Chapter 1099 American Disease
"Let the FBI investigate and find out what the reason is." Kennedy's face was solemn. "If Director Hoover has time, let him come to the White House."
Dean Rusk heard the entire conversation, and when Kennedy put down the phone, he asked, "What's going on?"
"A large number of deformed babies have been born in recent months, which has attracted the attention of the media." Kennedy took a deep breath to calm down. "You should follow up on the Iran issue and don't be disturbed by domestic affairs."
At the Whitehall meeting, Alan Wilson took the document and left with an expressionless face. The reports of a large number of deformed children in the United States had been reported. He, the deputy secretary of state who often reads newspapers, naturally knew about it.
But is this enough to make the United States panic? It's simply impossible. Even if the number of victims in the United States is three times that of Germany, it's still only 20,000 to 30,000. No matter how big or small things are, you can ignore them if you want.
The epidemic is about to kill one million people in the United States. Has the United States been affected at all? It's just a little bit more inflation.
Alan Wilson knew very well that Britain was no match for the United States in any aspect. It was the Soviet Union that was really going to hit the United States hard. If Britain could protect itself, it would be overfulfilled.
"You are about to go on a business trip. But did you hear that something happened in the United States?" The world is such a small place. After seeing his friend, Makins was talking about the thalidomide incident in the United States.
"I know, may God bless the United States." Alan Wilson said nonchalantly, and then said, "The Ministry of Interior has not checked whether there is such a thing in our country."
"No, the proportion of deformed babies is in line with the proportion in previous years. There is no obvious increase." Makins has obviously paid attention to this matter. No country can guarantee the health of all newborns. There are indeed people with birth disabilities, but Obviously, there is no change in the UK from previous years. "Why don't you check which countries are affected?"
"I'm also waiting for news." Alan Wilson replied calmly. He is the Secretary-General of the Joint Intelligence Committee. It is normal to express concern. "Fortunately, this tragedy has nothing to do with the United Kingdom."
Magins also felt the same way, just singing God Save the Queen, Great Britain is indeed a sacred place. When he looked up, he saw Alan Wilson with a thoughtful look on his face. At first glance, he didn't hold anything back.
Magins swore that Alan Wilson's expression looked so evil at this moment, and couldn't help blurting out, "What are you thinking?"
"We must dig deep into the inside story to know the source of this matter. Europe's security still depends on the United States." Alan Wilson spoke righteously,
"This is necessary to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again in the UK, my dear Lord Sheffield."
"If you have anything to say, just say it." Hearing Lord Sheffield's address, Max's teeth started to itch, and he showed great discomfort.
"I just think the BBC should play a positive role. Make special documentaries to wake up British citizens." Alan Wilson said wholeheartedly, "After all, you can't rely on luck every time, right?"
"That's a good idea. I'll talk to them." Makins pondered for a moment and said he could give it a try.
MI6 is just a department under the Joint Intelligence Committee. As the leader, it is completely reasonable for Alan Wilson to have a good talk with Mr. M about the investigation.
He then returned to the Foreign Office and discussed with Macmillan how Britain could pursue its interests at the Basra Conference.
"It takes a thousand days to raise an army, but it takes a moment to use it." Alan Wilson walked out of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building with a heavy face, and decided to go home to discuss logistics with his wife. With the Foreign Secretary accompanying him, he became the second-in-command.
The second person is not like before, casually bringing a woman of equal status to his wife to provide logistics. What if you are discovered? He doesn't care, but he also has to consider the lady's thoughts.
"Why do you think you are a little pessimistic?" Pamela Mountbatten couldn't help feeling a little distressed after seeing her husband's disguised sadness, "Isn't it difficult to deal with?"
"The United States is obviously impatient. Our cards have been played. Obviously, the United States has not been frightened." Alan Wilson shrugged helplessly, showing that there were not many options. "The United States directly gave up the interests of Aramco. It gained a higher moral high ground and then forced us to give up our previous interests."
"Then what can we do, how about uniting with the Soviet Union?" Pamela Mountbatten said, and came up with a sudden and earth-shattering suggestion. This almost shocked Alan Wilson and made him wonder if his wife had been snatched away. , said dumbfounded, "If we were facing imperial Russia, it would not be impossible, but the Soviet Union's anti-colonialism was more direct than that of the United States."
If possible, wouldn't Alan Wilson give it a try? In fact, he actually asked the Prime Minister's permission to test it out. If Brezhnev were in power, it might be possible. But Khrushchev did not respond.
Alan Wilson did not have much confidence in uniting the Soviet Union. There were problems during the Brezhnev period. It was the peak period of the Soviet Union. If the United Kingdom had to operate behind the scenes with the Soviet Union with that kind of national power, it would probably attract wolves into the house.
When her husband was rarely confident, Pamela Mountbatten decided to accompany her husband on a trip to Basra. In the past few days of meetings, Alan Wilson hopes that the country will give firm support to the Basra Conference and will try any means except war.
Naturally, the thalidomide incident was also caught and made a fuss about. MI6 began to follow the clues to investigate how many countries had experienced an explosion of deformed children similar to the United States. After the investigation, they couldn't help but be shocked.
However, before the British intelligence agency released its investigation results, British public opinion led by the BBC had already one-sidedly, arbitrarily and very irresponsibly attributed this large-scale birth of deformed babies to the United States.
This kind of reporting is very irresponsible, and it reinforces the stereotype that Americans are rednecks. Alan Wilson personally is firmly opposed to it, but he is the permanent undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and cannot interfere with the media. According to the statement, that is the job of the Ministry of the Interior.
And he had no time to interfere, because it was the American media who first reported the matter in their own country, and the British media only followed up on the report, and they were at best an accomplice. At most, you may need to think carefully about your words.
I'll probably issue an apology statement after this incident is over, but I can't do it now.
The British medical authority The Lancet also expressed concern about the large number of births of children with deformities.
"It's really terrible." Pamela Mountbatten carried her suitcase and followed her husband with constant fear. "How sad those mothers must be."
"Yes, a complete tragedy." Alan Wilson also looked solemn, but the reason why he looked solemn was because his speculation was confirmed. This kind of thing really has no effect on the United States.
This dignified look became even more intense when he saw the figure of Foreign Secretary Macmillan appearing and striding towards him.
Pamela Mountbatten openly mingled with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a private person, but no one thought anything was wrong. After all, Britain has its own national conditions, and rules are used to restrain ordinary citizens. As long as we find a way , there are always people who can escape from this constraint.
Alan Wilson, who was leaning on his wife, was half asleep. He had arrived in Basra and heard Pamela Mountbatten asking whether he should stay at the Windsor Castle Hotel or let the staff here arrange a place of residence.
"We don't have any problems. Your ladyship will definitely not treat us badly." Several diplomats showed great respect to their immediate boss's wife.
"Then I'm not welcome." Pamela Mountbatten greeted the staff who picked up the airport and began to arrange the accommodation for the British diplomatic team. Everything seemed to be as it should be.
French Foreign Minister Maurice Couf Demville and Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko had already arrived in Basra, but American Secretary of State Dean Rusk had not yet arrived. As for who Germany and India will send, love is who.
But when Nehru arrived in Basra, Alan Wilson was still quite surprised. He really admired the Indians' mentality of taking advantage of the popularity, and Nehru actually came here in person.
Important figures gathered, and the Kingdom of Iraq also expressed its great importance. The entire security force in Basra was raised to another level, and sufficient security forces were arranged for various countries.
As for Pamela Mountbatten, she was chatting and laughing with Princess Badia, talking about whether money or power is more important in the world, which is the most important issue for careerists throughout the ages.
Alan Wilson did not want to accuse anything, but he felt uncomfortable when he saw Macmillan expressing kindness to the newly arrived US Secretary of State Dean Rusk and expressing sympathy for the deformed child incident.
Even if there is nothing wrong with caring in itself, should we avoid it when the bayonet is red?
The formal meeting began, and US Secretary of State Dean Rusk presented the plan prepared by the United States to replace the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company with a consortium composed of BP and eight European and American companies. The United States also provides development assistance and consulting.
This plan also took into account the interests of the Soviet Union and ensured that the interests of the Soviet Union would not be harmed. At the same time, Dutch Shell and the Heilman Oil Company of the Federal Republic of Germany were included. Through the proposal of the US Secretary of State Dean Rusk, this plan only harmed the United Kingdom. Discussions began at the Six-Party Talks.
"I firmly disagree." After the meeting, Alan Wilson was filled with indignation in front of Macmillan. "Minister, once this plan is spread back to the country, many citizens will misunderstand your capabilities. This is a very scary thing."
"But you have also seen that the United States has roped in the Netherlands and Germany." Macmillan was also troubled by the ineffectiveness of his previous overtures. "Even the Soviet Union did not object."
"Does the minister want to communicate with Gromyko?" Alan Wilson made a suggestion that seemed reasonable but actually contained evil intentions. This proposal was quickly rejected by Macmillan, "Let's see what Nehru said."
What he said was the same as what he didn't say. Alan Wilson almost laughed out loud. Will the United States look at India squarely?