09-06-2018, 09:20 PM
Monday, September 3rd, 11:00
Robert Smyth had a busy weekend. Between dossiers of information provided by all sides, and late nights pouring over draft statements and agreements, he was not as relaxed as he had hoped to be on the final full day of discussions.
And now here he was again. Sitting at a large circular table, with chattering factions on all sides throwing glances of malice at the other sides. There was a great difficulty in getting everyone to agree, to what he had planned, but that was a battle for the next day. Today he wanted to try and resolve the Aelurian problem, arguably the easier decision in the negotiations.
"Good morning all" he said quietly, but firmly. "Today we begin with the Aelurian question. I've already heard from all sides concerning the history of the island, each faction's position on independence, and so on. Today I want to delve a little deeper.
We will sit until 14:30 when we break for a late lunch until 16:00. Then we meet until 19:00, where we will break for the evening - if I'm still a little unsure of progress, we'll have dinner and meet from 21:00 to 23:00, but I'm confident that won't be an issue.
Today I want to discuss realities and eventualities. From now until 14:30, it's an open session. From 16:00 until 19:00 it will be myself, the leader of the Independence faction, the leader of the Rebel faction, and the leader of the Junta faction. We will meet privately, the four of us, and try to come to a consensus.
Until 14:30, however, I want us to be frank.
I will start with the Junta and then the Rebels - we're all in agreement here, at least from my understanding at the last session, that full independence aside, the Aelurians should have more devolved powers. I would like to hear from both of you what powers you would support devolving further, a timeline for that and if, and this is important, you acknowledge that the Aelurians should, following on from this devolution, in a number of years have a referendum on independence.
When those two sides have finished, I will hear from the Independence faction. Your reaction to further devolution and what each side proposes, please. And then I want to you explain how you would go about independence; from the means of achieving, to the first 6 months, to the first 10 years. I want to ascertain if your faction fully understands the pitfalls and problems surrounding independence - and don't forget I was alive when the Papal States of Sanctaria broke up and the Divine Republic was born. You won't be able to fob off this old man, I have experience in these matters.
So, please begin Ms. Clarke. Once you're done we'll have the Rebel side.
16:00
It was eerie, but the entire room was empty aside from Smyth, Moore, Clarke, and Noguera. There wasn't even security present - though Smyth knew there was at least 3 burly guards in the elevator that was the only real entrance to the room; there were also dozens of guards present in each stairwell of the towers, but that wasn't a realistic entry point.
"Ladies, let's be frank. Ms. Noguera, everything will be finalised tomorrow, but I'm going to be honest with you. It's in no-one's interest, not least the Aelurian people, that you have full independence at this point." Out of the corner of his eye he noticed both Clarke and Moore smile smugly. He wasn't going to have that and shot them a dirty look. "Allow me to rephrase, I'm not convinced it's in anyone's interest that you become fully independent right now.
Lauchenoiria will have to rebuild and doesn't have the capacity right now to continue to support you until you become fully independent. While you continue to be a functioning and providing member of your union together, they will benefit from Aeluria's ... stability and resources. You both need each other.
Quite frankly, should you become independent because of a result of this peace conference, with Lauchenoiria unable to assist and support you, it would fall to us, Sanctaria, and we honestly can't commit to such a long-term investment without first going back to the people; I met with Prime Minister Hendry over the weekend, and it's not something the Democratic Left Party would feel comfortable doing even if the people agreed, they would see it as a form of colonialism. Unlike managing Lauchenoiria should these negotiations fail, where the reason would be to protect life, there would be no reason in the people's mind, or their wallets, for Sanctaria to help you to such an extent." He smiled sympathetically at Noguera.
"That said, the people voted for a party whose key pillar was further independence from Lauchenoiria. Sanctaria had observers at that election, as you all may remember, and it was found to be free and fair. There is an appetite for change. And despite the fears of Sanctaria for the interests of Aeluria, self-determination is important. This is what I suggest.
Right now, the four of us, agree on what can be further devolved to Aeluria. Nothing is off the table - except for defence. I'm even willing to put foreign affairs up for the discussion, or at least the trade part of it anyway. Once we agree here tonight on matters to be devolved, tomorrow in the agreement will be the announcement of a date in 2019 of a preferendum in Aeluria - and in Aeluria alone. The Prime Minister has authorised me to offer that Sanctaria will organise the holding, the security, and the counting of the election. Our dime. Lauchenoiria will have enough to be spending on.
That preferendum will have three options: (1) status quo; (2) full independence; (3) the devolution that we agree on tonight. And let me be clear, Sanctaria will ensure the information provided in the preferendum will be unbiased and fair. We will not be shy telling people the real costings of independence. And the problems behind the status quo, Or that devolution could kill their independence dream for a generation or more. It's time to be honest.
So ladies, and let's begin with Ms. Noguera - devolution, what do you want?"
21:00
Smyth checked his watch - they had worked through the 7pm deadline and through dinner. "9pm, friends. Five more minutes and we'll finish. Ms. Noguera, if you would stay behind for a few minutes. I need to discuss something with you ahead of tomorrow..."
Robert Smyth had a busy weekend. Between dossiers of information provided by all sides, and late nights pouring over draft statements and agreements, he was not as relaxed as he had hoped to be on the final full day of discussions.
And now here he was again. Sitting at a large circular table, with chattering factions on all sides throwing glances of malice at the other sides. There was a great difficulty in getting everyone to agree, to what he had planned, but that was a battle for the next day. Today he wanted to try and resolve the Aelurian problem, arguably the easier decision in the negotiations.
"Good morning all" he said quietly, but firmly. "Today we begin with the Aelurian question. I've already heard from all sides concerning the history of the island, each faction's position on independence, and so on. Today I want to delve a little deeper.
We will sit until 14:30 when we break for a late lunch until 16:00. Then we meet until 19:00, where we will break for the evening - if I'm still a little unsure of progress, we'll have dinner and meet from 21:00 to 23:00, but I'm confident that won't be an issue.
Today I want to discuss realities and eventualities. From now until 14:30, it's an open session. From 16:00 until 19:00 it will be myself, the leader of the Independence faction, the leader of the Rebel faction, and the leader of the Junta faction. We will meet privately, the four of us, and try to come to a consensus.
Until 14:30, however, I want us to be frank.
I will start with the Junta and then the Rebels - we're all in agreement here, at least from my understanding at the last session, that full independence aside, the Aelurians should have more devolved powers. I would like to hear from both of you what powers you would support devolving further, a timeline for that and if, and this is important, you acknowledge that the Aelurians should, following on from this devolution, in a number of years have a referendum on independence.
When those two sides have finished, I will hear from the Independence faction. Your reaction to further devolution and what each side proposes, please. And then I want to you explain how you would go about independence; from the means of achieving, to the first 6 months, to the first 10 years. I want to ascertain if your faction fully understands the pitfalls and problems surrounding independence - and don't forget I was alive when the Papal States of Sanctaria broke up and the Divine Republic was born. You won't be able to fob off this old man, I have experience in these matters.
So, please begin Ms. Clarke. Once you're done we'll have the Rebel side.
16:00
It was eerie, but the entire room was empty aside from Smyth, Moore, Clarke, and Noguera. There wasn't even security present - though Smyth knew there was at least 3 burly guards in the elevator that was the only real entrance to the room; there were also dozens of guards present in each stairwell of the towers, but that wasn't a realistic entry point.
"Ladies, let's be frank. Ms. Noguera, everything will be finalised tomorrow, but I'm going to be honest with you. It's in no-one's interest, not least the Aelurian people, that you have full independence at this point." Out of the corner of his eye he noticed both Clarke and Moore smile smugly. He wasn't going to have that and shot them a dirty look. "Allow me to rephrase, I'm not convinced it's in anyone's interest that you become fully independent right now.
Lauchenoiria will have to rebuild and doesn't have the capacity right now to continue to support you until you become fully independent. While you continue to be a functioning and providing member of your union together, they will benefit from Aeluria's ... stability and resources. You both need each other.
Quite frankly, should you become independent because of a result of this peace conference, with Lauchenoiria unable to assist and support you, it would fall to us, Sanctaria, and we honestly can't commit to such a long-term investment without first going back to the people; I met with Prime Minister Hendry over the weekend, and it's not something the Democratic Left Party would feel comfortable doing even if the people agreed, they would see it as a form of colonialism. Unlike managing Lauchenoiria should these negotiations fail, where the reason would be to protect life, there would be no reason in the people's mind, or their wallets, for Sanctaria to help you to such an extent." He smiled sympathetically at Noguera.
"That said, the people voted for a party whose key pillar was further independence from Lauchenoiria. Sanctaria had observers at that election, as you all may remember, and it was found to be free and fair. There is an appetite for change. And despite the fears of Sanctaria for the interests of Aeluria, self-determination is important. This is what I suggest.
Right now, the four of us, agree on what can be further devolved to Aeluria. Nothing is off the table - except for defence. I'm even willing to put foreign affairs up for the discussion, or at least the trade part of it anyway. Once we agree here tonight on matters to be devolved, tomorrow in the agreement will be the announcement of a date in 2019 of a preferendum in Aeluria - and in Aeluria alone. The Prime Minister has authorised me to offer that Sanctaria will organise the holding, the security, and the counting of the election. Our dime. Lauchenoiria will have enough to be spending on.
That preferendum will have three options: (1) status quo; (2) full independence; (3) the devolution that we agree on tonight. And let me be clear, Sanctaria will ensure the information provided in the preferendum will be unbiased and fair. We will not be shy telling people the real costings of independence. And the problems behind the status quo, Or that devolution could kill their independence dream for a generation or more. It's time to be honest.
So ladies, and let's begin with Ms. Noguera - devolution, what do you want?"
21:00
Smyth checked his watch - they had worked through the 7pm deadline and through dinner. "9pm, friends. Five more minutes and we'll finish. Ms. Noguera, if you would stay behind for a few minutes. I need to discuss something with you ahead of tomorrow..."