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| International Conference on Trade and Economic Development | |
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| Topic Started: Apr 25 2009, 07:58 PM (696 Views) | |
| lebowski2123 | Apr 25 2009, 07:58 PM Post #1 |
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Resident?
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All nations are invited to come, to discuss trade and economic development with one another, as well as discuss their general relations with one another. Post entrances and begin discussion at will. New Orleans, Louisiana Wesley Robinson nervously fiddled with his creme colored three piece suit for the thousandth time, wiping his damp forehead with a black handkerchief before stuffing it back into his jacket pocket. The day was exceptionally warm, even for a New Orleans summer, and the air was oppressively heavy with moisture. The room behind him was filled with the eager splendor of a new nation, gilded columns and an architecture unique to the American South, wide open rooms flooded with light in the style of the plantation houses of old. The smells of shrimp and fish already filled the conference room of Deslondes Hall, and bottles of the Federation's pride and joy - its rum - adorned every table. It fell to Minister of the Interior, Mr. Wesley Robinson, to welcome the Federation's many guests to this economic summit, for which he and the nation at large had outsized hopes. Eager crowds already filled the streets of the nation's capital from the Hall to the port, awaiting the arrival of foreign diplomats despite the heat. This would be a day of momentous implication, if not momentous results. Since the state-sponsored University of New Orleans had begun research into the field of agriculture, the Federation's yield of staples such as cotton, sugar and wheat had increased tenfold, instilling optimism in all the nation's citizens. President Desormoux would address the assembly of foreigners after a short time in the antechamber, and the conference would be attended by the minority leaders of the National Assembly as well, Booker T. Washington of the Party for Social Justice, and William Edward B. DuBois of the German Coast Party. Each man had high hopes, for reasons more personal than they cared to admit. Now the conference was set to begun, trade agreements to be brokered and pacts to be made and broken. The room would soon be filled with leaders and representatives of the free world, but for now there was but one occupant - a portly Minister of the Interior, Wesley Robinson. Posted Image Deslondes Hall, site of the first ever International Conference on Trade and Economic Development Edited by lebowski2123, Apr 25 2009, 08:00 PM.
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| Ulgania | Apr 26 2009, 02:20 AM Post #2 |
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A better Zarathustra has never rode a horse
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Draco Ramonovitch felt uneasy in the humidity of the New World. It was his first trip to the lands, and he considered that more trips would be made in the future. However, the atmosphere itself seemed to be working against him. As he approached the city via a chartered Ulganian vessel he wondered how many of the delegates attending would give a damn about a former colony with neo-colonial aspirations. As he departed the vessel, he was directed toward an chariot escort, and was brought to the conference hall with a full bodyguard of horsemen. "This reception should be meaningful. This city alone surpasses Mogadishu." |
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| Telosan | Apr 26 2009, 11:20 AM Post #3 |
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The Foremost Intellectual Badass
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Diplomat Jonathan Arnd stepped off the boat and instantly realized why this assignment was considered a harsh enviroment workplace. The heat hung over the land so thickly, it would have given him heat stroke in minutes had his hotel room not been somewhat cooler. Still, he immediatly shed his fashionable wool jacket, perferring life to looks. He heard inventors were attempting to create a machine to regulate tempature in rooms. Obviously, they had not yet succeded. Going through his belongings, he noticed he had nothing appropriate for this climate, the tempature in his native Scotland would never reach this high at this time of year even if hell were to burn through the surface of the world, or so it seemed to him. Resigned to silent sufferring, Jonathan headed to Deslondes Hall. Along the way he noticed many civilians walking about, working, and above all, taking the weather in stride. These were somewhat hardy people, to live in such hellish climate. He had heard it was hotter still farther south. He would never beleive that now unless he ventured there himself, which he vowed never to do in the likelyhood of it being correct. Once Arnd looked past the heat, a most challenging feat that tried the will of the strongest optomist, he found the city quite lively. It's unique culture was a combination of French, English, and Creole influneces. Rowdy music blared from tumpret-like instruments, forming a beat unlike any he had heard before. He almost felt as though he understood all of the troubles that musician poured into his music, understood and sympathized. At the hall, there were refreshments laid out on a table. Since not many delegates were here yet, he decided to have a taste of the local cuisine. After he had taken his first bite, it took all of his diplomatic discipline and code or morals to restrain himself from losing his dignity over the delicious food. He would definately have to ask about that recipe, the popular Elþeodig restaraunts springing up in Angelcynn would kill to add it to their collection of foreign cuisine. On to buisness. Jonathan moved over to the table and sat down to review his notes on the greeting customs of the foreign nations to be in attendance. He seemed to have some time, as the host said there was still at least a half hour untill the official start of the meeting. |
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| East Anarx | Apr 26 2009, 11:24 PM Post #4 |
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Anarchitect
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A tall, mustachioed man who wore an elaborate golden pistol on his waist entered the hall. Howard Crane, the CEO of Arx Self Defense Corporation, based in Esternarx City, Free Thule, had arrived. Mr. Crane filled a plate to almost overflowing with the delicious complementary food and proceeded to sit at the table and devour it ferociously as the rest of the delegates made their way to the Conference. |
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| lebowski2123 | Apr 27 2009, 11:39 AM Post #5 |
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Resident?
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Entering the room next was a tall, light skinned black man with close-cropped hair and a stylish if understated bow tie. His name was Booker T. Washington, and he was a marked man here within the city limits of New Orleans. Loved by many citizens of the north for his relentless pursuit of equal rights for all, Assemblyman Washington had been relegated to another term in the National Assembly following his narrow defeat in the latest Presidential elections. President Desormoux had invited him to meet with foreign diplomats, albeit begrudgingly, as a concession not to Booker but to the masses of the north. And so it was that as he entered the room a nearby white attendant quietly approached and offered him a wet towel and a thousand thanks all in a single breath. And so it was that he began to mop off of his shoes the slop which had been tossed at him as he made his way through the throng of citizens on his way to a service entrance, so as to avoid creating a stir. Social justice would not be easily won, but Booker felt resolved to sacrifice as many pairs of shoes as it took to make things right. __________________________________________________________________________________ Outside the crowds of New Orleans were growing euphoric, but not due to any talks which were to occur within. Upon a hastily assembled pulpit of wood and nails stood a young William Edward B. Dubois, heir to the throne of the German Coast Party, and a fixture in the hearts and minds of the Deep South. His oratory was strong and fierce, and his eyes lit with the fire of a blossoming leader. Beneath a fancily upturned mustache, Assemblyman Dubois' mouth was a blur of motion, engulfing all listeners in his world, a world of vengeance and hatred. During the election Dubois' service to President Desormoux was invaluable, as his nationwide speaking campaign incited riots against Booker T. Washington. However, following election Desormoux had quickly sought to quash Dubois' influence, only to grow his reputation to near-mythical proportions, believed by the Federation's rank and file to take no prisoners in his pursuit of rights for the black majority. Now Dubois descended from the pulpit, and after fending off a mob of humanity with hugs and kisses, he made his way into Deslondes Hall, as the sounds of the next speaker reverberated throughout the city. Edited by lebowski2123, Apr 27 2009, 11:41 AM.
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| Rhadamanthus | Apr 27 2009, 12:20 PM Post #6 |
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Legitimist
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Isaac Xanthou, the highest ranked imperial diplomat with an expertise in the Americas, entered the conference room. He would represent the imperial interest. |
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| Noriega | Apr 27 2009, 03:09 PM Post #7 |
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Resident Hobbit
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Perhaps as a surprise to all, a delegate arrived that was clearly not from the established powers of the world. He wore an unstarched white linen collared shirt, with turquoise stripes running down the front and three/quarter length sleeves. He had a white linen neckerchief tied in a simple knot around his neck. His trousers were made of a course dark brown, kept up by a simple leather belt with an enormous silver buckle, wrought in an intricate pattern an inlaid with turquoise. His boots were large, black, and made of unshined leather. Adorning his head was a simple brown hat. He wore a beige blanket with golden tassels over his shoulder. His tanned and leathery face was largely obscured by course black stuubble and large mustachios. His piercing jade green eyes were a striking contrast to the rest of his face. "I am Jose Maria Juarez" he said, in a resounding and heavily accented voice, "delegate of the Republic of Cisplatinia." |
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| A.Q. | Apr 27 2009, 06:07 PM Post #8 |
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Beautiful Snowflake
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Next to step into the hall was a squad of massive bodyguards, and following in their silhouette a smaller man. He was young and handsome for a gentleman of his station, and had already delegated his coat to one of the guards, leaving him in his brown vest and shirtsleeves. This one wore spectacles of the latest fashion upon his nose, through which sparkled jovial eyes, and an infectious smile shone from the carefully maintained goatee. This was the famous Qalaa'i industrialist Sayyed Jamal ad-Din, owner of countless factories in the Orient, and a key shareholder in the Trans-Oriental Railroad Company. The Emir had chosen well with the charismatic entrepreneur. "As-Slaamu-Alaikum," ad-Din addressed to the table with a flourish of his hand, and took his seat. A mousy-looking translator appeared from thin air, and Sayyed leaned in to his ear, whispering for a moment. "Mr. Jamal ad-Din would like to offer his highest welcome to all of you fine gentlemen, and highest gratitude to the generous hosts of this conference," the translator squeaked. |
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| lebowski2123 | Apr 27 2009, 07:19 PM Post #9 |
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Resident?
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There was a time when Francis Desormoux, President of the Federation, was a bold man. Buoyed by youth and a willingness to serve, he had eagerly entered the game of politics with an open mind and an open heart. Sadly, both had long since closed. In the climate of the late 1800s agricultural boom, Desormoux had drawn the ire of farmers everywhere with his insistence on price controls for staple crops, and later his refusal to spend government funds on research into the creation of a true blue water navy, one which could range beyond the coast and guard merchant ships sailing for distant ports, laden with the bounty of American harvests. On both issues (and a good amount besides) Desormoux had relented, wishing to keep the peace if not his pride. He was not a man loved by the people, but one tolerated for his meek temperament and willingness to concede in the face of overwhelming opposition. Now he stood ready to address a room filled with foreign diplomats and domestic politicians, to set a course on which the Federation would travel long after he had departed from office. The day was a glorious one, but President Desormoux did not feel glory - he felt sick, sick of people and sick of politics. Licking his lips in nervous anticipation, the President carefully reviewed his note cards while any remaining dignitaries trickled in ( ;) ;) ), about to give his opening remarks. |
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| lebowski2123 | Apr 29 2009, 07:54 PM Post #10 |
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Resident?
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President Francis Desormoux of the Federation of American States gathered his papers and his thoughts, stepping from behind a burgundy curtain to a speaking platform as the national anthem began to play, a somber brass solo followed by the crescendo of drums from the New Orleans State Militia parade band, contracted for the occasion. As the foreign delegates and domestic politicians stood (some a beat slower than he would of liked, but such as life for him these days), Desormoux began: "Please be seated and thank you all for attending this conference on trade and economic development, both here in the Federation and abroad. We are gathered here today in a gesture of solidarity as human beings, and as well as in an attempt to broaden the horizons of our respective nations. This is no easy task, but it is my hope that mutually beneficial agreements may grow from deliberations here today, as we move together into the future. The Federation, my homeland, has undergone many changes in a short span of time, beginning with the rapid movement towards machine use in the agricultural pursuits which we hold in such high esteem. Crop failures have largely ceased to exist within our borders thanks to new technologies, and yields are at an all time high. With an influx of goods such as corn, sugar, cotton and tobacco, we now look to empty our larders into the homes and businesses of foreign nations in need of our services. However, this is also a time of great need here in the Federation, the need for innovation and the need for advancement in many fields of science and engineering. I am confident that, in attending this conference, you men will being willing to discuss all economic opportunity with the Federation, from military technologies to infrastructure, and beyond. Thank you, and God bless us all." Stepping down, the President moved into the room as delegates began to stand and speak. |
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| Ulgania | Apr 29 2009, 10:41 PM Post #11 |
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A better Zarathustra has never rode a horse
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Clearing his throat, Draco Ramonovitch stood to address the assembled politicians and delegates. “The Torgovlya Company is the government sponsored international trading firm of Ulgania. A majority of the official business Ulgania sees moves through Torgovyla. It deals in imports and exports, has branches around the Middle East, and is completely prepared to expand into ports and trading centers of any state willing to participate with us. We have a growing quantity of commodities available to us as our economic potential grows. Current deals already in place also give us the capacity to act as a broker for various interests in the region. “We do, however warn that while we act as a company with capitalist interests at heart, we do have the full legal backing of the Ulganian government. Any attempt to cross us will result in reprisal. However, we doubt any extreme conditions should come of this, and we are willing to negotiate with any interesting parties at this time. “Thank you, and we hope to do business soon.” Draco had a feeling many of the larger colonial powers would make offers of greater grandiloquent natures, but he had decided to keep his point short and sweet. |
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| Noriega | May 3 2009, 11:09 PM Post #12 |
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Resident Hobbit
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Juarez stood next. He knew that, as Foreign Minister, it was his obligation to secure an agreement from this conference that somehow benefited the Republic of Cisplatinia. President Artigas had given him free reign to develop his own strategy, and he had thought it out extensively. As he faced the assembly of delegates, blind to the derision that he knew the other delegates must feel for a simple man from a simple nation of farmers, Juarez knew that he would have to play to whatever strengths he could contrive, and offer whatever he needed to. "Gentleman delegates, I come from a humble nation. But I know that I have a lot to offer you. The interior of the South American Continent is rich in all manner of resources. And we know that the peoples of the north and east desire these resources. My Republic, the Republic of Cisplatinia, is quite frankly the only bastion of civilization on the continent. I propose, with the backing of President Artigas, that our largest port, Montevideo, be established as a free trade port, where ships from any nation that is a part of a certain trade agreement, one which we can sign here, can dock with no fees or tariffs of any kind. The vast majority of the natives in our part of the continent will only trade with us. If you are a party to this agreement, you will be free to trade in any manner you see fit, within our laws, with no reguation on our part. In return, we ask that your developed nations help Cisplatinia to join this century and industrialize. We await your response." He sat back down, nervous and unsure of the prospects for the future. |
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| lebowski2123 | May 11 2009, 07:59 PM Post #13 |
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Resident?
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William Edward B. Dubois leaned slightly over in his chair, quietly signaling the man from Cisplatinia that he would like to have a word with him as the latter seated himself once more. Straightening his jacket, Dubois stood and made his way towards a large window on the side of room, where he and the foreigner might share a quiet moment together. Juarez hesitated, then stood and followed. As they arrived in the sunlight, Dubois extended his hand with a friendly grin upon his face, a grin akin to that of a wily young cat filled with hubris of youth, and with chipmunks from a nearby tree. "Hello" he said in the honeyed voice of a practiced orator, "My name is William Edward B. Dubois, but I'd be pleased if you would call me W.E.B. William was my father." _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Seeing that introductions had come to a close, President Desormoux signaled to the servers, who began to busily serve the many guests of the Federation with assorted drinks and foods, as men stood and began to mill about the room. The President stood nervously in the center of the room, waiting to be approached, as Booker T. Washington sat not far away, nursing a drink and quietly chuckling at the President's awkward stature. |
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| Filo | May 12 2009, 12:34 PM Post #14 |
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General
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Delegate from Commonwealth of Virginia, Mr. Roland Garos entered in the hall after enjoied the colourfull city of New Orleans "Too full of niggers", said while taking place on the round table. Delegates he saluted i talk in the interest of agribusiness, my country have an high degree of intensive agricultural business, cotton, tobacco and cereals, also we have some mines and industry on the coast, we are here to ask a international treaty over the production of agricultural business. The greater productor should be sit togheder and form a cartel and run the market according to necessity of them. Thanks |
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| Ulgania | May 13 2009, 08:10 AM Post #15 |
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A better Zarathustra has never rode a horse
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OOC: Ignore this post.
Edited by Ulgania, May 14 2009, 12:57 AM.
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| New Harumf | May 13 2009, 02:24 PM Post #16 |
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Bloodthirsty Unicorn
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Sebastian Raul Portabello entered the hall, late, as was the usual custom for dignataries from Harumf. He remained standing, while other delegates eyed him carefully, and he perused the opening remarks on the hard-copy sitting in front of his chair. After a minute, he cleared his throat: "El negocio internacional es el pegamento que mantendrá el mundo unido." Several other delegates nodded, and waited for more. Portabello sat down. |
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| Noriega | May 13 2009, 09:39 PM Post #17 |
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Resident Hobbit
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"Very well, W.E.B." Juarez said, slowly to hide his pronounced accent. He let his hand drop to his side, and turned to get a better view of the outside. There was a simple stone fountain encircled by a cobbled walk, where songbirds were chirping pleasantly among the glistening rivulets of water splashing quietly into the little pool. It was a peaceful scene, something that perhaps went unappreciated by the men in this room. Life was hard, and very far from peaceful on the fringes of the world, even for those with power... "I am a white man, Mr. Dubois, and you are a black man. I would never be so crass as to suggest anything by saying this, but you and I both know that in certain circles, we would not be viewed the same way. This is an example of the old politics, the system that has been in place since the beginning of time. Authority based on tradition. We are both Republicans, and I know neither of us support this ancient system that breeds tyranny and hate. So, as this new century unfolds, we can continue to practice the old trade, which concentrates power in the ancient commercial centers, or we can create a "new" trade. Cisplatinia has within its sphere of influence untold amounts of every kind of resource, but no infrastructure or industry with which to exploit any of it. We need nations like the Federation of American States to help us build that infrastructure. In return, we promise you unprotected trade with merchants in Montevideo for as long as our arrangement persists." Juarez waited patiently for an answer. |
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| New Harumf | May 14 2009, 08:55 AM Post #18 |
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Bloodthirsty Unicorn
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"Encuentro este muy interesante. Por lo visto el Harumf es solamente un primative, hacia atrás selva," said Sebastian Raul Portabello to the delegate sitting next to him, as he displayed the comment he had written down while waiting in the doorway before entering the room. |
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| Ulgania | May 14 2009, 11:45 AM Post #19 |
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A better Zarathustra has never rode a horse
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Draco Ramonovitch saw Portabello, the Harumfian delegate enter. Before leaving Ulgania Draco and Nikolai had spoken about the importance of entering a dialogue with South American countries. Now was his chance, but Draco ended up sinking in his seat when he heard the delegate speaking an Iberian Romance language. “Great,” he thought to himself, “I’m fluent in Russian, Arabic, and English, and I get the vague impression he can only speak the later. Still, our lingua franca tends to be English.” Approaching Portabello, Draco spoke first. “Excuse me, hello. My name is Draco Ramanovitch, brother to Nikolai Alexyevitch Matroska, the Sovereign of Ulgania. I think we may have some common principles that may make us powerful trading partners. Our hemisphere is often ignored by Europe unless they have a colony, and even then our former taskmasters had no qualms of taking advantage of us. I believe that a partnership may be beneficial, especially to show countries like our own are more independent from Europe that they would like to think.” |
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| New Harumf | May 14 2009, 12:54 PM Post #20 |
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Bloodthirsty Unicorn
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Portabello stared at this Ramonivich for some time with a blank look on his face, obviously making this Ulganian uncomfortable. Then Sebastian smiled, and said in perfect English, "I believe it would be to the benefit of both our nations to consider a very close trade agreement. We, like you Ulganians, have very, oh, how can I say this diplomatically, hemispheric loyalties. Please, let us take a walk in the gardens, and allow these puff-adders to drone on about their own "self-importance." With that, Portabello took Ramonivich by the elbow and began moving toward the double doors. "Now, tell me about the sort of goods you have for trade?" |
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| Filo | May 14 2009, 01:01 PM Post #21 |
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General
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OCC: My post? why? |
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| Rhadamanthus | May 14 2009, 01:23 PM Post #22 |
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Legitimist
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OOC: Not your post, Filo. He posted something and then deleted it and replaced that with "Ignore this post," indicating that his own post contained no information. |
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| Filo | May 14 2009, 01:27 PM Post #23 |
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General
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OCC:ah...oh...well...ok...sorry :shy: |
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| lebowski2123 | May 14 2009, 01:44 PM Post #24 |
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Resident?
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W.E.B's face flashed a momentary frown, but his diplomatic instincts intervened and it was replaced by a kind smile. "On the contrary my dear sir, it is with good reason that we are not viewed the same way in certain circles. We come from two starkly different cultures, and I would say that our difference in complexion serves only to exaggerate this difference. However, your proposal of debunking the myth of old world supremacy piques my interest, and I am only too happy to dream of such a day as that. These European fools think themselves our superiors, yet they live upon the fat of their grandfathers' labor rather than their own. At the moment I can only speak for the citizens of Louisiana who have elected me Assemblyman, but I assure you that I can deliver all that my state has to offer in terms of technology and industry. Unfortunately, my nation's naval strength is limited at the moment. Perhaps your countrymen have had more luck with the development of deep water naval technologies? That would be a powerful bargaining chip indeed, when I propose such an agreement to the National Assembly..." Having arrived at a crucial point in the conversation, Dubois looked attentively on as Juarez formulated a reply. |
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| Ulgania | May 14 2009, 07:54 PM Post #25 |
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A better Zarathustra has never rode a horse
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OOC: Filo, apologies for any confusion. I posted something that would have created a, shall we say, time paradox. haha IC: Draco was taken off guard by Portabello’s actions. He was sudden very self-aware, and was not sure if he should be acting comfortable with some of his fellow delegate’s abruptness, or distrusting. He kept his demeanor neutral for now, and decided he may be more at ease when they began to talk in the gardens. “These European powers,” Draco began to say as they got out of the relatively musky room, “they have egos that would make even my father feel humbled,” he said as they began their stroll. A breeze had picked up, making the day’s humidity dissipate. The cool ocean air flooded Draco’s nostrils and he thought of Mogadishu’s ports. “My country has access to many of the tools and modern state would need. We have growing coal mines, growing plantations, and a timber industry in India that, our experts believe will be very self-sustaining at this time. Not that you, my friend, need any of that. “We also have access to burgeoning gold mines. I have kept this fact hidden from many, and only a select few in Ulgania know of it as it is.” OOC: I can retract the statement on gold if someone can show me that it was inaccessible in the early 20th century, but methinks it's a good bargaining chip |
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