Читать книгу The Gaza Project - Cyrill Delvin - Страница 4

»These are times when children are born into war; into a cradle of violence. They live constantly on the brink of death. In the end, they die before the battle is over. These are times when there’s no hope, only impotence. Where hatred doesn’t blind people but shows them the way. Times like these never end and will always start anew.«

Charles took a sip of water from the glass in front of him on the wooden table.

»We are here together because it’s time to act. We are in a position to do something. We shall change the course of history. Not globally, but locally. In a place where change is badly needed – in Gaza. Together, with a lot of persistence and a little luck, we’ll go down in the annals of history.«

Those present knew the lean man in his mid-fifties well enough by now not to say anything. In any case, the high-ranking guests hadn’t come together for a discussion, but to reach a decision. Collectively. And still each for themselves.

With a dismissive gesture, Charles continued: »Anyway, today we shall agree that the IWAC will arrive at the Gaza Strip without attracting public attention.«

On his right, quite unmoved, sat the tall Israeli Prime Minister Eizenburg. On his left, the delicate Šarīf seemed like a little boy by comparison. He had resigned recently as the head of the Fatḥ to found the Palestinian Brotherhood Party. Attempting to unite the estranged Palestinian parties put him under immense pressure. The American Minister of Foreign Affairs, Doris Whiteford, completed the illustrious round.

The salon was randomly furnished with precious pieces of furniture, creating a rather tawdry and not very stylish impression. The mansion was located high above the Bay of Marseille in the east of the city on the secluded country estate Trois-Ruisselets. Charles, who used to be the American Ambassador in Paris, had acquired the property some years earlier and had had it restored.

He preferred hosting the unofficial meeting in this virtually neutral zone. Naturally, the estate had its own helipad and was, as usual, guarded by the French police. This afternoon, it was also protected by French, American and Israeli secret service agents.

Today, the club, as he derisively yet affectionately referred to the assembled circle to his friends, had their third meeting. Through his diverse political activities, Charles had established close ties to all the leading political figures and organisations over the years. It was short of a miracle that he had managed to assemble the opposing camps, which had been warring for decades, under the one roof.

Absolute secrecy was the condition and the key to success. The deal was simple: Should they succeed, each politician could individually claim to have been the driving force behind the change. If they didn’t, none of the dialogue partners had to expose him or herself and embark on potentially politically destructive discussions. What they all had in common was the will to solve the problems at the Levantine coast. The task was to inconspicuously engineer the individual steps that would eventually lead to peace in the Middle East. So inconspicuous that it could be achieved without resistance.

The IWAC’s plans, however, were more far-reaching than the Levant. When Charles found himself on his own, sitting in front of the mansion’s magnificent fireplace, he therefore frequently pondered the situation.

What right do I have to interfere to such an extent in the course of events? Or do my influence and means oblige me all the more to do something?

Who was Senator Charles William Reeds, this apparently carefree American? A naive megalomaniac or a genius? The responsibility he had imposed on himself to implement his ideas was a heavy burden indeed.

While he was lost in thought, the two cast-iron brackets to the left and the right of the fireplace, petering into lions claws, started performing a manic dance. The claws jumped from side to side and the imaginary lion’s head with them. To the same extent that the light and the shadow of the crackling fire became increasingly wild, the predator‘s purring and growling escalated in a crescendo permeating the whole room. The desperate screams of a young black boy, Johnny, merged with the noise. Charles covered his ears. Thankfully he only rarely had the time to muse in front of the fire at Trois-Ruisselets.

»The IWAC’s first step will be to ship relief supplies to Gaza and distribute them among the population. We procure the food and the basic medical supplies as far as possible from the surrounding regions and label everything neutrally. Not even the IWAC logo will be visible. We organise the sourcing, the logistics and the transport up to the coast. For local distribution, we involve people in Gaza. All the helpers, insofar as they are not Palestinians, will be recruited from the neighbouring countries except Israel.«

He looked at Eizenburg who nodded imperceptibly. Charles had had to persistently champion his cause to arrange these talks. In the end, it had only been possible because all the details had been negotiated with the attending parties in advance during one-to-one sessions. Comments were not encouraged. The power brokers‘ participation had been contingent on this condition. That the climate would remain frosty was a given. But the American was convinced that this meeting was crucial for his plans to progress.

»Israel will relax the sea blockade for the IWAC. Of course, the Israelis have the unconditional right to inspect our ships at any time. On the other hand, they are pushing the erection of the wall around the Gaza Strip and also to the south against Egypt. This will effectively protect the Israeli population. The task of the Palestinian interim government is to keep a check on the inner-party turf wars in the region it controls. Terrorist activities against Israel and inside the Gaza Strip are to be prevented at any price. And President Šarīf will do anything within his power to ensure this won’t happen.«

Šarīf himself was just about to interject: Israel is an occupying force and the Palestinians are freedom fighters, not terrorists! But Charles stopped him short: »The Israeli Prime Minister cannot and does not want to avert possible reprisals! We have to be clear on that point.«

Šarīf resembled a whipped puppy and the IWAC chairperson understood only too well how the Palestinian felt. Among all those present he had the least influence over the political environment and the people he represented. And still, he played a key part in this critical initial phase.

From that perspective, it was easier to negotiate with Israel. Not only because of the American Minister of Foreign Affairs‘ presence, but also because of the contributions of the absent high-ranking initiates from Russian and China.

»Everyone in this room is convinced that Israel and Palestine can only peacefully coexist if both have a healthy economy. We believe in a balance of interests and not in a balance of power. That’s why we are here. The IWAC is willing to create such a balance on the Gaza Strip. We want the people to take responsibility for the future. We do not believe in a military solution to the Middle East conflict. It is therefore the objective of every one of us to create the framework. In secret, without the world’s media getting wind of it. Officially, the IWAC does not take a stance regarding the conflict. We support a humanitarian programme for the redevelopment of the Gaza Strip just like so many other non-government organisations.«

It was late afternoon before Trois-Ruisselets was once again at the sole disposal of its proprietor. The additional security personnel and the French police had vacated the premises together with the politicians. However, two guests, who hadn’t taken part in the meeting, remained in the house: Françoise, the IWAC’s chief of operations, and Ted, in charge of the activities on the Gaza Strip. After dinner, they sat together in the study.

»It’s hard to believe, but in just two years you‘ve achieved what others unsuccessfully fought for their whole live.« Françoise raised her glass in a toast: »To you and the IWAC!«

»Thank you, Françoise. It wasn’t easy to get those in charge together, but it’s child’s play compared to what’s ahead of us. How valuable our work is will be apparent when we actually become active in Gaza. The real challenges are still out there.«

»A bit of excitement during the work can do no harm.«

»I agree. Let’s take the bull by the horns, but if things get hairy, nobody is going to divert the beast’s attention the way they do in a bullfight, Ted! Despite all the security precautions and agreements, the Gaza Strip is and remains a loose cannon!«

»You know me, Charles. I only come out with my flippant remarks to score points with the ladies.«

Nobody commented.

»Professor Liu Cheng from the Peking Polytechnic rang a while ago. He’s accepted the position as head of research and development.«

»Are you serious?!« Françoise exclaimed. »That means we’ve already won half the battle.«

»Have we? Next week, he’ll meet you in Paris and in the fall he will start in Cyprus.«

»That’s just wonderful. You’re a true miracle worker.«

That moment, there was a knock on the door and the private secretary entered the room.

»Pardon the interruption, Sir, the Israeli Prime Minister is on the line.«

»Thank you, Brad, put him through.«

»Very well, Sir.«

»Liron, where are you? I see …«

All the others could hear was something being uttered in an agitated voice from the other end of the line.

»Yes, but…« Charles fell silent. »Thank you, Liron. Yes, we are still staying on course. Have a good flight, Liron.«

He slowly turned around to the others. »During our meeting this afternoon, Israeli fighter planes attacked the Ḥamās post at the coast in the south of the Gaza Strip in retaliation for the suicide bombings in Jerusalem three weeks ago. The Palestinians suffered a considerable loss of civilian life.«

The flames in the fireplace seemed to flicker with particular intensity.

»Damn it!« Ted cried out from the depths of his armchair. »You simply can’t trust those lunatics, on either side. And here they were just a while ago playing at charades. If only we could build a wall high enough to reach Yahweh and Allah! Then there would be no more jet fighters and ping-pong matches with human bombs.«

»Did Eizenburg know about it? Can we trust him?«

»The actual problem is that Liron wasn’t involved.«

»Do you really believe that?« Françoise asked.

»I do, but that means that he isn’t as much in charge as he wants to be – or should be. One way or the other, I now have to make a few calls and smooth things over.«

Addressing Ted, he said: »We’ll meet the logistics specialists in Washington on Sunday, as agreed. And Ted, we will build a wall. An invisible wall. To break through it will cost Israel a lot of money in the end. Too much money.«

Before he hurried from the study, he hugged Françoise. »As I said, we’re only just starting. It’s going to be fine. And look after Cheng. We need him.«