NationStates Jolt Archive


A Diplomatic Exchange

Skibereen
07-12-2005, 06:26
"The Incorporated Sarzonian Government thanks you for your expression of interest in the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two nations. We accept your proposal for establishing an embassy in Embassy Cove in Woodstock and would like to establish our own embassy in your capital.

To prevent the possibility of creating needless tension by our delegation not being completely aware of Skibereenian cultural imperatives, we would like to receive any information aimed toward our adherence to the Skibereenian honour code.

We hope this is the beginning of a strong future of relations between our nations!"

Armand read the return of the Sarzonian Senior VP on the matter of Diplomatic relations and was pleased.

Though he was aware that occasionally foreigners used the term 'Skib' to define a person who is behaving unpredictably and imagined that was real reason the question had been asked, he was happy to see the Sarzonian took the understanding of the culture with true seriousness unlike many nations who had reached such a state of ethnocitricity that cultural understanding extended only as far as reading a menu.

Armand himself had had little time to research Sarzonian culture in depth, he would have to consult someone at the university, or rather have the prescribed ambassador do so.
He bagan to hand write his response.
"We are pleased to be allowed the pleasure of maintaining an emabssy in your great nation. We are happy to use a surplus building or to hire domestic contractors, who meet your security standards to construct a new building for an embassy.

On the matter of the Skibereenian system of Honor,
It can be explained in the most simple terms of God, Family, Country, Race--not particualrly in that order.
On the matter of God, Skibereen is a an extremely rligious nation, though ostricized by the traditional Catholic church the Skibereenian Catholics taketheir fatih seriously, serious enough to fight over it, religious discussions are not recommended--where debate is concerned. Skibereen's religious fundamentalists have a reputation for being extremely open to other religious faiths, not in the matter of accepting doctrine, but rather accpeting those who are devoted to a higher power are like minded even if they believe the other is wrong, faith is their tie that binds. Again, please inform your personel to not correct on doctrine, curiosity is encouraged as Skibereenians love telling stories, we have a great oral tradition, just no debate.

On family, well it does of course include the obvious threat to persons family.
It also includes insult, support, and the suggestion that one may be of poor stock.
The men and women of Skibereen take bloodlines very seriously.
As well they take the Family as an institution very seriously, if any of your personel chosen for this job have families we reccomend you re-chose, if that is not an option we suggest they bring their family. A man or woman who leaves their family for an extended period not in direct defense of Familiy or country from immediate danger is considered vermin in Skibereen among the common people.
Divorce is frowned upon as well so if your personel have been divorced we suggest they do not disclose this in casual interactions.
Also oaths against the ancestry of person in Skibereen very rarely end with both parties remaining alive, or at least outside of hospital care.

NOTE Attached on Family, Bloodlines.
On the matter of Race, Skibereen is a highly Race diverse nation with large Irish, Norwegian, Spanish influence, with many other ethnic groups marbling the texture of such. An ambassador and his staff must be fully prepared for all manner of Race and Ethinicy in Skibereen. Racsim is rare in Skibereen and hardly tolerated, by even the most backwards of our citizens.

On Country,
Skibereenians are proud both of this nation and of the nations of thier individual heritage. Many physical altercations occur over adversarial relations carried from old countries. THese rarely end in fatalities, however one should be aware that in Skibereen physical violence less then Murder is not a crime when what is deemed fair and obvious forewarning has occured or when one has no reasonable expectation for assuming less then physical violence would occur.

It is on the matters of Pride and Humor where one can truly understand Skibereen.
Pride is considered a virtue, where two men may argue over the subject of pride both expect the other to at the least have it.

This too is often the case with Humor, for Skibereenians are quick to make anythign a joke, even an insult-knowing full well that a fight may insue. They often consider being punched in the mouth an appropriate finish to a good joke. It this mentality that one must consider in the concept of Honor and society in this country.

In short sir, Skibereenians place a unrealistically high value on living, and frightening low value on life."
SIGNED
Armand Esperanto, Miniter of Foreign Affairs
Acting President Thomas O'Donnelly

Armand finished the letter and placed in his breifcase. Many Skibereenians still used paper and pen for official communication as it seems to present that genuine effort is actually made.

In the Captial Building.
In the office of Preisdent O'Donnelly.

"Mando how goes the good fight?"

Armand cringed inwardly, he hated the familiar way which President O'Donnelly addressed him during business, not to mention the complete bastardization of his name.

"Fine Mr.President" Armand responded curtly.
He knew how much Tom O'Donelly hated being refered to as the President, the man was as loyal an officer to the former president as there ever had been. He would never accept being officially the President. The man still insisted on being called 'Acting President', even tens years afte the disappearance of Boru. Even after the collapse of the nation that took him. It was a cold shot for Armand to take, but damned if he would be called 'Mando'.

"Point taken Armand, Minister Esperanto. What do you have for me today?"

"A letter Mr. President to the VP of External Affairs of Sarzonia. Your signature would be proper with mine." Armand extended the letter.

President O'Donnelly read it.

"Indeed, few embassy here remained active after the break from Boru's loss. It would be nice to have some reopen, or new ones such as this. Dont you think you make the people sound a bit, class less?" He eyed Armand.

Armand was a man who had a more Spanish flavor to him and the Gaels while the loved the Spainards and called them many great things always had a sideays look for them.

"Not at all, I am being honest and unashamed."Armand sat cooly and allowed Thomas to consider the challenge.

Of course he had challenged first by suggesting Armand was insulting the nation, but then Armand's challenge was more direct, in an indirect way.

"Is this really the route you want this conversation to take?"The President looked across his desk. He was young man for president only in his fourties and still as fit as any man at that age, a career soldier holding his post until the rightful president returned, a faithful guard dog who was still more then a match for a man half his age.

"What way is that?" Armand was not as chronologically as old as Thomas, if only a few years younger but he knew he was in far less condition to go to the mat with this man. He blinked.

"That's what I thought. Now, I was only concerned because I dont want the Sardonians to feel they are dealing with a buch of back water hicks or rejects from every country in the world." Thomas looked through the man.

"Indeed, and I dont want one of there staff to get killed in a grocery store or a Pub for explaining to an OSP member the reasons they should be Atheists, or why this nation or that nation of old Europe or Africa is a backwater. So who should decide?
I get paid to make these decisions Mr President, please allow me that."

They sat in silence staring at each other for a moment.

"Your right Mando, I need to trust you." and with that President Thomas O'Donnelly signed the letter beneath that of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Armand Esperato.

At being called 'Mando' again Armand looked at Thomas "You really are an asshole you know that right?"

"Absolutely, thats why you love me."

With that the letter was off.