Iranian Jews To Become Human Shield
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the President of Iran, sat on an unfinished teak chair in a large room with a red carpet, white walls and a cheap drop ceiling. The large wraparound windows that formed this empty corner conference room of the Iranian Finance Building in Tehran was on the seventh floor facing a traffic circle. The air conditioners filled the room with a calm hum, and the hazy day diffused the sunlight washing the room with a soft easy glow.
Opposite Mahmoud sat one of the chief engineers responsible for the underground complex of tunnels and facilities that were and continue to be constructed to house Iran’s nuclear research and development program. Mahmoud knew the engineer by the name Adajam, which was the Persian equivalent of “Adam.” Mahmoud’s legs were crossed, and he was wearing his standard dark grey linen pants and blazer with white shirt. His collar was open exposing the top band of a white undershirt. Adajam was in green work pants with lots of pockets and a heavy cotton beige shirt which was also loaded with pockets, each clipped with some kind of writing or drawing instrument. Adajam held a worn brown leather portfolio that was bursting with papers.
“I understand the new tunnels have been dug,” said Mahmoud.
“Yes,” said Adajam.
“And?” asked Mahmoud.
“And the earth is stable, as far as we can tell,” said Adajam.
“Good. Then we can proceed with moving our enrichment facility,” said Mahmoud.
“Well, sir, the current location of the facility is in decidedly more stable rock than the area you propose,” said Adajam.
“We will move it to the new location. Thank you for the report,” said Mahmoud.
“Because of the nature of the earth, your Excellency, we will need more concrete to support the underground facility,” said Adajam.
“Yes. Of course. Is there anything else?” asked Mahmoud.
“Well, it will be difficult to get all this concrete into the tunnels from the neighborhood that lies above. It is a very populated area, as you know,” said Adajam.
“You mean it is very populated with Jews. Isn’t that what you mean,” asked Mahmoud.
“Well, no sir, I was not referring to the nature of the population,” said Adajam.
“You are Jewish, yes?” asked Mahmoud.
“Yes,” said Adajam.
“And you live in this populated Jewish neighborhood, do you not,” asked Mahmoud.
“Yes,” said Adajam.
“So consider it the patriotic duty of every Iranian Jew to be the shield over our great underground nuclear industrial complex. You do consider it a patriotic duty, do you not?” asked Mahmoud.
“I have devoted my life to our nation, your Excellency,” said Adajam.
“Well, then, good. Once we have completed the relocation, we shall tell the world that Iranian Jews live above Iran’s uranium enrichment. You and your fellow Jews will be proud,” said Mahmoud, as he brushed lint from his shoulder.
“Yes,” said Adajam.
“Iran could make the walls a hundred kilometers thick and they would not protect our uranium as much as the flesh and bones of Jewish women and children. I am proud of our Jewish community, so proud that I wish to know a Jew when I see one. This is not always easy. You Jews have intermixed with our pure Iranian blood, and so to know a Jew is not always easy. I want to make it easy. This is a good thing, yes?” asked Mahmoud.
“These are affairs of state better left for your Exellency to decide,” said Adajam.
The President of Iran smiled. The word games. What is said and not said, between men and between nations. It is gamesmanship. These Jews are an odd people. They work so hard, and will do so even if not to their benefit. The work ethic. Mahmoud respected it. But there was the static of distrust that soiled the air whenever he thought of Jews. They could never be fully Iranian. They always had their eye on Israel. As did he, Mahmoud thought. But it is better to talk of the distrust, bring it out into the open. Tell the world what you plan to do and dare them.
“You may leave,” said Mahmoud.
“Thank you,” said Adajam.
Adajam held his leather portfolio tight, and he rose and walked to the teak door that was open and manned by a security guard. Mahmoud watched Adajam depart. Mahmoud was tired of thinking about Jews being smart and industrious. He was angry that Iran had lost several years of nuclear development because of the emigration of Jewish scientists. But in the end, this was a good thing. Better to not rely on Jews. Except, of course, as shields.
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