Covering fish with leaves

[Polesia]

Bangabhaban
Kilkila
Vangala

"The Ratomkirans should be arriving within the next few minutes Minister," A young member of the Rakshibarga, the President's personal guard, informed External Affairs Minister Ajoy Qamaruzzaman. A military helicopter carrying the Ratomkiran Foreign Minister Major-General Anchaly Pokuean had just landed at an army base just outside of the capital, where a motorcade of police cars, motorcycles and Rakshibarga vehicles would be waiting for him. With their imposing presence and blaring sirens, Qamaruzzaman was confident they would pass through the congested streets of Kilkila quickly and soon reach the House of Vangala.

The military coup d'état in Ratomkira and the formation of the Council for Justice and Democracy junta had edged the two countries closer together. Under the hardline, anti-Communist Oikawan-backed dictatorship of King Pheakdei Srieng III, Vangala and Ratomkira had been engaged in covert warfare, popularly known as the 'Silent War', which had devastated the border regions of both nations. The new military administration on the other hand, was seeking a peace settlement with Ratomkira's largest rebel groups, forcing through democratic reforms and restarting talks with Vangala.

Yet obstacles remained. Many in Ratomkira's armed forces had watched their brothers-in-arms die at the hands of Vangalan armed and trained Communist militias and with a long history of fighting and mutual hostility, Ajoy Qamaruzzaman knew the atmosphere of the meeting would be heavy with tension and suspicion. Oikawa still had an enormous amount of influence in Ratomkiran politics and while Vangala and its imperialist archnemesis had seen a warming of relations, the Oikawan Empire was still viewed as Vangala's primary security threat. No doubt Nokanawa found sharing a border with a hostile Communist nation discomforting too.

With the sound of sirens drawing closer, the External Affairs Minister tried to put the negative thoughts behind him, knowing if these talks failed it could have disastrous consequences for not just Vangala, but the region as a whole.

 

[Calidia]

Bangabhaban
Kilkila
Vangala

Major General Anchaly Pokuean had prepared for this day ever since the transitional government, which went by the name 'Council for Democracy and Justice', had assigned him to his new job as minister of external affairs. The talks that where about to take place in one of the more decent parts of the Vangalan capital where of extreme importance not only to Ratomkira, but the whole region. For the Major General it was clear that these talks where more then the few other unofficial meetings that had proceeded this one over the last 60 years. This time it wouldn't be two stubborn nations throwing demands at each other but rather two different nations trying to find a consensus, at least that's what the just recently appointed minister hoped for. Anchaly would for now lock away his military past, filled with anti-Vangalan sentiment, and show his diplomatic side. After all he was one of the few Ratomkirans that had the privilege to study political science and international relations at Saint Cyr Royal Army Academy in Marquette.

While nearing the Bangabhaban building under an impressing Vangalan escort Anchaly quickly went over his agenda one more time. Under the stress of his first diplomatic meeting the minister had a difficult time keeping his left leg still and his need for a toilet unnoticeable. When the most exiting moment came Anchaly gave the Vangalans who saw it a clumsy first impression by almost tripping while stepping out of the black jeeb-like vehicle. He however quickly pulled himself together and acted like nothing happened, walking towards Ajoy Qamaruzzaman with the appearance of much self-confidence. Instead of a small army of bodyguards the Major General had only his personal aids to cover his flanks. Him and his Vangalan counterparts knew well enough that should something happen to him today, a high ranking Vangalan would disappear tomorrow and so on. That was the way things went between the two countries.

Upon reaching the Vangalan external affairs minister Anchaly reached out his noticeably scarred hand, the effects of a knife fight with a drunken Lanxangese earlier in his life. The Major General greeted his colleague in Vangalan, with a distinct Kambudjan accent. Afterwards both men, accompanied by their staffs and Rakshibarga security personnel started walking toward the room where the meeting would take place. During the walk there was a long moment of silence which lasted until they had reached their destination. One could almost smell the tensions between the two opposites. After taking a seat and laying out some documents before him with the help of his staff, Anchaly waited for Ajoy to begin.

 

[Polesia]

Bangabhaban
Kilkila
Vangala

"Nomoskar Sahib Qamaruzzaman," The Major General met the External Affairs Minister with a firm handshake and traditional Vangalan greeting. While this meeting was supposed to be one of reconciliation and progress, beneath the thick Kambudjan accent and formality Ajoy could still detect strong feelings of suspicion and disdain. Staring at Anchaly's scarred hand, Ajoy knew he would be lying if he said he was not feeling the same.

"Chumriup Souh," Ajoy replied awkwardly in clumsy Kambudjan, having only quickly learnt a few phrases on the car journey to the Palace. After the brief exchange of pleasantries, the head of the Rakshibarga escort signalled silently for the men to enter the cool dimness the elegant pink building, away from the sweltering tropical heat of the Vangalan Sun. All those present walked to the drawing room, where the talks where to take place, in a tense silence. Upon reaching the room, Anchaly wasted no time getting ready for business, spreading his notes across the table covered in platters of Vangalan and Ratomkiran snacks. Tea and water was offered to both delegates.

"His Excellency, President Moheen Chatterjee has very generously lent us use of the House of Vangala, his official residence, for this meeting allowing us to have greater privacy and security," Ajoy began after sipping at his hot tea, smiling slightly as Anchaly's eyes wandered in awe around the impressive room, the walls decorated with famous paintings from across Europe and the centre of the marble floor covered by a huge tiger skin. Privacy was important for both Anchaly and Ajoy, for any public meeting could upset the Oikawans, something neither man wanted. With both coming from unstable countries, security was also prized and a private army guarding the grounds of the Palace meant their safety was guaranteed. "Needless to say we have much to discuss Major-General. Thankfully, you and the Council for Justice and Democracy are more open to dialogue than the old monarchist dictatorship. Regardless of what you may hear, Major-General, stability in Ratomkira is a goal of Vangala, especially with the hundreds of thousands of refugees that have amassed in our border regions, proving to be burdensome. Rather than condemning to a life of squalor and misery, I propose co-operation on both building the peace in your country and over the care of the refugees."

He continued drinking his tea as he waited for his translator to put his words into Kambudjan so Anchaly could understand. Ajoy had purposely started on a topic where he knew there would be little conflict. Harder issues, like Vangalan support for the KKP, could come later.

 

[Calidia]

Bangabhaban
Kilkila
Vangala

Anchaly looked at the translator as if he was his school teacher, carefully paying attention to every word. Except for a few microseconds when he thought to himself "that skinny Vangalan better not make a mistake...", referring to the rather thin translator that Ajoy had entrusted with this assignment. It quickly became clear to Anchaly that heavier matters such as the KKP and maybe even the still disputed Pakse island for later. Realising this one of Anchaly's staff members shifted some of the documents that he and his colleagues laid before the Major General earlier so that the papers concerning the Ratomkiran refugees in Vangala where right in front of Anchaly. After the translation was complete the Major General needed some time to prepare a response in his head, after all his Vangalan counterpart had given him a rather vague solution. At times like these Anchaly would use his cigarette addiction to his best benefit, using the time it takes to grab a smoke and light it to think about his answer. Out of politeness he first slightly raised his Marquettan cigarette in order to see if he was allowed to smoke in the House of Vangala. After Ajoy nodded approvingly the paper wrapped tobacco was lit and Anchaly responded as he blew the smoke out of his lunges.

"The newly found government of Ratomkira agrees that co-operation between our two nations will be a key element in lowering and eventually eradicating the problems posed by the refugees. As you said we are currently in the difficult process of democratisation, which we hope will stabilize our country. We predict that many refugees will return home once they realize that their country is once again a place where they can live in peace and prosperity. Since the Council of Democracy and Justice took control over the nation we have seen a sharp decline in refugees and our specialists agree that this trend will continue until eventually there will be no more Ratomkirans crossing the border to get away from the violence and the disaster that is our economy."

Giving the very professional translator some time Anchaly re-lighted his cigarette that had gone out a few moments earlier. Once again having a few seconds available the External Affairs Minister quickly looked at the lower parts of the documents which showed the offers of his government. He waited for the translation to be complete before continuing.

"What we are willing to do is taking away some of your 'burden'. We would do this by creating two massive refugee camps a little deeper into Lanxangese Ratomkira which will be able to temporarily host exactly 50,000 refugees which is, according to our calculations, a little over 55% of the total amount of refugees. Of course it will take some time before these camps are set up and we will need your assistance in mobilizing the refugees and transporting them to the said locations. Logistics will have to be worked out.

A matter on which we must insist is that among these refugees would also be a rather large selection of men and women accused of diverse crimes. These crimes vary from terrorism and treason to organized crime and murder. This way we are able to correctly punish these people and Vangala will have less criminals to worry about. Good business for both of our nations don't you agree?"