International Commonwealth Productions Proudly Presents:
The Democratic Union
(Provisional Title)
A New Dream
(Please see OOC)
The Democratic Union
(Provisional Title)
A New Dream
(Please see OOC)
Pax Prosperitas
By Invitation of the offices of the Prime Minister of Panessos, the Speaker of the Senate of Panessos, the Prime Minister of the Democratic Alliance & IFTZ, The Speaker of the Democratic Alliance & IFTZ, The Party Leader of the Democratic Union, and The Prime Minister of the Democratic Union, the Chair of the PFTZ, the Chief Executive of the PFTZ, the President of the Decis Commonwealth & Confederacy, the International Commonwealth Agency, the Whittan, and by His Aestorian Majesty's Imperial Government; in Commonwealth & Confederation;
To: Our esteemed friends and allies in Mizrad, Maverica, Treneria, Lendol, Naybra, Nerod, Novo Wagondia, Vikden, Terripin, New Tyran, Adriatican, Kustgebeid, Brytene, New Chilokver, Valdiu, and Erquin;
Following private discussions between our governments regarding the formation of a Trade Alliance, you are hereby formally invited to a summit in Alexandria. The location, the Glass Palace, is a short distance from Orq-Newminster Airport. Please feel free to bring up to fifty delegates to talk at a time. Motorcars, helicopters, private yachts, drivers, pilots, & navigators can be made available for your delegations. Please provide details of a liaison office for discussing aspects related to catering, hospitality, and security; entirely at our expense.
Article from the New Alexandrian Courante online version
Subsidiary of the ABCBreaking News: Democratic Union Talks set to start
With rumours of a new Democratic Alliance and Trade Bloc having circulated for months, the government has finally set those rumours to rest, announcing yesterday that the International Commonwealth Agency has indeed organized a summit, issuing a press release stating that:
“We believe that it is in our interests to form a trade bloc among similar countries, backed by a shared confederal government with common monetary, fiscal, trade, foreign, external, and military policy.”
The idea of Aestoria forsaking the WA Trade Treaty standard, whereby nations are allowed to maintain subsidies and tariffs against differing labour standards, is expected to introduce a new wave of competition into the economy, lowering consumer prices and increasing productivity. Professor Smithson, of King’s College, an outspoken member of the Wielding Hyperpower Think Tank, told reporters:
“Originally the Aestorian government investigated the possibility of joining Knootoss, but was put off by the enormous difference in lifestyles, whereby a divide had grown between an underegulated rich elite and an underclass without social welfare and with overly lax regulations. It will be interesting to see whether similar conservative countries like Nerod will be able to come to an arrangement with the relatively liberal Aestorian standard, and whether we will all be able to compromise.”
Indeed, a leaked report has suggested that the government is not confident of success, forseeing a two-thirds chance that at least one party will walk out from the negotiations, a one third chance that there will be no agreement, and also, interestingly, a one third chance that Aestoria itself will withdraw out from the negotiations. The Foreign and International Commonwealth Secretary, Prince Kazpia, gave an interview to the ABC, and, when asked to comment, stated:
“As private and public bodies have repeatedly pointed out, with both strategic and economic models, there is no point in us entering a single market unless there is broad harmonization of both labour standards and trade & tariff policy; and by extension broad harmonization of fiscal policy and external policy, both in terms of foreign policy and defence policy. This necessitates some level of confederal government, and if we cannot strike the right balance between co-operation and national sovereignty for a single-market to work, we will not enter a single market, and will simply fall back on the current trade standard; and that will be for parliament to judge.”
Asked about the constitutional crisis in the Nordic Confederacy and rumours of a split between the two Decis Confederacy single markets, he confirmed that the issue was seriously undermining unity.
“All of the members of the Subterran pact, including Bvordexa; and also Musykreumania, Sybefloridha, Libartia, and Artgallerance, have all decided that they would not be joining any agreement we reach here, although they hope to continue mutual harmonization, and the current trade arrangement will of course continue. But all the other members confederacy are on board, and Her Excellency Mabel Jarvis [Prime Minister of New Austrailanor] will be here to lead their team.”
Asked to confirm which other countries were going to attend, he replied “Naybra, Novo Wagondia, Mizrad, Kustgebeid, Erquin, Adriatican, and perhaps also Nerod, Maverica, and Treneria will join initially. Subsequently we will be accepting applicants, who will go through a far more rigorous review than is normally the case for these alliances. We must be well suited or it will not work.
Certainly it’s going to be very interesting challenge.”
Talks will be starting soon in the ICA HQ, the Glass Palace.
ABC News, bringing reports and updates live.
The Glass Palace
International Commonwealth Agency HQ
Alexandria
“When even the Ausitorians start to worry about national sovereignty, you know that something very interesting is going on,” remarked His Grace Arnold Damascene, Cabinet Secretary, to Hs Grace Alexias Stella, the former Prime Minister of the IFC, as they walked across the bit of park that separated the motorcade from the International Commonwealth Agency HQ, the purpose-built international capital without any international organization to be capital of. The sun was shining and the great glass greenhouse was shining back, and they were wearing toga-tunics and sock-sandals, the latest Auxitorian fashion.
“Well, that’s what happens when we step back from our control-freak habit, and let other nations take our reigns of power,” replied the Deputy Prime Minister, Viscountess Victoria, who was immediately behind them.
“Out from the ashes we rise like a Pheonix. Hey, perhaps we should recommend that as a name if they don’t like the “Democratic Union”,” replied Alexias.
“Too relevant to the IFC,” replied the Whittan Secretary, His Grace Richard Whittingrey, who was walking beside Victoria.
“I know,” replied Alexias. “Still, could use it for a logo.”
“Variety, variety,” replied the Foreign Secretary, who was on the other side of the Deputy Prime Minister, and they entered the glass doors, parading straight into the conference room to one end of the enormous circular table. (It was so enormous that it had a hole in the middle of it, with twenty (staggered) seats for each delegation, five microphones, and desks behind the table for scores of civil servants). “After all, that’s why we let foreigners elect one of the chambers of our parliament. Our destiny lies beyond individual nation-states,” he said.
“Ooh, a bit hot in here, especially for foreigners, isn’t it?” said the Deputy Prime Minister, picking up a fan and wafting air at her legs immodestly, although she was wearing undergarments to cover foreign sensibilities.
“The sensors are adjusting the temperature according to when we expect the delegations to arrive,” replied Prince Kazpia. “It is not a cunning plan to erode moral standards, however absurd they are,” he said, while several of the civil servants on the table behind him rolled their eyes, and wondered whether that actually was the plan. “Although come to think of it it’s a great idea,” said the Prince. “Perhaps we could slowly increase the temperature as we go?”
“What, and run the risk of either sending them to sleep or distracting them by exhibiting ourselves across the table?” replied Lord David Kazpan, the Minister for the Interior, perhaps a little peeved because he was on the opposite side of Victoria. “I’m all for encouraging the adoption of the better bits of Ausitorian culture by other cultures, but there’s a time and place, and if these negotiations are to work, and not take several months, I’m afraid we are going to have to have everybody actually paying attention for at least some of the time,” he said.
“Quite right too,” said Sir Henry Taylor, the Prime Minister, once again wondering whether he should have appointed David as Deputy Prime Minister instead. Certainly he made less of an exhibition of himself.
“There hasn’t been any backtracking on the part of our Decis friends?” asked the Chancellor, George Tilt.
“Fortunately not,” replied Alice, the Minister of Intelligence and Statistics, “although of course we’ll have to be wary of any Austrailanor – Neland – Nordic threesome.”
“Or infighting,” clarified Agnes, her Permanent Secretary.
“Have the Nordics sorted out their constitutional crisis yet?” asked Lord Francis, the President of the Board of Trade, waving a pen mindlessly.
“They’ve been planning for it for ages – probably ever since Synceklubovia decided Decis should have two free trade zones,” replied Clarissa Forpolov, the Permanent Secretary for the Foreign Office.
“The markets are completely calm,” replied Barbara King, governor of the Central Bank. “It’ll be an amicable divorce, and it’ll only happen if we come to an agreement here anyway.”
“Although Artgallerance and Syberfloridha are mad at us,” said Arthur Wright, Permanent Secretary for War.
“Pity about losing Syberfloridha to their camp,” said Argus Fitzpelvitch, his Minister, stirring from his tupour.
“Bloomin’ demographics,” sighed Harry (Harriet) Styles, Permanent Secretary to the Interior.
“Remember not to swamp these foreigners with talk of the Decis Confederacy - most of them have a hard time merely understanding the internal affairs of the Aestorian Commonwealth,” warned the Foreign Secretary. “And remember they will undoubtedly have as many internal difficulties as the Decis Confederacy. Forming a united government, even a weak one, is a radical idea in every sense of the word. If we’re starting to worry about national sovereignty, think what must be going through their minds… we start with the trade bloc, then we move on to the cover the internal and external requirements. We must not let our imaginations run away with us,” he finished, with quiet emphasis.
“The aim is a single market and anything required,” emphasized the Prime Minister, after an impressive silence.
“Start by imagining that,” smiled the Deputy Prime Minister.
And after a short silence, a hubbub of murmurs broke out as they prepared for the start of the negotiations...
[OOC: …and that just about introduces the Ausitorian negotiating team, stance, and location! I expect that these will be the most difficult negotiations we will ever carry out, since they cover everything from a trade bloc to a proto-nation. Whether we will agree remains to be seen. But what can we do, except try to imagine a better future?]
“Well, that’s what happens when we step back from our control-freak habit, and let other nations take our reigns of power,” replied the Deputy Prime Minister, Viscountess Victoria, who was immediately behind them.
“Out from the ashes we rise like a Pheonix. Hey, perhaps we should recommend that as a name if they don’t like the “Democratic Union”,” replied Alexias.
“Too relevant to the IFC,” replied the Whittan Secretary, His Grace Richard Whittingrey, who was walking beside Victoria.
“I know,” replied Alexias. “Still, could use it for a logo.”
“Variety, variety,” replied the Foreign Secretary, who was on the other side of the Deputy Prime Minister, and they entered the glass doors, parading straight into the conference room to one end of the enormous circular table. (It was so enormous that it had a hole in the middle of it, with twenty (staggered) seats for each delegation, five microphones, and desks behind the table for scores of civil servants). “After all, that’s why we let foreigners elect one of the chambers of our parliament. Our destiny lies beyond individual nation-states,” he said.
“Ooh, a bit hot in here, especially for foreigners, isn’t it?” said the Deputy Prime Minister, picking up a fan and wafting air at her legs immodestly, although she was wearing undergarments to cover foreign sensibilities.
“The sensors are adjusting the temperature according to when we expect the delegations to arrive,” replied Prince Kazpia. “It is not a cunning plan to erode moral standards, however absurd they are,” he said, while several of the civil servants on the table behind him rolled their eyes, and wondered whether that actually was the plan. “Although come to think of it it’s a great idea,” said the Prince. “Perhaps we could slowly increase the temperature as we go?”
“What, and run the risk of either sending them to sleep or distracting them by exhibiting ourselves across the table?” replied Lord David Kazpan, the Minister for the Interior, perhaps a little peeved because he was on the opposite side of Victoria. “I’m all for encouraging the adoption of the better bits of Ausitorian culture by other cultures, but there’s a time and place, and if these negotiations are to work, and not take several months, I’m afraid we are going to have to have everybody actually paying attention for at least some of the time,” he said.
“Quite right too,” said Sir Henry Taylor, the Prime Minister, once again wondering whether he should have appointed David as Deputy Prime Minister instead. Certainly he made less of an exhibition of himself.
“There hasn’t been any backtracking on the part of our Decis friends?” asked the Chancellor, George Tilt.
“Fortunately not,” replied Alice, the Minister of Intelligence and Statistics, “although of course we’ll have to be wary of any Austrailanor – Neland – Nordic threesome.”
“Or infighting,” clarified Agnes, her Permanent Secretary.
“Have the Nordics sorted out their constitutional crisis yet?” asked Lord Francis, the President of the Board of Trade, waving a pen mindlessly.
“They’ve been planning for it for ages – probably ever since Synceklubovia decided Decis should have two free trade zones,” replied Clarissa Forpolov, the Permanent Secretary for the Foreign Office.
“The markets are completely calm,” replied Barbara King, governor of the Central Bank. “It’ll be an amicable divorce, and it’ll only happen if we come to an agreement here anyway.”
“Although Artgallerance and Syberfloridha are mad at us,” said Arthur Wright, Permanent Secretary for War.
“Pity about losing Syberfloridha to their camp,” said Argus Fitzpelvitch, his Minister, stirring from his tupour.
“Bloomin’ demographics,” sighed Harry (Harriet) Styles, Permanent Secretary to the Interior.
“Remember not to swamp these foreigners with talk of the Decis Confederacy - most of them have a hard time merely understanding the internal affairs of the Aestorian Commonwealth,” warned the Foreign Secretary. “And remember they will undoubtedly have as many internal difficulties as the Decis Confederacy. Forming a united government, even a weak one, is a radical idea in every sense of the word. If we’re starting to worry about national sovereignty, think what must be going through their minds… we start with the trade bloc, then we move on to the cover the internal and external requirements. We must not let our imaginations run away with us,” he finished, with quiet emphasis.
“The aim is a single market and anything required,” emphasized the Prime Minister, after an impressive silence.
“Start by imagining that,” smiled the Deputy Prime Minister.
And after a short silence, a hubbub of murmurs broke out as they prepared for the start of the negotiations...
[OOC: …and that just about introduces the Ausitorian negotiating team, stance, and location! I expect that these will be the most difficult negotiations we will ever carry out, since they cover everything from a trade bloc to a proto-nation. Whether we will agree remains to be seen. But what can we do, except try to imagine a better future?]
