Government

[unmerged(4130)]

Ok probably I should explain a few things:

My intention was not to destroy the progress made by Mr. Teano. I was just using my authority under diplomatic common law to summon an ambassador to the ministry responsible for foreign affairs. The refusal of the French Ambassador to comply with this goes against diplomatic etiquette and the difficult relations between our countries is no explanation for it.

If they don't want to talk to me they are quite free to close their embassy. But as long as they are here they can't refuse a meeting.

Protesting is quite automatic in this case and I'm slightly surprised at the French Presidents response. It's not a question of relations it's a question of diplomatic procedure.

So I send by my decesion to protest and issue a statement.

That being said it's not a threat from the French nor a reason for war so I see no reason for mobilization. However I will ask the formal suspension of diplomatic relations between our countries from the President if the French refuse to remove the ambassador.

 

[unmerged(4271)]

It appears that the Spanish, not the French, are the ones that continue to harrass our fishermen.

What actions can we take to ensure their safety? Would military escort be inappropriate?

 

[unmerged(6657)]

Regarding our Extra citizens, I have some disturbing news.

Our special interrogation police have discovered that the MHA has, in custody, a man names Alphonse de Bourbon. He claims to be a descendent of the non-inheriting line of the Bourbon family of French Monarchical fame. His story checks out, according to the Gendarmeri. They claim he was jailed for possession of pro-monarchist materials.
The MHA has a major problem, as we do not how to proceed from this point. We have no grounds to hold this man, but his release may cause strain in the CPR-Monarchist relationship, as would his further detainment. He may be a target of left-wing revolutionaries if he is released into the general populace, anfd the government is under no obligation to give him special protection. As he is a citizen of France, no other nation is obligated to accept him as a citizen. Mr. President, please advise how we should proceed, as Bourbon's detainment may become a major issue in EUtopia if it isn't resolved soon.

Sincerely,

D. Yuber Harding
Minister of Home Affairs

 

[unmerged(10397)]

He is a French citizen, it would be my initial inclination to send him back to France.

 

[unmerged(6657)]

I am of the belief that France will refuse his re-entry back to France, as his he a politcal dissident. I believe he could apply for asylum here, but we could of course, refuse. I will attempt to contact someone in the French state dept. through our Rev. Teano, and see if they will accept his return.
Failing this, my next move would be to ask Baron Baner, or another CRE member to arrange for Bourbon's emigration to the asylum of one of Europe's royal families.

 

[unmerged(1522)]

[OOC: Discussions of Alphonse's fate will have to be put on hold until his presence among the "extras" has been approved by Blade!.

Melanchthon, GM Admin]

 

[unmerged(4130)]

We have a pending offer from the US to provide Navy support in exchange for shore leave for their personel. In view of the current situation with the Spanish I suggest we accept the offer.

They would enter as tourists and would have exactly the same rights as tourists do. Only they would not need visa.

What do you think? I need specifically the approval of the MHA and the President but every comment is welcome.

 

[unmerged(4271)]

Originally posted by Melanchthon
[OOC: Discussions of Alphonse's fate will have to be put on hold until his presence among the "extras" has been approved by Blade!.

Melanchthon, GM Admin]

[OOC: Is Blade! not aware? His comments via the Diplomatic Mission thread seemed to suggest he might. Do I need to PM him or has he been in contact with Yuber already?]

 

[Blade!]

Originally posted by heagarty
[OOC: Is Blade! not aware? His comments via the Diplomatic Mission thread seemed to suggest he might. Do I need to PM him or has he been in contact with Yuber already?]

OOC: The French have made their statement.

 

[unmerged(3748)]

Originally posted by rOver
We have a pending offer from the US to provide Navy support in exchange for shore leave for their personel. In view of the current situation with the Spanish I suggest we accept the offer.

They would enter as tourists and would have exactly the same rights as tourists do. Only they would not need visa.

What do you think? I need specifically the approval of the MHA and the President but every comment is welcome.

I believe we should be as nice as we can to the United States, as they can be a good ally to have at all times, and specifically when one is reforming a military and trying to find oneself a place on the international scene.

So, I'm all for any reasonable concessions to the Americans, and this is certainly one of them. I assume the navy personnel can be detained in Eutopia and tried before our courts if they engage in criminal activities during their stay on our shore?

Sebastian Fitzpatrick
MHSA
Rally for Democracy

 

[unmerged(6657)]

The MHA has issued a retraction regarding the Alphonse de Bourbon situation in the MHA thread. I am sorry for any embarrassment we have caused the administration and the ambassador.

D. Yuber Harding
Minister of Home Affairs

 

[unmerged(10397)]

I'd like to announce my new VP, Sebastian Fitzpatrick.

 

[Josephus I]

Congratuations Mr. Fitzpatrick. Here's my sash, and the keys to the VPs office. Use them wisely.

 

[unmerged(3748)]

Thank you, Mr. President, I'll try to serve as good as I can. Now, which nasty issues are you planning to throw in my lap? Finance?

Thank you for your congratulations, Mr. Josephus, they are appreciated as much as your good advice.

 

[unmerged(4271)]

Originally posted by UberYuber
The MHA has issued a retraction regarding the Alphonse de Bourbon situation in the MHA thread. I am sorry for any embarrassment we have caused the administration and the ambassador.

D. Yuber Harding
Minister of Home Affairs

What can you do? The guy who said he was a monarchist was a nut! (OOC: )

The French insist they have given us an accurate count, however this count still differs from our account of who was taken.

I have it on good authority (OOC: Blade!) that there are truly extra citizens among those returned but I cannot get the French to admit it.

Can we get an official identification of every known citizen, then by process of elimination try Interpol or other international law enforcement agencies to try to identify these extras?

(OOC: I suspect this will mean PMing Blade! about exactly what we want to do and seeing what he says. He really has me stumped with this! )


{ OOC: Why not just ask the extra citizens themselves? ~B! }

 

[unmerged(4130)]

Originally posted by Silent Eagle
I believe we should be as nice as we can to the United States, as they can be a good ally to have at all times, and specifically when one is reforming a military and trying to find oneself a place on the international scene.

So, I'm all for any reasonable concessions to the Americans, and this is certainly one of them. I assume the navy personnel can be detained in Eutopia and tried before our courts if they engage in criminal activities during their stay on our shore?

Sebastian Fitzpatrick
MHSA
Rally for Democracy

Congratulations on your appointment to Vice President Mr. Fitzpatrick.
As for your questions. They will stay as tourists so yes. If the US insists otherwise I'll bring it back before the Government. I still need specific approval from President O'Floinn and Minister Harding.

Robert Vergocz
Deputy Minister of International Affairs at the MDIA

 

[unmerged(4271)]

Return to France

(In a closed door meeting with the President, MHA, MDIA and Deputy MDIA, and Attorney General. Security swept the room for bugs. )

I was not able to make any progress during my last meeting so I am shuttling back to France.

In order to coax a little bit more cooperation I would like the government to set a date for the trial of our fishermen on charges of piracy. I don't think anyone in Eutopia believes they are guilty, but their release was conditional upon a trial and, if they are found innocent in such a trial, they will be unquestionably exonerated.

So, I would assume Attorney General Bogle would prosecute the case. It might be that the government can provide competent public defenders for the fishermen?

Before I go I would like to question each of the rescued fishermen myself. It would be nice if I could be accompanied by an official from the MHA to document and report back what I find.

I will then return to France and announce the trial date. We will then see if the French can produce any evidence by that date. If they have any evidence, they will be hard pressed NOT to reveal it if it assists in the prosecution of international pirates. Such obstruction could be seen as a crime unto itself. If they do not have any evidence, we then would make our case to them for reparations, including those of Gen. Hartwell, or to other international authorities.

That's the strategy, wish me luck.

Rev. Jack Teano
Envoy to France

 

[unmerged(10397)]

Robert, you officially have my consent to agree with the American deal.

Regarding the trial, I'd like it held as soon as possible. First off, it gives the French less time to plot something, second, it gets this out of the way faster.

 

[Josephus I]

Mr. President.

I'd like to bring your attention to an anxiety of mine.

I am worried that Eutopia, a modern, westernized nation is about to become the next Lebanon or Rwanda.

I am specifially referring to the ease with which we are able to arm private citizens and the formation of private militias.

For example, entering the CC headquarters is tougher than crossing North/South Korean borders.

We have a State-owned armaments dealer willing to supply security forces (really, private citizens) with high-grade superior weapons. I think first and formeost we should only allow this company to sell only to state enterprises (military/police). Private security guards should not be armed with anything other than a sidearm. [even that, I think is too much].

I think we should also pass a law banning private militias and look into gun/weapon ownership restrictions. Do we really need citizens walking around with SAMs

Also, rather than praising vigilantism (the Wlaks) we should condone it. We should not allow citizens to take the law in their own hands. This is a dangerous situation.

I look forward to hearing comments from the governmetn and the president.

 

[unmerged(3748)]

Minister Josephus, I am in complete agreement with you. The authority and the means to project that authority should reside in the hand of governmentally controlled institutions, i.e. military, police and coastguard.

Furthermore, I support a law that limits personal armament to non-automatic sidearms as well, and that only with a permit reviewed and publicly announced by the MHA, preferably in cooperation with the MDIA.

As a last point, I suggest that we start gathering some information about countries willing to buy our old equipment once our reform is completed. We must review their political status before selling any arms, because we should not let our weapons flare up a possible and predictable conflict.

I have duely noted Minister Harding's resignation, with whom it was a pleasure to cooperate. I am confident President O'Floinn and his party will find a suitable and worthy replacement very soon.

Thank you,

Sebastian Fitzpatrick
MHSA & VP
Rally for Democracy