Clearing the Air

[Markus Wilding]

Private

 

TO: The Governments of Hungary-Slovakia and Belarus

FROM: Alvonian Foreign Ministry

SUBJ: Concerns

 

To whom it may concern,

 

Recently tensions have risen between our states, for reasons that I cannot fathom. In the interests of peace and future cooperation, I formally invite representatives to come to Vienna to meet with Director Wilding and his staff directly, at your convenience of course. All necessary lodging will be cleared and taken care of by Alvonia as a courtesy and show of good will.

 

We in Vienna look forward to seeing you.

 

Regards,

Finn Powers,

Alvonian Minister of Foreign Affairs

[Euphaia]

*The newly appointing Minister of Foreign Affairs (name coming tommorow) would travel toVienna to meet with Director Wielding.*

[Mr Director]

Much had changed in Belarus over the past ten years. Vladimir Andreichenko, had remained a constant. The taciturn Foreign Minister would be woken up in the middle of the night and dumped on a plane headed for Vienna. With him would go various documents related to Poland, as that was no doubt what the whole affair would end up being about.

[Euphaia]

*Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Kolos would grumble to himself as he sat in his seat aboard his government's private jet, on his way to Vienna.*
 
"Don't tell me this meeting is about Poland, again.  We've already had this meeting...twice. What on earth more could there possibly be to discuss?"

Edited December 4, 2014 by Euphaia

[Markus Wilding]

Upon landing in Vienna, both Foreign Ministers were rushed through airport security, citing concerns over civil unrest. From there, both were taken to Schönbrunn Palace and then escorted to a large meeting room, where Director Wilding, Finn Powers, Karoline Dressler and Maria Adamczak stood inside. One by one, they extended a hand and a smile to each Foreign Minister, and once the meet-and-greet was done, Wilding invited all to take a seat as kitchen staff rolled out carts stacked with various German, Polish, Hungarian and Belarussian drinks and food, primarily desserts and other such light things.

 

"If nobody minds," Wilding began, "I'd like to avoid the normal diplomatic niceties and get straight to the point. You've probably noticed in our country some protests and opinion pieces appearing in news outlets, mostly talking about Poland. We know what is going on there, and our 1.5 million Polish-born citizens are very displeased that four foreign nations have seen fit to involve themselves in Polish affairs, especially when one of those four has directly landed in an area many of our citizens used to live."

 

"We recognize," Finn continued, "that Hungary-Slovakia and Belarus both have claim to the area. That isn't our issue. Our issue is that we have one million angry Poles in our country, and another seventy thousand or so in the military who are ready to do whatever it takes to get back home. And before one of you flips out, that isn't a threat. Not against you, anyway. They're more a danger to us than you."

 

Dressler added, "Currently we have been working to control these protests, but I doubt that they will stay contained for long. Eventually, we will have to give a response to them, and we may soon find ourselves in conflict with the Nordisk Rike. We want to touch base here - all Alvonia is asking from your countries is a simple agreement and an understanding that all three of us will work together to keep Poland safe from outsiders. The only territory we seek to gain are those where our citizens and soldiers used to live."

[Mr Director]

"Belarus sees no issue with Alvonia regaining Polish territories that were once incorporated into it, so long as its efforts do not bring it into conflict with nations that are directly or indirectly allied to us. As far as the Nordisk Rike goes, we do not see them as outsiders or a threat, and as such, we do not feel that such a treaty would be necessary."

[Euphaia]

"I am in agreement with my Belorussian friend.
 
We have no issue with Alvonia having a protectorate in Poland, so long as it isn't any of the five districts our soldiers are currently based in -- mainly southern Poland.

Those five regions would be a protectorate of Hungary-Slovakia, rather than being outright annexed.
 
We are also willing to allow up to 3,000 Alvonians apply for visitation visas in Burgenland and 3,000 Alvonians apply for visitation visas to southern Poland.  The only restrictions are that they are not allowed to bring any weapons or ammunition with them, and they can't have a criminal record.
 
There is some concern that Alvonia may at some point try to recapture Burgenland, as well.  If that is true or not, I do not know.  However, I feel it prudent to forewarn you, should Alvonia ever decide to cause conflict in Burgenland, all travel visas to Burgenland and southern Poland will be immediately and permanently revoked."

Edited December 4, 2014 by Euphaia

[Markus Wilding]

"Let's call it a joint protectorate then," Finn countered, "We work in our part, you fine fellows work in yours. Can we agree to that?"

 

Dressler gave the Hungarian a warm look when he mentioned the Burgenland and visitation visas. 'I'm glad you mentioned that actually, it perfectly segues into what we were going to talk about next. What do your governments think of the idea of a European free trade zone? Since it's only us here, the initial treaty would be between us but of course would be expanded to other European states, of course."

[Euphaia]

"That sounds agreeable to me, though it will likely be a triple, or perhaps quadruple-joint protectorate.  

 

It is to my knowledge that Belarus is wanting Lublin and Masovian, and I believe a third connecting one that I'm not recalling at the moment.  As you already know, Lublin and Subcarpathia regions connect with each other, which would give Hungary-Slovakia and Belarus the vital connection both our nations need for trade and cooperation purposes, as well as there being a section of our rail line that already runs through the Lublin region as it is."

[Mr Director]

"We would be willing to call Poland a joint protectorate - so long as it is clear that each portion is to be separately administered. I fear that a free trade zone would not currently be possible, although once relations between our countries warm up some, we would be willing to talk it over."

 

He glanced over to the Hungarian.

 

"I believe you are referring to Podlaskie."

[Euphaia]

"That is an excellent point you brought up. I concur with it needing to be clear that each portion/protectorate is separately administered. "

[Markus Wilding]

"Gentlemen," Dr. Gorski said, her first words since they had taken seats, "I believe I speak for all Alvonian Poles when I say that we do not want to see Poland divided any further. It is the position of not only the government of Alvonia, but also the position of Alvonian Poles that Poland should be protected only by our states and our states alone. Furthermore, I would hope none of our states take steps to further divide Poland along national lines. I recognize and acknowledge that both of you have economic reasons for wanting parts of Poland, but we can easily coordinate that through respective protectorate administrations."

 

"Of course," Dr. Gorski added, "That is only my personal view on the matter of integrating other parts of Poland into your respective nations."

 

"Dr. Gorski is correct," Wilding added, "that our government's position is that only us three present here should protect Poland. While you may not see the Nordisk Rike as a threat, our citizens do. Now, back to the free trade - could we possibly begin to discuss the idea of lowering and easing tariffs and restrictions on trade and travel between our countries?"

[Euphaia]

"As I have stated before, Hungary-Slovaki intends for southern Poland to be a Hungarian protectorate.  We don't currently have any plans on annexing it.  Even if we ever did, we would hold a referendum to let the southern regions decide if they wish to stay as a protectorate or to become part of Hungary-Slovakia proper.

 

As far as travel goes, we have already offered what we are currently comfortable with:  3,000 travel/visitation visas to Burgenland, and another 3,000 travel/visitation visas to southern Poland.  So long as they don't bring any firearms or ammunition into those regions, and do not have any violent crimes or felonies on their records."

[Mr Director]

"Dr. Grski, I understand your concerns. However, I must inform you that there are several areas, mainly in the eastern Podlaskie area, that have Belorussian majorities, and, in some cases, were once a part of Belarus. These areas will be given a chance to decide whether they wish to fully join the Republic or remain a protectorate.

 

We can agree to lowering tariffs in certain industries, and working to make travel easier between our nations."

[Markus Wilding]

"So long, of course, that these areas you're speaking of will only be those where mostly Belarusians live will be considered for annexation, and not ones that are not previously Belarusian."

 

"You speak of rail lines," Wilding said, "and connections to each other. How about a multinational board between our countries aimed at improving, building and maintaining infrastructure in our protectorates? We three each would be equals in the board and would only have to decide what companies to award contracts to, if any, to achieve said goals in improving and building infrastructure."

[Mr Director]

"We would be willing to join such a board. Much of the infrastructure in Eastern Poland especially has been damaged, and it would be a good area to begin cooperation."

[Euphaia]

"Hungary-Slovakia wouldn't have any problem with such a board.  It is certainly worth looking into."

[Markus Wilding]

"So," Finn said, "let me make sure our note-takers have this all down. So far we've agreed that we administer our own parts of Poland, to set up a joint board aimed at improving Polish infrastructure, and at least considering the relaxation of restrictions on trade and travel between our nations. That sound about right so far?"

[Euphaia]

"That is correct so far."

[Mr Director]

"I believe that is correct. We may as well go ahead and throw down a non-aggression pact, with the usual provisions that would void the treaty should either of us come into conflict with the other's allies. Not that that is to say that such a conflict is likely, of course."

[Euphaia]

"I believe my government would have no problem with such a non-aggression pact."

[Euphaia]

"Just a minute. I am receiving word that your forces are already in violation of the agreement we are currently discussing.

That is an act of war against my nation, and a very serious breach of trust, and if they do not leave Lower Silecia immediately, this entire agreement will be completely off the table."

[Markus Wilding]

"We are not in violation of anything," Dressler said, "Historic Alvonian Polish provinces are the Lower Silesian, Lubusz, and West Pommeranian Voidevoships. We made it very clear - and may I remind you, you agreed to, - that we sought to reclaim these. You raised no protest then, and our agreement is very clearly we will take what is ours back, all of us."

[Euphaia]

"You are free to have Lubusz and West.

We also made it very clear which provinces we claim, and you raised norotest.

Might I add that Alvonia is in possession of lands that used to belong to Hungary prior to the end of World War 2. We lost over a third of our land.

I must inform you that unless your forces leave immediately, you will be committing an act of war against Hungary-Slovakia."

[Markus Wilding]

"You made nothing of the sort clear, sir. You said, and our notetakers wrote this down, 'southern Poland' will be your protectorate. If you wish to try to hold Alvonian lands, we will have no problem with fighting to reclaim them. But none of us here want that. I had thought we were going into this with clear definitions. I will also inform you that such an argument is laughable at best. Your country, and many others, used to be part of Austria, but we are not Austria. We are Alvonia, and this will not end well for any of us if you continue to reject the rights of our people to go back home."