Chapter 392 Arms Sales Agreement

In terms of diplomacy, unlike several other allies who are keen to flex their muscles on the international stage, Australia has always behaved soy sauce. On the one hand, this is because of its unique geographical location, and on the other hand, it is because its people themselves are not very interested in international affairs.

As a joke, while the Australian government was trying to win a seat on the United Nations Security Council, the opposition Abbott also mocked then-prime minister Kevin Rudd for spending too much time overseas, away from global action dedicated to tackling climate change .

Compared with Britain, France and the United States, who make a fuss about China as if they are coming to China every election, Australia is undoubtedly like a docile sheep. However, this sheep has impressive naval power.

At present, the Royal Australian Navy has 6 "Collins" class conventional submarines, 4 "Adelaide" class frigates, 8 "Anzac" class frigates, 8 landing ships, 8 mine warfare ships and other equipment. It is not an exaggeration to be the most powerful naval force in the Pacific region.

Not only that, the "SEA1400" and "SEA1000" plans currently being promoted by the Australian Navy will cost 7.5 billion and 37 billion U.S. dollars respectively to build 3 "Hobart"-class Aegis destroyers and 12 "Collinth"-class submarines to replace the original ones. equipped. Adhering to the strategy of a new look in 2020 and a reborn strategy in 2030, we will vigorously promote the modernization of the navy......

However, all of these require money.

Compared with its moderate foreign policy and not-so-loose finances, its determination to strengthen the navy can be described as ambitious.

It is precisely because of this that how to properly dispose of old warships has always been a problem that plagues Canberra. If the Philippines is willing to buy back these old scraps of metal, the Australian government naturally has no reason to refuse.

As for the "additional condition" of changing its position on the current situation in the Western Pacific, it is obviously not so difficult for Australia to accept. After all, the new country is only a small country with a population of 20,000.

Jiang Chen, on the other hand, wanted to take action on this arms sale agreement and ruin this business.

 …

Canberra, the capital of Australia.

A taxi pulls up outside a Burger King restaurant in the suburbs.

The car door opened, and a middle-aged man in a gray windbreaker walked to the door. After looking at the store's decoration, he looked back cautiously.

After confirming that there are no reporters following. He opened the door and walked into the store. Without ordering anything, he went straight to the last seat and sat down, looking at the black man sitting opposite him.

bakari,

Department Manager of Star Ring Trading Company.

"Bakary?" The middle-aged man took out his phone and glanced at it. Then he looked at Bakary and asked in a low voice.

"That's right. You must be Brody." Bakari smiled and stretched out his right hand.

Brody, a member of the Liberal Party, is second only to Malcolm, the leader of the Liberal Party, in prestige within the party.

He hesitated. Brody shook his hand and said while looking into his eyes.

"The manager of the Star Ring Trading Company? Australia doesn't need security guards. I'm afraid I can't help you."

Bakari smiled and put his arms on the table.

"But we can certainly help you."

Brody raised his eyebrows, motioning for him to continue.

Bakary grinned. Showing his white teeth, "I heard that you have a decommissioned -200 frigate—"

"No way. That ship has already been decided to sell to the Philippines. It is impossible to sell to you. If you are here for this matter, we have nothing to talk about." Brody immediately understood what he wanted to say, and immediately waved his hands road.

"200 jobs. Your constituency," Bakari said with a smile.

Just as Brody wanted to get up, he frowned and sat down again.

For an MP, there is no greater concern than his own constituency. Although he was disdainful of Bakary's proposal, he sat down and was ready to listen to what he had to say.

"You don't understand the situation, Mr. Bakary. I can't convince the Senate to sell a warship to a country we don't know, even if it's a decommissioned warship, no one can," Brody said.

"I didn't say it was sold to the country." Bakary shook his head.

"Personally it's impossible."

After Brody finished speaking, he planned to get up, but Bakary hurriedly stopped him, signaling that he was giving himself ten minutes.

Seeing the congressman sitting back on the chair again, Bakari smiled.

"Our boss intends to spend $5 million to acquire a bankrupt amusement park in New South Wales, buy the warship from the Australian government in the name of an amusement park, and then convert it into a military museum. This does not violate the arms sales regulations at all. , because it is an Australian company that buys the warship, and it is for civilian use."

Having said that, Bakary stopped talking and looked at Brody's eyes that were gradually brightening with a smile. He knew very well that the congressman in front of him was already moved.

After thinking for a moment, Brody asked in a deep voice.

"How much do you plan to pay for this warship?"

"Eleven million dollars," Bakary said.

Brody shook his head, "All I can say is that the price from the Philippines is no less than 15 million US dollars. I'm afraid you won't be able to convince the Prime Minister with your price."

"Just $11 million?" Bakari asked with a smile.

"What do you mean?" Brody raised his eyebrows.

"This is an election year, do you think voters would prefer a prime minister who sells warships to neighbors keen to disrupt the region, or a prime minister who works to improve jobs and maintain regional stability? Think about it Well, the Prime Minister is not a businessman, and the people will not care how much your warships are sold for, as long as the figure is not too low."

Because of the service time, second-hand warships are not worth much. The "Hamilton" class patrol ship purchased by the Philippines from the United States is about 10 million US dollars. The Australian warship may be relatively short in service, but it is absolutely impossible to be worth $15 million. The reason why the Philippines is willing to pay 1,500 US dollars to be taken advantage of this time is that Australia agrees to retain the weapons and radar equipment on the warship.

When selling this warship, Australia is also taking diplomatic risks, because it is likely to be regarded as a provocation by China, so the proposal itself is also very divided in the Australian Prime Minister's Office.

As a politician, Brody naturally would not have thought of this. The reason why he didn't say it was just to get more benefits. Affected by the drop in iron-aluminum ore prices, Australia's 2015 annual economic data are not satisfactory. In such an environment, it is self-evident which option is more favored by voters.

Seeing Bakary speak clearly, Brody's gaze shifted unnaturally, and he tapped his index finger on the table, weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

"The U.S. is taking the lead in this arms sale, so it is impossible for us to disregard the feelings of our allies." Brody said in a low voice.

Bakary smiled and stepped back in his chair.

"Mr. Brody, do you think the US side is more important or the upcoming 2016 general election? If you cannot be re-elected in this general election, your diplomatic efforts will only pave the way for the next Labor Party to be in power. If you think my proposal It’s not attractive at all, and of course we can go to people from the Labor Party, I believe they will seize this opportunity.”

After saying that, Bakari got up.

But this time it was Brody who held him.

Seeing the congressman's expression, Bakary couldn't help showing a triumphant smile on his face.

He knew that he had successfully persuaded him.

 …

The rain outside the window was still heavy, and a few strands of silver snake-shaped lightning could be faintly glimpsed in the distance from time to time.

Jiang Chen was lying naked on the soft bed, with the quilt under his stomach, holding a mobile phone in his hand, describing himself as very comfortable.

"It has been negotiated. Congressman Brody said that he will discuss this matter with the party leader."

"Very good. The 16 million dollars has already been credited to your account. You are responsible for brokering the purchase of the closed amusement park and the decommissioned warship." Lying on the bed in the villa, Jiang Chen held The mobile phone sent instructions to Bakary in Australia.

I don't know how the monkeys in the Philippines will feel if they find that their warship has been turned into a playground. It doesn't matter whether the playground makes money or not, but in order to solve the diplomatic dilemma of the new country, Australia must be torn off the chariot of the Philippines.

A mere 13 million US dollars, Jiang Chen can still afford.

"By the way, what do you think of Brody?" Jiang Chen asked.

"Cunning." Bakary only used two words to describe it.

"What about the influence within the party?"

"The prestige is second only to the party leader Brody, who helped Brody win the general election in 2013."

"Build a good relationship with Congressman Brody, we will need him in the future. By the way, you can ask him cryptically if he is interested in running for the party leader, and we can provide campaign funds." The corner of Jiang Chen's mouth curled up. A playful smile.

"OK." Bakari replied succinctly.

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Chen heaved a sigh of relief.

Without the participation of Australia, the so-called economic blockade of the Philippines will become empty talk.

At this time, the quilt curled up under his waist moved and slowly bulged.

A corner of the quilt was lifted to reveal a pretty face, a pair of sapphire-like bright eyes stared into his eyes, rising and falling with a very rhythmic rhythm.

Jiang Chen held his breath, stretched out his hand with a smile, and stroked Aisha's dark brown hair.

"Hey, I have to make a call—"

However, just as his fingertips touched the edge of the hair, a tingling sensation like ants crawling over escaped from his cerebral cortex, so that Jiang Chen's back muscles tensed as if he had been electrocuted.

Violent shaking and swallowing with a few "gurgles"...

Facing the cold and fiery gaze, Jiang Chen took a deep breath and threw the phone aside.

Everything that follows is inhumane. (To be continued.) Enable new URL