Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (IC)

[Mizialand]

This is the IC thread of the O.E.C.D.. Only members and observers can post IC stuff here. To join or to know more about the OECD, please click here.

"UNUS PRO OMNIBUS, OMNES PRO UNO"

[◆] Rules for posting here

◕ Only Members and observers of the O.E.C.D. can post here.

◕ Please post only ICly in this thread. As far as possible, try to keep any OOC discussions out of here.

◕ This thread serves two purposes. Firstly, it is an IC discussion thread where representatives can contact each other through VTC (Video Telly Conferencing). One liners are acceptable under this category. Unless specified otherwise, whatever you post here will be taken from the point of view of your representative i.e. if you post "Hi", it will be considered that your representative is saying Hi (until you specify otherwise). Secondly, members are more than welcome to post items of interest for the O.E.C.D. for instance, if your government is initiating some economic reforms you can post an item of news here; resolutions (on the pattern of W.A. resolutions) should be posted here; communiques from governments or representatives to the O.E.C.D. can be posted here.

◕ All members and observers must post at least once every two months failing which they will put under 'Consideration for Removal'.

[Egyptos]

O.E.C.D office in Egyptos
"Sir the VTC is ready" said Sara Yunis the secretary of Hossam. "Okay I'm ready" said Hossam nervously, it was his first time to address the O.E.C.D. since he was admitted.
"Members of the O.E.C.D. Today I have a suggestion that will help all the member nations.
A single currency system, also known as a currency union or monetary union, is designed to unify and stabilize what is known as an Optimum Currency Area (OCA), where economic efficiency is maximized for a specific geographical area. The use of a single currency provides participating states with greater financial stability by fixing the exchange rates of those states.
Another thing is that travelers moving between member states of a single currency system are not required to change currencies when crossing borders. A single currency system also reduces red tape when transferring money between these countries; this means trades that would have been unprofitable beforehand will now be of some benefit to cross-border traders.
Also when making commercial transactions in a single currency system, businesses save a large amount of time and money that would otherwise been spent on changing currencies. The use of a single currency also means businesses do not need to spend money on hedging costs, as they no longer require insurance against currency fluctuations. So I suggest that we create a single currency for the O.E.C.D which will be known as the "Gondy", with the ability of member nations to keep their national currency side by side to the "Gondy"."
As Hossam finished, he called the minister of finance Andrew Markos, "Good morning sir, Oh yes, I've just sent the suggestion, okay sir, no no, don't worry sir, thank you sir, okay, goodbye sir, goodbye" ... "Is everything alright sir ?"asked the concerned Sara, "Yes, the minister was making sure that Egyptos has a good image in the O.E.C.D. and it won't change because of my suggestion .. I know that he doesn't support my suggestion, but this is for the better of Egyptos, and the better of the O.E.C.D. !".

[Mizialand]

The idea of a common currency is indeed exciting. It will lead to greater financial stability and interconnected benefits for all the members. Intra-organisational trade will get a boost and encourage investment in all member nations. However, the currency will make all members heavily dependent on each other. Fluctuations in the economy of one member will directly affect the other.

There is one clarification we wish to attain. The proposed plan allows members to keep their currency side by side. Does it mean that members may function with two currencies? Also, will the adoption of such a currency be voluntary or compulsory?

[Xanixi]

---

1404 hours | Mr. Trudy Allen, Allied States Office of the OECD, Department of State | Washington, D.C.

---

Allen sat in his low-set swivel leather seat, his desk buried under dozens of yellow folders with the Department of State seal printed on the front. Below it, the seal of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the new economic organization to which the nation had recently devoted itself, was printed as well. This was to be Allen’s first video teleconference with any of the other delegates of the Organization, and he felt fully prepared.

“VTC is easy,” he thought to himself, organizing his desk so as to not seem so messy to the other delegates. “If I can handle real meetings, I can handle a teleconference.”

Suddenly, a trooper – his beret blue and his dragon-skin armor strapped onto his chest, flag patch sewn into his sleeve, and above it, the First Encounter Defense Service’s seal – opened the door and stood firm. He saluted formally, to which Allen replied, “At ease.”

Lowering his arm, the soldier walked into the room and announced, “Mr. Allen, the video teleconference has already begun. Our link to the conference is prepared. Are you prepared to be connected?”

“Yes, of course,” Allen replied, nodding his head and making last-minute changes to the organization of his papers. He piled them all away in a corner and put on his earbud just as the screen turned on.

“Mr. Allen,” a female’s voice came through the earbud, easily recognizable as that of Deborah J. Fox, his assistant, “Mr. Hossom just made the rumored suggestion of establishing an international currency, and it seems that Mizialand is in approval. Congress has already made it clear to our office that we are not to promote the change of the Allied States’ currency, as you well know. Good luck, Mr. Allen.”

“Greetings, delegates,” Allen said as his image synched with the others and his transmission was secured, “I trust you are all well. At this point in the conference, the first suggestion has already been made. Mr. Hossom, there has long been a rumor, both at the Department of the Treasury and the Department of State, regarding the suggestion of a currency change that you have made. However, Congress has made it absolutely clear to the Allied States Office of the Organization that we are not to accept any change in the currency of the Allied States itself, nor will the, as you have expressed it, ‘side-by-side’ use of the ‘Gondy’ be accepted. If the Organization wishes to formulate a standard currency for use in international situations, this Office suggests that the Universal Standard Dollar be proposed, as this currency is used world-wide, and can be accepted for international purchases. However, this also means that the civilian or corporate benefit of a single-currency market within the OECD shall become invalid within the Allied States. We apologize for this inconvenience.”

[Aquitayne]

Office of the Representatives of the OECD for the UK AS

---

Arthur Pollard exited the black BMW 7 series that the Reichstag had so graciously provided to him alongside his new position. It was a sign of good will and faith that the Reichstag had offered him such a great car, but it was also a symbol to other nations that the Reichstag took good care of their more important employees. It was important that Aquitayne be seen as a large entity within the OECD, as well as one of its more prominent members. Not because it was better than any other nation, but simply because an upper hand on economic powerhouses as well as a large input on such a economically strong organization.

Walking into the town-house sized office in downtown Telora, Arthur felt the soles of his shoes cascading down on the polished marble floor of the office. An Aquitaynian Marine stood guard behind a bullet-proof glass room which was used for all personnel to sign in and out of before entering the office itself. When Arthur signed in, the Marine Marksman First Class looked over the signature and placed the paper down, rigidly saluting Arthur as he smiled and the door buzzed, signalling his allowance into the office. As he walked through the door, the floor suddenly gave way from the polished marble to a more contemporary rug.

Almost immediately he saw his secretary, Janet Wilkson, who was in the middle of drafting his agenda. Arthur approached her and smiled. "What's on today's agenda, Janet?"

"Oh, good-morning Arthur. There's an important teleconference going on at the moment that I think you should get into right away."
"Is that right? Anything said I need to know about before I go in there?"
"Yes, Sir. The representatives from Egyptos have recommended a universal currency for the OECD be developed, with Mizialand supporting this, while the United States opposes it."
"Interesting, I suppose I should get in there, then." Arthur tapped the surface of the secretaries desk lightly and stepped into his personal office, which was equipped with a video camera and the proper software to allow him to take part. Logging onto the computer, he put in his personal information for the OECD Teleconference Network, which patched him through to the ongoing discussion. "Good morning, gentleman. Arthur Pollard II here from Aquitayne; I've been told we're discussing a universal currency between the members of the OECD. Speaking for Aquitayne, we already have a united currency with Symphonia and Mesoland, that of which being the Aero. That being said, the Reichstag nor the United Parliament will approve of a united currency between ourselves. What we propose is all trading between members done through the Universal Standard Dollar, to reduce inflammation and pricing differences."

[Mizialand]

Mr Philippe Petain, Mizialand's representative to the O.E.C.D. says," We would like to clarify one thing regarding the currency issue - The Kingdom of Mizialand has decided to maintain a neutral stance for the time being regarding this issue. As suggested, Her Majesty's Government neither supports nor opposes the idea of a common currency for the O.E.C.D. members. I merely suggested the advantages and disadvantages of an universal currency. Also, I have sought the following clarifications from Mr. Hossam:

1. Will the adoption of the currency be compulsory for all members? What about observers?

2. Are the members allowed to function in two currencies?

I would also like to remind Mr. Hossam that if Egyptos is interested in implementing such changes, a formal resolution (on the pattern of W.A. resolutions) must be submitted here for voting by the General Assembly.

[New Edom]

Betharan Palace, Fineberg, New Edom

Count Thomas Lalery had meetings all day; his ADC kept him up to speed, and he paused to freshen up a little bit and went into the offices he used at the Palace. Nearly all of his duties now were about meetings, and little real work, which suited him fine. His position as Royal Aide-de-Camp was merely one of several that King James II had and he was only really needed for important functions. "you know what my most important duties are right now?" he said to his ADC, Captain Hosea. "Using my ass to warm chairs and fucking my wife."

"Sir, the teleconference is already started," said his ADC, flushing.

"Fine," said Lalery, sitting down behind his polished rosewood and gold desk, crossing his legs. "Get me up to speed." He quickly read the transcript and said, "New Edom is not going to go for any kind of joint currency. Besides, different currencies are good for competition, which improves the economy. Competition improves almost everything. Families, bloodlines of animals, business, nations. However if the concern is making banking and investment more efficient, why not encourage some of the bigger banks to be represented in this organization? That way we can negotiate more directly with them and smooth the process. It's surely the process that's important, right?"

[Xanixi]

[OoC: First resolution. Hope you guys like it. ICly, this is sent by Mr. Hossam's office, so let's say this is IC and he just sent us all the proposal. I'll make an official reply once other members have spoken of this.]

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development



"UNUS PRO OMNIBUS, OMNES PRO UNO"

Organization Resolution #1
Economic Processes Act
Organization Member States

Understanding the wide variety of economic systems and policies to which the Organization’s member states adhere to;

Recognizing that such a separation of vital economic progress among member states creates a separation in the unity for which the OECD stands;

Noting that one of the Organization’s primary responsibilities is to ensure the economic unity of all of its member states;

Believing that, in order to accomplish this goal, the Organization must design a core economic system which is validated in either all or most of its member states, to justify creating such a system;

Hereby Establishes

Article I - Diplomacy

I.i) All member states are to ensure fair economic competition between member states of the Organization;

I.ii) All member states are to ensure that there is no gender/race/sexual orientation discrimination in the economic processes of the Organization’s economic status, and allow full integration of any and all genders, races, and sexual orientation into the economy;

I.iii) All member states are encouraged to communicate to one another in order to create close economic links with other member states of the Organization, thus ensuring economic security for all members;

Article II - Trade Agreements

II.i) All member states are to eliminate tariff barriers between member states of the Organization;

II.ii) Creates the Organization Economic Committee;

§II.ii.i) As an branch of the Organization’s treasury, the Organization Economic Committee (OEC) is to observe all international transactions between member states of the OECD;

§II.ii.ii) The OEC is to be led by two elected members of each Electoral Council state;

§II.ii.ii.i) Should one or both of the elected members to the OEC perish, it is the duty of the respective member state to replace that member as swiftly as possible;

§II.ii.ii.i.i) Should (a) new representative(s) not be elected for the OEC by thirty days’ time, a new representative from that nation shall be elected through majority vote by the existing OEC;

Article III - Disaster Agreements

III.i) All member states are to provide hefty and sufficient economic assistance in times of disaster to other member states, should their fiscal status permit them to do so;

§III.i.i) Furthermore, member states are permitted to either provide the Organization with funds or undergo their own operations to bring disaster aid to nations outside of the Organization which have been affected by a natural disaster;

§III.i.ii) However, should the Organization establish a debate in which it is decided that the Organization will utilize finances within its treasury to assist another nation, any member state of the Organization can request an appeal in order to continue debating on the topic of whether or not to provide a specific state with disaster aid;

§III.i.ii.i) It is hereby strictly prohibited to filibuster any decision of the Organization’s economic services to other nations;

Article IV - Official Declaration

This article officially declares this legislation, the Economic Processes Act, as agreed upon by all members of the Organization as effective legislature for the OECD. This legislation is to be effective immediately after the public release of these antecedent sections.

Approvals	Abstains	Disapproval
Allied American States
United Kingdom
Kingdom of Mizialand

---

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development



"UNUS PRO OMNIBUS, OMNES PRO UNO"

Organization Resolution #1
Economic Processes Act
Organization Member States

Understanding the wide variety of economic systems and policies to which the Organization’s member states adhere to;

Recognizing that such a separation of vital economic progress among member states creates a separation in the unity for which the OECD stands;

Noting that one of the Organization’s primary responsibilities is to ensure the economic unity of all of its member states;

Believing that, in order to accomplish this goal, the Organization must design a core economic system which is validated in either all or most of its member states, to justify creating such a system;

Hereby Establishes

Article I - Diplomacy

I.i) All member states are to ensure fair economic competition between member states of the Organization;

I.ii) All member states are to ensure that there is no gender/race/sexual orientation discrimination in the economic processes of the Organization’s economic status, and allow full integration of any and all genders, races, and sexual orientation into the economy;

I.iii) All member states are encouraged to communicate to one another in order to create close economic links with other member states of the Organization, thus ensuring economic security for all members;

Article II - Currency Establishment

II.i) Establishing the “Gondy” (ɠ) as the standard currency of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, member states are to use this currency in all interactions taking part with one or more member states of the Organization;

§II.i.i) In specific situations in which two or more member states are in an economic dealing with (a) state(s) outside of the Organization, the parties associated with the Organization and its Gondy are to avoid using its currency, and revert to utilize the Universal Standard Dollar;

§II.i.ii) In aid packages to external nations, the Organization must not provide its development aid in Gondies, rather using the Universal Standard Dollar;

II.ii) Member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development are permitted to convert its national currency from its respective coin to the Gondy;

§II.ii.i) Member states are not obligated to utilize the Gondy in national situations, and may prefer to use the Gondy only when there are international transactions between two member states;

§II.ii.ii) Should a civilian (corporate) entity purchase supplies, resources, or contract labor from another nation, of which is a member state in the Organization, the given salary is to be provided in Gondies. All nations must accept the exchange of Gondies for respective national currencies;

II.iii) The Gondy is not to be placed on the international currency markets, and as such its currency value cannot fluctuate. As such, the Gondy is to be pegged at a currency value of US$1.32 per ɠ1.00.

II.iv) Outside member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Gondy is not to be used, and its value will be considered void;

Article III - Trade Agreements

III.i) All member states are to eliminate tariff barriers between member states of the Organization;

III.ii) Creates the Organization Economic Committee;

§III.ii.i) As an branch of the Organization’s treasury, the Organization Economic Committee (OEC) is to observe all international transactions between member states of the OECD;

§III.ii.ii) The OEC is to be led by two elected members of each Electoral Council state;

§III.ii.ii.i) Should one or both of the elected members to the OEC perish, it is the duty of the respective member state to replace that member as swiftly as possible;

§III.ii.ii.i.i) Should (a) new representative(s) not be elected for the OEC by thirty days’ time, a new representative from that nation shall be elected through majority vote by the existing OEC;

Article IV - Disaster Agreements

IV.i) All member states are to provide hefty and sufficient economic assistance in times of disaster to other member states, should their fiscal status permit them to do so;

§IV.i.i) Furthermore, member states are permitted to either provide the Organization with funds or undergo their own operations to bring disaster aid to nations outside of the Organization which have been affected by a natural disaster;

§IV.i.ii) However, should the Organization establish a debate in which it is decided that the Organization will utilize finances within its treasury to assist another nation, any member state of the Organization can request an appeal in order to continue debating on the topic of whether or not to provide a specific state with disaster aid;

§IV.i.ii.i) It is hereby strictly prohibited to filibuster any decision of the Organization’s economic services to other nations;

Article V - Official Declaration

This article officially declares this legislation, the Economic Processes Act, as agreed upon by all members of the Organization as effective legislature for the OECD. This legislation is to be effective immediately after the public release of these antecedent sections.

[Mizialand]

The proposal has been excellently written. However, Her Majesty's Government does not approve of Article 2. Mizialand already shares a common currency - Euro with some European nations. The transition to another currency will be indeed difficult for us,

[Aquitayne]

The proposal has been excellently written. However, Her Majesty's Government does not approve of Article 2. Mizialand already shares a common currency - Euro with some European nations. The transition to another currency will be indeed difficult for us,

I concur; a new currency would only create more problems for most nations than good. I would recommend we simply use the Universal Standard Dollar.

[New Edom]

Count Lalery said "I think I have already made the position of the Allied States of New Edom clear on this--we will not be using any other standard currency. In fact most nations use the NSD as a standard rate and simply convert accordingly--why should we do more than that? If those parts of the agreement, related to the Gondy, are removed, then the Allied States will approve the other parts."

[Xanixi]

Allen nodded. “I concur with the assertions of my colleagues here, Mr. Hossam. As previously stated, the Allied American States are not interested in neither conforming to a new currency – though we did notice an exception for such a piece in the legislation – nor the needless utilization among the Organization’s members of a currency other than the Universal Standard Dollar.

“However,” he continued, “my office and I happily approve of the remainder of this piece of legislation. I suggest that Article II be removed from the piece of legislation, under which the Economic Processes Act will gain the much needed momentum within the State Department to be approved.”

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1445 hours | Ms. Michelle Wilkerson, Department of the Secretary of the OECD, Secretariat | St. Louis, Mizialand

---

Michelle sat in her seat, rolling her eyes left and right, reading the manuscript of the Economic Processes Act submitted by Mr. Hossam’s office. She hadn’t integrated herself into the meeting just yet, what with her other dealings within the organization itself. Now that she had free time, she needed to catch up.

And immediately within the first two articles of the EPA, already she found something she knew most of the organization’s member states would not approve of: currency change. “Really,” she thought, “that is the only mistake to this resolution. With this removal, this is an excellent piece of legislation and certainly would gain praise from the remainder of the organization’s states.”

As she collected her thoughts and prepared to synch her large monitor to the VTC, Rosa Brown, her secretary, knocked on the door. It creaked quietly as she pushed it open, and then closed it again. She turned back around to face Michelle, and began, “Greetings. Ms. Wilkerson.”

“Ms. Brown, I trust you bring me the latest information on the VTC?”

“Yes,” Rosa replied, nodding and lifting her right hand, in which she carried a relatively thick yellow folder, “we’ve been compiling all the information spoken throughout the conference for your preparation. Would you like a summary?”

“Yes, please,” Michelle replied simply.

Nodding, Rosa moved closer to Michelle and began, “Initially, Mr. Hossam’s office synchronized with Mr. Petain’s. Almost immediately, he encouraged an organization-wide agreement to the establishment of a currency, giving several points to its validity and how it would help the Organization’s cause. Initial response was negative, but the delegates themselves waited for the piece of legislation from Mr. Hossam’s office, which you’ve already read, before making any resolution. As such, response on-line is high. All the present members have shown dislike at Article II of the resolution, and request its removal from the piece. However, so far, only the Mr. Allen and Mr. Lalery have actually stated they would approve of the resolution provided Article II was removed.”

“Very well,” Michelle replied, nodding at Rosa. “Is the system ready?”

“Yes, Ms. Wilkerson.”

“Thank you,” she replied, “please synch me to the conference.”

Merely nodding, Rosa exited the room quickly. Moments later, the large monitor activated, and the small windows with the faces, names, and flags of the other representatives appeared on-screen.

“Delegates,” she spoke, “I apologize for my late arrival. My other duties held me up and impeded any attempt of mine to join the conference earlier. However, I have been brought up-to-date on the conference’s current status. My office here at the Chateau de Ferrieres is currently compiling a list of all the delegates that approve of and sign the Economic Processes Act. Could any member state that approves of such a bill please notify now?”

[Aquitayne]

“Delegates,” she spoke, “I apologize for my late arrival. My other duties held me up and impeded any attempt of mine to join the conference earlier. However, I have been brought up-to-date on the conference’s current status. My office here at the Chateau de Ferrieres is currently compiling a list of all the delegates that approve of and sign the Economic Processes Act. Could any member state that approves of such a bill please notify now?”

"Under the condition that Article II be removed from the bill in its entirety, the Office of Aquitaynian and Symphonian OECD Relations would approve sending the bill to the Unified Economic Committee, and from there to the respective parliaments of Aquitayne and Symphonia, where the bill is almost ensured to unilaterally be passed."

[Mizialand]

If the Second Article is removed, it's an aye from me.

[New Edom]

The Allied States of New Edom entirely concurs with the Mizialand Delegation.

- Count Thomas Lalery.

[Xanixi]

Michelle smiled and nodded.

“Very well then, delegates,” she said, “it seems that the Economic Processes Act has gained majority vote within the electoral council. I will send this to my office and we’ll work on sending a copy to all members to implement this.”

[Evraim]

The Lord of Ryzenmor cut an imposing figure with his well-groomed pepper beard and impeccable suit of gray cashmere. He wore a stately pink tie marked with brilliant magenta stripes and an alluring rose for embellishment. On this particular morning, the aging patriarch of House Razelle was seated in a comfortable leather chair bedecked with unnecessary wheels, contemplating how best to utilize his new found position and status to procure an advantage over his political enemies back home. No doubt, the aforementioned enemies, Lord Mayfour and his ilk among them, were shivering at the same prospect and formulating strategies to besmirch his reputation and impede his diplomatic accomplishments. It was an old game, and one at which Julius, as he was known to his friends, what few friends he had, excelled. He was a statesman more so than an economist or a bureaucrat, first and foremost a child of privilege and the aristocracy, intent on conserving the status quo and thwarting all attempts at reform.

That said, the particular circumstances of his life beneath the shadow of the Crown meant that he knew as well as anyone else precisely what Her Majesty the Queen desired to achieve in the fields of international diplomacy and commerce. He also understood the intricacies of politics and negotiations. After all, the sole distinction between schemes and politics was that schemes were infinitely more respectable. With that in mind, Lord Ryzenmor was superbly confident in his new office, cluttered as it was with paperwork and useless knickknacks. Why, for the love of G-d, had his predecessor required so many blasted pens? Pressing a button with one deft finger, he listened uncaringly to the jingle of a single well placed bell, the siren that would lure his secretary from the front of the office to his personal abode. She came quickly enough, smiling and perky as ever, much to his chagrin.

Brunette and of an olive complexion, the secretary, whose name was Danya, was an uncoordinated slip of a girl if he had ever seen one. Nonetheless, Lord Cassimere and that lowborn shmendrick Sakharov had vocally attested to her competence and willingness to obey commands. She could not have been more than a third his age, young enough to be his daughter, or granddaughter even, and yet there she stood, acting as the chief assistant to one of the most prestigious and influential sons of the nobility. Perhaps it was an unflattering jest. Shrugging off this morbid thought, Julius glanced at the young woman with cool, authoritative eyes. "It would please us to be privy to the proceedings of the OECD," he stated mildly, "As the anorím appear incapable or unwilling to pursue such discussion through the traditional and proper media, this necessarily entails our participation in their electronic conferences." For a moment, she stared back at him, her large, brown irises revealing no comprehension.

Finally, feeling quite vexed at her imbecility, Lord Ryzenmor continued his line of thought. "Connect us to them," he ordered icily, making ample use of the regal plural. "As milord commands," Danya replied diligently, a slight stutter marring the beauty of the response. Clumsily, the secretary tinkered with the wires and internet connection until the conference screen shot into view. Sighing, Julius transferred his attention to the monitor, and glumly invested his full attention to the rather dull subject of economics. The girl left him quietly, returning to the front desk to compose his schedule and handle other such mundane matters. He meditated silently on the resolution proposed by Mr. Hossam, not bothering to comment on the sections he found objectionable, at least not initially. Luckily, his colleagues were eager enough to debate the issue of a single currency, a most abhorrent and perplexing prospoal in the Earl's mind. Finally, after the arguments had subsided somewhat, Lord Ryzenmor spoke, his tone powerful yet strangely soothing.

"What is meant by the phrase 'fair economic competition'?" he inquired, raising a single eyebrow. "With all due respect to Mr. Hossam," he said, "His resolution does not adequately defined the aforementioned concept. Is the intention to eliminate restrictions to free trade in order to ensure that multinational corporations may compete with national entities on a level playing field or to discourage the practice of product dumping by certain foreign industries, which increases the burden on native sectors? I believe the nebulous nature of the word 'fair' warrants a great deal more discussion before I consent to grant my favor to this resolution. Until then, I am opposed."