Volume 2: Knocking on Heaven's Door Chapter 66 The Dust Settles
"Mr. Dam, I received a message that sounds like a joke. St. Vincent has appointed an American high school student as the plenipotentiary representative to attend the regular weekly meetings of the Organization for Inter-American Cooperation." Deputy Secretary of State Kenneth Dam had just signed his name on a document when he heard his assistant come in and speak.
Kenneth laughed and took a sip of his coffee. "OCA? What? Those small countries in South America or Central America can't even find representatives who understand English? So they hired American high school students to translate for them?"
"No, there's a children's program that's had high ratings recently. A group of high school students are using their methods to manage the country of St. Vincent. It's a summer camp. Now they've discovered that the United States didn't live up to its promise made three years ago. Maybe the program crew wanted to attract attention, or maybe the young people themselves wanted to be in the spotlight. In any case, they want to stand up for the small country of St. Vincent and get the money back."
"What does it mean if a promise is not fulfilled?" Kenneth frowned slightly: "I just took this position, what promise?"
"The United States previously invited St. Vincent to join the Organization of Inter-American Cooperation and was willing to provide St. Vincent with $20 million in aid, on the condition that the country allowed American companies to build factories locally and exclusively operate the sugar industry," said the assistant.
Deputy Secretary of State Kenneth let out a frustrated sigh: "Is it the previous Deputy Secretary of State Mr. Stossel who did this again?"
The assistant nodded.
"What do you say? Stossel should just continue to be the ambassador to the Soviet Union. Professional diplomats only talk nonsense without considering the consequences." Kenneth complained in an unhappy tone.
The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State needs to hold titles of many councils or committees concurrently. For example, the member of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American Cooperation that the assistant mentioned at this moment is a concurrent position held by him as the Deputy Secretary of State. Because the President and the Secretary of State have no interest in such committees, but they cannot completely ignore them, so the Deputy Secretary of State has to hold the power.
But he didn't know much about this organization because he had just served as Deputy Secretary of State for two weeks and the previous Deputy Secretary of State, Stossel, was diagnosed with advanced leukemia, so he was invited by President Reagan to come out again and succeed Stossel as Deputy Secretary of State.
"I received news that the high school student named Stephen Bean came prepared. If we don't respond, I'm afraid that by then all American viewers will know about this through that program, which is not good for the image of the government. In addition, the high school student seems to be very wealthy. His family is a big donor to the Democratic Party. Before he came to Washington, he had already arranged press conferences, media meetings and other activities, and he would hold a press conference only after the meeting."
"But he chose to tell us in advance." Kenneth rubbed his eyebrows: "He is a sensible child, or rather, his elders taught him well."
“Should we pay? If we do, as far as I know, there are still four or five small countries whose aid has not been delivered. If other small countries make a fuss like this…”
"Those small countries won't have a chance to make trouble, but those that have already made trouble must be appeased first, and the problem should be pushed onto the British. They evacuated the colony too hastily and didn't do a good job of handing over, which led to inefficient work in St. Vincent. The United States has long been ready for funds, but they have always had some problems with their communication channels. Let's set the tone according to this idea. If it weren't for the efficient working methods of American high school students to help them straighten out their ideas, they wouldn't be able to get the money in another ten years. This is all the fault of the British. The audience likes to watch comedies, so let it be a comedy. The United States is not wrong, and the American high school students are not wrong. We are all helping that country seriously. It's a very good solution." Kenneth turned the pen in his hand and said clearly:
“The 20 million will be paid through the Inter-American Development Bank, so that even if we pay them, the money will be in our hands and we can monitor their spending.”
…
Pan American Union Building, headquarters of the Organization for Inter-American Cooperation, Washington.
Stephen glanced at Zoe, who was ordered by her parents to be taken back to her home country for custody because she had beaten an embassy employee in Barbados. Zoe responded by giving him a smile.
"How does it feel to have the whole of America see your determination to be a bitch?" Stephen asked.
"It's great. I like seeing my friends and family around me who are obviously mad at my rude behavior, but still try to force a smile and say that I'm doing a good job and that I'm working hard to solve problems for the country. I hope they understand how it feels to say one thing and mean another. They always like to teach me to be a lady even when I don't like to do something. That's it." Zoe said with a smile.
Stephen looked at Zoe: “But this is America, you’re sure you won’t hit anyone again, right?”
"I went to such a faraway summer camp because I didn't want to get into trouble in America." Zoe shrugged cutely.
Stephen explained his arrangements. "OK, I'll go inside for the meeting. You go to the press conference first to be interviewed. Show your ladylike manner and tell everyone that you were so angry that you transformed for a reason. Wait for me to deal with those people inside, and then I'll go back and reunite with everyone."
"Mr. Stephen Bean, I'm Brad from the Inter-American Development Bank." After parting with Zoe, Stephen walked towards the main entrance of the building. An old white man stopped him with a smile and took the initiative to greet him: "Can we talk about the speech you are going to give later?"
Stephen smiled at the old man and said, "Of course, sir. The Prime Minister told me before I left that as long as the aid is delivered, everything can be discussed."
…
Tommy hung up the phone call from Stephen, looked at the eyes looking at him in the conference room, and shrugged: "It's done. The promised aid has been deposited into St. Vincent's national account at the Inter-American Development Bank."
Leaving the students cheering happily, Tommy walked out of the government building and came to the beach. Maduf was still fishing like before.
"Mr. Prime Minister, I just received news that the money has arrived. It's all the British's fault. If they had not been so hasty before leaving, the current situation would not have occurred. The United States promised that the two sides will have more necessary exchanges in the future." Tommy looked at Maduf and spoke.
Maduf put down the fishing rod, slowly turned around and looked at Tommy, and said in surprise: "You did it? I knew you could do it, I knew it! American high school students are more useful than me, the prime minister."
"So, I don't have to share the money I earn with you, right?" Tommy asked while squatting in front of Maduf.
Maduf shook his head. "Of course not. Even if you don't help us, we have never thought about making money from you. You have done a lot. You have raised a lot of books and equipment. Now you have helped us get funds. We can build hospitals, schools, and roads... This country owes each and every one of you."
"Remember what I said that day? Americans are very vindictive. They will know that you are using American high school students to do this." Tommy reminded Maduf: "I think you should consider the method I mentioned..."
"Tommy, you don't need to teach me. I understand your good intentions. Listen to me. Although I am not the smartest person in this country, I am not an idiot either. I will prevent what you said from happening." Maduf said to Tommy with a smile, "Thank you very much for everything you and your friends have done for this country, Tommy."
Tommy shrugged and looked off into the distance. "Nothing. By the way, we have to return to China tomorrow. If we don't go back now, we won't have enough time to add the word Princeton to our resumes. The students' parents paid us for those four words. Playing house is just a pastime."
Maduf smiled and patted Tommy on the shoulder: "Believe me, the professor from Princeton will be waiting for you. He is a smart man."
Then, he slowly stood up and walked along the path towards the city, gently patting his lower back as he walked: "I'm going to tell the Governor, Colin, Susan, and every citizen of St. Vincent this good news. They have been waiting for this news for too long, just like me."
