Chapter 29
Is what the newspapers called me bright and early on a Sunday morning. I'd read many headlines from the stack of newspapers that had been brought to the room and they all said the same about me. The boy who ruled. I idly wondered if the media houses had all come together to and cast a ballot on what to dub me.
After we were taken from the Airport to meet Bernardor, I found myself being greeted by a large extravagant ceremony held in honour of my visit. In past lives, I hadn't gone on many state visits, but I had enough sense to recognize the proper respect of etiquette the Namibian Government had shown me by organizing a formal welcoming ceremony despite the shady view the rest of the world had of me and my administration.
Though I did not expect the ceremony that didn't mean I wasn't prepared for it. As custom of State visits, I exchanged gifts with the President. I'd gotten him a nice Oil painted portrait of himself glimmering in the wealth of the diamonds his nation was rich in and he, in turn, had presented me with a set of clothing and jewellery, all having diamond-like properties to them. I was outdone but I was flattered really.
After much ceremony-literally- Bernardor, Niaina and I finally sat down together and briefly spoke about the contents of my being here. Trade.
But before getting to the more pressing topic, I needed to have my curiosity satiated as I began to wonder why he would invite and organize a welcoming ceremony in honour of my nation, a nation that held much of apathy and scorn from various African nations.
"We reported as we saw and as we were told. The AU does harbour many qualms about your government though. As it is declared a Federal Republic yet power pa.s.sed on from father to son as though it were a Monarchy. The AU also sympathized with the fact that much of your population lives below the poverty line, even approaching extreme poverty. It is because of our reports on your well-meaning intentions for the nation that they are even at all willing to consider the possibility of negotiating your reinstatement as an active member nation."
It was because of this olive branch of goodwill the AU was extending to us that he felt safe dealing with me publically. At least, this was according to him anyway. I knew so much more plagued the man from the scans I ran on Namibia as we flew in. And that was why I was happy waiting here in the fully air-conditioned guest house provided for my stay.
I would wait and let him discuss fully and to his heart's content with his advisors on what to do with my newest deal. I was confident in the fact that he would give in eventually without my even bothering to negotiate much. The new deal I'd come up with was just too good for him to
The deal? Well, it was quite simple really, Namibia was a hyper-arid landfilled more with sand and deserts than it was with gra.s.s, rain or water. You could fry an egg with the sun if you couldn't afford gas.
In great contrast, Schelar was a hub for agriculture. Subsistence and commercial agriculture was a profitable investment that many of its citizens derived income from, however little it was. Food wasn't much of an issue for us.
Namibia unfortunately, for all its diamonds and precious minerals, was in a stranglehold of starvation every year. A great part of its population practised subsistence farming and the government often subsidies agriculture. But it was quite the futile effort trying to grow food enough for the great ma.s.ses in an environment that killed much of the plant life.
This is also why Namibia needed me desperately. The country imported most of its foodstuff at extortionate rates from many countries outside Africa, particularly Brazil and the USA. This was a big bite out of their flailing revenue. Even worse was, Diamond, the country's top export and money-making jewel, was also bought at extortionate rates!
I felt a twinge of pity for Bernardor as he, a recently elected President was now tasked with the rather impossible duty of resolving much of the resulting issues all these factors brought upon the country; A rapidly expanding gap between the poor and the rich, climbing unemployment, homicide, terrorism and generally crime rates.
Resolving all this would be quite impossible indeed. But only if he failed to take my deal. I would keep my seventy-million dollars, he would gift me the cargo s.h.i.+ps and he would enlist Schelar as its main agricultural trading partner. This deal was particularly profitable as unlike the European and American countries, the exchange rate for the trade wouldn't be such a burden on his National revenue and in turn, I would get a rather stable source of external income and cargo s.h.i.+ps to boot.
If I was lax, I had every reason to be. I'd just struck Diamond!
I didn't have to wait long. Soon Bernardor was in the guest house he'd granted me. We sat together, just he and I on the rather white themed balcony with tea for me and coffee for him.
"This is a bit unorthodox isn't it?"
"What? Tea and crackers?"
"Discussing such an important deal in such a nondescript location." He clarifies, not looking at all comfortable with himself.
I set down my mug and fold my arms at him, "Nondescript? You must have some narrow view of what counts as nice or this isn't your best guest house."
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He flinches at the mentions and scratches his rather lonely head, "Ah well, I come from a rather comfortable family, I guess my view on nice has been warped." I already knew this, of course, I'd long since used the intel-ii on his person. He had a very, very comfortable background.
I shrug and hurry the conversation along wanting to get out of the glaring sun as quickly as possible, "Well I don't believe it can get any more formal and honest than as it is now. We could take this to your office but I rather like this place, quiet, private, and secure I hope."
He shakes his head, waving his hand as well as he speaks, "No, it doesn't matter. Here will do just fine."
"Good," I stir myself another cup of tea and ask, "So what decision have you and your many advisors come to?"
He dismisses my little democratic joke and gets to the point, "You said our current trade partners were extorting us. You were right." I can't help but smile, rude as it was smiling at his misfortune, "But we've known this for quite some time. We would look inwards, into Africa for better prices and better deals but most African nations aren't willing to focus their efforts on agriculture, even Madagascar, your neighbour has to import food as well despite the fine soil they have.
We'd look to our closest allies but South Africa is plagued by the same problems as well. So we accept your deal, perhaps we'll put in a good word with South Africa and you can get multiple trading partners here."
He extends his hand and I clasp it in a firm and decisive handshake as a very profitable deal was struck.
"And what about the s.h.i.+ps?"
"I'll have someone send you details of all the s.h.i.+ps we have available," He rises b.u.t.toning his suit as he prepares to leave. I rise with him, "We will go further into the details of the trade while you are still present I believe?"
I begin escorting him out to his waiting convoy of cars, "Yes of course. But perhaps I'll let my ministers handle the details. I intend on flying in my minister of agriculture and finance so they can come up with the best results. I'll be there for the finalization."
He turns to me just as his guard opens the car door for him, "And what will you be doing until then?" He asks, curiosity staining his face.
I look down to my rather light coloured skin and smile, "Why, enjoying the Namibian Paradise of course."
I was intent on getting a tan.