Really? said Luke again. Educated man, for an American.
Is there a problem there? I asked.
No, Prime Minister, just the normal local squabbles.
Luke was hiding something. I didnt know what. And, of course, the trick is not finding the right answers, its finding the right questions. I didnt know what question I should be asking, the question that would oblige Luke to tell me what the FO was concealing.
The American Ambassador seemed worried about a possible Communist takeover, I said eventually.
Americans always are, he smiled.
And that seemed to be that. So I picked up the next telegram -- and I did not like what I read! Apparently we voted against Israel in the UN last night. I showed it to Luke. He remained calm.
Luke, I said, I gave express instructions that we were to abstain.
I think not, Prime Minister, he said with his usual smile. How dare he?
I did, I reiterated firmly. I told the Foreign Secretary I felt very strongly that we should not take sides.
Thats quite right, agreed Luke. The Foreign Secretary noted your very strong feelings.
I was on my feet now, very angry indeed. Well, why did he do nothing about it? I shouted.
With respect, Prime Minister, said Luke, manifestly lacking respect, he did do something. He asked our UN Ambassador whether we should consider abstaining.
And what did the Ambassador do? I asked.
He said no, replied Luke.
I was appalled. It seems that the Foreign Office thinks it can simply defy the wishes of the Prime Minister.
Luke denied that this is what happened. He says that the FO takes full account of my wishes in coming to a decision. But events move rapidly. There were important factors in our relationships with the Arabs last night that were not known to you when you took your view. It wasnt possible to get through to you in time.
Bloody ridiculous! I am on the phone, you know, I said.
It was not thought sufficiently important to wake you at three a.m.
It was extremely important, I yelled at that supercilious snob. The White House will do its nut!
Luke didnt look as if he cared all that much. Well, I suppose I could arrange for you to be telephoned before every UN vote. But there are two or three a night while theyre in session.
He was wilfully missing the point. I dont express a personal view about many UN votes, as he knows only too well. But when I do, I expect it to be acted upon.
It was useless arguing about the mistake. I considered the future. What can I do to reverse this? I asked him.
Nothing, Prime Minister, he replied flatly. That would be embarrassing. Once government policy has been stated it cant be retracted.
Perhaps hes right. All the more reason not to state a policy that hasnt been approved by the PM!
Then I had an idea -- a great idea. One that, I now believe, will change history. At the time I didnt realise where it would lead. Luke, I said, Id like to talk to the Israeli Ambassador.
He shook his head. I think not, Prime Minister.
I could hardly believe my ears. Who does Luke think he is? I repeated that I wanted to talk to the Israeli Ambassador. Luke stuck to his guns, and repeated that in his opinion it would be rather unwise.
I pointed a forefinger to my mouth. Luke, I said, can you hear what Im saying? Watch my lips move. I WANT TO TALK TO
He got the point. Finally he understood that I meant what I said. Who put it about that all these Foreign Office types are bright? Expensively educated -- yes!
Luke said that if that was my wish, then of course! I felt like a small child being indulged. I will contact the Foreign Secretary and Sir Richard, and then ring the Israeli Ambassador.
I dont want either of them, I said, enjoying myself hugely with this whippersnapper. I just want the Ambassador.
He began to get a little edgy. Prime Minister, I have to advise you that it would be most improper to see him without the Foreign Secretary present.
Why? I asked. What do you think I want to talk to the Israeli Ambassador about?
He paused, scenting a trap. Well, presumably the vote at the UN.
Really, Luke, I admonished him, with apparent severity and complete humbug. That would be most improper.
He was stuck. Oh, he said feebly.
Now it was my turn to follow up a lecture on propriety with a patronising smile. This was fun! No, Luke, its just that Lucy is thinking of spending her next university vacation on a kibbutz. Or perhaps, since shes at the University of Essex, I should say another kibbutz.
I see, said Luke grimly.
I went on to explain that the Israeli Ambassador and I were at the LSE together, and I thought that Annie and I would get him round to the flat to give his advice on kibbutzim.
Oh, said Luke again.
I smiled at him unhumorously. Showed my teeth, really, thats all. Nothing wrong with that, I take it?
Um -- no, he said again.
I rubbed salt in the wound. Do we need the Foreign Secretary or Sir Richard to help choose Lucys holiday place?
Um -- no, he repeated, completely defeated.
I told him to fix it for six p.m. this evening, and dismissed him with a regal wave.
At least Id won one round. And I hoped that David Bilu, my Israeli friend, would be able to help me find some way of reversing Foreign Office reflexes in relation to Israel.
I didnt succeed. But I did find out something else, of much greater import.
David came at six, and we sat in the living-room up at the top. He accepted my apologies about the UN vote with equanimity. He said that the Israelis were completely used to it, and it happens all the time.
I assured him that I had told my people to abstain. He believed me. He nodded, his big brown eyes sad and full of resignation. Its well known, he explained gently, that in the British Foreign Office an instruction from the Prime Minister becomes a request from the Foreign Secretary, then a recommendation from the Minister of State and finally just a suggestion to the ambassador. If it ever gets that far.
He spoke such perfect English that I was amazed. Then I remembered he was English, and emigrated to Palestine just before it became Israel.
Thankful that my apology was over and accepted with such good grace, I stood up to pour him another scotch. I was just about to raise the subject of how to deal with the problem that he had just outlined so accurately when he dropped his first bombshell.
Well, Jim, what are you going to do about St Georges Island?
Slowly I turned to face him. You know about that?
He shrugged. Obviously.
I brought the drinks back to the coffee table and sat down. Thats not a serious problem, is it?
He was astonished. His eyebrows raised themselves halfway to his curly greying hairline. Isnt it? Your information must be better than mine.
How can it be? I asked. Mine comes from the Foreign Office.
He sipped his scotch. Israeli Intelligence says that East Yemen is going to invade St Georges in the next few days.
So that was the connection! And I hadnt been told!
David Bilu explained that the FO have agreed with East Yemen that the British will make strong representations but do nothing. In return, the Yemenis will let the British keep the contract to build a new airport there, after they have taken over.
But thats only the start. Apparently David has been told by Israels Ambassador to Washington that the Americans plan to support the present government of St Georges. In battle! On the island! They intend to send in an airborne division backed up by the Seventh Fleet.
The Americans invading a Commonwealth country to protect freedom and democracy would be a profound humiliation for the British. The Palace would hit the roof!
Why havent the Americans told me? I asked David. I didnt think hed know. But he did.
They dont trust you, he replied sympathetically.
I was embarrassed. Why not?
Because you trust the Foreign Office.
I could see their point. I couldnt really blame them. Then David offered me some great advice.