Council of Esquarium [IC, Closed]

[Ainin]

"Without objection, so ordered. With six votes in favour and one against, the bill passes and is referred to the Esquarian Parliament. The chair now sets 48 hours' debate on the denunciation of the agreement."

[Luziyca]

With the President finally ending voting a week after it began, Taras Pashkov had a sense of relief as they can now commence the debate. Unlike the previous bill, Pashkov supported the denunciation of the agreement: since Shohai Antelope went into office, he seemed to have kept demanding more and more and more from Luziyca, all while doing absolutely nothing to reverse it. That, combined with Namor's alignment with the IFDS, has soured Luziycan willingness to allow Namor to remain in such an agreement.

For the first time, Luziyca would finally respond to the act giving Shohai Antelope the power to engage in "defensive warfare," even if the sessions are in camera.

"Mr. President," Pashkov began, "with a heavy heart, the Christian Republic supports the bill presented by the Aucurian delegation, and would like to sponsor the bill."

"Since 1990, we have been willing to give the People's Republic of Namor many chances to show that they are willing to engage in peaceful relations with the Christian Republic. However, since Shohai Antelope became President-General, we see that the Namorese government is no longer interested in pursuing good-faith relations that would improve Namor's standing on the world stage."

Pashkov had a sip of water. He had to explain why the Christian Republic reluctantly supported the Aucurian bill.

"While we acknowledge that rescinding the Namor-Esquarian Community Association Agreement will likely have an adverse impact on the economies of many member states, Mr. President," Pashkov said, "the fact of the matter is with the increasing belligerent attitude to the Christian Republic, and to other EC member states, in concert with the International Forum of Developing States, especially Xiaodong and Razaria, combined with the fact that the Namorese government is willing to assist Xiaodong in circumventing sanctions imposed by the EC in light of the protests against Yuan Xiannian, it is becoming more and more clear that the Namorese government is no longer interested in constructive relations with democratic nations like those in the Esquarian Community."

"It pains me to support this bill, Mr. President," Pashkov added, "since I have been a huge proponent of Namo-Luziycan detente, and sought to ensure that Namor was incorporated into the global community. But with the increasing hostility to Luziyca, and the willingness to assist the regimes who commit crimes against humanity and suppress the will of the people with no strings attached, the Christian Republic feels that we can no longer give any further concessions to Namorese belligerence."

"Mr. President, we should have denounced the Namor-Esquarian Community Association Agreement when the Namorese were caught rebranding Xiaodongese rice to be 'Namorese'. But we didn't, because we were naive enough to believe that the Namorese will change their act."

"However, with Shohai Antelope being bound and determined to prevent us from protecting Nantai from any future invasion under the auspices of the 'defensive act clause,' with the closer ties to the IFDS, it is time for us to stand for the principles upon which the Esquarian Community is founded."

"It is time for the Esquarian Community to cease tolerating a state determined to break existing treaties with the Esquarian Community and its members. It is time for the Esquarian Community to cease tolerating a state who aligns itself with the enemies of the free world. And it is time for the Esquarian Community to cease tolerating a state who threatens other states if other states don't do as they wish."

"Thank you," he concluded.

[Ainin]

"Mr. President, the Aininian Republic strongly protests this legislation. It sets a dangerous precedent for the Community that would mark an irreversible erosion in our diplomatic standing. If the Esquarian Community cannot be trusted to hold up its trade agreements, and to abrogate them on a whim for idealistic pursuits without valid cause recognised by customary treaty law, then who will again make a deal with the Community?"

"Although the agreement itself can be revoked at the stroke of a pen, to believe that that would be the end of the story is as patently incorrect as believing that withdrawing from the Treaty of the Esquarian Community could come without severe adverse consequences and incredible economic turmoil. The economic integration that has developed between Esquarium's two largest economies, Namor and the Common Market, since the signing of the agreement can only be ripped apart again at a terrible cost to all, and it is not one that we are willing to take based on President Antelope's words that, although disappointing, in no way constitute a real and present threat to the Esquarian Community or any member-state thereof."

"We cannot under any circumstance support the derogation of the agreement at this time. If the stated goal is to stop Namor from aligning itself with Ankoren and Xiaodong, then declaring economic war on Namor, as this bill intends to do, is the most patently counterproductive mean of achieving that goal."

[Luziyca]

Taras Pashkov listened very intently to the statements presented by the Aininian delegation: namely how that it would spark distrust to the Esquarian Community. But Pashkov silently chuckled at the thought of how the Aininians voted in favor of the preceding bill, even though it would only cause the Union of Nautasian Islamic Republics to become more hostile to the Esquarian Community.

When the Aininian delegate was finished with his speech, Pashkov once again took to the floor.

"Mr. President," Taras Pashkov began, "I acknowledge the concerns made by the Aininian delegation that this would lead to adverse economic consequences, and a risk of erosion of the standing of the Esquarian Community on the international stage."

"In the short term, Mr. President, yes, it will lead to adverse economic impacts, both in Namor and the EC, especially as Namorese goods will not be able to access the Common Market as easily as they currently do right now," Pashkov said. "The Christian Republic also acknowledges the concerns that other states may not be as willing to do business with the Esquarian Community if we are to abrogate the Namor-Esquarian Community Association Agreement, out of fear that we may do the same to them."

"That said, we must acknowledge that right now, Namor is becoming a threat. They are threatening to attack the Christian Republic should we dare to protect Nantai from any so-called 'defensive' incursions," Pashkov declared. "They are currently becoming closer with the Xiaodongese and the Razarian governments: the two worst offenders of human rights in Esquarium. To allow the Namorese continued access to the Common Market is irresponsible, for they will, not if, will inevitably send intelligence about the EC towards states that are in inextricable opposition to the ideals upon which the Esquarian Community is founded upon."

At this point, Taras Pashkov decided to have a sip of coffee, while organizing his thoughts for the next part of his speech. He had to make sure that his arguments were convincing, while ensuring that he is not being accused of hypocrisy for supporting the UNIR. After a brief pause, it was time for him to resume his speech.

"Mr. President," Pashkov continued, "while it may be slightly hypocritical of us to support this bill, we feel that the effects of Namorese belligerence are much more greater to us than the Union of Nautasian Islamic Republic's expansionist dreams in Nautasia. If the Namorese decide to use their newfound power to attack Nantai under the guise of 'defending' the Namorese homeland, and unilaterally overturn the October Consensus, then they will have a substantial impact on our ability to exploit our oil reserves in the Gulf of Gelyevich."

"While I cannot repeat everything I have said in this chamber regarding the UNIR, as it is not the topic of this discussion, and because I have already expressed it, Mr. President," Taras Pashkov said, "if relations with Namor sour further than they already do to the point of attacking our oil rigs, and the UNIR decides to stop all shipments of oil to the EC, we are, to put it in the best terms possible, completely and utterly fucked."

"This, combined with the fact that the People's Republic of Namor borders not one, but two member states of the Esquarian Community means that Namor's current aggressive and revanchist rhetoric has the potential to escalate to a full-fledged war at any moment. Our government right now is on Sogovo 3, because of these recent tensions between the Namorese and Luziycan governments."

"Thus, Mr. President," Pashkov declared, "under President-General Shohai Antelope, our efforts at 'compromise,' for lack of a better term, have led to Namor taking a mile when we give an inch. The Namorese are no longer interested, to quote the Aucurian delegation, 'in making a mutual concession,' and I imagine that soon, maybe not today or tomorrow, but not too far down the line, they will 'not be appeased by anything less than the annihilation' of the Christian Republic."

"As such, Mr. President," Pashkov concluded, "we must abrogate the agreement between Namor and the EC."

[Montecara]

“Mr. President, the delegation of Montecara joins our colleagues from the Aininian Republic in opposing this most reckless proposal.

International law is not a matter that we take lightly, Mr. President. How would it reflect on this Community if we were seen to abandon our trade partners, our partners in earnest collaboration of years, in pursuit of some nebulous goal which seems to have as its aim merely to cut all our noses off to spite our face?

Furthermore, we also take the security concerns of the Christian Republic most seriously. Both Luziyca and Namor have the right to have their territorial integrity respected and their people’s lives and livelihoods protected. But how would denouncing this agreement further those aims? Even if one agrees that Namor is drifting dangerously away from the community of liberal democratic nations — which, Mr. President, is not a notion that we uncritically accept — denouncing this agreement would only give them a push in the direction of the authoritarian regimes that the Luziycan delegation has mentioned.

We have the utmost respect for our Luziycan colleagues and take their nation’s security most seriously. But we wish, Mr. President, that they could see that their proposal would only further jeopardize the very things they profess to guard so jealously: their safety and prosperity. Thank you.”

[Eibenland]

"Mr. President, the delegation of Eibenland is opposed to this proposal. It is not a constructive way to address the concerns expressed by the Luziycan delegation.

We do not approve of the actions of the Xiaodongese and Razarian regimes but renouncing the Namor-Esquarian Community Association Agreement would primarily harm the EC without achieving any change in the behavior of those regimes. We would be, simply put, shooting ourselves in the collective foot. The Association Agreement is too valuable to abandon in this way. It brings significant economic benefits and cooperation with one of Esquarium's greatest powers.

Furthermore, it would not be sensible to terminate an agreement of this scale without any consultation with Namor. The EC should express its opposition to the Xiaodongese and Razarian regimes while maintaining our current trading relationship with Namor. I would like to end my remarks by asking Mr. Pashkov why he was in favor of engagement with a state like the UNIR but opposes it in the case of Namor."

[Luziyca]

Taras Pashkov once again listened to the response: this time, not from the Aininian delegation, but from the Montecaran delegation. The irony seemed to be that the Luziycan delegation has done more of the work of championing this proposal than the Aucurians themselves, to such an extent that the Montecaran delegation seems to have assumed that the Luziycans tabled this proposal.

Once the Montecaran delegate were finished speaking, Pashkov realized it was time to explain why this bill would enhance Luziycan national security interests.

"Mr. President," Taras Pashkov said, "in regard to the first point raised by the Montecaran delegation, I would like to ask them: what should the Esquarian Community do in the face of Namor becoming more aligned to the IFDS?"

"Because right now, Mr President," Pashkov declared, "we are stuck between two choices: either we can betray a member of the Esquarian Community, one who has a larger economy than the People's Republic of Namor, just so we can appease the interests of a power who will accept nothing less than us raising a white flag over Bethlehem, and kowtowing to Namor; or we punish Namor for their infringements upon Luziycan sovereignty, for their threats to start a war if we even raise a finger and stand up to them."

"Unless someone in this chamber has a better plan, the Aucurian plan is the best we've got," Pashkov said. "Until someone makes a plan that balances the interests of both the EC's need to continue trade with Namor, while recognizing the right to our territorial integrity, to our security in Nantai, we are left with no choice but to support the Aucurian plan and abrogate the Namo-Esquarian Community Association Agreement."

Taras Pashkov sighed in frustration. He wished that the Aucurian delegation, who had introduced this bill, would at least put in some effort to defend their hard-work, instead of letting the Luzzies do all the heavy-lifting. But what good are Luzzies, but to do the heavy-lifting in Esquarium?

"As for the second point, Mr. President," Pashkov said, "denouncing this agreement will further our aims, as it sends a message that continuing infringements upon the sovereignty of a member-state of the Esquarian Community will be met with substantial consequences from not just the affected member state, but from the EC as a whole. While the economic impacts may affect both sides, the hope is that by denouncing the agreement, any subsequent economic downturn in Namor would pressure the government in Namor to tone down the rhetoric against Luziyca; to cease aligning themselves with hostile states like Xiaodong and Razaria, and force the government to decide whether to continue going down the warpath, or to rebuild the damages caused under the administration of Shohai Antelope."

"If the downturn causes Namor to become more authoritarian; to become a rogue state like Xiaodong and Razaria, then that's their choice," Pashkov said. "But if they do focus on becoming part of the International Forum for Developing States and prioritize ties with rogue states in these organizations, then they should not be surprised to find that they can no longer access our markets as easily as they could have if they never went down the path of belligerence and hostility with the free world."

"Therefore, Mr. President," Pashkov concluded, "while we acknowledge that this proposal may harm our prosperity and safety, unless someone else has a better plan to resolve the situation between Namor and Luziyca, denouncing the treaty is better than standing by and letting Namor destroy Luziycan sovereignty."

Just as he was about to turn off his microphone, he was blindsided by a question from the Eibenlander delegation. He knew someone would ask him that. While he had a sip of coffee, he questioned whether to mix it with some alcoholic beverage of some kind.

Ultimately, he decided otherwise: he had to reply to the question posed by the Eibenlander delegation as soon as possible, lest he be accused of dodging questions.

"Mr. President," Taras Pashkov said, "to answer the question presented by the Eibenlander delegation, the reason why we are in favor of engaging with the UNIR and not Namor, are because of two things: geography and oil."

"Geographically, the Union of Nautasian Islamic Republics is thousands of kilometers from even the nearest point under EC control: Iberville. Even if the UNIR were to hypothetically take over all of Mazaristan, they'd still have to get through Nautarya and Alouatan before they can directly reach the doorstep of the Esquarian Community, and by then, there'd be a strong effort to get the UNIR all the way back to Irvadistan."

"In contrast, Mr. President, Namor borders not one, but two member states of the Esquarian Community. If they are to declare war on the Christian Republic, there is no country separating Namor from either Luziyca or Katranjiev, meaning that inevitably, EC territory will be occupied by a hostile Namorese power, even if for a little bit. This means that should Namor unilaterally alter Nantai's status in a so-called 'defensive' war, it would be difficult for the international community to respond instantaneously."

"The second reason why the Christian Republic is willing to cooperate with the Union of Nautasian Republics, Mr. President, is oil," Pashkov said. "While I will not bore you by repeating everything regarding the Union of Nautasian Islamic Republics and why it is so valuable to the Christian Republic, I can tell you that if tensions with Namor reach a boiling point, and they begin attacking our oil rigs in the Gulf of Gelyevich, it is critical for us to obtain oil from a safer place. And if that place has a terrible human rights record, and may be a bit expansionist on a far-away continent [from Borea], so be it."

"If the UNIR had no oil, Mr. President, I'd happily support sanctions upon the UNIR in a heartbeat," Pashkov admitted. "But that is a different story for a different time."

Finally, Pashkov was finished. All he can hope for now was that the Aucurian delegation can put in effort to defend their bill, and hopefully improve the bill's standing before the Council of Esquarium, so it may have a snowball's chance of passing the Council.

[Aucuria]

The Aucurian delegate stood up, to deliver his first speech on the bill in question.

"Mr. President, there is one topic that discussion on this bill must come back to: trust."

"Over the past several years, the member states of the Esquarian Community- and the Esquarian Community itself- have worked tirelessly to build up good relations with the People's Republic of Namor. There have been numerous attempts by the Esquarian Community and its members to build political cooperation, trust, and deep diplomatic ties with the Namorese government. We have been patient, we have been welcoming, we have been diplomatic, and above all we've been trusting. We have put our efforts into helping Namor resolve its political disputes with the Christian Republic of Luziyca, we have worked together in response to natural catastrophes, and we have worked to build economic ties between Namor and the Esquarian Community."

"But we have discovered, in recent years, that the Namorese government has been systematically and repeatedly abusing our trust- taking advantage of our kindness and our patience, using it to enable and assist nations hostile towards the Esquarian Community and its values."

"The most obvious example of the Esquarian Community's trust being abused, the example most closely related to the Namor-Esquarian Community Association Agreement, is what has been dubbed 'repackaging'. As you all no doubt remember, this body- in response to the Yuan regime opening fire upon and murdering its own civilians- voted near-unanimously to levy a 25% sanction against all Xiaodongese goods entering the Esquarian Community. The sanctions in question are the same sanctions we have just voted to raise to 45%. In response to the Esquarian Community levying these sanctions, the Namorese government opted to use the trust we placed in it to help the Xiaodongese avoid these sanctions by relabeling Xiaodongese goods as Namorese. They used the fact that the Association Agreement drops all tariffs on Namorese products to make sure that Xiaodongese goods would not only not face the 25% punitive tariff, but the standard tariffs levied by this organization on goods produced outside the Common Market as well. They used the trust we placed in them to help the Xiaodongese regime avoid the consequences of its actions."

"And now, we know that the Namorese are further considering dropping all Namorese tariffs on Xiaodongese goods entering the People's Republic of Namor. This was discussed openly, and seriously, at the International Forum for Developing States summit in Namo not long ago- and it would make it even easier, and more beneficial to them and the Xiaodongese, for them to continue repackaging Xiaodongese goods for import into the Common Market."

"But of course, the member nations of the Esquarian Community have also put a great deal of individual trust into the People's Republic of Namor. Over recent years, the Luziycan government has systematically, tirelessly worked to build up trust between itself and the Namorese government in the hopes of promoting peace in Borea. Under previous Namorese administrations- such as that of President-General Fu Wen- they were able to build up a series of bodies and processes aimed at preserving peace between Luziyca and Namor."

"But the administration of Antelope Shohai has worked at systematically destroying these bodies and processes. It has repeatedly attempted to provoke Luziyca, increasing tensions in the Gulf of Gelyevich and imperiling peace and stability within the region. Namor has shuttered the international bodies aimed at preserving detente, and severed its hotline with Bethlehem. It has moved military exercises increasingly close to its borders with Luziyca, and begun holding irregular, unprovoked military exercises within the region. It has openly moved troops towards its borders, and threatened open military conflict should Luziyca respond to its aggressive moves. The rhetoric from President-General Antelope himself has frequently been militaristic and hostile; he has said, both on the campaign trail and in office, that Namor would not be unjustified in launching an offensive war against Luziyca in the name of Namorese irredentism- and the passage of Additional Amendment 10 by the Namorese government has made him all the more capable of waging such a war."

"And while we're discussing trust regarding the Namorese military, the government of the Aininian Republic has also put- and, as is evidenced by the Aininian delegate's remarks, continues to put- a great deal of trust in the Namorese regime, much of it of a military nature. We are all aware that there has been extensive military cooperation between Ainin and Namor, including the sharing of military technology and classified intelligence. But one of the other developments of the International Forum for Developing States summit was a potential agreement between Namor, Xiaodong, the UNIR, and Razaria to share military technology and intelligence between them- potentially including the information shared with Namor, in confidence, by Ainin. How much Aininian military technology and intelligence, given to Namor in trust, might now end up in the hands of individuals and nations who are openly hostile towards the Esquarian Community and its members?"

"This is not 'disappointing', or 'disenheartening', or whatever other inoffensive terms of regret have been thrown around today. This is disgusting. This is appalling. We have engaged in- to use the words of the Montecaran delegate- years of earnest collaboration with the Namorese. We have given them a level of trust that we perhaps have not extended to any other nation in Esquarium. And they have developed a habit of repeatedly, consistently, frequently abusing this trust. Our trust, our friendship, our patience, are being taken advantage of. We are being taken advantage of."

"Many in this chamber would tell us to rely upon the normal diplomatic channels. But Mr. President, we have been relying on the normal diplomatic channels between the Esquarian Community or its members and Namor for months, if not years by this point, and they are failing. Diplomacy, negotiation, compromise- all efforts by these methods have accomplished nothing. All the concerted diplomatic efforts of the Pivec and Agapov administrations in Luziyca, of the government of the Aininian Republic, of other individual EC member states, of the Esquarian Community's diplomatic institutions, of bodies created by the Association Agreement like NECSTRAD and NECINPAD and NECJUDID- all of these efforts, over the course of months and years, have failed to prevent Namor from abusing our trust. They failed to prevent repackaging. They failed to prevent Namor's increasing hostility- and I dare say militarism- towards Luziyca. They failed to prevent Namor's drift- political, economic, and military- towards the IFDS. And there is no evidence to suggest they will magically start working now."

"At some point, we must recognize that our trust has been taken advantage of. At some point, we must draw a line and say that Namor cannot cross it if it wishes to retain our trust. What we are saying is that that point has been passed, and that we must respond in some way."

"The Aininian delegate to this body mentioned 'idealistic pursuits'. But, Mr. President, I would like to remind you and the rest of my fellow delegates how the Namor-Esquarian Community Association Agreement begins:"

WHEREAS the Esquarian Community, its member states and the People’s Republic of Namor share a common belief in democracy, human rights and the rule of law,

"That, I believe, is telling. The Association Agreement begins not with some cold statistical discussion of economic benefits, or any acknowledgement of geopolitics, but with ideals. This concept- shared ideals, shared idealism- is what we deemed important enough to be the very first words of the treaty. The Association Agreement predicates itself on the concept that Namor and the Esquarian Community share, and are both willing to pursue, the same ideals at home and abroad."

"Namor is betraying the ideals it has claimed to espouse, the ideals it claims to have in common with the Esquarian Community and its member states, both at home and abroad. At home, members of Antelope Shohai's own party- members of Antelope Shohai's own family, nonetheless- propose creating a list of domestic enemies that could be used to target and punish those deemed 'pro-Luziycan'. Laws like the so-called Anti-Secession Act continue to impose undue restrictions on the rights of people living in Namor. It continues to use bills like the Defense of Namorese Dignity Act to ratchet up tensions with Luziyca, and decrease the power both of public and formal diplomacy in keeping peace in Borea. It shuts down the institutions created to keep the peace, and severs the ties that have grown between them. It has allied itself with nations hostile to the Esquarian Community and its members, hostile towards the common ideals that our nations supposedly share with Namor."

"So if the Association Agreement is predicated quite literally first and foremost around the concept that Namor and the EC share common ideals, then clearly we must take action should the Namorese begin to abandon these ideals, weakening them at home and aiding nations committed to the annihilation of these ideals across Esquarium. Either that, or we decide that our words about common ideals were pointless rhetoric; that we included them only as a decorative flourish, or like a student adding to a paper because he feels some obligation to bring it up to a certain word count, and in fact they mean nothing; that are words are empty, and not backed up by conviction or action."

"Both the Montecaran and Aininian delegates have further asked about how denouncing the Association Agreement would reflect upon this body, about how it would alter our international standing. These are valid concerns. In fact, it was similar concerns that helped push the Aucurian government into bringing this bill before you all today. I would like to request that all of us consider the following, as the Aucurian government has:"

"How does it reflect upon the Esquarian Community if we continue to place our faith in a nation that is actively subverting our attempts to isolate and ostracize dictatorial regimes, actively sabotaging our efforts to build a better world in Borea and Nautasia?"

"How does it reflect upon the Esquarian Community if we continue to place our trust in a nation that is funneling money, weaponry, and quite possibly our military secrets towards nations that are committed to our wholesale destruction?"

"How does it reflect upon the Esquarian Community if we allow our laws and mandates to be subverted or ignored across the region, without fear of repercussion?"

"How does it reflect upon the Esquarian Community if we decide that we are willing to abandon our ideals and our values at the drop of a hat, in the name of 'pragmatism' or 'realpolitik'?"

"How does it reflect upon the Esquarian Community if, rather than face the facts of the situation, we continue to blindly repeat strategies that have clearly failed?"

"How does it reflect upon the Esquarian Community if we align ourselves with a nation whose rhetoric is increasingly irredentist and revanchist, simply because it is convenient?"

"How does it reflect upon the Esquarian Community if we refuse to respond to a nation that is not only threatening open warfare, but threatening it against a fellow member of the EC?"

"How does it reflect upon the Esquarian Community if we are refusing to stand up for the security and the integrity of a fellow EC member?"

"How would those things make us look? To the world, to our allies, to our members, to our enemies, to the neutral nations, to the people of Esquarium?"

"Our failure to take action is telling, Mr. President. It is already eroding our standing across Esquarium. It is eroding our standing in Nautasia and Borea, among regimes with whom we have shared values or common enemies. It is eroding our standing among EC members, who can now no longer be sure if this institution is willing to protect them from rogue states that are actively threatening them. It is eroding our standing among our potential friends and allies, because it makes us look foolish, unreliable, and unwilling to face reality. And it is emboldening the regimes that are hostile towards us."

"There might indeed be economic pain as a result of this. But it is less than the political and strategic pain we will suffer otherwise, and- being frank- maybe economic pain is what the Namorese need right now. Maybe economic pain will be what actually convinces the Antelope administration to halt its aggressive rhetoric towards Luziyca. Maybe economic pain is what the Namorese will need to suffer if they're going to elect an administration actually willing to engage with, and uphold the values of, the Esquarian Community- a New Democratic administration, perhaps. Maybe economic pain will make the Namorese realize what they might lose, and bring them back to the negotiating table. It certainly seems to have a better chance of working than our current strategy, which has- to be blunt- failed at every turn."

"As for those who have maintained that this action is too drastic, the only alternative we have thus far been provided is total, utter inaction. Nobody else has brought forth any proposals of their own, aside from twiddling our thumbs and hoping things unexpectedly change for the better by sheer luck. If the delegates of Montecara or Ainin or Eibenland believe this action to be too drastic, Mr. President, then myself and this bill's co-sponsors would be more than happy to hear them propose concrete, viable alternatives."

"I have gone on long enough for one speech, so I will close with this. The Luziycan delegate summarized the issue quite well: if Namor is going to prioritize its relationship with rogue states over its relationship with the EC, if it is going to abuse our trust and subvert our authority, if it is going to actively threaten EC members and imperil peace in Borea, then they should not be surprised to find that they cannot access the Common Market so easily- and they should know where the fault for that lies."

"Thank you."

[Namor]

"Mr. President, as an observer in the Council of Esquarium and a close partner of the Esquarian Community, Namor would like to make clear its position on this bill to denounce the Association Agreement put forward by certain delegates in this room.

"I would first like to reiterate Namor's commitment to a strong working relationship with the Esquarian Community. Namor and the Esquarian Community are the largest markets in the world. The general consensus is that the Association Agreement between the Esquarian Community and the People's Republic of Namor, which eliminated tariffs on a variety of goods and services, has greatly benefited both the people of Namor and the EC. On the official level, Namor and the EC have been able to exchange views on pressing global issues such as disarmament and climate change through the mechanisms of exchange stipulated by the Association Agreement. These include the NECSTRAD, NECINPAD, and NECJUDID. Namor and the EC have also cooperated on multiple occasions to push a progressive agenda in the past two Esquarian Summits.

"The vast majority of Namorese people understand and value our partnership with the EC, for they are among the ones who experience the benefits of cooperation firsthand. Though I do not represent any EC state, I can say for sure that most people in EC member states value the importance of cooperation as well, for they, too, understand and experience the benefits of Namo-EC cooperation.

"Unfortunately, not everyone understands the value of maintaining strong Namo-EC relations. Worse still, they want to thwart cooperation with baseless allegations. Out of respect for this Council, I will not mention the names of those who made these allegations, but I will review these allegations one by one.

"The first allegation concerns the 'repackaging' of Xiaodongese goods entering Namor. Mr. President, Namor attaches great importance to international trade, so we take trade laws very seriously. Private rice companies in Namor were found to have relabeled Xiaodongese rice as Namorese products, in violation of Namorese law. Consequently, the rice companies were placed under swift investigation and are now facing charges of violating relevant import and export laws. The Namorese government had no knowledge of this illegal act beforehand and is making sure our trade laws are strictly enforced so that similar incidents do not happen in the future. I would like to point out that the Esquarian Secretariat has not reported any Namorese violations of the Comprehensive Common Market Act.

"The second allegation concerns our relationship with the International Forum for Developing States, or IFDS. Mr. President, as an emerging economy, Namor has always enjoyed a robust relationship with developing countries. Developing countries share legitimate common interests, and they have every right to pursue those interests. Since joining the IFDS in 2016, Namor has worked with other developing states to benefit our people. Namor rejects the false dichotomy between the IFDS and EC that seeks to portray the IFDS as an institution committed to undermining the EC or depicts a 'shift toward' the IFDS as a 'shift away' from the EC. The IFDS has never sought to displace the EC by any means; we want a world where all countries — developed, developing, EC members and non-EC members — have a stake in decisions that impact all future generations. We are not going to apologize for working with other developing states for the betterment of all people, and we welcome further discussions with the EC on how countries of varying levels of development can create mutually acceptable solutions to problems that impact us all.

"The third allegation, Mr. President, concerns Namo-Luziycan relations — an issue we feel has little relevance to the discussion at hand. The government's policy towards the Luziycan regime has been consistent from day one: where there is room to cooperate with the Luziycan regime, we will cooperate, and we have — as in the agreement to remove all biological and chemical weapons and our continuing commitment to ensuring equal access to resources in the Gulf. But we will never give way on issues involving our security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, nor will we let ourselves be pelted with threats of Armageddon and embargoes. The recent amendment to our constitution is not a blank check for unprovoked war, but the codification of a commonly accepted right to self-defense. Our military exercises are neither irregular nor unprovoked — they are routine, actively monitored by our allies, and in line with international laws and norms.

"Mr. President, Namor is open to frank discussions with the EC and its individual members regarding our trade policies, relations with developing states, and our defense policy. We hope that through these discussions, an objective assessment of our policies will emerge. In the meantime, we will continue upholding the Association Agreement and ensure that it brings the maximum amount of benefits to the people of Namor and the Esquarian Community. And we expect the Esquarian Community to do the same. Thank you."

[Luziyca]

After listening to the Aucurian delegation present their spirited defense of the bill in question, followed by the Namorese delegate's spirited defense of their actions, Taras Pashkov was ready to once again sprint back to the defense of the bill, and to rebut the statements presented by the Namorese delegation.

However, considering that the Namorese delegate's speech seemed to have been calm and rational, Taras Pashkov knew that he had to speak on their level. It may be a bit boring, and not his natural forte, but he decided to have a go at it.

"Mr President," Pashkov began, "the Christian Republic would like to address the claims presented by the Namorese delegation."

"In regard to the first claim made by the Namorese delegation," Pashkov said, "concerning the repackaging of Xiaodongese rice for export, while the Christian Republic commends your efforts to punish these companies, the truth of the matter is that if your government decides to reduce tariffs for Xiaodongese goods, what is to stop them from entering the EC under a Namorese flag? What is to stop a future administration from importing goods from hostile states like Xiaodong or Razaria into the EC just by slapping a Namorese flag?"

"While we recognize that the Esquarian Community has mechanisms to impose tariffs on offending categories as part of the agreements, Mr. President, we are concerned that these processes are too slow to handle any potential violations: we do not know if the repackaging incident is a one time thing, or if it is the start of a pattern to subvert the Common Market by having hostile states sanctioned export their goods via Namor into the EC. We cannot afford to take the risk, especially if we consider that the institutions set out by the Namorese-Esquarian Community Association Agreement are as, glacial as the rest of the EC, if not more."

"Simply put, Mr. President, by the time that tariffs are put on the offending companies' products, who knows if we'll be dealing with more companies engaging in similar practices? We simply cannot afford the risk."

"As for the second point raised by the Namorese delegation, concerning the claims that the International Forum for Developing States and the Esquarian Community are not inextricably opposed to one another, I'd like to remind this chamber, Mr. President," Pashkov said, "that we were expelled from observer status, for efforts made by ultra-nationalists in our House of Representatives to ruin international trade by sanctioning the Union of Nautasian Islamic Republics, the People's Republic of Namor, and the Auspicious State of Xiaodong, despite such being thoroughly against the laws of the Esquarian Community, and against the best interests of the Christian Republic in the long term."

"As I have mentioned before, Mr. President," Pashkov stated, "the fact that the International Forum of Developing States did such an action indicates that even if the People's Republic of Namor is interested in a world 'where all countries — developed, developing, EC members and non-EC members — have a stake in decisions that impact all future generations,' it is clear that the majority of member states are not interested in such a thing, as they feel that there is no place for the largest economy in Esquarium in such a world."

"This, combined with the fact that the International Forum of Developing States is home to states that are vastly opposed to the way of life of the typical member-state of the Esquarian Community, means that by extension, the People's Republic of Namor is complicit in these decisions."

"There is a difference, Mr. President, between supporting developing countries, and collaborating with rogue states. While assisting developing countries is a noble deed, collaborating with rogue states who are opposed to the principles that the Esquarian Community stands for is not a noble deed. And at this point, the IFDS seems to not be a forum to help developing countries become democratic and developed countries, but rather a place for rogue states to collaborate and become hostile to the free world."

At this point, Taras Pashkov realized that maybe his speech had a bit more rhetoric than he had originally wanted. Deciding that it was too late to remove the rhetoric, he decided to put in the rhetoric for his next part... once he was done lubricating his internal organs. Once he downed his cup of coffee, he continued with his speech.

"Finally, Mr. President, we approach the third claim presented by the Namorese delegation: Namo-Luziycan relations," Pashkov continued. "We believe that Namo-Luziycan relations are relevant to the discussion at hand, as Luziyca is one of the most important members of the Esquarian Community by virtue of our economic prowess, and our status as a great power alongside Ainin."

"When the President-General of the People's Republic says on the campaign trail, and in office that 'Namor would not be unjustified in launching an offensive war against Luziyca in the name of Namorese irredentism,' of course the Christian Republic would be concerned. And during his administration, he has begun to sever the foundations of peace in the Gulf of Gelyevich: such things include the presidential hotline between Namo and Bethlehem; prohibiting so-called 'unnecessary' contact between Luziycan and most Namorese legislators under the Defense of Namorese Dignity Act, and finally, denouncing detente as a 'burden'."

"As for the claims by the Namorese delegation that their recent amendment 'is not a blank check for unprovoked war,' but intended only for self-defensive purposes, the Christian Republic has repeatedly expressed its concerns about the amendment, Mr. President. Even if the incumbent President-General does not use the new amendment, what is to stop a future President-General from declaring a so-called 'defensive' war against Luziyca to unilaterally alter the status quo as set out by the October Consensus?"

"While the Christian Republic is more than open to discussions with the People's Republic of Namor regarding these issues, I have strong doubts that such discussions will bear any fruit under the current administrations in Namo and Bethlehem," Pashkov concluded. "Thank you."

[Namor]

"Mr. President, the Luziycan delegate has laid bare his true motives behind supporting the abrogation of the Association Agreement. It is not to advance the ideals of the Esquarian Community, but to punish the Namorese people for not accepting peace in Borea on Luziyca's terms, to punish developing states for showing solidarity against Luziyca's threats. Coming from a country that has lost land and lives from Luziycan aggression, I am not surprised by this motive.

"Regrettably, the Luziycan regime wants to drag the Esquarian Community into a crisis of its own making. One wonders if that is why Luziyca joined the EC all along. In any case, Namor will continue supporting the EC's role as a positive force for good governance, human dignity, and rule of law. I will not entertain the Luziycan regime's rationale behind annulling the Association Agreement any further.

"Mr. President, we reiterate the general consensus that the Association Agreement is beneficial for Namor and the EC. Namor has fully implemented the Association Agreement the moment it came into effect. On top of that, we have cracked down on attempts to circumvent existing trade laws out of respect for all our trading partners, including the EC. There is no reason to revisit an agreement that is earnestly respected by both Namor and EC and beneficial to the people of Namor and the EC. We value our partnership with the EC and look forward to continuing our cooperation with the EC under the auspices of the Association Agreement.

"Thank you."

[Luziyca]

"Mr. President," Pashkov began, "as the 48 hour period for discussion has concluded, I do believe that it is in the utmost interests of this chamber to commence voting on the matter before us."

[Ainin]

"Order, the time for debate has elapsed. The question is to pass the denunciation of the agreement as enumerated on the order paper. During the next 48 hours, no debate on any topic shall be entertained. Delegations are reminded that they may vote yea or nay, or register an abstention."

---

"NAY."

[Karazawa]

"NAY."

[Aucuria]

Aye.

[Nevamaa]

NAY

[Montecara]

Nay

[Eibenland]

"Nay."

[Luziyca]

Yea.

[Luziyca]

"Mr. President," Pashkov said, "as the forty-eight hour period has elapsed, the Christian Republic moves to end voting on the matter before us."

[Ainin]

"The bill fails 2-5 and shall not proceed to the Esquarian Parliament. The floor is now open."

[Montecara]

“Mr. President, the term of office of the Esquarian Court of Human Rights has expired. We move to hold an election for the Court in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of the Esquarian Community.”

[Aucuria]

"Mr. President, I would like to call the Council's attention to the recent kidnapping of two Aucurian citizens by the so-called 'Union of Nautasian Islamic Republics'," the Aucurian delegate declared.

"Ten days ago, two Aucurian citizens- Steponas Ulevičius and Dolorė Muraškaitė- disappeared in southern Mazaristan. Mr. Ulevičius and Mrs. Muraškaitė were working with the Barauskas Foundation, an internationally-recognized and respected humanitarian group that works to improve the living conditions of disaffected communities in the developing world. The two were traveling from the village of Tell Busayrah, where they were assigned, to a nearby town in order to pick up medical supplies when they were brazenly abducted by members of the Ankoreni military trespassing in Mazari territory. Yesterday, the Ankoreni regime brazenly announced that it had abducted the two, accusing them with a litany of patently absurd charges including espionage, terrorism, sedition, and treason. These allegations are absurd and nonsensical, claiming the existence of some grand conspiracy that does not exist, but it is nevertheless effectively guaranteed that Mr. Ulevičius and Mrs. Muraškaitė will be found guilty, and potentially executed, by an Ankoreni kangaroo court for crimes they did not commit."

"It is blatantly clear why the Ankoreni regime has done this- why it has violated every single norm of international law in one fell swoop. This is an attempt to punish the Esquarian Community for taking a stand against their numerous crimes against humanity across Nautasia, and against Aucuria specifically for the role it played in that. It is a despicable attempt to use the lives of innocent civilians- of humanitarian aid workers- to play politics. It is exactly this sort of human rights violation- this willingness to slaughter innocents, to extort and to harass and to brutalize- that led us to levy tariffs against the Ankoreni regime in the first place, and now the tyrants of Estanban think that they can use it to bully us into dropping those tariffs."

"In essence, the situation is this. A pair of EC citizens have been kidnapped, and are being held hostage at this very moment, by the Ankoreni regime in a blatant effort to extort Aucuria and the Esquarian Community. This is nothing short of a blatant act of political terrorism by the Ankoreni regime, and it is vital that we as a body come together and give a strong, unified response to this blatant assault upon the Esquarian Community, human rights, and international law."

"Thank you."

[Montecara]

"Mr. President, the delegation of Montecara strongly echoes the sentiments of our honorable colleagues from Aucuria and expresses its deepest concern regarding the kidnapping of Steponas Ulevičius and Dolorė Muraškaitė. We join our Aucurian colleagues in demanding their immediate release, and we specifically wish to highlight one turn of phrase that we think is eminently appropriate: 'political terrorism.' Mr. President, this is indeed an act of terrorism, and accordingly we call for those responsible to be added to the Terrorist Organizations and Individuals List without delay. We further recommend that all EC citizens be evacuated from the so-called UNIR immediately, as they are plainly in pressing danger.

Mr. President, I yield the floor."

[Ainin]

"Mr. President," Cazeneuve rose to say.

"We are strongly concerned about the situation regarding the two Aucurian citizens, and we will attempt to use appropriate diplomatic means at our disposal to attempt to secure their release. However, we believe that the Secretariat must take the leadership on the issue, as it concerns the abduction of Esquarian citizens by the Estanban regime on trumped-up charges that would, if not for the grave circumstances, border on the comic. The Community must speak as one voice on this matter, as betraying any divisions within the Community would allow them to be exploited. We call for the Commissioner for External Affairs to assume the lead on this issue in consultation with the concerned national governments."

"I yield my time."