NationStates Jolt Archive

SCTD Headquarters, Seaburg, Hamptonshire


The mid-morning fog of winter hung over the lower levels of the city. High above the fog level, in between the drifting clouds, central bankers and finance ministers from six nations met to discuss the current Sarzonian recession. Each nation had first its own interest to contend with after that was secured Sarzonia could be saved. Director-General Margrethe Cirmos-Varcolik would chair the meeting and, hopefully, help find a way to bring this entire crisis to an end.


"It's not going to be easy," Finance Minister Luis Santiago said as he bit into a sandwich from the food table along the back wall, "but as long as we can all talk to each other, something will be accomplished."

"Luis," the quiet and stout Cirmos-Varcolik said in a motherly tone, "everyone is here to hear and be heard. If everyone gathered in this building thinks carefully and considerately, the Sarzonians will be saved."

"Probably not."

"Luis," her voiced sharpened, "we have to efficiently confront this matter. We can only do so with the full cooperation of all attendees."

He stood silently and continued to chew on his salt beef and horseradish sandwich.

As Cirmos-Varcolik smiled an aide walked into the room. "Sirs," he said, "the delegates are here."




[OOC: This is open only to participants of this (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=465198) RP and have announced their intention to participate. For the sake of the story, please start RPing as having your characters physically in the room and at the conference table. Let's get this going as quickly as possible. Thank you.]

[OOC: I will delete this post as soon as I get an answer back, but do you mind if I send a delegate to the meeting, despite the fact that I haven't announced him as wishing to come? It'd probably be my President, Kenix Kil, and a few bodyguards.]

It had been a long flight, the first to a foreign land and as Stephen McKay quietly rolled his fingers across the smooth tabletop he could not help but remember the dense fog banks that had obscured the view of the city as his aircraft had made its final approach. But now he sat above the fog, sitting across from colleagues and peers to discuss the fate of a nation that from McKay’s position only seemed to dig its hole deeper and deeper despite its best intentions.

Taking a sip from a glass of ice water, McKay quietly cleared his throat before addressing the conference. Ladies, gentlemen, I would like to start by thanking our most gracious hosts for setting up this meeting to help the Sarzonian people. On the behalf of His Majesty King George and the Prime Minister thank you for this invitation. Now I must beg all for your forgiveness if I cut right into the heart of the matter.

The United Kingdom is not opposed to an economic aid package for Sarzonia, however, we harbour significant fears over the ability of the current administration to adequately handle its economic affairs. Although we have seen recent progress of a sort, the unexpected move of tying the Sarzonian dollar to gold highlights just some of the concerns of His Majesty’s Government.

It is my firm belief that we must first establish a set of events and policies that Sarzonia must meet before we can entertain the notion of sending aid. Among them, I believe, we should include the commitment to the free-market, a repeal of the gold-standard, and perhaps as well legislation against the nationalization of industries.

The Federate walked down the hallway as his aids, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce followed him to the doors. He and his aids had just arrived a few minutes before at the meeting place. The hallways were lit by a series of lights similar to the ones in office buildings, as the weather seemed to particularly cloudy on the day.

As the Federate came to the end of the hallway, a set of two wooden doors appeared. One of the guards pulled out his hand and turned the golden knob and opened one of the doors for the Space Union party as they ushered themselves into the room. Inside they found themselves in a rather luxurious room, full with a backroom food stand and table. Windows dotted the room as light filtered into it, giving it enough light to not require all the lights to be on. In the center was the a Hamptonshire man. The Federate immediately saw the doors behind him close as he walked over to the man in the center,

"Hello, it is a pleasure to meet you Director-General Margrethe Cirmos-Varcolik. I would like to introduce myself, I'm Federate Satpul Singh of Space Union," said Satpul with a warm smile as he extended his hand to shake, "and these are my aids, Harman Sidhu and Puneetinder Kaur." Both of them bowed before him and shook hands with the man. They chatted for a while as the rest of the guests came in from all the participant countries. Most of them Satpul knew, like the delegates from Pacitalia, Isselmere, and Praetonia while a couple were first time meeters like the Azazians.

As the chatting came to an end, all the delegates and their aids went over to the table as they pulled out their wooden chairs and sat down at the large, rectangular table in the middle of the room. At the head of the table was Director-General Margrethe Cirmos-Varcolik who would watch and procide over the meeting. As the room went silenct except for the sound of ruffling of papers, the Federate waited as the Hamptonshire man would begin the meeting and start what would most likely be one of the most important meetings for the member states in recent history.

OOC: Yeah, not so great post, but meh. I'm tired (okay mostly lazy). :p

Sebastiano Sigurimasso (http://www.repubblica.it/2003/j/sezioni/politica/immigrazione3/calderoli/ansa_4251476_145427.jpg), the Pacitalian Agustinate of Finance, shivered as he entered the massive and towering ultramodern SCTD headquarters, experiencing the frigid climate of Hamptonshire magnified by the ultra-high elevation of Seaburg for the very first time in his life. He knew much of the strong friendship between the Democratic Capitalist Republic and Grand Duchy, but had never had the chance to visit in his lifetime - today changed that, and it was under the most dire of circumstances for the Sarzonian people that Sigurimasso was even here, in Seaburg, in the middle of winter, "freezing his tush off", as his wife would say. The appearance of the fog underneath and not slightly above him as normally it would show chilled him right to the bone as he walked through the dull mechanical whine and faint air vacuum of the revolving doors.

He walked into a cavernous lobby that was nearly the length of two football pitches and the width of one. At the near end of the lobby, leather chairs, ferns and glass tables with Pacitalian platinum lamps were arranged mathematically exact on neutral Persian rugs laid out to align with the narrow strips of grout between charcoal granite-slab floor tiles. Looking forward again, Sigurimasso was awestruck by the honey coloured sandstone walls that seemed to never end, complimented by low windows that let in gray light and gave the dark granite flooring an icy hue that seemed to radiate the exterior cold. Sigurimasso shivered again.

At the far end of the lobby, a younger woman of moderate height, moderate weight and auburn hair sat exactly in the middle of a reception desk, behind which on the flanks, two elevators plated with stainless steel and polished to absolute perfection, were recessed into the masonry. Above each elevator, a small video screen showed the current floor it was on in big white sans-serif numbering.

Sigurimasso's polished black leather shoes clapped on the granite, the noise reverberating gently along the sandstone and seeming to escape into the nothingness that was the ceiling above. Sigurimasso was determined to look straight ahead at this point, mystified by the fact that the ceiling appeared not to exist, yet somehow, there were one hundred and fifty-eight stories, and thus, millions and millions of tonnes of concrete, granite and glass over his head.

After a grueling hike down the immense and cavernous main lobby, Sigurimasso, his two senior staffers and their Hamptonian-supplied bodyguards arrived at the far end and stopped in front of the desk. The auburn-haired woman wore black-rimmed glasses and her white blouse and gray skirt were absolutely wrinkle free. Polished silver earrings dangled almost precariously from her ears while a similar looking pendant circumferated her blemish-free neck.

She typed, not too slow but not too fast, on a nearly silent keyboard, staring straight ahead at a flat-screen monitor. She had a very slight smile on her face as she performed her duties at a constant speed. After about twenty seconds she replaced her hands on the desk, pivoted to face forward and looked up with a polite smile across her face. "May I help you?"

Her voice, a clear, crisp alto, had traces of Søskendansk in it, but her English was flawless, as of course was the rest of her. Sigurimasso cleared his throat and began speaking with Pacitalian-accented English.

"I am Sebastiano Sigurimasso, the Agustinate of Finance for the Democratic Capitalist Republic of Pacitalia. Beside my two senior staffers, José André Reina and Tommaso Romanti. We are here for the conference that is being hosted by Margrethe Cirmos-Varcolik and Luis Santiago."

His deep voice echoed across the wide and long chamber and as soon as the noise ceased, the secretary replied. "Ah, yes, of course, sir." She looked at her monitor again, bringing up official photos of Sigurimasso, Reina and Romanti, and compared them to the real-life editions standing in front of her. "You are clear to proceed. The elevator on my right", she said, pointing to the elevator on Sigurimasso's left side, "has been activated and is descending to meet your party immediately. Thank you!" she finished sprightly and returned to the work on her computer.

Sigurimasso looked up at the screen above the left elevator and saw the screen's background had changed from red to black and a red down arrow had appeared beside the floor number, implying the elevator was now active. The elevator came down rather quickly, dropping 40 stories in just fifteen seconds. After just under a minute, the elevator's rumbling ceased, the wide polished doors parted, tapping against the end of the recessed wall slightly. Fittingly enough, the interior of a cavernous but well-lighted elevator appeared.

They entered the elevator and Sigurimasso turned half-circle to face the doors. They closed silently, the air that was in the way whooshing out in either direction. After two seconds, Sigurimasso wondered whether the elevator was going to start ascending, and he got his reply in the form of a harsh jolt that sent Sigurimasso slightly off-balance. He and his two senior staff grasped the steadying bars mounted at hand height along the elevator's walls and turned their heads at the sound of chuckling from the Hamptonian bodyguards. Sigurimasso shot them a look that both said "silence" and "this is my first time in Hamptonshire", and they quickly stopped laughing at the finance head's expense.

Suddenly, the cabin of the elevator became immensely illuminated as the car began its ascent up the side of the towering SCTD headquarters. The construction of the elevator car had given the impression they were still in the centre of the building when they entered the cabin, but to their surprise, they were suddenly afforded the best views of Seaburg, watching as they ascended rapidly over a city full of life and prosperity, the sun beginning to appear, reflecting vibrantly over an icy ocean and a mass of slate-coloured buildings. Minute flecks of sleety snow blew happily past the elevator car as it began to slow, reaching the top of the building.

Sigurimasso was thinking to himself how fortunate he was to be in such a beautiful city, when suddenly an electronic female voice sounded gently and reassuringly over the speaker system in the elevator.

"One hundred and fifty-sixth floor - conference, boardroom and executive offices level. Access to floors one hundred and fifty-seven and one hundred fifty-eight."

An electronic ding sounded and the doors opened. Grayish-gold light floated in from the windows, reflecting the light dust floating around the plantlife and illuminating off the ultramodern-style architecture. Recessed lighting cast a gentle glow from the ceiling and the floor and one wall served as a fountain, pure and cold water flowing, almost like an angel, gently down beryl and slate mosaic tiles and onto a glass bottom.

Yet more granite floor tiling awaited the Pacitalian delegation as they walked tentatively forward, down the moderate-length corridor and stopping as an SCTD aide approached.

"You are Mr Sigurimasso?" the man said. He had salt-and-pepper hair and a dour but respectful expression on his aging face.

"Yes," Sigurimasso replied.

"Excellent," the SCTD aide cut in, not waiting for anything else. There seemed to be no need for formalities today as he turned on a heel, his polished shoe lightly squeaking on the acrylic-coated granite floor. "Right this way," the aide said over his shoulder.

Sigurimasso and Reina exchanged tentative but impressed looks and the three men followed the man to another elevator. The aide inserted a security card and typed in a four-digit code on the keypad beside the elevator. Then he moved to a flat panel attached to a post to his right. He placed his right hand upon it, and Sigurimasso, Reina and Romanti watched as a faint blue light scanned the aide's hand. Circles appeared and expanded as the machine traced his fingerprints, and finally a message in green text read "Access granted / Adgang". The elevator doors swung open and that same ding sounded.

"Simply press the button that reads one-five-eight, and the elevator will take you up to the main boardroom where the conference is being held," the aide said. "When the door opens, proceed to the door at the end of the hall." He slightly smiled, turned on his heel once again and walked briskly away. The three men stepped inside and Sigurimasso pressed the corresponding button. The doors whined shut and the elevator, much slower than the first one, ascended slowly up the two floors to the top.

Sigurimasso, Reina and Romanti stepped out into a narrow but high-ceilinged hall with more recessed lighting. This time, the floor was carpeted, but alas, the carpet was granite-coloured. Sigurimasso snorted at the Hamptonians' ability to use architecture to make one feel colder than Antarctica, even on a warm day, and continued down to the end of the hall. He knocked three times as was customary, and opened the door, where he found the Azazian Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Space Unionist Federate, Secretary of State and Secretary of Commerce sitting along a large elliptical conference table. Luis Santiago, the finance minister for the Grand Duchy and now former ambassador to Pacitalia sat at one end, while Margrethe Cirmos-Varcolik was in the seat at the other end.

Margrethe looked up and smiled. Sebastiano smiled politely back, and at the rest, and apologised. "Sorry for arriving late. We took too long admiring the architecture and the view, and dying of cold." The assembled chuckled and Sigurimasso and his two aides took their seats.

Cirmos-Varcolik smiled at each person as they entered the conference room. It was a welcoming bit of warmth in the otherwise cold and sterile setting. It was going to be a long day and it needed to start off as smoothly as possible. Santiago sat quietly on the other side of the table. When Sigurimasso entered the room, Luis cracked a small smile. When he was the Ambassador to Pacitalia he had met the now Agustinate of Finance when Sigurimasso was but a "lowly" backbencher. Never know who will be the next up and comer, he thought to himself as the paunch Pacitalian took his seat.

"I'd like to welcome the delegations from Pacitalia, Space Union and Azazia." Cirmos-Varcolik paused to stand, her small 5'2" frame towered over by everyone else in the room, "On behalf of the Lord Protector and the Citizens of the Grand Duchy, I thank you all for coming."

Minister Santiago stood on the opposite side of the table and addressed the gathered, "We have many points to discuss. I agree with Chancellor McKay, before a single iota of further aid is given to Sarzonia, we must ensure that the Incorporated States adopt market liberalization policies. Otherwise, ladies and gentlemen, everything that we do here will be nothing more than putting our collective fingers in the dike. We have come up with some proposals but we would first like to hear what you have all come up with."

Margrethe took over, "Before anything else, though, I would like to ask my Pacitalian colleague to present to all assembled a joint Hampto-Pacitalian plan to put an end to the collapse of the Sarzonian dollar."

[OOC: My apologies, I was interrupted about four times as I was writing. If desired, I will delete this post.]

The Isselmere-Nielander Minister of Finance, Alexandra uí Nechtaen, observed the Pacitalian Agustinate of Finance's easy manner with bemusement. A wry smile wandered across her lips as she acknowledged her counterpart's greeting before her cold silver eyes returned to the figures arranged before her. From the Agustinate's casual familiarity with the head of the Royal Treasury and the Royal Central Bank, and the Azazian minister's stated desire to limit government involvement in industry to the bare minimum, to which Ms uí Nechtaen as an Anguistian who had benefited immensely from Crown corporations such as the Royal Shipyards was somewhat averse, she felt as if her presence at the Conference would only exacerbate the differences between the countries.

Beside her, Bertram Creighley-Muilsen, the Governor-General of the Union Bank of Isselmere-Nieland, toyed with his pen wishing that the chamber was a smoking environment and grumbling that he had forgotten his nicotine gum. Upon the Agustinate's arrival, the Governor-General grunted in reply and returned to his reverie of cigarettes and relieving himself of the dreadful debacle into which His Majesty's Government had thrust him.

"Ms Cirmos-Varcolik, my distinguished colleagues and fellow representatives, I apologise for my forthrightness, but I must ask Your Excellency whether I might be so bold as to learn the agenda for this Conference," began Ms uí Nechtaen. "Shall we start with the unfortunate decision to re-associate the Sarzonian dollar with the gold standard, for it presently appears that President Sarzo supports the separation and privatisation of the firm in question."

Minister Santiago waved his left hand and the talking points for the meeting appeared on screens on the table in front of each of the delegates. "As you can see, our first issue is the revaluation and 'gold standardization' of the Sarzonian dollar. Then," he paused to drink water, "I'd like to move onto suggestions for reform ideas to present to the Sarzonian Parliament before further aid can be released."

Santiago smiled in a signal for Sigurimasso to present the joint currency plan.

"Right," Sigurimasso said. He cleared his throat and inserted a flash memory stick into the USB port beside his monitor, and then reached into the centre of the table and grabbed the remote. His presentation immediately started on the large screen behind Santiago.

"Clearly, the Sarzonian dollar has not exactly had a career-defining week," Sigurimasso said, winking and causing the assembled to chuckle slightly once more. "Huge mistakes made by Sarzonian officials, the nationalisation of Portland Iron Works notwithstanding, have caused consumer and investor confidence to hit rock-bottom since that action was taken by President Sarzo on Wednesday. In just two days of open trading, the Sarzonian currency dropped nearly eighty percent of its financial durability and integrity and nearly fifteen thousand percent of its value. The Mandragora-Seaburg Global Investment Cooperative Group revoked its status as a hard currency on Thursday morning when the Mandragora forex market began listing the dollar at a lower trade rate than the minimum five-to-one-to-one ratio."

He paused to take a drink of water, then pressed a button on the remote and the slide advanced. "And by this morning, we have found the Sarzonian dollar to be trading at a troubling level not seen in a nation with a strong economy for years, almost reminiscent of Pacitalia's own recession in the late 1980s. The Mandragora forex market, which trades seven days a week, continued to show massive declines in the value of a quickly-bloating Sarzonian dollar. By this morning, the MFX exchange is listing the trade rate as 11.18 Sarzonian dollars for every douro and krone."

A collective intake of breath was faintly heard among the assembled.

"The rate has continued to fall, and I will be contacting my staff in Timiocato to find out the real rate at the end of the trading day, due in about four hours," Sigurimasso continued. "Professional analysts are predicting that the Sarzonian dollar will dip the farthest of any major or moderate-influence currency against another similar category currency in history, reaching a maximum of 17 or 18 dollars to the doura."

He paused again as the Space Unionist Federate's face went briefly pale, then, took a breath and swallowed some more water.

"Now," Sigurimasso said, grimacing as the water refreshed his throat, and wiping his mouth, "those who have dumped the majority of their Sarzonian currency reserves have really nothing to worry about - that includes everyone assembled here. We folded and bailed right when we should have and maintained most of our finances by selling early. Pacitalia, Hamptonshire and Praetonia have no Sarzonian currency reserves remaining in their treasuries. The United Kingdom, as far as I know, has none left as well. And I have been told the reserves in Space Union have relieved themselves of most of theirs. I am unsure, however, of how much my Isselmerian-Nielander counterparts have held onto at the behest of His Majesty."

Not waiting for a response, Sigurimasso continued. "Now, all of us, assembled here today, have what is called hard-currency status, according to the Mandragora-Seaburg cooperative. All of our countries, despite minor scuffles recently in Hamptonshire, the United Kingdom and Space Union which were solved admirably, are politically stable, with low inflation and consistent monetary and fiscal policies, and our currencies tend to appreciate against other currencies, called soft currencies, on a trade-weighted basis."

Sigurimasso advanced the slide.

"That said, that gives us a responsibility to control the Sarzonian dollar, now a soft currency, before its inflation causes irreversible damage to the Sarzonian economy and minor ripple effects in our economies despite our controls to produce contrary results. So, what the Central National Bank of Pacitalia and the Royal Central Bank of Hamptonshire, in collaboration with the Hamptonian Royal Treasury, are proposing, is to fix the Sarzonian dollar to a hard currency, or two hard currencies, instead of to a gold reserve which is insufficient to prop up the Sarzonian dollar in the way President Sarzo is hoping."

"Through very diligent analysis of numerous hard currencies, and the application of common sense, our two respective financial institutions have determined that a new gold standard should be set by fixing the Sarzonian dollar to both the Pacitalian douro and Hamptonian krone. Forecasting market trends is not exactly the easiest thing in the world, but we feel a rate of SZ$12.50 to 1 douro and 1 krone, to be in effect indefinitely, the best possible situation for all parties involved. A rate such as this will stop the Sarzonian dollar from sliding any further, but will prevent it from massive deflation - too quick a deflation, and the bubble will burst with the dollar heading farther out to sea than the first time. Stopping the dangerous inflation now will allow investors some of their confidence back, and then, the CNBP and RCBH will slowly up the rate by small increments as time, investment amounts and financial conditions permit."

"I should note that if the trading day does end with an exchange rate of anything higher than 16-to-one-to-one, we will certainly be readjusting our fix figure to meet that."

Sigurimasso pressed another button, and the presentation ended. He looked over the assembled. "Questions?"

Satpul watched the presenation by the Pacitalian Agustinate of Finance gave his presentation concerning the Sarzonian dollar. It was breath taking to see how the Sarzonian dollar had sliden into a mere shadow of its former self. Once one of the strong currencies of the world, it was equivalent to a Third-World nation's currency. As the presentation wore on, he heard some murmurs in the crowd from the other delegates along with some murmurs from his aids, but he didn't take part as he carefully listened to each statement Mr. Sigurimasso made.

Finally when the presentation was over and the lights were undimmed again, the Federate turned to his Secretary of Commerce, Puneetinder Kaur,

"That was quite interesting. Its sad to see that our friend's currency has plummetted to this degree," said Satpul as he shook his head in disbelief.

"Yes, it is quite unfortunate. But that is the way of economics and we can not influence that but to make sure that we can at least brace and make it better."

Satpul ended his chat with his Secretary before turning back to Sigurimasso who was taking questions. Satpul rose as he asked a question that had been plaguing him the entire time,

"I would like to ask a question, on part of the Space Union envoy. First, that was quite a presentation, Mr. Sigurimasso. But to the point now, exactly how long do your analyst foresee the Sarzonian dollar to be pegged on to both of your currencies? I understand that economics can be quite "fluid" and "unseeable" but what would your best guess be. We would be quite interested."

The Federate immediately took his seat back as he waited anxiously for the Pacitalian's response. If he was right, the pegging would last for quite a while, say the least.

"Sir, I am afraid it is all contingent on the speed of the Sarzonian economic recovery," Sigurimasso said. "Like I said, the Hampto-Pacitalian idea will provide for modifications to the fixed rate depending on the situation in Sarzonia. If the economic environment becomes more positive and growth begins, we will start enacting necessary measures to decrease the gap in currency value. If the adverse happens, we will consider increasing that gap. However, at this rate of inflation, it is a strong possibility that any sort of solution will never return the Sarzonian dollar to its former levels. Yes, the dollar's decline is slowing thanks to President Sarzo's statement early this morning, but it is still declining. It has not stopped yet, and that is why analysts are afraid of a close around 17 dollars to the douro."

McKay folded his hands together and without a noise cracked his knuckles. If I may table a question, Signore?

With a slight bow by Sigurimasso indicating that McKay had the floor, the Chancellor took a moment to smile at his peers. I have no doubt that the plan proposed by Signore Sigurimasso is the correct course of action to be taken by the Sarzonians and if I were in charge of Sarzonian financial policy I would surely enact similar measures. But my point of contention is that neither myself, nor anybody in this room is responsible for Sarzonian financial policies.

Undoubtedly most in this room are well aware of an ongoing, shall I say heated discussion, between the government I represent and that of Sarzonia. It is an argument that boils down to the issue of sovereignty over one’s domestic affairs and in this case I have to put forth before my esteemed peers, what right do we have to dictate to Sarzonia those policies that we deem of benefit to their economy?

I fear that any attempt to impugn the sovereignty of Sarzonia, even if done with the noblest of intentions, takes us off the high-road that we all took to arrive here. To resort to clichés, the road to hell is paved with the best of intentions, ladies and gentlemen, and I fear that to force policies upon Sarzonia is wholly counterproductive.

It is the opinion of the United Kingdom that Sarzonia must by her own graces pull herself from this mess and that the states here assembled shall be there to offer that final hand from the hole in terms of aid packages and alike. They must, however, extricate themselves from this mess by their own means.

I thank you for your time and I yield to questions or comments.

[OOC: My apologies. I type and think slowly - I wrote this with reference to Pacitalia's last entry.]

"Agustinate Sigurimasso, His Majesty's Government, His Majesty, and the Union Bank have released not one Sarzonian dollar from our collective possession, which is likely the sole reason why that currency has not been debased to the scandalous level your economists have foreseen," Minister uí Nechtaen replied, stilling the Governor-General next to her with a simple gesture.

She rose gracefully from her chair, schooling her features to display little, allowing the bluntness of her words to provoke her audience. She stood to the side of the screen to look upon her counterparts. Regrettably, she could not read them well. "It is true that Mr Creighley-Muilsen here suggested that we, like your countries, dispense with the falling dollar, allowing it to plummet along with the Sarzonian economy into the abyss. Whilst that might be acceptable to some," the Minister suggested, glancing briefly at the Azazian Chancellor of the Exchequer, Stephen McKay, "and though it is certainly advisable to concern oneself with one's own house first, it is a fell thing to permit such a large economy to be bled white, especially by states that have such strong links, both economic and diplomatic, with one another."

Having said her piece, uí-Nechtaen returned to her seat, to the hateful glare of her fellow Isselmere-Nielander delegate, Creighley-Muilsen. "It is particularly questionable to permit two nations most responsible for this retreat to decide the valuation of the impugned state."

"Simply put, Minister uí Nechtaen, the reason we have picked our own currencies is based on the fact that they are the most stable," Sigurimasso replied. "And, furthermore, our investors will most likely begin the process of buying low in order to get the Sarzonian economy back on track, but for now it was a necessary defence for our own economies that we sold off reserves of increasingly worthless money."

"At any rate, Minister," he continued, "my government was certainly surprised... albeit relieved, to find your economy and currency had sustained little damage after allowing yourself to hold on to reserves of the Sarzonian dollar when its value has been increasingly, abhorrently minute over a period of at least four days. Our only intent here, Minister, is to continue to throw out in the open... fiscally responsible... suggestions in order to aid Sarzonian economic recovery."

Reina interrupted, sensing the start of unnecessary hostility between the two finance ministers. "Minister uí Nechtaen, the reason we are here is to take the opinions of all that were invited into account. We would like to approve our own policy, but we are certainly open to suggestions from other nations, such as yours. That said, you can be sure our policy is thoroughly fiscally responsible and genuinely in the best interest of a solid growth platform for Sarzonia."

[OOC: Apologies for my lateness. I hope I havent missed too much.]

"Good afternoon, gentlemen," said the Chancellor of the Imperial Exchequer, Lord Florianus Tirutes, with an amicable smile to those present. "I trust I have no missed too much. I have read the Hampto-Pacitalian proposal on the plane." He took a seat at the table and opened his leahter-bound document folder.

"Now, firstly I must say that the proposals I have read are first rate. It is precisely what I would have proposed myself had you not do so, and ultimately it is the only way out. I doubt that Sarzonia has enough gold to support a strong international currency on the gold standard, and I doubt that as it is it will ever climb out of the hole it's dug itself into," he paused to take a sip of wtaer and clean his spectacles.

"The problem, I believe, is thus: The Sarzonians are a deeply patriotic people and their government seems current willing to take very rash decisions. Our task will be to persuade them to accept the deal, which I am not entirely convinced of our ability to do, despite its clear economic worth. I am sure that Sarzo will not wish to have his currency set to a foreign standard, especially one so low. In addition, the rapid fluctuation of the Sarzonian currency from free-floating to gold standard to a pegged fiat currency is unlikely to do them much good in the short term.

"Ultimately, I fear that this council may be ignored, although I agree that the Sarzonians are really in no state to ignore us. If they can be convinced, then this will certainly be the way forward, allowing for a stable market place in which foreign investment may rebuild the shattered Sarzonian corporate landscape." With that, His Grace sat back down and awaited the comments of the others among those assembled.

"As Chancellor McKay noted, to oblige the Sarzonian government to link its currency to your own would undermine Sarzonian sovereignty," uí Nechtaen answered. "And whilst I understand that the Hampto-Pacitalian plan is a proposal rather than an enforced solution, it is closing the paddock after one has allowed the horses to leave," she affirmed in even tones. "Or indeed, after one has driven them from it."

Governor-General Creighley-Muilsen rolled his eyes at the metaphor and huffed with annoyance. "The Isselmere-Nielander economy has suffered a downturn owing to its ..." he stalled as he sought a word other than misguided "...loyalty to the Sarzonian people, causing a modest loss of confidence in the Lethian pound, or lethse [OOC: IN£]." The Governor-General handed a set of reports to his aide to distribute to the ministers and heads. "Foreign investment in the lethse by Hamptonian, Pacitalian, and Praetonian agencies has facilitated establishing an exchange rate of approximately 3.47 lethses per Hamptonian kroner or Pacitalian douro, down from 1.38, but as the Sarzonian economy crumbles, so does ours." He glanced at his right hand, which had begun toying with his pen once again. "I would, however, have to concur with my minister that it would be no better for your economies, having relinquished their interest in that of Sarzonia, to fling yourselves back into the quagmire the Sarzonian government and industry have thrust themselves."

The Director-General sat patiently as the others spoken. She was glad that people were beginning to talk and explore multi-national solutions to this grave problem. Margrethe waited until Governor-General Creighley-Muilsen stopped speaking to make her point.

"I am deeply heartened to see that we are all beginning to freely exchange ideas. I am especially glad to know that the Praetonians support the Hampto-Pacitalian proposal to support the Sarzonian dollar."

She paused to stand, "Several of you have voiced concerns over the probability of Sarzonian acceptance of our proposed reforms and the damage possible to our economies incurred while trying to fight this recession. Let me say this, we must strongly come out and tell the Sarzonians that unless they may solid efforts toward reform, not a cent of further aid will be provided.

I propose that unless the Sarzonian government adopts market liberalization reforms, reforms to be decided upon here, that we all withhold aid. If Parliament passes the reforms and the Sarzonian business community as a whole embraces them then, and only then, will our collective trillions of dollars in assistance flow into the Incorporated States. The day of free aid is over, ladies and gentlemen."

She sat down and Minister Santiago took his turn to speak, "As for concerns over our economy and currency, we have taken them all into account. If we force the Sarzonians to accept our reforms, to desist from reactionary monetary policy and, most importantly, if all the nations here decide to honor the 12.5:1:1 ratio then this plan will succeed. There will be rough spots for all three directly involved nations, but with the assistance of all of you we can and will come out ahead."

As the Pacitalian Foreign Minister finished answering the Federate's questions and others, the Federate bent down underneath the table. He immediately pulled out his brown briefcase and unlocked it. He sorted through some papers as he found what he was looking for. He immediately scanned it as he nodded. He placed the paper back in its spot as he slid the briefcase once more underneath the chair before taking the spot again with a question,

"Pardon, me. I would like to make a comment on your plan. Although, I think your plan is quite a masterpiece and our economist agree that it would be the right decision to implent it, but forcing it upon the Sarzonia's in a blackmail method is not the right way to go," said the Federate as he got up to address the entire conference.

"We must have Sarzonia willing to take it, not blackmail them into doing that. If we did that, then please tell me, how are we not on the same level as an enemy?" questioned the Federate as he peered at his peers.

"I suggest we try to make them accept it through diplomatic means, not forcefully. That way neither side is in conflict, but I do not agree with preventing aid to go to them until they accept the plan. Space Union will not follow such an order that is like sentencing people to hardship," continued the Federate, "if we do so, we are no democracies than, my friends."

The Federate sat down as he waited for the audience's reactions. He didn't care if they agreed with him, but he was going to do what was morally right. This was not a game of politics, but a test of loyalty.

As if in a cue, the Secretary of Commerce got up as he stood to address the conference. He was a young man, of no more than 25 years old. Compared to the rest, we was an amateur but he had graduated from Advanced Institution with a Platinium Degree in Economics.

"Ladies and Gentleman, I wish to address something. I think we may be coming from, lets just say, "wrong" viewpoint of the matter. We should address the problem where it stems from and although this policy is quite well in intention, I believe that it should come later. I suggest we try to end this massive buy-off of Sarzonian dollars. To be honest, because of selling of Sarzonian dollars, investors have begun to get jittery and sell of their, causing a sort of catch 22 where this process can not be stopped," said the Secretary as he leaned over to take a sip of water in his glass. His throat was getting parched from the eyes of the others peering into him.

"I suggest we take moves to restore investors confidence into the Sarzonian dollar. Switching immediately from a free-market currency to a gold standard currency and then to a pegged currency is not going to help, since investors will be quite jittery from the fact that the governments continue to shift into different systems. We need to stick with what we have and build up investor confidence and then go to a new system."

The Secretary sat down next to the Federate who gave him a glance that suggested that the Federate approved of him, though, he couldn't tell if he was approving his policy or his ability to get up and challenge others at such a young age and not show fear.

"But, sir," Sigurimasso piped up, eyes piercing into the Space Union Secretary of Commerce. "There is a huge probability that the untimely comments of certain Sarzonian officials may cause further damage. This is the only realistic way to stop the bleeding before we can work on finding a permanent solution."

"Ah, yes, but the comments are from defense. If we were not to attack, they would have no reason to defend," replied the Secretary, "but to stop ones bleeding, one must go to the source of that bleeding not the areas that are affected by it."

"That is true," Sigurimasso replied easily. "But, honestly, everyone, yes, even you, Minister uí Nechtaen, would agree the Sarzonians' pride over a clearly struggling and languishing economic and political system has cost them the automatic assistance of many nations. Now, aid to Sarzonia is hinging on market liberalisation or political liberalisation, and it is the opinion of my government that the Sarzonian people are not willing to use cooler heads in order to accept the suggestions of their peers on either counts."

"That said, the increasing hostility of the government combined with the full-out hostility of a Sarzonian people who have chosen to blame any nation that makes sense to them, namely mine, is the main reason for the defeat of the Agustinate's bill on Saturday. Sarzonia, as a whole, clearly is sending a message to the Pacitalian people they neither need nor want our help. So what are we to do about it, ladies and gentlemen? It appears any Pacitalian or joint Pacitalian solutions to the problems are shot down because they are perceived threats to not only Sarzonian sovereignty but to their strong belief in superiority over the Pacitalian state."

"It was not me who spoke then, sir, but Federate Singh," uí Nechtaen responded. "Besides, Agustinate Sigurimasso, your opinion of what 'political liberalisation' consists is quintessentially the same as political submission." Her eyes locked on to those of her counterpart. There was neither fury nor scorn in her gaze, but her voice hinted at disapproval. "Your central bank, Agustinate, participated pre-eminently in a run on the Sarzonian dollar, leaving us poor fools to salvage what we could. Your firms, sir, salve their consciences with plasters upon the hurts you have caused, as if the deep gashes you have inflicted upon the Sarzonian economy, nay, upon Sarzonians, can be healed with simple bottles of water."

A ministerial aide handed her pages printed from the electronic editions of several morning papers from Azazia, Hamptonshire, Pacitalia, and Praetonia. "Were it not for the dire concerns facing our allies, I would find it terrible amusing how many column-centimetres these journalists are expending on the burning of Pacitalian flags by Sarzonian protesters, as well as on the kind acts of Pacitalian firms. It almost warms the cockles of one's heart."

Creighley-Muilsen snorted beside her, not in amusement but impatience. "As Governor-General of the Union Bank, I have suggested to His Majesty's Government to prompt the Royal Shipyards to reacquire the Nicksia[?] Shipyards for the production of escort vessels, merely as a stop-gap measure, of course. Furthermore, as the latest vessels being produced by that Crown corporation will require a great deal of titanium, we have decided to purchase it from Sarzonian mining firms. Both measures will reduce the burden upon the Sarzonian government, particularly as the Royal Shipyards have recently received a large order they wish to complete forthwith."

He continued. "It is not as though the Union Bank is entirely averse to linking the Sarzonian dollar to other currencies, merely that any attempt to link the dollar to the Hamptonian kroner and Pacitalian douro will simply exacerbate attitudes towards your respective countries," nodded Creighley-Muilsen towards Minister Santiago and Agustinate Sigurimasso. "Perhaps my country can suggest to the Sarzonian executive and Parliament the possibility of temporarily linking, on a floating scale, their currency with ours. After all, I am sure we are all aware of how long it takes for an Act of Parliament to become a working reality." He paused briefly to sip his coffee.

"Since this gold standard statute has passed only recently, it might be possible to introduce countermeasures through regulations or other secondary legislation. Of course, it depends on our ability to persuade, not force, the Sarzonian government, and mine, to accept my Bank's recommendation."

[ OOC: Yes, that was in response to Federate Singh's comment, but I RPed as though he speaks, then turns to your character and says "Yes, even you, Minister" and then turns back to the Federate. ]

"Let us be absolutely clear on one thing," Sigurimasso replied icily. "Despite anything the honourable Minister uí Nechtaen proposes, the fact remains that the Sarzonian dollar is doomed to be at most, a severely weakened fiat currency, for at least the next couple of years. Realistically, there is absolutely no way the Sarzonian dollar will recover even if the Sarzonian economy does. Investors are no longer confident in the Sarzonian currency's stability."

He stopped and took a sip of water, then raised his voice slightly. "But to place direct blame on my government for the near-death experiences of the Sarzonian economy, and on the Lord Protector's, is simply unacceptable. If defending our own economic interests from the blatant follies of your two governments in respect to economic strategy is against your moral status, then God forbid we might have finally offended somebody in the world. As Mr Creighley-Muilsen pointed out, the only reason your economy has been saved from similarly damaging effects is our investors' confidence in your economic abilities. Have we been misguided there as well?"

"Regardless, my government has heard more than enough insults per capita from the Sarzonian people to justify pulling right out and letting the Sarzonian economy wither and die. Be reasonable, Minister. If we really were seeking the downfall of the Sarzonian economy, would Prime Minister Sorantanali have sent me here, to Seaburg, to find a solution to fix the problem?"

Once again, he paused, savouring the taken-aback gaze of his Isselmerian-Nielander ministerial counterpart. "Let us not forget there have been sound fiscal solutions proposed, and promptly ignored for baseless defences such as concerns over sovereignty. Let us not forget we are all here to cooperate and help the Sarzonians recover. But let us not forget that as the Sarzonian people continue to protest against Pacitalian aid, the Pacitalian government continues to reconsider its options in the Incorporated States."

"It is practically impossible to blame any of this crisis on the Pacitalian government. We try to help and we are refused by the Sarzonian people. We send supplies of fresh water as a 'just-in-case' scenario, and we are criticised by certain Isselmerian-Nielander officials," he said, shooting another icy look at the Minister of Finance. "We come up with a fiscally sound solution to Sarzonia's dwindling and worthless currency, and it is shot down by the Sarzonian government and we are directly referred to as terrorists."

He paused for a couple of seconds, laughing inwardly at the awkward tension his little scuffle with the Isselmerian-Nielander minister of finance. "And as for the record," he continued, his voice booming slightly in the deathly-silent conference room. "Political liberalisation, from the Pacitalian point of view, means exactly what any sensibly-minded person would expect. Now is as good of a time as any, to, depending on how you want to word it, entice... the Sarzonian government into adopting political liberalisation reforms, paramount among them the ability to elect their head of state. Such reforms would go hand in hand with economic liberalisation."

Sebastiano Sigurimasso looked back across at the Isselmerian-Nielander minister of finance, with icy shards of venom firing like bullets from his cold, gray eyes. He waited, collecting his breath, for uí Nechtaen to respond.

Having watched with intense fascination the entire exchange between Sigurimasso and uí Nechtaen, McKay picked up his glass of ice water and felt the cool droplets of condensation on the outside of the glass. Quickly switching hands, he used the water on his hands to wipe his brow before cracking a smile that drowned in a slow sip of the water, its ice clinking softly against the glass. So softly that it tore into the silence as Sigurimasso finished his response to uí Nechtaen.

If I may, I think that both parties have raised some interesting, and certainly controversial, points. As the representative of His Majesty’s Government I can say quite assuredly that, in a strictly theoretical sense, the Hamptonian-Pacitalian recovery plan is indeed sound. However, on the other hand how can we justify thrusting such conditions upon the Sarzonians when to do so is tantamount to blackmail.

The current fiduciary policy of the Sarzo Administration has ensured that for the foreseeable short- and medium-term future the Sarzonian dollar will remain comparatively weak, unstable, and highly susceptible to the stability of any currency to which it may be linked. The rather, McKay paused in an attempt to find an appropriate word, ah, reactionary policies of linking the Sarzonian dollar to gold was passed in haste and I believe any investor, be them private, corporate, or governmental, would be well advised to invest only with caution in Sarzonian markets as we have now seen that the current administration is quite willing to put in place detrimental policies without clear and conscious thought as to their ramifications. McKay raised his glass to his lips and smiled, taking a short sip before continuing, his eyes rather warmly searching the room as he hoped to assuage the flaring tempers and return the meeting to some level of harmony.

it is thus imperative that we seek a common ground with the Sarzonian government over how best to push them, however slowly, into accepting the economic and political reforms necessary before we, as the financial leaders of our respective nations, can report to our waiting constituents that it is once more safe to invest in Sarzonia.

Heretofore there have been unjustified statements issued by certain individuals that do not fairly represent any of the interested parties present; and while what has been said cannot be unstated we should best be moving forward, after all, while we speak in the abstract here there are in fact average Sarzonians suffering on the streets of Portland and other such cities hard hit by this crisis.

Now, if I may, I again propose that we examine what specific actions would warrant the release of financial aid to the Sarzonian government given the desire of all nations to see Sarzonia as an economically free nation. An economically healthy nation. Now, my esteemed colleague from Pacitalia has brought up something that, as the conference may all well be aware of, has been a point of contention for Lord Salisbury for some time – that of a democracy that cannot elect its head of state and government and its commander-in-chief.

To qualify, the United Kingdom is not opposed to a head of state not duly elected by the people, His Majesty King George I was not elected by the people, but he also does not head the government. The government is, instead, voted into office by the people of the United Kingdom and that party which receives the most votes is asked to form a government with its choice of prime minister. We would have no opposition to the Incorporated States retaining an unelected head of state, owing to the primacy of President Sarzo, McKay paused, realizing fully that he had slipped up. Despite his best efforts his pronunciation of the word president had been strained more than he had wished and so revealed his own personal contempt for the position and the person. Availing himself of the gaffe he took some water and decided to allow his error work to his advantage. The time had come for the international community to face the cold, hard facts.

However, the United Kingdom, cannot in good conscious provide aid to a government – although I should note our efforts to aid the people will continue – we cannot in good conscious provide aid to a government that declares itself democratic but then removes the right of the people to elect its chief executive. In fact, McKay queried to the public, if I am not mistaken – though I may be as I confess my marks were not the highest in world history – the first president of the United States, the former home of President Sarzo, elected its own president. A George Washington I believe. And he in fact did have to run for re-election and did in fact retire from politics after two terms, establishing a precedent that is marked in the Sarzonian constitution, the very first article I believe. He smiled, knowing full well that his faux-ignorance was well known by his colleagues to be but a farce, a polite farce, but a farce nonetheless.

It seems quite evident, then, that the Sarzonian administration has willingly stepped away from the primary tenets of responsibility, transparency, and perhaps even political honesty that define democracy. The United Kingdom would therefore like to officially propose to the conference that one of the key steps the Sarzonian government should take to liberalise its economy, and the associated political systems, is that the head of the Sarzonian government should stand to be elected in accordance to the time schedule provided by the Sarzonian constitution: a timeframe of every six years, if I am not mistaken. Of course I should say that this conference has not the right to impose such a condition upon the Sarzonian government as that would violate Sarzonian sovereignty – a concern to which the government I represent is acutely aware. But I would like to advise this conference to give serious consideration to, he paused trying to wrack his brain for the word that uí Nechtaen had used. Ah, to persuading the Sarzonian government to accept such political changes that would render Sarzonia a true democratic state, democracy being one of the most important building blocks to resurrecting a shattered economy.

McKay nodded politely to the silent audience before taking a final drink from his glass, one that emptied it of water. He waved over a staffer to fetch another glass while he took his seat, smiling on the inside while his face betrayed no sense of the smug satisfaction he had felt. For some time the government of the UK had come to see the Sarzonian government as undemocratic – its chief executive went unelected, its head of government went unelected, and its commander-in-chief went unelected. All in one personage: Mike Sarzo. That the Incorporated States paraded around the concept of democracy, McKay found laughable at best for there was a nation that constitutionally enshrined the role of Mike Sarzo as a dictator. A person who could rule the country without fear of prosecution, without fear of answering to his constituents, and who controlled the armed forces. And yet the world blithely continued to hail Sarzonia as a defender of democracy and as an example for all nations to follow. And after private conversations with Tetley the two of them had agreed in secret that the world would have to recognise these unassailable facts sooner rather than later.

And finally Mckay smiled, for Sigurimasso had unknowingly opened Pandora’s Box and out had sprung the United Kingdom and Stephen McKay. McKay could only wait for the furor as one of his own staffers left the room in order to make contact with his government to relay the “latest developments and opinions of the Chancellor.” Within minutes of the secure conversation with the Citadel, McKay’s statements and criticism would be released to the international media in Imperium by an “anonymous source” from within the Citadel who had access to the Seaburg Conference.

[OOC: Pacitalia, you ought not infer actions for my characters - "taken-aback gaze", etc. - that are not in keeping with their natures, their purposes, or their previous behaviour. As for the starting comment in my previous post, my error.]

When Chancellor McKay regained his seat, the Governor-General of the Union Bank closed his briefcase, bowed to each of the parties attending the Conference and departed from the room.

Sigurimasso's vitriolic response amused uí Nechtaen, although both he and the Azazian Chancellor, McKay, brought forward a subject she felt certain the Sarzonian government would not adopt: the removal of Mike Sarzo as president-for-life. Admittedly, she was not comfortable with the idea of an unelected president, either, but as the plenipotentiary of His Majesty's Government, she had to follow the directives of the Prime Minister.

"Then I am afraid we are at an impasse," she announced, with a faint polite smile crossing her face. "I doubt my government would agree to such a measure without the consent of Sarzonia's legitimate head of state. The Governor-General and I shall be at the Isselmere-Nielander consulate here in Seaburg should you understand that what you require is unconstitutional by Sarzonian law and unethical by an ally, no matter what one's political viewpoint might be. You have changed the focus of this Conference from one of political recovery to one of inciting revolution. All for a few burnt flags and protesters. I bid you good day."

With that, she collected her things, her aides, and left.

The very first thing uí Nechtaen did upon arriving at the consulate in Seaburg was to contact the prime minister and inform him of the events at the Conference.

"It's going very poorly, Geoff," she admitted. "The Pacitalian Agustinate, Sigurimasso, is trying to press through a number of changes in Sarzonia's domestic policy, aided and abetted by the Azazian Chancellor of the Exchequer, McKay." She recounted to Middleton about Sigurimasso's intentions to broaden free market economics within Sarzonia, to force the Sarzonian government to accept direction from Hamptonian and Pacitalian finance ministers and economists. "And," she advanced with some unease, "Sigurimasso openly tabled the possibility of removing Sarzo as head of state."

She could almost hear Middleton tense upon hearing that particular Pacitalian move.

"And the others?" the Prime Minister finally asked. Both knew the Liberal Democrats, especially ones from Anguist and Nieland and unlike the predominant Conservative party, had concerns regarding presidents-for-life, but then again, Sarzonia was one of Isselmere-Nieland's main allies. Sarzo had also proven himself capable of apolitical decision-making as well.

"The Azazian chancellor pleaded the cause of true democracy," uí Nechtaen replied. "I do not trust him; he's quite clever."

"Will you return to the Conference?" It was more of an order than a question, but the Minister of Finance demured.

"I will give them two days. Do you have anything I should convey to them?"

"No, but inform me of any changes."

----

In Daurmont, the Prime Minister contacted President Sarzo...

[OOC: Sorry about my inactivity but last week was finals and for the past four days I've been in Rome. I'll try to get something out later once things settle down a bit.

I do have one thing to throw out, a rather minor note directed to Isslemere. The Seaburg Conference is taking part in Seaburg. Embassies are located in Hamptonshire City, some 2000 miles distant from the Conference. I don't know whether you want the increased impact of your figures going to Hamptonshire City or if you just want them to go to your Consulate in Seaburg. I just wanted to keep things straight.]

[OOC: You're a semi-lucky devil (get to go to Rome but have finals), Hamptonshire. My apologies about my glaring mistake -- I ought to have known in what city my characters were located. I'll correct my posts to indicate my characters went to the local consulate.]

[OOC: You're a semi-lucky devil (get to go to Rome but have finals), Hamptonshire. My apologies about my glaring mistake -- I ought to have known in what city my characters were located. I'll correct my posts to indicate my characters went to the local consulate.]

[OOC: Apologies from this end too. I was without internet for a few days, but I'm back now. I forgot to notify you guys, so I hope it wasn't a major inconvenience.]