Chapter 519: Season 2 Book 21 Shadow of War 2- 2-2 Perspective of Individuals
January 19, 2024, 01:00 (Latvia Time: January 18, 2024, 18:00)
In front of the European Union headquarters building, Riga, Latvia
As the leaders of 30 nations were gathered at the European Union (EU) building, it became the focal point for many media and press companies around the world. For that reason, the EU building was under strict security measures, and many reporters from around the world were crowding around it.
In previous EU Summits, there has never been this many reporters and media personnel flocking to the EU building. It seemed like the agenda of today’s Summit, and Prime Minister Lee Youn-yeon’s statement at Icon Hotel in Hong Kong helped make today’s EU Summit the subject of attention all around the world.
Despite the freezing cold, the reporters were on standby outside, wearing thick overcoats and with various safety coverings on their equipment. After a couple of hours when it was almost time for the meeting to end, they began checking their interview equipment, such as their cameras.
Even though there was no official press conference about the outcome of the agenda following the Summit, with the event being one of heightened interest, the reporters’ determination to acquire even just a small statement was extraordinary.
Soon after, the front door of the EU building opened, and armed soldiers rushed out, forming a row on each side of the front door. A black vehicle stopped in front of the entrance, and the president of Italy, Giuseppe Cossiga, appeared, surrounded by bodyguards in black suits. He got in the vehicle immediately. His face that was partially seen by the reporters, looked gloomy.
At this, a few reporters tried to get past the security line to ask questions, but they were unable to do so, as the armed soldiers had restrained them.
Much like the first, the leaders of each country boarded their vehicles and left the EU headquarters building one by one. When the last leader, the president of Turkey, left without saying a word, the reporters began behaving aggressively. They had waited all this while in the shivering cold and hadn’t gotten any information. The air started to become tense outside the building.
At this, the EU’s administrative office decided to hold an unplanned press conference to appease this uproar.
Because the press conference was scheduled at such short notice, a large drawing room in the EU building had to be set up as a press conference room. Over the course of 30 minutes, reporters filed into the room, filling it up entirely.
A while later, Rudelusk Sepio, the spokesman for the Chairman of the EU, went up to the temporary podium with a flushed face.
He then pulled out a small piece of paper that had the contents of the announcement from the inside pocket of his suit jacket and placed it on the table.
Wearing thick reading glasses on the bridge of his nose, spokesman Rudelusk Sepio glanced at the reporters, put his mouth near the microphone, and spoke into it. “It’s good to see all of you here in the press conference room prepared just a little while ago. I would like to speak about the topic you all must be curious about—the decisions made of the agenda that was discussed at the Summit today.”
Spokesman Rudelusk Sepio jumped straight to the point, and the buzzing press conference room became quiet for a moment.
“Today’s discussion was about economic sanctions against the Republic of Korea, ravaging the world with war, and whether the NATO forces will engage in military operations to prevent the spread of war. These topics at the Summit meeting were voted down, with 14 votes in favor, 15 votes against, and 1 vote that abstained.”
At the statement that those topics had been voted down, all of the reporters exclaimed in shock. Most reporters had predicted that the proposals of today’s Summit meeting would be approved and that the EU would also participate in the Korean-Russian war. The reason for this prediction was because it was the United States, with much influence over Europe, that pushed for these proposals to be put on the agenda.
The real reason for the reporters’ exclamation, however, was that the country that the economic sanctions would be against, was not Russia but the Republic of Korea, and that the NATO forces would be moving against the Republic of Korea.
As Prime Minister Lee Youn-yeon said, it was the moment when it became clear that the EU targeting the Republic of Korea and not Russia.
“Reporters! I will only be answering questions from three of you. Those of you that have questions, please raise your hand.”
Soon after, every reporter raised their hands, while some was even waving.
“Yes, the male reporter in the back and center!” Spokesperson Rudelusk Sepio pointed a finger at a reporter.
“I’m Florien Giroud, a reporter for the French 2nd station. Currently, there are rumors that the EU is being controlled by the influence of the United States. Judging from the contents of the proposals made at the Summit, the rumors seem to be true. Please tell us about why such a proposal was made at the Summit regarding measures against the Republic of Korea, rather than Russia.”
One of the eyebrows of Spokesman Rudelusk Sepio shook severely at the words of Reporter Florien Giroud, who had gotten straight to the heart of the matter.
“How could the EU be controlled by a single country? That’s not true at all. Please keep in mind that these proposals have been brought up at the Summit for the safety of the EU after great deliberation.”
“Spokesman! Please don’t give such an ambiguous answer. Tell us the reason these absurd proposals have been brought up at the Summit meeting.”
Reporter Florien Giroud reminded him of his question, asking him the same question again, but the spokesman turned his head towards another reporter. He had no intention to answer the question.
“There! The reporter in the front row on the left! Ask your question.”
“I’m Manuel Cherczi, a reporter for Rai 3 in Italy. I also would like to ask about the proposals. Looking at the contents of the proposals, it could have very well lit the fires of war. Also, as the French reporter had previously asked, please answer why such an absurd case was brought up at the Summit meeting.”
Spokesman Rudelusk Sepio felt like he was going to die on the inside, with each of the reporters asking questions about what he could not openly talk about.
“Mm, that part was answered in my previous reply.”
“What? What kind of answer is that? Please answer so that we can understand.”
“Next reporter’s question, please.”
Seemingly wanting to take a favorable question, Spokesman Rudelusk Sepio shamelessly ignored Reporter Manuel Cherczi’s question and looked around at the buzzing crowd of reporters for a reporter to ask the third question.
Among them, he found an American journalist that he had met several times and pointed at her. “Female reporter in the third row, center, please ask your question.”
“Thank you. I’m Reporter Dina Ryan, from Fox News.”
Fox News was a major right-wing media company in the United States. Jermaine Jones, who had been completely defeated in the argument yesterday with Prime Minister Lee Youn-yeon, was also part of Fox News.
“It’s truly shocking to see that the proposals were voted down at the Summit meeting. It’s questionable whether the EU leaders were thinking of the safety of Europe when they made this decision. Could you tell us which countries were against the proposals during the vote?”
The question was blatantly pointed toward the side that the decision of the Summit meeting was a threat to the safety of Europe.
“I apologize. We cannot know which countries voted for or against the proposals, as voting is done by secret ballot.”
“Then, please tell us why this is the result of the meeting, and if there will be any responsibility taken if the war spreads to Europe because of this bad decision.”
At Reporter Dina Ryan’s questions, asked under the premise that the proposals being voted down was a bad decision, the reporters around her booed her.
This was a scene rarely seen at a press conference, but it was happening right there.
“I’m just a spokesman, so I’m not in a position to say anything about the proposals being voted down, but personally, I’m truly sorry about what has happened.” Spokesman Rudelusk Sepio, who successfully passed through the reporters’ questions by ambiguously answering them, sighed in relief on the inside.
“Now! This will be the end of the question and answer session. I apologize for the wait outside in the cold weather. Thank you.” Spokesman Rudelusk Sepio made a hasty closing remark and disappeared behind the stage without looking back.
But the reporters complained. The only thing worth writing about was that the proposal was voted down by 14 to 15 votes. There was nothing about why the proposal was voted down, or why the proposal was brought up to the Summit—nothing that could serve as the framework of an article. It was like serving red bean bread without the red bean filling.
* * *
January 19, 2024, 01:20 (Latvia Time: January 18th, 2024, 8:20)
European Union Headquarters in Riga, Latvia
“How could this be? What happened?”
While Spokesman Rudelusk Sepio was holding a press conference outside with the reporters, U.S. Secretary of State, Maine Johnson, her face burning red, was reproaching Chairman Maris Felsix in the chairman’s room.
Chairman Maris Felsix had received a hefty bribe from the American government through Secretary Maine Jones. She hung his head, unable to say anything.
“Say something. Until yesterday, at least 18 votes were expected to be in favor of the proposal, but there were only 14 votes? We put in so much money for the proposal to pass… damn.” Secretary Maine Johnson hit the chairman’s desk with her fist, then flung herself down on the sofa. She couldn’t bring herself to calm down, as this incident could have a very big impact on her political career.
“I’m so sorry, but I did my best too. But, it wasn’t even a representatives meeting, it was a meeting of leaders of each country.”
“Are you giving that as an excuse right now?”
“I’m not trying to give excuses, I’m saying there are limits to what I can do.”
“Whatever. Give me the list of the leaders who voted against the proposal.”
“About that…It’s a secret ballot, so we don’t know.”
“Chairman Felsix! I’m not in a mood to joke around.”
“I’m not joking, the votes for and against are anonymously recorded. So…”
“Look, Chairman! Shouldn’t you be telling me that you’ll figure it out no matter what it takes, instead of just telling me that you don’t know? Are you really going to act this way?”
Even as Secretary Johnson scolded Chairman Felsix, the chairman of the EU, Chairman Felsix could not do anything about it. The bribe she had received had become a prison cell to her.
“Okay. I’ll talk to the Head of Administration and find out,” answered Chairman Maris Felsix reluctantly.
“Find it out by tomorrow morning at least.”
“Yes, I will.”
Upon hearing his answer, Secretary Maine Johnson yanked the door open and left. Chairman Maris Felsix, left alone in the room, sighed deeply and pressed a button on the intercom system in her room.
“Tell the Head of Administration to come here right now.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
In a few minutes, the called-for Head of Administration opened the door and entered the room.
“Did you call?”
“Yes. Sit down.”
Upon entering the chairman’s office, Chief Executive Officer Pavals Chauna greeted her politely. Chairperson Maris Felsix pointed to the reception chair for him to sit down in.
Soon after Chief Executive Officer Pavals Chauna had sat down on the chair, Chairman Maris Felsix lowered her voice and whispered, although only the two of them were in the room.
“Can I get a list of the countries that had voted against and abstained from today’s Summit meeting vote on whether the proposals would be passed?”
“Ma’am? That’s illegal.”
“I know! I know! It’s illegal, but the problem is serious now! America won’t leave us alone.”
“Even so, ma’am, that—”
“Why don’t you understand? Do you not remember the time when I helped you out? Have you already forgotten?”
Two years ago, the Head of Administration, Pavals Chauna, had caused a car accident while driving drunk. Chairman Felsix had used her authority as chairman to cover up what could have become a big problem. Chairman Felsix had now presented that as bait.
“Ah! That’s true, but I…I see.”
The chairman also had a hold on the Head of Administration, Pavals Chauna, so he had to answer her request.
“Yes, thank you. Shouldn’t we help each other out when one of us is in trouble? Find out at least by tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, ma’am..”
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