Independance of Svalbard - Prelude

[Zoot Zoot]

The Rifles Corps Bravo Division, third armoured were waiting on the tarmac of RAF Svalbard as the Royal gulfstream came into land. Their blood red ceremonial uniforms stood out against the white and grey land around them. A column of Challenger III main battle tanks parked silenty behind them. Five thousand soldiers and one hundred and fifty eight tanks waited patiently for the King to make an appearence. The Third Armoured's military band began to play the national anthem, God Save the King, which was quickly taken up by the assembled soldiers as Harry walked out of the aircraft and down the steps towards the waiting soldiers. A brief inspection of the unit followed before he climbed into a heavily armoured limosuine and driven to the Svalbard Parliamentary building. It was the first state visit by the King to one of the dependancies and was looked on with quite some anticipation by himself and other subjects of the United Kingdom.

On arriving at the building some thirty mintues later he was escorted inside by the Royal Bodyguard, a small contingient of ex SAS soldiers who were sworn to prtect him at all costs. Walking quickly through the deserted halls of Parliament he found himself at the Governor Generals office. Harry had only briefly met Alex once during the ceremonythat his father officially made him the Governor General. Taking a deep breath he entered.

"Greetings Sir Alex it is a pleasure to finally meet you in person" he said walking towards Alex and shaking his hand. Taking a seat infront of his desk, Harry pulled out a cigarette and began to smoke before he continued.

"I believe from your message that you wish to discuss the Independance of Svalbard from the United Kingdom?"

[AironthFlamewing]

Alexander bowed before the shaking the King's hand and rising. "My Lord, the people of Svalbard under my direction have recently conducted a census where their number was totaled and the question of Independence was asked of them. Their reply was resounding with 73.8% of respondents stated they wished to become an independent nation. Following their directive, I made known to you my wish for a meeting." Alexander stopped here and pouring a cup of tea for the King he also poured himself one and sat down.

[Zoot Zoot]

"Well if that is the peoples wish, then so be it Alex. I do however have some questions I will need answers for first before I make any decision." Harry replied before sipping his tea and contiuing. "First of all would you be willing to send the ballot papers et cetera to London so they can be Independantly verified? Dont take it as a slight on your integrity, it is merely something that needs to be done to ensure nobody is trying to pull a fast one. Secondly, would the new Government of Svalbard be willing to sign a mutual defence treat with Britain aswell as an FTA? My reason for asking is that Svalbard, on becoming independant would be available to apply for membership in the British Commonwealth. Im sure you remember the Commonwealth that existed after te decline of the Empire so I dont feel I should patronise you by explaining it to you Alex. However, a reformed Commonwealth would come with a manditory MDP clause aswell as allowing me to call on soldiers of the Svalbard Army to fight in my name at any time should the need become so desperate." He paused again to take another drink of tea.

"Alex tell me, what sort of Government does Svalbard what to be ruled under? and more importantly, who do they want to be ruled by?"

[AironthFlamewing]

"My people would be willing to sign the Mutual Defence Pact as well as enter into a Free Trade Agreement also I shall order the Voting Records Office to ship you the boxes of records to be independently verified in London. We would also be willing to join into the British Commonwealth when it is Reformed. The people wish to be ruled by an Absolute Monarch with a consultory Parliament. The Parliament as it stands today has backed myself for the role of Monarch and their voices can stand in London and testify as such for my government.

[Zoot Zoot]

"The so be it, if you can provide a document from the Svalbard Parliament to accompany the ballot records so they can be verified in London then I see now problem with crowning you the King of Svalbard. In one weeks times I shall send you a message confirming a deicison on the independance referendum. If Parliament supports this bid for Independance, something that I have no doubt they will, the British Garrison, the Rifles Corps, will be withdrawn back to Britain after twelve months of your Independance. However, RAF Svalbard will remain open as a fully functioning airbase for the Royal Airforce." he said politely before finishing his cup of tea and standing up.

"Alex, its been a pleasure meeting you and I shall send word within the week" he finished before shaking Alex's hand and returning to RAF Svalbard for the night. It was an early flight the following morning andhe had much to do.

[AironthFlamewing]

Alexander smiled a broad smile and shook his Lord's hand warmly before bidding him exit so he could plan his future as King.

[Zoot Zoot]

A message want sent back from London to Longyearbyen to the Governor Generals Office from the King.

From: His Majesty Harry the First, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of His other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

To: Governor-General Alexander Leopold of Svalbard

Regarding: Independance

Sir Alex, Parliament has approved your bid for Independance. Moreover, the Independant ballot commission has verified the public vote is genuine and the petitions for you to be declared King are also, genuine. British Forces on Svalbard, are of course as your aware, under your command, but you are permitted to use them for your Coronation. That is something else we need to speak about. I suggest your coronation is held [i]after[/i] a declaration of Independance.
Anyway, here are some documentation I need signed.


[quote]Article 1: Non Aggression

Great Britain and Svalbard shall not undertake any act of aggression, be it direct or covert against eachother.

Article 2: Mutual Defense

Should a member of this pact be attacked by another nation, signatores are required to provide military and/or financial assistance to the nation under attack.

Article 3: Intelligence sharing

The undersigned Nations are required to share intelligence relating to national security.

Article 4: Cancellation

The Undersigned nations agree to give 72 hours notice before the cancellation of this treaty.

Signed for the United Kingdom
His Majesty Harry the First, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of His other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

Signed for Svalbard
The Honourable Sir Alexander Leopold, Governor of His Majesties Realm of Svalbard
[/quote]


[quote]Article 1: The undersigned nations agree to increase trade in goods and services between their nations under the auspices of this agreement

Article 2: In the interest of increasing trade, the undersigned nations agree to reduce tariffs on all goods imported from the other signatory by 1.3%

Article 3: The undersigned nations shall promote an increase in financial investment in such a way that does not violate any law or ordinance in either signatory.

Article 4: The undersigned Nations agree to a state of mutual non agression.

Article 5: If any party wishes to cancel this treaty, 72 hours notice must be given beforehand.

Signed for the United Kingdom
His Majesty Harry the First, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of His other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

Signed for Svalbard
The Honourable Sir Alexander Leopold, Governor of His Majesties Realm of Svalbard [/quote]

[quote][b]THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH[/b]
Preamble
It is by the signing of this pact that the undersigned announce the formation of British Commonwealth as an international entity.

Article I - Sovereignty
A. Members of the Commonwealth shall be considered independent states. The Commonwealth is not a sovereign nation.
B. Members of the Commonwealth are not to undertake any form of aggression against another nor are members allowed to support a third party in such aggression.

Article II - King of the British Commonwealth
A. The King of Great Britain shall be considered the head of the British Commonwealth.
B. The King of the British Commonwealth is the official Head of State of all members of the Commonwealth.
C. In all member states a Royal appointed Governor General will act as the representative of the British Crown.

Article III - Economy
A. Members of the Commonwealth will maintain fixed exchange rates for the currencies of other members.
B. Members of the Commonwealth maintain open borders and a free market towards other members of the Commonwealth.

Article IV - Military
A. An attack against a member of the Commonwealth shall be considered an attack against all members of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth shall act as one against foreign aggression.
B. If a member starts an armed conflict itself without being attacked first assistance may be requested, such assistance shall under no case be mandatory.
C. For the purpose of this agreement attacks against members in response to previous attacks by said members shall not be considered defensive and fall under part B of this article.

Article V - Cancellation
A. Any member of the British Commonwealth can leave the Commonwealth.
B. For a member to be allowed to leave free and open elections must be held in the state seeking to leave. If no majority is achieved the member will not be allowed to leave.

Signed for the United Kingdom
His Majesty Harry the First, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of His other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

Signed for Svalbard
The Honourable Sir Alexander Leopold, Governor of His Majesties Realm of Svalbard
[/quote]

I will bring the document of Independance with me when I return for you to sign the document.

Edited June 7, 2011 by Zoot Zoot

[AironthFlamewing]

Signed,

The Honourable Sir Alexander Leopold, Governor of His Majesties Realm of Svalbard

Edited June 7, 2011 by graniteknight

[Zoot Zoot]

Harry would fly out once more to Svalbard once again this time with a team of Lawyers to ensure the treaty was signed correctly and legally for Parliament. In the great Svalbard Parliament Harry leant down after giving a long speech to the assembled members of Parliament congratulating them on their hardwork to achieve this goal of Independance. He, Alex and several others had reconvened in a private office to the side of the Parliament hall for the signing. Television camera's and reporters waited in the main hall to see Alex come out with a signed treaty. Leaning down he signed the declaration of independance with a flourish of his pen before stepping aside and allowing Alex to sign.

It was all over in a few moments.

[quote][b]The Independance of Svalbard[/b]

[b]Preamble[/b]
Svalbard is privvy to the Windsor Doctrine and by signing this Declaration of Independance the signatores are accepting the terms and
conditions set down in a binding contract.

[b]Article One:[/b] Svalbard is to be granted full Independance from HM Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
Clause A: Svalbard has met the criteria of HM Government for Independance.
Clause B) An Independant Balloting Company has verified the legitimacy of the Independance Referendum.

[b]Article Two:[/b] Svalbard has agreed to all terms set down by HM Government in order to achieve Indepednance including
- Signed Mutual Defence Contract
- Signed Free Trade Contract
- Signed the British Commonwealth's Charter

[b]Article Three:[/b] Svalbard agrees to acknowledge any request put forward by the British Monarch, including the usage
of Military force in the name of the Crown should the need arise.

[b]Article Four:[/b] The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland hereby agrees to remove all British Forces out of Svalbard after the first twelve
months of Independance apart from RAF Svalbard which will remain a fully functioning airbase.

[b]Article Five:[/b] Should Svalbard fall into Anarchy it falls back under the Windsor Doctrine and is returned to HM Government of Great Britain.

[b]Article Six[/b]: HM Government of Great Britain reserve the right to intervene and forcefully remove any regime on Svalbard that is oppressing or harming
the population of Svalbard

[b]Signed for the United Kingdom[/b]
His Majesty Harry the First, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of His other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

[b]Signed for Svalbard[/b]
The Honourable Sir Alexander Leopold, Governor General of the Free State of Svalbard[/quote]