NationStates Jolt Archive

Six months after the Seditian Archipelago Incident, Zowali was still recovering from some radical changes, returning to a democracy after violently becoming a dictatorship, and the new President was eager to help his country in any way he could, even if that meant improving relations with a neighboring, formerly (and possibly still) hostile nation.

"President Jack Patton sent delegates to the Caelapene city of Torine today, in order to repair relations with the other island nation." The newscaster's voice went on for several minutes, discussing the objectives of the negotiations (those that were public) and droning about how This Politician and That Politician were reacting to this slightly-shocking move in international relations. Mark Walther tuned out the rest of the drivel, his mind turning inward as he thought about what this could mean for the country. They could just as easily renew hostilities between the two nations as fix the poor relations, depending on the Caelapene reaction. Still thinking these thoughts, Walther stepped into his pajamas and lay down next to his wife, shutting off the television and the light.

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Chevalier stood on the tarmac at the Arey Bay Aeronaval Base. A light breeze ruffled his hair as a Boeing VC-25, marked with Zowalian diplomatic livery, eased onto the runway. Twin Aeronavy jets streaked past the diplomatic plane as it landed, then split and circled around, waiting for their turns to land.

Chevalier lit and smoked a cigarette as he waited for the Zowalian plane to taxi over to him. After it had, he let the finished cigarette drop from his mouth. He stamped on it and took a step forward as the door to the plane opened and the Zowalian delegates descended onto the tarmac.

"Salvene. Welcome to the Federation of Caelapes, delegie Zowaleo honoreo."

As the VC-25A taxied away, Head Delegate Samuel Johnson greeted the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

"Salvene. Welcome to the Federation of Caelapes, delegie Zowaleo honoreo." Brian Chevalier, the Deputy Minister, spoke in a cultured, slightly accented voice. Samuel nodded and extended his hand.

“Thank you, Deputy Minister. We are glad to be here on peaceful terms.” The Deputy Minister shook hands with Samuel, and then turned to greet the other delegates, who returned the pleasantries before stepping into a limousine packed with enough armor to stop most small arms; the walls were filled with Kevlar, and the windows were actually a bullet-resistant polymer rated to stop several high-powered rifle bullets. The tires were filled with hard foam instead of air, to prevent them from going flat if they were ruptured. The diplomatic motorcade then pulled out, heading out of the Arey Bay Aeronaval Base and towards the Caelapene city of Torine.

The diplomatic convoy made its way uneventfully to the city of Torine. Once there, the motorcade made its way to Concordia Avenue - a magnificent stretch of roadway bordered on either side by foreign missions from around the world. The convoy made its way to an unmarked embassy building guarded by Caelapene Home Guard.

"Welcome to the Caelapene mission to Caelapes." Chevalier smirked. "Actually, this is a reserved embassy for either Zowali or Lenonstall. If diplomatic relations are ever restored, that is." The convoy came to a stop and an embassy staffer opened the door. Chevalier shifted and stepped out of the limousine, nodded to the staffer, and pushed open a door into the embassy, not waiting for the Zowalian delegates to keep up. "This way, please," he said as he strode to the meeting room.

Samuel Johnson entered the meeting room, followed by Ambassadors William Aldermann and Alexander Donahue. All ready in the meeting room were several Caelapene delegates seated across the table from them. Ambassador Donahue leaned in towards Ambassador Aldermann.
“They seem a little...Tense. Think they’re still pissed?” Donahue whispered to his companion.
“Uh, we sent soldiers into their country after they dropped pamphlets on Lenonstall. That was an invasion of a nation not directly hostile to ours,” said Aldermann. Donahue was about to reply when a gesture from their superior silenced them.

“Deputy Minister, Caelapene negotiators, I am Samuel Johnson, the head of the Zowali Delegation. Beside me are Ambassador Alexander Donahue,” he indicated the man to his right, “and Ambassador William Aldermann”, he indicated the man on his left.
“I hope we can improve the relations between our two nations, so that our entire region may prosper and that neither country will hinder the advancement of the other.”

Chevalier stared blankly at Samuel for a long moment before speaking. "Do you think we're stupid, legati Johnson? Look." He pulled a small device from his pocket and turned to face the wall opposite the Zowalian delegation. He pressed a button and the wooden panels slid away to reveal a large monitor emblazoned with the Seal of Caelapes. The screen flashed and displayed a selection of graphs and charts.

"These charts, gentlemen, represent both Caelapene and Zowalian economic factors over the past year, per intelligence collected by our fiscal intelligence agency. You'll notice that your economy is dwarfed by the Caelapene market?" Chevalier smirked and pressed another button on the remote, which brought up a slideshow of pictures of Zowalian military. "And this? The Zowalian armed forces? You couldn't even get materiel across the Roupe Sea to land at Crougard. We have very little to fear from Zowali, Mr. Johnson. Please, tell me why we should support the only nation of the Seditian Archipelago that has landed its military in another's territory?"

Ambassador Donahue flashed an "I-told-you-so" look at Ambassador Aldermann as Ambassador Johnson took the floor.

"Deputy Minister, I have no feelings towards your intelligence; to have achieved your position in government, you and your colleagues must be far from stupid. Please realize that those were the actions of a pro-socialistic regime that was reacting to your anti-socialist propaganda dropped over Lenonstall. I do believe that calling a nation's people to revolt is an act of war." Head Delegate Johnson continued in his discourse

"That socialist regime soon fell, albeit not far, into a dictatorship lead by one of the violent men who was part of the campaign in your country. He oppressed our people, myself included, and ruined our economy. He destroyed our national standing, and when we could take no more, we again revolted, further damaging our country's feeble economy. Our military, in no good condition beforehand, has also been traumatized by the recent civil violence and is in dire need of rebuilding.

"We've come here asking for your support in rebuilding a democracy and protecting our borders until such time we can properly defend it ourselves. Of course, we understand that past actions committed by those who were of our country will not be taken lightly, but we ask you to understand that those were the actions of a select few, and not born of the opinion of the masses. Caelapes, of all countries, is a pinnacle of democracy who must understand the importance of providing to the people what the people want, and we ask you to help us in that goal." Johnson sat down after his five-minute-long presentation and took a sip of the provided water, waiting for his Calaepene counterparts to respond in kind.

"Legati Johnson, we have no way of determining whether or not your government is legitimate. You have just transitioned out of a dictatorship, and we have no election data. We have no way of telling whether or not your President's nomination was just a plot to stage a coup in an already shattered nation.

"Furthermore, please explain why Caelapes would benefit from protecting Zowali? From rebuilding your country? We have no interest in your problems. You said that Caelapes understands the importance of providing what the people want? Despite what you may think, Mr. Johnson, Caelapes is not an altruistic state. We look out for the interests of Caelapes. Not Zowali. Not Lenonstall. Why should we help you? You must realize that many members of Perlamenti still hold a grudge against Zowali."

"Deputy Minister, you can easily check the newstands or any of your intelligence agencies for confirmation of the legitimacy of Zowali's election. Walters was brought down, and is even now awaiting trial for the crimes he committed against the citizens of his own country, as well as those he committed against yours. President Jack Patton was elected in a fair and balanced election against several other opponents, one even the well-known cleric-turned-politician Michael Franscoviak. There is plenty of evidence to back up the legitimacy of The President's election." Samuel Johnson took another sip of water. This will be a long day was the thought running through his head during the first part of his statement.

"As to Caelapes benefiting from aiding Zowali? If you are to aid Zowali, we will obviously be in your debt. That is not a bad thing if the debt can be paid back, and we believe that with your assistance, we can easily repay the debt as well as rectify any damages the actions of our former dictator may have caused.

"I understand that a grudge is going to be held, but is it right to punish the many for the actions of the few? All we ask is basic aid in getting back on our feet, and to make amends for what our regrettable countrymen have done."