“A cease-fire has to be made in the spirit of cooperation and fairness,” Tang said. “We will hold our present positions and stop all new troop additions if Samar agrees to withdraw his forces and come to the bargaining table.”
“You must withdraw your forces from the Philippines first…”
“We are in the Philippines by
“Samar is also a member of the Philippine government,” Danahall said pointedly.
“I understand Samar has been brought up on charges of treason and corruption by the government,” Tang said. “He has been stripped of his authority until his trial — z/he ever surrenders himself to justice…”
“The United States does not recognize the Teguina government, because we have no evidence that President Arturo Mikaso is dead,” Cesare said. Tang shifted his interlaced hands slightly, as if gesturing that, yes, Mikaso was really dead. “Can you confirm Mikaso’s present situation? Is he dead?”
“I cannot confirm that, sir…”
“If you cannot confirm it, we will not recognize Teguina’s presidency,” Danahall said. “In which case the constitution is still valid and Samar has equal power and authority as Teguina…”
“Samar appears to be fleeing from justice — he is acting like a common criminal,” Tang said. “He is hiding in the jungles, he refuses to speak with his own government, he is inciting the people to revolt. Stories I have heard say that he has the backing of several Islamic terrorist organizations to help him win the presidency by violence. How can the United States back such a man?”
Those rumors about the terrorist groups, unfortunately, were true — several Moslem terrorist groups had pledged themselves to Samar to help him overthrow the Chinese, the Americans, and the Manila government. It was a major source of embarrassment for President Taylor right now. But Danahall replied, “Samar is understandably in fear for his life, especially with Chinese troops in Manila. He is not in hiding; he is en route to Guam under the protection of the U.S. government until this matter can be resolved.
“I think the best option right now is for all foreign troops to get out of the Philippines and leave that government to itself. If we can have reasonable assurances that the will of the people is being done and that peace is being restored, then we will not object to any further Chinese incursions. But the United States regards the current level of Chinese military involvement as an invasion, and we are now in a position to stop it. Will the Chinese pull out of the Philippines?”
Tang made a few notes in a small notebook. “I will deliver your query to my government,” the ambassador said, “along with your earlier statements and concerns.” Tang then closed his notebook, as if signaling an end to their meeting; it had lasted only a few minutes.
“Have you any messages from your government, Mr. Ambassador?” Secretary Danahall asked. “Does your government simply request that the world allow you to occupy the Philippines with large military forces? Or do you want nothing more than to be a willing mercenary for Daniel Teguina’s first coup?”
“We are not seeking conquest, only stability for my country,” Tang said. “We see the unrest in the Philippines as extremely injurious to Chinese trade, foreign relations, and social and political stability in our own country. As you know, gentlemen, the Philippines has many ethnic Chinese in its population, as well as loyal supporters of the world socialist movement, all of whom have suffered in past years. If we fail to support Communist leaders overseas and allow those with common beliefs and heritage to be slain and dominated by others, how would my government appear in the eyes of its own people?”
Danahall, Cesare, and Kellogg refrained from replying or voicing their outrage at Tang’s flamboyant, rhetorical remarks. Finally, after all these weeks of waiting, all these days of threats of military conflict, the Chinese were going to get around to their demands — it would not be useful at this point to interrupt, no matter how offbeat or disagreeable his words were.
“We are also very concerned about other problems in the South China Sea region, namely the dispute over the Spratly Islands and Palawan. China has claimed possession of those islands for hundreds of years; we feel we have the right to develop those islands,
“The Philippine island of Palawan also once belonged to China, as evidenced by the large number of ethnic Chinese living there.” Tang paused knowingly, making eye contact with the Americans before him, and said, “If Chinese claims to the Spratly Islands and Palawan could be resolved in a way favorable to all concerned, perhaps a way might be found to avert disaster and bloodshed.”
