Future of the Revolution

[Coronado]

Presidential Palace
Hall of the Revolution
Bulghar, Volga

The Hall of the Revolution is what used to be the Grand Hall of the Royal Palace of the Kings, and before them, the Tsars of Bulgharia, but was converted to celebrate the Revolution when the last King was deposed and sent into exile in Franken. Now, as Premier Ivan Petrov is making sure that every detail is in order, it will be used for the reception for the Communist leaders arriving for the first meeting of its kind since the fall of the IRB. In fact this will be a meeting of the sole remaining Revolutionary governments left in existance and it is one that Petrov is determined will go without a hitch. Though the reception is of course just a formality, a way of making the guests of the Republic welcome, as any real negotiations will be done in a conferrence room rather than at a dining table, still, such a reception will allow Petrov and his guests time to get reaquainted in a more relaxed atmosphere.

"Comrade Premier."

Petrov turns to see his personal secretary.

"Yes Ivanova"

Major Katrina Ivanova is a thirty-year-old woman with a military barring and an attitude to match and wearing the dark olive-green suit that seems to be a favorite amoung the Military and MVD as it is their idea of civilian garb. As an officer in the Volga National Army, she is accustom of being addressed by her rank, but as she is also the Premier's secretary, in addition to being a member of his secuity detail, she lets his using only her surname go without comment and does her assigned job to keep Premier Petrov on his schedule.

"The guests are due to arrive soon, should you not be getting ready to meet them?"

Petrov looks at Ivanova, and not for the first time, muses that she could be a very attractive woman if she wasn't so damn Army and loosen up some.

"Yes, I suppose I should. And what about Tatiana?"

"Your wife is already getting dressed as you should be doing also."

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Dusan Mejic was living a busy life. What had once been a comfortable deskjob, the Commissar for Foreign Affairs, had turned into an ardenous task to shape Carentanias foreign policy in countless diplomatic meetings and to represent what issues the Workers' Republic considered important through his sheer presence. And the Workers' Republic considered a lot of issues important, meaning that Commissar Mejic had to show face at a number of different venues. The happy man who always sported a bright smile had never been too much of an intensive worker. A diplomat, yes, but also a man who wasn't quite as fit anymore as he used to be.

Still, it would have been unwise to quit this appointment because of a mere cold. Equipped with a handkerchief to tend his running nose, he had set out to Volga. While his natural charisma would suffer from the flu he had contracted, any sign of not valuing the invitation would have been desastrous, as Volga wished to do no less than what Carentania was aiming for ever since the fall of the IRB: a new socialist alliance.

Of course, Carentania would have to dampen expectations a bit. The support of Europes most advanced society was not to be gained for free, Commissar Mejic had always pointed that out. Democracy, that was Carentanias conviction, was vital to the survival of Socialism. Still, it would be difficult to push through any demands for reforms from the assorted party-communist regimes and with his feverish head, Commissar Mejic would have an even harder time. Nevertheless, Carentanias position in the socialist world, its economic strenght and relative safety - the Talemantine aside - meant that right now, the remaining states could not achieve anything without the Carentanians. A fact which the Commissar was determined to exploit to the fullest.

Of course, for the good of humanity, not for the sake of nationalism.

"I am honored to have been invited to your little event," the Commissar greeted the Volgan host.

 

[Coronado]

Premier Petrov welcoms Dusan Mejic warmly.

"Welcome, welcome. It is so good that you have accepted my invitation. Please, eat, drink, be mer...enjoy yourself."

Though Petrov showed a warm persana to the Carentanian Commissar, inside he was nervous, that even though he had received confirmation that they would be here, the Vangalans and the Kryobaijanis have yet to arrive, or even notified his government that they were on their way or worse, they had changed they minds. If the later was they case, it would be a blow to Volga's pride as well as blow to his standing within the Party.

 

[Coronado]

Petrov found himself disappointed and embarrassed when Major Ivanova notified him of the latest developments. Disappointed that the Kryobaijani delegation would not be attending the talks and the Vangalans have yet to respond to his communiques. Embarrassed that he would have to inform Commissar Mejic that what was suppose to be a four-way confer,ence has become, at best, bilateral talks.

"My humblist apologies Comrade Mejic, but I have been informed that the representative of Kryobaijan will not be attending and it is feared the Vangalans may have also changed their minds. I would understand if you reject my proposal, but we can still hold talks of issues that Carentania and Volga do share."

 

[Yairobi]

The crisp silence of a warm night was tampered by the rattle of grit beneath the Foreign Minister’s car. It was a sleek black affair, with no escort or insignia to indicate its origin, or draw unnecessary attention. Much to the approval of Abiola. He had shown remarkable initiative being here, that much was true, but there was no telling how the Premier would respond to his unexpected arrival. On the advice of the Party Chairman, and with Moskilde’s sovereignty still under scrutiny by the world at large, Abiola was actively seeking to make friends with sympathisers of the proletariat movement. Paid ears and greased lips had led him here.

The car pulled up at the gate of the Presidential Palace, where it was immediately flagged as an uninvited guest. The Foreign Secretary’s tinted window remain closed, and his identity obscured while his driver, the foreign minister’s aid, stepped out of the car and approached the nearby sentry duty.

“Please inform Premier Ivan Petrov that Foreign Minister Jacob Abiola humbly requests a seat amongst the delegation.”

 

[Coronado]

Petrov was trying to make the best of the fact two important guest had failed to arrive and was hoping nothing else would go wrong when notices Major Ivanova speaking to one of the uniformed guards at the entrance to the Hall. Petrov watches the two for moment or two, curious on they would be talking about, but when the guard left, and Ivanova turn and began walking straight towards him. Petrov suddenly gets a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Taking a a gulp from the glass of the vodka he held in his hand, Petrov waits for whatever bad news the Major now was determined to inform him of.

Petrov tried to guess the severity of the news by the look on Major Ivanova, but the woman was as unreadable as ever, and when she gets close enough, all Petrov can say is.

"What has happened now, major?"

The answer was unexpected.

"Premier, there is a man at the gates asking entrance to meet with you. He claims to be Jacob Abiola, the Foreign Minister of Moskilde. His papers do seem to be in order."

This took Petrov completely by surprise. First he hadn't been informed that the Moskilde Foreign Minister was even in the country, little alone wishing to meet. And even though the Foreign Ministry was working on the documentation that would recognize the new Moskilde government, it hadn't been made official yet.

"I guess we will have to make it official, won't we?" Petrov unintentionally says load enough for Ivanova to hear.

"Excuse me, Comrade Premier? Shall I have him make an appointment?"

Petrov smiles.

"No. Invite him in. Perhaps this is as good time as ever for us to meet."

As Major Ivanova turns on her heels to go and show the Foreign Minister in, Petrov looks for Commissar Mejic to appraise him of the unexpected guest.

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Commissar Mejic smiled warmly at the unexpected sight of a new face. He had been informed by one of his aides about the identitiy of the man and greeted him with a broad smile.

"The Foreign Minister of Yairobi, an unexpected, but very welcome sight. News of your countries succesful revolution has been well received in Carentania and let me assure you, there is nothing we wish to discuss with our friends from Volga which you, as newest addition to the socialist world, should not be part of as well. Carentania considers it their duty to protect and support your endeavours and aid you in your path to liberty. As long as Yairobi does not stray from it, our support is unconditional."

The Commissar coughed heavily all of a sudden. He was still firmly in the hands of the flu and there was no use trying to hide it. His swollen face, his glowingly red nose gave him away. He nevertheless continued.

"If you do not expect anyone else, allow me to express my hopes as to what can be achieved today." Mejic sat down at the table and folded his hands in front of him. "Carentania has been in contact with both Kryobaijan and Vangala. Even though they were unable to send a delegation to this meeting, Carentania can always tie loose ends together and introduce those states to any agreement made here. There is no need to worry about the lack of their presence at this table.

You may both know that Carentania, until quite recently, has favoured to distance itself from the broader socialist world, or what called itself that. The IRB was too heavily stained by authoritarianism to gain our suport. But things have changed. Our stance remains the same, but the IRB has fallen and the autocratic regimes of the old days are gone. With me at this table, I see the promise of democracy, protectors of freedom and equality. Gentlemen, I wish to say the following words not without a fine sense of drama:

Carentania believes it is time to unite the socialist world in a new military defense treaty."

 

[Mergogne]

USSK Office of Foreign Affairs

The new Intersectionalist Kryobaijani government sends its deepest regrets for its absence from this conference, however several domestic issues require the utmost attention of the Revolutionary Council, and we do not believe it would be prudent at this juncture to deliberate on certain crucial foreign policy issues that would be under discussion at the summit. However, the Intersectionalist Party, the Revolutionary Council, and all other organs of the federal government send their best wishes to our comrades attending the conference, and express their desire to work with the other leftist nations of Europe in the future.

 

[Yairobi]

A treaty, a shield, precisely what Yairobi needed to protect itself from the anti-communist league during a transition that made it more vulnerable than ever. This was precisely what Contee sought from the spectrum of socialist nations, but he was no fool, no high ranking buffoon lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. Their was no quick fix to Yairobi’s problems, for every little they took they would have to give back in turn, and the irony of it all was that as things were, Contee knew Yairobi was the weakest link in the fence. He had expressed the significance of this, in private, to Abiola prior to his departure, and now the foreign minister knew he had to find some way of telling his associates the great danger of allowing regimes no different to his own that might treat their pact as a means to shield themselves from the consequences of their irresponsible behaviours.

“Yairobi is at a juncture, gentleman, in which it must look inwards in order to peer out. Our chairman will gladly hear the terms of such a treaty, but I must be frank, we oppose any agreement that promises all forms of socialist radicalism it's sanctuary. We cannot afford to be pulled into a war over one ambitious satellite's decision to step over the line”

 

[Coronado]

Petrov was surprised with Commissar Mejic proposal of a new alliance, though it was something he had considered and hoped in the end would be the logical course of action, it wasn't something thought would be the first thing dicussed especially with two of the most prominent socialist states were not present. Well the subject has been present, best make the of it.

"Foreign Minister Jacob Abiola, though your arrival, literally at the front door, was a surprise, your presence is quite welcomed and the Volga Republic will extend what aid we can to your country so that Yairobi can acheive the goals of the revolution."

Shifting slightly in his chair so as to speak to both men.

"Comrades, I must admit, I had hoped some grand things would come out of these talks, but that was when Kryobaijan and Vangala had been expected to be present, and when thay did not, I had thought that only a few bilateral agreement could be obtained at best and not much more. An allaince, though one of those grand things I had hoped for, I did not think would be something we would be talking without representatives of the two counties mentioned being present, but as Comrade Mejic has proposed the creation of a new military defense treaty between the Socialist States, and considering his confidence to bring both Vangala and Kryobaijan aboard, it is something the Volga Republic is wholly supportive at this time."

"Now Comrade Mejic, as you are the one who has broached the subject, what exactly do you have in mind?"

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

"Very well," Commissar Mejic said, trying not to think about his sore throat and the sharp pain that came with speaking. "I hope this does not appear to you as a too direct move, but my Commissariate took the liberty of drafting a proposal for the treaty I proposed." He opened his briefcase and handed out prints of a text to the Volgan and Yairobi delegates.

Article 1 - Aims
This treaty aims to:
1. Unite all socialist democracies in their struggle against reactionary aggression
2. Further the cause of progress
3. Defend the achievements of freedom and equality achieved thusfar.
Article 2 - Principles
The signatory nations, united in revolutionary socialist spirit and striving for the goal of freedom and equality, vow to:
1. defend each other from foreign aggression
2. coordinate their defensive efforts
3. inform each other prior to military operations
Article 3 - Signatory States
1. The treaty is binding for the initial signatories - the nations of Carentania, Volga and Yairobi
2. The treaty can be signed by additional states if they wish so and share the aims of article 1, unless a signatory state objects.
3. States which have already signed the treaty may be excluded from its contents if no signatory, other than state whose membership has come into question, objects
Article 4 - Permanent Headquarters
1. The signatories will dispatch a permanent delegation to joint headquarters
2. These headquarters serve to increase the exchange of information between signatory states
3. The headquarters will be located in Rijeka, Carentania.

"I hope this serves all your needs. Of course, if my expert team was mistaken, feel free to make changes to this proposal. It's my firm belief we will make a good compromise and write history today. And I believe, Mr. Abiola, that you will see your worries answered in this proposal. There is no obligation to aid nations in wars of aggression, there is a clause on having to inform other members in advance of military operations and we have even included a clause on excluding memberstates. You will furthermore find, that, unlike the conservative defense alliances, this treaty places emphasis on having a general consensus regarding membership. Any of us can veto an application if they feel the applicant undeserving of the treaty."

 

[Yairobi]

OOC: Just to clear, Foreign Minister Abiola is in attendance here, not Chairman Contee. Will delete this in the near future.

 

[Coronado]

Petrov reads through the proposal finds nothing objectional about it. Though there would be undoubtably several in both the Party and the Government that would perfer the headquarters be closer, in Bulghar to be specific, Volga's location would make placing the headquarters there very unwise and Petrov can only agree that Rijeka may in the long run the best locale.

"Though I am in agreement with what has been presented so far, I am curious if you have an idea for the structure for the alliance such as a council and chairman."

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

"We do not believe such institutions to be necessary at this point. This is a defence treaty, nothing more. It could one day become the seed of a greater cooperation, it could be the foundation upon which we place other treaties that tie our nations together politically, economically and socially. But I believe it is better to approach these things without hurry. For now, a defensive treaty will suffice. It will guarantuee that our future is not endangered by the enemies of Socialism. We can operate without formal positions such as chairman, as a group of equals."

 

[Coronado]

Not much of an auspicious beginning, but with the way the IRB collapsed, it is probably the best course of action at this time.

"As I said, I am in agreement and the Volga Republic will be a signatory to the treaty."

 

[Yairobi]

"Agreed."

Without reservations, the Foreign Minister signed the treaty.

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Commissar Mejic seemingly relaxed as the Yairobi Minister put his signature on the treaty. He had achieved what he had come to Volga for. It was a quick success, but a historical one, despite the lack of pomp to accomodate the event.

"Gentlemen," he said. "We have just made history. Allow me to have my aide send word of this success to my colleagues at home."

Without further comment, he handed his assistant the treaty, while leaving copies of the signed paper for the Volgan and Yairobi minister. The assistant disappeared from the scenery, the signed treaty now well on its way to the Commissariate in Rijeka and, after that, to publication.

"Allow me make one last suggestion before leaving you the room to adress your own agenda and bring forth proposals. Carentania both expects and hopes for certain nations to come forward with the wish to sign this Revolutionary Defense Treaty. If everyone of us voices his agreement in regards to their membership, we can speed up the whole process right now. The nations I am referring to would be: Kryobaijan, Vangala and Boluxia. Each of which Carentania would happily accept into the Revolutionary Defense Treaty Organization."