The Coalition of Free Nations (TWI)

[Vancouvia]

This thread shall serve as the gathering place for all Coalition nations, to discuss matters of importance, the recruiting of new nations, actions to be taken, further agreements, and other gatherings and events.

Due to the nature of the Coalition, I think it is preferable to allow both IC and OOC on this thread. Just make sure to differentiate between the two adequately.

The IC setting for this thread is The Coalition Building, a wide and spacious building across the street from the League, in the City of the International District. A large atrium adorns the center, with the main gathering space on one of its sides. The chairs are arranged in almost a full circle, with a small pulpit at the edge. It should be assumed that your representatives are here when they are not somewhere else. Any meetings that take place not in this building can still occur on this thread, if that's preferred, in order to keep all of our information in one place.

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Our Charter and updated members:
https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=881818
https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=542540

[Vancouvia]

Ian Wellworth called the meeting to order. "If you remember, we agreed for Atnaia to host our next meeting. I raise the question on whether that nation is stable enough to do so, as it is currently going through what some may refer to as a revolution. I believe we should cast a vote on one of three options: continue with the meeting in Atnaia, move on to the next nation in line, Libra Project, or meet here where we are in the I.D."

[Verdon]

Michel replied, "It would be a shame if Atnaia's hosting rights were skipped over due to temporary complications. Let us then postpone the coalition meeting in their country until next time, and host it here on neutral ground for the time being."

[Ostehaar]

"I agree," said Dora, noticing she's right next to Michel in the seating order and therefore the one being currently looked at. "Let's have the meeting here for now."

[Ventlimer]

"As do I," Daniel Grile said.

[Vancouvia]

"Are there no opposed? If not, does anyone wish to bring up a topic for discussion?"

A robin flew down into the atrium and landed on a tree. Ian wondered how it had gotten inside but smiled at it.

[Ostehaar]

"Perhaps we should consider the coalition's stance on the Atnaia conflict," Dora suggested, "which right now seems to develop into a civil war."

[Vancouvia]

"Our charter states that we are encouraged to offer aid to affected countries. If the Atnaians would like us to do so, we are prepared to offer several forms of assistance."

[Silverstom]

"What forms of assistance are we able to offer to Atnaia? Preferably something less violent, and more humanitarian, so that our Coalition's reputation does not get spit upon."

[Ostehaar]

"Reputation isn't a concern when your assistance is kept a secret," said Dora as a crafty smile appeared on her face.

[Atnaia]

Vera Holiday shifted uncomfortably. She hadn't expected this. She cleared her throat. "If I might speak. Firstly, might I introduce myself. My name is Vera Holiday, and I am the interim replacement for Benedict Cross in this coalition. Lord Benedict was an unfortunate victim of an Asorist bombing, a sign, I think, of the dangers facing my nation.

"I appreciate the concern you have granted my nation's right to host this coalition, and the concern you have granted it's current problems. As a representative of the Atnaian people, I must say that the current crisis should not flavour your views of our nation, and we welcome all help at re-establishing peace in the country."

[Ventlimer]

"This is hardly an international calamity. If you tried now, you would be going against the Coalition by attempting to intervene in a supposedly "free" member of this coalition." Daniel spoke slowly through this. "If you intervene in Atnaia, what stops you from intervening in other nations, including ours? No, our first actions militarily should be against a common enemy and not as a police force for our nations. For who are you to aid? Wessich? The Asorists? The Prince? Who are you to say which of these actually represents the people? No, it is best if the coalition stayed out of Atnaia's concerns." He turned to Vera. "And ma'am, I did not mean to insult the honored prince. I hope I did not do so."

Daniel shuffled some papers around. "Concerning militaries, though, we should note that the pirates in the Mesder Sea did cause quite a bit of trouble among our shipping. I suggest we focus on the patrols, and who is to take what sectors."

[Vancouvia]

"We were speaking of aid, Daniel, not an invasion of one of our own countries. And I believe all of us would not do anything without consulting Atnaia itself."

[Ostehaar]

"...we welcome all help at re-establishing peace in the country."

"But Vera," said Dora, deflecting the issue back to Atnaia, "what is it that you need?"

[Atnaia]

"...we welcome all help at re-establishing peace in the country."

"But Vera," said Dora, deflecting the issue back to Atnaia, "what is it that you need?"

Vera shifted. The earlier mention of Wessich was odd. As far as she knew, Wessich's service to the country had been exemplary. Why the international community was placing him apart from the government confused her. Certainly, the Duke had expressed concerns regarding the succession, but Stone Wall was instrumental in fighting the Asorists.

"Well," she said, "our government will accept any aid offered in fighting the Asorist terrorists, or in providing aid to the effected citizenry. Protecting the people from this threat is our primary concern."

[Verdon]

Michel nodded affirmative to the suggestion of civilian aid. "Protecting the people, indeed. It would be no large expenditure for the Coalition to set up camps for those dislocated by violence, provided that the government be open to the suggestion. At least a guarantee of clean water to drink could be provided - trivial things can become luxuries when violence ensues."

Michel then added:
"The government of Atnaia that signed the charter is the one we have the responsibility to aid."

[Vancouvia]

"Vera, what is the hierarchy of specific aid you request. Where is it needed and when do you need it? Is the situation safe enough for aid workers to arrive, or should they be escorted by our militaries?"

[Ventlimer]

"It should be the people of Atnaia aid attempts to protect, Michel," Daniel said. "While my nation will support any such aid to protect the civilians, the coalition's charter does not define revolutions or civil wars as part of our mission. These are not international calamities until the conflict spills into other nations. Intervening before such time is not part of the charter our government signed."

[Vancouvia]

"It should be the people of Atnaia aid attempts to protect, Michel," Daniel said. "While my nation will support any such aid to protect the civilians, the coalition's charter does not define revolutions or civil wars as part of our mission. These are not international calamities until the conflict spills into other nations. Intervening before such time is not part of the charter our government signed."

"Nowhere does Section IV contain any hint of 'international' circumstances. A civil war could easily be considered a 'war' or a 'major calamity'. If Ventlimer is not prepared to help the people of Atnaia through this crisis, so be it, but Vancouvia for one is."

[Polar Svalbard]

Rachell Niatoz walked into the room, a bit late, but she was sick for a while and they had deemed it that they could afford to wait a few days. Either way she walked in, still with a bit of a left over cold. She wore her high heels and a buisness suit. Her briefcase in her right hand, purse in her left. She had on some light blue lipstick which paired well with her blue eyes. Her blonde hair fell down to her shoulders. Her nose was a bit crooked due to an accident in her childhood, and her glasses rested atop it.

She walked to her designated chair. "I'm sorry I'm late." Sniff "I was just getting over a nasty cold. What are we discussing at the moment?" Sniff. She blew her nose without much noise.

[Ventlimer]

"But who really represents the people?" Daniel said to the Vancouvian. "It is not your place to decide that. It is a revolution."

[Silverstom]

"Our country prefers to keep a quiet voice in affairs and matters like these, and as such, we should have maintain a rule of pacifism in this conflict, which, after all, is a popular uprising by citizens. So, we should just give humanitarian aid, in my opinion."

[Vancouvia]

"But who really represents the people?" Daniel said to the Vancouvian. "It is not your place to decide that. It is a revolution."

"The treaty was signed by the original government. We must support that government, not the people themselves. If that government acts contrary to our values then it is our place to remove that nation of Atnaia from our Coalition, and then we can take steps to welcome a different Atnaian authority if we wish later on."

[Atnaia]

"And I would like to remind the Coalition that the government has done nothing against the purposes of this organization," Vera said. "In fact, by starting organizations like the GSRP, it has acted directly on behalf of the interests of the Coalition.

"In terms of our needs, we require pharmaceuticals and logistical support for the protection of citizens, and possible military to support us. The Asorists are surprisingly well equipped, and many are veterans with military training that can counter our own. We also require intelligence support in determining what organization is backing the Asorists and providing them material support."

[Ostehaar]

"The Asorists are surprisingly well equipped, and many are veterans with military training that can counter our own.

Dora raised an eyebrow. This is interesting, she thought.

We also require intelligence support in determining what organization is backing the Asorists and providing them material support."

"I can tell you for sure right now," Dora responded immediately, "that my government would authorize our intelligence agencies to investigate this with any means we've got." Dora leaned forward and looked at Vera in the eyes, "say the word, and Ostehaar will be on it tomorrow. We will need your government's authorization to send agents and to install surveillance equipment."