Pushing a Pebble Down a Hill

[Nentsia]

Gaiseric Dubius was rather satisfied with the effect that his interruption had. He had drawn a clear red line for the Mordvanians and Severyanians, signalling to everyone in the room that he wouldn't allow this conference to be hijacked by the humanitarian rhetoric that was so often employed against the Nerysian government and its allies.

On a deeper level, Dubius agreed with the Mordvanian delegate that this spat should not derail the entire conference however, and de-escalation was now necessary. The Nerysian delegation was not looking for a fight or wishing to re-open old wounds. But he couldn't fully agree to the Mordvanians either. The tone of their reply was arrogant and insulting.

''Mr. Zahovek, I can assure you, there is no policy change on our part. But you have to respect that we must respond when loaded words are uttered in this room like 'genocide'. It is a very serious accusation. The Nerysian government does not support genocide. I think a dialogue is indeed necessary.''

Dubius then struck a harsh tone. ''Forgive me, Mr. Zahovek, but I can't help but notice a very distrusting attitude in your words. You speak of possibilities for security cooperation, and at the same time you warn that it should not be abused by -police states- to persecute imaginary crimes... Are you accusing anyone in this room of being a police state or having a history of persecuting imaginary crimes? I would like to remind you that Mordvania is not the only country in Brigidna with a constitution and laws. We respect your laws, but you also have to respect ours.''