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December 09, 2003
Morality. Crime. Aide. [edit] [edit ii]
A funny night. I was not sure if I should add this, but I will.
I got a call earlier in the evening. From an ex-diplo friend of mine who was living here. From his native (Western European) country. I shall avoid detials, but he had fled the country because the local police accused him of theft in an office robbery. This happened a bit back, but just recently they called him in for questioning and he panicked and fled the country. I think unwise, but even if innocent, one can be held for a long time here. Sans habeus corpus. [edited to clarify understanding]
It is hard to know what to think. Based on what I know, from him of course, the charges are ridiculous, although the locals are not in the habit of bringing charges against Euros or Americans.
He has asked me to take care of some unfinished business for him, some payments to his maid and someone in the UN that he owes money to. A few hundred euros. I said yes, but on reflection I now ask myself, how do I know what to believe in this bloody environment. I find it almost impossible to believe the charges are true (based on his rendition of both charges and facts), a relatively upper level fellow doing what amounted to a petty office robbery?
However, he also frequented professional women - although I have to say given this region and its strictures, and when one is on long term assignment I understand the temptation. And I shall pretend no moral superiority there, I would if I were in his (former) position, and I should think were I not paranoid of my reputation in the financial circles. Hypocrisy abounds. Rather more bothersome in rettrospect is one of his friends, and yet I ask myself, do not people usually believe I am some kind of intelligence agency operative? Where is the trust?
Yet the question nags, is it correct to go for his explanation? I only know his facts, are they the right ones? Well, there is no great moral harm in paying his maid for him, and the UN friend who lent him money, although a several hundred Euro transfer into my account is perhaps less-than-desirable connexion to a sordid affaire.
Still, the maid deserves to be paid, and so does the other person. I should be transparent about it, transparency is the disinfectant. However, it is a shock, this turn of events, and certainly in the moral morass I work in, yet another display of human foibles.
[edit ii]
On reflection I thought I would clarify: what I am saddened by is I realized that upon doubting my friend that I really trust no one. Although I will do this service out of loyalty, it is not out of trust. And I will take steps to ensure all is properly documented such that I have no liability.
As my mentor once said, "if you want a friend, buy a dog."
Posted by The Lounsbury at December 9, 2003 11:27 PM
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Jan-Dec 2003
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