The French Connection

[Rudolph]

Private

 

Dragojev raised a hand, hoping the others would get his gesture to peacefully remain silent before he spoke, "Please, my lady and sirs, we are not here to insult or argue about pedantry," he firmly ordered as he lowered his hand, grabbing a pen before he scribbled on the provided map that was in front of him as he glanced disappointingly at the Romanian Monarch for a moment the Yugoslavian Kralj turned his gaze back to his map.

 

"Now, I believe that we know for certain that as it stands France is isolationist for the purpose of internal reorganization, thus making the resolution of returning the french lands given to Snow Haven to simply be well-intentioned but would simply put an additional burden to the re-organizational effort that the French nation is currently underway. We also know that former Snow Haven compromised of former Switzerland and land provided from the former Italy and the still-existing French Empire, so it's a complex situation to begin with before putting anything else on top of it."

 

The Kralj raised a hand to rub at his chin, deep in thought before resuming, "Now, what I'm currently thinking to hopefully resolve this situation peacefully is to have the french portion of land be administered jointly by both Alvonia and the Cisalpine Republic as a protectorate, with three caveats to the two governments involved in this protectorate administration. If the citizens within the protectorate formally organize a government, it'll do so under the joint blessing and endorsement of Alvonia and the Cisalpine Republic, and when the occasion that the French are finished with their internal reorganization they'll have two possibilities. The French Empire can diplomatically request the french portion of land and the land would only be returned with the approval of both Alvonia and the Cisalpine Republic or they can petition to join as an administrator of this protectorate only and only if they gain the approval of both Alvonia and the Cisalpine Republic. This is to be done while allowing the Cisalpine Republic continue its efforts of integrating the Italian portion formally and peacefully into its Republic without any issue."

 

"What say you all to this proposal of mine?"

[Markus Wilding]

"Alvonia can agree to that, so long as the Republic only integrates historically Italian lands."

[Evangeline Anovilis]

"No. That's what I say to this.", Maria stated, grumpily. Dragojev's disappointment she could not really understand, but neither could she go with this proposal. "I decline any notion of France annexing part of former Snowhaven, either now or along the road. If France cannot be bothered to make a single statement regarding the situation, they are clearly not caring and I am not going to support that France gains a single square metre despite its godawful apathy."

 

After a short pause, the Queen continued. "It is our opinion that a protectorate may be established, if such is preferable, but there be safeguards to ensure that this territory not be annexed by its neighbours. And with safeguards, I mean proper ones, not just some administration by the neighbours, which is pretty much the equivalent of having the fox guarding the hens. Otherwise, carve the territory up now and be done with it."

[Markus Wilding]

"And I decline any notion that these lands are just tossed around like chips on a poker table. I'm going to respectfully ask you stop talking about carving up French lands, otherwise I'll walk out of this meeting right now. I'll agree to a protectorate, so long as both Alvonia and the Republic share administration and prevent the other from trying to annex it."

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Maria would chuckle. "Feel free to walk out the door, Monsieur. But as you see with France, it is who is present who has a voice, not whoever is absent. As said, any protectorate in our opinion would need additional safeguards against annexations, or we cannot find such acceptable."

[Rudolph]

Private

 

Dragojev would glance disappointingly at the Romanian Monarch for a moment once more before shaking his head outright, the Kralj having no idea why she was so contrarian or outright refusing to acknowledge that France had a stake in this since the french portion of land were indeed historical french territory. "I would appreciate it, Regină Maria I, if you could refrain from such commentary. We all are Europeans in this situation and to outright ignore the French historical tie to the territory is to cause further destabilization across the continent for no reason, and it behooves us to do our best to ensure stability and peace with our neighbors."

 

"I will note your suggestion to the proposal down, however," he added as he scribbled further down on his map, the Sovereign drawing out the proposals while another aide passed him another copy of the map.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

"If we were all Europeans, where are all the other countries of Europe at this table?", Maria would ask with a sarcastic tone. "A country that is not even able to send a single envoy, nor makes a single statement is clearly unfit to be given stewardship of other people. Whether it has historic ties or not is of no importance. France has chosen not to articulate any claim or tie, thus I see no point in accommodating claims that never arose. It is thus utterly unacceptable for us to have just about any settlement that caters to a country that is not even sovereign enough to represent itself."

 

Maria grumpily leaned back. "European peace can be established without appeasing the already tranquilised."

[Triyun]

The delivery of British Surface to Air Missile systems to the Northern Italians was now completed.  As the systems rolled off the ships into the combat system military advisers would accompany them to provide the Italians with instructions on how to use them, while E-2s would patrol neutral air space providing monitoring ready o send in the CAP from the CSGs of he Mediterranean Fleet to defend British personnel should the Alvonians choose preemption. 

A message was sent to the Cisalpine Republic delivered directly from the Med fleet on an encoded frequency.

 

"The British Crown reasserts its position to your whole claim.  Your missiles should give you the capabilities to make the Alvonian Air Force unable to control the skies over your territory formerly of Snow Haven.  We stand ready to assist you further in self defense should you need it."

[Markus Wilding]

Classified - Top Secret!

 

Somewhere in Bayern, a BND technician noticed that one of the servers had flagged a message around Italy. "We've got something," he said to his superior, who came over and asked what it was. "Don't know," he replied, watching as the computer attempted to decrypt the message. "Just have to wait for the computer to do its thing."

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Confidential

 

A BBBG, consisting out of battleships Muntenia and Oltenia, as well as six Block II Amiral Petre Bărbuneanu-class corvettes would be dispatched to reinforce the carrier battle group around carrier Dacia and its four accompanying frigates, as they moved up the Adriatic. The fleet would fly their Romanian flags proudly, though they would not state their purpose, as they anchored somewhere close to Brijuni, outside Yugoslav waters. CAPs of Dacia would overfly the fleet, watchful of any movements that could threaten the Romanian fleet.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Confidential

 

The ambassador of Romania to Hungary-Slovakia would hand the Magyar government a note, requesting permission to station the II. Romanian Army at the western border, so as to be able to protect Bloc interests in the region, should a certain Central European power resort to military means to enforce its will. A list of the projected army strength of 10 motorised infantry divisions, 6 mechanised infantry divisions, 2 mountain infantry divisions and 4 armoured divisions, with quite a bit of support in form of artillery and anti-air brigades.

[Euphaia]

Confidential

Permission to base troops at Hungary's western border and for,Romanian troops to mobilize on Hungarian roads is granted for 30 days., with the ability to request an extension near the end of that time if needed.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Confidential

 

Utilising railway lines from Ardeal across the Pannonian plain to Western Hungary, the II. Romanian Army would be deployed to the Alvonian border, digging provisory field fortifications upon arrival, in order to be prepared for both offensive and defensive action. Hundreds of artillery pieces would be pointed at Vienna and its vicinity, as artillery commanders started plotting out firing plans and crews prepared artillery shells for the various calibres.

 

Once again, air defense systems, both long and medium range, would be set up, covering not just western Hungary, but also a good bit of Austria and even the Easternmost fringes of Bavaria.

Edited August 23, 2014 by Evangeline Anovilis

[Euphaia]

Not Public

Hungary-Slovakia would transport its 200 artillery guns to the border to join the Romanian artillery and would be ordered to stand-by.

Border guards would be tripled and placed on high alert.

[Aggressivenutmeg]

In Italy

 

The British SAM systems would be set up in the mountains to the north and west, with the remainder scattered throughout the Po valley around towns and military bases. A shot encoded message would be sent back to the British Mediterranean Fleet:

 

"Grazie amici, they will be put to good use."

 

At the Conference

 

Achille would clear his throat and take a sip of water before he continued. "I am afraid I must agree with the Romanian delegation. The French are clearly in no position to be handed back land that broke away to form a new nation. However, we are here to negotiate so we shall entertain the idea of compromise. I would like to present a counter-offer." Achille said before turning to his aides, who bought him a folder of documents. "What we propose is to divide the administration between Alvonia and Cisalpina based on the current positions of troops. Switzerland will be administered by Alvonia, with the exceptions of Valais, Ticino, and Grisons. The alpine Provencal regions that made up the rest of former Snowhaven will be administered by Cisalpina. When France is once again in a position capable of governing the territories they may petition Alvonia and Cisalpina for administrative control over the region, pending plebiscites."

Edited August 24, 2014 by Aggressivenutmeg

[Evangeline Anovilis]

The Queen nodded, though a little bit disappointed. "As long as the Cisalpine Republic finds such acceptable, Romania shall have no complaints. And one would hope, Alvonia too, finds such acceptable."

[Markus Wilding]

"I'll be happy with the Cisalpine proposal if I can get a written guarantee from your government that you won't take any moves to annex lands that do not have an Italian majority present. Once I see that, I'll sign the paper."

[Evangeline Anovilis]

"And what if not?", Maria would ask, wondering what'd happen.

[Lysergide]

Diplomatic Note from the Kingdom of Sverige

 

The Kingdom of Sverige, has only recently come out of isolationism, and as such news tends to reach us at a slower rate than other nations. We are sending this message concerning the current crisis and disputes of territory from a nation that had collapsed, which had territory that was given to it by the French Crown, and was to be returned to the French Crown in the event should that nation cease to exist. It seems odd to me, that other nations are more than willing to disregard an agreement held between two nations. This is more a matter of people rushing for personal gain, and it seems that some have lost their morals and integrity. If you cannot honor and respect an agreement held between others, how are people ever to trust you? Yes, France is working on internal matters, as do all nations, and some internal matters require extra time and do not allow for that nation to come to the negotiating tables as quickly as the vultures seem to do. As per the binding union of marriage that has brought the Kingdom of Sverige, and the French Empire together, between King Karl Gustaf, and Queen Cloe de LaQueu, whom is the heiress to the French Empire should anything unfortunate happen towards the Empress, we have a vested interest in the protection of French interests, defense, as well as territorial claims should they not have the ability to do so. This is nothing more than attempt to destabilize the region, and cause future friction, and we have no intention of letting our ally be taken advantage of any further.

 

Confidential Diplomatic Notes

Saxony

The Kingdom of Sverige sends a formal request for temporary military access through your nation during this current crisis situation, until it is resolved and the sons of Sverige return home. We also invite the the Saxon Government to send delegation to the Kingdom of Sverige so that they may conduct formal diplomacy, and may get to know each other.

 

Northlands

The Kingdom of Sverige requests from its new ally, temporary military access through your territory during the unfolding crisis taking part to the south, that involves our ally the French Empire. This access would only be for movements during this tense situation, and until Sverige troops return to their homes, hopefully without having to fire a shot.

 

Private

 

The Kingdom of Sverige would begin to mobilize its Battle Groups, having them all go to full alert in preparation of the conflict that might come to pass. The Nordic Battle Group stationed in Denmark, would begin to mass along the border with the Northlands territory, that they held to the south of Denmark. The Ragnarok Battle Group would be deployed throughout Norway, to help provide a substantial defense force should any nation get any bright ideas. The Fenrir Battle Group would begin departing for Denmark, to act as a second wave to follow up behind the Nordic Battle Group should move orders be issued. The Livgardet Battle Group would be stationed within Sverige Proper, on high alert ready to move to any area of Sverige that would be put into danger. Ground based radar placed all over the Kingdoms territory would be turned on at once as the nation went into high alert, live data streaming directly to operational headquarters for each region, providing real time information of anything happening on, near, or within detectable range. Grippen Aircraft would begin to patrol along the coast lines of Norway and Denmark, helping to extend the active radar range. They would also dispatch 160 Grippen directly to French Airbases, to provide an immediate presence of Sverige interests in the area. While they had asked for formal permission to move land units, the Grippen would fly through Sverige territory, before crossing over Northland controlled territory, an allied state that would be more understand of the current situation and the need for quick action taken without permission.

[Triyun]

A sovereign agreement only applies to the states that sign it not the whole of Europe.  An attempt to impose agreements on the rest of Europe that did not sign them is a threat to their sovereignty as well as to British Interest as it is only a matter of time till the British Government is subjected to it.  As such the United Kingdom is prepared to act to prevent the imposition of agreements by two parties onto non-signatories to protect its principles.  Any attempt to do bully the Cisalpine Republic into submission or push around Romania or any other European country not signatory to this agreement will result in their strongest support from Britain and action proportional against countries doing it.  Further attempts to spread the conflict to the North Sea will result in preemptive British Actions to stop it.

 

-Francis Urquhart

 

[b]Private Communique to Cisalpine Republic:[/b]

 

The British stand ready to offer a formal Treaty of Friendship in the face of a second ally of France joining their position.

Edited August 27, 2014 by Triyun

[Evangeline Anovilis]

"Greater Romania and the Eastern Bloc sees itself not bound by any bilateral or unilateral agreement not including Romania or any other member of the Bloc. To argue it should uphold such a treaty based merely on legal grounds is absurd and we refuse to uphold other people's legal comittments. Attempts to enforce the terms of such agreements on Romania or its allies will be seen as an act of aggression, infringing on our national sovereignity and will be acted upon. Naturally, we do not object to diplomacy to resolve this crisis, however, such diplomacy will have to involve us to be seen as legitimate by us. Nihil de nobis, sine nobis.
 
Additionally, we reiterate our policy to uphold the sovereignity of the Cisalpine Republic, should she find herself under military attack by her enemies."
-Maria I de România

[Lysergide]

Diplomatic Note from Sverige

 

Under Private talks with Romania, the Kingdom of Sverige has come to a private agreement with the Great Nation of Romania, and is withdrawing its military actions towards and from the area, and will respect any deal that is made that respects French Interests.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Maria, quite bored by now, would just throw the question in the room. "So, are the Monsieurs of Alvonia and Cisalpinia going to voice their opinion on the points brought forward? Before this situation becomes even worse?"

[Triyun]

Diplomatic Note from Sverige

 

Under Private talks with Romania, the Kingdom of Sverige has come to a private agreement with the Great Nation of Romania, and is withdrawing its military actions towards and from the area, and will respect any deal that is made that respects French Interests.

And if French interests clash with others.  The prioritizing of French interests over others is necessarily seen as a state of French domination.  The British find ourselves uncomfortable with such a stated policy.  There is simply no binding document for the Cisplinians to prioritize the French interest over their own in the region.  Those advocating that French interests should be prioritized are then advocating for a higher degree of French political authority than others.  Such asymmetry only contributes to regional unease.  Britain believes if France's allies want to do it any favors they should start talking about accommodating all parties interests rather than prioritizing one state in a manner which can only make the rest of us uneasy.

[Markus Wilding]

"What 'points'? I made Alvonia's position clear - we need a written guarantee that the Republic isn't going to annex any French regions. Next, now that we've heard from the Swedish, I think it's only prudent we let them in here so they can assist us in getting France what they want." Finn turned to Maria, "You spoke so much of there not being a French representative here, well, there's one making their voice heard now. Is it not only right to allow them in so that France is finally represented?"