US-Federation Talks

[Vedran]

Upon receiving the United States' agreement to discuss territorial matters, among others, Secretary of State Alisha Taitt was invited to the Lester B. Pearson Building in Ottawa, headquarters office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to meet with Minister Montgolfier, joined by the Governor of New Hampshire, John Wentworth.

 

It was an imposing-looking edifice, outside of which flew the Federation flag as well as those of its eight constituent provinces: South Ontario, South Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Inside was a high-ceilinged lobby containing more provincial and even municipal flags lined up against a wall. The 1957 Nobel Peace Prize, awarded to the building's namesake, was on display in a glass case near the center of the lobby.

 

Upon arriving in Ottawa, the Secretary of State would be escorted to the building in a small motorcade, where she would be met by a small gaggle of press and the Minister's assistant, who led her upstairs to a conference room with a good view of the city. Inside, along with a few clerical staff, were an older and a younger gentleman stood waiting. The older man spoke first.

 

"Good day, madam Secretary, I am Philippe Montgolfier, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and this is John Wentworth, governor of New Hampshire. Welcome to the Federation, I trust your trip was uneventful?"

[bones wizard]

As Secretary Taitt drove through Ottawa, she gazed at the large metropolis and began thinking of what she would say. This was her first official trip abroad since her appointment. With American relations historically peaceful, she hopes that it would remain so for the future. Upon arriving and being greeted she would reply, "Foreign Minister Montgolfier and Governor Wentworth, thank you for inviting me to your beautiful capital. My trip gave me an excellent time to relax and catch up on some sleep. The State Department has been swamped with work ever since it was reestablished. Although today, I have high hopes for a positive and beneficial outcome for both of us."

[Vedran]

"Indeed. Shall we begin?" Montgolfier and Wentworth took their seats across the table from Taitt.

 

"I believe the main thing on everyone's minds, and the purpose of Governor Wentworth's presence, is the issue of New Hampshire. Now, the United States' formation contained claims on the former State of New Hampshire, now the Province of New Hampshire. I am unaware if this for political reasons or because the Unites States believes the people of New Hampshire will be better served under their government. Being a democratic state, the Federation will not consent to a simple handover of land, as New Hampshire is an equal partner in this Federation along with its seven fellow provinces.

 

The only way that the Federation will consent to ceding New Hampshire is if the will of the people toward this end is sufficiently demonstrated. Currently, the Federation allows its member provinces to secede upon two measures: firstly, the provincial legislature must vote in a two-thirds majority to secede. And secondly, a province-wide referendum must be held and result in at least a simple majority in favor of secession. If, however, the referendum results in over two thirds in favor secession, then the legislature must only achieve a simple majority in favor; if the referendum is three quarters or more in favor, the legislature cannot override this by any means."

 

The Governor chimed in at this point, "I have the power to call such a referendum either of my own accord, or by a petition of the people or legislature, and if indeed the United States wishes to take over New Hampshire, I can call it as soon as I return to Concord."

 

"Thank you, Governor. Of course, our laws only provide for secession. If New Hampshire does secede from the Federation, it will be up to your government to take it from there, as our laws do not provide for the transfer of an entire province."

[bones wizard]

"I understand Foreign Minister. Governor, the United States would look very favorably upon a call for a referendum in the Federation's government would be willing to allow it. The United States will not take the province of New Hampshire by force, but only if it is the people's will."

[Vedran]

"The federal government here affords the provinces a high degree of autonomy," continued Montgolfier. "I doubt Parliament will try to obstruct a referendum. Now that we've gotten that out of the way, I'd like to discuss the matter of free passage of traffic. The St. Lawrence Seaway, along with the Erie Canal, is the primary channel of water transport between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. Much of the Seaway rests within Federation territory, except for a few locks at Massena, New York. We'd like to ensure that the Seaway remains open for commercial traffic of all nations, and free of military traffic. The French occupying forces in Quebec have been given leave to use the Seaway to withdraw their forces, but this is intended as the exception rather than the rule.

 

Basically what I would like to suggest is that the Seaway and the Great Lakes remain mostly demilitarized and open to commercial traffic. Is this acceptable to your government?"

[bones wizard]

"The United States is fully willing and able to comply with your request. The Seaway and the Great Lakes will remain demilitarized unless there is an immanent national security threat to our country, at which time our government will give yours advance notice of any intentions we may have."

[Vedran]

"Excellent. In the interests of full disclosure, the Federation currently maintains a naval base in Toronto basing two corvettes as a fast response force in Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, along with several coast guard vessels. We will not object if the United States wishes to station a similar force, but we would prefer that the Great Lakes do not become host to significant military buildup.

 

One more thing we wanted to discuss, of less urgency, is diplomatic representation. The President has informed me that he is about to select an ambassador to send to Washington. Given our close borders, I imagine there will be much traffic between our two nations, and an embassy exchange would be best to facilitate this.

 

That is all the matters I wished to discuss. Did you have any issues that need to be addressed?"

[bones wizard]

"In terms of American presence in the Great Lakes, We will just be reactivating any Coast Guard stations within our new borders. We do not have the immediate resources to commit actual naval warships to the area. In concern to diplomatic representatives, I have with me an official document appointing Congressman David Clifton as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Atlantic Federation. He previously represented the State of New York in the House of Representatives and is well respected by members of both political parties. He is the current chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Relations, and has considerable knowledge about the northern parts of America. "

[Vedran]

"The candidate I will suggest to the President to represent us in the Unites States is Dr. Elizabeth Hamilton, formerly a professor of international affairs at the University of Toronto. I expect that the President will send her along to Washington no later than next week." Montgolfier looked over the document Taitt provided. "This all looks to be in order. Congressman Clifton should head to Rideau Hall here in Ottawa to present his credentials.

 

If that is all, madam Secretary, I will allow you to get back to your other duties. Thank you for coming."

 

The Governor added, "Yes, thank you. I'll fly back to Concord today and call the referendum at the earliest opportunity."

[bones wizard]

"Thank you foreign minister and governor for your kind hospitality. I will relay all the important topics we have discussed back to President Heller."

 

The Secretary of State, along with her delegation, would board a Boeing 757 and fly back to Washington D.C.