Burying the hatchet

[Nova]

CCXXVII Nivôse 14​

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De : Monsieur le Ministre des Affaires Diplomatiques et Commerciales Jérôme M. A. Richard,
À : Prezident z Voľný kantón Crotobaltislavonia Valerian Fyodorov,
Statut : Public.

Salutations à Son Excellence le Président Fyodorov,

In the name and hope of a stable and peaceful region, I am calling with this letter to bury the age of pettiness that have known its apogee last summer following violent confrontation at our common border. Errors have been effectively been made on both sides, and we acknowledge those. For a better and more suitable future of coming-generations, I would be extremely honoured if your Excellency was to join me, in Nouvelle-Ville for a joint meeting with our esteemed advisors and various representatives authorities from both our countries, to sit and agree to end this age, for starting a new one based on reason and rightfulness, with cooperation as the central key to the sustainability of this new area I would very dearly wish to build with Crotobaltislavonia.

If my invitation was to be accepted by Your Excellency, it would show to the international community a clear strength of the Gallia-Germania region, which acts within reason and do know how to welcome progress in its social order. It is, without a doubt that a Treaty shall seal this new relationship, that we shall be more then keen to begin and propose you.

Even if variously different culturally from one another, our Nations share through the forces of arms, a common History, not only this last Century, but the last Millenia. Learning from one another, establishing a fluent and coherent dialogue that shall work on a daily basis with our citizens, is more then necessary to brace the foundations of this new area of Crotobaltislavonian-Fleuroise relationship if Your Excellency agrees to.

Our thoughts goes with you,
Respectfully yours,

- M.A.D.C. Richard​

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

UNRESTRICTED
FROM: Maximilian Jedreck, Foreign Minister, Free State of

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TO: Jérôme M. A. Richard, Minister of Diplomatic Affairs and Trade, Fleurian Republic
SUBJECT: Relations

Minister Richard,

I regret to inform you that President Valerian Fyodorov has perished from assassination. Prime Minister Yevheniy Musayev now has the duty of leading the Free Canton. I have relayed your letter to the Prime Minister and he agrees that the Free Canton accept your invitation for his advisors to consult with yours.

Even after the last war realigned the balance of power in Gallia-Germania, danger for Crotobaltislavonia persists. The Free Canton has a strong patron to the east, but our relationships with our Gallian neighbors remain unsettled. Improving relations with the Fleurian Republic would be an excellent first step towards cementing our own security and the security of Gallia-Germania as a whole.

Minister, I look forward to working with you in the future for the peace and prosperity of our two nations and our region in the world.

"True courage consists in being strong enough to master and overcome oneself and subordinate one’s will to the will of the collective, the will of the higher party body."

I remain,

M. Jedreck

 

[Nova]

CCXXVII Nivôse 19​

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De : Monsieur le Ministre des Affaires Diplomatiques et Commerciales Jérôme M. A. Richard,
À : Predseda Vlády z Voľný kantón Crotobaltislavonia Yevheniy Musayev,
Statut : Public.

Salutations à Son Excellence le Premier Ministre Musayev,

We send to your people and defunct-President’s Fyodorov family our most sincere condolences, our thoughts are with you. We feel terrible at the idea of having missed His Excellency an ideal situation in which both our people would have came together and shake hands in purity.

We are therefore looking forward to the venue of Your Excellency Prime Minister in trust that our hopes can be achieved, and our border know a well-deserved peace and stability for the sake of our people as it shall lay down the foundations of a new partnership.

Renewing our sincere condolences,
Sincerely yours,

- M.A.D.C. Richard​

-

It wasn’t everyday you were to be announced that somebody you invited to discuss most important matters, would in fact die before your letter could reach him; but it seems in this most particular case, that it was possible, at least in Crotobaltislavonia. A particular place. After most fruitful talks with the Primo Ministro Marino of Lars held in Concorde, the diplomatic activity that Richard wanted to prove for this new year in the Gregorian Calendar, was fierce. This time, the context was less obvious then before however, as a result of the previous military and tough confrontations both nations had known.

One of the first concern for the normalisation of relations between Crotobaltislavonia and Fleur was the Rochetaillée Convention on Diplomatic and Consular Relations, as Richard made clear no Fleuroix diplomatic instance shall open without this being agreed on a case-by-case with host-nation. This was the first point Richard was hoping to lift, to fully commit for the normalisation of relations which so far had been more then difficult. Pictures and kind words was also on the agenda, but more deeply Richard was seeking an idea to engage both nations in a relationship that shall prevent future tensions from ever happening again as such. It was on those thoughts, that in a small village near the border with Crotobaltislavonia, which hosted the meeting, would welcome coming in car the Predseda Vlády Musayev. The symbolic was strong, as this village have been hit by the recent fire exchanges, but Richard hoped to make it an example, of the new relation that was to be sealed as important common statements would be shared there, before they would get back in Fleuroix’s capital for being more at their ease in exchanging.

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

Near the frontier with Crotobaltisalvonia

Prime Minister Musayev's motorcade arrived in the village. Dignitaries, functionaries, courtiers, and plenty of bodyguards, were on hand with Minister Richard. The two men greeted each other. Warm words were exchanged and introductions to each others' entourages were made. When all formalities were completed, the Musayev and Richard greeted the village's inhabitants and toured the progress the village had made in rebuilding after the war.

Musayev was invited to say a few words:

"Comrades, work is never easy. But the results that hard work yields endures. Through the hard work of putting aside our differences of opinion and past transgressions, we will build a relationship of peace and prosperity that will endure. God bless."

 

[Nova]

Richard could this time enjoy of his fluent Slovak to engage the Prime Minister, as commodities would be exchanged. He certainly hoped that, even with the recent most unfortunate assassination of President Valerian Fyodorov, stability shall remain in Crotobaltislavonia, along the will for Musayev to go on, and take the Treaty that was to be created from this Summit, to the ratification-stage when he shall be back home.

Honours to the tombs of those fallen in the tragic incidents from last summer would be done, as both representatives, in a strong move, decided to bring to a common monument, remembering, at the exact base of the border, in half in either country, a crown of flowers, as a minute of silence would go on, allowing the populace to pay their respects. Officers from both sides would give honours, and flags from either side the borders would be raised again. Both representatives would then make a round into Crotobaltislavonia.

The night was pending, and a short-press conference had been arranged, in which Musayev would distinct himself well. « I firmly believe for my part that, such catastrophe was fully avoidable, and because of negligence, lack of courage, from either side, I am blaming us all, it haven’t been. Now, the least we can do, in honour of the victims, the families, those injuried, is to take lessons from what happened and put civility in front of our emotions, in front of our actions. What we, the Prime Minister and myself, have done today, have a great symbolic, but let us not stop there in hope things shall solve themselves; let us, after having took back the control of our emotions, think, bring an ounce of civility back in our relations, and act in favour of dispositions to prevent this from ever happening again » would for his part declare M.A.D.C. Richard as Musayev was standing on his side. He’d pursue later, with « Something is up, and I truly wishes to thanks the Prime Minister Musayev for putting his trust in my invitation, for sealing back our teared apart border and exchanges. In those dark times, my thoughts are with the defunct President Fyodorov and his family, a man which certainly would have seconded this Summit and found a forever-lasting peace in what we are about to accomplish. Merci. ».

One of the Republic’s residence have been planned to host both representatives for the night, before they’d take a privatised small T.G.V. for the occasion. The diner have been, as ordered by Richard, light, given that a proper Fleuroix meal may easily be of 6 hours and 20 services, without counting the drinks. It would have been most inappropriate in this context of condolences and hope for a brighter future, as much as Fleuroix were generally ready for a pleasant evening, this one would be short. The same may not be said of the breakfast, which had let shown the pomp of the Fleuroix viennoiseries, bread, chocolats, pâtisseries, pains, gâteaux, and many more.

Both representatives would finally meet again in the T.G.V., as it would be ready to depart at 360 km/h. « Good morning Mister the Prime Minister » would say in Slovak, handing a firm hand to shake, Richard, to Musayev. He’d, from a gesture of the hand, invite him to seat, in one of those comfortable chair, as those wagons have been specially furnished for those kind of necessities. « I hope your night went well? » he questioned, as he’d get served a chocolat de chez chocolat by a server. « Would your Excellency wish a drink? » asked to the Prime Minister the server in perfect uniform worthy 3 stars restaurants. Following his response, Richard went on, « I have many ideas for our possible common declaration, and in the end Treaty if your Excellency agrees. First there is the need to solve this terrible issue, which I hope you may find a

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» showed Richard to Musayev, as he, and his team, have been working on this Summit for long, and had high-hopes, this draft was just the beginning he hoped.

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

Because of an unfortunate misunderstanding of language, Musayev agreed to the construction of a tomb that would be difficult to build. And even if such a tomb were to be actually constructed, any Crotobaltislavonian wishing to visit it would have to seek permission to cross the border into Fleur and then approach from the Fleurian side.

At the press conference, Musayev smiled politely and nodded with gratitude at Monsieur Minister Richard's kind words regarding President Fyodorov.

After Monsieur Minister Richard concluded his remarks, Musayev spoke, saying in part that, "Germania must be made whole, mended by our words and deeds."

At the residence where they were staying the night, the entire Crotobaltislavonian party was quite impressed. Except Bounin. Looking as dour as ever, the secret policeman checked for bugs and then still instructed that everyone mind their words. Before going to his suite to rest, Foreign Minister Jedreck promised the Prime Minister that he would attend dinner later. But when the Foreign Minister failed to appear, Musayev could only assume Jeddy had found a member of the opposite sex to spend the evening with. The next morning after breakfast, the Prime Minister complimented both the dinner and the breakfast. He suggested that the first Fleurian chef in Banja Luka would corner the fine dining market.

Later, on the train, Musayev managed to make small talk with his host.

"Good morning, Monsieur Minister."

"I slept very well, thank you."

"I would love a drink. Give me something hard. That is an old joke. I will take tea for now, please."

"Monsieur Minister this train is, how do you say it, première classe!"

"Let us have a look at your draft treaty."

Looking down and speaking as he read the document, Musayev said, "Article one, I will agree to it as it applies only to Fleur and Crotobaltislavonia. Article two ... ceasefire for eternity?" Musayev looked up in surprise and exclaimed, "Good God, man, you're not one of those Technologists, are you?"

Looking back down, Musayev continued, "Article three, is a problem, Monsieur Minister. Even now, Crotobaltislavonia maintains heavily armed guards in a zone starting at its external border and extending up to one kilometer into our territory. Crotobaltislavonia considers the Border Guard to be one of its uniformed armed forces."

 

[Nova]

« I am pleased your Excellency is pleased » said Richard, thankful to his guest for his most kind comment. At Musayev comment of him being a Technologist, Richard would kindly reply, « Worst. A Republican Conservative » he added with a tone of humour. « It’s been specified that those are undeclared hostilities, therefore illegal in both our nations jurisdictions. Except if you have any proposal to change the redaction of Article II? » asked Richard.

As the Prime Minister went down to read what’s been redacted for now, tension would rise, slowly but surely, as this caused some issues, as Richard would have expected. « So do we Mister the Prime Minsiter » precise Richard, about the military forces on the border and within this ten (10) kilometres zone from either side the borders. « It is in no case a renouncement of sovereignty to dispose of military asset in this area, just specifications to politely address the potential concerns of the other nation, and, in all civility, ensure a light militarisation of the border. Today, our very own Republic dispose of military asset at our border, just like you, however if we are to accomplish something in this Treaty, it might be well the second section on Article III that you seem to abut on. Heavily armed guards shall no longer be needed, as a lighter force, for the sake of stability shall be deployed. How do you wish us to withdraw tension by withdrawing all our military assets if we cannot expect the same from you? » questioned Richard, as he’d pursue, « This is also only a ten kilometres area, which if you really are concerned about, can be occupied through mobile forces on your side really fast. It is a common-ground here, a balance between the military needs, and political one which requires us to engage our nations to new things, innovation in our way to manage our border, and make us believe that no such incident can happen again. Out of all our neighbours, Crotobaltislavonia remains the only one in which we have military forces supporting the customs. » Richard precised. Idea was it wasn’t that great of a cost for the respective military high commands given they can still deploy and exercice as a five (5) day prior notice to any deployment was only required by civility through this Treaty, but would be a main one in terms of political capital, as local population would feel less tension on the daily basis and in case of tension, shots fired would be less likely.

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

"Monsieur Minister, I understand your concerns. But our Border Guard is not there for you, it is there for us. The Border Guard is a branch of the military, but it is a security police rather than an armed force. The fortifications they man on our side of the border are to restrict the movement of people, not armies. To remove the Border Guard would be to move our border back ten kilometers. That will not happen. Rest assured, Crotobaltislavonia's actual army is positioned well away from the border and will remain there."

 

[Nova]

« I am not certain to get your points » wondered Richard, as it seems to be an obscure schema behind those sentences. « Why do you need an armed group at our border, if our customs are unarmed? Why heavy fortifications which supposedly consist of heavy guns? You must understand that, pursuing in this direction, isn’t going to help us in the de-escalation that we have been engaging since this Summer, and we surely hope, at least I hope personally, to concretise through our meeting » stated Richard, as he was now giving the ball on Musayev’s side, to make concrete proposals for ensuring the border’s stability. If Fleuroix proposals wouldn’t fit, what would? What specifications were to be put in place, to ensure a cohesion, a sentiment of peace, at this border? Which was not that much active after all. « We are not asking you to remove border guards, you may very well send a notice of those assets, however understand that it’s most… Suspicious » let escape from his mouth Richard, such word which was clearly indicating the need of explanations needed from his counter-part.

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

"Monsieur Minister, there are no heavy guns on the border. The men themselves are heavily armed with assault rifles and machine guns. They are not just on the border with your country, but on all borders with all countries that neighbor us. These men are there to enforce our laws by restricting the movement of goods and peoples. We consider them apart of our armed forces, but they are no more than police.

"If Monsieur Minister finds the situation suspicious, I suggest the treaty be amended to allow unannounced inspections from time to time by your country and by my own."

Prime Minister Musayev checked off something that he'd written down and closed his portfolio.

 

[Nova]

« This could be a possibility… However on our part we wouldn’t accept this » said Richard, as Fleuroix customs, unarmed in this instance, were responding only to the direct authority and wouldn’t stand foreign inspection, but more importantly knowing how Fleuroix people wouldn’t tolerate a military inspection of their border, that might impact Richard’s popularity quite heavily. « Would your Excellency accept this? » asked Richard, to know if he could amend the Treaty as it was. Richard would consider asking later, for the M.A.M.S. Chantajoux to develop a close and tight surveillance of the border, as it was far from being ever open and know full peace, even if previous declaration of both representatives stated such. Richard just hoped this wouldn’t cost him his place through a petition against him.

Once this matter was resolved, Richard wanted to move on a delicate matter, the great expulsion the Crotobaltislavonian Government was organising against minorities. « We are concerned on the great move of population you are doing, with force on those, not leaving them choice but join leave behind their asset and life. We would like you to develop reasons for such large breach of Human-Rights Conventions » asked Richard.

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

"Let us set aside the issue of border inspections for now. I will consult with my advisors about what is acceptable and what is unacceptable."

Prime Minister Musayev listened quietly as Richard changed the subject to displaced persons. When Richard was finished, Musayev spoke up.

"Crotobaltislavonia has been a multi-ethnic country for too long. There are Slavonians from the east. There are people of Gallo descent in the west. The gypsies were living in Crotobaltislavonia before the Slavonians. And I cannot tell you when or how the Jewish population immigrated to our country. All I know is that our history has been rife with conflict along ethnic and religious lines. And it must end."

 

[Nova]

« Mmh… » would say Richard, with a doubt, as he wasn’t sure anymore of how this meeting would turn. After all, if it was true that warfare would no longer appear on the border -at least he hoped-, the public opinion wouldn’t see much out of the deal if borders rules from either side remain as they are today, with an empty nut being agree on by both representatives, bracing air over those negotiations, Richard knew he’d need to be stronger on securing concretely the border, at the risk of having a petition engaged against him.

« Thank you for your explanations » said Richard, reaffirming his lead in his very own behaviour, as he wouldn’t change his facial expression to express his personal feelings, as much disgusting as he may find this, and against the République’s principles. But fact was, Crotobaltislavonia was close to the Kadikistani Union which unfortunately didn’t made that state a paria among the international community, forcing the hand in international affairs to talk with them instead of seeing a Trier Treaty force manage the beast. But well, as long as the border remained quiet, Richard had nothing to worry about, even if the recent fire exchanges in Occitania engaged by Sérénierre, a friendly nation to Crotobaltislavonia was concerning, for Fleur’s own sake. Keeping a strict and solid neutral stance would be hard, as the simplest agreement on opening a high-speed train line can be interpreted as a sign of partiality, of guilt.

« I shall let your Excellency rest therefore » clarified Richard, with a smile, as he would allow his Excellency to talk to his staff if he wished so, or dispose of the car in the train in charge of the little hungers and beverages. For his part, Richard would use the téléconie system to take part into a virtual conference, with the M.A.M.S. over the disposals the République may have and what Richard should do.

After a dozen of minutes, the train would finally arrive at the train station, underground of the heart of the République, the core of all decisions and its flourishing direct-democracy system certainly unique in Europe. Stairs would just have to be climbed, and few steps made to arrive in front of the Palais des Libertés which shall host the meeting. Richard gave precise orders to be set up in the garden, to enjoy of the large sun and warm-enough temperature in the season. Both representatives may see around them the perfectly aligned garden, representing for the time when they were set up, the finest Human calculations possible and remain today perfect mathematics, the

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. « What does those patterns make you think about? » asked Richard, starting with a banal social question, that would set up the context of those informal talks now.

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

Musayev inspected the garden and spoke the first word that came to mind: "automation."

Turning to look at Richard, "Monsieur, after discussions with my advisors, I think the Free Canton can accomodate your country. We are willing to dismantle our fortifications and maintain the minimum necessary Border Guards along the frontier with Fleur."

The Prime Minister turned away to look at the garden again.

 

[Nova]

It was far from being automated, as every single leaf asked special care and a discipline in the way to maintain the gardens, as excellence was requisitioned. But Richard understood that it could create this feeling of automation. The wind wasn’t blowing strongly, and the smell in the air already wanted to give you a taste of the peaceful and sweet Spring, as this air, full of renewal started to spread.

Musayev would move back to the matter they have been discussing on the train, giving a green light to original Richard’s idea, making him more then surprised, and being more then satisfied of this. « Well » tried to start Richard, as this was unexpected, « This is formidable » he’d say, looking at Musayev, and as this one would look back at the garden, he’d too do so, enjoying the view with this pleasant agreement that have been reached. Words were lacking, but Richard felt that the goal of this meeting was accomplished, and he had serious results to show to his people and to the next council’s meeting. « This is very pleasant in fact. Has your Excellency the wish to discuss of any further matter? » politely asked Richard, as this subject seems to be done, time to pass to a new one would be. Richard would also turn slightly his back while remaining in his seat, and give a hand gesture to a server waiting by, meaning to server what was known as the “Goûter” in Fleur.