NationStates Jolt Archive

Manhattan Herald – 20th December 2006
By Wendy Cox in Manhattan and Lloyd Hunter in Timiocato

Manhattan - The Government of Manhattan Prime have announced today a near-complete overhaul of naval forces, following a recent agreement signed with Marinoceta SpA, the largest shipyard in the Democratic Capitalist Republic of Pacitalia.

The destroyers, frigates and patrol boats of the Manhattan Navy were deemed more than sufficient for anti-smuggling and piracy operations, but with recent hostilities in nearby states in Atlantian Oceania, the Department of Defense have decided to upgrade the Navy into a more potent fighting force, more equipped to take on opposing capital ships.

The government is quick to state that the new ships are for defensive purposes only, and are intended to faction as a mini-fleet in conjunction with allied states, and not engage and defend against an opposing fleet on its own. However it is felt that the MN’s capabilities have been greatly increased by this move.

The following details have been made public - Manhattan Prime has purchased from the Pacitalian defense contractor, the following:

10 x m306.B destroyers, codenamed ‘Ares Class’ by Manhattan Prime

5 x M515.A Trimaran cruisers – ‘Valiant Class’

1 x M601.P "CBGN" nuclear-powered guided missile battlecruiser – ‘Manhattan Class’

1 x A500.A heavy-duty aircraft carrier – ‘Lexington Class’
200 x Coronet carrier-borne Fighters for service on the above Carrier.

Exact figures have not been released but sources close to the Secretary of Defense indicate the total sum is in the region of Ð 67.9 billion.

Reports claim that President Cuthbert has invited Pacitalian Prime Minister Fernando Chiovitti to witness the official launch of the Lexington class Carrier the ‘MNS Timothy Ell’ in the near future, with a view to further talks.

(ATTN Pacitalia, Semi-open, please TG me if you want to get involved in a possible non-aggression or trade agreement)

Consistent Diplomacy – The Launch of the MNS ‘Timothy Ell’
New Sydney Fleetyards, Manhattan Prime
3rd January 2007

Andrew Cuthbert, 1st President of the Imperial Republic of Manhattan Prime, clapped loudly along with the small crowd that had gathered by the quayside. He raised the bottle of Champaign in his left hand high, and then brought it crashing down on the side of the gigantic aircraft carrier moored close nearby. Successfully christened, the ship’s crew raised the flag of Manhattan Prime for the first time, and fired all its guns at once in a thunderous salute.

She was truly a sight to behold, freshly painted with a sleek coat of gleaming silvery gray paint; a work of art with a slight hint of…not menace, but readiness. This was a ship that could cope with just about anything. Cuthbert’s eyes panned over every inch of the Manhattan Navy’s newest toy.

Called the Lexington class by the Manhattanites and the somewhat bland A500.A by its designers at Marinoceta, the mighty ship and its accompanying 200 fighters looked worth every bit of their hefty 50 billion doura price tag.

Cuthbert turned next to look at his fellow observers. Among his own entourage was his ever present Chief of State Korin Duval, a gruff Australian who had been working with Cuthbert ever since the young President had been elected as Senator for New Cambridge in 2004. The Secretary of Defense, Fleet Admiral Ross was standing nearby looking visibly impressed; as ex head of the MN there was no chance he would miss a day like this. Talking to Ross was the man who had taken his place as Ranking Officer of the Manhattan Navy, Admiral Chris Ryan, as well as a short, balding man Cuthbert recognized as the chief aide to Ambassador Martin Roberts, Manhattan Prime’s representative in Pacitalia. The man’s name eluded him, having only met him once, briefly.

He could see various Senators, businessmen and other dignitaries in the small crowd gathered behind the President’s entourage, separated from their leader by several agents from the Secret Service branch of CMI; all serious men of few words, in impeccably tailored black suits and menacing dark glasses and earpieces. Not exactly the best dinner guests, but Cuthbert trusted them with his life.

A marine marched up to the portable bullet-proof podium from which the President was to speak, and attached the Presidential seal to the front of it. This seal was only placed on the podium when the President was speaking, and removed immediately afterwards, though of course other frequently used these special podiums.

Looking as if nothing could please him more than to see everyone gather here today, Cuthbert stood to say a few words. There were no scripts here as the President disliked them except in addresses to the whole nation – as a skilled debater and orator he much preferred to speak from the heart and ad-lib wherever possible. His particular style of honest, informal and open leadership had made him extremely popular with the citizens of Manhattan Prime, and went hand in hand with his youthful enthusiasm.

An announcer called “Ladies and Gentlemen, The President of Manhattan Prime” and after the applause had died down, Andrew began.

“Citizens of Manhattan Prime, my friends.” He began. “Today I am very proud to announce a near-complete overhaul of our naval forces, with 10 new destroyers, 5 cruisers, 1 battlecruiser, and 1 heavy-duty aircraft carrier, courtesy of our Pacitalian guests”, Cuthbert continued, with an acknowledging nod to the Pacitalian delegation.

“Both the capabilities and power projection of our navy have increased considerably, and this increase will I hope serve to keep Manhattan Prime secure from outside threats. Our sailors have performed admirably in countless anti-smuggling and piracy operations, on a very limited budget and sparse manpower reserves, and with little more than patrol boats and a few destroyers. I applaud their efforts today, and hope that the additional funds and resources serve as a proper reward for their dedication.

To those who stand side by side with us, I am proud to call you our friends. Manhattan Prime’s navy is now far more equipped to take on any threat that might arise, and to meet our obligations to our partners in ASPIRE. We are not an aggressive nation – this new fleet in intended for defensive purposes only – but we are not afraid to defend that which is ours.

The magnificent ship you see behind me is to be the pride of the MN, and I see it as only fitting to name it in tribute of one of its creator’s greatest statesmen, Timothy Ell. I met Dr Ell but a few times during his term of office, and I regard that as my loss, for I found him to be both intelligent and honourable. Ladies and Gentlemen, the MNS Timothy Ell!” the President finished, raising his champagne glass in toast.

Stepping down from the podium, he turned to his Pacitalian opposite number. “Mr Prime Minister, we would be honoured if you’d be our guests for dinner aboard the Tim Ell. I’m told she’s equipped with full diplomatic capabilities.” Cuthbert invited, genially; it had been a very good day for him, and he’d always had something of a soft spot for Pacitalia.
“That is of course, unless you wish to say a few words, in which case please, be my guest”.

"Thank you, Signore President," Fernando Chiovitti, Pacitalia's prime minister of two months, replied. "Thank you."

He vigorously and genuinely shook the Manhattanite president's hand. Smiling, he acceded the podium and looked out at the crowd of around ten thousand affluent, well-off Manhattanites and Pacitalians, plus plenty more in Pacitalian aristocrats, and dignitaries from both nations.

"What a great day, what an historic day this is, for both of our countries," he said. "Safely said, this is another grand step in the solidification of the friendship between our two states, and I am honoured to be here in New Sydney for the christening of this beautiful new fleet."

Taking a sip of water, he paused. "I am proud to see the closer ties enjoyed by Manhattan Prime and Pacitalia under the careful watch of both President Cuthbert and myself. I have always hoped for a strong friendship, and now I am glad to see it come to fruition, with these ships as symbols of that bond.

"Once again, thank you all, and on behalf of our friends at Marinoceta, congratulations on the purchase of 17 beautiful craft."

To the sounds of mostly polite applause, as the news of new ships for the navy had sailed right over the heads of the well-to-do crowd, Chiovitti joined Cuthbert on the gangwalk, for the short journey across the turbid waters of the shipyards' docks and onto the gleaming, gigantic aircraft carrier for dinner.

President Cuthbert had had an unusually busy day and so had a hearty appetite. He made small talk whilst eating – he’d found the Pacitalian PM very likable. Chiovitti had been gracious, and charming; the perfect guest, and Cuthbert wasn’t about to be outdone.

Arranging in advance for the meal to be 1/3 Pacitalian, 2/3 Manhattan Prime <RL British food> had been his idea, to make his guests feel more at home. The Minister for Foreign Relations had been a bit put out – he had hoped to use this opportunity to showcase Manhattanite cuisine for their guests more fully – Pacitalians were known as lovers of good food after all - but he’d soon come around.

Cuthbert had chatted a little during the meal, but only small matters so far – ‘How was the flight?’, ‘How where they enjoying the country so far?’. Cuthbert wished he had time to give his guests a proper tour of the country, or at least a prettier spot than a military shipyard. There was a certain path in the Manhattan National Park just outside the capital where Cuthbert loved to walk – the quiet peace of the woods never failed to relax him after a hard day. He knew they were short on time on this visit – maybe next time.
Andrew was determined to show his country in a good light to their closest and senior partners.

Soon after the meal, he decided it was time to get down for business – he had after all implied in the invitation that the launch of the aircraft carrier might make a good setting for future talks.

“Korin” Cuthbert muttered out of the corner of his mouth – his Chief of Staff was behind him in seconds.
“Yes Mr President?”
“Could you find out the name of our Chief Aide in Pacitalia please, it’s been bugging me all evening”

With a quick nod Korin Duval took out his trusty notebook computer, which had been organising the President’s schedule for many years now, and loaded the Diplomatic database, quickly finding the aide in question. “His name’s Michael Myers” Korin whispered to his boss.
“You’re kidding me”
Korin shrugged his shoulders, “Guess his parents must have had a sense of humour Chief”.
“Just tell him we might need some paperwork drawn up soon – I’m going to suggest strengthening out relationship to the Pacitalians, ask Myers to page Ambassador Roberts, in Timiocato, just to keep him informed.”

Korin nodded, and slipped off silently to the other side of the table, where Cuthbert could see him whispering in the balding Aide’s ear. Satisfied that Duval would soon have all the key people informed, Cuthbert engaged Prime Minister Chiovitti in conversation once more.

“I hope you have enjoyed your meal Mr Prime Minister” he smiled, “but I think it’s time to talk of more serious matters. Relations between our countries have been very friendly for some time, and Manhattanites consider Pacitalia as the closest allies we have on the international arena. I invited you here today not only to witness the launch of this beautiful vessel, but also to discuss possible ways we can strengthen that relationship. Manhattan Prime is a fast-growing up and coming market, and so maybe opportunities for foreign investment might help both sides. Similarly a free trade agreement, with the lowering or dropping of certain tariffs might also be a good idea.

I’ll confess recent happenings in the region have me concerned – that’s partly the reason why I decided to upgrade our naval forces. I think some sort of alliance or non-aggression pact might help us present a more united front, though of course we have a while to discuss all the little details…”

New Sydney Agreement:

A joint statement released to illustrate bilateral moves taken to strengthen the relationship between Manhattan Prime and Pacitalia:

The major part of the New Sydney Agreement is a military alliance between the Imperial Republic of Manhattan Prime and the Democratic Capitalist Republic of Pacitalia in which both countries pledge to declare war and come to each other’s aid if the other is attacked. This move is thought to have been sparked by recent concern over conflict in the Atlantian Oceania region, and will allow the close allies to present a more united front. The agreement applied only to mutual defense and thus does not cover support for offensive actions.

Manhattan Prime and Pacitalia have signed a free trade agreement, involving both countries dropping all tariffs on each other’s goods.

The Agreement also included commercial links and foreign investment opportunities for Pacitalian companies in Manhattan Prime’s fast-growing, up and coming market:

The Banco di Mandragora is to open its first 25 branches in Manhattan Prime.

The PBC International Service is soon to be fully available through terrestrial reception throughout Manhattan Prime, and Pacitalians will soon be able to receive the MPNN World Service. Both radio services are currently only available to listen to via the internet.

Foreign Exchange links are to be set up in the near future between the Universities of Manhattan, New Sydney and New London (Manhattan Prime) and St Mark’s University (Pacitalia) as well as several Universities involved in the Pacitalian state-run National University system, including Amita, Lucifora and Timiocato.

This treaty is to take effect as of 3rd January 2007

Signed:

President Andrew Cuthbert for the Imperial Republic of Manhattan Prime
and
Prime Minister Fernando Chiovitti for the Democratic Capitalist Republic of Pacitalia