“Yes, we all send our condolences,” echoed General Ernie Reese, chairman of the Joint Chiefs. “How’s your wife?”
“Thank you, gentlemen. We’re doing as well as can be expected. God moves in mysterious ways.”
An awkward silence filled the room. The President broke it. “Yes, well, I’ve asked you here this morning to get all the options out in the open, and your personal views, concerning our official response to the terrorist menace. It’s time we laid out our position to the American people and the world. We’ll meet every Tuesday and Thursday morning tackling this damn situation until we come up with some viable solutions. Here’s the main problem: the public seems to be evenly split on the issue. It would be easier if there was a solid majority opinion one way or the other.”
The individuals seated around the table nodded. Senator Stevens continued to sip his coffee, watching the others closely.
The President continued. “However, this situation may also be to our advantage. With the polls evenly split, once we decide a course of action we can engage in a little positive propaganda to build up support for our position. At least we won’t have to overcome overwhelming opposition. Your thoughts?”
“With all due respect, Mr. President, there’s only one course of action,” General Reese said. “Bomb the hell out of the sonsofbitches and cut the balls off any left alive. These fanatics don’t play by any rules other than the murder of innocent people. We’d better take care of them quick before someone gets his hands on a nuclear or biological bomb and uses it.”
“In this instance,” said Senator Stevens, gently returning his coffee cup to its matching saucer, “I happen to agree fully with General Reese. The time for a peaceful approach has long passed. Europe has given in to the demands of terrorists for so long they’re practically a legitimate special interest group now. And they all have UK passports. No, the world’s been too soft on these maniacs. The only option left is massive and deadly force. Somebody has to start making terrorism severely unattractive as a political option.” He looked at the others, flashing his practiced smile.
“And thanks to the dedicated work of the NSA and CIA, we now have ample intelligence concerning the whereabouts of certain senior terrorist leaders as well as major training camps. This information, gathered at great expense and unfortunate loss of life, won’t be current forever. We need to strike now.”
Director of the CIA Terry Finch, a man of few words whose organization had benefited over the past several years from the vociferous support of Senator Stevens and his intelligence committee, nodded in agreement. A brilliant academician and former professor of international policy at Harvard University, Dr. Finch administered the CIA as if it were a government think tank. “Mason’s right. I’m not certain how long this intelligence will remain current, but it’s high quality at the present time.”
“Senator Stevens and the military-industrial complex are very persuasive,” said Secretary of State Nathan Vance, a long time senior statesman and former U.S. ambassador to the UN, “and I do agree that the world has been far too soft on terrorism. Every two-bit fanatic with a political or religious grievance now sees terrorism as a legitimate way of getting the world to take notice. Unfortunately, we’re no longer dealing with small-time fanatics. September 11 has proven just how organized and deadly this game has become. Nonetheless, I don’t believe direct attacks or all-out war will solve the problem.”
“So what are your thoughts, Nathan?” the President asked. “And don’t hold back.”
Vance colored a little. “Well, I’ve been traveling constantly for the past several months since the suicide attack, talking face to face with all the major foreign leaders. Most don’t have the stomach or the support at home for a full-scale war on terrorism. And those in the Middle East, I must tell you, are still extremely sympathetic to the issues of Palestinian statehood and curtailing Israeli expansion. Besides, most of our European allies are getting pretty fed up with Israel. It’s universally understood that if it weren’t for massive U.S. aid Israel would be forced to get along with their neighbors or perish.”
“What are you driving at, Nathan?” Pierce said.
“Simply put, direct war won’t work. Overt attacks and massive use of force will only intensify the terrorists’ resolve and lead to increased reprisal attacks. By waging direct war we’ll be inadvertently creating more terrorists and alienating the entire Muslim world.” Vance looked around at the Task Force members. Several gave him cold looks. He pressed on. “It’s like trying to fight the Hydra-cut off one head, and three more grow back to take its place. Anyway, it’s been proven that we can’t fully defend ourselves against terrorists. No matter how much we spend on homeland defense, they still slip through.”
“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
