Peace in Pergen? (Sunalaya Only) IC

[Pergen]

As the conflict in Pergen continues it has become increasingly violent and has drawn the interest of the international community. As more and more nations get involved the question of can they bring peace to Pergen is threatened by the question of how.

[Pergen]

https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=418053

Rebekah Schmieder waited in the terminal lounge for her fellow travelers. The dawn had yet to come and darkness covered the runway that was otherwise visible through the large window that served as a wall for the terminal. The lone sight was the plane that would carry the delegates to Rezua.

The Princess had arrived the night before, complete with military escort, her brother wasn't taking any chances. She had spent most of her time dining with Talstadt's high society, a class that the anarchists had thought they had banished. Checked into the city's most luxurious hotel, she no doubt would arrive shortly after eating a fancy breakfast.

The Confederation's delegates were driving through the night directly to the airport from their encampment. They were already delayed, but still due to arrive before the scheduled departure.

The Leftists would take their own transportation, rumored to be a Libriran military transport. "Why not?" thought Rebekah, "they seem reliant on them for everything else." Mostly she was relieved that the communists wouldn't be joining what would be an awkward flight anyway.

Headlights of a jeep shined on the tarmac. The Confederates were here. Another car could be seen from the other direction. No doubt the limousine of the Princess. "Time to go" thought the Talstadter delegate as she stood up. She gave one last thought to her instructions, especially Mayor Dachs last words.

"You are the only representative for democracy in Pergen there. Officially you are only the representative of Talstadt, but the you are the hope of the fatherland. I have faith in you."

These words were on Rebekah's mind as she politely greeted the other delegates and boarded the plane. As the plane took off she looked into the horizon and saw the sun climbing out from behind the earth. Her mind focused on one word: hope.

[Rezua]

Parliamentary Building,
Eomeria

Hammond Murdock could not shake the feeling that, somehow, he was stepping into a bear trap. The jaws of a foreign nation were almost visible, each tooth a different sect or faction. To get a compromise of such clashing ideas would not be easy, yet easy wasn't something that defined Rezua. Nor did that word apply to the Foreign Minister. Usually the royal palace was used when foreigners came to Rezua, even when not meeting the empress. For today, Murdock wanted to use it as an example.

An imposing man in both height and gaze, Minister Murdock seemed to be the center of a silencing aura. His high cheekbones were stern and bare of all facial hair. His attire was as crisp as his clean shaven face. He stood by the right side of his seat, in order to shake hands with each Pergenite who came through the door. One of the first he met was Princess Rebekah. "Welcome to Eomeria" he said formally. His grip was firm but it was not stiff. It was friendly, a promise of future success. It was a handshake of an honest man. He knew what faction she represented, the democracy of Pergen. He was not familiar with all the opposing factions, but he knew some of them. After all, they were directly next to the empire. One had to be prepared.

Once everyone had arrived he gave each delegate a firm gaze to show he acknowledged all of them. The table was a complete circle, to show no side was more important than the other "Ladies and gentlemen, this building is the house of Rezua's parliament. In this building, there are many different ideas. Some want a state run by business. Others want the monarch alone to rule. Some want education to be funded. Others wish to see our nation go to the stars again. And of course, many people cannot always agree. But it is one house. We are one nation. We are one people. And we do not shed blood over our ideas. Our people vote on what they want. So before I formally begin, I want to remind you that the purpose of a government is to serve its people. If it does not do that, if it ignores the people, it is unfit to rule."

"Before we start, I want every delegate to explain to me what their faction is and what its goal for Pergen is. Do not lie to me. I want to know what you truly want. Otherwise, I cannot help you get it when it comes time for me to help make a compromise. I want you all to remember that, individually, you will not all win. Nor will you all lose. Today, your people win. This is your first parliamentary meeting. Let's make it count."

[United Soviet Jason Republic]

Parliamentary Building,
Eomeria

Continental Diplomat Semen Yefim arrived unceremoniously by plane. Customs for the man was a bit tricky. The Rezuan goverment did not deal with so many Soviet citizens, so getting the diplomatic visa took time only due to the shock of the man's arrival. Transportation from the airport to the Parliament had also been tricky, but doable. Arriving in a fine suit that fit the man's figure and a glimmering blue tie, the Diplomat was prepared for the conference. His note on the situation were well done, and his small party prepared. Unlike most meetings the administration attended, the representation for this one would be smaller. The Continental Diplomat had a lot to attend to in this meeting.

Once in the meeting hall, the man watched Hammond Murdock speak. He stayed quite, as he waited for the Pergen delegations to speak.

[Pergen]

Heinrich Löwenthal stood up first and began "I represent the Confederation of North Pergen, and I would like to thank our gracious host, the Rezuan Empire." As he said this he indicated Minister Murdock. He continued "it is our goal to bring peace and prosperity to the nation of Pergen. We wish to found a nation wide Confederation with a directorial government representing the member regions and tasked with writing and enacting a new constitution.

It has been the goal of our movement from the start to create a state strong enough to protect the rights of its citizens, to liberate the people of our country from the tyranny of the mob, which has so long plagued it. Security is our desire, to protect the people from thieves and oppressors of the left. "

"liar!" said Sabine Brunnenfels venomously. The whole time she had a look of absolute anger on her face. It had appeared at times as if she wanted to interrupt Löwenthal, but had restrained herself. Now it was her turn to speak.

"I am Sabine Brunnenfels and I represent the Marxist League and the workers of the world. I bring with me the demands of justice. That the fascists are once more expelled from Pergen. That the property they took, be returned to the people, the workers. That the war criminals be tried and suitably punished."

Rebekah Schmieder came next.

"I would like to introduce myself to you. I am Rebekah Schmieder of the Talstadt Republic. The government of Talstadt also wishes for peace and prosperity, as well as for justice. We will believe the best way forward is the reestablishment of democracy and to allow the dissolution of Syndicates. We can then settle our disagreements through elections and debate, instead of with demonstrations and war. "

Last but not least, the Princess spoke. Despite her elevated social rank, she was visibly nervous. "I have a message from my broder, the Fürst" she said as she pulled out a paper and began to read from it, stumbling and speaking with a heavy accent.

"I Prince Albert Siegfried of Eichenland, hafe zent my sister on my pehalf and vid dis message:

I hope for peace, az I am zure you do az vell. Putt peace can not pe achiefed vid out respecd for the rightz of all pardies infolfed. I muss alzo rezepect my oon rightz az I respect myselb.

Furdermore, a prinz ist dudy pound zu hiz people. My rightz exist, so dhat I can prodect dheirs. For deise reazon, can I agree do no peace vit an apatement of my rights or derz. Dhank you for your understanding. "

Embraced the Princess quietly sat down.

[Rezua]

And we thought the Taoist states would be hard to settle down Mudock mused to himself. Four different ideas. All but one could work together though. The Marxist was going to be supported by the Soviets though, so Murdock had to get them into his plans before the Soviets could. A tall order.

"Tell me" Murdock began "have any of you considered working together before? For example, the Confederation wants to have a representative government. The Talstadt Republic wants democracy. What if people voted for their representatives? Or they can vote on the local level while the representatives are appointed by a president that the people elected. There are many other possibilities. Then we have the monarchy. Look at the Rezuan Empire. We have a monarch, representatives, and direct democracy local elections. All of them work together. The people vote for their majors and towns representatives. Then they also vote for parliamentary representatives and the prime minister. Then the prime minister gets to select his own cabinet. Meanwhile, the monarch gets to act as a balancing force to cancel out corruption among the parliament."

The Foreign Minister turned towards Sabine Brunnenfels. "And while you might think you have nothing to do with this, you do. The Talstadt Republic wants to destroy Syndicalism. That means they are willing to put restrains on business. While I understand it is not exactly what you want, Ms. Brunnenfels, your distrust of business is held by Talstadt. Together, the two of you can work to ensure that big business does not wholly take over. In addition, Ms. Brunnenfels, the Talstadt Republic wants to let the people have a direct say in their government. Your own believe is to empower the people is it not? Then working with Talstadt you can create a nation with business regulation with people having a direct hand in their government." He paused to let what he had said sink in. He meant what he had said, these ideas could work together. But a compromise was needed.

"Now, consider the example I gave just a moment ago. We can include the Confederation with the joint Talstadt-Marxist group by allowing the people to elect representatives. From there, the representatives can elect the president. Or, we can have the people elect the president and let him or her select men and women from the local level to act as representatives of their people. The representatives can be taken from a list that the people voted on. And finally, we can had the monarchy by giving them veto power, like here in Rezua, and let them act as a balancing branch of government. The monarch's job will be to ensure the rights of the people are protected, while also giving them the trust to select their own leaders. If those leaders prove corrupt, the monarch can have them removed. To ensure the monarch doesn't use this power too easily, a form of vote could be established. I can go on, but first I want to know what everyone thinks."

[United Soviet Jason Republic]

Parliamentary Building,
Eomeria


"I come from my goverment with an outline for a federal system, which we hope meets the requests of all parties involved. This is a template, which I highly encourage to be debated, modified, and discussed over to reach the conclusions best for the people of this nation. This proposal is a suggestion, which we hope will lead to a finalized system. Based off our own experiences with corrupt rules, evil capitalists and monarchs." The diplomat looked down at his tablet to look over the text. While reading, he would look up at the room and at the representatives, and then take a moment to glance down at what he would read next.

"The amount of common ground in this room is admiral, and something that will lead to a consensus," Continental Diplomat Semen Yefim said in an optimistic tone. "Due to the different ideas of each people in the region, a federalist system may be the best approach to balance domestic needs and national issues. Local governments can be democratically elected, while federal representatives can be selected for a republican form of goverment. This flexibility will allow for local governments to be directly responsive to the people, and also hold most sway over domestic issues, while the national goverment can deal with inter-provincial issues and foreign affairs. I believe my colleague from Rezua will agree with this sentiment."

"Local governments, via their direct democratic process, can create their forms of local goverment. These should be flexible for their needs. On the national level, a national assembly should be created for the representatives of the people. I encourage this assembly to have representatives elected by the people, with three year terms. These terms will be staggered out, meaning 1/3rd of the Assembly is up for election by the people in their respective district every year. The Powers of the National Assembly should be to write laws, confirm nominations by the executive, create lower courts, dictate spending, approve foreign treaties, control patents, declare war, have the power to conduct investigations and inquiries and other legislative functions."

"The Executive should hold all executive power. Control over law enforcement on the federal level. Elected by the people directly in an Alternative voting system, their term shall be for about five years. Or so my administration suggests. They can negotiate foreign treaties, be the head of state and head of goverment. There would be an impeachment process for high crimes. Veto power over legislation would also be one of their powers, but the National Assembly could override with 2/3rd majority."

"Instead of a monarchy, a dated, non-republican or democratic system, the judiciary system will be the third branch of goverment, enabling oversight of the other two. Judges will be nominated by the executive and confirmed by the National Assembly. The Constitutional Court would have the power to review all laws before they are put into enforcement to ensure their constitutionality, and the power to mediate other disputes and oversea the impeachment of the Executive. Their terms should be for life, with constant wages, as to ensure Independence. Judges could also be selected or elected by the National Assembly to provide more republican means of goverment, with the President having veto power over selection unless overridden."

"A monarch is outdated, not responsive to the people, and simply a waste of goverment money to prop up such an archaic form of goverment. A single ruler shall have biases. But, via the use of the National Assembly, a strong and Independence court, and an executive, power shall be divided and the amount of people involved so great, one cannot take control without the other branches responding to prevent domination over the rest."

"For all parties involved, the Confederation, Marxist League, and Talstadt Republic, this shall provide for democracy and republicanism. The Marxists and Talstadt can work to break up the Syndicates, and permit the workers to have the defenses they need for a fair in just life, by creating healthcare, wage, education, and housing reforms. This shall bring peace and prosperity, a goal of the Confederation, and establish a firm constitution. The Marxists, Talstadt, and Confederation seek to defend the rights and liberties of the citizens, of the workers of the nation. A goverment along these lines achieves these goals. The rule of law, not the rules of a sole monarch."

[Pergen]

"The Syndicates must stay!" Shouted Brunnenfels with conviction. "and the ones that were disbanded by the fascists must be reformed and the workers again be placed in control of the means of production.

It is well known that these fascists have robbed the workers in the North" she indicated the Confederate delegation. "Under the guise of privatization, they have robbed the workers and enriched themselves.

and this tart here" this time meaning the Princess. "Her brother has done the same in his petty kingdom of oppression

Now this bourgeois sow wants to reestablish capitalism in Talstadt and I am expected here to here sermons from a capitalist swine while sitting in this hall of historic oppression. This is not what we are fighting for."

"Shut up." Peter Bürger said harshly. "You are not fighting, you are losing, the anarchist experiment has failed, the people are embracing freedom and will not exchange their black chains for red ones. We are here to discuss your terms of surrender, nothing more. When the Marxists win a battle, then you can make demands. As it is, you can only beg."

Löwenthal nodded in agreement while the two other women were shocked silent by the turn of events. Sabine looked full of rage as she sought out a response.

[Rezua]

Murdock sighed quietly and said "Fighting is going to get you nowhere. PREFOR has just sent "peacekeepers" into your nation. Don't you understand? You will be taken and divided by a foreign power if you can't get over your differences. You must stand united and tell the nations of PREFOR to get out of Pergen. All they will do is kill your people. And unlike Mr. Yefim, I'd rather not ignore an entire group present. Monarchies are not outdated, as proven by Rhodevus, Rezua, and Belantica. Nor is any form of government here. And just because one side is losing doesn't mean it can be ignored. I have to ask the Marxists to reconsider their decision about my preposed plan. The other factions seemed to have no problems with it. If you were to get on board with my plan, I could help broker a deal that allows certain syndicates to remain. With direct democracy, the people are already empowered."

Murdock looked each of the faction representatives in the eyes. A war this close to Rezua was bound to get them involved. He didn't want to have to do that. War was horrible and would make winners of no one. "I urge you all to reconsider and agree on this plan. Otherwise, your people, as well as my own, could be locked in a long war."

[United Soviet Jason Republic]

"Fighting will get none of us anywhere," the continental diplomat added. "PREFOR is a gross violation of soverignty and my administration will support a joint Pergen goverment repel this imperialist scheme," he added. "However there must be a unity goverment. My proposal permits the people of Pergen to be free, to vote, and have the freedom to run their states as they please and contribute to a peaceful nation as a whole. The flexibility and democratic principals outlined in this goverment will protect the people. Only the people, the workers of the nation, can maintain stability. A monarch cannot do this. An elected executive is responsive to the people. Now, can a monarch be a Head of State, yes, but any actual power? No, that is not democratic."

"My proposal for a goverment outlines a system in which syndicates can remain in provinces and states that permit them. With each province or state having the ability to make their local democratic or republican governments, the people will have a say no matter what and defend themselves. On the national level, the republican form of goverment will enable national peace and unity, and democracy. A monarch cannot provide what a true citizen cut from the common grass can do," he added.

"The flexibility in this goverment will please all parties. Please, take this proposal into consideration and once a unity goverment is formed, the USJR will recognize it and aid it from stopping PREFOR from ruining what we have come here to build."

[Pergen]

Sabine did not like being bullied, but she seemed to have no other choice but to accept her situation and be pragmatic. If Jason wouldn't go to war to protect the revolution, then she had no choice to accept a compromise, as painful as it was.

Löwenthal spoke as Brunnenfels silently considered her response.

"We have not come here to fight, although we have achieved so much in Pergen with this means, we are a peace loving people and prefer an agreement to further war. We have come here to compromise, in order to spare our people further bloodshed. We see that as the only way forward. As has been suggested a federation or confederation is the only solution and if we can't agree on that simple principle, then I see no way forward."

Rebekah spoke next. "The Republic of Talstadt is with a federal government in agreement. At least in principle, the devil as they say, is in the details."

"Der Teufel ist in diesem Zimmer" mumbled the Marxist. Ignoring her, Princess Victoria added,

"His Zerene Highness vill agree vid a federation, put, only vid reservatzion of dee rights."

Sabine, feeling defeated, put on her brave face, and addressed the others. "In the interest of peace, we agree to a federation in principle."