“I am committed to putting together the ingredients for a lasting solution to the Middle East crisis and an end to global terrorism, and making them stick. Therefore the United States of America is realigning its allocation of foreign aid to the Middle East, beginning immediately. Many of you probably do not realize how much of your tax dollars have gone to this region for years and yet we continue to be plagued with violence, terrorist activities, and even attacks on our own soil. Last year, for example, U.S. foreign aid, both economic and military, to the Middle East reached an unprecedented level of over eight billion dollars. This tax money flowed out with very little positive result to the United States or the world.
“That is why with the support of key congressional leaders I am proposing to drastically reduce the amount of foreign aid to the Middle East for one year. A good friend of mine once told me ‘Why buy a cow when the milk is free?’ Middle Eastern countries have received a massive amount of foreign aid with no strings attached. They have not been held accountable for hindering, or failing to support, a peaceful solution. In fact the State of Israel alone last year received over six billion dollars of aid, about 30 percent of total U.S. aid around the world and 75 percent of the aid to the Middle East. While in the past our government has seen such a large amount of aid as a means of stabilizing and thus reducing tensions in the Middle East, I think we can all agree it hasn’t worked. For all the money we’ve spent things have only gotten worse.
“The American people stand on their own two feet and work hard to get along peacefully with the nations of the world. It is time the nations of the Middle East, and especially Israel, did the same. If after one year the Arab nations of the Middle East and Israel have continued to work together in peace and have helped to snuff out terrorism and violence in their region and in the world then reasonable and equitable amounts of U.S. foreign aid will again start flowing into the region. But only if peace is achieved and maintained.
“To ensure that various religious interests in the Middle East are respected I have received a firm commitment from all the nations in the region to establish the City of Jerusalem, and surrounding religious sites, as an international holy city for all faiths. The freedom to worship freely at their respective holy places will be guaranteed to people of all faiths. As you all know Jerusalem is a sacred city for Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In the not-too-distant past Jews, Christians, and Muslims lived peacefully side by side in Jerusalem. It is my dream that this will again be the case.”
Ross Pierce placed his tin cup to one side. “To govern this international city each of the major faiths in the region has agreed to participate in setting up a ruling city council. My personal physician and good friend, Dr. Noubar Melikian, who has worked his entire life for a peaceful solution in the Middle East, has unselfishly agreed to be the interim mayor of the International Holy City of Jerusalem while a structure for new citywide elections is being put into place.” Nicole grasped Dr. Melikian’s hand while his picture was shown to the nation.
“There are many critics of the United States, in Europe and elsewhere, who say that America has it easy and that Americans are naive. Let me put the record straight. They’re wrong. Over the course of American history thousands of our citizens have shed their blood in the name of freedom and peace on foreign soil, defending the freedoms of others. Americans aren’t naive. We know that peace is a better option than war. And it’s not an option for any country to bury its head in the sand and hope for peace while tyrants and terrorists kill innocent people out of hatred and greed. No. We will do whatever it takes to bring about lasting peace to the world.”
The television screen switched to a live picture of the American flag waving over ground zero in New York City, then returned to the Oval Office. “With the decisions I have just announced the United States is not running away from a fight with the terrorists and the bullies who want war for their own political and financial gain. On the contrary we are stepping up the fight with weapons more effective than bombs or bullets. The economic power of self-reliance and accountability.”
“Peace in the Middle East cannot be imposed from without. We’ve seen that policy fail for the past 50 years. Peaceful coexistence must be a result of mutual commitments from within. That is why we have made these decisions to drastically reduce the amount of foreign aid. By stopping the handouts we are urging the nations of the Middle East to take control of their own destiny, an intertwined destiny of mutual interdependence. I am asking all nations in the Middle East to once and for all make peace their highest priority.”
President Pierce picked up the tin cup that had been with him through POW camp, on the campaign trail and into the Oval Office. “Now if you’ll excuse me I have work to do for the American people and the world.” Slowly he tapped his cup on his desk, making a metallic sound, “Good Night, God Bless America, and may all the citizens of the globe live in peace and prosperity for many years to come.”
As the picture of the President slowly faded away, replaced by a waving American flag, the sound of the little tin cup could still be heard.
CNN Headline News
“What you and I have just witnessed, ladies and gentlemen, is one of the most extraordinary speeches from any world leader in recent memory,” said the senior CNN newscaster. “If what he has told us really comes about then President Roswell Clayton Pierce, in a selfless act of personal and political courage, has not only made the decisions everyone else has been avoiding but has also gotten the leaders of the Middle East, especially Israel, to agree to them. What went on behind the scenes to bring about this unprecedented level of international cooperation we may never know. But on this my colleagues and I all agree. It must have been an extraordinary and heroic act of diplomacy.”
The veteran newscaster cocked his head, intently listening to his earpiece. After a few moments of silence, a broad smile crossed his face. He looked directly into the camera. “I have just received word that in various cities and towns across the US as well as in Europe and the Middle East people everywhere are spilling out of their homes and banging on pots and pans in support of the President’s new policy. I probably don’t have to tell you, you can hear it for yourself. Just open your windows.”
Scenes from cities across the United States began flashing onto the screen as people collected in parks, town squares, restaurants, baseball stadiums, anywhere they could gather and celebrate a new day with the sound of metal banging on metal. As the crowds swelled the noise grew; a veritable symphony of homemade cymbals.
The newscaster came back on again. “I wonder if anyone, anywhere, is listening to this broadcast anymore?” he said with a wry smile. “It appears the whole world is out in the streets banging pots and pans in support of an unprecedented bid for lasting peace.”
Chapter Sixteen
The Oval Office
“What’s your name, young man?” said the President of the United States to the young black man standing before him, wearing a suit and tie, his shoes polished to a high shine.
“William Jefferson Clinton, sir, but the guys just call me Jeff.”
“Well,” said President Pierce, laughing. “Would you mind if I called you Jeff as well? One Bill Clinton around here is enough for me.”
“No, sir.”
“Now Jeff, I want you to know that I appreciate very much what you did to help Dr. Richards here the other night, even though it got you in a lot of trouble with the Secret Service, the Metro Police, and more importantly, your mother.”