Chapter 433 - 379 Negotiations

Mustafa had been the Minister of Defense for less than three months.

But he was very clear about how he had come by his power, and he was quite adept at wielding it.

To outsiders, his promotion to the position of minister seemed accidental, but Mustafa knew very well it was because he had the support of the Americans behind him.

In Illigo's current temporary government, there were numerous parties, both big and small, amounting to more than twenty, but in general, they could be divided into three factions: the Sunni, the Shiye, and the Kurds.

The Freedom Front, to which Mustafa belonged, was a small branch within the Sunni Sect, which made up only about forty percent of Illigo's population, while the Shiye Sect occupied more than fifty percent.

Moreover, because the Shiye Sect had been marginalized during Sadam's rule, they saw the election as a rare opportunity to turn their numerical advantage into political power.

Therefore, before the election, everyone believed that if nothing unexpected happened, it would make sense for the Shiye Sect to win the election in Illigo.

But, unexpectedly, Mustafa took the key position of chief of the Ministry of Defense, for a simple reason: this position controlled the military and equipment procurement. He understood the Americans' concerns—after all, the Shiye Sect and the main faction in neighboring Persia were the same, and although they had helped the Americans overthrow Sadam, they might become an uncontrollable force in the future.

This was what the Americans were worried about, so having someone from the Sunni faction assume a key position in the Ministry of Defense was conducive to controlling the armed forces.

Military power, after all, is more important than anything.

Moreover, the Americans had invested hundreds of billions of US dollars in reconstruction funds in Illigo, most of which was spent on military equipment and formation. Of course, it wasn't money given for free—it had to be repaid with oil.

The Americans never do a losing business.

Mustafa now faced the problem of completely phasing out the Soviet-era equipment from Sadam's time and fully rearming the government army and police forces with American arms. So what to do with all those decommissioned old weapons?

For the most part, they were collected, checked, and eventually sealed away.

According to the Americans, these weapons could not be sold externally for fear they would end up in the hands of resistance organizations.

If they were to be sold, it required American approval.

This left Mustafa feeling like he was watching over a large cake but unable to take a bite, itching uncomfortably in his heart.

Yusuf's maneuver offered him a solution to his urgent problem.

In particular, Yusuf had given him millions of US dollars over the past six months.

So Mustafa was also very aware of how much grey market arms trade the director of supplies had been doing on the side.

But, who cares?

Those guns and cannons, if kept in storage, require guards and maintenance, and without care, they will eventually become scrap iron.

Better to sell them off.

Guns and cannons could be sold, but the disposal of the more than a hundred various aircraft and some missile systems left by Sadam was a dilemma for Mustafa.

The heavy equipment, according to the US special envoy, was to be completely destroyed, dismantled, and sold as scrap metal.

Mustafa didn't dare to disagree out loud, but his heart already felt numb.

This equipment was purchased with Illigo's money from the Soviets during Sadam's time, bought with real money at great expense.

To dismantle them just like that?

It's not like it's your Americans' stuff to feel sorry about destroying.

Darn it, isn't it just about squeezing oil out of the people of Illigo?

Allocating reconstruction funds to Illigo, and then having to replace all the munitions, buying tanks, planes, artillery, and even firearms from the United States.

This money passes through the hands of the Illigo government and then flows back into the hands of the American military-industrial complex—it's just like moving money from the left hand to the right.

What liberation, what democracy?

Mustafa knows that this is all just business.

A blood-stained business!

And now? The opportunity had arrived.

Yesterday, Yusuf personally paid a visit to discuss a matter quietly. He mentioned that a defense company wanted to buy two Su-24s and that it was just the beginning. If this deal was successful, there would probably be more in the future.

Mustafa asked Yusuf what the defense company's name was.

Yusuf said it was the same defense company that bought the SA-9 missile systems last time.

Speaking of this company, Mustafa remembered.

Their boss's surname was Song, a man from China.

This was a rare occurrence in Illigo because most of the PMC companies here making a fortune were from the United States and Britain.

A PMC company with a Chinese boss was as unusual as finding scorpion dung.

Mustafa was also aware that the background of this Mr. Song with the surname Song was not simple, and he must have connections with the US Army; otherwise, he wouldn't have landed the military transport contract. Even more notable was the last incident with the SA-9 missiles when the CIA detained their trucks and personnel, only for General Peter, the deputy commander of the US forces in Illiguo, to personally visit the CIA to secure their release.

From this, it was clear that Mr. Song acted "by imperial decree."

So, could it be that the two SU-24 fighter bombers were also at the behest of the U.S. Army?

If not for that connection, he wouldn't have agreed to meet with Boss Song today.

After all, he was at least a ministerial official; to meet a PMC boss?

Wasn't that absurd?

However, once the Americans were involved, Mustafa's attitude differed.

He did not want to offend the Americans.

Therefore, he decided to meet with Song Heping in his own office at the Republic Palace, granting Song Heping thirty minutes to see exactly how he intended to purchase the two aircraft.

Knock knock knock—

When he heard the knocking, Mustafa looked at the time, four o'clock in the afternoon.

He knew it was Song Heping and Yusuf arriving.

"Come in."

The door opened, and sure enough, it was Yusuf and Song Heping.

"Minister, I am very grateful that you could take the time from your busy schedule to meet with me," said Song Heping very politely, extending his hand as well.

Mustafa did not offer his hand for a handshake; instead, he gestured towards the sofa opposite his desk.

"Please, take a seat over there."

The group seated themselves on the guest sofa, and the staff brought over tea.

Mustafa went through the motions of offering Song Heping tea, and when only the three of them were left in the room, he looked up and fixed his gaze on Song Heping.

"Mr. Song, Yusuf tells me you want to purchase our SU-24 bombers?" he asked.

"Yes," replied Song Heping. "I do indeed have that intention, which is why I asked Brother Yusuf to contact the minister and request this meeting."

"The SU-24 is sensitive military hardware, and according to the disposal plan for the previous government army's equipment set out by the Temporary Management Committee at the time, it's not for sale to outsiders and must be destroyed," Mustafa said, adopting an official mien. "If you truly want to buy, I welcome it, but you must secure the approval procedures from the US Army. Do you understand?"

His words bore heavy implication.

You have relations with the military, don't you?

So go get the procedures.

If the Americans give the approval, I will definitely sell.

As long as there are procedures, Mustafa could avoid responsibility.

He was no naive fool; a classic old hand at this, he could smell a rat in this deal, and he knew better than to get personally entangled; that was a principle.

"Dealing in such arms, I can't get the procedures either. Like the last time with the SA-9 missiles, there actually weren't any procedures, but didn't they still sell smoothly?"

Song Heping didn't say he would handle the procedures himself, nor did he say he wouldn't. Instead, he merely mentioned the last transaction with the SA-9 missiles, which after all was managed by Yusuf and certainly with the nod from Mustafa.

The reason Yusuf could sell weapons was clearly due to Mustafa's support.

And his own implication was clear, even without procedures, it was still assisting the military with their operations.

"Without procedures, I cannot agree to sell you the planes, not even in a private deal," Mustafa stated, surprisingly not intimidated by Song Heping's insinuation, and directly refused.

"Mr. Song, a combat bomber is not some ordinary trifle. If it were common firearms, I would dare give you as many as you want, but this... no, it's not possible. It's even more sensitive than the last time with the SA-9 missiles. I cannot agree without seeing the procedures," he said.

With those words, the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat awkward.

On the surface, it seemed there was no room for negotiation.

Song Heping needed the procedures to get the planes, Mustafa wouldn't act without assurances.

However, he wasn't aware that Song Heping had actually come prepared.

"Minister, I've heard that when your Temporary Management Committee made the disposal plan for the previous government army's equipment, there was a detailed clause regarding the planes, stating they could be dismantled and treated as scrap metal, correct?" Song Heping said.

At Song Heping's words, Mustafa, who was delicately savoring the Arabic tea, slightly startled, and the tea cup paused in mid-air near his lips for a long moment without descending.

"Mr. Song, what exactly are you getting at?" he asked.