NationStates Jolt Archive

Ooc: This is a spin off thread of To Be Forged in a Cold Fire to keep a diplomatic meeting involving some of the international states that have been calling for a peaceful resolution of the conflict to have a meeting to have a united policy on New Albion. So to get here you need to be involved there.

To:
Grant Haffner
Deputy Senior Vice President and External Affairs Officer
Incorporated States of Sarzonia
The Honorable Marie François,
Ambassador of the Fourth Amestrian Republic to the Court of Apethorpe Palace
Mr. Yakov Bronstein
Secretary to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Democratic Soviet Republic of Kahanistan

From: Baroness Winton, Royal Envoy, United Duchies


I would all like to invite you to a small, informal meeting about the New Albion situation at my family home in Northull, on Odania Isle. I would like to have this meeting there for three reasons. First it will keep the press at a minimum since Northull is not known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere that the international press in Thunderbay seems to enjoy. Second, it will remove us from being accidentally caught up in the present election politics of the United Duchies, as we just called a general election. Third, before I disappear into a rather nice, but long stay in Sarzonia there are some business aspects of my family’s tea plantations to be dealt with.
I can assure you of a pleasant room and being doted on by palace staff as his Grace has loaned me a few stewards and maids to assist me.
Transportation to Odania is available commercially via Torrhaven or Thunderbay International airport, or you can arrive by direct flight. I will have transport to my home waiting for your arrival. Fifth Fleet has assigned a rapid response hydrofoil ferry for those of us in Thunderbay to travel directly to Northullport.
I wish to thank you all for being part of this international diplomacy working group, as Mr. Bethune of the Outer Ministry has labeled it.


Odania was the one of the original fortress islands that formed a rough circle of barrier islands about the central isles of Alcona. Odania was a narrow island with high hills on the south side towards the Dark Sea. These hills had long sloping down towards the north and the Inner Sea formed by the fortress islands with steep sides and clifts on the south side. Although Odania was not that far from the equator, it did tend to be cooler than one expected. The rich Vrakian current that ran from the artic north to here tended to make the weather far milder than what one usually expected for such a tropical location. It local economy was still based on fishing and agriculture; a few copper mines lay along the south shore, but these had never been large operations as elsewhere. The island was something of a quiet, restful backwater of a fairly rich nation. This was best demonstrated in the local airport. Odania National served both the Royal Navy and the local commercial air traffic. At one side of the two crossed runways was a naval air station, on the other was a modern, but small, airport terminal. The entire complex stood on the end of a long peninsula that paralleled the main shore. The small bay would have made an excellent harbor if it were not so shallow and sandbar ridden, however it did serve well for the landing of amphibious aircraft.

Odania was a very green island, forests of live oaks that covered the upper hills and rolled down towards the sea. These slowly gave way to orchards, sheep filled meadows, and fields of long green tea bushes. Odania was known for its tea. And from the profits of those tea plantations and fruit orchards the large landowning families of the island had built country manor houses. One of them was Westbow, owned by the Wintons since the eighteenth century. Westbow was built in a subdued tropical gothic style. The two and half story main house was a wide thin structure with a deep wraparound colonnade that shaded the red stone walls from the tropical sun. The main floor stood upon a raised basement and had 18 foot tall double hung windows that indicated of the height of the interior rooms. The second floor windows were much shorter, many having small balconies overhanging the lower floor within the colonnade itself. A stone tower, more in keeping with Scotland than the tropics, pushed out and up from the house from the right center of the structure. Two dependencies, a story shorter than the main building, formed a C with the main house open towards the Quaker River.

If one approached from the river, as the diplomats would since the trip via boat from Northullport or the airport was shorter than by the coast hugging roads, the crelenated circular wall between the two dependencies became fairly obvious. Standing well above the river, but below the house itself, it gave the open inviting building a more formidable appearance. A pair of narrow stairs ran up the face of the wall from the center towards the dependencies, allowing those who arrived at the rather ornate covered dock a path up to the house. Today there was an electric cart waiting to take the Baroness’s guests up to the house, via a small road that ran allong the shore, without needing to climb a long set of stairs in the warm semi-tropical afternoon.

The United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris,
Thunderbay,
The Amestrian Embassy,
The office of the Honorable Ambassador Marie François

Marie François finished reading the letter from Baroness Winton, the United Duchies Royal Envoy/Mediator to the planned Portland conference, and set it down upon her desk. Prior to the letter she had received the necessary information and authority from Central and been informed of the possible role she was to play.

François’ term as Amestrian ambassador to the United Duchies up until this point had been, for lack of a better word, boring…boring and tedious. Nothing ever seemed to happen that was of any importance to Amestria or Amestrian interests. Consequently, Marie was thus left to while away the time with reading, busywork, and trivial little duties she would have readily delegated to others had she had an excuse. The most exciting thing to have occurred in the last few months was the beating up of a fast food employee in Wittelbach by some old lady (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10567290&postcount=40). Apparently the local management hadn’t done its homework and had dressed the people handing out its promotional fliers like Hassans. The hilarity of the incident had brought some relief from the ever present tedium, but not much. But now that was all in the past, now she was going to be at the center of a major international crisis, working behind the scenes, her every action possibly altering the fate of millions.

Finally, some excitement!

Marie immediately began planning everything out. This would be her first meeting with a significant member of the United Duchies Government since she had been confirmed as Amestria’s Ambassador at the Court of Apethorpe Palace. She jumped up and rushed over to the liquor cabinet she had installed in her office the previous month, having discovered an occasional tea mixed with brandy helped the time just fly by.

First impressions were important and the invitation had been very gracious. A pleasant room at a beautiful beach front estate with “doting” servants… The Ambassador had better bring a gift…

Marie took out a bottle of Amour and deciding it was just the right label for the occasion, being the best Amestrian brandy in existence (making it one of the best brandies in the world). Hopefully Baroness Anne Winton would be most pleased.

* * * * * *

Ambassador François found the parts of Odania she saw quite lovely…scenic and relaxing would be how she described it. There was a certain quaint charm to everything.

A pair of narrow stairs ran up the face of the wall from the center towards the dependencies, allowing those who arrived at the rather ornate covered dock a path up to the house. Today there was an electric cart waiting to take the Baroness’s guests up to the house, via a small road that ran along the shore, without needing to climb a long set of stairs in the warm semi-tropical afternoon.

Marie stepped onto the ornate docks, wiping the sweet from her brow with a handkerchief as she did so. Vrakian current be damned, she found the tropical heat most uncomfortable and could not wait to reach the Baroness shady Manor. The Ambassador was an attractive woman in her late thirties, her features typical North Amestrian, short black hair, brown eyes, marble white skin, and a height of five feet five inches. She was dressed almost entirely in white, a white knee skirt that ended just above the knee, a loose pure white blouse, and an off-white jacket. There were only four things that were not white, her black two inch platform boots, her wire-rimmed sunglasses with the round pure black lenses, her small black bag (which contained her laptop and most important papers), and the golden signet ring that rested upon the Marquess’ finger (which bore her families coat of arms).

Accompanying her were three aides (also all dressed in white). Two carried the various files, papers, and disks that contained all the relevant information on New Albion. The third aide merely carried the Marquess’ sword (it was her privilege as a noble to own a sword, but she did not like to actually carry it on her person) and an exquisitely patterned multicolor umbrella, which he held above the Ambassador to shield her from the sun. After glancing around and satisfying herself that she was indeed the first one to arrive, Ambassador François gingerly walked over to the electric cart that was waiting and asked if she and her staff could be driven up to the Manor right away.

Mr. Bronstein boarded a passenger jet for Odania from Najaster International Airport. The flight was long, but uneventful except for a drunken teenager who put a towel on his head and threatened to crash the plane. He was promptly maced and handcuffed until he sobered up.

The aircraft approached Northull and began a slow descent. It landed and the Kahanistanian delegate left and called a taxi to take him to the home of Baroness Winton. The young man then rode through the streets of Northull until he arrived at his destination.

Westbow Manor
The young woman in white pants with a gray jacket had stood up as the boat approached and was waiting by the side of the vehicle as the group approached. The girl gave a formal bow at the waist to Ambassador François, which was unusual; most people only gave short headbows.
"Of course your...." the girl stopped for a second, her brown eyes blinking, "..Excellency...your staff and your armsman may also accompany us."

Obviously the young woman had mistaken the third aide as the traditional armsman most Alconian nobels kept on their staff. It didn't help that the traditional formal uniform of an armsman was a white coat and jacket with the crest of the family he (or she) served above the heart.

The vehicle could hold six comfortably and accelerated quickly after all of the guests and their possessions were aboard. The electric whine of the motor made talking difficult, but it was a speedy little machine. The path turned away from the river and cut up the steep slope of the hill at an angle.

The electric cart reached the crest of the hill as the path turned back towards the house. The road side of the house overlooked paddocks fitted out with white fences and long rows of live oaks. There were a few horses standing in the shade letting the heat of the afternoon pass by. The cart passed a large quadrangle that was obviously a stable by the slight smell.

The cart finally reached the front of Westbow House. The cart came to a stop before a set of stairs that arched up to the main level of the wrap around colonade. Here stood two footmen, in their green and white livery and a steward in a white coat and black pants. The steward gave the traditional headbow and began speaking "Good day your Exellency, if you'll follow me...the footmen will take anything you or your staff doesn't need at the moment to their proper rooms."

The steward led the party up the stairs and through a pair of large maghony doors engraved with the Winton family crest. There was a low lobby just beyond with an arcade into the much larger great hall beyond. The room was obviously modeled after those in England, with panneling up the first twenty feet of the wall and the rest was dressed stone walls. The cealing was supported by several heavy wood arches.

"I am afraid that my lady has been detained by her agents at the moment. I will inform her of your arrival. Henry will see to your refreshments." The steward bowed again and vanished back through the arcade and a doorway; his heels clicking on the dark wood floors.

Obitia Airport
There was only a handful of taxi's on the entire island. And usually they didn't hang around the airport terminal. But Mr. Bronstein was lucky that day, or unlucky, in that he was picked up and driven to Westbow. The problem was that the trip via auto was fourty five minutes longer than by water-taxi.

Bronstein even got to see Northull itself, which was one step above the one street town. It was layed out along the main road which passed over the falls before continuing east along the edge of the Blackberry River. The taxi arrived at the gatehouse. There Bronstein was quickly verified before the taxi could roll down the long drive to the house.

The process of greeting by the steward was repeated, and Mr. Bronstein was led into the great hall. "My lady appologizes for being delayed, she will be with you all in a moment."

Westbow Manor

The young woman in white pants with a gray jacket had stood up as the boat approached and was waiting by the side of the vehicle as the group approached. The girl gave a formal bow at the waist to Ambassador François, which was unusual; most people only gave short headbows.

"Of course your...." the girl stopped for a second, her brown eyes blinking, "..Excellency...your staff and your armsman may also accompany us."

“It’s your Honor…” Marie corrected with an understanding smile as she took her seat on the electric cart.

"Good day your Exellency, if you'll follow me...the footmen will take anything you or your staff doesn't need at the moment to their proper rooms."

“It’s your Honor…” Marie corrected once again.

The Ambassador’s aides handed over to the two footmen two bags of mostly vacuum sealed extra clothing and the umbrella. Out of force of habit the delegation chose to hold onto the three bags containing their files and electronic tools. Of course the Marquess’ sword was not surrendered either.

The steward led the party up the stairs and through a pair of large maghony doors engraved with the Winton family crest.

Once inside the Ambassador removed her wire-rimmed sunglasses and placed them safely away in one of her inner jacket pockets.

"I am afraid that my lady has been detained by her agents at the moment. “I will inform her of your arrival. Henry will see to your refreshments." The steward bowed again and vanished back through the arcade and a doorway; his heels clicking on the dark wood floors.

The second Henry appeared Ambassador François had an order for him.

“Black tea, sweetened with kluntjes and heavy crème, unstirred, along with a plate of thé biscuits*.”

(*OOC: tea cookies)

Bronstein was the secretary to the Foreign Minister and was fully aware of the Amestrian aristocratic culture, but he was surprised that an ambassador would carry around a sword just because she could.

However, he was more interested in the refreshments. He nodded to the aide called Henry, who he had been told was responsible for them.

"I'd like a glass of tea and some nachos with plenty of cheese," he said politely to the servant. In the meantime, he kept his distance from the Amestrians. It wasn't so much that he was xenophobic, after all, he was in the Foreign Ministry, but he felt the flaunting of one's noble ancestry was a bit arrogant.

The Kahanistanian's love for nachos may have contributed to his fairly large waistline: he ate them whenever he went to fast food restaurants, which was often when he was on the move. He was still a relatively young man, in his early thirties, but his girth made him appear somewhat older. He was dressed in an ordinary black suit and tie, and carried a large briefcase. Everything on him was dark; he appeared the opposite of the Marquess. His suit and tie were black, his hair and eyes were dark brown, and even his skin was darkened from the desert climate of his country.

The dark little man sat down and waited for the servant's response.

Henry was an understeward. He nodded at the Ambassador's request. "I will have to return to the kitchen for that request it will take a moment, however what kind of biscuts would your honor prefer? We have some lovely fresh chocolate chip, we also have an assortment of tea biscuts from the local baker on the buffet table." Henry pointed to the long table set along one of the long walls. There were three semovars there and a plate of fruit and a plate of cookies between them.

Upon the Ambassador's choice he bowed and vanished in the opposite direction of the head steward.

Henry crossed through the stair hall and through the dining room to the pantry. There in the white tiled space with metal counters he picked up a phone.
"Mrs. Devon...yes I have an order for black tea, cream, and kluntjes whatever that may be."
"Yes that would be a good idea..."
"Oh, well we don't...Oh you think we have some rock candy up here that should suffice? In the pantry...quite good... I can make the tea as required... Yes...I will inform him to make the order. Thank you..."

"Ah, Ellen, quite...would you please make a cup of black tea in the Friesian manner, strong and black, also add a peice of plain rock sugar candy...I think there is some in the storage pantry behind you...and cream do not stir it."

"Ellen nodded, quite...I assume this is that Marquess who wants everyone to think she is some sort of judge..."

"I know that you are a local member of staff, however we do not comment upon what foreign dignitaries wish to be called. If she desires to be called 'Her Horniness' we, as hosts of this meeting shall oblige."

Ellen shook her head as she pulled a small pot of very hot water from a sink tap. "I never knew you boys and girls at the Palace were such rugmats...calling a mere Marquess, a foreign Marquess at that your Honor..."

Henry shook his head and returned to the Great Hall as Bronstein arrived. "Your tea shall be ready in a moment your Honor..." Even Henry seemed to pause for a second on the your Honor as though it were somehow distasteful.

"For the tea Mister Bronstein was that hot tea or ice tea? And do you wish, mexican nachos, or hunt nachos?"

The Alconians had a tendeny to have both international foods and local 'equivilants' or recipies that had developed over time. Hunt Nachos were actually a dish that had started being served after a long day of hunting, rather than a traditional corn chip, they used a local 'nacho flavor' chip, smoked shredded Hassan (rabbit), peppers, onion powder, and pepperjack cheese. The whole thing was cooked by wrapping it in tinfoil and placing it over the fire.

The Kahanistanian delegate nodded curtly. "Hunt nachos." He had never heard of them before, and as far as he knew this would be his only opportunity to try them. "Iced tea."

He merely wanted to get to the task at hand. "When does the meeting start?" he asked.

"Your tea shall be ready in a moment your Honor..." Even Henry seemed to pause for a second on the your Honor as though it were somehow distasteful.

“Thank you,” Marie politely replied. If the Marquess noticed Henries brief pause she ignored it.

After the Kahanistanian delegate and the understeward had finished speaking one of the Ambassadors aides approached Henry. His voice was rather quiet.

“Her Honor Ambassador François has a gift for her Excellency Baroness Winton in order to thank her for the generous hospitality she has shown. Her Honor wishes to know what would be the proper time, manner, and place to present her gift…”

Henry paused for a second in thought, "I think after dinner this evening would be the most appropriate time sir." Henry walked over to the buffet and opened the center door to remove a glass, pulling out a drawer he filled the long glass with ice. Henry then poured the iced from a semovar into the glass.

As he moved back towards Mr. Bronstein the sound of two pairs of heels walking across a polished wooden floor could be made out. Henry paused as the two individuals emerged into the Great Hall.

The woman in front was approximatly five eleven with an athletic build. Her blond hair was back in a single pony tail that reached just below her shoulders. The pair of light gray linen pants and white silk blouse were obviously custom made and fit her quite well. She wore a pair of tan shoes that almost matched her skin color. The steward behind her and to the right seemed to be trying to keep up with her. As they both stepped from the arcade into the room proper, the steward announced, "Her ladyship Baroness Winton, Knight Commander of the Griffen, Royal Envoy of the United Duchies..."

Anne looked back, her green eyes looking a bit puzzled, but she returned her gaze to the room. "Ah The Honorable Ambassador François I presume?" She stepped forward towards the fellow noblewoman with a light smile and gave a short headbow. "...And you must be Mister Bronstein of Kahanistan? I am quite charmed to make both of your acquaintance..."

Anne looked about the room for a second and then addressed the steward, "We seem to have lost Mister Hendrix? Will you send someone to fetch him, as the guests are arriving."

Anne gracefully moved over to the buffet for a moment. "I hope the staff has been getting you some refreshments?"

Henry reappeared with the black tea for the Marquess, it had the slight hint of cinnamon to it, a product from an Outer Islands plantation.

Henry paused for a second in thought, "I think after dinner this evening would be the most appropriate time sir."

The aide nodded, thanked the understeward, walked over to the Marquess, and quietly whispered something to her. The Ambassador smiled and nodded.

Anne looked back, her green eyes looking a bit puzzled, but she returned her gaze to the room. "Ah The Honorable Ambassador François I presume?" She stepped forward towards the fellow noblewoman with a light smile and gave a short headbow.

The Marquess returned the smile and short headbow.

"Your Excellency..."

"I hope the staff has been getting you some refreshments?"

"The staff has been most capable and polite," the Ambassador answered.

Henry reappeared with the black tea for the Marquess, it had the slight hint of cinnamon to it, a product from an Outer Islands plantation.

Marie sat down at a nearby table, sipped the tea, and licked her lips. She savored the unfamiliar cinnamon taste. It was good, different, but good...

The Ambassador then bit into a cookie.

"We seem to be missing someone..."

Bronstein was bored. He did not especially want to talk to the Amestrians, but it was better than waiting for hours on end with nothing to do until the Sarzonians showed up.

"Yes, we do seem to be missing someone... the Sarzonian delegate," said the secretary, sitting at the table with the Amestrians and his plate of nachos and iced tea. He extended his hand. "Yakov Bronstein, secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kahanistan." He took a sip of his tea.

"What do you suggest we do until the Sarzonians get here?" continued the delegate, popping a hunt nacho chip into his mouth. It tasted like rabbit meat, something he'd had at the Cute Bunny Burger outlets which were popping up all over Kahanistan. He wondered if CBBC had them. He'd have to check that out, if they weren't all driven out by the time he got back. "Should we begin the discussion without them, and fill them in when they arrive?"

"Yes, we do seem to be missing someone... the Sarzonian delegate," said the secretary, sitting at the table with the Amestrians and his plate of nachos and iced tea.

Marie wrinkled her nose in disgust. She found the smell arising from the Kahanistanians plate, the smell of nachos and melted cheese, utterly repulsive.

He extended his hand. "Yakov Bronstein, secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kahanistan." He took a sip of his tea.

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” François replied in as cold a tone as could be imagined. She made a point of not shaking the fat little man's hand.

The Ambassador took another sip of her tea.

"What do you suggest we do until the Sarzonians get here?" continued the delegate, popping a hunt nacho chip into his mouth…"Should we begin the discussion without them, and fill them in when they arrive?"

“It’s not my place to decide,” Marie stated simply. She then took another bite of her cookie and glanced expectantly at the Baroness.

Anne was taken aback by the Your Excellancy phrase. But continued on as she filled a glass with ice and tea. "Ah well it seems the Sarzonian diplomatic staff is a bit streatched apparently with the upcomming meeting in Portland."

She sipped at her tea as she looked down on both of her seated guests. "Considering how hetic things could be, I would not be surprised if they don't make it at all. But I will be having a private conversation with them, even if I have to fly out early to do so."

"Quite my lady..." A voice boomed from one end of the Great Hall. The man steped in by the large pair of french doors and slowly moved forward. The new arrival was a barrel of a man, just under average height with white hair and a long beard; the perfect ie the impression of what a department store Santa looked like during the summer. mpresssion of a department store Santa on summer vacation. He wore a dark suit that seemed to hang a touch too large on his frame.

"May I present Mister Hendrix, former Permanent Secretary of the Outer Ministry and my assistant on this matter." Anne's smile was obviously fake, although Hendrix seemed to ignore the coolness of her gaze.

"Since all the people I know for a fact are comming are here, perhaps we should start this meeting?" Anne added as Hendrix introduced himself around.

Hendrix shook his head for a moment, "Naval Officers, always dealing with the buisness at hand. Never the time for the pleasantries of diplomacy. But it would seem Mister ah..."
"Bronstein..." Anne added coolly.
"...yes Bronstein is in agreement with you"

Anne took a delibrate sip of her tea for a moment, choaking down a retort. She then nodded, "Quite I have a secure meeting room aranged in the south sitting room, shall we..."

Anne moved towards the pair of french doors that Hendrix had entered just before.

Bronstein nodded in the direction of the door, rose, and walked toward it, eager to start the meeting. The Amestrians didn't seem to like him any more than he liked them, but the Minister had sent him to the meeting because she felt his position was appropriate to the diplomatic session.

The Kahanistanian secretary entered the door to the meeting room and took his seat, then waited for the Amestrians and Alconans to give their input.

"May I present Mister Hendrix, former Permanent Secretary of the Outer Ministry and my assistant on this matter." Anne's smile was obviously fake, although Hendrix seemed to ignore the coolness of her gaze.

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Mr. Hendrix,” said the Marquess, politely introducing herself. “I am Ambassador Marie François.”

"Since all the people I know for a fact are coming are here, perhaps we should start this meeting?" Anne added as Hendrix introduced himself around.

Hendrix shook his head for a moment, "Naval Officers, always dealing with the business at hand. Never the time for the pleasantries of diplomacy. But it would seem Mister ah..."
"Bronstein..." Anne added coolly.
"...yes Bronstein is in agreement with you"

Anne took a deliberate sip of her tea for a moment, choking down a retort. She then nodded, "Quite I have a secure meeting room arranged in the south sitting room, shall we..."

Perhaps the steward should hide the knives so those two don’t stab each other in the face, Marie thought dryly.

Anne moved towards the pair of french doors that Hendrix had entered just before.

The Ambassador quickly finished her tea (which she noted had been sweetened with generic rock candy rather then kluntjes), stood up with her bag, and motioned to one of her aides. “Mr. Boulle…”

The aide, Mr. Boulle, followed her…

Before she followed the Baroness, Mr. Hendrix, and Mr. Bronstein out the door Marie, still nibbling on a cookie, spoke a few words to Henry.

“Please show Mr. L'Enfant and Mr. Urville to their respective quarters and have another cup of tea sent to the south sitting room, thank you.”

The Kahanistanian secretary entered the door to the meeting room and took his seat, then waited for the Amestrians and Alconans to give their input.

Ambassador François took her seat and removed several files from her leather briefcase. “Shall we begin…?”

Mr. Boulle handed each of the other delegates a document.


Ministry of Records

[Ministry Seal]
L'information est puissance!

Information Originally Acquired by: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secret Service Section Oreilles, [insert date].

Information Originally Acquired From: The publicly released statistics of the Khailfah al Muslimeen government, [insert date].

Information Retrieval Requested by: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of the Honorable Vice Deputy Minister Gaspard de Prouville, [insert date].

Information Edited and Updated by: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of the Honorable Vice Deputy Minister Gaspard de Prouville, [insert date].


Statistical and Census Information Pertaining to the Now Disputed Territory of New Albion, Khailfah al Muslimeen


Current Population of New Albion: Roughly 7.8 million


Population Breakdown


Ethnicity

50 percent English background (mostly concentrated on the northern half of island)
30 percent Indian Background (evenly distributed)
20 percent Arab/Persian Background (mostly concentrated on the southern half)

There are significant sectarian tensions between the descendents of former British settlers and those of Asian or Middle Eastern ancestry. Over 30 people were recorded killed in the south before the succession of the north and subsequent occupation by UK forces.


Religion

50 percent Christen
30 percent Muslim
18 percent Hindu
2 percent Jewish (mainly concentrated on the southern half of the island)


Notable Population and Administrative Centers

Dawesport is the only major city in the north and is the present center of administration for the secessionist and UK forces occupying the northern half of the island.

The Port of Jammu is the only major city in the south and is the present de facto capital of the sub-province of Al Malabaristan.


Economy

New Albions principle exports before the division mainly consisted of fruits, lumber, and some limited coal mining. It is dependent on imports to supply most raw material, machinery, fuel, and basic necessities. Regarded as a backwater, the province was neglected economically by the Regional Government of Indian Provinces and the Central Government in Istanbul.

Roughly 10,000 people were employed by the KLM local government before the UK occupation of the north.


Weapons Policy of KLM Controlled New Albion

The KLM government allowed its citizens to own weapons, such as swords, handguns, bolt action rifles, hunting guns, and semi-automatics. Citizens of 18 years of age were allowed own a weapon provided they had permit for each weapon, had taken gun safety classes, and did not have a criminal record. Civilians were not allowed to own assault rifles, unless they were a part of the KLM Armed Forces or Home Guards. More people owned swords rather then firearms given swords were easier to acquire.

It can be assumed that there are presently a significant number of weapons in the hands of partisans on both sides. It can further be assumed that both the UK and the KLM have either begun arming their respective supporters or are in the process of preparing to do so.

The sitting room was in one of the dependencies, which ment walking along the colonade that overlooked the garden, and the stone wall. From this side it was obvious that the wall had been built as a fortress battery. Several wide openings in the top edge splayed for the turning of a cannon were visible. The garden was fairly pleasent with a few mature trees and two fountains. The fountains were linked by a narrow channel of water.

The south sitting room was much smaller than the Great Hall, about fifteen feet by thirty and finished with a victorian wallpaper.

As the Ambassador passed out the documents, the Baroness raised an eyebrow. Somehow she had let the Amerstrian set the tone of the meeting. Hendrix sat down with a bemused smile on his face.

Anne finally sat down in a chair in the middle of the table. "Well this is quite helpful...unfortunatly I think IIS discovered something intresting..."

"Well there appear to be more helicopters than there should be in the south. Now obviously any one of the Kalhaif's units could be over establishment, but...then again." Hendrix replied.

Henry entered with another cup of tea, which he placed next to the Marquess. "Your aides have been shone to their rooms in the north dependency your Honor..." he wispered as he put the cup down.

Hendrix had not actually stopped talking. "I would say that the Sultan has only backed away from an immediate war. I think he means to bleed the United Kingdom's treasury and manpower in New Albion by using daggers rather than swords. Then strike at the next best available opportunity..."

Anne raised an eyebrow at that comment. "I think trying to read the Sultan's mind is not going to advance our discussion here Mister Hendrix."

Mr. Bronstein had finished reading the Amestrian document and listening to the Alconans. "What the Sultan plans to do in the future is irrelevant," said the secretary. "We don't plan to allow the violence on the island to continue, the Oceanians' military power will not be drained beyond their current deployment strength."

"What I recommend, and this would never be tolerated in Kahanistan, is that we disarm all the civilians on the island, throughout the island. Now, I don't propose that we have troops going door-to-door confiscating weapons, but if we put up stations where citizens can turn in weapons for cash, then we can remove the weapons that the military powers are supplying their supporters with."

"If the Sultan is planning to weaken the secessionists by causing in-fighting, this program should frustrate his aim. If he is not planning to act militarily, we will at least reduce the violence on the island."

Bronstein waited to see if the Amestrians would agree with him. Taking weapons from people in Kahanistan would not be tolerated because of the right to keep and bear arms, and virtually anyone in Kahanistan could buy military-grade armaments at the corner shop. However, this wasn't Kahanistan, this was a disputed territory that threatened to start a war between the Oceanians and the Khailfah al Muslimeen.

Anne turned to Bronstein, "Well I see two...no three problems with your idea. First, the people who are most likely going to 'dislike' the Oceanians are the ones who are not going to pawn them to us." The Baroness raised a hand ticking off the points. "Second, how does that stop the Sultan from running weapons into Oceania, especially if the troop deployment stays the same? Third, if we're buying weapons, what is to stop agitators from selling us unusable weapons for funding for their operations? "

Hendrix nodded in agreement for a moment, "I think Mr. Bronstein is possibly ahead of us in his thinking. We're still at the point of deciding a general policy before we get mired into the working details."

"It wouldn't get ALL of the weapons, but the ones who keep them will likely be the most die-hard, fanatical supporters of the Sultan, probably a very small minority. The plan doesn't stop him from funneling arms into the island, but merely ensures that the majority of the arms will end up in our stations and not killing citizens. As for selling us non-functioning weapons, we can always test-fire them and have them clapped into jail for attempting to defraud us. We would of course pay more for effective combat arms than for a rusty old shotgun."

Bronstein spoke patiently, addressing the Alconans' concerns. "The Kahanistanian government's position is that the people of New Albion have to make the decision of how to govern themselves, whether that means remaining part of the KAM, or becoming independent, or becoming, temporarily, an international protectorate. What are the positions of your governments?" he asked, nodding to the Amestrians and Alconans.

Henry entered with another cup of tea, which he placed next to the Marquess. "Your aides have been shone to their rooms in the north dependency your Honor..." he whispered as he put the cup down.

"Thank you..." Marie whispered back. She then tentatively took a sip, once again savoring the rich cinnamon taste.

Hendrix had not actually stopped talking. "I would say that the Sultan has only backed away from an immediate war. I think he means to bleed the United Kingdom's treasury and manpower in New Albion by using daggers rather than swords. Then strike at the next best available opportunity..."

Anne raised an eyebrow at that comment. "I think trying to read the Sultan's mind is not going to advance our discussion here Mister Hendrix."

“It is fairly obvious that the Sultan’s government is preparing to sponsor insurgency in New Albion, possibly in case a peaceful solution cannot be negotiated, possibly just to appease the hardliners in its security services, Parliament, and among the Viziers. If the KLM intends to carry out a covert war in New Albion then there is really nothing we can do to stop them.”

Mr. Bronstein had finished reading the Amestrian document and listening to the Alconans. "What the Sultan plans to do in the future is irrelevant," said the secretary.”

Ambassador François sighed. “No Mr. Bronstein, what a goat herder in Asia Minor plans to do in the future is irrelevant, what the Sultan plans to do in the future is very relevant.”

"If the Sultan is planning to weaken the secessionists by causing in-fighting, this program should frustrate his aim. If he is not planning to act militarily, we will at least reduce the violence on the island."

"It wouldn't get ALL of the weapons, but the ones who keep them will likely be the most die-hard, fanatical supporters of the Sultan, probably a very small minority. The plan doesn't stop him from funneling arms into the island, but merely ensures that the majority of the arms will end up in our stations and not killing citizens. As for selling us non-functioning weapons, we can always test-fire them and have them clapped into jail for attempting to defraud us. We would of course pay more for effective combat arms than for a rusty old shotgun."

“If the Sultan is planning to weaken the secessionists then the program in question would be a waste of time, money, and effort, as it would require the cooperation of local KLM officials to implement. Attempting to disarm the partisan elements of the islands population by any means short of systematic searches and confiscation while the various powers smuggle in weapons would be an exercise in futility.”

"The Kahanistanian government's position is that the people of New Albion have to make the decision of how to govern themselves, whether that means remaining part of the KAM, or becoming independent, or becoming, temporarily, an international protectorate. What are the positions of your governments?" he asked, nodding to the Amestrians and Alconans.

“It is the position of the Amestrian government that what the people of New Albion want is utterly irrelevant as the decisions will be made for them by others,” Ambassador François remarked.

"I think Mr. Bronstein is possibly ahead of us in his thinking. We're still at the point of deciding a general policy before we get mired into the working details."

Mr. Boulle laid out a large map of New Albion and the Ambassador drew a line along its center in red ink, clearly separating the northern half from the southern half.

“Let us recognize the reality that New Albion is going to be divided between north and south, the UK, the KLM, and their various supporters on the island have either expressed disinterest or outright hostility towards the idea of an independent New Albion (an independent New Albion also makes little sense from an economic perspective). I propose the following as our policy: the KLM should be compensated for the loss of north New Albion, the UK should be penalized financially for the losses others have incurred because of its illegal actions, and the partition would best be followed by a population exchange, Christians and Europeans shipped north, Muslims and non-Europeans shipped south.”

"I have no objections to dividing the island, as a temporary measure, but should we really be forcing people to move? Encouraging them to move, perhaps, but forced relocations? There is a word for that, Miss Francois... ethnic cleansing. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_cleansing)" Bronstein hoped his choice of words would hit a nerve with the Amestrians and make them reconsider their idea.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the UK did anything illegal; the government of northern New Albion made the decision to secede, and invited the UK into this dispute. However, the northern government also tried to drag the southern half out of the KAM," the secretary added.

"The Government of Kahanistan does believe that the KAM deserves some form of compensation for the loss of New Albion. That compensation should come from the secessionist factions, who are the ones responsible for the KAM's loss of the island."

"I have no objections to dividing the island, as a temporary measure…”

“The division of New Albion would be a permanent measure Mr. Bronstein, as both the UK and the KLM would use any temporary respite to solidify their respective areas of control and undermine each other. There are no temporary solutions…”

“…but should we really be forcing people to move? Encouraging them to move, perhaps, but forced relocations? There is a word for that, Miss Francois... ethnic cleansing. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_cleansing)" Bronstein hoped his choice of words would hit a nerve with the Amestrians and make them reconsider their idea.

Ambassador François was rather annoyed by the Kahanistanian delegate’s borderline accusations.

“It is not ethnic cleansing Mr. Bronstein, it is a population exchange, an exchange which would free both north and south from troublesome minority populations that would only serve to cause future problems. Removing the Muslims from the north and the Europeans from the south would help prevent present tensions from exploding into chronic sectarian violence. George Mason and his followers are English supremacists who view the other ethnic groups as culturally and ethnically inferior while in the south there have already been savage attacks directed against Europeans by Islamic extremists… And the exchange need not be forced, I am quite confident that if offered compensation for their property and financial incentives most could be persuaded to move voluntarily (of course the UK should pay for everything). Those who wish to stay, for whatever reason, must be willing to take loyalty oaths recognizing their provinces change in status and their own duties as citizens of either the UK or the KLM; those who refuse to take the oaths should be forcibly deported.”

Marie took a sip of her tea.

“Of course the governments of both the United Kingdom and the Khailfah al Muslimeen will have to agree to the proposal for it to be implemented.”

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the UK did anything illegal; the government of northern New Albion made the decision to secede, and invited the UK into this dispute. However, the northern government also tried to drag the southern half out of the KAM," the secretary added.

“You are very wrong Mr. Bronstein; in fact you have just demonstrated a profound ignorance regarding what occurred on New Albion. George Mason and his cabal of unelected petty ethnic thugs are not a legitimate government and held no legal authority to declare independence, let alone invite the UK into the dispute. George Mason is a criminal who seized the northern organs of government by force and would have been arrested had his declaration not quickly been followed by the deployment of marines. What happened was rebels seized control of Dawesport, extra-constitutionally declared independence, and illegally invited the UK to take possession of the entire island. The UK then illegally deployed troops into KLM sovereign territory and attempted the forceful annexation of the entire island, stopping only because of the presence of a superior KLM military force in the south.”

"The Government of Kahanistan does believe that the KAM deserves some form of compensation for the loss of New Albion. That compensation should come from the secessionist factions, who are the ones responsible for the KAM's loss of the island."

“The UK is the responsible party; the secessionists would not have acted unless they were confident that Oceania would come to their rescue… In fact it is a strong possibility that the UK planned this whole affair and sponsored the secessionists in order to carry out a land grab. Besides, the secessionists do not have the money or capital to compensate the KLM.”

The Ambassador paused.

“While were on this subject, any agreement dividing New Albion should also include a legal pledge from the United Kingdom not to attempt any further annexation of KLM territory…as well as the overseas territories held by third parties…”

François glanced at Baroness Winton. “Doubtless your Government is fully aware that the rational used by the UK to seize New Albion could well be used to seize your nation’s colonies. Thus as part of any agreement the UK must recognize existing de jure borders.”

“The division of New Albion would be a permanent measure Mr. Bronstein, as both the UK and the KLM would use any temporary respite to solidify their respective areas of control and undermine each other. There are no temporary solutions…”

"Very well, the island can be divided, I don't see any other solutions on the table."

“It is not ethnic cleansing Mr. Bronstein, it is a population exchange, an exchange which would free both north and south from troublesome minority populations that would only serve to cause future problems. Removing the Muslims from the north and the Europeans from the south would help prevent present tensions from exploding into chronic sectarian violence. George Mason and his followers are English supremacists who view the other ethnic groups as culturally and ethnically inferior while in the south there have already been savage attacks directed against Europeans by Islamic extremists…"

"Troublesome minority populations? I recall somebody saying something like that about the Jews in the 1930's... think his name was Hitler. Tell me, how do you deal with minorities in Amestria when ethnic tensions get high?"

"And the exchange need not be forced, I am quite confident that if offered compensation for their property and financial incentives most could be persuaded to move voluntarily (of course the UK should pay for everything). Those who wish to stay, for whatever reason, must be willing to take loyalty oaths recognizing their provinces change in status and their own duties as citizens of either the UK or the KLM; those who refuse to take the oaths should be forcibly deported.”

"Fair enough..." He was still a little sore about the Amestrian's remark about troublesome minorities, which he interpreted as racist.

“Of course the governments of both the United Kingdom and the Khailfah al Muslimeen will have to agree to the proposal for it to be implemented.”

"Obviously..." replied the delegate grimly.

“You are very wrong Mr. Bronstein; in fact you have just demonstrated a profound ignorance regarding what occurred on New Albion. George Mason and his cabal of unelected petty ethnic thugs are not a legitimate government and held no legal authority to declare independence, let alone invite the UK into the dispute. George Mason is a criminal who seized the northern organs of government by force and would have been arrested had his declaration not quickly been followed by the deployment of marines. What happened was rebels seized control of Dawesport, extra-constitutionally declared independence, and illegally invited the UK to take possession of the entire island. The UK then illegally deployed troops into KLM sovereign territory and attempted the forceful annexation of the entire island, stopping only because of the presence of a superior KLM military force in the south.”

"Well, we agree on holding the UK at bay... and I can't say I'll be sad to see the KAM weakened." For now, the issue of the legitimacy of Mason's government was moot; there was no way either side would accept it.

“The UK is the responsible party; the secessionists would not have acted unless they were confident that Oceania would come to their rescue… In fact it is a strong possibility that the UK planned this whole affair and sponsored the secessionists in order to carry out a land grab. Besides, the secessionists do not have the money or capital to compensate the KLM.”

"This sounds like the fringes of conspiracy theory... anyway, how much compensation does the Khailfah desire?"

“While were on this subject, any agreement dividing New Albion should also include a legal pledge from the United Kingdom not to attempt any further annexation of KLM territory…as well as the overseas territories held by third parties…”

"Agreed."

The baroness said nothing while the two delegates argued about, well impractical things really.

"I think you've missed some rather important points, both of you. First, George Mason is operating under the cloak of assumed legitamacy from the fact he has the Marines. Unless the Sultan starts standing up for his rights as a monarch to be notified directly by unhappy citizens before taking such drastic actions, it is an academic point."

"Second, the Sultan has, by allowing himself to meet at Portland...accepted that North New Albion is a soverign territory, which complicates matters a great deal. Third, the UK is not about to let North New Albion out of its hands ever. They want an operable naval base in the Indian Ocean and they have it"

Hendrix pushed himself forward slightly, "But the most dangerous thing they have developed is this concept of individual soverignty. If we allow them to continue to preach that dogma, they will begin to seize any valuable territory they can, under the juruis prudence that it is the individuals rights of soverignty. Unless we can break them of that notion, they will never agree to any agreement to stop them from seizing territory. And what would it matter, they won. They are going to continue on this path, because they beleive they are naturally smarter, better, and racially superior to all of us at this table."

Anne nodded, "Of course if we refused to recognize the UK's right to the territory until they pay for it. We would both force the Oceanians to pay restitution to the Sultan as well as demonstrate that we do not find Lord Sailsbury's ideas to be legitimate."

"That isn't going to stop them..." Hendrix added dryly.
"True, the only thing that is going to stop them is when they get around to us and seize something which is legally part of the Federation. I doubt even the Royal NeoBrit Navy is prepared to fight that engagement."

"Troublesome minority populations? I recall somebody saying something like that about the Jews in the 1930's... think his name was Hitler. Tell me, how do you deal with minorities in Amestria when ethnic tensions get high?"

The Ambassador gave an exasperated sigh. “Please spare us from such pointless and blatantly fallacious straw man comments.”

"This sounds like the fringes of conspiracy theory...

Is he really that dense?!

“So the secessionists launch an otherwise hopeless putsch right when there are UK naval forces sailing conveniently nearby…?”

“…anyway, how much compensation does the Khailfah desire?"

“Likely payment in full for all lost KLM property, public and private, as well as compensation for lost tax revenue, displaced persons, a deal protecting certain Khailfah investments from nationalization, mining and mineral concessions (the precious metals of the Silcaster mines for example), est.”

Marie took another sip of her tea.

"I think you've missed some rather important points, both of you. First, George Mason is operating under the cloak of assumed legitimacy from the fact he has the Marines. Unless the Sultan starts standing up for his rights as a monarch to be notified directly by unhappy citizens before taking such drastic actions, it is an academic point."

"Second, the Sultan has, by allowing himself to meet at Portland...accepted that North New Albion is a sovereign territory, which complicates matters a great deal.”

“I am afraid that both points one and two are incorrect your Excellency…” the Ambassador commented apologetically. “The presence of an illegal foreign military force does not grant George Mason any legitimacy, assumed or otherwise. As Oceania has not declared war against the KLM and as the Khailfah has yet to cede de jure control of New Albion to the United Kingdom, north New Albion remains KLM sovereign territory.”

“Second, by agreeing to meet at Portland the Sultan’s government, despite the claims made by the UK Foreign Ministry, has not recognized New Albion as a sovereign territory of the United Kingdom… I refer everyone to the earlier statement issued by the Sarzonian Government...”

Mr. Boulle handed a transcript of the official Sarzonian statement to each delegate.

However, the world has also heard several inaccuracies regarding our position on the part of the Marquess of Salisbury. By agreeing to the conference in Portland, the Khailfah does not ascede to the annexation of New Albion by the United Kingdom. The New Albion situation will be discussed along with the ongoing controversy surrounding the cartoon.

“I really have no idea why the Government of the Incorporated States is still obsessing over that cartoon…” François added. “Everyone else has moved on.”

Hendrix pushed himself forward slightly, "But the most dangerous thing they have developed is this concept of individual sovereignty. If we allow them to continue to preach that dogma, they will begin to seize any valuable territory they can, under the juruis prudence that it is the individuals rights of sovereignty.”

“Agreed... As the rational used by Oceanian government cannot stand up to scrutiny, as it is nothing but rubbish, I suggest we launch a public relations offensive against them, show that their arguments do not hold water… See if we can’t recruit other neutral nations and international bodies to tear into them. For instance, all the nations of the Klatchian Coast Federation could perhaps issue a joint statement of condemnation… We could also explore what options are open to us regarding economic coercion…”

“Unless we can break them of that notion, they will never agree to any agreement to stop them from seizing territory. And what would it matter, they won. They are going to continue on this path, because they believe they are naturally smarter, better, and racially superior to all of us at this table."

“I doubt the KLM will agree to de jure cede north New Albion without some form of non-aggression pact from the UK…”

Anne nodded, "Of course if we refused to recognize the UK's right to the territory until they pay for it. We would both force the Oceanians to pay restitution to the Sultan as well as demonstrate that we do not find Lord Sailsbury's ideas to be legitimate."

"That isn't going to stop them..." Hendrix added dryly.

"True, the only thing that is going to stop them is when they get around to us and seize something which is legally part of the Federation. I doubt even the Royal NeoBrit Navy is prepared to fight that engagement."

“I doubt the UK behind closed doors will refuse to compensate the KLM on ideological grounds,” remarked François. “The United Kingdom is after all the nation that purchased Juristan from Golencia, which prompted a short uprising from the natives that had to be brutally suppressed.”

“Likely payment in full for all lost KLM property, public and private, as well as compensation for lost tax revenue, displaced persons, a deal protecting certain Khailfah investments from nationalization, mining and mineral concessions (the precious metals of the Silcaster mines for example), etc.”

"Sounds fair. I still feel that the secessionists should pay at least part of the bill."

“I really have no idea why the Government of the Incorporated States is still obsessing over that cartoon…” François added. “Everyone else has moved on.”

"Indeed. We don't need to talk about the cartoon at the meeting, if the Sarzonians still want to talk about it they're welcome to set up a separate meeting to discuss it."

“I doubt the KLM will agree to de jure cede north New Albion without some form of non-aggression pact from the UK…”

"I think that should be the top item on our agenda, followed by a referendum in North New Albion to determine its future."

“I doubt the UK behind closed doors will refuse to compensate the KLM on ideological grounds,” remarked François. “The United Kingdom is after all the nation that purchased Juristan from Golencia, which prompted a short uprising from the natives that had to be brutally suppressed.”

"Now, to find a way to prevent UK violence against the New Albionians. Perhaps we should station a small military force in the area?"

"Sounds fair. I still feel that the secessionists should pay at least part of the bill."

“They don’t have any money; the UK is paying for everything.”

"Now, to find a way to prevent UK violence against the New Albionians. Perhaps we should station a small military force in the area?"

“No.” the Ambassador stated simply. “Any military forces we send will be irrelevant as neither the UK nor KLM will allow them to set foot on New Albion…and why should our nation send its uniformed men and women into harms way over some insignificant isle? We are here to discuss the upcoming conference and diplomatic solutions only. Military involvement on our part is not only undesirable, it is quite impossible.”