NationStates Jolt Archive

Sydney, Australian Province
Atrium of the Chancellor

Brian Randall was a big man-physically. A former rugby and soccer player, he had competed on the 1986 Australian team in the FIFA World Cup. Not exactly a great team, but Randall had starred-then gotten invovled in politics, and it had all surged from there. His stature was imposing-6'5", 220 lb-all muscle. The man could probaly snap a thigh bone in half with his bare hands. This stature had captivated the Australian people-and when the FPU had been formed, he had garnered nearly the entire Australian and New Zealand votes for Chancellor. Pretty much a landslide.
Randall was also an aggressive man. His contemporary at Premier, Guntur Fasani, was a peaceful, passive man-maybe that was why he was not Chancellor and instead was Premier. Randall looked to the future. His nation was large, by many standards. Money was fairly plentiful. Economics for the FPU were generally good. So why not use that for furthering the locals a bit?
Particularly: Singapore. The tiny nation, practically engulfed by surrounding Indonesian islands, was the last vestige of independence in the local area, after the Papua New Guineans had broken loose from Indonesia (an event that had spurned Indonesia's joining of the FPU). Singapore simply needed to be persuaded a bit-in one form or another.
Randall was not afraid of trying anything-Singapore had less people then New Zealand province, which was the proverbial "backwater" of the FPU (though slowly being integrated into higher population growth through the government migration program). However, Singapore was fairly friendly with the West, not the best thing for the FPU. The massive Southeast Asian nation was large, and formidable, however-and Randall doubted the Westerners would like to island-hop again. Especially after how well last time they did it-in World War II-it went. The liberal Americans and even worse Europeans wouldn't stand for too many people dying, and Randall would ensure, if attacked, that many would.
But the Chancellor doubted the Americans or Europeans would care all too much. It was Singapore, and Randall had good relations with just about everybody. He was an Aussie-some of the most friendly and jovial people on the planet-or so people assumed.
Singapore may find differently should they try to deny any sort of attempt to join the FPU. However, Randall would be courteous first-his economic stats dwarfed the city-nation's similars, as did recognition.
Randall and the Indonesian-native Fasani quickly had derived a list of terms, and benefits, for Singapore-some that would make the country much more well-known, and would keep its spelndour. After a quick brief with the High Council, the message was sent off to the Singapore government.

Addressed to the Honorable Singapore President, Sellapan Ramanathan

Singapore stands as slightly isolated in this time when unions of nations are forming, when alliances are coming together, when the strong are growing more powerful. We have been strong in relations since the Five Power Defence Arrangements, and though Britain is fairly far away, we in the FPU already represent three of the five nations on that pact, along with Indonesia.
With the spirit of progressiveness, also comes dampening. Jakarta is slowly becoming the strongest port city in Southeast Asia, while Indonesia is prospering much more than it was before the FPU integrated it. Malaysia's textile industry grows by the day. And now, the FPU wishes to offer Singapore the great opportunity to make more of its situation-to join the FPU as a member state. Let me outline the benefits and plans that will accompany this grand ideal:
-Singapore will still contain semi-autonomy as a Federal Province, the fifth of the Union.
-As a Federal Province, Singapore will get an active voice in the democratic governmental affairs based in Sydney of the entire Union.
-At any time, Singapore needs can be addressed to the nation as a whole, utilizing the powerful FPU economy to deal with issues and benefit Singapore as a whole.
-Singapore City will be once again glorified into the primier economic post in Southeast Asia, as Jakarta has expressed the wish to move towards production should Singapore join the Union.
-The massive defence force of the Union shall guard Singapore as it guards the Union, with every drop of blood.
-Health and education reforms across the Union shall be also included into Singapore, to increase the already strong standards of living in Singapore.
-Singapore will become a city on a hill to Southeast Asia, and all of Asia, much as Sydney has shone through Oceana-dwarfing even Tokyo.
Singapore has so much to gain through entering the Union-and will still keep nearly everything it already values, besides gaining these and more advantages.
Please consider the offer, and we in the FPU surely encourage Singapore to find strength in the Union, and to become that city on a hill.

Brian Randall
Chancellor, Federated Pacific Union

The Wagdoggie government's response to news of the FPU's initiative was swift, unified, and forward. It had no choice but to be.
Addressed to the Rt. Hon. Mr. Brian Randall, Chancellor of the FPU,
Your move to annex Singapore disturbs us much of late here in Wagdog. Have you not thought about what this might do to our trade with the Rhodesians or other independent countries of the Indian Ocean region?
There does not have to be a confrontation between our two nations over this issue; yet. But avoiding it will depend on negotiating fair terms of admission into the FPU for Singapore, with their full involvement in drafting same, and also negotiating fair passage agreements for our extensive merchant marine through the vital Straits of Malacca. Under no circumstances shall we abide another "Act of Free Choice," like the travesty the former Indonesia foisted upon West Papua to justify 45 years of brutal occupation, and we trust the FPU is a more civilized society than to resort to such base colonialist tactics.
Our two nations must set a great example in the world, rather than fall upon each other like hyenas in an imperialism/anti-imperialism war while real dangers, like potential expansion by the Empire of Japan our collective way, gather at the same time. I await your terms for our views on this matter to be reconciled equitably, Chancellor.
Sincerely,
Cde. Carolinus Horridus (Revolutionary Party)
General Secretary,
United Socialist States of Wagdog Revolutionary Command Council

State International Trade Advisor Chris Hani paced furiously in his office. He was pondering, as he often did in the mid-afternoon, after the early morning rush of emails and replies and phone calls was out the way.

His latest dilemna. He had just been on at a meeting in the Main Discussion Chamber of the Upper House Pretoria, the centre of the government. There, he discussed the latest situation with the FPU.

The RSU had just made a trade proposition to the FPU economic centre to bring the trade of the two nations together when this happened. As much as the RSU also had expansionistic plans, the FPU were much more belligerent about it - within a few hours of the trade proposition Singapore had been "welcomed" to the FPU. Not good news.

Especially for the FPU's new friends, the Rhodesians, who did not want to appear as the party in the wrong here, especially as they were new to the world scene.

The discussion had been brief, outlining what could happen. It was decided that trade would continue, but would be cut-off if any more acts of belligerence occured from the FPU side.

Randall was somewhat frustrated by the Wagdog communication. Apparantly he believed the FPU was more like Indonesia-when secretly, Randal was basically creating an Australian-guided Union. Time to reassure some fears-stability was key, and the more trade that passed through a Union-controlled Singapore would merely increase economic standing for the Union as a whole.
Especially because, if anything, Singapore would make the Union more Westernized, not less-which was somewhat Randall's goal, in an area festering with the Japanese and the Pan Asian Bloc.
With a conference coming with the Singapore government in Singapore City, Randall did his best to console Wagdog thoughts.

SIC communication

Addressed to the Honorable Cde. Carolinus Horridus, General Secretary,
United Socialist States of Wagdog Revolutionary Command Council

We do reassure Wagdog aims that our aims with Singapore are for mutual benefit. As for trading aims, we of the Union do believe if anything, this will simply increase trading aims-as a Union port, Singapore city will streamline shipping in the Southeast Pacific and ease trading clashes that have occured in the past. We of the Union are trying our best to amend for the acts of the past as we become more involved in peaceful action, rather than aggressive moves.
Furthermore, we wish for the best possible outcome for Singapore as a representative nation-province in the democratic system of the Union. As each province recieves an equal say in Union government, it is confirmed that Singapore will recieve similar say. It is in the country's best interest to join the Union-and will especially reinforce the region against the recent aggression to the Phillipines that Imperial Japan has shown.
Much better that Singapore join the economically-interested fold of the Union-we are looking to become a major site of trade with any intersted nation, for good purposes-than fall to the particularly aggressive Pan-Asian Bloc, or the Japanese. To assure Wagdog fears, we invite representatives of the United Socialist States to act as a medium for Singapore-Union relations in bringing the nation the best through membership in the Union.
About the Japanese-we will monitor their situation. If their interests prove to be beneficially motivated, rather than for aggression, than we may yet form a stable sphere in the Pacific. It is all our goals for peace and prosperity.

Yours in Leadership,
Brian Randall
Chancellor, Federated Pacific Union

OOC Note: Kazahk, Singapore is still in the process of consideration. There will be a conference in Singapore City about membership-you are welcome to bring diplomats to it (or RP as the Singapore people).
Addressed the trade thing in my diplomacy/factbook thread

Randall was somewhat frustrated by the Wagdog communication. Apparantly he believed the FPU was more like Indonesia-when secretly, Randal was basically creating an Australian-guided Union. Time to reassure some fears-stability was key, and the more trade that passed through a Union-controlled Singapore would merely increase economic standing for the Union as a whole.
Especially because, if anything, Singapore would make the Union more Westernized, not less-which was somewhat Randall's goal, in an area festering with the Japanese and the Pan Asian Bloc.
With a conference coming with the Singapore government in Singapore City, Randall did his best to console Wagdog thoughts.

SIC communication



OOC Note: Kazahk, Singapore is still in the process of consideration. There will be a conference in Singapore City about membership-you are welcome to bring diplomats to it (or RP as the Singapore people).
Addressed the trade thing in my diplomacy/factbook thread
Whew! It was rare the General Secretary caught himself expressing such relief even that openly. After being shot and nearly (in fact, briefly) dying during the 2006 riots by Nazi sympathizers, whose support's origin still remained a mystery even to Wagdog's vaunted State Bureau of Investigation and State Security Agency, Carolinus Horridus had learned all too well the value of keeping one's cards closely held at all times. Now I can at least keep Mario on a shorter leash, with this third possible war front kept cool for now. He thus drafted an official communique to the FPU's Chancellor, a more responsible leader now in Horridus' eyes than he had first appeared during this crisis.
Official Reply to the Federated Pacific Union
Dear Rt. Hon. Chancellor Randall,
Your mention of a conference, which apparently shall include us but should also include all concerned parties, Japan and Pan-Asia and others as well, does much to ease our concerns. Already you've convinced us you plan no West Papua-like fiasco in this case, but rather an Australian-style fair hearing for Singapore's people; which is very good for our future relations, I assure you.
We shall attend the conference indeed, and present the case for our view of Singapore's interests to be most minded in its joining your fine nation, and hear the others' views as well as those of the Singaporeans' themselves. This is only proper, as is a reduction in our forces' readiness to a uniform DEFCON 4 (Guarded) condition in light of both our positive agreement and the ongoing uncertainty regarding Japan's moves in the Philippines.
Know that we do not particularly care for their move on its face, but neither are we able to oppose it without undue risk of major war against those we yet wish to call friends. In our view, the best we can do is what we've done every time a new expansionist claim has been made: speak up for the local peoples' interests as we see them, and try to keep the bloodshed involved minimal if not zero. You have aided us much in that task this day, and I thank you for it wholeheartedly.
With My Gratitude,
Cde. Horridus
General Secretary, Wagdoggie RCC.

Randall pumped his fist as the communication came back to his office, a throwback to his soccer days. At least they were reasonable, the Wagdog government-for socialists, not bad. The Pan-Asian bloc would likely be much harder to deal with-their economic system against the heavily-laden capitalism of the FPU. Brian would deal with that when the time came-they, and it seemed, most of the world-didn't seem all that interested by the Singapore move (well, besides the Singapore people...).
Randall felt it neccessary to send back another communication.


Addressed to the Honorable Cde. Carolinus Horridus, General Secretary,
United Socialist States of Wagdog Revolutionary Command Council

The Union welcomes closer relations with the Wagdog people and government in forming a well-connected and prosperous South Pacific with an open hand. We will hear out all concerns of the Singapore people and of other nations in the upcoming conference. In addition, hopefully the Japan-Phillipines incident can pass through without much concern and develop into a strengthened tie with the Japanese people while still preserving Phillipino freedoms and rights.
We do intend to make up for the somewhat turbulent past of our nation with a level-headed and peaceful approach to the future, however we can.

Best Regards,
Brian Randall
Chancellor, Federated Pacific Union