Scottish Ultimatum

[Proxian Empire]

** Classified to Iberian Pact Allies **

Scotland has been placed into Defcon 1 with military bases to the north of Scotland at full alert. Military fortifications including but not limited to anti-air defense mechanisms are being activated on the north shore as well as on the islands surrounding northern Great Britain.

Military forces in Valencia are on standby.

[Council of Ten]

Conti, The 13th January 2010

Archives Ident. 2010/002

“We hold the view that the presence of Lousiana’s military base in the Peninsula, or anywhere else in Europe for that matter, is not acceptable. Our Iberian allies can rightfully question the strategic rationale of Lousiana’s actions; it is a most chilling statement of intent indeed. We regret that Lousiana’s autistic diplomacy leaves little hope for a peaceful resolution of the dispute.

Conti will uphold its treaty obligations. We will stand by our allies and will take appropriate action should either Articles V and VI of the Iberian Pact be activated.”

[…]

The Great Council has passed emergency legislation granting the Council of Ten full legislative & executive powers, allowing ‘the Ten’ to rule by decree for the duration of the crisis.

Cllr Charles de Kervaen, Bailiff of Conti and Chancellor of Justice, Member of the Council of Ten

Edited January 13, 2010 by Council of Ten

[Uberstein]

OOC: Indeed.

IC:

The Italian people are rational thinkers, with a government that has only a single American in it, the rest of the posts held by Italians. The government and the people support me on this issue. This base will not be used for colonialism, it will be used for peace. The intentions of Louisiana are more noble than the Italian Federation's were with Guam. At least Louisiana will be putting a diplomatic base there as well. This is not about "Americans getting into Europe", this is about doing what is right and fighting pig headed, narrow minded, isolationism that yourself and Scotland are spewing.

"It is not isolationism to protect one's continent from foreign powers. Isolationism would be completely cutting ourselves off from the world, including Europe. This is about fighting imperialism in the modern age."

[Lavo]

Should the Strait be closed, the Italian Federation will supply the base free of charge. We will not allow our friends to be starved by brutes parading as noble souls.

"We are not trying to starve anyone. As well, civilian (aka. non-military) vessels are allowed through, but must be checked for weapons and other military equipment first."

[Michael McBride]

"It is not isolationism to protect one's continent from foreign powers. Isolationism would be completely cutting ourselves off from the world, including Europe. This is about fighting imperialism in the modern age."

It is isolationism. I say it in America, where we isolated ourselves from the rest of the world. Europe will not come to that, not on my watch. Spain and Louisiana made a legal land transaction, something that they have every right to do. Who are you to tell them that they can't? Who are you to infringe on Spain's sovereignty by telling them what they can and cannot do with their land? Louisiana has shown no hostile intent to any European nation, so why are they met with such hostility?

[Michael McBride]

"We are not trying to starve anyone. As well, civilian (aka. non-military) vessels are allowed through, but must be checked for weapons and other military equipment first."

We had no doubt of your intentions, and apologize if our allies took it as such. We were mainly responding to Finland's insistence that if they close the Strait, Louisiana's base will have no source for food or supplies. The fact that a nation would force another nation's people to starve, no matter what they think of them, is inhumane at best and bordering genocidal at the worst.

[Uberstein]

It is isolationism. I say it in America, where we isolated ourselves from the rest of the world. Europe will not come to that, not on my watch. Spain and Louisiana made a legal land transaction, something that they have every right to do. Who are you to tell them that they can't? Who are you to infringe on Spain's sovereignty by telling them what they can and cannot do with their land? Louisiana has shown no hostile intent to any European nation, so why are they met with such hostility?

"Louisiana is met with hostility because they are bringing weapons into Europe, have no place in Europe, and again, we suggest that Italy buy a dictionary, Isolationism is not anti-colonialism. We also repond to the assertion that we will let them starve. How can anyone starve when there are no civilians on the land anymore? Louisiana deported them."

Edited January 13, 2010 by BaronUberstein

[Subtleknifewielder]

"We are not trying to starve anyone. As well, civilian (aka. non-military) vessels are allowed through, but must be checked for weapons and other military equipment first."

***Classified to Rebel Army***

As a fellow Diamond Pact member, will you allow military to pass through your territory to support the Federation if they are threatened by escalations?

It is isolationism. I say it in America, where we isolated ourselves from the rest of the world. Europe will not come to that, not on my watch. Spain and Louisiana made a legal land transaction, something that they have every right to do. Who are you to tell them that they can't? Who are you to infringe on Spain's sovereignty by telling them what they can and cannot do with their land? Louisiana has shown no hostile intent to any European nation, so why are they met with such hostility?

***Classified to the Federation***

Should you request assistance, Australia will help to any degree it is able. How much assistance that may be depends on the actions of certain other nations.

[Subtleknifewielder]

"Louisiana is met with hostility because they are bringing weapons into Europe, have no place in Europe, and again, we suggest that Italy buy a dictionary, Isolationism is not anti-colonialism. We also repond to the assertion that we will let them starve. How can anyone starve when there are no civilians on the land anymore? Louisiana deported them."

"You say you don't want them there because they bring weapons to Europe. So...does that mean you and your fellow Europeans will demilitarize and ban weapons once Louisiana is gone?"

[Uberstein]

"You say you don't want them there because they bring weapons to Europe. So...does that mean you and your fellow Europeans will demilitarize and ban weapons once Louisiana is gone?"

*facepalm* "You don't seem to understand. Europe is for Europeans, just as every other continent is for that continent. Asia is for Asians, Africa is for Africans. We are against colonies, and Louisiana is making one in our backyard, and putting guns on it. And currently, Finland only keeps a small defensive force, with smaller tactical forces for any needed aggressive actions."

Edited January 13, 2010 by BaronUberstein

[Subtleknifewielder]

*facepalm* "You don't seem to understand. Europe is for Europeans, just as every other continent is for that continent. Asia is for Asians, Africa is for Africans. We are against colonies, and Louisiana is making one in our backyard, and putting guns on it."

"I do understand, and I was pointing out your poor choice of words. It is not a colony. The Spanish themselves have said that the few locals that were there have already been re-located and compensated. How can it BE a colony with no loacals to rule? The base is there so they can defend the friends they have made on the east side of the Atlantic Ocean."

[Proxian Empire]

"You say you don't want them there because they bring weapons to Europe. So...does that mean you and your fellow Europeans will demilitarize and ban weapons once Louisiana is gone?"

Members of the Iberian Pact have always strived to maintain both stability and peace throughout the Iberian Peninsula as well as Western Europe. There has been no war in Iberia since the establishment of the Iberian Pact, and thus there has not been a need for overly militarised zones. Once this issue has been dealt with, the situation will of course return to the norm.

An aggressive nation like Louisiana who seeks to colonise Europe is certainly not welcome.

[Michael McBride]

"Louisiana is met with hostility because they are bringing weapons into Europe, have no place in Europe, and again, we suggest that Italy buy a dictionary, Isolationism is not anti-colonialism. We also repond to the assertion that we will let them starve. How can anyone starve when there are no civilians on the land anymore? Louisiana deported them."

Correction: Spain deported the civilians. We suggest Finland get her facts straight. Further, there will be Louisiana diplomatic and military personnel on the land in the near future. You would be starving them by cutting off supplies. Try again, shall we?

Also, your "Europe for Europeans" stance is a brand of isolationism, no matter what you wish to call it. You want nations of other continents to stay out, period. That's a form of isolationism.

***Classified to the Federation***

Should you request assistance, Australia will help to any degree it is able. How much assistance that may be depends on the actions of certain other nations.

**CLASSIFIED TO THE QUEENDOM**

We are hoping that, if faced with enough opposition, Finland and Scotland will back down. However, this is looking increasingly unlikely. Should they declare war on Louisiana, we will declare war on them. Should we be attacked, either in the Med or on our home soil, we will request the activation of the Diamond Pact. It is still our sincere hope not to have this turn into a world war, but we will not allow our friends to be bullied by brutes.

[Uberstein]

"I do understand, and I was pointing out your poor choice of words. It is not a colony. The Spanish themselves have said that the few locals that were there have already been re-located and compensated. How can it BE a colony with no loacals to rule? The base is there so they can defend the friends they have made on the east side of the Atlantic Ocean."

"So then it is not a crime to blockade it seeing how it is a military installation. Actions have consequences, and Louisiana is clearly the belligerent nation here."

Edited January 13, 2010 by BaronUberstein

[The FSM]

OOC: RA can fire on any ship passing through the straits though seeing as they are so narrow, if they wanted to.

IC:

The Rebel Army has the full support of the League in closing the Straits to all forms of hostile traffic.

**Classified**

Jean settles in to his station in the Palazzo's War Room. Hardened against even a direct nuclear strike this is where Sicily conducts the business of war. Around him his full cabinet as well as additional members of the military and intelligence services are gathered, various video and data feeds are displayed on the numerous banks of wall monitors.

Jean: It is more than likely that we will become involved in this mess either supporting RA in keeping Gibraltar closed or supporting the Federation against any attacks. We need to begin taking measures to ensure our forces are adequately prepared. I want the army and reserves called to station and I want at least half of our fighter assets in the air at all times. Any other steps we need to take?

Adm. Violetta Abruzzia: Well Steward, I would like to get a sonobuoy network deployed in our EEZ as well as the Western Med. so we have some way of monitoring for submarine movements. Plus we can use the data to keep any unwanted submarines from slipping through Gibraltar.

Jean: Alright, go ahead and do that. Lets throw some sonobuoys on both sides of the strait, and get in touch with the RA Naval Station there. Let them know what they are doing, see if we can deploy some air assets there to keep an eye on the buoys, and get them the downlink for the sonobuoy data coming from their area.

Gen. Pierre Toure: I will see about transferring the 81st Fighter wing and 2nd Bomber Squadron to the airfield RA has set up on Gibraltar. Its not a full military airbase so we are going to need to send in support and ground staff as well to keep the deployed assets in play.

Jean: Very well, make the necessary preparations.

Toure: I would also suggest deploying the AWACS fleet, they can monitor the sonobuoy data as well as keeping an eye on the sky.

Jean: I agree, make it so.

Adm. Abruzzi: Might i add Steward, that it would be a prudent step to deploy our own submarine force to the Western Med. While I doubt the RA would need the assistance of our fleet, besides the fact it needs to be kept here for security purposes, having our wolfpacks in the area would allow us to pick off any stragglers the RA Fleet may inadvertently miss.

Jean: Hmm, I suppose so, I only want one of the Wolfpacks deployed Admiral Abruzzi, its too soon to be committing all our forces. Make sure the sub captains know to contact admiralty before engaging.

Abruzzi: As you wish, Steward

**SUMMARY-Classified**

1. Sonobuoys deployed in my EEZ, the Western Med and the entrance to teh Gibraltar Strait

2. Forces moved to DEFCON 3

3. 2 fighter squadrons and a medium bomber squadron deployed to Gibraltar

4. Sicilian Airspace is being actively patrolled

5. Wolfpack Typhoon ( SLS-S Ragusa, SLS-S Catania, SLS-S Vittoria) deployed to the Western Med.

6. AWACS assets deployed

[Lavo]

***Classified to Rebel Army***

As a fellow Diamond Pact member, will you allow military to pass through your territory to support the Federation if they are threatened by escalations?

***Classified to all Diamond Members and RA Allies***

"You have access through the Gibraltar Straits, Suez Canal, and Bosporus Straits at all times, as you are well, our allies. I sincerely apologize for any inconveniences our declarations have caused."

[Uberstein]

OOC: RA can fire on any ship passing through the straits though seeing as they are so narrow, if they wanted to.

OOC: Yes, but it would be a violation of Norway's national waters and be a declaration of war. O_o

[Lavo]

OOC: Yes, but it would be a violation of Norway's national waters and be a declaration of war. O_o

OOC: Norway does not control the majority of the Strait, I do. I can close the Strait as I pretty much control it all.

[Uberstein]

OOC: Norway does not control the majority of the Strait, I do. I can close the Strait as I pretty much control it all.

OOC: He owns like, half of it...

[The FSM]

OOC: Yes, but it would be a violation of Norway's national waters and be a declaration of war. O_o

OOC; Norway also closed their waters in the strait. And passing through RA's waters when they are closed is a violation of RA's sovereignty and a declaration of war in and of itself.

[Uberstein]

OOC; Norway also closed their waters in the strait. And passing through RA's waters when they are closed is a violation of RA's sovereignty and a declaration of war in and of itself.

OOC: Norway chooses who gets to go through his side of the strait, if he says PEPTO ships can go through, RA shooting on them would be an act of war cause they would be in Norway's waters.

[Lavo]

SIC

15 000 soldiers previously stationed in the former RA Protectorate have been transferred to Gibraltar, instead of being deployed back home, bringing the total troop count in Gibraltar to 20 000. The 3 CVBGs stationed in the former Protectorate are now being based out of Gibraltar. The stations at Gibraltar are now at Defcon 3, due to heightened tensions in the area.

[Mergerberger II]

"The Revolutionary Socialist Syndicate of the Netherlands does hereby issue its support for Scotland. Europe needs no foreign colonizers and certainly not Americans, who have been so outspoken against colonization of the Americas by Europeans, even in the form of tiny military bases. The RSSN supports the continued struggle for European peace and foreigners encroaching on Europe is definitely not helping the fragile balance of peace in this continent."

Sebastian Saviri

Prime Minister of the Revolutionary Socialist Syndicate of the Netherlands

Classified

The RSSN has begun shipping supplies to mainland Scotland as part of a Lend-Lease agreement recently passed by the 6th Congress in their first week in office. These shipments include ammunition, oil, metals, as well as Dutch armored supply tankers, trucks, and air refueling machines for the purpose of benefitting the Scottish Army in the war. Ammunition sent includes everything from small 9mm to artillery shells and Naval ammunition.

Missile stations and anti-missile defense systems are on high alert. The Air Force has begun fueling and 400,000 soldiers have been called up into active service. The Navy is running both 'training missions' and protecting supply lines to Scotland. If further involvement is necessary, the Revolutionary Navy will begin escorting Scottish supplies from Britain to Iberia. Currently all carriers are docked and Frigates, Corvettes, and Destroyers are running supplies to Scotland.

50,000 Dutch soldiers and 400 armored units have been moved to Northern Scotland, in Scottish military bases in the Highlands. This, along with over 400 fighters from the RAF will be used to reinforce Scotland should any attack come from the North. More soldiers will come as more are called up and prepared for a tour of duty. The RSSN did not have many soldiers on active duty with Europe so peaceful. Additionally, 8 Battleships have been moved to military naval bases in the Outer Hebrides. Submarine forces are scattered throughout the North Sea and the GIUK gap. The RA has brought with it over 5,000 thermite mines for use against any invaders from the North.

The Revolutionary Army has called for an increase in military production, calling for more armored vehicles from tanks to APC's to small, unmanned drones that will likely be sent into the fray regardless of the level of Dutch involvement. Extra tanks are currently waiting in armories and 4,000 armored vehicles as well as many artillery units are on alert and have been called up. The Air Force has called for more fighters and bombers, as well as more rapid upgrades of older fighters and bombers. Quotas are expected to be met within the month.

Edited January 13, 2010 by Mergerberger II

[Subtleknifewielder]

**CLASSIFIED TO THE QUEENDOM**

We are hoping that, if faced with enough opposition, Finland and Scotland will back down. However, this is looking increasingly unlikely. Should they declare war on Louisiana, we will declare war on them. Should we be attacked, either in the Med or on our home soil, we will request the activation of the Diamond Pact. It is still our sincere hope not to have this turn into a world war, but we will not allow our friends to be bullied by brutes.

***Classified***

"That is perfectly understandable."

20,000 troops were prepared for immediate deployment should the Italian Federation be threatened, and ten full squadrons of fighters.

"So then it is not a crime to blockade it seeing how it is a military installation. Actions have consequences, and Louisiana is clearly the belligerent nation here."

"No, the station in question is there to allow them to support their European allies. Can you not see this simple fact? And it is not only a military installation, but a diplomatic one. is it a crime to storm an embassy? That is essentially what you will be doing. And the only belligerent here is Scotland, who simply said, 'get out or face war. That is not diplomacy, that is an ultimatum."

***Classified to all Diamond Members and RA Allies***

"You have access through the Gibraltar Straits, Suez Canal, and Bosporus Straits at all times, as you are well, our allies. I sincerely apologize for any inconveniences our declarations have caused."

***Classified***

"No apology is necessary."

[Lavo]

As there has been some confusion to territorial waters, the following is a map of Gibraltar (in orange) and it's territorial waters (in light purple). As one can see, it covers the entity of the small entrance to the Straits. Of course, Norway has full access (military and civilian) through said area.

Edited January 13, 2010 by Lavo_2