NationStates Jolt Archive

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To the Appropriate Diplomatic Offices of [*Enter your country name here*],

While a recent petition for the chartering of foreign embassy buildings failed to pass through Parliament in its entirety, it has been decided nonetheless to set aside a plan for ambassadorial residences within the Salisburgic Dominion.

Ambassadors will be welcomed into the Dominion under full diplomatic immunity. They may reside wherever in the Dominion that they wish, although our suggested area is somewhere on one of the Gongheim Islands. This is because these islands are more friendly to foreigners, have better infrastructure and therefore better communication, and are very safe (there has not been a major revolt there in almost 15 years). Enclosed within this letter is a map (http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/2466/gongheimislands6qq.png) with the Gongheim Islands circled in red.

Your ambassador is not bound by any requirements except for respect for the laws of the realm. However, the ambassador is exempt from any forced tithes, so if a local clergyman is trying to make your ambassador pay tithes, let us know. This should not be a problem however, for they have all been informed. Note that this exemption only applies to the ambassador, his immediate family, and up to ten members of the ambassadorial staff. Any others are subject to normal tithes as determined by the local church.

All you need submit is the name of your ambassador and the state and/or nation that he represents.

He will be able to enter the country through any seaport or aeroport, although know that wherever he chooses to enter, he must either pay for the storing of his aircraft or boat or, in the case of an aircraft, take it with him to wherever he chooses to reside. His Majesty has instructed the Burgraves of every major town to assist in housing of any ambassador that they confront.

Signed,
The Rt Hon. Jan Sebastien, Lord Chancellor



Countries with Ambassadors in Cotenshire:
Bedou
British Londinium
Centrendom
Pinguinum
Vontanas
Wagdog

OOC: Anyone want to send an ambassador? Any Questions?

OOC: Bump

OOC: Bump

OOC: Frankly, I don't like the fact that extra diplomats and guards have to pay tithes, especially since only 3% of the population follows an Abrahamic religion. It's likely forcing ambassadors to pay taxes, except to the church.

OOC: Frankly, I don't like the fact that extra diplomats and guards have to pay tithes, especially since only 3% of the population follows an Abrahamic religion. It's likely forcing ambassadors to pay taxes, except to the church.
OOC: Well, only those after the tenth person employed by the ambassador are not exempt from paying tithes, so with economical use of employees, you can bypass this completely. The Lord Chancellor was very generous in securing this tithe exemption rule. Normally no one, no matter where they are from, can possibly become exempt from tithes (although the wealthy can often strike deals with local clergy and not have to pay them).

OOC:
The whole tax thing troubles us because we normally have roughly 15 staff, the ambassador, his family, and a 20 person armed guard unit in our embasies. So we would be paying quite a bit of money to your nation. Which we do not like paying a nation to have an embasy within their nation. It seems like a rediculous idea to my nations government. So we'd probably pass on this.

OOC: If you have an issue with the tithes, your best bet is to bring it up ICly with Lord Chancellor Jan Sebastien. He wants you to have ambassadors here because it makes his job easier, so he will try to pass money around to the right people and get something arranged for you.)

OOC: I agree, this isnt an NSG thread debating if diplomats should pay tithes or taxes...its an RP IC thread and in his nations culture it is what it is...petition for a waiver on the grounds that you will not send diplomats to pay to a religion they are not members of or some other such blather.


IC:

Hand written response
To The Right Honorable Jan Sebastien, Lord Chancellor

Peace and Blessings of All-h the most Merciful be upon you and your nation.

I Sultan Mohammed bin Al Deeb II write you this day to accept this most gracious offer offer to allow foreign emissaries to your most beautiful nation.

I will upon permission dispatch my nephew Tariq Al Aziz to your nation.
He will of course accompanied by his family and ten members of the Foreign Services Security Force.

We request permission to make use of a satellite uplink as we have reviewed the digital communication connectivity of your nations infrastructure and find that a more reliable communications impliment will be required.

This data uplink will be for his use only and proper encryption techniques will be implemented to avoid it's signal being hijacked for improper usage.

The sattelite uplink will also serve as a terrestrial relay for the diplomatic contingents cell phones.

All materials brought will of course be open to inspection.

All cameras will be 35mm film and no digital photographic devices will be used, this is to ensure you comfort and security.

As an additional request we understand that your nation has unique transportation issues.

We will provide our Emissary with a transport helicopter, as well as horses.
Horse are a Bedou(Bedouin) tradition, and we are most pleased to find a nation that even in these modern times still holds them to some esteem.

Blessing and Mercy of All-h the One True G-d upon you and your people.
Signed
Sultan Mohammed bin Al Deeb

To the Most Honourable Sultan Mohammed bin al-Deeb II,

We will gladly welcome your ambassador, Mr. al-Aziz, and those who accompany him. Know that all of your technological tools for which you have requested permission have been approved and may be used at any time. If any local, be he lord or commoner, gives you trouble, let me know. It is unfortunate that many of the civilized Muslims such as yourself are discriminated against here in Cotenshire and put in the same group as their more barbaric kin.

You will find that Cotenshire is a land of great equestrian tradition, and your knowledge of the horse will be greatly respected and appreciated among those whom you meet.

Signed,
The Rt Hon. Jan Sebastien, Lord Chancellor

Ambassador: Houghton Thronestealer
Nation: Imperial Democratic Republic of Vantanas
Guards: 20
Diplomats: 25
Note: We have embargoed your nation due to your theocratic standings. Also, our staff and ambassador are atheist/agnostic/one muslim, and refuse to pay tithes.

....OOC: The guy isnt an Ambassador yet. His post clearly states the Ambassador will not be expected to pay tithes.
and for goodnesssakes learn how to make an IC post and READ what others post and make sure you understand it before you write...for the benefit of everyone who has to read your post.

IC:
In response to the economic embargo on Contenshire from the nation of Vontanas.
Ambassador Al Aziz is currently working on reducing prices on goods and eliminating tarriffs so that any potential loss form the embargo will be offset by an increase in market activities.

While the Bedou do not subscribe to the particular faith o the Contenshire general populace it is the duty of the faithful to ensure that all who serve G-d are kept safe from the snares ofthe faithless.

Tariq Al Aziz, Ambassador to Cotenshire

OOC: Bedou, it's an embassy thread. He's not expecting elaborate letters. So I made one slip up with the ambassador, so what? I'm only human.

IC:

After recent events in Laquasa Isle, we have lifted our trade embargo on Cotenshire. In these dark times, the Vantanian economy needs all the power it can get.

Inge Svensson, the Bishop of Gongheimia, was at his desk writing a letter to the captain of his silverhelms when a postman arrived at the door of his office.

“Yes?” said the Bishop.

“My Lord Bishop-” He was interrupted when the Bishop held out his hand. The postman dashed forward and kissed the large ruby banded on one of the Bishop’s fingers. “I have had burdened upon me this letter from Lord Chancellor Sebastien. It is addressed to you.”

“Erik, bring it here,” commanded the bishop. A man who was sitting next to the desk got up from his chair and handed the bishop the letter, which the bishop scanned. “Well, this is appropriate,” the bishop finally said. “I was just writing a warrant for the arrest of those Vantanians should they be stalwart in their refusal to follow church customs.” The postman dismissed himself from the room.

“Well, what does the esteemed Lord Chancellor want, my Lord Bishop?” asked Erik.

“He wishes that I…in his words…‘look the other way when the Vantanans are not paying tithes.’ He is willing to offer me a £200 compensation.”

“Well, my Lord Bishop, you do know that you can not arrest the ambassador or his men. They have diplomatic immunity. You can only deport them. That is a decree from the parliament itself, not a whim of the Lord Chancellor.”

“Oh, is that so? Well, if they are going to live here, I want their money. A £200 ransom simply is not enough.”

“It would be wise not to upset the Lord Chancellor, my Lord Bishop. He wields great influence over the King, who is securing your position. And I know who he will side with if a dispute arises.”

“Very well. Try your best, however, to make sure no one else knows that I am looking the other way with this issue.”



Ambassador of Vantanas,

Your refusal to follow the laws of God greatly anger me. This is a realm of the Church, and I can not have stains like this on my realm when it comes time for Divine Judgment. The only thing keeping you from being a bloody stump in a jail cell is a wish of the Lord Chancellor.

Know that I will have my retinues keeping a close watch on you, and if I ever find out that you have so much as taken a piss that can be construed as indecent, your career in the Dominion will be done.

Signed,
I. K. S., Holy Lord Bishop of Gongheimia

Ambassador of Vantanas,

Your refusal to follow the laws of God greatly anger me. This is a realm of the Church, and I can not have stains like this on my realm when it comes time for Divine Judgment. The only thing keeping you from being a bloody stump in a jail cell is a wish of the Lord Chancellor.

Know that I will have my retinues keeping a close watch on you, and if I ever find out that you have so much as taken a piss that can be construed as indecent, your career in the Dominion will be done.

Signed,
I. K. S., Holy Lord Bishop of Gongheimia

I. K. S., Holy Lord Bishop of Gongheimia,

Your threats have been noted, and we wish to inform YOU that should you take any action against us, your church (which one is it, Catholic, Lutheran, Southern Baptist?) and Cotenshire will be sued. Your church for stalking/spying, and the government for breaching our diplomatic immunity. That is all.

Signed,
Houghton Thornestealer

Although we cannot call ourselves a religiously-founded state by any stretch of the imagination, we emphatically do not support discrimination either for or against religion in our land. Considering that we are on the same side as you in condemning Cyredel's campaign of persecution, and that Wagdog believes in respecting others' constitutions under the policy of "Socialism in One Country," we would be happy to exchange embassies with your realm. And we shall pay the tithes as requested, since they are your law on your land, and shall simply reckon them as yet another cost of doing business to be factored into the embassy's budget.
Thirty in all are to be sent, counting Ambassador Darren Garfield, his wife Maria, two children Jennifer (12) and Darren Jr. (9), eleven miscellaneous personal staff, and 15 guards comprising the following members of the Wagdoggie Red Banner Marine Corps:
Captain Jackson Rawls
1st Lieutenant Michael Ericcson
2nd Lieutenant Donnatella Reese
Subaltern Penny Guise
Staff Sergeant Frank Longbottom
And a squad of ten under Sergeant Gary Shrubrick.
Declared weaponry: 5 P-64 pistols, 5 PM-63 submachine guns, and ten AKM assault rifles. Each weapon is to have five reloads on hand; we normally ask for ten, but feel your word regarding Cotenshire's safety must be given its due full faith and credit.
Declared Vehicles: 1 armored limousine and 1 Mi-4 Hound armored helicopter, all unarmed.
We hope this is only the beginning of excellent relations between our hopefully complementary realms. Your embassy is already being reserved in Tailville DR at 1921 Aurora Avenue, and we hope you will accept it soon.

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Official Communiqué

To Cotenshire:

The nation of Eurasia would like to establish an embassy in your nation; we will be dispatching Othello Cassio as our diplomat. He will be accompanied by twenty SIS agents (armed with Walther PP99 pistols), and fifty support personnel. Three helicopters and two armoured limousines will be utilised with your permission.

Signed,
Kelsey Birhanu
The Rt. Hon. Kelsey Birhanu, MP
Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

To the Chancellor or other appropriate minister of Wagdog,

Thank you for your words of friendship. All the armaments and vehicles which you have requested have been approved. Mr. Garfield shall be welcomed into the Dominion, and, of course, if anyone gives him trouble, let me know.

Signed,
The Rt Hon. Jan Sebastien, Lord Chancellor



To the Rt Hon. Kelsey Birhanu, MP,

Mr. Cassio and his entourage shall be welcomed into the Dominion. In addition, all of his armaments and vehicles have been approved. It is unfortunate that Eurasia is rather unpopular within the dominion, so if anyone gives your ambassador or his staff trouble, let me know.

Signed,
The Rt Hon. Jan Sebastien, Lord Chancellor

I. K. S., Holy Lord Bishop of Gongheimia,

Your threats have been noted, and we wish to inform YOU that should you take any action against us, your church (which one is it, Catholic, Lutheran, Southern Baptist?) and Cotenshire will be sued. Your church for stalking/spying, and the government for breaching our diplomatic immunity. That is all.

Signed,
Houghton Thornestealer


(OOC: Sorry, missed this post somehow. The church is a weird Catholic/Calvinist/Anglican mix, it has a rather convoluted history but considers itself to be Anglican Protestant.)

Mr. Thornestealer,

Your pretentious claims are laughable. If you mean sueing me and the church in the legal sense, then no. I shall disregard the hilarious bit about sueing the government. Know that the eavesdropping of my guards in no way breaches your diplomatic immunity. You are not welcomed by the church. I suggest you reform yourself quick and pay to the church what it is due.

Signed,
I. K. S., Holy Lord Bishop of Gongheimia

I. K. S., "Holy" Lord Bishop of Gongheimia,

Your threats have once again been noticed, and we have the originals of both of your letters prepared to be sent to the Lord Chancellor at a moments notice. I do hope that you realize that eavesdropping would be spying, which is illegal. You and you're missionaries are not welcomed by Vantanas, and I suggest you shape up. I find it pitiful that Cotenshire is dominated by such a mind control as the church, with it's illusions of a "Higher Power", "God Almighty", and a "Divine Savior". It is laughable.

Signed,
Houghton Thornestealer

I. K. S., "Holy" Lord Bishop of Gongheimia,

Your threats have once again been noticed, and we have the originals of both of your letters prepared to be sent to the Lord Chancellor at a moments notice. I do hope that you realize that eavesdropping would be spying, which is illegal. You and you're missionaries are not welcomed by Vantanas, and I suggest you shape up. I find it pitiful that Cotenshire is dominated by such a mind control as the church, with it's illusions of a "Higher Power", "God Almighty", and a "Divine Savior". It is laughable.

Signed,
Houghton Thornestealer

Mr. Thornestealer,

I would like you to know that I have spent my whole life under the guidance and within the ranks of the clergy. It is foolish to think that one of the likes of yourself, who does not even recognize Christ, is holier than one such as me.

Also, it is apparent that you are quite new here, because any attempts to send letters that might turn the Lord Chancellor against me will be intercepted. You also seem to have certain delusions, that you yourself, even though you have only been here a short while, can decide what is illegal and what is legal.

You seem like a highly deranged individual. If this is because of your lack of Christ or if your lack of Christ is because of your derangements, I can not be sure. You can remedy this malady of yours by following the guidance of the church and giving to it the payment it deserves.

Signed,
I. K. S., Holy Lord Bishop of Gongheimia

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The Rt Hon. Jan Sebastien, Lord Chancellor,

We have welcomed your ambassador into our country and now wish for you to do the same. We are however concerned with the present uneasiness of these diplomatic issues. I expect Contenshire to make very effort to rectify these.

In addition to this, if the ambassador is expected to pay a fee to the church, then it shall be arranged so that your ambassador will have to pay the PCO for their blessings.

Finally we wish to send Baronet Enrico Uccello to your nation for mutual diplomacy.

Ministerial Secretary to Ray Fin

The Rt Hon. Jan Sebastien, Lord Chancellor,

We have welcomed your ambassador into our country and now wish for you to do the same. We are however concerned with the present uneasiness of these diplomatic issues. I expect Contenshire to make very effort to rectify these.

In addition to this, if the ambassador is expected to pay a fee to the church, then it shall be arranged so that your ambassador will have to pay the PCO for their blessings.

Finally we wish to send Baronet Enrico Uccello to your nation for mutual diplomacy.

Ministerial Secretary to Ray Fin
To Ministerial Secretary to Ray Fin,

I was unaware that we were having diplomatic difficulties, and if there is some bothersome inefficacy, please bring it to my notice and allow me to mend it. Fortunately, these issues are unlikely to persist due to our newly created ambassadorial ties.

I am glad to have another foreign ambassador to work with within the Dominion. Know that I shall give Sir Uccello the same respect that I give to my own staff, if not more.

Concerning church fees, do not be worrying yourself. Sir Nantwich is very devoted to his ambassadorial duties, and will certainly pay required fees to the PCO. He will be dismayed if it is required of him to observe any more of the PCO’s religious customs, although I am sure that he will consent to those obligations too.

As far as tithes enforced upon your ambassador are concerned, your ambassador is automatically exempt from tithes, as are his family and ten other members of your embassy faculty. If you find tithes placed on any remaining faculty members to be too burdensome, please inform me of the situation and I will try to coerce the Gongheimian clergy to accede to further exemptions.

Signed,
The Rt Hon. Jan Sebastien, Lord Chancellor