NationStates Jolt Archive

She was the finest vessel in the Laceenian navy, and, at present, its only active aircraft carrier. LNS Stockmoor sat in port as around her men and women hurried about, loading supplies, restocking armaments and checking the systems. On deck, airmen from 803 Squadron inspected their Sea Harriers whilst those from 721 ensured their Sea Kings were up to scratch. Everything was running smoothly and to time, which it needed to as in less than twelve hours the Stockmoor was due to put to sea.

Her sister ship, LNS Camborough, was sat around half a mile away at the opposite end of the line of quays. She had no prospect of getting underway any time soon. Her innards were stripped out and spread about as she underwent the second overhaul of her career.

Samuel Lawson had also undergone an overhaul of his career recently. Having swept to power seven years ago on the promise of "Sorting out our own back-yard", he turned the entire nation around, bringing the economy back into the black and cut crime across the board. Three years ago he'd gained an even larger majority and had revamped the health and education systems. Then, two weeks ago he had again captured the hearts and minds of the population and secured a third term as Prime Minister. This time, he had run on the principals of keeping a steady, well trained hand on the national rudder, and it had paid off, although he did slip in the polls comparative to the previous election, securing 63% of the votes compared with 71% three years earlier. A victory was a victory, however, and the nation was ready to move from their own back-yard and into the wider world.

Three miles off shore, silhouetted against the rising sun, a small flotilla of naval warships had assembled. Type 42 destroyers sat along side Type 23 Frigates, representing the bleeding-edge of Laceenian naval warfare, whist ageing County class destroyers bolstered the air-defence capabilities of the force, although all aboard hoped they would not need to use the Sea Slug missile systems on this voyage.


Open Diplomatic Communiqué
The Republic of Laceenia wishes to end its isolationist ways, and proposes a whistle-stop tour of nations willing to discuss the possibility of establishing diplomatic relationships with our fine country.

We kindly request that any interested party contact us to discuss the finer details of our possible visit.

Isaac Charlton
Foreign Secretary
The Republic of Laceenia

Greywatch Council Response:

We welcome you to the world and praise your ending of isolationist ways. Greywatch reahces out to you with an open hand of friendship. We would be happy to establish diplomatic relations with you.

IAOFR
The Emirate of Sultenia

The goverment of Sultenia has taken interest in your communiqué and we wish only that our two nations will be able to cooperate so that both our nations can evolve and thrive in this world.

The Emirate of Sultenia openly and formally invite representatives of your nation to our country to open diplomatic negotiations and hopes the meeting will increase the understanding between both our nations.

However we must insist that any naval or military escorts of your delegates remain in international waters/airspace as we are facing a minor internal security issue, we can not gurantee them complete safety nor access in certain parts of the country.

Signed
IAOFR - Internal Administration of Foreign Relations
The Transitional Goverment of Sultenia
The Ministry of Defense
Prime minister Vogel Ravenholdt of The National Party

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc61/LordBelacqua/NationStates/Imperial%20Barronia/LIONOOTCUp.png

Office of Telegraphics
52nd Floor
Diplomitas Building
New Misenae

Sir

Barronia, on behalf of the League, cordially invites you to our fine and glorious nation on your tour.

We wholeheartedly recognise the sovereignty of Laceenia according to Chapter 3, Paragraph B of the National Sovereignty Act (Amended) 2003.

Yours,

Amelie Carpentier-St Claire
Magisteriate for Extra-Imperial Affairs

Response to Greywatch Council
We thank you for your response and look forwards to establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with you in future. With your permission, we would like to make your nation the first stop on the voyage so as we can discuss the ways our nations can work together to better us both.


A pair of dark 4x4's pulled to a stop at the start of the quay where Stockmoor rested. the doors opened almost simultaneously and a total of six people emerged onto the concrete of the port: the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Tom Wheeler, four of the nations finest special-operations personnel, assigned to personal protection duty, and Samuel Lawson himself. Neither of the politicians had experienced life aboard a fully operational aircraft carrier before now. Wheeler had served aboard LNS Stalwart, one of the County class destroyers on escort duty, during his time in the Navy, whilst Lawson had served in the Army and thus totally avoided any ocean-going other than for recreation.


Response to The Emirate of Sultenia
We would be all too happy to send our people to meet with your representatives and are certain this can be the start of a long and prosperous friendship between out two fine countries.

We understand and recognise your nations right to control access into your own territorial waters and airspace, and will respect those wishes during our stop over.


"Agusta Yankee Hotel Hotel, you are cleared to land."

The helicopter eased its way down onto the deck of the large vessel. VIP transportation was not in the design brief of the Sea Kings stationed aboard the carrier, so one of the governments Agusta 101's would call the vessel home for the duration of the tour.


Response to Amelie Carpentier-St Claire of Barronia
On behalf of the Government of Laceenia, I accept your most gracious invitation and look forwards to visiting Barronia and discussing the establishment of relations between our two nations.

We also thank you for officially recognising our status as a sovereign nation.

IAOFR
The Emirate of Sultenia

The prime minister Vogel Ravenholdt has expressed his wishes to personally meet with your national representatives and together with diplomatic representatives and initiate discussions of your choice, Ravenholdt is mostly interested in discussing how law enforcement and public schooling is maintained in your nation.

Upon request we can give you a list of what the IAOFR has planned for your representatives during their visit so we can make preperations for their arrival.

The Emirate Of Sultenia look foward to your arrival and are greatly pleased that you are willing to respect Sultenias wishes to maintain "the borderline act" and keep military personnel in international waters during this time.

Signed
IAOFR - Internal Administration of Foreign Relations
The Transitional Goverment of Sultenia
The Ministry of Defense
Prime minister Vogel Ravenholdt of The National Party

The deep rumble of four Rolls Royce turbines resonated throughout the engine room as the large vessel began its short journey to rendezvous with the other vessels which would form part of the convoy. From there, they would head off to their first port of call. It would be many a day before the ship was again berthed in a Laceenian dock.

Response to The Emirate of Sultenia
We are humbled that your nations leader would take time out of his undoubtedly busy schedule to meet with representatives of such a small nation. Discussions can certainly include law enforcement and education, and I'm sure we can each learn from the others systems.

We would also be interested in discussing matters such as trade between our nations, and, obviously, establishing full diplomatic relations.

The Republic of Laceenia shares your enthusiasm for our upcoming visit, and would be most grateful if we could view details of the arrangements you are presently making for our representatives.

Isaac Charlton
Foreign Secretary
The Republic of Laceenia

Greywatch Council Response:

We are glad to here that you wish to visit our nation but we feel you should know that we are, unfortunantly, landlocked as a nation. If you can send a plane, that would be best, if not, we have air transport ready. Please respond to us ASAP.

Our nation of East Laos is always looking to establish relations. Our only issue is our rebels. They reside mainly in the southern, landlocked part of our nation. We will have a meeting if you all come in our capitol, Capitol City. It is about three miles away from the beach, docks. So your ships could dock their. Our prime minister, Prime Minister Kris, and your leader could meet in our only 7 star hotel. It has a fabulous view of the ocean, as it is right on the beach. Diplomatic relations are greatly appreciated.

IAOFR
The Emirate of Sultenia

Open letter to arriving diplomats representing The Republic of Laceenia.

The IAOFR has along with the goverment of Sultenia and prime minister Vogel Ravenholdt worked up a schedule to ensure following:

Your visit will be pleasant and informative
Your delegates get the oppertunity to see the nation of Sultenia and her people
An opening of international relations between our countries
A mutual understanding between our nations people and bring respect of our differences and similarities.


Upon arrival prime minister Vogel Ravenholdt, head of the National Party currently in govermental control of Sultenia will meet with your nations delegates personally along with two diplomatic representatives of our goverment and a small television crew as this first meeting will be broadcasted on national television.
First thing you might note about our prime minister, is his wishes to remain "casual" in terms of clothing, as the goverment sees themselves "part of the people" you will find that clothing and sometimes attitude within the goverment is not different from the people of Sultenia.

Representatives of other nations is of course free to wear whatever clothing they prefer, the IAOFR however wishes to inform of the goverments choice to avoid any cultural misunderstandings.

The prime minister will take the representatives of Laceenia on a tour around the capital, you might find it somewhat...dusty on the afternoon but that is mearly the "dust-breeze" sweeping in from outside of the city.
Representative will have housings arranged at one of our hotels, note that all water is perfectly safe to drink, maintenence of the plumbing system has gone ahead of the govermental time-table thanks to our hard-working people.
All housing, food and beverage is of course free of charge.

Diplomatic discussions will continue during a tour of our nation between our nations representatives as well as the exchange of questions and cultural information, again we inform of our goverments casual and conservative apperance, they have stressed the importance of making representatives of other nations feel welcome and that it is somewhat unfriendly, impersonal and dull to sit in a room all day making agreements without any relation to the world the agreement will affect. And again, this infomation is given to avoid cultural misunderstandings.

Safety issues
Unknown, armed militants are present in the northwestern parts of our nation, The Armed Forces of Sultenia wishes that delegates of other nations remain vigilant and report any odd behaviour or material that they spot.
We do not wish to frighten you, only inform you.
You will experiance large numbers of military personnel on the streets and countryside and we wish to infrom you that these are simply working with police, medical and rescue personnel as part of their duties both in peacetime, crisis and war. Military is always in close co-operation, assistance and meeting with our people to ensure mutual understanding.
More of a concern to your safety is that our nation is currently rebuilding itself from a civilwar, some buildings outside the capital are damaged beyond repair and are set to be demolished in time, all these buildings have a specific "Entrance at own risk" sign, please respect these for your own safety, helmets will be issued in some areas.

If you have further questions regarding our populance, local custom etc. feel free to ask in writing or ask them upon arrival.

Signed
IAOFR - Internal Administration of Foreign Relations
The Transitional Goverment of Sultenia
The Ministry of Defense
Prime minister Vogel Ravenholdt of the National Party

Ps.
The prime minister wishes that delegates bring one of your national banners/flags as he wishes to hand over one of ours to your diplomatic representatives as an act of friendship on this first meeting.

The government of Salzland would like to heartily welcome the Republic of Laceenia to the world stage, and hopes that your international tour will be prosperous and highly successful.

We would be honored if you would establish an embassy in our nation, in the interests of strengthening ties.

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=560582

Response to Greywatch Council
The LNS Stockmoor carries a full complement of rotorcraft capable of transporting our delegates into your nation. As our delegation are presently underway, we feel now is a good time to finalise the plans and decide the overall outline of the meeting

The fleet had been at sea for the better part of a day now, making a steady twenty knots throughout. Tom Wheeler had enjoyed being back at sea, and most of his time so far had been spent in various parts of the vessel sharing idle chatter with the crew.

Response to East Laos
We thank you for your response and would happily discuss the possibility o our two nations leaders meeting further. You basic outline seems acceptable to us, and we feel all that is left is just to nail down the fine points of the meeting.

Our only concern is with the rebel presence you mentioned. We understand each nation has its own internal dynamic, and that certain groups will feel violence is the only answer to the problems they have. This is, however, only a minor concern, and does not negatively affect the chance of diplomatic relations between our countries.

Samuel Lawson, on the other hand, had stood on the bridge for the first forty minutes or so, before retiring to his cabin for some much needed rest. He'd toured this vessel before, some five years ago, but he'd never seen it at work and under steam, and so promised himself he would spend some time looking around the ship. That would be tomorrow, he'd already made plans for today, and neither hell nor high water would come between him and a solid eight hours sleep this time.

Response to IAOFR, The Emirate of Sultenia
Having received and examined the details you have sent, I cannot find anything which may cause a problem. These events always draw media attention and as such all involved will be expecting some level of interest from the local press.

Learning about, and experiencing, the cultural differences around the globe is a favoured past-time of Prime Minister Lawson, who I am sure will enjoy his time within your nation. Undoubtedly he will wish to dress as the locals, and I will pass the information along that casual is considered normal amongst your politicians.

I thank you for the information regarding security, and rest assured anything out of the ordinary will be noted and reported. Large numbers of military personnel are also unlikely to worry our representatives who expect increased security during visits such as theirs, but will pass the exact reasons along in any case. Finally, I will inform them that it would be neither the time nor the place to be having a look around abandoned and derelict buildings, except with prior authorisation and an escort, although I doubt any Laceenian representative will make such a request.

A national flag can certainly be arranged for to be exchanged as a gesture of our national friendship.



Response to Salzland
I thank you for your message and share your hopes on our current tour. I am also currently considering the possibility of opening an embassy within Salzland, and shall let you know my decision shortly.

The Democratic Republic of Veranvakia wishes to welcome Laceenia to the world stage. As our economy is currently in a fragile state due in part to several legislative mix ups, we would be pleased to discuss diplomatic relations and trade with Laceenia representatives. We would request that your naval vessels not enter our waters unless we have a equivalently sized naval force waiting to escort you.

IAOFR
The Emirate of Sultenia

Response to diplomatic representatives the nation of Laceenia

Our goverment and our nation awaits your arrival and look foward to the many things our nations can offer eachother.

Our nations capital "Jutenheim" has a major harbourarea where vessels carrying your nations representatives can drop anchor and remain during the time of your visit.
At the borderline between international waters and the territorial waters of Sultenia, an escort group consisting of four unarmed helicopters will approach and contact your vessels informing your of the best way to the harbour and oversee the safety of incoming vessel.
At the time your ship remains anchored to our harbour, the crew operating it are granted "limited visitors visum", giving them full rights to spend their "off-duty-time" as they see fit (within local laws and regulations of course) in our nation.

Further questions are answered upon request.

Signed
IAOFR - Internal Administration of Foreign Relations
The Transitional Goverment of Sultenia
The Ministry of Defense
Prime minister Vogel Ravenholdt of the National Party

Reply to Veranvakia
I would be honoured to add your fine nation to our tour. Trade discussions can certainly be included in this stop over and I'm sure they will benefit both our nations. Our naval vessel can remain outside your territorial waters as you request and our representative can be transported to one of your nations airports by civilian helicopter. This will not be a problem.


Reply to The Emirate of Sultenia
We thank you for these arrangements. They will certainly make the visit much easier logistically than i we had to fly our representatives in from outside your nations territorial claims. I will ensure the lead vessel contacts you as they approach your nations boundaries.


(OoC: Sorry about the short post, I'm a tad busy right now but didn't want to let this stagnate further.)

(OoC: Bumpity bump...)

(OoC: OK, I'm probably going to start the RPing of the actual visits and talks over the weekend. So as I have a rough idea as to who on the list is still actually interested in doing so, I'm going to do a roll call. If your names below and you're interested, let me know. If you're not interested/are otherwise occupied/not able to participate for whatever reason either say so or simply don't respond. I'll see how much interest remains, and take it from there. On to the list!

Greywatch
Sultenia
Barronia
East Laos
Salzland
Veranvakia)

IAOFR
The Emirate of Sultenia

The Emirate awaits your arrival.

(OoC: One out of six so far...)

Greywatch Council Response:
The Greywatch council expects your arrival, you may come whenever you wish.