Alexandria Conference

[The Egyptian Realm]

ALEXANDRIA CONFERENCE
A diplomatic RP for members of The Coalition of Independent Nations only.

---

Only members of the CoIN.

BACKSTORY
EGYPT has had a long period of prosperity. It has never fallen to a foreign power. Decades ago France attempted and FAILED to blockade Egypt over the allowance of slavery in Egypt. It is now 1994 and slavery has just been abolished in Egypt. Meanwhile a number of European nations had started planning and funding a canal that would bypass Egypt's Suez Canal. If the plan would succeed, Egypts economy would surely collapse. In response, Egypt started mobilizing its military to invade and blockade Palestine to prevent the construction of the enemy canal. Seeing rising tensions, Egypt agreed to hold peace negotiations in Alexandria. This is that meeting. .....

[England and Ulster]

The English Delegation arrive in Alexandria, Egypt. It consists of:

• Her Majesty's Principle Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Right Honourable Douglas Hurd CBE MP
• Her Majesty's Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Right Honourable Douglas Hogg QC MP
• Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Defence, the Right Honourable Malcolm Rifkind PC QC MP
• Commander of English Forces Cyprus (Akrotiri and Dhekelia), General Sir Alexander George Hamilton Harley KBE, CB
• Her Majesty's High Commissioner of the Palestinian Mandate, the Right Honourable Sir Michael Parry, KBE
• Commanding Officer of the Royal Palestinian Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Michael Alexander Murray

They enter the room where the meeting will take place, taking their respective seats or positions and sorting out what their agenda will be.

[The Greater Nordic Union]

The Nordic Delegation arrives in Alexandria, Egypt. It is being lead by:

• The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Niels Helveg Petersen.
• The Minister for Finance, Mr. Mogens Lykketoft.
• HI&RH The Prince Wilhelm, Duke in Schleswig-Holstein, Prince of Livonia; representing His Imperial and Royal Majesty, the Emperor.

Sitting down, they talk amongst themselves while they wait for the conference to begin.

[The Third American Republic]

The Delegation representing the American Republic, consisting of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Sebastian Banks, and the Secretary of State for National Defence, Sam Matthews, accompanied by several assistant secretaries and advisers, have arrived in the conference room in Alexandria.

The group take their seats, and begin discussing the positions of the American Republic in the current crisis, awaiting the start of the conference.

[Messeren]

The Messyrene attendants enter the room and take their assigned seats at the table. The delegation contains a number of important figures.

Her Imperial Highness the Third Princess, Alysanne si Celennis
High Councilman and Minister of Foreign Affairs: Malidos se Nestos
High Councilman and Minister of Military Affairs: Ballelos se Orlonnis
Supreme Commander of the Messyrene Sovereign Military: Lysyrio se Mopelion
High Councilman and Minister of Economics: Adaryros se Maegah

Sitting down they prepare for the talks by whispering quietly amongst themselves, discussing their views and agenda.

[The Egyptian Realm]

The Pharaoh entered the room. He then said, "Is this everyone or shall we get started?"

[Messeren]

The Messyrene delegation rise at the entrance of the Pharaoh. Third Princess Alysanne speaks on behalf of Messeren, "Messeren's ambassadors are all present your Majesty." She says with a bow. The other Messyrene follow her lead.

[The Egyptian Realm]

"Very well, if no one has any objections, we shall begin."

[Rigatora]

The Secretary of Foreign Affairs arrived, and he sat in a seat and prepared to help negotiations benefit both sides. He was very skilled, if young, and the enthusiasm was evident in his attitude

[England and Ulster]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary begins,

"We have been sent here by Her Majesty's Government to come to an agreement over the building of a canal in Palestine. Her Majesty's Government is resolute in believing that the canal will continue as it is within English sovereign territory and that there is nothing legally forbidding us to begin such a project."

[The Egyptian Realm]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary begins,

"We have been sent here by Her Majesty's Government to come to an agreement over the building of a canal in Palestine. Her Majesty's Government is resolute in believing that the canal will continue as it is within English sovereign territory and that there is nothing legally forbidding us to begin such a project."

"Egypt shall not allow the constuction of such a canal. The building of such a canal will damage the Egyptian economy and is an act of war. My nation will not allow the construction of the canal under any circumstances ......besides, there is already a perfectly useable canal in Egypt called the Suez Canal."

[Rigatora]

The Secretary said
''possibly a compromise can be reached? Maybe limit the new canal to a certain number or size of ship. Your highness, you could in return reduce fees for using the Suez canal?''

[The Egyptian Realm]

The Secretary said
''possibly a compromise can be reached? Maybe limit the new canal to a certain number or size of ship. Your highness, you could in return reduce fees for using the Suez canal?''

"Well, my canal is a large one. Perhaps I would agree to him building a canal for small ships like yachts, sailboats, and personal boats. Perhaps their canal could be 50 meters wide? Though the fees are already cheap, my canal has not changed the fees in 40 years, so I could see if I could reduce those fees."

[Messeren]

Councilman Adaryros se Maegah speaks, "Could you quickly elaborate on how a new canal would cripple your economy when you forbade the use of your own anyway?"

[The Egyptian Realm]

Councilman Adaryros se Maegah speaks, "Could you quickly elaborate on how a new canal would cripple your economy when you forbade the use of your own anyway?"

"I never forbade everyone from using it."

[Messeren]

Councilman Adaryros se Maegah speaks, "Could you quickly elaborate on how a new canal would cripple your economy when you forbade the use of your own anyway?"

"I never forbade everyone from using it."

"I understand this, but still, if it's only the people restricted from using the Suez using this new canal, surely you are not losing any more economic power than you were by restricting access in the first place?"

[The Egyptian Realm]

"By all means, let them have a canal for small vessels while mine would remain for larger ships. That canal of theirs could be 30-50 meters wide at most."

[The Greater Nordic Union]

"By all means, let them have a canal for small vessels while mine would remain for larger ships. That canal of theirs could be 30-50 meters wide at most."

Mr. Niels Helveg Petersen, had been quiet until now, but when he heard this statement he stood up and with a firm voice said: "I really do not think that Egypt is in a position to dictate how England and its partners will construct in their sovereign territories. You say that you will lose business, but what about the fact that you have already lost it? The Maersk Line has just announced its boycott of the Canal. We are talking about a company that holds about 20% of the world's market share when it comes to shipping. Although a Nordic company, the government can do nothing to force them to use the canal again! This can only be done if Egypt tows a significantly more moderate tone.

You say that it will affect your nation's economy, but are you blind to the fact that it has already been affected by it? Most of the developed world has boycotted it, and even Kin Jidai has committed itself to using the Northern Passage instead. Maybe it is time that your government reforms. The termination of slavery was a step in the right direction, and we applaud that, but we implore you to do more. The Greater Nordic Union would be glad in assisting the Egyptian people in modernising the country, we could provide financial assistance even. This of course, is conditional on your government being ready to reform.

It is imperative that you realise that you have brought this on to yourself. Egypt's reactionary policies have caused much of the world to find an alternative route into the Red Sea. You have alienated a lot of nations, Your Majesty, nations that are tired of dealing with crisis after crisis. It is clear that your government, with its unflinching attitude, only seeks war, which is rather worrying."

With this, he sits down, and turns towards his colleagues, who give him their nods of approval.

[Messeren]

"By all means, let them have a canal for small vessels while mine would remain for larger ships. That canal of theirs could be 30-50 meters wide at most."

Mr. Niels Helveg Petersen, had been quiet until now, but when he heard this statement he stood up and with a firm voice said: "I really do not think that Egypt is in a position to dictate how England and its partners will construct in their sovereign territories. You say that you will lose business, but what about the fact that you have already lost it? The Maersk Line has just announced its boycott of the Canal. We are talking about a company that holds about 20% of the world's market share when it comes to shipping. Although a Nordic company, the government can do nothing to force them to use the canal again! This can only be done if Egypt tows a significantly more moderate tone.

You say that it will affect your nation's economy, but are you blind to the fact that it has already been affected by it? Most of the developed world has boycotted it, and even Kin Jidai has committed itself to using the Northern Passage instead. Maybe it is time that your government reforms. The termination of slavery was a step in the right direction, and we applaud that, but we implore you to do more. The Greater Nordic Union would be glad in assisting the Egyptian people in modernising the country, we could provide financial assistance even. This of course, is conditional on your government being ready to reform.

It is imperative that you realise that you have brought this on to yourself. Egypt's reactionary policies have caused much of the world to find an alternative route into the Red Sea. You have alienated a lot of nations, Your Majesty, nations that are tired of dealing with crisis after crisis. It is clear that your government, with its unflinching attitude, only seeks war, which is rather worrying."

With this, he sits down, and turns towards his colleagues, who give him their nods of approval.

The Messyrene delegacy whisper amongst themselves after the statement by Mr. Petersen. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malidos se Nestos, rises and speaks. "Are we correct in the assumption that if Egypt re-opened the Suez to the other powers to cross into the Red Sea, you, and the other major European powers, would abandon your project to build another canal?"

[The Greater Nordic Union]

Mr. Niels Helveg Petersen, had been quiet until now, but when he heard this statement he stood up and with a firm voice said: "I really do not think that Egypt is in a position to dictate how England and its partners will construct in their sovereign territories. You say that you will lose business, but what about the fact that you have already lost it? The Maersk Line has just announced its boycott of the Canal. We are talking about a company that holds about 20% of the world's market share when it comes to shipping. Although a Nordic company, the government can do nothing to force them to use the canal again! This can only be done if Egypt tows a significantly more moderate tone.

You say that it will affect your nation's economy, but are you blind to the fact that it has already been affected by it? Most of the developed world has boycotted it, and even Kin Jidai has committed itself to using the Northern Passage instead. Maybe it is time that your government reforms. The termination of slavery was a step in the right direction, and we applaud that, but we implore you to do more. The Greater Nordic Union would be glad in assisting the Egyptian people in modernising the country, we could provide financial assistance even. This of course, is conditional on your government being ready to reform.

It is imperative that you realise that you have brought this on to yourself. Egypt's reactionary policies have caused much of the world to find an alternative route into the Red Sea. You have alienated a lot of nations, Your Majesty, nations that are tired of dealing with crisis after crisis. It is clear that your government, with its unflinching attitude, only seeks war, which is rather worrying."

With this, he sits down, and turns towards his colleagues, who give him their nods of approval.

The Messyrene delegacy whisper amongst themselves after the statement by Mr. Petersen. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malidos se Nestos, rises and speaks. "Are we correct in the assumption that if Egypt re-opened the Suez to the other powers to cross into the Red Sea, you, and the other major European powers, would abandon your project to build another canal?"

"You are right, but only to a certain extent." said Mogens Lykketoft "We would like to see the Suez Canal open for all nations, at all times, with every nation being treated equally. Though this is not the only condition. The Greater Nordic Union has always stood for the protection of the basic principles of equality. The partners in the Eilat Canal initiative are not very keen about using the Suez Canal, and this is simply because they do not want to fund a dictatorial regime, a regime that treats the vast majority of its citizens as subhuman beings, engages in the needless persecution of religious groups such as the jews and behaves irresponsibly on the international stage.

Egypt needs to understand, that unless there is significant and last reforms, instills confidence that the Suez Canal will be reliable and safe means of accessing the Red Sea, members of the international community will continue to boycott the Suez Canal and find alternatives. We are no longer in the 17th century, the world has progressed and moved on. It is now 1994 and maybe Egypt needs to recognise that."

[England and Ulster]

Her Majesty's Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Right Honourable Douglas Hogg QC MP sits quietly, writing in his notebook, heading with the coat of arms of Her Majesty's Government. He begins to speak,

"Her Majesty's Government, and her allies, have a vast trade network; our territories on the eastern coast of Africa, namely Somalilland, Kenya and our territories in the Indian Ocean need to be supplemented with supplies from the United Kingdom to maintain the standard of life of these people, which are English citizens.

I echo the statements made by Mr. Petersen in that the Egyptian government has already lost money from its actions which have resulted in a boycott by the most economically powerful nations in the world. The UK, alone, trades over £20 billion every year and it relies on a direct route into the far east.

If the Egyptian authorities refuse to come to some concessions regarding what would need to happen regarding their political and social conventions, which are abhorrent, then the English government will work with its allies to secure a more direct route which will allow for our trade not to be hindered and, as Palestine is sovereign English territory, any act to directly inhibit us from going ahead with this plan will be considered an act of belligerency and the English defence regiments in Palestine as well as Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the UK, Cyprus, Malta and in Africa, will repel such an invasion.

I refer everyone here to this document *hands out government document to all attendees* which includes our message to the Secretary-General of the League of Nations regarding a review of this case. As Palestine is sovereign territory belonging to the United Kingdom, the League of Nations cannot legislative formally forbidding such a project nor, do I think, they will anyway. This means that the UK and her allies will go ahead with this project if no agreement is made. Because Egypt is not a member of the League of Nations, it cannot appeal such a decision and any attempt to go against such a decision, which has the backing of the international community, with give it more enemies and, therefore, less revenue through the Suez Canal.

As Mr Petersen has said, we are not to blame for this but have taken it upon ourselves to decide that we will not support an authoritarian and abhorrent regime and will not prop it up economically. If you want us to not go ahead with this plan and continue to use the Suez Canal, there needs to be some serious reforms made to Egyptian politics and social conventions."

[The Egyptian Realm]

"Ah, I see the issue. But yes, all bans on travel through the canal have been listed, except France because they still pick off our ships. Anyways, we would gladly reopen all access to the canal. I will admit that if Palestine would build a small canal for small ships, then the Suez Canal would not lose must business because our canal mostly services cargo ships, cruise ships, and military craft. In fact, if you agree that your canal shall not exceed 30 m wide, 10 meters deep, and would be for use by small ships such as yachts, personal craft, and sailboats, we would gladly allow your canal's contruction."

[England and Ulster]

The Secretary of State begins,

"You are not in any position to tell us what to do; this is a joint enterprise established by a group of nations and I think that you must see that it would benefit the UK and her allies more than it would the rest of the world because our military ships would not need to use your canal. Our mission is not to disrupt your economy but to allow us and others who do not want to use your canal."

[The Greater Nordic Union]

"Ah, I see the issue. But yes, all bans on travel through the canal have been listed, except France because they still pick off our ships. Anyways, we would gladly reopen all access to the canal. I will admit that if Palestine would build a small canal for small ships, then the Suez Canal would not lose must business because our canal mostly services cargo ships, cruise ships, and military craft. In fact, if you agree that your canal shall not exceed 30 m wide, 10 meters deep, and would be for use by small ships such as yachts, personal craft, and sailboats, we would gladly allow your canal's contruction."

"That, Your Majesty, with all respect that is due, is unacceptable. We are not about to spend over 60 billion dollars to build a canal that would service such small ships. In fact, as my friend Douglas has put it so eloquently, we will not even consider such a plan until Egypt promises significant reform, and ensures they are followed through. Especially considering the fact that support for the Eilat Canal grows, with Turina deciding to be a part of the initiative.

Egypt now finds itself diplomatically isolated, and for the sake of the Egyptian people, I would humbly advise you to be prepared for democratic reforms. Egypt needs to diversify its economy, to have severe reliance over the Suez Canal is perilous, and will only serve to weaken your stance. Egypt must be prepared to open up its economy to the outside world. This goes without saying, that there must be a change in the Egyptian political system, but we shall discuss that only if Your Majesty displays willingness to negotiate over this proposal." said Mogen, the Nordic Minister for Finance.

[The Egyptian Realm]

"Allowing a canal to be built for smaller ships is the most I would allow on the issue. I have already agreed to reform Suez Canal fees and I have outlawed slavery. Large and medium sized ship passage is a very big factor in our economy, so I can not allow your canal to service them."

"Also, why do you want a government to change when it has prospered for thoussnds of years? Umlike what you think, we do not persecute anyone except law breakers."