NationStates Jolt Archive

LNS ,Lassic, Ilek-Vaad

It was announced today that the Republican Council had approved the Minister of Foreign Affairs plan to invite representatives from all Nations in the Region of Haven to a summit in Great Lassic.

"This will be an oppurtunity to re-establish ties with our friends and to try and work through our differences with other nations. It will also allow us to possibly form a way to regionally respond to threats and instability, like that caused by the Allanean invasion of Axackal."

It was reported that invitations were being sent to the Foreign Secretaries of every Nation in the Region.

*****

To all Governments of Nations that share Haven,

I wish to personally extend an invitation to all nations in our great Region to come to Lassic. I hope to convene a summit that allows all of us to work through our differences, re-affirm our friendships and promote stability in our Region.

I hope that 100% of the Nations in Haven will attend, I especially invite those Nations that have a low opinion of our Free Republic, to have an oppurtunity to frankly and openly discuss our differences and how we can allow for our differences without threatening Regional stability.

I await your responses,

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ilek-Vaad

David Anafai, the newly appointed Foreign Minister after the previous one had won a campaign to be elected to the Council, walked into the sumptous office. A large display screen was in front. He walked behind the three meter long desk, and sat down in a pleather chair. He began to work on various foreign-ministry related tasks.

The computer blipped. "I wonder what this is." he said. He opened the email, read it, and consulted with people for a few minutes. He then began to type:

Feline sincerely accepts the offer, and is re-sending our ambassador to you. He will attend the conference. We hold a high opinion of you, although we believe some of your decisions as of late have been mistaken, we do not hold it against you. Feline is firmly in your circle of friends, and we hope that you rejoin the UnAPS. More liberal and more politically free nation should dominate the UnAPS. The Boostei administration is deeply consternated at the dominance of the UnAPS by Edolia, Mintar, and Scandanavian States. While on the matter of Metus we deeply disputed with some of these nations, we would very much like your nation, Knootoss, and Phyrric to rejoin the alliance.

He then pressed send.

OOC: Please note that message was secret, and was not available IC to anyone but Ilek-Vaad.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs replied:

We are very pleased at your acceptance. I sincerely hope that your Ambassadors return is a permanent one. I will be pleased to discuss the matters you have raised with your Ambassador.

Thank you,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ilek-Vaad

OOC: also sent in private to Mr. Anafai

<<OOC: Short post. My apologies.>>

"The Under-Minister of Regional Affairs, Justo von Task will be attending this meeting in Lassic to discuss events in the Haven region. We wish specifically to talk about the aggressive Phyrric and Allanean regimes on our borders, as well as the Doujin. Politically instability in the Freethinkers should also be addressed."
Press Release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

President Newman of The Island States will attend this summit (as our foreign minister was ejected along with the rest of parliament for the time being).

We thank both our friends in Edolia and The Island States for attending. We are most honoured that the President of The Island States will attend.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ilek-Vaad

We will seriously consider sending a diplomat, but it isn't a guarentee.

We would request that a Knootian representative is allowed to monitor this conference, given the high importance we place on relations with those attending. We feel this summit could do much to improve stability in this untill recently war-torn region.
~Knootian foreign ministry note to Ilek-Vaad

(Won't say anything... just a guy sitting in the back for IC-knowledge stuff)

I hope that a representative from the Scandavian States will attend. I also have no issues with a representative from Knootoss being allowed to observe.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ilek-Vaad

OOC: The conference will start on Wednesday, I'll put up a thingy on the Haven board and TG anyone who's expressed interest.

I look forward to meeting the Minister of Foreign Affairs from Barentsburg. I would also be more than happy to discuss recent events in Haven, I am hoping that will be the main topic on the agenda.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ilek-Vaad

Hmm, I wonder if I'd be allowed to attend. I'm not in Haven, but of course, I have quite a few interests in the region...

I don't think it would hurt, I don't have any objections to you attending.

We have decided to send an ambassador to this conference, if for no other reason than we believe we owe Ilek-Vaad a debt of honor for their later unobligated help to end the war.

We are pleased that the Scandavian States will be sending a representative.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ilek-Vaad

OOC: Tomorrow morning (Thursday the 27th) I'll TG everyone that expressed interest and post a summit schedule here.

The sates that have expressed interest in the Haven Regional Summit all receive the following outline for the summit:
Day 1 Arrival of the delegations

Day 2+ Question and answer session- All participating members may ask any question they like about Ilek-Vaad and Vaadian policy

Day 3 or 4 Talks on identifying areas for regional conflict and the possibilty of regional action to head them off

Day 4 or 5 Additional discussions about any of the questions raised in the previous discussions.

The Summit will be very open and free form to allow for a maximum exchange of ideas and critiques. Discussion on any subject will be allowed.

I thank you all for your decision to attend.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ilek-Vaad

Nations that are currently attending:

Feline
Barentsberg
Edolia
The Island States
Knootoss
Hattia
Scandavian States

Once everyone has arrived, we'll start with the discussions.

As Asiya was currently out of country a senior diplomat by the name of Sula Hallbjörndattir was sent to Lassic by way of 7E7.

[Short, I know, but I'm not in the mood to type a huge post.]

The Island State's President held a barf bag with both hands as he felt more and more airsick. The President's Gulfstream V, equipped with communications equipment (to contract Strategic Command at any time), began it's final approach as the turbulence from a storm raged on.

"This is Island States One requesting permission to land..."

The aircraft of the delegates entered Ilek-Vaad airspace over the coast, ground control responded as a wing of Orion Stealth Fighters almost instantaneously moved in to escort the aircraft as ground control responded.

"Welcome to The Free Republic . You are cleared for landing at Lassic SouthWest International Airport. The headings are being transmitted now."

Great Lassic is still nearly a 7 hour flight from the coast. Flying over the country one sees mangrove jungles on the black volcanic sands of the coast, turning into jungles, mountains and then eveually thick green forests. The Boeing passses over nearly a thousand miles of Ilek-Vaad and only one or two towns or cities are visible from the air and very few roads or rail lines.

As night falls the horizon is lit up as the aircraft approaches Great Lassic. The city covers 158 square miles and is home to nearly 200 million people. The green open city center encompasses a 68 mile plateau and is bounded by a byzantine wall , out side the wall is the 'Ring'. The 'Ring' is the area zoned for skyscrapers and oher large buildings. Several thousand skyscrapers many well over 100 stories ring the city for miles. The aircraft is finally directed to land at the cities SW corner at one of it's four international airports. The aircraft lands directly, with no waiting.

The aircraft is taxied to a large terminal and the delegates disembark down a ramp lined with hundreds of Velite Guards in their white and silver dress uniforms. The carry halbreds and wear beautifully inscribed silver breast plates and tall crested Athenian style helmets with long white crests. They are greeted as they each arrive in turn by the assistants of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Velite band then plays the National anthems of the delegates as they are led to the waiting convoy of Jaguar XJ12 Sovereign limosines.Each limosine is painted in the colour of the nations flag with crests on the doors also emblazoned with the nations flag.

From there they drive to the center of Lassic, they are each in turn accomodated in one of the mansions on the grounds of the House of the Republic. The large college like campus has at least 22 garden-style mansions, the giant domed Pantheon-like House of the Republic and the 8 greek revival Ministry buildings. A large open air square dominates the gates to the campus , in the center of the square is a 4 story bronze statue of a man of celtic ancestry, his hair and eyes are wild, he bears in his left hand a flag with a comet and broken sword emblazoned on it, in his right hand is a sword that he is pointing to the east with.

The epithet on the statues plinth reads:

"Men of Lassic, stand with me , and be not afraid. - Namaan Ilek-Vaad (THE Vaad)


OOC: I'm only posting it once, so everyone who shows up from here on in can assume the same welcome

In a move, hopefully to show that The Soviet Socialist Republic trusted the Free Republic. Commisar Goderenko arrived in an unarmed helicopter, unarmed himself and without guards. (Just a note: This is very very uncommon.)

The Knootian observer, a young lad named Tim de Boer who had already played a vital part in Knootian history*, arrived by normal commercial passenger jet along with other visitors*. He travelled first class, but that was all. Without any decorum he made his way to the conference and upon arrival he took a seat somewhere in the back to observe.

*Which I will not ramble about at 1:37 AM.
*Presuming those aren't banned by your environmental regulations, in which case he would come in via a neighbouring nation and then take a boat or whatever.

IC: Ambassador Ingrid Flannery flew in, once more, back to Ilek-Vaad. "It's good to be an expatriate again." she thought, half-sarcastically.

She brought out her PDA once more. She was aboard a solid blue maglev civil transport- the blue, of course, combined with some symbols, signified Feline Government.

She touched down, with her diplomatic staff, in front of the old embassy, which they opened back up. The small aircraft would be kept for the embassy's useage.

Flannery unloaded the only vehicles they could fit aboard the small aircraft- motorcycles. Of course, there were other vehicles, but those were much too slow, especially considering that they were toeing the line between being late for the conference. More proper diplomatic vehicles would arrive in about a week via ship, but until then- "Bloody motorcycles." thought Flannery.

Her, and three diplomatic attaches put on backpacks with all sorts of disks and notebook computers and the like and helmets over their business suits- "Bound to need a trip to the f*cking tailor* thought Flannery, and set off for the conference.

OOC: I've never RPed my ambassador to you before, so this is an all new character.

She's got a bit of a temper, but is still a successful diplomat becuase she has a talent for seeing what the other side wants, and getting through all the ureaucracy to get treaties signed and the like- just so you know, because you would IC.

The President of The Island States hanged back in his Gulfstream for a few seconds. "I've never attended one of these diplomatic meetings," Newman said as he adjusted his black tie, part of his military uniform (bearing the five stars he inherited after becoming President). "I've been more nervous than this in combat as a 2nd Lieutenant."

"Bullshit," his aide replied. "You walk out there, you wave to the crowd, you get in the limo. Once you get to the conference hall, you smile, wave to the press and to the crowd, but most importantly you get inside without too much delay. Now, what happens next is you sit down at your spot and you listen to what the other delegates have to say. If you don't like it, or it conflicts with the Constitution of The Island States, speak up at the earliest convenience. Be prepared to compromise if you just don't like it, but if it conflicts with our Constitution, you have to kill it before it takes root. Everything else is pretty easy."

"Thanks," President Newman said as he left the red and black Gulfstream.

OOC: For transportation in Ilek-Vaad , Jaguar-Daimler Motors LTD has always made it a point of pride to provide Jaguar XJ12 Sovereign limosines to foreign diplomats.

Also this post is going to be as everyone that wants to be here is here, so don't worry about posting arrivals if you don't have time or don't want to .


IC:

The Delegates have all arrived and were safely and securely in their guest mansions or in their embassies. The delegates are then given a day to relax, get over jet-lag and generally see the city if they please. Each delegate has been assigned an attache from the ministry of Foreign Affairs to guide them and answer questions.

The conference is scheduled for 10:00 am the next morning. The delegates once again are directed to the House of the Republic. During the day the campus is filled with people, reporters. protesters, tourists, street performers, ice cream and hot dog vendors etc...

At first glance there appears to be no security, although anyone paying extra close attention will notice that at all times the crowds are closely watched by men in black long coats and black sunglasses. They do not appear armed, but they just 'feel' menacing. Every now and again if a protest appears to be getting out of hand, or a street mime becomes obnoxiously persistant, one of these men in black will appear, and simply show themselves, which is always enough to disperse the troublemakers quickly.

The Delegates are then directed into the House of the Republic itself. Just inside it's doors is a life sized bronze statue of a handsome elderly gentleman sitting at a desk, regarding those who enter with intelligent thoughtful eyes. The statues plinth bears the epithet: "The Republic shall persist so long as the people persist. The power of the Republic is the power of the people. - Themirin Ilek-Vaad, The Honoured Statesman

From there they are led via one of the grand concourses to a domed conference room that can easily accomodate 100+ people, it also has a balcony for press and observers. The entire House of the Republic was built in the Byzantine style in the 1200's and is filled with amazing mosaics and superb marble work.

In the conference room all of the delegates are greeted personally by the Minister of Foreign affairs, a trim, dark skinned woman in her thirties, very attractive and friendly. Once everyone has arrived and is seated , she takes the center of the room and speaks

"Dear friends it is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to the Free Republic, Great Lassic and the House of the Republic. I hope that you all have had pleasant journeys and have found your accomodations comfortable and satisfactory.

For those of you that have not officially met me, I am Sirdar Ali-Shah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ilek-Vaad. This first part of this conference will be a question and answer session. I know that many of you have been taken aback by our policies and actions, and I want you to take this oppurtunity to ask wahtever questions you have so that I may explain why the Free Republic has done what it has done.

Also here with me ( she pauses and motions to a group of gentlemen seated behind her) Command General Adan Ring, of the 4th Red Jaguar Command, he can answer any questions about military and military policy, Admiral Coyohuitl is also with him. We also have Prince Ilem Arden, Chief of Staff to the First Republican, as well as Scipio Nemaraan Chairman of the R.O.P. and former First Republican and Sir Theleb Kanaan Chairman of the P.R.P. and former First Republican.

Between us we will be able to answer any questions that you may have. I hope that we can put what we have done and tried to do in perspective and give all of you a better idea of what motivates the Free Republic and the laws and customs that may constrain us in some cases."

She then takes a seat, and awaits any questions.

Otto Von Friedsburg, who was also the Lietuv representative to the UnAPS had already arrived and followed the others into the meeting room. He sat attentively and sipped his water as he listened to the Minister. Otto was a man in his early 30s with a fresh tan and brown hair. His startling blue eyes stared in the direction of Minister Ali-Shah. He spoke into the microphone when she finished.

"I am Otto Von Friedsburg of Lietuveska, here representing my government and people. Our first question is a very simple one. Would Minister Ali-Shah please give us the full details as of why Ilek-Vaad resigned its membership in the United Alliance of Progressives States." He smiled politely as he finished the question, for he had no hard feelings whatsoever concerning Ilek-Vaad.

"I am Otto Von Friedsburg of Lietuveska, here representing my government and people. Our first question is a very simple one. Would Minister Ali-Shah please give us the full details as of why Ilek-Vaad resigned its membership in the United Alliance of Progressives States." He smiled politely as he finished the question, for he had no hard feelings whatsoever concerning Ilek-Vaad.

The Minister stood again and smiled

"That is easy enough to explain. The Constitution of the Free Republic forbids the Republican Council from allying itself militarily with expansionist and imperial powers.

We all know full well that a few UnAPS nations came out in support of 'non-aggressive' imperialism. We were told that our definition of imperialist was too narrow. The definition of imperialist that I MUST use is the definition spelled out in our constitution, I cannot use other nations interpretations.

Our representative then tried a compromise, as you may recall, that Ilek-Vaad would remain in the UnAPS, but that we would selectively apply how and when we reacted in terms of the mutual defence clause. That compromise was deemed unacceptable by certain members. Once the compromise showed that it was unworkable, the UnAPS ceased to be a legal entity under the Constitution of the Free Republic.

Membership by the Free Republic would be unconstituitional and would result in the Supreme Judiciary not only negating the treaty but also may lead to prosecutions of the members of this government that did not immediately act to quit an illegal alliance.

I hope that sufficently explains it?"

The President of the Island States gets up as if he is about to address the floor, looks around, clears his throat, but sits back down and stays silent.

Otto nodded and smiled cordially. "Yes, Minister, that fully explains your nation's actions. Completely justifiable, as moral obligations must be followed." For Otto Von Friedsburg was aware of the reason that Ilek-Vaad had pulled out of the UnAPS. He simply wanted to give the former member a full head start, in the event that others would attempt to criticize its past actions.

The Minister looks over to the President of the Island States

"Did you have a question, President Newman? No need to worry, you can ask any question you like."

"Yes," President Newman said. "I've never been to one of these things, so bear with me for a moment. I just wanted to add that the Imperialist that ran our country during the talks of "defensive annexation" is now in exile for his crimes against the State. That is all."

Tim grinned, finding this a rather positive development. "If only that had happened before", he pondered.

The Minister smiled to President Newman

"Yes, I was aware of that. I am pleased that your former ,questionable, leader has been removed. I also hope that the people of your nation will be better off and that they are pleased with the change."

She pauses and then continues

"But on that note, I would also like to state that it is not our intention to question our neighbors and their sovereign governments. I simply want you to understand that we will always act to preserve our sovereignty and seek to act first and foremost in accordance with our own laws."

Commisar Goderenko stood up. At 6'4" he was a rather imposing person. He ran his hand through his short hair and smiled. He then began to speak.

It was quite obvious that English wasn't his first language, he spoke with a heavy accent and seemed to have a bit of trouble wrapping his tounge around the word, since they were much different than the words of his native language.

"Ms. Minister, and the most esteemed representatives of the Free Republic. I was quite happy when I found out that you were helping in the most recent conflict, even after you left UnAPS. Though, previously your government made a statement that led me to believe that you were going to go into isolation and not deal with foreigners. Why did you help us?"

The Minister nodded

"That is indeed a fair question. Our intention was not necessarily to become 'isolationist', it was to revert to our pre-UnAPS foreign policy, which is non-engagement.

Quite frankly the decision to give mandate to our Supreme Republican Commander to end the conflicts in Haven were mainly humanitarian and economic. The humanitarian consequences were obvious. Less obvious was the effect on the Vaadian economy. Trade within the Haven straits was greatly reduced , businesses in Ilek-Vaad were forced to purchase goods and raw materials from further abroad, ballooning our trade deficit to 500 bilion DR. Since the conflict had ended, it is back down to 100 billion DR.

The conflicts that were occurring in Haven, were bad for all of us. We were in a position to do something about it, so we did."

The Minister finishes, and Command General Ring adds

"It was also ideal for our Retaliatory Guard to act after leaving the UnAPS. No offence to any of the gathered nations here, but the Retaliatory Guard are not trained or designed to act with concern, or in concert with allies. We work best when we can go in, focus on exactly who we need to eliminate without worrying about the actions, or movements of other forces that we may have to be concerned about."

Heh, sorry... :oops:

"I see. Well, I am sure I speak for all of the delegates here when I thank you for your support."

The Commisar smiled again and sat down.

The diplomat gave a small nod at the Hattian representative's statement. Her eyes flickered over to the Knootian rep and saw the smirk on his face. Self-satisfied jackass, I bet you don't even know half the story with TIS and here you are smiling your ass off.


[Italics are thoughts, so super-secret unless there's an empath in the room.]

The Knootian representatives smirk had already dissapeared, and he did not give any attention to Sula Hallbjörndattir from Scandavian States as that diplomat had not said anything interesting so far. Instead, the energetic but shy young boy listened politely to the ongoing proceedings.

"It is a pity", he considered, "that the agreement that was reached now was not reached before. Such a pointless struggle this was..."

(Of course, he is only thinking :) )

The minister of Foreign Affairs settled into her seat after answering the couple of questions ' There has to be more?' she mused to herself, pausing for a long minute in case there were any questions left........................................

The Knootian shifted in his seat, wondering if anything more was to come.

<<OOC: Sorry I haven't done anything. I was on vacation, and I am now catching up. Anyway, I'll just assume that my diplomat arrived and is all set...>>

Justo von Task, Under-Minister of Regional Affairs, hadn't spoken yet. True to his own style, he kept his silence, waiting for an opportunity to present itself. As the Hattian sat down, he took his opportunity. "The Scarlet Empire also thanks you for your support and we recognize the crucial role you played in ending the Allanean War. However, I speak for all Edolians when I say that I am still confused as to your motives in leaving the alliance." He nodded towards the Knootian representative. "The same goes for your nation as well. All 'Imperialist'" -he put a certain ironic emphasis on the word -"powers had already made it clear that they would not engage in any annexation if the alliance was opposed to it. This was made clear at least once before the Knootians decided to withdraw and was made clear many times before the Vaadians. Although I understand the constitional issues raised by Ilek-Vaad, no nation in the alliance had engaged in acts that could be imperialist. There was merely a debate regarding the validity of certain hypothetical acts. While I can understand why a nation would choose to withdraw itself from an alliance based on the actions of the alliance, or certain member states in the alliance, I cannot fathom why a nation would choose to leave based on hypothetical discussions regarding theoretical foreign policy choices. I wish to hear the Knootian position on this as well."

President Newman sat forward as he cut the end off a cigar, placing the cut end in his mouth and lighting the uncut part. This is going to get interesting...

The Minister of Foreign Affairs stood again and nods to Mr. von Task

" The simple fact that a nation expresses a policy of expansionism and imperialism makes it illegal for us to enter into a military alliance. It is as simple as that. Had the alliance accepted that and allowed us to remove our forces from the mutual defence pact when we felt that they may be used in a conflict with expansionist possibilities.............then we would still be in the UnAPS.

The simple fact that the UNAOTO and UnAPS were founded to oppose imperialism was the main reason we joined. When nations voiced the fact they they considered themselves imperialist, aggressive or not, the alliance ceased to be in our best interests.

In our opinion a nation that expresses imperialist and expansionist intent is just as bad as a nation that actively pursues imperial expansion. It is a short step from talking about it to doing it. We want no part of either."

Once she got there, she saw all the free cars parked outside, with a sign stating their purpose. She straightend her hair, and then said, "Which one of you didn't tell me about these cars? Who gives a f*ck, you're all fired once this bloody conference ends. Let's move!"

They walked inside to the conference room. Just before they started, she walked up to the Minister. "We would much like to have stronger ties with your nation."

She listended for a few minutes, before standing up to speak, obviously irritated. "Let's cut through all this s*it about blaming people. Yes, mistakes were made by Edolia and Allanea. We believe that Axackal should be an independant country, in the end. We supported Edolia because they are our allies and because Allanea had made repeated provocations at the alliance as a whole.

Now, here's my question. To the Minister and to the Knootian delegate, even though you are not officially here, do you have any interests in re-joining the UnAPS, despite there being imperialists and/or despite us having disagreements over policies towards Metus? And please, don't conceal your answer in some dipolomatic bulls*it."

President Newman sat forward as he cut the end off a cigar, placing the uncut end in his mouth and lighting the cut part. This is going to get interesting...
(OOC) Actually, the cut end is the part you put in your mouth. You want a smaller hole in the cap then the diameter of the cigar so that you have a good draw.

The Knootian spoke softly but determinedly: “I attend here only as a non-Haven observer and I cannot speak for my government.”

He really wanted to leave it at that, but felled compelled by the watching eyes. “The Scarlet Empire can contact our government if it desires information. As you know, Knootoss is not a signatory to The Treaty of Deriksburg. I personally think the reasons for withdrawing proved themselves correct only hours later when a nuclear device went off above the front.” Carefully he eyed Justo von Task. His young eyes had lost their youthful innocence long ago during the shadow war; they judged the Edölian, but were not harsh now were they aggressive.

---

*throws in some thoughts on the matter*

A King is history's slave.
By Leo Tolstoy and Lousewies van der Laan

From the close of the year 20xx, intensified arming and concentrating of the Allanean forces began, and a year later these forces- millions of men, reckoning those transporting and feeding the army- moved from the west eastwards to the Axackal frontier, toward which Edölian and Scandavian forces had been similarly drawn. On April 9th* the forces of Allanea crossed the Axackali frontier and war began, that is, an event took place opposed to human reason and to human nature. Millions of men perpetrated against one another such innumerable crimes, frauds, treacheries, thefts, forgeries, rapes, burglaries, and murders as in whole centuries are not recorded in the annals of all the law courts of the world, but which those who committed them did not at the time regard as being crimes.

What produced this extraordinary occurrence? What were its causes? The historians tell us with naive assurance that its causes were the wrongs inflicted on the natives of Axackal by the initial takeover by the Scarlet Empire, the non-observance of the UnAPS charter, the ambition of Kazansky, the firmness of Erik von Blätterschplitt, the mistakes of the diplomats, and so on.

Consequently, it would only have been necessary for the Knootian UnAPS ambassador Visser or the Scotican Secretary of diplomacy to have taken proper pains and written a more adroit note, or for Kazansky to have written to Erik von Blätterschplitt: "My respected Brother, I consent to let the people of Axackal find their own path and I trust you to help them find it"- and there would have been no war.

Endless diversity of points of view, present themselves to the men who made the decisions then; but to us, to posterity who view the thing that happened in all its magnitude and perceive its plain and terrible meaning, these causes seem insufficient. To us it is incomprehensible that millions of men in the Pacific killed and tortured each other either because Kazansky was ambitious or Erik von Blätterschplitt was firm, or the Axackali people wronged. We cannot grasp what connection such circumstances have with the actual fact of slaughter and violence: why because the Axackali people were wronged, millions of men from the other side of Haven killed and ruined the people of Allanea and were killed by them.

To us, who are not historians, the wish of this or that Allanean corporal to serve a second term appears as much a cause as Kazansky's refusal to demobilise his troops and to leave the former province alone; for had he not wished to serve, and had a second, a third, and a thousandth corporal and private also refused, there would have been so many less men in Kazansky's army and the war could not have occurred. Had Kazansky not taken offence at the demand that he should leave Axackal alone, and had he not ordered his troops to advance, there would have been no war; but had all his sergeants objected to serving a second term then also there could have been no war. Nor could there have been a war had there been no imperialist intrigues in the UnAPS headquarters and no Axackali viceroy, and had von Blätterschplitt not felt insulted, and had there not been a zealously patriotic government in Allanea, or a Revolution in Edölia with its subsequent dictatorship and Empire, or all the things that produced the earlier conflicts between these nations, and so on. Without each of these causes nothing could have happened. So all these causes- myriads of causes- coincided to bring it about. And so there was no one cause for that occurrence, but it had to occur because it had to. Millions of men, renouncing their human feelings and reason, had to go from west to east to slay their fellows.

The actions of Kazansky and von Blätterschplitt, on whose words the event seemed to hang, were as little voluntary as the actions of any soldier who was drawn into the campaign by lot or by conscription. This could not be otherwise, for in order that the will of Kazansky and von Blätterschplitt (on whom the event seemed to depend) should be carried out, the concurrence of innumerable circumstances was needed without any one of which the event could not have taken place. It was necessary that millions of men in whose hands lay the real power- the soldiers who fired on lines of advancing prisoners, or the ship captains who transported provisions and guns to the front- should consent to carry out the will of these weak individuals, and should have been induced to do so by an infinite number of diverse and complex causes.

We are forced to fall back on fatalism as an explanation of irrational events (that is to say, events the reasonableness of which we do not understand). The more we try to explain such events in history reasonably, the more unreasonable and incomprehensible do they become to us.

Each man lives for himself, using his freedom to attain his personal aims, and feels with his whole being that he can now do or abstain from doing this or that action; but as soon as he has done it, that action performed at a certain moment in time becomes irrevocable and belongs to history, in which it has not a free but a predestined significance.

There are two sides to the life of every man, his individual life, which is the more free the more abstract its interests, and his elemental hive life in which he inevitably obeys laws laid down for him.

Man lives consciously for himself, but is an unconscious instrument in the attainment of the historic, universal, aims of humanity. A deed done is irrevocable, and its result coinciding in time with the actions of millions of other men assumes an historic significance. The higher a man stands on the social ladder, the more people he is connected with and the more power he has over others, the more evident is the predestination and inevitability of his every action.

History, that is, the unconscious, general, hive life of mankind, uses every moment of the life of leaders as a tool for its own purposes.

The people of the west moved eastwards into Haven to slay their fellow men, and by the law of coincidence thousands of minute causes fitted in and co-ordinated to produce that movement and war: reproaches for use of nuclear weapons, the Axackali uprising, the movement of troops into –the Prophet- undertaken (as it seemed to Kazansky) only for the purpose of securing his southern border, the Allanean Presidents love and habit of war coinciding with his people's inclinations, allurement by the grandeur of the preparations, and the expenditure on those preparations and the need of obtaining advantages to compensate for that expenditure, the intoxicating popularity he received, the diplomatic negotiations which, at least from the UnAPS side, were carried on with a sincere desire to retain peace, but which only wounded the self-love of both sides.

When an apple has ripened and falls, why does it fall? Because of its attraction to the earth, because its stalk withers, because it is dried by the sun, because it grows heavier, because the wind shakes it, or because the boy standing below wants to eat it?

Nothing is the cause. All this is only the coincidence of conditions in which all vital organic and elemental events occur. And the botanist who finds that the apple falls because the cellular tissue decays and so forth is equally right with the child who stands under the tree and says the apple fell because he wanted to eat it and prayed for it. Equally right or wrong is he who says that Kazansky went to Deriksburg because he wanted to, and perished because Erik von Blätterschplitt desired his destruction. In historic events the so-called great men are labels giving names to events, and like labels they have but the smallest connection with the event itself.

Every act of theirs, which appears to them an act of their own will, is in an historical sense involuntary and is related to the whole course of history and predestined from eternity.

---

*April 9th being the date that the ‘Feline invades Allanea thead started

[I must say that that was the best peace of history I've ever read, even if it was based on fictional events. You should be a writer.]

((Nah. Leo Tolstoy should be a writer. I should be hung for being a damn lazy plagiatory cheat. I remembered this part from War and Peace and decided it could be adapted enough to fit my purposes. You'd be surprised what a bit of reworking, twisting, adding and substracting can do.
~Knoot))

OOC:

Tiborita: I don't smoke IRL (probably why the mistake was made). My post has been modified to fix it.

The Minister looked amused by the fiery diplomat from Feline as she answers

"We have no intention of joining any alliance or or signing any defense pacts anytime in the near future. The current ruling party, of which I am a member , campaigned against joining the UnAPS and UNAOTO in the first place. We firmly believe that we can make much more of a difference both at home and globally by acting ourselves, as we see fit."

As she sits, Scipio Nemaraan, the former First Republican, and the man responsible for bringing the Free Republic into the UnAPS stands and speaks to Feline's representative as well

"It was with great difficulty and only with the full support of the PREVIOUS Minister of Foreign Affairs, may he rest in peace, that the Free Republic signed on to the UnAPS. Here in the Free Republic, elections are held yearly, public sentiment is always our top concern, our perceived mistakes as legislators are fresh in the minds of the people when they vote. Woe to us should we not satisfy.

I mention this because currently public opinion is against the UnAPS in the Free Republic. It would be political suicide at this point to endorse the UnAPS. I personally feel that the UnAPS is still workable, if flawed, but convincing the people of this, is a different matter.

We are, after all, servants of the people, and responsible public officials in the Free Republic are very diligent in serving their masters."

Flash bulbs pop as the handsome 26 year old Nemaraan resumes his seat, looking satisfied. The Minister of Foreign Affairs simply watches him, and if looks could kill.................

"Thank you, First Republican, for your candor. It is much needed in situations like this. We all are, at the heart of it, servants of the people. Except for the Edolian representitive, that is. As for you, Minister, that was the kind of bureaucratic-sounding bulls*it I spoke of: 'We can make much more of a difference both at home and globally by acting ourselves, as we see fit.' Who gave you that line? Your party chairman?. If you please, I'll take my seat now."

She then noticed the president of TIS's smoke wafting over in her direction. She motioned to one of her aides, who brought out a gas mask before it reached her. "I hate bloody tobacco." she said in a normal voice, in no particular direction, for once, not trying to start anything.

The Minister Smiles sweetly at the ambassador from Feline

"Why yes, it did come from the party chairman,the Right Honourable Unrath Assad, the CURRENT First Republican......." she pauses to smile at Mr. Nemaraan

"and I said it because it is true. The Free Republic needs no alliance. Allanea and Fluffywuffy learned very well that Ilek-Vaad in Haven, is the 800lb gorilla at the dinner table, ignore us at your peril....."

President Newman put his cigar into the ashtray his aide brought along, stood up and addressed the floor.

"So if the Free Republic 'needs no alliance', as you put it, then what? A regional defensive pact, a non-written understanding, what then?"

...Political grand-standing by f*cked-up Minister with all sorts of political doublespeak provides humorous amusement. Refuses to allow re-entry into UnAPS. she finished entering into her PDA notes on the conference.

She noticed the president put away his cigar, and decided to keep the mask on until the smoke would have dissapated.

OOC: Could you tell us a bit about the internal politics of your country?

The Minister nodded to President Newman

"We simply want all of our neighbors in Haven to knowthat we will act with the best interests of our region in mind. We want to explain our policies and understand your policies so that we have as little conflict as possible and know where we have common ground and where we don't.

I want to make sure that our lines of communication are open and that we freely exchange ideas, information and policies concerning the region as a whole. That way in the future, there will be no confusion in resolving conflicts and misundersatndings, we don't need an alliance to understand and work with each other."

The Minister then sits, the elderly gentleman to her right, Prince Ilem, stands

"The First Republican wants to make sure that we all understand that we are all intertwined in Haven, members of the UnAPS or not. We are a community and it is better that we hash out our differences, understand each others point of view and do the best we can to not be at odds with each other.

There are enough external threats to our regions safety and security. There is absolutely no reason we should be at each others throats . We want to set a diplomatic precedent for meeting and discussing differences. Even if we disagree it is better to have it out in the open instead of brooding over it thousands of miles away."

Prince Ilem then returns to his seat, everyone looks shocked as he's well known for speaking for extended periods.

OOC:
political overview:

Ilek-Vaad is run by the 8 member Republican Council that is elected by direct , popular vote every year. The Council then elects a First Republican, normally the Chairman of the party with the majority.

Each seat of the Republican Council holds a Ministerial position in the government.

Currently 4 seats are held by the V.L.P. (Vaadist Loyalist Party,the Minister of Foreign Affairs party)
2 by the R.O.P. (Republican Order Party,Scipio Nemaraans party)
2 by the P.R.P. (Progressive Republican Party,Theleb Kanaans party)

It was an R.O.P./V.L.P. coalition that put the V.L.P. officially in power.

In international meetings (such as this) it is customary to invite party Chairmen to give a unified front to the 'foreigners' , the people of Ilerk-Vaad are extremely xenophobic and it is publicly very popular for politicians to show support their opponents in an international setting. Basicly it's good spin for all the parties to have the former First Republicans sit in.

OOC: That's good. Could you give a breakdown of policies?

IC: "I have another question, Minister. What would you consider these threats to be? Oh, and I have recieved word through one of my aides that your nation has provided some useful information to us. I just want to thank you for that as well."

As she sat down, she was heard to mutter, "Bloody foreign minister, us and theirs."

OOC: Also, I think everyone here knows what that information is, so... and a backstory note is that Anafai (our foreign minister) made her thank your minister... so...

" I think it's obvious that Allanea and the Ali'Staan accord are the most likely threats to Haven. Although, we consider any nation that attempts to use military force within Haven a threat." The Minister replies.

Command General Ring then interjects

"Tollan doesen't list the Ali'Stann accord as a threat, only an annoyance. The ass-backwardsness of Allanean military tactics is laughable, the level of technology of all the members has barely crawled out of the 1980's. The only threat we see is one specific member, The Ineffable Empire.

We are uncertain of the Ineffable Empires role in the Ali'Staan Accaord, other that they may be there to simply give Metus default control of the Accord, our shadows still have no solid information that the Ineffable Bob has even agreed to the Accord. We know his underlings have, but that's pretty much meaningless. We have no intelligence as to the Ineffable Empires Accord activities, on the whole they are............ineffable, and considering they are the only force that concerns us in the Accord, we'd like to know more.

Defeating the Accord is not an issue in Tollan. Their complete lack of tactics and inability to make a co-ordinated effort makes them more dangerous to themselves, than to us."

OOC: Tollan is Retaliatory Guard Command

Ilek-Vaad government policy in a nutshell:

For: Fair trade, stability, civil rights, democracy, business expansion, unions, International Mediation, open immigration, government oversight of big business, enviromental protection.

Against: imperialism, expansionism, free trade, religion, colonialism, expansionism, international engagement, economic exploitation, dictatorship, pollution, war, the UN,.

All three parties basically have this stance, but to different degrees, with the exception of the P.R.P. which is pro-UN and the V.L.P. which is pro-big stick (i.e. war)

Ironically while the people of Ilek-Vaad are alarmingly xenophobic, they regularly make the distinction between immigrants and foreign visitors and workers. Immigrants to Ilek-Vaad must join and train with the Velite Guard (peoples army) before they become citizens or take up permanent occupation in Ilek-Vaad, this means that all immigrants are as knowledgeable on laws and customs as any Velite Police oficer in the nation.

Anyone that has served in the Velite Guard are commonly heartily accepted into regular society.

The Minister then rose again

"Well, if there are no more questions, I would seuggest we finish up for today and resume again tomorrow.

Tomorrow we will move onto more detailed discussions of policy and regional matters."

With that the reporters and spectators begin to mave out along with the delegates and reprsentatives from Ilek-Vaad

OOC: I'll still answer questions, just moving it along IC

Otto had been silent since he had asked the first question, and simply watched the whole fiasco. He scowled at the Feline representative, noting her general rudeness and bad habit of cursing uncontrollably. Doesn't she know how dumb she looks? Seriously, you'd think that someone attending a diplomatic meeting would be just that--diplomatic. He felt rather sorry for the Republican, being hammered like a nail into a wall that didn't like holes in it. He stood at the last announcement, and made his own.

"I would just like to say one thing before he finish today. I have witnessed here the true anger by many Haven nations, and I find it unreasonable. Many here question Ilek-Vaad for its actions, which is of course understandable. However, I must say that I am appalled by the behavior that some delegates have represented here today.." At this statement he rested his eyes coldly on the Feline delegate. "I would simply suggest that we all come here on the morrow with clear, fair minds. This is a diplomatic meeting, to improve relations and answer questions that have not been answered. For those of you that may think it as a simple opportunity to take pot shots at Ilek-Vaad, I feel that you are gravely mistaken. Let us continue tomorrow in better spirits and attitude." He added a smile as he seated, trying to emphasize only polite dissent.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs let the Lietuvesk representative's statement be the closing one. There wasn't much she could add to it.

The Minister and representatives and delegates file out into the concourse to find it well stocked with photographers and reporters. There to greet them is the current First Republican, Unrath Assad. The tall bronze skinned man with his ankle length hair and dark piercing eyes, he moves forward to quickly greet the delegates and to then question the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the days events.

"All of the esteemed representatives from our fellow Haven nations are invited, if they so desire, to attend dinner at the Vaad's Gate . It is a splendid 5 start restaurant only a few blocks from here near the gates to the old palace of the House of Vaad, I have arranged for them to be prepared to receive as many of you as wish to attend. I hope you will join me." Despite the number of people talking and the size of the concourse , the First Republican's booming voice carries easily

His assistant moves to the side of the former First Republicans and politely informs them that they are not invited.........

Otto listened intently, blinking as the flashing cameras illuminated him and the others. He smiled, and said that he would definately be going along. He made his way over to the Knootian delegate, Tim de Boer, and inquired him. "I do believe you met our former Vice President a couple of years ago? My name is Otto Von Friedsburg, Lietuv Ambassador to the UnAPS. A pleasure to meet you," he said, extending his hand and smiling cordially.

Tim blushed, remembering the Lietuv Vice President all too well. "Yes... I remember Joseph...", his cheeks flushed even more. How STUPID of him. "...uh, Mr. van Arsden. Nice to meet you too.

He shook hands with the Lietuv.

President Newman climbed into his limo, followed by his aides. "I'd say that went well," Newman said as he put the burnt-down cigar into the limo's ashtray.

"We're we off to next, sir?" The aide asked.

"To dinner."

When the Lietuv representative glared at her, she held up a single finger befitting her style.

When he finished, she said:

"Don't pertend that that statement wasn't addressed at me. I'm not taking pot-shots at Ilek-Vaad, only the bureaucratic minister. In diplomacy, candor is needed above all. There's a reason 'bureaucratic' and 'idiotic' rhyme. Now, on my style, it has gotten me to be one of the top negotiators (OOC: Really, all the statesmen here should have met her at least once before IC.) in the Feline Foreign Ministry. Now, I admit, my style is not good for bilateral negotiations. But in trilateral or more negotiations, it works. I'll let your conventional mind, puzzle over why. Thank you."

She sat back down.

------------

"It's good to be back in your country, First Republican Assad. While we disagree with your choice to leave the UnAPS, we understand the reasons, and still consider your our ally. On your minister in there, no offence, just a suggestion, but she needs to be fired. I mean, really. Fired. It's up to you of course, but really, fire her. That's not official government policy, of course." she said, covering her tracks.

"I'll be at the Gate in a few minutes." she said, and plugged a communicator into her PDA. She transmitted her notes, thoughts, and a video recording to the Feline Foreign Ministry... hopefully she wouldn't get too much flak for it... media pressure makes them condemn/apologize for her all the time, but they keep her on because she works.

----------

She then used the bathroom, and began to walk down to Vaad's Gate. But, not before taking a picture of the minister. "That'll sure be fun to Photocat once I get back to the embassy. I've got my new desktop right here." she thought to herself.

The First Republican laughed as the Feline delegate suggested firing the Minister of Foreign Affairs "You should tell her bosses then, the People. I have no say over any of the Republican Council positions, they are all elected directly by the People. I think you may be misconstruing her attempts at politeness as politics. Mr. Ilek, our former representative to the UnAPS was constantly telling the Council about how he was villified in the UnAPS for speaking openly and frankly, so we decided that at this meeting we would refrain and try to remain as neutrally polite as possible."

**********

The Vaad's Gate restaurant is actually a converted 13th century palace. It once belonged to the minor noble house of Remijan. It's solid stone walls give way to an entirely wood paneled interior adorned with museum quality artifacts from Ilek-Vaad's history.

There are 12 seperate dining rooms, from the huge great hall to the smaller family rooms converted to comfortable dining rooms. Everything is absolutely top notch, from the suede leather furnishings to the ornate gilded woodwork on the inlaid tables, gold and silver light fixtures, and each room with a warm fireplace, giving the air of comfort and security in every room.

The delegates are lead to the East Tower room a comfortable circular dining room with it's own bar and just off the kitchen for excellent service. All of the wait staff are formally dressed and quick and efficent, and quite smug about it.

Aside from the full menu with it's decidely un-vegetarian bent there is a full wine list (the oldest wine listed is a Poitiers 1502), a full scotch list (at the top of that list is the single malt The Glen Livet, aged 36 years) and a full beer menu, mixed drinks are available and are prepared with flair by the bartender.

The restaurant is immediately pegged as uber-expensive by the fact that no prices are listed (if you have to ask, you can't afford it!) and the First Republican immediately surrenders his credit card to the Maitre'd telling him to "Take care of everyone here."

The accomodations are comfortable and elegant.

*BUMP*-back to business tomorrow

**Bump, back to business now that TIS has found the thread!**

"Well... if you say so." she said to the First Republican.

She walked down to the Vaad's Gate, and followed the party up.

She surveyed the menu... "Come on... they had a few vegan things here when I left..." she thought to herself.

"Excuse me, but are there any vegan items on the menu... I seem to recall a few the last time I was here. Are they still on the menu?"

Due to political events in Ilek-Vaad, President Newman is being moved to a secure location for his safety as a preemptive measure. The Island States wishes to apologise for leaving abruptly from talks, but we have security to keep in mind. Thank you.

The waiter looked annoyed by the question posed by Feline's Representative

"Vegan, miss? We do have a vegan menu, somewhere........ allow me to fetch it for you."

He then hurried off and returned several minutes later, handing her a much smaller vegan based menu.

OOC:

This : http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=154086&highlight=

Takes place the morning after the dinner, effectively interupting the conference...............