The Cooperative Union (CU) Commission IC (TWI ONLY) CLOSED

[Cantonos]

The Cantonosian official would enter the CU Commission with a brisk pace, the eyes of dignitaries following him closely. As he approached the front, he bowed deeply to the delegates and proceded to sit at his assigned spot.

"Members of the Cooperative Union, dignitaries, honourable colleagues; I am Jae Young, Foreign Secretary of the United Cities of Cantonos, and I have been tasked with handling my country's discussions and negotiations with your organisation. I am open to all the questions and inquiries which you deem relevant to the prospect at hand".

[Tectonix]

"Welcome, honourable guest. As it stands, the honourable delegate of Ainslie has queried to you regarding Cantonos' Bhikkustan refugee policy — please respond to their question."

[Cantonos]

"Our national asylum policy is one which is in line with the principles of international law and the popular desire of Cantonos' people. The doctrine that our government was popularly elected on gave us a mandate to maintain the current policy of limited asylum in-take and a steady stream of foreign aid to areas where these people are forced to flee from. As a fully sovereign nation not legally tied to any particular supranational organisation during the Bhikkustani refugee crisis, this was not in breach of any commitments and was entirely within the right of any sovereign nation who would do something similar. "

Secretary Young would pause for a second as he ran his fingers through the bundle of documents before him, collecting his thoughts and choosing his next words carefully. He knew that any misworded expression could be taken out of context, which could subsequently throw a spanner in the works of Cantonos' membership.

"As to the follow-up question regarding the scenario where citizens of CU memberstates would seek refuge in Cantonos -- it strongly depends on the situation. As shown by the recent spread of the Ticking Flu, several members of ths organisation have taken controversial steps to regulate the spread of the disease to other countries. In an extraordinary situation such as that, which could not have been predicted by current CU members, we believe it was justified for the memberstates to take certain measures which may have not fully aligned with the principles of the Cooperative Union. We believe that in such a situation, the government of every member state is ultimately responsible for the safety of the people who reside in their country, and that as shown by the Ticking Flu epidemic, sometimes unorthodox measures must be taken to maintain public health and safety.

The other scenario is where there is no particular threat to public safety, in the case of a civil war which merely displaces innocent people to Cantonos' shores. According to the Cooperative Papers, every member of the CU has a right to freedom of movement, so any person fleeing persecution or violence can freely move to Cantonos where they can have peaceful and safe lives. They would, from an immigration perspective, not be seen as asylum seekers when travelling for they can freely go to Cantonos granted they are CU citizens and are fully entitled to be in the country."

[Tectonix]

"That's all well and good, delegate, but this discussion is not about CU citizens. This is about Bhikkustani refugees, desperately fleeing death and destruction just to survive. If you join the CU and we pass a resolution saying that every CU member-state must take in a minimum of, say, 2,500 refugees per annum, would Cantonos be okay with taking such measures?"

[Verona Beach]

"I have a question for the honourable delegate from Cantonos." Sir Nigel piped up, flipping through his notes.

"Do you believe that your nation's economic policies are in line with the Cooperative Union's? If not, is your government willing to change them so that they will?"

[Cantonos]

Young would gaze at the Tectonixian (?) Commissioner in confusion and lean into his mic.

"There must be some misunderstanding, the Covonantian commissioner said -- and I quote: ...concerning the raised point on the government's decision to refuse refugees and how that may affect the possibility of a refugee crisis from a CU member. Thus, surely he would mean -- unless I am the one misunderstanding -- that he wishes to know what the implications are of Cantonos' current asylum policy in the event that a refugee crisis would break out in any CU member.

As to answer your follow-up question, which I'm afraid was not what was enquired of me from the honourable commissioner for Covonant, that hypothetical situation is one which would have to be addressed then and seems irrelevant to the compatibility of Cantonos in the organisation considering recent developments among it's members. Cantonos is a big believer in the merits of cooperation, free travel areas and single markets, this is what attracts the people of Cantonos to an organisation such as the Cooperative Union. However, such heavy infringement upon the sovereignty of nations, sovereignty which nations across the world, including those within the Cooperative Union, are reluctant to forfeit -- seems counterproductive and an affront to the principles of an organisation of equal nations. Cantonos believes in the efficiency and integrity of the current set-up of the Cooperative Union, where we agree to free movement of people who we have signed these treaties with. The imposing of third-party nationals against the will of the citizens of individual member states is something our government would be opposed to, and something we would fight against through legal ways as we believe that is an unreasonable infringement upon the sovereignty of memberstates."

Young would then turn to the Veronite Commissioner, taking his glasses off and softly tapping his pen on the table.

"I don't fully understand what the Commissioner means with the Cooperative Union's standard for economic policy. The Cooperative Papers state that -- and I quote: The policies of the CU aims to ensure the free movement of peoples, goods, services, and capital within the internal market. Surely any country which abides to this, regardless of their economic policy, is compatible within the framework of the Cooperative single market. Cantonos has a market economy, we are open to the free movement of people, goods, services and capital among CU members. We believe in the merits of free market capitalism and globalism. In other words, we believe we are perfectly compatible with the economic principles of the Cooperative Union as it stands."

[Tectonix]

Nodding, Entemont prepared to speak before a loud buzz came from his table. Frowning, he looked down, his eyes widening.

Running up to the Dais, Entemont said, "Fellow delegates of the Commission, I move to invoke cloture and admit the Republic of Cantonos into the Cooperative Union without objection. Mr. Chairman, I request that due to serious circumstances regarding Athara Magarat, that my motion be immediately adopted and this Commission remain in executive session to debate the deployment of peacekeepers to aid Athara Magarat. One of our member-states is currently at war, and we cannot waste a second in responding to this conflict."

"Due to this, I also move to suspend the rules and permit the Secretary-General to appoint an Interim Supreme Commander of the Peacekeepers, whom will serve their faculties via the orders of the Commission — I request this motion also be adopted without objection."

[Noronica]

Harold nodded solemnly, noticing that Matthew's reaction had come around the same time as Entemont and him both looked at their respective devices. Harold knew about the hostilities between San Montagna and the Mesder nations, but did not see this escalating. Speaking in a tone that commanded swift action, he spoke to the Commission,

"I agree with every motion put forward. I will now invoke closure and admit the Republic of Cantonos. As recommended, we shall remain in executive session to debate on this most surprising attack on a member's sovereign territory. Due to the need for speed in this matter, I shall appoint a Covonantian Commander as Interim Surpreme Commander as we are situated within Covonant."

Matthew also spoke up once the motions had been set into action, "Noronica has already declared that a state of war exists between the Republic of San Montagna and the Federal Overlordship of Noronica. This shall not be prevented as we must honour or alliances, however, Noronica shall assist with peacekeeping efforts wherever possible. I suggest since that four of our members have mobilised forces, we as an alliance focus mainly on humanitarian and financial aid. This is a military matter now and the peacekeepers should be there to protect those conducting aid missions."

[Athara Magarat]

"New Libang is under heavy attack and the National Army has been mobilized to repel the invaders from reaching the capital. Communications with Myagdi Island have been lost; most likely due to heavy aerial bombardment that destroyed towers or the city is now simply devoid of electricity or other powers. Tiwe Sivn, Atish Town and Little Merrit, Maw Rong, Jiri, Thangmi and several other towns also came under fire but our forces are currently occupied fighting the main invasion force trying to reach New Libang. More and more San Montagnans continue appearing..." Kyle's voice trembled. His heart ached upon reading the news. He breathed somewhat a sigh of relief as there were so far no reported casualties or destruction in New Libang where his family lived or Ghan Pokhara, his ethnic town where he had grown up. But, the sorry state of his nation was too much to bear and the reserved man shed a few tears. "...I am sorry. Reinforcements from various nations are on their way and together we will fight back the San Montagnans...And I...no, we would really appreciate the humanitarian aid and evacuation operations."

(OOC: Most people out of Myagdi Island, the military and even the gov assume that New Libang is the main target while in reality, it is a diversion and as we all know, Myagdi Island is now a hell...)

[Tectonix]

"Mr. Chairman, it remains clear that although many countries have been deploying forces to Athara Magarat, it is usually either to evacuate their own citizens or to fight the San Montagnans head-on. I find it clear that to ensure proper execution of peacekeeping protocols in non-contested Athara Magarati territories, the Cooperative Union Peacekeeping Force should be deployed post-haste. However, I will only initiate such an act with the permission of the honourable Athara Magarati delegate." Entemont sat down and looked patiently at his fellow delegate, waiting for his response.

[Covonant]

"Based on the news reports, Athara Magarat is being invaded. Any peacekeeping force sent under the banner of the CU will not be there to instill peace but rather to fight and defend Athara Magarat which the Coalition of Six and the Joint Expeditionary Forces are doing" Expressed Gannica.

[Tectonix]

"After significant consultation with numerous delegates and military officials, Tectonix has decided to withdraw their plan of invoking the IRP. With that said, I'd like to hear how other delegates wish to confront this issue in a more, as the honourable Noronican delegate put it, 'humanitarian and financial' sense."

[Covonant]

"I wish to suggest have the efforts of the peacekeeping force once implemented be sent close to the area preferably to Covonant or Ipland in the likely event that following this event, Athara Magarat may need critical attention to prevent a major crisis from developing. A likely scenario is a large death toll marred by an already disease outbreak we have to see how we can ensure it does not spread. There are reports that some Athara Magarat nationals are taking serious risk in leaving the country, it is now time for the CU to patrol the South Mesder in attempts at rescue fleeing Athara Magaratis. I say these in hopes that our efforts does not affect the united operations of the C6 and the JEF in their attempts of rescuing the country and pushing the San Montagnans out"

[Samudera]

"I agree with Covonantian delegate suggestion here. Our top priority, for now, should be rescuing Athara Magarati citizens in case they tried to flee from the war-torned Myagdi Island or Athara Magarat. Samuderan cruise ship, Varuna, who happened to be harboured in Myagdi Island in the time of invasion brought many Athara Magarati away from the frontline. This is a proof that many will try to leave the nations." Anissa said hastily.

[West Suomi]

“The West Suomian government and I do not wish to fight in any war; we want to stay neutral. However we will not delay to rescue citizens of the CU and try to instil peace into the region. But, if the ‘peace’keepers aren’t going to create peace, we’re sorry to say that we will not be providing any peacekeepers. As the famous saying goes, “Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding.” Thanks for your understanding.”

Mr. Wright sat still and waited for the response to his controversial statement.

[Eserai]

"Eserai has a obligation to support Athara Magarat refugees get out of war stricken areas and provide welfare however we can not provide peacekeepers if they are to fight the San Montagnans head on. We wish for this war to be resolved by peace talks instead of brute force. Brute force should be the last thing on the table and if San Montagnan continue to destroy Athara Magarat or invade others then we will be ready as the Prime Minister has put all military forces on high alert."

Mr Goswell then sipped a glass of water. He is obviously not impressed by the San Montagnans.

[Ainslie]

Let us be clear. The need for a peacekeeping force does not currently lie in Athara Magarat. I regret to say this, but it is the clear reality. The need is currently in Ipland - Sitsern, to be exact. It is quickly becoming an area in which formal and official evacuations are occuring. The CUPF is a military force devoted to peacekeeping and the wellness of Union citizens, and we believe that there would be no better way for this to be done currently other than to evacuate people out of Athara Magarat.

The ARSF, our nation peacekeeping force, is already doing this - with Samuderan authorities doing similar.

Delegates, I propose that we send these peacekeepers to Sitsern, Ipland. When Athara Magarat is liberated from San Montagna, then we can discuss putting CU boots on the ground. They will not be far from the nation if they are basing themselves in Ipland temporarily.

[Tectonix]

"Mr. Chairman, seeing the near universal agreement within this assembly, I submit the following Peacekeeping Order to be executed by the Office of the Supreme Commander and the CU-at-large, when applicable."

COMMISSION PEACEKEEPING ORDER 001
Ratified on November 2017 by the Nations of the Cooperative Union

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For the purposes of addressing the Athara Magarati-San Montagnan War, the Commission hereby refers the contents of this Peacekeeping Order to the applicable parties:

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§1 - The CU-at-large:

1. The Cooperative Union,
   1. Officially recognises the armed conflict between CU Member-State Athara Magarat and San Montagna as an active conflict between a CU member-state and a non-member-state, granting the capability to utilise peacekeeping resources under the Peacekeeping Resolution,
   2. Condemns in the strongest terms the unprovoked assault on CU citizens by the totalitarian regime of San Montagna and their leader, Benito Franco,
   3. Declares its resolve to assist Athara Magarat and its allies in its capacity to fend off their invaders.

§2 - The CUPF:

1. The Cooperative Union Peacekeeping Force, and by association the Office of the Supreme Commander,
   1. Instructs the deployment of 1,250 CU Peacekeepers to the CU nation of Ipland, with a specific location of Sitsern. This deployment shall be tasked with, among other things designated by the Supreme Commander, facilitating evacuation efforts, evacuating Athara Magarati refugees if necessary, assisting CU national military forces in their full capacity, and providing medical assistance to refugees and military personnel alike,
   2. Temporarily blocks the deployment of CUPF personnel to Athara Magarat proper, though allows for doing so via a Peacekeeping Order upon the liberation of Athara Magarat to assist in reconstruction efforts.

[Ainslie]

We are in support of this order as it stands.

[Samudera]

I second the order.

[West Suomi]

“Second.” said Ethan

[Tectonix]

Entemont nodded with satisfaction at the support for his proposed order, waiting for voting procedures to be initiated.

[Eserai]

"I second this motion"

[Ipland]

Brejn nodded
"I second this motion"

[Noronica]

Harold nodded, "I call this Commission into a voting session that shall last for 24 hours or until we have a two-thirds majority."