01-10-2022, 06:21 PM
It was getting towards the end of a long day when Foreign Secretary Brian Young finally got a chance to read the latest missive from the Huenyans on the negotiations for a Sanctarian naval base at the Port of Ixtenco. He read quietly before reaching over to the phone on his desk and punching a few numbers. "Stewart", a terse reply came over the line.
"Kathryn, it's Brian. Did I catch you at a bad time?", he asked politely?
"Brian, hi, no not at all. Didn't expect to be hearing from you after today's cabinet con-call, is everything ok?", Stewart was generally a very friendly, upbeat person. Young liked her as a colleague, she was very good at what she did. Always on top of her brief.
"Yes, yes, everything's fine. Work call I'm afraid, wanted to get your feelings before I went to Charlene about it - the Huenyans finally came back with a response. They're dropping the requirement for full manifesto, and just want notifications of when crew or cargo are leaving the base and into their territory so they can then do the necessary checks."
"Ok, standard border control checks, we can live with that. Did they come back to you about our concerns on operational secrecy surrounding the nuclear submarines?"
"Yeah, they'd be happy with a commitment that no nuclear weapons be launched from within the base or any other part of their territory, land, air or sea, without prior notification to the Huenyan government - exception included for self-defence."
"Sounds like a very reasonable request for me, I've no issue with it from a homeland security POV. Does FA?"
"Nope, all very standard, as you said. I'll go to Charlene, tell her DHS and DFA are in agreement and have her sign off on the conclusion of negotiations from our end. Once the agreements are confirmed by both parties, DFA will hand responsibility for this and comms with Hueyna over to DHS."
"Perfect, thanks Brian. Sorry for dragging FA into this - we really do need a base in that part of the world."
"Happy to help smooth the way, Kathryn. I'll see you at cabinet on Wednesday".
"Good evening, Brian", Stewart said in a soft, upbeat tone before Young heard a click. Immediately he pressed another few numbers on his phone and waited patiently as he heard the dial tone ringing.
"Brian, hi", came a voice down the phone, "is something the matter? It's late in the day and not long after cabinet - Lauchenoiria isn't in another civil war or anything are they?"
Young chuckled. "Haha, no Charlene no, nothing like that. I just wanted to let you know the Huenyans have lessed their demands and neither DHS nor DFA have any objection to their new conditions for the base. I just spoke to Kathryn and we're both happy to go ahead once we have your ok."
"Good. Sounds good. Send on over a summary, but you can tell Huenya we're good to go from our end. Anything else?"
"No, that's everything. Have a good evening Charlene".
"Thanks Brian, you too", the Chancellor replied before ending the call.
Young paused for a moment, scribbled some thoughts on a notepad, and then called his aide, John Evans, into the room.
"Yes sir", the private secretary said, head just peeking around the door.
"Hendry and Stewart both ok with the new Huenyan conditions, so we're going to try and wrap it up. Write up something quick, get it ok'd by the DG, and then sign it in my name. We'll hopefully be able to hand this over to DHS in the coming weeks now."
The private secretary nodded and left the room quietly.
"Kathryn, it's Brian. Did I catch you at a bad time?", he asked politely?
"Brian, hi, no not at all. Didn't expect to be hearing from you after today's cabinet con-call, is everything ok?", Stewart was generally a very friendly, upbeat person. Young liked her as a colleague, she was very good at what she did. Always on top of her brief.
"Yes, yes, everything's fine. Work call I'm afraid, wanted to get your feelings before I went to Charlene about it - the Huenyans finally came back with a response. They're dropping the requirement for full manifesto, and just want notifications of when crew or cargo are leaving the base and into their territory so they can then do the necessary checks."
"Ok, standard border control checks, we can live with that. Did they come back to you about our concerns on operational secrecy surrounding the nuclear submarines?"
"Yeah, they'd be happy with a commitment that no nuclear weapons be launched from within the base or any other part of their territory, land, air or sea, without prior notification to the Huenyan government - exception included for self-defence."
"Sounds like a very reasonable request for me, I've no issue with it from a homeland security POV. Does FA?"
"Nope, all very standard, as you said. I'll go to Charlene, tell her DHS and DFA are in agreement and have her sign off on the conclusion of negotiations from our end. Once the agreements are confirmed by both parties, DFA will hand responsibility for this and comms with Hueyna over to DHS."
"Perfect, thanks Brian. Sorry for dragging FA into this - we really do need a base in that part of the world."
"Happy to help smooth the way, Kathryn. I'll see you at cabinet on Wednesday".
"Good evening, Brian", Stewart said in a soft, upbeat tone before Young heard a click. Immediately he pressed another few numbers on his phone and waited patiently as he heard the dial tone ringing.
"Brian, hi", came a voice down the phone, "is something the matter? It's late in the day and not long after cabinet - Lauchenoiria isn't in another civil war or anything are they?"
Young chuckled. "Haha, no Charlene no, nothing like that. I just wanted to let you know the Huenyans have lessed their demands and neither DHS nor DFA have any objection to their new conditions for the base. I just spoke to Kathryn and we're both happy to go ahead once we have your ok."
"Good. Sounds good. Send on over a summary, but you can tell Huenya we're good to go from our end. Anything else?"
"No, that's everything. Have a good evening Charlene".
"Thanks Brian, you too", the Chancellor replied before ending the call.
Young paused for a moment, scribbled some thoughts on a notepad, and then called his aide, John Evans, into the room.
"Yes sir", the private secretary said, head just peeking around the door.
"Hendry and Stewart both ok with the new Huenyan conditions, so we're going to try and wrap it up. Write up something quick, get it ok'd by the DG, and then sign it in my name. We'll hopefully be able to hand this over to DHS in the coming weeks now."
The private secretary nodded and left the room quietly.
Quote:Department of Foreign AffairsBruton HouseSanctusDivine Federation of Sanctaria
Vice-Speaker Tiacihitli
Huenyan Federal Legislature
Chuaztlapoc
Federation of Huenya
10 January 2022
Vice-Speaker Tiacihitli,
The Sanctarian Department of Foreign Affairs thanks you, and your government, for the clarifications and the sense of import with which you seek to conclude these talks. The Sanctarian government has no objection to your conditions, and can commit to the requests your government has made.
The Divine Federation of Sanctaria values the relationship we have with your good nation, and its ideals of democracy, freedom, and equitable justice. The establishment of a Sanctarian naval base at the Port of Ixtenco will cement our friendship, and encourage further good ties between our two nations.
We look forward to the conclusion of these negotiations, and the execution of same.
Warmest regards,
Brian Young
Secretary for Foreign Affairs
Divine Federation of Sanctaria