NationStates Jolt Archive

The litany of tasks never ends, President Stinson groused as he waited for the delegation from The Empire of Pro Patria Puritania to arrive at Government AFB in Nephi, Lamoni. Having come back from the Damrien island of Delos, he had thought to maybe get a short respite from foreign relations. Long enough to take a rare day off, at any rate. However, he was the chief diplomat in the Free Republic, so it was his duty to get these talks started.

When people looked at him, President Stinson would smile and chat politely with them, but he mostly wanted to get things started. When he looked over the proposed trade deal (phosphorus trichloride for coal); at least it gave him a starting point.

Grand Marshal Gerhard Repke was chosen by the Emperor to lead the trade negotiations, as the phosphorus trichloride would mainly be used by the military to produce chemical weapons. He was accompanied by the minister of economy, Joseph Porta as well as 2 soldiers from the Praetorian Guard.

The jet landed and Repke and his party went to greet the President. "I'm Grand Marshal Gerhard Repke, and this our minister of economy, Joseph Porta."

"Greetings, Grand Marshall Repke and Economic Minister Porta. I bid you welcome to the Free Republic. I am President Andrew Stinson of the Free Republic of Lamoni. If you would follow me, we shall repair to the conference room for the meetings, or you can go to your embassy and rest."

The President led the way to the waiting limousine, which took off with LY219 APC's both in front of and behind it. Lyras would forever be in Lamoni's good graces for helping to put together a plan for the Free Republic to modernize it's army with world class equipment in one fell swoop. Along the way, they passed by a military base where LY4A1 Wolfhound MBT's could be seen exercising in the distance. Since Lamoni had acquired the Lyran military equipment, morale in the Lamonian Army had skyrocketed. They could now hold their own against any foreign or domestic foe.

"Resting won't be necessary, I want to get these talks started." Repke replied. He watched MBT's excercising, and as a proud military leader he thought to himself "Hm. Nothing we couldn't handle." and lit a cigar. "Hope you don't mind."

"Very well then, we shall go to the conference room." President Stinson gave an instruction to the driver, and he turned onto a sidestreet in order to get where they were going.

"So, Grand Marshall Repke, what are things like in Pro Patria Puritania? Until now, the only contact that our nations have had was at the so-called Global Leadership Meeting in Meadonia."

"Apart from the recent attempt at rebellion by our slaves, things are peaceful."

The group had made it to the Conference Room in the Foreign Ministry. President Stinson had sit down at one end of the table, with the Puritanian's sitting at the other end.

"I bid you welcome to the Free Republic, gentlemen. The topic of these negotiations are simple, so there shouldn't be any real difficulty. If you agree to allow us to become your sole foreign source of phosphorus trichloride, then we will agree to allow you to be our sole foreign supplier of Bituminous Coal. We would be using this coal in order to create asphalt for our roadways." President Stinson awaited a response.

Repke and Porta sat down, while the 2 guards positioned themselves a few steps behind them. Porta spoke for the first time. "Thank you, Mr. Predisent. How much coal in exchange for one tonne of phosphorus trichloride are we talking about here?"

"We were thinking of an extremely equitable arrangement of one ton of Bituminous Coal per one ton of Phosphorus Trichloride. I'm sure that I don't need to spell out how such an arrangement would work."

"Well, I suppose that's suitable." Porta said and continued shortly. "Unless the Grand Marshal disagrees." "No. That's acceptable."

"Wonderful," said President Stinson. "Is there anything that you would like to ask me? Something about the Free Republic, perhaps?"

"There's one thing. Would you be willing to sell your criminals, especially those suffering life imprisonment or are waiting for execution?" Repke asked.

"Lamoni has a strict anti-slavery policy, so that is not going to happen. We are even a signatory to the Theeb accords."

"An anti-slavery policy, you say? How about if we agree to pay them, say, 10 dollars for a day's work?"

"That might work if the money goes directly to the criminal, and if Lamonian officials can conduct surprise inspections of any facility in your nation that employs our criminals. Naturally, there would be restrictions for areas that deal with classified matters, but we can negotiate some form of agreement on the issue."

"Well, I suppose that's reasonable. But I have to disagree with the Grand Marshal, 10 dollars is way too much. Maybe something along the lines of 1 dollar a week would be more appropriate." Porta said.

ooc: Meh, this thread always slips out of my mind. :s

"How much would one dollar a week buy in your country?"

"That depends on how you spend it. You can either buy a pack of cigarettes or 1 kg of bread. The criminals won't need to buy their food, however."

"Then it is agreed. Our most dangerous prisoners can work in your nation for 1 dollar a week."

"Well, lets sign the papers then. We should get back home as soon as possible."

Papers to the effect were drawn up and presented before the two sides, each awaiting a signature.

President Stinson signed his copy of the agreement with a flourish, and shook hands with the Puritanians after they had signed their copy. The agreement was now in force, and the first batch of criminal employees would be sent over within the week.