Chapter 34: The Georgian Viper
Office of the Georgian Internal Security Services and Supreme Economic Council.
Laverentij Pavlovich Beria looked up from his work as a heavy set man cast open the door to his office.
" Comrade President, I don't remember us having an appointment at this time, none the less, perhaps you should sit down?"
Charkviani, President of the Council of Worker's Deputies, wasn't in a mood for pleasantries.
“The Ukrainians are bleeding, right now, fighting our war for us, they reached within a few miles of Moscow! What do you think will happen once the Russians reach Odessa and senior figures begin to fall into their hands? How long before they discover some of your schemes Beria? How long before the Russians use those schemes as a pretext to come storming across the border before winter falls?”
Beria responded softly, with an almost lecturing tone.
“Khrushchev has proven to be something of a fool. Ukraine is not Germany. Even in its weakened state, a conventional war against Russia is beyond the capabilities of Ukraine or the Scandanavians, and it is foolish to think that the French, with their eyes upon Italy, Germany, Spain and America will send so much as a single rifle to Eastern Europe.”
"That is your opinion Comrade Chairman, nothing more."
Beria adjusted his spectacles and glanced up at his Head of State as one might observe a stain on ones shoe.
The Georgian Government, 1937.
“ And what would you propose?”
Charkviani steadied himself.
“Strategically, I see that we have three options, if we are not to wait like lambs for the slaughter. First, a defensive pact with the Commune, to dissuade any Russian aggression, alternately, the Council of Worker's Deputies would suggest a pre-emptive attack while the Russian army is out of position, preferably in conjunction with action by the Scandinavians.”
Beria looked down at his desk and shook his head, again as a disappointed teacher might.
“ You said three options Comrade President?”
“In the event that neither of these options is feasible, the Council demands an attempt be made to reach accord with the Germans and Turks. They desire stability in the region and it is likely they would be willing to restrain the Russians in exchange for guarantees over Azerbaijan and Armenia.”
Beria leaned back in his chair and locked gaze with the Premier for a full five seconds before replying.
“Sit down comrade President.”
After a moment's hesitation, the President took the proffered chair.
“ Comrade President, you understand that I have already provided information to the Council indicating that the French will take no action in the Caucuses so long as the situation in Western Europe remains unresolved. For now, that means that any such accord with Germany would necessarily come at the cost of any ambitions for further revolution in the region. Instead, the Turks would demand ever greater control until we retained existance no more substantial than that enjoyed by the Armenians. We should be freeing and asserting proletarian control in those states, not joining them in Ignominy. ”
Charkviani steadied himself.
“ Those ambitions are yours and yours alone Comrade, my concern, and the concern of the Council must be for Georgia first and Georgia alone.”
“My dear Comrade President, you know full well that far too many of your compatriots, are entranced by our destiny to let you simply swat it aside. Even the workers themselves are convinced that Georgia must grow to survive.”
The President openly scoffed.
“ When to speak otherwise is to invite the attentions of your comrade Dzughashvili's Special Security service, how would you expect them to say anything else.”
“However true that may be Comrade President, that is none the less what they say, and may I add that casting doubt on public confidence in the security services is grounds for a sabotage charge.”
Charkviani steadied up, and stared and Beria intently, like a man who felt he was about to make the winning move.
“Then it will be war.”
Beria sighed again.
“ We can't win Comrade, seven divisions can not do what twenty three ukrainian divisions could not”
Charkviani did not budge.
“ The Council is convinced that our sudden entry would force the Russians to diver troops from Ukraine, allowing Khrushchev the opportunity to rally. It is also possible that the Scandinavinan powers may be drawn in if they sense the opportunity to strike against Russia while she is vulnerable.”
Beria still spoke softly.
“ It's a dream comrade, and one that would get us all killed.”
Charkviani was rappidly running out of patience.
“ The Council believes otherwise, and ultimately, shocking as this may be Comrade Beria, it is not up to you . You may administer the security services and you may administer the economy but the power to declare war and its conduct is the sole purview of the Council of Worker's Deputies, not the Economic Council.”
Beria shifted some papers on his desk and then, to Charkviani's surprise, cracked a small smile.
“To an extent.”
Flecks of spittle impacted Beria's glasses as Charkviani almost barked in reply.
“What do you mean, to an extent?! Are you denying the rule of Law Comrade Beria, would you declare yourself a traitor to the people?”
Beria withdrew a silk handkerchief from this suit pocket and wiped the smudge from his lenses with the calm frustration of a teacher dealing with an ill behaved youth.
“Not at all. But these are trying economic times Comrade, and I have identified the Council as a continued site of unjustifiable waste.”
“Waste, what madness are you talking now Beria?”
“I accept your authority to declare war and peace Comrade but it is the Supreme Economic Council that is charged with total, unchallenged control over all state economic activities and assets, including military industries.”
Beria smiled softly again, his voice only slightly more than a whisper.
“ You may declare war Comrade President, but I guarantee you that not a single bullet, not a single railway car, not a single government employee will be directed towards the support of any offensive action.”
Charkviania was on his feet now, rage barely controlled.
“You are talking about treason, about weakening the army in the face of the enemy.”
“Be careful Comrade President, after all, I would remind you again that, in the interests of averting tyranny, the chamber of worker's deputies does not have the power to lay criminal charges. That power rests solely with the security services, Comrade Dzughashvili and me. As such, I advise you to think carefully on your next few words.”
Beria and his main aid, Ioseph Dzugashvili
The President placed his hands upon the desk, outraged but fearing he was beaten.
“ This could be regarded as tyranny by some, Laverenti Pavlovich.”
Beria stood now, smiling and brimming with energy.
“ I suppose it is possible that some may mistake the rule of law for tyranny. That is why I hope the deputies see fit to officially voice their faith in my ability to resolve the ongoing crisis by any means I feel is necessary.”
“And what” spoke the President with barely contained frustraition,
“ might you be planning Comrade.”
Beria picked up the papers from his desk and tucked them under his left arm.
“ We have assets in Ukraine, they must be used to delete evidence of our involvement. Then I may consider activating assets elsewhere. Perhaps i'll go so far as to help some of our Russian guests get home. But I can assure you that to say anything more than that would endanger ongoing operations.”
“I have the right to know Beria.”
Beria wheeled.
“Do you, Comrade President? Perhaps before you answer, I can ask you a question. How are your family? I understand you and your lovely wife are discussing the prospect of another child, are you still stuck on the name Gela? I shall have to make sure she is appropriately provisioned with medical care if and when you do make such a decision, budget constrains or not, it is important that the dependents of key party members are provided for.”
In that moment, there was perhaps only one thing the President wanted more than to remove Beria's insufferable grin by way of blunt force trauma. That one thing kept him silent and still.
The door opened to reveal two of Beria's internal security troops. The President realised it was time to go and mutely followed the instructions of the more junior man, being lead from the room.
With his departure, Beria turned to the remaining officer, it was one of his old Russian loyalists, Grishin, a man of enough worth to have been brought to Georgia after the failure in Russia.
“ I am sorry for the delay Comrade, I only just heard that one of my men had admitted the President without your orders.”
Beria nodded.
“ I understand comrade, can you tell me, which of your men made this error?”
“Kikodze sir, Sergeant of State Security Alexander Kikodze. But if I may, Comrade Chairman, the order issued by the President was a legal one, he does retain the rights to issue orders to State Security Troops.”
Beria lifted the top slip of paper from his pile and balanced it on his desk once more before scribing on it casually with his cherished pen.
“ Dissobeying a direct and legal order is a serious offence Comrade, the prosecution of which is a task for the Internal Security Services and based on my discretion. See to it that the men know this before they decide on a course of action in the future.”
A wry smile escaped the security officer who nodded.
“I will ensure they do Comrade Chairman.”
Beria lifted the sheet of paper, folded it and handed it to the officer.
“ This is an order indicting Sergeant of State Security Alexander Kikodze on a charge of economic sabotage. The term of issue for his uniform and weapon stipulated they were to be used only either in defence of his post, carried in the transition between his post and either his locker or commissary or as otherwise ordered by either myself or Comrade Ioseph Dzughashvili. By allowing the President entry and escorting him through the building, he removed state property from its appointed place and is, as such, guilty of economic sabotage.
From this moment on any and all State supply of food and other resources to him or his dependents is to be ceased, his flat is to be seized and re-allocated and any and all parties found to be providing him assistance will be charged with miss-use of their own resource allocations and punished accordingly. That is what the law demands.”
Beria tucked the order in between the buttons of the security officer's uniform and began to walk off in the direction of one of the building's long range communication rooms. As he reached the threshhold her turned one last time however.
“Perhaps it may be best to see that the men hear about that as well.”
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