The 4th Thraice Convention [Closed]

[Midrasia]

The annual peace convention of the Federal Union is set to start this week.
It has been four years since the first convention, formed after the Jopolis war was called in order to maintain a wider peace within the union and prevent further conflicts within the region. Although the success of such a convention within the union is arguable, nevertheless the convention continues to be a major event within regional politics. However this years event appears to be the most important, besides the original first convention following the war, as several nations from the continent of Pandyssia will be attending. Negotiations over the formation of a Confederacy within the war torn continent are to take place in the hopes of preserving a long term peace, and put an end to the ongoing Agiptiote-Arpadesian incursion, in the north of the continent.
National leaders will meet this year in the Autumn Palace of Thraice, on the outskirts of the Midrasian capital, owned by the royal family of Midrasia, The Destitude family, although the palace is leased out to the Midrasian government for important events, when the family are not occupying the estate.

Naturally being the hosts, the Midrasian delegation are the first to arrive, in the early hours of the morning. Prime-minister Florian de Rein and his escort of advisers arrived at the palace via a police escort through the early hours of the capital to arrive in the Bretán hills by 7:00AM. Greeted by the staff of the building the delegation was escorted to the rooms within the palace and shown the meeting hall for the 5 day convention. A large grand oaken room with many paintings and gilded furniture and ornaments. A large oval desk was placed in the center of the room, name cards near every 5 seats for each delegation. Specific care had been taken with seating arrangements, as to ensure enemies were not sitting next to each other, but also that close allies were not near each other, so as to avoid any backroom plotting. The same was true for rooms. It had been made explicitly clear that the Arpadesian delegation would get the King Aetius suite, whilst the Agiptiote delegation would receive the Queen Annabelle III suite, upon the other side of the castle. As a symbolic 'central/neutral' although somewhat grandiose gesture, the Midrasian delegation took the Imperium Titus suite, directly below the royal families chambers at the rear center of the building, leading out directly to the top of the main halls staircase.

The delegation also checked out the dining room, exquisitely laid out for today's meal. On the menu was lobster, along with a seafood banquet, with several dishes from the homelands of many of the attending nations. As the old saying goes, 'every Midrasian is out to impress', and it was ever evident here, as the servants and butlers were making the final touches to the preparations, Florian reappeared from the Imperial suite, with a large stack of papers and a laptop, gesturing one of his advisers to place and guard the files within the meeting hall, whilst the prime minister went off to the dining hall for his breakfast. Whilst Florian ate his cereal within the giant silent room, he began thinking to himself, the quiet helped him think. This would be his first convention, after previous prime minister Rylos Vaniarak stepped down from a potential third term, he had a lot to live up to. But he knew his place, although not officially neutral, Midrasia had a keen interest in maintaining a status-quo of sorts within the world. Peace within Pandyssia should help to further this goal.
After a few moments, the prime-minister was interrupted by the arrival of Zandalier Amadeus Radiel Cistern, the Grand Premier of Delsola. After a brief introduction with the Delsolan ambassadors, Florian and the Delsolan ambassadors entered the meeting room, awaiting the arrival of the rest of the leaders from Asura and Pandyssia.


The Dining hall of the Palace

National Ambassadors
Midrasia - Prime Minister Florian de Rein
Agiptiota - Hieromonk Pachomius
Agiptiote Arpadesia - Represented by Agiptiote delegation
Arpadesia -
Delsola - Grand Premier Zandalier Amadeus Radiel Cistern
Dolorem - High Overlord Sollace
Fuurturr - Foreign secretary Hop'ra Don
Inonania - Marion Clegg
Isolatonia - President Henry Scott
Vrnallia - First Minister Brachvieca LJešmarad

[Isolatonia]

The Isolatonian delegation is the next to arrive, shortly after mid day. Henry Scott, the newly elected President of The Socialist Republic of Isolatonia is making his political debut on the world stage. He is standing in the shadow of President Hernandez, a man with a fearsome political reputation who dragged Isolatonia out of the economic recession that followed the stock market crash of the Manson government.

Scott and the test if the delegation are shown to their rooms where they discuss their aims for the conference. Their primary objective is to get the new Socialist Republic of Isolatonia officially recognised as a member of the Federal Union, as it's predecessor, the United Territories of Isolatonia, was. The Isolatonians are also keen to establish trade routes with the represented nations of Pandyssia. Isolatonia's three main raw material exports are
Copper
Marble
Oil

The delegation has no further primary aims other than to ensure that the current peace that Asura and Pandyssia are enjoying lasts for as long as possible.

[Agiptiota]

The Agiptiote representative is Hieromonk Pachomius, and he arrives with a group of other learned and aged Agiptiotes. Being the first supra-national conference that Agiptiota has attended, a lot rests on how successful the Agiptiote delegation are. Having great influence over the Agiptiote Arpadesian rebels, Pachomius intends to negotiate on their behalf. Whether the rebels will be happy with any deals made at the conference is another thing, but Agiptiota could easily cut off vital supplies if the group doesn't comply.
The Agiptiote delegation waits for the negotiations to begin.

[Vrnallia]

Next arrives the Vrnallian delegation, led by First Minister Brachvieca LJešmarad, recently reelected into his second term as leader of the Council of Vrnallia. Vrnallia has long been neutral in many international matters, and is now concerning the insurgents in Pandyssia. Brachvieca intends to tackle issues as they arise - perhaps not the best approach, but probably not the worst. The Vrnallians' major concern is peace.

[Dolorem]

As the clock strikes 2:00Pm, an loud and obnoxious flurry of propellers breaks the general tentative silence of the convention. Outside Thraice Palace, a Doloremi aircraft lands. Initially, from it emerges Aethelred Gammelfalt, whom had been reagent lord of the Doloremi homefront during the short Engortian war.

Shortly after his arrival,15 Doloremi Honour Guards emerge from the aircraft, standing in two lines to create a pathway as High Overlord Sollace marches forward. Saluting, they then continue with him up to the large entryway. Here, he dismisses 11 of his guard, having them stand about the castle and continues into the meeting room with the remaining four.

Upon the Overlord's person, a badge featuring a crisply pressed Flag of Dolorem now replaced the old, faded badge of the Steel Allegiance. Taking an immediate seat next to where Gammelfalt had already seated himself, it amused him to think that it had actually been a few conferences since he was a party at war. Regardless of any Pandyssian conflicts, Dolorem had its eyes set firmly on Dragutinusan, and Delsola's continued occupation of land Dolorem should have rightly claimed after victor yin the Jopolonian war.

[Fuurturr]

The Fuurtan delegation arrived in a din of noise and activity. Fuurtan absolute dictator Jod'ro Hat, who had recently styled himself Supreme High Secretary of the Green Fist Communist Party and Chairman of the Confederacy of the Peoples of the Fuurtan Union, was not present in person, but his voice could be heard across the embassy through his representative's phone. The Chairman was, apparently, enraged that the foreign secretary, Hop'ra Don, and his entourage had arrived at the conference aboard a car (the cheek!). The delegation spent a good half hour calming the crazed dictator down outside of the conference hall. Eventually, the delegation was able to enter the conference hall, as Chairman Hat was informed that it was time for his sponge bath.

"Sorry four thee hould upp" apologised the Foreign Minister, in a thick Fuurtan accent. "Now we may begin discussing the futyour of our proud regheon, that is enlightened by the beacon of the Fuurtan people. Glorious is the dear Chairman!"

[Isolatonia]

The Fuurtan delegation arrived in a din of noise and activity. Fuurtan absolute dictator Jod'ro Hat, who had recently styled himself Supreme High Secretary of the Green Fist Communist Party and Chairman of the Confederacy of the Peoples of the Fuurtan Union, was not present in person, but his voice could be heard across the embassy through his representative's phone. The Chairman was, apparently, enraged that the foreign secretary, Hop'ra Don, and his entourage had arrived at the conference aboard a car (the cheek!). The delegation spent a good half hour calming the crazed dictator down outside of the conference hall. Eventually, the delegation was able to enter the conference hall, as Chairman Hat was informed that it was time for his sponge bath.

"Sorry four thee hould upp" apologised the Foreign Minister, in a thick Fuurtan accent. "Now we may begin discussing the futyour of our proud regheon, that is enlightened by the beacon of the Fuurtan people. Glorious is the dear Chairman!"

The Isolatonian delegation respectfully great their long time allies and neighbours.
"Greetings, Supreme High Secretary. I trust that my country's change in administration will not affect relations between us?"

[Midrasia]

As the national leaders took their places, Prime minister Florian stood up.
"Friends, we are gathered here today to discuss the diplomacy of our region. I hope for the sake of our nations, we can secure a long and prosperous peace for both Asura and Pandyssia." The prime minister raised his glass in toast to the peace, swiftly followed by the rest of the delegations. "May the negotiations commence, before we begin with the more important issue of the Pandyssian Confederacy and Agiptiote-Arpadesia, do we have any other issues that we wish to discuss?"

[Dolorem]

The Overlord immediately breaks the initial silence after the official start!

"Dearest Friends and cursed Enemies. Dolorem wish to proritise a pressing matter. Currently, Dragutinusan is under the control of Delsola, in terms of the treaty after the Jopolonian war. At the time, this was accepted, primarily, due to the existence of the Steel Allegiance, and thus an allegiance with Delsola. With the dissolution of the Allegiance, the ownership of the land is once more a problem. What many tend to forget, is that Dragutinusan, historically, is Doloremi land- ceded after the great war. Doloremi culture is stil deeply rooted in the region, and so we have a far greater claim on the area than Delsola. As such, it is our wish the temrs of the Jopolonian treaty be re-neogotiated in accordance with this matter."

With this, the Overlord awaits the response of any of the attending nations.

[Agiptiota]

Pachomius is sympathetic to the Doloremi cause, as Agiptiota faces a similar problem. Agiptiote Arpadesia has a majority Agiptiote population, as does the area to the west of Agiptiota, around the Kolzos canal. It is desirable that such situations are dealt with before they become violent, or as fast as possible.
It may be possible for Agiptiota to end the Arpadesian conflict quickly, but only if Agiptiote areas controlled by other countries are transferred. Quickly grabbing a map of Pandyssia, Pachomius highlights areas that have an Agiptiote majority in pink. The area in red shows a proposed buffer state that would allow Outfaria to exist without Inonian interference.

[Agiptiota]

http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/MDHP1 ... f.jpg.html

[Midrasia]

"The Kolzos canal, along with Port Lísten is owned by The Asuran Trade and Shipping company, a subsidiary of The Federal Union, established in The IV Asuran De-colonization Treaty (1987) It is in the unions best interests for the Port and canal to remain in its hands so that shipping lanes remain open even during wartime, so trade can continue. Although it is known that the area holds a large Agiptiote population, the region must remain in the hands of the private company, for the good of all Asura. Although it could be negotiated for all individuals within the canal zone to be permitted Agiptiote citizenship, provided that other neighbors such as The Levantine Union also permit their nationals within the canal zone to receive citizenship rights, and allow the right to choose the citizenship they wish to receive." The Prime minister then turned to the Doloremi overlord.
"The region of Dragutinusan although is undesirable as a Delsolan protectorate, also contains a large proportion of Joplonian citizens, alongside Doloremi nationals. The best solution would be most likely a referendum within the city. Should the citizens choose to join Dolorem, remain under Delsola or even form a free city under the original cities Joplonian name. However Delsola must agree to the referendum for it to go forward."

[Agiptiota]

As a strong advocate of a Pandyssian Confederation, the Agiptiote delegation suggests that perhaps the Kolzos Canal could be transferre to such an entity upon its creation. The Canal is not geographically part of Asura, although used by nations around the world. It would make sense for the Canal to be under Levantine or Pandyssian juristiction, and considering the ethnic make-up of the area, the latter would be desirable.
On the topic of the Confederation, Agiptiota suggests that the entity should share institutions with the Federal Union, and work closely with it. This is in the interests of both groups. Asurans desire peace in Pandyssia to allow for trade with nations, via the Canal or directly with North Pandyssian nations. Pandyssians desire an improvement in their own living standards and in their economies, and these goals could be achieved quicker with Asuran co-operation.
The Confederation would be decentralised, with multilateral co-operation between countries driving the entity. Conferences within the Confederation would take place annually, at a different location each year. Asuran nations would be able to observe the conferences, not having a say unless previously agreed by all Confederation members. Peace in Pandyssia could be achieved via the Confederation, with neutral nations acting as peacekeepers and negotiators.

[Vrnallia]

The First Minister chimes in: "Vrnallia never ratified the De-Colonisation Treaty, and thus has no presence in the Trade and Shipping Company. Its continued existence can hardly be said to benefit all of Asura; besides, when control of the Kolzos Canal is in the possession of the Federal Union, do non-members continue to benefit? The only fair option is to hand control of the region to an independent, international body."
"As for Dragutinusan, it would make more sense to divide the city between its neighbours on ethnic grounds. A referendum would lead to the worst outcomes for those who vote against the majority - that is to say, if I were a Joplonian, I would hardly accept being forced under Doloremi rule, barbaric as it is. I would probably rebel. Can we risk this?"

[Inonania]

Eventually, the Inonanian representative is hurried into the chamber. Like a typical Inonanian, he had forgotten that the conference was even happening, and for the most part the other representatives had forgotten that he was even supposed to be there. Upon being asked about the rest of his delegation, the man simply gives a confused look, and indicates a small band of geese outside the embassy, who appear to have pulled the cart that brought him here. Thankfully, the man, who was eventually revealed to be called Marion Clegg, had actually brought some papers that had were of some relevance to the conference, but it is soon revealed that the man is not a delegate at all and is quickly sent on his way, leaving a bemused and slightly annoyed Agiptiotan delegate to sort the papers out. It becomes clear from the documents that the Inonanians desire for more territory, but aside from that are generally in support of the Agiptiotan viewpoints.

[Agiptiota]

The Agiptiote delegation asks whether the other nations are willing to recognise a Pandyssian Confederation. It will allow all territorial disputes between Pandyssian nations to be dealt with internally, without needing consent from Asuran nations. Of course Asuran nations may still be asked when intercontinental disputes arise that affect Asura or if areas owned by international or private entities such as canals are involved.

[Vrnallia]

"Vrnallia would of course recognise such an entity. I am concerned, however, about the balance of power in such an entity. Given the enmity between Agiptiota and Arpadesia, cooperation seems rather unlikely. Indeed, the Arpadesian delegation has not even arrived yet! We should wait."

[Agiptiota]

Pachomius asks if any delegate knows how to contact the Arpadesian delegation, as he is keen to keep negotiations flowing.

[Inonania]

A highly disturbing message from the Inonanian government arrives via chicken.
The previous day, Inonanian traders travelling to the Arpadesian second city of Minas Hanri found that the entire city was completely devoid of life. Further investigation reveals that the entire country has simply emptied, leaving no trace of any struggle, battle or exodus. The capital city of Minas Capet is later revealed to be completely missing, with no buildings or structures of any kind to suggest it was ever there. It is the belief of many more religious Inonanians that the Arpadesian population were abducted by aliens. Several Agiptiotan publications suggest that the Arpadesian population were smitten by God.

[Agiptiota]

With this unusual news, Pachomius comes to the realisation that peace can be achieved in North Pandyssia. Rebel gripes with the Arpadesian regime will become invalid.
Pachomius again proposes that a Pandyssian Confederation should be made. Intervention from other Pandyssian nations should allow for quicker rebel supression. Pachomius himself vows never again to let rebel factions threaten the safety of the Pandyssian continent. The Agiptiotes wait from any agreement from Inonia (now the only other Pandyssian delegation to still exist as a sovereign state) about the creation of a Confederation. Hopefully bilateral relations between Agiptiota and Inonia will lead the continent into an era of peace.

[Inonania]

Poultry Pete agrees to the Agiptiotan terms and signs the treaty, but requests that in future the Agiptiotans spell 'Inonania' correctly on all political documents.

[Agiptiota]

Without wasting time, Pachomius proposes that formerly Arpadesian lands become protectorates controlled by Agiptiota and Inonia. An increase in land for each country would strengthen their economies, and allow them to bilaterally enforce peace upon the continent. When their economies are up to scratch, the nations will release the protectorates to govern themselves. A review of the protectorates will occur in the annual Pandyssian conferences.

The map shows temporary extensions of Agiptiote and Inonian territories (green for Agiptiota, blue for Inonia): http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/MDHP1 ... 3.jpg.html

[Inonania]

Poultry Pete hereby agrees to this proposal on behalf of the people of Inonania.

[Agiptiota]

Due to the need for good relations between Inonia and Agiptiota, Pachomius suggests that the two nations be brought closer to each other. Perhaps a currency union would be desirable, with the currency being controlled by a body that answers to the Confederation. The 'Pandyssian Pound' has a ring to it.

[Inonania]

As fondly as the Reachite is viewed by the Inonanian populace, in truth having their money made of goosefat perhaps wasn't the best idea. So Poultry Pete agrees to help establish the Pandyssian Pound, as long as the coins would be made of metal, and hereby agrees to a currency union with Agiptiota.