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A Statement On Slava Lavosk
It is my unfortunate role to today confirm that Rokkenjiman monitoring has confirmed a nuclear explosion occurred as announced by Slava Lavosk. Seismic data, combined with satellite surveillance of Slava Lavosk and increased levels of radiation being detected, show that Slava Lavosk has plunged Mundus into a new crisis. After the historic disarmament, led by the example of East Moreland, a scenario many of us had planned for but hoped would not transpire is now taking place before our eyes. Thankfully, in prudence and in preparation for such a contingency, the First Empire took actions to ensure the disarmament program presently underway would not leave us in a position where we could not answer this threat with equal and determined force.
In response to Slava Lavosk's test of a 30kT nuclear device the First Empire has given due notice to the Kingdom of Seaforth that it is suspending transfers of Rokkenjiman nuclear arms to the Seaforth Energy Reserve, a program which has removed 10% of the Rokkenjiman nuclear arsenal for the purposes of peaceful energy production. I have ordered deactivation operations to cease while authorizing Imperial High Command to re-arm Rokkenjima's Millennial Class Submarines, along with silos across the First Empire, with their nuclear deterrent as swiftly as they may carry out my orders. This is not a decision I have made lightly, and I promise the Kingdom of Seaforth that this program will be resumed once this egregious threat to the peace, and perhaps the very future, of Mundus has been subdued.
While Slava Lavosk has demonstrated they have a device we do not know how many devices they have, nor the materials they have on hand to construct more. However, this very act, taken after our mutual pledge to the complete disarmament of Mundus' nuclear arsenals, is itself an attack on the collective sovereignty of the community of nations. In response, I have ordered the Kyne and Home Fleets to enforce a blockade of Slava Lavosk, while implementing the strongest of sanctions possible against the Slavan regime. Assets on routine operations in the Sea of Kyne shall be working to implement the first stages of this blockade. In addition to operations originating from the Rokkenjiman homeland and QKNB, I have issued an official request to the Achkaerinese Government to permit Rokkenjiman forces stationed at QCMB should our air assets stationed there be required.
President Kravec, your actions have been witnessed and acknowledged; if you believed that acquiring these weapons would cause Mundus to bow in deference to you, you believed wrong. The utilization of a nuclear device against any foreign power, regardless of their present standing with the First Empire, will be met with a response in kind. We've seen a Mundus on the path to consigning these weapons to the pages of history once, our determination to again realize that reality will persevere through these times.
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Empress of Rokkenjima
Princess of Littlebrook
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Following the news of the recent nuclear test the Kingdom of East Moreland is concerned that Slava Lavosk seeks to disrupt the greatest chance for a peaceful non-atomic future Mundus has ever had. Additionally we believe this act is one that must not be repeated and as such action by the international community must be taken. With this in mind the following actions will take place.
1. The immediate placing of the East Moreland fleet in the Kyne on high alert. This fleet shall be joined by other vessels to be dispatched as soon as possible.
2. The immediate cessation of all trade of any kind with Slava Lavosk until such a time as they have demonstrated a willingness to end their nuclear programme in line with the rest of the world.
3. A motion for a joint deployment of a CNN task force to the Kyne.
4. A motion for CNN wide cessation of trade.
5. Additional Jekar Shield assets to be deployed to the Celtic Protectorate via our allies Ui Cenneslaig/
6. An invite extended to the government of Slava Lavosk to meet with representatives of the CNN in Paracambi[1] to discuss solutions to the current situation.
Decades ago East Moreland developed nuclear weapons out of fear of our geopolitical situation. It was a situation we have since realised never constituted a need for nuclear weapons. I am of the belief that the Slava Lavosk programme is of a similar vein and therefore believe that there is actually a way forward for Slava Lavosk to remain a dignified member of the international community and be free of nuclear weapons. I believe that this is an oppurtunity worth pursuing so as a show of good faith towards the people of Slava Lavosk should President Kravec accept my offer of discussions in good faith we shall not pursue steps 1,2,4 and 5. This offer shall remain on the table for 24 hours before these steps fall into place. We have shown previously that should a nation uphold international norms we are willing to support them and should Slava Lavosk do so we would be more than happy to work alongside them in future endeavours.
May The Gods Watch Over You and Grant you Wisdom.
King David III of East Moreland
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I find it ironic that two of the three nuclear powers on mundus talk to me of peace and a way forward in a non-nuclear mundus when you clearly have benefitted from becoming nuclear powers yourself. I have attacked nor threatened any specific nation yet I am met with threats and hostility. I have, in fact, been kinder in my dealings with the Tamorans than King David has been with Kyle Barren and the Borlanders. So here is my response.
To The First Empire Of Rokkenjima. Blockade all you want. There are nations in Mundus that see us as brightly as the stars on our flag and will continue to trade with us, such as the Conglomerate and reported by Maxime Anginer in his recent article in the Defense Journal. As to your threat, I echo it back to you. The use of nuclear weapons by Rokkenjima against any nation, for any reason, will be met with a response in kind.
To the Kingdom Of East Moreland. You responded with less blood and fire and so will I. The Sea of Kyne is a lovely place and we welcome your ships to the Midaranye. We couldn't care less about the Celtic Protectorate, so deploying there is irrelevant. As for the CNN... in a massive amount of arrogance, they think they own the moon and can shoot missiles at it without permission from, well, anyone else...so they can fuck right off.
Now to all of Mundus... I am not an unreasonable man. I understand for the need to talk with our neighbours. I accept the offer to attend talks in Parcambi. I extend an invitation to any nation that wishes to attend. This will not be a closed session of the powerful only. I am also not stupid enough to go myself. Not at this time. A slavan delegation will attend, the members to be determined. We will however need assurances. With the blockade and threats and what have you, travel is both dangerous and expensive. To secure our involvement we would need a transfer of $250,000,000 Dinar of gold bullion. Call it 5 Dinar for every slave you still haven't done anything about. Said transfer can be made in the Sea of Kyne by all those ships you people are sending over.
Regards,
Kravec
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Statement from the Kingdom of Tytor
In Regards to Slava Lavosk
The government of the Kingdom of Tytor takes threats to international stability very seriously. Accordingly, the posturing of rogue states will never be accepted as legitimate attempts to engage in true diplomacy. Mundus has already seen this type of posturing on several occasions, most notably with the former USR and Zachachevania; the international response each time was one of solidarity in the face of aggression. It is my hope that the nations of the world will stand with us in our attempt to reign in this new aggression before it becomes too late.
With that in mind, the following actions are being implemented as I speak:
1. All imports and exports to and from Slava Lavosk are hereby suspended, with full sanctions being imposed.
2. The Tytorian ambassador to Slava Lavosk has been withdrawn from the country. Similarly, Slava Lavosk's ambassador in Tsargrad has been summoned for a formal protest and invited to return home as soon as is convenient.
3. The Tytorian Royal Armed Forces have been placed on full alert, with the TRN's Kyne Fleet being fitted out for deployment in support of the impending Rokkenjiman blockade of Slava Lavosk.
Since the suspension of Tytor's own brief nuclear program in 1978, the Tytorian people have remained consistently opposed to international nuclear proliferation. It is the desire of this administration to see this crisis resolved in a non-violent manner. Should such hopes prove unreasonable, a stronger military response will be considered. There will, however, be no concessions or so-called "assurances" given to the rogue regime in Slava Lavosk. If they want to prove themselves willing to be reasonable, they will need to sit down with the international community without requiring a bribe ahead of time.
Once again, the Tytorian government remains firmly opposed to these new developments in Slava Lavosk. We hope to see this crisis resolved without the use of force, but we will not rule out further military action if such proves necessary.
-Prime Minister Madeline Thatcher
(OOC: The nuclear program mentioned here operated from 1973 to 1978 and produced no weapons. It was leaked to the press in 1978 and provoked public outcry, hence its suspension. Tytor retains no enriched uranium from the project and would have to start over again from scratch if it decided to become a nuclear power. It shouldn't interfere with established canon; if I'm mistaken, I will happily retcon it back out again.)
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Statement from the Kingdom of Vaguzia in regards of Slava Lavosk
We have sadly taken notice of the shocking news that Slava Lavosk have tested nuclear weapons. We find this very sad, because our country has always been nuclear weapons free and has always been fighting for nuclear disarmament, which is why it is very sad to see that Slava Lavosk has ignored this trend and now have started with testing nuclear arms. In our opinion there is only one right thing that Slava Lavosk needs to do, which is immediately stopping their nuclear programme and like Rokkenjima, East Moreland and Achkaerin contribute to a worldwide nuclear disarming, we hope Slava Lavosk starts using nuclear power for peaceful uses, like nuclear energy as Vaguzia has been doing for years, right now 80% of our energy is nuclear energy, and only a small percentage of all the uranium in our various uranium mines eventually gets used for nuclear arms, but most of them are being returned because of the nuclear disarmament of Achkaerin.
If Slava Lavosk does not stop their nuclear programme we shall be forced to do the following:
1. The immediate placing of the Vaguzian fleet in the Kyne on high alert. This fleet shall be joined by other vessels to be dispatched as soon as possible.
2. The immediate cessation of all trade of any kind with Slava Lavosk until such a time as they have demonstrated a willingness to end their nuclear programme in line with the rest of the world.
3. The Vaguzia ambassador to be withdrawn from Slava Lavosk, and the Slava Lavosk ambassador shall be requested to leave Vaguzia and return to Slava Lavosk
We also want to make clear we do not support the blockade of Rokkenjima and Tytor, we view these actions as too early and not well thought through, and we also view the blockade illegal by international law.
-Prime Minister Aaron Kaalit
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The Orphela Imperium would like to urge caution from all parties. The rapid development of military assets is exactly what is going to escalate this situation far more than needs be. The First Empire and Tytor are free to send their ships into the region, but there is no need to immediately respond with a military blockade when Slava Lavosk has made no directly aggressive military actions against anyone else. To respond with such hostility to the existence of nuclear weapons while other nations posses similar armaments seems unfair. Not to mention the violation of international law. This is not to disregard the wrench that has been thrown into international nuclear disarmament effort, but rather to remind that Slava Lavosk was not part of any international agreement on this subject. Many of the nations that have responded may not understand the anxiety the of lack nuclear weaponry can mean as they either possess their own arsenals or are aligned with nations that do. As such, Orphela asks that at the very least, to suspend any blockade until after the talks in Parcambi. If not, the Imperium will be sending a task force of its own for the protection of international commercial ships.
To President Kravec, you clearly are not an unreasonable man. I can to some extend understand the perceived threat to your own life. I would like to personally ask, if the blockade is put on hold, can this call for "a transfer of $250,000,000 Dinar of gold bullion" also be suspended for the time being? In addition, I would like to offer whatever form the Slavan delegation takes part of my own honor guard as their security detail in Parcambi. I hope that this helps to elevate at least some of your fears and worries.
Signed,
Governess Niru,
Matriarch of the Omega Bloodline
(OOC: I believe everything in regards to international conventions/agreements is accurate, if not please let me know and I'll fit/edit as needed)
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An Open Reply To Governess Niru
Governess Niru,
While you seem of well intention on this matter I do not believe you understand the full gravity of the situation, nor the very fact of Slava Lavosk introducing nuclear weapons is itself the direct aggressive act. With the mutual disarmament of Rokkenjima, East Moreland and Achkaerin we, in effect, were on the cusp of realizing a Mundus finally free of nuclear weapons. As such there remains no just cause, nor reason, for the pursuit of nuclear arms by any state, save those with nefarious intent. I recognize both the unique responsibility our three states have, as well as the responsibility of all states, in the realization of that effort. Slava Lavosk has seen the global march to disarmament and cast Mundus back into a dangerous era, for which maximum pressure must be brought to bear to ensure the destruction of Slava Lavosk's nuclear program and show that the cost of the pursuit of nuclear arms, with the shared desire for a nuclear-free Mundus, is most certainly not worth it.
Thus the anxiety of which you speak is one which would only be held by a state paranoid of its own future. Slava Lavosk is a state which holds one of the worst human rights records in Mundus, having crucified a young girl whilst simultaneously catapulting and beheading her father before her very eyes. This is in addition to the extensive system of detention camps and systemic persecution of Slavans of Tamoran descent. President Kravec is not a reasonable man who enjoys the benefit of the doubt; if he is capable of such cruel inventions with a mere trenchbucket, I pray we do not see what he is capable of with nuclear arms added to his arsenal.
We stand on a precipice, a crucial juncture in the history of the world we share, and the decisions and actions we take today shall shape Mundus for generations to come. Either we realize a Mundus free of nuclear weapons and all the horrors which may be born of them, or one where the future of our world hangs always upon a line drawn in a mushroom cloud. We already saw a Mundus free of nuclear arms coming into full focus; that path, that Mundus, must not be smothered to appease the whims of a most dangerous sycophant.
Later today we shall see various moves to address the concerns some have raised, and to ensure the future free of nuclear arms we have worked greatly to ensure.
Respectfully;
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Empress of Rokkenjima
Princess of Littlebrook
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OOC Note:
Just before this goes any further (and because this has been discussed on Discord in last day or so and I've been asked once or twice about it) I think it worth clarifying in simple terms what the IC legal position actually is I'm doing so as an OOC note in the hope of helpfully explaining where we presently stand.
At time of writing the Blockade proposed by Rokkenjima and Tytor is by the application of the Fair Seas Concordat (UNCLOS in rl) illegal as the proposed operation of the blockade would deny innocent passage to vessels as well as several other sections of the treaty that would appear to make it impossible to do what Rokkenjima and Tytor propose to do. However everyone should bear in mind that nowhere in the FSC does it explicitly say that nations cannot blockade. There does exist in both rl and on Mundus a mechanism that could change the legality position, however the Mundus version of it would in my opinion at least (because of what it involves) not be as convincing as the rl equivalent. In short we've run into the problem of taking an rl treaty and just applying it to Mundus.
So long story short so far anyone who has said the blockade is illegal is as far as I can make out correct, Rokkenjima and Tytor do have one option to get this more solid but that may create more problems though they may not have a choice in this particular instance.
Anyway I'll shut up now and we can get back to IC on this.
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The horrors capable of being caused by nuclear weapons are well documented and do not deserve to be dwelt on. For decades nations across Mundus have looked at the three powers with these weapons and prayed that a day would come that they would give them up. That day is soon to be at hand, or was. With all three nuclear capable nations in the final stretch of disarmament that dream has now been derailed. We understand the urge nations have to defend themselves and seek peace, we believe though this is doable without nuclear weapons.
We had been approached by East Moreland and the CNN to host talks, however at the request of Slava Lavosk we see no reason why these talks may not feature others, however these nations should require no pre-conditions and not take place under the shadow of aggressive actions such as blockades. As for paying Slava Lavosk any assurances we find this distasteful. However if safety is a concern the Paracambian military will be happy to provide all transportation to and from Slava Lavosk.
We hope that all nations will take the opportunity to re-evaluate their positions and take this as an opportunity to make Mundus a safer place through dialogue rather than at the point of a nuclear weapon.
In Hope
Emperor Benson of Paracambi
High Hougon of the Vodou Faith.
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In the 21st Century we have weapons capable of great accuracy and ingeniuty. It should be possible in this day and age for any war to be waged with minimal loss of life, infact the Uppsala Convention says it is our duty to keep collateral damage to a minimum. It would therefore be safe to conclude that the development of nuclear weapons is going against this principle. As such we would ask Slava Lavosk to work with those members of the international community who are seeking to disarm or who are looking to follow a path of diplomacy.
As such we hope Slava Lavosk accept the invitation of Paracambi and we look forward to meeting with your representatives.
Signed
King Finley
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As a nation who suffered a disaster many have regarded as being as close to nuclear war as it is possible to come we are perhaps the best placed on Mundus to understand the horrors any nation possessing nuclear weapons will be. We are delighted that East Moreland, Rokkenjima and Achkaerin have seen sense and given up their nuclear weapons and urge Slava Lavosk to do the same.
As such we wish to attend talks between our nations to discuss a way forward and back towards a nuclear free Mundus. While we believe any nation paying for Slava Lavosk to attend talks is essentially potentially funding a nuclear project we believe that currently Slava Lavosk is a nation seemingly feeling isolated from the international community. With this in mind we wish to show them the same support the international community showed us during our great disaster and as such would be willing to give the government of Slava Lavosk a line of credit with our nation worth 250million dinar. This line of credit is good for any goods, services or materials not of a military nature.
We hope this support gives Slava Lavosk the confidence to see that at international talks it would not be them against the world.
Odin's Blessings
Stein Ulfsson
Head Gothi
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On the evening of the 6th of November 1945 my grandfather Emperor William Azurewind gave an order that changed the world it was simply two words "Initiate Heavenrend" but the actions those words sent into motion were shocking for those were the words that authorised the dropping of a nuclear bomb on the Ardian Empire on the 7th of November 1945, an act which although it ended the Great War period also let the nuclear genie out of the bottle in a weapons sense and thankfully to this day remains the only time in history where a nuclear weapon has been used in a war. I have read my grandfather's diaries of that time and have come to understand how difficult a decision that was to make, I don't know what decision I would have made at that time I don't think anyone can because we weren't there but I can say it was a decision that my grandfather described in his diary as "The most difficult decision I have ever had to make, a decision that will see many die but will also many survive. It is a decision that will hopefully end this long and costly war but it is not one that we can be proud of for the consequences of it will surely be long lasting. It is a course of action that will take the world down a dark path but to not take this path will likely see this war last for decades to come with no end in sight. There is nothing brave about it for this is the darkest of all options but one of the things about leading is that you cannot always make the right call sometimes you have to make the best bad call you can. I can only hope that future generations will forgive us for unleashing this demon of our own design. "
Last year King David, Empress Beatrice and myself in quick succession made announcements committing once and for all to a future where Mundus would be free from the spectre of nuclear weapons, there was no treaty, no obligations demanding certain things, no hurdles where previous attempts had placed them we took this decision because we wanted to end the threat that nuclear weapons posed not only to each other but to all of Mundus. As much as my grandfather felt ashamed in 1945 so last year I was proud to commit to what we did and we were well within touching distance of a nuclear weapon free Mundus. An outcome now threatened by Slava Lavosk's nuclear weapons development, something we condemn unreservedly and will utilize our assets in the region to monitor the situation as necessary, make no mistake this is an unwelcome development.
We no longer live in the times of might makes right, we have laws both national and international, we live in a world where for the first time we have an international document that protects peoples rights, a world where we have rules governing what goes on in the stars surrounding our planet and in the cold wastes at the poles. We have rules governing war in the Uppsalla Convention, and we have laws governing what goes on on the seas of our world. We haven't fought so many wars against a long list of nations who sought to impose this ideology of might makes right on Mundus to only adopt it when it is convenient and our own lauded treaties are problematic. No we are surely better than that, if a treaty raises a concern then you must deal with the concern this is what we suggest should happen in the case of the blockade there is an issue that this illustrates and as such addressing that should be the first step.
To Rokkenjima I remind them that Achkaerin has a very clear policy on the use of military force it is a last resort and as such there will be no authorisation for military operations out of QCMB at this time. The first step in any situation like this is talking and that is what should be done, Achkaerin will have a representative at any such talks that take place we hope other nations will as well. It is far better to resolve this with words of peace than to give orders that will ultimately cost lives.
Signed
Emperor Peter Azurewind
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Statement on Slava Lavosk
Lakhzovia must express its concern at the current situation surrounding Slava Lavosk and the Midaranye region.
It is understandable that nations across Mundus may react with apprehension at the testing of a nuclear device, signalling the admittance of a new nation into small handful that possess nuclear weapons capabilities. However the current rush to blockade the country and the locating of military assets in the region present a dangerous escalation of the situation.
While the protests from the nuclear armed nations, that Slava Lavosk threatens the disarmament process that has been underway, is understandable, it must also be appreciated that this process is not yet complete and comes with no guarantees or means to ensure total disarmament. Added to this the recent leaks that show that at least one of these powers has continued to develop weapons systems intended to support delivery of nuclear warheads, a fact which calls into question the sincerity of commitment to eradicating such weapons.
It must be appreciated that Slava Lavosk has found itself the target of significant pressure from both its neighbours and global imperialist powers who have intervened in its dispute with Tamora. Given the threat of intervention from outside powers and a simmering border conflict with the theocratic Tamoran slave state that threatens a devastating war, it is wholly understandable that Slava Lavosk would seek to protect itself by any means necessary.
Nuclear weapons are, without a doubt, the single greatest deterrent in existence. No nation would be suicidal enough to attempt an outright invasion of a state which as a final act of defiance could unleash untold damage on its attacker. As such Lakhzovia fully understands why possession of such weapons would be attractive to Slava Lavosk, eradicating the risk of invasion from Tamora and deterring intervention from moral crusader nations determined to enforce their agenda on an unwilling country. Had Lakhzovia possessed such weapons it is highly unlikely that we would have been threatened with invasion and regime change during our civil war.
Our message to all parties involved, or involving themselves, in the current crisis is to immediately cease the provocative escalations which threaten the entire region. For the outside powers, including our close friends and allies Rokkenjima, we beg you to cease interference in Midaranye, especially considering it was such interference in the first place that created the pressure that led to the Slava Lavoskian nuclear programme.
No resolution to the issue of nuclear proliferation can be achieved by further threatening the security and stability of Slava Lavosk or the Midaranye region. Rather the destabilisation and threats to security risk pushing other states to seek a nuclear deterrent against potential interventions from the imperialist bloc. The current situation can only be defused by a deescalation of tensions and with the provision of a framework in which the security of Slava Lavosk is guaranteed after the termination of their nuclear programme and arsenal.
Now is not a time for gun boat diplomacy or sabre rattling, only a negotiated settlement free from the threat of military intervention can possibly hope to create a secure and peaceful future for the region. For its part Lakhzovia is willing to act in whatever capacity it is able to help mediate in this matter.
Sachim Kadassa
President of the Lakhzov Republic
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Statement on the Slava Lovask Situation
The powers which seek to address the Slava Lovask situation with hasteful action, actions which are misguided, aggressive, and hostile not just to the nation of Slava Lovask but to the entirety of the region, are inadvertently only furthering the damage and decay of Mid-Aranye. It is without question that any nation which perceives itself threatened from a hostile power will take drastic measures to ensure the security and sovereignty of their own nation. The actions taken by Slava Lovask are evident of this. It is curious that the powers which clamor for a nuclear free Mundus are the very nations who posses or have possessed such nuclear weapons in the past with a similar reasoning; and while it may be perceived as extreme to those ignorant of the state of affairs within Mid-Aranye, in truth it highlights as to how decayed and fragile the status of Mid-Arayne truly is.
As such it is once again with great regret that the region of Mid-Aranye must find itself at the mercy of intrusion by foreign powers. Blockades, threats of military action, and deployment of military assets are not the answer to the situation only further tension to an already strained station. While it is true the utilization of nuclear based weapons is an alarming action capable of dire consequences, the interference of foreign powers and their threats to the sovereignty of a nation acting within the interests of its own security is equally alarming capable of its own consequences. However it is not just Slava Lovask who must now endure hostile action of foreign powers but the entirety of Mid-Arayne whether directly or inadvertently. The economic security of Mid-Arayne is now at risk of its own intrusion. Not all nations are blessed with access ease of access to maritime trade. A fact many seemingly overlook in their approach to foreign policy. The Lavosk situation once again reaffirms this presumption.
The situation of Slava Lavosk has only added to the culmination of the chaos that is sweeping the region of Mid Arayne. Chaos that cannot be solved by aggressive action, rather must be addressed by open and true diplomatic discussion. It is thus that Abuqiya supports the motion for an open forum to further discuss the situation at large while urging all hostile action economical or military halted until said diplomatic discussions are to be had.
By the will of the Qarjiyat ,
on behalf of the Supreme State Assembly
Azhiran guide us
~ Commitee of International Relations.
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Official Statement from the Confederated Kingdoms of Tauredalia
After several days of conferring with my peers and a conclave of advisers and experts, it is with a heavy heart that I must make the following proclamation regarding the unfortunate Slava Lovask Situation:
As Emperor Azurewind poetically stated, there is a horrific gravity surrounding the use of nuclear weaponry. However, the three nuclear nations involved have failed to recognize the necessity of a stockpile, especially in light of the overreaction of said nations to Slava Lovask's tests. It is the unfortunate reality that nuclear weapons are the great equalizer: one weapon can level an entire city and obliterate all inhabitants of an area. This means that no matter how many funds one pumps into a nation's armed forces to defend itself, the best defense is the threat of mutual annihilation. For smaller nations that do not have the economic opportunity that Achkaerin, East Moreland, and Rokkenjima have had, a nuclear weapons program allows us to defend ourselves and our economic and national interests on an equal playing field. It guarantees our sovereignty, despite the international reaction, and in fact the latter underlines the necessity: the coalition of nations condemning Slava Lovask will not invade the nation and are instead relying on other tools.
The current nuclear agreements are flawed. While Achkaerin, East Moreland, and Rokkenjima claim that they will disarm and dismantle their stockpiles, the organization that will oversee it does not yet exist, nor does it seem rooted in reality. These nations also claim that they will not allow another nuclear nation, yet their reaction shows more a concern about the potential undermining of their status quo than maintaining international peace; it this were about peace, then talks would have been proposed, not blockades. Finally, there is no incentive not to nuclearize. The understood threat was the current powers would do something about it, but to paraphrase Emperor Azurewind, by the time that happens, the genie is already out of the bottle. A better incentive is needed for any hopeful nuclear powers to dismantle their programs.
In the case of the latter, I humbly suggest that some assurances are made for those nations willing to stay non-nuclear, assurances of the same kind that would occur from becoming a nuclear nation: protections of sovereignty and, unfortunately, from other nuclear powers. It is also ridiculous not to allow militarization of nuclear technology as this technology is not only used in medicine - and by default, use of nuclear medicine in the military would militarize it - but also to power ships and bases. As Mundus is supposedly moving toward Green Power, it would be silly to imply that we must stick to petroleum and coal, though Tauredalia would enjoy the ensured revenue.
Finally, I would like to remind Achkaerin, East Moreland, and Rokkenjima that Mundus is watching. Echoing other leaders, it is more important to show yourself as leaders and sit down and speak with the delegation of Slava Lovask rather than trying to browbeat the country into doing your bidding. Your actions will dictate how the nuclear genie is contained.
May Archangel Uesis watch over all of you,
King Darya behr Daryan de Kernpak
First Among Equals, by virtue of the Council of Kings
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The Republic of Slava Lavosk extends our heartfelt thanks to the nations and leaders across Mundus who have expressed empathy and compassion in their issued statements regarding the immense pressure and threat my beloved country finds itself under. As the world has witnessed the Rokkenjiman and Tamoran Empires seeks to crush us by any means, legal or illegal, that they can employ...recruiting such boot licking sycophants to their purpose as they may.
Our sincere thanks go out to The Conglomerate who has stated they will defy this illegal and insidious blockade of Slava Lavosk. It is my wish that we can meet in peace to ensure the survival of my nation. Therefore, I pledge a delegation of Slavans, headed by Markus Bathory, will attend the talks in Paracambi under their pledge of security. I rescind my demand for $250,000,000 Dinar in gold bullion and accept both the offered life insurance offered by the SCIF and line of credit offered by Nya Aland.
Kravec
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With all the delegates arrived it was time to get things started. The oppressive heat meant the air conditioning in Aluhampton Palace was turned up almost to full. The Emperor had welcomed each of the guests with a handshake starting first with the Morelanders who had contacted him about hosting this conference. Benson had ensured however that the seating arrangements didn't put any nations of the CNN, SANE or this new fangled Rokkenjiman proposal next to each other and thus at least visually it could be said that nations were not ganging up. He'd remained on the porch of the large old white stone Palace until confident everyone was here and then made his way inside taking his seat at the table closest to the door. He looked around trying to gauge the thoughts of those present and then began.
"May I start by welcoming you all to Aluhampton. In many ways you're like buses, no international delegations have come here in so long but then you all arrive at once. I am only saddened that it has taken such an occasion as this to get you all to visit our country. Before I begin I would like a moment to offer a prayer to the loa." Next to him was a small bowl that had an idol in, he would have liked to have had everyone outside and sacrifice a chicken or goat but he also realised that may go against the sensitivities of some present. Instead he produced a small bottle with a thick red liquid in. "Lo I ask the loa to hear these words and see this offering" he removed the lid and began pouring the blood over the wooden idol. "Today the nations of Mundus sit here requiring your guidance and intervention for the passing of a fair and just resolution to a potential conflict. Allow Papa Legba to allow us to make the right decision at these crossroads." With that he clapped three times and then knocked the idol over so it was fully covered in the bottled blood. An aide handed him a finger bowl of water and a towel for him to clean his hands.
"Thank you for listening to that Vodou prayer. I think it fits us rather well here today for we truly stand at a number of crossroads. That between war and peace, being nuclear free and the spectre of nuclear weapons being a reality, the ideas of friendship or adversity. if we take the wrong road then we are as a world in big trouble. Now the idea of today is to walk the right path. To achieve that we need to do three things in my view.
First we need to ensure nations may protect themselves. To do that we must ensure that we allow nations to have defensive capabilities sufficient to their needs. This however must be balanced with the second thing, the need to feel safe, knowing a nation next door has a weapon of mass destruction does not help in this regard. Thirdly we need to ensure that we do not need to repeat this process ever again. With that in mind I propose to go first to the current nuclear powers, we can not ask Slava Lavosk to give up its nuclear weapons unless we see those nations remain steadfast in their own promises. I would like to hear Achkaerin, East Moreland and Rokkenjima inform us of the current state of their disarmament process, I would also like to and this is jumping the gun, like them to allow ourselves, Nya Aland, a country determined by the three nuclear powers in unison and a nation selected by Slava Lavosk to verify this information, in much the same way the Mundus Atomic Energy Agency proposed in its draft charter.
I would also be interested in hearing the concerns relating to the current situation other nations around the table have."
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King David had arrived and had a short meeting with the other CNN members, it was also good to meet Emperor Benson face to face especially as East Moreland was hoping to conclude a trade deal with TUNA. He waited for the Vodou prayer to be over and listened to Benson set the scene before realising it was up to them to kick things off. "I'd like to start by thanking those in attendance for trusting that this issue can be solved diplomatically. Especially Emperor Benson for hosting this and the Conglomerate and Nya Aland for their work behind the scenes to make things happen. I'd like to say a few things before giving Emperor Benson the information he requested though. The first is that nuclear weapons are the genie in the lamp that should never have been rubbed. They have become a way of nations being able to ignore other means of conflict resolution because they know at the end of the day that the red button can achieve their aims generally without compromise. That is something I think should not happen in the 21st Century. We live on a planet with enough issues without adding nuclear explosions to them. The other thing I'd like to say is that there are nations around this table, mine included that have developed the ability and technology to all but make ourselves shielded from potential nuclear attacks. We have other nations around this table who do not have that ability and I therefore call on those present who can to offer a hand of friendship to neighbours who don't. For example we have agreements with Heyra….the Conglomerate to use our Air Defence umbrella to cover them, similar agreements exist with Nemerie. Regional partnerships working in co-operation can and should be supportive of each other in this regard. While I appreciate that Midaranye has its own unique situations I believe a solution can be found. In the past for example we have offered Jekars Sling to nations on loan, nations we have not seen eye to eye on in terms of certain matters. As we sit here we have a system installed in the Celtic Protectorate to help protect Royal Seleucid, we also would use that system to intercept missiles crossing Royal Selecuid aimed at Tamora, despite our nation often being ridiculed in their press. Should Slava Lavosk request it we would be willing to use that system for attacks heading in the opposite direction too.
Now in terms of what Emperor Benson requested to know. Once upon a time East Moreland had a nuclear arsenal of gravity weapons and cruise missiles. As we sit here all of our gravity bombs are now decommissioned and are sat in various nuclear reactors across East Moreland and Lodja. All but one of our cruise missiles have been decommissioned and likewise are now making cups of tea. That single missile is currently stored at a secure facility in East Moreland awaiting decommission. I have no issues with having people come and watch the historic decommissioning, I therefore look forward to welcoming a observer from Paracambi, Nya Aland, the Conglomerate if they agree and a nation of President Kravec's choosing to visit and witness the act of decommissioning. I however have two conditions, the first is that the Royal East Moreland Air Force handle the transport arrangements, and the second is that whoever is witnessing the decommissioning is willing to act as part of future inspection teams of the fledgling Mundus Atomic Energy Agency. The reason being they will be the most experienced atomic energy inspectors on Mundus. Those conditions being meet then East Moreland will be nuclear free potentially within a week of this meeting."
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Beatrice rose to her feet following the King. "History is often said to repeat itself, yet it always seems to catch us by surprise does it not? Nearly six years ago Mundus found itself around the peace table in Ecclesiarreich where the United Soviet Russia wished to impose upon Mundus its version of order, order enforced via the weaponization of GR-3. In a monumental display of unity and perserverence the international community, save the allies of Stalin, opposed and condemned the visions of a madman. In a voice of unison we said no to this world and, in the end, forced the United Soviet Russia to abandon the path it so strongly fought for and ensured that these most dangerous and unpredictable weapons did not become a daily fear for the Peoples of Mundus. Looking back at some of my words on that day I am reminded of an exchange in which I stated:"
If there must be two 'sides', it would be on the issues of biological weapons and international norms; those who have developed them and those who have not, as well as those who have come together to forge such norms and those who have cast them aside, trampling the rights of several nations in the Great Northern Sea. It is, thus, our responsibility to see these weapons consigned to the dustbins of history while not allowing precedents to be set which would damn us all to a future of chaos.
"Woefully, we could not have forseen that the Kingdom of East Moreland, the Holy Empire of Achkaerin and the First Empire of Rokkenjima, Mundus' sole nuclear powers until most recent events, would bring about a historic disarmament, bringing a nuclear-free Mundus just within view, only for it to be torn asunder by a new madman, this time hailing from Slava Lavosk. One must ask 'why', what purpose could President Kravec hold for this move when the nuclear powers had implemented programs to consign their arsenals to the pages of history? Why did he tear the vision of a nuclear-free Mundus apart?"
"Perhaps regime preservation, it's logical and the easiest to assume, although I can only assume that he did not consider that Rokkenjima would design its disarmament with such a contingency in mind. For when all nuclear powers agree to disarm, only the most malicious of intent may give birth to such a pursuit. To allow Slava Lavosk to trample upon the collective security and rights of the international community is quite simply not an option this First Empire is willing to consider. Wheras Mundus once possessed the facilities and will to stand up to a most obvious threat to the entirety of civilization, today we hear calls that the 'concerns' of Kravec must be addressed, all while ignoring the fact that had he not embarked upon this course we'd have seen a complete global disarmament of Mundus' collective nuclear arsenals."
"Have we lost touch with all semblance of sensibility that we find ourselves today faced with the dictator of a nation, who houses tens of thousands of people in a network of detainment camps across his nation for the sole crime of their heritage, who employs as a means of execution for a girl just shy out of secondary school crucifixion while lobbing her father through the air with a trench bucket before her very eyes? Not to speak of his beheading. This is a man Mundus has called "reasonable" and worthy of trust in good-faith negotiations?"
"Instead we have those amongst us who view blockading such a nation as morally wrong, and would rather rush to the defense of this dictator, in essence appeasing him for whatever reason. I will say this before you today, in crystal clear language: the First Empire does not negotiate with terrorists, and this is the crux of the matter before us. For it can only be called what it is when one nation, against the grain of prevalent winds, proclaims for itself the most destructive weapons known to humanity. To reward him, to appease his desires or concerns, allows him victory by default; it establishes the precedent that the entirety of the community of nations may be held ransom to the whims of one man; I shall not establish that precedent."
"A Mundus free of the most destructive of weapons was within reach, the 'concerns' of those without weapons of mass destruction would have been solved without issue, yet here we are today because of one man, however, who saw an opportunity to extract concessions from the community of nations. He detonated a weapon of his own, and sits back in laughter as nations see those who stand to act against his path of madness as the problem. President Kravec is the problem, his budding nuclear arsenal is the problem, and either he shall disarm of his own accord, or he shall be disarmed. The free peoples of Mundus shall not be held hostage, nor pay ransom, for a future free of this madness."
"These are the stakes; we either stand united in face of this collective threat, or say to the despots and terrorists that the Peoples of Mundus can be held ransom, and will pay that ransom with a smile on their face. Once, and only once, Slava Lavosk has disarmed may we entertain the idea of negotiations. A man such as Kravec is not worth the benefit of the doubt, his intentions are already laid bare before you, and the precedent which negotiating on the terms of his nuclear bullet will command the steepest of prices in the future. We cannot afford to set the standard that one man may hold the whole of Mundus in the palm of his hand."
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Benson stood, "Terrorism is defined as "the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims" now that being said I believe there are many nations around this table that could fit that description. Rokkenjima recently used the threat of perceiving a neighbour joining SANE as an aggressive move towards them, a nuclear power considering joining something an aggressive act is likely to intimidate any non-nuclear power. Likewise we've seen East Moreland launch unannounced attacks on an enclave referred to as many as The Principality of Northern Borland, a "nation" that sits entirely within Zimalia. This is an unlawful act of violence in the pursuit of a political aim. Now if the Empress wishes to ignore the requests of my nation to inform us of their moves towards disarmament then what she is doing is showing the rest of a concerned world a lack of courtesy. Those nations neutral here such as myself and several others wish to see nukes gone, to that end we see this conference not about one threat, but about four. East Moreland, Slava Lavosk, Achkaerin and your own. We've seen East Moreland commit to removing themselves from that list but rather than informing us of where you sit on that list you choose. The Empress says "here we are today because of one man, however, who saw an opportunity to extract concessions from the community of nations" let me remind East Moreland, Achkaerin and Rokkenjima that much of what they have gained for themselves historically can perhaps be traced to exactly that. Rokkenjima, Achkaerin and East Moreland all have a permanent military prescience outside their nation. Would that small matter of imperialism happened if they were not nuclear armed, did the thought of having a nuclear power protecting their nation slip into the hosts mentality. I believe that can not be ruled out. Now the Empress has as I see it two choices, one she can respond to the concerns of other nations such as ourselves who wish to know when disarmament will come about and see some actual commitment to that process and as a result become part of a solution we shall hopefully see come about today. Or she can leave."
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Duke Raynald Lachlan the Foreign Minister and representative of the Kingdom of Seaforth stood.
"If I may interject...I can confirm that the Kingdom of Seaforth has dismantled 164 warheads from the Rokkenjiman arsenal with another 12 in transit or in the process of being dismantled. That program, called the Seaforth Strategic Energy Reserve has since been suspended by Empress Beatrice with no plans beyond the 176 weapons in place. Other efforts of nuclear disarmament made by the Rokkenjiman Empire are unknown to us and I leave to Empress Beatrice to comment on if there are any. Thank you."
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"The Rokkenjiman disarmament program is quite public, having been announced jointly with the Kingdom of Seaforth, with the eventual fate of Rokkenjiman weapons being to provide electrical power for a multitude of purposes. Those weapons already disarmed and dedicated to the generation of electricity should serve as "actual commitment", or perhaps the Rokkenjiman initiative calling for a Treaty of Non-Proliferation and eradication of nuclear arms, which included the proposal for the MAEA, may also show this much desired proof of commitment. I will also remind His Highness that Rokkenjima has not sought for itself bases, nor has it imposed itself upon any nation; we were invited, and it was not because of the arsenal we inherited from the Federal Republic, but relationships built upon mutual trust and common aims."
"We've no issue of independent verification, such as Xaeth, and numbers have already been provided by the Kingdom of Seaforth."
"As soon as we have verified that Slava Lavosk is free of nuclear weapons and its program is dismantled the Strategic Energy Reserve will resume just as it existed before. I shall refrain from commenting upon those issues which His Highness speaks without full knowledge, or depth, of the myriad situations involved."
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OOC: From my understanding, we are all invited to this meeting. Forgive me if not.
IC:
King Darya behr Daryan de Kernpak was quite annoyed with the situation he now found himself in. Tauredalia was far from a unified country: each of its several kingdoms had their own monarch, who had their personal opinion on the grave matter. If Darya truly held absolute power, then it would simplify matters. He was not an unreasonable man and found nuclear weapons to be distasteful. On the other hand, the opinions of his Daalish peers could not be disharmonious. Grand Duke de Kiwa wished only to make peace with the international community, toadying to them in the unlikelihood that their submission would please the nuclear trio, while King de Vallmuman and Prince Hadur cried for blood over the illegal blockade and its threat to Slava Lavosk sovereignty. After a brief, fiery display of anger, King de Manach calmed down and called for cooler heads. None of these reactions helped Darya, who needed consensus among the monarchs, and he walked a thin line.
While watching the Paracambi emperor give his prayer, it occurred to Darya that he too should pray to his gods, but he realized that he did not know which would be wiser the wiser choice: the Angels, who would might preserve peace, or the Demons, who might help create a new equitable status quo. In this end, he simply prayed to the gods of their host; it was their country, so they might be the best to bless the proceedings.
Darya kept his face neutral during the others' speeches, but he decided now was his time to speak. "The issue here that we're tiptoeing around is whether or not it is within Slava Lovask's sovereign rights to have a nuclear program. Rokkenjima seems to claim that it is within only the rights of the three original nuclear nations, forgetting that there are hundreds of other nations that exist, and while I do find it unfortunately distasteful to side with Slava Lovask given its human rights record, it is still a sovereign nation. It wasn't until it decided to test its nuclear weaponry that the nations around this table decided to step in... And make issue of its human rights record. As it keeps being stated, there are conventional methods by which the international community could have interfered before this point, but it is suddenly only an issue because this nation is now nuclear. Contrary to HRH's assertions, Slava Lovask has not threatened the international community. It has only asserted its right to be nuclear, which is a sovereign right until the community decides otherwise, and since the decision that only three nuclear nations could exist was made without the consent of the international community, I believe it is within our rights to continue our respective nuclear programs to secure our own sovereignty. Otherwise we are allowing this alliance to dictate policy, which emboldens them to make other decisions that they can reinforce with the only nuclear arsenals in existence."
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Benson stood once more. "The Empress is still to provide the information or comment on the assurances this meeting have asked for. I have now twice asked Rokkenjima to inform us of the progress of their disarmament, something apparently Seaforth is more willing to inform the world of than Rokkenjima itself. Furthermore I asked would they be willing to let ourselves, Nya Aland as the driving force behind the MAEA which will hopefully form soon, they were asked to nominate a country of their choosing and also allow Slava Lavosk to appoint a nation. So far only one nuclear nation has even commented on this request."
Benson then turned his attention to King Darya, "People have made issue of Slava Lavosk's human rights before. I believe the Maori asked permission to inspect what the Slava Lavosk government referred to as "resettlement camps", East Moreland stopped the shipment of military materials to the nation. To say their human rights record has been ignored is a vast simplification of the matter. Beside our opposition to Slava Lavosk is not on the grounds of its human rights record, it is that in the face of the world being able to reach an unparalleled state of peace with all three nuclear nations finally being persuaded to give up their weapons we have a nation willing to cast us all back to those times. Yes none of us were consulted when East Moreland, Rokkenjima and Achkaerin created weapons, or when Achkaerin took the decision to use their bomb. But that was a time when the means and methods of making international agreements did not exist. We today have various organisations that allow this to happen and as such the need for weapons of mass destruction does not exist. The world is safer without nuclear weapons and that should be something everyone around the table agrees on and should strive to create.
OOC Note provided by Dave - Just a reminder that to have nukes in RP you need to gain permission of the RP Mod. To get that you need to write a history of the nuclear programme of your nation that fits in with the canon of the region. You also need to have an approved military factbook and a proposed arsenal that fits that military factbook. I have zero issues with people claiming a "Nuclear programme" however no nukes are getting authorised without the above. There has been some discussion about whether OOC to ban nukes completely as was the case before this process began and the move of the big three towards disarmament was to see the possibility of being a nuke free RP once more without having to retcon. If people have any concerns or comments about this please PM me.
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Emperor Peter Azurewind (https://independentorder.net/index.php?topic=49.msg157#msg157) had sat and listened to everything that had been said thus far and he was far from surprised how sadly predictable it was for Rokkenjima to create mountains out molehills and drive them straight to an impasse like this. However their host seemed to have a good head on his shoulders and was in all honesty doing an admirable job of keeping them on track. Sat next to Peter was his niece Sakura (https://independentorder.net/index.php?topic=49.msg190#msg190), brought along for two reasons - firstly she was the daughter of Achkaerin's Minister of Defence and knew a fair amount about the subject matter, the second reason was that she was quite an active diplomat and knew a fair number of the players in the room making her an ideal contact point leaving Peter free to focus on the talks taking place.
Peter got to his feet and looked around at the assembled representatives for a moment.
"Last year King David, Empress Beatrice and myself made three statements completely independently of each other and completely without any direct pressure from each other. We each said that the nuclear arsenal that our respective countries possessed would be decommissioned, we have since each set about the task with different levels of progress and I will shortly come to Achkaerin's progress and such as requested by Emperor Benson but if I may first state why this decision was taken, obviously I can't speak for King David and Empress Beatrice but for me there were three reasons the first was that there existed no threat on Mundus that warranted the continued maintaining of a nuclear arsenal, and a year later I still don't believe that anything has changed that affects this point. The second reason is one that King Finley alluded to in his statement in advance of this meeting - these are weapons inconsistent with the principles of the Uppsalla Convention, even if owning such weapons is not outlawed by that convention, it is clear that when nations are put into the position where they have exhausted all other options and are left with only military intervention that such intervention must be within the principles of that convention, King Finley correctly identified that in a modern Mundus wars and interventions can and have been waged with minimal loss of life on all sides. The third reason is that despite what may be thought in our own corridors of power about nuclear weapons being a shield, they are going to be viewed as a sword in those nations that do not possess them, with no threat warranting their continued possession it was clear that the only reasonable course was disarmament.
Now to Emperor Benson's requests I can report that at this moment in time the Achkaerinese decommissioning of nuclear weapons stands at 33% decommissioned and verified by the Kingdom of Vaguzia as per our bi-lateral treaty, I also believe that the energy of those weapons is now powering the Vaguzian power grid. We currently estimate that our final warhead will be decommissioned in around six to ten months at current speed to give the ball park estimate which we also believe would be after Rokkenjima finishes its decommissioning based on what we know of their progress. I should explain that the reason Achkaerin is seemingly behind in this process is due to the legislative considerations at home compounded by the Vaguzian elections and death of King Leonard. In terms of the requests made for inspection, I see no obstacle to allowing observers from Paracambi and Nya Aland to observe the decommissioning process, I also see no issue with someone chosen by Slava Lavosk observing it though like King David I take the view that all the observers involved in this should be prepared to act under the banner of the MAEA because that is the appropriate safeguard. This would also apply to the other observer which if I understood Emperor Benson correctly was to be chosen by ourselves, East Moreland and Rokkenjima together? I'm happy for him correct me if I've got that wrong but if that is the case may I suggest that a short break is in order to facilitate that discussion taking place?"
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"Your Highness, your requests were indeed addressed, Xaeth was nominated as the Rokkenjiman choice, and the details of the Rokkenjiman disarmament have been quite open prior to these talks. Now given the numbers provided by Seaforth there are, between bombs and warheads, 1,464 remaining. Their status remains unchanged from when I announced Rokkenjima's response to Slava's nuclear test. When I nominated Xaeth while stating in the same sentence that the First Empire had no issue with independent verification I figured you would be capable of comprehending the context."
"As for His Highness, King Darya, at present we've two proposals before the international community which includes a non-proliferation treaty and the MAEA; itself being separated from the original Rokkenjiman proposal. The fact remains that when the three powers announced their disarmament, as the three sole nations to posses these weapons, any 'deterrence' argument became obsolete; by developing and deploying nuclear weapons of its own Slava Lavosk made not a defensive action, but a decidedly hostile action. Furthermore, Rokkenjima has been outspoken regarding Slava Lavosk's human rights record long before their nuclear test, as is well documented across statements from my Government as well as reports in various international media outlets. Rokkenjima spoke out against Slavan actions because they were inherently wrong, that they deployed nuclear weaponry is just another item on a long list of Slavan transgressions."
"Basically, as has already been explained, with the Grand Disarmament any reason for maintaining a nuclear arsenal was rendered unnecessary; unless such reasons were rooted in hostile intent, that is. When all others who hold these most destructive weapons state they are ridding themselves of them and another comes forward to, in effect, pick them up yet again, what message does that send? Not one of 'securing sovereignty' but one of claiming destructive power no one else has, and with a man such as Kravec vying to wield that power, it does not bode well for the community of nations."
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(https://i.imgur.com/M2dnW0l.jpg?1)
President Vaclav Kravec hadn't planned to attend these talks in person. His original plan had been to send Markus Bathory to represent the Republic of Slava Lavosk and treat with the Heads of State of the major powers...including King David of East Moreland, Emperor Peter of Achkaerin and Empress Beatrice of Rokkenjima. There, with the leaders of the original powers conveniently in once place...to nuke the city and cripple his rivals by decapitating the leadership. Ah...another brilliant plan that no one would ever realize was a coin flip away from altering Mundus for all time. Kravec had decided that that was ultimately not in the best interests of Slava Lavosk...long term. So, at the last minute, Kravec had joined the delegation under Paracambi protection and made his way to the talks.
There, Kravec listened in stoney silence as the various speakers made their remarks. When Kravec judged the time right, he stood up slowly. Instead of begging for his turn to speak, Kravec spun his chair around and slid it next to the table. Using it as make shift stairs, Kravec stepped up onto the heavy conference table, towering over the people seated. There, in the center of the table Kravec grasped his hands behind his back, still and quiet until a hush had fallen over the delegations.
In a deep, gravelly voice, he began.
"I will speak for Slava Lavosk."
" I had hoped that these talks would be a turning point. I had hoped, dared to dream, that for the first time I, as the leader of my people, would be spoken to...not with the respect due a nuclear nation...but with the common courtesy due any human being and child of Mundus. Once again I am slandered and insulted. No more. Slava Lavosk's human rights record is impeccable. Far better than the nations of Rokkenjima, East Moreland and Achkaerin in fact, each of which have committed crimes in the name of national interest. My people, almost alone, stood against slavery in the face of dire threat and declared jihad. Any failings are mine and mine alone. The girl, Dilara, as mentioned, was a citizen of Slava Lavosk, though with Tamoran heritage. She was accused of a crime under the Slavan Criminal Code, was prosecuted and tried in a Slavan Court under Slavan Law. She was found guilty by a Slavan jury and sentenced by a Slavan Judge. My error, in a moment of anger and weakness, was to not commute the legal sentence. It is a decision that I have to live with, but it is not a decision within the purview of international whim nor does it constitute human rights violations or a 'record' thereof."
"My nation and I are repeatedly declared terrorists. We have threatened no one, only sought to secure our own future in the face of imminent threat and a declared jihad. In no way shape or form does Slava Lavosk even remotely meet any reasonable definition of terrorist. If the Empress Beatrice is just going to continue to slander and lie and present alternative facts just to fit her own narrative, then Slava Lavosk will withdraw from these futile talks and those of you that wish can continue to yell into your own echo chamber until the second coming."
Here, Kravec pause to gather his thoughts...
"Now to the real business of these talks. Many times today I have heard the delegates say that nuclear weapons are not needed to deal with todays threat profile. For rich and powerful nations like yourself, perhaps. But none of you face jihad from an empire five times your size,with chattel slaves in a number almost the same as your entire population. We did what was required. We broke no treaty we are signatories to. None of you have the right to tell me how to defend my people."
"I also believe Rokkenjima's pledge to disarm is paper thin. With a successful test, they immediately halted their program of disarmament and sent those warheads right back to their silos and submarines. Should Slava Lavosk abandon its nuclear weapons program, what guarantees do we have that they will restart it? What guarantees do we have that they won't make good on their threats against us? What guarantees do we have that Tamora won't flood across our borders and kill and enslave our people...it wasn't long ago they annexed their last Kingdom."
"All three of you sit in your golden castles upon your shining cities and look down on poor marginalized, Slava Lavosk. You call me dictator. You call me dangerous. But of all the nuclear powers....I am the only leader that was elected. I was chosen. Not you. Since I became President in 2006, I have seen each of you...."
Kravec points a finger, each in turn, at King David, Empress Beatrice and Emperor Peter, like the Spear of The Avenging Angel...
"...fight off at least one insurrection and coup attempt, as your own people...sometimes your own blood...sought to topple you from your palace of absolute power. When you consider that the three of you are in fact dictators, it makes sense that you would attempt to keep the rest of us on a less than equal footing... Primo Imperare Ferreo. At this time, under these conditions of hypocrisy,...I specifically mean your references to the Uppsala Convention and other treaties, while failing to take military action against Tamora for flagrant violations of the MCUR...and a constant smear campaign waged by Empress Beatrice and the Rokkenjiman Empire...I cannot at this time, and in good conscience, reveal details of our nuclear weapons program."
Kravec walks over to stand before Emperor Peter Azurewind...
"Your grandfather rended the Heavens. Now it is time to reap what you rent and render unto Slava what is Slava's. We will not be disrespected. We will not be slandered. There are two types of injustice in the world. The injustice of when a law is broken, and the injustice of the unequal application of the law. We have broken no laws and no treaties. What can you tell me of Slava and the second injustice?"
Waling back to the center of the table, Kravec slowly turns, looking each delegate in the eye.
"I second Emperor Peter's call for a short recess. It will give the adults time to re-establish control of this conference. A conference that Slava Lavosk will withdraw from immediately if, upon our return, The Empress Beatrice does not issue Slava Lavosk a full and formal apology."
With that, President Kravec walked off of the table and out of the conference room, trailed by his delegation. The last and youngest of which picked up a chair and tossed it onto the table before turning and heading out the door as well.
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So far Stein Ulfsson, the Head Gothi, had sat silently. With Kravec's performance over he stood, "Perhaps now is a good time for a smoke." he said pulling a bone carved pipe from his pocket and following the Slava Lavosk President, only stopping to remove the chair from the table. He soon caught up with the delegation. "Mr.Kravec a moment if you wouldn't mind." He called still arranging his pipe. "That was quiet a performance, sadly the East Moreland Ozzies aren't until January I think but its a performance that will stick in the mind." He produced a match and casually lit his pipe sucking on its mouthpiece a few times to really get it going. "I don't think we have meet before" Stein extended a large calloused hand, worn rough by years of his hobbies of stone masonry and fishing. "Stein" he said introducing himself with no fanfare. "Now if I may please have a moment of your time. I believe the $250million of goods and services we intend to supply you with buys me at least that." He half smiled, "In fact I perhaps should have brought a catalogue along with me, I can recommend our pickled herring. Now if I may, you make some interesting points in there and many are hard to argue against, but then again so do other nations. Nuclear weapons scare the hell out of people, which is exactly why you want them. But the issue is they scare the hell out of everyone not just your enemies. Now we have no love for Tamora, hence why we imposed economic sanctions against them along with the rest of the Albion Council. Royal Seleucid are not much better being the genocidal maniac, hence why they have a Cenneg fleet sat in their harbours because they are naughty boys who can not be trusted. You see as we see things nations fall into four categories. First we have Black nations, those with situations so abhorrent to us that we can not really do business with, perhaps only Tamora at present fit into that category for us. Then we have the White nations, those we believe to be fine upstanding members of the international community, there are few of them but perhaps Xaeth and Bakkermaya could count among them. These nations we can certainly do business with. We then have what I call the colourless nations, ones who keep themselves to themselves and have no presence an Arda Tuluva perhaps, or maybe even a Vanora. They worry no one. Then we have the greys, people like East Moreland who on the one hand willingly offer aid to nations when stricken like we were, but will also invade Zimalian airspace without permission to kill Borlanders. They are nations which business can be done in certain conditions. Over the last year or so Slava have gone from being colourless, then grey and now sadly to say moving towards black. I suppose what I am saying is being grey is where you should remain. I appreciate your concern with Tamora, they are a nation with some dangerous rhetoric, but at the same time you must understand the concerns of others globally. Now in terms of defence when a nation calls a....Jihad I believe they called it....against you then naturally you look to your defenses. That can be done in many ways without causing yourself to move towards the darker end of the spectrum. You would I believe find useful friends across Mundus easily if two things happened. First the nukes went away, second if those camps of yours became more transparent perhaps. Hell even launching people from catapults can be forgiven, a criminal is a criminal and deserve what punishments the Gods see fit. People do business with the Maori and their king caves skulls in for Odins sake. No one minds the guilty being made to suffer, its when the innocent do so because of the crimes of others that people take concern. With that being said that is how many see nuclear weapons, punishing the innocent for the crimes of their leaders." He had been merrily puffing away on the pipe while talking but now tapped the spent tobacco out.
"Might I make a suggestion. You and I both know the world is a better and safer place if nuclear weapons had never been invented by the Achkaerin government. We can get rid of them but I know with the exception of East Morelands pitiful stockpile that is not happening tomorrow. You currently sit here with what, one maybe two of them, Achkaerin have hundreds if not thousands. Based on what the Empress finally said in there they have maybe five years worth of work to dismantle their armaments. So for the next five years you'll have two, maybe three nuclear powers, Achkaerin, Rokkenjima and you. Why not make an agreement to produce no more of them, you still have the prestige or being able to wave your dick around and call yourself a nuclear power but people are reassured. Then make a promise that on the date Rokkenjima publicly prove they are nuclear free you will let scientists from my nation dismantle yours. You're a nation that surely doesn't want a Rokkenjiman blockade sat off your coast and frankly I think you've already got nations in there such as Xaeth, Tauredalia, even ourselves, and until you ruined his furniture Paracambi, who would be willing and more than happy to work with you if you stayed the right side of the grey spectrum. View these talks as an opportunity to take a path that will see Slava Lavosk surrounded by friends not a naval blockade."
Stein reached into his pocket and handed over a card. "Regardless of the outcome of our talks we have promised $250million in goods and services" He placed the plastic card into the Presidents hand, "It gives access to the funds but must be activated by a bank in Krokom, perhaps whoever you send to do that task would like to pop up to my residence and share a horn of mead and some of that pickled herring. I hope to see you return."
-
Beatrice couldn't help but to lightly chuckle. "On one hand we have President Kravec talking of "adults" re-establishing control while, immediately, reminding me of conversations I've had with my daughter when she was much younger. 'If you give me a cookie I'll clean my room', was the gist of it, at times perhaps accompanied by a tantrum not too dissimilar from what we've just witnessed. Different words and, needless to say, she didn't have nuclear arms, but it's recognizable to any parent all the same. Equally needless to say I didn't give her a cookie and yes, her room was still cleaned."
"The Slavan record stands for itself absent any spin or redirection attempted by President Kravec. I shall issue no apology for stating facts, although I will take this opportunity to apologize to Emperor Benson; with stakes so high, emotion is bound to run high. With that being said I think I've addressed anything of substance from the President's remarks."
-
Sir Gregory Major, Tytorian Minister of Foreign Affairs, had been watching the proceedings with an increasingly bemused expression on his face. Now he leaned over to Beatrice, giving her a half smile. "I think I have a copy of How to Win Friends and Influence People with me," he murmured, "Do you think Kravec would appreciate it if I lent it to him?"
-
Kravec turned upon hearing his name. Seeing who it was, he motioned to his delegation to carry on while he remained alone to speak with the Head Gothi
"Ah. Head Gothi Ulfsson. I am glad to meet you."
At the mention of his performance, Kravec smiles and waves away the comment
"With Empress Beatrice constantly calling me a mad man, my people and my self terrorists and continuing to bring up the one and single questionable action by my people.....well...all the delegates were seeing was a catapult...or a nuclear weapon. Now they saw an old man on a table. Decidedly less black, yes?"
"Slava has been marginalized and ignored for too long. When you sit in the shadow of a jihad...the shadow makes all nations appear to be black. Who is Tamora's great ally? Rokkenjima. Who blockades us? Rokkenjima….and those boot lickers in Tytor."
Kravec pauses and pull's out a cigarette case. Lighting one he continues.
"I won't comment on our nuclear program at this time, but I will say that I did not come here merely to posture and flip chairs. But how do I move forward when one of the unelected leaders of a nuclear nation is clearly intent on calling me names and stealing my lunch money...no different than any other schoolyard bully."
"I demanded an apology and expected none. But you spoke to me as an equal and so because of that and your nations generosity, I will return when this break is over to hear more about how crazy I am and how evil my people are."
Kravec stubs out his cigarette.
"I actually love pickled herring. Every new years my grandfather and I would eat herring and sour dough and drink slivovitz until the clock struck midnight...I wonder what he would think of little Vaclav today, here. But of course, monsters don't have grandfathers, do they?"
With that, Kravec left to prepare himself for the next part of the talks...
With President Kravec occupied with the Head Gothi, the rest of the Slavan Delegation continued on to another part of grounds. While most of the delegation smoked and drank coffee, Markus Bathory and two others detached themselves and drifted towards the other delegations....
-
Peter watched Kravec go and once he was out of the room half smiled
"My grandfather may have unleashed this monster onto the world but don't doubt that I'm serious about slaying the monster." he muttered then he glanced at Sakura "You know what you've got to do."
"Yeah." Sakura said, she left the room.
Peter walked across the room to where Beatrice and the Tytorian delegation sat, this now depended entirely on what happened should Kravec return and whatever happened they needed to be careful about.
"May I have a word in private with the two of you?" Peter asked
Sakura had gotten outside and taken a seat on a low wall, taking in the breeze she sighed as she took out her medication and took her daily dose, getting it down with a good amount of water, she really didn't like having epilepsy and the seizures were sometimes too much for her. Still she had a job to do she put her phone away, she used it to keep track of her medication and such, spotting Markus Bathory she made her move hoping that he remembered her from her visit to Slava Lavosk.
"Mr Bathory may I trouble you for a private word?" Sakura asked
-
Markus Bathory nodded at the two delegates with and they took a step or two back, giving the illusion of privacy.
"I remember you. The little cowgirl, no that's not it...sheriff. Yes, The Sheriff is in town, yes?"
Bathory chuckled at his own joke.
"I remember you spoke well. Passionately. I also know that when you didn't get what you wanted, you and your nation vanished, like vapor, like you were never there...and he so-called foundation to build on and mutual concerns vanished with you. Until we did what William Azurewind did...but wait, no, that's not right. We didn't drop a nuclear weapon on a city, did we? So say your piece, girl. May your words not be vapor this time."
-
Peter watched Kravec go and once he was out of the room half smiled
"My grandfather may have unleashed this monster onto the world but don't doubt that I'm serious about slaying the monster." he muttered then he glanced at Sakura "You know what you've got to do."
"Yeah." Sakura said, she left the room.
Peter walked across the room to where Beatrice and the Tytorian delegation sat, this now depended entirely on what happened should Kravec return and whatever happened they needed to be careful about.
"May I have a word in private with the two of you?" Peter asked
Major had been digging in his bag, looking for his book, but was on the verge of giving up the search as a bad job. He looked up at the sound of Peter's voice.
"Your Majesty!" he said, standing out of respect, "I would be perfectly happy to speak with you. I mean, I can't speak for Her Majesty the Empress, but I can't see any reason not to talk." He quickly stooped down to gather his things, seeing as how he'd knocked his bag over upon rising. Keeping all these royals straight was going to give him a headache.
-
“Certainly,” Beatrice said, “I’m happy to take this opportunity to speak with you both. As for the book, I imagine he would find little use for it. Such concepts would be far too novel,” she said with a grin.
-
Sachim Kadassa had watched the proceedings so far with a sense of depression, things had been playing out exactly as he had anticipated, with the well worn talking points and rhetoric from the imperialist bloc.
With the announcement of the recess he took the opportunity to seek out President Kravec, waiting until the man was alone, before sidling up to him.
"President Kravec, I do not believe I have had the pleasure of meeting you in person before; I wish it could have been under happier circumstances." he began "You know, I understand exactly what you are going through. I recognise in you a kindred spirit. he said before shifting his posture and drawing a heavy breath "We are both men who live and breath for our countries, and for that we are called dictators, madmen, megalomaniacs. I am no stranger to being insulted by these autocrats, even at my recent inauguration I was snubbed by the majority of the world, and why? Because I had the audacity to refuse to allow them to subjugate Lakhzovia, to refuse to let them tie my hands while our enemies waged war on us. What I did, I did to protect my people and for that we are branded a pariah, in much the way you are being so branded now.
I understand your predicament Kravec, and I understand your motivation for seeking nuclear arms. Had Lakhzovia been so armed prior to our civil war then we would need never have feared the spectre of intervention that threatened to destroy everything my people have worked to build these past three decades. Look at my country now; we survive, but essentially as a vassal to Rokkenjima, our alliance with them is one of convenience and yet as shields go they are problematic, far too fickle and liable to break under pressure.
But you, I feel we can work with. We are not alone, more nations are waking up to the reality that disarmament is a luxury only the imperialist powers can afford. A nuclear free Rokkenjima after all could destroy Lakhzovia or Slava Lavosk many times over, whereas a nuclear free Slava Lavosk poses an insignificant military threat to such a power. Nuclear weapons are the great equalizer, and the greatest guarantee of security.
That being said these powers will not walk away from this conference without something to show for it, and if they are forced to then I can only imagine that the pressure placed upon you will be further intensified. It would perhaps be prudent to offer them a degree of apparent cooperation, if only to provide a relief of the sanctions, which would provide breathing room to pursue security interests."
-
Peter took Major and Beatrice to one side knowing what was needed, he sighed.
"We're all aware of how critical these talks are, we're very close to being able to put the nuclear monster back in the cage it belongs in. If we can get an agreement here great, but that has to based on two things reciprocity and dropping the impasse. No one in this room is foolish to believe a one sided deal is going to happen. If Slava are going to walk then it has to be entirely them, don't give Kravec the excuse, we're not talking about appeasing him we're talking about making sure we conduct this in a manner above reproach." he took another deep breath
"Also." he continued "If these talks fail I imagine both your nations will be reconsidering their options about next moves potentially even implementing the blockade. Now I'm not going to tell you not to blockade Slava Lavosk if it comes to it, but if you go that route I only ask that you ensure that you make sure you implement using the legal mechanisms available to you. That said what are you prepared for should Kravec come back?"
Sakura nodded as Bathory spoke he was of course right. She glanced around making sure they were alone, she couldn't risk anyone overhearing this, satisfied that no one could overhear them she approached the man.
"When I came to your country I came to make the case for Dilara's life, today I come to you about another woman." Sakura said keeping her voice low, she reached into her pocket and showed Markus a picture "I don't know how much of this you know, this is Cecelia Anselmo the mother of Empress Beatrice. You may also be aware that a while ago the Free Mundus Network ran a story citing that payments from Rokkenjima to Slava Lavosk concerned an individual that your country was holding on to. Achkaerinese intelligence has credible evidence that the individual is Cecelia. However they don't know where in Slava Lavosk she is, we assume she's being held in a prison somewhere but don't know for definite. Rokkenjima don't know it's her, in fact they don't know anything we shut them out of the investigation as soon as we found, mainly because we can all imagine how the Empress of Rokkenjima would react to being told this and if we handle this right Rokkenjima will never know because I don't think it's in anyone's interests to give the Empress of Rokkenjima an excuse for a military assault on Slava Lavosk, so can you help us avoid that? Can you find out where she is? We would be indebted to you if you were to help us Mr Bathory."
-
Markus Bathory, the rock solid statesman kept his cool as he pushed her hand, still holding the picture, gently into her abdomen. The colour drained from his face as he cast a furtive glance left and right.
"Spandau"
The word uttered, he turned and quickly walked away.
-
Kravec shook President Kadassa's hand and then opened his cigarette case. He offered one to Kadassa and lit up his own.
"President Kadassa, I am pleased to speak with you. I share your frustration. We are not subjects of these monarchies, but the elected leaders of our people. I watched your tribulations from afar and empathised with your plight. Alas I was powerless to reach out."
"We had the opportunity to develop a deterrent...and we took it. I wish we didn't have to, but wishes wont change things. I know they won't walk away either. These people launch air strikes against poor neighbours, threaten allies and financially abuse anyone they can. They are like mongrel dogs after a carcass, biting and snarling at anyone else until a dominant few are locked in a surly stalemate."
"I too think we could work together, we both need to shake of the dictatorial monarchists. I would be willing to deal fairly with these people, but I won't be ordered around like a stable boy. If you have a suggestion, I would be pleased to hear it."
-
"I suggest that you propose a freeze on further weapons testing or development as a first step. You could dress it up as a concession, a sign of your willingness to find a reasonable settlement.
In the meantime it can be made clear that such a concession, as a first step towards dismantling your weapons programme, is reliant on being given guarantees in regards to security and sovereignty. As such you can condition your cooperation on an easing of sanctions and an end to the threat of blockade. You could also express a desire that your security needs be addressed through the multilateral force made up of nations who you feel you can trust.
For Lakhzovia's part we will strongly support any such proposal. As strong proponents of the value of national sovereignty and the right of states to live securely we would be more than willing to contribute materially to providing support to your security needs, in whatever capacity you deem most appropriate.
Now my next point is perhaps a bit delicate. How should I put this... I am aware that your nuclear programme has suffered so far from a lack of access to a reliable supply of uranium. In this area Lakhzovia has been blessed, and we are shortly to begin extraction of ore from our Rossetiyan deposits. Our own setback is due to general lack of expertise when it comes to nuclear technology. I think perhaps there is scope for us to mutually benefit each other in this area, with the caveat that it is purely for civilian use of course." said Kadassa fixing Kravec with a knowing stare.
-
"Aaaah." Said Kravec, a twinkle in his eye.
"I see what you suggest and it mimics my own thoughts on the matter. We will need to proceed step by step in the negotiations. If I just trot out a list of demands and concessions, it will no doubt be struck down by those that hate either me personally or Slavans in general....oh, the power games we play. I suppose I could open the discussion by offering..."
Kravec drifts off in thought, playing the odds in his head and muttering to himself for a brief minute.
"Yes, that will work nicely I think. As to your more...delicate...subject, you are not wrong. It would be of great benefit to Slava Lavosk to secure a reliable source of uranium. Though any such deal will come under intense scrutiny by the world at large and your...benefactors...in Rokkenjima. If you are prepared to stand the heat, I believe that Slava Lavosk can undertake such an arrangement and aid you advancing your own nuclear program."
Kravec smiles and taps the side of his nose...
"For civilian purposes, of course."
-
David had to admit he wasn't really impressed with how things were progressing. One the one hand there had been the theatrics of the Slava Lavosk delegation yet on the other hand the "Give up the nukes or else" attitude of Rokkenjima. David could sense with things the way they were going little would perhaps be achieved and so he gestured to the other CNN delegates to follow him outside. There were pockets of various chatting groups dotted around and so the East Moreland King found a small corner and sat on a bench waiting for the others. In his mind it was simple, you were not going to see Slava Lavosk give up their nuke without something being given up in return and an endless blockade was only going to get messy and result in deaths. He had hoped the act of East Moreland pushing ahead with their own disarmament would have gone smoother but it hadn't and so instead it was time for a small CNN strategy meeting, assuming they'd followed him outside.
-
Darya felt it was below his dignity to pace in public, so he instead sequestered himself in an open corner, slightly away from his delegation. He watched the other players as they paired off or sneaked into secret conversations. He had no doubt what was being said: the performance of President Kravec and the subsequent childish remarks from Empress Beatrice left two very different impressions and the factions between them were undoubtedly already formed before the recess was declared. He, however, was uncertain on which side of the line he truly fell.
He recalled the impassioned speeches by his peer kingdoms about national sovereignty and while he agreed with their arguments, there was still the reality of fact. Tauredalia as a whole was not a powerful country and could do little to influence Rokkenjima should it station its fleet outside its the Confederacy's own borders. The much richer nation seemed determined to get its way, ironically acting out its own tantrum, and Darya had to decide what path he would choose for his nation. The Daalenes were a proud people and would not be bullied, but he also had limited options.
He spied King David alone and an idea formed in his head. Politics did not always require hard power. He approached his fellow monarch and gestured toward the empty seat. "Do you mind if I join you?" he asked.
Assuming he was affable to the request, Darya took a seat. Regardless, the elderly man took a deep sigh and slowly said, "It's not going well in there, wouldn't you say?" He chuckled, but it was a sound without mirth. "I hope you do not see us as the enemy. I am simply trying to protect my people and you have to see this from our view. We were ecstatic if disbelieving when disarmament was declared, but this situation with Slava Lovask... The reaction seems more hostile than, uh, than you mean it to be. You see, we don't view Slava Lovask with nuclear weapons as a threat... Not yet."
He gathered his thoughts. "Slava Lovask is not the only nation that has a nuclear program, and I'm not just referencing ourselves. I'm certain there are other nations not on our respective radar. One of these nations could have a nuclear weapon tomorrow or ten years from now, but it is the reaction of the international community that concerns us. We understand that East Moreland considers the Slava Lovask program itself a threat, but this is not the appropriate reaction. We are on the cusp of war, judging from the words spoken moments ago, when a more even response should have been given. 'Disarm or else' invites aggression. Do you see what I mean?"
-
David was surprised that it was Darya who approached first not one of the CNN leaders. "Please help yourself" David stood as he gestured to the seat before joining them. East Moreland prided itself on soft diplomacy, it was on reason he'd made so many of the nations festivals and feasts open to the international community after all. He remembered his father's words, "You catch far more with honey" But he also remembered his fathers words, "Plan for the worse and hope for the best."
He waited for his bench guest to finish. "I've seen smoother starts to international talks." he smiled, "As for seeing you as an enemy we see no nation as an enemy. We saw hundreds of thousands of our fellow Cultists murdered by Royal Seleucid, we saw them as enemies but even now times have changed as they have a new King so perhaps a new dawn. Someone saying a few words about us wouldn't make us enemies. Even friends at times have to hear uncomfortable things from the other. Protecting a people is our key duties, its our highest religious tennant, "Protect those who can not protect themselves." and while nuclear weapons can help in that regard they do not protect the innocent, they kill the innocent. MY nation pride ourselves on our technological endeavours, as the Free Mundus Network implied we are the number one peddlers of military hardware, but all of it designed to minimise losses not maximise it. We spent millions developing a missile capable of reducing impacts to surrounding structures exactly because we want to only strike at enemies and not the family sat next door. Nuclear weapons don't make that differentiation and thats why they need to go. My father and grand-father failed to see that and so I am left to do what we believe is right, and as I hope I have in there make disarmament a reality in the near future. Now you'll notice we haven't issued sanctions, we haven't talked of a blockade, we are only talking of preparing for those things should Slava Lavosk not be willing to seek a diplomatic solution. I think one exists but it only exists if people are willing to help us take that journey down the road towards making Mundus nuclear weapons free. I'd like to think its a journey Taurdalia would like to come along on. As for me being hostile, I think you may be confused. All I did was talk of the mistake of nuclear weapons ever existing and offer to support nations to defend against such weapons. I never issued a threat nor called another nation a name. The only thing I did in there was become the first nation to publically commit in the current circumstances to voulentarily give up weapons of mass destruction."
-
"Ah yes, the heat. Rokkenjima certainly would not be pleased if their behaviour so far is any indicator . However Lakhzovia has something that they want, the promise of an airfield in our country so that they can maintain their presence in the region. It's my understanding that Rokkenjima is being somewhat sidelined by former allies and resents being muscled out of the Illumic region. I doubt in such a situation that they would be willing to sacrifice their option to retain their stake in the west of Cotf Aranye.
Of course this would still be a hard sell, however I have an idea. It is entirely possible to alleviate fears of a Slava Lavoski nuclear programme while simultaneously pursuing or mutual agenda. Your country could lend its expertise to Lakhzovia in the commissioning of a fuel reprocessing plant, once completed Slava Lavosk could decommission its own, in a gesture towards compliance with non-proliferation, and send spent fuel to Lakhzovia for reprocessing.
The whole process itself would provide a useful cover for deeper collaboration."
-
Sakura watched Bathory walk away, it seemed that at least in this moment they had a desire to avoid a messy conflict. She walked a fair distance away and once she was sure she was alone she took out her phone and made the call that needed making. Just as Bathory had spoken to her, on the phone her call was straight to the point.
"Spandau." Sakura said
-
OOC - Nudging a little
Sakura, having made the phone call, was now back out of the car and waiting around for the talks to resume, the recess had to be nearly over by now. She walked around a little and came across the Vicregent of Rokkenjima Emerson Ravenswood (https://independentorder.net/index.php?topic=49.msg970#msg970).
"What do you think?" Emerson asked
"I think there's a negotiated agreement possible, I think we can end this here." Sakura said "Kravec's not an idiot, he knows the stakes and he knows the boundaries, shame Beatrice has to make this ten times harder."
"You've got something in mind haven't you?" Emerson asked "An initial offer?"
"Something like that." Sakura said "Let's see if we can kill three birds with one stone."
-
After concluding his chat with President Kadassa, Kravec took some time alone. As he stood on the balcony smoking his cigarettes, he ordered his thoughts and formulated a plan. Stroking his beard in thought, Kravec took one final drag of the cigarette and crushed it out. With confidence, he strode back into the conference room, his delegation falling in behind, including a very pale Markus Bathory. Inside the conference room, the Slavan's took their seats and awaited Emperor Benson's call to order.
-
"If you wish for a deal then you'd better produce a water tight one in which Kravec doesn't have any wiggle room, one which is fully verifiable by the international community, and one which does not pander uselessly to Kravec," Beatrice replied. "Simply because he agrees to something doesn't mean he's going to live up to it; he's a man who's shown his character well already. I don't trust him, and if the deal is not water tight, it's not one we can risk."
-
"That said, Your Majesty," Major said, directing his words to Beatrice, "I suspect that lack of wiggle room will have to go both ways. Otherwise, Kravec is likely to ignore such a deal anyway." He glanced in the direction of the Slavan delegation as they reentered the room, and then continued slowly. "I don't trust the man either; he's unpredictable and frankly quite unprincipled. But... I also think that denying his theatrics the reaction he's seeking might take some of the wind out of his sails going forward. We have the moral high ground, though he seems to have talked himself into believing the opposite. If he stops getting a rise out of the free world at the negotiating table, then he may well find himself deprived of much of his bargaining power, increasing the chances of him accepting a firmer anti-proliferation stance from the international community."
-
OOC- Para is likely to be away for the next two weeks and so has asked me if I'd kick start this back off so it doesn't drag.
Emperor Benson waited for everyone to return to the room before standing in such a way as to signal for people to quieten down. "Now that we have hopefully all cooled down a little I think it important we begin to look to the future. In that regard I believe His Holiness Stein Ulfsson has something he'd like to say."
The Head Gothi stood and readjusted the torque around his neck, the signal of his position as leader of the Odinist faith and therefore Nya Åland's leader. "We face an issue where everyone in this room desires a nuclear weapons free Mundus. We also have an international game of chicken. We must therefore consider the realities, Slava Lavosk are now a nuclear armed nation and under no legal obligation to disarm. Likewise Achkaerin, East Moreland and Rokkenjima have no legal obligation to. King David has today once more publicly gone on record as intending to make East Moreland nuclear free within I suspect a few weeks. Yet even then should he change his mind tomorrow there is no legal ramification. What we have so far is one nation claiming they need nuclear weapons, while other nations with them claim that nation shouldn't have them. So we need to leave here today with a legally binding framework that means all of Mundus is nuclear free. The issue as I see it is timing. You see there is a difference between decommissioning and dismantling a nuclear weapon. Remove its fuses, remove the attached systems etc all mean a weapons is decommissioned, however it can be re-commissioned simply by replacing those parts. It is only once the nuclear material has been removed and disposed of safely, be it by using it in nuclear power plants, or sealing it in concrete etc that it is actually dismantled. Decommissioning a nuclear weapon takes moments, dismantling it longer. Should Rokkenjima begin the process of dismantling their nuclear stockpile today we are likely to see a completion date of some five years in the future. If they decommission them, maybe two years. Slava Lavosk could be nuclear weapon free if they dismantle in maybe a few months because of the scale of stockpiles." The Head Gothi finished looking at his notes.
"What I propose therefore is this. All nuclear armed nations commit to decommissioning all their nuclear weapons by 2021. They further commit to dismantling them by 2025. This process must be verifiable. Please look at the document I have sent the Emperor." A switch was flicked and it appeared on the wall via projector.
In Order to achieve the ambition of a more peaceful and nuclear free Mundus nations agree to abide by this agreement.
1. The nations of Slava Lavosk, East Moreland, Achkaerin and Rokkenjima shall be known as the Nuclear Nations. The Nuclear Nations give assurance that they intend to be free of nuclear weapons by an agreed upon schedule.
2. Nations not classed as a Nuclear Nation shall be called a Non-Nuclear Nation and they give assurances that they do not intend to manufacture nuclear weapons.
3. The Nuclear Nations agree to allow a delegation of experts drawn from Non-Nuclear Nations to verify the numbers and types of nuclear weapons in their possession. Should an agreement be reached to form the Mundus Atomic Energy Agency this team shall be drawn from members of that Agency, should that agreement fail to materialise then the verification team shall be drawn from nations present at these talks.
4. Nuclear nations agree that they shall decommission (Definition:- Render the weapon inoperable for immediate deployment) all nuclear weapons by the end of 2021. This shall be verified by the same manner as outlined in Article 3.
5. Should a nation fail to provide verification or fail to meet the deadline as outlined in Article 4 they shall be subject to the following sanctions by all signatory nations.
a) A total ban on the sale of any nuclear material
b) A total ban on sales of military equipment
c) The freezing of bank accounts of members of that nations government.
d) A travel ban on non-diplomatic travel .
e) A boycott of imports from that nation
6. Nuclear nations agree that they shall dismantle (Definition:- Remove the weapons nuclear material and allocate it either for civilian use or render it unusable) all nuclear weapons by the end of 2026. This shall be verified in the same manner as laid out in Article 3.
7. Should a nation fail to provide verification or fail to meet the deadline as outlined in Article 6 they shall be subject to the following sanctions by all signatory nations.
a) A total ban on the sale of any nuclear material
b) A total ban on sales of military equipment
c) The freezing of bank accounts of members of that nations government.
d) A travel ban on non-diplomatic travel .
e) A boycott of imports from that nation
8. Sanctions put in place under Article 5 or 7 shall remain in place until such a time as Verification complient with Article 3 is given.
9. Nuclear nations agree that they shall not detonate or otherwise test nuclear devices in any way.
10. Non-Nuclear nations are free to accept nuclear material for civilian use from the process of dismantling weapons. Should the Mundus Atomic Energy Agency come into existance following the signing of this treaty such transfers shall be done in accordance with their processes.
11. Should a Nuclear Nation find that it is for any reason incapable of sticking to its schedule as laid out by this charter it is to inform the international community immediately and should 3/4 of the signatory nations voting agree the timetable may be extended by a period of no less than 12 months.
"It is my hope and belief that the outline given should ensure we are capable of reaching a nuclear free Mundus in such a manner that we can all be confident of these weapons being a spectre of the past while ensuring this international game of chicken does not escalate and cost human life. I thank the Emperor for this oppurtunity and take my seat to hear others opinions."
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Kravec reads the treaty carefully, nodding absently.
"That is a fine start, Head Gothi...assuming that Slava Lavosk wishes to be nuclear free, but you have jumped to the conclusion without addressing the needs of Slava Lavosk, the reason we developed this capability in the first place. Without certain assurances, I can see no benefit in decommissioning or dismantling our arsenal. I am aware that this cannot occur in a vacuum, however. In good faith, I will offer a first concession. Slava Lavosk will cease live fire testing of nuclear weapons. I also agree in theory to the verification committee. My delegation is currently selecting our chosen representative. In exchange, I desire the lifting of all sanctions, embargoes and blockades against my nation."
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Having given people a little time to reply and seemingly no one willing to take the first steps Stein Ulfsson stood once more. " With respect President Kravec you are asking here among many nations who have not placed sanctions on you, nor imposed blockades and embargoes. I believe only two have. Now what I'd like to point out is any nation signing this would be just as compelled to impose sanctions on Rokkenjima should they fail to comply as they would be to place them on you. I think it in a way rather fitting that we sit here in a nation devoted to the Vodou faith, one very concerned about crossroads. To your front sir sit two paths. The left hand path is to one where for the next few decades you perhaps face one condemnation after another from the international community, maybe find it harder and harder to find friends, trading partners etc and potentially make every day life in Slava Lavosk a little more difficult. Or you can take the right hand path which you've seen a glimpse of, nations willing to work together to help life be better and safer for all. Think about the first official interaction between our two governments, we were concerned with ensuring talks took place, you were concerned with helping your people. We managed to reach a mutually beneficial arrangement. Now had you not had nukes and had picked up the phone and said "Mr. Ulfsson can we have a meeting to discuss setting up some trade deals." You would have found a welcome ear and I believe that would be the case of most nations sat around the table. However.....setting up deals with a nation seen as a little bit out there? Maybe very different endings. I think Mr.Kravec, Empress Beatrice, Emperor Peter, King David, what we have on that paper represents the fairest, safest and most reasonable path open to us. I think the time has come to pick a path. Now may I suggest a slight alteration to your demands for the exchange." Stein addressed Kravec directly, "Seeing as Rokkenjima and Tytor are the only ones with anything in place against you how about we make the following happen. The Tytor and Rokkenjiman ships in the area agree to not approach within 400km of the coast of Slava Lavosk unless in neighbouring countries waters in accordance with the FSC. In addition, and I apologise if this is misrepresenting what is in place, sanctions will not include food products and medical supplies."
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"I suggest the following to be included:"
f) Military action to remove a government which persists in the development of nuclear weapons, and to ensure their destruction
"Furthermore, before Rokkenjima agrees to a regime of verification we must be assured that each aspect is covered. There is to be no room for Slava Lavosk to hide developments from the international community: if that cannot be assured, we cannot agree to any agreement that lacks teeth. We have one chance to get this right, lest we open the door for developments in secrecy. Either Slava Lavosk disarms openly and willingly, or we remove the arms from their hands. There is no room for miscalculation."
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Lakhzovia must strongly object to the Rokkenjiman proposal for the inclusion of article f).
It is our feeling that such an article is an unacceptable attack on the sovereignty of a nation and institutionalises a right for imperialist powers to intervene in another nation in a completely unacceptable manner. Further we feel such a provision would be open to grave abuse. What say, for example, if a nation declared they suspect another of developing nuclear weapons, and having inspected it and found nothing merely concluded that the target was adept at disguising their programme they would have a treaty mandated right to invade and affect regime change. Such a provision is extremely dangerous and I can assure you that Lakhzovia would never be a signatory to a treaty that included such as this.
Slava Lavosk is correct. The proposal as it stands is not unreasonable and serves well as a long term international framework for disarmament. However it does not address the immediate issue of guaranteeing Slava Lavoskian sovereignty and security. Lakhzovia remains committed to reaching a solution that allows the current crisis to be diffused, but we are strongly of the belief that this can only be achieved through an understanding of Slava Lavosk's legitimate concerns.
We endorse Slava Lavosk's proposal that all blockades and sanctions be lifted in exchange for an immediate freeze of all nuclear testing. Further we propose, with Slava Lavosk's agreement, that their spent fuel be transferred to Lakhzovia for reprocessing and the decommissioning of their own fuel reprocessing facilities, this will ensure that they are unable to pursue an expansion of their nuclear capability. In return Lakhzovia will, again with Slava Lavosk's approval, convene an international coalition of nations to provide a conventional military force to work alongside their nation in order to guarantee their security and sovereignty."
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"Lakhzovia fails to mention that the provision would apply equally and does not single out Slava Lavosk in any manner. Further precedence is established via the Outer Space Standards Convention which recognizes space-based weapons platforms as a threat to the common sovereignty of all states and enables them to take action to remove such a threat. Likewise, the decision to test a nuclear weapon following the unanimous disarmament of all nuclear powers at the time poses a similar threat. With verification methods being agreed upon by us all there would also be no scenario where one state could magically produce evidence and bring into motion the fantasy scenario which Lakhzovia has presented."
"Furthermore, as I understand we shall have verifiable channels for the processing which Lakhzovia has proposed, as such, I would very much be in opposition to an arrangement which removes yet another level of independent verification from the process. I would further remind Lakhzovia of its treaty obligations to the First Empire, and likewise the lack of such obligations with Slava Lavosk. The proposition for a force, which I can only assume would be aimed against Rokkenjiman forces, is a move which would burn a bridge which would be quite expensive for the Republic's foreign ambitions."
"Quite simply if Slava Lavosk is honest and shows good faith there should be nothing to worry about and I may allow our fine sailors to return home, as opposed to maintaining their deployment. Furthermore, we wouldn't even be having this conversation had Slava Lavosk not created a crisis where one didn't exist. How quick we are to forget the circumstances which led us to this point, while treating Slava Lavosk as a victim. President Kravec created this crisis, he brought measures upon his nation that would not have been brought to bear otherwise, and it's very much upon him to prove that he's trustworthy."
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King David had originally been rather hopeful when the Alanders presented their treaty idea. It was something he would have no issue agreeing to and he felt that it was largely fair. "If I may point out an issue with our representative from Lakhzovia's points." David said as he took to his feet.
"First however I am against the wording if not the spirit of this new article. I think we should not necessarily rule out military action should someone not comply with this treaty having agreed to. However imagine a scenario where the people of say Achkaerin fully support and wish Emperor Peter as their leader, for whatever reason I can't think of they fail to comply. We then take military action, take control of their nuclear weapons and we remove him from power. What do we do when the people of Achkaerin demand him back? What do we do when the people of Achkaerin say they don't want a government change? I believe the article isn't fit for the purpose of this treaty which is designed to stop nuclear weapons not determine a rightful government of another nation."
The King moved onto his second point. " As it stands there is no real blockade as yet, resources are still moving into the region and chances are by the time we conclude things today it could well be irrelevant. I believe the 400km limit that the Alanders suggested is a more than reasonable compromise. In regards to Lakhzovia receiving Slava Lavosk's fuel that is a matter for those two nations to organise, however I would urge that it takes place under whatever guidelines the MAEA put in place. I would also be more than happy to lend the Lakhzovian's if they undertake the project expertise of the Morelanders who were part of the Kilotonnes to Kilowatts project to support it.
Finally however we come to this issue of an international coalition to look to Slava Lavosk's security. This is not a matter for these talks. Slava Lavosk is, just like any nation, able to seek for itself allies and support wherever it sees fit. At one point for example even the East Moreland military were providing support for Slava Lavosk's boarder security with our Roboguard project of semi-autonomous vehicles. I believe they still have a few in use. However when the question of their internment of certain ethnic groups were raised we saw fit to place a stop on further sales or support. To my knowledge the Maori also made contact with Slava Lavosk however I believe those talks broke down over issues with a similar matter of the camps. However that is something I can not say for sure, the point however is that prior to this nuclear build up there were nations willing to work with Slava Lavosk in various formats. That is something that could well happen in the future however its a matter for Slava Lavosk's President to pursue in his own time and not one an international treaty should determine. I firmly believe the treaty of the table is a fair one, treats all four nations evenly and is realistically achievable."
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Peter had sat there and listened, it was amazing how often this chain of events played out in these sorts of summits when Beatrice spoke for the first time Sakura wrote defeat snatched from the jaws of victory on a piece of paper then when Kadassa had spoken Peter had added x2 to the end of that, Beatrice's response had seen Sakura turn x2 into x3 without much effort.
"I suggest we separate the issues here." Peter said "We seem to be talking about two situations, first nuclear weapons and second the concerns President Kravec has I would suggest we are best suited dealing with them separately. First let us consider the matter of nuclear weapons. The proposal made by the Alanders is acceptable as far as I can see, it treats the four nations with nuclear weapons equally. In fact the only suggestions I would make in regards to the proposed treaty is to suggest that should the MAEA come into being that all nuclear nations agree to be members of that organisation, I would also suggest we consider extending the sanctions mentioned within the treaty to violations of article nine. We should also remember that this is a treaty that is meant to apply across the board to each nation on Mundus in regards to their rights in respect of nuclear weapons if we start adding articles concerning Slava Lavosk's concerns then to put it in a rather crude manner we risk diluting the effectiveness of the treaty by obligating nations to accept conditions that are unrelated to the treaty context.
In regards to the section proposed by Rokkenjima, I agree with King David the point of the treaty is to stop nuclear weapons not say who the rightful leader or leaders of a nation are. I also agree however that military force is something that cannot be ruled out but I agree with President Kadassa and King David that it should not feature in this treaty. The point is that articles five and seven of the proposed treaty outline a list of sanctions to be taken against nuclear powers that fail to provide verification or meet deadlines in relation to decommissioning or dismantling of nuclear weapons, it's far from helpful to lump military force in with them because these sanctions are not progressive in terms of first a then b and then c, they are in fact a package of sanctions that come in at the same time. It is also true that if a nation commits to this agreement and then refuses to comply with it that action needs to be taken, and if the sanctions don't prove effective for whatever reason then consideration of other options is going to happen, but let's be absolutely clear that the use of military force in any situation is the last resort. I therefore propose the following amendments
Peter moved a piece of note paper with the amendments outlined on it to the centre of the table
3. The Nuclear Nations agree to allow a delegation of experts drawn from Non-Nuclear Nations to verify the numbers and types of nuclear weapons in their possession. Should an agreement be reached to form the Mundus Atomic Energy Agency this team shall be drawn from members of that Agency and the nuclear nations shall agree to membership of the organisation. should that agreement fail to materialise then the verification team shall be drawn from nations present at these talks.
8. Both Nuclear and Non Nuclear nations agree that they shall not detonate or otherwise test nuclear devices in any way. Any nation that detonates or tests a nuclear device in contravention of this article they shall be subject to the following sanctions by all signatory nations:
a) A total ban on the sale of any nuclear material
b) A total ban on sales of military equipment
c) The freezing of bank accounts of members of that nations government.
d) A travel ban on non-diplomatic travel .
e) A boycott of imports from that nation
9. Sanctions put in place under Article 5, 7 or 8 shall remain in place until such a time as Verification complient with Article 3 is given. A nation that is sanctioned under Article 8 shall be regarded as a Nuclear Nation and held accountable to the relevant provisions concerning that status.
"In my opinion these amendments don't alter the spirit of the treaty but they do tighten it up a little more on the legal side of things. However even if we agree to the amendments we lack one thing." Peter paused turning his eyes to Beatrice "And that is the undertaking from Rokkenjima that in the event of this agreement being made that they will resume their decommissioning program with immediate effect. This treaty can deliver the nuclear free Mundus we all hope for but it needs the four nuclear nations in this room to agree to it and I'll be blunt peddling the impasse position of 'disarm or be disarmed' does nothing to help the cause of a nuclear free Mundus it in fact hinders it. So will the Empress of Rokkenjima please give the undertaking that we now require?
Finally in regards to the concerns President Kravec has, as King David has outlined the blockade that Rokkenjima and Tytor propose to implement is not yet in place and can be avoided if we get an agreement here today. The concerns President Kravec has are legitimate and I'm quite happy to listen to them and to work with him to address them, I would only ask that that that conversation takes place after we have concluded this matter of nuclear weapons so we can avoid a blurring of the two issues."
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"Rokkenjima has been quite clear that it shall resume its arrangements with the Kingdom of Seaforth upon a successful resolution of this Conference," Beatrice replied in a matter-of-fact manner. "I represent perhaps the only government which sits at this table which didn't build a nuclear arsenal; indeed, we inherited it from the Federal Republic who developed their capability for the reasons Kravec is parading before the international community. A treaty which ensures nuclear weapons are relegated to the past enjoys Rokkenjiman support, and so long as we ensure strong verification and teeth with a strong bite, that is excellent. It would be a great folly, however, to pat ourselves on the back and some time later see that our efforts were for naught due to actors who had trust placed in them that should never have been granted in the first place. We have but one shot at this approach, it's thus upon us to ensure the contingencies are well addressed."
When she finished speaking she sent a quick text message to Kadassa.
"We need five minutes alone."
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Kadassa received the message and read it quickly 'Typical monarchs' he thought to himself sighing inwardly as he began to prepare for whatever chewing out he was about to receive from the Empress.
He steeled himself and then motioned for a brief recess, upon which he made his way to a set of doors that let out on to a balcony, propping himself on the balustrade and took a deep breath of fresh air as the figure of Beatrice sidled up beside him.
"So, you wanted to speak to me?" he said given the Empress the briefest of glances.
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"Indeed," Beatrice said with the irritation clear in her tone. "Perhaps you could explain what the hell I just heard from you in there? I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but Lakhzovia and Rokkenjima are allies, yes? I've always been there for you when I could be, yes? I've also stood against the advice of my own officials and allies on paper Achkaerin in offering you a level of support you don't enjoy with any other nation, yes? So why could a casual observer be mistaken for believing Lakhzovia is an ally of Slava Lavosk from the display you just put on?"
Beatrice paused, "During the last trouble with that forsaken land Rokkenjima was stabbed in the back by it's LISA "allies", due to that, Rokkenjima saw a referendum which saw it removed from LISA. Even with all of your issues and the clear concerns that many could raise about your government, I have stood at your side, discounting the concerns of the aforementioned parties and my own family in the form of Evanthe. Was I wrong to put such faith in you, Kadassa? Should I have perhaps listened to them?"
"Because," she looked straight into his eyes with a stare that could pierce through to the soul as if it were a knife, "I am done dealing with allies of convenience, I am done with fair weather friends, and I have had it up to here with these sort of fucking surprises. I am a woman of my word and have given you no reason to doubt mine and, please remember, I wouldn't have to make up a story; if I wished it, Slava Lavosk could be wiped off the map minutes from now. So what have I done to deserve such a betrayal?"
Pausing again Beatrice sighed, speaking solemnly "I'm only going to say this once, don't fuck me Sachim. I've already enough knives in my back and will absolutely not bear another. Also, we'll have no transfers of material between Slava Lavosk and Lakhzovia, such a plan is not only irresponsible but wholly insane given the standing of Lakhzovia in the broader international community. You'll have every intelligence agency on Mundus poking holes in your defenses and succeeding and," she lowered her voice, "should you have nefarious intentions, every fiber of my being is committed to a nuclear-free Mundus. In such a case, you would be shown no mercy."
"I do not enjoy speaking to you like this," she said, reflecting on Kadassa's visit to Rokkenjima, "but I will not be stabbed in the back again; the era where nations walked over Rokkenjima as if they had divine right to is long in the rear view mirror. So I guess what I need to know is, are you still with me, or are you another fair-weather friend of convenience?"
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"Your Majesty, I can see your frustration, and to some extent I can understand it. However you must take into account Lakhzovia's stance.
It is our understanding that the long term goal is to find a consensus for a lasting peace in the Midaranye region. The current nuclear crisis is just the latest development of a long running conflict that has threatened the peace here for a significant period. That threat to peace centres on the provocations and hostility of a theocratic slave state, and it is against that threat, as well as threats of external interference, that Slava Lavosk has attempted to defend itself.
Kravic has more or less made this clear, and what is also clear is that attempts to force a unilateral disarmament on Slava Lavosk without addressing the underlying security concerns of that nation will result only in further escalation, and this time between nuclear armed states.
My proposal then was not aimed at humiliating you or undermining Rokkenjima. I believe in fact that our end goals are aligned, rather we have a difference of opinions when it comes to the path there. Sometimes, your majesty, a soft touch and nuanced approach can go further than the blunt tools of escalating threat.
As for my proposal of nuclear transfer to Lakhzovia for reprocessing; Consider it dropped. I was of the view that it might be preferable for Slava Lavosk's nuclear feed stock be removed from the country to our as we are both an ally of yourself, but one that is uniquely viewed as understanding the concerns of Kravic. In this way we hoped to act as a bridge to future cooperation and a deescalation of the nuclear tensions. However in the face of such open hostility what can we do but respect the position of our allies?
Be assured your Majesty, Lakhzovia and myself view you with the utmost regard. Let me reassure you that the Pyrenia-Nakim Accord remains the foundation of our international diplomatic strategy and that we seek always to further our alignment with yourself.
To that end I had meant to discuss a proposal with you following this conference, however now seems as appropriate time as any to broach the subject. I would like to propose to you the possibility of establishing a Rokkenjima listening post in the north-west Hir HaShudrin mountain range. Such facilities at this location would provide cover over the entire Cotf Peninsula as well as the Illumic, I envision it augmenting the previously agreed stationing of Rokkenjima airforce assets in Lakhzovia. The conditions of such a lease being our shared access to the facility's intel."
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"I don't trust Kravec, and neither should any of you," Beatrice sighed. "I'll give worthwhile concessions, but I'll be damned if I give him open license to side-step any agreements we put into place. Achkaerin may be content with taking him at his word, but I shall not join in their folly. Kravec has, thus far, offered nothing to change my opinion of him. If he wishes me to change my opinion, he certainly has the opportunity to bring more actions forward."
"As for the removal of materials, it would be better for a state such as Nya Aland or Seaforth to handle such materials, as both have experience and a track record. I would support either nation handling such a task, if it would enjoy Lakhzovian backing. The end-goal remains the same, if the target is not different, yes?"
"As for positions," Beatrice sighed, "I believe that such military installations would be better perused with allies in the region who would not be the immediate target of suspicion. Discussions with the Conglomerate could produce a better position for the IRAF in the long-term view, for both our respected parties. I don't ask you to forsake your position entirely," Beatrice paused, "but to work with me, instead of opposed to me on many areas, I feel we could accomplish more."
"On that note we shall return, and we can allow actions to speak."
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With the return of Beatrice and Kadassa Peter hoped they were almost done, in truth there wasn't really much left to do. His attention was momentarily taken by two messages that Sakura showed him, one confirmed the MAEA being signed by Kathryn Deed, that meant the MAEA existed, the second was a message from Andrew Richmond asking for a call.
"Take it." Peter said, Sakura nodded and left the room while Peter turned his attention back to the room "As we are all now back here and we're reconvening I would like to move the amended version as presented by us before the representatives of Rokkenjima and Lakhzovia left for a few moments. I draw attention to further amendments made in respect of articles three and ten which now reflect the fact that the MAEA is in existence, a point I'm sure isn't lost on others especially given the amount of buzzing done by phones during this summit. Therefore I present the amended version."
In Order to achieve the ambition of a more peaceful and nuclear free Mundus nations agree to abide by this agreement.
1. The nations of Slava Lavosk, East Moreland, Achkaerin and Rokkenjima shall be known as the Nuclear Nations. The Nuclear Nations give assurance that they intend to be free of nuclear weapons by an agreed upon schedule.
2. Nations not classed as a Nuclear Nation shall be called a Non-Nuclear Nation and they give assurances that they do not intend to manufacture nuclear weapons.
3. The Nuclear Nations agree to allow a delegation of experts drawn from Non-Nuclear Nations to verify the numbers and types of nuclear weapons in their possession. This team shall be drawn from nations signatory to the Mundus Atomic Energy Agency. The nuclear nations agree to join the membership of the Agency.
4. Nuclear nations agree that they shall decommission (Definition:- Render the weapon inoperable for immediate deployment) all nuclear weapons by the end of 2021. This shall be verified by the same manner as outlined in Article 3.
5. Should a nation fail to provide verification or fail to meet the deadline as outlined in Article 4 they shall be subject to the following sanctions by all signatory nations.
a) A total ban on the sale of any nuclear material
b) A total ban on sales of military equipment
c) The freezing of bank accounts of members of that nations government.
d) A travel ban on non-diplomatic travel .
e) A boycott of imports from that nation
6. Nuclear nations agree that they shall dismantle (Definition:- Remove the weapons nuclear material and allocate it either for civilian use or render it unusable) all nuclear weapons by the end of 2026. This shall be verified in the same manner as laid out in Article 3.
7. Should a nation fail to provide verification or fail to meet the deadline as outlined in Article 6 they shall be subject to the following sanctions by all signatory nations.
a) A total ban on the sale of any nuclear material
b) A total ban on sales of military equipment
c) The freezing of bank accounts of members of that nations government.
d) A travel ban on non-diplomatic travel .
e) A boycott of imports from that nation
8. Both Nuclear and Non Nuclear nations agree that they shall not detonate or otherwise test nuclear devices in any way. Any nation that detonates or tests a nuclear device in contravention of this article they shall be subject to the following sanctions by all signatory nations:
a) A total ban on the sale of any nuclear material
b) A total ban on sales of military equipment
c) The freezing of bank accounts of members of that nations government.
d) A travel ban on non-diplomatic travel .
e) A boycott of imports from that nation
9. Sanctions put in place under Article 5, 7 or 8 shall remain in place until such a time as Verification compliant with Article 3 is given. A nation that is sanctioned under Article 8 shall be regarded as a Nuclear Nation and held accountable to the relevant provisions concerning that status.
10. Non-Nuclear nations are free to accept nuclear material for civilian use from the process of dismantling weapons. The process for such transfer of material to be handled by the Mundus Atomic Energy Agency in accordance with their procedures.
11. Should a Nuclear Nation find that it is for any reason incapable of sticking to its schedule as laid out by this charter it is to inform the international community immediately and should 3/4 of the signatory nations voting agree the timetable may be extended by a period of no less than 12 months.
"I reiterate that this is now an agreement that is legally sound in terms of the decommissioning and dismantling aspect of nuclear weapons, it dove tails with the MAEA in respect of the transfer of materials and makes clear the consequences of not meeting the deadlines. In short this is a solid foundation upon which a lasting agreement can be built. If this agreement be acceptable I suggest it be signed."
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East Moreland agrees
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Achkaerin agrees
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"The First Empire of Rokkenjima agrees."
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OOC - With the powers invested in me by Helus as RP Mode I am going to attempt to conclude this. If Rhodes does come back we'll review the situation.
Kravec smirked slightly. "In theory I can agree to this. There are however a few issues." He stood and began to pace the room around the table, "First is that it is my intention that Slava Lavosk will become a signatory of the MAEA. I however am going to have to demand a few concessions. The first is that Rokkenjima must stop their transfer of their nuclear materials to Seaforth. They are a nation that have not signed the MAEA, this concerns me. Rokkenjima have put nuclear weapons into the hands of a nation that is not one of those recognised as a nuclear nation. I therefore demand that if this treaty is to be fair they are added to the list of Nuclear Nations. Furthermore I believe it is unfair that ourselves and East Moreland will effectively be nuclear free by the end of 2021 while Rokkenjima and Achkaerin because of their stockpiles won't be until 2026[1]. I propose that this date is moved to 2024. Furthermore I shall not permit inspectors from a fellow nuclear nation or the CNN to be on the MAEA inspection team until such a time as they have committed to withdraw naval forces from the region. I have no issue with inspectors from non-nuclear and non CNN nations so we can be fully compliant with the treaty put before us."
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"What is unfair," Beatrice said as she held back the majority of her anger, "is the fact that we are sat here due to the irrational and dangerous actions of a megalomaniac who, of his own initiative, derailed the collective efforts to rid Mundus of nuclear weapons. With the actions of Rokkenjima, East Moreland and Achkaerin we already had a path to universal disarmament, all done without sparking international crisis. However, one man," she said, pointing to Kravec, "decided this process wasn't quite to his liking. He, himself, decided that he should hold the power to determine the course of international developments, and he made his point clear in the detonation of a Slavan nuclear warhead, rendering all previous efforts effectively null."
"The Strategic Energy Reserve has been a resounding success, turning the nuclear material from Rokkenjiman warheads into energy which has been slated for donation to underpowered nations. As I understand, there exists two of the reactors which make this program possible within the Rishiri Imperial Overseas Dependency, thus I shall have little issue in transitioning this program from a partnership between the First Empire and the Kingdom, to a purely indigenous effort. However, this is the only 'concession' I shall offer. The world does not answer to the beck and call of a second-rate Stalin."
"As has been undertaken with the Rokkenjiman-Seaforthian program, nuclear warheads will continue to be disarmed prior to their transit to Rishiri. We shall not be moving the date forward, nor shall we be rushing this program; to do so would skirt all concerns for safety and responsibility. I would also state, unlike each other nuclear power, my Government never pursued nuclear arms, we inherited an arsenal from the Federal Republic and had to live with the responsibility such an inheritance demands. As such, I find the words of a man who willingly sought out nuclear arms following Rokkenjima, East Moreland and Achkaerin having written the map for their removal from existence to hold little value, or weight. Your efforts have made Mundus more dangerous, and the risks you took? Inexcusable. You've your one concession, you'll find no others."
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Peter sat there and listened, trying to gauge the best thing to do it was clearly apparent that as things stood the entrenched positions of Beatrice and Kravec were going to lead to this whole thing collapsing quite quickly especially if there wasn't any movement. The proposals Kravec had made were not ideal but there needed to be compromise if this agreement was going to fly, the date movement bothered him a fair bit but as he looked around the table in thought his eyes rested on David and the path forward for Achkaerin to be able to meet Kravec halfway as it were started to unfold.
"I think in terms of how Seaforth is classified under this agreement the fairest way forward is for Mr Lachlan to either enlighten us on Seaforth's position on the MAEA or to attempt to discern that position following the conclusion of this meeting. Regardless of that I do believe that until such time as there is a Seaforthian signature on the MAEA charter that the transfer of nuclear material between Rokkenjima and Seaforth should be halted and if Seaforth does sign the MAEA charter the transfers can then legitimately resume without breach of international treaty obligations.
In terms of the date for dismantling being moved forward to 2024 from 2026 as proposed by President Kravec I will agree to that date being amended as he has suggested. Finally I am sure that the membership of the MAEA has heard the point made about inspections and will take it seriously. Speaking as far as Achkaerin's naval presence in the Gulf of Auraxis is concerned I am more than prepared to withdraw those forces if we can come to a suitable agreement here."
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"Empress" Kravec shook his head in disbelief at what he had heard. "You are not unique in being a government that did not develop but rather inherited nuclear weapons. I am the only one here who gave an order to start a nuclear weapons programme. You think King David was alive in the 1950's ordering the Morelander scientists to begin the programme, you think at the age of about minus 70 Emperor Peter would have been making the decision for Achkaerin to have nuclear weapons. All three of you inherited this problem and spent the majority of your reigns not really pushing an agenda to get rid of what you inherited. I once purchased a house and I discovered the previous occupier had left me a wasp nest. It was something I inherited that I had no need of or desire to keep so I had it removed. If in 2013 you discovered that you had now inherited nuclear weapons then why has it taken you six years to get rid of something you had inherited that you clearly disapprove of. I am not even sure I can say you disapprove. You have over 800 bombers capable of dropping nuclear weapons of some variety. You have ten missile submarines that can be armed with nuclear missiles. Are we to assume those do not have nuclear warheads on board? Those weapons were not something you disapproved of owning while the shadow of a first-rate Stalin loomed over you. You may wish Rokkenjima to sound like some beacon of righteousness preaching about the distaste it has for nuclear weapons programmes but while I recognise you can not turn back the clock you haven't done anything until the last 12 months to change it. As for the deadline I am happy to commit to the single Slava Lavosk nuclear weapon being decommissioned in December 2021 and then dismantled in December 2026. We shall however not complete the dismantling process unless we are given cast iron assurances by the MAEA that Rokkenjima have completed 95% of their dismantling by that point. There should not be a situation where a single nation possesses these while no other does and the fact that I have tried to commit to have my nation nuclear free by the end of 2024 and it has been meet with such obstinate refusal from Rokkenjima worries me. Your reliance on Seaforth to help you meet the original deadline is not my concern or problem. There are many nations sat around this table who I suspect have the required technology and expertise to disarm and dismantle a nuclear weapon. I mean if the Alanders can put probes into orbit around distant planets I'm sure unscrewing a few bolts on a nuclear weapons gas storage tanks and guidance systems is childs play."
King David spoke up. "East Moreland will clearly be the first nation to meet both these targets. Our stockpile was small, its types simple to decommission and dismantle. As such I will state by the end of 2019 we shall be nuclear free. Someone has to go first don't they? As such I'm inviting a representative from each of the nations to come and witness the process. After that I am happy to open up our processing systems to either Achkaerin or Rokkenjima who have huge stockpiles."
"Excuse me a moment" Kravec was chuckling. "East Moreland, the nation that famously nearly had a nuclear waste consignment hijacked by little girls is offering to be a port of call for disarming nuclear weapons?" he chuckled once more. "I appreciate the sentiment but can we really trust the Morelanders with their own nuclear weapons decommissioning yet alone Rokkenjimas? However sir." He stopped the obvious fake laughter. "I appreciate the sentiment, indeed someone has to go first and this makes sense to me. I will happily send an observer. Now as for the Emperor of Achkaerin here I thank him for agreeing to speed up the process. It seems the only stumbling block we now have is Rokkenjima's desire to be the only nation with nuclear weapons."