Sea of Shadows eBook - Navy Thriller.com

32 JEFF EDWARDS
trading nation in the world. It is true that they do not hold a seat in the
United Nations General Assembly, but we both know that your country
has blocked every attempt to formally admit them to the UN.” He smiled
gently. “Rebel republics are transformed into nations by time and
acceptance. And the Democratic People’s Republic of China on Taiwan
has had both.”
The ambassador did not speak for several seconds. When he did, his
voice was tight and low. “You are welcome to accept the make-believe
sovereignty of our renegade province, if you so choose. The People’s
Republic of China is under no obligation to do so.”
The president nodded. “I understand your position. And I
acknowledge that it’s likely that our countries will continue to agree to
disagree on matters concerning Taiwan—at least for the foreseeable future.
In the meantime, the United States is willing to support whatever
diplomatic overtures your government wishes to make toward peaceful
reunification with Taiwan. I must caution you though; the U.S. cannot and
will not sit back and allow military threats to Taiwan to go unchallenged.
Our policy on this matter dates back to 1950, when President Truman
deployed the entire U.S. Seventh Fleet in defense of Taiwan. Please
convey this message directly to your premier: we are willing to give you
the benefit of the doubt on this recent missile launch. You say that it was a
routine test, and we will accept your word for that, despite the evidence to
the contrary.”
He leaned over the coffee table and flipped open a heavy leather-bound
book to a pre-marked page. A glossy color image of mainland China
covered two pages. “My world atlas tells me that your country has about
eighty-seven hundred miles of coastline.” He flipped to another marked
page. The map of Taiwan took up a half-page. “It also tells me that
Taiwan is about two hundred and thirty-seven miles in its longest axis.”
He closed the book with a thump. “If we add a twelve-mile buffer to the
north and south of the island, to account for Taiwanese territorial waters,
we discover that your country has over eight thousand four hundred miles
of coastline to fire missile tests from—without impinging on the airspace,
territory, or seas of Taiwan.” His voice hardened. “I suggest you consider
using another piece of ocean for your next missile test.”
“I object to your tone,” the ambassador said. “I have given you my
assurances that the launch was a routine test, yet you insinuate that it was a
deliberate act of … what did you call it? Strong-arm politics?”
The president beckoned to his secretary of state, Elizabeth Whelkin,
who leaned over far enough to hand him a folded newspaper. It was an
English-language edition of the Tokyo Times.