[War] UK/China: "Foreign Relations"

[Chazenesq2b at aol.com]

"Foreign Relations"

Foreign Secretary Hollstadt
President Xia Hong- People's Republic of China
August 30th, 2006
================================================

(Office of Foreign Ministry, UK)

London... often enough if there was one city that identified the
'West' it was London.  New York identified America, but London
certainly identified Europe, and was what most people thought of when
they thought of the Western style of life.  Xia was giddy to be here,
although unfortunately it was on the job so to speak.  Perhaps when
she felt confident enough to actually go on a vacation, she'd choose
to come here.

They pulled into the secured area, London and Beijing had seen to it
that for such a high-level visit ample security was definitely
provided.  It would do no good for yet another country to have to
endure an assassination attempt these days.

Xia took a look at the agenda once quickly before being escorted to
the office.  Naturally North Korea and the Middle East took precedent,
followed by greater economic cooperation, and a request to lift the
arms embargo.  With any luck, the recent moves to guarantee human
rights and help foster democracy might be enough to win that argument.

"Minister."  She smiled toward the man that would be her British
counterpart for today.  Her voice echoed with a slight Americanized,
Californian even accent when she spoke in English.  "It's a pleasure
to meet you."

"Madam President," replied Foreign Secretary Hollstadt. Usually the
President of China would certainly be met by the PM himself, but
Eckley was in Washington with President Williams. "Welcome to the
United Kingdom."

Hollstadt hoped that Xia had not come to London with overly high
hopes. The activities in Beijing had certainly caught Britain's
attention, but she was not yet two months in office, and governments
could always change very quickly. Especially ones that were, for all
intents and purposes, dictatorships. Hollstadt and the PM were both
still waiting to see just how long President Hong could continue with
the present reforms.

"Let's settle down to business. What do you wish to discuss first?"

"I've never been one to avoid difficult issues."  Xia smiled as they both
took their seats.  "What is the current stance of the United Kingdom on North
Korea?"

"North Korea is a nation ruled by a vicious, and likely insane, despot
who uses his nuclear arsenal to blackmail the West, and you to a
certain extent, to give them the vast amouns of aid needed to keep the
country from slipping over the edge," said Hollstadt. "Right now
Jong-Il has pushed his brutal methods too far, and now there seems to
be some sort of rebel group fighting him. The KRF." Of course
Hollstadt suspected the Chinese knew more about that than he did.

Xia ofcourse didn't know much about it, but that never stopped her from
feigning.  She nodded with the same smile she'd greeted the minister with.
"Unfortunately the price of assisting the people of North Korea who truly need
assistance means that a portion of the money will be directed to less
legitimate
pursuits.  Does the United Kingdom have a strategy with which it
wishes to pursue
in regards to North Korea?  One beyond simple name calling?"

Hollstadt had been playing this game for too many years to let a
simple barb phase him, though he could sense a confrontational session
coming. "Eventually North Korea will simply go the way of the Soviet
Union. At that point, they will do something drastic. Likely attack
the South in some last desperate attempt to stave off their own
collapse. The situation is really quite bad. Even should the very best
outcome occur, and the current dictatorship is replaced with a more
benign leadership, it may not be able to stop the nation's collapse.
Look at East Germany. Look at Russia. They are STILL struggling to
rebuild since the Iron Curtain fell. And their original conditions
were worlds better than North Korea.

"At this point, our only real option is to try and encourage a
leadership friendly to the West to take power and then infuse them
with support for the next, oh, decade to keep North Korea together
long enough to have some sort of sustainable economic situation."

She really didn't like where that was going.  "You do understand any active
Western influence in North Korea will be considered to be an aggressive move
against the People's Republic of China?"

"I said friendly towards the West," noted Hollstadt. "As in not
blackmailing us with atomic weapons. Not controlled by the West."

"Shouldn't the North Korean people, not those of Britain, be the ones to
decide whether they seek friendly terms with the West provided a
regime change was
to occur?  Otherwise... are you not controlling them?"

Hollstadt sighed and put down the tea he was pouring for himself. He
disliked having to be blunt with people, diplomacy was usually about
sugar coating things. But if she wanted to be this way.

"Madam President, you are far to intelligent to be playing this game.
One thing that has always been a hurdle when dealing with your
predecessors is the constant paranoia and fear they had that the
Western powers are always out to get you and that we want to somehow
gain control over nations you consider inside your sphere of
influence. If you must continue down this philistine road of thought,
you have dashed certain hopes I had. We are not out to control North
Korea. We simply want to encourage them to be less overtly hostile
towards us."

Xia blinked a bit, the bluntness surprising if not refreshing.  "You'll have
to forgive me mister Minister, the way you had stated the United Kingdom's
position implied a certain level of aggression."

"No, not aggression," said Hollstadt. "We will not actively try and
depose the current government." The Americans, and probably the
Japanese as well, likely did not have such qualms, meaning Britain
would not even need to take such steps. However Hollstadt wasn't about
to say that.

"That is certainly reassuring Minister."  She smiled again.  "I would hate to
think of the possibilities otherwise.  As you're probably aware, China is
currently in the midst of a great deal of reforms.  Social, cultural, and
militarily.  With regards to the latter, I'm hoping that access to
western technology
and training would allow us to significantly reduce the size of our military.
We're fortunate enough not to need a particularly large military in this
post-Cold War environment."

Hollstadt mentally applauded her. That was a very good way to lead
into the big issue here, the EU arms embargo against China. "There are
those among us that have concerns just how your government might use
such technologies and equipment, Madam President," said Hollstadt
neutrally.

"I can certainly understand that, but my Government is pushing through
several changes designed to alleviate such fears.  Not the least of which will
prevent formal military forces from acting in a policing compacity barring a
declared national emergency.  I believe your governments have similar
procedures, do
they not?"

"A wise step," agreed the Secretary. "But there is more too it than
just the fear of another Tiannamen Massacre using EU-provided weapons.
There is the fear you will use arms provided by us to attack Taiwan.
Which your government and military have stated they would do on a
number of occasions."

"Surely a man of your exceptional intelligence and standing wouldn't use the
outbursts of political extremists and reactionary generals as a reason to deny
a country the right to establish defenses aimed at reducing the likelihood of
war all together, and protecting it's borders?"

"Need I remind you of the Anti-Secession Law passed by the NPC under
President Jintao's leadership specified force as an acceptable means
to prevent Taiwan from declaring itself independent," pointed out
Hollstadt. "Not to mention the PLAAF's tendency to fire cruise
missiles over the island during presidential elections. Before you
jump to any conclusions, Britain is not trying to advocate that Taiwan
should not be part of the PRC. Simply that we would like to see any
unification done peaceably, and the behavior of the HIGHEST echelons
in your government and military have not alleviated our fears."

"Peacefully."  Xia nodded, though it was meant for gentle mockery.  "The same
way your government 'peacefully' handled Northern Ireland?  An area where the
United Kingdom's territorial claims are far less demonstrable than Chinese
control of Taiwan?"

"We did handle Northern Ireland peaceably, in the end," said
Hollstadt. "And through the Good Friday Agreement achieved what years
of violence could not. As I said, I'm not disputing your claim on
Taiwan, I'm concerned that you'll start a war over it. A war using our
weapons to crush a democracy." He sipped a bit more at your tea. "And
that you've simply been evasive and brought up situations that are not
comparable in the same context rather than provide even a simple
assurance to the contrary concerns me greatly. Therefore I will
recomend to the PM and the European Commission not end its arms
embargo against your country."

"That is, ofcourse, your perogative Minister, but let us not be timid here."
Xia folded her hands and leaned forward.  "It has nothing to do about the
possibility of the weapons being used in Taiwan.  Your government and
your allies
have allowed other democracies, even the worlds worst tyranies, to come into
possession of the same weapons I am attempting to acquire for my people, for a
legitimate, recognized government.  It is, quite frankly, because of a policy
based on fear.  Fear that these... 'evil communists' will some how use the
weapons acquired to spread a philosophy that is somehow evil because it may
come
into conflict with Western views of the world.  There's a word for that
Minister."

Hollstadt shook his head. "Again Madam President, you fail to see my
true objective. Yes, we have sold weapons to tyrants before. And lived
to regret it when those weapons were later used against us or our
allies. But when small Middle Eastern dictatorships throw stones, it
causes only a moderate ripple in the world. China is five years away
from being a superpower. If you throw stones, it will cause a world
war. If we give you advanced weapon systems, it is our fear you will
attack Taiwan. The words and actions of you military and government
have not dispelled those fears. And such a conflict would completely
distabilize the economy of East Asia and the planet. If your
government were to release a statement that you will never use force
on Taiwan except in cases of self defence, condemn Taiwanese
independence all you want, then our position will change. You have
your explenation as to our reasoning, and I'm afraid to say no room to
accuse us of trying to stunt your military growth. We fear
instability, and you are in a position to create much. Prove to use
that those fears are wrong, and you will have your arms deal."

"The United States never removes military force as an option from it's
negotiations, neither does her allies.  Your government is seeking to impose
standards that it, itself, does not follow.  As I'm sure you know,
China will, one
way or the other, acquire the advanced technologies necessary for modern
warfare.  If we do it ourselves, we owe you nothing.  If you help us,
we owe you our
gratitude.  I will not sign away a Chinese province anymore than you would
Northern Ireland or the United States would it's southern territories.  I'm
afraid we're at an impasse it seems."  Xia frowned, glancing at the
list of topics
for a second.  "Shall we move on to the Middle East?"

Hollstadt was not at all pleased with the way things were going. The
President wanted much but offered little, and had gone from blatant
flattery of his person to petulant threats that they would get what
they wanted one way or the other. This alone made him weary of the new
Beijing government.

"Lebanon has quieted since the UN cease-fire took effect," said
Hollstadt. "And between the EU and India, there should be enough
soldiers to create the needed peacekeeping force."

Well atleast the EU was joining, that was a positive development.  She didn't
much like this man at all... the kind that was always charging windmills in
the belief they were monsters, or seeing ghosts over his shoulder in the
shadows.  "That as it may be, China has already committed and made
arrangements to
provide for a sizable peacekeeping contingent in the area.  The more, the
merrier, as they say."

Or too many cooks could spoil the stew. But before Hollstadt could say
anything, an aide came in and murmured something into the Secretary's
ear. "If you will excuse me for a moment," he said, standing and
leaving the room.

Just down the hall, beyond earshot of the meeting room, stood Prime
Minister Eckley. He was leaning against the wall with one hand, the
other holding a half-smoldered fag. Normally one could not smoke in
Number 10, but being PM had its perks.

"How are things going?" Eckley asked.

"Not well."

"The arms embargo, eh?" said Eckley as he exhaled grey fog. "The Good
Madam President was unwilling to yield to our stipulations about
Taiwan?"

"Like all of their leaders, she's too blinded by-"

"I want you to give her an arms deal."

Rarely did Hollstadt's mask of neutrality break, but he showed visible
shock at Eckley's words. "I thought the Cabinet had agreed that we
would not consider asking the EUropean Parliament to end our embargo
on China unless they agreed to renounce use of force to unify with
Taiwan."

"The Cabinet is not nearly as noble as it thinks itself to be,"
replied Eckley. "We are not allies of Taiwan. We don't even maintain
diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Other than Japan, our biggest
trading partner in East Asia is China. Five years from now they WILL
be our biggest trading partner in the region. Plus the fact that the
actual pretext of the embargo was the atrocities they committed at
Tianamen, not Taiwan. And as dictatorial and undemocratic as China may
be, President Hong was done good things in regards to their human
rights record."

"I understand that sir, but-"

"They're going to be a superpower, James," cut in Eckley before
Hollstadt could make his argument. "Human history for the next century
will be determined by three leading powers: the United States, the
European Union and the People's Republic of China. I don't want to be
known as a Prime Minister who soured relations between the EU and
PRC." He took one final drag of the fag and tossed it into a nearby
waste bin. "We certainly won't be selling them Typhoons, subs, ships
or stealth technology. But we can offer them tanks, IFV, bombs, radars
and missiles. The meat and potatos of a military force. But of course
that can't all be done at once. The Union is far more than Great
Britain, and it is the European Parliament that has ultimate say over
the embargo.

"To that end, inform the President that we will recommend to the
Parliament that the status of China's human rights be evaluated in one
year, and that if they continue with reforms similar to the ones seen
thus far the embargo will be loosend."

Hollstadt wanted to say something to the younger politician, but he
held his tongue. He did not decide foreign policy, after all, but
rather facilitated it. "If that is your decision, sir."

"It is."

The Secretary nodded and walked back into the meeting room, taking his
seat once again. "President Hong, I have some good news for you." He
then proceeded to outline the PM's terms to the Chinese leader.

Xia was... well... confused.  Clearly Mr. Hollstadt's directions had changed,
though such a sudden shift was... disconcerting.  That said, it was certainly
a more acceptable deal then nothing, and would insure China's security, if
only to an extent.  "That's a very acceptable proposition."


It probably was. Hollstadt did not like Eckley's decision, but it was
out of his hands now. And since the European Parliament were the ones
who would actually make decide if the embargo would be lifted or not,
much of the accountability could be lifted off the United Kingdom.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: /pipermail/war_esteroic.com/attachments/20060906/188289a8/attachment-0001.html