Lykos Anikidios Valinarys was the first to rise. He and his compatriot, Lykos Sytherios Velitheos, had decorated themselves in the traditional attire of their homeland. A long, deep purple desar tunic, belted at his waist, and embroidered with gold stripes marked him out as an Archon of the Freehold itself, elected to govern and direct the state with his co-Archon. Across his shoulder and around his body hung his white togar, almost identical to the pre-Ephyral Roman toga from which its name derived. Such a garment denoted strong citizen status, and he had come here today as both citizen and Archon of his homeland.
As a propraetor, Velitheos was far less resplendant in his white tunic with black stripes, along with white togar, though he was no less distinguished. The Archon of the Exterior currently remained seated as one of the twin voices of the Freehold began to speak.
"I thank you, Mr. Chief Justice, personally for conducting this mediation and on behalf of my people for your nation's agreement to host this discourse. The position of the Freehold is a simple one. When one nation's internal affairs see the potential and alarming rise of a man whose outer interests are hostile, that nations' internal affairs become of interest to its neighbours. A candidate for the elections in Persia, a man by the name of Yaha Zaidan, was prominent enough to make news headlines in Persia for his outspoken intent to pursue what he claims is rightful Persian land currently incorporated into provinces of the Freehold, in particular, the provinces of Armenia and the Caucasus, Assyria, and Babylonia, all three of which lie on the border of the current Persian country.
"Under the terms of office of their Honours, Archon Lysaron Kessathios Velareon, and Archon Aethon Dekios Arnaris, the Senate of the Freehold proclaimed a united response to the Persian people and Yaha Zaidan. With Arnaris' words, we promised that the election of a man whose open interest is that of theft and conflict would demonstrate the Persian willingness to become our enemies, and that we would naturally respond to such acts. We believe the Persian 'claim' to these lands is derived from their occupation under the pre-Islamic Achaemenid Empire, which was itself largely conquered and defeated by a Selian from Arconia and his army. These regions became Selian for the first time but not for the last, as we occupy them now and have lost many men and shed much blood to retain what we won through honourable conflict.
"This is the nature of war and the intent of Yaha Zaidan appears to be to re-ignite this centuries old conflict to reclaim what he sees as Persian land, and if elected, the Persians would show themselves to believe this also. We were met with hostility from the Persian Ministry of War who warned of disastrous consequences for our region were such a conflict to emerge.
"Our position, Mr. Chief Justice, is that the land is ours. They are established provinces of the Freehold and have been for many years. It is our law that governs these lands, it is our governors that preside over them. It is to us that their free states pay tribute, and it is our citizenship that the men and women of these lands have the opportunity to obtain. Our grievance, Mr. Chief Justice, is the outspoken intent of a popular electoral candidate to seize from us what is ours by right and by strength.
"A solution is what we are here to find, and I would propose a treaty of border-respect. Persia shall formally and publicly acknowledge that the definitive border between our states lies at its current positions, at the edges of our provinces and the edges of theirs. We shall make no claim on Persia itself and they shall forfeit their claim on our land. We can begin the demilitarising of our border, establish proper border check points for when travel occurs, and ensure non-aggression, that we both might continue in our affairs in the knowledge that the other will not attack."
The Archon sat back down, and placed his hands in his lap. His statement had been strong, but now it was concluded, and he would hear the Persian statement with clear ears.