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Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, aka 'Carlos': Hasta la Victoria Siempre!
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Abdelaziz Bouteflika: I didn't expect to see you again so soon.
Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, aka 'Carlos': I'm sorry to get you out of bed so late.
Abdelaziz Bouteflika: So things didn't go as planned in Tripoli.
Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, aka 'Carlos': The Libyans betrayed our cause.
Abdelaziz Bouteflika: I don't think your cause is ours.
Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, aka 'Carlos': Our pilot is exhausted. And the plane cannot reach our destination. Give us a long-haul plane and we're out of your lives.
Abdelaziz Bouteflika: The Saudis are our allies. The Iranians too. We cannot put their ministers' lives in danger.
Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, aka 'Carlos': You put them in danger by refusing our conditions.
Abdelaziz Bouteflika: If things go wrong, your life and those of your men are at stake. Touch one hair on Yamani's head on our soil and you're all dead. Clear enough? Be realistic. The Saudis are too powerful. Not one country would risk helping you. You won't go to Bagdad. What has Tunisia offered? Nothing. What has Libya offered? Nothing. I offer an honourable way out that can even come off as victory. Yesterday I mentioned a certain sum. I'm sure the Saudis would double it. Can your cause, whatever it is, afford to spit on 20 million dollars?
Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, aka 'Carlos': What guarantee?
Abdelaziz Bouteflika: Algeria's word.
Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, aka 'Carlos': You proved it worthless.
Abdelaziz Bouteflika: Then that of the Bank of Algeria! If you agree, we'll open an account in the name of your group. The money will be wired within hours.
Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, aka 'Carlos': My group must not be named.
Abdelaziz Bouteflika: In your name, then. Work it out with Mr. Haddad. We know him well. He's discreet, wary of needless publicity. But definitely not indifferent to money.
Julia Hummer
Extended Reading
