The walk back

[callmedelta]

Jean-Luc sighed. He'd thought that, with the Union requesting a meeting, things would go easier than this. It had been a vain hope, admittedly, but he'd been validated by how the meeting had begun. "How about this for a compromise: Any prisoners of war from the war, be they held by the Union, Tafatu, or Franerre, are to be released to their original nation, barring those who are currently or are scheduled to go under trial for their conduct during the war. In addition, a gradual drawdown of forces on both sides on the Tafatu-Union border can be made, to either a complete demilitarization on both sides or to a number of soldiers amenable to both sides. I would like both presidents here to keep in mind that Franerre has a vested interest in the safety of Tafatu, and Tafatu is safest if they are not pursuing pointless foreign wars."

[Greywall]

Vokoyo rubbed his face as if trying to rid the frustration and heat of blood flushing it, "What about General Taronki?"

Kendaya tapped his cane, "Absolutely not! He commanded the military and allowed the atrocities against not only the Tafatu but natives, Bian and Kithium in the prior UST-Kithium war of the 1920's he must pay for his crimes."

An bitter silent air hang over the room before Vokoyo yielded, "Fine, I can accept the exchange of prisoners suggested by the Frannerri."

[callmedelta]

"I'm glad we could come to an agreement," Jean-Luc said, "Now, what about my proposal of troop drawdowns?"

[Greywall]

"I'll not agree to it, Frannerre doesn't instill much trust in what that it can respect national boundaries. The Tafatu are a fragile nation that might want external stimuli to keep them from fracturing and that's not mentioning the Galrans nor Kithium. Juaz needs to remain militarized."

Kendaya shook his head at Vokoyo, he grew impatient with the Union President.

[callmedelta]

'Let's try the other way then,' Jean-Luc thought. "How about this for a proposal; if the Union is unwilling to demilitarize Juaz, due to very real threats from the Galrans, would Tafatu be willing to host a Franerri military base on their border with the Union of South Touli? Admittedly, this is outside the scope of the conference, and I would certainly need approval from Pareau to authorize this should you choose to accept it, President Kendaya, but you would have Franerri troops on the ground ready to fight off any potential threats from either the Union or Galra. This would allow you to keep your troops in the region, President Vokoyo, and while I can imagine you may not be thrilled by more troops on the border, I'm sure you can see that Franerre's military interests don't extend further south than Tafatu. They would be there purely for the defense of Tafatu."

[Greywall]

Vokoyo was not entertained at all by the proposal, "More troops? I don't trust the Tafatu nor the Franerri on this situation."

Kendaya retorted, "And we are to trust the UST with a rail line that extends into our Southern territories? Without hesitation? No we need this matter resolved. As for the proposal of Franerre sending troops into Tafatu, I would welcome it. My border patrols have reported some oddities from the Galrans. There's been no progress by Anyiah on getting the Galrans to talk either."

[callmedelta]

“If you don’t trust us in this situation, Vokoyo, how can you trust us to build a railroad?” Jean-Luc said, a hint of anger seeping into his voice. “If you can trust us now, how can you trust us to trade with you? I understand you don’t like this situation. We just fought a war, after all. But unless you are willing to draw down your troops, or are prepared to offer some other concession to appease Tafatu, this is the best offer you are getting. One Franerri military base on the border, with two division’s worth of troops.” The ambassador sighed. “This conference has come so far, and Franerre has been plenty willing to accommodate and compromise with you, Vokoyo. So trust me when I say to you that Franerre has neither the time nor political will to antagonize the Union when there are far bigger fish to fry.”

[Greywall]

Vokoyo rudely raised his hand as if to silence the Franerri when one of his advisors leaned into his ear whispering something, Vokoyo then shifted in his seat annoyed and stated, "We will agree to demilitarization, if the Tafatu give us reports on the Galrans."

Kendaya took a deep breath to relieve the tension he had been feeling, "I can agree to that. Damn let's get this back on track."

[callmedelta]

Jean-Luc let out a sigh of relief. “Franerre would also be quite interested in those reports, I’m sure. But back on track; what can Tafatu and the Union offer Franerre? We didn’t have much knowledge of the Union before the war, and what we do have is rather out of date now.”

[Greywall]

"The Union has vast agricultural grounds being worked to improve the output and yield of such fields, we have industry in the South particularly in Noscovo that can construct textiles, consumer goods and other products."

Kendaya responded, "Tafatu has fertile lands for farming, gold mining and silver mines as well."

[callmedelta]

'Nothing much has changed then,' Jean-Luc thought. "Franerre has quite a strong agricultural sector of her own, so we will not be importing either of your nations' foodstuffs, I'm afraid," he began. "As far as the Union is concerned, Franerre would be rather interested in importing your Consumer Goods, say...1,500 tones* worth seasonally. We could offer you some of the materials necessary to produce those goods in exchange -- Franerre doesn't have the factories of her own to make use of all her material stock. Let's say 1,000 tones of Heavy Material, and we could make up the difference in cost with either Silver or Luxury Goods, your choice President Vokoyo." The ambassador turned to Kendaya. "As far as Tafatu is concerned, it's your gold reserves Franerre would be most interested in. I'm sure the banks would appreciate diversifying the value behind Franerre's currency. If the Galrans have been moving as you say they are, you may need to expand your arm depots incase the Galrans try anything funny. Franerre's undoing a suite of military modernizations. I'm sure the Army would love to get rid of any of our old equipment for a good discount, and if you want to import anything modern from Franerri factories, we could see about setting up a production contract after Franerre's own military modernizations have been taken care of."

---

*OOC note: Each ton is 1 unit on the point sheet

[Greywall]

"Silver works, we can see if we can get it refined and processed into the Lusatian banking system to rebuild the Rand."

Kendaya would respond, "We can easily ship 1000 gold to Frannerre every season, once the railway is completed, we can up it to 5000. As for military arms, we still have predominately a mix arsenal of UST seized assets, Frannerre weapons and Marrlan bubba rifles. Its a mixed bag, and our current stockpile is not ideal for a long term logistical war."

[callmedelta]

The Toulian Rail Development Treaty
Signed in Le Troi, in the Tafatu Republic

Article I - Principle Diplomats

This treaty, written and signed in Le Troi under the witness of three (3) notaries of the Kingdom of Franerre (henceforth known as Franerre or Franerri), is between Franerre, the Tafatu Republic (henceforth known as Tafatu), and the Union of South Touli (henceforth known as the Union or the UST).

All signatories of this treaty affirm that they are vested with full treaty-making power by their nations. Once signed, all parties to this treaty are expected to fulfill all commitments in a timely manner. A breach of any of the treaty’s terms, or a failure to implement the terms of the treaty in a timely manner will result in penalties to the violating party, primarily by fines or no longer requiring the compliance of the other parties to their own treaty commitments in respect to the violator.

A failure by a national legislature or executive to approve of this treaty is viewed as a breach of the terms of the treaty.

Those representing their nations in negotiations and in the signing of this treaty are as follows:

Franerri Ambassador to Tafatu, Jean-Luc Leblanc

President of the Tafatu Republic, Charles Kendaya
President of the Union of South Touli, Petrov Vokoyo

Article II - Franerri Loans to Tafatu

Franerre shall loan to the Tafatu Republic a sum totally nine-hundred million (900,000,000) Zloty for the purposes of constructing new rail roads with a one percent (1%) non-compounding annual interest rate with a term of fifteen (15) years. The manner of construction of the rail lines are to be left to the Tafatu to manage, with Franerri oversight to ensure the funds are being spent properly and the newly constructed rail lines are compatible with Franerri and Union rail gauges.

Article II - Trade Between Franerre and Tafatu 

Franerre shall purchase 1,000 tones of gold per season from Tafatu, in exchange for 750 tones of small armaments, 1,500 tones of munitions, 500 tones of ground equipment, and 500 tones of support equipment.

Article III - Franerri Loans to the UST

Franerre shall loan to the UST a sum totaling five-hundred million (500,000,000) Zloty for the purposes of constructing new rail roads with a three-point-five percent (3.5%) non-compounding annual interest rate over a term of ten (10) years. The manner of construction of the rail lines are to be left to the Union to manage, with Franerri oversight to ensure the funds are being spent properly and newly the newly constructed rail lines are compatible with Franerri and Tafatu rail gauges.

Article IV - Trade Between Franerre and the UST *

Franerre shall import x tones per season of civilian goods from the Union of South Touli in exchange for y tones of heavy materials and z tones of silver.

Article V - The Use of Railways Between Participants

Franerre, Tafatu, and the UST shall allow each nation access to each other nations' railways and ports for the purposes of transporting civilian goods. Transporters of these civilian goods may be halted at border crosses for routine checks and security, though goods listed on the manifest or crew members of these transports may not be removed from the transport without just cause alerting the party of origin prior to their removal. If just cause is not provided, a council of one representative from each of the three nations present to this treaty are to convene and resolve the issue by simple majority. The UST is to pay the Kingdom of Franerre a one-point-five percent (1.5%) due on the cost of goods transported on any goods transported through Franerri railroads or ports. The UST is to pay the Republic of Tafatu a two-point-five percent (2.5%) due on any goods transported through Tafatu railroads or ports. Rail and port usage between Franerre and Tafatu is to be without due, and either party are to notify the other before any changes concerning this.

Signatures

Jean-Luc Leblanc        Charles Kendaya        Petrov Vokoyo

---

Two OOC notes. First, one tone = 1 unit on the point sheet. Second, the values in Article IV are intentionally left blank, and Moth is currently reworking point sheets so these values are subject to change and will be updated at a future point.