Orson was once more in the bosom of his extended family in the Georgetown townhouse. He didn’t know if he had contributed to the confusion with his reports from Tokyo.
But the President was quite pleased with his work and hers. The atmosphere of confusion that hints from the White House and elsewhere had created had permitted her cover to withdraw troops from Japan, and the movement home from Germany was well underway.
And bills that had been languishing in committee had been revived. “Stirring up the Capitol Hill animals can work wonders if you are the stirrer,” she remarked to Orson.” Now I’m thinking of another job for you. Would you enjoy another trip to the Middle East?”
“Give me a day or so to adjust to the time zone and enjoy the comforts of home. I’m afraid the twins might forget their father.”
“Forget that face!? Fat chance. I want you to talk with King Saudi again, and you’d better check in with the Israelis, or better yet, both at the same time.”
“You have a secretary of state, also major embassies in both countries.”
“True. And there are no secrets once the cat is out of the bag. But you won’t be speaking in confidence. You will simply be reporting a slight adjustment in course by this administration. I do intend to talk with the secretary of state, also inform Lucy Lapin and the press secretary. But no major announcement. Just a slight change of view.”
“And what might that be?” Orson inquired.
“After some study and talking with many sources, I’m ready to give up on the idea of a two-state settlement for Israel and Palestine. It’s possible, but not likely.”
“I mentioned such a thing to the King when I was in Saudi. It’s been voiced around.”
“It has. We seem to have missed the boat because of our sensitivity toward Israel. In the late seventies, or early eighties, we could have put our foot down and demanded Israel not start creeping its settlements into Arab lands. Now it’s too late. There are Israeli settlements and Israeli roads. Both sides have kept the two-state thing alive for their own political purposes. The Palestinian politicians encourage their people to dream on, a shabby, mindless pursuit.”
“I understand what you are saying. I also understand that the old Zionist dream is dead or dying. But what’s the answer? I can’t see one state emerging overnight.”
“Nothing will happen overnight. There will be a gradual realization. Riots, chaos and bloodshed will follow. Blood will flow. No one can prevent it. Not us, not the Israelis, not the Palestinians, not the UN.”
“What sort of a message am I to carry?” Orson thought he was looking at a lose-lose situation.
“Simply convey my thoughts. You might do a bit of research on your own. The fact is, America, under my presidency, will no longer be able to support Israel to the hilt. There must be compromise.”
“I’ll be the most popular kid on the block.”
Mary smiled. “That’s your job, Orson. Why do you think I keep you here?”
“I’ve wondered about that. The last time I was in Israel they tossed me in the can.”
“According to plan. And I was able to make a few strategic withdrawals. Our relations remain frosty and may grow even frostier. Our well-oiled Jewish community and old line Zionists must step into modern times. Thinking they might pull the wool over the eyes of thousands of Arabs with illegal expansion has basically killed the chances for a two-state solution. Your going to the Middle East is simply another bell in a series of wake-up calls. The Israelis know what’s going on. They know they are seated on a time bomb of earth-shattering proportions.”
“But you think acknowledging the impossibility serves the interests of both communities?”
“I think it will help them wake up from a dream. This is nothing new. It’s been talked about more and more in recent months.”
“I need a little time. The Israelis were suspicious last time because I visited Saudi first. They knew about my friendship with the king. I’ll get in touch with them both and fly into Israel first. Then try to get the two parties together for our chat. It won’t be easy. The king will not meet with anyone below the rank of head of state.”
“I’m certain you’ll work things out. The sooner we can get some sort of regional settlement the better. There are plenty of examples. The Soviet Union collapsed, didn’t it?”