106 : Bridgehead
“Survival…”
“Can David live without water?”
I know what Israel and Jordan did in the 21st century. That it was something they had been in constant contact with behind the scenes for decades.
“You mean to develop the Jordan River?”
“That is absolutely not the case. The reason why Israel became hostile to neighboring countries was because of the pipeline installed on the Jordan River.”
The Jordan River is what we often call the Jordan River.
It is a valuable source of drinking water for Israel, Jordan, Syria, and Palestine to the extent that it is expressed as a lifeline in the Bible. Touching it carelessly is like poking a beehive.
In addition, even now, as the quantity is rapidly decreasing due to repetition of pipe inserting, pipe drilling, and beam making, it is likely to be left alone if it is developed.
“Then how are you going to solve the water problem?”
“We have to bring in sea water and make it fresh water, and we have to pour the concentrated saline water into the Dead Sea.”
“You make sea water into fresh water?”
“There is nothing difficult about seawater desalination technology. Kuwait already has a seawater desalination facility with a capacity of 4,000 tons per day.”
I mean, does Sambok really have anything like that? I just blinked my eyes.
On the other hand, David’s reaction was calm.
“I know that. Because the United States provided technical aid. By the way, since Kuwait is an oil-producing country, they build desalination facilities and boil sea water with surplus crude oil. But Jordan lacks the money to build such a desalination plant or the resources to run it.”
“So, we have to do it with Israel.”
“No matter how much water is a matter directly related to survival, it is difficult to realize if economic feasibility is severely reduced.”
“The Dead Sea is -430m above sea level, the lowest point on Earth. By pumping water from the sea and pouring it into the Dead Sea, it generates hydroelectric power and makes fresh water. If you make a reservoir in the middle, it will be good for people to live around it.”
The idea I mentioned is a project that anyone in the heavy industry industry has heard of at least once.
For the construction of the great aqueduct connecting the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, bidding announcements are made every time with an enormous project cost approaching billions of dollars.
The problem is that the construction of this aqueduct has been tried several times since the 1960s, but it has always been stranded right before the start of construction due to political problems in neighboring countries.
It is famous for a project that re-announces bidding all over the world every few years.
Rather, it is highly likely that the construction of the Red Sea-Dead Sea aqueduct will begin now that Israel has won the war overwhelmingly.
“It’s a form of making up for the energy of raising water with hydroelectric power.”
“That’s right. In addition to obtaining fresh water, the aspect of maintaining the level of the Dead Sea cannot be ignored. Isn’t the Dead Sea already serving as a resort?”
The Dead Sea is a vast saltwater lake in the middle of the desert and is a popular vacation spot for Middle Easterners.
The Red Sea-Dead Sea Aqueduct project has the same interests of both countries in terms of obtaining fresh water while maintaining the Dead Sea, a common asset between Israel and Jordan.
“The business aspect can convince both countries. By the way, who will take on that difficult construction?”
“BR is leading the consortium. Daesei will be in charge of civil engineering and material delivery. Various technologies, GE and Bechtel… No, I think Westinghouse is better than Bechtel this time.”
“It is a consortium led by BR. If Westinghouse also participates, it would be nice to create an atmosphere of reconciliation between the two. I think the US Department of Commerce will be happy to support it.”
David put on a satisfied expression.
It was a natural reaction to say that our generation takes care of difficult labor.
American companies will be able to earn high returns using design and technical support as an excuse.
Our trend is to realize profits while applying civil engineering and various construction materials.
In particular, the net profit rate for the steel materials we produce exceeds 100% even if we receive only $150 per ton.
And it would be even better if he could also take this opportunity to learn Westinghouse’s technology related to power plants.
‘Material delivery… Chansu, you are a genius.’
Sambok looked at me with respect in his eyes.
Anyone who sees it will know that it has already received orders.
“BR is responsible for setting the total project cost, and David is in charge of behind-the-scenes contact with Jordan. We will prepare equipment and personnel.”
“I will. The US Department of Commerce will also have no objection to lending loans to Jordan. Peace in the Middle East is directly related to the interests of the United States.”
Most of the ways in which the United States attracted other countries as allies were like this.
They worked together on large-scale economic revival projects and lent political cooperation by lending technology and money.
Still, the selection criterion is that the project is not unilaterally advantageous only to the United States, but that it should really be of practical help to its allies.
The United States handled things in a relatively gentlemanly way in that respect. I wonder if it is the basis for becoming a superpower through the Cold War era.
In the case of Jordan, it will be more active because it has the effect of containing the neighboring socialist country Syria.
“And one more thing, our Daesei plans to deliver not only the Grand Waterway project, but also the Kabla.”
“If it is Kabla, isn’t it military material? That’s kind of…”
“It’s not a weapon, is it? If we provide protective equipment to Jordan on a humanitarian basis and Israel also tolerates it, can’t it be interpreted as an exchange of favorable messages between the two countries?”
“Oh, that kind of approach is possible. Okay. I will inform General Van Flint so that it does not become a big issue in US politics.”
“thank you.”
David couldn’t contain his excitement as he spoke.
Israel won a unilateral victory in a surprise attack, but if the US mediates and brings at least Jordan, the defeated country, to the arena of reconciliation, it will greatly contribute to regional peace.
They make behind-the-scenes contacts that will go down in history, and they themselves act as messengers.
“As expected, if it’s CS, you can trust and give it to me.”
“This…”
David handed me the ADI Deputy Minister’s documents with a thrilled expression.
It was data that summarized who exchanged loans around the world and for what purpose.
In a word, it was a great resource to see at a glance who the big hand was and what industry the big hand had in mind.
This document was Van Flint’s main reason for sending David.
As expected, all sorts of personal connections were listed, including Livanos, the Greek shipping magnate, Fan Maritime, Appledoor, and Berkeley’s Bank.
By drawing lines in the form of a relationship diagram, it was possible to immediately grasp the core network.
“This is a top-secret document, and I am giving it as my personal judgment as a believer in CS and our objective judgment that Korea’s growth is beneficial to the free world. So you should never regret this decision.”
The word “we” made us realize that it was a top-secret material.
We would be referring to David and Van Flint and Nancy and so on.
The word Cold War Alliance seemed more appropriate.
Anyway, I also joined the boundary called us.
“of course. After memorizing the data, we incinerate it.”
Even for my own benefit, this data should never be leaked.
You have to memorize the connections of the tycoon and the industries he invested in and burn them right away.
‘yes? Frederick Smith?? Why Captain Smith?’
Ironically, Captain Frederick Smith’s name appeared on the chart of major connections in the shipbuilding industry.
I don’t think this guy doesn’t know how great his personal connections are. Somehow, I had a feeling that my involvement in Kennedy’s covert operations was no accident.
Even if it’s not the Middle East, I must accompany you when I go to England to borrow money.
“Well, it seems I have said all I have to say. CS, when are you leaving?”
“David-nim, let’s go to Jordan first. We have things to prepare separately, and above all, we can only start after receiving government approval.”
“Haha, that’s right. There are a lot of big bosses that each of us has to report to.”
David will also have to report to Van Flint, the Ministry of Commerce, ADI officials, the World Bank president, the US Department of Foreign Affairs, and so on.
After talking about work, we drank enough to get drunk.
It was a pleasant dinner.
***
A few days later, the Blue House.
“President Woo Chan-soo has something to report?”
“Yes that’s right. dismissal.”
“What’s up? Steelworks, I receive reports every week. Could it be that there is a problem with the new construction method?”
“Sir, it’s not that there’s a problem, it’s the opposite. The Pohang Iron and Steel project is going well enough to outperform the plan, so he says he will pioneer the Middle East.”
The president couldn’t help but tilt his head at the chief of staff’s words.
I admit that my ability to find and run lucrative businesses is excellent, but the Middle East today was a far-fetched place to do business.
A battlefield is not a children’s playground.
Although Israeli forces managed to halt their advance, tensions in the Middle East did not ease.
“Yeah, listen. Ask them to come in tomorrow.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
“And let those who have received the new credentials this time, that is, the EPB Minister and the Minister of Commerce and Industry, come in when the conversation with President Woo is over.”
“Yes? Oh, I see. dismissal.”
The chief of staff couldn’t help but be embarrassed.
It was like introducing new ministers and vice ministers to President Woo.
“I need to show what President Woo is doing at least once. How easy would it be for the new ministers and vice ministers to be like President Woo?”
“All right. dismissal.”
I never thought the president’s evaluation would be this much.
The chief of staff raised his judgment regarding Woo Chan-soo to the next level.
**
next day,
“How are you, Mr. President?”
“Come on, sir. sit down.”
“thank you.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that it’s a lot of trouble. He said that Pohang Iron and Steel is taking good care of the construction and equipment. In the meantime, Jaringobi Suseong made him spit out money and even built a private house?”
The word used to modify Mercury was Jaringobi.
Well, originally, Mercury, which was focused on light industry, was not very good at it.
Suseong President Do Byeong-cheol was also not active in the president’s heavy industry promotion strategy.
“It’s not exactly what I asked for. Mercury has voluntarily spent the rebate money on a public good. Considering the public interest of the Pohang Iron and Steel Company, they gave us a 10% discount on insurance premiums.”
“okay? There’s no way Mercury will be so green, but it’s strange. Anyway, none of that matters. Yes, the owner will try to enter the Middle East this time?”
The president’s interest was exports and overseas expansion.
He seemed to guess that it was his job when he heard that he was advancing into the Middle East.
“Yes. That’s right. When Pohang Iron and Steel’s ground leveling work is completed to some extent, we plan to move the surplus equipment to Jordan for waterway construction.”
“Jordan? Are you sane? The war stopped only a few days ago. Going to a place like that to do waterworks? War doesn’t stop just because it stops. You can come back anytime.”
When I said the Middle East, it seems that I thought that at least it would not be a party to this war.
“Do not worry. We’ll start construction on the Red Sea side south of Jordan, not on the battlefield. We are trying to supply fresh water by drawing in seawater.”
“What? Make sea water into fresh water?”
“The overall plan is like this.”
I spread out the construction schematic diagram I had prepared on the table.
The blueprint hasn’t come from BR yet, but it won’t deviate much from the schematic I drew.
Rather, if you deviate from this, you should correct it.
It is a plan for the 21st century Red Sea-Dead Sea Aqueduct construction, which has been overturned several times by the heavy industry around the world for decades.
“Here, we plan to bring the seawater from the Gulf of Aqaba in southern Jordan to the Arabah Valley, go through hydroelectric power, and then send freshwater to the waterworks and saltwater to the Dead Sea through a seawater desalination facility. This is equivalent to releasing 200 million tons of fresh water and 200 million tons of salt water annually.”
The expression on the president’s face was spectacle as he casually explained the enormous plan.
Are you really going to do this?
The length of the waterway drawn on the map alone is over 200 km? It was a look.
“Imja, is this really a business?”
“Yes, there is. In terms of securing drinking water and preserving the resorts of the Dead Sea, both Israel and Jordan are…”
“It’s done. That’s something that each country has to take care of, and how beneficial is it to us?”
“The final project cost has not been announced yet, but it is estimated that it will be around 1.2 billion dollars over the next 15 years.”
If you are a BR company, you would expect this much.
“Are you saying that the annual construction cost is 80 million dollars? You say you earn that consistently for 15 years?”
It’s no big deal if Israel and Jordan split 40 million dollars each. And since the US will lend loans to both countries, there is no problem.
“The US will intervene. And, of the $80 million, an American company will be in charge of design and technical services, and Daese will be in charge of civil engineering and material delivery.”
“Huh, you put the US in the middle? good! good! It already makes us look forward to steel exports from Pohang Iron & Steel.”
“And I’m thinking of selling Kevlar too. Bulletproof vests and helmets might be available right away.”
“It will be as special as the Middle East compared to Vietnam. ha ha ha.”
A full-fledged Middle East specialty was still far away, but even this was a pretty salty business.
Besides, you used this as an excuse to get information about European landlords from Van Flint, didn’t you?
If you go around the Middle East and Europe once, it’s like hitting a home run in consecutive hits.
“And, Mr. President. While I was in the Middle East…”
The atmosphere improved, so I tried to bring up the shipyard. It was because they had to get about 20 million dollars from the government even if they borrowed money from Europe.
This is because if the ratio of foreign loans becomes too high, something absurd could happen in which management rights are taken away even after I complete the shipyard.
“Come in, did you guys hear well?”
‘yes?’
I had to stop talking halfway through.
It was because the President’s sight had already escaped me.
“Yes, Your Excellency. I heard you well.”
“President Woo’s planning ability is really amazing. I never imagined that we would use the war in the Middle East as an opportunity.”
After a quick glance from the next room, high-ranking officials entered.
I knew immediately who it was.
Aren’t they the key members who led the second five-year economic plan?
This is how you open your face in front of the president.
