03-06-2019, 11:20 PM
Weekly joint processing cabinet meeting. Location: Office of the Prime Minister, Meridian, Port Kejm.
"Very well, that brings us to item fifteen on today's agenda. The topic is the question of Aeluria, a province within the Federation of Launchenoira, and what, if any, actions the Union should take in this regard, based on the circumstances, previous and current. The Minister for Foreign Affairs brings the matter to us, and if there are no initial remarks from those present, I give the word to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. No remarks? Good. Grethe, please proceed."
Prime Minister Tangeus Oxwald took his seat while gesturing with his left-hand, prompting the Foreign Minister to stand and clear her throat. She positioned herself at the far end of the table and greeted the joint cabinet with a nod of her head.
"Thank you, Prime Minister. Comrades, while I am aware that most of you are intimately acquainted with the circumstances surrounding our current predicament, I, and the Prime Minister is in agreement, remain convinced that restating and contextualising the vital points of this matter will benefit our impending discussion and inevitable decision-making."
"On the 12th of May 2018, the Launchenoiran island province of Aeluria declared its independence. At the same time a series of tumultuous events unfolded on the mainland, which eventually turned into a full-scale civil war engaging many states on continental Hespia. On the 16th of May, former Foreign Minister Svein Hellvik composed a now infamous note, which was subsequently sent to Aelurian First Minister. The poetic prose – equally infamous – of what has colloquially become known as the "Hellvik Letter" made it a somewhat opaque and vague message; nonetheless, it was quickly interpreted as a formal recognition of Aelurian independence on the behalf of the Union. And as you're all sorely aware, in addition to the note, former Minister Hellvik also enclosed a small rock, shaded granite."
As the Foreign Minister left her words lingering, all present raised their left hand and positioned it on the middle of their chest while closing their eyes and mumbling unintelligibly.
"We have discussed this matter on two earlier and separate occasions – please see articles 35 to 38 in your enclosed briefs. In June of 2018, we agreed to uphold Hellvik's gesture of granting Aeluria the Rock of Friendship, and in extension our recognition of their declaration of independence; the two having become so intertwined that any real separation was deemed utterly impossible. The discussions were extensive and at times intense, as I'm sure you can all remember. Portions of the cabinet argued that Hellvik's actions were frivolous and a soiling of our diplomatic standards and policy of non-aligned neutrality. Others pointed out that his use of The Rock was an affront to tradition. However, despite the flippancy of the initial imbuement, and the resulting difficulties in diplomatic relations with the Launchenoiran Federation, in the end it was the view of this cabinet that the act of granting Aeluria our friendship could not be undone. One does not retract a Rock of Friendship once given."
The Foreign Minister paused and looked at her colleagues. Many nodded to indicate their approval of the cabinet's earlier decision.
"On the 4th of September the Launchenoiran civil war was ended with the signing of the Haven Accords in the west. On the 6th of September the matter of Aeluria and the Union was brought before the cabinet once more. The Union's recognition of Aelurian independence was somewhat of a non-issue during the hostilities, seeing as everything, for many even life itself, was of an undecidable nature at the time. With the ending of hostilities and a return to normalcy, our predicament resurfaced, with Aeluria itself retracting its declaration of independence on the signing of the Accords, with its included articles detailing a referendum on the question of independence."
"At this time I argued that the Union should seize the opportunity and retract our recognition of their initial declaration. I deemed this a way of clearly untying the matter of independence from our Friendship, circumventing the need to retract the Rock of Friendship. Once again, discussions were passionate. In the end, it was decided that we would await the results of the referendum. Retracting our recognition before the people of Aeluria – our Friends – were given a chance to speak their mind at the ballots was decided to not be in accordance with the Customs of Friendships. Furthermore, several members of the cabinet pointed towards the fact that not recognizing Aelurian independence, while still holding them in a position of friendship, would lead to the unprecedented situation of the Union embracing a part of another state in friendship, but not that state in itself."
Grethe paused and poured herself a glass of water. After emptying it, she scanned the faces of her colleagues, making sure to make eye contact with as many as possible. She then continued speaking.
"On the 3rd of March, the people of Aeluria voted to remain a part of Lauchenoiria. I have three suggested courses of action. On the one hand, we could retract the Rock of Friendship…"
The whole room started bustling and the Minister for Fisheries and Coastal Affairs jumped out of his seat and shouted "Desecration!"
"Quiet, please."
Tangeus Oxwald's voice was calm but firm.
"Grethe, please continue, but spare us frivolity and unnecessary provocations."
The Foreign Minister nodded to the Prime Minister and continued.
"Thank you, Prime Minister. Believe me, I know how it sounds, and it pains me just as deep, but there is the fact that the Rock of Friendship is contingent on independence. We simply cannot recognize one part of another sovereign state in the way that Friendship implies while keeping our position of neutral non-alignment towards the other parts. Granting the Rock of Friendship to one province clearly gives the impression that we devalue the other parts. It would severely damage our reputation."
"A Rock of Friendship means something. This is known, known throughout Hespia. A Rock given is a bond, and a bond that we always honour. This is our reputation. One does not retract a Rock of Friendship."
It was Niels Sträng, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry that was speaking. Several of the other ministers nodded in agreement and shouted their approval.
"That brings me to my second suggestion," Grethe said.
"The Rock was given to Aeluria. However, they voted to stay a part of Launchenoira. One possible way forward would therefore be to extend our Friendship to the entire federation."
The minister's faces were grim.
"Like one Rock given in facetiousness isn’t enough? Two wrongs does not a right make, say I."
Anna Karena, Minister for the Environment and Energy, looked at the Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister as she spoke. She continued
"A Rock given is a bond. Few Rocks have been given, and never in the history of the Union have we ever retracted one. This is fact. The Rock in question was given to Aeluria, but it was intimately connected to the question of their independence. This is the heart of our troubles. Aeluria has voted to reject independence. Does this not mean that they also reject our friendship? I say before you that it was they who returned the Rock of Friendship by rejecting the very independence that the Rock was given in conjunction with, effectively annulling our bond."
The room fell silent. Minister Sträng was the first to speak
"Hm, semantics," he said and crossed his arms.
Grethe looked at the cabinet members and then the Prime Minister. Tangues Oxwald had shifted his chair and was looking out of the window. After a few minutes, he spoke.
"Semantics or not, it is a way out of our troubles, I suppose. I propose that we take the last two suggested actions to a vote at the end of our session. Now, that brings us to item sixteen on today's agenda. The topic is the question of the depreciation of structural quotas. The Minister for Fisheries and Coastal Affairs brings the matter to us, and if there are no initial remarks from those present, I give the word to the Minister for Fisheries and Coastal Affairs. No remarks? Good. Lennart, please proceed."
Four hours later, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Foreign Minister Grethe Nebb sat down at her desk, exhausted. Several of her senior members of staff were standing beside her, eager to hear the latest developments.
"Well," said Grethe and sighed. "I need you to give me an outline of an official letter to the First Minister of Aeluria, explaining that their rejection of independence effectively means they've annulled our bond of friendship. Please try to make it sound plausible and not like a badly concealed way of retracting our Friendship. Oh, yes, and apparently we want our rock back. Shaded granite."
"Very well, that brings us to item fifteen on today's agenda. The topic is the question of Aeluria, a province within the Federation of Launchenoira, and what, if any, actions the Union should take in this regard, based on the circumstances, previous and current. The Minister for Foreign Affairs brings the matter to us, and if there are no initial remarks from those present, I give the word to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. No remarks? Good. Grethe, please proceed."
Prime Minister Tangeus Oxwald took his seat while gesturing with his left-hand, prompting the Foreign Minister to stand and clear her throat. She positioned herself at the far end of the table and greeted the joint cabinet with a nod of her head.
"Thank you, Prime Minister. Comrades, while I am aware that most of you are intimately acquainted with the circumstances surrounding our current predicament, I, and the Prime Minister is in agreement, remain convinced that restating and contextualising the vital points of this matter will benefit our impending discussion and inevitable decision-making."
"On the 12th of May 2018, the Launchenoiran island province of Aeluria declared its independence. At the same time a series of tumultuous events unfolded on the mainland, which eventually turned into a full-scale civil war engaging many states on continental Hespia. On the 16th of May, former Foreign Minister Svein Hellvik composed a now infamous note, which was subsequently sent to Aelurian First Minister. The poetic prose – equally infamous – of what has colloquially become known as the "Hellvik Letter" made it a somewhat opaque and vague message; nonetheless, it was quickly interpreted as a formal recognition of Aelurian independence on the behalf of the Union. And as you're all sorely aware, in addition to the note, former Minister Hellvik also enclosed a small rock, shaded granite."
As the Foreign Minister left her words lingering, all present raised their left hand and positioned it on the middle of their chest while closing their eyes and mumbling unintelligibly.
"We have discussed this matter on two earlier and separate occasions – please see articles 35 to 38 in your enclosed briefs. In June of 2018, we agreed to uphold Hellvik's gesture of granting Aeluria the Rock of Friendship, and in extension our recognition of their declaration of independence; the two having become so intertwined that any real separation was deemed utterly impossible. The discussions were extensive and at times intense, as I'm sure you can all remember. Portions of the cabinet argued that Hellvik's actions were frivolous and a soiling of our diplomatic standards and policy of non-aligned neutrality. Others pointed out that his use of The Rock was an affront to tradition. However, despite the flippancy of the initial imbuement, and the resulting difficulties in diplomatic relations with the Launchenoiran Federation, in the end it was the view of this cabinet that the act of granting Aeluria our friendship could not be undone. One does not retract a Rock of Friendship once given."
The Foreign Minister paused and looked at her colleagues. Many nodded to indicate their approval of the cabinet's earlier decision.
"On the 4th of September the Launchenoiran civil war was ended with the signing of the Haven Accords in the west. On the 6th of September the matter of Aeluria and the Union was brought before the cabinet once more. The Union's recognition of Aelurian independence was somewhat of a non-issue during the hostilities, seeing as everything, for many even life itself, was of an undecidable nature at the time. With the ending of hostilities and a return to normalcy, our predicament resurfaced, with Aeluria itself retracting its declaration of independence on the signing of the Accords, with its included articles detailing a referendum on the question of independence."
"At this time I argued that the Union should seize the opportunity and retract our recognition of their initial declaration. I deemed this a way of clearly untying the matter of independence from our Friendship, circumventing the need to retract the Rock of Friendship. Once again, discussions were passionate. In the end, it was decided that we would await the results of the referendum. Retracting our recognition before the people of Aeluria – our Friends – were given a chance to speak their mind at the ballots was decided to not be in accordance with the Customs of Friendships. Furthermore, several members of the cabinet pointed towards the fact that not recognizing Aelurian independence, while still holding them in a position of friendship, would lead to the unprecedented situation of the Union embracing a part of another state in friendship, but not that state in itself."
Grethe paused and poured herself a glass of water. After emptying it, she scanned the faces of her colleagues, making sure to make eye contact with as many as possible. She then continued speaking.
"On the 3rd of March, the people of Aeluria voted to remain a part of Lauchenoiria. I have three suggested courses of action. On the one hand, we could retract the Rock of Friendship…"
The whole room started bustling and the Minister for Fisheries and Coastal Affairs jumped out of his seat and shouted "Desecration!"
"Quiet, please."
Tangeus Oxwald's voice was calm but firm.
"Grethe, please continue, but spare us frivolity and unnecessary provocations."
The Foreign Minister nodded to the Prime Minister and continued.
"Thank you, Prime Minister. Believe me, I know how it sounds, and it pains me just as deep, but there is the fact that the Rock of Friendship is contingent on independence. We simply cannot recognize one part of another sovereign state in the way that Friendship implies while keeping our position of neutral non-alignment towards the other parts. Granting the Rock of Friendship to one province clearly gives the impression that we devalue the other parts. It would severely damage our reputation."
"A Rock of Friendship means something. This is known, known throughout Hespia. A Rock given is a bond, and a bond that we always honour. This is our reputation. One does not retract a Rock of Friendship."
It was Niels Sträng, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry that was speaking. Several of the other ministers nodded in agreement and shouted their approval.
"That brings me to my second suggestion," Grethe said.
"The Rock was given to Aeluria. However, they voted to stay a part of Launchenoira. One possible way forward would therefore be to extend our Friendship to the entire federation."
The minister's faces were grim.
"Like one Rock given in facetiousness isn’t enough? Two wrongs does not a right make, say I."
Anna Karena, Minister for the Environment and Energy, looked at the Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister as she spoke. She continued
"A Rock given is a bond. Few Rocks have been given, and never in the history of the Union have we ever retracted one. This is fact. The Rock in question was given to Aeluria, but it was intimately connected to the question of their independence. This is the heart of our troubles. Aeluria has voted to reject independence. Does this not mean that they also reject our friendship? I say before you that it was they who returned the Rock of Friendship by rejecting the very independence that the Rock was given in conjunction with, effectively annulling our bond."
The room fell silent. Minister Sträng was the first to speak
"Hm, semantics," he said and crossed his arms.
Grethe looked at the cabinet members and then the Prime Minister. Tangues Oxwald had shifted his chair and was looking out of the window. After a few minutes, he spoke.
"Semantics or not, it is a way out of our troubles, I suppose. I propose that we take the last two suggested actions to a vote at the end of our session. Now, that brings us to item sixteen on today's agenda. The topic is the question of the depreciation of structural quotas. The Minister for Fisheries and Coastal Affairs brings the matter to us, and if there are no initial remarks from those present, I give the word to the Minister for Fisheries and Coastal Affairs. No remarks? Good. Lennart, please proceed."
Four hours later, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Foreign Minister Grethe Nebb sat down at her desk, exhausted. Several of her senior members of staff were standing beside her, eager to hear the latest developments.
"Well," said Grethe and sighed. "I need you to give me an outline of an official letter to the First Minister of Aeluria, explaining that their rejection of independence effectively means they've annulled our bond of friendship. Please try to make it sound plausible and not like a badly concealed way of retracting our Friendship. Oh, yes, and apparently we want our rock back. Shaded granite."