Chapter 175: Quit While You're at It

If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, then World War III might really break out. After all, the United States is the leader of the Western world, and they cannot make too many concessions.

Therefore, Dobrynin solemnly proposed the territory north of Kushiro-Rumoi to the Americans, which was equivalent to the Soviet Union giving up some land. After all, judging from the momentum, it was only a matter of time before the entire Hokkaido was occupied. The Americans agreed.

Now, Dobrynin conveyed this opinion to the country based on the conditions proposed by the Americans, hoping that the top leaders in Moscow would agree.

"Now, we have to consider the conditions of the Americans, whether to continue to occupy the entire Hokkaido, or to occupy the area north of Rumoi-Kushiro," said Suslov, secretary of the Secretariat.

The Secretary of the Secretariat has always been the second-in-command position in the Kremlin. After Kirilenko was deposed by Brezhnev and left the Kremlin, Suslov replaced Kirilenko and became the Secretary of the Secretariat.

Mikhail Andreevich Suslov was born on November 7, 1902 in a poor peasant family in Shakhovsk, Ulyanovsk Oblast. He began to participate in the revolutionary movement in 1920 and joined the party in 1921. He became the secretary of the Central Committee in 1947. After Zhdanov's death in 1948, Suslov took charge of the work. He became the editor-in-chief of Pravda in 1949 and a member of the Central Committee in 1952.

He was also an important figure in the Soviet central government, and Andropov and others strongly supported Brezhnev's decision.

The shrewd Andropov certainly knew that he was not suitable for that position, otherwise he would easily be suspected by Brezhnev. Suslov was a good candidate. Just look at the way this guy is gasping for breath when talking, and you will know that this position will be vacant soon.

Moreover, Suslov's political views were similar to Andropov's, especially on the issue of punishing corruption within the party. This person was very clean, did not seek personal gain, and did not engage in corruption. His two children have not yet obtained any important positions.

"From a military point of view, our current situation is very good. In five days, we will be able to occupy the entire Hokkaido and face the island country's mainland across the sea. This will also be beneficial to our defense. It is better to be separated by the Tsugaru Strait than to border directly on land like in Germany," said Defense Minister Ustinov.

Hokkaido was about to be occupied. This victory made Ustinov very excited. Tactics were the most important condition for occupying it so quickly. Andrei's proposal was very correct!

Ustinov certainly didn't want to spit out the meat in his mouth. From a military point of view, occupying the entire Hokkaido was of great significance to the Soviet Union's Far East layout!

"But now the Americans have bowed to us. If we agree to their proposal, we can legitimately occupy the territory north of Kushiro-Rumoi without being criticized by the Western world in the international community." Foreign Minister Gromyko said: "Our action has fully achieved the strategic goal. We also have to consider the attitude of the Western world."

Gromyko is tall, with two pairs of eyes shining. Although he is also an old man, he is still energetic and has a more comprehensive view of problems. His main qualifications are almost all in dealing with foreign affairs. Since 1939, he has served as Director of the American Department of the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador to the United States, Permanent Representative to the United Nations Security Council, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador to the United Kingdom, etc. He has served as Minister of Foreign Affairs since 1957 and was elected Member of the 1973 CPC National Congress.

Ustinov considered it from a military perspective, while Gromyko, more importantly, considered it from a diplomatic perspective. The Soviet Union's action in Hokkaido was considered a barbaric act of aggression by the Western world. Now, the whole of Western Europe is verbally condemning the Soviet Union's barbaric behavior. Although the Soviet Union has always been self-willed and its reputation has long been ruined by the Western world, there is still a crisis behind it.

For example, if the Americans raised their arms, perhaps a large number of people would gather together to form a joint army and rush to the island country to fight a war with the Soviet Union, and the situation would be out of control. The Soviet Union's strategic goal was to gain access to the Pacific Ocean, not a world war.

If the Americans are willing to bow their heads and acquiesce to the Soviet Union's territorial claims north of Rumoi-Kushiro, they might as well go with the flow and first gain a just cause in the international community. As for southern Hokkaido, they can wait a little longer. Anyway, with the northern territories, there is no need to fight across the sea. What's the difficulty? They can advance at any time.

Gromyko's opinion was to stop while the going was good. The fact that the Americans agreed to the Soviet Union's occupation of northern Hokkaido was already a great victory for the Soviet Union.

"Yes, we have achieved our strategic goal." Brezhnev said: "Our operation this time was very successful. The Americans were forced to bow their heads and agree to our occupation of Kushiro. Our Pacific Fleet can advance to the Pacific Ocean at any time!"

Since Brezhnev had already agreed, Ustinov would certainly not insist any longer. With the success of this operation, Ustinov's prestige within the army rose again, and he himself was very satisfied with the current results.

"Since the Americans have agreed to our occupation of the area north of Kushiro-Rumoi, we must always be on guard against the counterattack of the islanders. We should establish rule in this area as soon as possible. I propose that the Far Eastern Military District establish a Hokkaido Special District directly under the Far Eastern Military District and appoint a daring commander as the supreme commander, who will be directly responsible to the Far Eastern Military District." Ustinov said.

Everyone can see that after the occupation of Hokkaido's Kushiro-Rumoi to the north, this place will become a new powder keg. Will the islanders use shady tactics behind the scenes to launch guerrilla warfare to harass the occupying forces? Will the islanders actively reorganize their troops and prepare for a counterattack? It is very necessary to establish a special zone directly under the military region and directly report to the commander of the Far East Military Region. At the same time, the commander of this special zone must be experienced and daring.

And once the battle continues, this will be the front line.

Brezhnev nodded: "Yes, all the troops that have landed in Hokkaido will be stationed in Hokkaido. At the same time, we will also send air force and air defense forces to be stationed there. Kushiro Port and Rumoi Port will also be developed into bases for the Pacific Fleet. We need a qualified commander. Ustinov, do you have a suitable candidate?"

As the front line of confrontation, there are six Soviet army divisions here, all of which must stay. Moreover, more troops may be added later. As the Minister of Defense, Ustinov has the right to select commanders.

"I think Colonel Andrei Vladimirevich Tolstoy is the most suitable person. He can be awarded the rank of major general and serve as the commander of this direct-controlled district," said Ustinov.