Choosers of the Slain

8

Benito Mussolini had a method for intimidating those who wished to confer with him. He had his public office located in a vast, marble-walled chamber, decorated in an aggressively neo-Romanesque style. A dignitary forced to trudge across that chilly stonework expanse to stand before II Duce's desk frequently developed the unnerving feeling of being a sacrificial victim meeting his destiny in some ancient temple of the gods.

Certain lesser individuals endeavored to get the same effect by placing their desks on a low platform so that official guests were forced to look humbly up at them. President Antonio Sparza of Argentina would have none of such crudity.

Instead, his public office in the Casa Rosada had been turned over to a skilled team of interior decorators, who, by the deft use of furnishings and decor, had focused the entire room on the presidential desk and the man seated behind it.

Harrison Van Lynden was grateful for this. It would help to remind him not to take his opponent for granted.

As Van Lynden and Steve Rosario were ushered in, Sparza came to his feet. He was not a tall man. Rather, he was solid and stocky with few indications of middle-age softness.

Likewise, there was little gray in his thinning black hair and narrow mustache. There was a hint of ruddiness beneath the olive of his complexion. This was another warning to take this man very seriously. In a nation that still prided itself on being the most "European" of the South American states, a politician who could overcome the prejudice against "Indio" blood would be most remarkable.

"Mr. Secretary, it is an honor." Sparza's handshake was dry-palmed and firm, and his English was faultless. "Mr. Rosario, it is a pleasure to see you again. Gentlemen, please be seated."

As Van Lynden settled into the silk damask upholstery of the chair he had been offered, he sensed that the great game was about to be played.

"Thank you, Mr. President. I wish that this first meeting could have taken place under more favorable circumstances."

"As do I, Mr. Secretary," Sparza replied, leaning back into his own chair. "And I shall be the first to admit that your nation has every right to be concerned about certain, rather draconian actions that Argentina has taken recently. I hope that I might be able to explain them to your full satisfaction."

"I hope so as well, Mr. President. However, before we delve into that, there is a formality that I must attend to. Mr. Rosario…"

The junior State Department man lifted his briefcase to his knees, unsealed it, and removed a flat, cream-colored envelope bearing the Great Seal of the United States. He passed it to Van Lynden, who in turn handed it to Sparza.

"President Sparza. I must present to you this official note of protest from the President of the United States concerning the following points:

"Point one being the Violation of the Antarctic Treaty of 1961, of which the United States and Argentina are both signatories, by the deployment of armed forces to the Antarctic continent.

"Point two being the forcible occupation of installations belonging to the United Kingdom, an ally of the United States, and the detainment of the installation personnel in violation of international law.

"Point three being the death of a British citizen at the hands of Argentine troops in the process of this occupation."

Sparza didn't bother to open the envelope. Instead, he gazed at Van Lynden with a carefully maintained look of concerned interest.

"Again, I understand. Earlier this morning, I received a similar, somewhat more pointed note from the British Ambassador. Firstly, I would like to assure you that the death of Captain York was a terrible accident. The preliminary report I have received indicates that our people believed his ship to be fully abandoned when they opened fire on it to silence its radio beacon. We accept full responsibility and we promise full reparations to the Captain's family and crew."

Van Lynden kept up his own expression of sober neutrality. An interesting opening. No weaseling and a ready accepting of the blood blame. What did they expect to trade off for it?

"We're pleased to hear that, President Sparza. However, we're also strongly concerned about the fate of the other British citizens involved."

"Understandably so. I am pleased to be able to inform you that the situation is being resolved. All of the British Antarctic Survey personnel displaced when we assumed custodianship of the British bases are being flown out by the Chilean Air Force even as we speak. All are in good health, all have been well-treated. They will be turned over to the British consul in Punta Arenas this afternoon."

"That is very good news, sir. It clears the way for us to get down to the core of the matter." Van Lynden let a carefully metered amount of steel creep into his voice. "Why has Argentina violated the Treaty of 1961 and launched an armed invasion of the Antarctic continent?"

Sparza refused to cross blades. "Please, Mr. Secretary, hear me out. We ask that you consider our actions not as an invasion as much as an act of deliberate civil disobedience on an international scale. A protest against an injustice done to Argentina and to all of the developing nations of the world."

"I don't follow you, sir."

"As you must be aware, we are on the verge of the second International Geophysical Year. A number of the signing states of the Treaty of 1961, including your own, have been campaigning strongly to have Antarctica declared a world park. Their motives are no doubt most admirable, but in their rush to bring about this idealistic dream, the differing opinions of other signatory states have been ignored, if not suppressed."

"States such as Argentina," Van Lynden replied.

"There is certainly no reason to deny our concern over this matter. My nation invests a far larger percentage of its national budget on Antarctic operations than the United States does. The Antarctic is our closest overseas neighbor. It is not surprising that we would be strongly interested in its future."

"Argentina isn't alone in that interest," the Secretary of State replied. "For decades the Antarctic Treaty states have been discussing its use and development. The clear consensus now is that the Antarctic continent be maintained as a natural preserve."

"That is because the majority of the Treaty states consider the Antarctic as a scientific curiosity, something to be put up on a laboratory shelf and studied at their leisure!"

For the first time, Sparza's control loosened just a little. Van Lynden noted the extra intensity in his speech, the spark in his eyes. Now he wasn't just speaking words, he was speaking beliefs.

"Argentina has long planned for the development of the Antarctic. Not a massive, destructive development, but a carefully controlled utilization of the rich natural resources available on the southern continent. It will be a program that will benefit not only Argentina but the international community as a whole, while leaving ninety percent of the Antarctic untouched. That is our dream."

"And you feel this dream justifies a military takeover?"

Sparza made an impatient gesture. "Mr. Secretary, as I have stated, we will be the first to admit that our actions have been drastic. However, it was necessary to halt this impetuous rush by the Treaty states into a well-meant but ill-considered pitfall. I assure you, we desire a rapid solution to this situation and a rapid return to the status quo."

"But?" Van Lynden inquired, looking over the frames of his glasses.

"But we ask for one thing, and one thing only. A true international hearing on the future of Antarctica. Not just among the rather insular Treaty states, but before the world community as a whole. We wish to take this question to the United Nations and put it before the General Assembly for open debate and a vote. That is all. You have my word personally, and the word of the Argentine government."

"That's all?"

"That is all, Mr. Secretary."

Van Lynden gave himself a five count to consider before speaking again. "I can see no overt problem with U.N. involvement. Any final decision, however, will require consultation with my government."

"Of course."

"Now that you've made your 'demonstration,' what about the withdrawal of the Argentine military, and the return of the occupied facilities to British control?"

Sparza smiled benignly. "There is every reason to hope that the British may soon be allowed to resume their scientific operations. We desire not to keep a single combat soldier on Antarctic soil a moment longer then necessary. However, my government feels these matters are best dealt with through United Nations channels. Do not worry, Mr. Secretary. We have no intentions of taking any hostile actions against any United States installation in Antarctica."

"I'm pleased to hear that, President Sparza," Van Lynden replied slowly. "Because I am authorized to inform you that a United States Fleet Marine Force Recon Company is being airlifted in to Palmer Station on the Antarctic Peninsula. They are fully equipped and trained for polar warfare and they have been ordered to resist any armned incursion made against that facility."

Put that in your pipe and smoke it, smart boy.

The Argentine snapped taut, but just for a moment. When he spoke again, his voice was as carefully modulated as ever.

"This action was unnecessary, but understandable. We acknowledge the right of all nations to safeguard their national interests, just as we are doing."

Van Lynden didn't reply beyond levelly meeting Sparza's gaze.

The tautness returned to Sparza's demeanor as he broke the silence. "In a related matter, it has been reported to us that a United States naval vessel is currently off the Argentine coast, apparently en route to the Drake Passage area. I trust that since we are in agreement as to the desirability of a negotiated settlement, your nation is not contemplating some additional, unnecessary escalation."

"President Sparza, ships of the United States Navy routinely deploy to all corners of the world for a wide variety of reasons. As long as those operations are conducted within the confines of international waters, they are solely the concern of the United States and the Commander in Chief of our Armed Forces. However, I'll mention your concerns to my government."

The sword tips had crossed; the opening gambit was over. Sparza glanced down at his wristwatch. "Thank you, Mr. Secretary. That will be greatly appreciated. And now, gentlemen, you must excuse me. Other matters of state require ray attention."

On the limousine ride back to the U.S. Embassy, Steve Rosario made the first tentative comment.

"The Argentines appear willing to negotiate. That's hopeful."

"It's easy to be magnanimous when you think you're winning, Steve. Through the major part of that meeting, Sparza was acting like a man with four kings and an ace-high kicker."

"You think so?"

"I know so. He had a pat answer ready for any question we could ask. Hell, I was tempted to look over my shoulder for the TelePrompTer. He's got a game plan going here, and so far, we're wired right into it."

"You don't think they're playing straight with us, then."

Van Lynden shook his head. "No, this whole line about international civil disobedience' is bullshit of the rankest kind. It's a justification for a blatant land grab that they hope will play well to the global media. Argentina is a member of the United Nations. They could have brought the Antarctic question up before the General Assembly at any time they desired. Dr. Towers indicated that that's where it would have ended up anyway.

"There is something else going on here, Steve. Another entire level to this situation that we don't comprehend yet."

"Where do we start?"

"I'm not sure. I did notice one thing. Sparza expressed concern about that ship we have off his coast, yet he didn't even mention the fact that half of both the Atlantic Fleet and the Royal Navy are roaring down on him."

The Secretary of State was quietly thoughtful for a moment, then he continued. "If we can figure out why one ship now is more critical than twenty next week… Well, we might just have something."