OBT Forum

"The Lyran Commonwealth is of a more complex mind on the issue than our Capellan counterpart, though his stance is quixotic, but I don't wish to digress now."

"Let's take the process of Andrion, and how it came to be in it's present status. The Commonwealth came to be in possession of the world after the LCAF did rather too good a job of destroying a battalion of the Black Warriors in 3023 after they launched a series of strikes on Lyran worlds."

"Well, here we were, a political hot potato, a world full of people who had never known the Commonwealth, and a nearby neighbor threatening war over the issue. All of this really wasn't something we wanted."

"So, after much, and I mean much deliberation, we worked out a deal with President McIntyre, we'd keep the peace until a plebiscite was held. I am happy to say, that plebiscite went off without a hitch, with all of the policing done by the world's own police agencies. No Lyran involvement except as observers. The world chose to join the Commonwealth as an unincorporated entity. We can't base troops there, except during a direct invasion, but it otherwise enjoys much of the fruits of membership in the Commonwealth."

"As we were withdrawing from Andrion, matters exploded on Baltaazar and Deidre's Den. We sent troops under the impression that the Circinians were withdrawing peacefully and we were making the same offer we did on Andrion, as well as trying to work through ORCA and anybody else who would listen. What happened, well, we all know what happened. The planets are now racked with violence, and we've withdrawn, unilaterally. We were lied to as to the aims of the local leaders. We will not be a party to ethnic genocide."

"As for our general views on independence, we will quote the preamble to the ancient American Declaration of Independence:

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

"Some would ask, what of Skye?"

"What of Skye? Skye has been a part of the Commonwealth for hundreds of years, and the Commonwealth would not survive her loss. We would be willing to grant her much, and have. But self-determination is not a invitation to national suicide. But there is far too much might makes right in the Inner Sphere, and an alternative must be found, if only to make sure we aren't going to have more young men and women maimed and killed for the same planets, over and over again?"

The Outworlds would welcome any transport assets ComStar would be willing to offer us in our pirate hunting, we would condider ourselves in Comstars debt and i am sure the junior ambassador will be happy to make the arrangements.

I am afraid that this is a topic upon which we can't agree.

*fingers steepled in thought, Ambassador Kosh finally replies*

"On the topic of Independence of worlds, we have given a great deal of thought in recent years.  It is a highly polarizing issue for many of us.

"Interstellar realms containing multiple worlds are by the economy of scale far more sustainable, and able to provide mutual support in terms of protective troops, self defence, raw materials, foodstuffs or even other critical industries necessary for survival.  There are many worlds within the Oberon Confederation that remain viable colonies solely as a result of support from other worlds within the Confederation.  This diversity and cohesion makes the Oberon Confederation stronger and has enabled us to persue recently rediscovered and improved terra forming techniques to repopulate many lost worlds in the Coreward Periphery.  Singular worlds seeking independence is often the height of folly and should be contemplated with great care to the survivability of the population."

"In the recent case of Andrion, the people sought to realign themselves from the Circinus Federation to the Lyran Commonwealth.  This was accomplished peacefully with a suitable plebicite to ensure the wishes of the people were met.  Contrastingly, the recent events on Bathazar and Diedre's Den were hastily acted upon and not peacefully resolved resulting in tragic events transpiring, needlessly causing a terrible loss of life.  It is our hope that these worlds can peacefully resolve their fate and determine their willingness to either remain as part of the Circinus Federation, or align themselves with the Lyran Commonwealth without further loss of life.  We continue to offer our support to the people of Bathazar III and Diedre's Den and willingly offer to assist in a peaceful negotiations."

"Should a significant or sustainable group of worlds seek to realign themselves from one Interstellar Realm to another, or declare their independence from an existing power, the Oberon Confederation would certainly review their cause extremely carefully and would consider politically supporting their people's bid for freedom of choice."

"One other issue closely follows along with this independence of worlds topic.  What of worlds who have been acquired by conquest?  Are these now subject to the intolerance of rebellion that certain other nations profess?  There are a great many worlds forcibly changing hands throughout the Inner Sphere in recent months, do the newly conquored people have any choice in this matter, have they sought out to be a part of their new masters?  Or will their new masters impose their will without any regard to the will of the people?"

"The Oberon Confederation hopes that peaceful resolutions to these matters of worlds changing allegiance can be achieved, and that the force of arms currently being used is tempered before too much civilian loss of life occurs.  In support of this objective, the Oberon Confederation commits to supplying neutral observers to oversee any plebicites to determine the fate of worlds in conflict."

Turning to Precentor Chase "Precentor, our transportation department will be contacting you counterparts directly to discuss your offer of suitable transportation assets to assist in pirate hunting activities, as well as prior offers of economic support as well, thank you."
 

*with a perplexed look* Ambassador Kosh asks, "If my esteemed colleague from the Taurian Concordat could be a little more clear, I am not quite sure what you mean by that last statement.  Time Machines are of a technology I am completely unaware of."

Ambassador Kosh nods, "why yes of course Ambassador, if one does trace the allegiences back far enough, no world could be claimed, and even this beloved Terra would be claimed by numerous factions as well."

"This curious fact makes certain recent revelations most interesting."

Perhaps our friend has lost his tongue?