Eternity RPC Board
The Deputy Foreign Minister blinked, twice, as she lent her ears to the Goldecian envoys words. She had always been aware of the difficulty of dealing with Adwest's regional neighbors, as most of her colleagues in the foreign service did. This kind of perspective drew itself from two sources; first were the inherent constraints to policy flexibility. The National Rejuvenation was a load of work for the nation's diplomats, as it squarely focused Adwest on the goal of territorial reunification. The avoidance of war over the last thirty years was great relief for many, although they knew that at any time even today it was possible.
The second source of the perspective held by Blancbaston and her colleagues were the nature of surrounding states. Liberal democracy and all of its tentacles was not exactly compatible with the Adwestene idea of empire, much less so its highly undemocratic politics. Without a very pronounced bias to either, however, the nation's diplomats also found the former's idealistic approach to international relations as somewhat of an annoyance. The prevailing theoretical school in Adwestene foreign affairs had always been realism, although the public pronouncements of many of its most prominent leaders in recent times seemed to counteract this.
As Owens concluded, Blancbaston took the cue and responded, careful to avoid overtly criticizing the Goldecian's apparent indignant stand regarding reform in Kolhar.
"As it is your government's stance to abide by those values you mentioned, one can also surmise that it is the stance of the South Kolhar government to deal with their affairs according to their own values - ones which differentiate from Goldecia. Nonetheless, despite varying opinions, I believe that neither of us are in our positions to resolve fully the question of the universality of certain values. And I hope you are with me on this, Ambassador Owens."
Blancbaston allowed some time for the ambassador to make a response, before continuing.
"What matters more is ensuring that there is peace for our time. As you are aware, the Grand Kingdom has a security commitment to South Kolhar, and will defend it against an attack from Goldecia or any other power. Make no mistake that we will follow through with this commitment no matter what. With this stated, I would like to know if Goldecia has any intention to attack South Kolhar, or perhaps truly considers it a viable option."
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Charles nodded slowly as the Davyl Jaw spoke, one hand on his chin. Despite a lack of orders from the Lord Protector, he knew well enough that the Queen herself was possessed of a distaste for war, unless it was absolutely unavoidable. The Duke of Maleroy himself stood on the same side of the fence, as his family had more to lose than gain from a widespread armed conflict. His house held the Grand Kingdom's monopoly on the logistics and shipping industry, and an interruption of normal economic life in favor of war would be disastrous for the business. He had no idea why some high nobles were the opposite.
"This is a troublesome quagmire you find yourself in, Mr. Kurn, isn't it?" came from the Foreign Minister, more a statement of fact rather than a question for affirmation.
"I appreciate your commitment to immediately inform us of the next steps your government will be taking. Whatever it may be, they will be crucial not merely in the coming days for your country, but in the coming weeks for the entirety of Kvaenna."
A pause came. The Foreign Minister leaned back on his chair, thoughts cycling through his mind. The choice of what way to back was not an easy one, as neither possessed the qualifications he envisioned; quick and silent.
"I would like to go through both options in detail, if you will. Are you aware of what conditions the protesters would demand of your government, or at the very least an idea of it? And if so, what would the implications of these consequences be to your government?"
"Regarding the second, I agree that the immediate deployment of force will something that might be regrettable.....but it is not an option that should be thrown out the window. Why not take the main instigators of these protests out? And let it dissipate like mist in broad daylight."
The second source of the perspective held by Blancbaston and her colleagues were the nature of surrounding states. Liberal democracy and all of its tentacles was not exactly compatible with the Adwestene idea of empire, much less so its highly undemocratic politics. Without a very pronounced bias to either, however, the nation's diplomats also found the former's idealistic approach to international relations as somewhat of an annoyance. The prevailing theoretical school in Adwestene foreign affairs had always been realism, although the public pronouncements of many of its most prominent leaders in recent times seemed to counteract this.
As Owens concluded, Blancbaston took the cue and responded, careful to avoid overtly criticizing the Goldecian's apparent indignant stand regarding reform in Kolhar.
"As it is your government's stance to abide by those values you mentioned, one can also surmise that it is the stance of the South Kolhar government to deal with their affairs according to their own values - ones which differentiate from Goldecia. Nonetheless, despite varying opinions, I believe that neither of us are in our positions to resolve fully the question of the universality of certain values. And I hope you are with me on this, Ambassador Owens."
Blancbaston allowed some time for the ambassador to make a response, before continuing.
"What matters more is ensuring that there is peace for our time. As you are aware, the Grand Kingdom has a security commitment to South Kolhar, and will defend it against an attack from Goldecia or any other power. Make no mistake that we will follow through with this commitment no matter what. With this stated, I would like to know if Goldecia has any intention to attack South Kolhar, or perhaps truly considers it a viable option."
-
Charles nodded slowly as the Davyl Jaw spoke, one hand on his chin. Despite a lack of orders from the Lord Protector, he knew well enough that the Queen herself was possessed of a distaste for war, unless it was absolutely unavoidable. The Duke of Maleroy himself stood on the same side of the fence, as his family had more to lose than gain from a widespread armed conflict. His house held the Grand Kingdom's monopoly on the logistics and shipping industry, and an interruption of normal economic life in favor of war would be disastrous for the business. He had no idea why some high nobles were the opposite.
"This is a troublesome quagmire you find yourself in, Mr. Kurn, isn't it?" came from the Foreign Minister, more a statement of fact rather than a question for affirmation.
"I appreciate your commitment to immediately inform us of the next steps your government will be taking. Whatever it may be, they will be crucial not merely in the coming days for your country, but in the coming weeks for the entirety of Kvaenna."
A pause came. The Foreign Minister leaned back on his chair, thoughts cycling through his mind. The choice of what way to back was not an easy one, as neither possessed the qualifications he envisioned; quick and silent.
"I would like to go through both options in detail, if you will. Are you aware of what conditions the protesters would demand of your government, or at the very least an idea of it? And if so, what would the implications of these consequences be to your government?"
"Regarding the second, I agree that the immediate deployment of force will something that might be regrettable.....but it is not an option that should be thrown out the window. Why not take the main instigators of these protests out? And let it dissipate like mist in broad daylight."