An Invitation: Adler & Löwe [ATTN: Karlovia]

[Wieserreich]

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Residenzschloss, Erfurt, Thüringen - Wieserreich

The urban palace that housed the Hersbach dukes of Thuringia long predated the duchy's control over its capital. For over 400 years it serves as the residence of the Thuringian monarchs, though only since 1782 was it actually in the duchy itself; until then, the city of Erfurt remained under the powerful prince-bishopric centred in it. Today, though it served as a Hersbach residence still, it was circumstantially open for meetings of national or international importance.

This was one such occasion. Under high security, Duke Joseph II Ferdinand had agreed to host a meeting between Imperial Chancellor Rudolf Reichsfürst von Schwarzenberg and his Karlovian counterpart Chancellor Jan Beran, mere days after the Karlovian media had published a leaked memo from their country's foreign ministry that could drastically change the Wieserreicher-Karlovian relationship.

The guards present in the city were wearing colourful uniforms, including the ceremonial white and red uniform and shako caps of the Electoral Guard, the similar colours and pickelhaube of the Landespolizei, and the dark blue and white of the Reichspolizei, who also wore their ceremonial pickelhaube as well - Wieserreich's traditional police helmet. The whole city was more colourful than it usually were indeed, as the Wieserreicher and Karlovian chancellors met behind closed doors.

For Schwarzenberg, this was an important meeting. It was not as important as it were for Beran, however the Wieserreicher prince had his own agenda; and that agenda openly involved a rather bold game of thrones to be played, with political support and firm pressure both equally ready for Beran. As he had told his aides a mere hour before the meeting, "today is a day that may mark a new foreign policy for the Reich".

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Jan Beran's rise to be chancellor was curious. His father was a butcher of a small village and made just enough money to buy the occasional luxury. Beran graduated university with above acceptable marks and returned to his village to teach civics and history. Beran evolved from teacher to mayor and mayor to Snem member. His Orange Party had elected him party leader and he had served as Chancellor for the past 7 years of his 11 year Snem career. Now in his late 50's, Beran's face was wrinkled a bit but his skin remained tight. He straightened his bowtie as he puffed on his pipe which hang precariously from his mouth. His reputation was one of a somewhat abrasive but efficient politician. Beran shook his head. He sensed this would not be a pleasant trip.

 

[Wieserreich]

OOC: I am going to skip past the arrivals and introductions, summarising it so we may go straight into business with no waste of time of effort.

Past the mandatory protocol, which involved anthems and salutes and what not, it was relatively quiet. Erfurt's streets were hardly Wieserreich's loudest, and deep within the Residenzschloss Schwarzenberg and Beran were getting to work on the purpose of the meeting. There was no doubt that this would attract interest. It was organised on short notice, and the circumstances were rather important as well.

"Mr. Beran, allow me to once more welcome you to Thuringia" Schwarzenberg smiled as the two men sat amidst aides and secretaries. "I am delighted that you could make it on such a short notice. The very circumstances were rather concerning to us in Augsburg" spoke the Wieserreicher chancellor, seating himself neatly at a table. His aides shuffled through papers, organising them just before him as he focused his attention exclusively on the Karlovian.

Schwarzenberg momentarily turned his eyes on the documents before him and nodded. "I also understand from your letter that the situation is rather concerning in Brünn as well?" he asked Beran, looking straight into the Karlovian's eyes as if looking for the slightest hint of weakness or determination.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Beran caught the man’s eye and stared deeply into the man and grinned slightly. He picked a piece of lint off of his inexpensive dark blue suit and sighed. He spoke in excellent German: “Gentlemen, I will skip any pleasantries and skip to the issue at hand. Karlovia and mighty Wiese have not been the friendliest neighbors” said Beran calmly. He still let an accusatory finger rise and placed in the air, “your nation as grand and powerful as it may be has yet to conquer peaceful Karlovia. You take Aussig because the people share your language. My G-d, gentlemen think if that is how the rest of the world worked. Now you place thousands upon thousands of troops on our border. Why? What do you fear from us? Pilsner beer? Democracy? Karlovia’s military is small” said Beran, surprisingly calmly. He shifted his weight and sipped on the cool juice that had been offered. He licked his lips. Was that a hint of pear juice along with apple? He liked it. “You see, I have an advantage over most politicians. I am not a student of politics; I am a student of history. Most do not see that every day, history occurs again. History speaks and says you don’t place troops on a border for no reason. You fear invasion? Cannot be. Your intelligence agencies cannot be so inept as to think that. Perhaps you fear men near your own capital? No. No soldier would want to rid themselves of the Kaiser” said Beran sarcastically. “Your troops are there for a reason. I want to know why”. Politicians were not often men of reason, but educators often are. Beran, a former teacher, would not let this meeting end without getting a satisfying answer

 

[Wieserreich]

Schwarzenberg did not bother concealing his amusement as he heard Beran's response. He let out an unrestrained chuckle before offering a broad smile to his Karlovian counterpart.

"Mr. Beran" spoke Schwarzenberg, "Wieserreich has no expansionist policies, and Karlovia has nothing to fear from Wieserreich in that regard" he said, deliberately stressing his country's proper name. "I wish to assure you Mr. Beran, that we have no expansionist policies, and we do have Pilsner and democracy as well" he smiled widely, nodding affirmatively as if to emphasise his point. "And, of course, we have had no troop build-ups on our shared frontier for decades" he smiled.

Beran was certainly deserving praise, Schwarzenberg thought. He had balls. He already liked the Karlovian; it was rare to see such balls in diplomacy nowadays, when everyone preferred to waltz around the subject instead of getting to it.

"Allow me to elaborate. Our security concerns stem from the very fact that our peaceful and pacifist neighbour lacks the means to defend itself from foreign assault" Schwarzenberg added more seriously. "While Karlovia is not a direct threat, the possibility of a foreign attack through Karlovia in violation to its neutrality is... extremely concerning to us, to say the bare least. Especially since that foreign attack can be from... extremist political supporters" he added diplomatically, as if referring to particular common neighbours without naming them.

He sipped some of his own drink before continuing, briefly considering how to present the issue at hand.

"It would be unfortunate if we were to indeed dismantle border defences along our common border, only to expose the Großwiesen to a foreign attack. Such an attack would not only be detrimental to Wieserreich, but also Karlovia as you might realise" he nodded affirmatively. "It is why I invited you here. I wish for a regime that will assure both our governments, as well as bolster cross-border cooperation in security and finance alike."

Shuffling through his papers, Rudolf von Schwarzenberg took a peek of his notes. There were some pretty detailed proposals for this situation here.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Beran grimaced and sat back; not in defeat but in a manner in which one could signal a different tack. There was silence for several minutes as Beran fished from his pocket an old ivory tinder box. The ivory panels were cracked and a side was missing a large chunk. In its day it probably cost a fortune. Now, even antique dealers would hardly sell it for 100 pounds. He lit a small piece of wood and touched it to the bowl of his pipe. The smell of the sweet tobacco filled the room. Beran, calm, shrugged his shoulders. “So you fear a neighbor of Karlovia that would burn so quickly through her that the flames of war touched your country could mount an adequate defense? While I suppose it could be true, it also brings up a more pressing question. Why would Wiese stand by while Karlovia was overrun by a nation that they fear? Why would Wiese let them have such a delicious slice of pie? Granted our two nations do not have the greatest history sir, but you must admit the math is flawed” said Beran calmly.

Beran tilted his head as his host considered the question. “I am not trying to be hostile sir, please understand that I do not like holes. If you want to build defenses that is your own matter. But when you start to scare a population, then it becomes the matter for those people. How long would it take your nation to fully man your defensive line? 2 days? 5 days? Yet you keep them garrisoned as if you are a farmer with a gun, waiting on the wolf that is coming for your sheep” said Beran with a bit more force but still calm. He waited a moment. His host was about to speak but he had already begun- “No sir. You are not the protective farmer. You appear to the Karlovian people as another wolf. Karlovia is a sheep in this world. Luckily we have Rolupilka….” He paused and he thought of the German word. “Sheepdogs”.

“Frankly, the leaked memo was never brought to my attention before this affair. Something most curious indeed. That is a failure of my staff. It will be dealt with. Now trust in me when I say that Karlovia’s past is something we are trying to forgive. Many still view that you stole Aussig. We have had many conflicts and disputes. Imagine how the people of Karlovia feel. We were on the verge of a great step towards completely normal relations and now this is thrown upon us like a damp shirt on a cool morning. How do you expect us to react to some long line of men, guns, and concrete? My country deserves real answers, not this crap I am being fed” said Beran in an almost cheerful manner.

 

[Wieserreich]

Schwarzenberg raised his eyebrows, waving his hand dismissively as the smoke reached him. It was rather instinctive and undeliberate; he didn't enjoy smoking, even as a concept.

"You have an almost correct understanding of our point of view" replied the chancellor. "Almost" he repeated with a solid nod. "There are far too many military scenarios to consider however, and one can easily include an attack on Wieserreich both directly and indirectly, through your nation. You assume we will have the benefit of time to make decisions; I don't" Schwarzenberg frowned, staring at Beran.

"The real problem is not the men with the guns between Augsburg and Brünn, but the fact that Augsburg and Brünn lack genuine links. Roads, trade, friendship" the Wieserreicher chancellor continued.

He allowed himself to make a short pause, as if to see the Karlovian's reaction before he continued.

"I fully understand your circumstances, even if you refuse to understand ours" Schwarzenberg sighed. "Rest assured that my government is universally favouring positive and productive relations with your nation. And in doing so we are prepared to commit to gestures of good will that can precede formal bilateral agreements" the Thuringian said firmly, pushing a document from his stack towards Beran.

The document included a simple list of bullet points that seemed as though they were waiting to be discussed upon.

• Wieserreich will quietly reduce military readiness on its common border with Karlovia.
• Wieserreich will guarantee and ensure Karlovia's sovereignty, territorial integrity and neutrality.
• Karlovia will not host third nation troops in its territory without consulting Wieserreich.
• Karlovia will cooperate to combat cross-border security issues such as smuggling and trafficking.
• Karlovia and Wieserreich will engage in open negotiations to increase trade and cross-border economic activity with respect to each other's interests.

"Naturally I cannot convince you to change your mind about whether I feed you... faeces, or not" Schwarzenberg said. "This is a list of undeveloped proposals reflecting our interests. Officially so" he said adamantly, straightening his back to look at Beran. "Naturally, everything is subject to discussion... and it includes things we would come and try to discuss about anyway, with or without this leaked memo."

Schwarzenberg sipped from his glass, pausing once more.

"To start with, if the 'quiet' part of the first point is deemed insufficient, it can happen after some joint drill in the border region or something. It can offer some publicity to show it does, indeed, take place" Schwarzenberg pointed out, raising his brows. "And strictly between you and I, Mr. Beran... Think of the political support we can offer each other. I recall you were under pressure from your opposition?"

Flashing an encouraging smile, the Prince looked at the Karlovian chancellor patiently. He wished to hear his response.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Beran pulled a pair of taped glasses from his coat pocket and put them on his round head. He looked at the paper for several minutes in silence. Beran slowly removed his glasses and inspected them, saying nothing. He began to frown. "It is true we are having trouble with opposition; but it is not something I am unused to" he said with a mild shrug. "As for your proposal, I would say there are one or two minor issues" he said calmly. He was silent for a moment. "While we of course enjoy the first point, the second point is worrisome" said Beran. He had always felt most government officials in Wiese were smug and stooges. He didn't believe this particular gentleman was either. " Wiese will guarantee and ensure Karlovia's sovereignty..." said Beran coldly. "Karlovia can guarantee its own sovereignty. This idea that we need protection is a poor one. Our neutrality is our defense. You ask us to consult you should we have other military forces in Karlovia. What if you had issue with whom we were to host? No, I don't think we can abide by this point. You see, it sounds an awful lot like you're asking Karlovia to become a protectorate without the name protectorate. It seems to me that your superiors have given you a plan to make Karlovia into a vassal state. We cannot have that. Trade yes. Border security yes." Beran shook his head. "You know, whoever developed these points should have their head examined. Karlovia is small, not stupid"

 

[Wieserreich]

Schwarzenberg raised his eyebrows. "I wonder" he said coolly.

"I must say that I have to question your attitude, Mr. Beran" continued the Wieserreicher chancellor. "For as long as you have been here, all you have been doing is speak in a most offensive manner about my government and its honest intentions" he frowned softly, shaking his head. "Not that I did not expect you to capitalise on this leaked memo in this manner, but sundering the possibility of improved relations will be a very bad thing for Karlovia."

He shook his head.

"Alas, if we might continue... If Karlovia feels its neutrality is a sufficient deterrent to foreign aggression, Wieserreich can do nothing but respect its neighbour's determination" Schwarzenberg nodded. "But this neutrality is not something we can guarantee respecting were your country to host troops of a country that is in contrast to our interests. It is why this third point is in the list in the first place, Mr. Beran" spoke Schwarzenberg coldly.

"In other words" he continued, "if we were to have issue with who you were to host, there is no move I can guarantee that we would not consider or take, if deemed necessary. The third proposal is effectively a treaty of mutual non-aggression, though I thought Brünn would be more interested in it than Augsburg has ever been. I do not even hear you making counter-proposals or proposals of your own, Mr. Beran" He stared at the Karlovian seriously, pausing only to sip some of his drink.

"Either way, I fear you are far too prejudiced against your neighbours. Your attitude towards us tells me that you see my country as nothing but an imperial power set to limit your country's rights and freedom..." Schwarzenberg continued. "You are far too eager to say that the 'mentally unstable' person who wrote down these proposals had Karlovia as a protectorate in mind, even when no proposal actually even approaches to such blatant and despicable violations of your country's sovereignty."

"I will ask you just once Mr. Beran. Are you here to negotiate, and indeed make proposals and counter-proposals containing both demands and concessions, or to merely simply appease your voters by claiming you tried? If you are not serious about relations between Augsburg and Brünn, you may leave this instant" Schwarzenberg concluded. "I am pretty serious about my job here, and I assure you that a lot of effort is invested on our part so that these talks bear mutually beneficial, ripe fruit. Are you?"

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Beran placed his glasses back onto his face. "As a matter of fact, I do have a proposal. I was merely considering and discussing your proposal and stating that yours has flaws. If I was really as prejudiced as you suggest, I would not be here. I do not make trips to pander to the electorate. That is the job for politicians. I am but a humble school teacher. Now, I feel as if I am being threatened" Beran calmly held up a hand to stop his host from interjecting. "You state that neutrality is not something you can guarantee if we hosted troops from a nation which was in contrast to Wiese's agenda. Well, it certainly seems that a sovereign nation has the ability to decide who may enter their land. On one hand, you offer to guarantee it and in the other...Well you understand my point. Here is a proposal I have authored" said Beran, handing over a thick set of pages. On the front was a blank page. The second page listed a table of contents.

"You'll see the first section deals with border forces. Under the proposal, Wiese will remove troops to lower levels over a period of 18 months. The section has a more detailed account of troop withdrawals. The second section is improved trade by transportation. A new rail line may be built from our nation to yours. I believe there are 5 possible routes proposed in proposal. The third section details a proposal for a border security commission of 4 members, 2 from each country, to meet quarterly. Included..." Beran paused to relight his pipe, "are two fantastic proposals regarding the temporary lowering of tariffs".

 

[Wieserreich]

Scratching his chin thoughtfully, Schwarzenberg listened to Beran's response and nodded calmly. "It is fortunate that we are both here for the same reason then" he smiled diplomatically as the other man finished speaking. Shuffling through the proposals, he sipped his drink one last time before he waved his hand for a refill.

"A sovereign nation may decide who enters their land, as well as defend itself from the possibility of foreign assault and tensions. Both pre-emptive and preventive defence are key components of national sovereignty" Schwarzenberg commented as he studied the ideas on paper. He nodded affirmatively, as though he were rather satisfied with the turn of events. "But this is all hypothetical, after all" he smirked widely.

"I do find your proposals very interesting. Almost universally agreeable in fact" he nodded calmly. "If anything, I do wish to add the Danubian trade routes to this proposal. By improving infrastructure for river-borne trade, we can maximise mutual benefit" he nodded. "Through the river networks of Wieserreich, Karlovia can then directly access Franken, Engellex, Danmark and Eiffelland; and our Germanian League membership can assist you with possible overseas trade, if a League member were to sponsor relevant proposals to the League." He left the papers, folding his hands to take a short pause before continuing.

"However, I am afraid I cannot agree to your proposal concerning Wieserreich's troops as-is. It is a rather dramatic concession to ask for, one that would require something of similar weight" he nodded firmly. "Such as assuring us about the matter of third party military personnel, as it was brought up earlier, perhaps? It would alleviate major concerns and justify the reductions you ask for."

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

"Well, I am afraid I don't have the complete authority to enable a massive infrastructure program on the Danube. I will bring it up in the Snem. Most of our trade is transported by rail and roads. Trust that I will bring it up in due time. You must understand things move slowly in Karlovia. I can certainly endeavor to improve the infrastructure. Now, as for troops. Karlovia, being neutral, has no desire to host any third party military. That I can promise you. We retain the right to do so as does your country. I don't see what is so dramatic about our request. What is dramatic is the military build up on our Western border. We are just asking for a scale down. It is not a dramatic request....sir"

 

[Wieserreich]

Once more, Schwarzenberg nodded plainly at Beran's words. "I understand, of course" he said, "though I was obliged to inform you of our Danubian trade intentions. They can have great mutual benefit after all" he nodded again. "I do look forward to extensive cooperation between our trade and finance ministries indeed."

"As of our alleged troop build-up... Mr. Beran, I assure you that the issue has been overrated by government agencies and the media" Schwarzenberg stated. "Of course, in the spirit of reciprocal equality, I can assure you that I will undertake steps to ease your concerns over the military readiness on our shared border for as long as Karlovia does not host third party troops" he smiled.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Beran frowned. "So now it has become no third party troops rather than consulting" said Beran coldly as he shook his head. "Karlovia does not intend to ever host anybody more than military advisers. Doing so would violate our neutral sovereignty in our eyes. Of course, if we were under attack it would be different. But can you not see that you are asking us to fully surrender a right as a nation? This is something we cannot and will not do. It is your nations right to move soldiers wherever it wants within its border. This is true. Just think how other nations would react to this situation. If you do not have anything further, I will bid you good day"

 

[Wieserreich]

Schwarzenberg smiled, shaking his head.

"Mr. Beran, please. You took my words far too literally; I apologise" he said with a wide, too friendly smile. "Allow me to rephrase. Wieserreich will unilaterally undertake very serious and honest efforts to ease your concerns, and it will maintain them at least for as long as Karlovia respects our own security wishes, and does not host foreign troop contingents without at least informing us and asks us for our opinion on the matter. This is a personal pledge I give to you, Mr. Beran; surrendering your nation's sovereignty was never something I sought, or will seek" he nodded.

Schwarzenberg then cleared his throat, surveying his notes before continuing.

"So, beyond our unilateral troop reduction, and our request to be kindly notified in advance were Karlovia to exercise its sovereign right to host foreign troops..." Schwarzenberg said, surveying his notes still, "we have your proposals for mutual efforts to improve trade, increase rail interconnections, a bilateral committee on border security, and a proposal for the mutual reduction of trade tariffs?" Looking at Beran, Schwarzenberg waited for a moment. "Unless, of course, you wish to leave these halls without explaining the proposals you made earlier. I, for one thing, look straight forward to hearing more about them."

Smiling again, the Thuringian politician waited for a response.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Beran's expression did not change. He was silent for a long bit. He shrugged. "We are more than happy to let you know if we ever host foreign troops; but we do not intend to do so. Even if we did and you were to object..." Beran shrugged his shoulders in indifference. Beran took out his own copy of the proposals. "Which are you most curious about? I am afraid I was not prepared for a full on presentation".