A reunion of the Entente

[Greywall]

For decades Ulster-Galiea, Lusatia and Eonia stood in one of the strongest alliances in the world. They fought in the recent war against Galra and kept the global order from being controlled from one nation. But after the war and revolution, the Entente, the strongest alliance on the continent had fallen apart. But the world was changing, regional powers were rising all over and the need to realign and protect the interest of the North were coming sooner than later. 

A telegram was sent to the URRV and Lusatia to meet in Edinburgh with the Queen and Prime Minister. 

[Moshel-Generał]

The telegram was reviewed and confirmed to be legitimate. With that it was determined that Internationale Commissar Lucina Bonaparte would travel to Ulster-Galiea to meet with the Galieans.

[alxeu]

With the government dissolved and election campaigning underway, the Lusatian government was reluctant to do anything to jeopardize its electoral chances. An official diplomatic meeting with the enemy to the East seemed a good way to torpedo the Conservative Party's chances in the election, as it would mean abandoning the government's strong anti-Communist line, and would certainly go over extremely poorly with the military, as well.

However, upon discussing the note with the Foreign Minister, it was reluctantly agreed upon that Lusatia just couldn't ignore the Gaelian summons, and risk antagonizing Lusatia's only true ally. It was agreed that an independent party was to be sent, and some time was spent finding someone with no official government position who was also close enough to government officials that he could speak with some authority on Lusatia's behalf. Eventually, the Prime Minister settled on the brother of Lusatia's ambassador to Ulster-Gaelia. A capable lawyer and minor party member, he had been seeking his own way into a political career for some time, and, after a little goading from the Prime Minister, agreed to represent Lusatia at the meeting.

Disguised as personal trip to visit his brother, he took with him credentials establishing him as a special liaison for the conference. His express orders was to avoid giving any statements that explicitly recognized the URRV as a nation, and avoid any solid commitments to the URRV unless the URRV first conceded one of the following:

1) No official or unofficial support for the SLP in the elections,

2) Reduction of military forces on the Lusatian-URRV border (though mutual de-escalation was considering acceptable),

3) Recognition of an autonomous status for Nesivelt,

4) Recognition of the Republic of Transkolyma.

[Greywall]

Prime Minister Moriarty and Queen McDonald were waiting at the Emerald Palace as the URRV and Lusatian delegates were escorted with the usual fanfare that gave them the insight of respect being shown for this event. Moriarty was smoking a last cigar before they arrived, annoying Queen McDonald, "Must you smoke that now? You'll smell like tobacco Robert." Moriarty knew she was worried, this meeting was a critical one if the Entente could somehow be restored it could create a balance of power that keeps peace in Northern Reseria. If not, it was clear conflict could come. 

"I'm told a Bonaparte is coming, you know they led the revolt against the Shah? Hell, the Lusatians coming supported the Whites and...with all due respect your grace. This could get ugly." The convoy arrived within the Palace gates at last, "Then let us make it our mission to make sure it doesn't" Queen McDonald replied as she turned to meet the delegates at the Great Hall. Moriarty put his cigar out on a nearby tray and took a deep breath cursing his role in having to be here. 

The delegates would be take into the Emerald Palace, one of the oldest castle keeps in Ulster-Gaelia, hundreds of years of history marked its grey stone walls and royal palace guards garbed in green uniforms would escort them to the Great Hall. A massive ivory and green hall with a golden yellowed carpet that lined down the center. In the middle of the hall was Queen McDonald and Prime Minister Moriarty, whoever came first was simply because they arrived first and not out of choice. Queen McDonald would greet them, "Welcome to the United Kingdom of Ulster-Gaelia, I hope your trip was a pleasant one."

[Moshel-Generał]

The Commissar was calm, though some her group not as much. Not necessarily because of the meeting, but because the Commissar herself had flown the plane, and many had lost their nerve. However that did not matter so long as the Commissar was able to represent the Union successfully. Her party would raise their eyebrows at the extravagance displayed in the building. All of them were veterans of the Revolution and saw most things as wastes of resources rather than impressive. "The flight was pleasant enough," the Commissar said smoothly. "There were some rough spots along the way, but nothing we couldn't handle." One of the group turned noticeably as he remembered the incident. "I'm more surprised that you extended an invitation so quickly."

[Greywall]

"Time is pressing Commissar Bonaparte, we felt this meeting was actually overdue. Our Parliament believe it is also overdue but since you are here, the UK recognizes the URRV as an official state." Queen McDonald motioned to Moriarty, "I'm not sure if you're familiar with our Prime Minister, but Robert Moriarty was a member of OSI during the war. He performed ops in Southern Eonia during the winter of 38'."

Moriarty knew Bonaparte, but only by reputation, he knew she was a high ranking member of the URRV and that she was not to be screwed with. "I think that won't be necessary your grace. I do think once the Lusatians get here would should go to the Western wing for the meeting."

Moriarty would escort the URRV group after they were done with the Queen in the Great Hall to the West wing and she would wait for the Lusatian delegation.

[alxeu]

The sole Lusatian delegate to the conference would arrive shortly. An unassuming man, the only thing that he had on him indicating he was a diplomat was his papers. Upon meeting the Queen, he bowed respectfully, and spoke to her, presenting a guard his papers.

"Greetings, Your Majesty. I apologize for the lack of fanfare behind my arrival, but my government wishes to keep this meeting with the URRV as hidden as possible. As a result, I have only been able to publicly bring myself and a few belongings. However, privately, and outside the knowledge of the opposition parties, I have been granted full diplomatic leeway to represent my nation."

"I hope such an arrangement does not offend you? If it does, then my brother, our nation's representative to yours, will gladly sign off on anything we agree upon here... After it's all been negotiated to everyone's satisfaction."


He paused, looking to see if there were any URRV representatives in earshot, then continued, seeming somewhat nervous, "I apologize for my rudeness, but I must ask: are you sure it is wise to work with these radicals and revolutionaries? Their very existence is a threat to our own nations' ways of life."

[Greywall]

Queen McDonald smiled warmly and assured the Lusatian, “we will show them we can be trusted. And we will also show them we stand together if they refuse cooperation. But let us talk and give diplomacy a chance.”

She would escort the Lusatian delegate to the west wing where Moriarty and the Velts were waiting. “I am afraid I didn’t get your name by the way.” She said as royal guards opened the large red doors into what appeared to be a lavish room with an old long table in it.

[alxeu]

"
Tomasz Nierychły, as I said before, my brother, Franek, is the ambassador here," the diplomat responded. "I hope you are right regarding the URRV. If they turn out to be reasonable partners..." he mussed, "Then the scare of the last five years was a great error on our own part."

As they approached the meeting room, he concluded his thoughts, "My government has a few requests that precede any further diplomatic agreements, and I'm expected to present them and gain some concessions from the URRV regarding them prior to any other topic. To be frank, I'm not expecting them to fold on every point, or, any point, really, but it ought to at least open up the way to further negotiations."

"The reformation of the Entente may not happen today, Your Majesty, but if the talks go well enough, I don't see why it wouldn't happen, in time."

[Greywall]

McDonald nodded and walked into the west wing, Moriarty was already getting the URRV delegation to their seats and asked if anyone would like refreshments. Queen McDonald sat at the end of the table while Moriarty and some staff made effort to get needed commodities. Once done Moriarty would sit next to the queen, “everyone, we’ve asked you here to discuss a series of topics that concern our countries, firstly though I believe the Lusatian delegation has something to present to the URRV.”

[alxeu]

Suddenly overcome by nerves, the diplomat paused for a moment before beginning.

"Due to the state of affairs in the region beyond our eastern border that has caused severe distress in Lusatia, my government has a few requests prior to any official recognition of the de facto situation there."

"The first two requests are in regards to our own nation in particular, and my government considers the former non-negotiable. These are the guarantee of no interference in Lusatian domestic affairs, particularly in regards to the Lusatian Socialist Labor Party, which is to be left to its own merits as a party to succeed or fail. The second is a reduction of forces along our border to the minimum necessary for normal border security. Both of these are requested as a means of proving that your rhetoric of 'World Revolution' does not imply a desire to hasten it through destructive or subversive means."

[Moshel-Generał]

The Lusatian request was not unexpected. After all the two nations had not exactly been on friendly relations recently. After pausing to think for a moment the Commissar would have her response. "So for your first request I have an addendum. We agree not to interfere in your internal affairs, so long as you agree to not meddle in ours. If your government can agree with that, then we should not have a problem. As for your second point I have an offer for you. The Red Army will unilaterally withdraw from being directly on the border. However you have 40 days to also begin a reduction of forces or the troops return." The Commissar nodded internally to herself, this was a deal that should entice the Lusatians as it gave them a diplomatic win, and it would cost the URRV little, because even if they tried to take advantage of the lack of troops the Red Army beat them once, it could do it again.

[alxeu]

The diplomat seemed to be making calculations in his head, thinking hard on whether those terms would be acceptable. Internally cursing at the URRV cutting off his third request before he asked it, he responded,

"I believe those terms to be acceptable, yes. I fail to see any reason my nation would have to further interfere in the region, and there had been existing plans to reduce our own forces in the region should you have agreed to our request."

He took a deep breath, "That leaves me with a matter of foreign policy left, that of the 'Republic of Transkolyma.' I have been instructed by my government to seek assurances that you won't intend to invade them with your forces the moment the border is demilitarized. To that end, we must request that you recognize the separate government that exists in the region, so that we needn't find ourselves in another situation like in Nesivelt."

[Moshel-Generał]

"Nesivelt was only a problem because foreign actors made it one," the Commissar said smoothly. "However I understand that the rebellious forces in the region are more entrenched. With this in mind I have a compromise for you. In exchange for the Red Army not immediately invading the rebellious province, everyone agrees that this is an internal matter of the Union. So long as the rebels do not intend to declare independence we will attempt to use other methods of persuasion to bring them into the Union. This of course means that if they intend to breakaway and declare themselves a sovereign state this deal is null and void, but so long as there is an understanding that we are a part of the same state I believe that the matter will not devolve into violence. Would this assure your government of our intentions?"

[alxeu]

Tomasz tapped on the table, considering the offer. It was likely the best he was going to get out of the URRV. He could attempt a back and forth, but he suspected haggling would make the Commissar only worsen the offer. Noteworthily, the URRV seemed to indicate a general acceptance of the current status quo, which already benefited Lusatia plenty.

Lacking any senior official to turn to, and deciding to trust his best judgement, Tomasz nodded.

"That is acceptable, and Lusatia's stance regarding that shall be made official..." he said, pausing for a moment to provide emphasis to his next statement, "Upon the public reveal of a formal diplomatic treaty between our nations, with our government recognizing your own. This treaty's release to the Lusatian press shall coincide with the redeployment of the Lusatian military away from our mutual border."

"We shall recognize all lands under your government's control, as well as those under Dimitriyev's Presidency, as part of the URRV, de jure, with the understanding that Dimitriyev's government represents a rebellious sub-region of yours."


He sighed, "And so long as all points of this informal agreement are met by both of our nations, there is absolutely no reason for my government to continue treating yours as an active enemy, any longer."