3
3
2
Buddy: "The Governor's on top of it, and if the feds get nosey, we hear about it and make a call. Then they're called off." He was looking around the countryside and continued, "Why the hell would anyone want to fight for a sh*t-hole like this?"
Mike: Shaking his head in awe, answered, "What we do has nothing to do with preserving a country's integrity -- it's just business, and third world countries see their destiny as defeating borders and expanding. The more of this mentality we can produce, the greater our wealth. We train and we arm -- that's our job. And, in return, we get a product far more valuable than the money for a gun. We're paid with "product." And we credit top dollar for product."
Buddy looked confused.
Mike: "Look, one gun and 3,000 rounds of ammo is $1,200. A kilo of "product" is about $1,000. We credit the Contras $1,500 for every kilo. That's top dollar for a kilo of cocaine. It's equivalent to the American K-Mart special: "Buy four, get one free." On our side, we spend $1,200 for a kilo and sell it for $12,000 to $15,000. Now, that's a profit center. And the market is much greater for the product than for weapons. It's just good business sense, understand?"
Buddy: "Damn! So you guys promote wars and revolutions to provide weapons for drugs, and we provide the non-numbered parts to change out and we all win. Damn that's good!"
Mike: "It's good when it works. But someone is -- how do you say? -- has his hand in the coffer."
Buddy: Responding on the defensive, "Well, we get our ten percent right off the top and that's plenty. GOFUS can make it go a long way."
Mike: "Who is GOFUS?"
Buddy: "Governor Clinton! That's our pet word for him. You know they call the President "POTUS' for "President of the United States.' Well, we call Clinton "GOFUS' for "Governor of the United States.' He thinks he is anyhow.
Mike: "That's your problem in America. You have no respect for your elected officials. They are more powerful than you think, and have ears everywhere. You should heed my words and be loyal to your leaders. Especially when speaking to persons like me. Your remarks indicate a weakness -- something our intelligence analysts look for."
Buddy: "Aw hell, Mike. Everybody knows the Clintons want the White House and will do anything to get it. That's why I'm here instead of someone else. We know about the cocaine. Hell, I've picked it up before with Lasater when he was worried about going on Little Rock Air Base to get it."
A new line of conversation ensued. Harari questioned Young about his knowledge of who the "players' were. He went down a list. He started with "The Boss-Clinton.' Here's a list of the players according to Young:
Buddy Young: "Clinton thinks he's in charge, but he'll only go as far as Casey allows. Me and my staff -- we keep the lid on things you know -- complaints about night flying --Arkansas people are private folks -- they don't like a lot of commotion, and Mena just isn't the right place for the operation. It keeps us busy at the shredder -- if you know what I mean. Dan the Man (Lasater) -- he does magic with the money; between him and Jack Stevens we don't have to worry a bit. Then we got Parks. If there's a problem, he's "the man." We call him the Archer -- that's the codename that Casey and Colby told us to assign to that position. Finnis oversees our drop zone. Nash, he's just the boss's "yes man.' Personally I think he's a mistake! Seal and his guys -- I like his attitude: "And leave the driving to us!" he said, quoting one of Seal's good-ole-boy sayings.
Mike: "You like Seal?"
Buddy: "Hell! He's the only one I trust."
Mike: "Do you see much of him?"
