"We're doing great so far."

"There are twenty-five thousand Aland citizens, mostly farmers and fisherypeople, but thirty percent are engaged in the tourist industry. They runsmall-scale casinos and duty-free shops. The Alands are a popular day-trippingdestination from continental Europe."

Starlitz nodded. He'd seen the shortlist of potential candidates for a Russianoffshore banking set-up. The Alands offered the tastiest possibilities.

Aino sat up straighter. "The inhabitants are Swedish-speaking ethnics. In 1920,against their will and against a popular plebiscite, they were ceded to Finlandas part of a negotiated settlement by the now-extinct League of Nations. Intruth these oppressed people are neither Swedes nor Finns. They are Alanders."

"The islands' national liberation will proceed along two fronts," said Raf,deftly setting a coffeepot to boil. "The first is the Aland Island LiberationFront, which is, essentially, my operation. The second front is Aino's peoplefrom the university, the Suomi Anti-Imperialist Cells, who make it their causeto end the shameful injustice of Finnish imperialism. The outbreak of armedstruggle and a terror campaign will provoke domestic crisis in Finland. Thecheapest and easiest apparent solution will be to grant full autonomy to theAlands. Since the islands are an easy day-trip from Petersburg this will leavethe Organizatsiya with a free hand for their banking operations."

"You're a busy guy, Raf."

"I've been resting on my laurels long enough," said Raf, carefully rinsing threespanking-new coffee mugs. "It's a new Europe now. Many fantastic newopportunities."

"Level with me. Do any of these Aland Island hicks really want independence?They seem to be doing okay just as they are."

Raf, surprised at the question, smiled.

Aino frowned. "Much work remains to be done in the way of raising revolutionary