32 replies to this topic

[Curristan]

President Constanza after a little hesitation suddenly said "I would like to turn the debate to regional security. What are the consensus on the current situation?"

[Tidy Bowl Man]

"I'm under the impression the region is quite stable at this moment. With the collapse of the various pretender governments in the form of Umbrella and those crazy Argentinians running around dressed in Roman armor and these equally more absurd Brazillian nationalists, South America seems fairly quiet."

[dotCom]

The four heads of state seemed in agreement concerning many of the proposals thus far-- elimination of protectionism, expansion of mutual infrastructure, foreign exchange programmes. All fine suggestions, all well within the realm of possibility and reason, all very well. They had some good ideas here, and Isabel was rather anticipating their implementation and the effects it would have in bringing about a closer knit South America, less conducive to such events as... well, the series of 'unfortunate occurrences' that had unfolded across the continent in recent years.

But it seemed she wasn't the only one thinking about continental security.

 

"I would like to turn the debate to regional security," President Constanza noted, quite suddenly amidst prior discussion of economics and infrastructure. "What is the consensus on the current situation?"

"I'm under the impression the region is quite stable at the moment," President Juagari replied. "With the collapse of the various pretender governments in the form of Umbrella and those crazy Argentinians running around dressed in Roman armour, and those equally absurd Brazillian nationalists, South America seems fairly quiet."

"Quieter than it's been in many, many years, I daresay," Isabel interjected with a nod of agreement. "I don't think, though of course you can't ever say anything for sure when it comes to politics, that there's significant cause for concern regarding the internal security of the continent."

She shifted some in her seat, leaned forward before continuing. "On the topic of security from external forces, on the other hand, that remains as ever an uncertain and ominous precipice."

Edited by dotCom, 03 February 2013 - 02:02 PM.

[TheShammySocialist]

Ignacio de Ardanza would smile lightly from his corner of the table, holding a pen in his hands pensively after making a few notes on a legal pad, as he listened to the discussion at hand. Before responding to the current topic at hand, he would pour himself another glass of water, and take a good gulp of it, and clearing his throat. After Isabel noted very astutely, security from external forces was something that was a looming and ever-present threat possibility. Recent history had shown that possibilities of foreign colonial adventure were not out of the question anywhere in the globe, and that South America was still under threat from such movements.

 

"The threat of external forces is one that is never to be taken lightly, it is why Greater Colombia continues to maintain a large, expansive military and continue to upgrade it, at significant cost to our government. We saw not very long ago the threat posed by even a small state from Central Asia, whose arrival forced the toppling of the nationalistic Brazilians. As much as they were a bit of an annoyance and pompous, it is not the business of some government from Central Asia to dictate the affairs or seek foreign adventure on our shores," he said, in a contrite and firm voice.

 

"We live in a globalized society, we are part of a world that some see to be devoid of regions or regional interest, I do not subscribe to such notions, I believe there are still regional politics and they still are a very important part of the world at large. This does not mean, however, that Colombia looks only to this continent to find friends economically, and allies strategically. There is a certain balancing act one must play in this world nowadays, Africa has been insular and inward-looking, and look where it got them. Isolationism only breeds mistrust and suspicion from others, and therefore it becomes a vicious cycle when we feel harried by them and their interests," he continued, looking around the room with a tone of polite caution.

 

"Colombia has never backed down from a challenge to the sovereignty of its lands, nor the lands of its allies, and our government has built many contingency plans throughout its lifetime to support the defense of this continent if need be. We are committed to regional security, so long as regional partners do not draw fate upon them, and we would be glad to provide training and an export market for quality weapons technology," he said, looking around the table.

[Tidy Bowl Man]

"What sort of formal framework for mutual cooperation exists beyond assurances?" Presidente Juagar asked.

[TheShammySocialist]

"As per an agreement with Para, Greater Colombia officially recognizes their sovereignty and sets up a framework of cooperation of mutual respect, although we are looking to expand that soon," responded de Ardanza, in a curt manner.

 

"We also retain military facilities built during our years of overseeing the protection of Peru," he added, giving a glance at Constanza, "Colombia has an unspoken policy that Peru's continued sovereignty as a nation is a national interest to us. Given that we put a lot of effort into developing Peru, and ensuring its citizenry was cared for during our tenure there, we have a defined national interest in ensuring Peru's vitality. But this unspoken policy extends to much of South America, there exists no formal framework, but given our nation's history of pan-South American regional politics, our word is as good as something written on paper, but if you're looking for something that is much more formal, I could be possibly amenable."

[Tidy Bowl Man]

"With time I should think a formal agreement would prove reasonable."

[TheShammySocialist]

"Very well," nodded de Ardanza, "Of course, we could set a framework for such a future formalized agreement if you would like, probably nothing that would be too big of an agreement, but something that could set a concrete base for a future regional security agreement."

[Tidy Bowl Man]

"Chile will assist any South American nation in defending their borders providing they aren't the instigators of an attack through aggressive actions. Our Economic policy is very clear, all South American nations, including the Falklands, or is that Fawklands, hard to say, but them included are given Favored Nation status for trade. We will respect other nations rights to levy tarrifs on specific goods while we levy tarrifs on copper ourselves. Certainly the bigger picture of regional security calls for a unified Trans-South American rail and freeway scheme. It's all good to have transport planes to move troops, but nothing moves troops in bulk and quickly like a railway. We do have concerns about a fuel pipeline at this time, but that's due to an ongoing domestic situation that makes large scale construction in the north of Chile risky, we will support such a project once those concerns are addressed," Juagari replied. 

[TheShammySocialist]

"It would certainly not be hard to extend railway access to Colombia from Chile, as there are existing railheads throughout Peru that we, ourselves built, but of course, that is with the assent of the Peruvian government," noted de Ardanza, lightly. "Likewise, it would not be hard to extend similar logistical options to Para, and as Colombia has a respectable merchant marine and a fairly substantial auxiliary naval force which can also has access to civilian merchant and cruise ships under certain circumstances, strategic movement by sea is also economical and available."

[Curristan]

"Peru will also grant 'Favoured Trade Status' to all South American Nations. We feel that this will allow greater trade and in consequence be favourable to all South America. We would be willing to allow military traffic to use our Rail Infrastructure although paths will be limited to only a few trains a day in either direction as capacity is limited already and scant space to build additional routes, although we are trying to modernise track work and convert all of it to Standard Gauge. We would then have to run any military trains through Peru in large consists, say three locomotives and up to over a hundred wagons and/or trailers per train so to make use of the available capacity. 

 

As for a highway, due to the geographical topography of Peru, this will make also building a new highway which would be the most practical solution, difficult. The risk of congestion would mean that all we could offer would be maritime corridors which would in wartime be within range of air bases on the mainland to provide security. We have yet to build our Navy up because of the economic situation but we hope to get a Merchant Navy under way soon."

Edited by Curristan, 12 February 2013 - 10:03 AM.

[Tidy Bowl Man]

"Overall it appears we have the framework for an economic and infrastructure development treaty/pact of some sort."

[Tidy Bowl Man]

"Everyone, I think we've managed to accomplish quite a bit here. In a few days I will send out a tentative written agreement we can use as the starting point for a more detailed discussion on an economic agreement that mirrors the discussion we just had. I thank you for your attendance and I look forward to speaking with you all again in the future," Presidente De Juagari stated prior to walking about the room and shaking everyone's hands before leaving.