Executive Intent

“The president’s statement this evening reflects his views and those of the National Security Council: The United States is very concerned about China ’s actions, and we call upon Beijing to do more to minimize civilian casualties,” Kordus said. “You contributed to drafting that statement, sir.”

“As an initial reaction to events of which we had very little concrete information, the statement was acceptable to me, Walter,” Phoenix said. “That was eight hours ago, before China started bringing planeloads of troops and supplies into Mogadishu and started bedding down what looks to me like an occupation force. I’m saying we need a stronger statement. We should-”

“Do what, Ken?” President Joseph Gardner asked. He had silently appeared in the doorway of the Situation Room, completely unannounced. Everyone in the room stood; the president ignored them, instead fixing his gaze on his vice president. “What is it you want me to say to Beijing now?”

Phoenix paused for a few heartbeats. He glanced at Kordus, realizing now that the president’s chief of staff had called the president and warned him that his vice president was taking control of the meeting; then turned squarely back to the president and replied, “Sir, I think we should tell Premier Zhou that the invasion is a violation of the rights of a sovereign nation; the United States condemns China’s unilateral, surprise, and horribly violent attacks against innocent Somalis; that we demand that Zhou orders an immediate cease-fire and removes all ground forces offshore to their own vessels; and that all naval forces return to antipiracy-task-force operations under United Nations and NATO supervision.”

“And if they refuse?” the president asked.

“Then the United States will file a protest with the United Nations and ask for an emergency meeting of the Security Council to issue a resolution condemning Chinese activities in Somalia and ordering an immediate withdrawal.”

“ China will certainly veto such a resolution. What then?”

“We will then ask that the full membership issue a statement condemning Chinese actions and demand an immediate withdrawal.”

“ China can still refuse, or simply ignore the order. What then?”

“The United States removes China from the antipiracy Combined Task Force and notifies the world that any PRC warships en route to or from Somalia will be considered hostile combatants en route to an illegal combat zone,” Phoenix said. “This action prohibits Chinese warships or support vessels from utilizing certain ports that are also in use by the United States or its allies. If any nations continue to support Chinese warships, we place sanctions on those countries. This will stretch out China ’s supply lines and make it more difficult if not impossible to support blue-water naval operations. We then make it clear to Beijing that even tougher sanctions will follow if they don’t comply.”

The president nodded, looked Phoenix up and down as if meeting him for the first time, then nodded again. “You’ve given this quite a bit of thought, I see,” he said in a quiet voice. Phoenix had no response. “So you want to play hardball with China, Mr. Phoenix, is that right?”

“I want to make it clear that we don’t like any country bombing another country and killing innocent civilians in an area of the world under active patrol by the United States and its allies,” Phoenix said. “I want them to understand that we’ll act if our wishes are not met.”

“And you don’t think I’ve been clear, Mr. Phoenix?”

The vice president hesitated just for a moment-now it was getting personal. But then he replied, “In my opinion, sir, I think your last public statement regarding China was ambiguous.”

“Ambiguous?”

“Yes, sir, ambiguous,” Phoenix said. “You didn’t say whether or not you condemned or even disagreed with China ’s invasion. You expressed concern, that’s all. In my opinion, sir, that wasn’t enough.”

“And you thought you’d convey your thoughts to the National Security Council before running them by me, Mr. Phoenix?” the president asked.

“It seemed like a good time to do so, Mr. President.”

“I assure you, Mr. Phoenix, it was not,” the president said calmly. He looked at his watch, then at his vice president. “You’re dismissed, Mr. Phoenix.”

“Yes, Mr. President,” Phoenix said, and he left the Situation Room without glancing at anyone else.

The president looked directly into the eyes of the others in the Situation Room. They were all still on their feet-they had not yet been given permission to sit. “Does anyone else think I’ve been too ambiguous in expressing my thoughts to China or anyone else?” he asked. The reply was a quiet-voiced but immediate chorus of “No, Mr. President.” “Oh-six-thirty will come soon, ladies and gentlemen,” the president said. “Get some rest.” The National Security Council members scattered as quickly but as calmly as they could.

“Well?” the president asked his chief of staff after everyone had departed. “Insubordination? Treason? Or just popping off again?”