Rhodesia-Paraguay-Bolivia trilateral meeting

[Ian Smith]

 

LIVINGSTONE AIRPORT
OCTOBER, 13
 
The entire government cabinet is standing there, waiting for the airplanes of the delegates of Paraguay and Bolivia to touch ground. This is the first time a foreign delegation visits Rhodesia and most ministers, deputies and MPs are waiting in a double rank line right next to the point where the airplanes are supposed to stop. State President Ian Smith and Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd stand infront of the government cabinet and are patiently waiting to welcome foreign diplomats on Rhodesian soil.
 
A small military band composed of people with different ethnical backgrounds is waiting under the unforgiving sun of Rhodesia.. and a temperature of 37C°, 100F. In October. 
 
The airport looks more like an abandoned one: a small control tower, a firetruck, a small terminal, very few workers, a small security service with mostly policemen and customs officers monitoring and patrolling the area. Nobody ever travels to Rhodesia, therefore nobody ever bothered to expand the airport and make it an international one. However, a crowd of 150-200 civilians massed behind the barriers is eager to see who will step down the airplanes.

Edited October 13, 2013 by Ian Smith

[High Emperor Aggron]

Careful not to show gaud, the Bolivian precession only contained three small twenty man planes. When they touched down to Rhodesia their small step ladders extended from the hulls of the planes, disgorging their cargo into the blistering African sun. Prime Minister Robles continued forward through the modest crowd to greet with the leadership of Rhodesia-Nyasaland and start pictures while waiting for the Paraguayan assembly. Leaning into the ear of Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd, Robles extended the first of his offers to the Rhodesian people.

 

"We'd like to fund the westernization of parts of Rhodesia. You see, we can respect the rights of indigenous peoples' as Paraguay and Bolivia have convened on the subject many times, but we feel we could bring your metro's and other places up to par should you so wish. We have no intent of harming the serene wildlife or ancestral lands of the tribals here. We can talk more shortly."

 

With that the photographers from both groups came about to shoot photos, within minutes though the Bolivian party had passed through and was waiting under the shade for their Paraguayan comrades, while continuing to discuss with the Rhodesians.

[Ian Smith]

As the military band begins to play the Rhodesian National Anthem, State President Ian Smith and Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd welcome the Bolivian party, shaking hands and posing for rhodesian and bolivian photographers alike. This is indeed an historical moment for Rhodesia Nyasaland, as it officially opens diplomatic relations between the central african state and two key players in the South American continent.

 

As State President Ian Smith introduces the various members of the cabinet and the MPs of the Federal Assembly to their bolivian counterparts, Prime Minister Verwoerd is approached by his bolivian counterpart, Prime Minister Robles. A huge banner on the airport's main terminal says "Bienvenidos a Rhodesia-Nyasaland"

Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd
 

"Welcome to Rhodesia Mr Robles! It's a pleasure to meet you and it's a pleasure for all Rhodesians to have you here today in our country. We will discuss all national and international matters in the Office of the State President as soon as we reach Livingstone. 

 

Regardless, we have delimited certain areas where human activities are strictly regulated or forbidden, but there are many places where urban development is allowed and highly encouraged. Rhodesia Nyasaland is at stake, as you probably know Athenian observers are investigating on supposed 'ethnic cleansing and violation of human rights' i don't know who spread those slanderous and false rumors but right now we need the support of the international community and we are happy to let you witness our social achievements here.

 

After the meeting, you and your party will be allowed to travel anywhere in the country with no restrictions, but if you wish to visit the protected areas you will be escorted by a wildlife guard who will let you move as close as possible to see how natives live in peace and armony, far from the city and far from industrial and other urban activities." 

After handshakes and formal introductions, the representatives of the Bolivian and the Rhodesian Governments will wait for the arrival of the Paraguayan party.

Edited October 13, 2013 by Ian Smith

[lkfht]

The Paraguayan delegation finally arrived in Rhodesia Nyasaland. The Secretary of State would be protected by about 30 officers of the Paraguayan Federal police Force's Protective Services Division. As Secretary of State Celestina Scavo disembarked from the plane, she made her way over to State President Ian Smith and Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd. As this was her first trip to Africa, she was abit taken back by the extreme heat of the African sun, but soon ignored it and proceeded to her most welcoming hosts.

 

"Mr. President and Mr. Prime Minister, it is my greatest pleasure to be able to meet with you in person here in this beautiful country. It is my hope, as well as my president's, that we are able to discuss how to further our relations, but also to discuss recent controversy surrounding true democracy and equal protection of your citizens. I am sure that this trip will be very fruitful and I look forward to us becoming close partners."

 

 

[Ian Smith]

State President Ian Smith

"It is a pleasure to meet you too Miss Scavo, i hope you will enjoy your stay here in Rhodesia. As Prime Minister Verwoerd said to the Bolivian Prime Minister, we will discuss the recent and most unfortunate controversies in my office back in Livingstone. Please follow us to the convoy."

And that's when the diplomats will mostly be surprised by the sight of the convoy. No limousines, no sedans, no armoured trucks.. but safari 4x4 jeeps and several buses to transport guards, photographers, journalists and all the remaining diplomatic functionaries.

State President Ian Smith, along with Prime Minister Verwoerd, State Secretary Scavo and Prime Minister robles will sit in the 4x4 offroad vehicle roughly in the center of the convoy, escorted by a jeep of the Rhodesia-Nyasaland Wildlife Conservation Police, tasked by the Ministry of Water and Environmental Affairs to lead and supervise this special meeting from the airport to the Office of the President.

The driver is an old man, experienced by the look of his face, his thick Ndele accent leaves no doubt about his cultural background.

 

"Alright welcome everybody my name is Bruno, you can call me cousin Bruno but don't worry i'm not your real cousin so don't ask for money eheh. Fasten your seatbelts ladies and gentlemen, this is going to be a bumpy ride please don't feed the lions, don't bother rhinos and keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle. The trip is going to take one or tw- ehm.. actually uh.. we gonna get there Rhodesian Time: we get there when we get there and i hope you will enjoy the sight."

The 4x4 vehicles quickly take off from the airport and head straight into the wilderness of Rhodesia. The airport seems to be located in the middle of nowhere and quite far from the city. The trip is expected to last more than 2 hours, provided no flat tires and angry rhinos are encountered on the way.

 

As the control tower disappears under the horizon line, the delegates will soon realize the only way to reach Livingstone is driving trought the wilderness on some sort of bumpy dirty road. From time to time the delegates will spot all sorts of wild animals: giraffes, zebras, baby elephants and several spieces of exotic birds.

 

With no sign of human activities in the sorroundings, the convoy proceeds into the wilderness. With no asphalt and mostly naturally shaped roads and turns, bumps and sudden change of directions challenge the strongest of all stomachs. Regardless, the convoy is fortunately advancing with no delays at the moderate speed of 30-40MP/h. Rhodesian functionaries seem to be used to all of this.

Edited October 13, 2013 by Ian Smith

[High Emperor Aggron]

(OOC: Mind if we import some of your wildlife to United Bolivia :smug: ; at the bottom, just a quick transition to the meeting.)

 

Prime Minister Robles and Secretary of State Omar Gonzalez-Rodriguez, sat in their cars as the 4x4's trundled along the dirt trodden paths. As they looked out to their left they saw one of Africa's majestic animals in its natural environment.

 

 

Pulling out his magnoculars, Robles saw the beauty of the beast as it looked back at him. "Amazing Mr. President. However I very much would like to see your city now."

[lkfht]

As Secretary Scavo traveled in the convoy through the African country, he wondered what specific topics the leaders would discuss. There was much to talk about, yet so little time.

Edited October 27, 2013 by lkfht

[Ian Smith]

LIVINGSTONE

In the office of the State President

 

State President Smith and Prime Minister Verwoerd sat behind the State President's desk. Two comfortable seats were reserved for the Paraguayan President and the Bolivian Prime Minister. 

State President Ian Smith
 

"President Gomez, Prime Minister Robles. In the past Rhodesia was a protectorate of the Federal Republic of Transvaal. During the 5 years old history of Transvaal, we had strong diplomatic relations with South America.. with Paraguay, to be specific. On August 28, 2008, Transvaal colonised Paraguay and established a political entity known as 'Transvaler Suid-Amerika'.  However, by the end of the month on October 27, Transvaler authorities evacuated the colony and handed over authority to a newly formed independent government.

 

Therefore, our ties with South America as a whole were pretty strong in the past.. and while we have no intention whatsoever to venture in any form of colonialism, we are looking forward to streghten diplomatic relations with the former friends of South Africa. We are the last remnant of republican South Africa and while we of course reject and disagree with some of the policies enacted during our history, are using our history as a source of inspiration in order to rebuild this country and learn from our mistakes."

Edited October 23, 2013 by Ian Smith

[lkfht]

After sitting down and listening to the two men speak, Secretary Scavo reached out of her suit jacket pocket and took out a small piece of paper.
 
"State President Smith and Prime Minister Verwoerd,
 
I would once again like to thank you for your country's warm hospitality.
 
Now, I would like to discuss more pressing issues. I would like to emphasize that democracy and human rights for all people are considered fundamental values and cannot be suppressed nor hindered by anyone. With recent light of your country's constitutional amendment it seems your country is attempting to take the right steps towards equality, however I still have some concerns about equal rights for all both white and black.
 
I would also like to bring up the possibility of a possible military/defense contract for your country. Paraguay is home to many well established defense contractors that could suit any of your country's needs."

Edited October 27, 2013 by lkfht