always good to have. Our country is the creation of France, but between us I cannot truly say the French are our real friends. It is necessary to think about the future, because one day I fear certain people in the Nation of France may try to recover what they think is theirs.”
Ennis quickly noted down the thoughts of the President; it was an exceptional opportunity, as Ibrani was not known for his openness to the media. It was as though changes were coming and he was being sounded for the kind of reactions that might be expected in the USA.
“In my country there are also people with radical ideas, who would like to change everything and make us part of a caliphate, more compatible with the needs of the Middle Ages than the third millennium. They want to put the clock back a thousand years! I want to work for the future, new technologies with modern infrastructures, universities, a universal health system and a reformed Islam.
My friend, le Martel, never ceases to reiterate the support of the Nation de France for an Algharb, modern and prosperous. Remember the deep and sincere bonds between France and Algharb should never be underestimated by the US government. As you know we are bound to France by the Evian Accords, and through our associate membership of the European Federation.”
Ibrani had launched into a monologue, true to the form of dictators of his style.
Ennis then realised that Ibrani was not unlike the leader of any other oriental dictatorship. There was hardly a single Arab nation that was not governed by despotic type rulers, whether they were Kings or Presidents, they were all Islamic since Islam was the religion of the Arabs and to be an Arab not only was it necessary to speak Arabic, but to obey Allah and follow the Prophet. Their populations had no form of free expression except through Islam, which was radicalised and used to suit their political goals.
Ennis had seen it for himself and had either preferred to ignore what he saw or see it as an isolated problem, like elsewhere in the world, or even pretend that it could be explained by a multitude of understandable reasons. But the fact was that in general, outside of the expensive districts that housed the fine hotels and the privileged classes, life was squalid, dirty and hopeless.
People were such hypocrites, we love your country they said to the Algharbis, but in Paris they were bougnouls or some other kind of foreigner. Ennis re-concentrated his thoughts on the present, Ibrani had launched into a monologue, like men of his style with grandiose ideas and as usual without the means to carry them out.
“Monsieur le President, your projects will require a great effort to finance...” said Ennis trying to interject.
Ibrani gave a knowing smile as he lifted a finger in a sign to let him explain the obvious.
“My dear friend, our country is rich, this land has always been rich, we have not overlooked the slightest detail in our plans. Commencing with education and training, these are the keys that will open our doors to investors from the Federation and the world. Our workers are skilled, Europeans, trained by Europeans, to European standards and with low costs and low taxes.”
The Federation had experienced a long deindustrialisation that had accelerated since the early years of the century with manufactured products being imported from Asia and the developing areas of the world where industry had rapidly grown. Europe had reserved high technologies and specialized services for its own population that was shrinking and aging.
“Our natural role is that of a privileged supplier to the Federation. As you know, through your press, we are constantly pursuing and strengthening our economic links with the other countries of the Federation.”
Then with a ferocious look that startled Ennis he added, “It’s better they aid us than create same kind of the problems on their own doorstep as did their politicians before the Insurgency.”
It was political blackmail. Algharb was paid by the Federation to contain the demographic pressures due not only, but mostly, to the flood of refugees from North Africa and the Levant, encouraged by Ibrani’s regime to bolster his country’s negotiating position, projecting Algharb as a haven for those thrown aside by the political upheavals created between the rich and poor, and the polarization of the Islamic and European Christian world, those who were refused entry into the Federation.
“The Evian Agreement foresees that defence, the external security and foreign affairs of Algharb remain in the hands of the Nation of France.”
“Perfectly correct.”
“I could not help noticing the presence of a large number of paramilitary forces in the city.”
“You see my friend, we, like other nations, have the duty of not only having to protect ourselves against external enemies but also the means to protect ourselves from those threats within.”
“Who are these enemies Monsieur le President?”
“Listen carefully! The enemies are everywhere, in France there are racists who have a misplaced nostalgia for Provence, they see it as the Arabs see Andalusia,” he smiled at the comparison. “In Africa there are the Islamists and in the Levant the orthodox hard line Jews of Israel, both see Algharb as an anti-God, a haven for terrorists,” he said laughing at such a ridiculous idea.
“The Jews?”
“Certain want to create havoc in our country, in our institutions, it’s the extension of Zionist ideals against the Muslim and Arab world!”
“But there’s a lot of Jews in Algharb?”
“Of course! All my life I’ve lived with Jews and Arabs. In Morocco, when I was young my friends were French, Arabs, Berbers, Jews and Spanish. There were no problems between us. It was certain Arab nationalists and Islamists who provoked all of the problems.”
“But today you are a Muslim country?”
In a flash of anger Ibrani lifted his index finger.
“No, no and no! We are a secular and liberal country. Each one of us is free to practice his religion without the slightest restrictions. Except! And I repeat, except, political agitation, turning religion to political ends. Religion and politics are two things apart. We, the government, we look after live here on earth! The imams and rabbis look after our spiritual life and death.
“Ethnic cleansing commenced in North Africa with independence. French, Spanish and Jews after hundreds of years of presence were thrown out. We here are a truly multiracial society, with Arabs, Jews, Africans and Europeans. As I said we are a secular society, but certainly not hostile to Islam, the religion of the majority in Algharb, our secular spirit resides in the separation of the state and religion, however, we guaranty a close link with Islam, especially in our moral and social traditions. Our North African brothers have chosen to reject all forms of society except that of a totally Islamised society, where Allah and the Koran are the only guides in everyday life.
“The domination of the West has reached its end, not because of a material bankruptcy or because it has lost its military power, but because its moral values are exhausted, the origin of its past domination. The technical and scientific revolution is finished, as is territorial nationalism. Now it’s the turn of Islam.
“There is no separation between faith and life for Muslims. Before God we are all equal, but each of us has a different task to accomplish here on earth. The guides, such as myself, have special responsibilities, such as the maintenance of law and order, which should be rigorously applied to preserve the rights and lives of the faithful, to guide them morally and ensure social justice.
“You know what Muslims believe? They should fight until all men say There is no God but God and Mahomet is the Prophet of God. I believe that fight should be peaceful and those how advocate violence will not receive a welcome in Algharb.”
“Permit me to change the subject and ask about the economic development of your country,” Ennis interjected to break the monologue.
“Our future will be constructed on the skills of our Mediterranean peoples, for thousands of years enlightened peoples such as ours have traded across these seas creating wealth and prosperity.” He paused looking out of the vast window towards the s
ea. “My vision is to build here in Algharb a doorway to the Federation for the Caliphate and the Levant, it is logical and normal. The Algharbi Arabs and the Jews have the knowledge and the skills to join both worlds for the greater prosperity of us all. Medina Hurriya will become a new Singapore or Hong Kong, a trading and manufacturing centre, we have already investments from China for components from new plasma produced materials.”
Ibrani looked at his watch and sat down with a sigh, tired by his oration.
“My dear John Ennis it was a pleasure to speak with you. I wish you a pleasant and fruitful visit in our country. Beware of distracters, who seek disorder, they are nothing but Bedouins…camel and goat herders.”
He held out his hand and an usher appeared as if by magic to show Ennis out of the audience room.
A Just Settlement
The presentation of the events that had led to the declaration of independence, seen from the point of view of the Algharbi establishment, to Ennis, was essential to an objective analysis. That evening, the object Djellali’s invitation had been to convince Ennis of the prosperity and continuity of Algharb under the benevolent regime of Hassan bin Ibrani.
Ennis took advantage of the relaxed atmosphere of their dinner, in a smart restaurant in the embassy district, by carefully drawing Djellali into the direction of his