50th General Assembly Session

[Pragma]

Tarabai Ghadhaabi, Vascanian representative to the World Congress

Vascania has a history of holding free and fair elections, a history longer and more evident than almost any other nation. It is confusing why anyone would question our ability to hold a fair vote.

[Drax]

Foreign Minister Salman Duqaq, Jumhuriat al-Badara

Conceding that the Vascanian Empire might well have a longer record of free and fair elections than Jumhuriat al-Badara in no way means that the Vascanian Empire is not an interested party in the outcome which of course it is. Or are we wrong?

[Drax]

Foreign Minister Salman Duqaq, Jumhuriat al-Badara

We are quite aware we are not in a position to speak for any other nation, but would note that even a plebiscite conducted by an interested party without meaningful oversight would be preferable to annexation without any plebiscite at all. If the Vascanian Empire is offering to do that much we would certainly treat it as a positive development.

[jamescfm]

Ms. Fodor Blanka*, Representative to the World Congress of the Deltarian Federation:

Deltaria shares many of the concerns of our Badaran friends. Not only that but we fear that Vascania may be preparing to launch a rigged plebiscite in order to provide the appearance of consent to their unlawful and immoral occupation of the territory of Rapa Pile. In an ordinary democratic vote, the government does not typically begin preparing for their favoured outcome before a ballot has even been cast. At this point Deltaria would like to reiterate that we consider any attempt to incorporate Rapa Pile against the will of the country's population in the same manner as the invasion of a sovereign country.

*Note that the family name is placed first in this name.

[Polites]

Senatrix Maria Cassia Aquilina, Envoy of the Selucian Senate to the World Congress:

Selucia too is concerned that, even if a plebiscite is conducted, it might be biased towards the interests of the Vascanian Empire. As far as we're concerned, sovereignty does not, properly speaking, belong to states, it belongs to peoples. If any people's right to self-determination is infringed, it is the duty of this body to protect the injured party. The full incorporation of the Pilese people into the Vascanian Empire without their clear and unambiguous consent would constitute an infringement of their rights as grave as any violation of sovereignty, indeed, as the honored Deltarian representative phrased it, as grave as the invasion of a sovereign country. As Selucia is a model democracy, and perhaps, since our most recent constitutional reform, the most democratic nation on Terra, we could be considered a reliable election monitor to supervise this plebiscite. Selucia has a history of unbiased and neutral election monitoring, if the honored representatives of Vascania and Rapa Pile agree, we would be more than glad to oversee a plebiscite.

[Pragma]

Tarabai Ghadhaabi, Vascanian representative to the World Congress

Vascania has no history of fudging election or referenda results. It is deeply insulting for nations to accuse us of being untrustworthy in conducting a vote. We have extensively sought the help and cooperation of native people from Rapa Pile, considering that this matter concerns only the Pilese people and the Vascanian people. The referendum will be held in June, and we expect the international community to respect the result.

[Drax]

Foreign Minister Salman Duqaq, Jumhuriat al-Badara

The Representative of the Vascanian Empire is well aware of why its maneuver will not be accepted and how it will be viewed. There is no need for feeling insulted; however, if the Vascanian Empire chooses to be insulted that is of course its decision.

Since this course of action will lead to no good we will make two further suggestions as questions.

1) Is the Vascanian Empire willing to demonstrate its honesty and efficiency in conducting fair elections by permitting neutral observers from the World Congress approved for their neutrality by both the Vascanian Empire and the World Congress?

2) Is the Vascanian Empire instead willing to forego organizing a plebiscite and instead having the government in Rapa Pile conduct a plebiscite at World Congress expense should it desire to do so.

Either of these measures would lend legitimacy to a vote and help the World Congress in its quest for some inkling of the truth which has remained elusive to date.

[Pragma]

Tarabai Ghadhaabi, Vascanian representative to the World Congress

The Vascanian Empire rejects all proposals that seek to make an internal matter a plaything for foreign powers. A neutral and fair referendum has been held and it is incumbent upon the sceptical members of this body to come up with any proof that it was not ran fairly.

We would like to note also that Deltaria has threatened war because an eastern nation has dared to make a decision without their say-so. The racism, the hypocrisy, the arrogance - I'm sure every member of this body will come together to condemn Deltaria's terroristic threats regardless of their opinions of the referendum.

[DueWizard70]

Dr Nyima Samal
World Congress Delegate for Utembo

Utembo had its reserves regarding the situation in Rapa Pile, but after seeing the results of the referendum that was held, we ask our fellow delegates to accept the result. It is clearly what the people of Rapa Pile want.

[jamescfm]

Ms. Shani el-Salam, President of the Deltarian Federation:

Distinguished colleagues,

I have chosen to travel to this illustrious institution personally to make clear the Deltarian position on the current situation in Rapa Pile. In the past few weeks it has become abundantly clear that Vascania intends to push ahead with an illegal incorporation of the territory of Rapa Pile into their empire. As long as I am the President of Deltaria, we will absolutely not allow this to happen. No country of any size has the right to unilaterally enforce their will on their neighbours and it is truly pathetic that countries like Endralon and Utembo would cower in the face of the most obvious foreign aggression by any country in many years.

The reports from Rapa Pile surrounding the election are clear: this was not a free and fair vote. If it was then there would have been no resistance on the part of the Vascanian government to allowing international observers to oversee it. No student of history can deny that this has all the classic signs of a sham plebiscite designed to legitimise an unlawful seizure of power.

At this stage we have a singular message to the Vascanian government: don't do this. On behalf of the peace-loving nations of the world we urge Vascania not to jeopardise the fragile balance of power in the eastern hemisphere. If they do so then we will not hesitate to respond in the appropriate manner.

For the international community and the World Congress Security Council in particular, we bring a similar message. If another international injustice is perpetrated with no response from the nations of the world while the same countries were happy to bring condemnation on Dolgava or Hulstria and Gao-Soto for domestic matters, any remaining trust in this institution will be gone. Do not enable this imperial regime as they seek to expand their territory.