[IC] [TWI-Only] The League of TWI (Assembly)

[Dormill and Stiura]

News back at home was not kind to Vancouvia over the past week, Roger Van Adrichem knew that fact all too well. Not only have they been pushing their influence even closer to the border in Ruios, but now Vancouvia made open claims on Dormill-Stiuraian land as well. It was only a matter of time until the Vancouvians tested not only the United Republic's military, but other Gaeltic militaries as well. He hoped well enough that standing up here and now would strengthen his counterparts, breathing deeply in, he begins speaking, "So can you explain why VNN stated, and I quote '[the Navy's] aim is either to work to better cutoff trade with Illa Isle or be close enough for necessary operations in the I.D., Arvan, Gresswell Island, or other areas'? This sounds a lot more like a blockade of the area rather than say the Navy moving there to rebase, or prepare for operations in the Southern Sea. But particularly for either a blockade against shipments bound for Illa Isle or operations in the east Argean Sea. Why the sudden interest in these kinds of operations?"

Most importantly, he understood that playing this kind of game would inevitably make the situation in Noronica only worse for Dormill and Stiura, he maintained his silent hope that as all this goes on, the situation for his nation and Noronica gets better before any more allies get involved.

[Vancouvia]

Stephanie sat back a bit, "On the 18th the 2nd fleet will sail through. And, while we are quite cordial at the moment, I would like to reiterate my government's words in that free and safe passage of civilian and military ships is something the Svalbardian government holds dear."

"Vancouvia does as well. That is why we are currently exercising that right."

Augustia slurped up some soy rice water and licked her lips.

[Vancouvia]

News back at home was not kind to Vancouvia over the past week, Roger Van Adrichem knew that fact all too well. Not only have they been pushing their influence even closer to the border in Ruios, but now Vancouvia made open claims on Dormill-Stiuraian land as well. It was only a matter of time until the Vancouvians tested not only the United Republic's military, but other Gaeltic militaries as well. He hoped well enough that standing up here and now would strengthen his counterparts, breathing deeply in, he begins speaking, "So can you explain why VNN stated, and I quote '[the Navy's] aim is either to work to better cutoff trade with Illa Isle or be close enough for necessary operations in the I.D., Arvan, Gresswell Island, or other areas'? This sounds a lot more like a blockade of the area rather than say the Navy moving there to rebase, or prepare for operations in the Southern Sea. But particularly for either a blockade against shipments bound for Illa Isle or operations in the east Argean Sea. Why the sudden interest in these kinds of operations?"

Most importantly, he understood that playing this kind of game would inevitably make the situation in Noronica only worse for Dormill and Stiura, he maintained his silent hope that as all this goes on, the situation for his nation and Noronica gets better before any more allies get involved.

"You and I both know, sir, that the media cannot be relied on for the truth at all times. We have a major base on the I.D. itself, which I am told will be the fleet's main port for its duration of the stay. As for its mission, we are primarily concerned with the status of Arvan, as I'm sure you are as well."

[Dormill and Stiura]

"Trust me, Ms. Agustia. I am very well aware of the recent events that have plagued Arván, both with respect to the situation within and without Noronica's government. And I can assure you that Noronica and the United Republics shall handle this situation like we had just before reunification."

[Polar Svalbard]

Stephanie smiled, "Look at this," She said as she hit the papers that she was holding, "Athara Magarat is now closing the western straights of the International District to only Magarat and Vancouvian ships. Might I remind the assembled delegates that this includes the Central Canal. This cannot stand and will not stand. This is a vital passing area for Svalbardian military fleets. I believe that the League must take action on this, or else Polar Svalbard and her allies will."

[Athara Magarat]

"Delegate, pardon me, but what business do Svalbardian military fleets have there? And no, this restriction of military travel does not include Central Canal. The 130 km long canal is still operable. We have in no whatsoever manner blockaded the Central Canal. Southwestern Mechi Sea does not equate with Central Canal."

[San Montagna]

"I must side with my Svalbardian counterpart, You still have no right to do what they they are doing at the moment." replied Giorgio "And furthermore, I must advise the Government of Athara Magarat to renounce it's claims on The San Montagnan provinces of Chatha and Nuova-Terra if it does not want to escalate the situation further."

[Athara Magarat]

"Magarati territory which your government still occupies illegally."

"The governments of Athara Magarat and ID have every right to ensure that unauthorized military vessels do not enter this volatile zone."

[San Montagna]

"I do believe they are considered fully incorporated provinces of San Montagna won in a war you lost"

[Athara Magarat]

"I do believe they are considered fully incorporated provinces of San Montagna won in a war you lost"

"By the previous government under Paija Hang the Benevolent, hangates lost to San Montagna in war. The current Jrm Hangma administration and today's Athara Magarati citizens have a different definition on this issue. If it is as incorporated as you say, dear delegate, why are there separatist movements in both Chatha and Jaring?"

[San Montagna]

"These are Athara Magarat funded terrorists not separatists, the only separatists I know of are on Illa Isle"

[Athara Magarat]

"Dear delegate, please back up your statements with proof before speaking such things."

[Ruios]

"Ruios stands by its alliance with Vancouvia and fully supports it's attempts at enhancing regional peace and stability with VACES. Ruios does also condemn the obvious threat of aggression from the nation of Polar Svalbard to escalate the situation unnecessarily and will not hesitate in assisting it's friend and ally should the need arise. I would suggest Polar Svalbard seriously considers it's next moves very carefully if regional stability and peace is to be maintained diplomatically as everyone here no doubt wishes".

[Aruia]

Ivan Genovese stood up speaking in a clear tone "I object. This do not seem like peace gestures but an attempt to show strengh and take advantage on what is a fragile situation for many nations in the league in turmoils. Blocking water passages and trying to foot hold in regional affairs that do not belong to Athara Magarat and Vancouvia are acts of aggression on the expense of recovering nations and nations that are facing conflicts within them. Aruia would like to note that Ruios has never had suffered impact as many who feel the Vanco-Magrat foot print."

[Oturia]

"We stand by Vancouvia, every nation has a right to arm it's self.
Vancouvia stood by Oturia when we rebuilt our armed forces and we will do the same."

[Athara Magarat]

Ivan Genovese stood up speaking in a clear tone "I object. This are do not seem like peace gestures but an attempt to show strengh and take advantage on what is a fragile situation for many nations in the league in turmoils. Blocking water passages and trying to foot hold in regional affairs that do not belong to Athara Magarat and Vancouvia are acts of aggression on the expense of recovering nations and nations that are facing conflicts within them. Aruia would like to note that Ruios has never had suffered impact as many who feel the Vanco-Magrat foot print."

"With all due respect delegate, we have been blocking only what rightfully belongs to Athara Magarat or International District. We have not made transgressions into the Central Canal as some here claim. I fail to see to how anyone else has been affected when our immediate next door neighbor Torom's fishing rights has barely even been affected. How exactly does limiting military travel to this region affect some nation in Wake Islands or South Mesder or Northern Gael; unless your vessels are the ones mindlessly poking their nose into the affairs of whatever International District and Athara Magarat has agreed to jointly do within their respective boundaries."

"The only ones who even have right to protest this are the delegates from Torom or Keipan. One could say San Montagna as well but keep in mind that their access to the Gatadpatigan Sea is thanks to their government illegally occupying southern parts of Jaring. No one else, especially not someone from as far as the other end of the Isles, has any right to denounce us."

[Razzgriz]

"Magarati territory which your government still occupies illegally."
"The governments of Athara Magarat and ID have every right to ensure that unauthorized military vessels do not enter this volatile zone."

The Delegation from The Grand Principality had merely been watching as the events unfolded, as they had done since the 2002 referendum dissolved the OE. It was rare for the delegation to speak on league matters as the nation preferred to turn its gaze towards Domestic Affairs and maintain a status quo with its neighbors. However, in wake of the outbreak of numerous crises abroad, such a standing became increasingly difficult to maintain. In the North the Oseans eagerly watched as the events in Noronica, a long-time ally and trade partner, unfolded as their government struggled to maintain order, unsure of whether or not to get involved in yet another possible foreign conflict. Ironically, their worries only grew as they found themselves once more looking abroad with worried intent as its historical rival, the United Republics, once again sailed its navy into the Southern Sea and involved itself in Noronican Affairs.

Now, the chaotic plague has found itself on the very doorstep of the Principality itself as the Magarati announced their blockade of the seas around the ID, directly threatening the age old City-States of Yitoria and Unovi. And as the discussion made its way into onto the League floor, Delegate Mamitu Assefa began to find it quite difficult to keep her calm demeanor.

"And exactly who's ships are unauthorized delegate?!?" Mamitu Assefa asked in shock and frustration. "Have you forgotten that we too are present in the region? Why were we not consulted before your government decided to make such a drastic move unannounced as if an act of war? Your government knows fully well that those waters are frequently patrolled by contingents from our Southern Sea Fleet and that we have several ships based in the Unovian Port as we speak. Your government has basically openly denied us our right to ensure the safety and security of our citizens in the region, a direct violation of Osean Sovereignty and one that will not stand!"

"Now, I have been informed by my government back home to notify you, that in response to these recent actions, the Grand Principality will be sending contingents from the Southern Sea Fleet into the blockade zone to ensure the continued flow of trade along the Tensin Trail and to ensure the security of our territories. While we wanted to maintain a status quo with Vancouvia in the wake of its issues with mainland Gael, we are now forced to condemn them as well for supporting such infringements on the rights of our citizens, our nation and Gael as a whole."

[Almorea]

"At the risk of sounding trite, I'd like to ask all involved parties to remain calm." Reid looked around. "That's what I was told to say, at least. I realize that may be hard for some national delegations."

"Almorea is distinctly uninterested in the prospect of war between the advanced militaries represented in this room, but I will tell all of you with absolute certainty that we won't allow free passage through the Central Canal to be impeded in any way." He nodded at the Magarati delegate. "Not to point a finger at our Magarati friends, of course."

[Ainslie]

"We echo the opinions of Almorean but must also ask that Athara Magarat considers better the implications of what closing the western straits of the Occupied Territories [Ahnslen expression for International District] might mean for their nation. This one-uping in this chamber is completely unsustainable, dangerous and reckless and will lead to an armed conflict if it does not end soon. There are nations here who are more than willing to secure the Western Straits and I plead with this organisation to make sure this is done in a peaceful manner."

[Razzgriz]

"We echo the opinions of Almorean but must also ask that Athara Magarat considers better the implications of what closing the western straits of the Occupied Territories [Ahnslen expression for International District] might mean for their nation. This one-uping in this chamber is completely unsustainable, dangerous and reckless and will lead to an armed conflict if it does not end soon. There are nations here who are more than willing to secure the Western Straits and I plead with this organisation to make sure this is done in a peaceful manner."

"I assure you that while we too wish for peace, that peace is currently being trampled on by the actions of my counterpart here today. I see no reason this peace cannot be maintained as long as they allow our ships to pass and fulfill their duties unharmed! Once again we were the ones who weren't consulted on this matter, and what else could we see this.....act of...barbarism as anything else other than a deliberate attack against us!? This territory was not conquered through war, but peacefully handed over to our people from the Mahang himself. Surely history remembers that, and surely it remembers that this issue is nothing new. Ever since our nations clashed against one another on the battlefields of the Imperial War, this region has become the subject of tension ever since they decided to create this false claim to the region. It is not even shown on Magarati Maps as our territory, which has already lead us to increase our presence in the area as we attempted to secure our boarder when their citizens began to illegally crossover out of sheer ignorance, because their leadership decided to pull such a stunt.

And now here we are again decades later facing the same problem once again, and once more we are being forced to act in order to secure our basic rights as a nation in the region!!" Assefa exclaimed with passion and anger.

"How could......!" she held her tongue and began to take a deep breath and straighten-out her attire. "Perhaps I my Almorian counterpart its right and my behavior while just is uncalled for during this stage in the matter and I shall excuse myself for a quick recess. Aho if you wouldn't mind."

[Polar Svalbard]

Stephanie nodded with what the delegate from Razzgriz was saying, as she stopped abruptly Stephanie let out a sigh and stood up. "I wish to make it clear the Svalbardian position on this. Freedom of Navigation is an important tenant of basic maritime law, especially due to the fact that every nation here is either an island or has large tracts of coastline. We all know the importance of the seas, just as we have for millennia before this. Sea lanes, especially the ones where the ID is located that seperate Gael from Argus are important so that ships going from the Agean to the Southern Seas so that they do not have to sail all the way around the Sub-Continent. This is the route the Second Fleet took earlier in order to conduct exercises in the Southern Seas, this is the route they are taking back. Even if it is not the portion that Athara Magarat is clogging with ships, they still are setting a dangerous precedent if this is allowed. If Polar Svalbard does not challenge this now then why could Agadar not close down the more used portion of the straights? There are a number of straights that nations could decide are now off-limits."

"Polar Svalbard will do what is necessary to ensure that safe shipping and travel are ensured. Along with that the Svalbardian navy will not be hampered by nations trying to cordon off parts of the world. Friends of today can be enemies of tomorrow. The Mesder Sea Treaty Organization is discussing how to handle this at the moment, that does not though mean that Polar Svalbard will sit on its laurels and wait."

Stephanie turned to the delegate from Athara Magarat, "I hope that your countrymen in the boats clogging up the straights do not try anything with the portion of the second fleet sailing through straits that are international shipping lanes. Polar Svalbard does not carry a big stick because it wishes to fight, it does so to show that it is willing to defend itself and what it believes in. I hope your government recognizes that while it takes provocative actions."

[Ruios]

"Sending a fleet of warships through the straits will do nothing but escalate the entire situation. There is already a large military force within the immediate area conducting pre planned exercises. Those military forces of Vancouvia and Ruios will not take kindly to a large force steaming through. We all want free shipping and unhindered access to the shipping lanes but this is not the way. I suggest that the nations refrain from sending ships and fleets to the area or you will have world war three on your hands. Ruios for one will not allow vast fleets to sail within close range of ongoing military manoeuvres"

[Ainslie]

"And what business does Ruios have there that automatically makes them more entitled to have military vessels in the area then let's say, Polar Svalbard, who are pursuing the economic interests of multiple nations? Ruios should not be in the area if it is going around saying that others shouldn't get involved. The only actions that will lead to World War III I see in this chamber currently are the ones being undertaken by Ruios and Athara Magarat."

[Polar Svalbard]

Stephanie calmly looked at the delegate from Ruios, "Do you expect our fleet not to go home then? The trip around Gael is unnecessary, costly and a longer journey than is necessary. Your nation should not be conducting exercises in international shipping lanes. Polar Svalbard does not want a war, but if your navy even tries to block the second fleet from sailing in these waters, there will be measures that need to be taken to stop warmongering in shipping lanes."

[Ruios]

"I would expect someone of Polar Svalbards grace and standing to see this situation in a less heightened light. Ruios' presence within the ID is strictly temporary and will finish after the Christmas period. The military exercises were planned with the upmost concern to the national shipping lanes and in no way has hindered use of the strait by any craft or ship. As it stands the Military exercises are at a halt while this situation continues, but Ruios will undertake defensive measures if any fleet or ship causes encroachment to that of the Ruios naval fleet or military personnel stationed within the ID during its presence within the strait or the ID".