NationStates Jolt Archive

General Vurinidad looked out his window at the vast open african plains. It was amazing, the creatures he saw and the absolute beauty of it all astounded him. To his left, in her own small area, sat the chairwomen with her legs crossed and a plesent smile as she scanned the very same plains with her own eyes. Vurinidad, as chairman of the military administrative council, had chosen several other high ranking officials in his council to join the chairwomen in talks with the United States. The United States had been a great interest to the CSN, one of which Tanya very much wanted to build relations with. Although far away the USB were one nation Tanya believed had the same characteristics as the CSN in the line of human decency. The people in the USB were treated fairly, had rights many other nations did not permit and had policies that the CSN had actually looked at while in creation of the State Articles. This venture, to the chairwomen and the military officials behind her, would prove to be one for the history books.

Although many propositions, including a single one the chairwomen refused to disclose to anyone until the USB president was sitting before them, were among the groups to-do list they also had other things to speak of. Resources were always an item of trade interest but now the State also had private industries that wanted to offer the USB some of their own idea's. Tanya, as the major state delegate, would propose those private idea's to the president before making any move to allow her industries to venture into african soil. With Hirgizstan sitting next door to the united states safety was a major concern, if private industries from the CSN came to the USB there was a worry that Hirgizstan might go overboard against any support the USB might give nerotikan industries.

Concerns and such would be made soon though, for now the group of eight prepared themselfs mentally by avoiding concern and admiring the united state's for it's wonderful scenery. As the plane closed in on Windhoek the pilot made the clear annoucment that they would land soon. Relations with the united states were about to begin.

Windhoek International airport was of decent size but certainly not the biggest in the country. Those airports outside of Cape Town and Johannesburg dwarfed that of Windhoek, however it was impressive enough. Windhoek itself, like its international airport, wasn’t large compared to other cities in the States. In population it ranked 5th among metropolis areas in the states behind Luanda in Angola. Its only claim was the massive capital complex in the center of town which housed most government buildings. It was an interesting design layout that intermixed towering skyscrapers with elaborate red brick offices and homes for government officials while maintaining the beauty of the African countryside. It still was not completely finished and cranes could be seen sticking out of the skyline like sore thumbs. What it did boast was the best fish markets in Africa. Walvis Bay, the country’s largest commercial port, was relatively close and traders from all over the world bought and sold nearly every kind of fish on the market. Such diversity could only be matched by those markets in Port Elizabeth or Cape Town.

The plane touched down around noon as the sun stood tall in the center of the sky. A storm was brewing off of the coast and cooled down the city for the time. President Baruti had elected to travel to the airport and meet the arriving delegation much to the chagrin of his personal doctors who wanted him to try and rest before their arrival. He stood outside of his car pulling close at a dark overcoat as he felt the cold more than anyone else. As the entourage appeared at the doorway of the plane he smiled his usual smile and with his cane in hand walked over to the stairway. A small collection of photographers and reporters were busy snapping off pictures and jotting down notes and quotes from this first meeting. He shook hands with the staff that exited the plane until finally taking the hand of Chairwoman Victoria and leading her down the last of the steps and into the car.

As the plane touched down the pilot announced with a humorous tone their location and a welcoming from himself. The chairwomen chucked a little then stood once the plane stopped, she backed up a bit to allow the military staff to exit first. The chairwomen planned to exit last, she handed one of her aides her briefcase then exited. She stepped out, her hair immediatly blowing accross her face. After removing the distraction she walked down the stairs and greeted President Baruti. She scanned this man up and down, they had met once before but back then he seemed a lot more healthy and now he looked decrepit and his age showed blantantly. As she shook the presidents hand she made her greetings and followed him to the awaiting vehicle, the military staff in their own car.

"President Baruti, I believe we met before at the CSN's war memorial ceremony. Back then you seemed...well a lot less troubled then you look now. Off the record, may I ask are you ill?" She spoke with a concern, and she honostly was. Baruti may not be among the people she knew very well but he was among those she respected and if he had fallen ill in some way she wanted to see him get better.

“I believe unwell is a word better suited for my condition,” he chuckled, “The duties of my country doesn’t tend to agree with my health at my age I’m afraid. I do often find myself looking forward to retirement on a secluded beach somewhere in Mozambique.”

He looked warmly back at her. She looked in good health and even better spirits. Unlike him the job of leading a country hadn’t seemed to age her a bit. She was as he remembered her back at the Memorial. She always seemed taller than her actual height given her ability to command any room she entered. She glowed with enthusiasm while maintaining her humility. If anyone could lead a country it was her.

“I thank you for your concern though,” he mentioned. “I look forward to your visit. Perhaps if time allows I can show you a little of our city. Are you hungry, I will have a meal ready for us at the capital once we arrive?”

Hirgizstan City, Cape Verde, COH

The Fuhrer sat in the airy, spacious office of his private residence which was located mid-way between the capital and Sao Tiago's other city, Tarrafal. Set in many acres of lush savannah the house was old and had been home to Hirgizstanian leaders since their exodus to the small island chain around a thousand years ago.

Naturally it had changed a lot and it was now mostly located underground but the large above-ground portions were grandiose nonetheless.

The Fuhrer's love of animals also meant there was a sizeable sanctuary within the grounds that had some of the rarest breeds in the world.

The Fuhrer himself, wearing khaki combats and carrying a tiny Galagos ('Bushbaby') on his shoulder, sat at the desk, a cigar slowly burning in the big ashtray. The tiny black and grey animal with saucer like eyes screwed up its face at the waft of smoke that came his way every now and then but he remained on his masters shoulders, his long tail wrapped around the Fuhrer's neck for stability.

An aide appeared at the door to the office and the Fuhrer waved him in. The man bowed his head slightly before looking directly at him, "My Fuhrer, it was confirmed this afternoon, the Chairwoman did land in Windhoek, they are having the meeting today."

The Fuhrer furrowed his brow. The United States really was meeting with the Nerotikans. He had suspected they might come together diplomatically after President Baruti attended their so-called 'war memorial' in honor of the rapists and criminals that had terrorized Kazakhstan. The Fuhrer had not been entirely surprised at the US for such a move, they liked to see themselves as a truly 'democratic' nation even though more people voted every election year in the COH than the entire US population.

However, a coming together of the CSN and USB would prove problematic not for the COH but for the United States, especially if they opened their economy to Nerotikan products. That meant longer inspections at the borders for goods from the US, to ensure nothing of Nerotikan origin entered the Commonwealth, but it was likely the US would do their best to avoid this.

The US was a sovereign and independent nation that stood for its own honorable principles. The Fuhrer admired both the country and Baruti especially. A nation that stood for its own principles and was unafraid of the consequences reminded him of the COH, and despite the US press and some of their people saying otherwise, the USB and COH did have much in common.

The Fuhrer dismissed his aide and lifted the phone, getting the operator to connect him to the Banana Naval Base in the Congo. The Admiral in Command answered the red phone after one ring. The Fuhrer asked a simple question "The Nerotikan Chairwoman's plan, did you get it on radar as it flew to Windhoek?"

They had done.

The Base Commander waited for the Fuhrer to say something but after getting no reply asked the obvious next question, "Shall we shoot it down on their return journey?"

The question stayed in the Fuhrer's mind for some time. The Nerotikans were a real problem but was killing their leader really the answer? For sure it would fracture GATO relations totally, and they were fraught enough, and it would likely produce a power vacuum in the already unstable CSR, perhaps ending in another dirty war in Eastern Europe. No, shooting the plan down would solve one problem and send a message but it would cause more problems in the short and long term. The 15,000 Nerotikans rotting in quicklime somewhere in Kazakhstan was lesson enough. If they didn't understand that they would likely not understand any message no matter how severe.

"No, have some aircraft escort them on their flight after they exit US airspace, remind them how close they are to ours keep them from overflying our Naval and Marine forces in the Gulf of Guinea. Thats all Admiral."

He put the phone down and picked up the cigar, taking a few long puffs and scratching the head of the sleeping Galagos.

"I fear our time is to valueable at this moment to tour the city, although at some other moment it would be an honor to do so. I would enjoy some food, i've practically starved myself in preparation for some food out of the norm and im sure the USB has much of that compared to the cuisine my state's chefs seem to repeat consistantly. But if we could we should begin talks immediatly; my military staff urged me to ask that, although im sure some food 'atta shut their mouths."

Tanya gave a stern but soft look, a smile that had a serious tone of its own. It was a face she'd been dawning many times lately as she fought for more unity between the chechen people and those within the mainland borders. It was the face she held as she wrote her international address about the returning support for the fourth reich's revivial.

"Also I must say, although we wern't hassled by the Hirgizstani government at we came in I fear something in the air. I must ask for my personal safety that you send some message, as ours would most likely be ignored, to assure my and my staff's safe departure away from that tyrannical nation."

Baruti frowned at the comment. Of course she was justified. Hirgizstan was nation built upon survival. If threatened, even if not directly, they would strike and strike hard. No doubt somewhere in Hirgizstan someone had their finger hovering just above a ‘fire’ button as the Chairwoman’s plane entered their crosshairs. It was only because they did not want to cause an international incident as one sided as shooting down an unarmed plane. A message of that nature would certainly add to the growing divide forming between the two African nations, but one that was necessary given the circumstances.

“It is a sad truth,” he said with a sigh.

He continued, “I understand time is tight, perhaps a tour some other time under more favorable circumstances.”

He picked up a phone located in the car and asked for the cooks to prepare dinner for their arrival, though they were only a few minutes away.

“If you’d like to begin I am all ears. What can we do for you?”

[OOC: Whew, summer school is fun...four hours of staring at a computer basically being in my own little world doing keyboarding and environmental studies (Of which for some reason I can't pass any of the tests for it even when I answer questions logically and based on my notes I somehow still fail =P)]

Tanya gave a smile then began to speak, her words sounded nearly rehearsed athough this were the first time she was speaking them. She had plenty of proposal's from private industry within the states for expansion into the USB, resource buisiness's mainly but a few orginizations had struck her as worthy of the time she and Baruti had.

"Well first, with the establishment of a national aide orginization within my state I have been asked by the orginization's leaders to propose expansion within the USB of their group. I believe the intent is to expand into an international aide orginization, they don't seem to focus on state conflicts alone. They've established medical camps within the chechen states and although against my choosing they are helping really anyone who comes along, including chechen rebels wounded by state forces trying to stablize those territories. I can't protest against it though, they have provided much needed help to state forces as well so in all it seems they are very unbiased about who they treat. It might provide a good unity between our people if they work together within such an orginization to provide aide to others outside our nations. Thoughts?"

“That would be a wonderful idea,” Baruti said, “We’ve actually tried just such an organization but were turned down on the international stage. The United States has a few organizations that work within our borders and Africa in general so we will have a base on which to begin.”He paused for a brief moment to gather his strength.

“I must warn you however that trying to build this further on the global front may end in failure. Nations today are very stubborn when they feel their sovereignty is threatened. I’d be very delicate when discussing such matters. Perhaps we should build it here in our nations and allow it to do the talking for us.”

Tanya sighed a bit, she certainly knew a thing or two about stubborn nations. "I suspect it would be a better path to lead with example instead of attempting to speak to those that wont listen."

"Well then, I submit my next proposal." She said this with a sort of joking tone, although serious buisiness it didn't mean she couldn't at least keep the mood light. "There are vast resources between our two nations, enough so that both of us have people within our nations that require each others resources. I have with me an offer of open resource trade between our people and our government's as well as a few contracts from our state industry that wished to ask for a land trade, area in the CSN for any industrial move your nation wishs to take whereas our state industry will be given land to do the same with of course regulations to assure no harm comes to the surrounding environments of those area's."

The car ride was nearing its end. Storm clouds were forming above the city and street lamps began to blink on. Pedestrians hurried their pace along as not to be caught in the coming rainfall. Street artists and musicians began to pack their belongings and call it a day.

Tanya’s proposal was somewhat over his head. He alone could not make the decision nor did he have the authority on that matter. While he had opened up trading partners around the globe as well as open the United States borders to industries both foreign and domestic it was after much deliberation. Nerotika offered a nearly untapped resource and industrial pool but it also came with its downsides. The US’s main economic partner happened to be Nerotika’s biggest enemy. While the US was openly sympathetic to Nerotika’s cause it was too was deeply intertwined with Hirigzstan’s economy.

“One thing I can do for you here is tell you that we would welcome a resource trade. As you most likely already know the United States is the leading exporter of precious metals including gold. With recent land acquisitions we have also ventured into the production of petroleum and other resources.

“In the matter of a land trade I am a bit confused. If you could perhaps elaborate if only a little.”

Tanya really knew nothing of how the USB regulated its own land to its people. For the state the issue of land was really no contest, the government regulated land that held valuable resources or held strategic purposes. This land was held by the state government but was sold to private industry on a contract that would regulate the industries use of the land as well as its promise to use the land for its intended purpose, extracting resources. The state industry which controlled a good portion of resource land only mined out what the private industry did not provide to the state leaving plenty of area's open to in-state private industries or outside industry as well.

"I thought i'de bring the idea up with you as I had no idea on whether you'd have control over such a thing or not as I have with my council over the land within the CSN. It would be small area's nothing like taking a large territory, and it would be under your government's control but our industry's ownership and visa verse. This way it falls on our shoulders on how we go about extracting and providing these resources to our people."

She looked forward to the coming meal as her mind was wondering around trying to find a better way to explain the land trade as well as jumping to the main goal of these talks, the issue of which her military council joined her on the journey.

It now seemed much clearer but still a bit peculiar.

“There are little to no restrictions on purchasing land in the US. The local governments in the area you are interested own the land and sell off said land as buyers present themselves. They might have their own minor laws and regulations but they generally sell as long as the money is there. Obviously land is taxed by the local and national government. You mentioned regulations regarding the environment earlier; we do have set, at the national level, very strict limitations in that regard.

“Which leads me to a question of my own. You said specifically that you would set up businesses that would extract natural resources and sell them back in your own country. Why bother with the cost of land, taxation, building permits, etc when you can simply buy products from already established local business and sell them back in your own country for twice the profit? Perhaps you would be more content with something like a free trade agreement?”

Bump.

"Well simply, it would promote our industry a bit more. Being the enemy of almost all your neighbors means your industries become strictly national, if we could export industries out of country and expand the horizon we might be able to open fronts elsewhere. Starting with a free trade agreement would be wonderful though, suppose we could have just cut out all that jibberish I was blurting and just asked for that as we have plenty of market area for our industries within the chechen states, we just need to stablize them is all."

She eyed out her window, Africa was usually not a place she'd expect to see such a modern world. Being secluded where she was her portrayal of the african landscape, though she knew of the powerful nations within, was still that of open seringeti's (lol...phonics style on that word) and fields of animals and tribal people. It was just that sort of portrayal when she thought of the continent but it was that portrayal which made her enjoy finally being here and proving herself right and wrong. In open area's the landscape was beautiful but within this city it could be mistaken for any one city across the world for the way it looked to run. Hopfully they would reach their destination soon, there was still something within her sleeve they Baruti needed to hear but only when her eunterage of military officials were around. It was't nessisary a military matter persay but it had importance for their presence.

“There are just a few minor details regarding the FTA that we must work out. Hirgizstan has already made it known that restrictions placed on our exports would increase if we were to sign such an agreement with you. Obviously this would be a rather large blow as they are our number one trading partner. I am sure, however, that with some financial savvy we can make something work.”

The entourage finally came to a stop. They had left behind the rolling landscape of the city outskirts where the airport was located and now were hidden within the great metal corridors of the city. Amongst the tall metallic skyscrapers sat the Capital Building, a small red brick building with beautiful white shutters and a large garden oasis that surrounded it like a moat. Reporters and photographers fought tooth and nail for positioning to flash the perfect front cover photo.

A light rain was falling outside as storm clouds overhead darkened. While the air was cooler than normal it was nevertheless hot, especially from a native of Russia. It was a short walk to the entrance filled with poses for the eager photographers. Once inside it was just a small distance further to the dining hall. The room was quaint. A high ceiling with a large sun roof dominated the room. A large oak table with beautiful tribal carvings lined the edge of the table. Towering walls filled with books new and old completed the display. One inside the aromas of local delights was apparent. Boerewors, a sausage like dish; Vetkoek, similar to Yorkshire pudding; and a variety of local and foreign fish lined the table.

Bump

"I can make sure to look into some way of working something under the table where as the Hirg's wont be able to call you out on it. But we can come back to this as well...interesting turnout for media attention." Tagging on that comment as she eyed outside the window seeing the photographers and media crowding near the capital building.

As she stepped out to follow her host she kept her polite smile on, a few waves here and there then into the building where the smells of the meal ahead filled the room.

Baruti was again perplexed. Perhaps he wasn’t nearly as familiar with Russian policies then he thought he was. Surely something as large and impacting as a trade agreement couldn’t possibly be kept under the radar.

“I’m not quite sure what you are suggesting,” he said trying not to sound derogatory. “I would just need to work with my financial and economic advisors to work out a plan that would benefit everyone, including the US and Hirgizstan. A ‘secret deal’ would probably do more harm than good for all parties involved.”

They entered the room having taken a break from the conversation. Various aromas took turns slowly floating past one’s nose inviting them to dine. Servers stood quietly as the group entered the room, a sign of respect, before quickly resuming their activities.

Baruti turned to the Chairwoman, smiled, and pulled out her seat. She gave a nod and sat while Baruti took up his position directly across from her.

“Perhaps a brief hiatus from our official business while we eat? I must admit I don’t know very much about you personally.”

The chairwomen took her seat, with a polite smile to her host. She then, leaving the political buisiness behind, began to speak.

"My own story, many would say, is a quite odd one. Being a women within the fragile state that was the soviet republics was interesting in itself. I was never a fighter, just a daughter of a farmer living miles from Kirov. Their politics never effected us, we were free in our own world. The farm felt like its own nation, never bothered by the war and conflicts going around. I get my feeling of freedom from that right there, even within the USR there was still freedom."

She paused for a moment, taking a small bite from a peice of bread and reflected in her own mind about her former life.

"Although, as you might see I am not exactly the most proper of dignitaries. I try my best to seem fit of this position but truely I believe it was my connection more to the people within my nation that got me this position. My people never asked for a college graduated, political major who stands proper strait and talks smooth. They asked for someone who had been through their trials, fought as a soldier and not a leader within the rebellion. Spoke against the socialist parties attempts at imperial expansion and spoke for the future and present of this nation's prosperity within the international community. We shouldn't hide behind curtains of iron, obscure from the world only knowing those nations that border us. I sit here because I want the world to know who we are, I want my state to become a power in the world stage before I surrender my position to a new leader."

She paused again for another bite of bread, then turning to the local foods.

"What about you, I know little of you as a person."

Her words were filled with quiet passion and Baruti was quite impressed. Her brief speech showed a level of humility that Baruti did not expect. There was no bravado in her words, no sense of self-importance. She understood her position and more importantly her job.

Baruti wiped his mouth off of any stray crumbs while pondering the question.

“While my story in itself is rather uninteresting, I have grown up in interesting times. My parents owned a mining company in South Africa during German rule. Their business required much moving and I traveled all over Southern Africa, places like: Namibia, Botswana, Angola, and Tanzania. It wasn’t until my days in college that politics began to become of interest. Those were much different days and the more I learned the more I began to hate my government. The German’s rule was strict and it was no better in Namibia or elsewhere. My parents were part of an underground intellectual group that pushed for more freedom. It is where I met Harvard Dugan one day, so long ago it is but a blur. When the revolution started I found myself suddenly at the forefront of the political movement.”

He looked up and realized he was beginning to ramble.

“That was twenty years ago. While I haven’t changed but in appearance, my country has and no doubt for the better.”

“I do appreciate your visit here. I have been so busy as of late I feel as if this is my first home cooked meal in forever. When we finish here we will move into my office, which should provide much more private quarters.”

He took a sip of deep red wine, from vineyards in South Africa. It wasn’t a well known fact but South Africa, along with the Layarteb and Australia were known as the ‘new countries’ in the wine world which provided a sweeter taste to their wines.

Tanya nodded her head "I must say that this meal has been wonderful, im more use to the common foods and its a nice change to get something special."

She sat her utentils down and covered her mouth letting out a small burb of satisfaction. With a smile she took a sip from her cup allowing the sweet tasting wine to linger as she took her time tasting it.

"This wine is fantastic, with all the hard liquior I usually drink I almost forgot how nice it is to drink fine wine. If you ever come to my state, which I hope in the future you do, I will introduce you to some of the finest vodka's and whistkies you'll ever taste."

Tanya's interest in Baruti had grown but although she wished to continue the nice conversation she knew it was time to really get down to buisiness. Just as her thoughts came to this a member of her aid's came to her, he spoke a few words in her ear and her face showed no emotion to them. Then a smile appeared, she looked at Baruti and spoke again.

"I have just been informed of some interesting news from Voldagrad, I will enlighten you while we are in private but with this news I believe I no longer have need for my accompanying party to join us in these talks. If it isnt too much trouble may I ask that you send them out on a tour, least let them enjoy the sights."

Baruti nodded in approval and motioned for an aide to his side. He spoke softly to him and the aide was quickly away leading both parties to the door.

“They’ll shall enjoy the tour of the town; my men know the best kept secrets here.”

With that they got up and moved toward Baruti’s office. As they left orderlies were moving quickly around the table, cleaning the mess.

As the door closed in his office it became suddenly very quiet. Outside the door was the usual busy day of the capital but inside was quiet and somber. Baruti motioned for the Chairwoman to take her seat before sitting himself.

“I hope everything has been pleasant. I know our cuisine differs from most of the world. So I suppose we should get to the more serious issues on hand. What is it you would like to talk about today?”

"Now the those military who accompanied me were here to ask if the US would be in support of joint action in figthing the rebellion in Ukraine and the Chechen states but Voldagrad has informed me as well, that a striking agreement from Ukrainian rebels to lay down their arms has been made, only one Ukrainian group remains and we are now able to divert more forces to the chechen states. With this we do not need to ask for any aide so nevermind, I believe I am babbleing a mute point now.

"Anyway, I did mainly come to talk about bettering relations between our nations. The council and myself have agreed to offer the people of US an open border policy to our nation, now we have been forced to block many people from different countries taking in only refugee's from the former Pantheaan lands and of course allowing the russian people free travel between our nations but international travel from the outside scope has been unheard of lately. Opening ourselves to the US would most likely, hopefully, provide chances for other nations as well to come to us instead of us having to scrape for their attention."

“I believe we can easily arrange that. The United States has always been an open country, welcoming of all people and cultures. We also promote world travel, as I am sure we can draw attention to your Russian land by increased advertising. Obviously our staff will hammer out the security provisions, but as I have said we are a very open country and that shouldn’t be a problem.”

Baruti adjusted positions in his chair. So far so good he thought to himself.