Hirosaki Conference on International Maritime Security [ATTN: All interested parties]

[Rheinbund]

"I have the impression that everybody on this table basically wants the same," Minister Kögler said. "That is a good sign. I propose that we investigate which international treaties, national laws and multilateral agreements like alliance treaty stipulations are already in place and determine if that is enough. We can also agree to dividing the world seas into regions in which certain states have the duty to maintain order."

 

[Havenshire]

Admiral Hawking sat silently and patiently, and felt that the time had come for him to speak again. "I am in agreement with the suggestion made by Minister Kögler. I suggest that the World sea rotation be apolitical and random, with joint command of all naval forces delegated to anti-piracy and anti-terrorism actions be retained for a period of about a year before rotating randomly to another nation-state's naval command. This ensures that all powers with naval forces have equal ability and representation, and prevents Great Powers forming monopolies on maritime security, as -some- have been want to do in the past." Hawking pointedly avoided looking at Breotonia with this statement.

"Furthermore, I suggest that these Regional Naval Anti-Piracy Alliances have some sort of centralised, global governing council made up of civillian personnel nominated by the Great Powers for oversight. Their sole responsibility would be to oversee forces delegated to them by regional states in the -exclusive- pursuit of anti-piracy and anti-terrorism measures. Any additional responsibilities would -have- to be agreed upon by all the nations thereof involved."

Hawking was suprised by his own imagination and fervor in these proposals, but they seemed so clear and obvious to him, like that was the way it should always have been. His earlier reticience and patience had been wise, but now was the time for action. No more Inertia, he decided. He would rouse this lousy conference into agreeing on something decisive, damnit, even if he had to regrettably give some measure of power to the Autocracies to do so.

 

[Danmark]

Studiously listening to the other powers Henrik Westerveld believed that a consensus was emerging and felt compelled to announce his own government's position on the matter.

"I'm not sure that a rotation of naval command is necessarily the answer, though I commend Admiral Hawking for his imaginative proposition", he turned and smiled to the Havenite and respectivefully nodded towards him. Westerveld appreciated original thought.

"My own view is that dividing up the world's oceans into regions with regional naval powers given equal and joint responsibility for the maintenance of order would be more appropriate. His Majesty's Danic government has already considered that in the Great Sea, for instance, that this should be a joint colloboration between Breotonia, Europaland and my own country and maybe also Havenshire if it is willing to consider the idea. My government has already made contingencies to be able to make its own contribution to the defence of the Great Sea by increasing our military presence in the Færøerne islands which is also, admittedly, a partial response to the absence of a biding international accord and ensuing feelings of insecurity. Needless to say, we are prepared to increase our naval and air presence more so to achieve maritime security. Similarly, we have also proposed a joint initiative for protection of the Long Sea involving Eiffelland, Carentania, Frescania, Kyiv and my own country. I believe we are all capable of exercising sufficient protection of the seas in our region. I propose similar for the other regions. In principle, Danmark would be opposed to security being monopolised by any one single naval entity whoever that is on the whole, but each region should be treated on a case by case basis according to local realities and practicalities. But my overriding belief is that this should be a joint initiative on a regional basis."

 

[Europaland]

Sigrid Åsheim was pleased things were at least now beginning to move forward. She was also happy that Danmark appeared to value Europaland's role in the Great Sea and saw her country as an important partner. After talking briefly to Europa City it was decided that Europaland would give its approval to the plan:

“I welcome the suggestions from my Danish counterpart Mr Westerveld. While a rotation of naval command is a route which Europaland is not as yet ready to go down we very much support the idea of an official collaboration between the key powers mentioned. We all have the right to guarantee the security of our nations through all necessary means but the protection of shipping in international waters should be a task carried out collectively by the responsible regional powers. We too are keen to avoid any one nation gaining supremacy, especially in the Great Sea, and see such a thing as a recipe for conflict and resentment. For that reason we need to establish regional structures that can ensure a balance of power we can all agree on and which, in the long-term, will ensure security and stability for the trade routes upon which our economies depend".

 

[Great Engellex]

Hirosaki, Constitutional State of Touzen

An important question is now occupying the Engellexic delegation; it is that of the participation or non-participation of Great Engellex in the proposals of this conference, spoke Baron Grocett as he rather reluctantly acknowledged the Danish investment within the conference. We do not think that the question itself, or the solution sought to be given to it by ourselves, affects the honour of the Empire. Great Engellex has not judged it incumbent on her honour to co-operate actively with the efforts of all here to-day, or even to make a demonstration in anyone’s favour; still less will it be seen that a question of honour be attached to any participation in the negotiations and the outcome of such. A Great Power possessing a political value like that of my own will not stop to solicit an entry into such arrangements within the Great Sea as proposed by the Danish delegate, and it shall be owed to the dignity of the imperial realm not to take any step for obtaining what would be an admission to such an arrangement. We shall abstain – the Baron paused as his attention was quickly taken by a short whispering from a representative of the Northern Department, he nodded in their direction and returned focus swiftly to the conference – no, we shall oppose, therefore, from endorsing the propositions of the Danish delegation.

I shall also repeat, though not necessarily insist upon it, that a regional framework of security reliant on the reality of a naval entity’s monopoly over the Great Sea for stability and security not be so hastily dismissed on the basis of national pride. The freedom of the Great Sea is paramount to the return of stability and prosperity of all those who have sovereign access to it; illusions of grandeur cannot be accepted before such freedom.

The Permanent Under-Secretary to the President of the Public Board of Trade scribbled down across some papers the absence of Great Engellex’ name for the list of should be recognised Great Sea powers by the Danish representation.

 

[Rheinbund]

"We agree with the Danish plan," Minister Kögler said.

 

[Jydsken-Østveg]

Annika had been relatively silent thus far but couldn't really believe what she had been hearing. Finally she decided it would be worthy for her to pipe up and state what she felt should have been obvious. Clearing her throat with a quick swig of water, she spoke, "With all due respect to the Danish proposition... this suggestion or plan, is pointless. How is this in any manner different than today's security system already in place? I do believe Götarike patrols all waters that concern her, and the same can be said of any nation and the waters that concern them. This plan does nothing but place a fancy bow upon our actions which really makes this conference a pointless waste of time because the status quo is just being written down. Perhaps if anything, one could argue that the Danish plan prioritizes certain fleets to certain sections of the world, and to that degree we must reject this plan. Götarike shall send her fleets where ever her national security concerns her. Thank you."

 

[Wieserreich]

"The Empire believes that the freedom of navigation and duty to protect the oceans should not rest in the hands of the few, but of the many. Wherever a nation wishes to send its merchant or war fleets, it should do so. To carve up the globe in spheres of influence would only be counter-productive and imperialistic" noted Takeshi, Wiese's representative.

 

[Danmark]

Henrik Westerveld had listened to the representatives from Engellex and Götarike and felt a mixture of embarrassment and mirth in respective fashion. Listening to Baron Grocett, he felt rather embarrassed. He could see that his iniative had caused some disconcertment though he hadn't intended it though it quickly dawned on him that it had and it was his own fault. He looked at the Baron rather sheepishly wishing the ground would swallow him up.

"I take on board the Baron's comments". He smiled through gritted teeth whilst his eyes dashed furtively. "It was a mere oversight that I did not include Great Engellex in the proposal for Great Sea security and was an unintentional ommission. I am of the view that Engellex has a role to play in the Great Sea and that was my intention provided it is on the grounds of equality and mutual respect". He looked at the Baron hoping his words had been understood, though the Danish Foreign Minister did worry whether the translator would accurately relay both the words and nuances of his annoucement from his native Danish.

Westerveld took a deep pause and a drink of water before making his reply to the Geatish representative. He knew that even if he spoke in Danish, she would be able to deduce most of what he said, so he stuck to his native tongue. He was livid nonetheless.

"I am rather disappointed the Geatish representative dismisses a constructive suggestion, but given her nation's track record and haughty and arrogant attitude to other nations, it should hardly come as a surprise. I feel sad to say that as a fellow Scanian, but it is the truth. Maybe the Geats should go back and think again about being constructive rather than swanning about with a high faluting air of entitlement. If I may say, if the Götarike government pulled its collective head from where the sun don't shine and got down off its pedestal, they may find that agreement may be possible. I have to say that the pronouncement from the Götarike representative, Ms Johansson, is ill-suited to the spirit of international cooperation and maybe she should go back home and seek advice on how to deal with international conferences". Westerveld, a staunch Scanian, was furious at what he saw as a broadside from a fellow Scanian. However, he was not afraid of a fratricidal fall-out and if need be, he had more coming.

 

[Jydsken-Østveg]

She laughed, out-loud. It was unclear if anyone would translate the Danish and so she didn't know if any one else understood it. She smiled shortly thereafter composing herself after her outburst. She found it interesting that the Danes would take offense to her comment. Regardless she spoke immediately afterwards, maintaining Scandinavianisms she retorted in her native tongue, "Well Westerveld, I don't believe the track records of our nations are on trial. If so, we could begin speaking about other current affairs and failures in your region in particular. I will not do so because it has no relevance to this conference. Nor does the standing of my nation in her current troubles. To address the concerns of the Danish delegation, Götarike stands upon her pedestal for good reason and if not for this pedestal, silly recommendations such as your own would become international law. Thankfully, our pedestal exists and we can speak in protest of your recommendation, which as you yourself stated was a suggestion, but I'll counter as not constructive. Unless by constructive you mean we are progressing towards something, and if that progression is away from your suggestion, I will likely agree. This all aside, if you want real progress I believe something that does not marginalize the Geats is important. I believe that true progress does not tell my nation it has no right to work in her interests in the Great Sea. If anything true progress would be progressive, any by that I mean something in which we work together to ensure maritime safety, not create regional zones for potential new conflicts to arise between nations. Thank you my dear Westerveld for allowing me clarify this point."

 

[Danmark]

The Danish Foreign Minister rolled his eyes and looked at the ceiling and shook his head. He switched off his microphone so his comments wouldn't be heard by the international delegates and turned around to talk to his advisers whilst gesturing backwards in the direction of Ms Johansson with his thumb. "Really, does this woman have anything between those pretty ears of hers? Is she actually a Geat or just a goat?! There just seems to be a vast vacuum of empty space where there should be a brain. How she got picked to come here is beyond me, she's just one of those dumb women with a bolshie streak". His aides chuckled looking at the Geat who had just completed her reply.

He turned back around and switched back on his microphone and spoke in his broad guttural tongue.

"Thank you for your contribution, Ms Johansson". He nodded at her and smiled with a twinkle in his eyes. "No one is talking about excluding Geats, so there is no need to take umbrage. It is a mere matter of practicality and logic. It seems quite straight forward that those with the ability to maintain regional maritime security in a cooperative spirit with each other in their close vicinity under an international and binding agreement should be charged with that task. Currently an international agreement is lacking, I remind you for reference. If the Geats wish to contribute towards that effect in the northern Great Sea and the far north, for instance, the more the merrier. Needless to say, I would be interested in your suggestion at solving this impasse as so far with the greatest of respect to you, madame, I have not actually heard a constructive and common-sense solution from you and more of dismissal of a genuine proposal from ourselves and the Eiffellandians. If you have one, please speak up. I am all ears."

The Dane resumed his seat and downed a gulp of water and rearranged his tie. He looked around the conference hall wondering whether this Scando-spat had been relayed to them and fearing the conference was getting derailed, but he could see a mix of puzzled faces so wasn't so sure. Even though they seemed to be arguing and Ms Johansson offended his sensibilities, he actually rather liked her.

 

[Jydsken-Østveg]

Annika didn't like that. She wanted to represent her country's opinions and go home. The funny little back and forth was just entertaining to her. Now the Danes suggested that she submit an idea... She scribbled violently back and forth on the page in front of her. Then she pursed her lips on the microphone and said, "Okay."

Speaking as she wrote on the piece of paper, "First I think we should have some kind of say... International Maritime Forum, we can put it in Frescania because it is close to where our initial problem was in the Long Sea and because I like their beaches." Her added details about Frescania really just buying her time for her next point, she began drawing a bubble around the words International Maritime Forum on her paper, and then she drew an arrow over to the right. "...this is a forum where nations would take their problems, their... grievances with the conduct of the International Maritime Forum. So in turn the maritime forum is a place to deal with problems that can be addressed in our seas and oceans over a period of time."

She then circled the words 'nations take problems here' and then drew an arrow to the left underneath the previous bubble. "...we should probably set definitive International Territorial Water Limits, this will prevent conflict." Circling the words 'international waters set', she then drew another arrow downwards. "Naturally we should also have an outer limit beyond territorial waters where nations are also responsible for patrolling and safety. There will be overlap with neighboring states. This is okay, and problems can be brought to the maritime forum." She rubbed her chin with her right hand which held the pen and stuck her other hand in the air with her index finger raised, as if motioning the proceedings to wait. Then she did actually say, "vänta..." into the microphone and then began to draw her next arrow to the right. "So, beyond the patrol limits, we should incorporate a first or fastest response rule. That said, the nation closest, or whoever can arrive fastest to the confrontation or problem on the water, should always have the right to act first." She continued while circling that text and drawing one more arrow, "This assures us all to a right to free movement and free stationing in international waters, and prevents the jockeying for rights to patrol certain seas that the Danish delegation demanded, or uh, suggested. I believe this is a semi-viable solution to the problem at hand and with some tweaks might be the most acceptable solution. I'm not going to declare it a winner, but at least semi-viable as I've presented it. I hope you all can perhaps edit the idea a little. Thank you Westerveld, I could've never done it without you." She smiled and then drew a smiley face on the piece of paper, writing the word 'takk' beneath the face. Ripping it out of her ringed binder, she then folded it and motioned for it to be passed over to the Danes. The thought of what she just did made her laugh again and she drowned her noises into a bottle of water, which may have looked a little awkward she realized soon thereafter.

 

[Rheinbund]

Minister Kögler spoke French and English very well, and at secondary school he had learned Danish and Russian as well. Unfortunately, that was a long time ago, so he could not completely understand what Minister Westerveld and Mrs. Johannson were saying. But he understood enough of it to presume that it was better that he did not completely understand what Westerveld had said.

"eh, lady, gentleman, may I remind you that Danish is taught at the Eiffellandian secondary schools?" he said in the few Danish that he still remembered, pronouncing it with a German accent. "Please keep it civil."

Then he continued in English: "My aim, and Minister Westerveld's aim, was never to turn the international waters into spheres of influence or even territorial waters. The international waters should remain what they are — international waters. But I think it will be more efficient if the countries bordering a certain part of international waters take responsibility for that certain part of international waters. If a country considers it needed to control other parts of the international waters as well, I don't have a problem with that. But we must prevent that everybody waits for everybody. Furthermore, if there is a problem at a certain part of the seas, it is more efficient to let the bordering countries discuss about it and solve it than to discuss each and every local problem within the international community. If a problem cannot be handled locally, the international community should of course step in, but it is not needed to discuss everything with the international community."

Kögler paused a few moments to take a sip of his water. Then he continued.

"For setting up an international organisation for security on international waters, we still have the Council of Nations in Augsburg. We could set it up there."

 

[Havenshire]

Hawking was completely lost over the exchange occurring furiously between Danmark and Gotarike's representatives. He saw raised voices, then whispering and scribbling. He frowned. A more paranoid man might suspect an unhealthy amount of collusion. When Minister Kogler spoke again, the Admiral saw an opportunity to speak again. Things were getting heated, and drifting apart. Time to bring some cohesion back to these proposals, lest the whole conference be scuppered by special interests.

"The good Minister is right. A Council on International Maritime Security would be best served by being placed in Augsburg. It is a neutral, landlocked city, and one that also has prior history of dealing with terrorism, aswell as being a meeting place for Nations to gather. Delegates sent by all nations could meet there and discuss maritime issues at greater length, and prevent misunderstandings and perhaps resolve long-standing territorial disputes over islands and nebulous sea borders, and matters of that nature. Plus it would be easier to facillitate compromise, and prevent the Great Powers simply claiming all the seas for themselves." For once his ire was not discreetly aimed at Breotonia. Now his glare was reserved for Engellex's somewhat arrogant representative. He could never understand what they were saying anyway- If it was English, it was centuries out of date, unlike Havenshire's own robust idioms and dialects.

 

[Breotonia]

Hood had spent the past few minutes willing every ounce of his bodily strength to prevent him from rolling his eyes or, much worse, making vocal his thoughts about the childish banter to which he was being forced to play spectator. At the same time every ounce of his mental strength was being mustered to bring calm as he realized that the legacy of the Breotish Mantle was being completely disregarded as the delegations resorted to playground squabbles. While his pride was certainly wounded he was also considering that an agreement which did not pay heed to the true naval powers of the world would necessarily fail. "Honorable delegates, I must confess my disappointment that these talks seem to have stalled on the issue of trying to democratize law enforcement at sea. I needn't remind everyone present that the stability and safety of the seas has been secured by Breotish might for half a millennium and it is not my intention to preside over the renouncing of our prerogatives as Defender of the Mantle, which have been hard-earned by the blood of my countrymen, so as to appease nations that, frankly, do not have the adequate resources to meet the responsibilities that would be thrust upon them in the event that an organization such as International Maritime Forum, as it is currently proposed, would be created. The Honorable Suionian delegate has presented us with many suggestions that I find very wise and incredibly important and she has my full support of them. These are the issues of codified limits of territorial waters, definitions of area of responsibility, and the mechanism by which disagreements between nations might be resolved. For this last I would like to remind delegates that the Admiralty has performed this function various times in both recent history and in the distant past and has both legal and brick and mortar facilities for performance of such a duty and we would give these properties to any body that is formed to continue their purpose."

"However, I cannot condone any arrangement that does not give proper recognition of the fact that it will be necessary for the great sea powers to bare a heavier burden. All our countries are equal before the law, they are equal in their rights, but it would be folly to pretend that they are equal in their naval capacity. It is a simple fact that some of us are stronger than others and it is the stronger who have the responsibility to make a greater effort. Any organization that does not take this fact into account and is not so designed as to work upon it, I fear, is doomed to failure."

 

[Rheinbund]

"Well, Mr. Hood," Kögler said, "I appreciate the role the Breotish Navy played in history, but I still consider it better to give local and regional naval powers more room to act, simply out of efficiency. We simply do not always have the time to wait for the Breotish Navy."

 

[Breotonia]

"Our role in the past?" Hood was a little flustered at the intentional or unintentional way that Minister Kögler had seemed to discount Breotonia's commitments in the present. "Minister I would remind you that Breotonia is doing these things today." He emphasized this point not just with his speech but also by softly but firmly pointing his index finger downward. "Who negotiated the reduction of Padanian claims of territorial waters from 100 nautical miles to the precedent of a dozen? Who prevented the Frescanian blockade of Southern Gallia by making it clear that such an act would result in immediate remedial action by His Majesty's Navy? What nation, of its own volition and not in its own interests, took aside a highly valued friend, the great state of Danmark, and made it clear that their expansion of the maritime boundaries of Færøerne to 300 nautical miles could not be allowed and was able to reach an agreeable settlement that reduced them to the recognized legal limits? Breotonia did these things. I ask, with no hubris and no pride, if any other of the nations of this world have made equal contribution to solving the problems that are the focus of this conference?"

"I have said that this effort must be international and fully backed by all convened here today. But the framework that we create must take into account that there are those of us equipped to handle the problems and, frankly, there are those that can only attend to their own. Failure to recognize this obvious fact will ensure the failure of our efforts."

 

[Thaumantica]

Madam Fauconberg had nearly lost her resolve during the lengthy exchange between Cantignia's Nordic allies, it often shocked the racially conscious of the friendly confines, when a Mother or Fatherland of the Colonies crossed swords. The Covenant was willing to draw lines in the sand, or through the seas, as was proposed by the increasingly fascinating Annika of Suionia, though this task had already begun in the form of Operation Driftwood, the purchase of Suionian Oceania, and the enforcement of True Peace in the Oceanic Realms. Harriet made it clear to all present that she endorsed the message of Suionia's representative, while steering clear and wide of the dispute with Danmark.

"Breotonia . . " Harriet said - following Mister Hood's energetic retorts, ". . is a proud Nation, and we would not ask you to discount this for the sake of your argument here today. Cantignia recognizes the Empire's contributions to maritime security in the past, present, and what we predict to be a safe future," Fauconberg finished. "The Covenant will from this day forward account for True Peace and Security in Oceania, as guided by Breotonian, Engellexic, and Suionian standards."

The Covenant had been bursting at the seams since early twenty-eleven, an economy and military ready to earn the nickname Nova Anglesaxe, the Engellex of Oceania. What simple gains had been made by cannibalizing colonies were now being challenged by radicalism and the syndicate of crime which facilitated it ; and on this day, with enough confidence to proclaim it aloud in front of her international peers, Cantignia was prepared to administrate the Realms of Oceania.

 

[Great Engellex]

Hirosaki, Constitutional State of Touzen

Baron Grocett quietly acknowledged the Danish retreat, though he found mild amusement at the deplorable demeanour of both the Danish and Suionian delegates, a classic example of what happens when a modern product, termed social progression, is forcibly sold to its people by those who think they know better. The Saamiskavian spat was, however, not what ensnared his full attention, it was the thinly veiled attempts by the Germanic League members to overreach Breotonia in a matter that was absolutely unacceptable.

The baron voiced the compliments and gratitude of Great Engellex on the vigour with which the Breotish Navy maintained the liberty and prosperity of Europe’s oceans. A glance at the condition of our seas since the birth of the Mantle and now would suffice to convince us all that the conditions, which every state benefits from, have been fully, satisfactorily, and honourably accomplished by the Breotish. He then turned to the Eiffellandian delegate and conveyed rather mockingly that the era of Breotish naval supremacy was not in decline – no new naval power awakened – no old naval power aroused – no freedom of international waters in danger – and certainly no island nations in need of a navy’s rescue.

Yet, I will concede that the moderation of naval affairs by a European assembly was an admirable point; however, such an establishment cannot be conceived with a disguised intention of superseding the Mantle. Such a body can only be agreed to with the intent to simply be of usage when a sovereign state is in a position of complaint that is in need of European resolve on a naval matter; and where states may agree to co-operating in a naval mission of European benefit that does not intrude on the operations of greater naval powers that would otherwise be engaged with such a duty.

The baron paused for a moment and declared with good clarity that, there can be no assembly within Augsburg. I hope there will not be any unnecessary and wasted insistence from certain quarters on that.

 

[Danmark]

Henrik Westerveld took notes of the latest developments of the Hirosaki Conference and conferred with his assistants. Research papers and up-to-date details were swiftly plucked by the aids and duly delivered to the Danish Foreign Minister. He quickly mulled over them and made annotated notes, before he arose to speak.

"Thank you for accepting my interjection. I still believe it makes practical sense for countries neighbouring particular regions to enforce an internationally agreed maritime accord. This is our own position and we have not seen any practical alternative apart from this aside from national aggrandisement, which is rather lamentable".

The Foreign Minister referred to his fresh notes and spoke again.

"Needless to say, if the route of preserving maritime security in the custodianship of maritime mega-powers is to be adhered to then my own country, according to published figures ranking third in active maritime nations, would duly be expected to take a considerable position in that if it came to be the modus operandi of enforcing the sea lanes and ocean trade of the world".

He hoped his point struck home in case anyone considered the Danes a lesser maritime power, which they certainly were not.