The FSM

[quote name='Kevin Kingswell' date='11 June 2010 - 08:02 PM' timestamp='1276300910' post='2334051'] It was to my knowledge that you needed OOC permission to make any IC posts in the first place. [/quote] If your a total dick then yes, thats the case. But I overlook that rule if people are just asking for land IC.

[quote name='Kevin Kingswell' date='11 June 2010 - 07:42 PM' timestamp='1276299711' post='2334028'] It isn't an IC issue only when someone can deny someone the land OOC. [/quote] If someone never asks IC, then they cant be denied IC. Most people only asks for land OOC, thus they can only be denied OOC.

Nation Name: Sicilian League National Team Name: The Calabroni (The Hornets) World Continent: Europe Previous International Experience: None

[quote name='Voodoo Nova' date='11 June 2010 - 07:36 PM' timestamp='1276299395' post='2334019'] Personally, the only issue I see with protectorates is the labeling of them as protectorates. They shouldn't have a label at all. Other than that, it's an IC issue with people taking large protectorates or protectorates that seem inappropriate. You can challenge it, you can do a lot ICly to stop it or even make it your own protectorate. [/quote] This about sums up what I said on the first or second page

[b]SNBS- YOUR NEWS, YOUR WORLD, YOUR WAY[/b] The National Affairs Directorate announced the findings of its nation-wide census, we have boiled it down to the following points: -The population of the League stands at 3.06 million people, 53% of the population is female and 47% of the population is male. -The largest ethnicity is Italian (26% of the population, followed closely by French (25%) and Arabic (24%). Other major ethnic groups are Russian (15%), Spanish (3%), Slavic (3%), Greek (2.5%) and Turkish (1.5%). -By region, the breakdown is the following: Corsica (1.1 million) French (80%), Russian (16%), Italian (2%), Spanish (2%) Sardinia (.6 million) Italian (74%), French (11%), Arabic (8%), Russian (3%), Turkish (2%), Greek (2%) Sicily (.7 million) Arabic (53%), Italian (42%), Russian (4%), Greek (1%) Malta (.1 million) Arabic (47%), Italian (45%), Russian (6%), Slavic (2%) Italy (.5 million) Italian (93%), Slavic (5%), Russian (1%) The Government made the following announcements today: -Elections would be held for the various consultative assemblies within the next two months. Following these new rounds of elections, the Consultative Assemblies will select representatives to the National Consultative Assembly, with each Archonate recieving 1 seat on the Assembly per 100,000 citizens. -The Peninsular Mandate is hereby separated into two territories. The Naples Territory, will encompass the lower half of the Peninsula. The Milan Territory, will encompass the Northern Half.

Im going to take an example from RL. Back a long, long time ago when the United States was young, there were just a handful of states and it was a fraction of the size it is today. Over time, it came in to possession of a series of territories, at the outset, the US did nothing with this land, it just sat there. No one lived there, there was no political representation in Congress, the few people who did live there could not vote in national elections. Eventually people moved there, organized themselves, and pettitioned Congress to be admitted as States into the Union, which is how the US came to grow to its current size. This relates to this discussion for the following reasons: 1) Most US states started out as the equivalent of CNRP protectorates 2) Often, the US did absolutely nothing with its territories From what I understand of the proposals put forward: 1) If the same rules were applied to the US, it would not have expanded much beyond the original 13 colonies My point is thus: Your proposal stifles the ability of some players to RP. While many with protectorates will never RP anything with them, or will lazily annex them in the future, some players will actually take the time to do what the US did with it's territories; that is, they will take the time to RP politically and economically organizing their territories before accepting them into their union. Your proposal seeks to punish the bad as well as the good and seeks to get rid of something that has, is, and will produce a few good RP's.

The Sicilian League hereby submits an application to join the ECO. We are willing to answer any questions you may have.

Minister Piirto received a message saying that was acceptable, and that he would contact Mr. Piirto again later.

Seeing as my protectorate apparently started this whole discussion, I will address that first. If people had paid attention to events that occurred in Italy over the past few months people would have realized that I controlled S. Italy as a sovereign part of Sicily, its people were voting citizens etc. I had an activity issue, SMH had a small conflict over S. Italy, and he took control of the land. In the subsequent treaty that SMH and I signed it was agreed that in the event of either of us having another such activity problem, the other would then take over. SMH later left Italy and gave the ;and to me as his final act after nuking people in the Tahoe War. Im not arbitrarily holding on to land for the heck of it, I am more than willing to entertain discussions with players if they would like some of that land. On the general point of protectorates, this is not an OOC issue, it is an IC issue. If you do not like protectorates then do not have your own protectorates. If you dont like other people having protectorates then undertake some kind of IC initiative (be it diplomatic, military or economic) to try and end the practice. The issue of protectorates is not a 'game mechanics' issue (like... how many nuclear weapons we can have, how many CM's we can have etc) that can only be discussed OOCly. This is an ideological conflict IC, and it should be played out and resolved as an ideological conflict ICly. Im not opposed to a discussion on protectorates (though I am in favor of them myself), I just dont think that this (OOC) is the proper forum for it. tl;dr-> take it IC

Outside the Versailles Palace a French military jeep screeched to a halt outside the main gate. Coming directly from meetings with General Delacour, General Al-Malak would now be representing the French population of Corsica at the Francophone meeting on behalf of the Steward. The General and his two aides strode past the guards at the front of the palace and quickly made their way to the room where the delegates were meeting. "Apologies ladies and gentlemen, for our lateness," he said as he and his aides burst through the meeting-room's doors. They strode over to some empty seats and laid out a number of relevant papers and folders.

[b]Private Island of Ustica, North of Sicily[/b] Alexei leaned on broad black granite wall that edged the small stone patio as he surveyed the changes that had been wrought to the island. Major construction work was now finished, crews were putting the finishing touches on electrical and lighting in some areas, but the facilities were now fully furnished and corporate staff were well into the process of moving in. In the distance was the now fully functioning heliport, busily transporting staff between the island and Sicily. On the other end of the island, a small yet bustling seaport had been constructed and it too was busy ferrying staff and supplies to the island. While all the islands energy needs were provided by a number of solar arrays strategically located around the island, food and most of the water had to be imported from Sicily. The island had a 600 person staff living on the island for sixth month shifts, tasked primarily with security, maintenance and servicing the island's facilities. They were all housed in a residential and recreational complex on the island's Northern plain. Neatly arranged ten story apartments sat in between spacious gardens and parks. The community was complete with swimming and athletic facilities, tennis courts, and a movie theater. He stood 240ft above the calm seas of the Mediterranean, atop the highest peak of the now cavernous Isola Ustica. Where he stood now was a small stone patio, which was accessed from a dark, tinted glass dome. Alexei stepped back from the wall and opened the sliding glass door to the spacious interior of the dome. Inside the dome, the majority of the space was taken up by a circular table made of black marble, large enough to fit up to twenty-five people. The center of the room was home to a 3-D Holographic projection system, positioned to be easily viewable by everyone at the table. At one end of the dome was a small elevator, designed to blend seamlessly with the floor around it, distinguishable only by the small panel used to operate it. It led down in to the main complex on the island. A series of catacombs, tunnels, and rooms connected to various small outcroppings such as the dome which dotted Ustica's little mountain.

[quote]TO: The Government of the Kingdom of Norway and Sweden FROM: Alexei Illyushkin, Owner and President, AI Corp. To Whom it May Concern, It is my interest to launch a division of my corporation devoted to the exploration and development of mining and logging operations on the Kola Peninsula. If possible I would like to meet with a relevant member of your administration to discuss specifics for a contract whereby my corporation may begin developing such resource interests. I am willing and able to meet with you at the place of your choosing at a time of your convenience. Sincerely, Alexei Illyushkin Owner-President, AI Corp.[/quote]

"I am happy to hear that, and I am sure the Steward will be glad to know that there is another rational economic thinker in the region. It has been a pleasure working with you Mr. President." Hossein said with a smile, extending a hand towards the President as his aides began to pack up their things. "Until next time."

Assistant Director for North American Relations Sergio Milleplait will be arriving shortly.

Concurring with Owned, also San Marino has been a Sicilian posession for a long time now.

As the Steward was in Cochin on official business, and the Director of National Affairs was busy with executive level meetings, the petitioners received a message from the National Affairs Office informing them that once the National Census was complete, elections would be held on the Peninsula to establish local government in the process of admitting the Peninsula as a full member of the League.

"The Steward has been meeting with a number of regional leaders about the prospect of creating an economic bloc encompassing the Mediterranean region. It would focus solely on establishing free trade and travel and promoting non-aggression and diplomatic interaction between Mediterranean nations. He wanted me to bring up the subject with you and get your thoughts on the subject of such a Pan-Med Agreement."

The C-130 entered Mechodamian airspace escorted by a wing of Sicilian fighters, the pilot radioed the following message to the Mechodamian Military Command on a secure channel. Attention UMS General HQ, this is Sicilian Air Force Transport XX-72. Requesting clearance to land at airbase of your convenience. Request that representative from UMS General HQ be present for our arrival. Awaiting further instructions. Over.

IC: "I would never turn down a fine bottle of liqour. There is another subject I would like to bring up with you, if you have a moment?"

Hossein stood next to President Moshum for a moment as he thought about the President's statement. "It seems we have a basic agreement then sir. I had my staff draw up a preliminary agreement, allow me to take a moment to make the necessary changes specifying." Hossein signaled to an aid who brought over a small tablet PC, he typed away for a minute or two before handing the tablet PC to President Moshum. The text of a draft treaty, complete with the Steward's signature, was displayed on the screen. "The Steward has empowered me to approve this agreement in his absence, feel free to suggest any changes." [quote]Venice Regional Ownership and Occupational Missive Article I. Territorial Transfer The portion of the Peninsular Mandate containing Venice, Parma, Trieste, Trento and Verona will be transferred from the Sicilian League to the New Palma Republic. This land is transferred to the NPR without restriction, excepting the following: a) The land in question shall not be transferred to another party b) Any residents of said territory who wish to emigrate following the adoption and publication of this agreement shall be allowed to do so, without restriction, for 6 months following the date of adoption of this agreement. c) In the event of a protracted period of anarchy in the New Palma Republic, the ceded territories shall become a protectorate of the Sicilian League or its designated successor. Article II. General Agreements Clause 1. Diplomatic Relations The Sicilian League and the New Palma Republic agree to refrain from engaging in hostile acts directed towards the other party. This includes actions with the intent to undermine the sovereignty of the other party, or cause harm to its citizens, infrastructure, or economy. Both parties further agree to maintain diplomatic contact with one another through the exchange of ambassadors. Ambassadors will be afforded full diplomatic courtesy and immunity from prosecution. Clause 2. Economic Relations The Sicilian League and the New Palma Republic agree to refrain from placing any economic restrictions (such as tariffs, quota's or other such policies) that would hinder the free flow of goods between the two parties. Both parties further agree to open their respective national waters to the other party's shipping, merchant marine, and civilian vessels (this does not include fishing vessels) Clause 3. Cultural Relations The Sicilian League and the New Palma Republic agree to refrain from placing any undue restrictions on civilian travel between the two countries. Both parties further agree to joint collaboration on mutually beneficial cultural exchange and awareness efforts. Clause 4. Cancellation Article II of this Missive may be canceled by either party with 72 hours notice (OOC: RL time) to the other party in private. Article I may not be canceled unless the territory is returned or either party ceases to exist. Signed for the Sicilian League: Jean d'Aosta Steward of the Sicilian League Signed for the New Palma Republic: President Edward Nicholas Moshum President of the New Palma Republic[/quote]

[quote name='king of cochin' date='07 June 2010 - 04:05 PM' timestamp='1275941107' post='2328036'] Mr. Jean d'Acosta would be cleared to land at the Cochin International Airport, where KP Varma, Minister of External Affairs would welcome him and escort him to the Hill Palace. [/quote] Greetings Mr. Varma, Jean said with a smile as Cochin's Minister of External Affairs approached. Its a pleasure to finally meet you, I believe you met my Foreign Affairs Director a long time ago during the King's coronation ceremony. Tell me, how are things in the Kingdom these days?

Hossein was slightly disheartened to hear President Moshum begin making requests of Southern Italy. "I am sorry Mr. President, but I am afraid that Southern Italy is out of the question. While I would like to be able to accommodate your growing population I cannot do it at the expense of my people living in Southern Italy. Up until our war with the fascists, the region you are speaking of was inhabited by my people and controlled by the Steward's government. The Italian Federation took advantage of our plight and scooped up what we still consider our sovereign territories." Hossein paused for a moment as he motioned to an aide. Seconds later the aide spread out a large map of the Peninsula on a nearby table. "While we are not prepared to give you our Southern Italian possessions we are more than prepared to negotiate turning over a portion of the Northern Peninsula to you. I understand you are a business man, and I think you may find the North-Eastern portion of the Peninsula a lucrative find..."

The Sicilian League sends its condolences to the Queen and people of Scotland. The passing of a leader, particularly one as devoted to his nation as King Douglass, is always a difficult time for a nation. It is our hope that the Queen can effectively guide her nation through this time of trouble and effectively oversee the necessary changes that will allow Scotland to make a positive contribution to the global community.

You may be seeing AI Corp starting a new North American Division in the USA sometime soon. Woo for free markets

SNBS- YOUR NEWS, YOUR WORLD, YOUR WAY The National Directorate announced today that a national census would take place over the next 6 months to get a more accurate understanding of the devastation caused by the fascists as well as to more accurately map the population and resources of the Peninsula.