Diplomacy South of the Border

[MostGloriousLeader]

To: Government of Mexico

From: American Commonwealth State Department

Topic:  Formalization of Diplomatic Relations

 

The American Commonwealth wishes to initiate diplomacy and establish ties with our southern neighbor.  We propose that a meeting be held either in our nation or yours based on your decision.  We look forward to the meeting.

 

[Scofield]

To: American Commonwealth State Department
CC: President Luis Alvaro Bourbon, President of Mexico
From: José Antonio Meade, Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Subject: Re: Formalization of Diplomatic Relations

Mexico would be delighted to furthering diplomatic relations with its northern neighbor, the American Commonwealth. I propose the meeting be held at the Los Pinos presidential residence. Your representative will be cleared to land in the diplomatic section of the Enrique Bourbon International Airport, and the Foreign Secretariat will undertake appropriate preparations for his/her arrival.

Your sincerely,

José Antonio Meade,
Secretary of Foreign Affairs

 

OOC: You can rp the arrival or skip ahead to the meeting if you wish.

[MostGloriousLeader]

Secretary of State McNutt flew down to mexico in one of the State Department's official Gulfstream jets accompanied by several bodyguards, aides and other miscellaneous officials.  After landing he would proceed to the presidential residence as per the Mexican government's preparations.  Arriving at the residence he would greet the welcoming party and the people he would be talking with.

[Scofield]

"Welcome to Mexico City, and Mexico in general," Secretary José Antonio Meade said with a friendly smile as he shook hands with Secretary McNutt. "Thank you for coming, it's a honor to receive you." Other diplomatic officials greeted the American secretary as well. Once everyone was seated, Meade began. "We have been neighbors for some time, but have not undertaken higher diplomatic dialogue until now. You mentioned you wanted to establish ties with us, what do you have in mind?"

[MostGloriousLeader]

"It is good to meet you Secretary Meade" said McNutt as he greeted the secretary.  "Thank you for having us.  I suppose we can get started now" he said as they all settled in.  "The American Commonwealth desires friendly and beneficial relationships with all other nations, especially its neighbors though.  Being one of the only four nations that border ours Mexico holds interests to us for a variety of reasons.  I'd like to propose a couple of things.  First, a treaty of friendship and cooperation that includes measures such as non-aggression, free or relaxed trade, easier border crossing policies, education and cultural exchange, and general cooperation.  I have also been authorized to extend a security agreement to help equip and train your armed forces, the details of which Colonel Southern here would be happy to go over with you in detail later if you'd like" he said gesturing towards the only uniformed man in the Commonwealth delegation.  "Are there any questions you have or anything you'd like to suggest?".

[Scofield]

"All these would be a good start," Secretary Meade said after some consideration. "A non-aggression pact would be agreeable to us. North America has been stable for some time, and we would like it to be that way. Mexico would be happy to sign a free trade agreement as well, although factors such as the environment would have to be taken into consideration. Most, if not all, tariffs and excise taxes should be relaxed, if not phased out. However, we would like to bring up one issue, one that may be a concern for your nation: drugs. Last year we legalized all kinds of drugs, many which were formerly illegal in Mexico. We do not wish to create problems for you by making it easier for anyone potentially using drugs to cross the border. Perhaps some mechanism could be established that would allow our citizens to cross the border, and yet in a way that would mitigate any problems/issues? A cultural exchange can be arranged, although only citizens who have demonstrated academic excellence would qualify. We would like to propose an intelligence-sharing treaty, where our nations would share with each other any intelligence pertaining to the other, unless this is included in general cooperation?"
 
Secretary Meade then introduced the military attaché, Colonel Hector de Carranza. "Although we have received training and assistance from the Hudson Bay Federation for over a year, we would be happy to receive your assistance as well. Colonel Carranza will discuss this with General Southern regarding this."

Edited September 8, 2013 by Scofield

[MostGloriousLeader]

"We shouldn't have too much in the way of trouble with drugs or that sort of thing.  I have here a draft of the agreement for us to sign if you feel it is acceptable to you" said McNutt as an aide opened his briefcase and handed them the paper to look over.
 

American Commonwealth-Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation

The nations party to this Treaty,

Reaffirming the desire to live in peace between their two nations, governments and peoples, and to promote beneficial economic development and positive relations

Have agreed as follows:

Article I: Non-Aggression
The parties to this treaty agree to renounce the use of military force against each other and resolve to clear any disputes through diplomatic means.

Article II: Economic Cooperation
Both parties will do their best to institute economic and trade policies that promote free enterprise and economic cooperation between their respective nations.  Both parties will also undertake efforts to promote more open borders policies.

Article III: Culture & Education
Both parties will direct their various cultural and educational organizations and institutions to lay the frame work for cultural and education exchange programs between their respective nations in the hope that mutual learning of such matters will lead to a better and stronger relationship between their two peoples.

Article IV: General Cooperation
The parties to this treaty may also voluntarily offer assistance in other miscellaneous matters including diplomatic actions and non-sensitive intelligence that may be deemed important to the other signatory.

 

[Scofield]

Secretary Meade raised his eyebrows slightly as he read the title. Did the Americans forgot to include Mexico's name or something...? Inwardly shrugging it off, he scanned over the rest of the document before passing it over to other officials. Once they read it over and handed over the paper back to the Secretary, he spoke: "Generally, the treaty looks good, but I feel that some modifications should be made. The non-aggression should be expanded to include non-military hostile actions as well, and a cancellation clause should be included as well. I propose a 168-hour, or a week, notification period." Meade pulled out his pen and scribbled on the document before passing it over to Secretary McNutt.

The modified treaty went as follows:
 

 

Mexico-American Commonwealth Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation

 

The nations party to this Treaty,

 

Reaffirming the desire to live in peace between their two nations, governments and peoples, and to promote beneficial economic development and positive relations

 

Have agreed as follows:

Article I: Non-Aggression

The parties to this treaty agree not to undertake hostile or aggressive actions against each other, publicly and secretly, individually or jointly, in any shape or form. This includes acts of espionage and subversion. The parties resolve to clear any disputes through diplomatic means.

 

Article II: Economic Cooperation

Both parties will do their best to institute economic and trade policies that promote free enterprise and economic cooperation between their respective nations.  Both parties will also undertake efforts to promote more open borders policies.

 

Article III: Culture & Education

Both parties will direct their various cultural and educational organizations and institutions to lay the frame work for cultural and education exchange programs between their respective nations in the hope that mutual learning of such matters will lead to a better and stronger relationship between their two peoples.

Article IV: General Cooperation
The parties to this treaty may also voluntarily offer assistance in other miscellaneous matters including diplomatic actions and non-sensitive intelligence that may be deemed important to the other signatory.

Article V: Cancellation
In the case of cancellation, one or both parties shall inform the other of their decision to cancel this Treaty. The cancellation shall take effect within 168 hours of the notification.

 

Done in duplicate in Mexico City, this September XX, 20XX.

Signed for Mexico,

Signed for the American Commonwealth,

Article I was modified, and Article V was added. The Secretary also jotted down a proposed article:
 

The parties may choose, through prior negotiations and by a subsequent vote in their respective legislatures, to upgrade this Treaty to a higher level as determined prior.

"While I would've preferred the intelligence-sharing and problem-solving parts be made into separate clauses, this is acceptable. Furthermore, I would like to propose an upgrade clause,  which would provide for a basis for which our nations to upgrade this Treaty into something higher in the near-future, or keep it as it is. What are your thoughts on this?"

Edited September 10, 2013 by Scofield

[MostGloriousLeader]

"Your additions are quite acceptable Secretary Meade" replied McNutt as he signed a newly drafted document, with the Secretary's suggestions included, on behalf of the Commonwealth. 

 

Signed for the American Commonwealth,

Secretary of State, Christopher McNutt

 

"Is there anything else we need to discuss?" asked McNutt when he was finished.

 

OOC: lol, sorry about the name.  Forgot to plug it in :P

Edited September 10, 2013 by MostGloriousLeader

[Scofield]

Secretary Meade duly affixed his signature on behalf of Mexico.

 

Mexico-American Commonwealth Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation

The nations party to this Treaty,

Reaffirming the desire to live in peace between their two nations, governments and peoples, and to promote beneficial economic development and positive relations

Have agreed as follows:

Article I: Non-Aggression
The parties to this treaty agree not to undertake hostile or aggressive actions against each other, publicly and secretly, individually or jointly, in any shape or form. This includes acts of espionage and subversion. The parties resolve to clear any disputes through diplomatic means.

Article II: Economic Cooperation
Both parties will do their best to institute economic and trade policies that promote free enterprise and economic cooperation between their respective nations. Both parties will also undertake efforts to promote more open borders policies.

Article III: Culture & Education
Both parties will direct their various cultural and educational organizations and institutions to lay the frame work for cultural and education exchange programs between their respective nations in the hope that mutual learning of such matters will lead to a better and stronger relationship between their two peoples.

Article IV: General Cooperation
The parties to this treaty may also voluntarily offer assistance in other miscellaneous matters including diplomatic actions and non-sensitive intelligence that may be deemed important to the other signatory.

Article V: Upgrade
The parties may choose, through prior negotiations and by a subsequent vote in their respective legislatures, to upgrade this Treaty to a higher level as determined prior.

Article VI: Cancellation
In the case of cancellation, one or both parties shall inform the other of their decision to cancel this Treaty. The cancellation shall take effect within 168 hours of the notification.

Done in duplicate in Mexico City, this September XX, 20XX.

Signed for Mexico,
Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Jose Antonio Meade

Signed for the American Commonwealth,
Secretary of State, Christopher McNutt

 
"Other than the pending discussion between our colonels regarding the American Commonwealth training and material support of our armed forces, I believe we have covered everything here. I will submit a copy of the Treaty to Congress for ratification, which should be coming this week."
 
OOC: If you want to, we can say that our generals had a discussion after the meeting and came to an agreement, and etc etc