Esamopia
05-01-2004, 21:32
Duke A. Tredis, Esamopia's Foreign Minister, convened his diplomatic corps and listened patiently to their reports, mostly trivial, on bits of information they had collected while on official functions, diplomatic dinners, and galas in foreign capitals. After an hour or so, he cut off the last diplomat who had been discussing, in great detail for the last ten minutes, every hors-d'oeurve, main course, and drink served in the latest banquet in Greater Prussia's Capital.
"Gentlemen, I understand that you are anxious to report on your findings, but please submit anything that is not urgent in writing and I will be sure to read it. Now, I have brought you here today because I need you to float an idea I recently had and I wish for you to mention it to your counterparts whenever possible."
Now interested, the veteran diplomats gathered at Tredis' table listened attentively, not much excitement comes from Esamopia's diplomatic work, as it is has not been in any conflict in decades.
"I have viewed with displeasure the terrible warfare, resulting in millions of civilian deaths, the destruction of all kinds of civilian infrastructure, and even at times the use of biological, nuclear, or chemical weapons... War is necessary at times, I grant you that, but it should be fought between the combatants, with little other collateral damage. This is why I want you to float the idea of creating the Laandsarad, an organization that will structure and define the rules of combat, for everyone's benifit."
The diplomats were attentive, but they could not help but frown in disapproval at the idea, it seemed impossible. After a tense pause, a senior diplomat finally spoke:
"My duke, please forgive my pessimism, but this plan is destined to failure! War is chaos... we can sometimes create limitations, taboos against the use of atomics, or conventions on the treatment of prisoners, and we can even get widespread support from many nations... until a war begins that is, after that belligerents careless about what they signed and mobilize their populace for total war!"
"I understand that, Commander Seigry, and I also understand the chances for success... but all we need is to gain the support of many nations and benefits for memebership. After we have the support of dozens of nations, few would violate the rules for fear of massive retaliation or other sanctions. It is for this reason that I propose we make Laandsarad membership lucrative... we will open all markets and levy no tarrifs against fellow members, and in the end the union would develop based on economic as well as political gains."
Still unsure, many diplomats politely nodded out of respect, their body language suggested something else, however. They would do their best of course... The Duke's plans never fail... but then again he has never planned anything as grandiose as this.
"Gentlemen, I understand that you are anxious to report on your findings, but please submit anything that is not urgent in writing and I will be sure to read it. Now, I have brought you here today because I need you to float an idea I recently had and I wish for you to mention it to your counterparts whenever possible."
Now interested, the veteran diplomats gathered at Tredis' table listened attentively, not much excitement comes from Esamopia's diplomatic work, as it is has not been in any conflict in decades.
"I have viewed with displeasure the terrible warfare, resulting in millions of civilian deaths, the destruction of all kinds of civilian infrastructure, and even at times the use of biological, nuclear, or chemical weapons... War is necessary at times, I grant you that, but it should be fought between the combatants, with little other collateral damage. This is why I want you to float the idea of creating the Laandsarad, an organization that will structure and define the rules of combat, for everyone's benifit."
The diplomats were attentive, but they could not help but frown in disapproval at the idea, it seemed impossible. After a tense pause, a senior diplomat finally spoke:
"My duke, please forgive my pessimism, but this plan is destined to failure! War is chaos... we can sometimes create limitations, taboos against the use of atomics, or conventions on the treatment of prisoners, and we can even get widespread support from many nations... until a war begins that is, after that belligerents careless about what they signed and mobilize their populace for total war!"
"I understand that, Commander Seigry, and I also understand the chances for success... but all we need is to gain the support of many nations and benefits for memebership. After we have the support of dozens of nations, few would violate the rules for fear of massive retaliation or other sanctions. It is for this reason that I propose we make Laandsarad membership lucrative... we will open all markets and levy no tarrifs against fellow members, and in the end the union would develop based on economic as well as political gains."
Still unsure, many diplomats politely nodded out of respect, their body language suggested something else, however. They would do their best of course... The Duke's plans never fail... but then again he has never planned anything as grandiose as this.