“The American people want to know when the Chinese will be leaving the Philippines, Mr. Ambassador, ” the President emphasized. “I want to know the same thing. Do you have an answer?”
“My government did not inquire of you when you would be leaving Grenada, or Panama, or Saudi Arabia. “Listen carefully, Mr. Ambassador . . .” the President said with growing impatience. “I want to know what your government’s intentions are in the Philippines, and I haven’t heard a straight answer from you yet. Your government’s actions have been hostile and furtive, Ambassador, and I don’t like it. For the past twenty years, we’ve had a policy of openness and trust between our countries. We consulted each other on important world matters. Ever since the Tian’anmen Square massacre, your government has cut off most communications with us. That breeds distrust and caution.”
“Mr. President, I assure you, my government does not seek to disrupt any ties with the Americans. “Don’t tell me, show me. Nothing but your actions will prove to me what your country’s intentions are. But let me tell you what I intend to do: “We will use all our available intelligence resources to discover how many troops you have in the Philippines, and we will begin a program to match, and then exceed, that number. We may not succeed, but with cooperation from the Association of South East Asian Nations and other countries we may come close. In addition we will seek to surpass the number of warships you have in the Philippines, and we’ll sail those ships freely in international waters, as close to your vessels as international law allows. We expect no interference, but let m assure you that our warships will be authorized to defends themselves to the maximum extent should there be any threatening moves made against our forces. “I want the government of China to make a public announcement clearly outlining your objectives and plans for your actions in the Philippines; but in any case, I want China to reduce the number of troops it has in the Philippines by one-half within thirty days, unless a compelling reason is given why you should remain. I also want Arturo Mikaso to be released from custody or his body turned over to his family and let them as well as his close advisers be released; and if it is found that Mikaso was killed by Chinese soldiers, I want those responsible brought to trial. China does not operate in a vacuum, Mr. Ambassador-you are responsible for your actions. You cannot invent arguments for naked acts of aggression and expect the rest of the world to play along.” The rapid-fire flurry of demands put Hao on the defensive. He glanced over at his aide to be sure she was taking notes, then said in a flat voice, “My government will make a full disclosure-“
“I should also advise you that this government views the sharp escalation in offensive strategic forces in China a serious threat to world peace and security; we see it as an unwarranted and belligerent act that is clearly over and above any reasonable response to outside military pressure, ” the President interrupted. “I want China to reduce the number of offensive strategic forces it has on alert and return to a less threatening, more defensive posture. Otherwise the United States and our allies will be forced to respond by increasing strategic force postures as well. China will then be responsible for a serious military escalation that will ultimately lead to disaster. “There should be no doubt in your minds that we consider this Chinese military buildup in the Philippines a threat to American national security interests, and we will respond accordingly. You may take that message to your government.” The President sat back in his seat, paused for a few moments, then said, “Do you have anything further for me, Mr. Ambassador?” The Chinese ambassador to the United States remained impassive and stone- faced throughout the President’s allocution. “I will take your message to my government immediately, ” Hao Sun Yougao replied, “and convey your requests and concerns to Comrade Cheung. . . personally.”
“Personally?” Secretary of State Dennis Danahall interjected, exchanging a quick glance with the President and his advisers. “You’ve been recalled?”
“I regret to inform you that I have, Mr. Secretary, Hao said. “The situation obviously requires careful study and discussion, and it was felt that these discussions should take place directly, in Beijing. With your permission, my deputy charge will be available to serve you. The Americans looked at each other with some surprise; this move was completely unexpected. “Why is your government pulling you out?” the President asked. “I’m sure you understand how this will appear in the press, Mr. Ambassador, ” Danahall said. “They’ll jump all over this. They’ll see it as a prelude to a major conflict, perhaps war. “No one wants war, Mr. Secretary, ” Hao said. “We only seek peace, security, and stability for all nations. But China has also been asked for assistance, and in a region of the globe so important to us-and less important to you, I feel-it is vital that we respond. My government feels it is important that interference in our affairs be minimized until the extent of the disruption in the Philippines can be properly assessed.” The President glared at Hao. “I hope your government understands our side of this matter and responds quickly to our requests, ” he said to Hao. “In the meantime you know what we will be doing.” The President rose to his feet and Hao followed suit. “Joyous wishes to you and to your family, Mr. President, ” Hao said. The two men shook hands, Hao bowing deeply from the waist, and he exchanged greetings with the rest of the President’s Cabinet members and departed, escorted out of the Oval Office by Paul Cesare. When Hao was gone, the Secretary of State turned to the President. “I can schedule teleconferences with the British Foreign Minister immediately, sir . . “Do it, ” the President replied. “Get the ‘leadership’ together for a luncheon meeting if you can; if not, schedule a few hours this afternoon for briefings.” Danahall departed, leaving the President with his brother-in- law and Secretary of Defense Preston. “What do you think, Thomas?” the President asked. “What’s Cheung up to?”
“I think it is fairly obvious, Mr. President, that he intends to use this episode to fortify his position in the Philippines and fill the void created by our departure, ” Preston replied. “He’s created a substantial resupply line from China to the Philippines that we might find impossible to break, and he’s found a way to get the government to offer him basing facilities and local support. We may never be able to shake him loose if he manages to consolidate all his gains.”
“So we have no military options?”
“We have many military options, sir, ” Preston replied, “but it’ll mean a serious escalation of our military commitment. Cheung has both the military power and at least the appearance of legitimacy-that’s an unbeatable combination no matter how you look at it. If we want to counteract the advantage he has, we have to risk stepping up to the brink of a superpower war. “We’ll wait to hear what the ASEAN has to say, ” the President said finally. “If they vote to condemn the Chinese, world opinion will start to turn away from them-we can add our evidence of the Chinese firing that nuclear missile if we can get someone to confirm that Sky Masters data. Cheung won’t have any choice but to back down then.” To the Defense Secretary the President asked, “But in case they won’t back down, Thomas, what can we do then?”
“Mr. President, this may be more of a political decision to make with Dennis Danahall and the Congressional leadership, but I see the Chinese as a serious military threat to our national interests in the region, ” Preston replied. “If they take the Philippines, they can militarily and economically threaten every other Pacific Rim nation. We’ll have no choice but to build up our own military forces in the region to counterbalance them. We must act.”
“So what do we do?” the President asked. “Are you considering sending in the Marines or this Air Battle Force thing?” Preston considered the question for a moment, then replied. “Yes, sir-in limited numbers and in total secrecy. General Curtis mentioned the equipment installed on Brad Elliott’s experimental planes-that may be a good place to start. Sending the entire Air Battle Force would be difficult to keep secret, but sending three or four aircraft would be a simple matter. I recommend approving the STRATFOR’s plan to deploy the PACER SKYequipped combat aircraft as soon as possible.” The President’s eyes glanced over to his brother-in-law, Benson, who was enthusiastically nodding his agreement; Secretary of State Danahall looked grim and undecided, but eventually gave a slight nod. “Approved, Thomas, ” the President said. “Keep it quiet. 1 want those planes kept under wrap until I decide to tell the world they’re there.” He paused, rubbing his eyes wearily, then added, “And I hope to hell we get some good news from Ambassador O’Day in Singapore.” ASEAN HEADQUARTERS CONFERENCE HALL, SINGAPORE FRIDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 1994, 0821 HOURS LOCAL (29 SEPTEMBER, 2121 WASHINGTON TIME) The emergency meeting of the Association of South East Asian Nations began shortly after the first of five daily prayers for its Moslem members; the crier’s call to prayer was played over the building’s public-address system, and a shining silver and crystal chandelier on the right-hand wall of the conference center indicated the direction of Mecca. Deborah O’Day, the United Nations ambassador from the United States, had been reminded to stay in the ladies’ room until prayers were overwomen, even foreign nonbelieving women, were not encouraged to be nearby during prayers. O’Day was familiar with most aspects of Moslem life; she was especially versed on its feudalistic treatment of women. In many ways ASEAN, where four of the seven member nations were predominantly Islamic, was little more than an exclusive all-male country club, their play interrupted occasionally by short periods of more or less serious work and debate. Women performed the usual secretarial duties and little more-except, of course, for the courtesans who could be seen wandering the halls of the adjacent hotel where most of the delegates and foreign
