TERM XI Presidential Press Briefing Room

[unmerged(33865)]

There are two entrances to the Presidential Press Briefing Room, one, at the back, with metals detectors and security pers controlling who enters, is used by the press, and another, connected to hall leading to administrative offices and the Diamond Office, which has security controlling who can use that exit.

The fireplace left over from term IX has been covered over, as it was rarely used. A raised platform is at the front, with a podium which can accomodate a laptop, and off to side of the podium is a screen for viewing by the audience, with cameras in the usual places, to show the crowd of reporters and the speaking platform.

The President or his press secretary holds briefings and press conferences here. Open letters to the President may be addressed here, but no response is guaranteed.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Newly sworn in President Loic de Fourgéres, wearing a charcoal grey suit single-breasted, suit, black socks, black wing-tipped shoes, white shirt, natty tie, with no pocket handkerchief, but a lapel pin the shape of Eutopia with the United Provinces of Eutopia flag in enamel covering the appropriate part of the island, steps up to the podium.

"Gentlerpers of the United Provinces of Eutopia,

The first duty of a President is to make certain constitutionally required appointments. Reading the polls, I was able to begin sounding out certain candidates’ willingness to serve before the election. Since the election results have become known, I have conferred with fellow United Moderate Party members and finalized the details that could not be worked out beforehand.

Therefore, I am pleased to present the cabinet ministers that I am appointing in accordance with the Constitution.

• For the Ministry of Defense, Intelligence, and Security, I am promoting the Deputy Minister from last term and a newly elected United Moderate Party Member of the General Assembly, Frans Truman.
• The Constitution requires that the President fill one of the cabinet posts. I will be serving as Minister of Trade and International Affairs. Given my involvement in founding CAFTA, and existing relations with the ambassadors from our neighbors, this seemed like the most logical post for me to fill.
• For the Ministry of the Economy, Resources, and Labour, former President P.G. Talbott has agreed to serve.
• For the Ministry of Infrastructure and Domestic Affairs, I have enlisted former President Josephus Sergei.
• For the Ministry of the Environment and Social Affairs, I am appointing Jacques Moreau-Dumont.

Please join me in wishing them all the best in their new positions. But I am going to ask the press to do me a favor. Please help me keep these ministers active. If there is something in there portfolio that seems to be eluding their attention, please call their attention to it. If that doesn't work, then please let me know your view, and I will see if it merits some ministerial attention. If it does, then we will discuss it cabinet.

I have attempted to create a cabinet that reflects the nation as a whole, representing not just the United Moderate Party, but also containing representatives from the independent, left, and right wings of the political landscape. The Constitution requires that the Vice President be a cabinet minister who is not also in the General Assembly. I am therefore appointing MESA Jacques Moreau-Dumont as Vice President.

Additionally, I must name two cabinet ministers to the Council of State. Unlike the cabinet or GA, that is one body that I hope will be able to remain inactive, but should it need to act, I can think of no better representatives than Former Presidents P.G. Talbott and Josephus Sergei.

I have time for a couple of questions, but must be off to MTIA soon."

 

[unmerged(33865)]

The President addresses the reporters who were just about to head home after a slow news day.

"I have heard that our neighbors in St. Esprit are considering legislation to eliminate their military. We have been having trouble recruiting as many servicepers as planned. Re-enlistments have been running below expectations as well. Part of this has been due to the problems in properly equipping our forces, particularly the Air Force. We are working on measures to address that issue, but it is too soon to make a statement about that.

Under the terms of the Recognition Act, passed in Term IX, Article 2, Citizenship states:

Any person born in the countries of United Provinces of Eutopia (UPE), Tilapia, and St. Esprit, or to parents of any of those nationalities shall be considered a citizen of the UPE. The right of citizenship shall include, but not be strictly limited to, freedom of movement and the ability to own and purchase property.

Therefore, any members of the St. Espritan armed forces who should become unemployed by such a move are hereby invited to apply for positions in our armed forces. Many of them were previously members of our armed forces, so we would be, in effect, welcoming them back. The MDIS will be working out details about rank and seniority with representatives of our services. I expect they might be having a going out of business sale, so our quartermaster general and the chief of procurement from the MDIS will have a look to see if we can pick up any bargains.

They have announced that they will be relying on the French for their protection. If I hadn't been born in that country, I might ask, 'but who is going to protect you from the French?' Fortunately, France, like Spain and the US, the two other overseas powers that have military bases on this fair island, has no territorial ambitions. St. Esprit has effectively rented out some land and privileges to the French, who instead of paying in cash are paying in promises and the cost of deploying some troops. They would probably have to have about as many there anyway to protect their base, so it appears to be a good bargain for each side. It could be a good deal for us as well, beyond the benefits mentioned previously. Politics in St. Esprit have been unpredictable. If I am going to have an unpredictable neighbor, isn't it better if he doesn't have an army? However, this would mean that the civilized world will not be able to count on St. Esprit doing its fair share to support peace keeping activities around the world, modest though that might be. Accordingly, I would hope that they would, even considering their financial situation, participate by supporting such efforts monetarily, as did Japan and Germany during Desert Storm."

 

[unmerged(33865)]

The waiting press corps are informed that the President will be making an announcement. Loic de Fourgéres, wearing a navy blue double-breasted, suit, navy blue socks, black oxford shoes, light blue shirt, natty tie, with no pocket handkerchief, but a campaign button with the initials FWS in white against a green background, steps up to the podium.

"Gentlepers of the press, people of the United Provinces of Eutopia. I promised to be vigilant in making sure my cabinet ministers, or rather your cabinet ministers remained active and attentive to their duties to the people. Private circumstances have arisen that have prevented the Minister of the Economy, Resources and Labour I appointed, former President Pierre Gordon Talbott from assuming the position at present, although he expects to be able to do so in a month or so. In the meantime, I have asked his partymate, Per Francis von Hapsburg to serve as MERL on an interim basis, and he has accepted, on the condition that it was only until PG Talbott became available. This preserves the political balance and broad representation of the cabinet, while assuring that the peoples work is duly carried out.

I had also appointed Per Talbott to the council of State. In his place I will name MDIS Frans Truman. This appointment is not intended to be temporary, i.e. Per Truman would retain the seat on the council of state when Per Talbott is able to take over as MERL.

If you will excuse me, I have a meeting with the ambassador from the European Union shortly."

The President leaves the briefing room, not paying attention to any questions that may be shouted out.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

The President returns to the press room before he would have had time to visit the European Union embassy.
"As you may have been aware, it was reported that a hiker in the backcountry in the mountains on the Tilapian border died when he strayed across the border and apparently set off a land mine. I have spoken about the use of land mines, on a preliminary basis, with the Tilapian Ambassador. He wanted to consult with his government before responding, but it should be clear to any observer that the use of land mines is motivatived by concern about one's security. I view it as unfortunate that they felt they needed to put landmines on our border. Not because of this matter, but because it is our general interest not to provoke security concerns in our neighbors, I made other preliminary proposals to the Tilapian ambassador that were designed to reduce tension on this island, when I met with him. Those proposals are being considered by his government and will undoubtedly be modified significantly if they are adopted, so it pre-mature to discuss them at this point.

As you may be aware, there is a multi-nation treaty signed by more than 120 nations that renounced the use of land mines. The United Provinces of Eutopia had not yet signed, nor declined to sign, because we were occupied with other matters at the time, and quite frankly, because it didn't appear to matter much to us. Now there are two reason to believe it does. One I have mentioned above.

I will raise the matter with the cabinet, but I am inclined to have our country become a signatory to this treaty. Naturally, we hope our neighbors would see it would be in their interest to do so as well. The second reason why it would matter will become known shortly, as an article in the Washington Post newspaper, if it is correct, asserts that there are landmines sown on the grounds of the US base at Far Point. If we were to become signatories to that treaty, we would expect those landmines to be removed. In anycase, we would expect the landmines to be removed if the US should ever leave that base, which is not something that I look forward to as the base provides an economic boost to the area.

There may be other, more difficult to substantiate reports in that article. The US has a free press and fairly effective investigative journalism, so we should see what kind of progress they can make before deciding what efforts we should expend in the matter of what does or does not go on in that base. After due consideration, when the facts become better known, I will re-visit the US ambassador to discuss the matter."

 

[unmerged(33865)]

I would like to commend the Senate on their swift action in approving the Psychedelic Drug Reform Act (PDRA). While I understand the concerns of those, such as the Soldiers of God, who might view this as easing the indiscrimate use of such powerful substances, I believe the controls built into the act are adequate to prevent any additional abuse.

I believe this should provide an opportunity for some local entreprenuers to develop addiction treatment clinics for foriegners from countries where these treatments are not currently available.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

The President arrives at the podium carrying a copy of 'The Independent' newspaper.
"Did you ever have one of those days?"
Loic holds up the copy of the paper for a moment.
"This newpaper referred to the 'boring competence of the current President'. I am not complaining about that. I appreciate the 'competence' accolade, and if you remember, I actually campaigned on trying to make events less interesting, so I am glad they think I am living up to that promise.

However, then they went on to criticize my suggestion of addiction treatment clinics for foreigners, which was made possible by a act amended by the CUE MGA to include protections against the concerns that the paper spoke about. Addicts can be classified into two categories, those who are seeking treatment for their addiction and those who aren't. I feel the description in the paper..."

The Independent understands that he just wishes them to be treated here, but doesn't he understand that such a flow of miscreants, desperate to find money to fuel their habits, will have an extremely negative effect on the crime figures in our country? The President seems happy to relieve the burden on other nations at the expense of our own citizens' protection and safety.

"... fails to make that distinction. The addiction treatment centers would be licensed by MESA, as all such facilities are currently. They would arrange medical visas for those arriving for treatment. The clinics would meet their patients at the airport, take them directly to the treatment center, and, as I understand the procedure, the patients stay on the premises during the course of treatment to prevent the tempation for backsliding, which could lead to the crimes that the paper speaks of. If a clinic develops a pattern of patients that commit crimes, MESA should remove it license. The clinics generally require payment in advance, so there is no risk of indigents being thrust into our welfare system. It will be a boon for our ecomomy, increasing employment, which decreases crime. The paper is of course entitled to express any opinion it wishes, but I wanted to make sure the people had the full story.

There is another more important matter that I wish to bring to people's attention, that may make things less boring, which in this case, I am sure you will agree when you hear the details, is not good. It concerns an event that happened last term, the Hainan Star incident. As Minister of Trade and International Affairs, I received a call from the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Peoples Republic of China who indicated his country's extreme displeasure with..."

the act of war your country committed against the Chinese people! Photographs of the dead bodies of our nationals spread out across a beach are circulating China and the world, and our government is outraged at this infringement upon our sovereignty!

He then presented a list of of demands, one of which had been partially compiled with already, others to which I was willing to agree as a part of an overall arrangement, some to which I suggested minor modifications, and one which required me to consult others. He was not receptive to my approach, and established a 30 day deadline for our agreement to comply with all the demands. After that, they intend to take the matter to the Security Council of the United Nations. Given the lack of respect for our institutions and our sovereignty evidenced by this undiplomatic aparatchik of an unrepresentative government, I would suggest that need not bother waiting the thirty days, and can bring it up at the UN as soon as they please.

First, I reject, as would any unbiased observer, that there was any act of war against the People's Republic of China. We cannot wage war on China if we stay here within our own borders, and any weapons that are fired land here as well. The Hainan Star was in our territorial waters, operating illegally and unsafely, disregarding orders to stop. When we fired a shot across its bows, it finally stopped, but two smaller boats left the ship and headed to shore, along with many individuals swimming or paddling. Our Navy ordered those boats to stop, but they refused. We were obliged to fire shots across their bows. As I understand it, one of the shots unfortunately struck one of the boats, killing some of the passengers. This is not warfare, this was an unfortunate by-product of the criminal activity. If two bank robbers try to rob a bank and one of them is shot and killed by a security guard or police officer, the dead robber's accomplice can be charged with murder, not the person who fired the shot. The captain of the Hainan Star is in custody, and the office of Commisioner of Justice will announce the charges against him when the investigation has been completed.

The refugees that swarmed ashore were apparently entering this country illegally. Whether they should have been fired on or not is currently the main element of the court martial of Admiral Tulp, which is currently under way. If firing on those refugees was an illegal act, it was just that, committed here and thus due to be punished here. There is no appropriate theory about how it was an act of war against China.

As to claim that we have infringed upon their sovereignty, I find that baseless as well, up to the point that they contacted us. Many of their demands clearly infringe on our sovereignty. They want Admiral Tulp tried in the Hague. This is an interesting idea, all the more so as they had previously not signed the treaty establishing that institution nore recognized its authority. The also want all their 'nationals living or dead' returned. I told him we are happy to arrange to return the dead. He did indirectly indicate that they might be flexible with timing of the return of those charged with crimes here or who are material witnesses to those crimes, but I am not sure. But the real sticking point is the passengers. Please watch this video..."
The screen plays excerpts from several of the MESA interviews of several passengers, conducted in Chinese, with English subtitles. The pattern is the same, each is asked their name, where the come from, if they are willing to go back to China, and if they want to stay here in a country that shot some of their relatives and friends. There responses reflect what the elder said on the beach, that they would rather die.
"All of the passengers have claimed asylum. In consideration of what they have suffered, it would be inhumanitarian of us to deny their requests. I call on our General Assembly to pass a special bill to accelerate their citizenship, so they are no longer Chinese nationals, to remove this causus belli from the table.

I will take questions at this time."

 

[von Streusser]

"Mr. President, Ted Rapp, Eutopia Newswire. A few questions, if I could.

1) How do you expect the Chinese to respond to this rejection of their demands? Is there potential for some manner of military conflict, or do you just expect this to all be bluster and noise?
2) Is the decision to grant these illegals citizenship representing a new development in Eutopian immigration policy? By which I mean, will we now be allowing anyone who wants to enter the country?
3) Do you have any comment related to your Minister of Defense's releasing a copy of a poster to the press which appears to advocate some manner of Franco-Eutopian paramilitary group? The poster was released without comment, does the government condone this so-called Armée de Franco-Eutopian Révolution?"

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Thank-you Ted. Let me take those one at a time.

The Chinese started by saying that the demands were not negotiable. When I tried to suggest a way that they could claim that we were complying with all there demands, they did not appear to appreciate it. At that time they fixed the deadline of 30 days to announce our agreement and broke off the connection. Since they are apparently not willing to discuss this privately, they having given us no alternative but to communicate through the media.

They did say if they are dissatisified with the outcome of their request for action form the General Assembly, they would take matters into their own hands. I will leave it to you to speculate whether that is bluster or not. I have no desire for nor is there any reason for conflict between the People's Republic of China and ourselves.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Your second question was about whether this represents a change in immigration policy.

The United Provinces of Eutopia, like most other nations, has long recognized the principle of asylum. If someone arrives at an airport or a port, without a valid visa, they are able to claim asylum. The case is reviewed, and if it is determined that the claim is legitimate, if they are not merely economic migrants, who should apply in another way, then they can be granted a visa. If someone who was granted asylum stayed here long enough, stayed out of trouble, and filled out the proper forms, then they could eventually become citizens. That process, determined by the legislative branch in accordance with the constitution, is still in place. The passangers of the Hainan Star requested asylum. The Ministry of Trade and International Affairs, for which I am the Minister, which has responsibility for the immigration portfolio, has reviewed and processed those asylum requests and granted them. They did not do so automatically. There was a background check to see if any applicants had records of violent crime. There were interviews to determine that the main motivations were desire for freedom to worship and freedom to assemble, not economic factors.

We did not provide an appropriate welcome for the passangers of the Hainan Star. I regret this. I think everyone involved regrets this. Nothing we can do can bring back those who were killed. However, to me personally, it seems like we can make partial amends to their family members by accelerating the process of granting them citizenship. But, that is not up to me, only the legislature can do that, as I have suggested.

Such legislation would not apply to other illegal immigrants, whether they were seeking asylum or not. I trust we will have no other such incidents, and thus would not have any reason to try to atone for anything similar in the future. Immigration regulations and policy are under review, as it is appropriate to do when one has taken over a new cabinet post, but no changes have been decided. If any are, they will be announced then.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Your third question was about the posters recruiting for the so-called 'Armée de Franco-Eutopian Révolution'.

First of all, that name isn't even proper French. It should be 'Armée de la Révolution Franco-Eutopique'. If I were an unemployed St. Espritan soldier, I would think twice about joining a unit claiming to be for Franco-Eutopian freedom that is obviously needs to work on what being Francophone means.

Second, those soldiers have better offer, regular pay and good benefits in a legal organization, our armed forces, that I made here immediately after St. Esprit announced that it was proposing to disband it armed forces. As far as I know, most revolutionary organizations don't have education benefits, pension plans, or health insurance.

Third, the objectives of this illegal organization are not worth the means suggested. At the time of the splitting off of St. Esprit, there were minorities in Nouvelle Anjou and Nouvelle Acquitaine that voted for sucession as well. At that time, those who voted that way may have done so because of concerns about what this illegal group calls 'Anglo domination'. Lumping together those of Norse, Irish, and German heritage with those of English heritage and calling them 'Anglo' is inappropriate. We have also become a melting pot, where one family can often trace numerous heritages. Thus, if rephrase it, some voting for sucession may have been concerned by the perponderance of those with an English speaking heritage. Well times have changed. The United Provinces of Eutopia has learned from its past and moved on. For example, FLEA used to be dominated by those with English speaking heritage, but those with a Spanish speaking heritage are now actually over represented compared to their percentage in the population as a whole and those with a French speaking heritage have been appropriately represented in the recruiting classes for the last two years, so that imbalance is on the way to being redressed, not by any quotas or lowering of standards, but by enhanced recruiting among francophone candidates and appropriate credit for abilities in multiple languages. Also, what barrier to achievement might a disenchanted french speaker think there now exists, as I, someone of French heritage, was able to be elected President. My Vice President and MESA is also of French heritage. He was chosen because of his ideas about more flexibility for the provinces in the portfolio of sport. He is pursuing a World Cup bid for Eutopia, in cooperation with our neighbors. But just because we share a heritage doesn't give him an easy ride. He will have to work effectively for the people, all the people, not just a narrow constituency, or risk being replaced. Keep him busy, bring your ideas to him.

Fourth, the most recent posters from this illegal group attack the actions of the province of Nouvelle Acquitaine, which banned Muslim headscarves in classrooms. If that province were not part of the UPE, then there would be no appeal. As such, it is part of our nation, that decision was reviewed by the high court found not to be unconstitutional, but is the subject of a pending lawsuit to determine if the province properly established the educational need for such a ban. Thus, the author of the posters, besides not knowing french very well, also doesn't seem to understand the issues either.

For these reasons, I would hope that nothing comes of these posters. I believe the Deputy MDIS, who called our attention to posters anouncing this illegal organization, was just making us aware of their existence, for which I thnk him. I see nothing in his actions that should be construed as condoning an illegal group such as that one.

Our government is receptive to good ideas of the provinces which can be accomodated by changes in regulation. My party would consider worthy ideas that required a legislative action or a constitutional amendment.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Do you have a follow-up Per Rapp, or is there someone else who would like to ask a question?

 

[von Streusser]

"No follow up sir, thank you."

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Two days the President returns to the briefing room.
The Government of the Peoples Republic of China has proposed a motion in the security council in the UN. Their demands are somewhat modified, now asking for a larger sum of money, that Admiral Tulp be sent to China instead of the Hague. Given the historic struggle of the Chinese people against the imperialist aggressor during WWII, China earned its seat on the Security Council. However, one of the objectives of that struggle was to re-establish the rule of law, both national and international, replacing the rule of the powerful. China's linking of a number of issues relating to the Hainan Star incident trods upon the national and international structures that have been developed to deal with such matters. China has not approached us asking for the extradition of Admiral Tulp. If they were to do so, they would have to specify a crime that he committed in China. When a Chinese tramp steamer sails into another nation's territorial waters, those waters do not become Chinese, as their claim would need to assert. He is charged with a crime committed here and is being tried here. I expect to be called as a witness in that trial, and not by the defense.

China is a powerful nation, with strong relations with many countries. An unfortunate event has caused them to exert the diplomatic might against us. We would be pleased to do what is right, but some of what China is proposing seems not to fall in that category. The one part of their request that seems eminently reasonable, the return of the dead to China, will, as a gesture of goodwill, commence tomorrow.

I expect that, as they have for the past few years, the Chinese mission to the UN will continue to meet protests in the streets of New York by groups critical of their treatment of their own people. I hope the media gives their grievances a fair hearing, and thus presents a balance view of the true situation.

I will be communicating the ambassadors or foreign ministers of the other members of the Security Council, to present our case individually.

They continue include the passengers in their demand to all people who were on board. You have already seen the videos of their pleas to remain. I hereby invited representatives from the UN High Commission on Refugees, the International Red Cross, and Ammesty International to come here and interview the passangers of the Hainan Star themselves.

I would also invite the other 14 nations on the security council to send representatives here to observe the court martial of Admiral Tulp or to interview passengers of Hainan Star. I already invited China, but they declined.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

I had named Per Francis von Hapsburg as interim MERL while Former President and Professor Talbott was otherwise occupied with some pressing matters. Per Hapsburg resigned immediately after accepting the appointment. PG Talbott is now available to assume the duties of Minister of the Economy, Resources, and Labour, so I am re-appointing him to that position effective immediately.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

The press are invited into a state reception room to witness a treaty signing. President and MTIA Loic de Fourgéres arrives to join a representative of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines already present. An old oak table covered with a think green baize cloth holds rack of pens and a blotter. Loic sets down the copy of the treaty he had carried in.

"Gentlepers, landmines are a bad idea, and the United Provinces of Eutopia does not want or need them. In signing this treaty we renounce their use. I would encourage all other nations that have not yet signed to do so."

The President signs the treaty using multiple pens for various parts of his signature, keeping one, handing one the representative form the committee, and indicating for an aide to secure the others.

 

[unmerged(33865)]

After returning to the Press Briefing Room, the assembled press are informed that tomorrows session will be at a pavillion outside the ENDTech HQ near Neuwestbaden. Transport will be provided if desired.

(OOC: It will still take place in this thread.)

 

[unmerged(33865)]

As the press were about to call it a day, security began stirring and the a few moments later the President came into the briefing room.

"I made a promise when I was running to make sure my ministers were active, and responsive to the needs of the people. This has proved more difficult than I had expected. The effects of the bombing at the Eutopian Central Bank drove OmniCare, the state run insurance program to the point of insolvency, as you have no doubt read in NEWSLINK. A viable insurance sector is necessary for the proper functioning of the economy. OmniCare falls under the jurisdiction of MESA. The Minister of the Environment and Social Affairs is Jacques Moreau-Dumont, who has done some work with the sports portfolio, but has yet to submit a plan for recapitization of Omnicare or other means of getting an insurance system working. Therefore I have asked Josephus Sergei to become the cabinet minister responsible for MESA. Josephus has accepted and so this appointment is effective immediately. He said he is eager to work on that matter and other vital areas within MESA.

Former President Sergei was, until a moment ago, in charge of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Domestic Affairs. I am appointing Major Thomas McGrath to replace him in that post, also effective immediately.

Jacques Moreau-Dumont was also my Vice President, which I must appoint from among my serving cabinet officers. Since I have worked closely with him in the past term, and he was willing to serve in the capacity, I am naming Josephus Sergei as Vice President in addition to his other duties.

Would you please join me in wishing both VP and MESA Josephus Sergei and MIDA Thomas McGrath the best of luck with their new positions."

 

[unmerged(33865)]

Buses were provided to transport the reporters on the Presidential beat to ENDTech HQ, outside Neuwestbaden. When they arrive they see a podium set up with folding chairs in front for the reporters. There are both UPE and Tilapian flags on the podium, a table and three chairs. Flanking the podium are two tanks, one Leopard I and one new Gorgon II, which the reporters were able to identify from the information provided in the press packets that they were handed on boarding the bus. When the press are assembled, three men appear on stage, two of them take seats and President and MTIA Loic de Fourgéres goes to the podium.

"We are here today to witness another step in the cooperation between the nations of the United Provinces of Eutopia and our neighbor El Reino de Tilapia, and also to witness a birth. We have agreed to supply 300 Gorgon II tanks to our friends, at fair price. This will keep the production line running longer than it would have been just for our own needs, helping maintain our economy. It is also the birth of the export sector of our armaments industry. If the Tilapians are satisfied with our product, we may be able to sell ENDTech's products to other countries, which will benefit our economy further.

We are indeed fortunate. Normally, when you sell a new vehicle, you might have accept a used vehicle as a trade-in, but the Tilapians are also buying 200 surplus Leopard I tanks, that we no longer need as they have been replaced by Gorgon II tanks. I will now sign the sale agreement for the Leopards."

The President signs one of the papers on the table, using multiple pens.

"I would now like you welcome his Excellency Ferdinand Paolos, the Ambassador of Tilapia, who will sign both agreements on behalf of his government. Later Major Braxton, the CEO of Eutopian National Defense Technologies, will sign the sale agreement for the Gorgon II tanks. Lunch will be served after the ceremony."

 

[von Streusser]

Ambassador Paolos, leaning on a cane, slowly steps to the podium.

"I have no great words to mark this occassion, only that I hope the spirit of trust, friendship, and understanding displayed by President de Fourgeres towards the Tilapian people can be seen as a sign of further things to come. Just three terms ago, the people of El Reino della Tilapia were Eutopians...now, in some circles, we are called traitors or rebels or worse by the shortsighted. So quickly we have become 'The Other'. But I commend the Presidente for his ability to see past all that, and remember that there is far more that unites us than divides us.

May this day lead to many more days of understanding and cooperation between our two sovereign and independent nations."

The Ambassador uses only one pen to sign both documents, and leaves it resting on the table before shaking hands with both President de Fourgeres and Major Braxton.