A Discreet Visit to Tamora (Ach & Tamora Closed)

[Achkaerin]

A Private Message To Tamora

To whom it may concern,

This may come as a surprise to you, to receive such a communication from an Achkaerinese official one might imagine it was April Fool's Day, I assure you it is not a joke it is sincere. We have in recent weeks seen a small level of cooperation between our respective nations on the matter of terrorism in particular Tamoran assistance in the apprehension of Leonard Clerriseau, a development with significance greater than was realized at the time and once again you have the thanks of the Achkaerinese government for that assistance. Today I write to you concerning recent events and to explore what, despite various differences between our nations, we might be able to agree upon and develop. I can imagine that some in Tamora may fear this to be a trap but do not fear, do not let fear kill your minds, let it pass through you so that it may be gone. I assure you this is no trap.

Signed

Senator Chloe Murray
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

[Markus]

TO: Ms. Chloe Murray, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

The Empire of Tamora plays a crucial role in the MidAranye region and therefore is always willing to engage in talks and constructive dialogue with other nations regardless of the differences there might between them and the Empire. Furthermore, the countless generations of Tamorans that came before us have created a nation confident that its representatives can meet any other foreign one without any fear or concern.

     I therefore invite you to Tamora as a guest, offering you the needed discretion ,and will personally meet with you. I will instruct my staff to make the necessary arrangements and contact their counterparts of your office.


Respectfully yours,
Alya Safavid
Head of Foreign Affairs 


Despite the official response that Djerb offered, many in the Foreign Office were surprised by the proposal to meet that came from Achkaerin. Relations between the two countries never really developed since Tamora had emerged from isolation. However, the fact that Achkaerin had not sanctioned Tamora despite talks in their Senate also meant that relations did not deteriorate like it was the case with many other Mundus nations. For their part, the Foreign Office assumed that the meeting was in relation with the recent announcement that Djerb made in regards to foreign government involvements  in the internal affairs of MidAranye countries but there was no consensus as to what Achkaerin wanted in regards to that: to offer opposition or cooperation. However, all appreciated that the representative they sent was a Bene Gesserit, married and a mother, unlike the Achkaerin special envoy for MidAranye which raised serious concerns in Tamora.

Arrangements were made so that Chloe Murray arrived in Piranshahr, the capital of the federated kingdom of Altai. Not many would know who Chloe Murray is in Djerb but fewer still would know in Altai and more importantly, the press in Altai would not be on the lookout for Alya Safavid. Once Chloe Murray landed Piranshahr she was greeted by an imam who escorted her and her entourage to their destination without proceeding through airport security and other procedures.

Their destination was an hour drive away from the airport, in a secluded Manist monastery. Furthermore, the scheduled meeting would not appear in any documents that were made available to the press and as far the Foreign Office was concerned, Alya Safavid was having some private time off.

Qutb (ooc saint) Arzin Mokri Monastery in Altai

Upon arriving, Alya Safavid, dressed in the traditional abaya dress and wearing the hijab, was there to greet Chloe Murray:

“Welcome to Tamora and to the Qutb (ooc saint) Arzin Mokri Monastery. I am Alya Safavid, the Head of Tamora’s diplomacy. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

As she said she made a bow with her right hand over her heart.

She then proceeded to try and help her settle in by presenting her the place a bit as they walked through the interior garden of the monastery:

The interior garden of Arzin Mokri Monastery

“This is the Qutb (ooc saint) Arzin Mokri Monastery, it was built more than two centuries ago and is dedicated to Qutb Arzin Mokri, one of our most venerated saints which walked these lands more than half a millennium ago. He not only preached the word of the Prophet but also performed miracles by healing many that couldn’t be healed. This is in fact one of the few Manist monasteries in this kingdom which is predominantly Muslim. It is a place where discretion is assured.” And by that meant she that only was the monastery secluded but that Tamoran customs also guaranteed discretion when visiting a monastery since it was seen as haram to publicly discuss (especially in the press) one’s journey to monasteries as it was seen as a deeply private matter.

In order to avoid making Chloe Murray uncomfortable, Alya limited the presentation of the monastery to the gardens and avoided inviting her inside the buildings. Also, while Chloe Murray was still in the garden she would not be asked by the imam to wear the hijab but no exception would be made should she go inside:

“I have to admit that I was a bit surprised by your message” said Alya approaching the topic for why they were meeting here.

“The Empire of Achkaerin has so far been less interested in talking to with us though from the contacts we have had in the past, such as those caused by Slavan tragic incidents, I would say it has not been uninterested in the affairs of MidAranye “ Alya, as an orthodox Manist, avoided the use of the word holy when referring to Achkaerin.

“So that is why we were surprised but pleased by your message. We always believed that countries should talk to each other despite their cultural differences. After all, both our countries share the same continent. “

[Achkaerin]

Chloe smiled as she took in the monastery gardens, stretching out her arms a little to ward off a little stiffness from the flight, it was helpful to for once be on a foreign visit and not have to worry too much about her secret, not many knew it in fact it was mostly just the Sisterhood that did but knowing Tamora's position on the Theocracy of Kaitaine had been enough to tip her in favour of gambling albeit cryptically on her background getting her through the door as it were and sure enough the words hadn't been lost on her host, a rather intelligent and competent woman by all accounts who was building quite the name for herself.

"I doubt it comes as any surprise that the idea of any formal relationship between Achkaerin and Tamora in terms of a bi lateral treaty and the like is not something I'm here to discuss because I think we can both appreciate that such an event is politically impossible given the divergence in views over a particular issue so I think keeping that firmly out of mind is a good idea. However it does seem that our two nations have managed to work reasonably well together on an ad hoc basis and this forms the basis of what I'm hoping to talk about." Chloe said she took from her pocket a business card that had a mobile phone number handwritten on the back of it "It's traditional when visiting another state to bring a gift my gift is that number, it's not mine but it belongs to someone who has a proposition for you, when you want to you can call the number."

Chloe waited a few more seconds before continuing

"Before I go further, and I hope you'll forgive my double checking, everything that passes between us here is confidential?" she asked

[Markus]

“I would have been surprised if that were the case” said Alya referring to the idea of bilateral treaty.

Alya was clearly a little surprised by the gift and more than a little curious about whom that person was:

“This is an unusual gift but thank you. I assume you do not want to tell me who that person is.”

“It is, you can speak freely” answered Alya to the question about confidentiality. 

[Achkaerin]

"I'll happily tell you who it is. I just needed to know it was confidential first." Chloe said "The number belongs to Tim Ryder he's a Count and prominent businessman running Ryder Pharmaceuticals but he's also a shrewd investor. Needless to say I suspect he senses an opportunity."

She paused for a moment before continuing

"In short I want to be very clear that Achkaerin has no quarrel with Midaranye nations, provided nothing happens that merits action under our long standing policy we'll stay well out of it. I'll explain more about that policy in a moment but let me outline the main reason I'm here - over the next few weeks the Achkaerinese Foreign and Diplomatic Offices are going to be quite busy, nations around the north of Aranye are going to be getting a fair bit of contact. Most of them we've had plenty of contact with before nations such as Seaforth, Vaguzia, Safraen and Vanora for example. However Clysperis is a nation we don't have any relationship with at present, mainly because the characterisations of the Pharoah haven't been helpful to anyone. That said the Emperor doesn't feel it is fair to leave Clysperis out in the cold when it comes to forging the future of the northern ocean so we'd appreciate your help in getting us a fair hearing, we're not demanding they say yes we're just asking that they come and participate in discussions when it is announced.

I'm also authorised to negotiate the terms of a secure channel between our nations for continued ad hoc cooperation as we have done in the past."

[Markus]

“I am pleased to hear that the Empire of Achkaerin has no quarrel with Midaranye nations. There have been some concerns about it and not necessarily because of the way Achkaerin has acted but more in relation with its close friends and allies. All nations are free to choose their allies and friends but at the same time nations can also judge one’s intentions by looking at their friends and allies. So please forgive my frankness but the close relations Achkaerin has with the First Empire of Rokkenjima especially is something that raises concerns. It is a nation that has broken all diplomatic contact with us and has stopped all economic activity  between our two countries. Now I want to be clear, I am not implying that the Empire of Achkaerin should change its foreign policy but explaining our point of view. “

Alya stopped for a couple of moments and pointed westwards:

“Less than 500 miles in that direction is holy Djerb. From there Mundus is seen as divided in three categories of countries: those who stand with us, those that stand against us and those that have not taken a side. Nations that are allies with the second category can’t belong to the third one forever. “

“That being said, we must also have faith in God and understand that in the end it is not up to us but to Him how things will proceed in the end. If the Theocracy managed to survive against all odds then surely it is possible that good relations might one they happened between our two nations.”

“That being said, we will talk with the Pharaoh of Clysperis and put in a good word.  I also think a secure channel between our nations is a good idea. I believe we will need it in the future.”

“Now you said you were about to mention more about that long standing policy of the Empire of Achkaerin”.   

[Achkaerin]

"This will probably amuse you." Chloe said "Achkaerin has a very long standing and very clear policy of not directly intervening in the affairs of another sovereign state. We'll comment and the like as a matter of course but we don't sanction and we don't throw the military into play unless one of four exceptions are met - first consent of the nation concerned so for example when Achkaerin stepped into Phuebra it was because the Phuebran's asked us to, second international mandate i.e. a resolution from an organisation Achkaerin is a member of, third treaty obligation though we call that mutual defence clause these days and finally when it would be otherwise immoral to not step in - generally this is when we talk about huge losses of life and genocides such as that seen in Ubakasa and the virus that ran rampant through Safraen.

Now let me just briefly revisit the point you made abut Rokkenjima - that's a country that broke off all contact and so on with you because they say the Bene Gesserit are terrorists and therefore the Theocracy of Kaitaine is a terrorist entity. Achkaerin disagrees with that assessment for several reasons first because we don't believe Rokkenjima's basis for the accusation is sound, second because in Achkaerin's experience of dealing with the 'two Kaitaine's' as it were it is the McPherson led state that has acted in a terrorist manner towards us, state sponsored murder on Achkaerinese soil. Thirdly we also say that it is not right to say that just because someone who happens to be a Bene Gesserit commits a terrorist act that it is acceptable to then say that all Bene Gesserit are terrorists, in fact I believe Achkaerin is one of the few nations to say that the Bene Gesserit is a recognized faith. And on the day McPherson falls and his scourge is driven from that land do you think the celebrations in Achkaerin will resemble those in Rokkenjima? I doubt it."

[Markus]

As Cloe explained Achkaerin standing policy on interventionism, Alya smiled and when Cloe was done she answered:

“That’s not the perception many in MidAranye have of the Empire of Achkaerin. I am sure you are aware that Pharaoh Beketaten has been quite critical of Achkaerin and its foreign policy. She resonates with what many people in the region think of the issue. Perhaps the initiatives you mentioned regarding the Northern Ocean which also include Clysperis will also alleviate some of the concerns expressed by Pharaoh Beketaten.

On our part, as long the Empire of Achkaerin keeps to that policy and does not interfere in MidAranye, Tamora has no issue with quarrel with Achkaerin.”

Alya nodded in agreement at the comments about Rokkenjima and the general situation about the Bene Gesserit and replied:

“The day McPherson falls cannot come soon enough. It is amazing that his regime has lasted this long or perhaps not that amazing when one looks at their allies. Sooner or later though the Soviet Kaitaine problem will need to be addressed. ”

[Achkaerin]

"Such criticism and perceptions are of course understandable." Chloe said "But the Achkaerinese perception of such criticism is to put it bluntly not favourable, this is something that is easily researched and not something hidden, the Achkaerinese response to such criticism therefore is that those who criticize are opportunists, people not doing their homework to use a common turn of phrase because the truth of the matter is that you will not find a single Achkaerinese intervention since the introduction of the policy that contradicts it. Now what I will say is that you will never see Achkaerin violate that policy."

She took a moment before continuing

"When one has the tactical advantage it's also a time advantage." she said referencing Soviet Kaitaine "However once the playing field is levelled such advantages disappear."