OOC: Long long joint post with Asendavia, King Rico and Xagrug
A short and sleek train whizzes though the countryside at high speed with the foreign diplomats aboard heading for the West Cerdani border, known as the Anti-Fascist Protective Wall.
“Nice speech you gave there at the auditorium, though a bit naive on the nuclear weapons and slightly disappointed on your neutral stance on the war,” says GXE Foreign Minister John Smith.
“I’d much rather we all live in peace, war is a terrible thing” replied Erich Honecker
“Unfortunately war is a part of human nature. The reason why the GXE has nuclear weapons in the first place is to act as a deterrent against war. Clearly that has failed but somehow my nation or its neighbors haven’t used their stockpiles yet for some odd reason.”
Overhearing the conversation, Jostein Onsager, one of the Asendavian envoys, decided to join in. “I’ll give you the reason, Mutually Assured Destruction. You should know this. Should one nation use its nukes, more nations will start using them until the world can no longer support life.”
“Well, that’s why my nation and government has tons of fallout shelters and contingency plans for that situation.” says John Smith
“Gentleman let’s talk peace I don’t believe this is the time to flex nuclear capabilities” says the King.
“Should nukes somehow come into use, I’m sure that Vekaiyu, Pax-Draconica, South Hills, and the Veridian Union would notice. If your nation launched the first nuke, you would be in some deep shit.”
“Random fact; I had a dream where Asendavia launched a nuclear strike against the GXE and everything hit the fan back in July.”
“Unless the Kaiser was a complete buffoon, which he’s not, I see no possibility for that to happen, unless the GXE was the first one to launch nukes, of course. Anyway, your dream was so interesting to hear about.”
“Gentlemen I understand this may be a hot topic but this debate will solve nothing” Erich interjected in.
There was an awkward silence for a few seconds before John Smith spoke
“Well then, has West Cerdani made any skirmishes as of late with East Cerdani?,” asks John Smith.
“Thankfully not, we are in a cold peace with them at the present time” Erich answers
“Well that’s good to hear, it would be terrible if war broke out,” Jostein’s companion, Karsten Kjos, replied.
“I assume your massive military is what’s deterring the West Cerdanis from invading?,” asks John Smith.
“Yes our military is probably the biggest deterrent… But they know that even if they overtook us the people would rise up” Erich replied back
The King’s assistant takes notes and pictures, " Do you think the GC may also play a big role In the future between you and West Cerdani in terms of making a full blown peace " he says
As the assistant says this the train then enters into a tunnel and the lights turn on inside the car
“I think the GC could assist us, we want to maintain peaceful relations with them… maybe even unify together one day.” Erich answered
“It would be wonderful if the two Cerdani’s could once again be united. Although, that doesn’t seem likely, anytime soon, at least,” Karsten commented.
“What would it take for West Cerdani to accept at least an embassy do you think,” asks John Smith to everyone.
" That would be ultimate goal, but I believe just getting talks going would be great. Both of which will be able to do at the GC assembly in Early October" the king says
“Well, West Cerdani is interested in wealth so maybe increasing East Cerdani’s economic output and industrial capability would tell them the West Cerdanis East Cerdani is also a respectable nation and maybe they’ll open up trade talks,” says John Smith.
“I doubt that just increasing the economic output and industrial capacity would want them to open up trade talks. It would take the GC to have the two Cerdani’s talk,” Jostein said.
“As it stands our economy right now is working, we may experiment in the future but I believe the GC will pave the way to peace and socialism in Cerdani” Erich said
“Money has its persuasive powers,” says John Smith.
“That is true I believe we made key steps when both Cerdanis joined the organization, we work hard to get the East Cerdani a full member. The West Cerdani are rather fine with this which means that to a degree peace is working now we have to get them talking” he says to the men
The train then exits the tunnel and opens up into rolling farmlands with many crops growing in the fields
Karsten looked at the scenery as the train exited the tunnel. “It’s quite beautiful out here.”
“Ah yes we’re going through the farmlands now, It shouldn’t be too long before we arrive at the border” Erich said as he checked his watch
“I see the East Cerdani countryside is as beautiful as well,” compliments John Smith.
The rest of the train ride remained relatively quiet.
[hr]
The train eventually arrived at the small station on the border and group disembarked before hopping into a convoy of cars and driving to the border. The group then arrives at a small section of the wall that has a watchtower, office and a musuem. The wall is around 6m tall and has barbed wire along the first inner wall and a smoothed pipe running along the outer second wall. After everyone arrives the group then enters the watchtower and is overlooking the border.
“Welcome to the border wall gentlemen.” Erich said to the group "If you look over the other side you may see some West Cerdan soldiers"Sent on:10:18 am From a watch tower on the other side of the border a group of West Cerdan soldiers were watching the group inside the watchtower.
“Well I be damned” the king replies as he sees the massive dmz borders " Man we are going to have a really interesting Assembly this year" he chuckles
“Yeah, I bet you guys are,” Karsten commented.
“You should’ve seen the old Xagrurg-Ethalrian Fort Line back in the day,” jokingly said by John Smith.
“So, how secure is the DMZ?” asks John Smith
“The wall is very secure, we have guard towers spread out across the border and daily patrols along the wall.” Erich answered
" I believe setting up a Meeting room in center of DMZ that would be on both sides of the border would help with talks between you guys" The assistant says
“Try getting West Cerdani to agree to that, they won’t allow so much as a fly to cross the border” Erich commented
“A meeting room would help. Have ever heard of the foreign policy called détente?”
“We’ve tried detente, they refuse to listen however.” Erich replied “They ignore all requests from us and block all communication attempts”
" As a member they may not have much of a option" The assistant replies
“With that attitude, I’m surprised they can do business deals with other nations,” comments John Smith.
“I agree. This behavior is quite undiplomatic, to say the least,” Jostein responded.
" There are things discussed previously with the West" he replies
“Maybe we all should visit West Cerdani next,” says John Smith.
Karsten laughed. “How about you try that by yourself?”
“They only care about themselves It seems, they will even sever relations if a nation recognizes us”
Queen Mariyan V looked at the assistant with a stare " I believe what was meant to be said is that we will have some diplomatic issues to discuss with both sides to find a common ground "
A soldier from the National People’s Army then enters the into the watchtower signalling that it is time for the group to move down to the museum.
Erich then leads the group down towards the museum, “This is the museum, it will answer quite a few questions you may have about the wall, or as we like to call it, the anti fascist protective wall.”
John Smith, coughs, asking Erich, “Why is it named the anti-fascist protective wall?”
“It is named that because we have walled off West Cerdani’s fascist espionage centres, their revanchist radio stations, their fascist soldiers associations, their youth poisoners, and their currency racketeers.” Erich replies
“Clearly, West Cerdani’s version of fascism is very different from the GXE’s version. Also, is East Cerdani involved in any international affairs as of late aside from this?”
“We don’t officially consider them fascist anymore but the sentiment is still there” Erich answered. “And also we’ve been trying to expand our international relations with many nations as of late.”
“We still believe in peaceful co-existence of states of differing ideological, social and economic models however, but they refuse to listen.” Erich added on
“Probably should rename your wall to something less offensive to fascist nations,” comments John Smith.
“No, I suggest keeping it. Just because a few people are offended doesn’t mean that you should change its name,” Jostein said.
“It displays an obvious bias against a certain ideology and can potentially hurt foreign relations,” John Smith says.
“So? One should not be offended by the name of a piece of architecture. It is simply a wall, and the name is of historical significance.”
“I have to agree with Mr Jostein here” Erich says
“A name like the West-East Cerdani Wall would work you know,” says John Smith.
“We are keeping the name…” Erich then paused before smiling “How about we all look around the museum, I’m sure you will all learn something about the anti fascist protective wall”
The group then toured around the museum for a while before being called outside and hopping back in their cars and departing for the collective farm nearby.
[hr]
After a brief drive through the countryside they arrived at the farm and the diplomats were greeted by the farm managers
“Good afternoon sir,” greets John Smith.
“Howdy, and welcome to our farm.” The farmer said before taking off his gloves and offering his hand our for a handshake
John Smith accepted his handshake “So, how’s business on the farm?,” John Smith asks the farm manager.
While this was happening Erich Honecker stood off to the side of the group and was talking with a government official
“Well that depends on what ya’ mean by business” the farmer answers
“When I mean ‘business’, I mean how are the crops doing,” clarifies John Smith.
“Ah I getcha, yeah they are doing good this year, we’re gonna fulfill our quota at least.” The farmer replied
“I have a question, if you’re unable to reach your quota due to poor farming conditions, what will happen to you and everyone else on the farm?”
“Well I’ve never had it happen to me but basically you’ll have to explain why you failed to reach the quotas to the planners, nothin’ happens to us or the farm though. If anything the planners’ will allocate us some more fertiliser to help”
“Well, at least you won’t disappear or end up in a labor camp unlike in some countries which is good,” says John Smith.
“That sounds awful, I’m glad we got a government that cares.” the Farmers says back
“Yeah you all are welcome to come for a look around, if nobody else has any questions?”
The group remained silent and so the farmer began a tour of the farm.
The diplomats got to observe how they use modern harvesting techniques and they described how they elected a farm manager and how they liaise with the government planners to plan their economy.
After the tour was over the group drove off and spent the night at a small hotel that had been set aside for the diplomats.