NationStates Jolt Archive

NENYA, SUNDAY - A conference held Sunday in Nenya at the Imperial Institute for Strategic Research and Debate, chaired by High Lord Commodore Ax-randiri Rihad, was the scene of political intrigue as the aforementioned High Lord (of Ma-tek) lashed out at Ilek-Vaadian military policies.

The policies in question are those of the so-called elite forces in the 'Retaliatory Guard' - the 'Panthers' and 'Jaguars'. These forces are protected under Vaadian Law from prosecution for war crimes or, presumably, excessive force. The debate in progress was over the 'Lethal weapons vs. Non-lethal weapons' issue; the High Lord Commodore cited Vaadian actions in the past as "barbarisms unworthy of any civilized state", going on to state categorically that those actions were, in themselves and in his opinion, the cornerstone for the reasoning behind non-lethal doctrine.

When pressed on the Vaadian comments, the High Lord remarked that "cold-blooded killers are not honourable and thus not real soldiers", adding that "any who believe themselves to be soldiers ought to act inside the scope of that honourable profession". The High Lord then pointed out successful campaigns - such as in Rukemia, and more recently in Dregruk - where otherwise difficult operations were vastly simplified by non-lethal doctrine. The High Lord also highlighted public response in Knootoss to the careful manner in which the Commonality moved to defend that state during the Shadow War, as compared to the brutal actions of Vaadian soldiers from the Panthers and the Jaguars.

Neither the Commonality Executive Council or Ilek-Vaad have issued an official statement regarding the comments as of yet.

~ Source: INN Solar MESH/website

Foe Hammer whole-heartedly supports Ma-tek and their position on this issue. If a soldier cannot fight with honour, a soldier should not fight at all. As Ilek-Vaad's neighbor to the north, we are happy to announce that we are strengthening defenses along the border to deter any hostile actions on the part of Ilek-Vaad. We grow exceedingly suspicious of the very hostile nature of Ilek-Vaad and their military forces.

A fleet of Gravships has been assigned to run regular border patrol runs, and two batallions of soldiers are being reassigned to border patrol to increase security. While Foe Hammer contemns the actions taken by Ilek-Vaad and it's military forces, we will not take immediate military action, as a military conflict will destroy much and solve little.

"The Commonality Executive Council agrees wholeheartedly with the recent statements of High Lord Commodore Ax-randiri Rihad. However, the High Lord has extended his apology to the Council regarding the rather pre-emptive nature of his comments. That apology has been unanimously accepted.

"Yet we also feel it necessary to ask the international community to apply some degree of - diplomatic - pressure upon the Vaadian government. Such blatant tarnishing of efforts to further Sentient Rights on a global and stellar scale are surely only harmed by such ridiculously outdated laws allowing the wholesale slaughter of civilians."

~ Empress the Supreme Commander Rialla ux-Rihad II, on behalf of the Commonality Executive Council

The laws and traditions of the Free Republic state categorically that war in and of itself is an atrocity. Killing a fellow sentient in the name of an international conflict is murder. It is the position of the Free Republic that we do not sugar coat war with such unworthy epithets of 'honour' . War is an atrocious and dishonourable undertaking.

In this light it is necessary at certain times to use force as appropriate to the circumstances. The Free Republic meets war and atrocity with war and atrocity. We care very little of what other nations think of our Retaliatory Guard's methods. Our forces deploy on average once a year to meet external threats, despite this we hve only been forced to fight one war in the last decade, the record of the Retaliatory Guard speaks for itself.

The only thing more atrocious than war, is pretending that it is an honourable undertaking.

We wil not dignofy the deployment of force by Foehammer with a response. Foehammer's forces present no threat and their inflammatory deployments are inconsequential. If the governments of Foehammer and the Commonality were indeed 'honourable', they would have discussed their concerns with us in a civilised forum.

Minister of Defence, Ilek-Vaad

"The Commonality insists that Ilek-Vaad retracts its slur on the honour of the Iluvauromeni People. Immediately.

"On more friendly matters, however, the Commonality notes that the armed forces are the responsibility of the state. There can be no denying this matter. It is also clear that the role of the military is a defensive one; therefore, there ought be no need for the provision for the allowance of war crimes merely to defend borders. Are you suggesting the law is in place to slaughter your own population?

"Or do you consider 'defence' to be the hostile invasion of other states? Perhaps the honourable Minister of Defence is confused; we will make allowances, I think, for that. The fact of the matter is a simple one: Ilek-Vaad disregards widely-accepted conventions with regards the conduct of its troops in a battle situation. The abhorrence of war is scarcely relevant; unless the honourable Minister is suggesting that the very disgusting nature of war allows one to enhance that atrocious nature? And that, rather than leading by example, Ilek-Vaad ought to ensure that it is no less atrocious than the worst-behaved soldiers?

"I must confess: I fail to see the logic in that."

~ High Lord Commodore Ax-randiri Rihad

The depth and breadth of your lack of understanding in this matter is too great to be addressed in a single message. The Free Republic and the Retaliatory Guard do not answer to the Commonality or to any other foreign power. It does not serve the interests of the People to explain such things to foreign powers. I will simply have to say that we disagree with your reasoning and your assessment of our reasonaing and leave it at that.

Honour is like monarchy, an archaic and outdated concept only used by backwards nations to justify otherwise unjustifiable actions. The Retaliatory Guard never fight for honour, they fight to protect the Republic, it is idiocy to become upset or to waste lives of men and women over a concept like 'honour'. If nations are insulted by statements against an outdated concept that is alien to the Free Republic, then I do apologise, but please remember that attempting to justify your actions and words with 'honour' is just as insulting to us.

This debate has no point. The Commonality has made it quite clear in to our emisaries in the past that it has no intention of dealing honestly with the Free Republic. The Commonality has expressed no interest in even opening relations with the Free Republic. I have no intention of wasting further time unless the Commonality shows exactly what this is really about and what it could possibly hope to gain. This entire tirade by the Commonality has been an exercise in deception and political spin , with no real goal or purpose.

William 'Hundredman' Issem, Minister of Defence, Ilek-Vaad

"Clearly it was ridiculous to expect civilized discussion from a state incapable of tempering its own barbarous impulses.

"We might state at length the weaknesses and idiocies of the most recent Vaadian statement, but see no reason to insult the intelligence of the international community by doing so, as the said weaknesses in rationale and logic are absolutely plain to see."

~ 3rd Ambassador Neurat

OOC: all these months later, and I still wonder what all this was about? Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

Bah. If High Lord Commodore Ax-randiri Rihad was a member of MY government, I would summarily burn his eyes out with a lit cigar. Just a thought.

--Saul Hudson, Emperor of Freudotopia

"That is not a particuarly enlightened viewpoint, Majesty, but I am certain that we all have, at one time or another, felt the desire to carry out an action which we might at some other time consider to be barbaric and despicable, at best."

~ High King Semir-randil I

[OOC: This was a little bit of diplomatic protest at a certain Ilek-Vaadian(?) abrupt departure from a certain conference. Nothing major.]

OOC: I was sure it was because your were a Knootian stooge! ;)

OOC: I was sure it was because your were a Knootian stooge! ;)

[OOC: *laughs!* Noooo. We just help finance their armed forces, is all. And operate a defensive naval base there. And trade heavily with them.]

To: High King Semir-randil I
From: Theleb Kanaan, First Republican, Ilek-Vaad
Re: Poor relations

Your Majesty,

I feel that perhaps it is in the best interests of both of our nations that I attempt to repair the relations between our two nations. I do feel that there have been misunderstandings between representatives of our two nations and that the reluctance to explain our positions to 'barbaric' outsiders has only led to a deepening of the mistrust and apprehension that we have about each other.

I am a great believer that through dialogue we can expose that perhaps we have far more in common than we at first realize. I sincerely hope that we can at least make an honest and open attempt at better understanding and relations.

The Right Honourable Theleb Kanaan

OOC: So, Knoot is YOUR stooge? Also rumours about my calling Ma-tekians 'pointy-eared gits' , is unsubstantiated!

IC:

{ICEL Diplomatic Corps Open Tightbeam Laser Communique No. #4311}

{TO: Theleb Kanaan, First Republican, Ilek-Vaad}
{FROM: HKtheHLC Semir-randil I}
{RE: Poor Relations}
{TIME: ERROR, TIMESTAMP MISSING}
{RELAY SAT FOR RETURN: MISAT-A-51-G}

{Communique commences (text only):-

Sir,

Iluvauromen and its Colonies and Protectorate are of one heart and mind on this matter. It is the will of the Iluvauromeni People that the Executive Council, represented in this instance by I, shall immediately seek measures to naturalize the unsteady relations between our Commonality and your state.

Formality aside, sir, it would be a great honour to visit Ilek-Vaad personally, to discuss methods by which closer ties might be sought. The Commonality is, as a show of good faith and friendship, prepared to offer Ilek-Vaad improved economic ties to facillitate this move forwards.

May our paths cross happily on many occasions to come,

~ Semir-randil I

-Communique terminates here}





[OOC: Not precisely, as, despite the publicity, ICEL rarely exerts any influence over outside forces. At least under the current administration at the current time.]

To: High King Semir-randil I
From: Theleb Kanaan, First Republican, Ilek-Vaad
Re: Visit to Ilek-Vaad

Your Majesty, I would be very pleased to receive you as a visitor to Great Lassic. Nothing would please me more than to put our unfortunate past behind us and forge ahead with new and better relations.

You may visit the Free Republic at your leisure. I will make certain that all is prepared to make your visit to the Free Republic both memorable and enjoyable. I look forward to hearing from you.

The Right Honourable Theleb Kanaan

To: High King Semir-randil I
From: Theleb Kanaan, First Republican, Ilek-Vaad
Re: Visit to Ilek-Vaad

Your Majesty, I would be very pleased to receive you as a visitor to Great Lassic. Nothing would please me more than to put our unfortunate past behind us and forge ahead with new and better relations.

You may visit the Free Republic at your leisure. I will make certain that all is prepared to make your visit to the Free Republic both memorable and enjoyable. I look forward to hearing from you.

The Right Honourable Theleb Kanaan

"I will make arrangements for such a visit as soon as is advisable and possible."

~ High King the High Lord Commodore Semir-randil I