George Bush’S Great America [EN]: Chapter 117

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The newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Michael Clark, arrived at the Afghan Presidential Palace with a weighty mission. The security at the Presidential Palace gave the impression of a military base, reflecting the assessment that Afghanistan was no longer safe from terrorism. Since President Mohammad Zahir had requested ‘help’ from the U.S. President, the refugee problem, instead of being resolved, was escalating. It wasn’t simply a matter of mismanagement or wasted funds. The core issue was that Afghanistan, a nascent state in almost every aspect except for the support it received from the U.S., was overwhelmed and unable to effectively govern.

If this trend continued, Afghanistan risked becoming a bottomless pit for resources. The U.S. Federal Congress, as always, frowned upon excessive spending abroad and consistently sought to reduce such allocations.

Michael’s visit to the Presidential Palace aimed to address this problem, ideally through a ‘Presidential Decree.’

“Greetings. I am Michael Clark, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary assigned to this matter.”

“Let’s dispense with the formalities. It’s not as if this is our first meeting. I trust you’ve brought a solution to overcome this dire situation. Am I correct?”

Mohammad’s reaction was uncharacteristically irritable, contrasting with his normally gentle demeanor. This could be attributed to the gravity of the situation, or perhaps a growing awareness of his limited time left. Mohammad was buried under an immense amount of paperwork, blurring the lines between night and day. His workload was enough to make any president, even on the other side of the world, envious.

“That is precisely why I am here. However, I believe you need to compose yourself first, Mr. President.”

“I apologize, but you are aware of the circumstances.”

Michael glanced over Mohammad’s shoulder at the towering stack of documents. The saying ‘many a little makes a mickle’ [meaning small amounts accumulate] seemed fitting. While some documents were substantial, most appeared to be individual papers, indicating President Mohammad’s attention to even the smallest details of governance. He was, quite literally, burning the candle at both ends.

“Then, as you wish, I shall be direct. Our President desires Afghanistan to prosper further. The support will not be withdrawn.”

“I am ashamed to admit it, but that support is woefully inadequate. Even if you increase the aid, it will be quickly consumed by the influx of refugees.”

Given that Afghanistan was essentially operating on American funding, it might seem that accepting a few refugees wouldn’t have a significant economic impact. However, this was not the case. All aid from the U.S. was being diverted to refugee relief, forcing the suspension of ongoing infrastructure projects. And there was nothing as detrimental as halting infrastructure projects mid-construction.

“Your honesty is appreciated.”

They had considered blocking or expelling the refugees, but Afghanistan’s dependence on the United States complicated matters. The U.S. prided itself on being the world’s police, and openly violating Article 1 of the UN Refugee Convention in front of the U.S. would be problematic.

The U.S. also had its own constraints. If Afghanistan persecuted refugees, the U.S., as a leading member of the UN, would be compelled to condemn Afghanistan for violating the Refugee Convention.

“Frankly, I wish your president would turn a blind eye, even if we expelled or blocked the refugees.”

Constructing steel and concrete walls, along with border checkpoints resistant to anti-tank missiles, would effectively solve the refugee problem. While it would incur costs, it would be cheaper than the current expenditure on refugee sustenance.

“Unfortunately, that is not an option.”

Mohammad had hoped for an affirmative response, but the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary dashed his last hope with a single sentence. President Mohammad sighed deeply, filled with lament.

“Then, what course of action remains?”

It seemed unlikely that the U.S. would offer more financial aid. Astronomical sums were already flowing into Afghanistan. While the current U.S. President might express willingness to provide additional support, it wouldn’t address the fundamental problem.

“Before we delve into specifics, the United States genuinely wants Afghanistan to prosper. This isn’t mere rhetoric; we intend to exert influence in the Middle East through your country.”

“That is welcome news, but first, the refugee problem. We must resolve the refugee problem.”

“What I am about to propose is merely a suggestion.”

“Please, stop beating around the bush and tell me directly.”

Mohammad was anxious. His homeland, struggling to recover, seemed on the verge of collapse, and it would be unusual if he weren’t anxious.

“Incorporate the refugees into the nation.”

“That is preposterous!”

“That is why I prefaced it as a ‘suggestion.’”

The suggestion was, in reality, practically a mandate. That was why he had followed most directives so obediently. However, if it threatened the very foundation of Afghanistan, President Mohammad had no choice but to exercise his veto power.

“Damn it. Do you believe the people will accept that? Above all, I cannot bear to see my beautiful homeland transformed into a westernized Iraq. An Iraq that is anti-Chinese and anti-Iraqi. Is that Iraq? Is it China? Do you believe that simply because they are all Middle Eastern, their cultures are identical? I would prefer our country to remain a monarchy. Now it is a democracy. I cannot bear to see Middle Easterners lower the Afghan flag and establish a Sharia state [Islamic law]!”

“But doesn’t Afghanistan desperately need cheap labor at this moment?”

“I cannot jeopardize the very existence of Afghanistan simply to compensate for a labor shortage. Although the number is not that large now, the number will soon increase, and then native Afghans will become a minority. I cannot bear to witness that, even if it costs me my life.”

What was so significant about mixing races? Michael, an American, struggled to comprehend Mohammad’s emotional outburst. He understood it intellectually, but that was the extent of it.

‘My idea appears to have too many practical obstacles. I have no choice. I must follow the President’s instructions.’

The President himself had suggested that if a better idea arose, it should be implemented. This stemmed from the belief that it was best to handle matters on the spot rather than relying solely on reports. But since that idea was rejected, the only remaining option was to translate the President’s plan into reality.

“Then there is no other option. We must remove the refugees from Afghanistan.”

“Didn’t you previously state that it was not permitted?”

Mohammad felt a slight unease in his stomach. Why did he keep changing his mind? It wasn’t as if he was deliberately teasing him.

“That is correct. Expelling them is not allowed. However, there is no issue if refugees voluntarily relocate to another country, is there?”

“Voluntarily?”

“It is undeniable that Afghanistan’s refugee capacity is saturated. It is also undeniable that refugee facilities are in poor condition.”

The refugee camps were basic tent settlements providing only the most fundamental necessities: food, clothing, and shelter. This was the bare minimum to preserve human dignity. Daily provisions of water and essential supplies were provided. The problem was that Afghanistan’s finances were already strained by this level of support. However, asking them if they wished to return to their homeland, which was essentially a battlefield, was also futile. They missed it, but now was not the time to return.

“In Europe, they reportedly send homeless people back to their hometowns.”

Of course, whether due to administrative incompetence or malicious intent, they often purchased a one-way ticket to a remote rural area instead of their actual hometown. This welfare-not-welfare policy was designed to address the overwhelming number of homeless individuals in major cities, and it may have achieved that objective.

“Will they voluntarily return to their hometowns?”

They were the ones who had grown weary of the heavy taxes and extreme Islamic fundamentalism. Or they were fleeing to escape the war. But as the saying goes, if you continue to be kind, they will think it’s their right? In Europe, there was chaos with Sharia protests, and in Afghanistan, they were gradually establishing village-like settlements within the refugee camps. The Afghan government has deemed these settlements illegal and is allocating significant resources and administrative power to demolish them after providing notification.

“No. We are sending them to Europe.”

“Not to their hometown, but to Europe?”

“To be honest, Europe bears the greatest responsibility for this mess. If anyone should be held accountable, it is Europe.”

Of course, in today’s world where all of Europe has been bombed, it cannot be solely attributed to Europe’s responsibility, but in the first place, it was Europe that created the hotbed for those bombers. So it was no exaggeration to say that they gave a 되 [doe, a small amount] and received a 말 [mal, a large amount, implying a disproportionate return of negativity].

“Will Europe simply stand by and watch?”

Of course not, they would undoubtedly send them back to Afghanistan upon arrival at the airport. Europe still had some capacity, but they had no intention of accepting refugees dumped by other countries. Above all, the sentiment against accepting refugees was growing due to the recent series of Sharia protests by refugees.

“You seem to be forgetting, but our country is America.”

It was a truly arrogant statement. But wasn’t there a reason for arrogance? Foreigners wouldn’t know how convenient it was to be able to replace all explanations with just one word, America. Michael continued the story with a proud tone.

“Furthermore, even if the EU disapproves, they cannot prevent all refugees unless they withdraw from the UN. Above all, they lack the moral authority to object.”

Above all, it didn’t make sense to be planted in the middle of the Middle East and not take responsibility. It was somewhat coercive, but the cause was with the United States. To be exact, it was the cause that all countries other than Europe could have.

‘If it becomes truly problematic, the United States can accept some of them.’

Because the United States is so vast, it wouldn’t even make a noticeable impact unless an entire country immigrated. Furthermore, it was a time when cheap labor was in demand due to the unprecedented economic boom and construction boom.

“So you propose making them move voluntarily, but how do you induce them to head to Europe voluntarily?”