La Rochelle Diplomatic Conference
[hr]
The Oan Isles is inviting all member nations of the Auroran Continental Assembly for a Conference in the city of La Rochelle.
We were honoured to receive an invitation from Tuvaltastan to join the Auroran Continental Assembly (which can be found http://forum.theeastpacific.com/single/?p=10013435&t=7004598). We are greatly humbled by the honour. We could not, however, accept this invitation without carefully pondering the political, economic, social, ecological and other ramifications that accepting this invitation would precipitate. After an investigation of the internal workings of the Auroran Continental Assembly and of the countries that comprise it, we found several sticking points that may cause friction in the future. We have resolved to have a conference with the representatives of the ACA member states to better inform ourselves and subsequently negotiate ways around the barriers we identified.
We have noted the following areas of contention and graciously invite the other members of the ACA to clarify on our concerns, and correct us where the information we have collected is inaccurate, incomplete or misinterpreted, and to help us find ways over what we have seen. We believe that it is better to have a conference rather than individual negotiations to prevent conflicts of interest and incomplete procedures that may render our entry to the ACA void and frustrated.
Free Movement of Goods
The Oan Isles is a country that has limited agricultural land relative to the enormous population it has to feed. An external source of foodstuffs would be greatly appreciated to alleviate the strain our farmlands and infrastructure are under. Unfortunately our environment is extremely delicate and easily susceptible to destruction from alien plants and animals.
While it is a central tenet of the founding principles of the ACA, we cannot allow the import of crops or live animals or the potential diseases they may carry without further consultation. We would greatly appreciate the ability to control food imports. Would we be able to do so? Is an institutional structure in place to monitor food quality, safety and security within the ACA and if not may one be established?
Maize is a major food stuff. Dragonia for instance uses ethanol to fuel their cars. While this ethanol is NOT produced from maize, but from other plant materials such as grass or saw dust, we were afraid of the possibility of our farmers redirecting maize from domestic consumption for food to foreign consumption for fuel. We have a Treaty in place which restricts maize exports to Dragonia. This is a matter of food security. Would our treaty with Dragonia then be affected, by our entry into the ACA? Do other nations use fuels or products that may have the aforementioned effect? Would the members of the ACA be willing to compromise on this front?
The free movement of goods puts immense limits in place on the law enforcement capacity that is available to prevent narcotics and other illegal substances from entering the Oan Isles. What restrictions are available on that? Also if one substance or product is illegal in the Oan Isles, but legal in another country, can the Oan Isles restrict the import thereof?
In the Oan Isles civilians may not own or use projectile weapons such as guns (except in extraordinary circumstances). Does the free movement of goods restrict or permit these and if it permits them, may the Oan Isles place restrictions as it sees fit?
Alcoholic beverages, canabis and tobacco are products that the Oan Isles government has been trying to expunge for a long time. It has tried to restrict the consumption and import of these products. Will our right to do so be affected?
Free Travel of People
The Oan Isles is a nation that welcomes and, in fact, attributes its success and survival to cultural, ethnic, linguistic, religious and racial diversity. We are, however, wary of potential threats to our security and order. While one thing may be legal in another country, it may not be legal in the Oan Isles, in fact, it may even pose a risk to our national security. With that in mind, can the Oan Isles be allowed to deport potential threats or those people with criminal records or refuse them entry altogether?
Mutual Support in the Event of War
Our country is largely pacifist. We do not believe in war. Our large and technologically advanced armed forces serve a defensive and humanitarian role. We understand that war does occur and, while we pursue diplomatic means to end it, sometimes that is not always possible. In the event that a member nation is invaded without provocation, as stated in the founding principles of the ACA as a condition for such intervention, can we assist in other roles?
Axdel invests an enormous portion of its funding into the military particularly espionage and reconnaisance, and we suspect, by extension cyber espionage. Our nation’s electorate forms the legislature of our provinces. The debate, voting and proposal submission process is entirely digital as are vast processes such as record keeping and the control of essential infrastructure and public services. With that in mind, apart from the defensive measures we have in place, do we have some assurance that other nations, Axdel or otherwise will not threaten these vital processes?
Conclusion
We do not mean to impose, but we require these worries to be met. If these concerns are beyond the necessary criterion or are irreconcilable with the principles of the ACA that membership will require, May the Oan Isles then apply for special status within the Auroran Continental Assembly? This is indeed an honour to be invited, yet we must insure our interests are protected after all. Regardless of which, as in the spirit of our national motto “Continuez sans se soucier”, we will continue regardless in the pursuit of of strong relations with ALL members of the ACA, whatever the outcome of these discussions may be.
