A Message to Rokkenjima

[Achkaerin]

A Private and Encrypted Message

To the Empress of Rokkenjima,

I told you and quite a lot of other people many years ago at my coronation as Emperor of Achkaerin that "A Monarch is not the state, a Monarch does not seek to rule the state, a Monarch seeks to empower and serve the state." I am the Head of State, I am part of the executive branch of government. I have not, do not and will not interfere with the due process of the legislature of my country beyond those very clearly defined provisions for such enshrined in the Achkaerinese constitution. To go beyond that would be unthinkable. I do not have the power or the right to censor the legislature, I do not have the right to tell any Senator, public figure or anyone else what they can and cannot say - for me to do so would be to breach article ten of the Mundus Convention of Universal Rights. Consequently any statement made in the Achkaerinese Senate is one Rokkenjima will have to simply live with, just as I would expect Achkaerin to have to live with anything lobbed its way by the Imperial Diet, East Moreland's Council, Dartfordia's Parliament or Lodja's Conclave, because I respect the right of a person to say, within the limits of the MCUR provision as applied to national law, what they want. I may as Head of State agree with the principle of discussing things privately but I have no power to influence individual Senators to do so.

However I note that while I seem to agree with the principle of talking privately about things with allies Rokkenjima appears to not share this. I also note that you have stated the following "Instead of approaching their ally through proper diplomatic channels to air concerns while coordinating a response to these challenging crises they have instead opted for a path which closes off cooperation." now fair enough you are entitled to that as your opinion but I caution you to practice that which you preach because I also know that Rokkenjima did not adhere to this when it took the decision to withdraw from the Tripartite, instead of talking privately to East Moreland and Dartfordia what did Rokkenjima do? They effectively cancelled the Treaty by Imperial Decree and I know Rokkenjima didn't consult East Moreland on this because I have seen a Statement from the East Moreland Press Office in which King David states "Our nation is further dismayed that this dissolution happened with no warning, in the past we have seen Rokkenjima take several actions against the spirit of the Tripartite by making military moves without warning as determined by the agreement. Our ambassadors we're given no warning of this cancellation and had hoped for better communication." With the greatest of respect there is only one word for this - hypocrisy. Rokkenjima demanding on the one hand that allies communicate with it over things rather than going public but it's apparently ok for Rokkenjima to not consult its allies? This is a double standard that is not acceptable.

And it goes even further than that I'm afraid, Rokkenjima did not consult its allies before threatening Slava Lavosk, Rokkenjima meets with Tamora yet when allies call them out on that meeting and in so doing agree with the Slava Lavosk position on slavery we are accused of acting against Rokkenjima. This is an absurdity, every nation that has its signature on the Mundus Convention of Universal Rights does by virtue of that signature agree with the position of being anti slavery and there anti the slave trade as stated in article 5.1 "No one shall be held in slavery or servitude." yet Rokkenjima one of the two original proposers of this document that is cherished by a great many people and protects a great many people sees fit to believe that when faced with a nation that holds forty million people in slavery it can abdicate its responsibility and obligations under that Convention. The notion of any agreement between an MCUR signatory and the Empire of Tamora is subsequently a disgrace, unacceptable and an insult to the principles of the Convention and any signatory that enters into such an agreement should either withdraw their signature or be expelled from the Convention with appropriate consequences for their actions. The best example of this is now seen in Quintelia's recent intervention in Midaranye in support of Tamora in fact the article states "The Empire of Quintelia, a fellow member of OPEN, has announced that it will provide support to Tamora by sending the turtle class Helicopter dock, QRB Enterprise ll, escorted by a Salamander class destroyer and three Griffin class frigates to Tamora to assist our Armed Forces against Slava Lavosk." the implication of this is clear that an MCUR signatory state is prepared to support in a war a state that practices slavery where one of the conflicts stated aims by Tamora is the enslavement of the enemy government.

In addition might I draw your attention to this article which states:

The Imperial Government has announced broad restrictions against nations which are not signatories of the Mundus Convention on Universal Rights following continued contention regarding the MCUR in Albion. Restrictions include a full ban on the transfer of arms, military hardware and related matériel, components which could be applied towards a military application, the sale of dual-use goods and technology and the transfer of civilian nuclear fuel and technology. Rokkenjiman businesses also face a restriction on the types of services they are able to offer non-MCUR signatories, most notably financial and brokering services, bans on certain forms of investment, as well as a ban on their participation (or collaboration) in military-related projects with businesses from non-MCUR signatories. Also included in the restrictions are an embargo on equipment which could be used for the purposes of internal repression.

"The First Empire has long operated a values-oriented foreign policy," the Vicegerent stated from the Imperial Briefing Room. "We are beginning to see the increased application of restrictions against religious minorities and the right to peaceful assembly in Nya Åland, a lower, double-standard set for women in nations such as the UAE, and a continued lack of equal rights for same-sex and transgendered couples in others. To provide the funds, arms and matériel for this systemic abuse of rights is most certainly not aligned with Rokkenjiman Foreign Policy, thus it is crucial for this loophole to finally be closed. No Rokkenjiman goods, nor one Rokkenjiman Ducat, shall be used for the purposes of discrimination, bigotry and hate."

The trade restrictions against non-MCUR signatories is deeply rooted in longstanding Imperial Policy in which Rokkenjima refuses to trade with human rights abusers, state sponsors of genocide and tyrannical regimes

Could you perhaps explain to me how this is not more of the same course of conduct we have seen from Rokkenjima in recent times as a promise that is not kept? You state this position and then meet with Emperor Abbas surely that calls into question your commitment to the principles in article 5 of the MCUR. Or do you contend that the life of a Tamoran held in slavery is different in value to the life of Cultist in Royal Seleucid, or a Dartfordian Christian in Nya Aland? In fact I would be very interested to know how it is that a Tamoran astronaut was allowed on a Rokkenjiman mission let alone your space station with this policy in place.

Turning now to the matter of the zone declared by Achkaerin around its vessels in the Kyne. I stand by the decision to declare that zone because at the time it was clear that Rokkenjima and Slavan relations were deteriorating and continue to do so, it was the judgement of the Achkaerinese Naval Command that the declaration of the zone was required to ensure the safety of our vessels and our personnel in the area, we certainly did not want to entertain the possibility of an Achkaerinese ship being right next to a Rokkenjiman one should missiles start flying between Rokkenjima and Slava. This is not a concept unknown to Rokkenjima and the zone itself is certainly not without precedent because as I'm sure you know Rokkenjima operates a Naval Protection Zone as standard around each of their vessels and was explained by the Imperial High Command as follows "For the safety of our Task Force and vessels in the area the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy maintains a 700 yard Protection Zone around any Rokkenjiman vessel or Task Force. Foreign vessels, submarines or aircraft entering this Zone without first announcing their identity, declaring their intentions and receiving clearance from the Task Force to approach will receive one warning, after which our vessels will be forced to assume a defensive response." So yet again we see hypocrisy in Rokkenjima's statements - we are accused of undermining Rokkenjima's ability to act by declaring our zone yet Rokkenjima operates the same sort of zone for the same reasons as standard and everyone works around them. The only difference between the two zones is size, Rokkenjima's standard zone has a 1400 yard diameter, Achkaerin's specially declared one has a 70km diameter and is restricted to a specific area. It is a perfectly reasonable decision for us to take.

And on the subject of what the Vaguzian Foreign Affairs Minister said, look at your own standing policy it is very clear that in the event of an unidentifed vessel entering the zone will receive a warning and then a 'defensive response' by which I believe you mean warning shots, boarding parties and potentially even targeted fire with the prospect of using destructive force to sink such a vessel. The zone you are complaining about is an Achkaerinese zone it is not a Vaguzian zone, we allow the Vaguzian ships entry into that zone so as to avoid them from declaring their own zone and thus creating further potential disruption. But seriously if you are expecting me to believe that your military commanders did not read the context of "Will be fired on eventually" to imply a graduated response then they should be sacked immediately. Furthermore your bodyguard and your Viceregent both have experience of serving within the Achkaerinese military and both are perfectly capable of explaining this to you. So you've therefore clearly not consulted them and decided to act in a rash manner because had you consulted them they would have explained exactly what I've just done.

Now let's deal with the Slava situation. I'll be blunt you screwed up big time on this one, common sense and logic states the graduated response is the manner in which such situations are dealt meaning you attempt diplomacy first, then throw in the sanctions and then only as a last resort military force. Yet what do I see from Rokkenjima? I see threats of military force against Slava before any attempt to enter into diplomacy is made. This not only makes you look weak in terms of military conviction but also jeopardized Achkaerinese preparations that you knew about and I know you knew about them because I was on the other end of the phoneline at the time telling you. Nevertheless your offer was made and met with a conditional acceptance Kravec was prepared to talk provided Rokkenjiman ships withdrew and provided it was under the watch of a third party.

And that should have been the end of the matter right there and then, Achkaerin delivered it to you on a silver platter we stepped up and said that we'd mediate the talks as the third party, now considering that Slava had put troops on alert, fortified borders and mined the Gulf of Auraxis why did Rokkenjima not do the smart thing withdraw the ships and take the offer? It is far better to do everything possible to get Kravec to the table, fair enough if your ships had withdrawn and he didn't follow through and come to the table then by all means up the rhetoric, up the pressure and put the ships back in play because then you have cause to until that point you have no indication of how much of a man of his word he is, and I'll remind you that thanks to the present status of the Slavan military conducting the military operation that would be required to deal with the matter of the ten thousand people in detention camps with a reasonable probability of success now carries a drastically increased risk factor.

Also as a bit of friendly advice your position of "Rokkenjiman ships will not fire unless first fired upon first" is self defeating either way. If Kravec believes you then you've just removed all leverage you may have had by taking the ability to strike first off the table and thus removing any possible incentive for him to talk. If he doesn't believe you, and considering Rokkenjima's track record of not keeping its word in recent times it's reasonable he might not, then he's got reason to perceive a threat especially as his nation would still be well within striking range of Rokkenjima's vessels not to mention the fact that there's a Rokkenjiman aircraft carrier in the vicinity which further compounds the perceived threat. You need to start realizing that what you say and what you do or don't do is linked.

Outlined above are the concerns that the Achkaerinese leadership has on the current Rokkenjiman stance to Midaranye situtation as well as where required clear legal positions. There are plenty of concerns we have concerning Rokkenjiman conduct in other areas. Should you wish to address the ones mentioned or any of the others not mentioned then I will be in East Moreland at Highwick Manor for the next few days with my staff while my daughter continues her rehabilitation.

Signed

Emperor Peter Azurewind

[Beatrice]

An Encrypted Reply To Emperor Peter

Your Highness,

Long have there been unnecessary divisions between the First and Holy Empires in their understandings, a challenge we have yet to provide for an effective remedy to. As I have long stated, and duly believe, service is the highest form of leadership. The duties of a Monarch are not lost upon me, as I learned first hand upon my return to Rokkenjima which cast off the shackles imposed upon her by the Federal Republic. In each action, with every word uttered, it is the service to the Rokkenjiman People, their best interests, and the cause of countless Peoples across Mundus which occupy my mind. Those in office, especially a political office, carry weight with what they say; a fact which is often lost upon countless individuals across Mundus and a state of affairs which has led to several unfortunate circumstances. It is this state of affairs which I lamented and spoke of in response to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vaguzia which was, perhaps, the impetus which led to my nation seeking a referendum on its continued membership in LISA.

I have also noted that, while prior actions are unchangeable as they belong to the past, it is upon all of us to act better in our approach to the future. I am aware of times prior where Rokkenjima has fallen short, however, that should not grant other powers carte blanche in disregarding established protocol when the nation in question is Rokkenjima. If we are to be held to a standard of practicing that which is preached equal application of the standard is not too much to ask for, yes? Indeed, double standards is an increasing concern in the conduct of international diplomacy and it is but one further area our nations appear to disagree.

This double standard appeared yet again when the vast outcry against Tamora, which is undoubtedly responsible for abhorrent practices, is compared to the rather muted response to Slavan crimes against those of Tamoran descent. My visit to Tamora had but one purpose, to better craft Rokkenjiman policy toward Tamora in a manner which does not place more people in a position where they, themselves, could become slaves due to foreign policy. Tamora is not a challenge which may be met through traditional responses: it is an entire culture which dares not question the wisdom of the past, including its continued adherence to the practice of slavery. Rokkenjima signed no treaty with the Tamoran Empire, Rokkenjima gave no support to the cause of the Tamoran Empire, and has absolutely no intention of proposing any agreement with the Tamoran Empire now or in the future. The actions of Quintellia would, I believe, be best taken up with Quintellia itself as I have no control over the actions of Quintellia.

In response to your questions Rokkenjima has provided none of the questioned items or services to the Tamoran Empire, and has no intention of doing so now or in the future. Furthermore, as you will note, Rokkenjima decoupled the MCUR from such decisions as certain states were seeing this policy as one of weaponizing international treaties, in their attempts to undermine the treaty in question. This is an approach which was first adopted by the Kingdom of East Moreland. The First Empire does, however, base decisions on such matters with the values and principles of the nation in question. These are not applicable to the Tamoran Empire as no agreements exist between Rokkenjima and Tamora.

A Tamoran Astronaut was allowed on Space Station Adora for one reason: to show Tamorans that the international community should not be feared, that hardline approaches are not those which will gain the greatest net results, and that there is a world outside of Tamora brimming with opportunity. It is also my belief that, through exploration, humanity finds its common soul, a desire for cooperation, and understanding. In allowing a Tamoran astronaut we had high hopes, as I have always had the highest of hopes in all Peoples, that we are capable of escaping that which is "predestined" for us simply because of our place of birth, or the flag which flies above our capitals. It is hope which Mundus is in short supply of, and while others may not see the point, or the value, in overtures it does not mean that such avenues aren't worth daring.

I have made very clear that the value of any life is beyond any term we as humans may place upon it; indeed, it is in that belief that I met with the Emperor to learn more about Tamora to ensure Rokkenjiman policy does not cast yet more souls into the bonds of servitude. I did present a question which went unanswered several times, however, as to the different response if Slava Lavosk had been holding not those of Tamoran descent but those of Achkaerinese, Dartfordian, or Morelander descent instead. The silence to that question answered it better than any which could have been presented and we know that the response would indeed have been different. A Tamoran life holds value to some, apparently, only if it is one which is held in slavery. Those held by the Slavans, not as great given the differing responses to their respective plights.

As for the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy's practice of a Naval Protection Zone Achkaerin, and Vaguzia, perverted the practice into something which is unrecognizable when compared to Rokkenjiman policy. Rokkenjiman NPZs have never been utilized as political tools and most certainly never been directed at allied vessels as we'd know their identity through shared ICON resources (and our naked eyes), would know their intent, and would most likely be in contact long before they even neared our vessels. For the Holy Empire to present a notion that their actions have precedence based on this is absurd and a willing perversion of the principle designed purely for political theatre. Not once has a Rokkenjiman official presented a scenario where the First Empire would fire her arms upon the vessels or assets of an allied power as the Vaguzian Minister of Foreign Affairs did; graduated or otherwise. You quite simply do not state that you've the intent to fire upon your allies, and you are one I would have expected to understand that basic principle.

With Slava Lavosk it was made clear that a red line existed, and that the risk of inaction when presented with the potential for yet another crime against a population was too great to risk. Had we discussed these matters via the avenues available to us a strategy could have been formed, yet the opportunity was dismissed and the rhetoric of Kravec was adopted nearly word-for-word by the Vaguzians. Knowing that my visit with the Emperor was one which essentially formed a fact-finding mission, only to subvert it into some allegiance with the Tamorans, is what I spoke of in stating that Rokkenjiman allies could be forgiven for appearing to be allies of the Slavans instead. I will state that it is amusing that Kravec focused upon the vessels and silos, as the Damocles, whether deployed via silo or submarine, has no limit; the time and manner of a strike is fully within our preference depending upon the needs of the operation at hand.

Hopefully, a day will come when we are better capable of addressing our differences in a more productive manner. I would certainly be interested in approaching that possibility, as there remains an affinity between our nations and I have long held the Azurewind Family close. While times such as these are trying, I do not hold personal grudges. I thus see value in continuing this dialogue and preventing yet another fissure from emerging between us.

Respectfully;


Empress of Rokkenjima
Princess of Littlebrook