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Post by The Union of Tinis on Apr 21, 2010 23:37:36 GMT -5
Guw shook her head gently. "So far the Governor has been very happy to answer our questions, but then, they were hardly probing ones. But now that the official pleasantries are mostly over, I do have a question from my country to yours. When your representative visited my country they made it clear that the Confederacy of Aatuylva was looking for friends and those who wished to exchange on a cultural and knowledge level. On the former, what sort of relationship does Aatuylva wish to seek with Tinis and on the later, as Tinis is happy to learn and share cultural idea, idioms, values, and ideas with those outside our boarders, does the wish to exchange knowledge go beyond becoming friends and allowing citizens of our respective nations to meet and enrich each other?"
Guw knew the question was a bit of a mouthful, but she hopped that it would get them focused on the reason she was here. And avoid any thoughts of hidden agendas.
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Post by aatuylva on Apr 21, 2010 23:57:36 GMT -5
This...would require a careful answer.
"There are...many reasons. The first of which is fear of stagnation. The former Technocracy can only improve what we have so much with our limited resources...and without modern computers, many of our projects are put on hold indefinitely...It is getting harder and harder to keep up with those who wish for chaos."
He hated for that reason to be brought up first..but it was better him than Stidham or Volvolen.
"Second, well, there is only so much opera and classical you can listen to without going insane." He smiles at this one, then goes on, "It will have to be a slow process...as my people, all of the Confederacy, are a bit stubborn against change...which is why the technology exchange was put forth. If they see a physical improvement, something tangible, than they will open up more to the idea of letting people in. And hopefully, one day we would wish to open our forests to archaeologists, and our universities to students...one day, perhaps."
It is Dugald who speaks next, "While we do honestly wish to become friends with our neighbors..extenuating circumstances prevent us from opening up completely...as you've probably heard of them. These bandits stay one step ahead of us in technology, at times using advanced imaging systems and other devices that we cannot produce, allowing them to strike at us in the dark, or hit forward fire bases. It is most frustrating."
That was odd. He was vehemently opposed to it earlier, why is he so friendly now?
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Post by The Union of Tinis on Apr 22, 2010 0:31:56 GMT -5
"I can assuredly sympathize with your plight," said Guw. "Fifty years again the Union was considered a backwater on a good day. But through hard work and learning from the outside world we were able to climb up to be one of the most influential nations on the continent. But for most of that time, our relations with the outside world were fairly cool. But through careful diplomacy and luck we stayed out of any major wars during that time.
"So I have a feeling my government would be very willing to help, mentor as it were, Aatuylva in your efforts to escape this stagnation you fear and to help bring peace to your homeland. But this help will of course not come without costs and conditions. I'm quite sure my government will be unable to sign off on anything until they've gotten to know you and your people well enough to know that our friendship will be long lasting, for instance. It makes no sense for instance to give a stranger a loaded gun. Thankfully already me and my aids here have begun this learning process and I hope that while we are here we'll get to know more about each other. Because you probably have no interest in receiving a loaded gun from someone you don't know. Might look good but if it explodes in your face you'd be less than happy."
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Post by aatuylva on Apr 22, 2010 0:50:13 GMT -5
The Governor heaves a heavy sigh.
"My people are at times too simple for their own good. I'm afraid whatever picture you bring...whatever idea you have that you take back with you will end with bad results for us. There are still some parts of this country that are tribalistic, and we don't wish to infringe on their rights to develop...As for the loaded gun, we already seem to be holding one. In the middle of an armory while dripping with petrol."
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Wira watched the whole exchange disapprovingly from near the entrance. Just another guard... She held her robes loose. She didn't like the shady one(Solivon). She had been watching him ever since he stepped foot from the IFV, and she was pretty sure he knew she was. Which means he was looking in the first place.
She understands the need for intel, but when someone shows you trust and you dishonor them like this? The only reason she held her tongue to this transgression was that she was ordered not to "cause a scene."
She was going to have a special word for him to take back to his superiors though.
Did no one on the outside have honor?
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Post by The Union of Tinis on Apr 22, 2010 3:01:20 GMT -5
"Then maybe we can offer a bucket of water," said Guw now realizing her hasty attempt at a metaphor might of gone a little far. "But really, in the long run, its in the interest of my government to have a safe and stable relationship with its neighbors. What more, if the situation is as dire as you seem to be suggesting, it would be a moral imperative to provide any means we can to prevent things from getting worse here. I don't know if all the folks back home would agree with me, but I have a feeling enough would to make sure any terms are fair.
"But I would guess in the interest of openness, learning, and understanding, and as the first representatives of Tinis to visit your land, I would ask my associates here to answer any questions you may have about my homeland honestly and completely as we can, and I shall do the same. I shall now make sure they understand." Guw turned to each one individually and asked in the language of the confederacy, "Answer all questions honestly and answer all questions completely. Do you understand?" And in turn each one answered yes, though the couple who were not good at the language asked for a repetition of the question to be sure.
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Post by aatuylva on Apr 22, 2010 15:44:34 GMT -5
Arkus is about to let slew a string of questions, but Cedric raises his hand, silencing him.
He smiles at Solivon, looking past him at Wira.
"I see you've made a friend, stranger. Tell me, why should the head of Internal Security take an interest in a diplomat? It's fine, I understand. She is a bit mistrusting of people, and that's saying something for an Aatuylvan." He chuckles, and turns to Guw. "We will have many questions, but the problem is in knowing what to ask. Since I am the only one who is old enough at this table to actually remember some things, I wish to inquire as to how Tinis runs its government. I honestly would not know who to write a letter to, as it were, and would wish to know who to properly address...I would not wish to embarrass myself should they come visit, you understand."
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Post by The Union of Tinis on Apr 22, 2010 17:22:56 GMT -5
Guw realized that the hastily translated document sent before might not be totally trusted and was likely poorly translated even then. A personal explanation would make sense here.
"The Union of Tinis is a democratically focused nation with democratic council socialist elements. But we can discuss the economic systems later and I'll focus on the government proper. The national government is split into four branches. The Chamber of Speakers, which writes and passes laws, the Council of Commanders, which oversees the military, the Supreme Court, which interprets the law and determines if a law follows the constitution or not, and the National Auditor, who's job it is to seek out and report on corruption in all levels of government. All branches except the Supreme Court are elected by the people of the country in various forms. For instance, the members of the Council of Commanders can only be elected if they have served in their respective military branch. So the head of the army must of been a member of the army previously.
"Each one has its own structure. The National Auditor, selects several sub-auditors whom must be of different political alignment than themselves. The Supreme Court has nine members, one of which is a Chief Justice who is charged with keeping the court ordered. The Council of Commanders has a commander for each branch of the armed forces, as well as one who oversees emergency services and law enforcement, but there is also a Supreme Commander whom during times of war and conflict directs the other commanders to action. The Chamber of Speakers has a lower chamber, each of its 500 members are elected from districts distributed by population across the country, an upper chamber, who's members are elected as proportions of the total vote by party, and a First Speaker, whom is elected nationally. The First Speaker presides over the chamber at their leisure but also is the head of state and has control over the executive functions of the government.
"So if there is someone for you to address a letter too it would be the First Speaker, Ovrin Lenord."
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Post by aatuylva on Apr 22, 2010 20:11:55 GMT -5
Cedric smiles. "Most interesting...certain things are similar, and yet so different...I do have one more question........"
He seems about to drone on when the panther taps him on the shoulder. "While I'm sure you'd love to pester our guests until the sun goes down, some of us do have more pressing inquiries."
"The most important of which is information on those nations known for trouble-making. It would do ill to open arms with one without knowledge another going for our backs."
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Post by The Union of Tinis on Apr 22, 2010 20:31:00 GMT -5
Guw pondered for a minute. "There's a saying that goes like this, if you can't say anything nice, at least say something correct.
"The Union tries to keep friendly close ties to every nation in the Furry Federation. So those are the nations we interact with the most. Our closest allies among them would be Shikeishuu, which I think you share a very small boarder with and Miokalia. Shikeishuu, I must admit, we are friendly with mostly because they are a very strong military power but overall act only defensively and to support allies. Our relationship with Miokalia is more complex, but in recent years we've grown to trust the judgement and actions of the average amalgamation that is their government. They might be a bit unusual, but so is my country. So far, those two nations are viewed as most trust worthy by Tinis.
"Our relationship with Cal is a little more complex. They're driven by economics. If they're not making money they'll try to twist things so they can. They're also... suspicious at times. But the previous administration thought them trust worthy enough to allow them a long term base agreement on our northern coast. The official and unofficial policy is to treat them as friends. And they are likewise at least on the official side. And so far at least in practice they've not betrayed our trust. Though there are those that wonder, myself included.
"Suikodan is a bit of a mystery. They're an island nation to the north of Tinis. Not to keen on outsiders they've recently joined the Furry Federation. Our government has not had high level talks with them but we do plan to have some in the mid range future. I guess for them, watch how we do.
"And there's numerous other nations and neighbors. Killer Zoids as its rarely called is an economic power house in its own right but is set to have things live and let live for the most part. And, well, there are a few others but, well, isolationism tends to be a fad on this continent."
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Post by aatuylva on Apr 22, 2010 20:44:11 GMT -5
Dugald mutters something about 'fences' and 'good neighbors,' as Arkus begins to pester Guw about technology, computers, university programs, the possibilities of science exchanges, rattling off question after question before Cedric pats him on the back. "S-sorry, I get carried away..."
He clears his throat, "..Anyway, as one of the purposes of this is to determine beneficial..exchanges, perhaps a brief discussion on technology? I do apologize, my former craft does temper my judgment in these matters, and I have heard stories about your computers."
Dugald mutters something about 'Ryvuul' and 'no-good-tinkerers.'
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Post by aatuylva on Apr 25, 2010 13:56:52 GMT -5
The doors opened before Wira could move, slamming into her. It was of no consequence to the man who walked through them, his dress uniform in disarray, his ceremonial sword swinging from side to side, unlatched. He smelled faintly of wine, and was carrying a folder filled with pictures and reports. In his other hand, oddly enough, was a plush fox. Stidham strode up to the table and slammed the folders onto the table in front of the Council and the foreign dignitaries.
"I Have a Better Question!!!!"
He then sat himself on the table, stroking the plush.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"You'd do well to sit down and listen, Councilman Carver."
Cedric sat back down, eying the plush and Stidham.
"My commanders have been telling me about smoke trails in the sky. This has been going on ever since the Governor saw fit to send a lone heli to Tinis. Since then, not only have these smoke trails been seen more often, but aircraft that move far faster than anything we have ever seen have been buzzing our Wartrains. These aircraft move at such a speed, that the horrendous sound they make cannot catch up to them. Normally, this kind of...reconnaissance, is a prelude to invasion. So, dear and lovely Ambassador Guw, I would just love to hear your explanations for this."
"This is quite enough!!" Arkus would not stand for this. "How dare you insult our guests in this manner? Do you have any proof? Get out of this chamber!!"
"I will leave when the safety of Aatuylva can be assured, Arkus. Not before."
The excitement of the chamber dulled down, as all of the Aatuylvans take on a nervous tone, whispering amongst themselves. The guards around the hall, having recovered from the sheer audacity of Stidham's entrance, look even more imposing than before. Arkus could not help but bury his face in his paws at this. It could've been anyone, but trust Stidham to place the blame on whoever was handy.
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Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Apr 25, 2010 14:38:46 GMT -5
The commonwealth's air force discretely passed their recon to the tinisian military. They had been caught napping but had acted to map the nation to the south of tinis, very actively. They had found no ICDMs or any ability to produce nuclear weapons but had flown low to check the train guns that might have been a threat to tinis.
Tinis and the commonwealth had a been friends for a time despite there radically different governments, and philosophies.
The commonwealth didn't like an unknown near a friend so had acted, whether of not the friend liked it.
--- OOC: If you haven't guessed the commonwealth is kinda the France of the fed.
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Post by The Union of Tinis on Apr 26, 2010 1:13:35 GMT -5
Guw waved a paw at the escorts whom seemed a little put off by the disruption. "I am sure that we can trust Lord Commander's judgement," said Guw, fully aware that Stidham might be more than a little tipsy but saying such with a straight face. No need to antagonize him unnecessarily. "Observing unauthorized aircraft is cause for alarm. I can say that my government told me explicitly that other than to transport our delegation, there was to be no Tinisian air presence here. We had escorts up until your boarder but they broke off and returned home. It would be counter productive for them to lie about this to me as they'd know that there's a chance other aircraft would be spotted. And if I were to believe that we were on our own here and that wasn't the case, that'd be a horrible blow to my nation's credibility. So I most certainly hope that they are not from my country. And if you like, I can try to contact them to find out if they lied to me. I know it might not make you feel much better, but there are rules in place where if I outline a certain situation, such as one where my person is in danger should your accusations be true, then they are obligated to tell me the truth.
"And if they are Tinisian planes, then you can be sure I'll tell off the First Speaker and the Supreme Commander for their idiocy. But if they are not ours, they might be just as happy to tell me who is making those flights."
Guw was very curious herself. And hoped someone back home knew. Shikeishuu was the most likely culprit, but anyone without any sort of spy satellite might be to blame.
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Post by aatuylva on Apr 26, 2010 10:37:59 GMT -5
Stidham doesn't look convinced...The governor stands up, walking over to him. "Now now...It's perfectly reasonable for anyone to want to know what's happening. One hundred and fifty years of isolation and all of the sudden we just pop out and say hello? I'd certainly want a closer look."
"Sounds reasonable..."
"So, we shouldn't get too worked up about it. Let's wait for Miss Guw to talk to her people, and we'll get an answer. Until then, hide your precious trains. And if it turns out that the planes don't belong to Tinis or one of her allies, you can point those fancy new rocket artillery you keep bragging about skyward and see what happens."
"Yess...I shall await your answer on the morn.." And with a bow, Stidham leaves the chamber, staggering on his way out as the door is slammed into him with the same force that he opened it.
"Thank you governor..." Arkus was glad that the Tinisian delegation were not easily offended...at least Guw appeared to be unfazed. But that was probably a matter of training.
"I apologize for his lack of proper manners...His job tends to leave him very...stressed. Perhaps we should conduct this meeting later, when your comforts and needs have been seen to. It would also give poor Arys time to give me that book he's been talking about. I shall have the guest quarters prepared for you...unless you would wish to contact your superiors, or visit the library..."
Truthfully, Arkus wanted them to have some cooldown time after that incident...It would also give him time to cool his temper, before he does something incredibly ungentlemanly.
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Post by The Union of Tinis on Apr 27, 2010 2:20:27 GMT -5
Guw was keeping her cool, but deep down, she was a tad frazzled. She hadn't expected Stidham to burst in like he had and accuse her of anything.
"Maybe a little of each of those things might be in order. Our pilot has a device that we can use to easily communicate with those back home without much trouble. They're probably done with their post flight work anyway so someone should probably fetch them. Uh, how about Hugususa go with whom ever you'd like sent back to help pick her up?
"As for the rest of us, I think I'd like to see our accommodations, but am curious about the library. All the same, I should be a little more accessible for when Hugususa returns with our phone. How about Nudafa, Solivan, and Valime take up that offer. Tom will stay with me."
Guw stood as did the other Tinisians. "Despite the difficulties I think this has been a good first meeting. I hope we can continue in a lighter mood than we have now of course. And when I know more about these planes I'll try to let someone know as soon as I can."
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