NationStates Jolt Archive

A new part of the Law of the People of Multiland has been enacted within Multiland for the purposes of safety and security of Multiland. The new part is as follows:

It is illegal for any person, regardless of whether they are a diplomat or not, to declare any goods or documents as "diplomatic goods", diplomatic bags", "diplomatic documents", or anything similar. Any person attempting to declare any of these things will simply be told it is not acceptable. However, personal documents will not be searched without relevant permission. In addition, a person may declare goods/documents/other as "diplomatic goods" if they have written permission from the Leader.

This part of Multiland Law has been enacted to avoid dangerous goods being decalred as "diplomatic goods" or anything similar to avoid them being searched. This means that any goods brought into Multiland are liable to be searched, with or without consent, unless specific permission has been granted by the Leader for those goods to be declared diplomatic.

Department of Security

Following the news of the removal of diplomatic status of Cobdenian Diplomats in Multiland, Cobdenia has broken all diplomatic ties and removed it's diplomats from Multiland. In addition to this Multilandese Diplomats basd in Port Sir Richard have had their immunity removed; this has unfortunately led to their arrest for violating Cobdenian Immigration law: they were not carrying a Cobdenian Identity card, or special immigration card, and there Diplomatic Cards are no longer valid.

This violation carries the death penalty.

In response to this latest development, Multiland is about to engage in urgent talks with Cobdenia to avoid the deaths of Multilandese Citizens.

The outcome of such talks will be posted on here at relevant periods.

Multiland Leader

The Cuation goverment wishes to ask for speical permission to have its bags pass through unsearched due to the revolt and considering senstivie information is being passed to our diplomats. If such things are searched, it would be too easy for spies to send back information to the rebels that will harm the goverment

We urge Multiland to show understand at this present time

Javoman
Cuation's diplomat to Multiland

Cuation, the change in the Law of the People of Multiland specifically disallows personal documents to be searched without relevant permission. Therefore, if the owner of a document (or a person acting on behalf of the owner) does not specifically provide Multiland with permission to search personal documents, they will not be searched. We are not particulary interested in any documents anyway, and bags will only be searched in such a way as is necessary to check for concealed weapons and similar items.

Of course Multiland also cares about the security considerations of other countries, which is why the above new part of Multiland Law specifically states "However, personal documents will not be searched without relevant permission".

Cuation, the Multiland Leadership will also consider your request for bags from Cuation to be given special permission.

Multiland Leader

Sorry, we felt is important to clarify that such things would not be touched. As it is, we thank you for the time taken and await your descion regarding the bags

Javoman

The Rt. Hon. Dr John Snipe-Maddox has, in light of the possibilty of certain compromises and the willingness of the Multiland Government to engage in negotiations, ordered the release of the diplomats on bail and posponed their trial for such negotiations. The Cobdenian House of Advisors, and the Governor-General's Office, wish a speedy resolution to the crisis and the Cobdenian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, The Rt Hon. Rory Relp, MHA, is ready to be flown out to a neutral nation to negotiate the reinstatement of their diplomatic status in return for compromise in the Multilandese Government's stance with reference to diplomatic bags to one that shall hopefully not contravene the UN Resolution entiltled "Diplomatic Immunity"

The revocation of diplomatic immunity is the right of each host state, but the prosecution of guests for actions taken by the host state is unconscionable. Not only does it encourage conflict, it can easily lead to reluctance of other nations to form critical diplomatic ties with entities wherein such precedent exists. Deportation to the country of origin is a much more acceptable and equally effective tactic to remove unwanted representatives from one's borders. Holding foreign citizens hostage for the actions of their countrymen is a high injustice under any circumstance, barring the presence of a collective intelligence.

Yătzĭl Ämsi
First Lanalphin of the Socialist Republic of Xanthal

Cobdenia understands this, but however we do believe in "all or nothing" with regards to diplomatic immunity, and the resolution so named, as well as a reciprocity. If we feel that diplomatic immunity is incomplete, we will ensure that is non existant for those diplomats serving in Port Sir Richard,
Thus if we are forced into the position of "nothing" then we must hold diplomats accountable under Cobdenian law, and unfortunately they were in violation, if only by there mere existance.

However, Cobdenia recognises the problems and is most willing to negotiate, as long as such negotiation do not end up violating the Diplomatic Immunity resolution on either side.

Cobdenia, we are unsure whether you received the telegram we sent to you. However, we would like to clarifiy that we are not breaking the Diplomatic Immunity resolution, as it is our right to decide not to afford diplomaticic immunity if we do not think that it is a good idea to do so and it is also our right to prevent goods from being declared as diplomatic.

However, as we have stated, we will not search personal documents without relevant permission.

We respectfully request that, whilst awaiting trial, our diplomats are returned to Multiland. We propose to then continue negotiations until a satisfactory outcome has been reached. We assure that should our diplomats be required to appear in court at a set date in Cobdenia, they will be returned to Cobdenia for that purpose.

As a gesture of goodwill, Multiland has taken no action whatsoever against Cobdenian Diplomats within Multiland.

The Multiland Leadership would like to take this opportunity to thank Xanthal for their supportive statement.

Multiland Leader

If we feel that diplomatic immunity is incomplete, we will ensure that is non existant for those diplomats serving in Port Sir Richard.
Would it not be easier, less inflammatory, and more expedient to the purpose of ensuring the well-being of everyone involved to recall one's own ambassadors and expel those from the offending nation? Brinksmanship can do nothing but increase the potential for damage to both parties in a conflict. Would it be at all possible for the Socialist Republic to rectify the situation by providing safe passage for the representatives on both sides to their countries of origin, or is this dispute one of principle more than practicality? Either way, I wish both sides to understand my urge against rash action and willingness to help bring a peaceful and mutually-acceptable conclusion to the dispute at hand.

Yătzĭl Ämsi
First Lanalphin of the Socialist Republic of Xanthal

Cobdenia proposes a solution that would perfectly acceptable, I hope, to both sides, solve the problems of security and stay within the general scope and spirit of the Diplomatic Immunity laws.
Cobdenia will grant diplomatic immunity and a pardon for all crimes to the arrested diplomats, and they will be free to carry out their duty's in Cobdenia as they were before. In return, we hope that you will extend similar courtesies to Cobdenian Diplomats.

With reference to the Diplomatic Bags, the resolution does prohibit the searching of diplomatic bags therefore we cannot allow them to be search.
However, the resolution does not cover the use of using x-rays to examine bags, and we shall allow Multiland to make use of this facility, and if it is abused such as in the use of transporting weapons and explosives, and other goods that will cause a direct threat to your local populace, we would accept your declaration of our diplomats persona non grata. The same would be true with reference to the use of diplomatic bags whithin Cobdenia.

We hope this compromise satisfies the needs of security of both the citizens and diplomats in both our nations.

To the Xanthal Delegate:
But we're bigger than him. Plus, according to the Diplomatic Immunity Resolution, a diplomat declared persona non grata can not be tried for any crime commited whilest the diplomat had immunity, but can be tried for any crime commited when they have no immunity. It is hardly our fault that they broke Cobdenian law on the way to the aerodrome, is it?

To the Xanthal Delegate:
But we're bigger than him. Plus, according to the Diplomatic Immunity Resolution, a diplomat declared persona non grata can not be tried for any crime commited whilest the diplomat had immunity, but can be tried for any crime commited when they have no immunity. It is hardly our fault that they broke Cobdenian law on the way to the aerodrome, is it?
In that, it is apparent that Cobdenia is just as willing to bend the spirit of United Nations law to its own purposes as is Multiland. I will not accept the citation of UN law to justify reactionary behavior and misguided action in the name of security. If it were within my power, I would demand that Multiland's personnel be released. As it is, I can only say that Cobdenia's leadership is displaying exceptionally poor character and judgement on this matter by holding noncombatants hostage to further their own agenda in a non-military situation. I call for the immediate deportation and release of Multiland's diplomatic personnel, unharmed, to Multiland authorities. It is my opinion that further negotiations cannot be ligitimately held while Multiland's diplomatic leadership is under duress.

Yătzĭl Ämsi
First Lanalphin of the Socialist Republic of Xanthal

Cobdenia, we are aware that the resolution does prohibit the searching of diplomatic bags, however, there is nothing in the resolution that states we can not refuse to allow bags to be declared diplomatic. The simple act of being a diplomat (whilst NOT holding diplomatic immunity - the resolution allows for diplomatic immunity to be refused) does not make a particular bag a "diplomatic" bag and free from being searched. Multiland has chosen not to allow any bags to be declared "diplomatic" - this condition is NOT against the terms of the resolution. Therefore, we urge Cobdenia to return the Multilandese diplomats to Multiland immediately whilst awaiting trial for the crimes that they have been accused of.

Xanthal, Multiland has not made any demands so far as, in the interests of peace, we are attempting to resolve this crisis without further bad feeling. However, once again thank you for your support, it is greatly appreciated.

Multiland Leader

A diplomatic bag is not a bag that just happened to be owned by a diplomat; it is a special pounch, that must be sealed, in which specific diplomatic goods and documents may travel unhindered. And it is only in existance to prevent such goods from being search or having to pay customs duty. Seeing as your concerns for their use for the transport of illegal goods could only work with goods in diplomatic bags travelling from Cobdenia, and thus it would be the responsibilty of the Cobdenian security services at Port Sir Richard aerodrome to ensure that nothing that could compromise the security of the aeroplane. As diplomatic immunity, and the search inviolability of diplomatic bags, is only relevent in the host country a diplomatic bag could not be used to transport goods that are illegal in Cobdenia to an Embassy; however, it could be used to transport goods that are illegal in Multiland but not in Cobdenia from Cobdenia to the Cobdenian Embassy.

Further to this, the proposal does not say you cannot prevent diplomatic bags from reaching their destination; however, the Cobdenian Foreign and Regional Office insist that this right is used sparingly, and only when the transport of goods that will cause a direct threat to the local population is involved.

Cobdenia will not send the diplomats back to Multiland; they may remain in Cobdenia, and are out on bail; however, since their immunity is revoked, they have no more rights than illegal immigrants (which is what they now are in the eyes of the law). To do what you suggest would be outrageous; one does not send back illegal immigrants to the country they originate from and hope that the country will send them back, especially when the crime comes under the "right to refuse extradition" proposal.

In that, it is apparent that Cobdenia is just as willing to bend the spirit of United Nations law to its own purposes as is Multiland. I will not accept the citation of UN law to justify reactionary behavior and misguided action in the name of security. If it were within my power, I would demand that Multiland's personnel be released. As it is, I can only say that Cobdenia's leadership is displaying exceptionally poor character and judgement on this matter by holding noncombatants hostage to further their own agenda in a non-military situation. I call for the immediate deportation and release of Multiland's diplomatic personnel, unharmed, to Multiland authorities. It is my opinion that further negotiations cannot be ligitimately held while Multiland's diplomatic leadership is under duress.

Yătzĭl Ämsi
First Lanalphin of the Socialist Republic of Xanthal

They are released. On bail. However, we are not holding them hostage due to Multiland's descision; rather the descision of Multiland and our reciprocity has lead to them being no more than normal citizens; if we were to treat them differently without them holding diplomatic status would contravene Cobdenian law, and in order for them to be treated differently would require an act of the House of Advisors; however, the complexity of such an act would require a long sitting of parliament. We apologise for the situation, but can do nothing about it.

Furthermore, you fail to see the implications of Multiland's descision. No nation would be able to conduct it's business as it would not be able to ensure confidentiality of it's documents travelling to and from Multiland, as well as encoding machine's, confidential computer systems, scramblers, and the like.

Xanthal, Multiland has not made any demands so far as, in the interests of peace, we are attempting to resolve this crisis without further bad feeling. However, once again thank you for your support, it is greatly appreciated.

Multiland Leader
It is not a matter of supporting your case; it is a matter of opposing the actions of Cobdenia.

Yătzĭl Ämsi
First Lanalphin of the Socialist Republic of Xanthal


They are released. On bail. However, we are not holding them hostage due to Multiland's descision; rather the descision of Multiland and our reciprocity has lead to them being no more than normal citizens; if we were to treat them differently without them holding diplomatic status would contravene Cobdenian law, and in order for them to be treated differently would require an act of the House of Advisors; however, the complexity of such an act would require a long sitting of parliament. We apologise for the situation, but can do nothing about it.

Furthermore, you fail to see the implications of Multiland's descision. No nation would be able to conduct it's business as it would not be able to ensure confidentiality of it's documents travelling to and from Multiland, as well as encoding machine's, confidential computer systems, scramblers, and the like.
It was your reciprocity, your reactive action that led to the current situation. Your policy necessitates the criminalization of foreign diplomats for state actions beyond their control. That is unfair and unjust to both the individuals and the states from which they come. That you shirk responsibility is a disgrace to your office. The Republic sees very well the implication of Multiland's decision, but we recognise that the decision is, ultimately, that state's to make. It is your right to suspend diplomatic relations or expel diplomats in response, but threatening the diplomats that are tasked with maintaining peaceful relations in place of the legislators that made the offending decisions demonstrates a pronounced violence and lack of integrity on the part of Cobdenia's leadership.

Yătzĭl Ämsi
First Lanalphin of the Socialist Republic of Xanthal

Cobdenia, these appear to be your main concerns (they have only been numbered for clarity):

1. That if Multiland refuses to alow Cobdenian Diplomats "diplomaticy immunity" status and refuses to allow goods to be declared "diplomatic" and therefore avoid search, that sensitive documents will be searched

2. That if goods are brought into Multiland by a Cobdenian diplomat, then the diplomat will have to pay customs duty on those goods

3. That goods which need to be transported could cause problems if they are legal in Cobdenia but illegal in Multiland

I will try to address these concerns in view of a satisfactory outcome involving Multilandese diplomats being returned to Multiland:

1. As stated previously, personal documents will not be searched without appropriate permission, regardless of whether the holder of those documents holds any special status such as diplomatic immunity

2. Multiland has enacted the following law ("Diplomat Customs Law"):
NO diplomat will have to pay any customs duty or any other fees or finance on any goods brought into Multiland

3. Multiland has also enacted the following law ("Diplomat Normally-illegal Goods Law"):
If a diplomat, whilst in Multiland or Multiland's waters, holds goods that would normally be illegal in Multiland but not in the country in which they reside or work for, that diplomat shall NOT be punished in any way for carrying such goods, so long as they are not goods which are highly likely to threaten the security and safety of Multiland (such as bombs)

What these laws do is ensure that a person who holds diplomat status, regardless of whether they hold diplomatic immunity status, shall be able to enter Multiland and conduct their affairs without fear of being arrested for breaking the Law of the People of Multiland

You also suggest that the Multilandese diplomats who are currently being forced to remain in Cobdenia are now illegal immigrants due to the revocation of their diplomatic immunity status, which appears to be a response to the idea that Cobdenian diplomats in Multiland would be seen as illegal immigrants due to having no diplomatic immunity status - however, any person in Multiland who has been, and still is, recognised as being a diplomat, regardless of whether they do or do not hold diplomatic immunity status, is automatically granted the necessary right of passage through Multiland solely due to their diplomat status and therefore will not be seen as an illegal immigrant and so shall not be punished.

We would like to make it clear that we never revoked anyone's diplomat status, we only made a decision not to allow diplomatic immunity status, as a necessary measure for the security of the country, to prevent diplomats from other countries breaking Multiland Law and escaping punishment

Once again, diplomatic documents WILL be secure - they can not be searched without relevant permission. Therefore, if a diplomat arrives in Multiland and is searched for explosives and other items that are highly likely to threaten the security and safety of Multiland, their sensitive documents shall be left alone and will not be searched. The first-states law of this post, to be known as 'Status Law' has been amended as follows to make this clearer:

Status Law
It is illegal for any person, regardless of whether they are a diplomat or not, to declare any goods or documents as "diplomatic goods", diplomatic bags", "diplomatic documents", or anything similar. Any person attempting to declare any of these things will simply be told it is not acceptable. However, sensitive documents will NOT be searched without relevant permission. Documents CAN be declared sensitive with no hesitation or hindrance. In addition, a person may declare goods/documents/other as "diplomatic goods" if they have written permission from the Leader.

Multiland has also enacted the following law so that diplomats may enter areas which are usually restricted, without fear of breaking trespass laws:

Diplomat Trespass Law
It shall NOT be illegal for a diplomat to enter areas in Multiland which are usually subject to trespass law (with the exception of Private Accommodation which is not related to the Multiland Leadership (such as a private individual's house or flat) (and with the exception of accomodation which has been set up to help a specific disadvantaged group <such as a hostel>) Note: The Multiland Leadership is a form of democratic Government and is Multiland's equivlant of a Government.

These new measures aim to maintain Multiland's important aim of ensuring that diplomats can not recklessly break Multiland Law and escape punishment, whilst at the same aiming to:

make it easy for a diplomat of another country to enter Multiland without hindrance, without sensitive documents being searched, and without the arrest of the diplomat for bringing goods which would normally be considered illegal into the country;

make it easy for a diplomat of another country to travel throughout Multiland without hindrance, without sensitive documents being searched, and without arrest for trespass

prevent a diplomat of another country from being punished for carrying goods which would normally be illegal in Multiland.

We trust that these measures will satisfy Cobdenia and that, in light of the fact that we believe we have addressed all of Cobdenia's concerns, and that Cobdenian diplomats would be able to enter Multiland and travel throughout Multiland in a similar way to diplomats holding diplomatic immunity status in other countries would, safe in the knowledge that their sensitive documents would not be looked at and that they will able to travel freely and will not have to pay any customs or similar fees on their goods and will not be arrested under immigration law, we once again respectfully request that Cobdenia recognises the compromises made by Multiland and return the Multilandese diplomats to Multiland, as diplomats in Multiland now have similar protection (now clearly written in the Law of the People of Multiland) to diplomats holding diplomatic immunity status in other countries - the only difference being that diplomats in Multiland can not break small crimes and get away with it, except for those laws that it is necessary for them to break as part of their missions.

Multiland Leader

OOC: This post is based on the assumption that Pantocratoria had an ambassador in Multiland even though none was RPed as being placed there. If that assumption is not valid, then ignore this post.

IC:

As a result of the actions of the Multiland Government in banning the declaration of items in diplomatic bags as "diplomatic goods", enjoying the associated protections afforded to the contents of such bags, the Imperial Government has been forced to recommend to His Imperial Majesty that His Majesty's ambassador to Multiland be withdrawn, and not be reassigned until such time as the Multiland Government's ban on diplomatic bags be revoked.

Demetrios Raoul MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs

The laws instated by the Multilandese Government are acceptable to the Cobdenian Government, and we have reinstated full diplomatic immunity status to your diplomats. Thus, the charges brought against have been nullified, and due to the inconvience caused they have been compensated with 100 chocolate brownies and 15 78 speed records by the famous Cobdenian jazz singer Arnold "Sergei" FitzWilliam-Fortescu, and new gramophone on which to play them and some spare needles for the gramophone.

We would like to assure the Xanthal Government that an order came from neither His Excellency's Government, the Governor's Office, the Department for Home Affairs, or even the Cheif Constable of the Port Sir Richard Constabulary to arrest the Multilandese diplomats. Their taxi (as they were not permitted to use their own cars as their Diplomatic driving licenses and CD plates were no longer valid) taking them to the aerodrome was stopped by Constable Horace Virgil-Cicero of the Port Sir Richard Police on his own volition. It was then, during a routine identity card inspection, that Constable Virgil-Cicero noticed that the diplomats carried no valid cards, and arrested them.
To prevent such a situation occuring again, the Cobdenian House of Advisors are currently voting on a act that would prevent the full revocation of immunity before a diplomat leaves the country.
Constable Horace Virgil-Cicero is currently suspended pending an independent enquiry for his actions, and has also been apprehended and charged with the crime of "Being in possesion of names of far too many Latin poets whilest wearing the Governor's Uniform"

We would like to assure the Xanthal Government that an order came from neither His Excellency's Government, the Governor's Office, the Department for Home Affairs, or even the Cheif Constable of the Port Sir Richard Constabulary to arrest the Multilandese diplomats. Their taxi (as they were not permitted to use their own cars as their Diplomatic driving licenses and CD plates were no longer valid) taking them to the aerodrome was stopped by Constable Horace Virgil-Cicero of the Port Sir Richard Police on his own volition. It was then, during a routine identity card inspection, that Constable Virgil-Cicero noticed that the diplomats carried no valid cards, and arrested them.
To prevent such a situation occuring again, the Cobdenian House of Advisors are currently voting on a act that would prevent the full revocation of immunity before a diplomat leaves the country.
Constable Horace Virgil-Cicero is currently suspended pending an independent enquiry for his actions, and has also been apprehended and charged with the crime of "Being in possesion of names of far too many Latin poets whilest wearing the Governor's Uniform"
I appreciate the clarification, though I am still unsettled that the Cobdenian government would choose to take advantage of the situation to gain leverage in negotiations. However, I am grateful that they have taken prompt and prudent action to ensure that this situation is not created again. Likewise, I would advise the authorities of Multiland to provide a reasonable period of notice before implementing laws that affect foreign parties in the future in order that the likelihood of similar diplomatic incidents can be decreased. That said, I would like to extend my personal appreciation for the willingness of both parties to come to a peaceful conclusion.

Yătzĭl Ämsi
First Lanalphin of the Socialist Republic of Xanthal

[OOC: For some reason I couldn't find this thread again. Maybe it had been moved as it became international (as it wasn't international at first) or maybe my eyesight's going.]

Cobdenia, the Multiland Leadership is appareciative of your decision to restore diplomatic immunity status therefore preventing the possibility of our diplomats being imprisoned for a long time. However, as a safety measure, we have now recalled all of our diplomats from Cobdenia and they are due to arrive within the hour (we sent out transport for them).

The Leadership are currently discussing whether to discontinue relations with Cobdenia.

This is from the Multiland National News:

DIPLOMATS SAFE!

The diplomats who had been arrested in Cobdenia due to a dispute over diplomatic immunity laws have now had their diplomatic immunity status restored. Bob Haffolds, George Mikemike, Stephen "Butch" Wobblebiscuit, and Sarah Wellchildontdoitagain returned to Multiland yesterday under the watchful eyes of the Multiland Protection Service, who had been sent to retrieve them.

Many citizens had feared (and some suggested) war, but our peaceful Leader was keen to avert this. After lenghthy negotiations and the speedy introduction of new laws within Multiland (see page 12), the Cobdenian Government restored Diplomatic Immunity Status and Multiland recalled the diplomats. "I wanted to avert war, as whatever good comes out of it, innocent people are still likely to die", said the Leader. "I approached the situation diplomatically though of course I was extremely angry. Cobdenia could have simply expelled the diplomats. However, I'm glad they've allowed us to retrieve our diplomats now."

We asked the diplomats about their experience. They told us that they had been treated relatively well considering the circumstances and were fed each day, though, being vegan, they were not sure whether the food they were given was totally suitable, although they said it seemed to be. "I'm glad to get back and have some vegan burgers" said Butch. "We were all really worried for a while, but we knew the Leader would sort things out one way or another."
"We were filled with relief when told of our release", added George. "The Cobdenian Authorities were very calm and reassuring when they told us, but we were still a bit worried - it is a foreign country after all, with different ways of dealing with things. But once we saw the Multiland Ships, we knew we would be safe."
"It was amazing", continued Sarah. "There were MPS Soldiers hanging off the sides with really happy faces. As soon as I saw the flag on the side, I was ecstatic - I new they were here to help us. I was so glad to get back and see my family".

The MPS (Multiland Protection Service) refused to comment on any aspect of the crisis or the mission to save the diplomats, citing the usual "Security Reasons". Lokks like they're going to be as secretive as ever.

But it just goes to show you that even where war looks like a necessaity, it can be averted.