Tales From The (Still) Diplomatic Front II

[Grau Geist]

Matt we shall certainly keep you on the list, we enjoyed having you play as well. I hope you can take some constructive criticism though: TALK TO PEOPLE

Not just your ally, but people who are your enemies as well. Cap said he never heard a peep from you. I barely heard a peep from you and I was right off your coastline!

I'm sure SF appreciates your effort, but it was your job in a diplomatic game to convince SF that he was on a sinking ship, and convince him to make peace. In your position you could do that or even convince one of my allies to turn sides! that is what the diplomatic game is about. Not threatening to turn the game into bloodlust

as for your loss of territory, Milo accomplished that with a master stroke of reasoning and diplomacy. convincing the world that it was necessary

I'm not the expert at all on diplomatic games, since this is my first one as with everyone else. But this is how I saw things
look forward to playing with you again GG

[Geronimo]

'master strokes of reasoning and diplomacy' are easy when the other person isn't there.

[CapTVK]

The New English Times: issue 6 (early edition)

WAR ENDS!
PEACE TREATY SIGNED IN ROME

English, Russian, JTF, Viking and Aztec representatives sign a peace treaty in the warn torn city of Rome. Thereby ending a war of global proportions that almost lasted two centuries. Under tense negotiations with the Vikings working as intermediaries between the parties a deal was finally reached.

Diplomatic meetings were already underway: a cease fire between the Russians and Aztecs was already agreed before the English negotiations had started. This greatly speeded up talks between the English and
Aztecs but things finally started moving after the JTF promised to return some of it's former colonies in South America.

Details about the 'Treaty of Rome' and more news to follow in the normal edition of the New English Times

[KenThur]

Flash Bulletin via M.Polo's Viking Embassey Network:

Direct printout off the diplomatic chat system(note "To:" = message from your leader, Master Milo) ...

To President Pastie II, Comrade Graugawa, President Montezumas Revenge, Lord Protector CapTVK (A.D. 1480): K! Wish they were all that fast. Where we at? Is the ICQ I'm receiving the final deal? = congrat's(?) to U all !!
From President Montezumas Revenge (A.D. 1480): ok ill start with vikings
From Lord Protector CapTVK (A.D. 1480): Congrats to all, we should name this treaty...any names in particular?
From Comrade Graugawa (A.D. 1480): Treaty of Rome
From Comrade Graugawa (A.D. 1480): that is where it all started
From President Pastie II (A.D. 1480): How about the Pasti Peace Pact, No vanity in that!
From Lord Protector CapTVK (A.D. 1480): Treaty of rome sounds good and there it will end too
From Comrade Graugawa (A.D. 1480): good meeting place geographically as well
From President Pastie II (A.D. 1480): Ok, Treaty of Rome, 1480AD.
From President Pastie II (A.D. 1480): Let peace bless our lands for evermore.
To President Pastie II, President Montezumas Revenge, Lord Protector CapTVK (A.D. 1480): Hail to the Signatours of the Treaty of Rome, that city that has been racked by warfare for the last 3 centuries!!
=============================================

And this is only the tail of long, hard-fought, well-presented arguments from both sides & many factions.

What more can we add?!
Only that much credit is due the brand new Aztec dynasty & it's rather remarkable leader; Nappy. To be thrust into such a difficult situ, for which he had only a very short time to prepare, & to hang tough despite seemingly overwhelming adversity is a tribute to his abilities. And this despite, once again; seemingly no support, not even diplomatically, from the Aztec's historic "allies" the Chinese & their new human leader T-Man.
May the Nappy dynasty's rule be long & properous! (you WILL keep this leader on your watch-lists & code networks)

That is all.
---------------------------------------------
Note to Spin Staff: we ARE back to a democracy now & your President WAS nominated for the Peace Prize... need I say more? Other than...
SQUASH any further remarks re: our continuing border clashes with those damn Chinese. 1 such comment reminding those monitoring the celebration cost me the award! You get my drift!?
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by KenThur (edited August 15, 1999).]</font>

[Superstar]

MOSCOW MULE, 15TH AUGUST, EVENING EDITION

The turn of the new millenia has seen a new hope for peace in the world. The long standing war has ended after hard fought peace negotiations between the Russian, JTF and English alliance with the Aztecs came to a succesful close.
President Pastie II was first to reach a cease fire agreement in return for an important tech advance and a ceasation of all naval movements near Russian land by the new Aztec leader Nappy. Press officer Boris Punchyeredov released this statement. "The war was not going to benefit anyone in the long run, as the English with our support would almost certainly have wiped out more Aztecs cities than the peace negotiations ceded to them. The wisened new leader Nappy fought a hard negotiation, and has won the respect of other nations in his efforts. Our quick cease fire speeded up the process and our UK citizens need not fear naval bombardments in the future".
Our editor would like to congratulate Cap TVK in his succeful defence of his civ and hopes to see our great allies become one of the dominant world forces now Aztec oppresion has finally been defeatd.
Praise also goes to Pres.Grau Geist for his continued support of the English and Russian empires in their time of need. It is pleasing to behold the new powergraph with the JTF now being the dominant world force.
Viking leader Milo has been awarded the Honourary Citizens Cross by the Russian cabinet after his Nobel peace prize was refused due to his war with China. His efforts are greatly appreciated worldwide, and his continued neutrality holds him in high regard for future disputes.

ECONOMIC MULE.
The trade sanctions with the Aztecs has now at last been lifted, and a boom in vodka sales is expected.
Continued trade with the English earned our mighty nation 350+ gold to our treasury, and the trade arrows were mutually beneficial also.
Caravans heading for Viking territory continue to make slow progress, but will hopefully arrive before the next millenium or the Vodka crisis of 1500 will no doubt cause great discontentment for the Viking populace.

MILITARY MULE.
The arrival of tactics has seen our great army become still stronger, and as of yet still undefeated save for the infamous traitorous mercenaries bribed by the old Aztec empire.
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by Superstar (edited August 24, 1999).]</font>

[CapTVK]

The New English Times: issue 6

DETAILS ON THE TREATY OF ROME

The geopolitical map after the treaty was signed in 1500

This a general overview of the treaty with the conditions (and obligations) laid out for all players involved. May it help as a
guideline for further discussions and any new diplomats in the future.


The English[*] English receive Spain (Gibraltar)[*] English keep Italy and Turkey[*] English receive the Lower Caucasus (Baku)[*] The Aztecs promise not to build ships for the Mediterrean Area[*] The city of will be placed under Viking controls for the next 10

turns to act as a buffer[*] In return the English have promised not to advance further and sign a peace treaty with the Aztecs

The Russians[*] Aztecs cease naval attacks[*] Aztecs promise to reduce their fleet[*] The Russians return the city of Bordeaux to the Aztecs that was placed in their custody thanks to a assault by the English [*] Aztecs will supply technology to the Russians on a later date[*] In return the russians will call a cease fire

The JTF[*] JTF will return one of the former colonies in South America [*] Aztecs will cease diplo and naval attacks on Englander

The vikings[*] The Vikings will supervise the city of Tequixquiac in the Caspian sea for a period of 10 turns and act as a buffer between the Aztecs and English. The city is open for trade by all parties.

The Aztecs[*] The Aztecs will fulfill all the conditions set out above and cease hostile actions

THE NEW RUSSIA
While the Aztecs were waging naval bombardments on Russian colonies on
the British isles the mainland of Russia underwent a complete transformation. Thanks to strong goverment, effective planning and new scientific advancements like the railroad and industrialization Russia
has emerged as a new worldplayer. Under the leadership of pasti2 the west of North America was finally conquered and gained control over Mexico. "The momentum was already there. The war with the Aztecs only
accelerated it" mentioned the English ambassador. On the military front the Russian have modernized their army and navy but they remain small compared to other nations like the Aztecs and English or the strong JTF navy. But with increased production this handicap would quickly disappear. For now the Russians are happy the war is over and are quite contently concentrating on trade relations, the silk trade with the English has been a big payoff for them!

Mapmakers plan approved: European cities renamed
Mapmakers have their work cut out as their plan to rename cities with their original historical names is approved in parlament today. "this confusion with all those foreign unpronounceable names has always been a thorn in the eye of the mapmakers union, I'm glad they agreed to it" mentioned the chairman of the English cartographers union. People shouldn't worry about cities changing their names overnight though, only cities in southern Europe will be named to their historical counterpart, at least for now...

--------------------------
news from the front
--------------------------

Bordeaux captured and placed under Russian control
Thanks to a surprise attack by English dragoons the city of Bordeaux was taken in record time. To prevent covert actions by Aztecs insurgents the city was placed under Russian control who thanks to a better experience with administration know how to deal with diplo attacks. The city was later returned to the Aztecs as part of the "treaty of Rome" agreement.

Sioux remain restless
Although the official treaty has been signed the former allies of the Aztecs, the Sioux aren't very contend with the treaty. The strange reaction of the Sioux could be due to the take over by the mysterious leader only known as 'AI' when their former leader: 'Colon of the Sioux' disappeared. After the lower caucasus was handed over to English
forces several Sioux dragoons moved closer to Baku. Despite diplomatic contacts requesting the removal of those forces they declared war on the English.

----------------------------
Science&Technology
----------------------------

DAWN OF A NEW AGE: The Railroad
It has gone unnoticed because of the war but finally the railroad has arrived. The railroad isn't new, traders heading towards the JTF or Russians already have seen and used railway lines between the major cities. This amazing piece technology has now reached the English nation. All over the land engineers are working on completing new tracts of rail. No cities have been connected as yet but the first cities will be connected in the next few turns. the Royal Corps of Engineers predicts that every major city will be connected by the end of this century and cause a boom in trade and productivity.

&lt;font size=1 face=Arial color=444444&gt;[This message has been edited by CapTVK (edited August 19, 1999).]&lt;/font&gt;
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by CapTVK (edited November 24, 1999).]</font>

[Grau Geist]

THE JAPANESE TRADE FEDERATION WEEKLY TRIBUNE

1560 AD

PEACE ACHIEVED ? ?

The Treaty of Rome enacted, the world was thought to be at peace. The English gained living space from the rich fields of the Aztecs, The Russians and JTF gained peace, and the peace loving, and nominated Nobel Peace Prize leader of the Vikings re-established his northern border with the Chinese. Thus the world was ready to settle into a peaceful and trade abundant realm. However, this was not to be. The most recent events have disturbed this columnist. Under the guise of territorial protection, the Viking juggernaut has absorbed more than the agreed upon border with China. Chairman Grau immediately canceled the Alliance with the Vikings lest the JTF be associated with this obvious attempt at expansion.

The JTF council considered whether or not to impose economic sanctions on the Viking Democracy, as delivered in part of Chairman Grau’s speech to the council:

“As the leading nation with global presence, the JTF is very interested in the developing situation in Northern Asia. Though we have not been great friends with the Chinese, and often been enemies, we in the Council believe that current Viking action in Northern Asia has gone beyond the protection of agreed upon borders. We expect that upon the return of a stable rule to the Chinese Republic, that the Viking state will return all territories captured beyond the Yellow River Valley. This was our original agreement in our treaty of Alliance with the Viking Ruler Milo, thus since the Vikings have failed to cease their attack beyond this point we have no other choice but to cancel the agreed alliance. If these aggressive action do not cease the JTF must consider further actions to prevent the collapse of the Chinese Nation. Sanctions will be considered....”

TRADE ABOUNDS

The JTF continued to grow in prosperity as more profitable trade routes were established with the far flung Russian nation. The heavy emphasis on strengthening the South American trade cities has kicked off to great success. Look for goods from the south of americas coming your way soon!

JTF BEGINS SOUTH AMERICAN DIVERSIFICATION

The JTF Council, always interested in world trade and international growth, has handed over the former Aztec colony of Sao Luis to our English Neighbors. Their blood shed in the South American Conflict will not be forgotten. Chairman Grau has also considered offering more former colonies to our English Allies, details have not been worked out. This comes with the expected hand over of Guyana, with an Aztec majority population, back to the Aztecs upon their rulers return. In addition Chairman Grau announced that vacant South American lands have always been open to settlement by who ever makes the effort. Opposition Parties to these hand overs have expressed dissent to what they call “blatant appeasement of weaker nations at the expense of Federation world domination.” However, further attempts at contacting the opposition leader has failed, for his secretary reports he has decided to take a vacation in the tropics for an unspecified period of time.

WILL WONDERS NEVER CEASE

Traveler’s visiting Russian Territory were amazed to find liberated women travelling throughout their cities. Russia’s decision to grant Women’s Sufferage has had a profound effect on their society and on the world. JTF Council members are currently debating the subject of extending women’s rights in the Federation. This enlightened discussion is apparently a side effect of the JTF’s most recent important discoveries. The gaijin immigrant Charles Darwin and his team of JTF biologists recently completed their voyage to the South American territory. Their discoveries have provoked rapid developments in science and technology fields across the Federation. Our field reporters have even heard rumors of men attempting to reach the skies and fly as the birds. These reports have not been confirmed as yet. In addition, one foreign correspondant sent word of a new break through technology; The sioux are reported to have candles without flames or wax. Attempts are underway to discover how this is possible, preliminary reports show an increase in the coal demand in Sioux cities

[Superstar]

MOSCOW MULE 24th August, 1560

EDITORIAL

With the great war finally over, the Russian citizens have started to look for a prolonged era of peace and prosperity. With the emphasis of our great nation concentrating on infrastructure for several years now, the rewards are beginning to show. With greater shield production and the aid of engineers to transform some of the rolling plains to much neede grassland, Russia is beginning to grow. New cities are springing up and the new Home office minister is encouraging further growth.
"We hope to be able to colonise the entire N.America within 250 years. Although this is a long period, the effort in melting ice-caps and tundra will not be an easy task."

DOMESTIC MULE.
Finally the efforts of the female population in the building of our empire has been recognised. The chauvinistic pride has been put aside by millions of Russians to allow women a greater influence in society. No longer will our absent military leave our women uselessly twiddling their thumbs and crying into their crochet, for now women are a valued section of the industrial age. All we can say to other nations is that by ignoring the female populace you will ultimatly slow down any military efforts.

The Russain empire now has the second largest number of cities, yet a recent demographic report showed us lagging 5th in overall population. However, with the growth of these new cities and our large family size, we are sure to catch up. New govt. incentives are offering families of 5 or more children cash rewards and free prams.

MILITARY MULE.
News arrived at Moscow today of Pres.Milo's aggresive stance over the Chinese. Although the Vikings appear to have gone further than agreed in pushing the Chinese back, they remain our allies for the time being. New Prime Minister Superstar has appealed for a cease fire and a detailed explanation of his intentions. A similar appeal has been sent to the English leader CapTVK, as his continued aggresion toward the Sioux continues. Although no love for the dishonourable Chinese and Sioux nations exist from Russia, potential new leadres will be put off if current 'living room' expansionism continues.
Our intelligence agencies have picked up alarming whisperings of discontent within certain quarters of the supposed civilised and allied nations. The cancelation of the JTF with the Vikings is disturbing news, but further whisperings of proposed action from all nations (incl. the absent Aztec govt) is stirring paranoia around the world.
Our ears are to the ground but who can we really trust? Watch this space...
With new units, the start of a navy and new cities the powergraph has seen a visible push into third place in the world. The news was greeted with 'modesty' by PM Superstar. "It is only a matter of timwe before we overtake the Aztecsa and then the JTF and Russian alliance will become the most powerful in the world. hhahahahha!"

ECONOMIC MULE
Caravans have recently seen an improvement to their basic nomad-like camel herders, to dirty great big freight units with the arrival of the corporation. Quite how these horseless carriages work is being kept secret by our scientists, but some are suggesting that they run on clockwork.
New freight units have taken advantage of the recent opening of trade with the Aztec nation, setting up a Dye/beads trade route.
The Viking bound trade ship has also reached it's destination, with a convoy of coal being shipped to Ven from Stalingrad. The other freight units are yet to make their decision on the final destination, although their is a rumour that a wine route with Manila from the already over-traded Moscow may bring substantial monies.
New factories are being created in several cities, hopefully speeding up production further, and bringing new Banks and stock exchanges to our now now stable economy.
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by Superstar (edited August 24, 1999).]</font>

[CapTVK]

The New English Times: issue 7

Relieved troops head home as Sioux sign cease fire.
The war is now truly and finally over as the Sioux signed a cease fire in Baghdad after it was captured by English forces located in Baku. It's clear that the English have become war weary after the conflict with the Aztecs had ended. Troops were already marching home but the Sioux wanted to show their force at Baku. They gambled and lost that action with the loss of Baghdad. Nobody wanted this (short) war although the Sioux AI leadership had other ideas about that. We hope that the Sioux will find a new leader that can act more responsible towards others.

WARS ARE COSTLY!

What was lost...
Now that the final shot has been fired and the last musketeer comes home it's time to ask for the bill, what did we lose and what did we gain? The ministry has released a report of the real cost of war. First we count up the shield cost for units remaining in the field and those that were lost in the campaign. the total cast for all military units amounts to: 1880 shields. We should take note that England is under military rule(fundy) and does not incur the one shield maintenance costs for every military unit. From this number we should substract the cost if there had been no war: conservative estimates (city defense and other naval vessels) put this on roughly 650 shields making for a real loss of 1230 shields in production. To put this amount in perspective: roughly equivalent to 12 turns total shield production or 2 modern WoW's!

What was gained...
Against these cost we can post gains, and gains they are! But they are small, if we add up the total shield and gold production of the gained cities we come out at: 27 shields/turn and 17gold/turns (city improvements taken into account). We can convert into shields for around 2gold/shield so the total production would be: 35 shields/turn. If those cities remained the same size it would take 35 turns before we would have paid the cost of this war! Naturally cities grow through time but even if we take average city growth into account it would still take 28 turns to post a net shield 'profit'.


And the rest...
Of course there are other gains that can't be measured in shields/gold so easily: the control of the Mediterranean area is one , the threat of an Aztec invasion which has been greatly reduced is two and finally some colonies in SA which will be excellent for trade is three. Finally there is the 'what if..?' scenario. If the Aztecs had invaded Africa (SF did threaten to take London!) there would have been far greater losses on our side in the forms of lost cities, civilians killed, units, production and gold or even total defeat...

In a final analysis...
All in all it was a victory but a hollow victory at that. As the English will have to incur the cost of this war well into the 18th century! May it serve as a warning for any leader who goes to war for economic gains...

NEW DEFENSE POLICY UNDER REVIEW
Military planners have been busy making an assessment of the new defence policy. The focus will shift from large stationary forces to small quick moving ones like cavalry and beyond. Rumours have it that the 'possible' discovery of flight by the JTF lead to this new policy have been denied by the goverment. "After the war it was clear that new advances had made old tactics worthless". "This policy was already under review while the war was still going on". "Now we have time to implement it..." mentioned a government official.
In the policy there's also special attention for the aspects Guerrila Warfare. Should a city be captured by enemy forces, trained civilians (partisan units) will spread themselves out over the countryside and try to hamper enemy forces by sabotage and blocking important roads/railwaylines. We can only hope that it will never come to that...

--------------------------
In other news
--------------------------

Railway is introduced at record speed!
The speed by which the public has accepted the railway as a new form of transportation has even surprised the engineers working on them. Although some sceptics claimed that trains would frighten livestock and other animals and people would suffocate above speeds higher 55/mph. These critics were quickly silenced after the great northen line connecting Liverpool in Egypt and Edo(JTF) in south Africa was completed. Trade has been steadily increasing in all places connected by railways. Engineers are now certain that all cities will be connected on the African mainland by the end of this century.

<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by CapTVK (edited August 25, 1999).]</font>

[KenThur]

The Viking Sentinel: 1500-1540AD Late Edition

Lead-In:
Well readers, as reported in other publications, this world continues its return to peace & prosperity. Though still missing some key rulers, those present made much progress technologically & development-wise.

Business Page:
We Vikings led by our hard-working & ever-present Milo dynasty, continued advancing our world-leading city development. Along with many of the other advanced civilizations, we developed & fielded modern engineers who, now armed with the ability to tie our cities together with the wonderful advance of railroads, have rapidly done so. We look forward to completing the mission of tying our system into those of our allies the Sioux. And despite the uncooperative Chinese to our north, ultimately to the newly peaceful Aztec civ & their amazing new leader, Nappy.

Our modern well-developed homeland cities continued to welcome & handsomely reward caravans from the JTF & (finally!)our friends, the Russians, from the opposite side of the world.

On the other side of the trade ledger, our 2nd galleon of caravans (finally!)arrived on the western shore of Mexico! They stand ready to establish more world-record trading routes with the illustrious Super/Pasti II’s Russian democracy! (we only wish he would build up their road system to facilitate trade)

We also completed nice routes to the stout English civ.
Editor's note: 1 of these had been scheduled to lock in with a JTF city in So.Africa, but due to numerous delays caused by their units in the way of our caravans + their decision to unilaterally terminate our alliance, Commerce Secretary Rich Richard ordered that mission to bring the benefits of our advanced trade to the nearest English city. Which was immediately done. Thereby providing gold for our border-protection campaign & another good trading route for Comrade CapTVK.

In Asia, our long-wandering nearly-worthless salt caravan made it across the Gobi desert & eastern steppes of mid-Asia to a friendly Sioux city on the eastern shores of the Caspian Sea. Though economically insignficant, it was very observant during its journey along the Chinese border & sending back invaluable reports of Chinese aggressive expansion into these areas. Areas that our longtime allies the Sioux, were to have developed if their rightful leader Chief Colon been able to fulfill that mission. *see story Political Section that follows…

Political Page:
Our modern, rapid-strike army & it’s accompanying diplomatic corp continued our northern border consolidation by annexing another of the leaderless & uncooperative Chinese minor cities. This after an unsuccessful attempt at sealing the border directly south of their capital. The cost of a couple of non-veteran units was a small price to pay to get the leaderless Chinese government to appeal for a ceasefire.

At that point, having accomplished what seemed to be a defensible line of cities along our northern border & with mounting pressure from our friends in Kyoto & Moscow, we offered a permanent peace treaty to the AI leaders of the Chinese. The arrogant idiots that they have become, demanded technology from our ambassaor in order to made peace! Having been through so much effort & still being a much smaller power than they, plus with the above knowledge of their further expansion into our Sioux ally’s territory... our fearless President Mr. Milo instructed our peace mission to explain, in no uncertain terms, where the Chinese could insert their demands!

Editorial Page:
Milo Mindbender… what a guy!! We love him!
He & his predecessors have been through so much over all these centuries. Bringing our little civ from the isolation of barren Australia to a position of becoming a medium-sized power on the world stage.
Patiently being very cooperative & asserting our little power through the only means we had; diplomatic & to a lesser extent, economically. Through centuries of non-responsive & unfortunately, non-exsistent leadership of the nations around us.
The Milo’s have earned us the right to take our place on the world stage. Not as a back-water stepchild civ that has to depend on the generousity of other civ’s; but as a full partner that will step ahead of those civ’s that have too long wallowed under the leadership of lesser leaders & worse, the mindless AI regimes. Hear, Here!!
We worship the carpet he stands on!

Note: We will never forget, & hope one day to repay, the generousity of those magnimous leaders of the JTF & the Russians, GG & the Pasti’s respectfully. Our people ask only that they & the other permanent leaders of this world understand why we, The Viking People, deserve to move out from their large shadows. In front of those civ’s that have NOT put forth the efforts that we have to build this world to where it is today. Where it can go in the future centuries, with or without, permanent intelligent leadership in the long-empty halls of some governments.

May all us HUMANS make the most of our increasing limited world, as we race to other worlds!?
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by KenThur (edited August 27, 1999).]</font>

[KenThur]

Admin Notes to World Leaders:
I have not yet received the final save from last session... if U'll played on after I had to check out. PLS, get that to me via ICQ or email richthur@earthlink.net

Also, if we have not recruited a new permanent Chin ruler, i would be interested in switching to them since a # of U think that the Vikings should be "nice" to them & remain quite little minor power forever(!?).

As i have said all along to the several rulers that have "managed" them... they have a MUCH better part of the world to work w/.
Plus at this time, if we are going to be short some hang-tough, mature players to work in this far into the contest, i would just as soon have a better civ to work w/ as we enter the modern era.
Thot's & opinions pls. Or better yet, any GOOD players out there that have the talent & guts to step up to the plate?

[Superstar]

Statement from Pres. Superstar, Wisened leader of the Russians.

Upon reflection the cabinet has decided to pass a resoloution supporting our allies the Vikings in efforts to expand their civ into a more formidable world force. However, we do not want ot see the entire chinese civ destroyed and propose a meeting of world leaders to decide how much territory gain they should be allowed. Pres. Milo has been a loyal leader to the diplo world and perhaps should be given some reward for remaining so long with an undersized nation.
In the meantime, we suggest that all hostilities cease and Milo to build further cities in land available to him. My maps of Viking territory maybe old but according to current data their appears to be room for 4-5 cities in Viking occupied land. We also suggest a S.American city be settled by the Vikings.

On a lighter note, I think you'll find that the road system in Russia is not as ancient as you think Milo!

My brother Pastie the elder will hopefully be taking charge of Russian affiars this week as I have guests to entertain.
Gentlemen, I thank you for your time and I hope these ideas will be given due attention.

[Nappy]

President Monty of the Aztecs here.......just wanted to update everyone on the state of the Aztec nation.Well...I was trying to get into a civleague tournament game a couple of weeks ago but it was cancelled and the beach was overcast so I was just hangin out and........Milo invited me to take over Sartfarts Aztec civ.I had the impression that I had the #1 civ and that I was at war with a couple of smaller civs but it wasnt too big a deal and I have to admit that I hadnt kept up with the posts on this forum and..............WOW- did I ever walk into a hornets nest! I was the #2 power( soon to be #3) and I was at war with the #1 Japs, #3 Russians, and #4 English.And even though this was a "diplomatic" game, it seemed as if nobody wanted to negotiate. Everyone wanted a piece of me , even the barbarians and my ally the Chinese were nowhere to be found.One player wanted Scandinavia and Central Asia, another player wanted all of southern Europe and the Caucasus from me. AND REPARATIONS.I got some much needed verbal support from Milo of the Vikings and the Russian player seemed to be the most agreeable of my myriad enemies so I approached him first.The Russian player was most concerned about the safety of his coastal cities in the British Isles so I unilaterally mothballed and dismantled my entire navy and pledged to not build any more naval units or enter the North Sea for the next 100 years.To settle the question of war reparations,I pledged a future tech to Russia which was paid in 1610AD.The next most agreeable leader was Grau Geist of the great JTF.He didnt really want any of my territory, just a pledge of peace, room for his ally the English to expand, and renouncement of my former South American colonies.The English however wanted to extract their pound of flesh from the Aztec nation.The English were concerned about future threats to North Africa and demanded all of southern Europe and the Caucasus. Again I offered a unilateral disbanding of my fleets and a pledge not to build any naval units or enter the Med. for the next 100 years but that was not enough.The English continued to demand all of southern Europe and a continuation of the war seemed inevitable until Milo of the Vikings stepped forward with a Nobel Peace Prize performance and offered to send in a peacekeeping to Bucharest to act as a buffer between the Aztec and English empires.A peaceful settlement was now possible. With a little cajoling from the JTF and the Russians we were able to hammer out a settlement that was not overly punitive to my great nation. I conceded the Iberian and Italian peninsulas and the southern half of the Caucasus to the English to give them room to settle their teeming masses. I gave Bucharest to the Vikings in a trusteeship for the next 100 years.The JTF returned one of my formmer South American colonies.I went from 22 cities to 17 but at least the Aztec nation survived.England however was not completely placated. So great was their disdain for the Aztecs that they demanded that I change all the names of my cities.....they couldnt bear to see the hated Aztec placenames on the map.To honor his demands I have "modernized" all the traditional Aztec names to Mexican placenames and I have renamed all of my border cities with the English after 4 of the busiest crossings in the world: Tijuana,Nogales,Mexicali and Ciudad Juarez in honor of the expected hordes of English illegal aliens that will shortly be crossing my southern border in hope of finding a better way of life.I have further demilitazed the Aztec nation save for a few Border Patrol units on my southern border.

[Nappy]

AZTEC STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS: Greetings from President Monty of the great Aztec nation. The Aztec people have spoken.After 100 years of high taxes and constant warfare,the Aztec people have voted out the previous Democratic Party leadership and relaced it with Republican control of not only the Oval Office but also control of the House and the Senate.As my campaign advisor so succinctly put it: "Its the economy stupid".We have been elected on a platform of lower taxes.....the marginal tax rate was 90% when I took office ...and a program of turning swords into plowshares.I have already reduced both the marginal tax rate and the capitol gains tax to only 20%.I furhter promised jobbs for all and better education and more ATM's and to that extent I have put the unemployed to work building libraries,universities,marketplaces,banks,roads, mines, and irrigation canals.In addition, since we lost some of our southern lands in the peasce settlement,I have engaged our best engineers and homebuilders to carve out new cities in our extreme northern provinces for a massive poulation relocation.I have mothballed and dismantled our fleets and demobilized our excessive ground forces to cut down on defense spending and assure the world that we are responsible and ready to assume our rightfull place as a member of the community on nations.I have also travelled around the world to promote free trade agreements and advertise our nations large population as a stimulus to the other nations prosperity and economic growth.As a further stimulus to free trade we have formed a nationalized corporation-AZTRAK-to cover all of Europe and western Asia with a viable rail net.Remember........we want your caravans and freights.And finally to keep the peace, we have sent all of our spy/diplomats back to college to re-educate them.I have begun a new dual MBA/SPY program at the Universities we have been building since we will need more MBA's to run all the financial institutions and universities we have been building. Maybe one day all the MBA/SPY graduates will go on to corporate raiders.I know that there is a lot of work to be done to undo the excesses of the previous administration but I feel that we are off to a great start and have even been able to open constructive dialogues with our former enemies and hopefully future trading partners.Thank you all and good night.

[KenThur]

Gentlemen & fellow human leaders of the Diplo II earth:

As ruler of the Viking peoples from the dawn of our history, I, on behalf of my hard-working, peace-loving democratic citizens wish to present our case & explain our designs to thee & any potential heirs to the Sioux & Chinese civ’s.

Let me first unequivocally state what we do NOT desire to do or wish to see happen any time soon, if ever. That is the destruction of ANY civ on this planet. We furthermore pledge our resources & talents to prevent that from occurring, as we have demonstrated on several occasions over the course of history on our planet.

It is becoming increasingly evident that our planet is running out of room for civ’s to grow geographically. In fact there are only “2.5” areas of any size left; 1= western S.America, 2= south central Asia, & .5= the polar regions.
Current plans for these regions, as indicated by your official press releases, are:

1= the JTF’s Chairman GG has graciously(?) invited other nations to build here though they could obviously be there first. That is good. Although, having scouted that area centuries ago, it will not support development of any major cities.

2= there is, we have discovered, a brand new Chin city in Tibet; isolated, unconnected to any others, & in clear violation of their early human leader’s agreement with my (former?)allies, friends, & fellow small civ, the Sioux. North of this is another minor city that also has done little to develop the area around it. Other than that as you all no doubt know, there is nothing! Though large in size, this part of the globe is small in anything to support even medium sized cities.

.5= an interesting prospect for those civ’s that are in a position to colonize & exploit. As President Super Pasti has wisely indicated, with recent advances in engineering & transportation, these are areas of the world that have rarely (if ever?) been tapped in other worlds we have all worked in any past, more non-cooperative lifetimes. We believe that leaders of those northern civ’s that border on this areas, either through enlightened management or “forcing” the less astute leaders to expand in that direction have tremendous opportunities to tap these resource-rich territories. We of the southern hemisphere frankly are envious of not having the rich forests & oil to exploit now that we are entering into the industrial age!

In addition to the above resource realities, let me also point out the realities of the other geographies of transportation & communication considerations:
A > ocean routes from our island nation are long, slow, & subject to interruption by unfriendly navies. To the GG dynasty’s eminent credit, the JTF has locked in the advanced technological wonders of fast sea transport.
B > if we are to ever bring all the nations of this world into the fold of international trade, there must be a dependable & defendable land link across the vast Asian landmass

Adding all of this up, it became rather apparent to my cabinet & myself, as well as the powerful & well-healed Viking business leaders that the Viking nation is the only nation that can & has worked for the right to complete & control a corridor of trade & safety though region 2. By unanimous vote, the leaders of the Viking nation have authorized the expenditure of gold, units, & time to complete this great project for the benefit of ALL the civ’s of Asia.

Leaders of the World; We ask not for your permission or assistance, but only understanding of our limited objectives. And ultimately peaceful & beneficial nature of these endeavors.