Trail of Blood

by Uzi Eilam

  Nine of the ten tables in the spartan dining room seated young men who grew silent and stood up when Yassin and Dr. Nimesdorf entered the room and joined the table at which Mughniyeh was sitting. A basket containing freshly baked pita bread, just out of the oven, was served alongside fresh sliced vegetables and hard-boiled eggs.

  “What exactly is on our agenda today, Yassin?” Mughniyeh addressed him, wasting no time.

  “First,” Yassin replied, “is an introductory meeting with the entire team. It is important that they get to know you, and that you get an impression of our warriors. You’ll get a chance to assess their level and degree of preparation to carry out the tasks we’ve allocated to them.”

  “How many of the warriors have cyber training?” Nimer challenged. “It’s going to be an important part of our arsenal in the attacks to come.”

  “Ahh… We have three talented young people who have received training on the subject. All three of them have graduate degrees in mathematics and computer science. Furthermore, it’s important to note,” Yassin added, “that two days ago, they returned from a two-month stay in North Korea. Thanks to our solid connection – through the Revolutionary Guard – with the Pyongyang Hacker Center, we now have a team that’s up to date on the cutting edge of cyber warfare. We have scheduled a separate work session later for Dr. Nimesdorf with the team, and he can assess the level that they have attained. We believe these are good, passionate, and talented young people.”

  All the young people present hurried to finish their meal and left to prepare for meeting the visitors and a day of training, bowing their heads as they departed. Yassin then presented an overview of the training program, emphasizing the high level of physical fitness and control of various weapons needed, as well as skill with placing explosives. He expressed his gratitude for the generous financial assistance arriving from Iran via Hezbollah. Yassin also described the positive relationship they had forged with terrorist and organized crime outfits active in the area. Fruitful cooperation had been established, he told them, in sharing information regarding upcoming investigations by American legal authorities, as well as dangerous monitoring and activity by investigative and control agencies in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.

  Yassin promised the guests a detailed survey of the training plan, focusing on the special highlights adopted in preparation for the current operations.

  “The young people chosen to take part,” Yassin said, “are native to the area, and Spanish and Portuguese are equivalent to a mother tongue for them. An important part of the training,” he told them, “was staying a few days in São Paulo, learning how to fit into life in the big city and getting to know the targets of the attacks from up close.”

  ***

  Mughniyeh and Nimer were impressed by the way the plan had been constructed, and by the knowledgeability exhibited by the volunteers. Their willingness to sacrifice their lives appeared genuine.

  “We were thinking about hitting the big synagogue in São Paulo on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath,” Yassin noted. “It is an opportunity to hurt more people as well as shocking them on their holy day. In addition to the attack on the synagogue,” he continued, “we were thinking of attacking the American and Israeli consulates a bit earlier. Our observations have shown us that consulate security is decreased on weekends. Attacking them will focus the attention of Brazil’s defense forces on those targets, and ensure a perfect execution at the synagogue.

  “I’d like to ask our esteemed guest for his opinion. We have been blessed with the presence of someone who shares our worldview, as well as an ally who had demonstrated his capabilities in the past. Dr. Nimesdorf has acquaintances within the community that had emigrated from Germany to South America after World War Two, and he’s knowledgeable about the scene here. The doctor is fluent in a broad range of technological knowledge in the fields of explosives, long-range missiles, nuclear weapons, and cyber warfare. Dr. Nimesdorf, the stage is yours!”

  “I’m happy to be here with you, in a farm that seems appropriate to the holy mission for which you’ve volunteered,” Nimer began quietly, “and I have to commend the level of training Saleh Yassin has established here. Your people,” Nimer addressed Yassin, “have received optimal preparation to carry out the same sort of attacks you carried out in the Nineties. In addition, I was impressed by the conclusions you have drawn in the few areas where the execution had not been perfect. A topic that needs to be addressed when planning any attack these days is cyber. It’s true that it is still important for us to bring about a large number of casualties; however, gentlemen, the digital portion of engaging in warfare has become vital.

  “There is no need to sacrifice your lives,” Nimer surprised the young people. “You’ll drive the car bombs to the destinations, and the vehicles will perform the last portion autonomously, on their own. Three such cars are already on their way here. Activation of the last phase will be based on an algorithm developed specifically for this purpose, and you’ll be ready for another cycle of attacks in the future.”

  “Doctor,” the tentative voice of one of the young men rang out, “is there anything else we need to or can do in order to ensure the cars go off at the destination?”

  “Don’t worry, young fellow,” Yassin intervened. “We’ve received backup in the form of the three young people over here.” Yassin pointed out the three foreign young men. “This is our cyber team, and they’ve just undergone training at the cyber-center of our ally North Korea. Dr. Nimesdorf has volunteered to guide them in cyber activity that will support the execution of our missions in São Paulo.”

  A murmur of appreciative whispers passed through the attendees. Yassin allowed the young people to calm down and approached the cyber team in order to pat them on the back and shake their hands.

  “The meeting is over!” Yassin declared. “You have a lot of work today.”

  The young attendees rose as one and left the briefing room, while the three young men comprising the cyber team accompanied Yassin and Dr. Nimesdorf to the computer room.

  “We’re flying off to Buenos Aires this afternoon,” Mughniyeh reminded Nimer, who was talking shop with the young men. “Please prioritize the topic of having this team construct a cyberinfrastructure. We’ll need to maximize our utilization of this tool, and they know what we need. We’ll be in touch, and come back here after the meetings scheduled for us in the capital.”

  Chapter 22

  From the moment the Argentinian airline’s plane landed in Buenos Aires’s small international airport, Aeroparque Jorge Newbery, Nimer tensed, beginning to feel the stress of the upcoming meetings. He knew he was expected to accomplish a nearly impossible task, ultimately prodding Argentina into supplying Iran with both the required technology and the sensitive product—fuel for the research reactor in Teheran. The financial attaché at the Iranian Embassy was waiting for them near the jet bridge, greeting Mughniyeh with an enthusiastic hug. Nimer already knew that the man was a senior representative of the Revolutionary Guard in Argentina, with an impressive record of accomplishments within the organization. The drive to the embassy gave him time to put his thoughts in order. When they arrived, the ambassador was waiting for them in the conference room.

  “We’ve received notice from Teheran of your mission, and we’ll do everything possible to ensure its success. A meeting has been scheduled for you tomorrow morning with the head of Argentina’s National Atomic Energy Commission, and our financial advisor will accompany you to all meetings. It is a sensitive topic due to the United States’ threat, as well as the fact that Argentina is subject to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, just like every other country that signed it. An additional impediment is the regional Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, called The Treaty of Tlatelolco, which the countries of South America, including Brazil, have signed. However, the Supreme Leader is insisting on Argentina’s duty to supply us with fuel for the Teheran Research R
eactor.”

  “We could ‘remind’ the Argentinian leadership that we have the ability to set in motion a series of terrorist attacks even more brutal than those of the Nineties, and tell them to pay attention to what’s about to take place in one of their neighboring countries. It’s important to emphasize that we expect our ally Argentina to respect the agreement to supply fuel for the research reactor,” the financial advisor said, allowing the visitors to realize who was actually running the embassy.

  “We have one more important item of information,” Mughniyeh responded, “one that I believe could prove helpful in the meeting with the head of the Atomic Energy Commission. In addition to his knowledgeability regarding the secrets of atomic energy, Dr. Nimesdorf also knows quite a lot about the Siemens company, where he worked following his Ph.D. studies in Berlin. Nimesdorf is fluent in the history of the company’s construction of nuclear power stations to produce electricity in Argentina. Our expert knows what he’s talking about when it comes to nuclear technology. Argentina’s scientists should appreciate that.”

  “It’s been a pleasure to meet you,” Dr. Nimesdorf,” the ambassador said as he rose to walk the visitors out of the embassy. “I understand a tour in this unique city has been scheduled for you, and I’m sure the financial advisor will take care of everything.”

  Nimer did not say a word throughout the tour, merely listening to the advisor’s explanations and to his conversation with Mughniyeh. He thought about the upcoming meeting with the head of the Atomic Energy Commission, and decided to dedicate the time left until the meeting to polishing his points on the nuclear topic. Nimer vividly recalled Siemens’ involvement in designing the nuclear reactor intended to produce electricity in the Iranian city of Bushehr, as well as the company’s negotiations with Argentina. Nimer was aware of the fact that the contract between Iran and Argentina for upgrading the small research reactor in Teheran had not been rescinded, but merely put on hold. Argentina, which had developed independent status in all areas of nuclear activity, was eager to enjoy the generous funds Iran had offered it. However, what had been easy in the initial stages of Argentina’s nuclear path became more difficult later on in response to international pressure. Would it be wise to remind the Argentinian scientist of the delivery of uranium ores to Israel, Nimer debated, or would that only discourage the man from following through with conveying the technology required to fuel the Teheran Research Reactor, in accordance with the agreement? Perhaps he should hint yet again at the financial endowments that would continue to pad his Swiss bank account? Nimer perused the copy of the agreement between the two countries once more, marking several sections worth emphasizing during the meeting. And thus, once he felt he had gone over all the important points, Nimer allowed himself to go to bed.

  ***

  The offices of Argentina’s National Atomic Energy Commission were located in a luxurious building with a white marble veneer on Avenida del Libertador, not far from the buildings of Argentina’s Ministry of Energy and Mines. The Atomic Energy Commission, the financial advisor explained, was officially subordinate to the Ministry of Energy, but in fact, was entirely autonomous, reporting solely to the prime minister and to the president. The visitors were not obliged to wait and were whisked into the chairman’s office immediately.

  “Greetings, Mr. Chairman, your honor,” the financial advisor began. “Thank you for taking the time to meet us.”

  “Welcome. I’m glad that you came and I am curious to hear what you have to say. I understand this mainly concerns the small research reactor in Teheran?”

  “Yes, sir, and it is important to note that Iran’s Supreme Leader has instructed us to make every effort to ensure the agreement between our countries is carried out. Imad Mughniyeh, whom I am sure that you’ve heard of, and Dr. Nimesdorf, a true technological renaissance man, have come here especially in order to meet you. Dr. Nimesdorf worked as an advisor for the Siemens company, which built two nuclear power stations for your country.”

  “I’m honored to meet you, Mr. Mughniyeh and Dr. Nimesdorf. We’re aware of the need to convert the research reactor into a facility that uses 20% enriched uranium fuel. It’s not a simple matter, mostly due to the international political sensitivity…”

  “We’re familiar with all the sensitive aspects, sir, and Iran has also suffered from ‘excessive’ attention from the United States and the European countries,” Nimesdorf interjected. “The Siemens company designed Iran’s first nuclear reactor for the production of electricity , but unfortunately, Germany had to succumb to American pressure and withdrew from the project. Russia stepped in to fill this void, and thanks to it, the reactor built near the city of Bushehr became active.”

  “Thank you for bringing that up, Dr. Nimesdorf, as it reinforces the sensitivity in the international sphere that I’ve mentioned…”

  “I must also note the fact that a contract exists between you and Iran, and contracts must be fulfilled. But there is another angle that we wish to discuss.”

  “And what is that angle, doctor?”

  “You provided tons of uranium to Israel, Iran’s greatest enemy!”

  “Where did that information come from? Who told you about it?”

  “No secret can be kept forever, sir,” Nimesdorf continued. “Eventually, everything is revealed. You should consider atoning for your sin of supporting Israeli nuclear capabilities and fulfill the agreement to supply fuel to Iran. If you heed my advice, you could very discreetly convey the plans for the research facility’s new core to Iran. Those plans, along with a small crew of your experts who would be top-secret and most welcome visitors in Iran, could resolve the problem.”

  “What you’re saying makes sense, Dr. Nimesdorf,” the chairman replied, his gaze roaming among the three visitors. “I’ll look into the subject as soon as possible with the president…”

  “How long will the discussion take?” the financial advisor intervened. “Our guests won’t be staying too long.”

  “I have a weekly meeting with the president, scheduled for tomorrow. I’ll get back to you, sir,” the chairman told the advisor, “tomorrow after I meet the president.”

  ***

  “What’s your assessment?” Mughniyeh asked the advisor after they had returned to the embassy and were conducting an analysis of the meeting.

  “The maneuver of bringing up the fact that they supplied uranium to Israel was a brilliant one,” the advisor complimented them. “Along with another financial endowment that I’ll take care to transfer today, that might sway them. The principle of utter secrecy is truly vital to both sides in this case.”

  “Okay, we’ll be waiting for an update from you tomorrow,” Mughniyeh concluded.

  “I do have something somewhat troubling, gentlemen, which concerns the field of communication…” the financial advisor said.

  “What is that, exactly?” Nimer bolted to attention.

  “I tried to relay a report to Teheran about our positive meeting with the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, and we experienced some inexplicable disconnections…”

  “And it’s only happened now?”

  “It’s been happening at rather lengthy intervals. In addition to this latest occurrence, we’ve also been aware of breaks in communication during the last few days, which we attributed to problems in the general network serving South American countries.”

  “That doesn’t sound good to me,” Nimer opined. “Let’s alert our cyber team, Mughniyeh, and make arrangements to maintain continuous communication during the operation.”

  Chapter 23

  How did I manage to snag the Argentinian chairman in the trap of the uranium shipments to Israel? Nimer marveled happily to himself. It was much easier than the trap I set for the clever, elusive fox when I was a child. From our secret cave, I watched along with Gideon, my Jewish friend, how the fox sprung the trap without getting caught…
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  “I didn’t believe we’d get authorization for fueling the nuclear reactor in Teheran that quickly,” Nimer returned to the current traps he was dealing with. “Would it be enough to rely on the report that the Buenos Aires Embassy’s financial advisor will make to the Revolutionary Guard? Or should we instruct our cyber team to relay a brief report on our secured network?” he asked as they returned from Buenos Aires to the farm and sat down to sum up the meeting.

  One of the young men brought over a tray with cups of steaming coffee and two plates laden with sweet kanafeh pastries straight from the frying pan. Nimer smacked his lips in pleasure as he tasted these delicacies. “Ah! Just like the ones from the marketplace in Beirut.”

  Yassin soon joined the meeting, bearing a file specifying the plan for the attacks in São Paulo.

  “We have conducted thorough reconnaissance and ongoing observations at all of the attack’s planned targets,” Yassin said, “and rented a structure with an underground garage for the cars. There’s also an isolated house in a distant suburb that will be suitable for the missile crew,” he concluded proudly.

  “Actually, once we are convinced that the structure where the car bombs will be stored is also suitable as a headquarters for the operation,” Nimer stated, “we’ll have to staff it and have it appropriately guarded by a security detail. It’s important to take a test drive in the city that will constitute a ‘dry run’ for the operation of the car bombs. We’ll also need regular cars that will allow our people to follow the progress of the vehicles during the autonomous phase of reaching their destinations. The missile team has to get settled in the isolated house as soon as possible and maintain a low profile to the greatest extent possible until zero hour. Then, after the missiles are launched and reach their targets, they’ll have to clear out of there, taking the launchers and the rest of the equipment with them.”