09-16-2018, 09:23 PM
After presenting the Accords and reading through it, as well as hearing some initial thoughts from those present, Smyth slid his chair back and stood up. "Delegates, we will break for 90 minutes so that we may retreat to our antechambers and discuss them more thoroughly. Thank you."
An aide a few feet to his left nodded, and opened the door for Smyth, which lead to his own temporary office high over the Basilica. As he stepped through the door, he wasn't surprised to see very two familiar faces sitting at his desk: Prime Minister Charlene Hendry, and Foreign Secretary Brian Young. "Charlene. Brian. Pleasure to see you!"
"Robert, first of all thank you very much for hosting these talks. Your skill as a negotiator is renowned and we are glad you were able to use your diplomatic prowess to succ-", Foreign Secretary Young started before being cut off by the Prime Minister.
"Not now, Brian. Robert, what on earth were you thinking of committing Sanctaria to this much involvement without even checking with me first? This might be Sanctarian Conservative policy, but we do things differently in a Democratic Left government. We're covering the cost of elections? Or repatriation? A Truth and Reconciliation Commission? What is this? The voters are going to eat me alive. We wanted to move away from Sanctaria's colonial history, not try to resurrect it." She continued, for some time, lecturing Smyth.
"Prime Minister, if I may?" Smyth interjected calmly. "Please do not see this as a political ploy. I'm beyond party politics now, I have no role in domestic affairs anymore, and you know this. And frankly, the people will be glad to see Sanctaria taking a more firm hand as a regional leader." Smyth looked to Young who was nodding his head slowly in agreement. "Further, Prime Minister, I don't think it will cost as much as you may fear. Lauchenoirian population is nothing compared to Sanctaria's. This would be a relatively small election, something more akin to, say, a city council election in Sanctus - or one of the new state elections when Sanctaria is federalised. In the grand scheme of things, it shouldn't be costly for a once-off election process.
As for our troops being on the ground, that's only if it is deemed necessary. We're hopeful it won't and they would be there in a peacekeeping capacity only. While the nation's police and armed forces are being replenished, someone needs to keep the order, and we can't have Laeralian or any other nation involved in the conflict do so. It would appear to be biased.
I've spoken with Noguera, naturally, and I've indicated that Sanctaria would be hopeful for an election next March. I admit the Truth and Reconciliation aspect of things will take longer, but daily Sanctarian involvement in the region, even nominal involvement, should be finished within six to nine months."
Hendry sighed. "My legacy as Prime Minister cannot be mucking things up in Lauchenoiria, Robert. I have to federalise our own country, that's enough of a battle."
"Prime Minister, when your legacy is written the only thing they'll have to say about Lauchenoiria is that you helped save the country. Not that you took it over or that you ruined it."
"Fine. But how do I sell this to parliament? How do I sell this to the people?"
"You have a majority in the House. As for the Senate, there's enough in the SCP to back the DLP. And as for the people, you tell them the truth. You're saving lives."
"Will this end the war - for once and for all? I don't want a repeat. Lauchenoiria's been enough trouble over the past 60 years."
"Yes. A new constitution will be written by a unity government. Noguera will lead it as Prime Minister, but it will be equally be stocked with communists, capitalists, traditionalists, and progressives. We can use our leverage vis a vis the holding of elections and resumption of normality to ensure any contentious things are fully compromised out."
"This is significant investment for Sanctaria, Robert. Not monetary, I concede, it won't cost us that much, but in terms of influence - our foreign affairs budget will have to increase, as will our homeland security one. Obviously peace is good but what else do we get out of it?"
"Sanctaria is putting a lot of effort into this, I agree, Prime Minister. As such the bill will be divided up and added to the debt the various countries involved already owe us. Is that fair for you?"
Hendry nodded.
"Fine, Robert. Fine. But you could have checked first without dragging me across the entire bloody country. And one more thing." She looked at him square in the eyes. "You're staying on as Group Special Envoy. Non-negotiable. Under these Accords we are the Guarantor, and we have a lot of things that we need to sign off on and agree to etc. You're going to be acting with plenipotentiary powers for Sanctaria as Guarantor. And you will liaise with Brian and the Foreign Department regularly. We'll set you up with an office in the embassy in Buttercity." She stood up. Smoothed her skirt, and walked away. She stopped at the door. "I trust you can sign the Accords on behalf on Sanctaria as Guarantor?"
***
"So, Delegates. Ladies and gentleman", Smyth said as he re-entered the room at the end of the 90 minute break. "Any final comments before we sign these and go home?"
An aide a few feet to his left nodded, and opened the door for Smyth, which lead to his own temporary office high over the Basilica. As he stepped through the door, he wasn't surprised to see very two familiar faces sitting at his desk: Prime Minister Charlene Hendry, and Foreign Secretary Brian Young. "Charlene. Brian. Pleasure to see you!"
"Robert, first of all thank you very much for hosting these talks. Your skill as a negotiator is renowned and we are glad you were able to use your diplomatic prowess to succ-", Foreign Secretary Young started before being cut off by the Prime Minister.
"Not now, Brian. Robert, what on earth were you thinking of committing Sanctaria to this much involvement without even checking with me first? This might be Sanctarian Conservative policy, but we do things differently in a Democratic Left government. We're covering the cost of elections? Or repatriation? A Truth and Reconciliation Commission? What is this? The voters are going to eat me alive. We wanted to move away from Sanctaria's colonial history, not try to resurrect it." She continued, for some time, lecturing Smyth.
"Prime Minister, if I may?" Smyth interjected calmly. "Please do not see this as a political ploy. I'm beyond party politics now, I have no role in domestic affairs anymore, and you know this. And frankly, the people will be glad to see Sanctaria taking a more firm hand as a regional leader." Smyth looked to Young who was nodding his head slowly in agreement. "Further, Prime Minister, I don't think it will cost as much as you may fear. Lauchenoirian population is nothing compared to Sanctaria's. This would be a relatively small election, something more akin to, say, a city council election in Sanctus - or one of the new state elections when Sanctaria is federalised. In the grand scheme of things, it shouldn't be costly for a once-off election process.
As for our troops being on the ground, that's only if it is deemed necessary. We're hopeful it won't and they would be there in a peacekeeping capacity only. While the nation's police and armed forces are being replenished, someone needs to keep the order, and we can't have Laeralian or any other nation involved in the conflict do so. It would appear to be biased.
I've spoken with Noguera, naturally, and I've indicated that Sanctaria would be hopeful for an election next March. I admit the Truth and Reconciliation aspect of things will take longer, but daily Sanctarian involvement in the region, even nominal involvement, should be finished within six to nine months."
Hendry sighed. "My legacy as Prime Minister cannot be mucking things up in Lauchenoiria, Robert. I have to federalise our own country, that's enough of a battle."
"Prime Minister, when your legacy is written the only thing they'll have to say about Lauchenoiria is that you helped save the country. Not that you took it over or that you ruined it."
"Fine. But how do I sell this to parliament? How do I sell this to the people?"
"You have a majority in the House. As for the Senate, there's enough in the SCP to back the DLP. And as for the people, you tell them the truth. You're saving lives."
"Will this end the war - for once and for all? I don't want a repeat. Lauchenoiria's been enough trouble over the past 60 years."
"Yes. A new constitution will be written by a unity government. Noguera will lead it as Prime Minister, but it will be equally be stocked with communists, capitalists, traditionalists, and progressives. We can use our leverage vis a vis the holding of elections and resumption of normality to ensure any contentious things are fully compromised out."
"This is significant investment for Sanctaria, Robert. Not monetary, I concede, it won't cost us that much, but in terms of influence - our foreign affairs budget will have to increase, as will our homeland security one. Obviously peace is good but what else do we get out of it?"
"Sanctaria is putting a lot of effort into this, I agree, Prime Minister. As such the bill will be divided up and added to the debt the various countries involved already owe us. Is that fair for you?"
Hendry nodded.
"Fine, Robert. Fine. But you could have checked first without dragging me across the entire bloody country. And one more thing." She looked at him square in the eyes. "You're staying on as Group Special Envoy. Non-negotiable. Under these Accords we are the Guarantor, and we have a lot of things that we need to sign off on and agree to etc. You're going to be acting with plenipotentiary powers for Sanctaria as Guarantor. And you will liaise with Brian and the Foreign Department regularly. We'll set you up with an office in the embassy in Buttercity." She stood up. Smoothed her skirt, and walked away. She stopped at the door. "I trust you can sign the Accords on behalf on Sanctaria as Guarantor?"
***
"So, Delegates. Ladies and gentleman", Smyth said as he re-entered the room at the end of the 90 minute break. "Any final comments before we sign these and go home?"