Who is Jonathan Clark

Untitled Part 13

Everyone arrived on time for the meeting with Global. Very little information had been leaked from their head office in New York, which made what they were about to hear all the more interesting. Oman Cabuti was as usual chairing the proceedings, he thanked everyone for attending and asked that James Munro should bring them up to speed on Global's progress.

James Munro rose from his seat, "Thank you Minister Cabuti" he said, If you don't mind I will take every Country individually it will give a clearer indication of where we are. Firstly Senegal, we have been drilling in the south east region close to the border with Guinea. Three bore holes have been drilled in this area and all three have yielded Oil at a depth of 2000 feet. This would lead us to believe that the field is fairly large with a projected output for up to twenty years at an estimated 40'000 barrels per day. The findings in Gambia are very similar, but at the moment only two out of three are showing Oil production. We are at this moment drilling a fourth hole and the signs are positive. In Guinea all four drillings have produced Oil at a depth of 1500 feet which in our estimation would mean that this is a very substantial field which could deliver a yield of 60,000 barrels per day for around thirty years or more. Unfortunately until now no Oil deposits have been registered at any of the four drill sights currently on-going in Sierra Leone. Therefor we are seeking to suspend operations in this area and as agreed we will return the land to its natural state. I would further say that once all contracts are signed and agreed we could be fully operational by Sep 1985. In the interim Global as requested, would build the infrastructure to deliver the Oil to a Refinery to be constructed on the coast of Guinea. Thank you for you time Gentlemen"

"By infrastructure do you mean underground or over ground pipe-lines? asked Robert Emboto of Gambia.

"We would almost always construct over land pipe-lines when out in the countryside as they are easier to maintain" answered James Munro, "and when closer to a Town or City we would go under-ground. All pipe-lines would take the shortest route, this would mean the Oil from Senegal and Guinea being piped into Gambia and on to the port of Banjul where we would construct our Refinery"

"Now" said Oman Cabuti, I will call upon Mr Jonathan Clark to speak on behalf of the West African Alliance"

Jonathan stood motionless with his hands on the large oval table, "I noticed Mr Munro" he began, "In your summery of events you informed us of what Global plans to do, never once indicating that all of these suggestions would need the approval of all parties around this table. I will therefor use the same rhetoric to inform Global of the rules according to Clark Industries and the WAA under which you can commence Drilling, and as there are other Companies waiting in the wings to see the outcome of these negotiations you would do well to listen to what I have to say. Firstly, we will decide the amount of Oil extracted on a daily basis. Secondly, the Oil fields of Senegal and Gambia are close to one another on the east of both Countries. Their Oil will be piped overland to a junction with the pipe-line from the Guinea fields and together they will flow to holding tanks on the outskirts of Freetown in Sierra Leone, which already has a deep water Port allowing Oil Tankers easy access for loading. Thirdly, the pipe-lines, holding tanks and infrastructure will require 40% usage of local labour. These facilities will be jointly funded by the WAA and Global Oil. Roads and smaller pipe-lines leading from the main supply will be funded by the Country of origin. Fourthly, all funds raised from these Wells will pass through a Central Bank based in Conakry, yet to be established. We are at this moment in discussions with the Government of Guinea Bissau to buy and renovate a retreat on their coast where your employees could spend some leisure time. There would be a small charge for these facilities. I am sure that in respect of a meeting I had with a representative of your Company at a Bowling Ally in Bretton Falls there will be objections to these proposals, thank you" said Jonathan and sat down.

James Munro stayed in his seat for 15 minutes, 10 of these staring at Jonathan Clark before deciding to speak. "I will take this to my Chairman" he said clearly shaken by Jonathan's abruptness. You will have an answer in no more than two weeks" He again thanked everyone for their time, and with his delegation left the room.

"Well, well Jonathan you do come up with some surprises" said Oman Cabuti. "you have definitely given this some thought. Now I have a proposal for you. The Ministers of the WAA have had a meeting of their own and would like to offer yourself and Miss Rawllings a job. At the moment everything you do is of a freelance nature, we would like to make it more permanent. We propose to buy back the land that you rightfully own the moment that pumping begins, but at the rate we offered you over fifteen years. We would retain both of your services on an advisory basis with regards to the dealings with Global on a starting salary of $250,000 per year which would remain negotiable. We would like you to set up a Commercial Bank firstly here in Conakry followed by branches in the other three Capitals. This would be known as the Clark African International Bank where yourself and Angela will be in complete control of the movement of funds in and out. You will resource your own staff from where ever you wish and set yourselves a reasonable salary for this work. We do understand that you both have families and business interest in the US therefor you would be free to travel back and forth at your own discretion. Please do not answer this straight away we understand it is a great deal to take in. You can give us your decision in due course"

Jonathan and Angela were stunned, they did not see this coming. Angela was first to respond. "I am overwhelmed gentlemen" she said, "I have grown to love this part of the world and the people who live here, and I promise I will give your proposal a great deal of thought"

Jonathan just shrugged his shoulders "I feel the same as Angela and also very humble. Let me think on it for a week or two, but once again I thank you all"

As they sat in the Hotel Bar that night Jonathan confessed to Angela that he was no more than 50/50 on taking a permanent deal as he wanted to expand his stores in the US. It was also his ambition to build one or two factories in West Africa and during this visit he would be looking for sites and putting together some costs.

Angela on the other hand liked the idea of living in Africa and had already spoken to her soon to be husband Charlie Campbell and he was as keen as she.

Later that evening Jonathan was relaxing in his room with his usual glass of Red Wine when there was a knock on the door. "It must be Angela with even more ideas" thought Jonathan, but when he opened it there stood Loretta. "Surprise American" she said, "I have a week off from school" Jonathan just stared at this amazing creature standing in his doorway. "come in, come in" he said and in his mind, "have I died and gone to heaven? They made love all through the night and were still awake when the sun came up. Hardly a word had been spoken, the touching of their bodies said all they had to say. Suddenly Jonathan could be silent no longer, "I think I am in love with you" he whispered. Loretta squeezed his hand, "I know I am in love with you American" 

They both drifted off to sleep with no more words.