Conversation Transcript

"I have ten minutes for you," my friend said, getting up from the table and extending his hand toward me. "The elections are in two weeks, and, as you understand, nobody gives a damn about Russian problems right now. Well, what is this urgent matter of yours that can't be discussed over the phone?"

I told him about Litvinenko.

"I'm thinking of flying to Turkey and taking him to our embassy," I said.

"As an official, I must tell you that the American government does not engage in poaching employees of Russian special services or encouraging defectors," he replied. "As your friend, I'll say—don't get involved in this business. This is a matter for professionals, which you are not. It can be dangerous. Do you know what a chain of unforeseen consequences is? By getting involved in this, you won't be in control of the situation; one thing will lead to another, and there's no telling where it will take you. So my advice to you is—go home and forget about this whole story."

"But what will happen to Litvinenko? [handwritten note in margin: When then]" I asked the stupidest question, remembering Sasha's agitated voice on the other end of the line. [handwritten note in margin: ??]

"That's not your problem," my friend replied. "He's a big boy; he knew what he was getting into."

"Well, okay, but if he does come to our embassy, what awaits him?"

"First of all, they won't let him in. There's serious security there; Ankara is not Copenhagen. By the way, what documents does he have?"

"I don't know."

"Secondly, if he does manage to get in there, he'll be talking to consular staff, whose job," he smiled, "is to let no one into America."

"But he's not exactly an ordinary applicant for a visitor visa," I said.

"Well, if he manages to prove that, then maybe he'll be spoken to by..." he paused, searching for the right word, "...other people. In principle, they could put in a good word for him, but that will depend..."

"On what he offers them?" I guessed.

"You're catching on."

"I have no idea what he could offer them."

"Well, you see, I told you that you're not a professional," my acquaintance smiled. "Better forget about all this."

"And what if we take a public stance? Hold a press conference?"

"For the Turkish press?" my friend smiled.

"Fine, I understand everything. I'll think about it. If I do decide to go there, I'd like someone here to be aware, just in case. After all, I am an American citizen."

"We have a free country; you buy a ticket and you go," he said. "But you're right, if something happens to you, it wouldn't hurt if they knew about you at the embassy. Do you have any acquaintances at the State Department?"