Summit in Cam Ranh

[Mergerberger II]

In its generous promises to the Republic made just after her initial declaration of independence, the United Mechodamian States was kind enough to extend an offer of not only diplomatic recognition of the Vietnamese state, but also financial assistance to the fledgling state as it attempted to get on its feet. The Prime Minister did not forget this offer, as it stood out from the rest of the statements, which offered only diplomatic recognition of the new state.

Once confirmation of the offer was gained from the Mechodamian Government, a formal invitation to the city of Cam Ranh was sent to the Lord Prefect to discuss the terms in a formal, personal setting within Vietnam.

Edited May 2, 2010 by Mergerberger II

[SpacingOutMan]

[quote name='Mergerberger II' date='02 May 2010 - 05:07 PM' timestamp='1272834431' post='2284131']
Once confirmation of the offer was gained from the Mechodamian Government, a formal invitation to the city of Cam Ranh was sent to the Lord Prefect to discuss the terms in a formal, personal setting within Vietnam.
[/quote]

A message was sent back to the Vietnamese government in due haste.

[codebox]
TO: VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT
FE: UMS GOVERNMENT
FR: LORD PREFECT ZEMUNDA ST. GEORGE
TOPIC: CAM RANH SUMMIT

MESSAGE

To the Republic,

We would be more than happy and gracious to follow through with our initial offer. We know the
hardships of coming together in the birth of a new nation and with the fall of the former Acca
Dacca, we would still like to extend our hand in aid in Her honor. However, I personally am unable
to attend as I am seeing to the internal changes of our respective country. However, Grand Patriarch
Callin Nkailu, the Mechodamian vice-president equivalent in most systems, will take my place and I
assure you that her being there would be no different than myself. I do wish well for our futures
together and simply request that you, a nation of Asia, take the initiative to lead it into a
prosperous and bright future.

Sincerely,

Lord Prefect Zemunda St. George

END MESSAGE[/codebox]

--------

[i]"Vietnam airspace, this is a Mechodamian aircraft requesting to land. We have government officials aboard and are a non-military civilian craft. I repeat, this is a Mechodamian non-military government aircraft requesting to land. Please respond,"[/i] the pilot stated into his communication relay system as he awaited a response from the Vietnamese airport.

[Mergerberger II]

[i]Mechodamian aircraft, you are cleared for landing on Runway 4, over.[/i] responded the Air Traffic Control at Hanoi International Airport. A formal welcoming committee was present in the airport and had prepared a security detail for the incoming Grand Patriarch. The security detail would escort the woman downstairs via a small building with only an escalator inside on the tarmac outside of the terminal. The escalator led to a small train station with only two tracks, this one separate from the main station on the other side of the airport, in which the civilian population moved to and from wherever in Vietnam. The train consisted of an engine car attached to the overhanging wires, presumably because it was an electric train, and one car behind, a private car for the Grand Patriarch. The security detail rested in the front car.

Over the course of the 8-hour journey to Cam Ranh, the train made very few turns and no stops, traveling at an average speed of over 150 mph. Upon arrival in Cam Ranh, a limousine was at the private station, again away from the main civilian station, along with a police escort for the lady to the Summit, which would be held in the Private Meeting and Conference Room of the local City Hall. Within, Prime Minister Nguyen Van Binh was already waiting, sitting in a most luxurious chair, facing the door, with another of the same chair to his right, and a coffee table in the middle. He was drinking tea. "Welcome," he said.

[SpacingOutMan]

Callin smiled, bowed, and nodded. [i]"Thank you for your hospitality thus far,"[/i] she began as she sat down in the rather comfortable seat. [i]"It is good to be back in Asia, I must admit. How have things been since the formation of your government? Good I hope!"[/i] she kindly asked as she stretched her legs out from the long trek to the facility.

[Mergerberger II]

"Hospitality is to be expected, and let me also apologize for the lengthy train ride down here. For some reason, the airport in this town is out of commission. In the government and throughout the country, things have been running remarkably smoothly, I must say. I expected far more problems than there have been. Parliament is running without any hiccups, and there is minimal resistance to the government and overwhelming support for it and the measures soon to be passed for the betterment of the people.

However, there still remain problems, as are to be expected with any new government, and they are the core of why it is that I have called this summit between our two nations. As it stands, the infrastructure of Vietnam is outdated and old, and there is little or no access to some of the remote villages wherein aid is needed the most. Some of these villages are afflicted with disease and are in need of medical supplies, but it is difficult traveling there. There is also no highway system in the nation. The main, indeed the only efficient, means of transportation from North to South is the train on which you rode here.

There is also a remarkable lack of a fully functioning communications system. Numerous of the more remote towns and villages, indeed even some of the more populous towns and cities, even, remain off of the communications grid. My government is of the opinion that this needs to be fixed immediately, however it cannot be done without the assistance of foreign nations such as yourself. Because of your generous offer, I have called this summit to discuss the possibilities of your assistance to us. I would also like, before we begin negotiations, to thank you for your generous offer."

[SpacingOutMan]

Callin couldn't help but smile because it reminded her of when her own country had originally been birthed. [i]"When my country had originally come together,"[/i] she stated, [i]"we enjoyed the full support of the now defunct Republic in Africa. We lucked out in that regard because we had a mentor of sorts to watch over us as we grew as a new nation. Now if only every nation enjoyed that luxury, war would become a thing of the past; famine would be an old fairy tale; pestilence would be a joke passed down from generation to generation. But it's not, and that is what disturbs me the most. We offered this because it's something we feel is a necessity to help all peoples in this world. This is why we extended our hand in friendship, because we know what it is like to be in your position."[/i]

She paused for a moment in reflection, and continued, [i]"So you have no need to thank us. In fact, you should be, instead, thanking the very people who support you. The will of the populace is what makes a country succeed. The government, at least from what I can tell, is simply a guiding hand. Now I don't mean to hog this conversation, so what exactly are your overall needs financially? I'd be more than happy to look them over."[/i]

[Mergerberger II]

"I am very thankful for your assistance and I appreciate your wisdom. At present, we are facing costs of ~$35,000,000,000 for the construction of a highway system as well as a comprehensive telephone wire system consisting of over 30,000km of new wire, and 5,000km of new highway mileage. We are currently looking for assistance in the form of $10,000,000,000, or whatever you can provide at this time. Again, your assistance is greatly appreciated by me and my countrymen."

[SpacingOutMan]

[quote name='Mergerberger II' date='02 May 2010 - 08:23 PM' timestamp='1272846196' post='2284382']
"I am very thankful for your assistance and I appreciate your wisdom. At present, we are facing costs of ~$35,000,000,000 for the construction of a highway system as well as a comprehensive telephone wire system consisting of over 30,000km of new wire, and 5,000km of new highway mileage. We are currently looking for assistance in the form of $10,000,000,000, or whatever you can provide at this time. Again, your assistance is greatly appreciated by me and my countrymen."
[/quote]

Callin took out a piece of notepad from her bag and scribbled down notes.

[i]"So this money would go towards strictly these projects for transportation and communication? Or are there other expenditures you are looking at to pursue also. As I said, we are more than willing to help and, just to note, can offer your country assistance outside of the $10 billion as well,"[/i] she inquired as she finished writing on her paper.

[Mergerberger II]

"Indeed, I think that this is a clear sign of a mutual trust between our nations, one that can merit some sort of mutual agreement between our nations constituting some sort of mutual defense, whether optional or mandatory, if you are at all interested."

[Mergerberger II]

OOC: bump bump bumparoo

[SpacingOutMan]

[quote name='Mergerberger II' date='02 May 2010 - 09:01 PM' timestamp='1272848484' post='2284427']
"Indeed, I think that this is a clear sign of a mutual trust between our nations, one that can merit some sort of mutual agreement between our nations constituting some sort of mutual defense, whether optional or mandatory, if you are at all interested."
[/quote]

[OOC: Terribly sorry! I literally got slammed with stuff in regards to my current ongoing research in the lab. We had a quaint breakthrough with this particular species of alga-- you aren't asleep yet, right? Again, sorry!]

[i]"Well, we do have a military base within the PRC protectorate region in northern Thailand. If you'd be willing, or rather your military command, we'd be more than willing to offer out own experiences in war along with a symposium on modern tactics. Our military has, for better or for worst, seen every type of environment for combat. The UMS military has fought in the jungles of Acca Dacca, the arid desert of the former Islamic States of Africa, the urban infrastructure of the Nodic capitol Kolfe, the island of Corsica, the tumultuous seas of the Mediterranean and the Bengal Sea, the forests of Europe, and countless other places. It's not so much training as it is discussing different tactics, almost like a think-tank.

Likewise, we'd be very interested in gaining new friends in this sphere of influence. With the recent fall of Acca Dacca, our only real commitment lies to the People's Republic of China to the north. We see things such treaties being optional as mundane and cowardly, no offense intended. If we sign anything, it will dictate a mandatory clause, though I am sure you can understand."[/i]

Edited May 18, 2010 by SpacingOutMan

[Mergerberger II]

"Then, my friend, I have a proposal for you."

[quote]
Preamble

The undersigned nations of the Republic of Vietnam and the United Mechodamian States do hereby agree to the following terms in following their commitment to peace and protection of friends and allies against outside threats. This treaty, signed in friendship, is a symbol of the close relationship between the undersigned nations and shall remain as such so long as it is in existence.

Article I

Neither nation shall engage in aggressive action against the other, herein defined as, but not limited to, espionage, violations of sovereignty, aggressive language in formal diplomatic channels, or aggressive military action in any form.

Article II

Both nations do hereby agree to lower their tariffs so as to promote economic growth and development and strengthen the relationship between the undersigned nations. These tariffs may be lowered at the discretion of each individual nation, and both nations reserve the right to forbid foreign companies engaged in certain industries which are vital to national security from entering and exploiting their nation, so as to protect their industries.

Article III

Both nations do hereby agree to a doctrine of mutual defense. Each will consider an attack on one nation to be an attack on the opposite, and provide all military, economic, or any other kind of assistance that is requested by the nation under attack. The signatories are mandated to provide assistance should a nation which has been attacked request it.

Article IV

While neither nation will be obligated by this treaty to assist in aggressive operations, both are highly encouraged to engage in aggressive military operations, including but not limited to first strikes and coordinated espionage and security operations. This is not required, however assistance is strongly encouraged and will be seen as a sign of great respect and friendship.

Article V

Both nations agree that should either make the decision to cancel this treaty, which may be made at any time, though it is frowned upon without reason, they will give the opposite signatory 4 months' (1 week) notice prior to the cancellation taking effect and this treaty being considered null and void by both nations.

Article VI

Signed for the Republic of Vietnam,

Prime Minister Nguyen Van Binh
Parliament of Vietnam

Signed for the United Mechodamian States,[/quote]

[SpacingOutMan]

[i]"The only thing that concerns me is the military clause. What security can we see that will prevent the onset of war? We are more than happy to defend our allies, but we also do not want to engage in frivolous conflicts that put both our nations at risk."[/i]

Edited May 26, 2010 by SpacingOutMan

[Mergerberger II]

"I am not sure what you mean. It is a Mandatory defense clause with an optional aggression clause. Do you want to remove the defense clause?"

[SpacingOutMan]

[i]"It's not that we disagree with the defense clause because we always remain steadfast with our allies. It's more so us needing to feel assured that one of our allies aren't going to go out on a limb and haphazardly declare or initiate a war that requires our automatic aid. We treasure each of our individual soldiers' lives."[/i]

[Mergerberger II]

"I assure you that this Vietnamese government is not warmongering, indeed we are more focused on building ourselves. After all, how can we both construct homes for our people and make war on foreign nations? I can put my guarantee that this government will engage in no aggressive warfare against any nation. I say this government because it is this one in charge of which I am. However, if you still feel uncomfortable, I would be willing to make the defense clause optional."

[SpacingOutMan]

[i]"We see mutual and optional as being inherently the same in the sense that should one of our allies go to war, we will be apt to defend them because that is our philosophy. Our nation is a proud people who pride themselves on their ability to wage war, but more importantly their ability to defend their principles and dearest friends and family. It is our goal to become family with our allies, even if it means we are blood-ridden in the sands of time. As a part of this treaty, we would also like to see to it that we have some assurance that our property in Thailand will also be included as a part of this defensive treaty as it was, indeed, ceded to use by the former Acca Dacca and we will be undergoing talks with the new structure of the former Peoples' Republic of China."[/i]

[SpacingOutMan]

OOOC: Bump.