Middle Eastern tyrants

Chapter 229 "Provisional Agreement"

When news of the Shuangzhi Army killing prisoners of war reached the United Nations, it immediately caused a huge uproar.

The last large-scale execution of prisoners of war dates back to the New Guinea campaign—Australasia forces executed all Japanese prisoners of war held on their homeland (Note ①).

“Alas, the Middle East is a place where there is never peace.” UN Secretary-General Pasha Montero sighed, rubbing his temples.

Just recently, the United Nations publicly praised Amir, but in the blink of an eye, this happened.

I know you hate Zion, but couldn't you have done it secretly?
To put it bluntly, Amir transported these soldiers to the desert to grow rice, and the United Nations even praised him for caring about the global environment and greening the desert.
But a single gunshot changed everything.

"Your Excellency Montero, Zion has sent a telegram of protest."

"They still have the nerve to protest?"

Montero almost laughed: "How many unarmed Arab civilians have they killed over the years? And now they're turning to the United Nations for answers?"

He didn't even bother to open the telegram.

However, several countries subsequently voiced their condemnation, including many Western European countries, and even several of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council expressed their views.

“Sigh.” He took off his glasses, rubbed his throbbing temples, and ordered, “Have Elanderson contact Marshal Amir bin Mohammed. The United Nations needs an explanation. At least one that is acceptable on the surface.”

The secretary nodded and was about to leave when Montero added, "Remember, don't push too hard. I don't want to hear any more shocking news the next day—my heart can't take it."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

A few hours later, Lu Lin received a call from the UN Under-Secretary-General.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve greeted you, Your Highness Amir.” Jan Elandson’s voice came through the receiver, with the gentle tone typical of Scandinavians: “I hope the Mediterranean winter weather hasn’t affected your appetite.”

"At least we still have hot coffee and cooked beef."

Lu Lin looked at the food on his plate: "It's not as good as your lunch in New York, Mr. Special Envoy."

"Ha, I only eat sandwiches for lunch now—you know what I mean."

Elandson cleared his throat and got to the point: "If it weren't for the circumstances, I would never want to bother a battlefield commander. But the United Nations has always provided humanitarian aid to the Arab region, and we must uphold the legitimacy of this action."

Lu Lin stroked the pen he used for signing: "I know what you want to ask. But I have nothing to say."

Elandson said in a gentle tone, "Your Highness, I am only offering a friendly reminder: there are some things I hope you will know. We are only discussing this privately now, but if we were to discuss it in the United Nations Parliament, things would become very complicated."

Lu Lin was silent for a moment: "Those who achieve great things do not shy away from risks."

“I think so too,” Elanderson replied. “And I also know that Zion’s army set foot on Hashim’s territory, but they have surrendered in accordance with international conventions, which means they are protected by the Geneva Conventions, according to Article 13.”

"Excuse my bluntness, Your Excellency, Shuangzhi did not sign that document."

"……what?"

Elanderson almost thought he had misheard. The commander-in-chief of the Arab allies had not signed the Geneva Convention?
Please wait a moment.

I heard the rustling sound of papers turning over for several seconds on the other end of the phone.

Elandson went through all the countries that had participated in the Geneva Conventions from beginning to end, and the final result struck him as absurd.

——Really not.

He then remembered that just two or three years ago, Shuangzhi was a relatively conservative and closed religious country, and even maintained the tradition of tribal system.

Furthermore, because it has always maintained a low profile and does not have a well-organized military, it has been overlooked by the international community.

hiss.
Elanderson found it all quite amusing.

The current situation for Shuangzhi is this: I don't understand anything about international law, so let history have its say.

Over the years, Zion has carried out numerous genocides against Arabs, not only in Beirut but also elsewhere. The deep-seated hatred between the two sides cannot be contained by a single convention.

Since it wasn't legally justifiable, Elandson had no choice but to try persuasion from other angles: "I understand your actions, but from a broader perspective, doing so will only provoke Zionists worldwide, inflame their nationalistic spirit, and create new trouble for the Arab world."

Lu Lin interrupted him: "I will continue on my path. This is not a contempt for UN law, but based on a reality—Zion has never given Arabs equal respect; they have treated us as second-class citizens."

As for the fighting spirit of the Zionites, I will break it, just as they did to us.

After hearing this, Elanderson was completely stunned. This had gone far beyond the scope of mediation and exceeded his authority and ability.

Elandson took a deep breath and made one last attempt: "Your Excellency Marshal, I understand your position, but please allow me to remind you that the initial intention behind the establishment of the Arab Allied Forces seems to be to reclaim the lands seized by Zion..."

The sound of a cup lightly tapping on the table came from the other end of the phone: "But don't forget, the Arab Allied Forces can be traced back to the founding of Zion."

"I am not defending Zion."

Elanderson conceded again: "For the sake of the other Arab soldiers and the Arab civilians forced to live in the occupied Zion, Your Excellency, perhaps we can draft special terms, just to protect their lives."

He believed the young man on the other end of the phone understood this principle.

He had met the other person in person, and his gentleness and wisdom had amazed him, like the sun rising in a land of suffering.

Although he didn't know what had happened in the past few months that caused the prince's behavior to change so drastically, he knew that if it weren't for protecting the civilians of Damascus, the other side wouldn't have bothered to deal with Zion at all.

Given Amir's talent, if he were to take a gamble, the outcome would only be "one man's success is built on the bones of countless others."

"Ok."

The young people seem to have softened their stance.

“Since the United Nations wants me to abide by the Geneva Convention, we can formulate a temporary special provision.”

Elandson perked up: "Please speak!"

There is hope if we can talk!

Lu Lin set a condition: "I can abide by the convention, but those Zion soldiers who are still on Arab soil—I mean within the boundaries drawn on the UN map—do not enjoy any protection under international law."

The so-called "map boundary" refers to the territorial demarcation in the Middle East established by UN Resolution 242. Currently, more than half of Zion's troops are stationed in this region.

Although harsh, this is already a major concession made by the other party, and the conditions themselves are not without basis.

Elandson breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you for your understanding. I will consult with the UN immediately and give you a reply as soon as possible."

When he said "as soon as possible," he didn't mean two or three days, but a few hours.

"Good work."

After hanging up the phone, Elandsen quickly reported the contents of the meeting to Secretary General Montero. Montero immediately convened the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and allies to discuss the "interim agreement." Once approved, all member states will be notified immediately.

As Elandson gazed at the fine snow falling outside the window, his thoughts drifted to the conditions proposed by Lu Lin.

His first thought was about the impact of the agreement on the soldiers in Zion.

The troops within the occupied territories will be the first to be affected.

Once the agreement is adopted, they will lose the protection of international law.

Defeat means death.

This might trigger panic, or it might just cause the opposite.

This inspired the defending troops to fight to the death.

He then listed the occupied territories still under Zion's control: the Sinai Peninsula, West Hashim, and Gaza.

And—Jerusalem.

and many more.

Jerusalem?

A vague premonition arose in Elanderson's mind. Knowing Amir as he did, the man never spoke without reason.

"What exactly are you planning this time?" he muttered to himself.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The Laha Massacre: In 1942, Australian soldiers were deployed to the East Indies to guard an airfield. Japan landed on the islands, launched a war, and won. After the war, Japan carried out an extremely inhumane massacre of the island's inhabitants and the soldiers guarding the airfield, including all the Australian soldiers who died.

(End of this chapter)