An offer to the FIR

[Libby]

To President O’Connell

It is of great concern to ourselves and our friends in Rodina that your government has recently announced the intention of charging vessels to pass through the Emerald Straits. As this in a sea lane not fully controlled by yourself[1] international law would see you trying to impose this on vessels outside your exclusive economic zone as a major breach of the international standards. However we have no desire to quibble with you over your decisions on international policy and therefore I have what I hope you will find an interesting proposition.

The nations of Rodina and Kaitaine are always happy to help our neighbours and support the economic growth of all peoples. Therefore we believe that a nation with such an important position should be supported to build infastructure that could help all. Therefore we would like to offer you the chance to accept some investment. We propose that you permit Rodina and Kaitaine to construct a new port in your nation. This would serve as purely civilian and would be able to help bring more trade into Aranye supporting the workers there. We would be willing to pay the $900million construction costs and even supply the workers if neccessary. Once constructed the three nations would share the income from the port until we have recouped the construction costs, at this time the port would be fully signed over to the Final Irish Republic. In return for this offer we would like a written undertaking that our nations would not be impeded nor charged any fee in perpatuity.

I know our two nations have had little diplomatic contact in recent times, however I would be delighted to meet you face to face to discuss this offer or any other issue you have a desire to speak on.

Best Regards

President McPherson
Soviet Republic of Kaitaine

1.	OOC- Even though there is no nation marked on the map we assume the whole map is full of "minor nations"

[The Final Irish Republic]

President McPherson,

I am more than open to compromise regarding our stance on the strait. Our nation wants no quarrel however after years of isolation we do need some degree of economic boost. Should you wish to meet on the topic my doors are open. My apologies for the apparent aggression I didn't mean anything of it.

Luck to you,
Jack O'Connell

[Libby]

McPherson was rather intrigued about what he'd find once inside the Final Irish Republic, it had been many years since he had experienced anything other than his beloved Soviet homeland or that of Rodina. He knew that his hosts would partly share the ethnic make up of Kaitaine, its strange mixture of Rus and Celtic still not fully blended after all this time. He had brought with him Svetlana Stalin, his former mentors grand-daughter and special envoy for the President of Rodina. McPherson wasn't one to fully support families becoming a dynasty, it smacked too much of nepotism and wasn't truly socialist, in his mind it bordered on a monarchy and that wasn't on, however Svetlana had proved herself a rather decent politician and so he supposed in this case the acorn hadn't fallen too far from the tree.

McPherson had spent much of the journey cursing those nations now recognising the Bene Gesserit, did the fools not realise that this Cult was one of witchcraft and death, soon they'd find out and come running for him to fix things. He imagined the ways he'd respond and it brought a smile to his face. Once the aircraft had touced down he slipped on his jacket, made sure his party badge was secure on his lapel and descended the aircraft steps to begin the meeting.

[The Final Irish Republic]

O'Connell stood outside the black SUV parked on the runway and watched the Soviet aircraft descend onto the landing strip. This would be his first diplomatic meeting and he felt significantly more comfortable having it on home soil. The glare from the windshield of the aircraft caused him to lower his cap slightly to shield his eyes. He began to walk over to the craft as the steps descended, seeing both President McPherson and who he could only assume was Svetlana Stalin, one of the past Rodinian lineage. After doing a once over of his own uniform O'Connell met the two at the base of the steps and extended his hand towards them.

"Welcome to the Final Irish Republic, President McPherson, Miz Stalin. Please come with me, we have much to discuss." He said motioning back towards the SUV that stood open awaiting their entry, and would soon carry them to New Dublin where an accord would hopefully be met.

[Libby]

McPherson held the door of the SUV open for Svetlana before taking his own seat. "Now President O'Connell, I know that while my nation may have a more mixed heritage than your own, our unique Rus and Celtic background.....trust me sir you've never lived until you've seen Cossak dancing in a kilt, or the competition between Vodka and Whiskey.....or come to think of it the wonderful joining of names such as our star footballer Seamus Radizkowski." McPherson chuckled and as if taking her cue from him Svetlana joined in. "I know we're here on business but I like to think of meetings like this being like visiting a friends house, so with that in mind" he reached into his briefcase and took out a wooden box about the size of an A4 piece of paper. He removed an object and handed it over to O'Connell, a single silver penny, "This is silver, so that you always have wealth." next he reached in and took two small ornate glass jars about the size of a match box, "Now be careful" he handed the first over, "That is manure, so that you and your land will always be fertile", he then handed the last one over, "That is a minced bull's heart, so that you may always have strength" it was a tradition among the Celts at New Year but was also often done when someone moved to a new home.

"So, it is my hope that we can help each other out, I don't fancy paying these fees your proposing, but I also see why you would perhaps do it. Furthermore we have a thriving industry back home looking for new oppurtunities abroad. You get a shiny new port, we get to put our industry to work....and of course make some friends which is far more important."

[The Final Irish Republic]

"Thank you for the gifts, President McPherson. I couldn't agree more, in this day and age having allies is incredibly important, and I definitely wouldn't want to upset a naval power such as your own." O'Connell chuckled as he set the boxes in the empty seat next to him. "Now, although I hope to work out more than just the business you've proposed I believe that should be taken care of first. I've drafted up a resolution if you will that I hope can satisfy the both of us, and of course any changes you feel are necessary we can make, within reason." The Irishman snapped open a briefcase and handed both the Soviet President and the Rodinian Ambassador a copy of the document, which read:

Open Seas Treaty

Realizing the potential for greater economic growth and cooperation by leaving waterways charge free.
Wishing to grow our nations through trade and maintain stable relationships between them.
Aiming for our international cooperation not only now but in the future.
1. The Final Irish Republic will sign the Fair Seas Concordat binding them to allow free passage through the Emerald Strait.
2. Kaitaine and Rodina must pay $900,000,000 for the construction of an Irish port, but will receive 66.6% (33.3% each) of all income until the port is paid off, at which time it becomes the sovereign property of the Final Irish Republic.
3. The Final Irish Republic, Kaitaine, and Rodina will allow free trade between their nations in order to promote their economic growth.
4. The undersigned nations allow free passage of any/all craft within their waters by the signatories of this bill.

Signed,

Jack O'Connell, President of the Final Irish Republic







Stephen McPherson, President of Kaitaine







Delegate representing Rodina

"My apologies on not having a title for you, Miz Stalin but I was not sure who would be representing your nation today." O'Connell leaned back in his seat, watching as the two read over the treaty. "Anything I missed?"

[Libby]

McPherson looked at the document carefully, "We are not a nation that looks for trouble sir" he began with a smile, "Our Navy is there merely to defend ourselves from the world that spread propaganda about us while never having actually tried working with us, I'm just pleased a sensible man such as yourself has seen fit to work co-operatively." Truth be told McPherson clearly hoped one day the whole world would see the right path he lead his nation on, but he knew that was a long way off and that the USR had failed to achieve it because of their constant sabre rattling, as his mother had famously told him, "You catch more flies with honey than you do with shit" , the thought brought another smile to his face.

"In terms of this document there is not much to worry about, all seems in order, however may I suggest a few edits. First if we are building this port and then retrieving the money through the income may I suggest that the treaty say "but will receive a combined total of 66.6% of all income, to be split between them according to proportion of funds provided." he looked sideways at Svetlana, "You see the exact split of the investment has yet to be fully confirmed between our two nations. This re-wording means it is up to us to determine. I would also like to suggest that in perpetuity our nations not be charged any port fees beyond the cost of use of facilities for using the port. We cover the wages of the workers operating on the vessels, we cover parts and consumables but no profit is made from our use. You may of course be free to fleece the rest of Mundus as much as you wish. In return we will select one port in Kaitaine to have a reciprocal arrangement."

"Article 3 may present more difficulties, you see to ensure that all people within our nation profit from their own labour all industry is state owned and operated, allowing full free trade will see your nations businesses able to establish themselves in Kaitaine taking our workers labour profits out the nation. What I purpose is that goods made in the FIR are permitted to be sold in our shops, so long as they conform to local safety laws of course, and that we shall not place on them the usual top up that we do on most foreign goods. As all trade the other way will be our government selling to you then I feel a guarantee of no tariffs being placed on our goods would be a fair compromise."

"As for Article 4 I would like to suggest a reword, "The undersigned nations allow free tranist of any/all craft through their waters by the signatories of this bill." however this is also something covered in the FSC so perhaps it is redundant, perhaps a better agreement would be, "The undersigned nations agree to give notice of military vessels transiting through the EEZ of the signatory nations for peaceful purposes."

[The Final Irish Republic]

“That all sounds fair to me, I’ll have a new copy drafted up once inside.” As though on cue the vehicle turned a corner bringing the state building into view, right at the heart of New Dublin. “However our economic cooperation isn’t quite all I wished to talk about today. Since we are here perhaps a better setting for this conversation would be within my office. However I feel as though we can both benefit from eachother in more ways than just that of promoting our economies. Please, follow me.” As the vehicle slowed to a halt O’Connell opened the door wide and stepped from the vehicle onto the pavers. “You should be relatively keen to this offer, President McPherson.”

[Libby]

McPherson was amazed things had gone that smoothly, he'd expected the fact he was effectively keeping FIR companies out of Kaitaine to have been a stumbling block, the fact his nations people would probably be unable to afford the luxury goods on sale from their new friends was another matter and none of his concern in truth. He was intrigued by the way O'Connell was preparing even more offers and McPherson amused himself trying to think what they may have been almost attempting to second guess his host.

"So please enlighten us to your offer?" McPherson said as he followed his host.

[The Final Irish Republic]

As the trio entered the office of President O'Connell he sat and faced his guests, gesturing that they take a seat.

"Well, President McPherson, we live in increasingly dangerous times as I'm sure you're aware. I understand you recently issued an ultimatum in Seitch to try and calm the Bene Geserit problem, however I believe we all know it doesn't end there. You see Mr. McPherson militant threats, whether rouge or nationalized, are becoming something of a problem in Mundus and with how close to home these terrorists are striking I figured I could make you a deal. Between our nations, we could potentially form a defensive military pact, where we would support eachother in the defense of our nations should we come under non-provoked military threat, for example a group of "religious" extremists launches a full scale offensive against it's nations citizens. The details evidently would need to be worked out in print but I believe together our nations will grow more secure." McConnell paused for a moment to look between the Soviet and Rodinian representatives. "Of course, ultimately it comes down to how you feel about it, but together not only our nations but the region around the Rodinian Sea will be significantly more secure."

[Libby]

McPherson thought for a moment, the last thing he needed was foreign eyes watching their actions, one of the joys of being state controlled was that he maintained a tight grip on the flow of information, apart from the odd snippet the Bene Gesserit sneaked out the country, but often that could be explained away as mere propaganda. "If you'll excuse me for saying this but a defensive pact between nations with no formal ties is a little bit rushed don't you think? I do however appreciate the sentiment and believe there are things we can do to work together. For example being close to us there is the possibility that the Bene Gesserit could attempt to use your nation as a conduit through which to smuggle arms, or operatives, its come to light recently that the diaspora of these witches is far larger than we originally thought, who knows where they've hidden themselves. As such I believe a first step should be things such as co-operative naval patrols alongside an intelligence sharing arrangement. We've currently got a liaison with the Morelanders doing just such a thing. A much more useful way of supporting us, if you wish, is to recognise the Bene Gesserit as the terrorists they are publically, we need to put pressure on the international community to see the error of their ways in supporting terrorism even if it has dressed itself up as a legitimate religion. I believe a better starting point would be a non-aggression pact between us. Maybe an arrangement to have arbiters help settle any disagreement?"   

[The Final Irish Republic]

“Perhaps you’re right...” O’Connell said, his brow furrowed. “You’ll have to excuse me I’m still rather new to this whole ‘international relations’ thing.” Chuckling, he continued. “Bene Gesserit will be declared a terrorist organization by the time your plane takes off, that’s a guarantee. The patrols and pact sound more than fair to me, under the premise that these patrols are on non-governmental craft. I apologize if I appeared to overstep any boundaries earlier, was a little too caught up in my own head I guess.” O’Connell cleared his throat and regained his composure. “As the more senior nation would you like to suggest how the pact be created or shall I have a draft sent to you both at a later date?”

[Libby]

"Perhaps something along these lines would be sufficent" McPherson began showing O'Connell a document.

The nations signed below hereby agree to abide by the articles of this treaty.

1. Nations agree to recognise and respect the sovreign territory of all signatory nations.

2. Nations agree to share intelligence of impending terrorist activity in so far as doing so would not harm the assets and resources of their own nation.

3. Nations agree to joint military patrols in the seas of the east coast of Aranye. The purpose of these patrols will be to promote safe shipping, reduce incidents of piracy and smuggling.

4. Nations agree to resolve problems through peaceful means. Should disagreements occur between two of the nations the third will act as an arbitor. Should all three nations disagree a neutral arbitor will be determined.

5. Nations agree to not join organisations aimed at targetting or destabalising another signatory nation.

"So any thoughts?"

[The Final Irish Republic]

“Everything appears to be order, I can’t see any major faults. I’d say it’s safe to assume you’re okay with the content of the treaty so shall we continue on with signing it or are there any other points you’d like to go over?” O’Connell said.

[Libby]

"For ourselves this is a nice beginning" McPherson announced, and the look he gave his Rodinha counterpart left little doubt that they too agreed. "I would however like to extend an invite for you to visit Kaitaine at some point in the future, whenever you wish in fact, it'd be a joy to host you. Now would you like an official signing ceremony or a nice quiet event?" he asked with a grin.