NationStates

"That was... interesting. Now, delegate we were discussing the issue in Merrit Isle. Please, explain."

"The Mario Issue, delegate," Barburj said. "Merrit is a different matter altogether."

Stephanie looked towards the new delegate, "Well, understandably your position in this building has been tarnished by your, momentary, predecessor. I hope that you will try to reconcile this, and remedy us all of the sour taste left in our mouths." Stephanie turned towards Barburj, "I would quite like to discuss what is occurring within your nation currently. Sadly your nation's work towards being a stable center of the Mesder has gone down the drain and only looks to be worsening. What is your nation's position that you can give to the League, and how do you believe you can solve this?"

Atnaia wrote:"The Mario Issue, delegate," Barburj said. "Merrit is a different matter altogether."

"Sorry. Excuse the mistake, please."

Returning from his routine visit to the Oster capital, Tomas quietly entered the hall and replaced seats with his deputy, who listened to the previous discussions. "I should be here for this one myself," he whispered to the deputy, before he pulled his papers out and prepared himself.

Barburj took a moment to adjust his position in his chair, maintaining a neutral expression. "Let us take a look at facts, shall we?" he said after a moment. "The Ticking Flu Epidemic struck Atnaia by surprise at a time when our healthcare system was undergoing massive changes, for the purposes of providing better access to healthcare to all. The ramifications of the Ticking Flu led to wanton border closures between Atnaia and her trade partners at a critical moment, just when Atnaia needed those vital connections the most. As disease and foreign paranoia threatened every Atnaian civilian, known terrorist organizations made it their explicit purpose to destabilize us, particularly the already taxed healthcare professionals and infrastructure required to put an end to the flu. Merrit, which was thankfully relatively untouched by the epidemic, was already a hot bed for insurgent activity, as a result of various foreign support. SOAR, who I will remind the League has performed acts of biological terrorism with untested contaminants on civilians, supported MLF secessionists and have locked down Merrit City, claiming independence. A Merrit City which Atnaia has spent millions redeveloping following the earthquake and tsunami last year. They now use Atnaia's armed forces reticence to cause collateral damage to the city or her people as a form of human shield to prevent our ousting of this dangerous dissident force, all while continuing public acts of terrorism on Atnaian soil during the tail-end of an epidemic as we try to develop and deploy a cure."

Barburj leaned forward. "We may have lost our position as 'stable center of the Mesder', but only because we have borne our disasters in quiet determination without support. When we faced disease, many of the nations here closed their borders. When we faced economic decline as a result, many of the nations here leveled criticism. When we faced terrorism, many of the nations here ignored it. Yet when an island whose citizens voted with a resounding majority to stand in solidarity with the Hegemony has a small band of troublemakers use civilians as human shields, that is when the League decides to question the situation?"

Barburj frowned. "To your question, yes, I believe we can solve this. As we solve all of our problems. Atnaia bears it's crosses alone, history shows. And we will bear this one as well."

With the re-election of President Sangwoo for a second term as head-of-state of the United Cities of Cantonos, a new ambassador to the League was to be appointed with the resignation of the former in regards to a bribery scandal. With the tarnished reputation of his predecessor -- Philippe Yoon Bum, who had served as Minister of Foreign Affairs during the government of President Babineux (1996-2002), was chosen by the Cantonosian political establishment for his experience in international affairs and pragmatic approach to the maintenance of a favourable image of Cantonos as a promoter of diplomacy. Ambassador Yoon Bum would wandered into the entrails of the League's Headquarters, non-chalantly walking towards the empty seat in the assembly which had been left vacant by his predecessor. As eyes turned towards him, he bowed his head respectfully as it is customary in Cantonos, and swiftly took his seat behind the small flag of a radiant sun on a field of azure. Yoon Bum, proficient in French, English, Japanese, Cantonosian, Samuderan and Atish, adjusted his earpiece connected to the legion of translators decoding the barrage of messages thrown around in the assembly. He would finally rest his elbows on the table with his hands interlocked -- attentively scanning the room and following the exchange between his fellow delegates.

Tomas smiled slightly, hearing Barburj's well-phrased rebuke - even-though he knew that at least some of the criticism was aimed at his own government. Once a close partner, Ostehaar preferred to avoid risks and decreased the volume of trade between the nations to the necessary minimum. Atnaia has indeed faced all of this alone, he thought and could not but feel impressed. He almost released a "hear, hear" but managed to restrain himself.

Giorgio was impressed by the Rebuke of the Atnaian Diplomat. He also knew that even though they both had similar Crisis on an Island, San Montagna would never understand the Struggle of Atnaia, as San Montagna received aid quite early on from Belle isle en terre.

"So Atnaia does not want the League's help,at least during this stage in the conflict?"

Barburj raised an eyebrow. He tented his fingers on the table before him. "I'm saying," he intoned coldly, "that the League has never shown any sign of wanting to intervene before. I fear that the biases of nations here might skew them towards enforcing an outcome that would lead to instability in the Atnaian sphere, and would certainly damage Atnaian interests in a crucial period of reconstruction. SOAR and the MLF are chest-beating, table-thumping democratists, or so they claim. Atnaians are more muted in how we treat our democracy. Some very inaccurate things have been said of our Hegemonic System. I wonder if this has had an effect on the League's willingness to offer help before now. Perhaps a few of our more liberal brothers-in-arms were hoping to show those darn fascists what for, so to speak."

Barburj leaned forward. "Well it certainly worked. Death tolls from the Ticking Flu have levelled off, but by the time the NHS and ARK deploy a form of suppressant beyond current vaccinations, experts predict a total of nearly a million dead. A million. One in twenty-eight of the entire Atnaian population. All whilst embargoes were placed against our trade. But no, it's this secession that gets the League's attention. So, if your goal was to show Atnaia who was boss, congratulations. The crematorium industry thanks you."

Stephanie raised her eyebrows, "I had not known until now that the death toll was so... catastrophic. News about the epidemic had mostly died down once most nations embargoed your nation and... took care of the infected individuals. You have, at the least, my sincerest apologies."

Stephanie carried on, "I trust in Atnaian resolve, and I urge your nation to remember that you still have friends. It might be best to set up a League organization to focus on tracking diseases throughout the region. While we cannot atone for the past, we may be able to learn from it and prepare for he future."

"Final death tolls aren't there yet, those are just predictions based on trends," Barburj said. "It could be lower, it could be higher, depending on how quickly and efficiently we develop proper treatment for Tickers. At this point, it seems more likely that we will develop a way to limit symptoms and prevent death, although carriers will likely have the stain of the disease for the rest of their lives, and given our knowledge of the Ticking Flu, they will pass the disease to their children. Atnaia will always have the looming threat of a second outbreak, at least until a proper cure is created."

"Speaking of the spread of the Atnaian Disease, I'd like to remind the League of it's largely unopposed spread on San Javier. Although local Iza governments have taken steps to counteract it, it is still ravaging many cities and villages with no end in sight."

"I'd appreciate that you called the Ticking Flu something other than the 'Atnaian Disease'. That name carries anti-Atnaian rhetorical power and is designed to sow lack of trust and dissent. Atnaian representatives on the Isle are looking for ways to work with the legitimate central government to deploy our vaccine to the uninfected," Barburj said. "However, as I am sure you are aware, the lack of a stable central healthcare service on San Javier has made such deployment nearly impossible."

"There's concern among the popularly supported government that it's those same representatives that brought the disease."

Stephanie looked towards Barburj, "Might it be best if League Peacekeeping forces distributed the vaccines? They may be more willing to trust our forces over... Atnaians. While their distrust may be miaguided, it still isn't a reason we can't be of assistance."

Corindia wrote:"There's concern among the popularly supported government that it's those same representatives that brought the disease."

"Months before the disease even began to show signs of existing? The research clearly shows the speed of infection precludes that as an option."

Polar Svalbard wrote:Stephanie looked towards Barburj, "Might it be best if League Peacekeeping forces distributed the vaccines? They may be more willing to trust our forces over... Atnaians. While their distrust may be miaguided, it still isn't a reason we can't be of assistance."

"If you want peacekeeping troops on the ground of San Javier, I am fine with that. Atnaian troops are withdrawing anyways, and we are leaving only our diplomatic representatives. It's not our business who the generals allow on their shores."

Fairglass looked to the delegates: "We can offer our help with our strategic position close to the San Javier islands.

Stephanie nodded, "Would your nation be willing to provide the League with vaccines for the people of San Javier?"

Fairglass nodded her head approvingly.

"That would definitely be possible, the big cities on the east coast have been producing the vaccines in case the illness would spread and gain foothold in Argus. We have them in storage and would certainly be able to help the first people with vaccines there in less than 24 hours."

"Naturally," Barburj said. "Vaccines are widely available."

Yoon-Bum would adjust his glasses and speak into his microphone, "Cantonos' position west of the Kavju seas puts us within reasonable distance of San Javier. Ever since 1969, our nation has funded programs aimed at promoting medical internationalism. As of today, thousands of trained physicians and medical staff carry out humanitarian work -- and we'd be more than willing of extending a hand of solidarity to the people of San Javier. If the League would find it prudent, our nation is interested in partaking in any humanitarian missions in the area."

I cannot speak for Keverai but recent communication with them has suggested they would help the distribution of vaccines. If the disease spreads to Keverai it could endanger many and would be a foundation for infecting places further east. Thus we also are in support of distributing vaccines.

Atnaia wrote:"Naturally," Barburj said. "Vaccines are widely available."

"Exactly, if our aid is requested we will be happy to assist."