“Comrade, your experience in foreign and defense areas is slim, no?” the Defense Minister asked. “I have never pretended otherwise, Comrade Minister,” Sergetov answered warily. “Then I will tell you why this situation is unacceptable. If we do what you suggest, the West will learn of our crisis. Increased purchases of oil production equipment and unconcealable signs of activity at Nizhnevartovsk will demonstrate to them all too clearly what is happening here. That will make us vulnerable in their eyes. Such vulnerability will be exploited. And, at the same time”—he pounded his fist on the
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