Encrypted Secure Phone Line: Villesen to Chagny

[Serenierre]

"Bonjour Monsieur Grand Duke," Generalissimo Serazin spoke on the newly established secure phone link between the offices of the two leaders, "Let me begin this communication by congratulating you and your government on the achievements of Monsieur Darc and the Foreign Minister of your government in cooperating with our government over the creation of this secure phone link. We pray that this will see Gallia remain peaceful."
[MENTION=26]Bourgogne[/MENTION]

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

The Grand Duke cleared his throat. He had not been well as of recent. "Well Generalissimo I must thank you. While I feel peace is attainable, we still have much work to do. There are many unanswered questions" he said. He paused to sip some water. "You must excuse how I sound, I have a minor cold"

 

[Serenierre]

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. But this is the burden of leadership," Serazin responded, leaning back into his chair. "Few understand that one can't really take sick days from these jobs. Though, Monsieur Grand Duke, what unanswered questions do you speak of?"

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

"The prospect of the conflict on my border for one. While we both agree that the prior situation was not ideal, my people and myself have concerns regarding the potential establishment of a puppet state if communist forces win"

 

[Serenierre]

Philippe smiled. He was impressed at the north Gallian man's lack of delay. The Serenien, particularly after the Revolution, despised the more sophisticated and round about ways of speech that had developed in Bourgogne - as they do in any royal society. "I am glad you raised that topic yourself, for I too sought to discuss it directly with you... man to man, so to say." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk and he focused on what he was about to say. "Monsieur Grand Duke, I am sorry to burst your bubble, but the prospect of conflict is a reality in that unfortunate country that borders our two ancient lands. This civil war is a travesty. A disgrace. A tragedy." He steadied his voice.

"Monsieur, I do not know if this is known publicly but, my love for history is second only, perhaps, to my love for philosophy and politics... but it is not wrong to say I am an avid student of history... particularly the history of our beautiful Gallia." This was true and he knew that the Grand Duke was not an entirely disappointing man on that front either. "And I, talking as one student of history to another admirer of the past, which I know you are too, ask you to remember that despite the fact the tomes are filled with page after page about the historical rivalry between our two states... there is an important footnote in the history books regarding @

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."

"That country, through its continued existence and neutrality through the ages, has provided an important source of intra-regional stability during times of tension between Chagny and Villesen and, I would dare to argue that this role has ensured peace in Gallia since the 19th century. You must acknowledge that."

He continued. "But turning to the question of the civil war, let me be frank and direct with you. I have three reasons for intervening there and these are quite self-evident. First is the historical reason that I just clarified for you. Second, I say that I find it incredibly difficult to stomach the notion of foreign armies storming across Gallia - as the fascists of Geotri and Korystria are doing. And third, I do not believe that it is in the interest of either Chagny nor Villesen to see Borovanger succumb to Prometheism."

"I am happy that you accepted this call... because I want to emphasise that this issue of Borovanger is something that I am not approaching in ideological terms." This was true and was the source of all the tension with Kadikistan. "I am seeking a Gallian solution not a communist one. As you are aware, Serenierre has never been an imperialist power... not even in the dark days of the Royalist regime. And that trend continues unabated I can say with some considerable pride."

"But let me assure you that while Serenierre's involvement as of now is not direct nor state sponsored, our moral support does extend to one faction, that much I can admit, but our political goal is to restore stability there and restore a neutral state that benefits the notion of peace in Gallia." That was again true. No one in Villesen wanted to take on the worry of having a weak puppet extending the defensive line with Bourgogne that Serenierre would have to account for and maintain. There was, in the view of Serazin himself, no strategic value in following that line of action. Although it would be wrong to say he had not considered it. But the value of a neutral buffer in Borovanger was far more appealing and valuable to those in power in Villesen - much to the chagrin of Ivar.

EDIT: One word.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

"I would rather argue that it is not the 19th century anymore and we must endeavor for peace ourselves. Prometheism is indeed neither in the best interest of either of our countries. I am in agreement. However, a communist puppet state is clearly not in the Burgundian interest either. We seem to be at an impasse on this issue. While I am inclined to believe you that the involvement is not direct....Generalissimo, I am sorry to say we find this hard to believe. However, you can remain confident we will not directly intervene" he said, pausing to sneeze several times in succession. The cold was really worse than he let on and his throat was beginning to feel the tight ache of a sore throat. He excused himself and gulped at some lemon water. "Bourgogne has interests beyond neutrality. There is a sizable population of what you have called 'ehtnic Burgundians' in Borovanger. I do not wish to be put into a position where I am seeing them toyed with as political tool like in your nation. Furthermore, on the note of political tools.....the three Journalists...." he paused as another round of sneezes took him

 

[Serenierre]

Philippe furrowed his brow. "Who says I want a communist puppet state there?" his voice was loud and forceful. Not hostile but certainly robust. "The post-civil war set up for me is simple, I want a constitutional republic there. If anyone wants a communist puppet state in Borovanger, it is Kadikistan... not us." He was getting frustrated at the rest of the world assuming that Villesen was nothing more than Ivar's lackey - when in fact things were becoming quite icy between those two countries. "But if you question my motivations, I ask you a simple question... would you prefer the Kadikistani involvement in Borovanger to expand? Yes or no? It really is quite simple."

"I understand, my approach has been unconventional but the situation has slipped so out of control so very fast that it has required creative solutions... such as you and I talking so frankly. I reiterate my commitment to a neutral Borovanger."

The Generalissimo cracked his knuckles after jotting down a point or two on his personal notepad. "There is a material difference between the issues of Arierre and of Borovanger's Burgundian areas. So I think it is best to keep them separate from the issue of the civil war. The main point that I am making is that we need a continental diplomatic approach to this emasculation of Gallia at the hand of these Slavic maniacs... be they the bloody Geotrians and Korystrians or the Kadikistani... our Gallia is far too ancient and noble to be subjected to this kind of an assault from far away peoples. So, I appreciate the fact that Bourgogne will not intervene in our efforts."

"On the issue of the three Pelasgians arrested on charges of espionage, well, the matter is entirely out of my hands... the matter is sub-judice you see and the requirements of due process demands that we let the Courts handle the matter in a fair and impartial manner. So, I must respect the law of these lands. It is really a point out of my hands."

"But turning back to the issue of the Prometheists, I am glad that we find agreement on this point because they are a serious threat and require the most robust response and seeing that Bourgogne is approaching the matter in a more passive way, I would like to inform you in advance that it may so happen that at some point in the future our response to that evil ideology may be such that it may alarm those in Chagny if our actions are seen out of context... but I want to give you my personal undertaking... I want peace in Gallia - particularly between the two great regional powers. The folly of war is clear to see."

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

The Grand Duke smiled, knowing that the comments had gotten under his counterparts skin a bit. Indeed, the world view was largely that the Frankish nation was Ivar's lackey. The Burgundian government knew better but did nothing to change that imagery. The mention of Gallian unity was enough to make Maximilien roll his eyes. Villesen did more to divide Gallians than anyone else. And while Serenierre was a rising power and Bourgogne's position, or at least image, as the region's power-broker was beginning to decline greatly. It was clear to many that a united Frankish state under the old Burgundian imperial crown was beginning to be nothing more than a pipe dream. Even a devolved government in Serenierre under an Imperial authority was far out of reach. Such a nation would be a superpower capable of uniting Gallia. Now, this man talked of a united Gallian cause against the Slavic peoples? The Grand Duke shook his head.

"So. What is a neutral Borovanger look like to you? A democratic state? A constitutional monarchy?" he asked with mounting curiosity. While he was not avoiding the fact that his counterpart wanted an official answer or promise not to intervene, he knew he needed clarification. Before he could answer, the Grand Duke also noted that "I am in agreement that issues of Arierre and of Borovanger's Burgundian areas are different. I think this is something to be discussed perhaps later" he said; masking his annoyance.

"Bourgogne is not being passive. We are watching closely. I also want peace. However, I want to ensure that peace now is not war in the future" he said coldly.

 

[Serenierre]

"Two things are clear in my mind: Neither can Borovanger be socialist nor imperialist. But a balance must be forged. That balance is this and this alone. Constitutional republicanism in Borovanger. Something where there is democracy and universal franchise. A Democratic Republic. That is my official stance. You may have noticed that Serenierre, for its part, has been lukewarm regarding this adventure of the 'Worker's Republic', which is quite entirely a Kadikistani ploy," he fudged the truth ever so slightly. The Red League in some regards had completely been swept out of Villesen's hands and that was not to his liking at all.

"Oh absolutely not, a war between Serenierre and Bourgogne would devastate not just us but the wider region, we can never ever allows such an occurrence. But I will reiterate the fact that having a Kadikistani puppet on our borders is not in anyone's interests. We will be in danger of Kadikistan playing games in Gallia and that is something I would much rather go without."

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

The Grand Duke excused himself from the phone for a moment as he went to dispose tissues and blow his nose. This spring cold was annoying and Maximilien seemed to get them every spring. "The Grand Duchy is not opposed to any type of government so long as it is not socialist, communist, or fascist. Republic or constitutional monarchy acceptable to us. This 'imperialist' term you use is quite ironic seeing that certain nations are acting just as the old imperialist countries once did. I want to be absolutely clear that we cannot tolerate another communist nation at our doorstep- puppet or otherwise. We can make no compromises in this regard. Bourgogne is facing a lot of pressure to act....from both internal and external sources. There are certain nations who want full Burgundian intervention and others who want us to be more harsh towards your nation and the Red League in general. I say this not as a threat or warning" he said, with generally calm tone which gave no indication of malice.

"It is important that our two nations understand each other. Frankly, outside the Red League, Serenierre's image is less than favorable. Especially with these journalists. While their fate may be up to the court system......." he paused to sip some tea, "if found guilty, a pardon and exile might put some of this negative energy to rest. There is a wave forming and if it does not encounter a breakwall, it will find itself rolling on" he said, a tone of gloom in his sickly voice.

 

[Serenierre]

"Bonjour Monsieur Grand Duke," the Serenien leader greeted the man on the other side. Yet, again, there arose a need for the two most powerful men on Continental Gallia to speak to one another. "I must say it is rather unfortunate that the affairs of the world, yet again, are so delicate."

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

"Indeed we have much to discuss. I fear the legs shall be ripped from beneath both of us" he said with a flat tone. "Things are moving quickly in Ivar. I want to believe this is something they have not wanted, but it is hard to imagine that. After all, they have poked and prodded for some times. Ivar feels it can jump across lines like a long-jumper. We merely put a toe over the line and they will have war. I think it fair to say this is a catastrophe. Though we will not accept responsibility if the bullets start to fly from Ivar"

 

[Serenierre]

He smiled slightly. "Don't worry, Monsieur Grand Duke, you do not need to convince me of the duplicity of our friends in Ivar. We have felt its sting quite recently. The entire mess with the Worker's Republic being established under direct pressure from the late Leninov was a genuine breach of trust between Villesen and Ivar. So I do understand what you mean. It has taken us some time to reverse the impact of that stupidity. I am sure you must have been informed of our efforts to a pan-Gallian understanding on Borovanger being established as a neutral state, to serve its established historical role. I believe a draft copy of the proposed constitution had been presented to an official of your government and that of Engellex. Through my actions, you have hopefully seen that in Borovanger we seek not to establish a dependent state... or as you put it in our last conversation... a puppet. No. I do hope our sacrifices will be acknowledged."

"But regarding matters closer to hand, I would like to commend your government for informing us in advance of your mobilisations of some 150,000 men. In response I can inform you that we have mobilised an equal sum and the communiques have been despatched to your Ministry of Defence, as is the norm as part of our confidence building measures. The importance of such conversations is much needed when the times are so dangerous. So, I thank you, Mr. Grand Duke for the cooperation."