Franerri Admission to the International Staol Trade Treaty
Apr 10, 2023 23:11:58 GMT -5
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Post by alxeu on Apr 10, 2023 23:11:58 GMT -5
Prelude, In a Waiting Room
Special Envoy Maks Lechowitz was pacing in the antechamber of the Staol Treaty Council’s meeting room, rehearsing in his mind the introduction he was to give for the admission of Franerre to the Staol Treaty. Screwing this up was not an option. Glancing occasionally at his associates, he mused as to how strange the three of them were as companions, especially given the recent conflict a scant few months prior.
He, a Lusatian, was the normal sort you might see at one of these affairs. A junior diplomat with the Foreign Ministry, he was picked for his extensive knowledge of Koian politics and history, including the Staol Wars. Having spent the weeks prior to this meeting studying on the members of the Council, he recognized that Franerri admission to the Treaty was contingent on little more than not offending the Koian representative. Galra and Grinvel would oppose Franerre on the basis of them being sponsored by Lusatia and Kumosenkan, Seleucidenia would support Franerre for the same reason, and Ux Vushoz would support Franerre’s admission because they’d have no reason to oppose it. The Koians held the deciding vote in lieu of any replacement for the Tsardom of Roskana, and while the prospect of additional profits no doubt would be enticing, if the small group assembled today upset them, they might reject Franerre’s application out of spite.
Glancing over to the Franneri representative, who was fixing his tie in a mirror, he reflected on his associate. Marcel d’Armande was an intellectual, according to what the Foreign Ministry could pull up on short notice. A graduate of some university in Amali, a rarity even among the rare overseas Franerri student population, he came out with a internationally-minded worldview and an economics degree. Returning to Pareau, he began advocating for a rapid industrialization of Franerre supplied by staol, even if it meant a weakening of economic independence. He argued that any loss in independence would be repaid by beginning other nations’ dependence on Franerri exports. Later, he started a newspaper most well-known for its strong opposition to direct intervention in the war against the Union of South Touli. Uniquely, it was from an economic and foreign policy perspective, favoring indirect intervention and limited troop deployments compared to the massive surge the government had approved, fearing it would stagnate Franerre’s economic growth and indebt the government without major gain. Like all of Franerre, he rallied to the government during the Notch War and likewise was sorely disappointed from its negative conclusion. Unlike many, he recovered quickly and focused on a way forward, once again pushing his economy proposals in public, eventually getting a reluctant nod by the King and the government, figuring he’d at least be an inoffensive pick to any party, and would seem to be a more internationally independent figure, as opposed to someone more favorable to Lusatia.
Maks scoffed, as if such an idea would ever be considered by the Galran and Grinvelian representatives. Even if it was, it would be overwhelmed by her presence, he noted, now looking at the Kumo representative. Akari Tanaka was far more an enigma to the Lusatians than d’Armande, but that was more due to the closed nature of Kumosenkan towards outsiders. She was with their Ministry of State and was believed to be of a similar background and understanding as Maks himself, but whether she was here for a sincere push to add Franerre to the Staol Treaty or a more reserved meeting of treaty obligations was unclear.
Nonetheless, the unlikely group had prepared for today for the past week. Tanaka had discussed the introduction before the Council with Maks, and the two agreed they would trade off the initial introduction and allow for the Council (primarily the Koians) to bounce their questions at any of the three to answer. This wasn’t out of any sort of fear or contempt regarding d‘Armande’s ability to represent himself and Franerre, but instead an expectation that their words would weigh more than his. This suited d’Armande, who was more comfortable back home in Pareau, and who had nearly embarrassed himself from the outset by preparing to wear a black suit to the meeting. Citing Koian sensibilities, d’Armande was quickly provided with a bright blue suit that would be less likely to offend their hosts.
This long musing had run out the clock, as a functionary entered the antechamber and declared that the Council was ready to hear them now. Straightening his necktie, Maks entered beside his partners, and prepared himself for introductions.
The Meeting
After the initial business of the Council, during which Maks had to endure an uncomfortable amount of glaring from the Galran representative, the three were invited to offer up their petition for judgement by the Council.
As rehearsed, Maks began, figuring it was best to rip off the band-aid and confirm to the Galran and Grinvelian that they should oppose the matter. “Gentlemen, ever since the signing of the International Staol Trade Treaty a century ago, this body has been responsible for overseeing the expansion of the treaty to cover most of the nations of the world, ensuring all that equitable access and use of the world’s most valuable fuel would not be denied to any who sought it. Today, I stand here to request that this body extend the privilege to the Kingdom of Franerre, a nation whose exclusion from the treaty at present is a startling omission.”
At this point, it was up to Tanaka to deliver, and she continued right where Maks left off, “Franerre represents a developing economy with much potential for future growth, if only it had access – guaranteed access – to staol. The nation has, to date, relied on domestic fuel sources which has stifled the potential efficiency of economic developments. Adding Franerre to this treaty would enable their nation’s growth and future partnership as a responsible elder sibling to the other nations of Touli, as well as a responsible partner to respected nations here at home.”
Special Envoy Maks Lechowitz was pacing in the antechamber of the Staol Treaty Council’s meeting room, rehearsing in his mind the introduction he was to give for the admission of Franerre to the Staol Treaty. Screwing this up was not an option. Glancing occasionally at his associates, he mused as to how strange the three of them were as companions, especially given the recent conflict a scant few months prior.
He, a Lusatian, was the normal sort you might see at one of these affairs. A junior diplomat with the Foreign Ministry, he was picked for his extensive knowledge of Koian politics and history, including the Staol Wars. Having spent the weeks prior to this meeting studying on the members of the Council, he recognized that Franerri admission to the Treaty was contingent on little more than not offending the Koian representative. Galra and Grinvel would oppose Franerre on the basis of them being sponsored by Lusatia and Kumosenkan, Seleucidenia would support Franerre for the same reason, and Ux Vushoz would support Franerre’s admission because they’d have no reason to oppose it. The Koians held the deciding vote in lieu of any replacement for the Tsardom of Roskana, and while the prospect of additional profits no doubt would be enticing, if the small group assembled today upset them, they might reject Franerre’s application out of spite.
Glancing over to the Franneri representative, who was fixing his tie in a mirror, he reflected on his associate. Marcel d’Armande was an intellectual, according to what the Foreign Ministry could pull up on short notice. A graduate of some university in Amali, a rarity even among the rare overseas Franerri student population, he came out with a internationally-minded worldview and an economics degree. Returning to Pareau, he began advocating for a rapid industrialization of Franerre supplied by staol, even if it meant a weakening of economic independence. He argued that any loss in independence would be repaid by beginning other nations’ dependence on Franerri exports. Later, he started a newspaper most well-known for its strong opposition to direct intervention in the war against the Union of South Touli. Uniquely, it was from an economic and foreign policy perspective, favoring indirect intervention and limited troop deployments compared to the massive surge the government had approved, fearing it would stagnate Franerre’s economic growth and indebt the government without major gain. Like all of Franerre, he rallied to the government during the Notch War and likewise was sorely disappointed from its negative conclusion. Unlike many, he recovered quickly and focused on a way forward, once again pushing his economy proposals in public, eventually getting a reluctant nod by the King and the government, figuring he’d at least be an inoffensive pick to any party, and would seem to be a more internationally independent figure, as opposed to someone more favorable to Lusatia.
Maks scoffed, as if such an idea would ever be considered by the Galran and Grinvelian representatives. Even if it was, it would be overwhelmed by her presence, he noted, now looking at the Kumo representative. Akari Tanaka was far more an enigma to the Lusatians than d’Armande, but that was more due to the closed nature of Kumosenkan towards outsiders. She was with their Ministry of State and was believed to be of a similar background and understanding as Maks himself, but whether she was here for a sincere push to add Franerre to the Staol Treaty or a more reserved meeting of treaty obligations was unclear.
Nonetheless, the unlikely group had prepared for today for the past week. Tanaka had discussed the introduction before the Council with Maks, and the two agreed they would trade off the initial introduction and allow for the Council (primarily the Koians) to bounce their questions at any of the three to answer. This wasn’t out of any sort of fear or contempt regarding d‘Armande’s ability to represent himself and Franerre, but instead an expectation that their words would weigh more than his. This suited d’Armande, who was more comfortable back home in Pareau, and who had nearly embarrassed himself from the outset by preparing to wear a black suit to the meeting. Citing Koian sensibilities, d’Armande was quickly provided with a bright blue suit that would be less likely to offend their hosts.
This long musing had run out the clock, as a functionary entered the antechamber and declared that the Council was ready to hear them now. Straightening his necktie, Maks entered beside his partners, and prepared himself for introductions.
The Meeting
After the initial business of the Council, during which Maks had to endure an uncomfortable amount of glaring from the Galran representative, the three were invited to offer up their petition for judgement by the Council.
As rehearsed, Maks began, figuring it was best to rip off the band-aid and confirm to the Galran and Grinvelian that they should oppose the matter. “Gentlemen, ever since the signing of the International Staol Trade Treaty a century ago, this body has been responsible for overseeing the expansion of the treaty to cover most of the nations of the world, ensuring all that equitable access and use of the world’s most valuable fuel would not be denied to any who sought it. Today, I stand here to request that this body extend the privilege to the Kingdom of Franerre, a nation whose exclusion from the treaty at present is a startling omission.”
At this point, it was up to Tanaka to deliver, and she continued right where Maks left off, “Franerre represents a developing economy with much potential for future growth, if only it had access – guaranteed access – to staol. The nation has, to date, relied on domestic fuel sources which has stifled the potential efficiency of economic developments. Adding Franerre to this treaty would enable their nation’s growth and future partnership as a responsible elder sibling to the other nations of Touli, as well as a responsible partner to respected nations here at home.”
