Diplomatic Dispatch to Bohemia and Strigia

[Malatose]

[quote]To: The Leadership of Bohemia and Strigia
From: Alec Pradeux, Imperial Advisor
CC: Emperor Michael Visari

Esteemed Colleagues,

The Emperor wishes to meet to discuss current and future relations between our three nations. The meeting is to be held at the Emperor's Retreat in the Caucuses Mountains. Because of the importance of this meeting, it is mandatory that you do attend.

Good day gentlemen.

[b]Signed,[/b]
Alec Pradeux[/quote]

Edited August 27, 2011 by Malatose

[Padraig Rua]

The Emperor was having his evening Tea when the message from Alec Pradeux was presented to him by one of his Adviser's from the Foreign Affairs office. [i]"Send a reply to Mr.Pradeux, thanking him for his time to write this message, and tell him I shall fly to the Emperor's retreat immediately."[/i] said the Emperor as he gently placed two Sugar cube's in his fine china cup and drank from it, after reading the message. Placing the empty cup before him, he arose from his seat and walked outside of his Imperial residence to a fine car, waiting to take him to Karlsbad International Airport, where a private jet awaited to take him to Dalmatia's main Airport. From there the Emperor would continue to Emperor Visari's Retreat.

[quote]To: Alec Pradeux
From: Hans Reich

The Emperor shall be there as soon as possible. We appreciate you time Mr.Pradeux to write this message. The Emperor sends his regards.[/quote]

[Margrave]

Christopher Khendon, Monitor of Strigia and second only to the Keeper Mattias De Luit, would be in attendence; Mattias himself was busy working with the Athenians hammering out a strong diplomatic relation while also coordinating efforts to expand their trade base. As the former leader of the Hanseatic Exiles (twice, no less), and a retired Four-Star General who had commanded the entirety of his nation's military forces at times, he was by no means an insult to the Dalmatians; indeed, most thought of him as the true power behind the throne of the bright but sickly De Luit.


Having the diplomatic department work out his air-travel, in coordination with the Dalmatians, Khendon would fly into Dalmatia, and take the provided transportation to the Retreat; he brought one unarmed officer of the Strigian Legion, one Major Daniel Loctree, for note keeping and to assist with military/civilian liason matters.

[Malatose]

[b]The Emperor's Retreat
Caucasus Mountains[/b]

Upon arriving at the isolated airbase, both leaders were escorted deep into the mountains. After a thirty minute drive, they arrived at the foot of the Emperor's Retreat. The structure sat among the hills of the Caucasus Mountains, overlooking a tranquil lake. While Visari's official seat was power was in the Imperial Place, he would also visit this retreat when he wished to contemplate the future of the Empire. The Emperor also held summits with personnel from the highest levels of the Galactic Empire there and met with some of his most powerful advisors. When the foreign leaders stepped out of their transports, the Emperor's personal guard escorted them into the lavish facility. The retreat's interior was decorated luxuriously. The walls were made of a mottled pink and tan marble, while the floors of its many hallways were covered with thick, gold-lined maroon carpeting. After a semi-long journey, the guards reached the door to the Emperor's personal chamber. As the men entered, they would see a audience room festooned with maroon-and-gold banners and lit with cylindrical gold lamps suspended from the ceiling. At the end of the room, Visari sat in his throne, waiting to start the meeting.

"Please have a seat gentlemen. Refreshments will be here shortly." He adjusted himself in his Throne, the back of which arched over Visari's head, placing him in perpetual shadow, as the cowl of his cloak did his sallow and deeply lined face

"I have summoned you here to discuss future relations between our three nations. I do believe it would be of mutual benefit if we were to work more closely in the future. After all, it was my very Empire that gave you independence in the first place. It would be very unfortunate if our nations broke apart in the future. I'd like to avoid that very situation"

[Padraig Rua]

[i]"I agree with your suggestion, Emperor."[/i] said Mannerheim. [i]"Strong relations should be maintained between our three nations, for we are of Nordic descent. Defending our culture is important. Not to mention protecting ourselves from the threat of other Western Powers with their multicultural ways and Imperialist ambitions. Strength through Unity and Unity through Common Culture, and no better way of doing this then through Military defense, which will hopefully be a defense of actions not of words."[/i]

[Margrave]

Khendon nodded at the words of the two Emperor's, pausing for a moment as he considered. "I think it best to speak plainly, gentlemen, and not allow ourselves to be disengenious with one another. Emperor Visari, your family has a reputation which proceeds you, one of power...and of agressive action, should it come to it. I respect that; one must fight to fulfill the dreams only rulers dare to dream. We, the Marchar Tribes who have taken the Trans-Croatian territories as our new home, are committed to the expansion of our diplomatic and financial base. We are dedicated to being apart of the peace of this region, so new; and between you, the Athenians, and the UFE, there is an opportunity that my people have not seen since the Tintagyl. Our stock is different from yours; while some of us, my family included, claim the blood of the North in our veins, many do not, and I have no intention to pretend otherwise. I want a unity founded in our mutual interests and mutual respect; for though I govern my land differently than you do yours, I and mine respect the strength and ability of you and yours."

Khendon folded his hands and looked to the two of them. "I can fully commit Strigia to a partnership with both of your fine nations; however, I would suggest it begin with something relatively modest. I would not wish for us to be seen as cowards clinging to your shoulders; we would rather earn your respect as warriors and statesmen first. We intend nothing less than a brotherhood with you, friend...but we wish to prove ourselves first, lest the whole world think us quick to give oaths, and thus quick to turn."

[Malatose]

Visari adjusted his position and began to speak, "I do appreciate the both of you agreeing on my position. It is rather fortunate, and it shows that I made a wise decision giving the both of you independence. In regards to relations, I had a strategic bloc in mind. It is something we could all benefit from, wouldn't you agree?"

Visari pushed a small button on his throne, which alerted one of his advisors. The advisor, tall and slender, walked into the room and handed each of the foreign representatives a dossier, which contained a copy of the planned treaty.

[quote][center][b][size="4"]The Imperial Defense Pact[/size][/b][/center]

I. Preamble

The undersigned nations hereby reaffirm their faith in the fundamental rights, dignity, and sovereignty of the signatories and enter into this Mutual Aggression and Defense Pact to fortify, strengthen, and promote the ties of peace and friendship.

II. Sovereignty

While all signatories shall remain civil to each other at all times, as well as projecting to the public an aura of unity, it is acknowledged and required that all member nations shall remain free and sovereign.

III. Aid

Member nations of signatory nations may not offer foreign aid to nations engaged in war with either of the other signatory.

IV. Espionage

No signatory alliance engage in espionage against another. Should any party receive information that indicates a breach of any member's security, they must notify the relevant nation through secure channels immediately.

V. Military Command Structure

The Imperial Defense Pact will consist of a Unified Military Command, otherwise known as a general staff. The Unified Command will be composed of two Permanent Representatives from each country. The council will deal with most defense matters and subjects related to collective defensive and offensive planning. In this it serves as a coordinating body between the Civilian and Military organizational bureaucracies of the Imperial Pact. Leading the General Staff of the Imperial Defense Pact will be the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Continental Empire of Dalmatia.

VI.War

A. An attack on one signatory is considered an attack on the entire membership of the bloc.
B. All signatories agree to defend other members via military, political, and financial actions in the event that an aggressive war is enacted by an outside nation or group.
C. Any other signatory may refrain from participation in a defensive conflict with the consent of the engaged nation.
D. Member alliances will not be required to participate in aggressive wars initiated by another member unless approved by the bloc. Approval for offensive actions must be passed by 2/3 of the current signatories no less than 48 hours before said conflict begins. Voluntary participation in unapproved offensive wars is discretionary.
E. Any other signatory may refrain from participation in an approved offensive conflict with the consent of the engaged party.
F. Aggressive wars commenced by any signatory against another nation must be made known to the other members at least 4 hours before commencing.
G. No other signatory may take any action, whether military, political, or financial, on behalf of another signatory without the approval of that nation. Approval may come from their official bloc delegates, any member of their diplomatic corp, or any government official.
H. The original engaged nation will serve as the military leadership for any campaign originating with them, or may designate another bloc nation to fulfill that function. Individual nations will retain control and leadership of their own military, but will cooperate with the leadership alliance.


VII.Membership

A. Upon ratification of this treaty, additional signatories may be added upon unanimous vote of all current signatories. Prospective signatories will only be considered upon an official invitation and sponsorship of a current signatory.
B. All signatories shall have equal representation and an equal voice

VIII. Violations

Failure of any member nation to uphold the terms of this treaty will result in expulsion.

IX. Other treaties

A. Nothing in this treaty shall restrict any signatory from passing independent treaties with any other nation.
B. All conflicts arising from participation in an outside treaty shall be considered offensive acts and shall require the prescribed voting before bloc action can be required.

X. Withdrawal

If any signatory alliance feels that this treaty has been unjustly violated and diplomatic negotiations have not offered any sort of resolution, they have the right to withdraw from the treaty by the express will of their respective decision making bodies. Notification of withdrawal must be given to the other signatories within forty-eight hours. Should membership in this treaty be revoked by any alliance, a twenty-four hour grace period begins in which no remaining alliance may declare war on the other, after which no such rules apply.[/quote]

Edited September 1, 2011 by Malatose

[Padraig Rua]

[i]"Yes, I agree with this Defense Pact. I already have decided the two permanent members of the Council for Bohemia. They are Alfred Aspenäsätten and Larissa von Mentzer, two upcoming and trusted military advisers of the Bohemian State. I must say that this is a historic and joyous event in all of our nations history's. I also hope you like my new Official Title."[/i] chuckled Mannerheim as he signed the Imperial Defense Pact.

Signed for Bohemia:

[font="Times New Roman"][i]Nikolaus Mannerheim, Emperor of Bohemia, Supreme Lord of Karlsbad, Aussig, Pilsen, and Liberec Gegends, Supreme Warlord of the Eight Tribes, Supreme Leader of the Bohemian Military, Defender of the Nordic Culture, and Leader of the Bohemian people[/i][/font]

Edited September 1, 2011 by Chancellor Patrick

[Margrave]

Khendon nodded. He felt the knife at his throat with this paperwork; it was obvious refusal would constitute an insult to Dalmatia and would trouble the waters in the region. At the same time, the gains...well, they outweighed the implications of cronyism, and the debt the Marchar owed the Emperor personally would far outweigh any personal dislike. Hell, young Mattias, his superior and the head of state, admired the Emperor and his calculative style, and would probably want to meet with the Emperor to take notes and learn a thing or two...and Khendon admitted to himself that more determination in his young head of state would be a good thing. That being said, his face would show nothing but a small smile and communicate an air of guarded optimism.



"I am glad we could all come to an agreement so quickly, gentlemen...and I will admit, I am suprised by the generosity of the terms given, seeing as Dalmatia could easily have offered much more...restrictive ones. With that being said, I would like to convene this Unified Military Command as soon as possible for cross-training of the General Staff and a thorough review of our respective defensive postures. We are already conducting our own internal review, but I'd like to see oversight from this Unified Command, and the expertise your respective militaries can bring to the matter.

I would also like to offer, as a gesture of good faith and mutual respect, an economic incentive that will be granted to any business of Bohemia or Dalmatia to do business in Strigia...as well as remove any tariff's or fee's on goods purchased from Bohemian or Dalmatian companies. It will be beneficial to my nation, of course, but I feel it is in our mutual best interest to do as much as possible to build in our citizenry a mutual respect and admiration for one another, and I think the corporate sector will be able to lead the charge on that matter very well. I would also suggest we release a press-statement together announcing in the strongest terms our mutual respect, dedication, and all that the public will need to hear in order to be fully committed to this new order of things."

He pulled a pen from his pocket with the practiced, businesslike air of a corporate man, a slight chuckle emerging from behind his political mask. "I'm afraid my titles sound nowhere near as grand as yours, Emperor Mannerheim, but they'll have to suffice until I can win others to my name."

[i][b]Signed For The Domain Of Strigia,
Christopher Khendon II, Monitor of Strigia
Commandant of the Hanseatic Legion (Ret.)
Former Commander In Chief to the Hanseatic Republic (Disbanded)
High Lord of the Khendon House
[/b][/i]

[Malatose]

Visari nodded. "I do agree that cooperation between our business sectors would be helpful. As you know, we are embarking on a major construction campaign throughout the Empire, and we are always in need of skilled workers and companies. In regards to the both of your collective military organizations, we'd be willing to review them and give you our best advice on how to make them formidable forces."

Visari stopped and adjusted his robes, "As a sign of our goodwill, we'd be willing to send you some of our finest equipment, and your soldiers will be educated and trained at our finest facilities. A strong unified front is my goal, and I fully intend to follow through on these promises. I do hope you both sound the same." Visari signaled to the Imperial Advisor in the room, who handed him a pen. Visari then signed the document.

[i]Signed for the Continental Empire of Dalmatia,[/i]
His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Michael Visari

Edited September 2, 2011 by Malatose

[Padraig Rua]

[quote]He pulled a pen from his pocket with the practiced, businesslike air of a corporate man, a slight chuckle emerging from behind his political mask. "I'm afraid my titles sound nowhere near as grand as yours, Emperor Mannerheim, but they'll have to suffice until I can win others to my name."[/quote]

The Emperor slightly bowed to Monitor Khendon and said [i]"Thank you. I believe your title shall soon be as grand as mine."[/i]

[quote]I would also like to offer, as a gesture of good faith and mutual respect, an economic incentive that will be granted to any business of Bohemia or Dalmatia to do business in Strigia...as well as remove any tariff's or fee's on goods purchased from Bohemian or Dalmatian companies. It will be beneficial to my nation, of course, but I feel it is in our mutual best interest to do as much as possible to build in our citizenry a mutual respect and admiration for one another, and I think the corporate sector will be able to lead the charge on that matter very well. I would also suggest we release a press-statement together announcing in the strongest terms our mutual respect, dedication, and all that the public will need to hear in order to be fully committed to this new order of things."[/quote]

[i]"I fully agree with you're Economic proposals, Monitor Khendon. We should build up, maintain, and grow a healthy Economic society between our three nations. Taking steps such as proposing to remove tariff's and fee's will bring such an idea about. Perhaps we should make a second treaty? One for Economic relations?"[/i]

[quote]Visari stopped and adjusted his robes, "As a sign of our goodwill, we'd be willing to send you some of our finest equipment, and your soldiers will be educated and trained at our finest facilities. A strong unified front is my goal, and I fully intend to follow through on these promises. I do hope you both sound the same." Visari signaled to the Imperial Advisor in the room, who handed him a pen. Visari then signed the document.[/quote]
[i]
"You're offer is most generous Emperor Visari. The armed forces of Bohemia have never quite regained their strength after....the Invasion."[/i] Mannerheim tried to avoid mentioning the Invasion of Bohemia by Dalmatia. [i]"So education and training programs will be beneficial. Plus all our military equipment from the planes in the sky to the tanks on the ground to the machine guns in our infantry's hands are obsolete German equipment bought previously before my Government. New equipment would be quite nice. I also look forward to the day when our promises are tested and proven to be actions not words."[/i]