Word: diplomatic
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...outcome. West Germany, in particular, is involved in an emotional debate over nuclear arms. While the Soviet negotiations could stall, NATO leaders would find it hard to risk the political heat of accepting the American missiles. "What the Americans need is more skill in presenting their case," one diplomat in Bonn observed bluntly last week. "Let's face it, we're not in a security argument, we're in a political debate...
...complicate matters further, military operations against the warlords by both the Thai and Burmese governments have led to cross-border incursions by troops from both countries, which are straining diplomatic relations. Last month the warlords began hitting back, machine-gunning and looting a tourist boat in Thailand's northern Chiangrai province. Says a U.S. diplomat in Bangkok: "Our mission in [neighboring] Chiangmai [province] is almost literally under the gun. The opium warlords have so many contacts in Chiangmai that anything is possible...
...stage, during discussions in Washington over oil prepayments, the Mexican delegation came close to walking out. Recalls a U.S. diplomat: "They balked at paying a service fee on the money. They said they were seeing imperialism in action and threatened to take the next plane home. That would have meant default." In the end, the U.S. conceded. During the Brazil operation, a New York banker roused Volcker out of his sleep one night to plead for a $500 million Federal Reserve contribution to that salvage attempt. Volcker came up with the money. In either case, there was no margin...
...mile-long power line to the Shaba copper-producing region at a total estimated cost of about $1 billion. Eight months after the power was finally turned on in 1981, the current was switched off. Shaba province happens to be self-sufficient in electricity. Says one Western diplomat: "If ever there was a white elephant, this is it. Zaïre needs the scheme as much as it needs a nuclear-powered submarine...
...only factor that has kept Western bankers from calling a default is that large loans would have to be written off. "If Zaïre were serious about sorting out its debt, it could be done in a matter of years," says one creditor. Explains a Western diplomat: "The Zaïrians are not worried about being a basket case. The elite always do well regardless of who is putting up the money...