| From: | "Paul J. Adam" <shadowtk@********.DEMON.CO.UK> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Meetings |
| Date: | Fri, 7 Nov 1997 18:00:31 +0000 |
>>>>>[TO: SIGA Archive
+++++begin transcript
C: David J H Coppinger, Director, SIGA
V: Brigadier-General Mark von Drexler, Chairman, Intelligence
Oversight Committee
C: Good morning, General. Thank you for-
V: Cut it short, David, I've got a lot to deal with this morning. What's
your problem?
C: Akbar and his Yemeni Jihad, with the arsenal they have acquired, will
become _our_ problem, General-
V: A Yemeni civil war is hardly a UCAS problem. It's on the wrong side
of the globe.
C: It's over a strategic resource -
V: David, I'm as aware as you are of the importance of niobium. I'm also
well aware that there are alternate sources, and that Akbar has no
intention of cutting the supply. Our aerospace companies are in no
danger: do you see Ares or Federated Boeing panicking? No? Are there
any intelligence reports suggesting a threat? No. Then concentrate on
your job.
C: I think we're missing a key point.
V: What? That one of your agents has a business interest involved? I'm
aware Jason Lynch has a sizeable holding in the Rebels, I know
they're on the front line, I'm sure he may go and assist them, and I
have no problem with that. It's not a UCAS Intelligence issue,
though. That Akbar may overthrow the Yemeni government? Bravo Foxtrot
Delta. Revolution ten thousand miles away, no Americans hurt.
He won't touch corporate assets, _far_ too risky: the Court would
stomp his raghead ass into the dust. He'll go for Sana'a, then Aden,
and offer big concessions to the corporations if they tacitly back
him. Simple, clear, no need for us to be concerned.
C: No, General. You're neglecting the threat a wealthier Akbar poses.
What will he and his fanatics do with their niobium revenue? I think
there's a grave danger he'll try to export his revolution to the Gulf
states, and that threatens oil. And that _is_ a threat to the UCAS.
V: Assuming he even has the means to seize and operate a niobium mine,
because they're all corporate and extraterritorial. Otherwise I think
it's far more likely he and his men will invest the money in palaces,
expensive cars and Zurich-Orbital accounts. If he starts a military
buildup in the region, we'll see him and we'll still have plenty of
time to act. I'm recommending no action and that is final. Was there
anything else?
C: No, General, you've said all that needs to be said.
+++++end transcript
Pompous ass.
He's right in the short term, but he's missed the big picture as
usual.]<<<<<
-- D J H Coppinger
Director
Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency
