Meeting at Sultan Ayyub Avenue

[Serenierre]

Diwan of Foreign Affairs
8 Sultan Ayyub Avenue
Al A'raf, Sultanate of Hajr

Bernard Kouchner, the second of three deputy foreign ministers, smiled at his host. The meeting with the Hajri's was important. With the Hajri's making a strong comeback on the international stage and upgrading their defense systems, the massive country in the south had become of great interest and importance to Kouchner and his colleagues, back at the Foreign Office. He put on his glasses and looked through the dossier. Wazistan's missile test was right at the top of the itinerary. Even though Belmont wasn't directly affected by the missile test it had allies, such as Anbat, at risk.

"Sir, I begin this meeting by addressing the most important issue in Himyar. The Wazistani missile test. But before I tell our policy on them, I would like to get your perspective, good sir."

 

[Hesperia]

Ali ibn Maktoum al-Ma'muni, the Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs (Hajri bureaucratic jargon designating the acting head of a ministry of which the official head was the Sultan himself), carefully suppressed the urge to frown. He knew this was going to come up, but nevertheless he found it more than a little irritating that he would have to explain a position made abundantly clear to the world already.

"The Sultanate is of the opinion that this reckless action by the Ijad regime is a clear provocation of the nations of Himyar and all civilized countries in Europe," he began, speaking the French he learned while attending university in Gallia. "This is what passes for proper diplomacy in today's Wazistan: attempt to intimidate neighbors in an effort to preserve one's own fragile security."

He sighed. "It is regrettable, but the Ijad clerics must understand that we are not cowed so easily. They and their surrogates in Kajar must understand that in the South, it is they who must watch their step. The demagogues of these two regimes must be isolated and the world insulated from their corruptive influence. We trust that Belmont agrees. Civilized countries like our own must stand together, no?"

 

[Serenierre]

Kouchner observed al-Ma'muni, as the latter talked to the Frenchman. He had an air of self importance around him. Self-righteous Arabs, he thought while listening to the man. Although he didn't let it be known, Kouchner had tinges of, what could be considered, racism. He wasn't obvious about it - he dare not be - but he held strong prejudices against Arabs, Oikawans or anyone of Oriental heritage.

He leaned forward and started speaking softly. "Of course Minister al-Ma'muni" he said in Arabic. "Belmont echoes your and your government's views on Ijad. I wanted to hear it myself from an official in the Hajri government... journalists have a tendency to dramatize and overplay things.

The Himyari situation is tricky, for us, and we would like to provide our partners in Himyar with the tools to counteract the threat from Ijad and Kajar... we want Himyari nations, our partners, to deal with the situation as they seem fit. So Minister al-Ma'muni, what can we do for you?"

 

[Hesperia]

Upon hearing the Belmontien foreign minister speak in Arabic, Ibn Maktoum (as he was known) judged it was safe to converse in his native tongue. This is, after all, Arab land, he thought.

"The Sultanate, Minister, wishes for close and reliable ties with reliable governments, to ensure our security and the stabiity of the region. It is in everybody's best interests to ensure both.

"In that light, let us talk business then, shall we? His Majesty, the great Huseyn the Victorious, is willing to open Hajr's markets to Belmontien investment and to give Belmont a more preferential treatment when it comes to purchasing our natural resources. I speak, of course, of oil."

As if on cue (Ibn Maktoum could not help but smile), a servant walked in with, on a silver platter, the famed coffee of Hajr. Ibn Maktoum sat up from the expansive leather chair he was seated in, across a long mahogany table from Kouchner, and took the porcelain cup from the servant with the thick, strong-smelling liquid inside.

Exhaling contentedly after sipping it, he continued, "We do, however, wish for the Kingdom of Belmont to reciprocate. We would like for your nation to commit to our security by helping the Sultan build up a modernized military capable of defending our sovereignty and our interests in Himyar. Moreover, our security would be additionally bolstered were Belmont to become an ally to the Sultanate and the great Arab nation. I assure you, Minister: such a move would enhance Belmont's own security, as well."

 

[Serenierre]

Kouchner smiled at the servant as he took his cup of coffee. He took a small sip of the world famous coffee. As soon as the liquid touched his tongue, he was immersed in one of the richest tasting coffees he had ever tasted. Of course, they did get Hajri coffee back home in Belmont but, it paled in comparison to what he was drinking at that moment. With great effort, he brought his attention back to the matter at hand.

"Minister Ibn Maktoum," he began, "economic ties are between Paris and Al A'raf are desired by my government as well and preferential treatment for Hajri natural resources is something we are indeed very interested for. Mr. Minister, seeing that Hajr is looking to open itself up to Belmontien investment, I propose a free trade agreement. Additionally, we would like to help Hajr diversify its economy.

But Minister Ibn Maktoum, we are ready to help your nation in defense and security issues. And, The Kingdom would be proud to make The Sultanate an ally... but before we commit to that, I would like to hear what it would entail from our side. If you please, Mr. Minister." he said to his host. He took another sip of the coffee.

 

[Hesperia]

"The Sultanate would wish for the Kingdom to assist us in building up and modernizing our armed forces, so that we may increase our security. Moreover, as ally to our illustrious Sultan, Belmont would support His Majesty all his endeavors internationally.

"We understand that this is sounds vague. We will not ask for Belmont to support us in every little diplomatic spat, for the South has many of those. We would, however, expect Belmont to stand ready for Hajr in certain, crucial situations. By this we mean if the Sultanate is attacked by a third power. In addition, we would like to be able to rely on the Kingdom in a clandestine manner, if necessary."

Ibn Maktoum took another sip of his coffee. "Do not worry, however. The Sultan is not a petty man, and he will not be overbearing in his requests. He does, however, believe that together Hajr and Belmont will stand stronger. As said, additionally, Belmont will also profit from our allegiance."

 

[Serenierre]

"Mr. Minister, I can't commit to anything until the proper details are not shared but, seeing the basic outline of the alliance, we can agree to such a possibility. But I do have a concern, you say 'all' of His Majesty's endeavors... Paris must reserve the right to choose which issues to support Hajr on. But as far as mutual defense is concerned, Belmont would support our allies."

OOC: Sorry for the hasty post, strapped for time. Could we possibly come to an agreement via PM?

 

[Hesperia]

Ibn Maktoum smiled at Kouchner. He had expected this. He motioned for an aide standing nearby, and then handed the papers he was given to Kouchner.

Draft for a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation Between the Sultanate of HAJR and the Kingdom of BELMONT

[...]

III. Diplomatic Cooperation

a. The parties will agree to:
- Support each other diplomatically
- Guarantee each other's independence
- Sign a pact of non-aggression attached to the Treaty

[...]

V. Military Cooperation

a. The parties will agree to:
- Cooperate in training
- Coordinate military exercises and war games
- Cooperate in the field of military technology

"As mentioned, we will not demand much from Belmont. We do, however, wish for Belmont to defend us, were we to be attacked. And we do wish to coordinate our diplomatic and political opposition to the Islamist regimes in Ijad and Kajar, as mentioned in section III, clause a.

"In addition, Minister, as stated in section V, our countries will exchange military expertise and technology. This, to be frank, means mostly that Belmont will sell arms to us. We are willing to buy many, as you have seen at IMEX. We are hoping for some kind of discount, in return.

"Finally, as stated in section IV, our countries will open each other's markets to each other. Since I can only speak for the Sultanate, I will tell you that Hajr will allow Belmontien companies unrestricted access to our free trade zones. We will also treat the Kingdom preferentially on the oil market. Paris will not have to worry for its oil supply if it agrees. We expect reciprocity in return, and wish Belmont's support, as stated in the draft, against our enemies in the region.

"In my humble opinion, Minister, this treaty will maximize our mutual gains without committing our two nations fully to each other. We are, after all, not old friends yet. I urge you to agree."

OOC: Section IV is in there (hence the "[...]"), just that I felt I should only show the essentials.

 

[Serenierre]

Kouchner glanced through the draft treaty. He flipped through the pages and skimmed through the text. He smiled at Ibn Maktoum, trying to disarm the Hajri minister. "Minister Ibn Maktoum," thinking now was the time to negotiate, he started, "While I can agree to the economic clauses, for the defense clauses we require something from Hajr." He paused for a few seconds, building up the tension in the room, "Paris hopes to establish a military base in the region, will Hajr be the location of such a base?"

"But before you answer, let me say, that having a Belmontien base present will allow us to come to Hajri's defense in a more proactive and beneficial way. Of-course, any such base would result in us paying His Majesty's government handsomely. But Mr. Minister, before I say anything about the defensive clauses, I need to hear your answer."

Kouchner knew that was a deal breaker, if the Hajri's wanted Belmontien support they had to provide them with a base, no matter how big or small, Paris wanted a base in the region. Hajr's strategic location was ideal for Belmont to conduct surveillance of the LFS invested waters of the east.

 

[Hesperia]

"I do not have the authority to decide over such a matter: such a decision can only be made by His Majesty, the illustrious Sultan. However, I daresay that he would be willing to agree to such a stipulation, if Belmont is willing to reciprocate by supplying us with arms and protecting our security and independence against our enemies, and if the Kingdom is willing to agree that the base is only to be used in the training of our military and the defense of our borders, and not for offensive operations."

Ibn Maktoum paused. "I take it that Belmont is in agreement over all the other clauses? If so, I propose that we sign a preliminary argeement. Our respective delegations can discuss alterations and further stipulations, if needed, after which our nations can present the prospective treaties to the legislative organs in the two countries."

OOC: Let's continue this via, PM, then.