NationStates Jolt Archive

[OOC:This conference is only for the people who've been invited, namely, the players of UK, Russia, France, Italy and Greece. A delegation from the Cretan Republic will also be attending, who I will also be controlling]

Elefthérios Venizélos, the Cretan Councilor of Justice and the recently appointed High Commisioner of Crete, Alexandros Zaimis entered the empty room, and were immediatly followed by Georgios Theotokis, the Prime Minister of Greece. They smiled at each other briefly, before turning to their aides to organise their proposals. Both parties were hoping for a union, or Enosis, but first of all they needed the blessing of the Great Powers, who currently control Crete.

The British Ambassador to Greece arrives, and informs the Greeks that as long as the Ottomans agree, then Britain will accept the Merger. However, any deal regarding Cyprus and an altering of its status is totally unacceptable and will not be considered at all.

The Italian delegation arrives, and immediatly goes to work.

"We'd like full assurances that Italian Merchants will be able to make full use of Crete once it becomes Greek. If so, then we will agree with the Merger as well."

The Russian diplomat team arrives as well and sits, studiously avoiding any statements for now.

"Prime Minister Theotokis, Commisioner Venizélos," he nodded acknowledgment. "Now that we are all here let us begin. What reasons are there for a merger with between Crete and Greece and how would that benefit both parties? Further, how would Crete be integrated into Greece, politically and economically?"

These questions were mere formalities, the French delegation saw no reason to prevent the merger, but one should not rush into things...also, this was an excellent opportunity to observe the political skills of the Greek Government.

High Commisioner Zaimis looked across to the Greek Prime Minister and nodded. Addressing the French diplomat he began,
"Crete has historically always been Greek, and were it not for...Ottoman interference, it would be part of Kingdom of Greece. The Cretan population is for enosis as well, as they are culturally and ethnically Greek, except for the Turkish Moslems, but that is a matter we must discuss with the Ottoman Empire."
Councillor Venizélos continued,
"Crete is one of the areas that are ethnically Greek, yet not under the control of the Greek state, something which is unacceptable."
This comment was designed to put some pressure on the British Gov't, who controlled Cyprus, which was ethnically Greek. While he was strongly pro-British, the issue of Cyprus had to be dealt with.
Prime Minister Theotokis then addressed the Italian point,
"Most certainly. Italy is a major trading partner of Greece and after this enosis, we hope the volume of trade between our two nations will only increase. We also thank Italy for the creation of the Cretan Gendarmerie in its current form, which will continue to protect Greece and its lands"

The British Minister reminds Greece that the topic of this conference is Crete, not Cyprus and that under no circumstances will Cyprus be extracted from the British Empire.

"Well," stated the French delegate, "it seems all too clear that there is no reason to stand in the way of union between Greece and Crete."

He paused for a moment. "As for Cyprus, I must agree with my British colleague, it has no place or relevance at this conference. All matters pertaining to Cyprus are solely between the Greece and the United Kingdom."

Venizélos turned to the French delegation,
"Now I believe someone offered tea?"