NationStates Jolt Archive

The nation had of Oceania had to the Clandonians been viewed in similar likeness to the Questerian or Praetonians and as such could make an interesting ally. With the NATO and Commonwealth war ongoing in the Haven and Gholgoth and the Imperial Crown Kingdom taking a neutral stance then there could be no harm in meeting a new partner? Prime Minister Sir David Sistilin was a One Nationist, a staunch beliver in the principles of Tory Liberalism and the economic system that his chancellor Lord Osborne had put into place boosting the economy while helping the poor and disadvantaged in society. Oceania with her many colonies and allied relations could be a useful trade partner for Clandonian companies and vice versa, an offer of friendship was sent. Upon conversation with his cabinet who were spread out across the country enjoying the summer weather he ordered the Foreign Office to send a message requesting talks between Clandonia and Oceania.

On the hottest day of the year from inside the Foreign Offices of the diplomatic communication division the letter of proposition was drafted. Civil servants, young and old had gathered to see it sent into the computer as they awaited the heavy duty laser teleprinters print out. Many thought of what they had just initiated while sucking on the cigarillos and cigarettes on the balcony in the late evening sun, old fashioned glasses and bottles of spirit brought out as another week in their lives passed away without the touches of war being brought upon them.


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Official Clandonian Response

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Secure Diplomatic Communiqué to whoever it may concern, Oceanian Foreign Office


While are nations have never met or even interacted in world politics before I believe the current situation in the Haven War is one of concern. We understand you are a member of NATO and you have your loyalties there. We are a member of the Sovereign League, an alliance where Oceania would not feel out of place with her liberal democratic principles and views on interventionist foreign policy. The war troubles my nation and myself personally, Questers is a friend but we see this war as totally unnecessary and one that is detrimental to peace in the Haven and internationally when the NATO is mild compared to the likes of the Corporate Alliance of the communists. You are a civilised people, not like the tyrannies of Gholgoth and are two countries share many values, ideas and government practices.

I would like to honourably invite you to talks in the capital, Warminster to discuss the current strategic situation and of possible bi-lateral agreements on trade and defence.


God save the King.



Foreign Secretary Sir Alan Philips



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The message was sent with a unease on the young civil servants face as her senior and a crowd of her peered round the desk to the computer. Some felt like traitors, they were talking to a NATO nation when their own allies were dying in the muddied fields of Questers or slogging it out against the NATO navies in Gholgoth and South Western Haven. Sir Philips had written the basis of the letter, he was terribly worried about the war and that of his son who was with the army on the Midlonian border, it was hoped the status quo of neutrality would remain for the rest of the war which hadn’t even been a week before civilians were being killed, ethnic minorities persecuted and chemical weapons used.

They had been instructed to wait all evening for a reply.

Georgetown, United Kingdom

Built in the early twenties, the halls of the Foreign Office had become, in many respects, ill-suited for the ever-increasing business the mandarins and ministers tended on the behalf of the Government. Truthfully, the day was as any other, the Permanent Under-Secretary beginning his day by briefing the Foreign Secretary on the overnight business, especially critical given the sheer geographic isolation of the United Kingdom. Entering the waiting room, he smiled politely at the young receptionist who buzzed in one of the most senior civil servants in the UK.

Gavin Astley smiled, "Good morning, Alexander," he began, carefully replacing his morning tea upon its saucer.

"And you as well, sir," Sir Alexander Douglas-Howell responded in his usually near-unsettling even tone. "The overnights, sir," he continued after the requisite pause, handing over a small folder containing printed facsimiles of the requests and letters of importance.

The Foreign Secretary took them, flipping open the front cover, appreciating the secretary's attention to detail. At the top, a communique from the Grand Plutocracy regarding the planned ministerial visit for later in the month, an item or two requiring his quick approval and signature. After laying the document out he penned his name at the bottom and handed it back to Douglas-Howell.

The second document, however, was something unexpected. Astley pulled it from the folder and leaned back into his leather chair, allowing his right hand to feel its way to his waiting tea. Sipping some and reading through the whole of the document, he placed it on the desk, not back in the folder but square in front of him.

"Interesting, no," he asked the permanent secretary.

"Indeed, sir."

Oceanian involvement in Haven was controversial in Georgetown. Whilst firmly committed to NATO, the Foreign Office was always acutely aware of a seeming disconnect in its inclusion as a nation ostensibly committed to liberal democracy. Despite moving from the position of shadow foreign secretary to the actual secretary of state only relatively recently, Astley had led a review of UK foreign policy that established NATO as critical to Oceanian defence policy. Clandonia was, for all intents and purposes, the enemy--for the time being given its direct and indirect assistance to Commonwealth forces and their allies.

"Well, Alexander, I have a meeting with the Prime Minister this afternoon and I shall bring this to his attention and will aim to have a response for you to send out by 16:30 or so."

"Very well, sir, now, there have also been some movements and activity concerning the Commonwealth and the Confederacy..."

***

Right Honourable Sir Alan Philips,

On the behalf of His Majesty and the Prime Minister, I should like to take the opportunity to thank you and your government for creating this opportunity for a proper discourse on the development of bilateral relations between our nations.

While the United Kingdom remains a member of NATO, the direction of foreign policy is established here in Georgetown. Differences will surely remain between our two governments, especially given the ongoing NATO-Questarian Commonwealth conflict; however, as a party still officially neutral, it is the opinion of HM Government that the proposed bilateral discussions are beneficial in light of all circumstances.

However, given the war, any travel to western Haven is, for now, most impractical and consequently HM Government must request that any such meeting take place in an area of substantially less risk to senior Foreign Office diplomats.

Regarding possible agendas for the proposed meeting, it may be presumptuous to start talks on possible defence agreements given the ongoing war. However, it ought to be stated that such circumstances do not preclude a discourse related to future post-war discussions and considerations.

Sincerely,

Gavin Astely
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs

To the Rt. Hon Gavin Astely,

Thank you for your quick reply, given this time of conflict we were unsure of what governmental policy would be in place. I will be happy to venture to Oceania for talks where it is safer, Clandonian air travel is safe due to the facility of the Sabre space plane which flies well above the range of jet aircraft and anti-air missiles.

I understand your concerns over the war and I look forward to discussing terms on defence after the war.


Sincerly,

Sir Alan Philips

Foreign Secretary for Foreign Affairs

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Foreign Office, Warminster


Sir Philips was pleased with the reply and the King would be pleased as well, he left his office late Saturday afternoon instructing the duty secretary to forward the copy to the Prime Minister who was at his country house for the weekend. Picking up his HMG red briefcase, hat and umbrella he stepped out into the sunshine. The city heaving and quite stifling from the heat of the summer day, civilians and a higher than usual number of personal in military uniform for Warminster.

A vibrating in his suit pocket followed by a chime, pulling out on the steps of the Foreign Office he looked at his phone. Message detailing his events today, a dinner with the Clandonian Petroleum Industry Association at Chichester just a couple of miles down the coast. His wife had got his suit from the cleaners and was waiting for him at the small private strip at RAF Warminser, the capitals massive military airbase that was adjacent to the main civilian one. Stepping into the car he looked back at the flag on the roof, as the motorcade put on its sirens and headed towards the airport.

bump for Azazia

Beneath the modern, gleaming glass towers of business, the city of Georgetown was old--not of millennia, but rather of decades stretching into but a few centuries. She was the capital of the first English colony, the Citadel the fortification guarding the mansion of the governor and the old Parliament House, though now a museum, was the first building of the first assembly. North of the city, past the narrow streets wisely arranged in a grid pattern, as often as possible despite the sharply changing altitude and various tributaries to the New Thames, lay an open field behind electronic walls, firs and fences.

The Royal Airport at Emperor's Field was the primary airfield of diplomacy in the United Kingdom. As part of the Crown's private estate, HM Government could prevent press intrusions and so flights could arrive in much secrecy: although civilian aviation radars would track the flights coming and going. Consequently, the Foreign Office often dealt with conspiracy theorists, but it was considered an acceptable price to pay for a cloaked diplomacy.

Large runways and tarmacs allowed for spaceplanes, the fields recently expanded to incorporate the UK's own such transports. As Gavin Astley's saloon pulled through the main entrance, he had no doubts that the Clandonian aircraft would have any difficulty. Unfortunately, amidst the war--despite its full fury being raged thousands of kilometres away in the seas and fields of Haven--the meeting with his counterpart would be held in a small underground facility designed to withstand almost all conventional weapon strikes. Somewhat circumspect in its grandiosity, though even Oceanian grandeur was understated, the meeting room was adorned with portraits of His Majesty and polished wooden tables, leather chairs and the latest in video- and holo-conferencing.

While Astley's automobile rolled up to the tarmac where the Clandonian aircraft was due to arrive, he knew that dozens of people toiled underneath the green fields to put papers and pastries in order. While in the kitchen, the RAF staff opened containers of some of the finest tea imported from the Oceanian colony in Sarnia and set kettles upon lit ranges. It would, overall, be a subdued affair, but Astley knew that subdued need not be uncomfortable.

Georgetown, United Kingdom of Oceania

The Clandonian Royal Air Force Sabre roared down into Oceanian airspace from the lower section of space, her delta shaped wings slowing her descent for the supersonic speeds she had been previously travelling at. The RAF cabin crew had informed Sir Philips that they were about to land, looking out the small thick and reinforced glass onto the land bellow, he had never been to Oceania and the historical city of Georgetown. As the aircraft received its landing orders and the crew began final preparations Sir Philips got his jacket on, splashed his face with some water in the bathroom and checked his documents.

The plane taxied from the long runway to the area, seeing the waiting Oceanian ground staff and the waiting automobile transports. As the plane disembarked, Clandonian air force personal saluting Sir Philips, a former weapons system operator he looked down the stairs to his counterpart.

Walking down in a quick pace, glad to stretch his legs and breath some fresh air after the short three hour flight.

"Mr Gavin Astely, I presume? It's a pleasure for you to invite me, thank you." He gestured his hand to his foreign counterpart.

Astley had watched the arrival of the flight, the trace of a slight simper upon his face quickly vanishing as the Sabre taxied over to the waiting arrival party. Befitting the low-key nature of the meeting, the usual pomp and circumstance had been consciously stricken down to a simple, austere affair. Two infantryman stood at attention at the base of the stairs, their polished bayonets glistening in the subtropical sun. Astley stood between them and nodded deferentially as Sir Philips descended and offered his hand.

"Indeed, Sir Philips," the Foreign Secretary replied, taking his counterpart's hand and shaking firmly. "On the behalf of His Majesty and the Prime Minister, welcome to the United Kingdom. If you would follow me, I have arranged a small conference room here at the airfield for our talks." The Oceanian led Sir Philips to a waiting automobile, an indistinguishable man, eyes hidden by reflective sunglasses held the door open for the two men--his face never betraying any hint of emotion.

Inside the spacious confines of the limousine, Astley allowed his legs to stretch. "This facility encompasses numerous acres, and is large enough that, while easily walkable, it makes more sense for our purposes to travel via automobile to the conference room. It shall take no more than five minutes."

"Thank you for the lift, I wouldn't want any more shrapnel in my back than there already is." Replied Sir Philips as he sat in the limo for the short drive.

Twiddling his thumbs he decided to engage in some small talk with his Oceanian counterpart.

"Lovely weather here today, it was raining when I left Warminster."

Astley nodded quietly, the only other sign he had heard Sir Philips being an instantaneous blinking of his eyes. For a long moment, the Foreign Secretary continued to sit in silence. "Indeed, we have been enjoying the relative calm of the summer here; much of the Home Islands receive the bulk of their precipitation during winter months. Come October, or thereabouts, you will notice a veritable sea-change in local weather patterns."

Slowly, the automobile pulled to a gradual stop, more security personnel quickly and quietly opening the doors to the limousine; Astley exiting after his counterpart and leading him towards a small above-ground building. Two infantrymen stood guard at the door, the only real sign that the facility was a military installation. The guards saluted as the two ministers walked down a deep stairwell.

As their footsteps echoed in the chamber, Astley turned back towards his colleague. "I apologise for the walk; however, the facility was designed for austerity and simplicity. Far too often that fact is neglected when this location is decided upon for international talks." The two eventually ended up at a long and narrow corridor, brightly lit by overhead fluorescent lights and decorated by various photographs of officers and politicians. At the far end two additional guards stood at attention, Astley swept his hand forward and led the Clandonian to the awaiting room.

Inside, a portrait of the Oceanian monarch hung prominently on the wall, between the flags of the United Kingdom and Clandonia. Sitting at the centre of the long, rectangular wooden table, fashioned from hardwood forested from the western Home Islands, a silver platter replete with scones, cookies, and berry-filled pastries.

"Please, Sir Philips, make yourself at home," as the Clandonian became acquainted himself with the room, Astley took an aide that had followed the ministers aside, ordering tea brought immediately. "Tea is a highly prized drink here in the UK. I imagine it is similarly popular in Clandonia; while we have no Clandonian tea, I assure you that Sarnian tea is of excellent comparison."

The Oceanian took a seat opposite his counterpart. "Of course, this meeting regards more than pastries and pleasantries," he said, offering the snacks to the Clandonian. "As it stands, our two countries stand upon opposite sides of a massive conflict." Astley was well aware of the official neutrality of Clandonia; but reports from the theatre commanders indicated at least tacit approval of limited Clandonian operations against NATO and NATO-allied forces.

"However, in the interest of future stability and indeed prosperity, I, on the behalf of the government, would like to assuage any concerns that your government or your Havenic allies may maintain with regards to Oceanian designs in that region." Astley waved forward a chef's assistant, who brought forth a platter of loose tea selections and boiled water. He selected a particular type and took two spoonfuls for his own cup.

"May I recommend the Salisbury blend. While the creation is of the former Democratic Socialist prime minister, its great flavour is one point upon which both Tories and Democratic Socialists agree." Astley poured himself a cup and let Sir Philips choose his own before continuing.

"As I had begun to state, sir, the United Kingdom has no design upon encroaching into Havenic affairs as part of either Oceanian foreign policy or a grand NATO strategy. Indeed, as elements of the Oceanian press have reported and is thus public knowledge, there is a substantial portion of the political establishment that is of a differing opinion than that of the government when it comes to UK policy in the war. Our concern has always been the security of our democratic allies in NATO, all under threat from the Commonwealth."

"At the conclusion of the war, some degree of reparations will be necessary from all or select members of the Commonwealth; Oceanian casualties are not anticipated to be light. This should not, however, be seen as any attempt to extract revenge, but merely a return on our investment made in the defence of democracy and indeed, the sovereignty of various nations within Haven."

“Indeed I shall try some of that tea, rather funny a Tory like myself drinking the blend coined by a lefty. I will have some Clandonian Darjeeling tea sent over to you, its of the highest quality. ” Replied Sir Philips as he put two tea spoonfuls into the cup, adding a little hot water to unlock the blend. Taking one of the pastries that his counterpart had offered him he thought about what was happening back in Haven.

“With regards to the Clandonian military, I know that we have not engaged in active operations but we are gathering intelligence on both NATO and Questerian Commonwealth forces. There are Clandonian nationals in Northford attempting to enter to Kahanistan to fight them, we did issue travel advice but they were already a considerable number of Clandonian nationals in Northford and other Commonwealth countries.”

“It has been near impossible to track them all down, we still don’t know how many Clandonians were killed in London after the Allanean’s attack. There are members of the Clandonian armed forces in Questers, I am sure of that as my son is there on a exchange, I have no idea where he is or what he is even doing. I understand you will want reparations but it amuses me that you think it will be a swift NATO victory, the Praetonians haven’t even entered the arena with their large navy.”

Stopping to have a sip of his tea and thinking about his son, a officer Captain in the Kings Army on a exchange with the Questerian army, he suspected his son would of been one of the ones eager to observe the battle, hoping that he had not been killed or captured.

“I still see this war as open to either side in terms of victory, it all depends on the land war now being fought in Northern Questers. It is not my concern of Oceania in Haven post war, you are not are concern, we are more worried over some of the other NATO block states. Tell me Mr Astley, why is Oceania, a democratic, liberal nation doing in the NATO alliance, you are similar to Clandonia, Praetonia and Questers not to the murderous Freeks of Gholgoth or treacherous Allaneans.”

Raising his steaming cup to his lips, Astley allowed a sip's worth of the hot liquid to enter his mouth, the strong brew, lightly flavoured with hints of citrus truly delectable. When taken with a slight bite of a scone that the Foreign Secretary delicately buttered, it was an excellent afternoon Georgetown tea. He listened politely to the Clandonian, taking minor umbrage at Sir Philip's plainly ill-informed commentary on Lord Salisbury. Despite the label of Democratic Socialist, the former prime minister was anything but and in truth Astley, despite being a loyal Conservative, took several cues from the marquess.

He took another bite from his scone, then another sip from his tea and then replaced them on the table before continuing. "I assure you, Sir Philips, that while NATO shall ultimately be victorious, it shall be neither swift nor bloodless. And while I hope for the destruction of Commonwealth forces, I hope your son's inopportune exchange programme does not provide you more concern or even grief than ultimately necessary."

With the future condolence laid before Sir Philips, the Foreign Secretary took a momentary pause and leaned forward from his chair. "In candour, I shall admit that the unilateral tactical actions of select members of the NATO coalition have been," Astley paused, his eyes and mind drifting, searching, then rapidly returning, "ill-advised and ultimately distressing. The large-scale targeting of civilian populations is uncivilised at best, Sir Philips."

Astley leaned back, taking another deliberate pause. "Indeed, the Allaneans have, in the minds of many within the United Kingdom, crossed a line with their fire-bombing of London, an inexcusable travesty of military necessity to be sure." In a moment of lax control of his body language, he shook his head in distress before quickly regaining a near-emotionless facade.

"However, I think your assignation of impeccable values to your own allies belies a fundamental self-deception." Astley took a moment to let the change of tone settle in, leaning in across the table once again. "You criticise the fire-bombing of London, and rightly so might I add. However, where were such condemnations and howls and shrieks of outrage when your own country, admittedly under a different administration, initiated a disproportionate nuclear exchange with, at best, a third-world country. Your government and your nation killed millions."

"Now, sir, this is not to say that, in that particular instance, a response was not justified. Indeed, the United Kingdom has been targeted on numerous occasions by inter-continental weapons confirmed to be carrying nuclear warheads. We have lost several hundred thousand; but neither a Conservative nor a Democratic Socialist government has loosed the United Kingdom's arsenal to such an extent to kill hundreds of millions, sir. Indeed, in all such instances, a non-nuclear, conventional response was most proportionate in stopping later nuclear exchanges. I daresay that you and your allies, least of all, have the moral authority with which to proclaim such nations murderous."

His major piece spoken, Astley leaned back into his seat, taking another sip of tea before continuing. "As for NATO, yes, the Allaneans and the Freeks have well-earned reputations, and indeed are notorious for savagery. Though, I daresay Clandonia, Praetonia, and Questers enjoy equally ignominious fame in the global community. However, NATO is not a homogenous collection of nations. I invite you to examine nations such as Cravan and Illior in addition to the United Kingdom. Perhaps we have serious issues in the area of public relations and international relations. Perhaps neither the Freeks nor the Allaneans ought to often represent NATO interests abroad. But those are matters for NATO to discuss. I implore you to look more carefully at NATO before you condemn it, Sir Philips."

“The nuclear attack on Nova Britanica was of a measured response. They were in the wrong when they launched their first strike, we only responded with strategic force when they targeted allied civilian populations. The Sovereign League had to respond, we couldn’t just sit there and be slaughtered when we were not invaders of British Londinium but liberators from a vile regime that blended small children and hunted down pregnant women like game. I myself cannot comment on the exact details at the time, I was an opposition cabinet member and did not see the classified details of the war and the attack. I myself would of probably not of used such extreme measures, Hughes was a bit of a madman when he was in power.”

Stopping to have another sip from his tea, placing down the spoon on the saucer.

“As for my son, the boy has always been of that sort, comes from his mothers side, he will probably turn up in London, we are planning an evacuation of Questers now Allanean forces are now in range. Cravan, Ilior and The Silver Sky are all NATO members are viewed in high regards in Clandonia, likewise along with your nation. It does worry us when NATO is represented by the faces of Allanean or Freakish politicians when many in the alliance are not brutal sadists. I will be willing to open more friendly relations with NATO after the war. So on the more important matters of the meeting, I can guarantee that if you need it Clandonian airfields and ports will be open to your wounded troops in Haven. I would also like to support a free trade movement between the United Kingdom and the Imperial Crown Kingdom, Oceanian merchant ships would be allowed free passage without tariffs or harbour tax, we have this agreement with many of our allies.”

“His Majesty King William VII would enjoy meeting the Oceanian monarch who Clandonians know very little about, most Clandonians are extremely pro-Royal. I don’t know if there is anything else you wish to discuss?”