80. Pretoria, 2000 - Strategic moves
In which Mahdi gives Francois an opening.
Mahdi isn't interested in playing internal politics, he says. Should Francois trust him?
Francois
“Ah, Francois,” Mahdi looks up from his desk as Francois knocks on the open door of his office, “thanks for coming.” He stands up and walks around to Francois, extending his hand in greeting. “I don’t believe we’ve met before.”
“No, I don’t think we have,” Francois agrees. Mahdi gestures Francois to an armchair while he settles himself in one of the other chairs around the coffee table in his office.
“So you’ll have heard that the Deputy Minister has asked me to look into the structure of the Directorates, and to make suggestions so that we can better align how the desks are organized with our geo-political and strategic interests.” Francois nods. “I’m particularly interested in your thoughts on the Tel Aviv and Ramallah missions.”
Francois stiffens. “What would you like to know?’’ he asks, guardedly.
Mahdi leans casually on an elbow. “I’m asking for your candid assessment here, Francois. I’m well aware the current structure,” he tips his head to one side, a hint of smile playing underneath his mustache, “has its challenges.” Francois notes Mahdi’s deft phrasing: saying little, conveying much, leaving his exact meaning wide open for interpretation. “And let me be clear,” Mahdi continues, his voice even and without inflection, “I’m not interested in any internal political games. The Deputy Minister has asked me to come up with an approach that meets our national objectives.”
Mahdi’s gaze is level, and appraising. Francois feels heat rising under his collar. He swallows hard. He’s being given a potential opening here; he needs to be very careful how he uses it.
“I think what the situation on the ground is showing us is that having the mission in Ramallah, and its satellite office in Gaza, be dependent on Tel Aviv for some services, is not really a viable working arrangement.” Francois says carefully, watching Mahdi’s face for a reaction.
Mahdi just nods, his expression neutral. “So what would you propose?” Mahdi asks, his tone light. Is he giving Francois rope to hang himself with, or is he opening the door wider?
Oh fuck it, Francois thinks, if I can come out as gay, I can do this too. “I’d propose that we establish the mission in Ramallah as fully independent of Tel Aviv, and on an equal footing in terms of staffing, budget and diplomatic functions.”
“That will take some time,” Mahdi responds evenly, as if Francois hasn’t said something that would throw Naughton into an apoplectic fit. “And in the interim?”
So it’s in for a penny, in for a pound, thinks Francois. “We’d use that objective to finalize the candidates for Ambassador.” Take that Naughton. “And in the immediate short-term, we’d send additional temporary staff to support the Charge d’Affaires, Eleanor Williams, while we work out permanent staffing structures and assignments. She's carrying the mission, and it’s three Palestinian staff, well.” Better than well, Francois thinks. Naughton had doubted her ability to manage, but she is. “But it’s unreasonable to expect one political officer to be able to do all the work that needs to be done at this time. And if I may,” Francois pauses, thinking of the strain he’s heard in Eleanor’s voice lately, “I think we should prioritize Eleanor getting a relief break over the holidays. She hasn’t been able to take any time off since the Intifada started.”
Something twitches in Mahdi’s check, and he reaches up a hand to rub it. “How—” Something catches in Mahdi’s throat, and he clears it. “Alright, please get me a plan to review in, shall we say two days?” Francois nods. “I’m looking for the interim, short-term plan; the long-term plan; and the medium-term plan that bridges us between the two. I’m not making any promises, though. We need to balance this across all strategic objectives.”
“Understood,” Francois says. Is it really going to be this easy?
“Thank you, Francois,” Mahdi says, rising, and extending a hand. “Let’s talk again on Monday, after I’ve had a chance to review your proposal. I’ll have my assistant send you a time.”
As he walks back to his office, Francois can’t help but smile. The long game is finally paying off.
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Bonus Material
Mahdi has something to say about Eleanor
