Baby It's Cold Outside

[Centurius]

OOC: Closed to myself and PresidentDavid

 

IC:

With conflicts cooling down it was time for the Athenian state to look outwards again, as such an invitation would be sent to the government of Iceland. Over the last few weeks it had become obvious Iceland had interests in relations with Athens and for obvious reasons Athens always wanted relations with former protectorates. In the invitation a representative of the Icelandic government would be invited to meet with the Athenian Chief Magistrate in Athens.

Edited February 16, 2014 by Centurius

[PresidentDavid]

Freyr Eriksson, who was the Lawspeaker of Iceland, was chosen specifically by King Mars to go represent him to the Athenian Government. Freyr's qualifications were fitting, but he had never conducted diplomatic affairs before. He had been to Rome before, but only to see the election of the new Pope and even then he never met with any Athenian officials. Though he was somewhat nervous, the strapping young man knew what he could and could not offer and what he could and could not accept. He was chosen to give legitimacy of the new office of Lawspeaker, which was the most powerful elected position in the Kingdom, and because the King saw something in Freyr; he could see that he was a true leader and did not want to waist his potential. 

 

The Lawspeaker would get the distinct privilege of using one of the modified 747 aircraft that would normally be used for the King to fly around Iceland or to foreign nations. An escort of two F-16s would guide the massive aircraft to the Athenian Federation and would all request permission to enter Athenian airspace and land. Freyr, a Roman Catholic, had a lot to be nervous about with his first diplomatic visit with a global superpower but also had to worry about his secondary mission from the King which he was sure the Athenians wouldn't mind obliging, but would be a particularly intimidating moment in his life. 

Edited February 16, 2014 by PresidentDavid

[Centurius]

Upon entering Athenian airspace F-1s would fly in formation with the Icelandic aircraft however the pilots of the F-16s would be informed that they needed to break off about 500 miles from the capital due to Athenian law banning foreign military aircraft within 500 miles of Athens. The 747 would be further escorted to Athens AFB where a delegation of personnel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would await him.

[PresidentDavid]

Once the F-1s would safely meet up with the aircraft the fighter pilots would turn around to go home. The Lawspeaker's flight would land at the Athenian air force base where he would get out of the mammoth aircraft along with a few members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a pair of Royal Guardsmen. 

Edited February 16, 2014 by PresidentDavid

[Centurius]

From the airport the Lawspeaker would be escorted to a limousine and given the scenic route from the base to the Magistral Mansion where the Chief Magistrate resided. While the mansion was nowhere as impressive as the Imperial Palace it was quite special in its own right. The Lawspeaker would be escorted inside where he was further guided to the office of the Chief Magistrate. Once there the Chief Magistrate approached the man. "Welcome Lawspeaker, I hope you have had a pleasant flight"

[PresidentDavid]

"Chief Magistrate, it's very nice to meet you," he said as the two shook hands. "My flight was great, I had plenty of time to rest and prepare for our meeting." Freyr would take a seat when offered one and fold his hands after setting down his briefcase next to him which contained a few legal documents, "May I add that King Mars sends his best and wanted me to emphasize that he hopes the Athenian Federation and Iceland can have very close relations in the future - hopefully starting today... Is there somewhere you would like to begin?"

[Centurius]

"Well first, let me offer you a drink" Hektor said as he called for an aide, he himself would order a cup of coffee. After the aide returned with the orders Hektor would take a sip.

 

"With the war over it seems we can once again return to equally important but less dire circumstances. The Athenian Federation has always positioned itself as a key power in both Europe and the Atlantic while historically this has been done through the use of force recent years have seen our goals shift to something more cooperative. Iceland maintains another key position in the greater order of things. I would like to see a cooperation develop between our states to provide a stable and peaceful base for the North Atlantic."

[PresidentDavid]

Freyr was not sure if the kitchen could produce it, but would ask for caraway coffee. If it wouldn't be available, then he'd simply defer to what Hektor was enjoying. "Well, Chief Magistrate, I am happy this isn't being done by force. I much prefer the free coffee," he would take a sip and enjoy the warmth it provided. "While Athens sees a benefit in Iceland's geographic location, Iceland sees a benefit in Athenian influence in our area. I know that King Mars is very much against the idea of housing foreign troops from any country on the island, however the presence of the Athenian Federation in or around our waters is a different story. Same goes for our surrounding air space." The Lawspeaker would take another sip of his coffee and choose his next words carefully.

 

​"My King and military officials in Iceland's armed forces are worried about our vulnerability to a future attack from the Americans. While intelligence says that we do not have anything serious to worry about now, I believe that such an attack - especially if staged from Greenland - is one of the largest foreign threats to our national security. Other than an active military base staffed with a rather large number of foreign soldiers, I cannot really think of what else to propose to fix this problem, but I thought I'd do you the courtesy of saying what one of our chief concerns are. Can you think of a way that this could be remedied, Chief Magistrate?" 

 

Freyr did mean it when he said that the King and the armed forces would be open to Athenian naval assets patrolling around Iceland and, with permission, through its waters. While the idea of a military base on the island was a "hot topic", it was not totally off the table. Freyr's job was to establish formal relations with the Athenians that hopefully went beyond a silly economic or non-aggression treaty. The Althing, Iceland's new legislature, would of course have to approve any treaty. Because the Monarchist's had the largest minority, and because Freyr (a somewhat liberal Pirate Faction member) was the Lawspeaker, any treaty regarding the Athenian Federation would most likely pass as long as the King supported it and it could be proven that the Athenians would not interfere in Iceland's domestic affairs and laws.

 

"As a sign of good faith, I can offer our radar intel surrounding the island to give the Athenian government better eyes  in the North Atlantic. I hope that could be of some benefit to your government?"  

[Centurius]

Hektor nodded while listening to the man "While I am certain the American Commonwealth would not launch an attack against Iceland I can understand why your military feels uncomfortable with the prospect. We have so far intentionally maintained a minimal presence in the North Atlantic however I would gladly instruct my Magistrate of Defence to redirect a Carrier Strike Group to the North Atlantic and patrol near Icelandic waters. Furthermore I would suggest the deployment of a wing consisting of air superiority and multirole fighters to more properly guarantee the security of Icelandic air space. If these could be provided with a minimal base near a coast that would greatly ease logistics and guarantee a rapid response to any threat that may arise. Additional intelligence gathering means such as radar would of course always be useful to the Hellenic Forces. What I would suggest is that we conclude some form of security arrangement in combination with these measures and with the addition of economic clauses to establish a relationship built on mutual trust. It might also make the deployment of forces to Iceland more tolerable to your people as they would be coming from a friend and ally and not a foreign power"

[PresidentDavid]

Freyr smiled and nodded at the positive response, "Nothing would be more welcome than an Athenian carrier group to come see to it that the North Atlantic is not in chaos and that Iceland has protection from aggression, American or not. Also, I think that my King and the Althing will both be willing to accept a military base as you just described after they hear of the generosity, hospitality, and openness you have given me in my visit here to Athens. The people will surely gain reassurance through an economic agreement of some sorts and perhaps an Optional Defense Pact? Is there perhaps a formal treaty you had in mind that we could agree to? I would very much like to have something to bring back to the King and the Althing to agree to to make this all official." 
 

Edited February 18, 2014 by PresidentDavid

[Centurius]

Hektor nodded "Due to the nature of written agreements it is in our opinion better to have the deployment of forces near your territories in a more verbal form rather than written in stone. As such I propose the following draft."
 

 

Convention on Security and Economic relations between the Athenian Federation and the Kingdom of Iceland

 
The parties;
 
Recognizing the mutual friendship and trust placed in each other.
 
Resolving to aid each other in the fulfilment of goals.
 
Believing that is in the interests of both parties to enhance cooperation
 
Have agreed as follows:
 
Article 1
 
In line with the principles of mutual friendship and enhancing cooperation the parties agree to a policy of non-aggression in word and action. Any dispute is to be handled as discretely as possible.
 
Article 2
 
Under the principles of sincere cooperation the parties agree to share any information which may be vital to the security of the other.
 
Article 3
 
Should either nation state come under attack it is the obligation of the other to defend by any and all means available.

This convention shall provide either signatory the right to join in a war of aggression launched by the other. Should either party fall under attack as a result of a previous offensive action the attack will fall under the optional aggression section rather than mutual defence.

Article 4

The parties shall eliminate all barriers to trade with the other and facilitate the flow of trade via diplomatic means.
 
Article 5
 
1. The convention shall enter into force upon the signing by both parties and the ratification through any procedure as required by relevant laws.
2. After the entry into force either nation state may withdraw from the convention provided a month of notice is given.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned Plenipotentiaries, being duly authorized thereto by the collective peoples, have signed the present convention.
 
Signed for the Athenian Federation,
 
Signed for the Kingdom of Iceland,

 

Edited March 9, 2014 by Centurius

[PresidentDavid]

"Provided that either of our governments can prevent the importation of illegal goods such as cocaine or heroine, then this seems like a very sound document."

 

King Mars Graves of Iceland

 

Freyr Eriksson 

Lawspeaker of The Kingdom of Iceland