The International Senate [IC/MT]

[Gaine Moon]

Senator Timothy Harper stands up, pulls out his speech, and begins reading.

"Mr. Speaker, as a former Minister of National Security, I can say that fighting terrorism is absolutely an important issue. The Gaine Moonian people stand with the people of East Ares, who are under attack by the evil group known as SHADE. However, turning the International Senate into a club with which to beat nations infected by this blight does nothing to stop the terrorist threat. If anything, it will create instability in invaded regions, which will lead to a higher terrorist presence in the absence of law and order. Thus, on behalf of my country, I vote NAY on the Terrorism Abolishment Initiative."

[Allyrije]

Direnni returns to the Podium, looking worn out and tired.

"Mr Speaker seeing as how the problems with this bill previously mentioned by myself and agreed upon by many senators have not been amended it would be hypocritical and wrong of me to abstain or to vote yay to this bill. Therefore, until these problems are amended in future potential propositions of bills akin to this one my nation will time and time again vote these sorts of bills down. Under no circumstance will Allyria vote for a bill which either drags its military into foreign wars or would allow others to violate Allyria's sovereignty purely because of future circumstances which may arise due to potential, unforeseeable underground activity. In short, Mr. Speaker, I will be voting NAY on this bill."

[The United Conservative Provinces]

The presiding officer calls for senator Conway's vote. He stands up slowly, "I am sorry senator Akara, but I am going to have to agree with the other senators. This bill that has been proposed will have no chance of passing unless some major changes in the wording are made. If no edit is made the terrorist group, SHADE, will have an opportunity to grow their power and influence in the invaded nation and be able to expand their reach to other ones. I understand your intentions, but the International Senate was not created to act as an international military force, therefore, I shall abstain this bill.

---

Once senator Conway finished voicing his vote, Jacob Haas stood and maneuvered to the pulpit facing the senators, "Senators, because of the absence of senator Akara and the failure to present a finalized draft of the bill, the Terrorism Abolishment Initiative has been defeated. However, if at any time senator Akara would like to re-propose this bill, he may do so after making adjustments." Haas paused for a few seconds to scan the room to make sure senator Akara was truly absent. "The senate will now be closed for a short period of four hours to allow senators time to rest and finalize any bill proposals that may be made in the next session."

Yay- 1
Howard Akara

Nay- 6
Hikn Ieaiehly
Oliver Cohn
Timothy Harper
Arana Direnni (President)
Robert Warner

Abstain-6
Trevor Conway (President)
Emir Khanabul
John Caulfeld
Anton Springvale
Vicountess Nedda Bosniaa

[Gaine Moon]

Senator Timothy Harper stands up.
"My fellow Senators, it is my honor to announce the creation of the Liberal Party. The Party will hold freedom, justice, and human rights as its primary values. As Party President, I pledge to represent all members of the Party. Thank you."

[The United Conservative Provinces]

Haas stands up once more, "Senator Harper, I do has a slight concern about senator Rosbacher in your party. She has not participated in any of the sessions so far and has been discharged from the senate recently. Until she decides to appear at the senate sessions, she cannot be a part of your political party nor can she vote. However, your political party has been acknowledged."

---

The four hour period ended and the bells once again began to ring throughout the Senate building in the UCP to notify the senators that the official third session has begun. Jacob Haas moved to the pulpit but waited a few seconds until all the senators had taken their seats. "I would like to acknowledge the formation of a Left-wing party called the Liberal Party that has elected Timothy Harper as their president.. This new party has now received the additional power of possessing a president, votes will be taken accordingly." Haas paused for a few seconds. "I would now like to put the official third session of the International Senate into action. God be with us as we resolve these issues and determine the future of our great nations. Bills may now be presented." He then turned around took his seat.

[Agarntrop]

Senator Khanabul decided to present the defence bill he had in mind whilst proposing sexuality education....

Official Name: International Senate Defence Alliance bill

Overview: The following bill will create a defence alliance for the international senate. This bill will set out the founding treaty for that alliance including all its rules. It will increase co-operation between international Senate members and most importantly set the scene for a broad defensive initiative. This bill will also create a collective defence of IS members waring off attacks.
Section 1: There is currently little to none defence co-operation between international Senate members rendering the organisation virtually useless in that area. This also increases the capability of nations and armed groups (including rogue states and terror organisations) chance of attacking IS member states as there is no collective defence response.
Section 2: Establishes the International Senate Defence Alliance (ISDA) between all international senate nations
Section 3: Affirms that any disputes between ISDA members must be solved peacefully.
Section 4: ISDA members will enlarge their friendly ecenomic relationship with each other by all having international economic policies that promote trading with other ISDA members.
Section 5: All ISDA members will commit to mutual aid in order to strengthen against outside attack.
Section 6: The International Senate must consult in a between-bill debate when any ISDA member has their territorial integrity threatened.
Section 7: An attack against one ISDA member is considered as an attack against them all.
Section 8: This treaty only covers member nations and not their puppets or colonies.
Section 9: The government of an international senate member state may object from joining the ISDA upon its creation.
Section 10: Any member is free to leave the ISDA.
This bill is then honorably presented to the International Senate for consideration in order to strengthen the collective defence capability of the international senate to improve the global community and is backed by Senator Emir Khanabul on 28th June 2018.

"I am free to edit this bill in the final version" he sits down, and takes a sip of water.

[West Phoenicia]

Viscountess Nedda Bosniaa rises from her seat.

"I would first like to thank Senator Khanabul  for the introduction of the International Senate Defence Alliance bill. I see it as a very useful bill to support and get behind to assist with the mutual cooperation between member states in areas of defence. West Phoenicia has been looking for a long time for such a treaty and cooperation as its not always wise to rely on the assistance of client states.

Section 4 of the bill does seem to be out of place what does economic agreements and trade agreements have to do with mutual defence cooperation? Surely economy and trade would be better suited for a trade or economic bill, unless one is talking about military equipment."

Senator Bosniaa stopped for a sip of water.

"In regards to aid if we are to discuss financial and military, will each nation that choose to commit place equal amounts. So one nation does not have a monopoly?

Those are the only two questions. Thank you Senator Khanabul 

[Kowani]

Načes Unidas stood up slowly, inching towards the podium. Upon arriving, she began to speak. “As this is my first time in this hallowed institution’s grandiose halls, I shall introduce myself. Načes Unidas. As much as I’d love to explain more, there’s no time. However, I have a list of complaints that require addressing, bom?

Firstly, in the case of an invasion by foreign powers, and an ISDA response, I assume the host nation has the final say on military operations? Unless it’s a complete liberation, I don’t think anyone wants unsupervised armies running around at random.

Secondly, are soldiers under the laws of their home country or the host one?

Thirdly, would this treaty come into effect if the IS nation was the aggressor?

Fourthly, can IS members join the ISDA after its creation, and, bouncing off of that, can those that have left rejoin afterwards?” She than turns around, getting down from the podium.

Marco Aurelia runs towards the podium, muttering something in Kowani. “What my colleague forgot to mention was that we consider this bill a good idea, but there’s a few problems we must work out before we can make any sort of decision.

[Brendislav]

The bill presented to Oliver Cohn looked promising. After a quick read, he stood up from his seat, and began to speak,

"The bill proposed by Senator Khanabul looks very promising, a defensive alliance would aid all of our nations, as well as the proceedings in the Senate. If it were to be accepted, it would further ensure the sovereignty of all of our nations. Furthermore, the bill will ensure that our senate will not be plagued by hostile relations between countries."

Senator Cohn clears his throat, and looks towards Senator Bosniaa,

"As Senator Bosniaa has brought up, the addition of the economic section is both unnecessary and unclear. A defensive alliance does not need to include trade agreements. Also, the bill does not clearly state what these 'international economic policies' will be, would we have to simply exchange goods? Or would we have open up opportunities for private practices to move to our nations? If the United Socialist States of Brendislav are to accept this bill section four will need to be removed or given more detail."

Cohn thanks the senate for their time before retreating back into his personal office. He receives a calls from various branches of the Brendislavian government regarding possible bills he should draft.

[Mabuhay Land]

Eventually, Senators Alcasda and Luna are late, a common stereotype for Mabuhay Landians. They began to go toward their chairs quickly. They asked the senator next to them about what is happening. They already have a plan.

"This bill is approved by our President." announced by Senator Narcisca, opening up a hologram of the President's approval. "I am glad to cooperate with this bill as we need cooperation within us." showed the taped footage of President Rodrigo Guevarra. Mandated by the Constitution, the President is the one only approving the alliance proposals, with the backing of Federal Congress. "We just want to question the relation of defense and economy, please change it."

[Agarntrop]

"Following concerns by fellow senators around section 4, in the final version it will be replaced with with the following section 3a,

Section 3a: Affirms that all ISDA members will strive to have friendly relations as a continuation of section 3

."

Senator Khanabul then paused and took a sip of water.

" I also have answers for Senator Unidas's questions,
1. Yes, the host nation would have the final say on millitary operations
2. The soilders would be under the laws of the WA and passed IS bills
3. No
4. Yes,
I would like to assure Senator Unidas she is welcome to discuss those questions again if she still has any doubts."

He sips his water and continues

"Finally, relating to Senator Bosniaa's other question I can assure her that all the aid will be commuted fairly and equally. I will make my answers to these questions from all senators clear in my final version, thank you Mr. Speaker."

He returns to his seat.

[Allyrije]

Senator Direnni takes the podium, "I'd like to thank Khanabul for raising the issue of mutual defence amongst the member states in this draft bill. Naturally, this is an area of utmost importance for any self-respecting nation as if one cannot defend their nation or are not willing to then what is the point in that nation existing at all. However, I have digressed. Whilst I do, by and large, agree with such a proposal for an expansion of mutual defence procedures amongst the member states represented by senators here today, I wish to point out a few problems I see with the bill.

Naturally, some of them will be similar to what the Countess has also had to say however, I do have some points of my own I wish to make. Firstly, I wish to see any trade or non-military related economic commitments in this bill to be removed and reserved for another bill relating to the creation of a freer trade zone which would be best to be drafted by a cross-party group of senators. Secondly, we need to lay down some rules for member states. Allyria has a very large standing military and much larger reserves created by our culture of citizen service. As a result, we also have very large military industries which have been built up as a natural result of such a policy and culture over the years. However, all of this comes at a cost to the Allyrian nation. Whilst I'm not able to disclose the full defence budget, the publicly available figure is around $100 billion (2% of our GDP) however many members will be spending lower than that. In this way, it may result in many nations doing much more of the financial heavy lifting than others.

We also wish to address the section concerning 'colonies'. We wish to know if the term 'colonies' in this case applies to overseas territories which are still administered as core provinces of a nation or will their separation from a nation's mainland automatically 'throw them under the bus' so to speak?

In short, Mr. Khanabul, we advise the a minimum percentage of GDP expenditure per nation is enacted to ensure that some nations are not a deadweight on the policy of collective defence that will be enacted by the presumable passing of this bill.

Thank you."

[Techganet]

Senator Hikn rushes to his seat, as he realises how late he was.

As the current speaker was speaking, he took the time he had to read the proposed bill while his papers were still in his suitcase.

"Thank you, Senator Direnni.
I have taken a look at this bill, and I think that it looks promising.
Although with every bill that will, are and had passed through the Senate, there is always a problem. I appreciate you amending your proposal bill regarding section 4. I do have a question that I wish to bring forth. Will us member states have to withdraw some of our troops as individual allegiances or will we have to create a special ISDA division with troops from all member states?"

As he finishes, he goes back to his seat, and takes another sip of water.

[Agarntrop]

Senator Khanabul rises from his seat to address the second round of questioning,

"Firstly, I would like to address senator Direnni's defence spending question. I would like to remind her that many nations in the IS are in secure areas and therefore have small defence budgets however her argument is also valid so a reasonable compromise would be to debate this in a future ISDA-related bills as this is only the founding treaty. Relating to her other question, I will remove 'colonies' and leave the section with only 'puppets' to avoid confusion. "

"Continuing to Senator Hikn's question, there will be a very small amount of troops from each which will be asigned to an ISDA force however if the ISDA finds itself in a war then all members will be called upon to contribute as many troops as possible."

"I would like to finally show what the final bill will look like if there are no more questions,

Official Name: International Senate Defence Alliance bill

Overview: The following bill will create a defence alliance for the international senate. This bill will set out the founding treaty for that alliance including all its rules. It will increase co-operation between international Senate members and most importantly set the scene for a broad defensive initiative. This bill will also create a collective defence of IS members waring off attacks.
Section 1: There is currently little to none defence co-operation between international Senate members rendering the organisation virtually useless in that area. This also increases the capability of nations and armed groups (including rogue states and terror organisations) chance of attacking IS member states as there is no collective defence response.
Section 2: Establishes the International Senate Defence Alliance (ISDA) between all international senate nations.
Section 3: Affirms that any disputes between ISDA members must be solved peacefully.
Section 3a: Affirms that all ISDA members will strive to have friendly relations as a continuation of section 3.
Section 4: All ISDA members will commit to mutual aid in order to strengthen against outside attack. .
Section 5: The International Senate must consult in a between-bill debate when any ISDA member has their territorial integrity threatened.
Section 6: An attack against one ISDA member is considered as an attack against them all.
Section 6a: If section 6 is enacted, the host nation will have the final say on millitary operations.
Section 6b: If section 6 is enacted, the ISDA soilders will be subject to the laws only passed World Assembly and International Senate bills.
Section 6c: Section 6 would not be enacted if the ISDA member was the aggressor.
Section 7: All ISDA members will create a division with 1 to 2% of their active armed forces that is under direct ISDA command.
Section 7a: If section 6 is enacted, this will increase to at least 15% of their active armed forces.
Section 8: This treaty only covers member nations and not their puppets.
Section 9: The government of an international senate member state may object from joining the ISDA upon its creation.
Section 10: Any member is free to leave, join or rejoin the ISDA if they have senators in the international senate.
This bill is then honorably presented to the International Senate for consideration in order to strengthen the collective defence capability of the international senate to improve the global community and is backed by Senator Emir Khanabul on 28th June 2018.

[Gaine Moon]

Senator Harper stands up. Having been absent from the International Senate chamber for well over a week due to a knee injury, he is eager to be back.

"Senator Khanabul, I support this bill. However, there are two questions that must be asked.
First, will anyone be in charge of the ISDA? If so, how will the leader be chosen?
Second, what is defined as a violation of territorial integrity?
Thank you, and I appreciate your initiative in writing this bill."

[West Phoenicia]

Anton Springvale the second senator from the Confederate Kingdom of West Phoenicia stood up.

As a senator who supports peace over war and exhausting all possible solutions before a boots on the ground approach I find this bill very worrisome. I am not pro-hawk like my fellow senator from West Phoenicia the Viscountess Bosniaa, who I am sure is pondering the lucrative military contracts she can arrange to fill her coffers and send West Phoenicians off to war so West Phoenician can profit.

Section 6 i oppose, why should innocent West Phoenicians goto war just because one lf you warmongering nations feels threatened by another nation and instead of dealing with the issue yourself you drag the rest of us into a senseless war. And why should soldiers only follow the laws of the World Assembly and the ISDA and not the individual country in question. It sounds like an excuse to invade countries for the sport of it or for oil or lucrative trade deals.

Section 7 is utterly ridiculous and over kill. If called upon as mutual defence 15% of a nations active armed forces? Really. All ISDA contribute 15% is bordering on war crimes and i will be the one to lead the charge against any nation who sends 15% of tbeir6 active armed forces.. 15% of each ISDA member against a common foe is overkill. 1 to 2% of an ISDA active armed forces is enough. Am i the only one who thinks 15% is over kill? I implore senators with a conscience to down this bill if Section 7 remains unchanged.

Senator Springvale scowls before sitting back down.

[Agarntrop]

"I will first adress Senator Harper's questions
1.No, everyone will be equal
2. Whatever that nation feels is a violation of its integrity.
Now, on to Senator Springvale, I have to say your claims around oil invasions are ridiculous and if that became a possibility I would make sure that Agarntrop would block it along with other honourable IS members. I, and many others here, do not find section 7 ridiculous so I suggest you back down on this one.
Thank you Senators Harper and Springvale for your inquires."

[West Phoenicia]

Senator Anton Springvale rises from his seat again.

"Maybe the senator can explain to this senate why the number 15% is so desperately needed from each nation that signs up to the ISDA. The senator really needs to think about this before he added it to this bill. Different nations have different size militaries. It would be less worry that calling up 15% of each nations armed forces which could end up being over kill. We ask that section 7 be reduced to know more than 5% and the wording changed to each nation has the ability to send UP TO 5% of their active armed forces. Of course after every diplomatic avenue has been exhausted of course.

I also call to have time extended on this bill to allow for further discussion and input before ot is put to a vote.

Thank you Senators.

[The United Conservative Provinces]

Jacob Haas got out of his seat after hearing Senator Springvale’s remarks, “Senator Springvale, you request has been acknowledged. No certain amount of time will be added, but I will call for a final vote on the bill when it seems that all the questions have been answered and the debate is over.” Haas nodded his head at senator Springvale and returned to his seat.

[Huffingshire]

Sitting in his chair, the senator from huffingshire, Leonard Simthens, sat quietly, debating furiously over which way to vote on the bill in his mind. Sitting in his dark blue blazer, with his ruffled brown hair, is was not hard to miss him completely, almost like a chameleon. Finally, he sat up in his chair, looking around the room to see the other senators. Finally, his mind was made up. His descion had been made.
'I stand with the common people, but I must put the interests of my country first this time," he mumbled to himself. Suddenly, standing up, he rose to the floor. After taking a deep breath, he slammed his hands down on his desk, causing all the senators to look his way. Outraged, Timothy said in a stern voice, "Senator Khanabul, %15 percent of a nation's military is practically murder to a country's well being. We know from experience after several large riots that could have turned into civil wars. That %15 percent may seem small, but in a time of crisis, every man matters!" He says this while slamming his hands down on his desk again. "I Propose that we lower the mandatory military to a modest 10%. That will satisfy all, in my opinion. Does anyone object?"

[Techganet]

"Yeah, okay thanks. See you." he says after finishing a call with his aide back in Techganet.

"Senator Simthens, I would not like to call this an objection, but rather a suggestion. In my honest opinion, 15% is a bit overkill, as Senator Springvale has stated. 10% is less overkill, but certainly not any better. I suggest we decrease it to a reasonable 7%. Any lower will be insufficient. A reason for this is that although an attack on a member state would be dreadful, I do not think that it is necessary to pull a significant percentage of a nation's military to fight in another. I believe that this bill will be very beneficial to all of us, and I do really want it to succeed. So I plead with the Senators to come to a resolution on this matter. Thank you."

Senator Hikn sits back down and has a short discussion with his aides before the next Senator speaks.

[Huffingshire]

The senator from Huffingshire, Leonard Smithens, stands up again.
"Senator Hikn, I believe I shall stand with you on this. The minimum requirement should be a good 7%. HOWEVER, I propose a new amendment be added, when time permits:"

SECTION 11 (PROPOSAL): In a time of crisis to a nation within the ISDA, or multiple nations within the ISDA, nations that are at peace or safe from harm must donate UP TO 10% of their militia, in a time of war, and in times of cultural strife, must donate a small amount of foreign aid to countries who need assistance.

"Thank you. Senators, your thoughts on the amendment proposal?" He says, while sitting down.

[West Phoenicia]

"I must ask" Senator Viscountess Bosniaa said rising from her seat once more.

The senate chamber had grown warmer. One of her aides stood waving her with a scarlet oriental fan with gold trimming.While another prepared her favourite peach iced tea.

"Who will actually control the ISDA? Politicans like ourselves? High ranking military members? Will a ISDA committee be chaired by all members of the ISDA or will it be a limited number that rotate the role and responsibilities?


And can the answer be included in another section of the bill for all to remember and follow.

Thank you

[Agarntrop]

"I have heard more senators concerns relating to section 7a and Senator Bosniaa's question, upon those concerns I have decided to edit the bill once more and I now present the most up to date edited version:

Overview: The following bill will create a defence alliance for the international senate. This bill will set out the founding treaty for that alliance including all its rules. It will increase co-operation between international Senate members and most importantly set the scene for a broad defensive initiative. This bill will also create a collective defence of IS members waring off attacks.
Section 1: There is currently little to none defence co-operation between international Senate members rendering the organisation virtually useless in that area. This also increases the capability of nations and armed groups (including rogue states and terror organisations) chance of attacking IS member states as there is no collective defence response.
Section 2: Establishes the International Senate Defence Alliance (ISDA) between all international senate nations.
Section 3: Affirms that any disputes between ISDA members must be solved peacefully.
Section 3a: Affirms that all ISDA members will strive to have friendly relations as a continuation of section 3.
Section 4: All ISDA members will commit to mutual aid in order to strengthen against outside attack. .
Section 5: The International Senate must consult in a between-bill debate when any ISDA member has their territorial integrity threatened.
Section 6: An attack against one ISDA member is considered as an attack against them all.
Section 6a: If section 6 is enacted, the host nation will have the final say on millitary operations.
Section 6b: If section 6 is enacted, the ISDA soilders will be subject to the laws only passed World Assembly and International Senate bills.
Section 6c: Section 6 would not be enacted if the ISDA member was the aggressor.
Section 7: All ISDA members will create a division with 1 to 2% of their active armed forces that is under direct ISDA command.
Section 7a: If section 6 is enacted, this will increase to at least 10% of their active armed forces.
Section 7b: If an ISDA member is undergoing civil unrest, this will decrease to just 3%.
Section 8: This treaty only covers member nations and not their puppets.
Section 9: The government of an international senate member state may object from joining the ISDA upon its creation.
Section 10: Any member is free to leave, join or rejoin the ISDA if they have senators in the international senate
Section 11: The ISDA shall be under the direct rule of the international senate

"

[Allyrije]

Direnni took to the podium, clutching the corners and glaring out towards the Senators, "As one of the few here who has probably ever served in a Military, I understand what an effective fighting force needs and I know what an alliance between peoples needs to be a success. This bill in its current form would not lead to such a successful arrangement. But I imagine some of you are leaning back in your chairs and wondering 'but whatever is this hot-headed Allyrian on about?' I will tell you this much, this Senate, according to this bill - specifically Section 11, would be subject to the orders of the Senate.

There are multiple problems with this. In Allyrian Armies we've always had a saying 'Ar lyg'ar ekríl innil dólith.' An English translation would read something like 'A Snake does not possess many heads.' Now, unless any of you have been consuming some questionable mushrooms, I doubt anyone in this room has ever seen a Snake with multiple heads. In this way, a Military cannot have multiple people at its head. It must have, ultimately, one person at the top of the chain of command. Not only is the lack of a central authority proposed by this bill the problem, it is a problem with the authority suggested by the bill itself. I do not know if any of you have noticed anything about this Senate in the past few weeks but I wouldn't trust many in here to run a bath never mind trust them with the lives of countless Allyrians serving their King and people.

But not only would these fine Allyrian souls be under the command of the ever-bickering people in this chamber, but the resources of the Allyrian military would also be in such a position. Without minimum spending requirements being specified by this bill and with Khanabul only giving vague promises on the future legislation of such an issue. In short, we cannot and will not accept any large-scale defensive agreement without an accountable, respectable and competent, in military matters I do not wish to label you incompetent as we all have our areas of speciality, central authority to which we can answer. We will also not place a greater burden, in terms of proportion, upon our people than any other nation does for theirs and in this way, we will not be willing to do a large amount of the legwork which will ultimately be necessary if this defensive 'alliance' is ever to succeed.

I end this speech with what may sound like a demand but is merely a suggestion. I advise all of you with at least half a brain in your skulls to vote down this bill. Come the next session, I'm willing to draft a bill to create the framework of an Alliance which will actually work as Khanabul appears to have not amended any of my suggestions and it is far too late in the debate to table them again. Whilst Khanabul has brought up a serious problem and has made some effort in addressing this problem in his proposed bill it is a half-hearted effort which, if passed, will be too much trouble for anyone to willingly participate in. Thank you."