The Planetary Peace Conference - our negotiating stance

[Googlie]

Suggested message to the Morgan embassy:

Dear Sirs:

Regarding intercession by the Federation on behalf of the Corporation to pursue a cessation of hostilities between the Corporation and the University of Planet and the Peacekeepers, the Federation suggests the following:

Given that the Corporation will benefit financially to a significant extent by a cessation of hostilities between them and the University and Peacekeepers, the Federation would be willing to intercede with our allies on behalf of the Corporation provided suitable recompense was paid for our efforts.

The Junta suggests that perhaps 50 credits for each faction (100 credits in total) would persuade our ambassadors to use their good offices on behalf of the Corporation in this regard

Colonel Googlie, on behalf of the Junta

[Googlie]

Morgan message posted in the Morgan Embassy

[wuy3]

wow we are just racking in the doe. Googlie is sounding more and more like a morganite each day

[Googlie]

Colonel Googlie's addrtess to the Conference on the matter of University contacts

[Snoddasmannen]

The Angels are asking what they can expect in return for recognizing Zak as a vassal state and what they should do if Zak calls them up ... The nerve!

I thought Googlie was quite clear with his latent threats, but such audacity warrants a strong reaction from Sparta.

What should we give them in return for recognizing that what is ours is ours?!

[Maniac]

Perhaps a reply like this or so:

It has always been understood that accepting the special relation between the Federation and the University was a precondition for peace and commercial relations with the University protectorate. To quote an extract of Colonel Riveira's message, delivered Mission Date 2165.0327 to the Angel embassy:

For you this internal Sparta-University exchange doesn't matter, as other factions aren't allowed anyway to conduct any diplomacy with the University Protectorate unless with Spartan supervision and permission.

Judging you apparently believe that the Federation would need to offer something in return for the recognition of our legitimate supervision over the University's diplomatic adventures, we made a mistake by not asking you to officially recognize our protectorate the day you signed a treaty with Zakharov.
Know that we do not intend to offer anything in return for other factions having profitable commercial relations with the University. If the Angels refuse to recognize the protectorate, we will simply ask Zakharov to decare war on them, not as an agressive move but to prevent unauthorized contact. Likewise, if the Corporation and the Gaian Union refuse to recognize the protectorate with the diplomatic limits that follow from it, we do not see why we should make any effort to broker peace between them.

Btw, if the Angels keep refusing the recognition, we could use it as an excuse to build the Ascetic Virtues as punishment.

[Googlie]

Or maybe (my additions in bold italics):

Originally posted by Maniac

Of course the Conference Chair is correct - an option always open to the Federation is the complete annexation of remaining University bases. However the Junta believes that it is in the interests of all factions on Chiron to benefit from having the Protectorate - it generates - for all factions - additional trade and commerce, which is why we have encouraged Treaties with our vassal state.

But it has always been understood that accepting the special relation between the Federation and the University was a precondition for peace and commercial relations with the University protectorate.

To quote an extract of Colonel Riveira's message, delivered Mission Date 2165.0327 to the Angel embassy:

Judging you apparently believe that the Federation would need to offer something in return for the recognition of our legitimate supervision over the University's diplomatic adventures, we made a mistake by not asking you to officially recognize our protectorate the day you signed a treaty with Zakharov.

Know that we do not intend to offer anything in return for other factions having profitable commercial relations with the University. If the Angels factions refuse to recognize the Protectorate, we will simply ask Zakharov to decare war on them, not as an agressive move but to prevent unauthorized contact. Likewise, if the Corporation and the Gaian Union refuse to recognize the protectorate with the diplomatic limits that follow from it, we do not see why we should make any effort to broker peace between them.

And as regards the mechanics of such recognition .... if rogue elements in the University Protectorate masquerading as Provost Zakharov should contact another faction offering technology trades - or other exchanges - it is a simple matter to put the call on hold and immediately contact the respective faction's Embassy in the Federation or else commlink (by e-mail) a Junta officer for guidance

The reference to prior dealings with the Angels re the uni would be better ploaced in the Embassy - No?

[Googlie]

reply posted

[DeathByTheSword]

ok geo has i nice reply...dont see how we come out of this one without scars. we can 'garentie that the UNI will be to small to ever have a big offensive army and that the junta will see to that. this way an attack of the UNI is not an issue thus the modo doctrine will also not be affected

[Snoddasmannen]

I agree DBTS, that is an interesting reply. We can't guarantee that the Uni will never launch a transport somewhere or send noodles to raid Morgan formers, and the other factions must realize this, so your statement may need to be amended. Hmmmm, what we can offer the others is perhaps something like this:

• A sound assurance that hostile Uni actions is unlikely
• Permission to destroy University forces in their territory
• Tactical advice in case there are any threats from rogue University elements, ie location of transports, early warning systems in case of nearby noodles etc ...

The objection raised by Geo is not very dangerous to us imo if handled correctly. The risk Zak poses is so slight, the potential damage is so small and with the above amendments to our declaration it seems plain silly.

We will still not allow negotiations, infiltrations, or offensive military actions, which is the important part of our claim and obviously the other factions don't like it (and I doubt Gaia or Morgan will recognize it).

[DeathByTheSword]

we can also say that the UNI has the autonomity (sp?) to make use of there own military forces like the wish but that all UNI territory falls under Spartan protection. (this way if by some miracle the UNI ever takes pieces of another faction those bases are under our protection if we want)

[Googlie]

Good points all (inclkuding GeoModder's - )

How about a reply along these lines:

The Conference Chair has made a valid point, and one which the Junta had not forseen but one that the Junta believes is unlikely, given that we are strongly encouraging the good Provost Zakharov to concentrate on pure scientific research and developing his infrastructure with a view to profitable trade and commerce with all factions.

But, of course, we have permitted the University some autonomy in raising and maintaining defence forces, and it is not impossible that some hothead Captain or Major in the Universty Peace Corps might commandeer a transport and load it with a couple of Ogres - or other such units - and sail to pursue some imagined slight given by another faction.

Should this happen, the Federation is prepared to be flexible in its position, and allow such rogue units to be destroyed without recourse by the Federation. In fact, as soon as we are aware of such potential aberrant behaviour we will advise all factions that rogue elements are on the loose.

Furthermore, should destruction of other factions' facilities or units occur as a result of University aggression, the Federation will ensure that our Protectorate, the University, makes adequate reparations to cover the cost of replacement facilities or units.

(Of course, if the Federation itself should become involved in Vendetta with any other faction, then we may - or may not - request assistance from our Protectorate, in which case the above conditions would be annuled)

We believe that we cannot be fairer than that.

However, unless in defence of a faction's own property, the Federation will not countenance offensive actions by other factions against the University, whatever the rationale, and by whatever means (land, sea, air or covertly) and should this happen, the full might of the Federation will be used to defend our Protectorate's assets.

EDIT: Strike clause replaced by bold clause

[Modo44]

Originally posted by Maniac
Btw, if the Angels keep refusing the recognition, we could use it as an excuse to build the Ascetic Virtues as punishment.

I love this.

As to Zak, he is a submissive ally, right? And friendly, as was shown by him contacting us (not the other way around) to give Cyberethics. I think we can safely assume he will not pursue any aggressive action on his own (too weak), and even if, we can contain it (ask him, and if that fails then indeed—annex his last bases).

Googlie, please, skip the part about us not being prepared (for anything). It stinks of weakness.

[Googlie]

Originally posted by Modo44
Googlie, please, skip the part about us not being prepared (for anything). It stinks of weakness.

Not sure what part you mean -

The Junta not having forseen the possibility of a Uni attack?

or

us being "prepared" to be flexible

If the latter, isn't that the very point that GeoModder queried? (And, of course, if a faction did lose assets, we'd simply extort credits from Zak and hand them over - that's not weakness, but rather a re-inforcement of our claim to his Protectorate status, IMO

But I'll bow to the concensus in this, as it's clearly a fairly crucial message in-game from an RP and gameplaying perspective

[Modo44]

Originally posted by Googlie
The Junta not having forseen the possibility of a Uni attack?

This one. We can safely argue that the possibility is so low, and a contingency can be worked out so easy, we need not really take it under consideration.