South Slavs and the Luo

[Rudolph]

Classified:

"The Kingdom of Yugoslavia sends many well wishes to the good people of the Great Lakes Republic. Quite a while has it been since the Kingdom has kept in contact with another nation-state within the African continent apart from Alexandria. We were wondering if the Republic would desire to schedule a diplomatic meeting between our two great countries, at the leisure of the Republic as a token of our respect.

We shall eagerly await to hear from the Republic, with good relations and tidings to flourish between our two peoples."

Respectfully,
HM Kralj Dragojev Belojevic, Lord Protector of the Albanian and Romanian People

[Yerushalayim]

The following is a diplomatic transmission to Yugoslavia:

"The Republic is interested in friendly relations with all nations of the world. The Diplomatic Corps would be pleased to host a Yugoslavian delegate within the city of Dar es Salaam for a formal meeting between officials of our nations. "

 

The transmission includes travel information to the city, as well as details on whom any representative would meet with.

[Rudolph]

Classified:

"The Kingdom of Yugoslavia sincerely appreciates the information provided, our diplomatic attache will soon be over."

Respectfully,
HM Kralj Dragojev Belojevic, Lord Protector of the Albanian and Romanian People

Edited June 23, 2014 by Rudolph

[Yerushalayim]

Security forces awaited the Yugoslavian diplomat at Dar es Salaam's international airport. Armed with shotguns, and dressed in the military's urban uniforms, the soldiers escorted the diplomat from airport to conference hall. Though they wore air filtration masks on the streets, the soldiers removed them while riding in the armoured vehicle that was provided for transport, and again once they were within the conference hall.

Throughout the trip from airport to hall, the city's streets were filled with soldiers moving about. Civilian traffic was nearly non-existent, and clearly moved at the beck and call of the military.

The conference hall itself was a building of white marble, built in the Greco-Roman style. Within its walls, the hallways and conference rooms provided a needed respite from the heat of the streets. More soldiers walked within, armed with shotguns. Several security checkpoints were passed, and at last the diplomat was brought into a private conference room.

General Akinyi was seated at the conference table, flanked by a pair of military diplomats, and watched over by several more soldiers. The escorts waited outside the conference room, standing guard against unwanted intrusions.

"Welcome to the Republic," the General said with a smile, "I am pleased to welcome our first European diplomats here."

[Rudolph]

The Kralj of the Kraljevina Jugoslavija finally quirked an eyebrow, the militaristic display that the Republic had shown had not lessened his respect for their government but the Sovereign hoped that the Republic would evolve further from that point. With a simple nod of acknowledgement, Dragojev smiled back politely at the obvious head of state of the Republic.

 

"It brings me pleasure to hold that honor, General Akinyi," the South Slavic Sovereign remarked, "It's also an honor to be here on this momentous occasion between our two peoples," he adds as he raised a hand to smooth down any crease on the tunic he wore.

 

"I sincerely hope that much can be accomplished on this day."

[Yerushalayim]

General Akinyi's lips quirked upward in a slight smile. "We can accomplish whatever we so choose, Kralj. What is it, in particular, that you are looking for here in Africa?"

[Rudolph]

The Sovereign of Yugoslavia tilted his head in acknowledgement, "Very true, General, very true," he remarked as he took the offered seat in front of the General and Head of State. "What brings me to the Republic is of the benefit our two peoples can have working together in accomplishing mutual goals instead of working individually," he starts as retrieves a plain folder from within his tunic and opening it with a flick of his wrist.

 

"It's common knowledge now that the good Republic and our allies in the northern portion of Africa, Alexandria, have a vested interest in ensuring the freedom and stability of the continent," he states as he lays the folder on the table between the two head of states, the Kralj taking a photo out of them and sliding it towards the General.

 

The photo showcased a metal background whereupon a two-headed eagle with its wings outstretched were bolted into, only one of its heads having an 'eye' with the eagle having the tips of its metallic feathers painted a gold with scratches all over its body.

 

"While ours is not so common but I imagine we can come to a mutual arrangement to ensure the freedom from states seeking to expand heedlessly."

[Yerushalayim]

Catharine Akinyi tilted her head as she examined the photo. "Resistance to colonial powers is high within the Republic's values. Africa has fought and bled for far too long against the powers of Europe, Asia, and the Americas, to allow a new hegemon to arise, or for any foreign powers to touch upon our lands. If Yugoslavia wishes a mutually beneficial alliance from us, our price is simple. We require an agreement wherein Yugoslavia will aid the Republic should we ever have need to go to war with a power that has colonized African lands."

[Rudolph]

"Well, it is my pleasure to say," he started before grinning widely at the General, "That the good Republic shall have our support militarily as future brothers and sisters of the Kingdom."
 
The Sovereign retrieved a blank of piece of paper from his folder as he held a pen in his hand, "Luckily, I also have paper so we can hash out the inanity of how the formal piece of paper will read and line down how our treaty would work."
 
The Kralj took a few minutes to write down on the piece of paper before showing it to the General, "How does this sound, General?"
 

Protectors of Africa

In the interest of a stable and prosperous relationship, the sovereign nations of the Great Lakes Republic and the Kraljevina Jugoslavija agree to participate as protectors of Africa, with all the benefits, privileges, requirements, and regulations outlined in this agreement.

Article I. Trade Pact
Protectors of Africa shall undertake appropriate steps, actions, and policies to encourage and facilitate increased trade between the two. Such steps, actions, and policies include, but are not limited to, the reduction or elimination, whenever applicable, of tariffs and other protective barriers, with exceptions for certain industries as determined by the signatories.

Article II. Non-Aggression
Protectors of Africa shall not undertake any aggressive or otherwise hostile actions against each other in any form. Such actions is defined, but not limited to, illegal espionage and destabilizing actions. This clause shall not be construed as to restrict or otherwise prohibit healthy debate or productive disagreement. The Protectors agree to engage in dialogue with each other should a disagreement arise.

Article III. Mutual Defense
The Great Lakes Republic shall come to the defense of the Kraljevina Jugoslavija should they become under the threat of a hostile power. The Kraljevina Jugoslavia shall support militarily and defend the Great Lakes Republic in their endeavors of keeping Africa free from would-be Colonizer states and from any hostile power.

Article IV. Cancellation
Protectors who no longer see their fellow as a Protector of Africa have the right to either discuss these issues or submit a willingness to cancel this treaty, whereupon in seventy-six hours it shall become anulled.

Signed,
For the Great Lakes Republic
, General

For Kraljevina Jugoslavija
Dragojev Belojevic, HM Kralj, Lord Protector of the Romanian People

[Yerushalayim]

General Akinyi quickly scanned the document, then read it again at a much slower pace. Eventually she nodded, took a pen from the table, and signed the paper. "My office will have copies drawn up. Appropriate legal language will be added in, and we can both confirm our commitment to the treaty."

[Rudolph]

The Kralj smiled widely as he closed his folder before extending an open hand towards the General, "Then I do believe that this is the start of a beautiful relationship, General" the Sovereign intoned in a cliche but one that was entirely apt for it.

[Rudolph]

Private

 

"The Kingdom requests for a diplomatic meeting as soon as possible, a sudden need for matters and key issues that need to be discussed. The Kingdom is more than available to coordinate the meeting at a time of the Great Lake Republic's choosing but please do not post-pone needlessly."
 
Respectfully,
HM Kralj Dragojev Belojevic

[Yerushalayim]

The request by the Yugoslavians was granted, and the Kralj was flown to the Mount Kenya installation within days of his request. Praetorians awaited his arrival, and led him deep beneath the mountain, to the Palace Wing of the fortress. There he and his retinue were given a chance to refresh themselves before being taken to the Queen's favourite meeting room, where she waited with coffee and tea.

 

“Kralj,” she spoke, rising from her chair, “It's been far too long since you've paid us a visit. Last time I had heard you were in the Republic was for your talks with Carthage, and you didn't even stop by to say hello,” she spoke with mock admonishment, her smile belying the words. “Well, I suppose I can forgive that, since you're here. Come in, sit down. Let us speak of important issues.”

[Rudolph]

Private

 

Dragojev frowned slightly at the mention of the talks with Carthage, the Serbian noble not keen in remembering that whole kerfuffle before he smiled warmly at the fellow monarch, "It's a pleasure to be back within the Republic and do forgive my slight for not having visited you personally while I was engaging Carthage in those talks of mine," he replied with before taking the offered seat, the Kralj getting comfortable.

 

"I do believe that you know of the imperialistic slant that Carthage seems to possess, yes?" he asked his fellow monarch, bringing one of the issues to the forefront.

[Yerushalayim]

"But of course" the Queen laughed in response to Dragojev's question, "I do believe they've proclaimed themselves an empire now. As has Persia, and Druk Yul. Is it a surprise that a self proclaimed empire, built upon the ashes of an ancient empire, is anything but imperialistic?"

[Rudolph]

Private

 

Dragojev would sigh before shaking his head, "No, your excellency, it's not. What I do find disturbing and completely non-assuring is that for all purposes Carthage wields the AL as a club against those who oppose it diplomatically. It disturbs me because they're an African nation who also have European holdings and for all intents and purposes seek to expand inward for their own benefit without a thought to European countries."

 

"The matter at hand, your excellency, is that due to the Carthage's actions and seemingly unstoppable expansion, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia seeks to unify Europe to essentially force Carthage from Europe," the Kralj would say with all honesty he could muster, a tired smile on his face, "It has not been an easy task considering that Carthage has European allies to ensure their dominance over the rest."

[Yerushalayim]

Queen Akinyi's smile slipped from her face, and she took a moment to take a long pull from her cup of coffee. She carefully placed her cup down, and her eyes narrowed slightly as she spoke to her counterpart, "You are aware that Carthage is an ally to the Republic. Before the rise of Carthage and Novak, the Republic stood alone as the power of Africa. It was to us that outsiders turned when they had an interest in the continent. It was our soldiers whose blood would have been shed had European powers invaded the continent, and I am aware that some considered it."

"Did you know," Her head tilted to one side, "that now there are powers that think they can engage in diplomacy with Africa, without speaking to the Republic at all? Powers that think a word and a smile to Carthage, or Novak, are enough to secure their future here?" Her smile returned and she shook her head, "Carthage is my ally, yes, but Europe is your back yard. I am sure that Carthage will be amenable to diplomacy, and neither of us will have to discuss any sort of violence against my ally, yes?"

"But of course," she paused and took another sip of her drink before continuing, "we are not Carthage's only ally. Perhaps you do not come here to ask me to betray an ally, which you must know I cannot do. Perhaps instead you have come to help ensure the protection of your own nation, against those who might take offense at your efforts at unifying Europe, eh? That, I think, we can discuss safely."

[Rudolph]

Private

 

Dragojev shook his head, "The Kingdom did not come here to ask one of our oldest allies to betray their allies, that much I believe we both know," he stated, knowing that two already knew but felt like actively saying so would at least help smooth things a bit. "I recognize that the two are allies but where would the Kingdom be if Carthage actively attacked us for our efforts at unifying Europe? We are amenable to diplomacy but so much can be done when interacting with an Imperialist power who seeks their benefit over all else."

 

"With regards to protection in our own 'backyard' as you eloquently put it, I do believe that we can certainly discuss that with much merit and something concrete coming out of it. Taking into consideration the vast distance between our two countries, the Kingdom proposes the following: Offering a lease of a military base in Yugoslavian territory towards the good Republic, allowing the Republic to house soldiers, aircraft and naval-craft would be more than willing to offer a lease, 'housing' Republic soldiers, aircraft and naval-craft. I do imagine that this simple proposal would work to each other's favor as it increases Republic influence in the Med and adds to the benefit of protecting Yugoslavian territory should we be under military attack by an enemy power."

 

"What say you, Queen Akinyi?"

[Yerushalayim]

Queen Akinyi nodded along to the Kralj's words, and occasionally sipped at her coffee. "Gaining access to a military base in Yugoslavia would certainly increase our ability to act quickly in the defense of our allies. I might suggest, however, more than one base. A naval base, an army base, and an air force base. This will allow us to have the most effective defensive force possible in Yugoslavia, without risk of our forces being contained or eliminated in a singular first strike attack by your enemies. Of course, any base that we lease must be considered to be Republican soil for the duration of our stay, so that all our troops fall under Republican law while on base."

[Rudolph]

Private

 

"You raise good points and it shall be done as you requested, Queen Akinyi," he replied with before snapping his fingers in realization, "Now that we're discussing this, I do believe that it might be best to reword the original treaty between us two to better reflect the current situation between our two great countries. Seeing as Africa already has a good organization to protect itself, just rewriting it to be a non-chaining Mutual Defense Pact with the economical clauses would work unless the Queen sees a higher benefit to upgrade our pact to the highest treaty available between two states, of course," the Kralj elaborated.