in the South China Sea–the area the United States refers to as the Spratly
Islands. This action resulted in the deaths of two Chinese servicemen, as
well as the destruction of government property.” A murmur filled the room as
the aides to the various ambassadors conferred in whispers with their bosses.
Ah-ha! That got her attention, he thought, as he watched the American
ambassador’s color deepen. She opened her mouth to speak, then paused as an
aide tugged on her jacket from behind.
“Mr. Chairman,” the American ambassador began, her eyes blazing as fury
flooded her face.
“I am not finished, Mr. Chan,” T’ing interrupted smoothly. “The rules do
entitle me to complete my complaint before the aggressors are allowed to
respond, I believe?”
“Of course, Ambassador T’ing. Ms. Wexler, please hold your comments
until the ambassador is through,” the Russian chairman said blandly.
“Since there is always the possibility that the American forces are
carrying nuclear weapons, we have taken the precaution of declaring an
exclusion zone in the South China Sea. This action is necessary to protect
Chinese lives and the security of our good neighbors who border this historic
bay.” And take that, Madam, he thought viciously.
“I have in my possession radar data and other military information that
will show the necessity of this action. At the time of the attack, the only
military forces in the area were from the American warships. We believe that
a circling fighter aircraft, known as an F-14 may have been the launch
platform. Naturally, portions of these documents are classified, but I have
taken the liberty of making as much of that data available to the Council as
is consistent with our national security,” T’ing concluded.
“A horrible story, Mr. Ambassador, and one you can be assured the Council
will investigate thoroughly,” the Russian said. “Ms. Wexler, has the United
States any possible excuse or explanation for this blatant imperialistic
attack?”
The American ambassador stood, slowly unfolding her lanky frame from the
chair. She glanced at some notes written on small cards and then tossed them
on her table. She surveyed the faces around the room–one friendly, two
decidedly hostile, and the remainder as carefully bland as her own had been
minutes earlier.
“Mr. Chairman, fellow delegates, the ambassador from China is sadly
misinformed. It is true that an American task force was in the area,
exercising its freedom of navigation on the high seas. The South China Sea,
despite China’s claims, is not subject to the whims of one nation’s control,
nor is there a basis for this supposed exclusion zone that China wishes to
impose.
“I received this morning,” she continued, “a report forwarded from the
on-scene commander. He states that there was an explosion in his vicinity
yesterday morning, probably the result of an undetected cruise missile fired
at an island. A thorough search for survivors was made, as well as for the
source of the missiles, and none was found.”
“How kind,” China’s ambassador said viciously, “to first annihilate a
target and then go through the motions of looking for survivors!”
“If I may continue?” she snapped, glancing at the Russian, who nodded
abruptly.
“Neither the United States nor any force or unit under her control was
responsible for these attacks. Mission tapes and displays will be made
available to the Council to support that claim, to the same extent that China
makes her data available.
“Finally, no American force deployed anywhere, other than ballistic
missiles submarines on routine patrol, is armed with nuclear weapons. This
includes the task force in the international waters of the South China Sea.
The United States deplores the existence of these weapons throughout the
world, and is in full support of and compliance with all arms limitations
treaties. China has no reason to doubt our assertions in this regard.”
“Just one reason, Madam Ambassador,” the Chinese ambassador said,
pitching his voice low to capture the attention of the audience and still the
ever-present whispers. “And that is the best reason of all–past experience.
Of all the nations in the world that possess nuclear capabilities, the United
States is the only country ever to have used them.”
Satisfied, the ambassador from China leaned back in his chair, a look of