The Puntalian Takeover

Roleplay Library
81

The speaker called the conference to halt as Barvata stood up.

"Esteemed members of this conference. It’s clear that there are parts of the treaty that has been seen as unfair. Whilst the conversation has been ensuing, my cabinet members and administrators to my left and right have been devising some changes,”

Barvata grasped a new copy and put it under a monitor. He pressed a sync button and all the holographic displays lit up with the new version, a projected image of the one in front of Barvata.

“I want to address section four of this treaty. I believe that it has been glossed over, and there has also been a minor edit. The fines for failure to comply has risen to five hundred million as a deterrent rather than one hundred million, but also section 4.1.5 states: ‘continual failure to comply or a disregard of this Act will result in military occupation from the Puntalian Cooperation Council and reevaluation of this Act’,” Barvata paused. “Moving on from the enforcement, you will see we’ve made several edits, red and striked text has been removed and green has been added. We here too believe that an independent investigation should be launched against Rufuina’s claims to a communist conspiracy, but such an action would take time to produce and therefore any mention of this should be done outside of this conference.”

“We believe that, as was pointed out by Olav, freedom of political opinion is important. Respecting the Rufuinan anti-communist and anti-socialist resolve, we have added clause 3.3.5 in, which states ‘Left-wing parties that identify as Social Democratic shall be legal in Puntalia’, this allows some left-wing ideologies that are not socialist or communist.”

“To protect the sovereignty of other nations surrounding Rufuina, we have added clause 3.1.11. There are some minor edits to other clauses, so please read over them carefully and attentively. By the holographic projector there is a small green button, be careful not to press the others. My administration team has scanned the pages of the treaty and by pressing the green button will virtually flick through the pages.”

[spoiler]Puntalian Compromise Treaty

BE IT ENACTED BY MEMBERS OF THE SANI BURSIL SUMMIT

SECTION I: CITATION

…1.1 This legal binding document shall be known as the “Puntalian Compromise Act”.

SECTION II: DEFINITIONS

…2.1 For the purpose of this act, “Committee” refers to the invited nations to the Sani Bursil Summit.

…2.2 For the purpose of this act, the “Puntalian Plan” refers to the borders of the two Puntalian nations in accordance with the supplied map.

…2.3 For the purpose of this act, “New Puntalia” will be a placeholder name for the new sovereign state and “Puntalia” will refer to the state hitherto occupied by Rufuina.

…2.4 For the purpose of this act, “Puntalian Cooperation Council” refers to the nations of Great Morstaybishlia, Xiopothos, Axdel, Tivot, Peregrinia and Free Pacific States to oversee and enforce the actions of this Act.

SECTION III: ACTIONS

…3.1.1 A new country will be created, termed “New Puntalia” or “West Puntalia” or another name at the discretion of the provisional government.

……3.1.2 The new country shall exist from the States of Noroeste, Cumbre Norte; and parts of Norte, Central, Fuente del Rio and Cumbre Sur according to the Puntalian Plan.

……3.1.3 A panhandle of Puntalia shall exist between the United Commonwealth Alliances member New Puntalia and Rufuina.

……3.1.4 Lima y Limon will be under Puntalia control.

……3.1.5 La Paraiso, Islas Riquezas and Puerto Florosa will be under New Puntalia control.

……3.1.6 To ensure Rufuinan non-aggression to its neighbours, Lima y Limon will not be allowed to erect a naval base under any circumstances, an air base housing over ten attack craft or a barracks housing over one thousand troops.

……3.1.7 To ensure a lasting presence of peace, Great Morstaybishliathe Puntalian Cooperation Council led by Great Morstaybishlia and Norgsveldet will establish military installations in La Paraiso not exceeding an area of ten kilometers squared on two differing islands at the discretion of the New Puntalian Government.

…3.1.8 To maintain peace, the Puntalian Cooperation Council will maintain two military bases not exceeding ten kilometers squared in area in both Puntalia and New Puntalia, totalling four bases.

……3.1.89 To further ensure a lasting presence of peace, the United Commonwealth Alliances may establish four military installations in not exceeding an area of four kilometers squared each in New Puntalia at the discretion of the New Puntalian government.

……3.1.910 Rufuina and Puntalia will recognise New Puntalia as a sovereign state, and the North Shield Treaty Organisation and United Commonwealth Alliances shall recognise Puntalia as a sovereign state.

…3.1.11 Unjust or unwarranted Rufuinan hostilities or invasion towards other nations will not be tolerated and will be met with clauses 4.1.3 and 4.1.5.

…3.2.1 Rufuina will pay the United Commonwealth Alliances 100250 million KRB (♅) in reparations.

…3.3.1 Citizens of Puntalia will have the choice to relocate from Puntalia to New Puntalia within one year from the Sani Bursil Summit.

……3.3.2 Rufuina will be obliged to fund a Housing Development Program that will erect eighty thousand to one hundred thousand homes for citizens relocating from Puntalia to New Puntalia alongside contributions from the UCA for a ten year period.

……3.3.3 Rufuina will be obliged to invest two hundred and fifty million KRB (♅) to infrastructure in New Puntalia over the course of fiveten years.

…3.3.4 Rufuina will respect the civil rights and religious freedoms that have exists in Puntalia and uphold them.

……3.3.5 Left-wing parties that identify as Social Democratic shall be legal in Puntalia.

…3.4.1 Rufuinan occupation of Puntalia and New Puntalia will cease immediately.

……3.4.2 Rufuina may establish up to four military installations not exceeding an area of four kilometers squared each in Puntalia at the discretion of the Puntalian government.

…3.5.1 The border between Puntalia and New Puntalia will be a hard border. Border forces will employ local police authorities to respect the subsequent non-aggression treaty.

…3.6.1 Armed Forces personnel living within the boundaries of New Puntalia will be allocated to a New Puntalian Armed Forces.

……3.6.2 All vehicles and equipment of the Puntalian Armed Forces will be divided equally between Puntalia and New Puntalia, overseen by the Puntalian Cooperation Council.

…3.67.1 The United Commonwealth Alliances, North Shield Treaty Organisation and Rufuina will sign a treaty of non-aggression at this summit, disclosing the additional following clauses;

……3.67.2 The North Shield Treaty Organisation will remove its No-Fly Zone over Puntalia with immediate effect.

……3.67.3 Great Morstaybishlia will remove its Home Fleet from Puntalian territorial waters with immediate effect.

……3.67.4 No militarisation will occur within 10 kilometers of the New Puntalia and Puntalia border from any faction.

……3.67.5 All factions will recognise sovereign airspace of one another and will recognise territorial waters of one another.

SECTION IV: ENFORCEMENT

…4.1.1 A Council known as the “Puntalian Cooperation Council” shall be erected to oversee and enforce the actions of this Act.

……4.1.2 The council shall consist of Great Morstaybishlia, Xiopothos, Axdel, Tivot, Peregrinia and Free Pacific States.

……4.1.3 Failure for Rufuina and Puntalia to comply with the Act will result in a reversal of article 3.4.2 alongside onefive hundred million KRB (♅) fines.

……4.1.4 Failure for the United Commonwealth Alliance and North Shield Treaty Organisation to comply with the Act will result in a reversal of article 3.1.9 alongside onefive hundred million KRB (♅) fines for each member state.

……4.1.5 Continual failure to comply or a disregard of this Act will result in military occupation from the Puntalian Cooperation Council and reevaluation of this Act.

SIGNATORIES

[/spoiler]

82

Sarohart was quiet today. It was one of those days where she would prefer to sit back and watch the storm. She had not spoken her opinion yet in the conference or even spoken to Hanlon since they sat down, but after reading the new version of the treaty she turned to face Hanlon off-record.

“Have you got a plan to pay off the reparations to the UCA and to New Puntalian infrastructure? I think it’s a hard burden but also a fair one. As upcoming economic partners North Ethalria would be able to loan Rufuina some of the total cost for the reparations… With interest, of course.”

83

Hanlon would talk back to Sarohart leaning in to make sure his voice wasn’t heard. “We’ll look into it after the conference, right now I’m going to make sure that this appeasement doesn’t go through.”

Hanlon would stand up once again speaking into his mic as he had seen the newly added details to the ‘compromise’.
“No no no, this is complete and utter appeasement , I am not signing this with any of these new clauses nor do I expect Cruz or Sarohart to either, I’m not letting a single Norgs troop enter Cruz’s territory, I’m not going to be paying more money simply because Olav needs to purchase a new drinking cabinet in his private holiday house in Fureta Del Ray, all of the Puntalian military is loyal to Cruz and by extension us, 3.6.1. and 3.6.2. completely disregards the loyalty these brave soldiers have to this honourable man Cruz.” He said making sure to gesture to Pablo Cruz next to him.

“If New Puntalia wants equipment for their armies they can get it from the UCA, not at the expense of those who have stood up against corruption and communism. I’m not signing this new treaty.” 
He said firmly dropping the folder in front of him dismissively and sitting back down in his chair to lean back and cross his arms.

84

Barvata lost his cool temperament, and stood back up in anger.

“I hope this verbal scurry of yours is not serious, Hanlon. Norgsveldet is NOT APART of the Puntalian Cooperation Council. In accordance to the Non-Aggression Pact being pinned to this Puntalian Compromise Treaty Norgsveldet will not be going within 10 kilometers of the border. I expect you to maintain a level of professionalism in your responses not this pathetic little excuse to say you aren’t going to compromise here. You believe that the entirety of the Puntalian Armed Forces acted in their free will to go against their government but it was at the THREAT of COURT MARTIAL and EXECUTION for not complying with their generals. Do you think that this is fair? Do you simply think that because they did it they want to do it? No is the answer, President. These military personnel are people, all trying to make a living. I do not respect this immediate ‘no can do’ without compromise attitude. If you have something to say, then act within the parameters of professionalism, and if war is what you want, I’m afraid you’re going in the right direction,” he toned down his blatant shouting rant to Hanlon. “Mark my words, Hanlon, if you take this to war, you won’t be singing how great of an ally Great Morstaybishlia is, I expect you to cease your non-compromising ideals immediately.” Barvata took his seat once again.

85

“You call -THIS- compromise? You can look at me and say to me that this is compromise? This is appeasement the previous deal we had was compromise, you’re so willing to take their demands and not even consider mine, then I don’t know what to say, I’m perfectly willing to compromise prime minister but the UCA has come here with demands that will put Cruz’s Puntalian economy to a halt, and will build a new Puntalia on the reliance on -US- and not themselves.”
Hanlon stood up to respond firmly to Barvata as he seemingly wasn’t going to be stood down even by him.

“So don’t try and prod me into considering war Barvata as you just so blatantly suggested, we’ve come here in good faith to find an actual compromise to see if we can avoid war and bloodshed. First, we’ll agree to 3.1.8. if it agrees that none of it consists of Norgs nor any other nations forces that we don’t approve of, 3.1.11 we don’t approve of due to it being so blatantly vague that it could mean anything thus it needs to be amended to show and explain what it actually means. 
3.6.1. and 2 we don’t agree with because as I and Cruz will tell you, most Puntalian soldiers don’t want to be part of a former corrupt government, Cruz’s army is his own concern not the UCA’s.
Finally the amendment to 3.2.1. we’ll refuse to pay 250 KRB and would like the original deal’s offer of 100 instead, that’s far more reasonable.”

86

Sarohart rose to make her first speech.

“One hundred million Kiribs is a far more reasonable reparation for Rufuina to pay the UCA especially for a nation that has its own economic issues, a quarter of a billion is obscene!” she lightly coughed. “Besides 3.6.1 I agree with all other amendments, it’s quite possible many soldiers who live in New Puntalia would prefer to serve the Puntalian government, and alongside Rufuina’s already steep payments, to compromise on 3.6.1 I believe the UCA should fund any armed forces personnel living in New Puntalia to move to Puntalia and serve under Cruz, that way it’s equal and fair. I think the amendment to the fines are a steep increase, but would prevent any signatory nation from breaking the treaty, so it is fair.” the Ethalrian sat down.

87

“Hanlon if you could answer me this, you refuse to accept clause 3.1.11 and as a neighbour it frightens me- you could plant seeds in my country and claim there’s a terrorist ring in Lokania or some insane accusation to invade and occupy us, tell me, what do you want to see it defined as, I have my concerns that your lust for war will see Rufuina turn on Lokania or South Peragen next, so what will you do to rest my mind assured? I can say for certain that yes, the clause needs expanding- it needs expanding to tell you all the things you can’t do to get around your sneaky planting seeds tactic!” Arngrímur sat from his standing position.

88

“Reasonable,” Rolex snickers at Hanlon’s words “You complain about 250 million not being reasonable when you Hanlon are not reasonable yourself! Was it reasonable for a foreign country to ransack your country for no reason other than a mere suspicion of a communist takeover!?”

89

“When, Mr. Hanlon, do you mean to cease abusing our patience?” Póra Mazhéin, representative of New Leganés, interrupted and asked. "How long is that madness of yours still to mock us? When is there to be an end of that unbridled audacity of yours, swaggering around as it does now? Do you not see we are here to end with the errors caused by your actions? And still, the Cooperative Commonwealth and all of us sitting in this room are willing to leave part of our claims to stop with a madness even more dangerous that may come if we don’t negotiate. Oh, what times! Oh, what behaviour!

If there is something we all can agree about what Mr. Hanlon has said, is that we are moved by our own interest and will do anything to achieve it. Yes, it is life, dear Hanlon; biology moves everyone of us to achieve our goals. But which is the price of it? Invaded countries? Now it is Puntalia, but what will be next? South Peragen? Lokania? Do you really pretend our alliance to seat there and watch how you invade our friends? Obviously not. AND STILL, we are searching for agreements! Which is the price of starting a war and contemplate how hundreds of thousands of innocent people are killed by those who claim to defend democracy? We are superior to that, Mr. Hanlon, because our real interest is to protect countries, economies and, over all, LIVES. What is a nation without its people, every one of them, not the ones you like? I am glad that, at least, you are sitting here and are answering and proposing, I think we all appreciate that and thank you for it, but leave for a moment that little child you have inside, and listen respectfully the ones that are trying to save this world." Mazhéin ended.

90

After Póra made her speech to Hanlon, the conference began to squabble.

“Order! Order please!” The speaker rose from his chair. “Please can the Leader of Rufuina make his reply in good haste, before another reply is made.”

91

Olav gave out a sigh as he took a sip from his glass of water to calm his nerves. Mister Hanlon was not a man willing for actual compromise as he stated before. He calmly started to speak again.

“Mister Hanlon If you want an compromise out of this then it is either the one Barvata, has just adjusted or a new proposal can be given out. Though I will state this clearly, it is either New Puntalia that gets to have those troops or Norgsveldet will have an active military presence there. YOU actively want this New Puntalia to be weak, to not have its own military while your little puppet can have it all. Now that is nonsense. You cannot expect anyone of us to seriously believe all Puntalia’s soldier sided with you out ‘loyalty’. Especially when the treaty you forced wanted too to kill off any commie or socialist people in the military. So again, mister Hanlon, why do YOU actively want New Puntalia to be weak in military? To me it really sounds like you would just be preparing yourself for a future attack. You did your invasion, you occupied on the notion of communism with no evidence, you have made yourself seem more and more after power. So, you can talk all about ‘protecting’ Puntalia from communism but until you show actual evidence, which of said evidence everyone has asked about, it means nothing. What you did was a notion of war Hanlon, and that is the facts. Now either you can do this compromise, or a new proposal could be brined forth. Though I will remind you Hanlon, that by the nations that has spoken most do not even want you in Puntalia to begin with. So, I do not think you will get very far with out the compromise Barvata has laid out.” Olav said calmly though his face did not hide the glare he gave the Rufuinan president.

92

“Finished?” He said raising a brow under his sunglasses to mister Mazhéin after what he believed to be his exhausting speech.

“To finally answer your question, our position no longer favours any further ambition and actions such as this in Arcturia, we could try to take Lokania or South Peregan, emphasis on try, but we’d fail.
The reason why we intervened in Puntalia was because it was susceptible to foreign influence, their government was corrupt, their economy was failing, communists had been discovered working against the government and my people demanded action against the UWI, and our hostile neighbour Osterlicsh.
To put it simply, we got there before the communists could and ruin that country further, Lokania and South Peregan were never under that sort of a threat, and nor are you under such threat now.”
He said finally answering the Lokanian Prime Minister’s question with a sigh afterwards.
“Which is why, after this conference is done, I’d like to sign non aggression pacts with South Peregan and Lokania.”

93

“And mister Olav if you’re going to sit there and claim that I invaded with no evidence or that I’ve presented no evidence, you are quite simply lying for your own corrupt agenda, we’ve published our information on foreign communist rings located within Puntalia and have found thousands of open communists in Puntalia itself.
It comes to a point where in a democratic country where people are not afraid to either be openly communist or to side with the communists, that is when your country has a problem!
And also do not twist my words ‘your majesty’ what I stated is that you can build your own Puntalian army in new Puntalia, whilst the loyal army to Cruz -stays- with Cruz, I will not have you try and pressure Cruz’s men into coming over to your side only to have them realise what a terrible mistake they’ve made siding with a corrupt government.
If you seriously think I’d try to host an invasion of new Puntalia you must either think I’m either thick or vice versa for you Olav…” He said with a small sly cocky smirk that had developed on his face, as he looked at this ‘king’ of Norgsveledt.

94

As the invitees argued, Alexander leaned over to his cousin Hjalmar, who was taking notes, and whispered to him. “Do you think this conference has any chance of succeeding right now?”

Hjalmar paused for a second and shook his head. “At this point, probably not. It almost seems like Hanlon is actively trying to sabotage any compromises that try and get made. That’s what it looks like right now, at least. Who knows, there may be a miracle and this conference will succeed. But thinking realistically, it’s anyone’s guess right now. It’s fairly clear that the vast majority of the participants here want to avoid war, but again, Hanlon seems to keep steering it further and further toward the likelihood of war, which he himself should know would practically be suicide. Unless he’s utterly full of himself, that’s a possibility.”

Alexander nodded and sat back up straight in his seat, waiting for more of the invitees to speak.

95

Eoforwine saw the conference devolve into argument. He decided to stay quiet.

He knew that there wasn’t too much chances for the conference succeeding, but it really seem like the conference was doomed at this point.

Contrary to his expectations, Rufunia seemed even less willing to compromise than Norgsveldet was. He thought a country that was being actively sanctioned by more than 10 other countries would have been a bit more willing to give.

96

Olav could see the smirk and arrogance coming from Hanlon, arrogance that is not fitting for such a nation. Though Olav came here to compromise.

“Would you then agree for an increased military presence of Norgsveldet and rest of the UCA in New Puntalia until New Puntalia is available to build up its military again? Since I am not willing to leave New Puntalia to be very lightly defended. As for right now your side will have the edge in military presence out of simply that your Puntalia will have all its military. I propose that the UCA should have a military presence in New Puntalia equal to the one of your Puntalia, until New Puntalia is up to run again. If it also calms your nerves Hanlon, the UCA could lower it’s amount in your southern border to rather have some of them placed in New Puntalia. That way the feeling of invasion should not something you should have, though let’s be honest most here is fearing you will do the invading. As you already have.” Olav said, again in a calm voice. So far, he needs to be the professional one out of the two, even if the person he is talking too is not. Now he stood up for the first time since he started talking.
“And again, please do not use your paranoia and use your ideological warfare on others. Norgsveldet has actively fought against communism, with even fighting against some of the same communists that are observing us at this moment. So never state we are relaxed on them. Since here is the difference between you and I Hanlon. I do my fight against communism through diplomacy and only rely on military means if it is no other way. You on the other hand does the crusade against communism only from the barrel of a gun. You even invade fellow capitalists’ countries from simply out of the fear that there ‘might’ be a communist coup. Something I would never do.” Olav stated with his voice now giving out a clear annoyance behind it. As he sighs again he sits down.

97

“That’s acceptable, I’ll take that.” He simply said as Olav made his offer, “We can amend it then, UCA will have an increased presence in New Puntalia until they can fund and make their own army for themselves.” He said with a nod leaning back into his chair making sure he felt relaxed.

98

Charolette had been steadily moving her leg throughout the meeting as if she was irritated, though irritations would be the nicest way to explain how she really felt.  The Iron Lady was furious with Mr.Hanlon and Rufuina decisions to invade a nation under no true pretense besides the very unoriginal South Hills slogan of “Better Dead than Red”, this is not the 20th century anymore or maybe it was for those individuals, it reminded her of a quote a great President of Nacata once said “Confidence is ignorance. If you’re feeling cocky, it’s because there’s something you don’t know.” they did not know if communism was truly taking grasp they merely wish to push there ambitious colonizing plans.

No Charlotte could not just stand to the side as if this a mere matter she would interrupt the arguing men with a firm voice asserting her stance so that others knew she meant business, “Mr.Hanlon how foolish does one have to be to invade a neighbor based on pure speculations? Proof where is your proof? I have proof that your invasion was a mere front to take over and annex the nation of Puntalia. Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity Mr.Hanlon upon which your nations decisions reflect both, unlike most Nacata doesn’t kiss up or hide behind Superpowers when we fuck up we deal with it on our own because we must protect Jurains across the world you understand?” She would say before pausing standing up.

“I’m sure that someday children in schools will study the history of the men who made war as you study an absurdity. They’ll be shocked, just as today we’re shocked with cannibalism. The dog that trots about finds a bone Mr.Hanlon and I think you made have just picked the wrong bone, there will be no compromise now because you have put the lives of the Jurain of Puntalia at risk so that… that just does not sit well with my government nor my people. What’s next after Puntalia? Sokala? Lokania? Osterlicsh? where is the end for Rufuina?” Charlotte paused for a moment cracking a rather evil chuckle before continuing.

“Nacata has never lost a war in our 103 years of history, any enemy formed against us has never prospered, The State of Nacata was formed so Jurains don’t have to take any shit from anyone anymore. What can’t be done with force can simply be done with more force Mr.Hanlon it’s best you remember” She would say letting off a chuckle before Naomi pulled her down to her seat.

99

Hanlon suddenly bursted out in laughter clearly unfazed by the woman’s speech, he’d stop to pinch the bridge of his nose and shake his head… “Oh my god…” He said to himself before taking his glasses off and looking not even to Charlotte but to the speaker. “Mister speaker can we please remove this woman for her absurd language and boasting of war in a conference dedicated to peace please? I admit I’ve been perhaps cocky in my attitude here, but swearing in a conference is appalling.”  He requested from the speaker.

He’d then look to Charlotte “That’s pure narcissism by the way, you don’t need to come in here to a meeting where people have put time and effort to dedicate to a peaceful solution, while some like me and Olav may argue with one another, I think he and I can be respectful enough to at least not swear and boast about our military records to one another, I think you should be embarrassed.”

100

Surprisingly to Eoforwine, Olav was probably the person most willing to compromise.

He also chuckled inside at Hanlon’s response to Charlotte. If he knew what Nacata was capable of doing, he’d be afraid.

Oh well, at this point the Prime Minister was just along for this wild ride.