Chapter 1210: Condoleezza's blessing

"It seems that you two have reached an agreement. Eric bought the two boats not just to build an island for Vivienne to propose marriage. At most, it can be regarded as an incidental purpose. Okay. Admit it, this idea is very romantic. What we need to discuss now is what Eric is hiding, what is his true purpose about the two boats, Brent, do you have anything to say?"
"I think I should call our Chief William first and ask him if he has any information about Eric's recent moves, but that we have overlooked before."
After Brent finished speaking, after obtaining Bush's consent, he stood up and left, walked to the corner of the house, picked up the phone on the table, and dialed the CIA director.
The call was a bit long. After Bush and Dr. Rice exchanged some opinions about Soviet Russia, Brent finally ended the call and walked back. Bush found a smile on his mouth.
"It looks like we have made progress, right?" Bush asked.
"Yes, Mr. Vice President, I think we figured out what Eric wanted those two ships for."
"Huh?"
"Director William told me that Eric visited Pakistani President Zia Huck not long ago. After the F16 fighters we all know and the "Flying Leopard" fighters invested by Eric had conducted military exercises, they We have no way of knowing what we have talked about, but some of Pakistan's actions afterwards are somewhat interesting."
The incident actually involved Ba Tie, and Bush became more and more interested: "Tell me, what did Ba Tie do after their talks? Is our kid’s attempt to sell his fighter planes going to succeed again? ?"
Brent shook his head and said: "We don’t have accurate information yet, but there is no sign that Pakistan Railway will purchase Flying Leopard fighters in the near future. There has been no change in the progress of our F16 fighters exporting to Pakistan Railways. As far as I know, Pakistan Railways also hopes to add F16 orders. A new round of purchase negotiations is underway and has not been affected. The actions of Pakistan Railways I mentioned are not about this aspect."
"Oh?"
"Director William told me that after Eric ended President Zia Haque’s visit, the country once dispatched a team of geological prospectors, engineering construction personnel, and hydrological observers to the Gwadar area. , Has not left until today, and recently, some Chinese people have appeared there."
"Gwadar area?" George. Bush frowned, then stretched out, and smiled: "So, Brent, what do you think Eric wants to do in Gwadar?"
"I guess the biggest possibility is that he wants to build a port there."
"A port?" After sketching the map of the Pakistan Railway and the location of Gwadar in his mind, Bush nodded gently and said: "A port, which fits the character of Eric as we know."
"Moreover, the location of this port is very important. It can be said that it is the throat of the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean. This can explain why Eric is eager to get those two ships. Gwadar is now just a village, although there are many Good location and hydrological environment, but its infrastructure construction is about zero. We know that Pakistan Railway has been looking for international partners to develop this area. It seems that Eric is their ideal partner. However, in that If the region wants to build a port, even if it is only a small and medium-scale port, it also needs to carry out large-scale dredging projects for the entire coastal area. To implement such projects, dredgers are indispensable equipment. After the port is completed in the future , The daily maintenance is also inseparable from the dredger."
Bush nodded again, thinking about it for a while, and then said: "If this is the case, then we probably need to consider more than just this port. A simple supply port cannot play a big role. The port’s greatest benefit requires the construction of a series of supporting infrastructure for this port, such as a developed railway and road network, Brent, if your guess is correct, then I think these contents should be Eric The key issue to discuss with Zia Huck."
"This is what I worry about. Although I'm not entirely sure whether Eric can afford such a scale of infrastructure investment, if my guess is correct, Eric and Zia Hack reached With such an agreement, once these infrastructure projects are completed, it is certain that the Pakistan Railway and China Xia will be completely bound together. This is not a transfer of manpower."
"Such results will greatly weaken our influence in South Asia." Bush frowned and said: "Our kids have a good appetite."
"So I don’t think we can let him do what he wants. Maybe, it’s the right decision not to approve the deal between the two ships, but doing that will probably anger Eric and we won’t get the votes in his hands. ."
"Sorry, can I break in?" Les, who had been sitting by the side listening for a long time, suddenly interrupted.
"What is Dr. Rice's opinion?" Although this is the first time I met with this associate professor of current affairs at Stanford University today, under Brent's strong recommendation, George. Bush also had a certain understanding of this outstanding black woman, and in the topic about Soviet Russia that they discussed just now, Condoleezza. Rice showed extraordinary knowledge and insights, which made the Vice President pay more and more attention to her opinions, and at the same time recognized Brent's nomination for the post of Director of the Soviet-Russian Affairs Department.
"Mr. Vice President, what I want to say is that no matter what kind of tools and equipment you have, it is for the purpose after all. Since we already know that Eric bought the two ships to build Gwadar Port, then the port is only It’s the purpose, right? In fact, we can take another approach, for example, agree to give him a ship, but find a way to block his plan to take the port. In this way, we have met all Eric’s conditions. We can also ask him to fulfill his obligations and get the votes we need, but Eric is still unable to complete his plan. As for the two ships, um, they can go to a corner of the Pacific Ocean to slowly complete Vivian’s Romantic wish, I will offer my blessings when they get engaged."
After listening to Dr. Rice’s opinion, George. Bush and Brent. Scowcroft couldn't help but glanced at each other, then burst into laughter at the same time.
The vice president smiled and said: "Brent, now I completely believe that your student, Dr. Rice, is the person who knows Eric best in our country, and Miss Dr.'s words remind me that I should send it to me. My blessing, um, maybe, a small gift should be given to this loving young couple."