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Midweis Conference, A Second Chance at Peace [Attn: CoN, Trier Accord]

Bergenheim

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Bockenthule Estate, West of Midweis, August 2018

The skies were a cornflower blue, hot sun baking the rolling, lush fields that surrounded the rural estate and its roccoco architecture. This conference would be far from the city, and, hopefully, the distractions of the rabble and the pleasures of the metropolis.

The Estate itself was an old favourite for Bergener politicians, long used for political conferences and discussions, before the preference for modern conference centres took hold. Bockenthule had been owned by one of the last Archchancellors before the Darkenseele War, and he and his family had been among the first to be guillotined for it.

The Republican guard, in full, ceremonial 19th century uniform, held silent vigil over the palatial grounds, watching as helicopters and armoured limousines arrived, baring with them the usual dignitaries, and the representatives of the nations who would be attending.

Once again, Trivodnia's representation would be minimal, but curiously every major CBS political figure available had been invited. the Communists, the nationalists, the Farragoists, the Monarchists, the Democrats...any and all factions had been very conspicuously given places of honour opposite one another in the grand dining chamber.

A cynical mind might wonder at such a move.

The General was not here, and nor was the Archchancellor, for the time being at anyrate. Vice-Chancellor Kessler stood, bored and idle in the lobby, while the immaculately attired Angela prepared for her third big conference in seven months.

She had been -so- close to getting laid in Cathay, with a very handsome billionaire as well. But the needs of the State had pulled her away from a satisfying seduction, and underneath her warm smiles and bubbly demeanour was a burning, unsatisifed need. If anyone with half a good looking face seemed willing, by the Gods she'd find a closet to work off some stress in.

Time would tell if this Conference would succeed or fail the way the previous one had.

But at least this time its Agenda was clearly stated, and even listed on plaques around the place.

1. Unity in trying to restore peace to Crotobaltislavonia.
2. Condemnation of the use of WMD by Serenierre.
3. Agreement over Intended Influence in the Post-War East.
4. Cross-Border Refugee/Asylum Seeker support and co-ordination.
 

Crotobaltislavonia

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Foreign Minister Maximilian Jedreck had survived another calamity in Crotobaltislavonia. Being professionally ineffective and politically isolated had it's uses. But this time, there would no chance for Jedreck to shirk his duties, what with the entourage of flunkies the Otpor regime had sent along, no doubt secret police to a man!

Jedreck entered the lobby and took off his wide-brimmed hat. First order of business: a bow to Vice-Chancellor Kessler, a firm handshake, and a few words to the effect that President Fyodorov sends his regards and his profound thanks for the concern for Crotobaltislavonia's well being. Second order of business: Angela. Jedreck beamed at the woman as he expressed what a pleasure it was to see her again and that it was his hope that the two could work together and steer this conference to a just and equitable peace for Crotobaltislavonia. Surely they could find some ... common ground!
 

Rheinbund

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Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor Rüdiger Zimmermann was by far not happy with the situation. He couldn't get rid of the feeling that he was cleaning up the mess created by the governments led by Von Seydewitz. It were Von Seydewitz and Kögler who had made promises regarding the defence of Trivodnia that Eiffelland could not hold. Well, could hold, but only if Eiffelland could reach the country. Initially, it could, but then Bergenheim closed its air space under the threat of a massive missile attack by the Rurikgrad Pact. Zimmermann completely understood that move.

Eiffelland. Too big to be a regional power, but too small to be a world power. All Chancellors up to Jörgens understood the "too small to be a world power" part, and positioned Eiffelland on the political map taking that into account. During the complete 20th century, even up to 10 years ago, it was Eiffelland that organised this kind of conferences. But then Von Seydewitz became Chancellor of a centre-right government, with Kögler as Vice-Chancellor. And then the "too big to be a regional power" part started to play a role in Eiffelland. While the TIburan Empire retreated more and more from the international stage due to internal problem, Von Seydewitz took up the role of the leader of the Trier Concord. Chancellor Grauholzer of Retalia let that happen, as well as the Tiburan Emperor.
That combined with not understanding that Kadikistan and Serenierre considered the world a cake that had been sliced into pieces (one piece for Kadikistan, one piece for Tiburia, one piece for Serenierre, one piece for Bourgogne and one piece for Engellex) led to the current war. Eiffelland acted according to the principle that each country should have the right to choose its friends freely, so it offered its friendship when Trivodnia was looking for less threatening friends than Kadikistan, which was trying to force Trivodnia to become "friends" with Kadikistan. Simply because it considered Trivodnia a part of the slice of the world that was given to Kadikistan. The same happened west of Eiffelland, when it offered its friendship to Occitania to protect it against a paranoid neighbour that turned out to be not only paranoid but also pathologically sadist.

One thing was clear to Zimmermann: Von Seydewitz and Kögler had made huge mistakes on the international stage during the last two years. The principle that every country should be free to choose its fiends was also an important principle to Zimmermann, but Von Seydewitz and Kögler should have taken the sensitivities of Serenierre and Kadikistan more seriously.

But even then, Zimmermann had a very clear opinion on who was the culprit of this war: The Rurikgrad Pact and Serenierre. They started it, and nobody else. The Trier Concord would refuse to take up the guilt for the war. Furthermore, it would go for a restoration of the pre-war borders and a free Trivodnia, although it remained to be seen if that could be achieved. Regarding Serenierre, Zimmermann had a nice surprise to put on the table.

When he arrived at the Bockenthule Estate, he was impressed by the building. He liked the Baroque and the Rococo. He walked into the building, greeted Vice-Chancellor Kessler and thanked her country for organising the conference.
 

Elben

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Bockenthule Estate

The limousine was hired. In it rode Count von Schlabrendorff with his party. The trip had been something, necessitating quite a flight plan to avoid the conflict zone.

Another conference, another Kashtan? And the Bergenheimers... The count made a bet with himself on what Angela would be wearing today. The slutty route or virtuous and innocent?

The vehicle stopped and the driver got out and came around to open the door. Out climbed the party from Elben consisting of the count, cavalry mustache neatly waxed, a prelate wearing a black soutane with amaranth red piping and buttons, and a lady dressed in a black habit, her hair hidden in a wimple and veil, her face looking pale and hollow, without any kind of make-up or artifice.

To his companions, the count gestured subtly at each person in turn he recognized. "Jedreck, the foreign minister from CBS, a nonentity. Zimmermann from Eiffelland. I only know him from his photo. Dossier says he is a reasonable chap. And our hosts." Schlabrendorff motioned to Kessler and Angela, "The vice chancellor and foreign minister. Let us greet our hosts, Excellency?"

As the count stepped forward to do the honors of introducing the papal legate, Bishop Schonborn, one half of his mind said to the other, I win.

Count von Schlabrendorff is Elben's foreign minister. A former cavalryman, he is a close, trusted advisor to the king.

Bishop Schonborn is secretary to the pope and has been detailed to participate on behalf of the Holy See.

The unnamed "sister" is Victoria Emerson, de jure queen of Crotobaltislavonia and current refugee in Elben.
 
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Gunnland

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Stephen Larkin, the foreign secretary, was in an odd spot in many ways. His hardliner friends had all been swept out of government during the MacLeish Scandal. His Assistant Secretary had just resigned for related reasons. Leader Blackthorn never talked to him. Prime Minister Plutarska-Huyldrich had only spoken with the assistant secretary; now she only spoke with the councilor, Beata MacBenach. He felt like his political moment had passed, even though he was a very young man. He felt... small. Incidentally, he was physically small: in his college days (not long behind him) he fought as a featherweight. He mumbled. He had a brutal speech impediment. Strangely this did not bother him: somehow it fit Gunnland's strange voice on the world stage.

Despite his political situation, Larkin had a grand vision for the Gunnish future: bringing Crotobaltislavonia, Bergenheim, Trivodnia, and Ruthenia-Galicia into alignment with the Council of the North. A seven-nation buffer zone between the Rurikgrad Pact and the Trier Concord. An agreement to keep these borderlands from aligning themselves with either side in the cold war. A large Gallo-Germanian non-alignment pact. And, truth be told, an overland sphere of influence where Gunnland could accept payments from Ivar, Trier, and Chagny to be an umpire in trade deals, or small military concessions. Or, in the secret parts of Larkin's soul, to fulfill a romantic desire to bring imperial steel again to the lawless Slavic and Yiddish interior that separated Gunnland from the wealthy South. Already Gunnish forces had invaded Crotobaltislavonia under the pretext of neutrality and humanitarianism, while Larkin spent most days in secret missions about mineral concessions they expected to wrest from Banja Luka. Of course this could not be said openly, but Larkin was ready to have Gunnland step forward as a third power. If only so that Blackthorn and Huyldrich could not oust him.

His Borschel pulled up to the estate. He was alone. Because he was shy, he planned to stick close to Count von Schlabrendorff. The initial phase of his plan depended on Bergenheim in particular. He hoped to see eye to eye on forging a stable overland trade corridor between Gunnland and the South: this meant through Crotobaltislavonia.
 

Crotobaltislavonia

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It had been a long, treacherous, and ideologically interesting journey. But they'd made it! Stepping out out of the battered hippie van, Durata stretched her back, arms, and legs. Something audibly cracked and the woman noticed her fellow peace summit invitee leering. She scoffed and straighened out her clothes, a borrowed outfit from the hippy girl they'd been riding with. The outfit was inviting, but it was also the best thing she'd worn since the Dear Leader had been ousted from power.

Behind the woman, Boban Gavrilovic took a last puff on his expensive imported cigar and then tossed it outside on the ground. Durata was nice enough to help him climb out of the van and he fixed his tailored suit. He didn't need a mirror, he knew he looked liked what he was: a successful Nekmet boss who'd made a killing on the Blud trade. It didn't hurt that he'd managed to keep the respectability that had come with the job he'd wrangled in Pochenko's almost-criminal regime.

Durata was determined to look as dignified as possible. She put on a stern expression and threw her shoulders back before walking towards the entrance to the lobby. Behind her, Boban gave the hippie girl a wad of dinars wrapped around a packet of Blud and his thanks for the ride. Turning, he marched up the red carpet, not bothering to catch up with Durata.
 

Tyonic Confederacy

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Bockenthule Estate

The limousine arrived and out stepped the Geotrian party, with Ambassador Emilia Christmann and her assistant to keep notes. Her assistant, Adrian Lorenz, was a young graduate from Racow University who, by luck, landed the job as a secretary for the Foreign Ministry. As they towards the entrance Adrian was astounded by the architecture of the building, for one of his electives was Architecture 101 but barely passed it.

They entered the building and Ambassador Emilia greeted the Vice-Chancellor Kessler on the great initiative for coming to terms with all the parties involved with the conflict. She knew what the Council of the North wanted, buffer states between the two Alliances. Keeping the dogs at bay before things turn south even more than they have already. This war will leave a power vacuum that will be exploited, we just intend to do so first.
 

Crotobaltislavonia

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As the assembled diplomats mingled, waiting for things to get underway and for any latecomers to arrive, Jedreck stood sipping his champagne and munching on a cracker covered with cavier. The Bergenheimians knew how to throw a party; the best of the best. Standing just behind him was Bounin, surely SPA and with a hell of a memory. He had the uncanny ability to know who Jedreck was looking at and instantly reciting dossier information. At the moment, the Foreign Minister was mentally undressing the Farragoist attendee. In his ear, Bounin droned away.

"First name: Durata. Family name: unknown. She's been apart of Farrago's old faction since she came of age, brought in by her ... late parents. She's been in hiding since the civil war. Living in the hills. Spreading the good news, so to speak. Only because of the current state of war was she able to make it here, unlike so many ... others."

"What about the other one," Max asked quietly.

"Gavrilovic, Boban. A Pochenkoist. An especially dirty one. Been associated with Nekmet since Boris was ousted. Made a fortune using his government contacts to get Blud past the Border Guards. Also moves little boys and girls over borders. He likes expensive clothes, expensive cars, expensive women. He can be bought..."
 
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Bergenheim

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With the old lobby hall now filling up with delegates and politicos of all stripes from across Middle Europa, it was time to begin things. Presiding over everything would be Vice Chancellor Kessler, an old-hand who had been in this game for over thirty years.

Kessler had been picked to be Vogt's running mate precisely because of that. He was one of the unmemorable grey legions that had, for much of the last century, run Bergenheim quietly and efficiently, each election proceeding like a well-oiled gear-clock. A liberal would run and win for a few years, and then a conservative. Then every so often they'd let a social democrat stir things up, before losing to a liberal again.

But times were changing. Vogt and her feminism had been seen as a very radical liberal for the Midweis establishment to support. Kessler had meant to be a moderating influence on her more controversial domestic policies.

None had batted an eye at her decision to have a woman in both the foreign and millitary posts. This was Bergenheim, after all. What cared they for the affairs of others? Foreign Affairs were dinner parties and business conferences. The Army were a place for overexcited boys to run around and burn off some energy.

All of that had changed, nine months ago now. The Christmas Crisis had opened a Pandora's box that had changed not just the Balance of Power in Middle Europe, but in Bergenheim itself.

Kessler was here to represent the interests of those who wanted to shut Pandora's Box. By schmoozing with all the old gang again, by entertaining notions of a Northern Alliance or a rapprochement between Trier and Windhaven, they wanted to play their old game. Bergenheim had done all of this before, after all. Flirt with one side to gain concessions from the other.

But this time things would be different, wether the old grey man Kessler fully knew it or not.

As the chatter died away, Kessler instructed the servants to open up the main conference room, formally the banqueting hall of this grand old baroque estate. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and light streamed in from high windows on one wall, the other adorned with enormous paintings of past Burghermeisters and the plutocratic gentry of ages past.

Dominating one end of the hall, leaning against the thick fireplace, was a large, all too modern telescreen, On the seats in front of them were headphones, briefing notes, and customised touch-pads. No expense had been spared to provide all possible information and linguistic convenience for the delegates.

Currently, the bullet-pointed aims of the conference were dominating the tele-screen.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, esteemed delegates. Now we are all here, let us begin the business of states. A light repast is available at request from our servants. Lunch will be in three hours, and no more than an hour long. We apologise if such formal scheduling seems unusual, but we are here to make peace." He smiled wanly.

"Each of you should present your cases in the manner detailed below, and we will all discuss them. Diversions or discussion of points beyond the remit clearly outlined above is strongly disallowed."

"I appreciate we are all used to doing things a little differently, but we will all work together to achieve a common purpose, or this will not work at all."

"Any questions?" he asked lightly, his eyes gazing across a suddenly very mute room.

Angela meanwhile, was sidling up to Count von Schlabrendorff. He was an older gentleman, but he had a fine moustache, and seemed to enjoy the attention. Jedreck, she noted, and felt oddly guilty. Its not like they were ex-lovers or anything. But poor Jeddy, his country was worthless now, and while he had seemed nice enough, he didn't really have much of a hand to play.

Still, she resolved to do something nice for him by the conference's end. Though by his look he wasn't happy about the way she was leaning on the Elbener cavalryman's arm....
 

Elben

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The Elbener foreign minister looked at the screen's four agenda items and smirked. Peace in CBS, that's a laugh. As if Kadikistan is going to pull out on Fyodorwhatever's say-so. The pope's man and Victoria, walking ahead, had already been briefed. Victoria had been invited along as her appearance could possibly stir the waters. The once-queen, smart lady that she was, had recognized any hope her house had of regaining the throne depending on others and willingly accepted the role of stage prop given her by her benefactors. Bishop Schonborn was along to keep up the papal interests. Sit next to Larkin, follow his lead.

Count von Schlabrendorff realized someone was walking beside him, having taken his arm. He smiled more or less genuinely. Play along or play games? Eh, I'm a hillbilly, better play along.

"Fraulein Zweigler, a pleasure as always. Are seats assigned or shall we sit by each other, hmm?" He offered her a wink and then went on. "You can tell me all about Bergenheim's concern for Crotobaltislavonia's refugees."
 

Crotobaltislavonia

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Just when Jedreck had an opportunity to make a move, he noticed Angela was giving her attention to the Elbener diplomat. Max frowned. For a brief moment, their eyes met and Jedreck knew Angela sensed his disappointment.

Well, two can play at this game, thought Max.

A moment later, Jedreck had found the Durata woman standing behind a chair, adjusting her hippy outfit, which was a couple sizes too small for her large frame.

"Funny that Otpor murdered your boss to break away from Kadikistan but ended up going to war with Ivar. Um, something I can help you with back there?"

Durata glared at the Foreign Minister. "So it's true. The Dear Leader was a great man who wanted to help his people. Allying with Kadikistan was the best way towards achieving that goal. And those bastards killed him for it. Otpor is spineless. There is not dignity or respect now. Otpor would have CBS bend over for Kadikistan, just as long as Val is in power."

Jedreck shrugs his shoulders, not bothering to contest the point. "What exactly are you here for? Besides to stir the pot and let everyone know The Dear Leader was a great man?"

The woman gave up trying to refasten the jacket over her bosom and went to work on fixing the impossibly short skirt again. "Why are you here? Everyone knows you're a joke, nothing more than a diplomatic playboy. You show up just to be seen and to play with ladies." Durata glanced at Angela, who was pressing against the Elbener's arm."

"You may not believe it, but the President really does want peace. And now is the time. Trivodnia was a buffer. And now that is will soon be gone, everyone is scared shitless. Since CBS will be the new frontier, everyone is beginning to take an interest in which way Banja Luka looks after the war: to Ivar ... or not. Fyodorov thinks we can use this to our advantage. But we've got to have our house in order. A united front to the world."

Durata considered Jedreck's words. It was then that she really noticed Jedreck for the first time and realized he was not an appreciably large man. Durata came from peasant stock. And though she was not unattractive, she was a solid block of a woman who was looking down at the Foreign Minister. She said, "good words, Comrade. And I do believe them. But they are not enough. We must build trust. And we can start by you loaning me a spare pair of pants."
 

Gunnland

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Alejandro Pelagio was named ambassador to Bergenheim for three reasons: Ambassador Gordon's embarrassing spectacle at The Snow Queen, his friendship with Ayr bankers who wanted 'their man' to get the job, and the fact that Mary MacLeod had decided to quietly dump him after her marriage to Leader Blackthorn. The new Borovangen-born diplomat already had a reputation in Midweis for being a bit of a mope. But he was grateful for his sinecure. At least I didn't end up like Marta Ramos, he thought, conjuring up the image of the tall dark-haired beauty that Jake Blackthorn had dated until his marriage to Arundel's countess. From time to time he took pleasure in the thought of little opportunities to screw Jake over.

That's why Blackthorn had said on the phone that morning, "I swear to God, if you think of screwing me on this."

Alejandro walked into the banquet hall, with its tasteful mix of traditional and modern elements, in possession of a great state secret. He smoothed his head over his close-cut brown hair. He saw Foreign Secretary Larkin sitting quietly next to the Elbeners. This would not be as easy as Blackthorn hoped. The Gunnish leader wanted to engineer a coup d'etat for Lotti Degurechaff, the outspoken general ("Yes, she is most certainly a general," he told the confused Gunnish parliamentary leader, who did not understand how women could be generals). But Alejandro knew they would have to find a civilian leader from the unmemorable grey legion, the political class, if they hoped to get the country's powerful bankers and lawyers to fall in line. But first it was a matter of testing the waters with the Eiffellandians. What was it Jake Blackthorn said? "Now that all hell is breaking lose, maybe the Eiffellandians won't flush their chance down the toilet."

He pulled up a chair behind Rüdiger Zimmermann and introduced himself. He knew he seemed too forward, too earnest, too... un-Gunnish. He avoided the topic of the Gunnish deployment to Crotobaltislavonia. And he dropped his voice to a whisper.

"Minister Zimmermann, do you have a sense of how much political support there is in Bergenheim right now for abandoning neutrality and giving Eiffellandian troops right-of-passage, or what Bergenheimer politicians could support such a policy change?" Wordlessly he slipped a thin scrip of cigarette rolling paper with a typewritten note for the Eiffellandian diplomat. "Leader Blackthorn thinks your chances of saving Trivodnia are lost, but the time is still ripe to pick Crotobaltislavonia from the invasive vine of communism... if only Midweis can be forced to see reason, quickly. - A.P." He studied Zimmermann's reaction, making a mental note to retrieve the paper and set it aflame during a smoke break.
 

Rheinbund

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"How do you do, Your Excellency?" Minister Zimmermann whispered to Alejandro Pelagio when the latter introduced himself. "Nice to meet you."

He read Pelagio's note, and nodded in agreement. He knew that Trivodnia was lost. Much to his regret.

Then Zimmermann whispered further: "To be very honest, I consider your question difficult to answer. General Degurechaff certainly supports such a move, and she has a power base. The Liberals and Socialists do not support such a move, although there are signs of appeasement between General Degurechaff and Archchancellor Vogt, meaning that the Archchancellor is moving more and more towards the General's stance in this matter. We are investigating the Conservatives. That is the political part, and that part is easy to answer. But what about the other part? The people of Bergenheim? Certainly they are afraid of Kadikistan. Very afraid. But after Kadikistan threatened Bergenheim with a massive missile attack, the Bergenheimers are also afraid of taking up arms. A large amount of common Bergenheimers favours appeasing Kadikistan in the hope that Bergenheim stays out of the war. Supporting the right politicians is easy to do, but we have to convince the people as well. We will get into big trouble when the Bergenheimer Government decides to support us and the people start to revolt."
 

Gunnland

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Alejandro Pelagio looked a bit confused. He was just supposed to be a messenger, but he thought Zimmermann might not be getting the message. Or he is just overcautious, the way Leader Blackthorn says the Eiffellandians are to a man. He leaned in to whisper.

"We are in big trouble on this continent, Mr. Zimmermann, regardless of how the people of Bergenheim feel about anything. Leader Blackthorn might not want to use the word, but he's talking about a coup d'etat in Bergenheim. We bring a hawk to power with the support of General Degurechaff and the army. By the first light when the Bergenheimer malcontents take to the streets, hopefully to get a little lead in their bellies, Eiffellandian armor will already be rolling through the country, and a joint assault on Banja Luka will be underway."
 

Rheinbund

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Ach du Scheisse, Zimmermann thought. He couldn't hide the fact that he was overwhelmed by this information. But he immediately understood that he couldn't leave the Gunnish alone with this. He whispered: "How much time do we have to get the needed armour in Northern Eiffelland? And eh, who is joining in? Eiffelland and Retalia cannot face the Rurikgrad Pact on its own, and cannot do this together with only Gunnland, either. What is Geotri doing? Please also take into consideration that Southern Tiburia won't be able to help out here. And finally, Eiffelland and Retalia also have a psychotic woman in the West to handle."
 

Bergenheim

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Seeing that there was a great deal of talk without much in the way of visible productivity, Vice-Chancellor Kessler decided to step in.

"Ladies, Gentlemen, fellow delegates. Perhaps it would be of assistance to you if we put a solid proposal to discuss on the table. I am pleased to see such spirited dialogue, but perhaps a motion to discuss would move things forward, no?"

Kessler smiled, and revealed the proposed Vogt Plan on the slides on the screen above.

"As a modest proposal of what we should do, we have taken the liberty of preparing suggested unified action..."

The Vogt Plan
1. A formal Statement unifying the Council of the North with the Trier Accord for the duration of Rurikgrad presence in CBS.
2. A joint public Condemnation of the use of WMD by , and a promise of joint retaliation should it be used again.
3. A percentages agreement for division of CBS/Trivodnia based on relative size/importance to the temporary alliance.
4. Refugee quotas based on relative/size importance to the temporary alliance. Bergenheim already has 100,000, so for every 5 million citizens in a nation-state, a 100,000 intake is suggested. E.g, if the population of your state is 11 million, you should take in 250,000 refugees.


 

Rheinbund

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Zimmermann went from one amazement to the other. First the Gunnish wanting to induce a coup d'état in Bergenheim. And now the Vogt Plan. Unifying the Council of the North and the Trier Concord for the duration of Rurikgrad Pact presence in CBS was serious, although indeed needed. A cooperation with the Council of the North had been lying on the table for the Trier Concord, because the governments of Eiffelland, Retalia and Occitania knew that they couldn't face Serenierre and the Rurikgrad Pact on their own. The disadvantage was, that a quick end of the war would be an illusion.

At this moment, Eiffelland was governed by a coalition of Christiandemocrats, Sociodemocrats and Socioliberals. The Christiandemocrats were definitely in favour of cooperating with the Council of the North, the Sociodemocrats and Socioliberals were less convinced of the necessity and had the feeling that they were currently cleaning up the mess created by Von Seydewitz and Kögler. In the end, the coalition came to an agreement: Cooperation with the Council of the North as long as the Rurikgrad Pact was threatening Gallo-Germania, in exchange for the same-sex marriage, legalisation of hash, weed and marihuana, legalisation of euthanasia, and a change in the way the Crown-Prince was determined. This meant that point 1 was not a problem to Eiffelland.

Point 2 was not a problem to Eiffelland, either.

Point 4 was a serious point. This meant that Eiffelland should take up 1.2 million refugees.

Zimmermann and the Retalian Minister of Foreign Affairs sat next to each other. They looked at each other. According to this plan, Retalia would have to take up 1.4 million refugees. Zimmermann whispered to his colleague from Retalia: "I do realise that this is serious. However, I think it would be better if we agree with this. We will need to get right of passage from Bergenheim if we want to make the cooperation with the Council of the North a success."

After a short discussion, both ministers agreed that Minister Zimmermann would speak on behalf of the Trier Concord.

"Your Excellency Vice-Chancellor Kessler, thank you for your wise words. I can announce that the Trier Concord agrees with cooperating with the Council of the North for the duration of Rurikgrad Pact presence in CBS. We also think that the Council of the North and the Trier Concord need to cooperate to bring stability back to Gallo-Germania.
For the division of Trivodnia and Crotobaltislavonia between the Council of the North and the Trier Concord, it is the opinion of the Trier Concord that on the longer term both Trivodnia and CBS should regain their independence. Indeed, the situation in both countries require the presence of foreign troops to provide stability, but in the end the people of CBS and the people of Trivodnia should govern themselves again. At least that is our opinion; we are open for discussions regarding this matter.
For point 2, it is clear that the armed forces of Serenierre made themselves guilty of war crimes with the use of napalm and chemical weapons. I can present to you laboratory proof that napalm and VX-gas were used by the Serenien forces. A clear condemnation of Serenierre is due here.
For the division of refugees over the respective countries, we request that Occitania is excused in this; that country already suffers from a serious burden due to the Serenien invasion that turned the Northern third of that country into ruins. Furthermore, that country already has an internal refugee crisis. The division quotum proposed in the Vogt Plan will force Eiffelland to take up 1.2 million refugees, and Retalia to take up 1.4 million refugees. This is a huge amount of people, and it will be a huge operation to transport that many people to our respective countries. However, Eiffelland and Retalia are prepared to take up this burden."
 

Crotobaltislavonia

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Jedreck read the slides. When he was finished, he listened with genuine interest as Zimmermann laid out Eiffelland's position. And then the foreign minister signaled his intention to speak.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Let me address the Vogt Plan a point at a time.

"My government has no position regarding Point One and I must consult with President Fyodorov.

"On Point Two, I cannot speak to that either and I will need to consult Banja Luka.

"Point Three, under no circumstances will my government and its allies allow any troops besides those from Kadikistan and the Council of the North on our soil.

"Point Four, Crotobaltislavonia wants its people safe and sound, and productive, back home. Rather than expending resources to keep the refugees in your countries, consider expending those same resources on sending the refugees home and getting Crotobaltislavonia back on its feet.

"And finally, though it is not mentioned in the Vogt Plan, my government is adamant that reparations must be received from those countries that attacked us before any peace deal is agreed to.

"Thank you."
 

Elben

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Count von Schlabrendorff leaned over and whispered briefly in Fraulein Zweigler's ear before rising from his seat, putting aside pleasantries for business.

“Ladies and gentlemen, regarding point one, Elben joined the Council of the North, not the Trier Accord. The Rurikgrad Pact’s presence in Crotobaltislavonia is that state’s business, not this conference’s; Kadikistan is a guest of CBS unless something has changed?” Schlabrendorff looked over at Jedreck for a moment before continuing.

“Moving on, I am uncomfortable with how broad the second point is; I would recommend instead that this conference defer a condemnation to a body convoked specifically to deal with the concept of such weapons and their use.

“Point three is what, a suggestion of partitioning CBS? Are we asking Minister Jedreck here to acquiesce to the division of his fatherland? The Council of the North’s presence in the Free Canton is a temporary and humanitarian one. Elben for its own part has no interest as a neutral party in long term occupation of any land beyond its own borders.

“Finally, point four, Elben has been caring for refugees from Crotobaltislavonia since the Christmas Crisis. Its charity organizations have both welcomed refugees from and gone into the Free Canton on missions of mercy. These efforts have never stopped. Elben has also taken in many Trivodnians fleeing the conflict that has just ended. At this time, we have no ability to take in hundreds of thousands more. Instead, we agree with Minister Jedreck that relief efforts should be directed at rebuilding homes and infrastructure so that refugees can return to their countries of origin.”

The count took his seat and looked around at his counterparts.
 

Tyonic Confederacy

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Emilia then rose to speak after her counterparts have shared their perspective, "Point Four seems to be the one most divisive one, and many of us are already receiving refugees. Maybe I would suggest that we should be urged to take as many as safely as possible, as to not strain those who have yet to take in refugees.

I agree with Minister Jedreck and Count von Schlabrendorff. These people will eventually have to return home to a war torn nation, there needs to be a reconstruction effort made to rebuild these homes and communities that have been destroyed by this war. But, we also can not allow these refugees to return while there is conflict still within Gallo-Germania. For the safety of your people, Minister Jedreck, they should remain abroad but close to their homeland.

I believe that we can all agree that the use of WMD's is a horrendous Crime on Humanity. I believe with the evidence that Eiffelland has gathered we can back up a denouncement of the use of these horrible weapons, but I would rather more diplomatic means of punishment of Serenierre such as embargoes."
 
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