Their East bloc satellites have defaulted on massive loans to the West. The Soviet economy is in disastrous shape. They can't even pay their armed forces and government workers in anything but scrip good only for food and clothing. What are they going to use for money? our farmers aren't about to go in hock for Communists. They need immediate payment to clear their own yearly debts."

"There is a way out," the President said.

"Your East bloc bailout theory?" said Fawcett, anticipating him.

The President nodded. "Antonov agreed in principle to accept my economic assistance plan."

"If you'll excuse me, Mr. President," said Oates, his hands clutched to keep them from visibly trembling, "your plan solves nothing. What you're proposing is that we give billions of dollars in financial aid to the Communist nations so they can turn around and buy from our own farming community. I see that as a 'rob Peter to pay Paul' sucker game, with our taxpayers footing the bill."

"I'm with Doug," said Brogan. "What's in it for us?"

The President looked around the table, his face set in determination. "I made up my mind that this is the only way to show the world once and for all that, in spite of her monstrous military machine, Russia's system of government is a failure not to be envied or copied. if we do this thing, no country in the world can ever again accuse us of imperialist aggression, and no Soviet propaganda or disinformation campaigns against us will be taken seriously. Think of it, the United States helped its enemies back on their feet after World War Two. And now we can do the same for a Dation that has made a crusade out of condemning our democratic principles. I devoutly believe no greater opportunity will be lain on our doorstep to set humanity on a straight course into the future."

"Frankly speaking, Mr. President," said General Metcalf in a stern voice, "your grand design will change nothing. As soon as their economy has recovered, the Kremlin leaders will return to their old belligerent ways. They're not about to give up the military expansion and political strategies of seventy years out of gratitude for American generosity."

"The general is right," Brogan said. "Our latest satellite surveillance photos show that even as we sit here the Russians are installing a string of their latest SS-Thirty multiple-warhead missiles along the northeast coast of Siberia, and each warhead is targeted at a city in the U.S."

"They will be dismantled," the President said, his tone set in concrete. "As long as we are aware of their existence, Antonov cannot sidestep his commitment."

Oates was mad and he didn't care who knew it. "All this talk is a waste of time." He almost spat the words at the President. "None of your giveaway schemes can be put into motion without congressional approval. And that, sir, isn't damned likely."