Tiandi 天地 Alternate History || World Congress || IC

[Arumdaum]

OOC: sorry if u kno whats wrong w this post. also its 4:20 am. forgive me. also here is ooc thread

World Congress Headquarters, Suho, Simguk
Early Morning, Late March

It's raining, a bit more than lightly raining. You can hear the little droplets of rainwater dripping down from the cover onto the floor, going tap, tap. It rained most heavily in Suho during the winter, and winter would soon subsiding. You left Pungdeok Station and headed towards the World Congress Headquarters as the faceless figures of businessmen, workers, and tourists passed by like the clouds of the metropolis' gray, indifferent sky. Looking at your clothes, you clearly notice that your umbrella wasn't enough to keep you from getting wet.

That doesn't matter. You're already here. Your clothes will dry.

You relax on a chair around an empty table. There's not many people here yet; you took one of the earlier trains into Downtown Suho. You take one of the little coffee packets in the middle of the table and make some coffee. It's too early for you to feel like eating anything yet. You think about some of the things which will, and might be discussed later today. Instability in Volga, instability in Volga, instability in Volga...

You take a sip of the coffee, but it still hasn't fully cooled down enough yet, and you slightly burn your upper lip and tongue. You wait for it to cool down a little before taking another sip. It's still a bit too hot, but tolerable enough to start regularly taking sips. You look out the window, into the traditional-styled garden outside. It's still raining, and the sound is rather soothing. The situation in Volga is rapidly devolving into civil war, with several different factions. Volga is a major oil producer, and borders two other major oil producers. Markets were panicking.

You take another sip from the coffee. The wet parts of your clothing feel rather chilly in contact with the skin, but the inside of the building is pretty warm. It's pretty large, and you can hear the echoing of footsteps; other people and a few delegations are starting to arrive. Unlike you, they're completely dry, and not carrying umbrellas around. They must have come by car.

You get up from your chair and finish the rest of your coffee. It's almost party-time.

[Plzen]

World Congress Headquarters, Suho, Simguk,
21st day, 3rd month, 4535

A good diplomat is characterised by the constant consideration of three questions. What state of world affairs does the State which I represent desire? What assets and powers are possessed by that State? How do I best use the latter to achieve the former?

Between the hour-long car ride between the Scandinavian consulate to the World Congress Headquarters, the many minutes it took to go through security, review the agenda of the day, locate the correct conference room and settle himself in his seat, ambassador Juho Kastalans had plenty of time with which to ponder these issues, and how they applied to the Volga crisis.

What state of world affairs does Scandinavia desire? Well, many things. But first of all, relevantly, Scandinavia did not wish to suffer the consequences of being the neighbor of a nation in civil conflict. Conflicts could and often did spill over in the form of guerrilla hideouts, incoming refugees, and lower economic confidence. Second, Scandinavia did not want to see Karelian and Novgorodian national identities develop into secessionist movements. In addition to these immediate concerns, Scandinavia also sought to maintain its strong economic growth, by retaining and establishing favourable trade agreements with its neighbours and major world economies.

What assets did Scandinavia possess? Again, many things, but the most relevant thing that he could think of was freedom from diplomatic obligations. Scandinavia did not have defensive obligations or non-aggression pacts with the Volga, or any nation adjacent to the Volga. This gave them considerable freedom to meddle in Volgan affairs to ensure or at least encourage a favourable outcome. Secondly, a considerable surplus of armaments and a fresh military. Scandinavia has had almost ten years of peace - an unprecedented first in the young nation's history. A large military intervention involving multiple divisions was not out of the question. Finally, Scandinavia also hosted the European Regional Headquarters of the World Congress - an aging legacy from colonial times when Stockholm was one of two independent European capitals on which the headquarters could be placed on. That gave them excellent diplomatic access to European affairs and the rest of the world.

Now, that last question... how do I use the latter to accomplish the former?

Aye, now. That was the rub, wasn't it?

The delegate was still pondering that issue, when the first speech of the day began.

[Rodez]

World Congress Headquarters, Suho, Simguk,
21st day, 3rd month, 4535

Yura Semtliyev, Volgan Ambassador to the World Congress, took a deep breath as he stood before the podium in the main chamber. His government - his country, was depending on Semtliyev to make a strong case against the blooming rebellions that now wracked Volga.

With a slight, almost imperceptible shudder, Semtliyev raised his steely gaze to meet the delegates of the world's nations, and launched into his address.

"Honorable Chair, and fellow delegates, good morning to you all. I want to discuss today the crisis in my country, the Republic of Volga, and what the international community can do to end the bloodshed and restore stability.

Currently, a number of our cities are besieged or occupied by terrorist factions seeking to undo the entire country. We are making every military effort to reverse this, but international condemnation of these criminals and traitors is an absolute moral necessity. Terrorist organizations such as the Revolutionary Army of the Caucasus, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the so-called 'Front for Republican Restoration,' are responsible for mass violence against civilians.

Rest assured that we consider any nation-state that lends funding and support to terrorist groups within our borders a propagator of that same terror visited upon our people. We urge the World Congress to adopt a similar attitude towards the subversive elements that seek to destroy our country. Terrorists, whether Christian or Muslim radicals or ultranationalist murderers, must not be allowed to win the day in Volga. A resolution affirming Mikhail Volodin as the lawfully appointed President of Volga would do much to dismiss the preposterous claims made by the armed devils that bludgeon and menace the Volgan people. Furthermore, we would welcome foreign aid in the form of medical supplies and foodstuffs to the current combat zones of Nizhiny Novgorod, Groznyy, Rostov and Ulyanovsk." The ferocity faded out of Semtliyev's eyes. There was no mention of Ryazan, where regime forces had encircled a rebellious city of 800,000 and had no intention of letting any aid in that might benefit the rebel defenders.

"If we unite and pool our resources for the acquisition of humanitarian aid and the crushing of terrorism, we can stem the flow of violence and dissipate the specter of civil war that hangs over Volga. But this Congress must act with great rapidity; I fear time is running short to heal these fresh wounds and put my country back together in one piece. Thank you all."

[Nanji]

World Congress Headquarters, Suho, Simguk
21st day, 3rd month, 4535

---

Zhang Zhenli leaned against his chair, bearly hanging on to wakefullness. Unlike most other delegates he had little freedom or choice in his action. Jizhou would inevitably abstain and then remain neutral in the war that everyone knew was coming. Ever since the overthrow of the self-declared "Emperor" Cheng, Jizhou had abstained from using its miniscule military offensively. Both the Mohist ideaology and the fear of another hyper-legalist leader like Cheng had scared the nation away from any sizable military. Ambassador Zhang had always wanted to be a diplomat for Jizhou, but always assumed he would end up in a position with actual power. Slightly dismayed by the sad state of his political career he took a sip of tea from his cup. He started drifting off again as the Volgan delegate's speak began.

[Budraria]

World Congress Headquarters, Suho, Simguk,
21st day, 3rd month, 4535

Chan Tzu Yi, leaned back against her rather uncomfortable seat in the main chamber of the World Congress's headquarters in Suho, Simguk. It had been quite the week for the Canto Foreign Ministry. After discussions with potential members of the Canto-Community and general discussion about the conflicts sparking across the globe, Chan could hardly wait for it to be over. But, first she had to get through this meeting.

Switching her attention back to the Volgan Ambassador, Chan feigned interest in the delegate's speech. It wasn't to be rude, honestly, but none of this was particularly ground breaking, or even new to her.

Semtliyev finished his speech, and Chan rose up from her seat and stepped towards the podium; it was finally time for her to actually do something for once.

"Honorable Chair, World Congress delegates, I would first of all like to thank Volgan Ambassador Semtliyev for introducing this issue and the rest of you for working towards fixing such a terrible situation.

The Grand Canto Republic believes that the utmost goal of the international community should working to protect the lives of the many civilians throughout Volga. In order to work towards this goal, my nation is willing to provide humanitarian aid to ALL civilians in former Volgan territory, whether they be on the side of the so called terrorists or that of the original government.

Human life, especially those of civilians, is sacred and must be protected, even if they are Muslim, even if they are Christian, even if they are ultranationalist, and even if they are loyal to the Volgan government. It is to this that the Grand Canto Republic whole heartedly condemns all violence on either side of the conflict and will not supply any weapons or supplies to combatant troops, only humanitarian aid will come from Canton. My government encourages all other members of the World Congress to do the same."

On this note, I must add a little bit to my previous statements. Recently, my government has learned that the city of Ryazan has been surrounded and kept under a tight siege by the forces of the government in Volga."

Chan turns to look straight at Semtliyev taking a breath before speaking again.

"Mr. Semtliyev, how can you speak of bringing peace and stability back to your country, when you are content to starve and murder its citizens? This only works to build up rebellious passion, and we as an international community must condemn these actions.

Furthermore, I must call into question whether the Republic of Volga truly is a republic, or perhaps this is all a façade. We as the World Congress have only watched as the Volgan government under Volodin has become increasingly autocratic, and I think there is definitely reason for the rise of an organization called the 'Front for Republican Restoration.' This body must investigate into the true nature of their government system before jumping into a crusade to support a possibly dictatorial head of state in Volga.

I believe you will all make the right decision in the end. Thank You."

[Plzen]

World Congress Headquarters, Suho, Simguk,
21st day, 3rd month, 4535

Juho Kastalans, the leader of the Scandinavian delegation to the World Congress, took careful note of the other delegations' positions. It would not do at all for Scandinavia to emerge with a position that was obviously contrarian to those of the major world powers. No... it would simply not do at all.

Delegate Semtliyev seemed to follow the government line that the Volgan government was under dire need of aid to sustain itself against what it saw as illegitimate terrorist attacks. Scandinavia would provide aid, then, certainly - a little bit judiciously applied to where it would be benefit Scandinavia most, and hot air everywhere else.

Delegate Chan emerged in complete opposition to that stance, evidently. She agreed that there was an urgent necessity to provide humanitarian aid to the growing conflict, but seemed quite hostile to the Volgan government, questioning the pretenses of their state.

Given Scandinavia's objectives in this matter...

He rose. He would have liked to listen to more opinions before committing to his own, but the order was impartial and his had come around.

"Honourable Chair and respected fellow delegates, I bid you all greetings."

"The state which I represent is highly concerned at the deepening instability of its immediate neighbour state, and joins the international community in seeking a rapid and peaceful resolution to the current crisis that all may find satisfactory. In addition to seeking a rapid resolution to this current crisis, Scandinavia recognises that while the crisis is in effect it is vital to organise humanitarian, security, and health aid to those populations affected. The human cost of military conflict is well known, and it would not do at all for human civilisation to sit back and watch as the horrors unfold once more."

"Although it sincerely wishes to aid its neighbour in its current period of instability, Scandinavia, being a state of somewhat limited resources, finds itself unable to extend to the Volga Republic the hand of aid and friendship that they in this hour truly deserve. However, this is not to say that Scandinavia will be a passive observer in this crisis. It, too, will play its part as a member of the community of nations in responding to the most recent events."

Delegate Kastalans stood up a little bit straighter, and regarded the chamber with the grace and experience of an old diplomat.

"In this hour, Scandinavia stands for its own! It is known that the Volga Republic hosts a considerable Finnic population that is even now being slowly embroiled into the ethnic struggle in which they have no interest and no part save that of victim. To those citizens of the Volga Republic who are native or fluent speakers of Karelian, the Scandinavian Commonwealth offers a shelter in its borders for the duration of this civil strife. Scandinavia will, furthermore, act to prevent the spread of strife by increasing its security presence on our mutual frontier with the Volgans, in order to ensure that the illicit flow of arms, men, and resources that so characterise states in civil war are slowed."

"This delegation urges the international community to act quickly and decisively while the conflict is still in its opening stages, and declares its solidarity with the suffering people of the Volga Republic."

"Thank you. This delegate yields the floor."