A fresh layer of snow had fallen over the building site at Njordgard but a fire had been lit inside the great hall at the Vikingr Hotel, its orange and red peaks danced against the black hearth and were reflected in the white tiles that surrounded the fireplace Allen Jarlsson awaited the delegation from Gotarike
Overcast {ATTN Gotarike}
- Thread starter Midgard
- Start date
Jydsken-Østveg
Established Nation
It was well known that this nation hadn't been particularly well involved in international affairs over the last while, but when Lotta Öqvist became a Queen in the last diplomatic letter sent by their delegation, the entire ministry burst into laughter. Queen Öqvist had suddenly become a nickname that stuck around the Office. "Queen" Öqvist ended up drawing the short straw and took the relatively short flight to Midgard. Queen Caroline II Rebecka Lotta had even sent her an e-mail on her crowning and even the Prime Minister took a jab at her before she departed, telling her that she wouldn't form the Republic while she was away, no matter how hard the Frescanians campaigned. It was a funny topic, that the tabloids had even picked up, but the more reputable newspapers had stuffed back in the smaller sections of the news. She was curious if she'd receive the welcome of a Queen, or if they had any idea who was who in Götarike. But she was hoping it was just an error. Having the red carpet rolled out for her would be an amazing experience though.
Landing at the Airport and soon having been shuttled to the Vikingr Hotel, she introduced herself to Allen Jarlsson, "Hello Mr. Jarlsson, I am Lotta Öqvist, the Minister for Foreign Affairs for the Kingdom of Götarike. Your nation kindly informed us of a possible solution that we could discuss here today." She smiled. Her blonde hair moved back as she brushed her hand through it quickly. Lotta's face was adorned with light freckles. Her lips were of average size and coated with a pink lip gloss. Wearing a black skirt and black business overcoat that wasn't utilizing its golden buttons she was the utmost professional. She had been a leader of the Social Democrats in Götarike for nearly six years; however, the populous hadn't liked her very much. Her party had lost to Hannah Lundqvist's Moderaterna and then Linnéa Hjelmer-Lindeskog's Greens. It was odd how her country was the first in the world to be ruled by a Green party, but nonetheless it provided unique opportunities for her party and her own once in a lifetime appointment as head of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
She looked into Jarlsson's eyes shortly and opened a folder she had brought with her. It had something written down on it that Jarlsson would not likely be able to see from his distance. The folder was leather and had a pen attached to it on the inside. Clearly she wanted to take notes at this meeting.
Landing at the Airport and soon having been shuttled to the Vikingr Hotel, she introduced herself to Allen Jarlsson, "Hello Mr. Jarlsson, I am Lotta Öqvist, the Minister for Foreign Affairs for the Kingdom of Götarike. Your nation kindly informed us of a possible solution that we could discuss here today." She smiled. Her blonde hair moved back as she brushed her hand through it quickly. Lotta's face was adorned with light freckles. Her lips were of average size and coated with a pink lip gloss. Wearing a black skirt and black business overcoat that wasn't utilizing its golden buttons she was the utmost professional. She had been a leader of the Social Democrats in Götarike for nearly six years; however, the populous hadn't liked her very much. Her party had lost to Hannah Lundqvist's Moderaterna and then Linnéa Hjelmer-Lindeskog's Greens. It was odd how her country was the first in the world to be ruled by a Green party, but nonetheless it provided unique opportunities for her party and her own once in a lifetime appointment as head of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
She looked into Jarlsson's eyes shortly and opened a folder she had brought with her. It had something written down on it that Jarlsson would not likely be able to see from his distance. The folder was leather and had a pen attached to it on the inside. Clearly she wanted to take notes at this meeting.
Fifty five year old Allen Jarlsson and long term member of the Allthinvgy was unaccustomed to meeting young powerful women whom new how to move with the sophistication and grace of a woman in her physical prime, so upon shaking the hands of Lotta Oqvist and watching her eyelashes flutter Jarlsson was taken aback and almost lost his nerve.
Two heavy chairs stood before the fire they were made of th finest Midish Ash and the upholstery was filled with wool from the farms around Alsvik.With a polite gesture Jarlsson invited Lotta Oqvist to sit in one of the chairs.
Two heavy chairs stood before the fire they were made of th finest Midish Ash and the upholstery was filled with wool from the farms around Alsvik.With a polite gesture Jarlsson invited Lotta Oqvist to sit in one of the chairs.
"Well Its a pleasure to meet you, your Majesty?"
Jarlsson allowed his welcome to tail off as a question, he was unsure how to address this captivating foreign dignitary
"Maam, I am sure you aware Alsvik is emerging from centuries of glorious isolation into a world we as yet do not fully understand, we do not have an Ambassador in your nation and becuase of that we simply do not know on what issues Gotarike feels strongly, I would like to talk to you about resolving the issue of communications once and for all"
Jarlsson had no notepaper with him, the Government trusted him to make the right decisions and in Midgard it was seen as impolite to treat a guest to an eyes down scribbling session.
Jydsken-Østveg
Established Nation
Lotta smirked a little in an effort to maintain a straight face. "Mr. Jarlsson, I am not the Queen of Götarike. Our Queen is Her Majesty Queen Caroline II Lotta Rebecka. She obviously does share a middle name with me though. You can just call me Lotta, or Miss Öqvist." She smiled again and then decided to get to business. "I understand that Midgard isn't particularly well versed in Götarikes foreign policy and our politics, but by no means do we wish to dominate your nation. I want to make that point abundantly clear and contrary to what many might feel in your nation. Midgard is a nation which we do feel is within our national security apparatus and thus it is important for our nations to maintain a degree of cooperation, else it will be counteractive to our well-being."
She didn't want to push the pace of the meeting and thus waited for Mr. Jarlsson to take it in a certain direction. She thought it would be rude of her to try to dominate her counterpart and equally thought that it would be best if she could try to maintain a friendly deposition. Yet she hoped that what she said actually conveyed the point that Götarike was the big player in the North and that Götarike cared about the region. It was unlikely her short statement actually did portray all of those qualities, but honestly she wasn't the best at her job either. She would be the first to admit that.
She didn't want to push the pace of the meeting and thus waited for Mr. Jarlsson to take it in a certain direction. She thought it would be rude of her to try to dominate her counterpart and equally thought that it would be best if she could try to maintain a friendly deposition. Yet she hoped that what she said actually conveyed the point that Götarike was the big player in the North and that Götarike cared about the region. It was unlikely her short statement actually did portray all of those qualities, but honestly she wasn't the best at her job either. She would be the first to admit that.
"My apologies madam" replied Jarlsson through gritted teeth and a reddening face
"Midgard has had very little to do with our northern neighbours thus far in our history, and I think our lack of knowledge of Gotarike in General is partly to blame for this misunderstanding. We have however had over one thousand years of history with the Danes whom we consider to be our Brothers and Sisters, King Gustav is as much the monarch of Midgard to us as he is to the Danes"
Jarlsson stopped briefly before his next point
"Midgard wishes to remain friendly to Gotarike, and i would like to agree today that we should exchange Ambassadors, but we will remain loyal to our Danish friends."
"Midgard has had very little to do with our northern neighbours thus far in our history, and I think our lack of knowledge of Gotarike in General is partly to blame for this misunderstanding. We have however had over one thousand years of history with the Danes whom we consider to be our Brothers and Sisters, King Gustav is as much the monarch of Midgard to us as he is to the Danes"
Jarlsson stopped briefly before his next point
"Midgard wishes to remain friendly to Gotarike, and i would like to agree today that we should exchange Ambassadors, but we will remain loyal to our Danish friends."
Jydsken-Østveg
Established Nation
Lotta wasn't pleased. It didn't seem the man had a clue. A simple ambassador swap could've been done via voicemail. She didn't fly this far to be told that they could switch ambassadors and that nothing would change. Her disposition changed from bright to much more stern. "I'm afraid you don't understand Mr. Jarlsson. I didn't come here to simply give you an address at which you can reach me. I hoped you'd had some kind of plan where that could be reached was some kind of middle ground. I'm disappointed your Government presents none of this."
She looked down briefly at her notes and continued, "My government gave you a very basic idea. That was one where your government would cancel the Danish Naval Base plan and agree to a jointly operated advanced radar network with my own Kingdom. This network could employ hundreds of Midgardians who would work first hand with Götisk military personnel in operating this network. I don't believe you Government really answered this suggestion, only stating that your loyalties lay with the Danes. I don't believe you've really understood what we've been saying either. There will be no exchange of ambassadors. There will be no rosy cheeks on our faces if that base is built. Our nations will stand in direct conflict with each other and will not be friends. You, You Mr. Jarlsson have the power to change this bleak future between our nations. What I need is compromise. I need to know what your nation will do, and what it will not do. If you will not cancel that Danish base, then you need to compensate my nation in other ways if you do want those rosy cheeks on millions of blonde haired men and woman on just the other side of this sub-continent." She wrote something down on her notepad, he could not read it, but it said, 'ask about the two other bases if he rejects the radar installation option and refuses to cancel the danish base.'
She continued, returning to a smile, "I don't wish to make you feel like there is too much pressure. Our nations can work together and I do want to find common ground before I return home."
She looked down briefly at her notes and continued, "My government gave you a very basic idea. That was one where your government would cancel the Danish Naval Base plan and agree to a jointly operated advanced radar network with my own Kingdom. This network could employ hundreds of Midgardians who would work first hand with Götisk military personnel in operating this network. I don't believe you Government really answered this suggestion, only stating that your loyalties lay with the Danes. I don't believe you've really understood what we've been saying either. There will be no exchange of ambassadors. There will be no rosy cheeks on our faces if that base is built. Our nations will stand in direct conflict with each other and will not be friends. You, You Mr. Jarlsson have the power to change this bleak future between our nations. What I need is compromise. I need to know what your nation will do, and what it will not do. If you will not cancel that Danish base, then you need to compensate my nation in other ways if you do want those rosy cheeks on millions of blonde haired men and woman on just the other side of this sub-continent." She wrote something down on her notepad, he could not read it, but it said, 'ask about the two other bases if he rejects the radar installation option and refuses to cancel the danish base.'
She continued, returning to a smile, "I don't wish to make you feel like there is too much pressure. Our nations can work together and I do want to find common ground before I return home."
"Ms Oqvist, you do not seem to be offering much compromise, Midgard is a sovereign state and we have asked our friends and allies to maintain the present level of support that they offer us, and further to this you have suggested that we need to be policed. And now your tone suggests that if we do not compensate Gotarike we will be at odds.
My hope is that there can be reconciliation, but I must point out to you that we are not afraid of Gotarike, and we cannot allow ourselves to be bullied.
What does Gotarike seek from Midgard to allow us to become friends aside from spuring our oldest and dearest alles."
My hope is that there can be reconciliation, but I must point out to you that we are not afraid of Gotarike, and we cannot allow ourselves to be bullied.
What does Gotarike seek from Midgard to allow us to become friends aside from spuring our oldest and dearest alles."
Jydsken-Østveg
Established Nation
Lotta shook her head. This guy was a rock. Not that in the sense that he wasn't unmovable. In the sense that he didn't get it. She let her displeasure once again be known by the tone of her voice. "Mr. Jarlsson, I'm afraid you are either playing games with me you are really don't understand the ramifications of what is going on here. In the event that you still don't understand, I'll spell it out for you. You are building a military base across the street from your neighbor, and it's not even your own base. I think you overestimate how much we care about your relations with the Danes. We are not at any real friendly terms with the Danes in Drottninggården. We merely cordially speak to each other. They are now opening a military base in our backyard. Can you imagine how pleased this makes us? You see, your neighbor is displeased because the building of this base is considered aggressive. Your neighbor, my Government, is offering to build installations that will aid in your defense so you do not need to build a massively aggressive establishment and we can co-exist peacefully. These installations will even be maintained by your own citizens. In return you accuse me of wanting to police your nation. Yes, you would be correct in assuming my tone means our nations will be at odds."
She closed her folder and put it into her bag. It signaled that she was done discussing with Mr. Jarlsson. She stood up picking up her bag and taking a step forward towards Jarlsson. With her hands together holding her bag in front of her, she pursed her lips before she spoke what seemed like a last ditch effort, "Your only other option that my Government can offer you is the establishment of a Götisk military base on your soil to assist in your defense and offset the Danish establishment. As I understand the Danes will be establishing a Naval base, we'd establish an airfield. Your own air force could even use the runways that could be attached to your own establishment. There you have it. You have two options. Radar installations and cessation of the Danish project, or continuing the Danish project but also adding a Geatish project. I ask that you forward them to your Government and contact my Prime Minister should you be interested. I had hoped you'd have your own solution to this impasse which I thought we had made clear existed before this meeting. With all due respect, I do feel as though your Government has wasted my time. You can express that to your superiors as well as they clearly did not give you any instructions as to how to tackle this problem."
She shook his hand, a signal of goodwill that she hoped showed she held no personal ill-will against Mr. Jarlsson and returned to a smile. Repositioning her hair she then began to walk out of the room. She quickly turned around after taking about two or three steps forward, roughly returning to where she sat down in her chair earlier. Speaking some of last words before she returned home, "I wish to remind you that failure to contact us in favor of either idea we've presented to you will result in a rather difficult sense of the future between our two nations. That is to say, we won't be exchanging ambassadors to say the least." Slowly inching towards the exit, she finally did speak her possible final words at the meeting, "Alternatively, you can also present your own attempted solution to this impasse but I cannot assure you how well it will be received by my Government. Good day to you Mr. Jarlsson." She walked backwards slowly, hoping he'd have something important to say that would force her to sit back down. If not, as soon as she reached the gangway she'd turn around and leave this place for what she hoped would be a very long time.
She closed her folder and put it into her bag. It signaled that she was done discussing with Mr. Jarlsson. She stood up picking up her bag and taking a step forward towards Jarlsson. With her hands together holding her bag in front of her, she pursed her lips before she spoke what seemed like a last ditch effort, "Your only other option that my Government can offer you is the establishment of a Götisk military base on your soil to assist in your defense and offset the Danish establishment. As I understand the Danes will be establishing a Naval base, we'd establish an airfield. Your own air force could even use the runways that could be attached to your own establishment. There you have it. You have two options. Radar installations and cessation of the Danish project, or continuing the Danish project but also adding a Geatish project. I ask that you forward them to your Government and contact my Prime Minister should you be interested. I had hoped you'd have your own solution to this impasse which I thought we had made clear existed before this meeting. With all due respect, I do feel as though your Government has wasted my time. You can express that to your superiors as well as they clearly did not give you any instructions as to how to tackle this problem."
She shook his hand, a signal of goodwill that she hoped showed she held no personal ill-will against Mr. Jarlsson and returned to a smile. Repositioning her hair she then began to walk out of the room. She quickly turned around after taking about two or three steps forward, roughly returning to where she sat down in her chair earlier. Speaking some of last words before she returned home, "I wish to remind you that failure to contact us in favor of either idea we've presented to you will result in a rather difficult sense of the future between our two nations. That is to say, we won't be exchanging ambassadors to say the least." Slowly inching towards the exit, she finally did speak her possible final words at the meeting, "Alternatively, you can also present your own attempted solution to this impasse but I cannot assure you how well it will be received by my Government. Good day to you Mr. Jarlsson." She walked backwards slowly, hoping he'd have something important to say that would force her to sit back down. If not, as soon as she reached the gangway she'd turn around and leave this place for what she hoped would be a very long time.
Allen was pleased to have the loud young woman out of the country, let alone the Grand hall of the Hotel. Had they no natural tact or subtelty in Gotarike? Or more likely she woman was a career politician, whatever her story Jarlsson was concerned for the malice Gotarike seemed willing to use any form of bullying to get their own way.
Never the less the Law-Speaker would have to be informed.
It didnt take the office of the Law-Speaker to construct a draft and deliver it to the office of the Gotaraki Priminister
Never the less the Law-Speaker would have to be informed.
It didnt take the office of the Law-Speaker to construct a draft and deliver it to the office of the Gotaraki Priminister
Jydsken-Østveg
Established Nation
You must be registered for see images
Drottningens kabinett för den utrikes brevväxlingen
The Queen's cabinet for the correspondence with foreign powers
The Queen's cabinet for the correspondence with foreign powers
Torsdag 19 apr 2012
Thursday, Apr 19 2012
Erik Thorvaldsson
Law-Speaker
Foreign Office, Midgard
Sir,
Thursday, Apr 19 2012
Erik Thorvaldsson
Law-Speaker
Foreign Office, Midgard
Sir,
On behalf of Prime Minister Nilla Udén Johansson I wish to convey the sincerest thank you for working with our government in such a peaceful and constructive manner. Her Majesty's Government shall send a survey team to Midgard to assess the proper locations for the radar array stations. Construction will be done in a manner which best supports environmental safety to the region and maximum military readiness. We expect construction to begin in May. A team of 450 men and women from Götarike will be stationed in Midgard to work these radar installations. We expect this number to decrease to 200 by the end of the decade as we train Midgard's own men and woman to work these installations.
As for the Air force base in the Midish Iron Mountains, we expect the movement of at most 50 Gripen jet fighters and additional helicopter and training units among other units to be stationed there. They will act as a response to threats detected by the radar array and will work in regional sorties for training, patrols and safety operations. If desired, Midgard may work with our own forces in training and rescue exercises as we wish to give back to the region for allowing us to be stationed there. We hope with the advantage to Midgard's defensive position that a new future base may be considered as permanent when the benefits are seen first hand.
As for the Air force base in the Midish Iron Mountains, we expect the movement of at most 50 Gripen jet fighters and additional helicopter and training units among other units to be stationed there. They will act as a response to threats detected by the radar array and will work in regional sorties for training, patrols and safety operations. If desired, Midgard may work with our own forces in training and rescue exercises as we wish to give back to the region for allowing us to be stationed there. We hope with the advantage to Midgard's defensive position that a new future base may be considered as permanent when the benefits are seen first hand.
Med Vänliga Hälsningar,
Henne excellens Charlotte "Lotta" Öqvist
Her Excellency Charlotte "Lotta" Öqvist
LOTTA ÖQVIST
Statsminister för utrikes ärendena
Minister for Foreign Affairs