Fitness and foolish stubborness combined for an awakening in a predawn beach walk run
Cowboy Diplomacy, without a pickup
Chapter 50
Sometimes risks are required even a deviation onto a strange and not routine path. Mark Greene, Julie Greene, Rojas, Deng Chi, and Colonel Araujo --- 2018
They sell us the President the same way
They sell us our clothes and our cars
They sell us every thing from youth to religion
The same time they sell us our wars
I want to know who the men in the shadows are
I want to hear somebody asking them why
They can be counted on to tell us who our enemies are
But they're never the ones to fight or to die
And there are lives in the balance -
Jackson Browne – Lives in the Balance
Cowboy Diplomacy, without a pickup
“Mark why are you going?”
“I have the skills needed. There are several Asian nationals; I speak bits of most of their languages. I am remembered for my efforts in East Timor.”
“Why would you leave retirement to help this administration? They are nothing but crooks and their policies are insensitive. They are incompetent.”
“Hopefully it will not be as intense as East Timor. It is sad to feel all our American values are being undercut. We have been a far from prefect nation, but we had admirable goals. Our goals have become as corrupt as any junta led by a tinhorn dictator. Policies filled with prejudice are never solid ones."
"All the more reason to stay here with me. As Kirk said, "We have done our bit for King and Country."
"Yes he did, but he went any way. I have worked with some of the hostages. I am very fit; at sixty-six I am not an ancient relic. I am not helping an administration. I am helping our nation and the people held hostage. I have been called by people from two foreign embassies.”
“Ah foreign embassies, but you do not listen to me.”
“I listen.”
“Listen but ignore. Are your ears filled with a selective Julie ignoring beeswax?”
“I have heard you say this before. I do listen.”
“Let me hug you. I want to remember how you feel. Try not to stand in front of the shooting.”
“Maybe it will only be tear gas.”
“When are you leaving?”
“Tonight, I intend to be there in the morning. I usually have more faith in my own government that is the sad part. Come help me pack, your help always brings me luck.”
-
“Mr. Greene I will brief you on details we’ve been able to assemble. I will not take much time; we can pick up at the embassy in the morning, I will try to let you sleep some during the rest of the flight. First on behalf of all the professional service we thank you for coming back. I can tell you this confidentially we are alone and no one else will hear. We have no faith in decisions at the highest levels of the State Department. Any response is often reversed a few hours or days later. The government of El Salvador has new deals for resettlement of immigrants from our administration. They will not want to upset official policy. The group holding the hostages is a combined rebel group some members of the former military before the current government. Some criminals trafficking people and drugs, also possibly other elements from the neighboring countries. The hostages are being held right on the border area; it is difficult to know which country they will be in. We believe they have been moved and possibly have been or will be in Honduras or even Guatemala. We do not have a strategy to suggest. There are several Asian nationals many are trade officials. All the hostages were on rain forest tours. Some are American tourists. Many governments have expressed their concern. At the embassy tomorrow I doubt you will hear any information you can rely on. Everyone has an agenda and a story to spin. We have some jeeps and a private security team to accompany you out to the border area. There are local contacts there with the hostage holders. There are no formal channels; periodically we get a video release on social media. No, we will not turn the plane around.”
“Thank you it sounds like there isn’t reliable information. I will have to put it together once we are out at the border. Besides the security team what personnel will be out there?”
“Several of the foreign nations have a representative and El Salvador has an official in charge. We have a political affairs officer who is an expert in the region. His is name is Rojas. He will be your most reliable source of information.”
“Thank you, I will try to sleep and not have nightmares.”
“Good luck Mr. Greene.”
-
“I’m Rojas Mr. Greene. Any trouble coming out here?”
“An overnight flight and traveling over this marvelous terrain in jeeps for a couple of days I would like a week’s rest. I will however listen to what you recommend.”
“I have a meeting set up tomorrow with a contact. We need to go introduce you to the officials at the hotel, then I will take you back to a house I’ve rented. Actually, rooms the family still lives in the rest of the house. Don’t tell anyone about our meeting. We must work outside of the official government coordinator or we will not make any progress with the rebels. Politely meet and greet explain you are tired and promise to be back tomorrow. We will leave at first light. I cannot promise anything, but we will meet with someone in leadership of the rebel group. The beginning of the real work.”
“Do you always flaunt rules and procedures?”
“Not always only when we must. Besides doesn’t this look like Nam there are no rules here.”
“I have been around some younger people. I am aware of the Big Lebowski. Hopefully some of the Dude’s Zen will be with us.”
“Let’s get over to the hotel and then get back. You will need to sleep and be ready for tomorrow. I have yet to understand the goal they wish to achieve with hostages. You are essentially a private citizen, which gives us more leeway in conducting negotiations. I know we need to move quickly, or this brew is going to sour. Hostage lives may not be valued by the other interests.”
“I will listen at the hotel. I have been doing this diplomatic gig a long time. Tonight, will be all pleasantry. “
-
After quick introductions with few words at the home of the family, Mark crashed in his room. They seemed very pleasant. Mark said he didn’t speak Spanish well. Rojas said it didn’t matter as this family was indigenous and didn’t speak much Spanish, either. In the dark Rojas awoke him and they were headed out as daylight began. After a couple of hours, they pulled into a village ‘park’. At least it was a flat area with shade.
“Sorry to put you at such risk, but it is the only way.”
“We wouldn’t be much safer with a security contingent. There are always more guns.”
Rojas handed him a water bottle and a tortilla thing, “Now we wait.”
After about forty minutes there was a reflection in the mirror; he casually confirmed there were two vehicles behind them. They contained several men with assault rifles there was no need to turn around or count them. Two vehicles approached from the front. One with a fifty-caliber mounted on it. The other pulled up and two men stepped out. A man followed them at least not holding an assault rifle. He called to Rojas. Mark understood he said come here.
Rojas smiled, “Let’s walk over and talk. Try not to start a war, I believe we are out gunned. “
Mark grinned back at him. Rojas did have a cool hand laid-back style. They walked over to the man. He spoke in a mixture of Spanish and English.
“This is the money man?”
“You want money for the hostages. Our government does not pay ransoms, but he is here to negotiate. We should start, many things are possible. This is Ambassador Greene”
“Mr. Greene did you bring money?”
“I am here to negotiate terms.”
“What is it you Americans say, talk is cheap. We are expensive.”
“I have to speak with the hostages and then I can negotiate terms.”
“You will ride with us Mr. Greene, it will not be a good view, your head will be covered. Bring the boy”- as he gestured. Two men brought a boy with his hands tied.
“Rojas you will come here to this boy’s home which is just across the street. He will have a letter when there is a message. He will not lose it, or we will kill his family. Come everyday and check. It will be the only way to get a message from Mr. Greene. You take the boy home Rojas. We will take Mr. Greene.”
A hood went over Mark’s head as the boy was pushed to Rojas. Every vehicle left quickly. Rojas took the boy and spoke with the family. He tried to assure them everything would work out. He went back to the Hotel in early afternoon. When he told them, Mr. Greene had gone to the hostages to negotiate a release it caused a great commotion. The military head in charge was especially upset talking about the fool Americans. “Rojas you have given them another hostage. How will they contact you?”
“They said they would get me a message.”
“This is not possible; you cannot be stupid.”
“They had the guns and we tried to advance a peaceful path, like the Beatles ‘All you Need is Love’.”
“Rojas you should be shot. Come back when we you get this miraculous message. Maybe the Pope will declare this a holy spot. Leave.”
He drove down to where the security team was set up. He gave them the details of the plan. Which really consisted of Ambassador Greene being able to talk his way out of this situation. Rojas packed his jeep with water, extra fuel, and rations. He went over to his room. He told the family his plan. They gave him better food to carry. Later that night he went to a more raucous establishment than the hotel. He paid for a room and a girl. He told her she had to stay, and he would buy her anything she wanted to drink, but he was going to sleep. At three AM he thanked her and ambled out to the jeep, he drove back to his rented room. He wished these wonderful people knew how to make a decent cup of coffee. At four thirty he got in his jeep and left quietly. He got out to the village. He gave the boy and his family some money and shared some food. They guided him a lean-to to park his jeep. The boy promised to come find him if a message arrived. He took his small tent near to a stream and became a camper.
Mark Greene’s trip was bumpy and dark. He arrived late in the afternoon and met a man who seemed to be in charge. Mark requested to speak with the hostages and then he would try to work out terms. The man ordered he be escorted to the hostages. He said many of the Asian hostages were difficult to communicate with. Mark said he understood. They went through some outcroppings and then a cave entrance. They came into a larger cavern that was bright. It was open to a ledge and cliff. It was more of an outcropping but to get to it he had traveled through a cave. The hostages were surprised to see him. When they found out his purpose they wanted to know when they could be released. He explained he was leaving them to work out the details. He wrote down all their names home addresses and ages. His guards were surprised he conversed with the Asian tourists seemingly in their own languages. The last man he spoke with was the one he knew. A Chinese man he had worked with and in competition with on many occasions. Mark knew his connections to important interests. He was able to access much wealth. A fact best kept concealed. His old acquaintance gave him names and phone numbers to contact that could meet ransom demands. Mark said it would be a deal for everyone. He would work to get silent compensation for the Americans repaid to him.
Mark then announced to everyone, “I will go try to find a settlement for everyone, no one will be left behind.”
He was led back to the man in charge. “Everyone seems reasonably well, thank you for their humane treatment.”
“We are fortunate for the weather. We were worried about a military attack. I thought it was a mistake to kidnap tourists. It will bring down disaster on us. Many factions are here, we do not all have the same agenda.”
“What demands do you have for their release?”
“My demands are simple I would like a trip out of this country. I was once in a more official position, but circumstances change. I am afraid the many factions require cash, but it is a simple demand.”
“Less complicated than weapons or some other contraband.”
“Weapons flood the world; cash is more protection. Before you tell me, the United States does not pay ransom, I have a counter narrative for you to consider. I want to end this with hostages free and my successful deliverance away from this country. Let us make that happen as soon as possible.”
“How can we get all the hostages out and you, if that is the package?”
“We can shut down the highway for a runway, if you can get the plane. We can’t safely drive out of here. The man in charge would love a shoot-out. A few hostage casualties would be a propaganda coup.”
“It would take a long runway for a plane large enough to carry everyone.”
“When I was in charge of suppressing rebels out here, we landed a C-130 on the highway; unloaded Strykers. It was a surprise to the rebels; some I fought are now a part of the group I supposedly command.”
“I think we can get a plane to Guatemala and free the hostages there, acceptable?”
“Once the ransom is unloaded and the hostages on board they can leave. A private jet must land for two of my men and myself. You and Mr. Deng will fly with us in a private jet to Europe. I know who he is, no one else does. He can easily afford all this.”
“I and Mr. Deng as you called him will accompany you to Europe?”
“Accompany us to our waiting cars, then I will release you. I will give coordinates for a remote landing strip in the air.”
“You want a transport and a private jet? Isn’t that a long flight for a small jet?”
“I am not keeping the planes Ambassador Greene. But we must regrettably keep the money I demand. It is here to pay my loyal troops and without it their loyalty will cease. I have searched for you once I found out you were the man sent here. An Asian specialist, your Mr. Rojas is the Central America specialist, you speak little Spanish, but you spoke easily to our Asian guests. I must believe you are here for them. The proper plane is available to them”
“You have assembled a plan and your explanations. How much money?”
“I will require a million and a half dollars. The people who will be getting it will want dollars. Now you should not feel badly. Much of the money will help the lives of the people here. My troops all have families.”
“A million and half dollars in cash is not easy to assemble.”
“Ambassador Greene, you and I both know Mr. Deng’s family can easily do it. They probably are already prepared. Your government could do it, but they seem rather. shall we say, incompetent these days. Would this be the reason for your retirement?”
“Age would be the reason for my retirement. You seem to believe I have cash and planes, private jets in my pockets.”
“Ah, you have the connections. We must be straightforward with each other or many will die, possibly you, and likely me. Do you have a death wish Ambassador Greene?”
“This is not the negotiation I expected, but if your plan works it solves many loose ends. Isn’t there a cause for your resistance here?”
“I could have easily been America’s best friend here. Our politics are rather complicated with many parties. I am afraid the ruling party convinced your government we were the bad guys, horrible socialists, probably communists. Many being sent here are not as intelligent as your Mr. Rojas. I know you do not want the bad guys to prosper, but I could easily have been the man in charge of the command post back at the hotel. I would be the good guy tracking down my counterpart out here on the border. Is this not the best solution? Do you not want to see your wife and family again? I do, now I suggest l the enemy of your enemy be your friend for two days.”
“I agree I was sent on an unorthodox mission. Let us work together for this unorthodox solution. I will need to send a message to Rojas?”
“He is hiding in the village where you became our guest. We can put together a message.”
“We will need to be accurate on numbers. I want no mistakes. We will trust each other, even though we do not.”
A document was prepared for Rojas containing the location of the landing area and the number of the contacts, information neither party wanted to share. “Your Mr. Rojas will get this early tomorrow morning if he replies with a go then the next day, we are all gone. My security will show you to a room; he will bring you back tomorrow. We will wait for word from Rojas. If our movements or locations are revealed there will be an attack. Rescue is not their priority; I was upset my forces kidnapped tourists. It endangers everyone.”
“Until tomorrow then”- Mark left thinking of the millions of things that could go wrong. He was not in control and a plan was in motion. He returned to thinking how it could happen successfully. Mr. Deng not quite the right name, but why correct his host, was part of one of the world’s richest families. Money changes a situation, at least only his host knew. Hopefully they would be in Europe safely together before anyone else in this ragtag militia knew.
Rojas was awoken by the boy calling his name. It was predawn, but not completely dark. He crawled out of his tent. Two armed men were standing behind the boy. They handed him a sealed envelope. “I need to go back to the Jeep; I will need some light.”
The armed men walked back to the lean-to. Rojas read the message with help of a flashlight when needed. He would have liked to express how crazy this was, but he felt silence the best course. He unpacked the sat phone Greene had told him would not be instantly tracked. He typed the first number listed. It was instantly answered, “Mr. Greene?”
“No this is Rojas; Greene is with the hostages; he says all hostages are in good health. Greene has sent me a message there are ransom demands.”
“We were expecting demands, what are they?”
Rojas carefully read the message. The person on the phone repeated each detail, “I will call back in an hour, we think this can happen.”
Rojas told his small audience they would reply this morning. He decided not to put out a time in case one of the men was a clock watcher. He got into his special apple stash. He had them sent to the embassy before he left on this possibly career ending mission. Mission seemed too routine a term. The container kept them very well even in heat. He ate one a day, his special moment. He decided all four needed to share a moment this morning. They were unfamiliar with apples but seemed to enjoy them. Rojas had grown up camping he always found apples great gifts of friendship. Greene’s phone beeped and he answered it.
“We were prepared with the cash ransom. That plane will carry all the hostages to Honduras that was where we prepared our response. The jet and trip to Europe is a surprise, but we can do that. The transport will land at the target site at 7:30 tomorrow morning. The jet will be in route and prepared to land forty minutes later. Fuel will be close no deviations. Wish Mr. Greene well.”
Rojas took the document and wrote his response on it. He had duct tape in the jeep and sealed the packet back up. He told the two armed men to get it back; the exchange would be tomorrow morning. One replied "Greene he was the money man."
“I will be here until I am called. We all want the hostages out and safe. I hope not to see you again.” Rojas said your group should do well. He wished them a happy life, then added, “you know money can’t buy you love.”
The militia men both laughed. After the men drove away the boy asked if he could have an apple for his mother. Rojas had four apples left. He gave them all to the boy. Tomorrow a phone call all is well will be my apple.
Colonel Araujo got the envelope mid-afternoon and brought Mark Greene to his room. “Is this duck tape?”
“Yes, it is. Rojas must have been winging it or it was to amuse me.” Mark opened the envelope. “The transport will land at 7:30 tomorrow morning. The jet plane to land forty minutes later. The transport will have a million and a half dollars on it. The money will be in nine large storage containers the ninth is about half full. It is coming from Honduras that is where they had the plane in anticipation. We are warned the jet plane will not have a margin of fuel beyond the estimate. Is this OK Colonel?”
“Agreeable, let’s start moving we will travel most of the night. The security team will take you back to the hostages. Tell everyone the plan for a transport plane. Do not mention a jet, then stay with Mr. Deng. You and Mr. Deng will have two personal bodyguards.”
All the hostages were excited and moved efficiently to the several trucks. They got started in daylight and bumped along until about 4 AM. They were told they would remain here until daylight. Mark was in a customized hummer with his Chinese friend. They spoke in Chinese softly between each other.
“Thank you, Mark. I hope this all works out.”
“I hope so, I wouldn’t want to waste your money.”
“What do you make of this Colonel. I saw him briefly; he has kept us decently treated. We’ve had no threats, abuse, or demands since we were turned over to him. “
“He wants out of here as much as you do. He knows you are an important person, that is why we are getting a separate ride. Also, he feels the hostage taking threatens everyone. There are several factions even within his organization, he was not pleased to have a hostage situation. I think if everything stays on schedule we will get out of here before the official rescue force comes in and the shooting starts.”
At 6:30 the Colonel had a formidable force block the highway. The runway was now open. Our little convoy came onto it from the side road and parked in open area well off the road. At 7:20 a transport plane made a pass over the highway. It circled back began an approach, the weather was calm the time of day was well chosen. The plane stopped the men with trucks we had come in moved out. They checked the containers; all was in order. The Colonel had four main factions. Each faction took two containers; the trucks left each were followed by members of their own contingent. The hostages got on the plane as the last storage container was put in the Hummer we had been in. We stood with our bodyguards as the others boarded. We had told everyone we were leaving separately as part of the agreement. We waved, a few worried looks were returned, but no one was surprised. A jet appeared in the sky and took a high wide loop around the area. The transport plane fired up and lumbered off. It easily cleared the militia forces shutting down the highway. Watching it take off seemed endless as if it never could get off the ground. The jet came by on a lower flyover. It circled and made its approach. It came down with much more nimbleness than the transport. Our bodyguards started us toward the jet. Colonel Araujo was by the Hummer. We began to hear crackles. It was clear there was gunfire in the distance. The sound indicated it came from the direction the convoys of troops and cash had taken. A helicopter came towards us from our right. The fifty calibers on the vehicles near us unloaded on them. I do not know what the plan was, but the copter was soon crashing a quarter mile off the road. The Colonel had quick words with a man with the Hummer. Our guards started us to the jet with more haste. As we approached the jet shots from the helicopter came towards us. The fifty-caliber on the Hummer soon silenced them, I took a shot in my calf. The colonel shouted, “On the jet.”. The Colonel seemed to have confirmed a plan to consolidate forces to our right where assault was occurring. We and the bodyguards were on the jet; the colonel climbed in and ordered a take-off. The pilots were in agreement; we were off the ground quickly. Colonel Araujo used the med kit to slow the bleeding as the pilots ran a checklist on the jet’s condition. The Colonel was adept at combat first aid. He asked the pilots, “how is the plane?” Deng Chi translated, after the pilots reported, “He said everything is sound no issues.” The Colonel gave me the coordinates. I shared them with Deng Chi. He gave them to the pilots. They replied the location wasn’t in Europe.
Araujo said, "it should be shorter."
“I asked the pilots is it shorter than Europe?”
They said, “It is.”
I asked, “any problem going there?”
The reply was no problem. Deng Chi was trying to take my pulse, I didn't think that would help. I asked if there was water? He quit messing with my pulse and gave me a water bottle.
The Colonel pushed his fingers against my carotid artery and assessed my temperature and looked me in the eye. “I’ve nearly stopped the bleeding do you feel like passing out or are you with us?”
“I think I’m with you. I don’t like being shot.”
“It passed through the calf It missed your bone. The doctors will do more tests and likely tell you the same. I disinfected it the best I could. Mr. Deng, I apologize for the kidnapping. I had to get enough money to appease everyone very few knew I was leaving. The kidnapping was not my plan. My plan was everyone’s escape I hope that has worked. Ambassador Greene I do hope you are the only casualty among the hostages.”
“Deng Chi asked the pilots to check. They reported the transport had cleared into Honduran air space. All was well at present. I translated for the Colonel.
“Good your Mr. Rojas took a great risk, but it has saved many lives. I am counting on you being tough Mr. Greene. I want to leave behind no casualties.”
“Your men were engaged in a fire fight when we left.”
“The government was pushing for an attack. They will be disappointed the hostages are out and safe. Mr. Deng has made my men’s fight worth something.”
“Colonel, Mr. Deng wants to know who would have ordered the attack on us as the hostages were being released.”
“That would have been Governor Cristiani”
“He also asked who ordered the kidnapping?”
“It was a faction called the Mudanzas led by Mauricio Ungo.”
“Yes, Deng Chi, I can get profiles on these men.”
“Pilots say we are 45 minutes out from your airstrip, Colonel.”
Rojas heard the phone beep. “Mr. Rojas the transport has landed in Honduras. Everyone is safe. Pilots in the jet have landed not in Europe but on an island. They are back in the air they will land in San Juan Puerto Rico. Mr. Greene was shot but we are told not seriously wounded. There was an attack as they left. Please be careful we thank you for your assistance.”
Rojas had everything packed he drove over to the home of the boy. The boy’s mother greeted him by saying apple. He informed them all the hostages were out and safe. He said Mr. Greene had managed to get shot but was supposed to be alright. He gave them all the cash he had, a small payment for having guns held at your head. They promised to pray for Mr. Greene. He headed back, apples always a good idea. He needed to get more apples. He also pulled over in a beautiful spot grabbed his other phone turned it on. He decided it was time to see if he still had a job or would he be arrested and shot back at the hotel. He doubted he had any friends there and he was all out of apples.
Photo Joni Moore
