In defence of Rushmore [Closed: Rushmore]

[Somewhereistonia]

[OOC: Whilst this is chiefly aimed as a treaty between me and Queer Poco El Mono Ara, any other nations formally in the region of Rushmore are welcome to talks and can be added into the treaty as they wish. The "South" part can be removed in recognition of this. Nations of Atlantian Oceania are also welcome to post in this thread (as it it ICly to the north of us) but entrance won't be quite as likely as nations from Rushmore. Other than that, it is closed.]

Map of Rushmore

Somewhereistonia itself has been until recently, a highly isolated nation diplomatically. Outside of the remit of sports, the small government has had very little in the way of formal relations with the governments of any nations. The close neighbor of Queer Poco El Mono Ara was possibly the closest thing Somewhereistonia had to an ally, with diplomats having been exchanged with them prior to the similar exchanges with fellow Rushmori nations, Nethertopia and Sargossa.

Noting this, the government of Somewhereistonia wished to finally create a formal and lasting relationship as a peaceful defender of its regional partners and notably Queer Poco El Mono Ara, its closest friend. As such, following much diplomatic wrangling within the capital city, Qasarian, a treaty came forth. Whilst up to now only two nations had been involved in it's creation, invitations to join in the alliance were sent to all the nations of Rushmore with the notable omission of Kyrinskaia. As the Qasarian Conference was preparing to begin, the following draft was sent out to the invited nations to aid in their understanding of the aim of the conference.

Rushmori Defence Treaty.

The free peoples of the Federation of Baltic States of Somewhereistonia, the Fifedom of Queer Poco el Mono Ara, represented by officials elected and appointed in our name, do voluntarily enter into this Agreement, to ensure tability, justice and peace in the area of Rushmore. Accordingly,

The Parties to this Treaty affirm:

They are determined to safeguard the freedom, common heritage and civilisation of their peoples, founded on the principles of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law. They seek to promote stability and well-being in the region of Rushmore.
They are resolved to unite their efforts for collective defence and for the preservation of peace and security. They therefore agree to this Rushmori Defence Treaty :


AND FOR THESE ENDS

* to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another so long as we are permitted to do so, and
* to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security,

HAVE RESOLVED TO COMBINE OUR EFFORTS TO ACCOMPLISH THESE AIMS

Accordingly, our respective Governments, through representatives plenipotentiary, assembled in the City of Qasarian, who have exhibited their full powers found to be in good and due form, have agreed to the following Treaty and do hereby establish an international organization to be known as the Rushmori Treaty Alliance.
We are determined to safeguard the freedom, common heritage and civilisation of our peoples, founded on the principles of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law. We seek to promote stability and well-being in the region of Rushmore.
We are resolved to unite their efforts for collective defence and for the preservation of peace and security. We therefore agree to this Rushmori Defence Treaty:

Article 1

The Parties undertake to settle any international dispute in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered, and to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of advancing human dignity.

Article 2

The Parties will contribute toward the further development of peaceful and friendly international relations by strengthening their free institutions, by bringing about a better understanding of the principles upon which these institutions are founded, and by promoting conditions of stability and well-being. They will seek to eliminate substantial conflict in their international economic policies and will encourage economic collaboration between any or all of them.

Article 3

In order more effectively to achieve the objectives of this Treaty, the Parties, separately and jointly, by means of continuous and effective self-help and mutual aid, will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack.


Article 4

The Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened. The nations may also send military aid to form a foreign defence force to help ensure the national safety of member states, see appendix A.

Article 5

The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Rushmore shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the Rushmori area.

Article 6

Details the Territories, Protectorates and Departments which, being attacked, constitute an attack upon the Parties. See appendix B.

Article 7

The Parties hereby establish a Council, (to be based in Peregrinus City, Nethertopia) on which each of them shall be represented, to consider matters concerning the implementation of this Treaty. The Council shall be so organised as to be able to meet promptly at any time. The Council shall set up such subsidiary bodies as may be necessary; in particular it shall establish immediately a defence committee which shall recommend measures for the implementation of Articles 3 and 5.

Article 8

The Parties may, by unanimous agreement, invite any other Rushmori nation or any nation in direct reigonal proxinity to Rushmore, in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the Rushmore area to accede to this Treaty. Any State so invited may become a Party to the Treaty by depositing its instrument of accession with the Council, the formation if which was detailed in Article 7. Should any party meet the entry requirements, the current members shall be allowed to vote on entry, if the nation recives over 70 percent of the vote, they are to be accepted. For the purposes of this, the Federation of Baltic States of Somewhereistonia holds two votes, whilst all other members hold one.

Article 9

This Treaty shall be ratified and its provisions carried out by the Parties in accordance with their respective constitutional processes. The instruments of ratification shall be deposited as soon as possible with the Governments of the Federation of Baltic States of Somewhereistonia and the Fifedom of Queer Poco el Mono Ara, which will notify all the other signatories of each deposit. The Treaty shall enter into force between the States which have ratified it as soon as the ratifications of the majority of the signatories have been deposited and shall come into effect with respect to other States on the date of the deposit of their ratifications.

Article 10

After the Treaty has been in force for ten years, or at any time thereafter, the Parties shall, if any of them so requests, consult together for the purpose of reviewing the Treaty, having regard for the factors then affecting peace and security in the Rushmori area, including the development of universal as well as regional arrangements for the maintenance of international peace and security.

Article 11

After the Treaty has been in force for twenty years, any Party may cease to be a Party one year after its notice of denunciation has been given to the Council which will inform the Governments of the other Parties of the deposit of each notice of denunciation.

Article 12

This Treaty, of which the English and Qas Russian texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited in the archives of the Government of the Somewhereistonia and Queer Poco El Mono Ara. Duly certified copies will be transmitted by that Government to the Governments of any other signatories.




Appendix A: Foreign Defence Force

Seeing the comparable strength the militaries of certain Rushmori nations compared to that of many of their reigonal neighbours, in the spirit of the above treaty the Federation of Baltic States of Somewhereistonia and the Republic of Sargossa will offer a permanent deployable force to aid fellow treaty members.

This force will be available to offer training, and act as a deterrent to attack whilst being directly and immediately available to the command of the aforementioned nation should they be attacked.

Whilst Somewhereistonian and/or Sargossan officers will be directly in charge of the deployed units, the Foreign Defence Force will be commanded by whichever nation they are currently deployed in. This is done to alleviate any understandable concerns over the deployment of troops in the allied nations.

The size, position and longevity of the deployed forces is to be independantly discussed with each nation to ensure that the nation is comfortable with the circumstances. The continued presence of the Foreign Defence Force must to formally reviewed and potentially reneved every five years.

If the nation hosting any part of the Foreign Defence Force requests their removal, instant preparations must be done for such an eventuality, whilst talks are reccommended to discuss reasons for their departure and to make arrangments for the most suitable remedy.

Appendix B: Territories, Protectorates and Departments to be protected.

[Map here]

[Queer Poco el Mono Ara]

The Fiefdom of Queer Poco el Mono Ara hereby acquiesces to the terms of the South Rushmori defence treaty pledging to ensure full compliance and commitment to guaranteeing the success of said treaty.

In reference to Article 4, Queer Poco el Mono Ara extends an invitation toward a Somewhereistonian Foreign Defence Force. Despite the highly unlikely occurrence of a challenge toward national security we believe it is within the nation’s best interests to be fully prepared for all eventualities. With the proposed deployment of a Somewhereistonian Foreign Defence Force we request that in accordance with Article 4 the deployed force aid in the development and training of the Queer Poco el Mono Ara national defence force.

However this proposal can be discussed at greater length during the conference.

[Sargossa]

To: Ms Sonya Godmanis, Executive, Somewhereistonia Foreign Office.

Madam,

On behalf of His Excellency General Joaquín Delgado, Supreme and Benevolent Ruler of the Sargossan Archipelago, Viceroy of the Outer Islands and Lord Protector of the Islas Valero chain I thank you for this invitation.

His is a regime of peace and stability (*cough*) so this conference is of great interest. Sargossa will certainly be sending representation. Although we would have to insist on a slight name amendment as a treaty centred on promoting ‘stability and well-being in the South Rushmore area’ is of only so much use to Rushmore’s northern most nation.

Kind regards,

Ricardo Ruíz
Senior International Liaison
Foreign Ministry
Republic of Sargossa

[Bostopia]

On behalf of the Government of New Fenton.

The Bostopian Empire, working for the Bostopian Government, hereby requests permission to attend the Qasarian Conference. While we do not believe we will sign up to any mutual defence agreement, we wish to make it clear that the position of the Bostopian Empire is one of non-aggression toward our neighbours unless considerably threatened or attacked, directly or indirectly.

We will support - though not join - any agreement which comes out of the meeting that does not infringe on our territorial rights in New Fenton.

Yours,

Robert B. Ilderrington
Foreign Minister, The Bostopian Empire.

[Nethertopia]

The Nethertopian government will send a delegation to the conference, to attend, and as the current looks of the treaty stands, with an intention to sign it. Because of the long area of peace and a lack of crime, the Nethertopian army has been disassembled for over four decades. The Nethertopian government would see this treaty as a perfect way to guarantee the safeness of the nation in these hybrid times.

[Somewhereistonia]

To: All delegates
From: Sonya Godmanis, Somewhereistonian Foreign Office Executive

Welcome all to Somewhereistonia and the capital city of Qasarian. We welcome all to the conference to establish a treaty to guarantee the freedoms of all the people's of this region of Rushmore. This treaty, currently at least, is a mutual defence treaty and this land claims should be forwarded to other delegates so that all can know exactly what is supposed to be defended.

We hope that some representation from every nation in Rushmore can be present if only to observe the conference and to bring the nations together in a greater understanding on each other.

I must stress that the treaty that each of you have received is just a draft and suggestions for alterations are welcomed. The removal of the word "South" from the title is an example of this already occurring.

Thank you all for attending and I hope this conference can achieve great things.

[Candelaria And Marquez]

For the attention of Sonya Godmanis, Somewhereistonian Foreign Office, Exectutive thereof

Ms Godmanis,

I write tonight to confirm – perhaps belatedly, though a true diplomat such as yourself is no doubt aware of the cultural sensitivities at play here – the presence of a Candelariasian delegation at the Qasarian conference, representing the Republic of Candelaria And Marquez, the Democratic Republic of Gordon Bay City, the Protectorate of Fallon Island, the Republic of Sloane Island and the Commonwealth of Pranschke Island and Associate Territories.

It is incumbent upon me to make it clear from the outset that, while my government has no direct opposition to the establishment of an inter-Rushmori mutual defence pact, and indeed wholeheartedly support any moves towards furthering both the cause and reality of regional solidarity; we are equally committed to our own Republic’s constitutional and long respected military independence. While future circumstances may provoke a re-examination of this policy, there is at the present time no plausibility in the notion of a Candelariasian signature to the proposed treaty, regardless of any substantial changes in content that may or may not take place prior to its formal ratification.

This said, however, we are extremely keen that the command structure of our own National Defence Force and that of the Rushmori Treaty Organisation, should it come into being, can work alongside each other in a spirit of mutual cooperation from the get-go. Equally, we are confident that this conference can bring significant benefits in the fields of trade and cultural understanding as well as security – football diplomacy, after all, can only get us so far – and, let us be frank, everybody else is going. We don’t want to feel left-out, and it’s been ages since we had a good hobnob.

…

You do have hobnobs over there, don’t you? We can bring our own, otherwise. Although I do see you very much as a custard cream woman myself, if you don’t mind me saying.

Yours truly,

Tate Sayfritz MP
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
The Republic of Candelaria And Marquez

[Continental Rushmore]

Ms Sonya Godmanis
Foreign Office Executive
Somewhereistonia Foreign Office
Qasarian

06 October 2009

Madam,

On behalf of the Confederated Nations of Continental Rushmore, I must thank you for your gracious invitation to the forthcoming Qasarian Conference, and express our intent to send a delegation representing our twelve nations and their respective territories.

Our own constitution makes the Common Foreign and Security Policy an intrinsic cornerstone of the CNCR – one which expressly prohibits the signing of similar treaties with non-member states, either on an individual or collective basis, and likewise the routine presence of foreign troops on CNCR soil. Furthermore, while the Continental Rushmori Commission acknowledges and accepts the disinclination of the current administrations in both Qasarian and Khaldoon from opening talks on membership of the CNCR, and we would equally accept and, indeed, promote the peaceful establishment of intergovernmental agreements between our neighbours outside our own union, we must make clear our concerns over Somewhereistonia’s long-term military designs within the continent, not least given the shared border between Kyrinskaia and Lussolavizzovia, and the implications inherent in the proposed establishment of the ‘Foreign Defence Force’.

However, I believe most sincerely that the presence of the CNCR delegation in Qasarian will help alleviate any residual fears held both by the Continental Rushmori Commission and Parliament, as well as that of our public, and that several points of apprehension may be cleared up during the ensuing talks.

Aside from this area however, I have no doubt that the conference has the promise to lead to a far wider process of regional cooperation and understanding, and provide a unique opportunity to promote to the widest possible audience the respect for democracy, diplomacy, human rights and the rule of law that the CNCR is devoted to protecting and that serve to make our region of Rushmore an international beacon for peace, prosperity and our common democratic values, as well as underlining Somewhereistonia’s own vaunted record in these fundamental areas.

Yours sincerely, etcetera,

Niamh Dean McCann
Continetal Rushmori Commissioner for External Relations

The Commission for External Relations, Floors 25 through 30, the Sturza Building, 140 Steta Cjimge, City of Amdo 234 Email ndeanmccann@externalrelations.gov.cru

[Somewhereistonia]

To: Tate Sayfritz MP, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
From: Sonya Godmanis, Somewhereistonian Foreign Office Executive

First of all I must say welcome to Somewhereistonia and whatever the outcome of these talks I hope you personally have a good time visiting our nation, and that our nations can grow in friendship together. I have to state that whilst we are extremely open to major changes in the form of this treaty we fully respect that your republic would wish to remain outside of the treaty.

The Somewhereistonian Armed Forces, a section of which are to become the Foreign Defense Force, are keen to work alongside their regional partners, and much military aid is to be given in the form of training of Pocoese armed forces as part of this role. The force itself is not to consist of one branch, but units will go on tour to whichever nation requests them.

At current the only planned base of this force is going to be on the Queer Poco El Mono Aran island of Las Isla de Demontford at the request of their government. I must stress, given the concerns of a certain continental grouping that this is in no way an aggressive move, and the main aim of this is to work on joint training operations around Queer Poco whilst forces from Queer Poco El Mono Ara are also to be trained around the islands of Somewhereistonia. Should the Republic of Candelaria And Marquez wish to join in such joint missions under training conditions, I can assure you that we are most happy to accept them, but Queer Poco El Mono Ara should be consulted before such a move can take place.

Finally, biscuits. We do have hobnobs and custard creams and just about every other type of biscuit you would care to imagine (and possibly some you wouldn't). We hope that this meets your expectations. Thanks once again for coming, and I hope that this conference can be productive for dialog between our nations.

-------------------------

To: Niamh Dean McCann, Continetal Rushmori Commissioner for External Relations
From: Sonya Godmanis, Somewhereistonian Foreign Office Executive

First of all I must say welcome to Somewhereistonia and whatever the outcome of these talks I hope you personally have a good time visiting our nation, and that our nations can grow in friendship together. I have to state that whilst we are extremely open to major changes in the form of this treaty we fully respect that your multinational body would be unable to join such a treaty.

I now must add that at the current state, there is 0% chance of the Federation of Baltic States of Somewhereistonia in becoming part of Continental Rushmore. There is also nothing in the treaty or the "Foreign Defence Force" for you to be worried about. This is a mutual defense treaty for our region, originally just a dialog between Somewhereistonia and Queer Poco El Mono Ara and expanded to the rest of the region and possibly beyond to boost relations between ourselves and the rest of Rushmore.

I hope future insinuations of supposed Somewhereistonian aggression can be left until we have done something worthy of it, instead of just offering you a place among our list of allies. We do welcome you to our nation and hope that all your concerns will be swept away by the discussions.

[Somewhereistonia]

"Hmm, not many nations sent representatives at all, it's like they don't even care about the safety of the region! I know that we might occasionally come off a bit harshly but really we don't do anything to cause wars or anything! Looking at some of these diplomatic messages, people are marking this democratic nation as some sort of oppressive regime! All we did was become independent from a nation that is known to have committed genocide." Karl Volterov sighed in desperation, "Well, I may as well go and welcome those that did turn up, It's not like I can do much more."

"Yes, there are enough here that did turn up, remember this started out as a treaty between Queer Poco and ourselves, it looks as though Nethertopia and Sargossa will sign the treaty as well. Maybe other nations will join later." Sonya Godmanis had put a lot of work into the treaty, and wanted to make sure the president knew exactly what her diplomacy had already achieved.

The arrival of President Karl Volterov on stage brought mixed applause from the diplomats in attendance as he prepared to open the conference.

"Welcome fellow Rushmori citizens, and welcome to Qasarian. First of all I have to say thank-you for attending and I hope this conference can, if nothing else, bring out nations closer together and help to secure democracy in our region for years to come.

I trust you all received the treaty outline, this is very open to change and alterations and suggestions are more than welcome. We hope that the nations you represent will sign this and join our defense pact to ensure that we are safeguarded against future threats from both within Rushmore and from beyond.

I'll now hand over to Sonya who will guide you through the treaty and intentions before we open the floor to debate. Once again thank you for coming!"

[OOC: This was meant to conclude before the event of the Copa Rushmori.]

[Bostopia]

Good afternoon, fellow delegates, on behalf of the Empire of the Confederate States of the East and West Isles of Bostopia, I am Emperor Boston.

While the Confederate States of Bostopia, and more locally New Fenton Territory, would not attempt to block a mutual defence force, we would wish that there be written into the treaty a clause guaranteeing that the force would only be used for this purpose. We would view any refusal to guarantee this as a threat to our territory, and would - regretably - have to take action to protect our interests in the region. Our force currently in New Fenton is minimal, and we wish to keep it at that, as New Fenton is, and we hope will be, an area outside of our own region for our citizens and citizens of other nations to holiday.

Bostopia harbours no ill-feeling toward our Rushmori neighbours, and I hope this is clear. We do not wish to infringe on the sovereign rights of any nation, and we have no intentions of expanding our territory through force.

However, with our wished for guarantees in mind, Bostopia would be more than willing to co-operate fully in any areas where our aid could be used, be it military or otherwise. We would, if our guarantee is met, be completely willing to sign an agreement with the signees of the Rushmori Defence Treaty - or any grouping or organisation to come out of the Treaty - allowing these troops access rights through our nation, and also our airspace and territorial waters in events of the Rusmori Defence Treaty's forces being needed in conflict.

Thank you for your time.

[Nethertopia]

"Fellow Rushmoris, Rushmore related persons and others.

I am here today to speak non the behalf of Nethertopia and am also representing the Eagle Islands. My name is Gert van Weijden and I am currently in function as Minister of Defence of Nethertopia. First off, I would like to thank Somewhereistonia and it's citizens for the invitation to this congress and the warm welcome we have gotten from them. We are well aware that in these difficult times, looking at their current neighbourhood state, it must be hard to organise an event like this.

Now, let's talk about the treaty for a moment. While Nethertopia agrees on the points that are taken in the treaty, it would like to see an addition to it. Article 3 mentions an individual capacity to resist armed attack. This is not at hand in Nethertopia, since we haven't had an army in over forty years. We are currently working on this, so that we would have a little buffer if an occasion arises that Nethertopia would be under attack, but the same cannot be said for the Nth Eagle Islands. We would therefore like to request a stationed Foreign Defence Force (FDF) on the island north to the city of Irona. This base could serve as the central operation point for the foreign defence force in the north-east of Rushmore.

Of course, if Nethertopia is to create an army, they would love to provide forces for the FDF.

And on a last note, the capital city of Nethertopia, Peregrinus City, would like to offer their services for hosting the Rushmori Defence Council. This because of the limited options Nethertopia has to offer to provide safety inside Rushmore. The government has therefore decided to cover all spendings that are necessary to host the council in Nethertopia

Thank you for your time."

[Sargossa]

Seated to the left of Minister van Weijden, José cleared his throat and rose to address the other delegates.

“I am José Carizzo, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Sargossa. On behalf of his Excellency Presidenté Delgado I’d like to think President Volterov for his hospitality. Like my colleague here we too agree to basic premise of the treaty. Although given our own defence capabilities are not far short of our illustrious hosts and are, dare I say, better funded*, perhaps we could make some contribution to the defence force mentioned in Appendix A. We are certainly well placed, both militarily and geographically speaking, to provide an FDF on the Eagle Islands. For example.”

That and El Generalissimo would sooner chew off his own left arm before he welcomed a Somewhereistonian military build-up on his border. A thought José felt prudent to leave unsaid.

“Sargossa would also support the choice of Peregrinus City as a perspective home for the Rushmori Defence Council. Now I believe Ms Godmanis had the floor . . .”





(OOC: *According to NSEconomy anyway. Not sure how canon that makes it . . . )

[Somewhereistonia]

Sonya Godmanis had already come prepared for most of the parts suggested, but it still seemed like a momentous occasion for the entire region, and she, apparently was somewhat in control. "Well, we have several issues here that need to be carefully addressed. So, the Bostopian dependency of New Fenton is first on the agenda, this treaty is in no way or means an attempt to interfere with the sovereignty of Bostopia over New Fenton. All nations here, as far as I know recognise fully this territorial claim. Understandably Bostopia wishes for stronger assurances than this. Perhaps Bostopia can become an affilate of this treaty, with it's territory fully guaranteed by member nations whilst not becoming an official signatory. I think this would be acceptable to the nation and people of Bostopia and I hope that we go work alongside this nation.

To Nethertopia, the Foreign Defence Force is not a specific army, but troops put forward to serve wherever they are requested, stationing FDF troops in the Nth Eagle Isles should not be an issue as far as we stand. We will be happy to offer military training to any force of a signatory nation of this treaty as part of clause 3 including that of Nethertopia. We are already looking into planning a training operation with Queer Poco El Mono Ara on that nation's islands as a precursor to this.

We thank Sargossa for it's offer to send troops into the Foreign Defence Force and I am sure that these will be welcome. I must stress that there should be a large element of trust between signatory bodies, so I suggest that the Foreign Defence Force, wherever it is based, be commanded by whichever nation the troops are deployed in whilst always being comprised of troops from more than one nation. I hope that this will not be an issue.

In regards to the host of the Rushmori Defence Council, I would support the suggestion that it be based in Peregrinus City of Nethertopia. Unless there are any objections to this, I think this can be added directly into the treaty."

[OOC: In regards to NSEconomy, it would depend on whether we played multi-billion population nations or not. Personally I think my nation ICly has less than that.]

[West Zirconia]

The deliberations were interrupted by a sound of screeching tyres outside the building, Several of the delegates looked worriedly out of the windows to see a black Morris Marina, carrying what appeared to be diplomatic plates, stop suddenly in front of the entrance.

Gert van Weijden turned to those beside him and said knowingly, "West Zirconia. Who else would turn up in one of those?"

It was Foreign Secretary Michael Vernon who got out of the car, which then drove away rather more sedately than it arrived. A couple of minutes later, the door of the conference room opened and the latecomer was announced.

"Ladies, gentlemen - I must apologise for my late arrival. You may have heard that the ferries in West Zirconia have all been on strike. They blockaded all the ports. Snaith, Markham, Wolverton, Walton - nothing could get out of any of them."

"So why didn't you fly here?" Sonya Godmanis asked, rather impatiently. The very mention of flight turned the West Zirconian pale, and he began to stutter about how the very thought of it terrified him. He then collapsed into his seat, and had to have tea brought to him to help calm him down.

José Carizzo turned to his Nethertopian neighbour and said quietly, "Whatever you do, don't mention the air force."

[Queer Poco el Mono Ara]

In a comfortable corner of the room Harold F. Reagan sat and watched. He had no objections to the terms of the treaty, no amendments in mind and no opinion formulated. He was however surprised at the entrance of the delegates from West Zirconia, bursting in like a bunch of hoodlums and turning up in a Morris Marina, a Morris Marina, of all the cars to arrive at an occasion of this magnitude. He’d been sat twiddling his thumbs whilst the bigger nations discussed the matter at hand. Queer Poco is only a small nation and the treaty was viewed as a method of generating relationships with their Rushmore neighbors.

“I don’t really know why I’m here.” He thought. “I was told to sit here and be quiet and now I’m bored.”

Harold sat and waited for the room to settle again following the arrival of the “West Zirconia lot” “perhaps it’ll be time to sign the treaty soon, I don’t think I have anything to add to it myself and feel a little redundant.”

[Continental Rushmore]

“Snickerdoodle?”

Niamh Dean McCann stared politely at the Candelariasian foreign secretary as their unexpected-meeting-outside-the-toilets dance drew to a close. “I’m… sorry, Tate?”

He waggled the offending biscuit in her direction. “Say what you like about the Somewhereistonians – an’ I do, believe me,” he added, dropping his voice to a momentary murmur on the offchance that the nearby pot plants were listening in and taking notes, “But they do know how to put on a proper spread.”

“They are… excellent organisers,” the Continental Rushmori Commissioner for External Relations agreed weakly. She frowned. “Do you generally take your confectionary into the bathroom with you up in Candelaria, Tate?”

“As a rule, no”, Sayfritz admitted solemnly, licking his index finger, enacting a last-ditch rescue mission into the depths of his lapel and bringing a missing piece of biscuit to his lips with a triumphant swish of the wrist, “But that Vernon fellow was eyeing them over, back in there. Didn’t think I’d risk it… for a… biscuit.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and winced. “I think I’m over-tired,” he declared with a sigh. “Between you and me, I haven’t had to hobnob like this for years. Honestly, it’s like the old days all over again, back when I was Tory spokesman for Regional Affairs. But worse! At least back then it didn’t matter if you said summat sarky about the Regent of Broshia, or accidentally called the Arch-Duke of Riik’s mother a horse, or became a national hate figure in Spengemberg for dropping your aitches. We had the good ol’ fog o’ war, back then, couldn’t’ve told you where any o’ these places are. Or were, I suppose. Terrible business…” He trailed off before gathering his thoughts anew. “But now, now everywhere seems to be in bloody touching distance. And they talk to each other! I still couldn’t find Logria on a map, and they could be hostin’ the bloody World Cup in five minutes!”

“At least you’ve got soccer to converse over,” the commissioner sighed. “You’re lucly. There’re all off cheerfully making their little treaties, and here’s us all stuck in the corner like a damned wallflower. I’m getting junior prom flashbacks, here.” She jigged from foot to foot thoughtfully. “I take it there’s no change in Albrecht, right? No signature from your end?”

“Hm? Oh, heavens no. Not that the fact that the Zirconians look like they’re about to be brought into the fold isn’t making everyone slightly jumpy back home. The vultures are circling, Neavey, all ready to pick us apart and apportion our bits over dinner.”

“Paranoid, much? It’s just one little defence treaty…”

“Oh come on, your government’s been chucking its toys out the pram over this since day one!”

“Eh, that’s pretty much our default position over everything these days,” McCann sighed. “‘Least we’ve still got each other though, no?”

Sayfritz raised his eyebrows. “Niamh, my government thinks yours is a completely artificial, power-grabbing dictatorship doing everything it can to slowly sideline the democratic will of your individual states while doing absolutely nothing to make so much as a dent on the continued human rights abuses in Lower Timonium…”

“A ‘sabre-toothed tiger with dentures’ was Morton’s phrase, I seem to recall.”

“Yeah… Never did quite work that one out. Whereas, you think we’re… well, we all know what we are…”

“We’ll just have to start finding some common ground then, won’t we? Maybe you should start dropping the u from color, and we’ll start playing fo… foo…”

“Say it with me, Niamh.”

“Fo… Football… Ugh, it feels so wrong.”

“You’ll get there eventually. Sure I can’t interest you in a biscuit? Brought in from the west cost o’ Delamawaria, I think. Do good work with cinnamon over there, I have t’say.”

“I’ll consider it,” the commissioner acknowledged gravely, squeezing hurriedly past the Candelariasian and towards the toilets as a shuffling from the meeting hall suggested she was about to miss the action.

***

Surrounded by a dozen-or-so more Continental Rushmori diplomats, commissioners, special representatives and other assorted room meat, McCann stiffened. The parcel was being passed in her direction as Reagan and Sayfritz both performed the gesture firmly indicating they had run out of things to say, and meaningful looks from her various sort-of-countryfolk were making it clear that this was her time.

“Niamh?” the Commissioner for Enlargement whispered from her seat to McCann’s left, “Don’t stick your hand up and say ‘Please, miss!’ this time, eh?”

“Thanks, Vanessa,” her colleague scowled, before scrambling to her feet. The room watched her with stark disinterest. “Well, greetings again, everybody. On behalf of the Sovereign City of Amdo, the Commonwealth of Chesapeake Bay, the Magnanimous Democracy of Delamawaria, the Allied States of Lake Ontario, the Republic of Lower Timonium open brackets west close brackets, the Republic of Lower Timonium open brackets left close brackets, the United States of Lussolavizzovia, the Fiefdom of the Muffinhed, the Summatian Commonwealth, the Egalitarian Colony of Switzalandian Kovanelles, the People’s Republic of Ransome-Bkyki Island, the Republic of Upper Timonium, the Republic of West Kovanel and Rushmori Nation of Wigu…” She took a breath, the hard part over with, “I must again thank our Somewhereistonian hosts for this truly historic occasion in pan-Rushmori relations and, while the CNCR’s independent role outside the framework of the proposed treaty remains a commitment we do not intend to break, we must express our pleasure in the assurances provided by Ms Godmanis’ government over the future and remit of the RTA and must reiterate our own support for its development under the current terms.

“While as non-signatories it’s far from our place to question elements of the treaty itself, I am duty bound to express the concerns of those in our own member states whose national borders or territorial waters are shared with nations of the RTA bloc in the light of the lack of an Appendix B, as clearly identified in Article Six of the Treaty. The fact that the ‘Territories, Protectorates and Departments’ covered, and the conditions under which the RTA would consider their respective ‘territorial integrities’ to be threatened, are yet to be defined, is something that I must hope will be rectified prior to any pen being put to paper. As it stands, the vagueness of this and other articles is something that more reactionary elements in certain states may consider to be unfortunate at best. One might consider that the peoples of Illytria, Steroga and – and I do think we rather have to mention this particular heffalump in da corner – Kyrinskaia, never mind the myriad inhabitants of the Greylands, might also wish to see this matter cleared up at the first opportunity.”

She paused, wondering vaguely whether any of that had made any sense, and tried to avoid the distraction of the third CNCR commissioner on this little trip, the Wiguese native Tela Kata of the Security & Defence department, furiously waggling his eyebrows at her.

“Equally, and obviously this is merely a matter of wording over which we ourselves naturally have no direct say, we believe in the interests of regional solidarity and consideration that the key reference to ‘safeguarding the common heritage’ may well have cause for review. I don’t doubt that in some quarters, particularly among recent immigrant communities to nations such as Mr Van Weijden’s, may find this potentially somewhat threatening in tone, clearly unintentional though that is, and, perhaps more to the point, it also rather sidelines the aboriginal peoples of our continent. While I can’t speak for their impact, if any, on the founding states of Somwhereistonia and Queer Poco el Mono Ara, and while it would clearly be remiss, never mind absurd, to disregard the importance of the shared European background of the bulk of the regional populace; none the less the CNCR’s own aboriginal community feels it important to press for the more formal recognition of their ancestral cousins in states such as the Republic of Sargossa and, without wishing to speak out of turn, Señor Carizzo, we do question whether the unique status of this most valued of pan-Rushmori communities has been taken into account in the wording of this portion of the document.”

The room stared at her in gently amused bafflement.

“Putting this to one side, it’s my own profound hope, and that of my colleagues, as well as President Taylor and the heads of state and government of all CNCR members, that the Qasarian conference ultimately serves a role beyond the remit of the treaty, providing a further step on the road towards bringing closer together our Rushmori region. As a bloc and a people, whatever our differences and even disagreements over this central matter and others, I think we’ve all shown the importance by which our nations value our developing spirit of inter-Rushmori cooperation and understanding, and the acknowledgement that the key decision-making processes that govern our future must be taken with all opinions and values in mind.

“From our own perspective, there are issues that have principally been the preserve of nations now under the CNCR banner and that, in the modern era, we can no longer afford to guard so jealously. I’d welcome your stances, for example, on our collective, publically proclaimed attitude towards ‘newcomers’ in light of the Tterraan debacle, as well as the matter of South Tonissia, given their seemingly unhappy past association with the respected region of Wysteria. There is also, as I’m sure my Pocoan colleague Mr Reagan would attest, the pressing matter of the regional flag. While mere window dressing, concerns of symbolism have torn lesser relationships apart, but I don’t doubt we have the strength to overcome it – and, in this brave new era, my friends, cheese can only get us so far.”

With a weak smile, the commissioner dropped back into her chair and promptly threw up.

[Sargossa]

Carizzo shuddered slightly as one particularly sentence in the Continental Rushmori Commissioner for External Relations rambling speech interrupted his carefully constructed doodle.

" . . . feels it important to press for the more formal recognition of their ancestral cousins in states such as the Republic of Sargossa and, without wishing to speak out of turn, Señor Carizzo, we do question whether the unique status of this most valued of pan-Rushmori communities has been taken into account in the wording of this portion of the document.”

A moment of panic set in, we had suddenly and unexpectedly sailed into murky political waters. And certainly outside his own remit. He attempted to form an argument in his head while the Continental Rushmori delegate finally headed down from atop her moral high ground. Fortunately the subsequent bout of vomiting gave him a few extra, precious minutes to prepare.

"Commissioner McCann has touched on an interesting point and I thank her deeply for bringing it up, in front of everyone. The Azcan and assorted other such groups have over the centuries have been fully absorbed into regular Sargossan society and are very happy about it thank you very much. Their recognition is not in question here."

He thought for a second. That hadn't sounded quite right.

"When I say absorbed what I really mean is integrated. They've been fully integrated into regular Sargossan and are treated like any other citizen."

He sat back down. And almost immediately got back up again.

"Fully integrated while retaining the customs and beliefs that make them so wonderfully unique. But . . . er . . . still fully integrated seamlessly into regular Sargossan society."

He barely got halfway down to his seat before he shot back up.

"Obviously in no way have the Azcan or other miscellaneous groups of that ilk become some abysmally treated minority underclass who were forcibly removed from their native lands centuries ago and still to this day struggle under the Sargossan jackboot. They certainly don't reside in squalid shanty towns with little rights or privileges whose treatment is the secret shame of a nation. Like I said, i'm not sure their recognition is an issue here. It's not as though they spend all day every day performing menial tasks and jobs that no self respecting Sargossan would even dream of lowering themselves to like earning a pittance out in the fields of the vast agriculture complexes or in sprawling sweatshops, feeding and clothing the rest of our mighty nation. That would be silly. There simply aren't enough of them to do that."

Another aborted descent to his seat.

"I would imagine."

He finally sat back down and stayed there. And slowly lowered his head onto the desk top and closed his eyes tight, praying that every other delegate had tuned out for the duration of his speech and that someone, anyone would steer the conversation in a totally new direction.

[Somewhereistonia]

"Well, I'm sure that the statements from the representatives of Continental Rushmore and Sargossa will give us a lot to discuss; after lunch. The conference will reconvene in two and a half hours. If you could please make your way to the main hall for the variety of options made by expert Somewhereistonian chefs." Sonya Godmanis gestured towards the large double doors on one side of the room leading towards the dining hall.

Sonya then took the opportunity to talk to the late arriving Michael Vernon of West Zirconia. "I'm glad you managed to come, if a little late. Welcome to Somewhereistonia anyway, I can have someone explain what has already happened for you, I understand that West Zirconia wishes to sign the treaty? That is fantastic news, let's just hope that you lot don't make a habit of arriving late when it matters. Anyway, I have to go sort some things out, I hope you find everything here to your liking. Please come to me if you need anything."

Sonya couldn't help but feel attracted to the West Zirconian, she hoped he was single, but pushed the thoughts out of her mind, she had a treaty to sort out. After lunch, there was time for a meeting for each delegation to discuss matters privately, having been quite well prepared for the conference there wasn't a huge amount to discuss for the Somewhereistonians, but there was one issue that was quite bothersome.

--------

"How do I reply to Continental Rushmore? I mean, they seem to be busy throwing around accusations of warmongering and apparently accusing Sargossa of apartheid. Do we need to follow this up, or do we take everything with a pinch of salt?" Sonya asked.

"Human rights abuses are not exactly going to be popular, perhaps we should talk to Sargossa about it, let them give an explanation. If they at least look into improving the issue, or it turns out that there isn't one, I think we can overlook this. On the other hand, if they turn out to actually have an apartheid then we might have to look into giving them only a conditional entry into a defence pact, I'm not sure we as a nation should promise to protect a state that is secretly racist. I'm sure it's nothing though, and the new king seems to be a lot more open than the last. Let's talk to the Sargossans about it, making sure not to be accusing them of anything." A junior diplomat finished his rambling proposal wish an uneasy look on his face.

"That sounds good to me, it's your idea, do it. Just work out what you are actually going to say first though. Right, I need someone to apologise to the Pocoan delegation for how long this is taking. Tell them they can go and sightsee or something if they wish. The War Museum might be of some interest to them. In fact, the representatives could do with a few lessons of history from there as well. It's almost like they see the Kyrins as the good guys. Anyway, just make sure the Pocoans don't feel as though they have to get bored waiting for treaty to be ironed out."

"I can do that, I am supposed to be their diplomatic escort thingy here anyway." Another man near the other end interjected.

"Right, so. When we go back, I unveil the new flag that has been agreed on by the governments. Then mentioning how the New Tterraan invasion force were escorted out of the region by the Somewhereistonian navy, without a shot being fired then onto explaining how we have no issue with newcomers to the region as long as they mean well, anything else?"

"We could ask everyone what specific changes they would like to be made to the treaty, might help speed up the proceedings; of course Continental Rushmore might have to be ignored a bit, troubling lot they are." A random bureaucrat threw his thoughts into the conversation, drawing the attention of a couple of raised eyebrows.

"Well time to go and unveil the flag I think, do remember that we are on show here, we want to be seen as the good guys if Kyrinskaia kicks off again." Sonya ended the meeting to go to see if she could have a quick talk to that West Zirconian guy before the next part of the conference was due to start.

------

"Welcome back fellow Rushmori citizens; I trust that you all found lunch to be to your undoubtedly high standards. You may have heard from your friends that a new flag of Rushmore has been agreed upon, and I am proud to be able to formally unveil the design now."

Behind the Foreign Affairs Executive a huge flag unfolded in between the flags of those attending the conference, with the West Zirconian flag having hastily been added during the lunch break.

A mixed applause followed, hopefully the new flag would help appease Wigu and the rest of the Continental grouping a little, or at least give them less to moan about, thought Sonya.

"Now, before I go on to explain how fully Somewhereistonia is committed to equal rights to all people's no matter their origins I will first bring you news of New Tterrans plan to invade Continental Rushmore, and the action the Somewhereistonian Navy has taken to prevent this...."

[Pasarga]

To: Sonya Godmanis, Somewhereistonian Foreign Office Executive
From: Pasarga Department of Foreign Affairs

At the behest of my the benevolent Takilin Majistar, I have been requested to inform you that Pasarga shall not be sending a representative to the conference set to take place in Somewhereistonia regarding the formation of an interregional Defense Pact as our office has been severely afflicted with a new strain of influenza. After a thorough review of the initial document, our dear President has determined that it is in Pasarga's best interests to join in this pact. It would be remiss if I did not also inform you that Pasarga's military capabilities are quite limited and our contribution to the Foreign Defense Force would in turn be limited as well. With this in mind, I would personally also like to remind you and those representatives that shall be present at the conference that Pasarga's primary export goods are Toys should the conference take a turn towards the economical and trade benefits that will be available upon completion and ratification of the Pact. As our main concerns have already been addressed, I so wish you and yours good luck and patience in the upcoming conference.

Sincerely,
Jhon Wijmans, Pasarga Foreign Affairs Minister

[Sargossa]

Pasarga makes toys apparently. Carizzo noted down the fact carefully. It was these kind of things he should probably know. Everything always felt just a little bit better on a full stomach. The lunch break had also given him the chance to catch a few moments with Ms Godmanis. Allowing him to explain that Sargossa was in no way practising some kind of apartheid. That peoples of all origin were welcome within its borders and that if Sargossa was home to a regime involved in rascist oppression then that same regime probably wouldn't go out of its way to open its borders to foreign scrutiny. And, perhaps most crucially, Niamh Dean McCann is nuttier than . . . something really nutty.

He'd also taken the opportunity to hand over a box of geniune Sargossan Bourbon biscuits to Secretary of State Sayfritz thus ensuring friendly relations between the Archipelago and Candelaria And Marquez for another whole week. All in all it had been a productive seventy two minutes. But Carizzo couldn't help but feel something was being neglected. Then it came to him. The Defence Treaty. He cleared his throat . . .

"I think we're all in agreement about the flag and these tales of maritime daring-dos have been an interesting little diversion but perhaps we should get back to the business at hand. The mysterious Appendix B for starters needs some explanation . . . "

[Continental Rushmore]

“В военно-морского флота… Да, вы можете плавать по семи морям!”

“Is this honestly necessary?”

McCann shrugged. “If you’ve got it, flaunt it… and all that…”

“В военно-морского флота… Да, вы можете поставить успокою!”

The CNCR commissioners, diplomats and assorted room meat watched the flickering projector morosely, as the New Tterraan fleet sailed dejectedly from whence they came, vast Somwhereistonian vessels looming behind them. Someone at the Federation’s foreign office had clearly decided that these images alone would be a tad dry, particularly in light of all the biscuits, and had added cutaways to smiling and swarthy sailors and a cheerful soundtrack. The whole thing was utterly, utterly menacing.

“It is an impressive sight, you’ve gotta admit,” the Commissioner for Enlargement whispered.

A senior Delamawarian diplomat gave a noncommittal meh. “So they can build big ships. Big whoop. We could build big ships if we wanted to.”

“В военно-морского флота… Давай сейчас, людям, сделать стенд!”

“Sure, sure. But as a display of… soft power, and such like. For a country that’s just come off the back of a horrific war, and only really gained their independence five minutes ago… You can’t help but wonder what they’re really capable of. I’m sure our citizens in Lussolavizzovia and Kovanelles’ll certainly be.”

“На флоте, в военно-морской флот… Разве вы не видите нам нужна рука!”

McCann shook her head. “If there’s nothing else I’ve learnt from this little trip – and there isn’t – it’s that the Somewhereistonians are achingly keen to make it damned clear that they’re the Good Guys.”

“And?” the Commissioner for Security & Defence muttered. “We both know there’s no such thing as good guys and bad guys, Niamh, only nations. If a government with rather less pleasant intentions were to come to power…”

“… Давай, охраны окружающей среды региона…”

“I’m no expert, Tela… although I suppose I really rather ought to be… But their administration’s power-sharing. I don’t think they’ve got any choice, constitutionally. They really aren’t so different to us, in that regard.”

“Except we’re not elected by anybody.”

“Except we’re not… yeah. Rather snippy they may be,” she added, with an inspiring lack of self-awareness, “But they really should be people we can do business with. It’ll be seen as my failing is we can’t at least establish friendly relations out of all this.”

“… Ну и присоединиться к ближним…”

“That would be a tragedy indeed,” Tela Kata agreed stonily. “Look, I’m just going to put it out there now, okay…? We’re certainly not without means ourselves. Our federal armed forces could have been deployed to Lower Lussolovizzovia within ours, and by all accounts would have made short work of the Tterraan landing parties. They were never going to be a significant threat, however much Godmanis and her little PowerPoint presentation would like to suggest otherwise.”

“I feel a but, Tela.”

“I know, sorry. Honestly, you’d think they could find enough chairs for all of us by now, wouldn’t you? Look, my point is, the world’s opening up. Four weeks ago I’d never even heard of Oberour Ar Moro. Four weeks from now you’ll probably be sipping cocktails with their foreign minister and selling them daytime soap operas. And that’s just Rushmore. The Tterraans are no-marks, but…”

“Who knows what could be coming next?” McCann nodded. “Any number of imperialist regimes could be just waited to roll into Rushmore with the CNCR in their sights, ready to…”

“Subsume our distinct national identities into one monolithic bloc under a centralised government that merely serves as a convincing parody of democracy?” the aborigine commissioner asked innocently.

McCann scowled at him. “Yeah. Quite. You’re edging me towards something, aren’t you?”

“…Они хотят вас, они хотят вас, Они хотят, чтобы вы как новый набор…”

“You’re the boss, Niamh. And Taylor, obviously. But who knows when we’re going t’have no choice but to stand together, hm? Against a threat from within or without. And I have to say, diplomatically speaking, getting on their right side makes a lot of sense. Now that West Zirconia and Pasarga are he–”

“Toys.”

“Eh?”

An Upper Timonian from the Trade Commission blushed. “Sorry. Been a long few days. Gotta keep notes of all this stuff.”

“I suppose it does make sense… They have got elves there, haven’t they? I mean, that’s what they do, isn’t it? Especially this time of year.”

“I’m not sure Santa’s elves are responsible for knocking up that sort of toys, Vanessa,” Kata told her.

“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the Enlargement Commissioner muttered, staring straight ahead and reddening slightly. She squinted in the dusky room. “I swear Godmanis is making eyes at the Zirconian guy again…”

“Oh, I do wish they’d hurry up and just have sex on this table, right here, right now. Get it all out of their system.”

“Oh, you liberated northerners, you… It’d certainly liven proceedings up.”

“…Что мне делать на подводной лодке…?”

McCann waved a hand at him as the film dragged to a close and the lights flickered back on. Godmanis beamed amidst some light applause.

“Some top-class swashbuckling there, Sonya,” Tate Sayfritz pronounced through a mouthful of bourbon from the opposite side of the room. “I’m sure we’ll all sleep sounder in our beds knowing the Somwhereistonian navy is there to sweep in and protect us at the drop of a hat.”

“That could be our navy,” Kata hissed at McCann over her shoulder. “After a fashion. If we signed that treaty…”

The Commissioner for External Relations brushed him off as Señor Carizzo rose to speak. Several sighs of relief followed soon after.

“Thank God for that… I thought we were the only ones unnerved by this whole Appendix B thing. Good show, that fascist.”

“Will you hush, Tela… I’m sure the cause of your… people will be raised again in good time.”

“Another benefit to signing the treaty. We could keep a proper eye on them then.”

McCann took his shoulder and ushered him away from the table, a handful of diplomats slipping seamlessly in front of them.

“You’re serious about this, aren’t you?” she whispered.

“Increasingly so.”

“Despite the fact that it would be utterly unconstitutional?”

“Meh. Constitutions can be rewritten. It makes sense, Niamh! What if a war breaks out in the Gooselands? Or a big one, anyway, with like proper nations involved… Do we want to just sit back and watch, or do we want to be involved from the off? We do have a Commissioner for Enlargement, after all. God knows we wouldn’t get any other chance to use her…”

“But…”

“Do we want to lose our delegacy? Because it’ll happen.”

“I can honestly say I could care less, Tela. But we wouldn’t want anyone else to have it, granted, so…”

“And what happens when Candelaria And Marquez goes tits up? We all know it will, sooner or later. Do we want our peacekeepers walking the streets of Albrecht, or Somewhereistonian ones? Or Sargossan ones?”

“It wouldn’t come to that.”

“It might. We have to move with the times, Niamh. We’re not the heart of Rushmore anymore, and we’re never going to be. But we can be in the heart of Rushmore. If we don’t sign up to this, we’re going to be watching on it from the sidelines. We’ll be the… the kidneys. Do you really want us to be on the periphery? If we were in the RTA… Well never mind the military implications, we’d have influence… leverage…”

“Young rabbits?” McCann whispered.

“Eh?”

“Never mind.” She shuffled them further towards the wall and away from the bustling table at the centre of the room and risked raising her voice a touch. “Ultimately… You’re the Security & Defence Commissioner, right? If you truly believe we need this…”

“And they need us, and all.”

“Oh, come on! Square that circle for me…”

“Look, the Pasargans, Pocoans, Nethertopians and West Zirconians could barely raise a rifle between them. They’re an irrelevance, as far as the RTA is concerned. Do we really want to leave the security of the region up to the… the two rudest nations in Rushmore?”

“I’m really not sure we take those World Assembly things seriously… They have Rothera last, I mean that’s a big stunner, isn’t it? Not as though they’ve got much opportunity to be rude…”

“Niamh, listen to me! For all our flaws, we’re… we’re better than them. Sargossa’s a military dictatorship and Somewhereistonia’s… odd. If we actually care a button about the Rights of Humanity and whatnot, it’s our duty to sign this treaty. If only to keep a check on the other guys…”

“They did suggest that flag… And they did provide an excellent selection of cakes and bakes.”

“I can see you’re thawing…”

“So really, it’s… it’s in everyone’s best interests if we sign up. We’d be doing the region a huge favour…”

Kata sighed happily. “So glad we’ve got that sorted out, then. He glanced back towards the assembled foreign ministers. “Shall we go back, then? They’re breaking out the squidgy things on sticks, and I for one don’t want to miss out…”

“Ah. How symbolic.”

“Yeah.”

[Dansak Minor]

I, the emperor Carl Beckfjord of Dansak Minor, agree to the terms and policies of this treaty..

I am happy to provide the extents of our martial forces to the foreign defence force, also as a major part of our manufactoring sector is concentrated on the production of arms i will be happy to open trade negotiations to help supply other nations with adequate ways and means to defend themselves..

your gracious ally,
Carl Beckfjord.

[Somewhereistonia]

Sonya seemed rather confused, all of a sudden the Sargossans seemed to not understand the idea of a map and Continental Rushmore was considering signing the treaty.

"Well, this has been a very err, productive afternoon. I feel I must make things clear on some subjects.

First, Appendix B is where each signatory adds their respective claims to land. This is nothing other than that. For example Somewhereistonia would claim the seven states and single sub-state that it formed from. All other nations are to submit their land claims and once it is verified that those areas are indeed part of that nation's governance.

So, are there any further objection or suggested alterations to the treaty? I think we can begin signing the treaty once you have all consulted your respective heads of state.

I'm now sending around a list of nations in attendance, with their expected result from this, please ensure that this is correct and inform us of any changes. As you should all be aware, new nations can apply and if they achieve a majority vote within the council, they can too become members. Changes to the status of the FDF will be up to those who wish to have these troops stationed within their borders."

Nations to sign:
Somewhereistonia (to supply FDF troops)
Queer Poco El Mono Ara (to receive FDF troops)
Sargossa (to supply FDF troops)
Nethertopia (to host the council)
Nth Eagle Isles (to receive FDF troops)
West Zirconia
Pasarga
Dansak Minor

Undecided:
Continental Rushmore

Official Observer States:
Bostopia (New Fenton)
Candelaria And Marquez

[OOC: I'm just going to take it as given that you all claim what you have control over for Appendix B, unless one of you wants to be difficult.]
[OOC2: If you can't tell, I'm trying to get this done and dusted. Not sure that there's much left to discuss anyway...]

[Queer Poco el Mono Ara]

“It must be said, the military museum was absolutely thrilling” said a contented Reagan. As the conference had worn on he had been excused to entertain himself – and also educate himself (although this had proved pretty futile as he had just been looking at replica firearms and picking out his favorite like he did with furniture in catalogues.)

He nudged Sonya “So, we’re all set to sign?” unsure as to whether he had returned at the right time. She nodded and he shrugged then reached inside his suit jacket for a pen. Nervous to be the first to sign off on the treaty, Harold had always liked to follow someone else’s lead but being at the front of the queue he had no option other than to sign off.

“Done.” He said, relieved “So, now what?”