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Diplomacy and Events / Re: Troyes Affair
« Last post by Achkaerin on April 29, 2024, 11:09:12 PM »You learn something new everyday Serenity thought, still it made sense the Knights Hospitalier had to originate from somewhere and the timing would actually fit now she thought about it, yeah likely finish in east Ardia, go across the Shaw, end up Marseilles and journey north to Vanora with the Knights, made complete logical sense. Still the historical curiosity quickly gave way to first frustration and then irritation, Serenity was no stranger to having to drag Rokkenjima, whether it be in Beatrice's reign, Evanthe's reign or now Asuna's reign, to a reasonable position - kicking and screaming if necessary. Closing her eyes for a moment, she took a deep breath to figure out quite how she was going to word this.
"Leaving legalities out of the equation for the moment." Serenity said "After this meeting is over my first phone call is to Sakura, right now she's in Marseilles waiting to meet with Sauzee, she's going to start that meeting by relaying what I tell her, which is going to be one of three things - either that Seaforth has agreed to the ASDN roadmap, or that Seaforth has reasonable terms under which it will relinquish it's hold on the city or that Seaforth intends to be noncompliant and that this needs to go to the next stage. Which of those I say is up to you. We're here to offer you a way to extricate Seaforth out of this mess with your head held high, we can't make you you take it, but we hope you will. I have no problem with relaying your conditions but while I can see the sense in the tariff arrangement because I suspect there are a lot of Seaforthian companies based in Troyes these days, I wouldn't be holding out for keeping control of the base as that ultimately forms the root of the issue itself and I can't imagine that flying in more troops is going to help persuade him that such a thing is a good idea. Point eight of the post war settlement in Marseilles states 'Once the constitution has been established all CTOMM forces to leave upon the request of the President.' that's all as in every soldier, sailor and airman from every nation involved even the Rokkenjimans that never turned up. It doesn't mean everyone except Seaforth, you've overstayed by getting on for close to a decade, you have no document signed by the Marseilles Government that constitutes handing over sovereignty of Troyes, everyone else involved left when asked, everyone else involved on the ground shed blood for Marseilles freedom, everyone else involved put a lot of money into rebuilding Marseilles, and none of them sought to leverage it in the manner you have and I really doubt that you want to set that precedent lest the chickens come home to roost. Your nations stated reasoning for the Protectorate being created was the return of Alys Arsenault, she's been arrested and extradicted to Marseilles as has everyone else from the Deck of fifty two that we've captured. So no legal foundation to begin with and your stated reasoning from the time no longer applies."
Taking a moment Serenity ran a hand through her hair before continuing "The ASDN roadmap which you've seen proposes a referendum of the people of Troyes on this matter a straight up choice - Seaforthian Protectorate or Marseilles city. That's a fifty fifty chance that Seaforth gets the place which is honestly better odds than you have right now. It also has the added bonus of Seaforth would have recognised sovereignty if the people choose the protectorate, win and you keep it, lose and you can walk away respecting the will of the people. The ASDN is prepared to monitor the referendum to ensure it's free and fair and personally I'm more than happy to get David on the phone and ask if the referendum aficionado that is Alex Redfern can be made available to help with that. Do be aware that the sovereignty issue means that Sauzee can call for the referendum independently of you, we'd like both of you agreeing to it because that gives us the best possible chance of resolving the matter peacefully."
Serenity walked over behind where Evanthe was sat "I remember a time when Seaforth, rather creatively, protested Rokkenjima's military base and presence in the Illumic. And I remember what came out of the diplomacy that followed." she put her hands gently on Evanthe's shoulders "I'm just about as straight a shooter as you'll find in international diplomacy which considering I'm probably the most experienced woman in the field these days is quite something. I don't like the position I've been put in, I don't want to have to make the decisions that I may have to make, but that doesn't mean I won't if it comes to it. Andrew either take the referendum or commit to a mediation with Marseilles about Troyes, but... ,and this will be the first and only time I ever seriously invoke my Rokkenjiman title, don't put us in the position where we have to take this to the next stage. You ran Seaforth's intelligence apparatus you know what that means, it means further steps. We don't want to go there, don't force us to go there. Take the chance and settle this diplomatically now before it escalates."
"Leaving legalities out of the equation for the moment." Serenity said "After this meeting is over my first phone call is to Sakura, right now she's in Marseilles waiting to meet with Sauzee, she's going to start that meeting by relaying what I tell her, which is going to be one of three things - either that Seaforth has agreed to the ASDN roadmap, or that Seaforth has reasonable terms under which it will relinquish it's hold on the city or that Seaforth intends to be noncompliant and that this needs to go to the next stage. Which of those I say is up to you. We're here to offer you a way to extricate Seaforth out of this mess with your head held high, we can't make you you take it, but we hope you will. I have no problem with relaying your conditions but while I can see the sense in the tariff arrangement because I suspect there are a lot of Seaforthian companies based in Troyes these days, I wouldn't be holding out for keeping control of the base as that ultimately forms the root of the issue itself and I can't imagine that flying in more troops is going to help persuade him that such a thing is a good idea. Point eight of the post war settlement in Marseilles states 'Once the constitution has been established all CTOMM forces to leave upon the request of the President.' that's all as in every soldier, sailor and airman from every nation involved even the Rokkenjimans that never turned up. It doesn't mean everyone except Seaforth, you've overstayed by getting on for close to a decade, you have no document signed by the Marseilles Government that constitutes handing over sovereignty of Troyes, everyone else involved left when asked, everyone else involved on the ground shed blood for Marseilles freedom, everyone else involved put a lot of money into rebuilding Marseilles, and none of them sought to leverage it in the manner you have and I really doubt that you want to set that precedent lest the chickens come home to roost. Your nations stated reasoning for the Protectorate being created was the return of Alys Arsenault, she's been arrested and extradicted to Marseilles as has everyone else from the Deck of fifty two that we've captured. So no legal foundation to begin with and your stated reasoning from the time no longer applies."
Taking a moment Serenity ran a hand through her hair before continuing "The ASDN roadmap which you've seen proposes a referendum of the people of Troyes on this matter a straight up choice - Seaforthian Protectorate or Marseilles city. That's a fifty fifty chance that Seaforth gets the place which is honestly better odds than you have right now. It also has the added bonus of Seaforth would have recognised sovereignty if the people choose the protectorate, win and you keep it, lose and you can walk away respecting the will of the people. The ASDN is prepared to monitor the referendum to ensure it's free and fair and personally I'm more than happy to get David on the phone and ask if the referendum aficionado that is Alex Redfern can be made available to help with that. Do be aware that the sovereignty issue means that Sauzee can call for the referendum independently of you, we'd like both of you agreeing to it because that gives us the best possible chance of resolving the matter peacefully."
Serenity walked over behind where Evanthe was sat "I remember a time when Seaforth, rather creatively, protested Rokkenjima's military base and presence in the Illumic. And I remember what came out of the diplomacy that followed." she put her hands gently on Evanthe's shoulders "I'm just about as straight a shooter as you'll find in international diplomacy which considering I'm probably the most experienced woman in the field these days is quite something. I don't like the position I've been put in, I don't want to have to make the decisions that I may have to make, but that doesn't mean I won't if it comes to it. Andrew either take the referendum or commit to a mediation with Marseilles about Troyes, but... ,and this will be the first and only time I ever seriously invoke my Rokkenjiman title, don't put us in the position where we have to take this to the next stage. You ran Seaforth's intelligence apparatus you know what that means, it means further steps. We don't want to go there, don't force us to go there. Take the chance and settle this diplomatically now before it escalates."