[PRIVATE] The Diamond Office Term XI

[The_Hawk]

A note arrives, hand-delivered by courier. From the markings, it is apparent that it has come directly from the desk of Hedgar Joover. It reads:

Per President,

I have received your note regarding non-proliferation and done as you asked with it. However, with all due respect, the decision of who to prosecute and who not to is not your call to make. If, as you say, Per Truman acted incorrectly, I feel this should be taken to the Commissioner of Justice. If he isn't culpable, then the law will vindicate him.

-H.J.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

President Loic de Fourgéres calls Hedgar Joover, the director of FLEA.
"Hedgar, I got your note. Thanks for your acknowledgement. You added three sentences beyond that. Individually, I agree with every one of them. But they lead to the wrong result. The President does not have any say in who to prosecute. The question is exactly what can be taken to the Commissioner of Justice and perhaps more importantly what evidence will be able to be present at a trial, given the requirements of section II b of the Eutopian National Security Act (Revised)

Any individual who, lawfully having possession of, access to, control over, or being entrusted with any piece of national security information, which information the possessor has reason to believe could be used to the injury of the United Provinces of Eutopia or to the advantage of any foreign nation, willfully communicates, delivers, transmits or causes to be communicated, delivered, or transmitted or attempts to communicate, deliver, transmit or cause to be communicated, delivered or transmitted the same to any person not entitled to receive it...

Almost all of the evidence in this case would be covered by that situation, which would mean holding the whole trial in camera. I am not sure that, under those circumstances, it would be a fair trial. Do you see my point? He would be convicted and we would look like we had started holding political prisoners."

 

[The_Hawk]

Joover's response comes after a moment's pause, and sounds suspicious. "I'm not sure why anyone would suspect Truman of being a political prisoner if he were convicted, sir. You appointed him MDIS, and he's a member of your own party. You will agree, though, that the Commissioner of Justice is, in terms of the ENSA, 'lawfully entitled' to receive information allowing him to prosecute in a case such as this, seeing as the Act empowers him to be the primary prosecuting authority for violations of the Act to begin with?"

 

[unmerged(33865)]

"That a cabinet minister is put on trial will arose even the most lethargic reporters for both local and international media outlets. They will reasonably ask what he is charged with, and we will have to respond, 'under the provisions of the Eutopian National Security Act, I am not permitted to tell you'. They will ask about the witnesses, about the evidence, and we will have to repeat 'under the provisions of the Eutopian National Security Act, I am not permitted to tell you'. That will certainly make him sound like a political prisoner.

Political prisoners don't always come from opposition parties. Didn't the Prime Minister of some Southeast Asian country have his deputy Prime Minister thrown arrested and convicted on trumped up charges? That was because he thought the deputy would put on a leadership challenge. As I am committed to supporting someone other than my MDIS of the UMP for President next term, that could be interpreted as a reason why the MDIS was found guilty in secret.

Besides, I don't think this is an ENSA case, because the MDIS signed some documents he shouldn't have, but didn't reveal anything. But anyone who talks about this case would be subject to ENSA charges. So it is not obvious, to me anyway, that the Commissioner of Justice is entitled to this information yet, as there has been no ENSA violation that I am aware of. Therefore, if your investigation concludes that there is an indictable offense, but the available-to-be-disclosed evidence would not permit a conviction, how can you do other than just file it away under 'to be used in case this becomes public knowledge before the statue of limitations runs out', 'how to get a budget increase if Per Truman ever reaches higher office', or whatever you call that file. Sorry, please ignore that last comment, it was inappropriate.

I don't want to repeat Richard Nixon's mistakes and cover this up. I did not authorize the issuance of those documents. You know as much as I do now, so you can investigate to your heart's content, more effectively based on the information I provided. You also know the sensitivity of the evidence, and the reasoning by which it will have to remain secret. This should not be a moral dilemma, it is just one of those quirks, whereby not every crime can be prosecuted."

 

[unmerged(15327)]

A note from MDIS arrives...

From: Truman, MDIS
To: De Fourgéres, President
Subject: RE: HYDRA

Per Loic,
I'd like place the order but I do yet not know how much I've got to order.
/Truman, MDIS

 

[aussieboy]

So, Per President, What do you want to speak to me about?

 

[Voshkod]

A letter from Ted Rapp.

Mr. President, I request the honor of an interview for an article I'm doing about your administration. Please let me know if there is a time that is convienent.

- Ted Rapp, Eutopian Newswire

 

[unmerged(33865)]

So, Per President, What do you want to speak to me about?

Per Hapsburg, thank-you for coming by. I may need to replace my MDIS, Per Truman. I could do that directly by appointing someone from outside the cabinet as a new MDIS or by shifting another cabinet minister there, and appointing someone new to the slot they vacated. The most likely shift would be Major McGrath from MIDA to MDIS, although I haven't discussed the matter with him yet. As I said after you resigned from your Deputy MDIS position, you did well enough to be considered for a higher post if one should become available. Would you be willing to serve, and if so, in what capacity? If I need to, I can draft former President Al'Aeshir into a position, but he really wants to stay retired if possible, which is why I am speaking to you first.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

A letter from Ted Rapp.

Mr. President, I request the honor of an interview for an article I'm doing about your administration. Please let me know if there is a time that is convienent.

- Ted Rapp, Eutopian Newswire

The President drafts a response

Per Rapp,
Eutopian Newswire

I was expecting to have a news conference in two or three days, when you would have a chance to ask a number of questions. If you feel that that format is inappropriate, please submit a list of initial questions, and a time will be scheduled to allow for normal government business, the testimony at the Tulp court martial, and the discussions with the GA Speaker and Commissioner of Justice regarding whether a legislative ratification process is necessary for treaties.

Regards,

 

[aussieboy]

I do not think I would be a good MDIS, but I can recommend McGrath, and I would be looking for a post as either an MIDA or an ambassador.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

I appreciate your frankness. Per McGrath has started looking at where our railroad infrastructure, so I would ask you to follow on with that if he is willing to make the switch. Other initiatives would be primarily up to you, but I will make suggestions from time to time as appropriate and as dictated by events. I will discuss it with him, and if he is willing to take over MDIS, I will make the announcement naming him as MDIS and you as MIDA.

 

[Voshkod]

A package arrives from Coast Guard HQ, St. Brendenstown.

Mr. President:

I regret that this information reaches you after it has already apparently been leaked to the public. It's been on my desk for a few days while I reviewed the findings. I have started an aggressive campaign within CGHQ to determine if the leak originated here.

As you will read from the report, RV Hyerdahl examined, via remote vehicle, the hull and interior of MV Garry Boldwater. In sum, the following information was determined.

- It is likely that Boldwater was scuttled deliberately, as the ship settled uniformly within the water, without list or pitch.

- All cargo spaces were filled with pig iron.

- There was no indication of trace radioactivity found that might indicate that the material in question was still aboard.

It is therefore my conclusion that the equipment destined for the University of Neuwestbaden was not aboard Boldwater and that Boldwater was deliberately sunk by her crew.

- ECG Commandant Paul Jones John

 

[unmerged(33865)]

After reading the report from the Coast Guard, the President forwards copies to FLEA Director Hedgar Joover, Commissioner of Justice Hawkton Tilly, and INTERPOL. On the copy going to INTERPOL he adds a copy of the first report and notes from the first conversation with FLEA, as well as an an annotation.

The former MDIS Frans Truman was induced to sign two blank export certificates. One of them is now accounted for, but I have only just learned that the equipment purchased (gas centrifuges) was apparently mis-directed or off-loaded prior to the sinking of this vessel and is not lying safely on the bottom of the ocean. The shipment originated in Germany, If you require any additional assistance in this matter, please do not hesitate to request it.

 

[The_Hawk]

The Diamond Office receives a telegram:

Investigation regarding GER nuclear equipment complete STOP GER manufacturer produced/sold equipment in accordance w/ signed certificate STOP Original same as copy printed in your papers STOP Manufacturer delivered equipment to port of Hamburg STOP Intel analysts believe Boldwater manifest forged or equipment transferred at sea STOP Transaction complied with GER law STOP No charges to be filed STOP /s/ Inspector H. de la Tour INTERPOL LYON END

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Loic forwards the report from INTERPOL to FLEA, with an annotation.

Hedgar,

It seems that the equipment went missing at the German port or afterwards. I will leave it to your complete discretion as to how to follow up from this point. In retrospect, I should have listened to you, as it would have been better to throw Truman in jail when we first heard about this, at least he would be alive today. If this information shoud go to SAW or some other agency, please forward it to them.

Thanks,

 

[Voshkod]

Ambassador Bosley Maun and her military attache arrive at the Diamond Office. "I believe the President is expecting me," he says coolly.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

The President asks that the American Ambassador and Military attaché be shown in.
"Thank-you for coming. I hope the summons wasn't too inconvenient, but the actions of your Congress made it necessary that I indicate our displeasure with that action. There has been some quite good relations from time to time and with certain individuals. I would like to see the trend in our relations return to an improving trajectory. Accordingly, I have asked former President and our current Minister of the Economy, Resources, and Labour, PG Talbott to join us."
Loic lets his admin know that PG Talbott should be shown in.
"He should be here shortly. I have done quite a bit of work this term trying to drag the United Provinces of Eutopia in the international mainstream, to undo some of the relics of years of isolationism, signing over 50 multilateral treaties. There will be some regulation and/or legislation required to bring some of them fully into force, but we are making good progress. Of course, I only have three years, as I cannot suceed myself, in this democracy, we don't do that, even though we have enough votes in the General Assembly to propse an amendment to the constitution and send it to the Senate. I now learn that these efforts may be sidetracked, which brings me to the question I must ask you, which you have surely guessed. Ah, but here is PG now."
Loic pauses as the MERL enters, and allows everyone to greet eachother.

 

[Erc]

*Prof. Talbott enters the room and heads directly towards Ambassador Maun*

"Ambassador Maun, it certainly is a pleasure to see you again. It's a shame that our meeting could not occur under more auspicious circumstances," says Talbott, with a deliberate hint of apology in his voice.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

One bit of news that you might be interested in before we begin. At the request of the United Moderate Party leader, I have replaced current MESA and former President Joseph Sergei on our Council of State with MDIS Thomas McGrath, who is a UMP member, and was previously serving as MIDA. Given that your intelligence agencies had a long file on him, I though you would want to know. He has been rather less active in his duties that desired, so we are evaluating the situation to see whether there is a more suitable person to fill his other roles. Those discussions are going on currently.

I know your Congress would like to be in charge of foreign policy, but fortunately that is not what your constitution says, although wise Presidents don't flaunt Congress or popular opinion on what, to the United States, are relatively small unimportant matters. What is your administration's reaction to the economic sanctions on the United Provinces of Eutopia voted by your Congress, and what action is your President contemplating regarding that bill?

 

[Voshkod]

Ambassador Maun smiles, but there is a certain tautness in his eyes that betrays several days of stress.

"Mr. President, Professor Talbott, pleasure to see you both again. This is Colonel Wirtz, my military attache. Now, to business. The President doesn't like having foreign policy dictated to him by Congress, but as they do have jurisdiction over trade issues, this is a legal action. He's torn about the whole thing. Frankly, the stories being reported about the actions of your administration, particularly your former Defense Minister, have caused quite a stir. So tell me, Mr. President, what actually happened?"