by Don Brown
"Pardon, monsieur" -- la Trec held up his hand -- "but I am familiar with your outstanding organization. You provide funding worldwide for the legal defense of Muslims who may be the subject of political or religious persecution."
"You know of our organization?"
"But of course, monsieur. Your group underwrote Mr. Levinson's very handsome legal fee. Ten million dollars, was it? For the defense of the three Muslim chaplains last year as I understand it."
That comment took Abdur slightly aback. He knew la Trec's international underground contacts were good, but he didn't know they were that good.
"I am impressed, Monsieur la Trec."
"Don't be," la Trec said, smiling. "When your field is international criminal law, it is your job to stay abreast, shall we say, of the competition."
"By competition, I take it you mean Mr. Levinson?"
"A very fine attorney in his own right. And under those circumstances -- a court-martial in San Diego -- probably the right choice. The Yanks don't care too much for us Frenchmen these days. Would you care for some wine?"
"Yes, thank you." Abdur said. "Something red, please."
La Trec punched his intercom, and almost instantly an attractive secretary in a short, high-fashion dress brought in a silver tray with a bottle of pinot noir, flanked by two crystal wine glasses and a white plate with an assortment of cheeses. She poured the wine. La Trec sniffed it, sipped it, then nodded his head. The woman poured a glass for Abdur, who did the same.
"And so, Monsieur Rahman, to what do we owe the pleasure of your company here tonight?"
"First of all," Abdur said, "let me thank you for meeting me here with your staff at such a late hour."
"C'est ne faitrien," la Trec replied. It is nothing. "One advantage of paying our retainer, monsieur, is that we are on call for our very elite clientele twenty-four hours a day. Even at a quarter past midnight, as you can see."
"Monsieur la Trec, let me get to the point. My organization wishes to retain your services."
"In what way?"
"First as a lobbyist, then as a litigator."
"Hmm." A curious look. A raised eyebrow. A sip of pinotnoir. "And for whom and to whom do you wish to retain me to lobby?"
Abdur raised his glass, held it to the light, then took a sip. He nodded at the distinguished avocat. "The French government, monsieur. We wish for you to lobby your government for the introduction of certain measures before the Security Council of the United Nations."
The avocat smiled broadly. "And I suspect that in some way, this proposition might be connected to two American pilots, who happen to be Muslim, who also may happen to be in the hands of the government of our mutual thorn in the side, the State of Israel?"
"There is no such state," Abdur shot back. "But to answer your question, I suppose you suspect that, monsieur, because your natural instincts are impeccable. And because you are the greatest lawyer in the world."
"To my instincts." La Trec held his glass forward to clink it against Abdur's. "But I thought your friend Levinson was the best lawyer in the world." His voice held a hint of sarcasm. "After all, that's what his books say," la Trec added with a smirk.
"Levinson has now lost a case. You never have. Levinson tries his cases only in America. You are truly the world's greatest international barrister, having successfully defended such notorious characters as Igor the Barbarian and the Butcher of Bohemia. On the international stage, no lawyer in the world has a record that compares to yours, monsieur."
Jean-Claude la Trec smiled. "And when is it that you would like to have this resolution before the Security Council?"
"Sooner rather than later -- tomorrow."
"You realize, do you not, that the tasks you are asking of me are far more formidable than what you asked, even, of Levinson?"
"And more expensive, I am sure. If that is your meaning, monsieur."
A pleased look crossed the avocat's face. He stood and gestured to Abdur to join him. "There is a view I want you to see from the far side of my office."
Abdur stood and followed la Trec to a floor-to-ceiling window behind the avocat's desk.
"Look to your right, Abdur."
Abdur complied. Not far off soared the majestic Eiffel Tower, and off to the left, l'Arc de Triomphe. Both were brightly lit and rose triumphantly over a million other lights.
"Your city is magnificent. Truly the most beautiful capital in the world," Abdur said.
"Paris." La Trec swirled his wine, then drank deeply. "La Cite de Lumiere -- the City of Light. Ours is a city that is growing friendly to Islam. And for the right price, it is a city than can be controlled by Islam."
Abdur let that comment sit for a moment, taking in the sight. Then, looking out over the moonlight-bathed Paris skyline, he asked, "And what price might that be, monsieur?"
Silence fell between them.
"If Levinson were worth ten million U.S. dollars in a losing effort," he said after a moment, "it seems that a price of fifteen million for the lobbying and fifteen for the litigation would be fair. Do you not agree? After all, you asked Levinson to affect the outcome of a court-martial. You are asking me to single-handedly achieve an international resolution and, I presume, defend these aviators?"
Abdur studied the avocat for a few seconds without speaking, then said, "We can have thirty million wired into your account by two in the morning, Paris time. But we need you to move out on the resolution immediately."
That brought a sly grin. "If, as you say, the funds have cleared by 2:00 a.m., I will arouse my contacts in the government at 2:01."
"Then we have a deal?" Abdur asked.
"We have a deal," la Trec said.
CHAPTER 39
LCDR Zack Brewer's residence
4935 Mills Street
La Mesa, California
Smiling and trim in well-tailored designer jeans, her hair almost glowing orange in the last rays of the setting sun, Lieutenant Commander Wendy Poole stood on his porch. She seemed ready to laugh at his surprise.
"Wendy, what are you doing here?"
Her smile softened, and she seemed almost apologetic. "Captain Rudy sent me."
"Captain Rudy?"
She laughed softly. "You do remember Captain Rudy -- our commanding officer?"
"Our commanding officer? I thought Captain MacDonald at Appellate Government was your commanding officer."
"He still is. But I'm on TAD orders to San Diego as of this morning, Zack. I've been temporarily assigned to the Trial Service Office."
"What for?"
"The JAG has ordered me to serve as your assistant in the prosecution of the aviators," she said.
Zack could not speak.
"Captain Rudy made the request, Zack. He was worried" -- she cut her eyes away from his for a second -- "he was concerned that under the circumstances . . ." She paused as if calculating how much to say. "He felt you could use some assistance."
"Some assistance?"
"This wasn't my idea, but they really liked the working model that you and Diane followed last year in the prosecution of the chaplains. So even though I'm technically senior to you, Commander, my orders are to support you in any way you see fit. Paperwork, tracking down witnesses, helping at trial. You name it. I'm officially at your disposal -- sir."
Zack glanced at the mountain of paperwork on his ottoman.
I need to make sure your head's in the game . . .
You're the only diplomatic solution to prevent an international standoff . . .
War could break out, depending on how this is handled . . .
I need to make sure your head's in the game . . .
Then he looked back into Wendy's twinkling eyes.
"Know what?" he said. "I could use the help."
"Good," she said with a sigh of relief.
"See that paperwork over on my footstool?"
She stared at the pile of folders, then looked back to Zack with a confident smile. "So that's my homework?"
&
nbsp; "Our homework . . . after dinner. I was about to slap together a ham sandwich. How about if I make it two?"
"I'd love it."
CHAPTER 40
United Nations
Emergency Security Council meeting
First Avenue and 46th Street
New York, New York
Secretary of State Robert Mauney, at the order of the president, had flown from Washington to New York. He sat with the United States ambassador and the rest of the U.S. delegation at the large conference table in the well of the Security Council chamber.
The specially called emergency session to deal with the "heinous American attacks on the Dome of the Rock" had been underway for two hours now. The secretary-general had announced that during the afternoon's session, two resolutions -- the first, proposed by the Sudanese government, and the second, proposed by the French government --would be considered.
The first resolution, the Sudanese proposal, had been debated ad nauseum and was about to be voted on. The French resolution was yet to be introduced. Mauney remained uncertain about the French intentions. They had been typically tight-lipped.
This would be a high-stakes game of calculated mathematics. For the resolution to pass, nine of the fifteen members would have to vote for it. Each of the five members of the Security Council -- consisting of China, Russia, France, Britain, and the United States -- could exercise a veto and kill the resolution.
Mauney's instructions from the president had been clear: Use the veto only if it appears the enemy could muster the requisite nine votes to pass the condemnation resolution outright. Much would depend on the Brits and the French. If both stuck with the United States, either opposing the resolution or at least abstaining, the resolution could fall one vote short of passing. Both had remained lukewarm during the debates. Even still, Mauney doubted the Brits would actually vote to condemn. The French were another question altogether.
The resolution was called to order, and the secretary-general, Armani Ali of Egypt, took the floor to present the wording for an up-or-down vote by the fifteen members of the council.
"Resolved, on the motion of the Republic of Sudan, as follows:
"The Security Council of the United Nations does hereby condemn the United States of America for its unjustified and unprovoked military attack and destruction by United States Navy jets on the Dome of the Rock, a holy site sacred to the great and peaceful world religion of Islam.
"I will now begin the roll call on the resolution, proceeding in alphabetical order. Each nation will vote yea, nay, abstain, or veto as applicable."
One hour later, the balance on the condemnation measure hung with France. Seven members had voted to pass the condemnation resolution, and four had voted against it. Only two more votes were needed to pass it. The secretary came to France.
"The French Republic."
"Un moment, s'il vous plait, Monsieur Secretaire." This from Foreign Minister Louie Arant, who, like Secretary Mauney, had been dispatched by his president to personally oversee this international maneuvering.
Another minute passed. It seemed the French, in a typical grandstanding maneuver, planned to use the remaining two minutes to draw attention to themselves.
"Monsieur Secretaire," Foreign Minister Arant said. He hesitated a moment before continuing. "The French Republic votes -- yea."
Applause erupted in the gallery and among the Arab delegations.
Secretary Mauney stared at his traitorous French counterpart, who did not return the look. The French, as they had done on so many other matters in the war on terrorism, had put the United States in a tough position.
"Order, please. Order," the secretary-general said, trying to calm the spontaneous anti-American celebration so he could proceed with the roll call. "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland."
Lord, please don't let the Brits turn on us too.
"The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland," said Foreign Secretary Sir Victor McKibben, "Britain, in standing with her great ally in war, and her great friend in peace, the United States of America, votes -- nay."
"Thank you," Secretary Mauney mouthed at Sir Victor, who smiled and nodded graciously.
"The United States of America."
"One moment, please, Mr. Secretary." Mauney turned to an aide and asked for the tally sheet of votes. So far, eight countries, including Albania, Angola, Bosnia, China, Egypt, France, Russia, and Sudan, had voted yes. One more vote would give the resolution the requisite nine votes needed to carry, thus delivering an embarrassing blow to the United States. After the U.S. vote, the Republic of Uzbekistan, a former Soviet republic with a predominant Islamic population, was up next, with a sure "yea" that would seal the deal.
Mauney looked to his immediate right to Caroline Ward, the forty-five-year-old U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. "What do you think, Madam Ambassador?"
"We've got to exercise the veto, sir," she said, telling him what he already knew.
"Vive la France," he said under his breath. "You're right, Caroline. It's the only way to block outright passage of a condemnation against the U.S."
"Let's ship the Statute of Liberty back with the foreign minister," Ward whispered in his ear.
Mauney rose, shooting another unreciprocated stare at the French ambassador before addressing the secretary. "Mr. Secretary, on the resolution by the government of the Sudan, now before the Security Council, and in exercising the authority granted to it by the Charter of the United Nations, as a permanent member of this Security Council, the United States of America does hereby exercise its right of veto over the resolution."
Hissing rose from the Arab section and from the gallery.
"Order. Order," the secretary-general said. "The United States of America having exercised its right as a permanent member of this Security Council to use its veto authority, and the chair having recognized the veto cast by the United States of America, the resolution is killed, and we will now move on to further business.
"Our next item on the agenda is a second resolution, and the chair recognizes the foreign minister of the French Republic."
"Merci, Monsieur Secretaire." French Foreign Minister Arant rose, nodding and smiling at everyone around the circular table except the American delegation.
"As you know, two days ago, the government of Israel announced that Israeli Special Forces had captured two United States Navy pilots, who are suspected to have launched missile attacks against the Dome of the Rock. While preliminary evidence suggests that Israeli forces may have crossed into Syrian airspace and actually captured these pilots on Syrian soil, a fact that, if true, could constitute an act of war against Syria, it is not our intention at this time to introduce any resolution on that matter. We do reserve the right, however, to hold that matter open as more evidence pours in on the method of capture of these pilots.
"Whatever the method, however, the fact remains that Israel has these pilots, and they are potentially not only war criminals, but criminals against humanity. To that extent, I yield the balance of my time to a very distinguished citizen of France, one of the world's foremost international criminal lawyers, Monsieur Jean-Claude la Trec, who has drafted a resolution, sponsored by the French government, that we feel would lead to the fairest and most just tribunal for dealing with these pilots under international law."
The foreign minister turned and nodded, and the tall, silver-haired avocat rose from amid the French delegation.
"Merci, Monsieur Foreign Minister. Bon apres-midi, Messieurs-dames.
"As you know, ladies and gentlemen," the suave-talking gentleman began, "there is in the law, as we all know, the concept known as a conflict of interest. This concept is universally recognized not only in the body of law of every civilized nation on earth, but in the body of international law as well.
"The government of France would like to see this crucial international legal question involving disposition of these pilots in a way so as to avoid any charge of c
onflict of interest by any member state. Because these are American pilots, France feels it would be unfair to the United States government to be placed in a position of dealing with them."
La Trec, unlike his foreign minister, turned and gave a friendly nod at the American delegation. "Should the Americans prosecute these pilots, one of two things would happen. First, there would be so much international pressure to secure a conviction, the pilots might not receive a fair trial. On the other hand, if they were acquitted by an American tribunal, charges would arise, fairly or unfairly, that the system had been rigged."
La Trec again smiled and nodded to the Americans. Mauney glanced at Ambassador Ward, who rolled her eyes.
"This simply isn't fair to our American friends, and we wish to spare them such a potentially embarrassing situation.
"Likewise, should the State of Israel undertake such a prosecution, a similar conflict of interest would evolve. Although the attacks were against a Muslim holy site, that Muslim holy site was on soil controlled by the Israeli government. Like America, Israel would therefore be under enormous pressure from her own people to obtain a conviction, which may lead to an unfair trial for the pilots. An acquittal by an Israeli tribunal could lead to potential domestic chaos.
"Therefore, the government of France has authorized me to draft the following resolution for consideration by this honorable Security Council:
"Resolved: In the matter of seeking an appropriate international criminal forum for the potential prosecution of United States Navy pilots allegedly involved in the missile attack on the Dome of the Rock, and in order to prevent a potential conflict of interest by the United States of America or the State of Israel, both of whom may be faced with irreconcilable conflicts should either state seek to undertake such a prosecution, this Council calls upon the State of Israel to immediately hand over the pilots to military authorities of the United Nations for prosecution by the International Criminal Court, under the auspices of the Rome Treaty."