OBT Forum

Ambassador Holstein smiled as he read the note, then nodded to the League Ambassador.

"Pending instructions from Tharkad, I will reserve comment, however I will state that such concessions by the League are promising and we would be willing to agree in principle in order to stop the killing of Lyran and League citizens. Furthermore, in order to prevent a bloodbath in the League, we would like to offer our services to help negotiate a peaceful reintegration of Andurien if all sides would be amenable?"

Sitting back

This Fourth Session is really full of surprises.

Turning to the Marik Ambassador

I hear your comment on the internal problems of the Free Worlds League but what do you think of the Canopians involvement in this "internal" problem?

"We'll spare our fellow Marik ambassador some time to phrase his remarks. My instructions from the Archon are clear:"

"We denounce this act as naked aggression. Were it a simple matter of demanding autonomy from a power that was abusing the people of Andurien, I could support such an act, such as the people of Rasalhague. The League, such as our differences have been with them in the past, have certainly never abused the people of Andurien. Why Canopus sought to abandon their pursuit of the peaceful arts they have been known for in the past is a mystery to myself and my government. It is using an internal matter that might have been served by an act of Parliament and instead, used it to stab a neighbor in the back. Granted, a neighbor we were at war with. But the fact remains, the League has been in the past, at least willing to negotiate as well as observe the Ares Conventions, this cannot be said of all combatants in this conflict,"

Holstein takes this moment to stare daggers at Ambassador Urizen.

"The League started this war yes, out of fear of what our alliance with House Davion might become. I would propose to them to take this opportunity to learn and actually ask us what our intentions might be. I think they would find that perhaps those intentions might not be as dark as they had feared."

 

Urizen took one look at the expression on Ambassador Holstein's face, and promptly burst out laughing. His entire body was wracked with the hilarity of the situation.

After a few seconds he managed to regain control of himself, looking up as he wiped tears from his eyes he stared at Holstein again.

"So am I to understand Ambassador Holstein that the Andurien's declaring independence and the Principality of Rasalhague doing so are two completely different matters?"

He turned towards the esteemed Free Worlds League Ambassador: "My apologies Sir, if the lack of reaction from the Draconis Combine caused the Free Worlds League problems. The Andurien Secession remains an internal affair of the Free Worlds League, one for your Parliament to resolve."

Turning back to the Lyran, a predatory grin spread across the face of the former-warrior "Ambassador Holstein, the Lyran Commonwealth has all too easily jumped headlong into matters that do not concern it. The sovereignty of each Nation-State should be respected by all members of this august body. Otherwise what would stop Coordinator Kurita from responding to the personal petitions of one Duke Aldo Lestrade for aid in the secession of the Federation of Skye from the Lyran Commonwealth? Surely, if the people of Skye wish for independence who are you as an entity to impose your will over them?"

Urizen opened a dossier and pulled out numerous sheets of paper "Here alone I have ample evidence of Lyran Commonwealth supplied armaments and munitions being used on once peaceful worlds by rogue elements of the Principality of Rasalhague. Elements that refuse to obey the orders of the acknowledged and recognised Principality Government. Just as I am sure that we shall find no evidence of your tampering with those involved in the Andurien matter."

Urizen shrugged his shoulders and looked forlornly at his fellow Ambassadors "Ambassador Holstein would have us believe that the people of Rasalhague were treated unfairly, which is quite possibly true. Not all members of the Draconis Combine government strive to the levels of Honour and good governance that Coordinator Kurita does. I think we can all say we have those that govern that are not always fit to do so. I can once again cite numerous examples of planets in the Lyran Commonwealth with sizable populations from the Draconis Combine that have to live with discrimination and ill-treatment from the government of the Lyran Commonwealth. None of us here are perfect. So let us cease looking for petty matters to waste our time with. Actions will define us, not words being thrown around recklessly."