Lusatian-Othorian Diplomacy

[alxeu]

Having reached out to Kumosenkan, the Lusatian Foreign Ministry decided to reach out to other nations in the region, in particular, Othoria was considered as a potential diplomatic partner, with relations having been interrupted by their 1928 Revolution. Curious as to the current state of the nation, the Lusatian government sent a telegram inquiring as to whether a Lusatian diplomatic envoy would be welcome.

[omega]

Being far more stable since the 1928 Revolution, and having restored its telegram lines by 1933, a response soon came from the Orthorian government, welcoming any potential diplomatic envoys to the capitol, at the Lusatian government's leisure. However, the fact that there were anti-government radicals striking at foreigners and government officials was omitted, though limited news of such organizations would certainly reach Lusatia as early as 1942.

[alxeu]

Despite the fact that the previous government had sent the message, the new Socialist government decided to risk sending an ambassador to Othoria, especially considering their strong authoritarian and anti-Socialist leanings.

However, it was decided to send a Liberal instead of a member of the SLP, as though the ambassador would likely diverge from official foreign policy guidelines, the Lusatian government felt it would be better to have a stable diplomatic presence rather than simply antagonize Othoria.

The Othorians were informed that an ambassador would be arriving with a couple of bodyguards, as well as his anticipated time of arrival.

[omega]

The reply was received in short order, and preparations were made for the ambassador's safe arrival. Yet like rats in sewers, the subversives hid too deeply for the police, or the army, to catch them all before the diplomat's arrival. No matter, it was a problem for later. They just had to keep them contained long enough so that the Lusatians do not see, or God forbid, experience their wrath.

Soon enough, everything was prepared, and all that was left was to wait for the ambassador to come, whenever he or she chose during the day. A delegation was waiting, instead of the usual figures - the Minister of National Security was far too busy today to welcome them in person.

[alxeu]

The Lusatian Ambassador arrived on time, fortunately (one of the ship's mates had wrongly insisted they had taken a wrong turn somewhere, and were now horribly lost), and, soon, Ambassador Feliksas Antanaitis, a Jzedian, stepped ashore, off the ship he had travelled upon. 

Looking around the dock, he smiled, glad to be back on land, and introduced himself to the Othorian delegation.

[omega]

The Orthorian delegation were quick to introduce themselves, consisting of two people, and four guards to escort them. The delegation offered the diplomat to enter the car that was awaiting them, with enough room for all of them, save the guards, who would be transported in a truck that would follow the car.

[alxeu]

Ambassador Antanaitis nodded, and got into the vehicle with the Othorians, scanning the sights as the convoy travelled to wherever its destination was, to get a better feel for Othoria.

[omega]

The ambassador could see that the city looked like a mixed bag, though with its own charm. There was a clear distinction between buildings made before the civil war, and those made after the civil war, with the architecture being the biggest giveaway. In some small areas of the city, the change was quite jarring, but in most others, the change felt organic, as if watching something evolve.

Before long, the two vehicles finally arrived at the government building, with the ambassador being offered an escort to the Vozhd's office.

[alxeu]

The Ambassador couldn't help but see a resemblance in Othoria's architectural differences to that of the rebuilt cities of Lusatia, having, in some places, completely changed from their original states prior to the Fifth Staol War.

Following the escort, the Ambassador would soon prepare to meet the Vozhd.

[omega]

As soon as they had arrived inside the building, the ambassador would easily see that it resembled more a military headquarters than a government building - though it was indeed still first and foremost a government office. After a short wait, the ambassador was soon led into the office of the Vozhd, whom had welcomed him warmly.

"Mr. Ambassador. Vozhd Mikhail Yagoda. I hope we can have a pleasant conversation today."

[alxeu]

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Vozhd Yagoda," Feliksas responded, returning the war welcome from the Vozhd, though privately wondering just what kind of country his government had sent him to. "It is, indeed, the wish of my government that relations between our nations are amicable, and I am glad that your government has agreed to meet with me. In this ever-changing world, it is far better to reach out and communicate with all nations, rather than insulate ourselves with just dealing with our immediate neighbors."

[omega]

"Too many people forget such a lesson. As if the recent war did not drill that lesson into people's minds. Though I digress, it is not wise to reminisce on matters of the past." Yagoda said, looking at Feliksas curiously. "So, Ambassador, it is to my understanding that you wish to form some sort of relationship with us? I admit, it will be somewhat difficult to sell such a story to the people, and God forbid the Army, given your government's leanings, though it certainly won't be impossible."

[alxeu]

"A partnership, perhaps some type of trade deal or another. Lusatia has goods to sell, Othoria does too, and trade, in general, makes all involved wealthier. The government officially wants me to find some way to pressure yours to reform, though how they intended me to bring that up without offending you is beyond me."

He sighed, "Unlike the naïve intellectuals and factory workers that now run the show back home, I am a honest civil servant devoted to seeking proper relations with other nations, and I understand that there is a need to deal with nations whose political affairs do not wholly align with our own. Politics make strange bedfellows, after all. If nothing else, having at least some sort of diplomatic channel between our nations will prevent some bizarre incident being caused that drags us into a war with one another."

"My goal, therefore, is simply to just figure out what your nation's concerns are, and plans for the future, as much as you're willing to share with another nation's ambassador, that is. My government certainly cannot afford to launch some moral crusade to spread socialist ideas world-wide, nor does it wish to, but given the way some other socialist governments have risen to power, it can be difficult for our nation to get our message across. Lusatia is first and foremost a nation devoted to the current peace and status quo. We shall practice reforms at home, and encourage others to do the same, but we shall not force our ideals on others, and as long as other nations can respect our government, we shall respect theirs, even should we find their policies disagreeable."

[omega]

"Wise words from a man who recognizes the woes of the world. To that I raise a glass." Yagoda said, raising an empty glass into the air for a moment before setting it down on the table, his smile hardly fading away.

"As for reforms... I will unfortunately have to disappoint you on that end. Our nation can only endure so much, and it is my sincerest belief that only the Army can keep it together, at least during my lifetime. After that, who knows. These are strange times we all live in." The Vozhd began, counting the problems Orthoria has. "Extremists in the streets, communists in the shadows, and for all we know, we're either too paranoid or on the edge of a revolt, what with the new problems some of our hospitals are facing. Though on that last one, I am certain it is a seasonal flu."

[alxeu]

"Well, if reforms are impossible," the ambassador said, shrugging, "So be it, I won't bring it up again, on that you have my word."

"However," he continued, "on one count we are in agreement, this is an increasingly strange world we find ourselves in. No doubt you've heard of the troubles out in Touli? So recently the guns fell silent and already everyone seems eager to start anew another great tragedy."

He shook his head, "Lusatia can ill-afford another war, and yet, if another breaks out, I fail to see how we can hope to avoid the crossfire."