[War] Russia/China: "Mutual Gain"

[Michael Downey]

"Mutual Gain"
Foreign Minister Irena Denemetov, Russian Federation
President Xia Hong, People's Republic of China
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

<Beijing>

As the Forbidden City loomed closer and closer in the window of
Minister Denemetov's limo window, she took a moment to review the
final bit of information she had. She was once again in Beijing, this
time in regards to North Korea. Despite recent friction between the
two states, Moscow felt it was in their interests to lend political
support to the Chinese over the DPRK occupation. This meeting was
meant by the Russian Foreign Ministry to feel out just what sort of
plan China had for North Korea and how much futher support Russia was
willing to give other than a public 'good job' and some military
intelligence that was probably no longer useful with the country
overrun by the PLA.

"Or if they'll even want our support." Severov's words echoed in
Denemetov's ears as she stepped out of the vehicle and was led through
the building. "I am 'insane' and 'incompetent' according to some of
the comments coming out of the China. Feel them out, let them know we
want them to succeed in North Korea as quickly as possible for our
mutual interest. If they don't, then nothing lost on our part."

As the door of the meeting room was opened by a PAP guard, Denemetov
braced herself for either a warm or frigid reception.

She was shown to the same State room, the Red room, where the President had
met her before.  Xia had had a hell of a week, though she did her best to put
the mess with Wen, her son, and home life as a whole behind her in order to
focus on the upcoming meeting.  This was important... the future of Korea
depended on international communication and, when it suited them,
cooperation.  She
didn't much like the Russians, all too well aware via her own intelligence
reports about the seemingly ever present xeno-phobia that was a Russian trait
in
terms of Foreign Policy.  In either case, Xia was willing to put the past in
the past... for now.

She smiled warmly when she extended her hand to the Russian dignitary.
"Madame Minister, welcome back to Beijing."

"President Hong," replied Denemetov. While Beijing and Moscow might be
on less than good terms, there was no reason for the two of them to be
hostile. "It is good to meet with you." The FM took an offered seat at
the conference table, just across from Hong.

"The reason that I am here is because the Federation wishes to lend
its political aid to your peacekeeping operations in North Korea,"
began Irena. "The DPRK has long been a threat to Far East peace and
stability and it is the best interests of Russia, China and the entire
world for your mission there to be successful. No one wants a repeat
of the drawn-out American occupation of Iraq, so we feel it is
important that China be given the support of its neighbors for taking
on such an important task."

Xia nodded graciously.  "Allow me to extend the gratitude of the Chinese
people to you and your Government.  It is greatly appreciated, and I believe a
good sign that cooperation rather than competition is the wave of our future.
I
must ask however, what support is the Federation willing to extend?"

"First, Russia is willing to table a non-binding resolution to the
Security Council, so that your government will not appear to be using
the UN merely as a mouthpiece for your own ends as some might accuse.
The text of the resolution would endorse your occupation as a
necessary step to restore order to North Korea and maintain peace in
the region.

"Secondley, the GRU and SVR would continue to provide the PLA with all
intelligence we have in regards to the current wearabouts, inside
North Korea and outside, of former DPRK political and military
leaders."

"We would welcome, and greatly appreciate that support, Minister."  Xia
picked up a prepared folder, details inside regarding the Chinese
plans for North
Korea.  She knew well it would likely make the international circuit once in
Russian hands, but there existed no reason not to make Chinese intentions
clear.
After all, a certain amount of international credibility was required.  "I
would like to formally inform the Russian government of Chinese intentions in
North Korea.  You'll find, Minister Denemetov, that Chinese intelligence and
diplomatic services are already trying to create a lawful, stable, and most
importantly sovereign government in North Korea."

Here is where Denemetov saw problems arising. The Russians didn't
particularly care what the Chinese did with North Korea so long as
regional stability was maintained. But already she could forsee the
Americans making noise. They, the ROK and the EU would likely call for
North Korea to be unified with the other Korean state.

A 'sovereign' North Korea under Chinese rulership, while perfectly
acceptable to Russia, would cause problems with the West. At the very
least everyone else would be calling for North Korea to be a
democracy. It was hard enough for actual democracies like America to
make former dictatorships into democratic state, let alone Communist
China.

"Stability is of course the most important and immediate priority,"
began Denemetov, nodding her head. "But there will be questions as to
the future of Korean unification."

"And it's the position of the Chinese people that any such questions must be
answered by the North Koreans themselves when they are ready, and at a time
and point of their chosing once they are."  Xia folded her hands together.  "I
understand your government's needlessly close relationship with the United
States puts Russia in a difficult position with regards to this
subject.  However
madame Minister, Chinese blood was not spilled just so we could hand to the
Americans another nation.  Sufficing to say, the continued presence of
American
troops in South Korea even following the fall of the Il regime is of great
concern to us."

'Needlessly close relationship.' That was a very interesting choice of
words. Obviously Moscow had not payed close enough attention to just
how China viewed the world's only other superpower and how Russia
fitted into the equation.

"That is a fair enough policy," agreed Denemetov. The UN and the
Americans might question China's sincerity, to say nothing of the ROK.
But that was their problem, not Russia's. "If it is your fear, Madam
President, that President Nemerenko's good working relationship with
President Williams will cause Russia to side with the United States in
whatever their response might be, you do not need to worry. As I have
said, we support your actions. North Korea was a threat that needed to
be dealt with and you have done just that. America was not within
North Korean missile range, both you and we were. As it is China that
has taken that responsibility to deal with the Pyongyang regime, we
feel it should be your responsibility to lead North Korea into a state
of self-determination, not America's."

"I'm glad our governments can see eye to eye on this much."  Xia smiled.
"Should it be the desire of your government, China would welcome Russian
observers, as well as any humanitarian aid you may wish to dispense to the
North
Korean people.  We will ofcourse take measures for the protection of
any personnel
or goods you do send."

"We can agree to that," said Denmetov. "I'll have to talk to the
Kremlin about specifics, but we can send inspectors to POW camps and
begin setting up food and medical aid centers to help the North Korean
civilian population."

"You won't find many 'POW' camps, Minister."  Xia sighed softly, watching
longingly as one of the Executive Estate's workers poured a cup of green tea for
each of the officials.  Once it was finally done she managed to grab a quick
sip, feeling more invigorated already.  "There was never a war.  The operation
is purely to restore some sense of order, and see to the needs of the North
Korean people.  We do have humanitarian camps, but our main efforts have been in
importing needed goods and rehabilitating the crippled infrastructure of the
nation, with the hope and expectation that this will lead North Korea to
regain a level of self-sufficiency."  Another sip.  "Your inspectors will have
unlimited access to the civilian population, though you'll have to
forgive me if I
can't guarantee their security beyond those areas secured by our troops and
North Korean patriot groups.  Likewise, you're welcomed to inspect any
detainment facility.  Let me take this moment to reassure you, and
your government,
that China has no intention of conquest with regards to North Korea... I'm sure
you can recognize the need of my Government to act rather than let millions
die."

"If that is everything," said Denemetov. At least now Russia didn't
need to worry much about China's plans for North Korea, as it applied
to Russia anyway.
----

Actions:
1) Russia will table an non-binding resolution to the UN Security
Council endorsing the Chinese occupation of North Korea.
2) The GRU and SVR will share all relevant intelligence it has with the PLA.
3) Russia will begin inspecting refugee camps and providing humanitarian aid.