Beiteynu-Luthori Peace Conference

[utoronto]

Message from the Government of the Republic of Indrala

Honourable Delegates,

The Government of Indrala wishes only to formally participate in these negotiations, not as negotiators but as observers and as a witness to the peace process.

In response to the Luthori Delegation's concerns, Indrala interest in these negotiations has to do with the fact that the Beiteynuese Republic is a member state of NATO and as such is automatically considered by my Government as an ally of Indrala. While my Government cannot speak for the Alliance, the Indralan Republic believes that conflict and instability in the North-Western tip of the Majatran Continent poses a threat to international security and therefore a threat to Indrala.

While we certainly wish that peace will reign in the region, Indrala is committed to defend our allies if (1) they are attacked and (2) they invoke Article 5 of the NATO Charter. I must state again that while my Government cannot speak for the Alliance or our fellow member states, the Honourable Pontesi Dynastic Empire and other member states would be obligated, through its membership in the Alliance and under Article 5 of the NATO Charter, to defend its NATO Allies .

As I've stated in the beginning of this message, the Government of the Republic of Indrala only seeks to send a delegation of observers, not negotiators.

We hope that the Luthori will accept our request.

Respectfully,

Rt. Hon. Nathaniel Dunn, LY
Zongli of the Republic of Indrala
Member of the Legislative Yuan from Quibashi

[Bismarkey7]

Beiteynuese Delegation:

"On the issue of Indrala, we propose this compromise: Indrala may send media personnel, and observers from their government. Any media may at any time may be barred from the proceedings that are deemed too secret, and are not allowed to speak during proceedings. Observers from the Indralan government may be present under the same rules and regulations applying to media personnel.

Whether or not the Luthori Empire recognizes Beiteynu as a sovereign nation is its choice. The Beiteynuese Republic certainly recognizes the Holy Luthori Empire as a sovereign nation. However, the Government of the Beiteynuese Republic is the working government of the areas in question, and it does not contain loyalist parties not by suppression, but because the former Loyalist Front has become defunct by its own choice. Also, "Beiteynuese" is the proper demonym for the inhabitants of the areas in question, whether or not "Beiteynu" is the official name of their nation.

As to the bombing of Birahteynu, we accept the fact that you are "sorry" as an apology. We maintain, however, that killing more than 5.5 million innocent civilians a nation considers its vassals is morally repugnant, and that it was not the only way to stop the war as Luthori so claims. Considering the modern and sophisticated times in which we live in, killing innocent civilians is not one of the necessary "horrors of war." Simply because you are not the ones that "caused" the bombing of Birahteynu, does not mean you were not the ones who carried it out. As for your calling the war a rebellion, let it be known that people who fought Luthori in the conflict were not some sort of small separatist group. What happened was that legitimate government of the Kingdom of Yishelem severed ties with the Luthori Empire and restructured itself as a republic. Therefore, whether or not Luthori recognizes this government as independent from them, they must realize it was the working government of the areas in question, with no Luthori control over it. Therefore, since the conflict was between two separate governments, it was, in fact, a war.

But we move away from those technicalities. Your conditions are mostly sensible and very generous, but even so we must make some amendments to them, with the reasons for each amendment given on the respective condition. If there is no amendment, the condition will be written as you had it originally. The article the Beiteynuese delegation believes is most important shall be italicized.

- The official name of the current areas of Yishelem and the Beiteynuese Republic shall be "the Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu", in which Yishelem refers to the state of Endild, and Beiteynu refers to the remaining other states. Otherwise, its territory shall be the same as what is was before the war. (Reason for amendment: the Kingdom of Yishelem would not be acceptable to the people of the nation, and the Beiteynuese Republic would not be acceptable to the Luthori Empire. Therefore, we propose this compromise, or some similar form.)
-The Luthori Empire shall not intervene in the policies of the Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu outside of what is explicitly permitted here, meaning that the Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu will mostly self-rule.
-Luthorian corporations shall not be subject to nationalization by the Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu.
-The Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu shall be free to choose its own religion as long as the freedom of worship of Lutherans is respected.
-The inhabitants of the Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu will be able to implement the government they want in order to take into account the Jewish culture of Yishelem & Beiteynu, as long as William of Rothingren and all His legal descendants, or whoever is deemed to be the rightful Emperor of Luthori, shall be Kings of Yishelem & Beiteynu and the de jure heads of state of Yishelem & Beiteynu. The King shall be represented in the Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu by a government official officially known as the "Governor-General and Executor of Head of State of the Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu, Official Representative of HRH King William of Luthori". The governor-general shall act as head of state for King William except in whatever matters in which the King deems to be of importance enough that he shall execute his powers as de jure Head of State of the Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu. The head of government of the Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu, whose title may be changed, will be "Prime Minister and Chair of the Parliament of the Commonwealth". The governor-general and prime minister shall both be elected by the citizens of the Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu, although the King may dismiss these election results and appoint someone to these positions if it is clear one or both of the people elected to the positions advocate, teach, encourage, have attempted, or can reasonably be expected to attempt the overthrow of the King as head of state. (Reason for amendment: The article proposed by the Luthori delegation was not specific enough in the establishment of the sort of viceroy relationship we had agreed upon.)
-The inhabitants of the Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu shall pay no tax to the Luthori Empire.
-The Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu and the Holy Luthori Empire will sign a mutual defense treaty, the Holy Imperial Military shall protect the Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu from all threats. The Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu will be allowed its own military, but orders from the King will supersede those of all others. (Reason for amendment: We need a military in case of unexpected invasion, to respond quickly to natural disasters, etc.)
-The Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu may not enter a war of aggression without the consent of its King.
-For legal purposes, the Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu shall be considered a commonwealth of the Holy Luthori Empire, although this implies no additional power given to Luthori outside of what is explicitly permitted here. (Reason for amendment: "Colony" implies Luthori owns Yishelem, while "commonwealth" has the better implication of togetherness, making Yishelem feel more connected to Luthori.)
-The Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu may not withdraw from this agreement as long as any and/or all political parties currently in existence there exist; doing so will be considered a declaration of war against Luthori. (Reason for amendment: It's an OOC reason: so players who come after us, who do not know the history, will not unintentionally cause war.)
-In addition to the new treaty which these negotiations will create, the Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu shall enter the Commonwealth of Nations Alliance, and shall not withdraw from it as long as any and/or all political parties currently in existence there exist. (Reason for amendment: Same as above.)
-In recognition of the damages inflicted on the Yishelem & Beiteynu economy during the rebellion, the Luthori Empire shall transfer a sum of £ 5bn to the treasury of the Commonwealth of Yishelem & Beiteynu, in order to rebuild the country.
-The Emperor and Luthorian government shall use their influence to strongly encourage Luthori corporations to invest in Yishelem & Beiteynu, which shall jump start the agonizing economy. However, whether or not these corporations shall stay in Yishelem & Beiteynu shall be determined by the Commonwealth's attitude towards them (a free market economy will make them stay, a planned economy will make them leave).
-Luthori shall be allowed military bases in Yishelem & Beiteynu, to assure the protection of the King's interest.

We would also like to add another, completely new amendment:
- Whatever is agreed upon by the delegates here at the conference will not become official, legal, and binding in either nation until it is passed unanimously in the respective legislatures of both nations." *

OOC: My commonwealth system is pretty much based on the real-life British Commonwealth. The governor-general will be listed as head of state in the head of state space on the nation profile.
* I am willing to settle for a 3/4 majority.

[Duke Matthus]

OOC: Sorry to butt in, but I would suggest for the titles, you use some "geographic" titles. Such as Bailiff or Constable. Viceroy and Governor-General are good, but they do not keep somewhat of the culture in the title. Yet that is minor details.

[Bismarkey7]

OOC: It is not so much the titles themselves that matter, it is the system. I don't care if it's governor-general or bailiff so long as that official represents King William as head of state.

[Xanathos]

Luthorian Delegation:

"We are very glad that the Beiteynese delegation accepts the majority of our proposals, we will now address their desired changes, as well as any additional proposals we have.

-We agree with the changes proposed conerning the government structure of the proposal.
-We agree to the renaming of the country to the Commonwealth of Yishelem and Beiteynu.
-We completely agree with the Commonwealth's right to maintain an armed force. We also propose that Luthori dedicate another £ 2bn to rebuilding and training the Commonwealth military, although we would rather the Commonwealth relinquish the right to develope nuclear weapons, as the Empire's atomic arsenal will be more than sufficient to serve as a disuasive force.
-We would much rather the sections about withdrawing from this treaty be extended as long as Terra lasts, seeing that a complete change in parties is unlikely but very possible.
-We would much rather the conditions for the application of this treaty be reduced to 2/3 of the legislature, as is the norm with most treaties, since, especially in nations with large parliaments such as Luthori and the future Commonwealth, it is very easy for one small, rogue party to vote "no" and derail the whole process. Luthori could be willing to settle with 3/4, but we would much rather have 2/3."

[Bismarkey7]

Beiteynuese Delegation:

"Let us address your concerns, you will respond, and hopefully then we will write up the final draft of agreements and get them through our respective legislatures.

- Thank you for agreeing on the changes proposed concerning the government's structure.
- Thank you for agreeing to rename the country the Commonwealth of Yishelem and Beiteynu.
- We accept and appreciate the £ 2bn to rebuild the military. We agree not to develop nuclear weapons so long as we can store and use (if necessary) the ones in our possession, with the authorization of the Emperor, of course. And just to clarify, does that also apply to chemical and biological weapons? If so, we would agree to something similar as with the nuclear weapons. If not, our current policies regarding chemical and biological weapons will stay as they are.
- I understand your hesitance. If we extend this to Luthorian parties currently in existence as well, would that make you more willing to agree to it? Perhaps if we applied it to specific parties? If you better explain your argument, I may be willing to drop this.
- As you point out, yes, 2/3 is the norm. In Beiteynu, we could probably pass it unanimously, or 499/500. If you do not think Luthori could currently pass the bill by 3/4, we will agree on 2/3. Otherwise, we would request 3/4. This is a very important and very historic agreement, after all."

[Xanathos]

Luthorian delegations:

"We are glad to see the negotiations moving rapidly onwards:

-Concerning the use of weapons of mass destruction of all kinds. We suggest that the WMDs in Beiteynu be stored in silos and only the legitimate King and Emperor be given the access codes. Furthermore, we suggest that the silos be deep underground and protected by a joint Luthorian adn Commonwealth force funded by both the Imperial ODS and a similar Beiteynese security department. That way, the Commonwealth can use nuclear deterents effectively and quickly if it deems it necessary. Furthermore, it shall be the Commonwealth's responsibility to update the nuclear arsenal for it to be on par with Luthori's arsenal. For practicality and accounting reasons, we suggest that the number of nuclear missiles stockpiled in silos in the Commonwealth be set at 75, with 50 low yield, 20 medium yield and 5 high yield, following the definitions of the Luthori Imperial Strategic Operations Section.
-We would like to further elaborate two minor points. Firstly, to confirm that the term "war of aggression" - something the Commonwealth is prohibited from doing without the agreement of its King - includes all military operations not carried out in direct responce to a direct attack on the Commonwealth. Thus, the only military action not requring the consent of the King would be a responce to an attack on Commonwealth soil or Commonwealth government property. Secondly, we would like to confirm that this treaty the Empire and Commonwealth will sign supercedes all other treaties the two countries have signed all treaties the two countries could sign in the future, especially in the area of mutual defense, although this is applicable everywhere.
-We worry about the possibility that in the future, radical parties may seek to destroy what we have worked so hard to achieve and will try to do so when only the memory of the CIL and BNR lives on. If they succeed, it will once again throw our nations into war, and the sacrifice of all those who gave their lives for peace and peacefull cohabitation in the last war will be in vain. This is preventable if we agree to make this treaty last eternaly, if we assure eternal peace, friendship and alliance between the Commonwealth and the Empire.
-We are currently consulting with the largest opposition party in Luthori and have yet to hear from them. We would prefer to come to a decision once we have heard their views on this."

[Bismarkey7]

Beiteynuese Delegation:

"Quite right on our progression. On your points:

- We agree on the WMDs.
- We assumed as much. No objections; we agree.
- Your argument is convincing. We agree if the following is true: both of our nations would be prohibited from withdrawing.
- Take the time you need. That is the last step and not the most important one of the process."

[Xanathos]

Luthorian delegation:

"A few last points:

-We have received a positive responce from the main opposition party, they will support the treaty. As a failsafe, we suggest making the ratification number 3/4 of parliament.
-We agree that both nations should be forbidden from withrawing. However, we propose to include a last resort. If there is one day a terrbile disaster, plague affliction or similar devilspawn that afflicts Terra, our two countries might find it necessary to separate themselves in those drastic times. However, withdrawl from the treaty would require unanimous support from both the Imperial and Commonwealth parliaments as well as support from the legitimate King-Emperor. We do not expect this will ever happen and certainly do not wish it. However, no man can know the future and it is best to have such an option that will not be abused, seeing how very difficult it would be to withdraw.
-If the Commonwealth delegation agrees with these last points, can they please signal it. If we receive a positive reply, we will begin drafting the treaty immediately thereafter."

[Emunim]

"While we would agree with almost all of the proposals worked out so far, we do not believe we could support any proposal that seek to have this treaty last eternally, through a complex withdrawal system that hinders the self-determination of both Beiteynuese and Luthori citizens. It is not our place to make our descendants decisions for them, and we can take no part in doing so. Indeed, we feel that attempting to take away such rights will only make a future conflict more likely, and succeed in creating, rather than disrupting, radicalism.

We would propose as an alternative to this that either this treaty is given a certain time limit after which it must be renewed or renegotiated by both nations; or the withdrawal conditions are reduced to a 2/3rds majority of both nations legislative."

-Kahina Group