Chaos at Middle East; part 3.
*Meeting between Alexander Lukashenko and Gennady Zyuganov*
- President Zyuganov, it's great to be here, I must say that I was quite impressed by the Victory Parade earlier in the month. It was marvelous, I almost fell that we were all back to the glorious Soviet Union, I'm quite intrigued, what was the important issue that gathered us today? - Lukashenko said, but behind that mask he already knew the reason, it was quite probable that Zyuganov would suggest a deal to bring closer both countries; Belarus and Russia.
The collapse of the Soviet Union was undesirable for many people, after all, the dissolution left many countries as coins waiting to be grabbed by an ambitious pedestrian. It was hard to accept it, but that was the truth in 1996. However, not everything was critical, there was a chance to restore the Soviet Union or at least something a bit similar to it, the economy in post-soviet countries was weak and Zyuganov hoped to restore the russian one.
If the Communist Party managed to free the country from the economic crisis they would start regaining popularity in the former republics, the most important were Belarus and Ukraine.
- I will be honest, both of us know the truth. Capitalism will only weaken our countries and at the same time, the old economic doctrines, will only continue weakening us. China did something impressive and I believe we must follow their path, after all, the New Economic Policy was the precursor of their reforms. Belarus and Russia share the same concern, we must unite if we desire to prevail in this new world.
Zyuganov knew that he had to be careful, Lukashenko wouldn't willingly surrender his power and submit to Moscow, the first steps to reforming the Union were clear, closer relations between the two countries along economic cooperation.
People saw Belarus as the last bastion of communism, even if it wasn't at all, Lukashenko would need to implement reforms in the country to gain confidence from Western investors; something that Zyuganov wanted to get.
- I understand this, but, what kind of Union would be created?, would the Soviet Union be back? - Lukashenko asked, he was interested in keeping the power he had, but a new Soviet Union could give him the chance to take the lead of it.
- We must move slowly, however, the new Union shall be something innovative, after all, we are close to a new age, aren't we?
Zyuganov had in mind a centralized union but at the same time with some autonomy for the republics, mainly in issues related to the army. He knew that a centralized economy wasn't the best idea, something between that and free market would be the solution.
But he had no more time to plan the future Union, right now the only thing that mattered was getting Lukashenko on board, after him, he could deal with Ukraine.
Meanwhile in Baghdad.
Bullets were flying all over the city, explosions demolished buildings in seconds, buildings that took months to be built.
Blood was spilled in the streets, corpses were lying all over the city, the battle was ferocious, several radical islamists were fighting against the "pro-democracy" forces, everyone knew that the future of Iraq would be decided in that battle, however, the iranian and russian forces behind the shadows had already plans of their own.
United States was supporting the democratic faction in an attempt to gain a new ally in the region, however, the movement was plagued by enemies of democracy and that wasn't the last of it; several members of Hussein's government were openly joining the radical islamists, they saw it as a crusade against America and their values, but they were trying to stop the Shia militias too, after all, they were "iranian agitators".
The main battle was between the radicals and the democratic fighters, but the Shia militias were already waiting to jump against the winner of the fight. It would be a hard task, after all, the radicals had tanks and heavy equipment, however, they had a disadvantage too, american bombers were hunting them in a clear attempt to support their "unofficial" allies.
And soon, new forces began to fly over the skies of Baghdad, the iranian air forces began a raid against the supply depots of the democratic faction.
President Clinton condemned the iranian actions, however, there weren't many options left, they couldn't get embroiled in a war no one cared about in the election year.
But the effects of the iraqi civil war were noticeable, the oil prices rose steadily, allowing the russians to continue funding some reforms and stabilizing the country, meanwhile, Iran was seen negatively by many countries, it eventually prompted Saudi Arabia to increase their military budget.
Moscow, 28/05/1996.
Mikhail Gobarchev knew he was now a propaganda tool for the new communist government in Moscow, however, he gladly accepted that role, after all, it gave it some prominence again and an opportunity to "redeem" himself. He felt that he failed his country, but Zyuganov promised changes, the future was him or at least that was what Gorbachev thought.
The president asked him to do something easy, travel to the United Kingdom or the United States to speak favorably of the new regime, Zyuganov had to calm down the world; they were afraid of a new Cold War.
West loved Gorbachev, after all, he was the man who tried to bring reforms in the Soviet system, and he managed to do some, he won sympathy when the 1991 coup occurred, however, Yeltsin stole it but now...Boris Yeltsin was anything more than a fallen tyrant for everyone, while Gorbachev regained some popularity.
And now, his ideas were needed, he was glad to reduce the nuclear arsenal of the nation, he wanted to avoid the Doomsday, it would be his legacy, his gift to the world.
- Well, everything is arranged. - Gorbachev heard.