorist organizations as remuneration for the loss of their sons and daughters. It’s very simple. We can send a powerful, clear-cut message to the terrorist community: Become a suicide bomber and we kill your entire family.”
A stunned silence fell over the Oval Office.
“But that’s immoral.” Carrie Black protested, dumbfounded. “And illegal.”
“Tell that to the families of the people buried under the rubble of the Twin Towers,” Senator Stevens said in an acrid tone. “This is war. Why should we play by the rules when they don’t? Now you are talking sense, Dr. Finch. I like that.”
“But the U.N. would totally condemn us.”
The senator looked at her, his voice cold with disgust. “Are you referring to that same stellar organization that appointed Libya as the head of the Human Rights Council? What kind of a farce is that? The U.N. is so mired in politics its members can’t even take a piss without a resolution.”
“What do you think, Will?” President Pierce turned to the NSA director of Middle Eastern intelligence. William Fisher adjusted his tie, getting his thoughts together. The Task Force, with its polar opposite views was difficult for him to navigate safely.
“As you all know, I’ve lived in the Middle East for years,” Fisher began. He sat, on the small sofa next to Carrie Black and took some comfort from her presence. “On the whole the Arab people are pretty much like everyone else. They don’t like war any more than the rest of us. However they’ve been backed into a corner on this Palestinian issue by their religious leaders. They don’t like the Palestinians any more than the Israelis do, but it’s become a Catch-22 for them. Supporting Palestine is the only way to save face. The radical clerics are the ones we should really be worrying about. They not only stir the pot, they finance, recruit and harbor the terrorists. Our organization is monitoring several of these right-wing clerics who preach out of mosques in London, Kuala Lumpur, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, France and Lebanon. If it were possible to neutralize them most of the direct connections to the terrorists would be severed.” He looked at the President, who stared back, his face blank.
Fisher continued. “We’re also monitoring a remarkable surge of terrorist recruitment in Southeast Asia. As you know there are 250 million Muslims in that region, and they’re even less predictable than the Arab Muslims. Unless we put an end to being soft on terrorism, I’m afraid we’re going to have to do battle there as well.”
“So you support the retaliation approach outlined by Senator Stevens and Dr. Finch?” said Pierce.
“On this issue, we agree, Mr. President,” replied Fisher, conscious of Carrie Black’s cold look.
“And what about you, Ron?” Pierce said, addressing Secretary of Defense Ronald Burns.
“Mr. President, we’ve got the greatest military force in the history of the world, and if it comes to war, we’ll throw everything we’ve got into it. But I’m not certain we’re ready for an all-out war against an enemy that’s so elusive, so fluid, and spread all over the globe. I’d be happier if we had more allies willing to step up to bat and commit their troops and technology. But the fact is, the Europeans are hiding in the corners, and Britain, our only ready ally, doesn’t have all that much international muscle.”