Ultimatum by Antony Trew Read Free Book Online Page B

leakage.’
    ‘Not at this end, I assure you,’ said the Lebanese Minister. ‘The nature of that consignment was known only to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Transport and myself.’
    ‘Of course, my dear Bakkal. We accept your assurances without question. The leakage could well have taken place at the French end. However, it is most unfortunate that the Israelis were able to reach Shed 27, kill all our people there and remove the packing cases without detection.’
    Conscious of the implied criticism, the Lebanese Minister said, ‘It was indeed unfortunate. It is to be the subject of a full enquiry. But you will recall that when I offered to provide a Lebanese military guard you assured me your Syrian officers would not require assistance.’
    ‘Quite so. We were anxious not to draw attention to the consignment. This dictated our policy. And still does.’ He paused. ‘I am sure you will agree, my dear Bakkal, that there is nothing to be gained by recrimination. The situation is too serious for that. Particularly in view of the report published by Al Hayat this morning. That really has complicated matters.’
    ‘I agree. We are taking strong action. But newspapers are newspapers and they look for sensational stories. An Israeli attack is always news, especially one on the Port. Unhappily the media people are now in full cry. Late this afternoon our security police arrested a Le Monde reporter. He has foundout a good deal. For example that the dead men were Syrian army officers.’
    ‘In the name of Allah! Why were we not told?’
    ‘I gave instructions that you were to be. It was late this afternoon. Our people cut off a telephone call the reporter was making to his Paris office. At first he was only repeating the Al Hayat story, but as soon as they realized he knew more they cut him off. That was before he was able to tell Paris that the dead men – but for one Israeli – were your officers.’
    ‘What can you do to him?’
    ‘Not much. We have to be careful with the French. But of course they are very much involved. They may not object too strenuously if we hold him. At least for some time.’
    ‘The longer the better,’ said the Syrian Minister. ‘We need time. We are having a special meeting of the Cabinet tonight to consider these developments. I was anxious to talk to you first. If the truth gets out – and it looks as if it will – the political implications are extremely serious. We shall of course be guarded in any statements we release, and we shall have to consult with the French Government and yourselves .’
    ‘Will you be disclosing the nature of the weapons?’
    ‘I cannot say at this stage. The fact that the Israelis must now know – if they didn’t already – will influence our judgement. The whole affair will have to be considered on the basis of political advantage, with special regard to international repercussions. I will keep you fully informed.
    ‘Thank you, my dear Samedi. I will let you know of all developments at this end. I shall instruct our police and military authorities to assume that the missing equipment may still be on Lebanese territory. We shall maintain the utmost vigilance, you may be sure.’
    There followed the usual exchange of courtesies and the conversation ended.
     
    On October 8th Le Monde published Pierre Gamin’s story: A consignment of agricultural machinery from France toSyria, said Le Monde, had been the objective of the Israeli commando operation in Beirut Port on the night of October 5/6. The ‘agricultural machinery’ had evidently been of a sufficiently confidential nature for special precautions to be taken for its safety while in the Port. So much so that five Syrian army officers, including a colonel, had been assigned secretly to protect it, although the machinery had been consigned to a well-known Beirut firm of agricultural machinery distributors for delivery to the government irrigation works at Bekàa.
    All the Syrian officers had