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Réunion dans le Palais de l'hiver; Meeting between Louisiana and Russia
Topic Started: Jun 28 2014, 01:46 AM (283 Views)
Margrave
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Travis Washburn did not like the cold. Travis was good old boy from Eastern Arkansas, far away from the Francophonic meanders of the Messipi River. And while it did get cold in Arkansas, good Lord it could get cold in Arkansas, it was not Russia cold. Travis shuddered at the thought of how cold it would be as his plane approached the Saint Petersburg airport. He didn't want to leave his cylinder of warmth. He sighed.

The door opened and it was indeed very cold. Travis made a face but continued on his way. He would wait in the Goreprime American embassy until his ride to the Winter Palace was procured. Foreign relations was still a relatively new field for the Louisianan French. Travis hated that term. It implied all Louisianans were Frenchies. Sure, Travis spoke French, but only because he had to. It was such a pompous language. English was the language of hardworking, independent men who took guff form no one. French was for sissies.

The black sedan appeared at the consulate much faster than Travis expected. He was surprised when the handsome Russian boy came in looking for him. Travis was again surprised by the quality of the vehicle produced. It was rather large and intimidating, and on the hood a Russian tricolor and a Louisianan Banner were raised just behind the headlights. After a moment of admiration, he realized that he should probably drive. It would much safer that way, would it not? He approached the driver side, knocking on the window to signal the chauffeur.

"Chtoto ne tak?" He said, confused. "Ya khochu, chtoby dvigat'sya." Travis replied.

"Er... prostite?" The drives wasn't sure he had heard him correctly. "Ya khochu, chtoby dvigat'sya." Travis repeated.

A few minutes later Travis was driving towards the Winter Palace, taking the scenic route, of course. It was his first time in Saint Petersburg and he didn't want to miss anything nice. Like the cars. Travis loved the cars. He misheard the directions given by the page in the back seat and the chauffeur in the passenger seat, which was strange given that his Russian was nearly flawless for an Anglophone. He decided he'd dillydallied enough and finally drove the Winter Palace, only slightly late.
Edited by Margrave, Jun 28 2014, 01:57 AM.
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NRE
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The slight click of the pocket watch as it closed echoed through the mostly empty foyer of the palace. He's late the Prince and Prime Minister of Russia thought to himself as he saw the car pulled towards the front. I wonder how it is they get anything done on time if this is how they conduct business abroad. The Prince had never met a man or woman for that matter, from the Americas. At least none that came to recent memory and if he had, they'd obviously not left an impression on his mind. This man however, well this man may have the best shot of all. Having the doors of the palace opened the Prince put on his best face as he greeted the diplomat. Were he expecting to meet with the Emperor himself he was to be certainly disappointed, events kept the Emperor otherwise occupied.

"Monsieur Washburn" the Prince stated in his best french while extending his hand, before replying in an exchange of french for Engligh, "or do you prefer Mr. Washburn? I am Prince Boris Ribbenzoph V, His Imperial Majesty's Prime Minister of Government. Allow me to be the first to Welcome you to Saint Petersburg and Russia. Please, we have a room setup for the meeting. If you'll just follow me this way."

Posted Image

The Prince showed his guest up the staircase and down several halls until at last they were in the Golden drawing room of the palace. After offering his guest a seat on one of the plush red chairs, he offer refreshments as the two settled in.

"I must say that his majesty is intrigued by the request your government sent to us but feels that we need to hear more on exactly why your government desires what it does from us and what it is offering in return." the Prince stated.
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Margrave
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"Of course, your majesty. Realize that the current Kingdom owes its entire existence to one man: l'Empereur Magnifique Napoleon Bonaparte." The title left a bad taste in Travis' mouth, but it was the formal title of the Emperor. "Surely even the Russian Empire recognizes the feats and influence of Louisiana's forefather. After his defeat at Waterloo, he was exiled to Saint Helena, before being rescued and beginning anew in North America. That was the plan, at least. After capturing the island of Hispaniola from the revolting slaves, he caught yellow fever and died on the island. He is still entombed there, even though it is now a Russian possession. Excuse my tangent, your Majesty, but realize the importance of the island to the people of Louisiana."

"Now, as for what we are willing to give in return: we offer a large sum of money, but this alone will not be enough for the island. We know of the Empire's struggle with El Dejarbo, and an ally in the area might be a boon to Russian influence against him. If, say, war were to break out, an army of millions of bluecoats might be just what the Russian Empire needs."

"We are, of course, willing to negotiate."
Edited by Margrave, Jul 7 2014, 02:14 AM.
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OOC: I meant to write something in your coronation thread Mar, but I've decided to recon the strife between Juan Marius and Russia for now as I'm still working out the country of Hispania all together. That said, I'm going to assume instead that you mention our struggle with El Dejarbo.

IC:

"Our struggle with El Dejarbo is certainly a difficult one" Prince Ribbenzoph replied. "While we have made every possible attempt at making our very legal case when it comes to our ownership of Panama, their government continues to persist otherwise. We even agreed to a referendum which also came out in our favor and yet still they persist. War with those Catholics, it seems, is inevitable but then again Catholics are a warmongering type."

The Prince took a sip of his drink.

"You're not Catholic are you Mr. Washburn? Oh well I imagine it doesn't matter one way or another, we're both gentlemen here. It is true the isle of Hispaniola is within Russia's possession, as it was once before. Security within the West Indies is very important to his Imperial Majesty, as is the management and stability of the Panama passage. To ensure security his majesty is very eager to establish a Russian naval presence in the West Indies which will detour pirating and other illegal activity. To do this the Empire wishes to operate naval bases around the West Indies which will allow for a quicker response time and will allow the Empire to operate a virtual shield to defend the Canal. A base on the isle of Hispaniola has, up until now, be a integral part of these plans by the Defense Ministry."

The Prince took another sip of his drink.

"Of course, plans can always be altered, always be changed to benefit the moment at hand. Your original letter said that your government was willing to pay 50 million rubles for the island. While the added benefit of an ally in the region is certainly not something the Emperor would refuse, we would like to offer a counter-offer. We are willing to sell the isle for 30 million rubles with the agreement that Russia is given the rights to retain 30 acres of land, along the shoreline outside of Barahona, with which to construct and maintain a naval facility. If agreed to, Russia will maintain only that number of personnel on the base that is equal to or less than an amount agreed by both our governments. We agree to extend these quotas to the munitions and ships as well. Furthermore we will agree to allow your government monthly or bi-monthly inspections of the facility to ensure that everything remains in compliance with our agreement."

"Now preferably" the Prince stated as he continued, "his Imperial Majesty would like to see that 30 acres remains Russian soil. However, if your government must insist on the matter, we are willing to rent to property from your government provided a leasing agreement which is beneficial to both are parties is agreed upon. After all this we hope that your governments willingness to help Russia with problems within the region still remains on the table. An ally in the region is most beneficial to his majesty and we would certainly be willing to reciprocate such friendliness."
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Margrave
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OOC: That's okay, I'll edit the previous post to reflect that.

Travis Washburn laughed when asked for his religion. "You are lucky, your majesty, they sent an Angloamerican! A Franco would have taken great offense if his religion were insulted. I personally am a baptist, but I try to keep my personal life and professional life separate."

He was completely floored when the prince gave him the Russian counter proposal. His government would be most pleased. "Of course, your majesty. In addition, the Russian Navy is more than welcome to use the Louisianan naval bases to be constructed in the area as well as Napoleon II naval complex in New Orleans. The land can of course remain of Russian sovereignty. And of course, you may call on the Kingdom if you need assistance against the El Dejarboans. Although most of the Louisianan population is Roman Catholic, and as such brothers of the faith of the South American devils, they would gladly honor the alliance rather than stain their reputations."
Edited by Margrave, Jul 14 2014, 09:50 PM.
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The Prince gave a gentle nod

"No but of course, Russia understand. Hopefully, it will not come down to fighting and even if it does, I imagine Russia will only ask that it uses your kingdom for logistical purposes and does not actually ask that you help in the fight. Out of respect for your nation's diverse religious population of course."

"That being said" the Prince stated as he continued, "Russia will most likely ask for your nation's aid in a future fight we undoubtedly believe will be inevitable in the West Indies. Piracy in the area has been reported to us for various local sources. Surely your nation as well as our own understands that we cannot allow piracy to exist in such a vital link between the Atlantic and Pacific spheres of trade. It will take the cooperation of all nations in the area to ensure that such vermin are exterminated.

"This is of course, something that Russia wishes to see for the future and is not something your nation and government must commit anything to right away. Still, His Imperial Majesty would feel much more at ease if we could at least have a verbal agreement that your nation is willing to work with us on this point, in the near future."
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Margrave
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"Piracy is indeed a problem in the Mane. The island of Cuba has become a haven for the brutes. Our own trade routes in the area have been continually harassed in the sea around the island, but all attempts at negotiations have been ignored. We agree to help you in your fight against piracy."
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Prince Ribbenzoph gave a nod,

"Excellent, simply excellent. No doubt then that both our nations will certainly benefit from a united front on this point. I think your own government and King will find that Russia can certainly be a most admirable ally. We have never once spurn a nation we've called friend or betrayed their trust if a situation ever presented itself that made such actions beneficial to us. I like to think of our nations as a fiercely loyal people, one that may be traditionalist in nature, but also a progressive people. Our progress, while slow to some, comes without the need of compromising our traditional values."

"I believe" the Prince stated, after looking down at his watch, "that we've come to a general agreement regarding these preliminary discussions. I wish to recess for now so that I may personally deliver these conditions and terms to his majesty for approval. I imagine you may wish to communication our discussion with your own government as well. A apartment here in the Palace has been made for you, along with a secure telephone line. Please take a minute to refresh yourself from your long trip and send word back to the Americas. If these is nothing more to say, let us then convene in one hour to finalize this discussion, is this acceptable?"
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Margrave
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"Yes, of course your highness. If I may, I'd like to step out to make a few phone calls and to enjoy a cigar or two. You may join me if you wish." With that he left the room.
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It took the Prince about an hour before he recalled the Ambassador. There had been much to discuss with the Emperor and it took a bit longer than the Prince had originally anticipated. Nevertheless Ambassador Washburn was recalled to the Golden drawing room and new refreshments were made available. No doubt the Ambassador had also had an eventful conversation with his superiors back home.

"Ambassador Washburn I am please to tell you that his Majesty the Emperor has agreed to the terms that we have reached. Naturally, as I imagine your government wishes the same, his majesty will require the agreement in writing. For now however, Russia will do its part and prepare the island of Hispaniola for transfer to your government's custodianship. In the meantime I imagine both our foreign ministries will be in contact with one another so an formal treaty can be signed. Regardless, you can assure those in Baton Rouge that for all intent and purpose, Hispaniola is there's."
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