NationStates Jolt Archive

Gordon Barkove (http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s126/Alacea/AlaceanPresident.jpg?t=1181241472) glanced sleepily out the largest window in his office, towards Alacea's largest and most beautiful city, Acaria, with all its boutiques, skyscrapers, palaces, and other huge monuments.

He was a man with a mission, and mustered the strength to break free of his daze and walked briskly towards the helipad in the south of the Presidential Palace.

After a ten minute ride in his luxury toy, he had arrived in the eastern portion of the great city. In this part of town a diplomatic meeting was to take place in Eastport Square (http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s126/Alacea/EastportSquare.jpg), a small, historical district where (hopefully) a new set of friends was to be made. After jotting down a few notes on a bit of scrap paper, he turned to his aid, and said, simply, "Get this to the FAM, ASAP. Have him address it to Tolvan and Avisron." Nodding, the aid quickly got up and disappeared.

Within minutes the following communication was submitted:



http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/alacea.jpg



Official Imperial Communiqué

The Sovereign Empire of Alacea

To: Tolvan, Avisron
From: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

As you have expressed interest in furthered relations prior to now due to our new Libertarian policies, we cordially invite both your nations to a diplomatic meeting in Acaria to discuss stronger bonds. We eagerly await your reply.

Salutations,
Joseph Tellico
Minister of Foreign Affairs


OOC: For now, just RP your reply and ambassador arriving in the Acarian International Airport, and have him get to Eastport Square.

Also, let's try to keep OOC minimal in this thread...

--Cotco, Avisron--

Newly appointed Ambassador Michael Lane, employed to the Avisronite Department of State, awoke at a 10 a.m. on a lazy, foggy morning to discover that the Department had emailed him. It was marked urgent.

This could be my big break, he thought as he jumped out of bed and started getting dressed.

Within an hour he was fully dressed and had made the short drive to the airport terminal in his Zecka Union. He parked his car in the government lot and made his way into the terminal.

Another 6 minutes later and he was aboard a government owned ZeckaJet and on his way to Alacea. The ZeckaJet was small, comfortable, and had plenty of books to read. Apparently the government had handed out contracts to the extent that publishing companies were competing over who got to advertise their writers on government flights. He picked up a book titled "Socialism and How We're Going to Beat It." It wouldn't be an incredibly long flight, but he wanted to read a book this year.

After a while he had determined that "we" didn't beat socialism. Socialism jumped off a bridge because it was depressed and lonely and no one would have sex with it. After he made the further determiniation that he was giving a socioeconomic theory human qualities, he decided it was time he slept again.

He awoke when the planes wheels impacted the airport runway. The plane came to a stop shortly after. He walked to the rear of the plane and opened a small door. Inside was a toilet and a mirror. He made sure his outfit was straight, took care of his other business, and then exited the room. At this point the Avisronite Secret Service (A.V.S.S.) had already opened the hatch on the left side of the plane.

He exited the plane. For once in the last month he saw sunlight! Residence of Cotco normally didn't see sunlight! The discovery that Alacea had sunlight made Mr. Lane very happy.

The conversation with the escorts the Alacean Foreign Ministry had provided went something like "Mr. Ambassador?" "Yep." "Right this way." "Okay."

Within a few moments he was in a car and headed... somewhere.

Gordon Barkove was growing impatient. He'd waited hours for his guests to arrive, staring out a window in some luxury hotel's lobby! Not only that, and the sky was turning a deep gray. He finally spotted the small car pulling into the little square. Straightening his tie, he got up to greet his international visitors.

When he saw the Avisronite climb out of the car, he said, in a welcoming tone, "Welcome to Alacea! I'm sure you'll be happy to hear you've beat the Tolvanics!," he said in a warm chuckle. "Let me introduce myself." He offered his handshake. "I'm Gordon Barkove, the new President of Alacea." Waiting for his colleagues response, he studied Mr. Lane's expression and respectfully kept eye contact.

Michael Lane was happy to see that the Alaceans had decent hotels (at least hotels that gave off a good first impression.)

"It's always nice to get to these meetings early," Lane said while shaking the Presidents hand. "It shows we're serious about the gathering."

Lane waited a moment. He didn't know what to say next. He looked at his watch. "Any idea when they'll get here?"

"The Tolvanics should arrive sometime tonight. We plan on beginning the actual meeting tommorow, in the ballroom of La Paradis, the hotel we all will be staying at. But enough with diplomacy for now. Would you like someone to show you to your room? Or a drink?" Barkove said. He glanced up at the sky, which was getting blacker by the second. He wanted to go inside, and that desire became ten times stronger when a roar of thunder rolled through the city's streets. "We probably should go inside. Acaria has unpredictable weather the first half of June."

"Yeah, I need to get some emails sent out tonight anyway. Have a good night."

Ambassador Lane was escorted into the building, to an elevator, and eventually to his room. By the time he arrived there he was greatly regretting the fact that he had left Avisron so fast that the State Department hadn't had time to assign him an assistant.

Approaching Alacean airspace

Timothy Frost, the newly appointed Ambassador to Alacea, finally finished the the overly long dossier on Alacea he'd been given before the jet had lifted off. Everyone from the NDI to the Commerce Ministry to the Ministry of Defence had offered their opinions on Alacea, supported of course by pages of reports and estimates.

Joining Frost was his assistant Joseph Townsend, Jack Fletcher, a representative from the Commerce Ministry, and Major Bryan Lynch, the military attache to Alacea. In addition Mike Stringer, the second highest ranking Libertarian MP and a prominent ally of Prime Minister Hutchins was accompanying the delegation for the meeting, after which he'd be returning to Brayton.

Of course the delegation was also joined by a handful of other aides, a few security personnel, and a shady little man named Smith who geld the title of "Agricultural Liasion" but Frost was reasonably certain he was a NDI agent.

Frost's day dreaming was ended by a shrill beep from a nearby phone.

"Yes?"

The pilot began speaking, "We're about to radio for clearence Mr. Ambassador."

"About time," thought Frost. Then he spoke aloud, "Very good."

Radio Call

"Alacean Control this Tolvanic VIP transport Kingfisher One requesting clearence to enter your airspace and make preperations to land. Over."

Acarian International Airport Control Tower


"AIA Control to VIP transport Kingfisher One, you have permission to land. Over."


When the Tolvanics arrived, they'd be whisked off to the meeting, in a private limousine. Meanwhile, President Barkove twiddled away the hours listening to his iPod and sipping a coffee from the nearby Starbucks (brought fresh from his assistant) awaiting for the remainder of his guests to come.



OOC: Tolvan, to keep the RP going, if you don't mind, please just arrive at the square. I think teh actual meeting il' start tomorrow.

Eastport Square, Acaria, Alacea

Frost was glad when the small motorcade of limos and SUVs came to a stop near the square. After six hours on a plane and another 30 mins in a car he was tired of sitting. Maybe now they could get some actual work done.

Le Paradis Lobby

After the Avisronite's arrival, Barkove had spent the last 2 hours winding away time listening to his new Centra (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=529509) and sipping a coffee from the corner Starbucks, picked up by his aid. I love Capitalism, he thought. He snapped to his senses, however, when his Tolvanic visitors pulled out front.

When he arrived at the curb, he said, friendily, "Welcome to Alacea! Is there anything you need? A drink, someone to show you to your rooms? Allow me to introduce myself," he said. "I'm Gordon Barkove, the new President of Alacea."

OOC: Sorry for delay, my computer was being a useless piece of shit last night. I think the actual conference will start tomorrow or so.

Le Paradis Lobby

"I'm Ambassador Timothy Frost and this is my assistant Joseph Townsend. Also, this is Mr. Fletcher form the Commerce Ministry, our military attache Major Lynch, and finally Mr. Stringer one of our most prominent Libertarian MPs."

After the inroductions were completed, Frost continued.

"Not to decline your hospitality, but was a very long flight from Tolvan and I think we'd better get some rest before tomorrow."

"Right away then." he signaled to one of the many hotel servants, and said, quickly, "Please show these gentlemen to their rooms." He turned to the crowd. "I hope you'll excuse me, but I'm off to my room as well. Been up since three in the morning and have to make some personal contacts. Feel free to explore around the hotel and the community. Night, gentlemen." With that, Gordon Barkove walked up to his room, exhausted.

OOC: To get an idea of what time suits everybody, where are you all, geographically? I'm on the east US coast. Also, would anyone have a problem if the meeting started later today?

[OOC: Virginia. East coast.]

OOC: I'm in Mississippi in the Central Time Zone, but I only get on at night due to my work schedule.

OOC: Okay, then let's start the important stuff tonight then.

Gordon Barkove awoke to the screech of his alarm clock. Eight Already? he thought, getting out of his oversized bed. At least it's sunny out. He jumped in the shower, shaved, brushed his teeth, got dressed in some suit his wife went and bought for him, and headed downstairs four floors (via elevator) to the hotel's ballroom.

Upon sitting down, a servant practically sprinted while walking. Gordon didn't know that was possible. An aid arrived moments later. He requested two things: one, a coffee, and two, that his international guests be asked to join him for his meeting.

Frost had been awake for quite some time by the time the Alacean servant came to request they join President Barkove, but then after serving five years as a Tolvanic paratrooper, you were used to waking early.

Frost had Townsend wake up the other members of the delegation and told them to meet him in the meeting hall.

As the others gradually trickled out into the hall Frost pulled his personal bodyguard aside.

"Gordon, I'd like you to keep an eye on our Mr. Smith, something seems amiss with him."

Gordon simply nodded, in the three years he guarded Frost he'd spoken very rarely, and then it was usually something related to his job.

OOC: You mean like assasinate the President amiss, or having a bad day amiss?

President Barkove had waved to his foreign friends upon the Tolvanic's arrival to the meeting, and promptly got down to business. "Gentlemen, feel free to order a coffee, ask for anything, etc. Now, we must get down to business, perhaps without the Avisronites, they're expected to arrive a bit later. The first item of interest is this mutual defence pact. You'll find the details in this folder," he said, pushing the blue document across the table. He continued. "But the main agreement is that Tolvan will defend Alacea in invasion, and vice versa, and it can't truly be voided if one nation declares war on a third party, but assisting in an invasion that one of the other nations is participating in is purely optional. The official document is here," he said, filing an extremely boring piece of paper to the Tolvanics, "you could sign now, or send it to the national legislature to decide, etc."

OOC: Smith is mainly there to meet with your spooks and talk about whatever spies talk about and maybe recruit some agents, I outsource my dirty work to mercs.:)

Frost read through the document he was handed, "This will of course have to be reviewed by the Prime Minister and Parliament."

Major Ryan spoke for the first time next. "My superiors would like more information on the size and capability of your armed forces. Parliament is wary of entering into an alliance without assurances that the other parties can pull their own weight so to speak."

Ambassador Lane had awoken early on the morning that was supposed to contain a meeting with the Alacean and Tolvanics. After getting dressed and wandering around, he eventually made his way to the meeting (which was already in progress,) and took a seat.

[OOC: Sorry for the delay and bad post. Family emergency type thing.]

Frost noticed the Avisronite deelgatiosn arrival and turned to greet them.

"I'm Timothy Frost the Tolvanic Ambassador to Alacea."

Frost extended his hand to the arriving diplomats.

"Welcome, Mr. Lane. Feel free to order a coffee, ask a servant for something, etc.," he said, pulling out a chair for the ambassador. He turned to Major Ryan. "Now, Major, and Mr. Lane, you may listen in also, on the SEA being able to 'pull its own weight,' Alacea has a very capable and large force that is responsible for defending Alacea and her interests. I can also tell you that we are about to undergo an operation known as 'Calypso,' and it involves the overhaul of the Alacean military from equipment it uses now to weaponry from major military producers: Space Union, Praetonia, and Questers. Now I'm not about to give you Alacean military secrects, or not just yet. The MDP is to ensure the continued level of defence we all mantain now. Oh and Mr. Lane, well you were gone we discussed a mutual defence pact between our nations," he said, passing a blue folder to the Avisronite. "You'll find the details in there, it basically states that our nations will defend the others in invasion, and vice versa, and it can't truly be voided if one nation declares war on a third party, but assisting in an invasion that one of the other nations is participating in is purely optional," he said. "You can feel free to send that down to the Avisronite legislature, I have several copies. Feel free to use my aid.

Addressing the crowd once more, the President began speaking again. "The next item on our agenda is the lowering of tarrifs upon trade between each of our countries. This will increase trade and in turn cause various economic growths in both Tolvan and Avisron... and Alacea too." Gordon then passed out another document, even more legal-looking than the first.

OOC: Hope your family's emergency works out, Avisron.

Also, since legislature usually takes forever, can we just say whether or not the gov't agrees with the proposed pact or not, to save time?

Ambassador Lane cleared his voice and spoke. Surprisingly, perhaps, his voice wasn't as shakey as he had expected. Usually the early morning hours (anything before noon, for the Ambassador,) entailed downing several energy drinks and waiting til he could form a sentance to actually attempt any work. It was a rare occurance for the Ambassador to be holding conversation, or at least listening to one, this early.

"A basic mutual defense pact, eh? The Avisronian Senate will pass that pretty quickly. As for reducing tarrifs, we can do that."

"Alacean tariffs are now usually revenue or ad valorem, at about 6% per item. For Avisronite and Tolvanic imports, however, we will lower to a mere 2%. The ad valorem's typically vary in rate, usually charging more for lighter items such as electronics." he turned to his guests. "Excuse me, but do any of you have the tariff rates on the imports of Alacean goods into your nations?"

OOC: For one of the last subjects, I was planning on having the option of building bases in other nations... I'd be fine with a couple of Avisronite & Tolvanic bases somewhere in Alacea.

"Our market is protected against imports by a flat tarrif system of 8%. It use to be lower, but the government decided it needed the money and had better not raise our citizens taxes. That never goes well. For our allies here we can lower the tarrifs to 3%, if that's acceptable."

[OOC: I've not decided what Avisronian doctrine concerning foreign bases on Avisronian soil would be. I'll get back to you.]

"That is agreeable. Simply sign here," he said, sliding a thick piece of paper across the table, after signing it himself.

Mr. Lane signs the paper simply Michael Lane, LFA and slides it back across the table.

It's a good thing the State Department knew what would likely be discussed here, Lane thought to himself. It would take days to get all this stuff passed if it wasn't pre-organised.

OOC: Avisron, have you thought about a possible base yet?

"Thank you, Mr. Lane. Now gentlemen, one of our last subjects is the building of bases. We find it agreeable that each nation be allowed to build 1 base in the others, or more, if the said nation requests it. This is, of course, optional for all parties, on both sides of the deal. Is this agreeable?"

Mr. Lane had been hoping the topic of a military base exchange wouldn't come up. The Avisronian military didn't want any foreign presense on Avisronian shores. The Senate didn't care all that much, but the military was a major persuading factor. A few months previous a new doctrine had been passed.

"Uhm, if Alacea or Tolvan wish to place military units in Avisron it can be arranged for. However, because of the overly paranoid Avisronian military, it might just be more useful for us to sign an agreement stating that we'll allow you to use our bases in the event of an emergency. Of course, the military greatly wants to build air force and naval bases in your nations. They're hypocrites, I know. I apologise."

"Hmm, does Avisron have any unpopulated islands in its territory?"

"No. The cheapest thing you could do would be base some airborne forces at one of our already constructed bases. They'd be alongside our own forces, in that situation. It would have to be relatively small, but it's better than nothing."

"I suppose we could do that. Where would the best location be for building a base alongside one of your's?"

OOC: Av. & Tolvan, do you have a map of your nations?

"I'm not a military type, but there's a massive AVAF base north of Cotco, on the northeastern coast. They have a few thousand fighters there, I believe. Perhaps there? Lots of castles in the area. Your guys would get a kick out of it. Do you think our guys could get access to some naval and similar air force facilities? If you don't have room, they'll just build their own fortress. They like doing that."

[OOC: No, unfortunately. Avisron is basically a large, round-ish island. It isn't near any major land formation.]

"We have two locations you may build a base. The city of Riley is in need of some bolstered air protection. Also, the colonial capital of Livica, Lauron, may use more naval power. Feel free to build there. We will begin to move men into the north of Cotco at your will."

OOC: A map of Alacea is available in my sig. Livica's is here. (http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s126/Alacea/Livica.png?t=1181947955)

"You can send your people to Cotco whenever you please. There shouldn't even be a need to build much. That place is huge. I'm sure the Avisronian military will dispatch people soon."

OOC: Av., do you have any matters on your agenda (like an international agreement, etc)? I think I'm going to hold off on my objectives 'till Tolvan is back.

[OOC: Uh, It depends. I'm a fan of the Max Brookes "The Zombie Survival Guide" book. My government officially recognizes the existance of zombies and attempts to prompt other nations to take actions to prevent an outbreak. I understand that alot of people don't do zombies in MT, so if you don't, I won't bring it up.]

Major Ryan had expected this type of response. It's not like he hadn't already spent hours pouring over the Alcean MoD website and lookling at estimates and satellite data.

"I understand fully, however I would remiss if I did not mention that Tolva has many fine defense contractors who would be willing to submit bids for your upgrade program. As far as bases go, Tolvan has little interest in garrisoning ground troops overseas and even less interest in allowing foreign troops, no matter how friendly on Tolvanic soil. Memories of the Occupation are still quite vivid for a lot of people. We may be interested in having some our naval vessels making port calls in Alacea and in turn welcoming your vessels in our ports as well."

The Commerce Ministry representative, Jack Fletcher, spoke next.

"Tolvan has long supported the ideals of free trade and as a result our base tariff rate is only 2.75% on most goods, though it higher for select goods and on certain nations as we deem necessary. Minister Burke has persuaded Parliament to allow Avisronite and Alacean companies to import goods to Tolvan at a rate of 2%, provided of course you match this rate."

OOC: I don't have a map due to laziness, but Tolvan is basically two large islands similar in shape to New Zealand, though quite a big bigger. Further to the south I control the Culver Islands, which are desolate rocks that are used to support the fishing and petroleum drillnig in the Southern Sea.

"I understand, during the great isolation any ships even approached Alacean waters were sent to the bottom of the ocean.

We can, of course, match 2%. The mutual agreement of allowing ships to dock in your ports is also agreeable." Turning to the whole Tolvanic crowd, he began to speak, "are there any further matters of interests on your agendas?"

OOC: Avisron, I don't mind one or two zombies in MT as long as its nothing magical, just some biochemical waste or something like that.

Also, Tolvan have you decided if your gov has passed the MDP yet?

[OOC: There's no "magic" involved or anything. I basically act as if it's just a very, very, very dangerous virus.]

OOC: Shoot for it.

Mr. Lane, upon being given the opportunity to present his own agenda, had only one thing to say.

"My government would greatly appreciate it if their Alacean and Tolvanic counterparts would launch public awareness campaigns to make their citizens aware of the undead menace, as well as take preventitive actions for the continuance of government in the event of an outbreak."

"That can easily be arranged. While 'Viral Organisms'- the term we use for 'zombies'- are not a huge threat in Alacea, but we wish to keep that so. I will launch a campaign and take various steps to prevent viralism.

Now, gentlemen, is there anything more any of you would like to discuss?"

Upon hearing the Avisironite Ambassador mention the undead, Major Ryan appeared visibly anger.

"Fucking zombies."

Frost knew Ryan had a background in some sort of special operations at some point and thus said nothing at this outburst.

"We should know the results of the Defense Pact vote sometime tomorrow. It's all ready near midnight in Tolvan and Parliament won't convene till around 8:00 AM."

OOC: I RP a naval task force arriving later, or maybe we can hold some sort of joint "Fleet Week" RP.

OOC: Righto then... good, we could use this thread for fleets to arrive or make a new one. So, Tolvan, do you have anything in Tolvanic interest you want to say, or can I end the meeting?

OOC: Not really, we can start an IC Fleet Week thread later and maybe hold some war games later on. IF you want to end the meeting that's cool, just assume the IC approval of the MDP comes later once Parliament votes.

"As there are no further matters to address, I hereby adjourn this meeting.

It's been a pleasure meeting with you gentlemen, I hope we meet again in the future. If you don't have travel plans back, see the staff and they will be arranged. Thank you for coming and goodbye."

With that, Gordon Barkove walked briskly out of the room and out of the hotel. He glanced at his watch. The meeting had only taken up several hours. His aid would pick up his things- only a night's worth of clothing, and get them back to the Presidential Palace. A limosuine had waited outside for him, ready to go. He hopped in, as the chauffeur opened his door for him. Now, all there was left to do was to get to his Brother's wedding...

OOC: Tolvan, do you want to start up the RP?

OOC: I'll get it posted sometime tomorrow hopefully.