Text Chapter 21 NATO’s Response

U.S. President Bush is not feeling well right now. He was summoned to the Pentagon by an emergency call just as he was about to fall asleep at night. Of course, those who also had his good mood ruined were the British Prime Minister, the leader of the Conservative Party, John Major, and the President of France. François Mitterrand, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. These people all came together by phone for a special meeting of senior NATO leaders because of the stormy Baltic Sea thousands of miles away.

"We have received calls for help from the presidents of the three Baltic countries. If you have any ideas, please discuss them. Please keep your story short. There is not much time left for them." Bush did not sit in his seat, but paced back and forth, thinking. How can the current situation develop in a direction favorable to you?

"It's difficult. Now the Soviet Union is more like a desperate lunatic. No one knows what a crazy leader will do." German Chancellor Helmut Kohl on the other end of the phone had an almost sad expression on his face. It has not been more than a year since the merger. Who can bear the fear of another Baltic crisis? No matter how turbulent Eastern Europe is, it's none of Helmut's business, as long as it doesn't affect Germany. But now the Soviet Union's brutal intervention cannot guarantee Germany's fate.

"They seem to have given up on using roundabout ways to conquer others, just like they used the toughest methods when they entered Prague." British Prime Minister John Major said that NATO leaders seemed to have ignored Yanayev's role in The crisis of unrest created within the three Baltic countries.

"The most important question now is whether we should send troops to the three Baltic countries to maintain stability." Francois Mitterrand, known as a French hawk, suggested, "I think it is better for NATO troops to wait and see what happens in Germany. , even if we really want to help the three Baltic countries, we can only start from Germany, Finland, and Sweden.”

"What do you mean, Francois." Helmut's voice rose a few decibels, "You just want to let the three Baltic countries re-enter the Soviet sphere of influence, strengthen and consolidate the barriers in Eastern Europe, and even let Germany directly Facing military threats from the Warsaw Pact?”

When Francois was the president of Western Europe who strongly opposed the merger of the two Germanys, now the old grievances between France and Germany have been revived because of the Baltic crisis.

"Okay, stop arguing, everyone. The most important thing for us now is to resolve this crisis and teach the Soviet Union a lesson." The British Prime Minister, who was humiliated by the Soviet Union, has never forgotten how to retaliate against the red polar bear. Especially when Foreign Ministry spokesman Boris Dmitrievich Pankin said those words about threatening Britain with the Irish Republican Army, John Major's face had not looked good all day.

Of course, the United States on Bush's side also had other ideas. He wanted to know the Soviet Union's bottom line and military situation, but was unwilling to risk his own life. Using the EU to test it was a good choice. Anyway, it's all a matter of mutual consent.

Next to Bush stood think tank Brent Scowcroft. The advice he gave before Bush made the call was to let European countries be the vanguard to test the Soviet Union's bottom line and keep themselves out of it. If the polar bear's bottom line is really offended, he can also come out to mediate.

This time the United States played the political role of the British offshore balancer. As Brent Scowcroft said, "We need to know how much the mighty red polar bear is capable of fighting back. From the moment Yeltsin and Gorbachev died, the new The war has begun again, Mr. President, but I think these seemingly tough measures are just a reflection of Russia's dying days, and the plan we laid more than ten years ago is not yet complete. Failure, taking a step back, if we can really find the weakness of the Russians, even if it costs our European friends to die, this lose-lose situation will be the best for us in the world. If a strong United States can be accommodated, those so-called old European powers are just a thing of the past, and they should not have any illusions about restoring a strong and dominant alliance. "

"Allies, be quiet and listen to me." Bush stopped the quarrel among these guys, picked up the manuscript he had carefully prepared and read out, "We once blocked the fascist aggression together, and now we stand together again Dealing with a huge evil empire, yes, now the European people are facing the most critical moment, those Russian madmen. The crazy communists are preparing to burn the war on the land of freedom. We cannot retreat or be cowardly. Every retreat we make is a compromise to the dictator. So no matter how you look at it, the United States of America will choose to defend the Baltic Sea. , It is our responsibility to defend those people who love freedom and resist oppression!”

After the President of the United States read the manuscript, François was unhappy.

"Damn Americans! They just want Europe to get involved in this muddy water." Francois cursed in a low voice. France tried its best to stay out of it, but the United States tried its best to pull European countries into this muddy water. Among them, the most unfortunate thing is that the British have recently had some diplomatic unhappiness with the Soviet Union. Germany was originally worried about being the first line to block the pace of communism. Originally, both Britain and France could choose to oppose it, but now Britain wants to ride on the Americans' coattails and join the ranks of opposition.

A group of people with different thoughts gathered together. As for how reliable the American call was, Francois vaguely smelled a hint of uneasiness. Once the allies on the other side of the Atlantic chose to betray, it could stay out of it, but European countries would have to face the Soviet's anger.

"I agree to aid the three Baltic countries, just like they aided us during the Berlin crisis, telling the people of Eastern Europe that the free world has not forgotten them." In order to win over another country, Helmut asked again, "Prime Minister John, what do you think?"

"We have strongly opposed the Iron Curtain, and now is the time for Great Britain to show its strength. I agree to send troops into the Baltic Sea to let the dying polar bears feel our power." John Major said.

"Since you all said so, what else can I do?" French President Francois said helplessly, "But we will only send a symbolic troop. I will not do such a stupid thing as to annoy the Soviet Union."

As long as there is an example, it is enough. No one wants to have a bloody war with the Soviet Union. NATO sent troops to remind this dangerous neighbor that the land you occupied before will no longer belong to you. Just when France was at a loss and Britain and Germany were celebrating, Uncle Sam, who had silently stepped back and was ready to stay out of it, showed a sly smile.

The telephone conference of the four European and American giants lasted only one hour. Almost as soon as the leaders of various countries hung up the phone, the government spokesperson began to write a statement on the situation in the Baltic Sea on TV. And said that he would do his best to support those people who resisted dictatorship and tyranny.

Bush also personally called the presidents of the three Baltic countries, saying that NATO countries would send armed forces to help the three Baltic countries, and asked them not to compromise and stick to their tough attitude to the end. The leaders of various countries who were sold out and helped count the money were naturally grateful for the generosity of US President Bush.

Anyway, it was just a demonstration with a lot of noise but little action. Germany mobilized its armored forces to an exaggerated degree. They ordered the TV station to give a detailed description of the marching route of the tanks to the border between Germany and Poland. The media tried their best to create an atmosphere that Germany was going to repeat the Barbarossa plan. But anyone with a little thinking ability knew that this was just a show. A real war would never be as grand as a performance.

At the same time, British warships also set out from their homeland and headed for the Baltic Sea. John Major also hoped to show the muscles of the British Empire that were about to loosen through this action. In addition to supporting, the United States also stated that they were willing to pay one-third of the cost of this NATO operation.

A military operation code-named "Defending Freedom" was launched. This temporary organization's action was just as ridiculous as a child's house play. Anyway, the Americans were willing to pay for it, so they just took it as a trip to the Baltic Sea at public expense. But soon the British navy found that their ideas were wrong.

These young sailors will see the horror of the evil empire in the Baltic Sea for the first time.