NationStates Jolt Archive

The Senate sat in silence following President Todler’s address.

Todler smiled, thanked the assembly for listening to his remarks, and simply left the stage.

Slowly the sound of surprise – outrage – and even fear could be hear in the chamber.

“What does this mean?” said one ancient senator to another.

“I…just…don’t…know…there’s going to be a strong reaction – that’s for sure.”

Outside the chamber, the media were already broadcasting the story…

*A woman reporter stands in front of a TV camera, clipboard in hand speaking hastily, but confidently*

“And in a shocking move, President Todler used this rare address to the Senate to say that the Republic of Wolfish would no longer recognize the International Law of the Sea…”

*from the studio* “Samantha – can you tell our viewers what exactly that means?”

“Ted – at this point it’s a little hard to say for certain – but the President said in the speech that Wolfish is extending its claims of sovereignty well beyond the traditional 20 nautical mile limit – to 60 miles.”

*Wolfhair Island Naval Base*

Admiral Halsey checked the “big board” which was currently displaying a large scale map of Wolfish – surrounding the island nation, small lights blipped indicating the position of Wolfish naval vessels – and coastal defense forces.

“Re-direct Battle Group 18. We need better coverage around Camden.”

“Aye Admiral….BG-18, this is Wolfish Fleet Command. Come to course 0-4-5 and hold begin patrol pattern Gamma-Foxtrot at 80 nm due east Camden.”

The digital speaker rang out with the response, “Affirmative Fleet. BG-18 will be in position in 4 hours.”

The Admiral sighed. “I’m going to meet with Hanlan at the Department of Fisheries. Page me if anything happens.”

“Of course Admiral.”

As he left, around the world embassies and governments were receiving the official dispatch officially stating the Wolfish government’s new position – Wolfish Territorial waters extend to 60 nautical miles effective immediately.

"WHAT!" Screamed the president, "they cant do that! If we oppened trade routes near them then we would have to travel very far around them, and if our plans go as they should, we will be trading all over the world, and probably be sending shipping past that nation...60miles is...its incredible, its just not done, why, if there was an organisation who could stop this..."

"This does seem...rather out, does it not sir?" Said senator

"rather out!!! Just a bit! I hope that all those peace protester people complain about this and swamp their International waters with crappy little boats and stop their nation completely!"

OOC; not a declaration of war, that was a crap RP...from me i mean

"But will the Calormeshian Islands be affected by this." Queried Gaius Serpentius, the High Imperator of Dimmimar.

"Hardly, but the Uranium Trade currently with Kiakorkia would be severly disrupted. Costs would spiral, the extra ten litres of petrol we would have to supply for each boat would be astoundingly expensive." The aide replied.

"But couldn't we divert them through the straights of Gilagai-" Gaius made a pointing motion on the map. "Wouldn't that save a lot of time too?"

"Not if your excellency wishes to pay for an extra twenty litres per boat."

"But..." Gaius replied shortly.

"Look, as your aide, I would seriously advise you to consider protecting our shipping. I doubt the Wolfish forces would attack us, and if not, then we can feign ignorance."

"Surely not? I mean another outbreak of conflicts would be devastating! The economy-"

"-But the economy will take a considerable slump if we stop our Uranium exports."

Gaius sighed. "I suppose you are right. Leave me, I will decide on a considerable course of action."

"Thankyou, your excellency."

The barge was hooked to three massively powerful tugs...at five knots it had taken almost a week to reach the ocean shelf 50 nautical miles off the coast of Wolfish.

Once the GPS system "chirped" signaling correct positioning, the deck foreman ordered the drilling to begin.

It wouldn't take long for the test hole to determine that, as suspected, there were massive oil reserves under the ocean floor.

"And to think," thought the Captain, "Just last week this was no-man's land."

The Dominion does not recognize the preposterous claims of the Wolfish government.

The EOE Ambassador to Wolfish has been recalled in protest, and the EOE Embassy has been closed. EOE military patrols within 200 kilometers of Wolfish territories will be placed on alert until further notice. Any actions by Wolfish in support of this spurious claim which interfere with the free passage of EOE shipping will be considered an act of aggression against the Dominion.




Eternal Arch-Villain Psychopompos
Minister for Pre-Subjugation External Affairs

The Dominion does not recognize the preposterous claims of the Wolfish government.

The EOE Ambassador to Wolfish has been recalled in protest, and the EOE Embassy has been closed. EOE military patrols within 200 kilometers of Wolfish territories will be placed on alert until further notice. Any actions by Wolfish in support of this spurious claim which interfere with the free passage of EOE shipping will be considered an act of aggression against the Dominion.




Eternal Arch-Villain Psychopompos
Minister for Pre-Subjugation External Affairs

================================
ooc: so everyone is on the same page: here is the UN Resolution that Wolfish is ignoring.

http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi

UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTION #74
The Law of the Sea
A resolution to reduce barriers to free trade and commerce.

================================

Note to TEO on the recalling of Embassy staff

It is regret that we've noted the closing of your embassy, and the recall of your Ambassador.

It is our sincere hope that TEO will recognize the extraordinary relationship we've had for countless years, and acknowledge the rightful claim of these waters by Wolfish.

The UN's Law of the Sea (Resolution 74) is an outdated document that bound our ability to defend our nation. A 20 nm limit was perhaps once reasonable, but with today's high-tech weapons, this resolution forced us to allow our enemy to sail virtually within sight of our largest cities.

Furthermore, this claim has done nothing to hinder the trade or economic expansion of any nation. We have denied entry to no peaceful trade vessel, nor do we intend to impose such restriction. We are merely protecting our interests without causing harm to any nation.

Please reconsider your decision and return your Ambassador to his residence in Wolfish.

Warmest Regards,

James Todler,
President of Wolfish.

<OOC>
I wish you had said it was a UN resolution that you were defying. I interpreted your announcement to mean that Wolfish would henceforth be restricting travel within 100 klicks of your shores.</OOC>

The Dominion recognizes only the 12 nautical mile territorial limit which is generally agreed upon. The Dominion also recognizes a 200 kilometer economic sovereignity zone for each nation, where that nation's maritime economy rules are enforced (subject to infringement upon another nation's territorial waters). Mineral and ocean assets within this 200 Km economic zone are controlled by that nation.

Assuming that the Wolfish government does not propose to restrict normal free trade among non-belligerent nations, His Omniferocity's government apologizes for its hasty actions. A new Ambassador will be dispatched to Wolfish with a formal note within 24 hours.


Eternal Arch-Villain Psychopompos
Minister for Pre-Subjugation External Affairs

The government webmaster double checked that all the authorizing signatures were in order before he began coding the document into html for posting on the government’s website.

He clicked upload.

Five minutes later, the official Government of Wolfish website displayed the background document.


BACKGROUNDER: NATIONAL SECURITY: TERRITORIAL WATERS

http://www.freewebs.com/wolfish/W%20Map.gif

On December 1, President James Todler addressed the Wolfish Senate on the topic of national security and the limitations of the United Nations mandated 20 nautical mile limit, and 200 nautical exclusive economic zone.

His announcement and subsequent legislation (enacted immediately) has caused some confusion in the world community. This document will outline the new oceanic laws as approved by the Government of Wolfish.

Territorial Waters

This new legislation extends Wolfish territorial waters from 20 nm to 60 nm.

Territorial waters are the belt of sea adjacent to shores which nations respect as being under their immediate territorial jurisdiction, subject only to a right of inoffensive passage through them by vessels of all nations in times of peace.

Ships of all nationalities, by the simple fact of being in territorial waters, are subject to the jurisdiction of the territorial state.

Ships passing through territorial waters must conform to the special rules laid down by Wolfish, in the interest and for the security of navigation and for the police of the sea, including, but not limited to the transportation of dangerous goods, illegal or contraband substances or suspicion of same.

Warships, under the identifiable flag of their home nation, must request and be granted permission to pass through territorial waters. No fee or levy will be charged for this passage.

Exclusive Economic Zone

This new legislation also extends the Wolfish exclusive economic zone from 200 nm to 260 nm.

These waters are for the exclusive economic use of Wolfish – including, but not limited to mining of oil, mineral and gas deposits; fishing and aqua-agriculture; and, marine research.

In Times of War

During a declared time of war or open conflict, Wolfish may close its territorial waters to any potentially hostile foreign warship, or merchant vessel that poses a potential threat to the safety and security of Wolfish.

Further, Wolfish retains the right to re-direct shipping traffic within the 260nm exclusive economic zone in times of war in order to ensure the safety and security of Wolfish.

Contact

For more information on Wolfish Oceanic Law, please contact Wolfish Coastal Defense, at: 555-1212 ext 2000.

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