Storyline continued from Trillium Compact
Anxiously waiting for a response to his message, the vote had begun. 'Had they read through the same document as I?' he wondered. With minimal discussion, the votes poured in... The Yeran delegate, however, seemed to be starting to read through the document a little closer, giving some pushback. Would he notice it as well? As he started his pushback though, the other delegates tamped down discussion in favor of mob vote, and with the yays pouring in it seemed no stopping.
An light but audible notification could be heard coming from one of Norm's aides' devices. 'Let that be them.' and within a moment the message was being passed up to him. 'A response sir.'
Opening the message "Norm, I've spoken with Speaker Oliveira and we agree with your concern, in no way or manner can our nation agree to this trade accord as it is written. Who wrote this thing? It might as well be a collar and chain about our necks. Keep a good distance from this thing, and for God's sake warn Trillium members to avoid the trade portion like the plague or it can cost them their seat..." The message went downhill from there. Norm agreed with Gareth on the whole matter. Reading on he put his hand over his mouth and rubbed his chin. Taking his flask out of his pocket he discretely took a stiff drink. 'Here we go.'
As the vote proceeding down the row stopped at him he leans into the microphone. 'Having reviewed this document proposed by the Syrixian delegation,' pausing a moment to shoot a look at Mr. D'amboise whom he suspected had a hand, 'we can not in good faith accept this proposal. While some of the basic framework of various parts seems reasonable, the language used in this framework and certain clauses central to this proposal are NOT. Furthermore, with the length of the break we had, and having seen the Syrixian delegate not writing but reading the few times I noticed him during the break, I have to ask; was this prepared beforehand? Have you been leading us on this whole time? Yolk us under a new Syrixian autocracy, not this time.'
Holding up a printed copy of the document filled with highlights and notes he started. 'This document calls for, and I quote: "The establishment of a Customs Union between Member-States, with a common trade policy towards third-party trading partners." This trade union, with its decided wording, will supersede the national interests of our nations. No longer will decisions be made from the halls of your government Mr. D'amboise, and I don't think your rather strong nationalist party will be much in favor of that!'
'Next up we have a clause that might as well be written in size 2 font. "Member-States of the Association of Economic Communities on Craviter recognize the SUPERIORITY of the Astissa Accords over
ALL OTHER economic agreements, and pledge to withdraw from any arrangement conflicting with this treaty." Superiority over
ALL others... Rajat?'
'I have spoken with my counterpart in the Trillium Compact who has met with the Trillium Speaker to discuss this matter. The policies and demands of this document are in direct conflict with existing member trade initiatives that Xentherida, Callise, Ceretis, and the Dorsettan governments have pledged to participate; I suspect this will not work well with the agreements made by other members as well in this chamber. Has nobody else thought to deconflict this document with your other foreign affairs agreements???' with a glance he looked at the Xentheridan and Callisian delegates in particular. 'I don't think your governments will be too pleased to learn that to gain a slightly better position with Cravitarian trade partners you have laid their necks bare to attack by forcing them out of your military alliance and cut yourself off from its rather large and lucrative trade network. Penny-wise and pound-foolish if you continue down this path.'
'We agree with our counterpart from the honorable Stan Yera on there being problems with the membership section of the accord. It was also illuminating the stance this body took when a reasonable objection was raised. There was no discussion, you tamped the Yeran delegate down so hard I'm surprised he's not embossed in the floor. If that's an indication of future debate in this organization, chilling. But it doesn't stop there, with the problems in this document we might as well fire our immigration, border, customs, and other such officers now and save the money.' Holding up a finger he paused. 'Money you'll need to pay for this damned thing. If the prior clause I mentioned was written in point 2 font, this thing might as well have been written in invisible ink!'
Flipping to the back of the document he read aloud "Article VI: Administration; Section 2. Each Member-State shall allocate
two percent of their annual budget to the Association of Economic Communities on Craviter. This revenue shall be compiled into a General Fund to be managed by the First Secretary. Yearly budgets must be approved by each Community Secretary." What do you need that much money for Rajat? This trade union had better have solid gold thrones for its delegates at that price. I had my aide look up just one nation's annual budget. Maloria ALONE would be on the hook for 25.9 Billion, yes that's Billion with a B.' Looking over at Markos he asked, 'Is your government ready to fork over 25.9 Billion annually? How about Kanada? Are they ready to pay their share, because that number doesn't even include their portion...'
Looking back at the Yeran delegate, 'You were right by the way, the salaries shouldn't be set in this document, in general, I'd say it as a good rule, but after reading this thing through, now I'd say because the administrators will probably resort to graft when they see that ocean of surplus they'll have left because this document somehow doesn't provide for proper oversight by its membership.'
'I mean really, I can't find a section in this thing I don't have a problem with.' Tossing his hands up in exasperation while harshly flipping pages. 'ABOLITION of barriers, not easing or streamlining the free flow of goods... sorry Stan Yera, you can't choose what's going to be sent to your pristine island. Vague where it should be clear and strong where it shouldn't; infrastructure policy will be set from abroad, not guidelines or guidance and not by locally elected officials where the people know what they need, but by unelected bureaucrats hundreds or even thousands of miles away. Your only choice will be
how to implement their demands; and best part, they even tell you ways you
can't fund your infrastructure.' Resting his hand on the document for a moment he looked at those gathered. 'This thing will not 'just' inform or collaborate but outright control your immigration, meddle with your foreign military and economic interests, and dictate to you your infrastructure.' This is a recipe for an ever-growing bureaucratic deep state that is unaccountable.
Well Rajat, what have you to say?