Author Topic: Lakhzov Amnesty - Lakhzovia, Achkaerin  (Read 1750 times)

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Offline Lakhzovia

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Lakhzov Amnesty - Lakhzovia, Achkaerin
« on: September 14, 2021, 07:23:27 PM »
Argan Tsagari sat in the lobby of the government building where his handler had told him the meeting with the Achkaerinese officials had been arranged.

He had requested the meeting following the news that the Kadassa regime had issued a general amnesty, one in which he had been mentioned by name, and which, if genuine, offered the tantalising prospect of a return to his homeland and the life he had left behind when he had been forced to flee under charges of incitement.

As he waited his mind raced over the events that had led him here: the election he had come so close to winning, the post-election crisis as Kadassa's regime first refused to publish the results, then launched a bloody crackdown to secure his illegitimate hold on power. As the crisis spiralled out of control and the Utman began their uprising it had become apparent that his situation was precarious, it was then that he had fled to Achkaerin for asylum, which was promptly granted.

He had spent the years since then keeping his head down. At times he had been tempted to try to influence events from afar, however his Achkaerinese handler had advised against drawing any attention to himself, especially after the near fatal poisoning of another Lakhzov refugee in an act that was believed to have been the work of a Lakhzov agent.

But now with the amnesty there was a ray of hope, despite his concerns that the offer may prove to be a regime trap. It was for this that he had sought a meeting with a representative of the government, in order to garner their assessment of the situation, and whether they might be able to aid him in his secure return to public life.

Deep in thought he barely heard the approaching footsteps.

Offline Achkaerin

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Re: Lakhzov Amnesty - Lakhzovia, Achkaerin
« Reply #1 on: September 16, 2021, 08:36:41 PM »
"Mr Tsagari?" a secretary asked upon approaching the thoughtful looking man "If you'd like to follow me your meeting is this way." a few moments later she was leading him through the corridors of Liberty Hall, the home of the Achkaerinese Senate, seat of Achkaerinese democracy, the place where five hundred and thirty elected representatives did their duty. It was a secure location for such a meeting as this, all appropriate measures had been taken, Argan had been brought in via the 'lifeline network' a series of underground passages that crisscrossed the Achkaerinese capital allowing for evacuation of government personnel should it become necessary, bringing him in underground was the easiest way to lose any lingering eyes and considering this was a meeting with government officials it was far less eyebrow raising to not have government ministers depart from schedules that would attract a lot more attention. Fortunately Argan's status as a political refugee plus his high profile meant that it wasn't outside the realms of possibility for him to have a meeting at the Asylum Seeker and Refugee Ministry, so that's how this had been laid out he'd been taken there first and then escorted through the underground tunnel to Liberty Hall, which hopefully meant that anyone who'd been lucky enough to spot Tsagari earlier thought he was about three miles down the road and not where he truly was.

The Consul, or leader of the elected Achkaerinese Government, was Michael Williams, he'd been the Consul since the 2010 general election and after a great many battles in the political arena and in the court of public opinion he was pleased to see that the future they'd laid the foundations for was coming into view. He wore a suit consisting of black trousers, a white shirt, a dark royal blue tie and a black suit jacket, he was joined by Rion Ayanami, the leader of Achkaerin's highly secretive Justicars, her insights would likely be very valuable in this meeting. As smart as Michael was dressed Rion looked far more casual, a dark pair of jeans a black t-shirt and a grey fleece jacket. Neither Michael or Rion were particularly trusting of the Kadassa regime, they didn't make a big song and dance about it but they'd kept a very close eye on that regime, the focus of that had only increased post-war and Rion wasn't particularly impressed with what she'd once derogatorily referred to as an "xbox gamer level assassination attempt." it was also worth noting Rion was the brains behind how Tsagari had been smuggled out of the basement of a Rokkenjiman embassy, through a bloodthirsty mob, escaped a rapidly closing police noose and then flown out posing as a weapons officer on an wasp type helicopter.

"Mr Tsagari Consul." the secretary said opening the door.
"Thanks Rosie." Michael said "Can you sort some refreshments out?"
"Of course." Rosie said

When the door closed and it was just the three of them Michael smiled at Argan "Please have a seat Mr Tsagari." he said before indicating Rion "This is Lieutenant Colonel Ayanami she works with military intelligence."
"Mr Tsagari." Rion said

With the pleasantries exchanged Michael took a moment before sitting down "So how can we help you today?" Michael asked

Offline Lakhzovia

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Re: Lakhzov Amnesty - Lakhzovia, Achkaerin
« Reply #2 on: September 16, 2021, 09:10:11 PM »
"Thank you for agreeing to see me. I must say, I am honoured to meet with you, when I requested a meeting with a government representative I did not in my wildest dreams expect that I would be given the ear of the Consul." Argan smiled warmly "Now as to why I requested a meeting. As I am sure you have probably been briefed, Kadassa has seen fit to issue an amnesty, one that mentions me by name no less. Now as much as I am the optimist, the fact the other person mentioned by name is Racip Uttaman, the infamous terrorist bogeyman of Lakhzov imagining, leads me to worry that this offer is less than genuine and that should I accept I would find myself promptly in a jail cell.

However, an opportunity such as this does not present itself everyday. Now whether genuine or not, it has been made publicly,  and I find myself tempted to accept it. That said, given my earlier worries I would feel more secure if the regime were subjected to the severest of international scrutiny if I were to return. Kadassa may have sought to bait us into a trap, however if placed under the gaze and pressure of the international community, especially that of fellow members of the CSU, he will likely be forced to honour the terms of the amnesty.

In such a situation I would seek to return to politics at the head of the Democratic Alliance. The regime has recently being trying to portray itself as a humanitarian, reformist, democratising force; a ruse clearly designed to attract investment and ingratiate itself with the international community. It is my intention to use the regimes grandstanding on reform to push for genuine democratic reform, and exert maximum pressure on the Kadassa regime in order to dislodge it from power.

I don't seek to put Achkaerin in a difficult position, I know that you are ostensibly friends with Kadassa's Lakhzovia, however I also know that you are a nation that values freedom, democracy and justice. I know how friendship with the Kadassa regime must cut across the grain, yet you do so out of the recognition of Lakhzovia's true potential under the right leadership. Well my friends, I am that right leadership. I am therefore asking you for whatever help and support you are able to give me."

Offline Achkaerin

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Re: Lakhzov Amnesty - Lakhzovia, Achkaerin
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2021, 09:23:22 PM »
"As far as what Kadassa's regime is pretending to be or trying to convince the international community it is, well you're preaching to the choir as the saying goes, suppressing electoral results, the use of chemical warfare against its own people, cyber attacks, large scale discrimination dare we say genocide these are all things around here that we think that government has been involved in, however believing something and proving it are two different things. We like you know the nature of the beast." Michael said "Rest assured we have no intention of letting Kadassa off that easily, if he's going to declare himself a reformist then we're going to have legal experts pouring over every law he passes, we're going to have our embassy staff watching the application and enforcement of them. If he's going to say Lakhzovia is going to change then we'll know whether that change is true or not, Achkaerin doesn't discriminate when it comes to holding feet to the fire. Once you're up and running in Lakhzovia we'll have more support hopefully for you, I say hopefully because I'm still in talks concerning what I've got in mind but I'm confident it'll happen."

"In terms of the more immediate situation." Rion said "If there's one thing I know it's that if it looks like a trap and sounds like a trap it's probably a trap, so yes I suspect the amnesty is a trap, after all it's so much easier when the prey comes to the predator. So my immediate concern is getting you safely back into Lakhzovia and from there making sure you're safe while you make your push and ultimately protect you when Kadassa likely reverts to type and comes looking for you. Running political campaigns is difficult but running one in what is easily describable as hostile territory is much more than that. I helped pull you out of that embassy because you represent the chance to dislodge a man who is a dictator in all but name I'm not giving up now. So I'm going to put one of my people on you to keep you out of trouble."

Offline Lakhzovia

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Re: Lakhzov Amnesty - Lakhzovia, Achkaerin
« Reply #4 on: September 20, 2021, 09:49:18 AM »
"I have to say I am thankful for your efforts to aid me and my country - I feel confidant that with Achkaerinese pressure Kadassa's hand will be sufficiently stayed to allow the process of genuine reform to commence. In terms of what you have in mind for the provision of 'more support', would you be able to give me some more information, even if it is a rough outline? I feel it may help me in my efforts to build the opposition if I know what I have to work with.

Other than that I suppose there is much to do, beginning with contacting the Lakhzov Consulate."

Offline Achkaerin

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Re: Lakhzov Amnesty - Lakhzovia, Achkaerin
« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2021, 06:57:27 PM »
"In a word partnership" Michael said trying to think how to best word this "Achkaerinese Senate elections include nine main parties across all the constituencies, however on the island of Awhaele it's not these nine that compete but their sister parties, so it's the Awhaele Unity Party, Awhaele Endeavour, Awhaele Liberal Party and so on that contest the elections on that island. What I'm discussing with some of the other party leaders in this country is a similar agreement, Kadassa can make a song and dance about Government positions but if an individual party wishes to partner then there's little he can do without causing a storm in a teacup as the saying goes. This gives you an alliance not only domestically but internationally, and who's to say it stops with just us? There are plenty of nations and parties out there who share the ideal."

Offline Lakhzovia

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Re: Lakhzov Amnesty - Lakhzovia, Achkaerin
« Reply #6 on: October 01, 2021, 11:23:44 AM »
"That sounds agreeable to me, which leaves the matter of my return. I plan to make a public announcement to the press, preferably televised, declaring my intention to accept the offer of amnesty before I attend the Lakhzov Consulate. It is my feeling that publicity is protection in this situation; having the press witness me enter the Consulate should deter any attempts to make a move against me at that stage.

When it comes to the return to Lakhzovia I will make a point of not landing at Nakim International, but rather in Herzluriya which is my party's stronghold, I will arrange with them to ensure a warm reception from our supporters in the city - it's better optics than landing where the government would be able to control the narrative. After that we will begin the hard work of building a viable opposition to the regime."

Offline Achkaerin

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Re: Lakhzov Amnesty - Lakhzovia, Achkaerin
« Reply #7 on: November 01, 2021, 03:46:50 PM »
OOC - Apologies for the late reply, could have sworn I'd done this.

Michael glanced at Rion who nodded both of them understood the importance of controlling the narrative when it came to stuff like this "All right." Rion said thinking it through for a moment "I am still concerned that this has trap written all over it but I also know the risk-reward equation is leaning towards the risk being acceptable, I'll do what I can to protect you while you build the opposition."

"And we'll be in touch when we have the partnership stuff sorted out." Michael said