EDF Heads of State and Government Meeting March 2011: Syracuse, Nicosia

[Großlausitz]

Grandelo Forum
Syracuse
Kingdom of Nicosia

"Thank you, Mr D'Anise. Your idea has its merits and should be enacted as a future protocol for EDF allied presence in Nicosia. As for the aggravating situation in Solaris and our conference, may I forward a suggestion? Unless Solaren pushes the trigger of mass destruction, the carrier group KMS Ludwig Erhard, its naval aircraft may protect Nicosia air space and waters against trespassers with the Eiffellander air force. To set a powerful example towards our populaces and the people of Europe we should carry on and demonstrate Solaren we'll stand by Nicosia despite our occasional disputes," Ministerpresident Graf Solms added.

OOC: Carry on with the schedule. If Solaren really blows up stuff hard, we can still have aides storm into the room and abort the conference.

 

[Guiana]

As Radilian sat down the Prime Minister's naval aide, Capt. Llewelyn Brice, whispers to Mudd, reminding him of one of the briefings the Defence Staff had given him. Nodding, Mudd stands up.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my aide, Capt. Brice, has reminded me of something that could expand on Mr. D'Anise suggestion concerning the permanancy of a naval base here in Nicosia. I believe, as the Guiana's Defence Staff also does, that a permanent base should be establish here but instead of one for the permanent stationing of warships, in peacetime, it operates purely as a support base with auxilleries such as replenishment ships, tenders and ocean-going tugs being what is stationed here. A base where EDF naval vessels can resupply and if needed, recieve minor repairs, or if the vessel is damaged significantly, repaired sufficently so that it can be towed to more extensive repair facilities elsewhere. Other facilities can also be established as well, such as hospital, communications, radar, search & rescue just to name a few."

"Of course this would be less of a need for Lorraine and Eiffelland, being that their bases are close by, it would help those with bases further away."

"A Nicosian support base would provide a valuable service to the navies of EDF, it would also be a help the economy of Nicosia as it will provide skilled civilian jobs at the base and also give a boost to the surrounding businesses other than just acting as a port-o-call, providing a place for shore leave for the crews of the fleets."

 

[Rheinbund]

"Captain Brice's idea is a very good one. We would be able to supply such a base in Nicosia," Minister for Defence Wolzow said. "We can also agree with cooperating with the Franconian carrier group around the Ludwig Erhard. When necessary, we can send a carrier group as well."

 

[Akwesasne]

Akwesasne's Deputy Prime Minister Joseph Thorpe and the Minister of National Defence Gordon Klein were picked by the Prime Minister Joseph Hendrick to attend this summit in order to launch Akwesasne's position in the EDF. He had sent his appologies for not having been able to attend himself, but with rumours of the national elections being moved to spring emerging, Joseph Hendrick had been set in campaign mode and could not bring himself to this paradise in Syracuse.

On the matter of Nicosia's safety, Akwesasne's chosen delegates felt it was time enough to make an entrance so-to-speak. "Geographically speaking, we would be of little use to Nicosia navy-wise being so far off. And with so many EDF states ready to set up camp in Nicosia, it would be a waste of our navy really." Joseph Thorpe placed his glaces upon his old wrinkled face. He was a clearly of some Native-Akwi descent and had a mean glare about him for a stouter man. "We do take into account that Nicosia is in a tough spot with many extremist states and if need be, our air-force would be at your service - should the Nicosian monarchy accept or inquirer on our aid."

 

[Großlausitz]

Grandelo Forum
Syracuse
Kingdom of Nicosia

During an extraordinary break:

[…] In return, we expect the return of our 3,800 Nicosians to Lorraine so they may be transported home immediately. We expect them to be unharmed.

We do this in the interest of peace so valuable, that only Solaren and Nicosia can truly understand.

The leaders and representatives as well as their delegations had watched the tv broadcast apology by King Alexander IV with great interest and even more subtle amusement. Hastily but nevertheless carefully the EDF leaders had agreed on a strategy: Nicosia’s King would pay some lip service to Pope Urban’s demands and feed him a fake apology. “I suggest having a toast to shedding cocodile’s tears for the greater good, stability, prosperity and peace, Ladies and Gentlemen!”, Ministerpresident Graf Solms proposed. “Hear, hear!”, was the loud response.

A few minutes later the heads of government and state returned to their actual business. “Let’s move on to the second item on the agenda, dear colleagues. Solaren per se. Its dictator requires a lot of resources, especially money, to foster his realm’s fanatic machinery. Obviously not even the most risk-prone investors would give him any gram of money. Strictly seen there is only one remaining option: Classic, ancient cross-border plundering and pillaging. Thus we ought to see to tighten and step up border security in Lorraine. Relative to the border to Kryobajian or Guiana’s, Anglyn’s and Radilo’s borders, Lorraine is where the highest danger lies. Even in Trans-Niniveh we know where to push buttons to defuse the conflict. Therefore, I suggest the establishment or expansion of three military bases in the very south of Lorraine: Three army bases. The establishment costs could be split appropriately and our armies could take turns on manning the army bases. My military advisors suggest Franken, Guiana, Anglyn, Aquitania and Radilo divide the costs and provide the units. Air force support would be provided by Eiffelland, Montelimar and Lorraine,” Graf Solms told his fellow leaders.

 

[Lorraine]

"With what we have seen on how far Urban will go, I am sure His Majesty will welcome the bases and the additional troops and I doubt there will be many objections voiced in the Estates General or in the press. I even doubt the Socialist will kick up much of a fuss."

 

[Guiana]

"Considering the alternative, Parliament wouldn't dare squawk about a peacetime overseas deployment of Guianan ground and air forces."

 

[Aquitania]

Abbé François de Montesquiou had only half-heatedly raise his glass in toast as he knows that any look of weakness in the face of Solaren will not be well received by the people back at home. Though pragmatism in both the Grand Duke as well as himself allowed for agreement in this course of action, most Aquitanians wouldn't consider a pragmatic approach when dealing with the Solaris Templars and their black heated leader as even an option.

"As a man of the cloth, as a Christian, I agree that the saving of the lives of those 3800 Nicosian souls from the clutches of the Solaren Devils was the right thing to do even if it did mean swallowing our pride, but even though we here and the upper echelons of our governments back at home know that King Alexander's apology was anything but heartfelt, as the Grand Duke's Prime Minister, and as an Aquitanian, the appearance of our backing down to the likes of Urban will not set well with His Highness' subjects, nor will the ranks of the Grand Duke's armed forces take it well especially the Templars themselves. Even those of the Order that are in the know will feel this as an afront to their honour and will put pressure on His Highness to find a way to regain the honour that they will feel they have lost."

"So, with that being said, it will not be a matter of finding support in Aquitania to deploy Grand Ducal forces in Lorraine or Nicosia, if it means confronting Solaren, it will be how to soothe the wounded pride of those that must stay at home."

 

[Akwesasne]

"We have been assured by the Rt. Honourable Chief Governor's government and Opposition that we may persue with whatever measures Akwesasne must take to aid our allies in Lorraine. Akwesasnan troops would proudly take part in the beefing-up, so-to-speak, of the Lorrainian border to prevent Solaren from conjuring another fear-mongering plot. Hell, if it were up to me, we'd be building a wall around that country." The Deputy Prime Minister snarled momentarily. He then sipped his water and continued. "Though we realise ground forces from Akwesasne would be next to useless in Lorraine, our Air Force is something that we're proud of and could easily be of assistance to these bases."

 

[Rheinbund]

"Of course we are willing to contribute to the safety of Lorraine's border to Solaren," Vice-Chancellor Kögler said. "We will offer air force support as proposed by Chancellor Graf Solms."

"We currently have a carrier fleet in Lorraine, based there after the recent problems regarding Belmont," Minister for Defence Wolzow said after having returned from a short break. "I have the impression that it would be better if that carrier fleet is replaced with a group of vessels consisting of destroyers, frigates, corvettes and submarines in addition with an extra air force presence."

 

[Montelimar]

"His Majesty will provide the forces suggested by His Excellency, Ministerpresident Graf Solms, and more if need be. Montelimar will stand with their bretheren in Lorraine and its allies to confront the Monster of Torrance."

 

[Anglyn]

The Prince Regent, after quietly discussing it with Prime Minister Swann, stands.

"Anglyn will fulfill it duty and provide the necessary troops and equipment to the defence of Lorraine, in addition the Royal Navy will provide security at sea to allow safe passage for transports and supply ships. Though this may place a burden on Montelimar's transportaion systems, may I suggest that the best points of debarkation be the ports of western Montelimar instead of sailing around the Devil's Horn to ports in Lorraine."

 

[Montelimar]

"If need be, Montelimar will bear the burden."