NationStates Jolt Archive

(OOC: This is for ODECON members only other than that enjoy the story unfold. This is mostly policy making so certain groups may want to watch this thread. Please just arrive at the door, we don't want 13 jets asking to land, land and then drive up the mountain...)

On top of Mount Vale was a glorious house, it looked across the plains of south Whiskeasy and all around it where large mountains and forests. Haroway Hall was built in the late 1700s by Earl Dottenman for his wife's wedding gift. Of course the family went bankrupt in the year 1943 and the Dottenman's had to sell everything. The government bought the Hall for it was a glorious piece of architecture, it also was perfect for stately business. The building had been improved over the decades, it became a meeting place for the cabinet on holiday. Politicians spent their free time there and as such it got certain luxurious and useful additions. An airfield was added half way down the mountain, well more like along the saddle of the ridge, large enough for the medium sized private jets. Of course there was a larger airport at the base of the mountain about three hour drive away. A sturdy road led all the way up to the Hall on the top and there was even a ski lift. A couple of companies of Paratroopers were stationed on the mountain. A nuclear bunker was dug deep into the Mountain and anti-air defenses were set up. It was a place of secure luxury and a truly prestigious function would be held in it's hallowed halls. The ODECON Summit would be taking place, and the hall buzzed with activity.

There were BOIF and OII intelligence officers everywhere, security was being tightened left right and center. And famous chef's and waiters were being brought in to give a feast that would come after the Summit itself. Places were organized and flags were flown, every nation had a flag flown and there were name tags in the conference room for the world leaders that would attend. Champagne was laid out in flutes for the guests and the bar was well stocked with fine wines and malts from around the globe. A fleet of cars stood ready to transport the guests to the Hall and the PM was preparing.

He stood in the lobby with his hands behind his back, a crisp new suit on and a Whiskeasian flag on his lapel. He was waiting for the first of his guests because soon, very soon, the summit would start. And when it did, all sorts of things would unfold.

OOC: Crappy post alert.

Chancellor Gregor Ringkampf and President of ODECON Evan Bachmeier walked briskly though the open doors of Haroway Hall, shaking the hands of the assorted Whiskeasian politicians before reaching the Prime Minister.

"Good evening, Mr. Gordons," Ringkampf began. "A wonderful locale you've set up here, as I'm sure Evan will agree." Bachmeier nodded in agreement but remained quiet. His two flag lapels, one with the Federal Republic's flag, and one with ODECON's, looked strange together, as if they somehow were contrasting each other. "Other than our broad anti-piracy topic, what issues will Whiskeasy be bringing to the table?"

Bachmeier finally spoke. "Leistung will likely be bringing up the issue of a newly resurgent IFA and an overly belligerent CA, though I doubt that either would be interested in a prolonged conflict with us. What are your thoughts on the matter?"

OOC: Post reserved for IC response, once I finish my paper that's due tomorrow. Also, bummed that this is being held in Whiskeasy, so I can't prank the delegation like I had planned.

IC:

President William Phillips strode through the front doors of Haroway Hall confidently, a slight grin still on his face. The Armed Republic had been a member-state of the Oceanic Defense Coalition for some time, but only now was Salzland finally able to attend an alliance-wide summit. Phillips looked forward to meeting many of his allies in person for the very first time.

The Whiskeasians had certainly pulled out all the stops in order to impress the arriving foreign officials, and Phillips was impressed with the care that had gone into the planning of this summit. The Armed Republic had always maintained a more... simplistic interpretation of the roles of its foreign relations department. The elequence and splendor on display in Whiskeasy was certainly going quite some way toward revising the Salzland tools of diplomacy. As Phillips walked through the front door, he noticed a distinguished-looking gentleman wearing a crisp suit and a Whiskeasian flag pin. The Salzland President needed no introductions to recognize their host for this summit.

"Prime Minister Gordons, it's a pleasure to finally meet you," he said, offering the Whiskeasian his hand. "I'm looking forward to being able to meet everyone, at last."

[OOC: hurr hurr quickpost]

Dr. Hodz looked out the window of his rather patriotic helicopter (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/fahooglewitz1077/Linearts/akichopperirene.png) as it slowly descended towards the house on top of Mount Vale. It was his first trip out of of the country in some time. And Dr. Hodz did not leave the country unless it was incredibly important.

He sighed, and leaned back in his seat, waiting for the helicopter to come to a full and complete stop. There was still uneaten lemon curry in a bowl on the table in front of him.

OOC: crappy post but I’m lazy.

IC:
Dr. Frank Booker, Speaker of the ODECON Regulatory Congress, adjusted his glasses as he admired the architecture of the building before him, in which the ODECON summit was to be held. Beside him, Mary Basset brushed a piece of lint off of one of her gloves. "Well Frank," She began, turning to face Booker with a joking smirk. "are you ready to be a war hawk?"

Booker chuckled. "I never would have imagined that a man so bordering on pacifism as I am would be arguing for such a large amount of military action on the part of an alliance such as this one," He said, smiling. "but even I know that war is preferable to allowing tyranny and decay to go unchecked."

"Indeed." The Hegemon nodded. "Let us hope that our fellow leaders of ODECON know such to be true as well." She began to make her way toward the entrance, Booker following close behind.

The two walked through the doors of Haroway Hall, and into the group of Whiskeasian politicians beyond them.

ooc: I am in the mood for a quick post

The Arrival of the Regulatory Congress Member Johnathan Blake, Foreign Ministry Envoy Audrey Wentworth, and the King's Privy Counsel Member Mick Yelsen was a quick and subtle one, but all three Zoingonians were indifferent on grand entrances. As the three approached the mountainous slope-side estate, Miss Wentworth stopped the 2 men.

"Gentlemen, we understand our purpose today, which is to attend this meeting and find out the latest news, however, I have received a message from the Foreign Minister Francis Pïèrock, who is telling us today that we are to remain as diplomatic when it comes to military actions against other alliances and nations."

"What I get from his Majesty," Yelsen started and kept his voice low, "Is that our country can't possibly bear to take any more military action, why what I received from King Ragnald's own office was that we are wide open for a foreign military invasion upon our own soil-"

"Is that possible?" Audrey interrupted loudly, "We have one of the largest Naval force on this side of the-"

Yelsen had to quickly silence Audrey and take her and John aside.

"That may be true Miss Wentworth, but the Army is stretched thin, the recent colonial uprisings in the hereditary colonies of Europa and In the Sardmoth Islands have left troops in those areas to keep the peace. Also, we have dedicated our forces to other allied areas almost half a world away. Our Navy alone cannot stop an invasion." Yelsen paused and continued on. "Also, we run the risk of having to play both sides and keep quiet, like we did in the LION-Hegemony war. If another war brakes out between ODECON and one of our allied alliances, then God only knows what will happen next."

"So our main agenda is to keep the peace?" John asked as he, Audrey, and Mick walked up the stairs and into the meeting hall.

"Precisely." Audrey replied.

The three proceeded into the hall, expecting to meet other envoys from the attending ODECON nations.

Gordons noticed the room quickly filling with people and leaders. As Ringkampf moved towards him with Bachmeier in tow he smiled and greeted them. "Please, call me Frederick, yes this is a very nice location. It doesnt quite get enough use though. Whiskeasy will be bringing those problems up as well, including Nuclear Weapons and of course ,a personal pet peeve of ours, slavery."
He noticed a few other dignitaries he knew and some he did not, nonetheless he decided they might as well go into the conference room to wait for the stragglers.
"Perhaps we should head to the Conference room. Would that be ok with you? If so I will ring the bell so to speak." He smiled, they actually were going to ring a little bell, more symbolic than anything.

OOC: Sorry, Hans Fruehauf, the Supreme Military Overseer, is also in attendance.

"Yes, that should be fine," Ringkampf replied. "I'm eager to get to business, actually, and I'm sure the dignitaries who have yet to arrive will be able to get caught up quickly. We can always bring back a point, of course." The three men noticed the Zoingonian delegation entering and walked beside them as the two groups made their way to the conference hall.

"Miss Wentworth, I presume?" Bachmeier asked warmly, nodding at the other two Zoingonians. "Zoingo has been somewhat tepid in ODECON affairs these past few months--I'll be very curious to see your thoughts on some of our more pressing issues here." The three men took their seats next to the Zoingonian delegation and across from the Whiskeasian one, Fruehauf sipping the glass of water in front of him, waiting for the others to be seated.

OOC2: Everyone hurry up--these terrible posts "getting into position" posts are starting to get to me :D.

President Watson, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Samson and several GIA agents arrived at the lobby and after greeting the politicians from Whiskeasy, They joined the crowd of world leaders while the agents waited nearby. President Watson had tons of issues to deal with after the conference. Samson was the deputy, but after the tragic death of Raul Riddle, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs. The two made their way into the conference area. Many world leaders were around, chatting.

OOC: Sorry, Hans Fruehauf, the Supreme Military Overseer, is also in attendance.

"Yes, that should be fine," Ringkampf replied. "I'm eager to get to business, actually, and I'm sure the dignitaries who have yet to arrive will be able to get caught up quickly. We can always bring back a point, of course." The three men noticed the Zoingonian delegation entering and walked beside them as the two groups made their way to the conference hall.

"Miss Wentworth, I presume?" Bachmeier asked warmly, nodding at the other two Zoingonians. "Zoingo has been somewhat tepid in ODECON affairs these past few months--I'll be very curious to see your thoughts on some of our more pressing issues here." The three men took their seats next to the Zoingonian delegation and across from the Whiskeasian one, Fruehauf sipping the glass of water in front of him, waiting for the others to be seated.

OOC2: Everyone hurry up--these terrible posts "getting into position" posts are starting to get to me :D.

ooc: Its okay, its almost time to start the 'Flipping and shuffling pages position' :tongue:

"Mr. President," Audrey greeted warmly. "May I present Mick Yelsen, representative of His Majesty King Ragnald IV's Privy Counsel...."

"The King gives his greetings and blessings." Mick nodded.

"And you may be familiar with Representative Blake..." Audrey continued.

"It is nice to see you again Mr. President," John said as he shook Bachmeir's hand.

After Backmeir said about Zoingo being 'tepid', Mick quickly replied.

"All in good nature, we have been having a few market and colonial issues, but for now we seem we can focus on the pressing matters."

All three of them took their seats, the closest one to the Leistung delegation was Mick having a cup of tea; followed by Audry sitting in the middle, who was having water; and John on the far-left side with a glass of champagne, sitting next to to-be-filled seats.

Giorgio was the ambassador to Whiskeasy and had been for quite a few years. In fact, he hadn't set foot in Santheres in five years, he was so absorbed in his post -- in reality, he simply did not want to return to his family, which was headed by an increasingly more matriarchal set of leader that cared more for alleged feminist ideals than for actual equality. As the ambassador, he knew little of ODECON and had had a crash course over the past night on its operations and political personae. He still didn't know half the names or most of the faces. He shouldn't have even been at the summit, but when he had emailed prospective Diplomatic Corps members about attending, most either never responded, or replied that they couldn't be asked to ... three literally said "I CBA."

He wasn't terribly happy with the turn out. At least Angela Giarelli was supposed to show up sooner or later. As the ODEPOL director, she more than likely felt obligated to attend. One would think, anyway. But she wasn't here yet and he wasn't going to wait.

Entering the hall as confidently as possible (quite so, being Santherese as he was) and calmly brushed past a server, lifting two of the conservatively-filled flutes from the tray. He spotted Gordons, indeed the only person of interest present likely to actually know him, and proceeded in his direction, pouring one flute into the other and drinking what couldn't fit into the combined glass.

Despite Gordons being in the presence of several others, he immediately announced his presence. "Ah, Prime Minister, lovely to see you again. And, ah...," he looked over those with Gordons, trying to remember their names. He couldn't, and so greeted them neutrally and appended, "I am, of course, the ambassador to Whiskeasy."

He neglected saying whose ambassador, possibly saying much of the Santherese sense of how notable they were, possibly saying nothing at all. That depended on the audience. "Have you seen Marchessa Giarelli? I should have met her outside but she's not come to me. Surely the ODEPOL director would be here?"

"Have you seen Marchessa Giarelli? I should have met her outside but she's not come to me. Surely the ODEPOL director would be here?"

John got up and greeted Giorgio by extending his hand "Welcome sir, it is nice to see the ambassador to Whiskeasy.....Santheres delegation no?"
Of course, John had been around a few Santheres delegations and delegates before, and the fact that Girorgio suddenly, boldly, and very confidently strode into the room left the impression of a person of Santheres culture or decent.

Audrey turned around,

"We have not seen the ODEPOL director around, but it is quite possible that they will be here soon." she answered.

John then took his seat and announced cordially to those around the table.

"Friends, come, lets sit down and get to the basics of this ODECON meeting shall we?"

"Indeed, let us." Mary Basset said, smiling at the dignitaries around the table as she and Dr. Booker took their seats. "If there are no objections, I will begin the discussion."

The Hegemon paused to clear her throat, and began speaking. "It is the opinion of the Holy Empire that the primary focus of the Oceanic Defensive Coalition should be the neutralization or destruction of the alliance known as the IFA. We believe that the Imperial Fascist Alliance is, while not the greatest threat to our own alliance and humanity as a whole, one that holds much potential to become far more dangerous as time goes on. The IFA is an entity that ODECON is quite capable of effectively combating, and we of the Holy Empire believe that for us to do so is vital for the well being of this coalition. We feel that this contemptible blight upon the world should be annihilated utterly, while such destruction remains within our power to execute." Her expression was one of mild disgust as she spoke of the fascist organization. "Tyranny is a cancer upon the world, my friends, and here is a tumor that we have the ability to cut out. I say we do so."

"If there is one thing more stupid than Communism it is probably Fascism, though they are one and the same with their tyrannical collectivism. While I believe that, given the IFA's past hostility towards ODECON, it would be good to destroy them, I do not think that ODECON should be the one to provoke conflict."

The three men from the Leistungi delegation nodded in unison, though it was Bachmeier to speak. "I think I speak for the rest of my delegation when I voice my agreement with the fact that the IFA is a major threat to both our own people and the peoples of the world in general. However, the fact remains that we should not be the ones to provoke anything. They do not, at the present, represent a threat which must be dealt with."

"We should, however, watch developments in Stoklomolvi with care--while (and I speak frankly here) Stoklomolvi's fall would not be a great loss to our own alliance, the imbalance in power it would create is worrisome in the extreme."

"Most notably agreeable, his Majesty's government feels the same way about the imbalance of power at this moment. However, I must add, we must deal with caution with either alliance, as uprooting one may leave the other to grow unchecked." Yelsen spoke aloud. "Indeed, cutting a tumor for one may lead to the growth of the other cancer."

"Excuse me," Giorgio cleared his throat. "There are two very distinct differences between COMINTERN and the IFA -- indeed, two differences between Stoklomolvi and the alleged "Grand" World Order -- those being that the former is decidedly more helpful to the world as a whole and expands by what are mostly peaceful means. The IFA, however, is comprised of warmongering terrorists, and how could it not be when its founding group is not a state at all but a collection of terrorist organizations who have wrested power from local governments and committed genocide an untold number of times.

"As impotent as the IFA may be, the world would be in safer hands without it. COMINTERN, in the meantime, has made itself into a non-issue."

"Excuse me," Giorgio cleared his throat. "There are two very distinct differences between COMINTERN and the IFA -- indeed, two differences between Stoklimolvi and the alleged "Grand" World Order -- those being that the former is decidedly more helpful to the world as a whole and expands by what are mostly peaceful means. The IFA, however, is comprised of warmongering terrorists, and how could it not be when its founding group is not a state at all but a collection of terrorist organizations who have wrested power from local governments and committed genocide an untold number of times.

"As impotent as the IFA may be, the world be in safer hands without it. COMINTERN, in the meantime, has made itself into a non-issue."

"Agreed, so do we have any measures to take action against the IFA, or are the individual nations of ODECON to fend for themselves for the time being or fortify?" John asked the delegations.

Gordons had taken his place at the round table in the middle of the conference room at Haroway Hall. "If I may say, I believe that while we should do nothing to provoke the IFA we should set a vigourous anti-IFA policy. Shadow their actions, if they condemn it we should applaud it. If they attack, we should look to protect. While an open war with the IFA is not something Whiskeasy would condone we all know know that such a war will happen at some point in time. Be it now, or later." He stopped and gazed around the table were the dignitaries were seated.

"The CA is much less of a threat, while we should definitely have an anti-CA attitude some of their capitalist gains are not far from the heart of a Whiskeasian business man. Something I do want to highlight is the terrible armament of Nuclear Weapons in unstable micro-states. This must be stopped! As nuclear powers we should look to do a few things. Show responsibilty with nuclear weapons. While Whiskeasy does not currently have a great track record of this I am bringing laws into effect to decrease the amount of nuclear weapons we have by a third. We should either look to disarm our nuclear arsenal or reduce it, set a example while leaving enough for defense.

I also think we should take a hardliner stance on Slavery, indeed I think we should engage or threaten any Government who prostitute their citizens to the world. If Whiskeasy is anything, it is a humanitarian nation. We care for those who are harmed, for those who suffer a lifetime of pain and suffering. I move that ODECON increases the funding spent on Humanitarian efforts to combat situations such as Slavery and Genocide. May I say Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a pleasure to have such wonderful and prestigious guests on Whiskeasian soil. I would like to inform you that there is indeed a banquet after our meeting and a surprise show by a Combined Arms Brigade of the Whiskeasian forces." He smiled at the people around him before motioning for the next ambassador to speak.

ooc: bump kinda.


"So, who wants to be next?", John asked around the room. "Not to interfere with the presidents agenda or anything."

OOC: I’m late but I hope you won’t mind if I hop in now. I won’t post an introductory post and you should just presume that our ambassadors arrived without great event and that Parilisa is represented by President Nathaniel Klein and Ambassador Sophia Hirsch. I’d like to comment on the statement made by Whiskeasy before anyone moves the topic on, so could it be presumed that I spoke before the ambassador from Zoingo tried to move the topic on. I do not wish to interfere with the flow but I definitely wish to make the Parilisan policy known.

President Klein listened to the foreign ambassadors intently before he chose to make his comments on the topic. He had so far been impressed by the Whiskesian hospitality and by the points raised by Mr Gordons; in fact he was most impressed by all the foreign officials and was quite excited at this opportunity to meet his respected allies in person.

“I wish to speak in support of the proposals of Prime Minister Gordons concerning the IFA. We would be fools to provoke another conflict between us for whilst we know that we could quite easily overcome them, the needless loss of life could be easily avoided by following the idea set forward by the Whiskesians. A policy designed to slow them down, to trip them up, to embarrass or annoy the IFA would be just as effective in making a clear point as full blown war, without the pointless sacrifice. That is not to say that we should hide from the prospect of war; we should simply not seek it but be prepared to fight it if the need is there. It seems logical to me that a policy whereby no member of ODECON may conduct trade with the IFA could have some effect, however small.”

Klein paused to look around the room, carefully studying the ambassadors faces to make sure he was not loosing their important attention. Then, after readjusting the papers sat on the desk in front of him, he continued to speak.

“I also agree with Mr Gordons proposal of directing funding to help tackle issues like slavery. We have witnessed a rise in international human trafficking recently and I have been informed that certain groups in my own nation are using these illegal means to help assist and fund their criminal activities. This must come to an end, and we must act upon it quickly. If we allow this diabolical trade to flourish then thousands of lives will be spent in misery, poverty and crime. It is the duty and responsibility of all freedom loving nations to help struggle against this human cattle-market, and ODECON should be taking an active role in this difficult fight.”