Union of Aurorian States

John Largan, watching avidly, took this time to stand up.

"I've represented Esthursia for 4 years as its elected leader. I've encountered abuse of power not only at home, but watched it play out abroad. From what I've seen - to half of the world's regimes; treaties, speeches, declarations, promises and the rest of it, are vastly and on the whole sacrosanct. The other half merely provide lip service. Although it's almost certainly very close to half and half, it's extremely difficult to determine who is on what side. No, it's not just a matter of dictators lie and democrats don't - an awful lot of democrats lie too. No, it's not an ideological matter on the whole. It isn't something one can easily categorise.

I'm lucky enough, and so is my nation, to have never faced such a grave and alarming situation as Tardine is currently experiencing. Esthursia has not encountered direct war is near on a century. It makes one wonder - what would it take to convince both those of us representing nations with long peace, and nations whose peace has not lasted as long in history.

As a nation, we are extremely wary of those whose leaders are wholly unelected and whose executive remains unaccountable, and although we completely understand the impracticality and frank impossibility of implementing such before the war is over, equally we have to remain utterly cautious as to not grant power to those who will misuse and abuse it.

There is a saying that goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. But that's not true. Many of us here today, as raised by my counterpart from Navsland, have legitimate concerns over the fact that you after all represent a military junta regime. We not only hope to see you form the next Tardineanni government, but trust that your regime is both capable of succeeding given time, and willing to grant the people the power it gains; however our caution and concern, as with many others here today, will ultimately remain a key factor of diplomacy between our two regimes until the transition is complete. After all, in diplomacy, one can only be sure of a nation's promise if they've already finished it. We stand with you against the illegitimate dictator who claims rule over much of your homeland, but we remain waiting to sight any lasting ability to absolutely confirm the nature of power in your regime is transitioning."

Karuma Haigu contemplates the hesitant faces of all those people and, with a smile, bows and says:

"I understand the concerns of yours nations. Of course, everyone should look suspiciously at any kind of military-only body of government. However, I want to make clear that's not our case. I see the surprised looks on yours faces. However, despite our government being know as the 'Military Junta', a quarter of the Council of 12 is composed by civilians. Besides that, they are highly important among us. I will list our members, so that you get the whole idea of what I'm talking about:

I, General Karuma Haigu, am the Acting Head of State, emphasis on the acting nature of my post.
Elanor Cerquera, former Chief of Cabinet from Werdoi's government, is now the Chief of Diplomatic Body.
Merion Tergopta Halera, renowned political scientist and well-know activist of the human rights cause, is the People's Caretaker.
Klaiden Sergoniani Risvie, grandson of the former Emperor, Pofred Risvie, who led the Tardineanni victory on the Tardineanni Fascist Civil War, is the Leader of the Council.
Sergeants Jukka Hamiwa, Lia Demien and Joseph Grant Josart, dissidents from Werdoi's Government, are advisors.
Lieutenant John Tervolta, know for his services on the humanitarian crisis of 2011, when thousands were injured on the worst earthquake on Tardine's history, is the Chief of Humanitarian Services.
Colonel Kemir Jang, who fought against the last remnants of the Silver Arms on the 80's, is the Coordinator of the Military Forces.
Colonel Arnit Valos, specialist on leading with resources shortages, Chief of Resources Management
General Natalia Vieran, Chief of the TIA - Tardineanni Intelligence Agency, Chief of the Junta's Intelligence Department.
Field Marshal Hermani Partei, who fought against the fascists on the TFCW and father of the former Mother-Empress, Alane Partei, is the Lead War Strategist.

I said those names, because I want to invite the UAS to know us better. Of course, we may not be able to convince you with words. Therefore, we shall convince you with actions. That's why I have this contract, with legal validity, saying that, for whatever reason, if the Junta does not fit with the Union's requirements, we shall be expelled from it and don't receive any further help from you. It means that we assume the compromise to fulfill the UAS requirements and not surpass our limits, be it legal or humanitarian.

We look forward to working with, and being part of, the Union of the Aurorian States. Thank you, once again, for this opportunity."

Christoffel's face was bland, expressionless. He wasn't amused by the aforementioned contract. His fingers gently drummed against his desk rhythmically. His aide, sat behind him, was writing down some notes into a small notepad, as Christoffel listened to Karuma Haigu. As he finished, he glanced at his aide and mouthed something in Aubervijan, to which the aide shrugged.

Christoffel now glanced at his counterparts, a little confused. He cleared his throat, as he stood.

"If I may have a word." He glanced around the room, before speaking.

"Its a pleasure to meet you," he hesitated slightly at the pronounciation, "Mkuu Haigu." His gaze now shifted, as Christoffel exhaled sharply. "Now, forgive me, but Aubervijr and its government simply doesn't feel that you, or your council, can be trusted as of yet. We know little to nothing about any possible alterior motives you may have, and despite your council not being entirely run by military officials, we can't realistically see transitioning into a democratic regime with our limited knowledge. To my understanding, Werdoi Danfeh no doubt had alterior motives that at first were not known, why wouldn't your junta? And even if you claim otherwise, what is to contradict the idea that you are simply lying? I hope you can understand why and understand that its nothing personal. Regardless, I'll take your word with a pinch of salt."

He glanced over to his desk, lifting a glass of water, which he took a sip from.

"I think much of what I would have said has already been said by my counterparts, so I'll make this short. The current position of Aubervijr's government is not to support the admission of the junta just yet, at least until what you say can be verified, when their transition to a democratic regime actually becomes apparent. Now, as much as we want to oppose Werdoi Danfeh, which of course, we will continue to do, we feel that its just not worth the trouble at this time. Aubervijr, however would be willing to support, perhaps even to fund the junta in its quest, in hopes that your word remains true. If the junta pursues other paths, well, that's a discussion for another time. And, about the contract, we would still be funding and aiding you up until your hypothetical expulsion, you would already be in power by that stage and our aid would have gotten you to that position. In the event you pursue an authoritarian or autocratic path, with our aid, then our mission here as a union would be rendered a waste."

He inclined his head slightly. "Now, this is still very much up for discussion. I only stated the current position of this government, now that can be changed, as far as I am told. You'd have to do a lot of convincing, but we won't rule Aubervijr's position outright just yet. There are many factors in it." He smiled briefly. "But this is all still up for discussion, and I would assume this will go to voting, so nothing is fully decided yet."

He motioned to sit down, but stopped halfway through. "Oh, and I apologise if I have seemed a bit rash or unreasonable. Aubervijr wants to approach this slowly and cautiously, except our position is a lot more firm on the matter."

In a respectful manner, he then bowed his head, and sat down. He picked up a pen and spun it around his fingers in a little flourish, which he repeated for a while to pass the time until someone else spoke.

Speaking on a rusty Aubervijran, Karuma Haigu says to Christoffel, who was writing on his notebook

"Mister Christoffel, we value Aubervijr's Government and everyone else's opinions. That's why we didn't came here only to waste your time, with vague promises or pointless discussions. We actually have all planned, and I'd like to you, and your colleagues to listen closely at it."

The man nodded to Karuma, as he handed everyone in the room a paper with the Junta's plan to rescue the Tardineannen and hand over the power afterwards:

- Legal Documents shall be sign by all parties regarding the Junta's governance, conduct and transition after the civil war
- A group of neutral UAS observers of each member-nation to ensure the Junta's conduct during and after the war, with them being able to have access to all documents of the Junta
- The Junta will join as an observer state until after the transition to a civilian led government after the civil war
- The peaceful disbanding of the Junta's government will happen as soon as the civil war ends, with Werdoi's imprisonment and the holding of free and transparent elections for the civilian government, at which the UAS members shall be invited to oversee the whole process

After giving a time to the countries' representatives to read the document, Karuma Haigu started to speak again, this time on clear and fluent Mercanti:

"We won't waste your valuable time. Of course, my earlier talks were to give you the general idea of our true intents. However, we aren't dumb. We know the fragile situation of Tardine as of now, and we understand the concerns of yours' nations. It's obvious that a Military Junta, be it composed by the military only or mixed with civilians, would be seen with suspicion. Therefore, this document is our complete plan to win your aid.

The Junta will sign all the necessary documents regarding ours governance, conduct and transition after the civil war. This document will be respected, otherwise Tardine's participation on the UAS shall be immediately terminated. How are we going to assure you we are keeping the contract's terms? A group of overseers from each member-nation shall be invited to keep track and report on to the UAS each decision or action the Junta does.

Tardine shall be given the Observer role, without receiving the Member privileges, as long as the Junta is still on command. After the disbanding of the MJ and transition to a democratic Government, the UAS shall decide whether Tardine will be given the full member role or not. Our government has expiration date: the day Werdoi resigns the power and we hand him over to the National Police, so that he shall be judged by his crimes, the Military Junta will start the transition process, at which the UAS members shall have the right to overlook and analyze the transparency of the process.

Concerning the transition between the Junta's Government to a democratic one, the population will be given the right to choose their own government. A referendum will be made and the citizens shall choose which Government form better suits Tardine: keeping the monarchy or becoming a republic. Whatever decision the Tardineanni makes, the Junta will arrange the transition into that.

With that being said, I know that the UAS members will make the best decision for the sake of all. However, I also hope that your decision will be favorable to us."

Respectfully bowing down, Karuma Haigu ends his speech and looks at the peoples' faces, in hope to see any signs of belief among those who were present.

.

Christoffel's eyes ran over the document in his hand, with his aide outside the chamber, no doubt making contact with the government back home. After Asafa had sat down, there was a short silence, disturbed by the entrance of Mitchel Hartjes. Mitchel handed a second document to Christoffel, who briefly glanced over it. Christoffel nodded at Mitchel.

Christoffel finished reading the initial document, and he set it gently on the desk. His fingers once again, began to strum rhythmically against the desk. He shrugged, as he stood up.

"Our government finds your terms to be… adequate." There was a significant pause. "We just hope you can stick to your word, for the sake of a free Tardine. Although we don't fully trust you yet, we hope we can find a means of establishing a sense of trust so we can further cooperate in the future."

He nodded, and sat down, where he engaged in a whispered conversation with Mitchel, spoken in Aubervijan.

Largan read through the document provided, noting the look of burden on the general's face. Fairly stern but also noting the seriousness in the conviction of the military junta's words and actions, he stood.

"I can confirm that the Esthursian government finds these terms to be fair - however this works two ways. I must remind all present that this is a declaration of trust above all else - the most important aspect is that we are being granted transparent access to the negotiations, transparent access to the future of Tardine, as shown in these terms. This is a test of trust - and although we believe, sincerely and honestly, that you neither have reason nor intention to break these terms, it remains imperative to remind you the consequences of doing so would be - from Esthursia's point of view, at the very least - a complete loss of confidence in the transition of your regime and thus in the legitimacy of it.

We do indeed believe that supporting your regime as part of a wider support programme against Danfeh's increasingly brutal and unhinged pseudo-stratocracy, in pursuit of a wider push for a peaceful solution and a Tardine that can enjoy the return of freedom - and that the ability to create one remains in your control."

November 7th, 2022

To the attention of the Union of Aurorian States,

I come with great pleasure to bring news the behalf of the Sorovian Government that it wishes to join your union. We believe that it is in Sorovia's best interest to join this organization, and we believe that it will also be in the best interest of both this Union and Auroria as a whole for our entry to be permitted. With our common values in democracy, we believe that we will be able to work towards a more developed, safe, and convenient way of life for all those living in Auroria. We wish that the members of this council will review and accept Sorovia's application to join this union.

Oskari Uusitalo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Application Withdrawn by the Sorovian Government 5/24/23

Monday, 6 August, 2023
Romsdæg, 8 Woding, 2023
10s40 (10:40am)
President Valter Belgræv stared down at the application on his desk. He'd retrieved it out of the file cabinet in the Aurorian presidential office, having to physically shake the dust off of it. A second one, the one from Sorovia, had gone back in the cabinet after Belgræv remembered the retraction of their application a few months prior. Don't blame them, he mused; but Tardine's application remained outstanding, and today - finally - had come his chance to hopefully set the record straight.

---

later that day

Belgræv sat up, facing the circle of mostly monochrome men with equally monotonous expressions. He knew it wasn't their fault, but something bubbled away inside him - an anger that an application submitted three months after the Union was formed was still being processed four Presidents down the line, to such an extent that he was going to be the one having to take responsibility for that diplomatic quagmire. One of the two nations had even retracted their UAS membership application and his own home country had come within a hair's width of following suit by leaving - it was his duty to prove it had made the right decision. Sixteen months on. Despite that, he elected to maintain a visage of... professionalism, albeit with a clear concern over the issue.

"Honourable representatives of this here Union," he began, slowly, slightly over-annunciating and extending his vowels as he code-switched into Mercanti, "it comes to my attention as President that we have yet to have address the already-acknowledged application from the now-Tardineanni government to enter our Union. In part due to the unusual nature of the process by which Tardine and its government's application have been addressed, acknowledged and responded to, and in part due to the fundamental changes seen in the state of Tardine since our first convening in May of last year, I see it only fit that we have a debate on the matter prior to the vote thereafter."

Taking a particularly abbreviated pause, Belgræv leant forward slightly and his tone harshened a little. "The following must also not go unsaid; I must take it upon myself, on behalf of this Union and its member states, to address the unusual delays posed to both Tardine and Sorovia on their applications, and I must therefore apologise for said delays. Our Union is in its opening chapter, however I do not believe it has been the most consolidated nor deep-rooted of foundations, and therefore I must apologise for this body's inability to address the matter in a way perceived to be acceptable or reasonable, and commit myself as President to investigating the reasons behind said delays, as well as committing myself - and, with hope, all future Presidents of this Union - to materially learning the lessons that must be learnt from this uneasy period of Aurorian history and politics alike, to take this Union's intentions and message forward." Valter sat back a little, though nearly choking up with a little ball of disgust over the whole situation being technically his responsibility. "Let us move to the debate, so I therefore open the floor for relevant discourse."