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28-February-1921
''Ugh… I have never liked ships. That feeling of pressure in the stomach has never pleased me… and much less now, with this journey to reach the Ottoman Empire'' I said, annoyed, while looking at Alexander and watching as the ship cut through the sea.
''It is necessary to finally secure the negotiations with the Ottoman State. With everything our diplomats have already negotiated, the less important matters are practically resolved. Only the larger dilemmas remain, regarding the nature of the oil prospecting, how the extraction of the oil would be developed and some more specific issues, such as taxes and what benefits the Empire would obtain'' Alexander said, remaining at my side and seeming not to suffer the same problem I did during that long voyage across the Black Sea.
''Yes, yes. We have to get one of the Arab States or the Ottomans to give us their approval to extract oil from their lands and sell it. The price remains stable, so we can earn a great deal simply by placing it on the market at the current price. Even if we have to make fairly large investments to build good extraction facilities, they should pay for themselves quickly''.
I continued looking at the sea while listening to the sound of the water around the hull.
''And if we create an investment fund financed through the income obtained from oil extraction in the Middle East, we could finance many more operations. But we would have to negotiate some way to keep the British out, which in itself will be difficult. As soon as they learn we have found oil, they will send their companies and we will have fierce competition for control of the wells'' I added.
Alexander nodded while I continued.
''Because, unlike the British, we do not have enormous private companies capable of financing such investments. We only have the surplus from the annual budget and part of the joint defense budget of the three countries. So, at most, we will be able to build two or three large extraction centers. We have to choose wisely who offers us the best conditions, because whom we choose will largely determine our policy in the Middle East''.
I leaned slightly against the railing.
''We have the Arab State with its capital in Damascus and the other one centered on Mecca and Jeddah. The Damascus government is pan-Arabist and democratic, although the religious authorities have quite a voice, so there would be one dilemma or another with them. The others are monarchists and, let us say, I had quite a bit of fun bothering their king Faisal when I had him at gunpoint… So the Ottomans could be our best option'' I said, smiling and showing my teeth as I remembered when I had had Faisal as a prisoner.
''Then, of all our options, the Ottomans seem to be the most convenient. According to the information we still receive from the remnants of Abteilung IIIb in the area, they are not in good condition either. Well, none of those States are, but the Ottomans seem to be in especially bad shape considering they do not have the same local support that the other governments possess''.
Alexander remained thoughtful for a few seconds.
''The problem will be securing treaties with the Ottomans that are favorable enough to prevent the resentment of the local population from eventually turning against us. If we are going to install oil operations in their territories, we will have to make sure we do not simply become another foreign power everyone wants to expel'' Alexander said, already seeming to think of different ways to approach the negotiations.
''Yes, that is going to be complicated. I know a little about internal Ottoman politics, and I know the Young Turks still have a great deal of control over some institutions, and that the Turkish nationalists are led by some man named Mustafa Kemal. But he is more focused on centralizing the State, trying to unite the country and cut down autonomies, so there will be some problems with them, since they are the two largest parties and have a similar foreign policy but very different internal ones… considering that one justifies the genocide…'' I said, grimacing as I remembered the Armenian genocide the Ottomans had carried out against the Armenians under the rule of the Young Turks.
''Well, it seems we are arriving. At least the journey was relatively short'' Alexander said while pushing himself away from the railing that protected the passengers from falling into the sea, preparing for disembarkation at the port.
Without much more to add, I began preparing myself for the meeting, hoping I would not have to make an express trip to Damascus or Mecca if we failed to obtain sufficiently generous extraction rights.
We disembarked at one of the ports located in the northern part of the city, which had made our journey considerably easier, since we would not have to stop at the southern ports, which were normally the largest and most important for commercial movement.
I had only been authorized to bring a few dozen guards, but it was not as if that meeting was especially public either. More than anything, it was the typical secret negotiation between States, trying to close the agreement before some camera or newspaper managed to make it public.
Shortly after our arrival, an Ottoman delegation appeared, led by Yusuf Kemal, who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Ottoman Empire.
Normally, during a State visit, I would have to meet with Mehmed VI, but due to the secrecy of the negotiations, until we reached some agreement or definitively confirmed there would be none, there would be no formal greetings between the heads of State.
''Peace be upon you, in the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. It is good to receive former allies once again in our home. It must have been a long journey and, considering what has been discussed with your diplomats, I would like to ask whether you wish to begin negotiations immediately so that, once they are finished, we may carry out the visit to the Sultan, may Allah watch over him, and fulfill the corresponding diplomatic protocol'' said one of the Foreign Minister's interpreters, who spoke German.
''We appreciate the consideration. If possible, I would like to go directly to the matter that brings us here, so I would like to meet as soon as possible with the plenipotentiaries sent by your Government to negotiate this question'' I replied before signaling to my interpreter.
He did not take long to begin translating my words into Turkish while I observed the reactions of the Ottoman delegation.
''Please, accompany us'' the Ottoman interpreter replied.
It did not take us long to climb into the vehicles that would transport us to the facilities located in the center of the city. Finally, we arrived at Topkapi Palace, where the final negotiations would take place.
After getting out of the vehicles and entering the room prepared for the talks, I met with the group of diplomats who had spent weeks negotiating on my behalf.
Before sitting down and waiting for the Ottomans, one of my diplomats brought his mouth close to my ear and began whispering to me.
''The nationalists are not especially convinced by the idea of granting us extraction permits. The Committee of Union and Progress, on the other hand, is quite interested. There are numerous Germanophile figures among them who look upon us favorably because of the aid we gave them during the war. They also remember quite well what happened with Lawrence and Faisal.''
The diplomat made a small pause, discreetly observing the Ottomans before continuing.
''We have managed to make some progress. The nationalists would be willing to approve prospecting and extraction permits if, at the same time, we accept some of the demands raised by the Young Turks and they support some laws that are somewhat stalled in the Ottoman parliament'' he explained in a low voice.
''Understood'' I replied, nodding while waiting for the arrival of the Ottoman delegation.
Finally, after a few minutes, the Minister of Foreign Affairs returned accompanied by the Minister of Economy, Mahmut Celâl Bey, and by the Minister of the Interior, Fevzi Çakmak.
I had some hope that the latter would hold me in good regard because of his military past, although there was also the possibility that he was one of those field marshals capable of reminding me far too much of Hindenburg.
And that would not exactly be good news.
I looked toward the entrance again. Someone was missing.
''And Prime Minister Mustafa Kemal?'' I asked while tilting my head slightly, surprised by the absence of the man I expected to be one of the most important figures in that entire negotiation.
''At this moment, he is meeting with Parliament over some legislative debates. As you will understand, I hope you can excuse his absence. After all, is Allah not the most merciful?'' said one of the interpreters.
Fevzi Çakmak turned his head to look at his companion before sitting in his chair. Then he remained staring at me while the other two ministers took their places and handed him some documents.
''We are soldiers… Do we go straight to the point, or do you want to fight with words?'' the Minister of the Interior asked seriously.
His German was understandable enough. When the Ottoman interpreter translated his words for the other ministers, they became slightly unsettled by his frankness.
''That is fine by me. If you manage well enough in German, this will make things considerably easier'' I replied while clasping my hands and smiling.
''I learned over time. The Germans stood beside us during the war, and it was much more practical to learn their language than to constantly go around looking for someone who could translate for me. The matter is simple: we will approve your request for prospecting and extraction rights, but only under one condition'' Fevzi said while raising a finger.
''And what would that be?'' I asked while writing everything down in my notebook. Around me, my diplomats were doing exactly the same.
''The jobs that are not performed by Germans or by specialized Baltic personnel must be reserved for Turks. Some of the plans delivered by your men indicate that, depending on the estimated amount of extraction, you intend to build cities near the wells to facilitate operations. We want those jobs to be for Turks and, in addition, for them to receive good wages. We do not want foreign companies trying to pay them as little as possible'' Fevzi said while pointing at me with a finger.
''Puff… That complicates things a little. The local inhabitants could interpret the whole project as an extension of the policy of Turkification over Arab lands. If we do that, we would clearly also have to invest in our own security force. We cannot leave such an investment at the mercy of changes in Government or the availability of your security forces'' I replied with some doubt.
However, as I spoke, an idea began forming in my head.
''Those are our conditions. We want Turkish workers, for the new cities to include government buildings intended for Ottoman administration… and for your company to pay the tax established for its operations'' Fevzi added after hearing something the Minister of Economy whispered in his ear.
''How much would that tax be? Is there a possibility of establishing a specific rate accompanied by a State guarantee that it will not be modified later?'' I asked while looking at my counterpart.
''Twenty percent for twenty years. After that period, we will negotiate again'' he replied.
''Regarding protection… It is clear that, considering Arab unrest and the existence of hostile neighboring States, there will probably be attacks. What guarantees do I have that our facilities will be completely protected by the police or by the army?'' I asked while beginning to mentally calculate the cost of the investment against an estimate of production.
''We can guarantee assistance and protection when necessary, but not maintain a permanent garrison beside all your facilities. The cost would be too high for the State'' Fevzi replied after briefly consulting with the Minister of Economy.
''Then allow me to organize a private force intended exclusively to protect the company's interests. We could send a core of between one thousand and two thousand men and also recruit Turks to protect the extraction facilities and pipelines against any attempt at sabotage. If we are lucky, find oil and some Arab decides to set the wells on fire, the losses would be enormous'' I proposed.
I saw the Minister of Foreign Affairs open his eyes completely when the interpreter finished translating my request.
''In exchange, I want a reduction of the tax to fifteen percent during the first ten years. After that, the agreed twenty percent would apply for the other ten. With that, we could assume the costs of defending the area and prepare future expansions depending on the success of our prospecting'' I added with a smile.
The Minister of Economy immediately began making some calculations, while the Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke in a low voice with Fevzi, showing quite a bit of nervousness at the proposal.
After some time, Fevzi finally spoke again.
''Good… We can accept that, but that private force will be subject to the jurisdiction of the Sultanate and will be authorized exclusively to protect the extraction zones, associated facilities and pipelines'' the Minister of the Interior replied.
''Is there also any possibility of negotiating that, within Mesopotamia, we have exclusive prospecting and extraction rights?'' I asked while raising my chin slightly.
''There is a previous promise with the British to allow their operations, although lately our relations with them are not exactly the best'' Fevzi replied while looking toward the Minister of Economy.
''Yes, that commitment exists. However, we could grant you one or two years of exclusivity while we resolve the situation. There are also legal procedures and internal disputes intended to review that promise'' Mahmut Celâl intervened.
''Good. Where do we sign?'' I asked with a smile.
The formal drafting of the treaty between our States quickly began.
While the diplomats and lawyers from both sides worked to ensure that the text was written with the greatest possible precision and to avoid any loophole that either party could later exploit, several additional conversations arose between Fevzi and me.
The Minister of the Interior was interested in us selling them a large number of tractors to try to reactivate Ottoman agriculture.
There were national industrialization plans, but it would still take them years to acquire the machinery, build the necessary facilities and develop all the industrial research that came behind it.
That was why we ended up negotiating the sale of fifteen hundred tractors before the end of the year, intended mainly to reactivate and mechanize the agriculture of central Anatolia.
Afterward, we began speaking about some additional contracts related to the modernization of the army.
The Ottomans requested a budget to acquire up to three hundred thousand modified Gewehr rifles, with somewhat shorter barrels to make them lighter and more ergonomic, as well as large quantities of German ammunition with the intention of progressively standardizing their army.
Many of their units were accustomed to using German equipment, so the transition would be relatively simple. However, since their own military industrialization had advanced considerably in certain areas, they did not need to import unlimited quantities of weaponry either. Their main concern remained having enough forces to defend their borders against their numerous neighbors.
The agreement continued to stretch on.
We negotiated trade treaties, mineral purchases and even the possibility of acquiring shares in some Ottoman companies in order to make future mining investments.
But that would be left for later.
The funds available during that year were destined almost entirely for one thing: taking black gold out of the earth and selling it.
Finally, we performed the ceremonial greeting to the Sultan, fulfilling the corresponding protocol.
But as soon as that part of the visit ended, I immediately began the journey back to Riga.
We had to prepare the shipment of prospecting equipment, engineers, machinery and Baltic private contractors.
In addition, I was thinking of integrating members of the Baltic special forces into the new security force.
The official explanation would be simple: protect our investments and provide them with operational experience in desert conditions.
And, at the same time, those facilities would provide us with an excellent base from which to observe the region and prepare future operations against British influence in the Middle East.
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If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know.
Leave a comment; support is always appreciated.
I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see.
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