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Conference in Kasteel de Haar; Forming a new alliance
Topic Started: Jun 27 2011, 11:28 AM (1,657 Views)
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Neudorffer had listened carefully to the words of the Stadhouder with an occasional nod. "I see, so you are simply leaving the issue to Cirsinus, as you do not know what to expect of them in case you were to interfere. Yes, that explanation is satisfactory. However, it does to an extent imply that you agree with the current policy of Cirsinus in dealing with the two nations. We, however, feel it is rather unsettling for any nation to have to resort to force in resolving a situation. We find it even more unsettling when a nation takes the initiative and asserts its will on another nation, without even consulting with third party nations. Because of the emergence of situations such as these, we believe it is a basic necessity for all nations to be able, and to a degree to be expected to, take such international issues in front of the international community. There needs to be a given institutional frame for such debates; that is actually our aim in coming to your conference, to bring to the attention of all the nations gathered here the methods of solving disputes through means of discussion, and not force. I hope you will allow me to present my case to the conference, although it does not strictly belong to the subject per se of the conference; that being the founding of a military alliance. Yes?"
Neudorffer spoke with considerable speed, with no regard to the Stadhouder perhaps not following him entirely. Then he had a few spoonfuls of his cereal while awaiting his answer.
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Minister Lovell chose to ignore the usual pageantry surrounding the early morning at the Kasteel. His focus had been on texts from Helene notifying her cabinet of the decision that North Chicanan would incorporate Denmark as a protectorate, with a probable plebescite to allow the territory to determine if the state should join the Dominion as a full member. He was surprised by the move, as he was uncertain how the French members of the Cabinet would respond. But with word coming from the Northwest and Far West Secretaries they would approve such a measure if the southern flank of Denmark, a predominate French region, be allowed to vote independently of the Byronmander and Danish population for membership, he expected at least an eighth District to join the nation.

Lovell was not thrilled over joining the mainland and expected Celatoria to press concerns over the transfer of the state. Especially as there wasn't really a Northern presence in the territory outside of Copenhagen, the proposed territorial capital. He figured that most of the state would support a union with the islands but such a stretched out territory would mean this meeting had to be more important than just a listening party.

He texted Helene and Jason while on a stroll outside the Kasteel waiting for the opening meeting to commence. He made clear he had no intentions of signing anything, as stated, but would more likely not actively participate during the discussion. He was interested to see what Neoplanta brought to the discussion - the Northern government had always liked the state's actions in the old Mediterranean and figured they would be a strong counterbalance to the dueling Byronmandy-MVN power struggle. He also noted the Vemoese duke was at the meeting, which surprised Jason as he thought the Duke would be more focused on the Ukraine conflict and Helene though the duke was still meeting with MVN officials. Which also surprised Jason.

"How he got elected..." Lovell sighed as he made his way back in. He didn't look for anyone in particular to speak with, just observing other politicians discussing and angling for power plays before the opening session. He finally found his way into a private area and began a short meditation session - a trick he learned during The Long War - to ease the time before the politicians started again in a different chamber.
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The Stadhouder listened to Minister Neudorffer while drinking his coffee, when he was done talking he said nothing for a few seconds.

Finally he replied 'The United Provinces does not want this to give a military alliance, our wishes and hopes go much further than that. We want to build a platform of stability and safety. That could be political, economical, military wise, or a combination. Your concerns are very well linked to this matter, so ofcourse you are allowed to bring it up. Each nation is allowed to have input as they see fit. I sincerely hope each nation brings its thoughts and concerns to this meeting.'

'We do not approve or disapprove on Cirsinus actions yet, because we are not in te position do to so. We understand very well te motives of Cirsinus, and we think those are legitimate. If you want to see for yourself I can show you military intelligence reports on Poland and Lithuania. However, we share your doubts about using the military. That is why we would like to know more of Cirsinus, if they have noble intentions they will most likely have our blessings.'

'Now minister, what do you think about it? Can I get you some more cereal? Baaper said smiling.
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"No thank you, I do think I've had enough" - Neudorffer answered the Stadhouder. "I see your intentions with creating this conference, however it is our firm belief that military alliances may serve only for war, never for peace. This is why I have been sent here, to present to the nations present an alternative. But firstly I am most curious as for the views and positions of all the nations gathered here, especially Veomo. I had not expected for the Duke to be journeying here personally. Also, North Chicanan is a surprise, they usually stay out of what they refer to as 'continental politics'."
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De stadhouder said 'I am very interested in you proposal and suggest that we discuss it in detail at te meeting, which is starting within a few minutes actually. Shall we go?' Together they walked to the conference room and took a seat.

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When all representatives had arrived the stadhouder stood up and spoke 'Welcome my friends! I am delighted that you are here with so many to discuss the things going on in the world, which means that we care. I have chosen this room for its symbolism. As you might have noticed we are sitting at a round table meaning that all of us are equals. There will be no leader nor leading nation, please respect that.' He looked at everyone at the table and continued 'Some nations expressed their justified anxiety that this meeting is solely for military purposes, but I think that it would be a great devaluation if it was. This meeting could be, no must be, so much more!'

'But I have spoken enough for this moment for I have been talking way too long. If he agrees I want to pass the word to The President of Republic of Byronmandy. That this may be a constructive meeting for all of us!!!' After he had spoken the stadhouder sat down and looked hopefully in the direction of the President of Byronmandy.
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The President was quite stunned that he had slept in. He was so used to the ritual morning telephone call by his aide to wake him up, that he had forgot to set his alarm clock. He was not the best morning person, but yet he put his finest suit on as quick as possible and stumbled down the stairs. By the time he got there the meeting was almost beginning, but nonetheless he ate some sort of pastry that he had never seen before.

Baaper had asked him last night if he was interested in leading the debate today. He didnwould be proud to open up the discussion.

As he walked into the round table room he said, “Sorry for the wait Gentlemen, it seems as though I have slept in a bit.”

He sat down at an open seat and looked down at the sword on the table. He began to feel the hilt, going over in his mind what he was to say. Sleeping in had caused him to not be able to come up with a speech. He would have to just say what he thought. He stood up and began:

“Today, the world’s free nations are gathered in a most historic meeting that will no doubt decide the fate of the region. As we speak, freedom and basic rights are being destroyed, and innocent people oppressed by the ruthless dictators that call the region home. The alliance that emerges from our talks will be the region’s guiding light, and be the guardian of good in the world.”

He then sat down so that he could better get his next point across. He spoke in a quieter voice, and looked every single person in the eye as he spoke:

“The myth of Atlas the Titan is a popular story in the Republic. In fact, numerous ancient stories are rather popular. It is about a giant who is eventually forced to carry the world upon his shoulders as punishment for not siding with the Olympians."

He spoke very slow, making sure that everyone would get his point.

“In Byronmandy, this story is called Mojenn gant den libertas

Said the President, speaking in Byronmandy’s native tongue, Breton.

“Roughly translated, it is, The Story of Democracy. In this version, Atlas becomes the personification of democracy and freedom. It is meant to show that the world’s free nations are the ones that keep the world upright, in lack of the right words…..If democracy falls, so does the world.”

He thought he was doing rather well, and stood to began his concluding statement:

“If the world’s democracies fail to unite into one large power that can support the world, like Atlas; we may find that we cannot hold up the world for long, and the dictatorships that so much despise us and our freedom, will emerge supreme.”

With that said, he sat back down and leaned back in his chair. Now he would wait to see where the conversation went…
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Stadhouder Baaper de I van Voorne-Putten wanted to thank the President for his words, but remembered himself not to take the lead in the discussion. He figured it was best to let things flow naturally. Instead he looked around the table waiting for someone to reply.
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The Grand Duke decided to speak next. Laying a bit back in the sit he begun to speak in a calm voice:

"Mr. President, thank you for your words, and for such a story. Although in theory democracy is the rule by the will of the people, and the dictatorship is that against such will, during my father's lifetime I have seen many democracies become dictatorships, and so called dictatorships do more for their people than democracies ever had. Such practical abnormalities of the theory got me thinking on what is to be actually defined as a form of government that goes against the principles we defend, or else we'll just come up with a title, which we'll use to name our enemies and fight them."

Kahv Eirm makes a pause and lean forward, while crossing his hands over the table, looking in the eyes of each of the attendants.

"This bring us to a point in which we must decide what are exactly those principles that this alliance will defend and support. Let's keep in mind that not all so called dictators are tyrants, and I assure you that is against this later, as defined by Plato and Aristotle as, that who rules without law, looks to his own advantage rather than that of his subjects, and uses extreme and cruel tactics against his own people as well as others, that the Grand Duchy will stand against, no matter by which form of government he abides to sustain. Be him internal or foreign, be him from a long last friendly nation or a newly met one, be he even from an alliance with ourselves."

His voice was so calm, that those last words were still in the air, when he laid back in his sit.
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The stadhouder could not resist talking any longer and said 'I think you have an excellent point, it is not about the type of government, it is about the type of rule. A cruel democracy is worse than a caring dictator. Dictatorship is not our enemy, cruelty is. The experience learns us that rulers who are willing to hurt their own people are not very reluctantly to hurt their neighbours either.'
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Lovell was both amused and bored. He had done enough boring staff meetings to have suspected nothing would have started the meeting but the posturing over how to deal with non-democracies caused him to stiffen his face before his eyes tried to roll out of his head.

He considered speaking, using the Grand Duke's words as a launching point over the whole war in the Ukraine. However, that would be crass and he had planned to discuss the matter later on when a break would occur. He figured that Neoplanta would want to discuss matters outside of the military in terms of some alliance, and at least he felt Veomo would be receptive to the Northern desire for a free-trade zone along the northern states - which hypothetically could include the United Provinces but would also bring in the Finnish Reich and Vulkland into the fray.

He expected some sort of discussion progress to occur, so he bit his tongue and waited to see where the discussion went. He did notice the text from his boss about the vote approving the transfer of Denmark to Northern control, which would mean North Chicanan had some interest with what they came up with, but figured he'd let the other states play around with their plans before expressing any concerns the Government would have or push the alliance rhetoric over to Helene and Jason to deal with.
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