‘I guess he was expecting your call.’
Pauline scribbled notes on a pad: Sangnam-ni, nuclear, Special Operation Force, no arrests, regional stability, international stability, then there was a chime and Chen appeared. He was in his office, seated at a vast desk, with China’s red-and-yellow flag over his shoulder and a painting of the Great Wall behind him.
Pauline said: ‘Good day to you, Mr President, and thank you for taking my call.’
Through the interpreter he replied: ‘I’m glad to have the opportunity to talk to you.’
In informal situations Chen had chatted to Pauline in English quite comfortably, but in a conversation such as this they had to be absolutely sure they were not misunderstood.
Pauline said: ‘What’s going on in Sangnam-ni?’
‘I’m afraid an economic crisis has been caused by the American sanctions.’
They were United Nations sanctions, and there would be no crisis if not for the lousy Communist economic system, Pauline thought, but she did not say it.
Chen continued: ‘In response, China is sending emergency economic aid to North Korea in the form of rice, pork and gasoline.’
So we’re the bad guys and you’re the good guys, Pauline thought; yeah, yeah, yeah. But let’s get down to business. ‘We understand that the Special Operation Force was defeated with no arrests. Doesn’t that tell us that the rebels are in control of nuclear weapons?’
‘I cannot confirm that.’
Which means yes, Pauline thought, and her heart sank. Chen would have denied it if he possibly could. ‘If it turns out to be true, Mr President, what will you do?’
‘I will not interfere in the internal affairs of another country,’ Chen said sternly. ‘This is a cardinal principle of Chinese foreign policy.’
It was cardinal bullshit, Pauline thought, but she put her point more subtly. ‘If a rogue group has nuclear weapons, there is surely a threat to regional stability, which must concern you.’
‘At present there is no threat to regional stability.’
Stone wall.
Pauline tried a shot in the dark. ‘What if the rebellion spreads to other military bases in North Korea? Sangnam-ni is not the only nuclear facility there.’
Chen hesitated for several moments, then said: ‘Supreme Leader Kang has taken firm action to prevent such a development.’
That statement, woodenly formulaic, actually contained a hidden revelation, but Pauline suppressed her excitement. She decided to bring the conversation to a close. Chen had been close-mouthed, but – as often happened – he had inadvertently told her something she needed to know. She said: ‘Thank you for your help, Mr President. As always, a conversation with you is a pleasant duty. Let us stay in close touch.’
‘Thank you, Madam President.’
The screen went dark and Pauline looked at Gus and Chess. Both looked animated. They had drawn the conclusion too.
She said: ‘If the rebellion was confined to one base, he would have said so.’
‘Exactly,’ said Gus. ‘But Kang took firm action, which means that firm action was called for, because the rebellion has spread.’
Chess agreed. ‘He must have sent troops to the base at Yongdok, where nuclear warheads are stored. And rebels there must have fought back. Chen did not say that government forces had prevailed, he said merely that Kang had taken steps. That suggests the situation is unresolved.’
Gus said: ‘Kang is focussed on the most important bases – but those are the places the rebels have targeted too.’
Pauline judged it was time to move on. ‘I’d like more information. Sophia, make sure our signals intelligence people are reading everything we can pick up from North Korea. Gus, check our latest information on North Korea’s nukes – how many, how big, like that. Chess, talk to the foreign minister of South Korea in case she has insights – she may know things we’ve missed. And I need to put out some kind of announcement about this – Jacqueline, get Sandip in here, please.’
They all left. Pauline thought about how best to explain the situation to the American people. Everything she said would be misrepresented and distorted by James Moore and his cheerleaders in the media. She needed to be crystal clear.
Sandip appeared a couple of minutes later, padding into the room in his sneakers. Pauline briefed him on Sangnam-ni.
‘This can’t be kept under wraps,’ he said. ‘The South Korean media are too good. Everything will come out.’
‘I agree. So I need to show Americans that their government is on top of the situation.’
‘Will you say that we are ready for nuclear war?’
‘No, that’s too alarmist.’
‘James Moore will ask the question.’
‘I can say we’re ready for anything.’
‘Much better. But tell me what you’re actually doing.’
‘I spoke to the president of China. He’s concerned, but says there’s no danger of regional destabilization.’
‘What action is he taking?’
‘Sending aid to North Korea – food and fuel – because he thinks the economic crisis is the real problem.’
‘Okay, practical if undramatic.’
‘It won’t do any harm, at least.’
‘What else are you doing?’
‘I don’t think this will have immediate repercussions for the US, but as a precaution I’m raising the alert level to DEFCON 4.’
‘It’s all very low key.’
‘That’s how I want it.’
‘When would you like to talk to the media?’
She looked at her watch. ‘Is ten o’clock too soon? I want to be out in front on this.’
‘Ten it is.’
‘Okay.’
‘Thank you, Madam President.’
*
Pauline enjoyed press conferences. By and large, the White House correspondents were intelligent men and women who understood that politics was rarely simple. They asked her challenging questions and she tried to give them honest answers. She enjoyed the cut and thrust of debate when it was genuinely about the issues, and not just posturing.
She had seen historic photos of past press conferences, when the correspondents were all men in suits with white shirts and ties. Now the group included women, and the dress code was more relaxed, with the TV crews in sweatshirts and trainers.
Pauline had been nervous at her very first press conference, twenty years ago. She had been a Chicago city alderman. Chicago was a Democrat city, and Republican aldermen were almost unknown, so she had run as an independent. Because of her record as a champion gymnast she had become an advocate for better athletic facilities, and that was what her first press conference had been about. Her nervousness had not lasted long. As soon as she got into discussion with the journalists she relaxed, and before long she had made them laugh. After that she was never nervous again.
Today’s event went according to plan. Sandip had told the correspondents that Pauline would not answer questions about her daughter, and that if anyone asked such a question the press conference would immediately come to an end. Pauline half expected that someone would break the rule, but no one did.
She talked about her conversation with Chen, she told them about DEFCON 4, and she finished with the words she wanted them to take home: ‘America is ready for anything.’
She answered questions from the senior correspondents and then, with just a minute or two left, she called on Ricardo Alvarez from the hostile New York Mail.
He said: ‘Earlier today James Moore was asked about the crisis in North Korea and he said that in these circumstances America needs to be led by a man. What do you say to that, Madam President?’
There was a chuckle around the room, though Pauline noticed that the women were not laughing.
The question did not surprise her. Sandip had told her about Moore’s misogynist remark. She had said it was a blunder that would deprive Moore of many women’s support, and Sandip had said: ‘My mother thinks he’s right.’ Not all women were feminists.