Finnish-Kuklos Relations

[Sigurd Odinnson]

[quote name='Markus Wilding' timestamp='1325718392' post='2892704']
As this was received, a message would come some time later.
[quote]
TO: Sigurd Odinnson, Pontifex Maximus of the Kuklos
FROM: Party Boss Sari Paatelainen
SUBJ: RE: RE: Relations

Sir,

Your fears are well-founded. For too long, Communist nations have been painted with the same brush they were given when the Soviet Union was alive, and I can assure you, Finland does not attempt to persecute or otherwise silence the voices of the religious. To call Finland atheist would also be false. Finland continually attempts to satisfy the needs of the religious of all sects, from Protestant to Jewish.

If it so pleases you, a delegation can be sent to Finland to observe for a few days in a Finnish embassy building, overlooking the very heart of Finland itself. I would be overjoyed to meet this delegation if you decide to send them.

Regards,
Party Boss Sari Paatelainen[/quote]
[/quote]

[quote]To: Party Boss Paatelainen
From: His Holiness Sigurd Odinnson, Pontifex Maximus of the Kuklos
RE: Relations

I received your reply to my query with tremendous satisfaction and would be pleased to take you up on the offer of a delegation. I will dispatch an ambassador and accompanying diplomats under Karl von Kahlstein, our Minister of Foreign Affairs. If you respond positively to this note, I will dispatch a plane immediately to your capital.

With Respect and Blessings,

Sigurd Odinnson
Pontifex Maximus of the Kuklos[/quote]

OOC: never got a response to my note, so my diplomat is ready to go but he needs confirmation.

[Markus Wilding]

[quote]TO: His Holiness Sigurd Odinnson, Pontifex Maximus of the Kuklos
FROM: Party Boss Sari Paatelainen
SUBJ: RE: Relations

I am overjoyed to hear your decision. Punainen Kaarti troops will meet your delegation on the ground along with Minister of Foreign Affairs Taneli Ruotsalainen. She and the punainen kaarti soldiers will escort you and your convoy to the Helsinki People's Parliament. I eagerly await your arrival.

Party Boss Sari Paatelainen[/quote]

[Sigurd Odinnson]

In Helsinki, it seemed even colder than in Paulstadt, despite the temperature being the same. The Finnish guards were impeccably dressed as they received Kahlstein and his delegation of carefully selected members of the Brothers. The monks, with their black habits and crimson scapulars seemed far warmer than he did in his uniform as Magister of Foreign Affairs. As he was shown to his limousine, he turned to the Foreign Minister Taneli Ruotsalainen and complimented her on the display.

As the car swerved through the streets of Helsinki he took note of the beauty of the city. As he arrived at the Helsinki People's Parliament and waiting to be introduced to the body.

[Markus Wilding]

Although the cold and snow dampened some of Helsinki's beauty, it did not dampen Minister Taneli Ruotsalainen's mood. She seemed almost as giddy as a schoolgirl when she showed Karl von Kahlstein through the People's Parliament. "A testament to the will of the Finnish people. Twice Sweden has invaded us, both times repelled. Finland truly is a dangerous foe."

After passing through a hall of statues and painting of legendary figures of Finland's past, Minister Ruotsalainen, von Kahlstein and his entourage arrived at the Party Boss's office. Two punainen kaarti soldiers stood outside, nodding to allow the group in after the Minister showed her ID card. "Party Boss," Ruotsalainen called out as she entered. "The Kuklos delegates have arrived." Sari turned from the window, speaking in Finnish to a general who quickly excused himself from the room, nodding to the Kuklos delegates. "Welcome," she said, motioning to a table nearby. "Please, have a seat. I'll have somebody bring in some refreshments - your flight must have been terribly long."

[Sigurd Odinnson]

[quote name='Markus Wilding' timestamp='1325947467' post='2894768']
Although the cold and snow dampened some of Helsinki's beauty, it did not dampen Minister Taneli Ruotsalainen's mood. She seemed almost as giddy as a schoolgirl when she showed Karl von Kahlstein through the People's Parliament. "A testament to the will of the Finnish people. Twice Sweden has invaded us, both times repelled. Finland truly is a dangerous foe."

After passing through a hall of statues and painting of legendary figures of Finland's past, Minister Ruotsalainen, von Kahlstein and his entourage arrived at the Party Boss's office. Two punainen kaarti soldiers stood outside, nodding to allow the group in after the Minister showed her ID card. "Party Boss," Ruotsalainen called out as she entered. "The Kuklos delegates have arrived." Sari turned from the window, speaking in Finnish to a general who quickly excused himself from the room, nodding to the Kuklos delegates. "Welcome," she said, motioning to a table nearby. "Please, have a seat. I'll have somebody bring in some refreshments - your flight must have been terribly long."
[/quote]

Kahlstein was surprised by the fact that he had been taken to the boss rather than before the parliament, expecting the representative body to receive him. He was, however, pleased that he would be speaking to only one person rather than making any speeches or being the focus of great attention - he was a diplomat, after all, not a politician. One on one was his area of expertise. As he was shown through the hall, he was impressed by the architecture -- all the while taking mental notes to report to the Pontiff regarding both the style of expression of the leadership as well as the condition of the general population.

As what was clearly a Finnish General gave deference to Kahlstein and his delegation, the man who was clearly the Party Boss pointed Kahlstein and the others in the direction of a large table and invited them to sit.

"It was a long journey, to be sure," Kahlstein replied in answer to the Boss, "but it is pleasant to be back in Europe, and to a more friendly atmosphere than what we encountered upon leaving. I hope," he motioned to his robed delegation, "that it is not inappropriate to have brought some initiates of our religious order with me. Pontiff Odinnson is chiefly concerned with the matter of religious freedom in Finland. He trusts you are a woman of your word. For my own part, at the risk of being overly direct for a diplomat, I hope to learn of Finland's general needs and desires on the international level, for the purpose of the most fruitful relationship between our two nations possible."

Edited January 8, 2012 by Sigurd Odinnson

[Markus Wilding]

OOC: Small note: Sari is a woman. Finnish names can be confusing.
IC:

"Of course not," Sari said, nodding towards the robed monks. "I'm ever curious of other cultures and religions. I suppose you could call me a 'connoisseur of religion', among other things." Upon finishing this sentence, a few butlers arrived, placing plates of local Finnish delicacies onto carts nearby, asking if any delegates would like something. "As for what Finland desires on the international level, Finland has few allies - economically or militarily - aside from France and Slavorussia. Ever since Finland's recent inception, we've been fairly isolationist, sticking to Scandinavia."

Sipping a cup of tea, she continued. "Furthermore, it's the opinion of the Parliament - especially those intellectuals - that Finland seek economic treaties with states abroad. Our first priority would have been Louisiana, but they had to rebel against the French, and the rest of North America hasn't been too friendly to our chief ally, the French, either. So, when our diplomatic corps heard of your nation's declaration of existence, it seemed only natural to pursue some sort of economic treaty. Europe can wait, but North America cannot. It feels like an ever-changing political landscape to me."

[Sigurd Odinnson]

[quote name='Markus Wilding' timestamp='1325959941' post='2894901']
OOC: Small note: Sari is a woman. Finnish names can be confusing.
IC:

"Of course not," Sari said, nodding towards the robed monks. "I'm ever curious of other cultures and religions. I suppose you could call me a 'connoisseur of religion', among other things." Upon finishing this sentence, a few butlers arrived, placing plates of local Finnish delicacies onto carts nearby, asking if any delegates would like something. "As for what Finland desires on the international level, Finland has few allies - economically or militarily - aside from France and Slavorussia. Ever since Finland's recent inception, we've been fairly isolationist, sticking to Scandinavia."

Sipping a cup of tea, she continued. "Furthermore, it's the opinion of the Parliament - especially those intellectuals - that Finland seek economic treaties with states abroad. Our first priority would have been Louisiana, but they had to rebel against the French, and the rest of North America hasn't been too friendly to our chief ally, the French, either. So, when our diplomatic corps heard of your nation's declaration of existence, it seemed only natural to pursue some sort of economic treaty. Europe can wait, but North America cannot. It feels like an ever-changing political landscape to me."
[/quote]

OOC: I should have used The Google.

IC: "Then it seems we already have something in common. Our overtures to France, however, have gone largely unanswered, while our American neighbours have answered us with some frequency and warmth. I do hope Finland will show a similar interest in the success of relations and the promotion of harmony between our nations. We have presently been engaged in several overtures to foreign nations with offers in relation to our established oil trade. We have both crude oil drilling in the west and shale-oil in the east. We are presently looking at some 400 billion barrels of crude oil. We are in negotiations with the former Vicidalian Compagnie as a middle-man for most trades, but I have been authorised to inform you that if I and the Brothers are impressed by what we see during our stay in Finland, it is possible to enter a direct trade agreement with your nation if you are interested."

[Markus Wilding]

"What Finland can offer in terms of materials are large forests prime for lumber milling and plentiful water springs perfect for creating green energy and of course, sale to water bottle companies. In addition, Finland always aims to assist the people of nations, particularly the armies of said nations. If our friendship grows stronger, perhaps the punainen kaarti could train your special operations soldiers, or even better, Finnish military vehicles could be sold to your army for a reduced price."

"Of course," she paused, contemplating. "This assumes you would be willing to pursue an economic treat with Finland, anything higher than that is, quite frankly, a pipe dream at this point. On that note, unless you're willing to sign something this moment, I can answer any questions and you'll then be allowed to tour Helsinki as you please."

[Sigurd Odinnson]

[quote name='Markus Wilding' timestamp='1326074740' post='2896059']
"What Finland can offer in terms of materials are large forests prime for lumber milling and plentiful water springs perfect for creating green energy and of course, sale to water bottle companies. In addition, Finland always aims to assist the people of nations, particularly the armies of said nations. If our friendship grows stronger, perhaps the punainen kaarti could train your special operations soldiers, or even better, Finnish military vehicles could be sold to your army for a reduced price."

"Of course," she paused, contemplating. "This assumes you would be willing to pursue an economic treat with Finland, anything higher than that is, quite frankly, a pipe dream at this point. On that note, unless you're willing to sign something this moment, I can answer any questions and you'll then be allowed to tour Helsinki as you please."
[/quote]

She was very much aware of the situation between their nations, and she made it coldly clear to Kahlstein that this was the case. Kahlstein himself had made efforts to appear unbiased himself, but he knew full well that at home he would be in the faction lobbying against treaties with any communist nation - he had opposed overtures to France on the same grounds. "We shall indeed see what the result of the visit produces. I am, however, optimistic as Your Excellency strikes me as a leader prepared to be as open and honest with my delegation as you were with our Pontiff.