Rogue Forces

“I am sorry, Mr. President, but that would not do at all,” Hirsiz said. “It is our belief that the United Nations is an ineffectual force and has not made any progress in any area of the world where its peacekeepers are deployed. In fact, it is our opinion that such a force would be biased against Turkey and in favor of the Kurdish minority, and that the hunt for PKK terrorists would be shuffled into the background. No, sir, Turkey will not accept peacekeepers at this time.”

“I trust you and Prime Minister Akas will be willing to negotiate this matter, sir? By the way, I expected to hear from the prime minister. Is she well? We haven’t seen or heard of her.”

“I think you will find the prime minister to be just as firm on this issue as I, Mr. President,” Hirsiz said flatly, ignoring Gardner’s questions. “International observers would only complicate the security, cultural, ethnic, and religious tensions in the region. I’m afraid there is no room for compromise at this time.”

“I see. I also want to discuss Vice President Phoenix,” Gardner went on. “He was forced to evade Turkish warplanes and ground forces as he flew into Irbil for our scheduled negotiations.”

“That is an unfortunate occurrence, sir. I assure you, no efforts were made to attack any aircraft whatsoever. As far as we know, the PKK does not have an air force. Where is the vice president now, sir?”

“The vice president is a virtual prisoner of the Turkish army and air force at the Iraqi air base at Tall Kayf, north of Mosul,” Gardner said, after carefully considering whether or not he should reveal this information. “He is surrounded by Turkish troops and buzzed repeatedly by Turkish warplanes. He definitely fears for his safety. I demand that all Turkish forces evacuate the area and allow the vice president to leave the base and proceed to his next destination.”

“His next destination?”

“His original destination: Irbil,” Gardner said. “The vice president still has a mission: to negotiate a settlement between Iraq, America, the Kurdish Regional Government, and Turkey, to suppress the PKK and restore peace, security, and order to the border region.”

“Lofty goals, that,” Hirsiz said dismissively. There was a considerable pause at the other end of the line; then: “Mr. President, I am sorry, but the security situation is completely unstable and uncertain throughout northern Iraq and southern Turkey. No one can guarantee the vice president’s safety in the cities, especially ones controlled by the Kurds and infested with the PKK.”

“So you will keep the vice president imprisoned in Iraq? Is that what you’re telling me, sir?”

“Of course not, sir,” Hirsiz replied. “I am only thinking of the vice president’s safety, nothing else.” There was another long pause; then: “I will pledge, upon my honor, that I will see to it that the vice president is safely escorted to the Turkish border under heavy guard, with full cooperation with your Secret Service protection detail, and from there he can be escorted to the American air base at Incirlik for a return to the United States. I will also pledge that Turkish forces will not interfere in the least if the vice president decides to travel to Baghdad. But since Turkish forces have not traveled farther south than Mosul, I cannot guarantee his safety. I am afraid traveling right now is simply not advised.”

“Let me get this straight, Mr. Hirsiz—you’re telling me that you are going to dictate conditions, routes, and procedures by which the vice president of the United States of America can move about in a sovereign country not your own?” Gardner asked incredulously. “Let me advise you, sir: I’m going to dispatch the vice president or anyone else when I want, anywhere I want in Iraq or any other friendly nation, and by God, if I see or have any indication whatsoever that anyone does so much as gesture in his direction with the merest thought of harm, I will see to it that he is pounded ten feet into the ground. Do I make myself clear, sir?”

“Crude and boisterous as always, but I understand,” Hirsiz said in a completely neutral tone of voice.

“See that you do, sir,” President Gardner said. “And when can I expect to speak directly to the prime minister regarding the state of emergency and opening a dialogue to address the withdrawal of forces from Iraq?”

“Prime Minister Akas is understandably very busy, sir, but I will relay your request to her immediately. I thank you for speaking with me, sir. Please keep us in your prayers, and until we speak again—”

“Tell me, Mr. Hirsiz,” Gardner interrupted, “is Prime Minister Akas still alive, and if so, is she still in power? Are the generals calling the shots in Turkey now, and are you the president in name only?”

Another long pause; then: “I am offended by your insinuations, sir,” Hirsiz said. “I have nothing more to say to you. Good day.” And the connection was terminated.