Читать книгу Ultimatum 2 - Richard Rohmer - Страница 8

The promised appointment memorandum was delivered to Rob’s office by special courier the next morning, just before he left his Energy office for the meeting with the Secretary of State.

It was partly in response to the request Ross had made at the conclusion of the briefing of the President. It was a matter Ross had discussed with his own immediate boss, Energy Secretary Michael Borins, who gave him the okay to raise it.

Ross told the President that it would be of value if he, Ross, could visit Russia, see the rotting nuclear subs and facilities in the Kola Peninsula where U.S. money was supposed to be spent, as well as the U.S.–financed nuclear storage facilities at PA Mayak and other locations. If the President approved, then the next step would be getting the Russian President’s concurrence. When that was obtained the State Department and Energy could work out the details with the Russians.

The President had responded positively, saying that he would prepare an appointment memorandum immediately. It would outline Ross’s terms of reference and authority for carrying out the nuclear waste tasks assigned to him. The visit to Russia would be specifically authorized.

To his astonishment and delight the memorandum advised that the President, with the approval of the Secretary of State, had appointed Dr. Rob Ross to be the President’s special representative for international nuclear waste matters, with the rank of ambassador and all the rights and privileges due to that office. He was directed to provide to the Secretary of State such advice and counsel as she might consider appropriate in her dealings with the Government of Russia in carrying out the President’s mandate concerning international nuclear waste.

It was to be announced to the Russians and to the media that the purpose of the visit of Ambassador Dr. Rob Ross to Russia was to inspect the nuclear waste sites and storage locations to which the U.S. government had contributed funds and to report to the President concerning possible increased funding.

It was the “possible increased funding” that the President was sure would cause Ivanov to open the door wide to Rob Ross. As it did, in fact, when State’s second letter arrived on the Russian’s desk requesting the Ross visit.