Pipeline Diplomacy

Roleplay Library Unsorted RP
,
1

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GLviZsLYY7A/TgFX28NW9jI/AAAAAAAAACI/hWkiVebfJKo/s640/PDBANNER.jpg
10 Parliament Avenue, John F. Locke Compound, Centreford

A special business dinner hosted by the Prime Minister’s Office, where top business leaders including oil executives, bankers, financial managers, consultants and entrepreneurs gathered together with politicians and government official to discuss about the Stromburg’s energy security and its economic interests in the Listonian Oilfield.

Minister for Commerce Walter Regan briefed about the pipeline project " Ladies and Gentleman, thank you for attending the 14th Annual Energy & Business Council Dinner. As you all had known, the media has created lot of suspense and uncertainty about the negotiation with the Listonia. Well today, we finally can unveil the details of our new energy deal. Now, first question you will ask is how much oil? Well, what lies under the Burdek soil is a vast reserves of untapped wealth, with estimates from 8 trillion barrels to 15 trillion barrels of crude oil. If the Listonia will to increase their oil production capacity to about 10,000 barrel per day, their nation wealth will increase by tenfolds in the next few years. But for last decades, the lacked of a customer with huge demand and past conflicts had slowed down the development of the oilfields. Fortunately, our atrocious energy consumption will helped them fulfilled that demand. According to the agreement, the both sides of the government shall provide a fair chances for domestic and foreign business to participate. Lastly, I also like to add that Stromburg is closing in on the agreement with the Listonians. In the next few days, Prime Minister Kenobi will make his first state visit to Listonia. It will be marked as a new era in bilateral relationship between the two countries. "

OOC: If you do not know the detail of this RP, here is the https://forum.theeastpacific.com/invision-404 Also, it is Stromburg not Stormburg.

2

Meanwhile in the Parliament in Lazlowgrad the Council of Ministers was having a session. The subject was the recent news about Stormburg’s plans to import oil from Listonia. The bad relations between Lazlowia and Listonia go back to the First Listonian Crisis in 2009. Lazlowia opposed the independence of Listonia for a long time, but finally conceded. Things deteriorated after the Second Listonian Crisis, when Vekiayu gave nuclear missiles to Listonia, in an open violation of the treaty establishing Listonia’s independence. Listonia expelled the ambassadors of Drakkengaard and Lazlowia, and ever since then the relations have been cool at best. Every time Listonia or Vekiayu (and lately Vulshain and South Yugoslavia) pop up in the news, the lazlowian government pays extra attention.

“-The dangers are obvious.”-said president Lazlow- “If Stormburg becomes dependent on listonian oil, they will be particularly in fox hands. If the inevitable conflict arises between the Fox Axis and us, Stormburg will side with Listonia instead of risking their only source of oil. We must act. Are there any alternatives? Can we make a counteroffer?”

“-We can’t.”- the Minister of Labor, Lengyel Ernõ, answered-“Even if we had enough oil, building a pipeline under the sea would be impractical, and Stormburg seems to be strangely obsessed with pipelines.”

“-What about Algaisia?”

“-The same. They are already exporting their surplus to us.”

“-They will have to build the line through one of the neighboring countries,”-interjected Radics Jázon, Minister of Foreign Affairs - “and their options are limited. Sevropia and Elephana will never allow the line to cross their borders. They can’t build under the Lake Whatevertheycallit. The only route lies through Rykkovaa. If they refuse, than the deal is off.”

“-Well, we can’t count on them. However, if a counteroffer from a more friendly country appears, the best thing we can do is to support it by any means necessary. And if all things fail, we have to consider more drastic measures.”

“- I propose, that the matter should be referred to the Secret Service.” - the Chairman of the Council, Lörcs Gábor, advised. The Council accepted the proposal.

3

Dear Mr. Kenobi, the Prime Minister of the Stromburg Republic.

You remember me, from an official Serenitech’s business trip a few months ago. We have discussed the future of the New Nabbers. I found our conversation to be fulfilling, and the deals we’ve made - just. I had said to you then, I hoped for our relations to be enduring and fruitful, and that I hoped for a future beneficial deals.

And that’s the reason I’m writing this to you. I’ve heard about you plans on building a pipeline, from Listonia. I understand your need for oil, however I must say that a pipeline like this wouldn’t benefit your country unfortunately. First let’s look at the situation:

Pipeline would have to go through the lake, north of it, or south of it. It can’t go through the lake, as Listonia doesn’t have a shore with it, and Elephana is very hostile to it. Sevropia still has issues with Listonia, regarding the Independence war, and their history. That only leaves the southern option - Rykkovaa.

However Lazlowia, as you may know, is also pretty hostile to the Listonia. Rykkovaa, being near it, may found itself under the threat of hostile Lazlowian sabotage, which would endanger it, and make Stromburg and Listonia lose a lot of money.

Plus, the political situation in Listonia isn’t the best one. A socialist state with an old, authoritarian leader, may soon found itself in a civil war, as it’s neighbour, Vekaiyu, is gathering more and more power and influence, because of removing their dictator. Potential civil war, would really endanger the safety of the pipeline.

Having said that, as a friend, I ask you to rethink Serenitech’s proposition, one more time. Our relations with Sevropia, are friendly, and we have many active trade deals, so building a pipeline through their territory, wouldn’t be much of a problem. An Oil from the Sevrian Desert would then get pumped through Sevropia, under the northern part of the lake, to the Serenity - Serenitech HQ District, through Chrzaska, and to Stromburg itself. The only real problem may be Chrzaska, however we still have a few dirty secrets of their activity during the Cauldron wars. If you would also threaten them a little we would have our pipeline in no time. Or play a good cop, and offer them help. Anyway, they shouldn’t be hard to persuade.
http://i.min.us/idjR5G.png
One of the problems we would take care of then, is also Lazlowia. They are a major player in the international business, even though of their communistic ideology. However, without Listonia being involved in the deal, they wouldn’t probably disturb us. More, they can maybe help us in someway, if your decisions do not help Listonia.

I hope for the brighter future in our trade relations.
With regards.
Mr. Sharpe, CEO of Serenitech

4

Several people are gathered around a table in a rundown building, somewhere in Ye’leli. They wear armbands with a blood red eye engulfed in fire on their arms.

“I’m telling you, we need to do something: we can’t let these mongrels get rich!”

“Yeah, I don’t even want those furballs from Rykkovaa to benefit either.”

“Maybe we should get some weapons and when they start building the pipeline…BAM! We start killing the workers!”

“That’s a good idea!”

“Yeah, let’s kill anyone who wants to help these SOBs prosper!”

5

The day after the Energy & Business Council Dinner, Prime Minister Kenobi met with this ministers in his office. An array of topics included the pipeline, Listonia and the Letter from Serenitech was discussed during the meeting.

National Security Advisor Harris Yuan commented on the letter," Mr.Kenobi, maybe we should reconsidered our pipelines plan? I agree with the letters by Mr.Sharpe. We should take their route to the Servian Desert which will reduce the unnecessary attention toward the energy deal. Beside, Vekaiyu does not like a wealthy and independent Listonia and it is no open secret that they intended to retook Listonia."

“Reconsidered?”, Minister for Foreign Affairs Henry Lee who is a neoconservative on foreign policy, voiced out his objection. “I beg to differ. A change in the plans will put a dent on our credibility, Mr Kenobi. Seriously, I gladly appreciated Mr Sharpe’s goodwill but our deals with Listonia should not be deferred. Think about it, once the oil money stabilised the nation’s economy, Vekaiyu will think twice to lay a finger on Listonia. Its strategic benefits outweigh the political risks. As for Serenitech, there is alway room for an extension. But the plan must goes on.”

As always, both strong-headed men embroiled themselves in a fierce debate hoping to outspoke each other. Director of National Intelligence Ted Hu interrupted the debate, “Calm down both of you. Mr.Kenobi, I suggest we make any changes after the state visit to Listonia. Let see what they say then we decided on our next step.”

Prime Minister Kenobi replied, " I believed that a compromise between Harris and Henry. So fine, we will see how it work out after the visit."

6

Ye’leli, during rush hour…

The terrorists began to move into position. “Alright. Everyone get set up? Echo 2, you got the TNT ready?”

“Echo 2 here. Yeah, I got the dynamite prepped and set to blow stuff up.”

“Echo 4, you and Echo 3 and Echo 7 ready in sniper position?”

“We’re ready.”

“Echos 5 and 6, you two ready to start emptying clips?” There was no answer. “Echos 5 and 6? Do you copy?”

Still no answer.

“Maybe they got caught,” Echo 4 said.

“Shut up. They’re probably just late.” The minutes ticked by. Sweat ran down Echo leader’s brow.

“Damn. Where are they?” Echo leader gritted his teeth as he began to ask the same question that Echo 7 had just asked.

“We got to move now, or we’re going to miss our chance,” Echo 2 said.

“Give them some more time,” Echo 4 suggested.

“ECHO TEAM! ECHO TEAM!” It was Echo 6.

“Who is ‘Echo team,’” another voice said over the commlink. It didn’t belong to either Echo 6 or Echo 5.

“WE GOT CAUGHT!”

“What…what the hell! GET OUT OF THE VAN! NOW!”

Gunshots were heard over the commlink. “Quick! Put all units on high alert and contact riot police now!” The voice belonged the police office who had probably killed both Echos 5 and 6. “Shit. The cops must have caught them. What to do? What to do?” Echo leader’s sweat had now drenched his shirt’s collar. He yelled into the commlink. “DO IT! NOW!”

“Fire in the hole!” Echo 2 threw the lite dynamite into the middle of a traffic jam, right next to a tanker. A fireball engulfed the area. Echo 2 had to duck back into his hiding place as the heat was unbearable.

“Damn! Echo 2, you could have thrown it somewhere else! I can feel the heat from over here,” Echo 4 said.

“Cut the chatter, and stay causing some havoc!” Echo leader popped up from his hiding place from behide the curtain inside a rundown apartment building and started firing into the crowds below. Police cars could be heard getting closer. “Echos 4, 7, and 3! Be ready to snipe! We got company! Echo 2, time for some more fires in the hole!”

“Roger! Fire in the hole! Yeehaw!” Echo 2 threw a cocktail bomb at a police cruiser, causing fire to engulf it. He tossed a grenade at riot police van, which threw it into the air.

The downtown area of Listonia’s capital was about to become a warzone.

“Echo 2! Get out of there! Riot cops!” It was Spotter.

“Where? I don’t see them.”

“GET OUT OF THERE!”

“Where---- SHIT!” Echo 2 turned around to see several vulpines wearing riot gear coming from up on him fast. “Down with the mongrels! Down with the mongrels!” Echo 2 pulled out a uzi and an automatic gun and opened fire. “Snipers! Give him some support!”

7

“That’s… surprising.” Said Sharpe to the mobile he was holding. He was lately busy with the preparations regarding his plan regarding Smigsachenweiz, so he didn’t follow the international events. Well, not well enough it seems. He didn’t realize that, until CIO Olsen pointed it out.
“How could have I not seen it. We sent the message to the Stromburg. It wasn’t exactly the most secretive one. It wasn’t public, but Listonia, as an interested side, could with no trouble intercept it, and learn our plan. That was, to tell the truth, what I was hoping for.” He said. “And if they didn’t Stromburg would definitely inform them - even if not on purpose. I mean, this deal is a huge thing. Especially for Listonia. Half of the Stromburgian parliament is probably on Listonian payroll, or was offered the money in exchange for the information.”

“Yet they didn’t make a move, I know sir” replied Olsen on the phone. “Evesuni is hot-tempered, he would definitely do something. It’s not like him to just sit and do nothing, when this possibility of getting his nation out of a crapper, is slipping away. Either Listonian Special Service is getting sloppy - which I doubt - or something happened”

“Couldn’t he be just planning something?” asked Sharpe, even though he knew the answer.

“It would be unexpected. Really unexpected. I mean, this is the guy who killed enough people to get a handshake from the devil, to get to power, and now leads one of the poorest countries in the world. Plans aren’t really his strong side. Something must have happened.”

“But I thought we had a few of them Listonians in their government on our payroll?”

“And that’s the strangest thing! Neither one of that three knows anything! Even Tillo Veniauni. That guy is particularly one of his closest friends. He responds to the code correctly, so it must still be him, but he says that nothing worth of informing happened!”

“He knows nothing?”

“I asked him to ask around a little, and learn more. I fear he might get compromised, but I feel it will be worth it. Yes, loosing him will probably mean the end of our look into Listonian internal quirks, especially since the other two haven’t seen Evesuni in person in a long time, cause of their insignificance in the Listonian government, but we have to take that ris-”

“Mister Sharpe, the Smigsachwian Prime Minister is waiting for you in the lobby” said the secretary with a sweet voice. Sharpe didn’t care for the look of his workers - well, except for the PR guys - but for the abilities. However Janet got her job also thanks to her voice. As Sharpe said ‘She could give you a news about you having cancer in such a tone, you would be grateful’.

“Thanks, Janet, tell him I’ll meet him in a second. Now…” he said to the phone. “You do what you have to do, Olsen.” Said Sharpe as he ended the call. Then he straightened his tie, and left his office.