The Commonwealth Decree

[Beatrice]

On The Commonwealth Treaty Organisation

Fellow Rokkenjimans, Friends and Allies of the First Empire, honourable delegates from afar, I thank you for joining me here this morning.

In more ways than one we have seen before us an era lost due to issues both within and outside of our control. One of the most notable casualties of this has been the long-term viability of the Commonwealth Treaty Organisation, an institution which was established through great effort and determination to ensure a future less hostile, less uncertain and more equitable for all Peoples. In this new year I have reviewed several areas upon which this First Empire should refocus and reform and one such area which came up often was the Commonwealth. Today, I present to you those concerns and solutions to those issues before us in preserving Mundus from sliding backwards into an era of chaos, instability and diminished hope.

Prior to the establishment of the Commonwealth Mundus was a much different environment, one ruled at the whim of unilateral actions, the inescapable influence of military alliances, and the polarization between camps of nations aligned around various causes and paths. In establishing the Commonwealth the international community looked to ensure a common hall for international diplomacy, institutions which would ensure a safer and more peaceful Mundus, and organs which would see the community of nations work to improve standards of living and assist those nations and peoples in need. The world which existed prior to the Commonwealth was dangerous and brought us nearly to the brink of an armed exchange many today would find unfathomable; indeed, we saw the very real prospect of an exchange of weapons of mass destruction which most certainly would have scarred Mundus so deeply we'd find it impossible to recognize, not to speak of the loss of life which would have been most tragic.

Our contemporary state of international affairs brings fear to the forefront that we have forgotten the lessons of history, with unilateral actions going unchecked, rampant terrorism and the prospect for armed conflict between the states, and adherence to international accords eroding before our very eyes. The nations of Mundus themselves sit aligned in various camps, whilst at the highest levels we cannot even agree on a common hall for international diplomacy, as evidenced by the existence of both the CTO and the CMA. While certainly differences do exist in this era when compared to the past the parallels are hard to ignore and, left unchecked, do not bode well for the vision pursued so strenuously not even a few short years ago.

To say that Rokkenjima had lost sight of its international obligations and responsibilities is fair and, in recognition of these shortcomings, I have issued official direction to my Government to mobilize on all fronts to strengthen those international institutions and accords so that the common heritage of Mundus may, once again, be handed to the next generation in a condition better than which we ourselves found it. To further these causes and to see this new year truly mark a new page for the Commonwealth Treaty Organisation I hereby proclaim the First Empire's commitment to the following:

• Half of those funds allotted for the International Development Grant Program (र2.7bn, $5bn) shall be directed to the budget of the Commonwealth Treaty Organisation. This shall stand independent of Rokkenjima's annual funds committed to the upkeep and maintenance of the Palace of Nations complex.
• Efforts shall be undertaken to see that all key positions of the Commonwealth are staffed before the end of this first month of 2019 while ensuring each department and organ of the Commonwealth is supported by a full complement of staff required to meet their obligations.
• An open and ongoing dialogue will be provided for present and prospective member states of the Commonwealth in which present and future concerns may be addressed while improving the nimbleness and efficiency of the Commonwealth's capacity to act to any situation which may face the community of nations.
• Restoration of a key cornerstone of the Commonwealth, that being an institution of international diplomacy without bias nor hostility toward any nation, through outreach efforts.

To be certain Rokkenjima shall not hold all the answers, however, this First Empire shall work with the membership of the Commonwealth to set the Commonwealth back upon the correct path. Rokkenjima shall make greater financial, material and staffing contributions to the Commonwealth and shall consult with all members to address any areas of deficiency throughout the Organisation. Furthermore, we shall consult to see that decisions may be made more swiftly and efficiently. Although the work before us may seem daunting I have always held faith in the ability and the capacity for success that all nations hold when faced with such challenges. It took us some time to reach this point, however, through our combined efforts we shall see our way from it, leaving in place an international system that shall stand the most challenging tests of time.

May we begin our work swiftly, conduct it to the best of our abilities, and restore to the Commonwealth its namesake; a commonwealth for all Peoples and all Nations safeguarding the shared heritage for generations to come. Thank you for your time.

[DaveIronside]

The Commonwealth Treaty Organisation was established with high hopes of bringing about peace and security for Mundus, and while I believe that there is much more it could have done I disagree that we have experienced a "lost era". The wording of the Rokkenjiman decree is frankly an insult to the stirling work carried out by the CTO.

In the organisations existance it has successfully helped the people of Marseille bring about democratic change to their nation, removing in the process a leadership they saw no longer fit for their purpose. The CTO has also authorised operations to step in and end the Cultist genocide in Royal Seleucid, allowing actions to be taken stopping even more deaths than did occur. Also among the track record of the CTO is the establishment of a Mundus Health Organisation which alongside JET undertook work stopping the spread of Kajuku Virus across Zimalia, established a no fly zone in Ubakasa, authorised peacekeeping operations in Academica, stepped in to help refugees in Uppsala, Mavrosia and Lakhzovia as well as standing against terrorism by several times denying legitimacy to groups such as the Borlanders. These actions have helped millions of people across Mundus and it is my firm belief that the CTO has saved lives. The talk from Rokkenjima fails to recognise this excellent work and the sacrifices made by hundreds if not thousands of troops from nations as varied as East Moreland, Achkaerin and Seaforth. To say that the "First Empire shall work with the membership of the Commonwealth to set the Commonwealth back upon the correct path." is an insult to these people's memories, the CTO has never left its path, it has just been slow to walk along it. The reason for this lack of pace has been that over the last few years it has been East Moreland and Achkaerin, who sadly have left the organisation, who have shouldered the load.

It is my belief that the measures put forward by Rokkenjima are not the solution and smack of nothing more than self congratulating trumpet blowing. In the past we have seen claims by Rokkenjima of them providing the majority of funding for CTO activities, a lie when it was told. As each nation contributes according to the work it does then it is East Moreland and Achkaerin who have provided the majority of funding for the CTO over the last few years. These new announcements essentially do little to support nations who, perhaps rightly so, have a negative view of the CTO overcome their prejudice.

The issue with the CTO is not funding, when funds have been needed for operations they have been found by the willing. The cost of the two Uppsala Crisis was financially high, never once did the CTO sanctioned operations request additional funds from nations not physically contributing man power to the operation. There have also been willing people from nations such as Achkaerin and East Moreland willing to step into run organisations. The majority of leadership roles within the CTO since its formation have fallen to these two nations, Tim Carpenter, Princess Serenity, Melissa Lusk and Dr Danny Byrne being among just some who have dedicated their efforts to helping the CTO achieve. Outreach efforts have also been undertaken, Tim Carpenter in his second period as Secretary General visiting three non-member nations for talks bringing two of them into the organisation.

The only aspect of the decree that needs to be worked on is the speed the CTO works at, and sadly this is not something I believe can be overcome by throwing money and manpower at things, if anything less manpower is needed as the level of administrative bureaucracy within the organisation needs to be removed. East Moreland is currently the only member of CTO who has contributed to every operation and initiative, it shall remain steadfast in its support of worthwhile international efforts however we have major concerns over the language and attitude presented in the Decree. It fails to show an understanding of the organisations strengths and multiple weaknesses and if the CTO is to raise and meet the dream it was intended to be then people need to first understand the reality and that is time kills, all that must be fixed on a working level is time. Beyond that the reputation of the CTO needs work, in the past its members have failed to do what is required of them despite resolutions being passed, it has at times trampled on sovereignty of nations such as the Alanders and it has been seen as the realm of certain nations because of the language used. These issues need addressing before any meaningful change can be effective. 

His Majesty King David III of East Moreland