The Power Breakfast [ATTN Luziyca]

[Namor]

The stocky, bespectacled correspondent for the Daily Messenger lept up:

"Jim Kaslowsky, Holon Daily Messenger. Mr. President-General, we've heard a carrot and stick approach about the Qianrong situation, but what enforcement mechanisms do you have for guaranteeing free navigation in the East Namor Sea? Have you and President Shojarski discussed this? Has there been buy-in from Ainin for any plans? Has there been a positive reaction from other neighboring powers? From WETO? Shippers and exporters back home want some guidance here".

Jim shot Zhou Shen-Ying a sideways glance as he sat down.

"First of all, let us not disrespect our friend here, it's Shjoraski, not Sho-jar-si-kee," said Fu, keeping his pleasant smile. "But on to your question...Namor and its WETO allies have been, are, and will continue to make sure free navigation in the East Namor Sea is guaranteed. We will take all actions necessary to prevent illegal smuggling and piracy---as seen with cases like the Trang Vai a while ago---from happening. As for reactions from neighboring countries, well, I must say they better respect free navigation in the East Sea because they're going to lose out a lot if they don't."

[Cata Larga]

A short-but-skinny, champagne-haired, and bearded man stood up near the front of the room, dressed semi-casually in a cargo jacket over a polo shirt-jeans combination. He looked over the pair of world leaders critically before bowing slightly and speaking in a light, respectful Catalarguense accent. "Gentlemen, I am Alfonse Sant-Aguestiene reporting for Catalarguense newspaper Ǐs Mereǐs. Apologies, President-General, but this is another question directed towards you." The reporter chuckled to himself before taking a breath and speaking. "President-General Fu, you say that you will not abandon your obligations to Eastern Esquarian nations. However, President-General, what do you believe those obligations to be in the first place, and what steps will you be taking to fulfill them?"

[Namor]

"See?" Fu exclaimed with a grin as he extended his hand at the direction of the Catalarguense reporter. "This guy has a constructive question over here! Well, sir, Namor's obligations in eastern Esquarium have always been simple---we want to make sure there is a respect for non-interference in each others' affairs, and democratic governance and rule of law are both preserved there. These are basic obligations and they haven't changed. We fulfill this obligation by supporting efforts at maintaining stability there---peace talks if you will---and use the regional community as a platform to support the people's will there. Also, we urge anyone who disrespect the people's will to...take a step back and reconsider their motives." If Fu wasn't brushing off questions, he was surely trying to find language that wouldn't let Shjoraski storm off the press room in indignation.

"These are our obligations and how we get there," continued Fu. "As you can see, we have obligations we don't abandon. But everyone's got different priorities at different points of time."

[Qianrong]

The stocky, bespectacled correspondent for the Daily Messenger lept up:

"Jim Kaslowsky, Holon Daily Messenger. Mr. President-General, we've heard a carrot and stick approach about the Qianrong situation, but what enforcement mechanisms do you have for guaranteeing free navigation in the East Namor Sea? Have you and President Shojarski discussed this? Has there been buy-in from Ainin for any plans? Has there been a positive reaction from other neighboring powers? From WETO? Shippers and exporters back home want some guidance here".

Jim shot Zhou Shen-Ying a sideways glance as he sat down.

"First of all, let us not disrespect our friend here, it's Shjoraski, not Sho-jar-si-kee," said Fu, keeping his pleasant smile. "But on to your question...Namor and its WETO allies have been, are, and will continue to make sure free navigation in the East Namor Sea is guaranteed. We will take all actions necessary to prevent illegal smuggling and piracy---as seen with cases like the Trang Vai a while ago---from happening. As for reactions from neighboring countries, well, I must say they better respect free navigation in the East Sea because they're going to lose out a lot if they don't."

Zhou Shen-Ying and Leung Men-Xiang both immediately stood up. After a few awkward seconds, Zhou dipped his head to Leung, signifying that Leung could speak first.

Leung turned to Fu and said, "This is something I don't think Namor has ever really elaborated on... under what grounds was the Trang Vai smuggling? None of the three parties involved before the seizure of the vessel- the Peitoan, Qianrongese, and Zepuhan regimes- none of them had passed blockades against each other. They were violating no laws. How is that smuggling?" Zhou nodded in agreement, and said, "I honestly have to concur. What laws was the Trang Vai breaking? Sure, the PRN had it's sanctions, but you can't possibly claim that Qianrong and New Zepuha have to follow the rules passed by the Namorese Central Committee. It was an act of piracy, an attack on a civilian cargo ship conducting legitimate trade. What laws- Qianrongese or Zepuhan or Free Namorese, mind you- did the Trang Vai violate? What actual justification did the Liberation Navy have for its actions?"

[Cata Larga]

"See?" Fu exclaimed with a grin as he extended his hand at the direction of the Catalarguense reporter. "This guy has a constructive question over here! Well, sir, Namor's obligations in eastern Esquarium have always been simple---we want to make sure there is a respect for non-interference in each others' affairs, and democratic governance and rule of law are both preserved there. These are basic obligations and they haven't changed. We fulfill this obligation by supporting efforts at maintaining stability there---peace talks if you will---and use the regional community as a platform to support the people's will there. Also, we urge anyone who disrespect the people's will to...take a step back and reconsider their motives." If Fu wasn't brushing off questions, he was surely trying to find language that wouldn't let Shjoraski storm off the press room in indignation.

"These are our obligations and how we get there," continued Fu. "As you can see, we have obligations we don't abandon. But everyone's got different priorities at different points of time."

"Take a step back and reconsider their motives?" Sant-Aguestiene raised an eyebrow. "How do you mean, sir? Do you expect some of the... forces behind the recent tensions in the Orient to merely 'step back', as you say?" The reporter glanced towards President Shjoraski.

[Britanno]

"See?" Fu exclaimed with a grin as he extended his hand at the direction of the Catalarguense reporter. "This guy has a constructive question over here! Well, sir, Namor's obligations in eastern Esquarium have always been simple---we want to make sure there is a respect for non-interference in each others' affairs, and democratic governance and rule of law are both preserved there. These are basic obligations and they haven't changed. We fulfill this obligation by supporting efforts at maintaining stability there---peace talks if you will---and use the regional community as a platform to support the people's will there. Also, we urge anyone who disrespect the people's will to...take a step back and reconsider their motives." If Fu wasn't brushing off questions, he was surely trying to find language that wouldn't let Shjoraski storm off the press room in indignation.

"These are our obligations and how we get there," continued Fu. "As you can see, we have obligations we don't abandon. But everyone's got different priorities at different points of time."

"Mr President-General, what did Namor actually do in the Eastern Esquarian Crisis? Your predecessor called Mr Shjoraski and condemned the regime changes just like everybody else, but what obligations as a democratic superpower did Namor take seriously in Eastern Esquarium?"

[Namor]

Zhou Shen-Ying and Leung Men-Xiang both immediately stood up. After a few awkward seconds, Zhou dipped his head to Leung, signifying that Leung could speak first.

Leung turned to Fu and said, "This is something I don't think Namor has ever really elaborated on... under what grounds was the Trang Vai smuggling? None of the three parties involved before the seizure of the vessel- the Peitoan, Qianrongese, and Zepuhan regimes- none of them had passed blockades against each other. They were violating no laws. How is that smuggling?" Zhou nodded in agreement, and said, "I honestly have to concur. What laws was the Trang Vai breaking? Sure, the PRN had it's sanctions, but you can't possibly claim that Qianrong and New Zepuha have to follow the rules passed by the Namorese Central Committee. It was an act of piracy, an attack on a civilian cargo ship conducting legitimate trade. What laws- Qianrongese or Zepuhan or Free Namorese, mind you- did the Trang Vai violate? What actual justification did the Liberation Navy have for its actions?"

Fu wanted to facepalm, but he decided not to. These dumb questions are wearing me out, he thought, they should've checked the IQ of these reporters before they entered the room. His smile had partially faded, and he wanted to make it clear that he thought Leung's question was stupid and deserved its necessary rebuttal.

"I don't even know where to begin with this..." he began. "Trang Vai, civilian cargo conducting 'legitimate trade?' What if I told you it was carrying arms, arms from New Zepuha, to Peitoa, which is Namorese territory? We warned against smuggling arms to assist the illegitimate Peitoan authority, and that's exactly what Qianrong and New Zepuha did. The ship was carrying weapons to an enemy, and we have a right to stop it just like any combatant in any conflict. They shipped arms to our territory to violate our national security. Put it this way...if a ship was carrying weapons to Qianrong and these weapons are intended on arming the Sovereignty Alliance, would you stop it?

"Peitoa is Namorese territory. Smuggling is defined as illegally shipping goods into one's territory. The Trang Vai tried to covertly sneak Zepuhan arms into Peitoa without our consent or permission, and since we made it clear we don't want anything to enter or leave Peitoa during the crisis, it isn't us who need to do much explanation, but those who allowed the arms to board the ship in the first place.

"And what in...Songte's name is a 'Namorese Central Committee?' If you had done your research you would've realized that such an institution never existed. I really don't know what you're talking about." He then bowed his head and covered it with his right hand. "Next question, and make it relevant."

"Take a step back and reconsider their motives?" Sant-Aguestiene raised an eyebrow. "How do you mean, sir? Do you expect some of the... forces behind the recent tensions in the Orient to merely 'step back', as you say?" The reporter glanced towards President Shjoraski.

"If that's what you make of it, then that's what it is," said Fu. "But I disagree with you thinking that we're telling them to merely step back. If the time comes and things re-escalate we'll take the initiative in enforcing our obligations."

"Mr President-General, what did Namor actually do in the Eastern Esquarian Crisis? Your predecessor called Mr Shjoraski and condemned the regime changes just like everybody else, but what obligations as a democratic superpower did Namor take seriously in Eastern Esquarium?"

"Well...we did sign a proclamation condemning the regime changes in Ocidenia and elsewhere in southeastern Esquarium," said Fu. "This was signed by not only us, but by the Aininians, Vyvlander and Wolfmannis. Because we never had a tradition of mobilizing our armed forces and sending them outside of western Esquarium, we didn't---or should I say we never had---any concrete plan or consideration of direct military intervention in that region. We did consider drafting an action call to our WETO allies to form a counter-intervention plan if the situation worsened. We also sent strong messages to Luziyca, our neighbor, to stop messing around with the people of eastern Esquarium in the form of self-defense exercises. We took this seriously and we continue to take this seriously. But I feel like our obligations cannot be entirely fulfilled if I don't meet Shjoraski in person.

"And you have to realize that, as disadvantageous it may seem to some of you here, Shjoraski and I didn't meet in Namo so we can talk solely about eastern Esquarium. We've got our problems, too."

[Britanno]

"Well...we did sign a proclamation condemning the regime changes in Ocidenia and elsewhere in southeastern Esquarium," said Fu. "This was signed by not only us, but by the Aininians, Vyvlander and Wolfmannis. Because we never had a tradition of mobilizing our armed forces and sending them outside of western Esquarium, we didn't---or should I say we never had---any concrete plan or consideration of direct military intervention in that region. We did consider drafting an action call to our WETO allies to form a counter-intervention plan if the situation worsened. We also sent strong messages to Luziyca, our neighbor, to stop messing around with the people of eastern Esquarium in the form of self-defense exercises. We took this seriously and we continue to take this seriously. But I feel like our obligations cannot be entirely fulfilled if I don't meet Shjoraski in person.

"Mr President, you shouted about a bit and made some empty threats. Is Namor not a superpower? Does a superpower not have obligations to all of Esquarium? There is no tradition for a lot of things Mr Wen, that doesn't mean they shouldn't be done."

"And you have to realize that, as disadvantageous it may seem to some of you here, Shjoraski and I didn't meet in Namo so we can talk solely about eastern Esquarium. We've got our problems, too."

"Are you really saying that a territorial dispute that has been raging on for decades is equally as important as a crisis that killed thousands? Mr President, what is the value of life to you?"

[Qianrong]

Satisfied that Fu had finally given some explanation about the seizure of the Trang Vai, Leung turned to President Shjoraski. "President Shjoraski, with all due respect... you agreed, on May 28th, with Song Li-Chao, that Luziyca and the Qianrongese regime would stand together. Song was kidnapped on June 3rd, and there have been numerous terror attacks since, but you're only planning to provide assistance now, in October. Why has Luziyca waited so long to begin fulfilling its duties as an ally?"

[Luziyca]

Satisfied that Fu had finally given some explanation about the seizure of the Trang Vai, Leung turned to President Shjoraski. "President Shjoraski, with all due respect... you agreed, on May 28th, with Song Li-Chao, that Luziyca and the Qianrongese regime would stand together. Song was kidnapped on June 3rd, and there have been numerous terror attacks since, but you're only planning to provide assistance now, in October. Why has Luziyca waited so long to begin fulfilling its duties as an ally?"

Shjoraski replied, "The reason was that we assumed that Chancellor Song Li-Chao were to be found. Then after about a week or so, we began plans to activate LAFB Yucheng, but other pressing matters have popped up, mostly domestic, combined with the opposition and the filibuster of the Liberals against rescuing him."

[Namor]

"Mr President, you shouted about a bit and made some empty threats. Is Namor not a superpower? Does a superpower not have obligations to all of Esquarium? There is no tradition for a lot of things Mr Wen, that doesn't mean they shouldn't be done."

"Look," said Fu, visibly annoyed and further peeved by the reporter's disrespectful referral to him by his given name instead of his surname (but decided to let that all sink in), "There is a difference between a superpower and an irresponsible warmonger who goes around, makes rash decisions and end up doing things that cause more harms than benefits. We are a responsible power, we look at the situation from a rational angle and from there we do what's right. Are you saying that I should break the tradition of maintaining a passive-when-appropriate foreign policy and mobilize the Liberation Army and let them fight an inconclusive war just to undo the regime changes there? Are you suggesting that I do this against public opinion? What if I told you that military intervention is not how we solve whatever goes on the east or anywhere? It only costs more human lives, civilian and military alike. For you to imply that you support a Namorese military intervention on the other side of the world and at the same time say you care about human lives, shows that you reek of hypocrisy.

"Are you really saying that a territorial dispute that has been raging on for decades is equally as important as a crisis that killed thousands? Mr President, what is the value of life to you?"

Fu took a deep breath, and replied calmly, "Again, you're telling me that I should order an intervention which will most likely kill more people, as did the Iglesian intervention," said Fu. "And because of the territorial dispute over the occupied territories in Nantai, hundreds and thousands of Namorese and Luziycans have died from violence and clashes, yet you're saying this is unimportant.

"What Mr. Shjoraski and I are doing is to reach our own agreement on the dispute, so a Fourth Namo-Luziycan War won't erupt. Blood has spilled for too long on both sides of the Barrier, and neither the Namorese nor Luziycan peoples will accept it. Yet you're saying this is unimportant. What is the value of life to you?"

[Britanno]

Fu took a deep breath, and replied calmly, "Again, you're telling me that I should order an intervention which will most likely kill more people, as did the Iglesian intervention," said Fu. "And because of the territorial dispute over the occupied territories in Nantai, hundreds and thousands of Namorese and Luziycans have died from violence and clashes, yet you're saying this is unimportant.

"What Mr. Shjoraski and I are doing is to reach our own agreement on the dispute, so a Fourth Namo-Luziycan War won't erupt. Blood has spilled for too long on both sides of the Barrier, and neither the Namorese nor Luziycan peoples will accept it. Yet you're saying this is unimportant. What is the value of life to you?"

"Mr President I never questioned whether the lives lost in your country were tragic, but is not more important to save hundreds of thousands of people who have died in just a matter of weeks rather than a much smaller amount of a much longer time period?"

[West Cedarbrook]

Jim Kaslowsky's hand shot up again.

"President Shjoraski, there's been a lot of discontent in the South, especially the far Southeast about alleged CIA involvement in recent coups. What are your objectives in the far Southeast? And how do you square your policy with Dubrovka's role as an enforcer in conflicts there? You claim to be a champion of free enterprise, but yet much of the heavy lifting
there falls to Communist mercenaries. Can you fault Cata Larga and others for being frustrated with the recent regional events?"

[Luziyca]

Jim Kaslowsky's hand shot up again.

"President Shjoraski, there's been a lot of discontent in the South, especially the far Southeast about alleged CIA involvement in recent coups. What are your objectives in the far Southeast? And how do you square your policy with Dubrovka's role as an enforcer in conflicts there? You claim to be a champion of free enterprise, but yet much of the heavy lifting
there falls to Communist mercenaries. Can you fault Cata Larga and others for being frustrated with the recent regional events?"

Shjoraski said, "Mr. Kaslowsky, our objectives in the southeast right now is to bring peace and stability to the region. As for our policy, this is an element of realpolitik. Sometimes, you need to be best buds with the commies so to defeat a common threat, in this case, Ocidenian separatists. Though with negotiations, I know things will get better."

[Cata Larga]

Jim Kaslowsky's hand shot up again.

"President Shjoraski, there's been a lot of discontent in the South, especially the far Southeast about alleged CIA involvement in recent coups. What are your objectives in the far Southeast? And how do you square your policy with Dubrovka's role as an enforcer in conflicts there? You claim to be a champion of free enterprise, but yet much of the heavy lifting
there falls to Communist mercenaries. Can you fault Cata Larga and others for being frustrated with the recent regional events?"

Shjoraski said, "Mr. Kaslowsky, our objectives in the southeast right now is to bring peace and stability to the region. As for our policy, this is an element of realpolitik. Sometimes, you need to be best buds with the commies so to defeat a common threat, in this case, Ocidenian separatists. Though with negotiations, I know things will get better."

Alfonse Sant-Aguestiene stood up again with a raised eyebrow. "President Shjoraski, with all due respect, how do you consider a poorly-armed, pell-mell force of foreign rebels thousands upon thousands of kilometers away from Luziycan shores to be a threat to a superpower such as your nation?" the Catalarguen asked.

[Luziyca]

Shjoraski said, "Mr. Kaslowsky, our objectives in the southeast right now is to bring peace and stability to the region. As for our policy, this is an element of realpolitik. Sometimes, you need to be best buds with the commies so to defeat a common threat, in this case, Ocidenian separatists. Though with negotiations, I know things will get better."

Alfonse Sant-Aguestiene stood up again with a raised eyebrow. "President Shjoraski, with all due respect, how do you consider a poorly-armed, pell-mell force of foreign rebels thousands upon thousands of kilometers away from Luziycan shores to be a threat to a superpower such as your nation?" the Catalarguen asked.

Shjoraski said, "They are not, necessarily, a threat to us, but they are a threat to the people of Ocidenia. We believe that the situation in Ocidenia was precipitated due to the low support of the previous Prime Minister in Ocidenia, which helped ensure that Simeon Brozhav got to power in the first place. Thus, I can't fault many nations for being frustrated with recent events in Eastern Esquarium, but you need to consider that sometimes, we need to discuss the issues that affect us near and dear to our hearts, even if we have to ignore a major crisis in a different part of the world."

[Katranjiev]

A reporter from Slevdovatel, Hristina Kovachev said, "I have a question to ask both of you, your excellencies. How do you perceive the situation in Riro since it has obtained independence from Katranjiev this past April, and how do you think this new state will affect relations between Luziyca and Namor?"

[Namor]

"Mr President I never questioned whether the lives lost in your country were tragic, but is not more important to save hundreds of thousands of people who have died in just a matter of weeks rather than a much smaller amount of a much longer time period?"

"I don't know how one is going to save people who are already dead, honestly," said Fu. "All we can do is prevent more people from dying, and to do that we must consider only the options that aren't abrasive or can put more lives in danger. I am placing support on the ongoing peace talks between the Brozhav regime and opponents to the regime. We must get all sides talking and keep them talking so no more blood is shed. I don't feel like it's the right time to do something that will interrupt the talks. If there is no permanent solution in the horizon, then we're happy with a ceasefire. We'll see what happens."

A reporter from Slevdovatel, Hristina Kovachev said, "I have a question to ask both of you, your excellencies. How do you perceive the situation in Riro since it has obtained independence from Katranjiev this past April, and how do you think this new state will affect relations between Luziyca and Namor?"

"Katranjiev recognizes Riro as an independent country, and so do we," said Fu. "The Katranjian government respected the results of the referendum which gave the Riro region its independence. Since the country which once controlled Riro no longer sees it as its own territory, there is no reason for anyone not to recognize Riro's independence. This new state's effect on Namo-Luziycan relations is benign, at least I think it is."

[Luziyca]

A reporter from Slevdovatel, Hristina Kovachev said, "I have a question to ask both of you, your excellencies. How do you perceive the situation in Riro since it has obtained independence from Katranjiev this past April, and how do you think this new state will affect relations between Luziyca and Namor?"

"Miss," Shjoraski said, "we are admittedly a bit concerned about its viability and whether it could do well as a separate state, but we have recognized it now as a sovereign state."

[Cata Larga]

"Mr President I never questioned whether the lives lost in your country were tragic, but is not more important to save hundreds of thousands of people who have died in just a matter of weeks rather than a much smaller amount of a much longer time period?"

"I don't know how one is going to save people who are already dead, honestly," said Fu. "All we can do is prevent more people from dying, and to do that we must consider only the options that aren't abrasive or can put more lives in danger. I am placing support on the ongoing peace talks between the Brozhav regime and opponents to the regime. We must get all sides talking and keep them talking so no more blood is shed. I don't feel like it's the right time to do something that will interrupt the talks. If there is no permanent solution in the horizon, then we're happy with a ceasefire. We'll see what happens."

Sant-Aguestiene stood again. "President-General Fu, you say that all sides in the Oriental crises must be brought to the table. Would that include Cata Larga, even though that country remains officially in a state of war with Ocidenia, one nation whose government was brought down via a Luziycan-backed coup?"

[Namor]

Sant-Aguestiene stood again. "President-General Fu, you say that all sides in the Oriental crises must be brought to the table. Would that include Cata Larga, even though that country remains officially in a state of war with Ocidenia, one nation whose government was brought down via a Luziycan-backed coup?"

"We want peace talks which everybody who's involved in the southeastern crisis will attend," said Fu. "Any settlement that leaves anyone out will not bring positive or fulfilling results."

An aide slowly walked towards the President-General and whispered in his ear, "President-General, time is up."

Fu nodded in relief, and it was announced by the aide to everyone in the room that the press conference featuring both President-General Fu Wen and Luziycan President Breuvi Shjoraski had concluded. The two leaders had answered great questions about their discussion and provided great answers, and on behalf of the governments of the People's Republic and the Christian Republic the two leaders would like to see the press again.

Fu had restored his businessman's smile and his posture, as if he had never been shaken by the shitload of questions about the insignificance that was southeastern Esquarium. He brushed residual feelings of emptiness off, and turned towards the President of Luziyca, wondering how he thought about the press conference. He took note that the international press could be obnoxious, but he knows that unless he summons for it, he probably won't see the faces of some reporters again.

"Well, Mr. Shjoraski," he said to the Luziycan leader as they both left the press room and all the other reporters made parting shots and shuffled out, "that was one hell of a conference. I didn't expect so many...." he tried to conceal his inwardly annoyed attitude, "...individuals asking questions about a crisis that one can't even call a crisis anymore. Don't you feel the same?"

[Luziyca]

Sant-Aguestiene stood again. "President-General Fu, you say that all sides in the Oriental crises must be brought to the table. Would that include Cata Larga, even though that country remains officially in a state of war with Ocidenia, one nation whose government was brought down via a Luziycan-backed coup?"

"We want peace talks which everybody who's involved in the southeastern crisis will attend," said Fu. "Any settlement that leaves anyone out will not bring positive or fulfilling results."

An aide slowly walked towards the President-General and whispered in his ear, "President-General, time is up."

Fu nodded in relief, and it was announced by the aide to everyone in the room that the press conference featuring both President-General Fu Wen and Luziycan President Breuvi Shjoraski had concluded. The two leaders had answered great questions about their discussion and provided great answers, and on behalf of the governments of the People's Republic and the Christian Republic the two leaders would like to see the press again.

Fu had restored his businessman's smile and his posture, as if he had never been shaken by the shitload of questions about the insignificance that was southeastern Esquarium. He brushed residual feelings of emptiness off, and turned towards the President of Luziyca, wondering how he thought about the press conference. He took note that the international press could be obnoxious, but he knows that unless he summons for it, he probably won't see the faces of some reporters again.

"Well, Mr. Shjoraski," he said to the Luziycan leader as they both left the press room and all the other reporters made parting shots and shuffled out, "that was one hell of a conference. I didn't expect so many...." he tried to conceal his inwardly annoyed attitude, "...individuals asking questions about a crisis that one can't even call a crisis anymore. Don't you feel the same?"

Shjoraski said, "Indeed. At points, I was tempted to snarl and basically deride these so-called 'reporters,' but I chose not to because they asked me a question. But I do not understand why they ask you when they could've asked us."