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Post by Admin on Sept 28, 2015 7:37:33 GMT -6
"You needn't fear that they will not be heard. Our tribes are more than convenient organizations, they are family, as dear to us as our own. Why else would we call others of our tribe brother or sister, or refer to our elders as mother and father? It is a bond that unites us more strongly than any cause, shared regardless of status or achievement." Mma Mana spoke with a twinge of pride, or perhaps nostalgia. She could remember her own initiation - the time spent forging new friends, partaking in secret ceremonies that helped her transition from a child to an adult. Later she had returned, chosen to be an elder, and gone through a second initiation. The great mothers had told her their secrets and they had sat in vigil, and she had learned to lead her family. Speaking so was also a way to assert the importance of the tribes over the RWU's preferred unions, and to remind the RWU that they were outsiders. They had never gone through the ceremonies or heard the secret tales, and even the most devoted of their unionists would never tell those secrets to one not in the tribe. In this way President Tusana herself, whatever their accusations, was closer to every Ngawete in the union than they were to their so called "comrades."
"Regardless of their concerns, the RWU remaining is unacceptable." President Tusana spoke up, her voice leaving no uncertainty on this point. "Councilor Devikar's proposal amounts to capitulating to RWU demands. We would have no guarantee they would ever accept any reforms we might implement not in line with their clearly hostile policies toward the Conglomerate, or that they would even accept a later dissolution of the union. I am willing to invite a Wuxian delegation to observe the proceedings as proof of our intention, but regardless of any eventual policy changes the RWU must withdraw from Tusi."
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Post by zurajai on Sept 28, 2015 9:36:24 GMT -6
"There must be compromise," echoed the Yuyan with his reverberating voice, "We cannot have one or the other. If they have no assured action the unions on Tusi are sacrificing everything to receive a theoretical, hypothetical something. I greatly appreciate the very spiritual nature of your tribal bonds that transcends all other forms of relationships and perhaps the mortal plane itself and I believe this to be the true path to diplomacy. But I understand the apprehension of the Tusi unions and their allies. I propose this; a Wuxianese Defense Force unit shall be placed on Tusi to give aid to those in need, funded of course by the Wuxian government, and to serve as a buffer to conflict. These men and women will be unarmed when out in the field and all armaments sent with them will be reserved for moments of conflict when defending the citizens of Tusi becomes necessary. This will remain the case until this Convocation comes to an end and at least some concerns are met with answers, as will be confirmed by the Wuxianese delegate I choose to send. Until that time, the RWU must stop all actions by undercover agents in the system of Tusi. Is this acceptable to all here?"
"Though my ability to speak for all the Unions remains tenuous at best, Wise-One," came the voice of Rra Goto, "But I believe this is the right course of action and accept the offer as it stands."
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Post by RWU on Sept 28, 2015 16:15:29 GMT -6
"Then the RWU supports this course of action," Devikar let out almost like a sigh of relief after Rra Goto. A negotiated solution was looking like a real possibility, if only the Kwazan President would now accept the proposal. But would she? Would the Yuyan's deft diplomacy and wisdom be enough to sway her?
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Post by Admin on Sept 28, 2015 19:22:23 GMT -6
The president's reply was very precisely worded, clearly aware of the political weight that this decision could carry. "We would be willing to invite a Wuxian mission to Tusi to assist in mediating a proper settlement." This was essentially full agreement to the Yuyan's terms, but making a clear distinction of sovereignty. The Wuxianese were not violating Kwazan sovereignty because they had been asked to mediate a sensitive matter as a neutral and well-respected party. Compromises could be struck, changes made, but the Conglomerate's sovereignty must remain respected.
"We will agree to nothing, however, unless the illegality of the RWU's behavior is recognized. The Conglomerate will not tolerate a foreign power injecting itself into our sovereign affairs on the pretense of 'protecting' our own people from their lawful government based on arbitrary and self-made criteria." She glanced at the Yuyan and Chancellor, expectant but unsure. So far they had been very restrained in their speech. Would they be willing to censure the RWU and clearly reject violations of sovereignty?
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Post by RWU on Sept 28, 2015 21:48:15 GMT -6
"Madam President," the Ayar delegate asked the Kwazan earnestly, "would you say there are ethics outside of law? Just because a government is lawful, does that make its policies just? Just because sovereignty exists as an abstract principle, are all bound to respect it regardless of concrete violence and injustice to real people on the ground? I understand that for most states, the answer is yes. But the RWU, as you surely know, is something of an oddity.
"Our movement was, is, and will probably always be illegal. It was illegal in its earliest days everywhere it existed, even in Wuxian at first for a short time, and certainly in Asteron and Antoviya. For every one of these, there were those in the elite who saw it as an unwarranted disruption from the other two. Then, we became doubly-illegal on New Sovereignty, not just our plan of action but our very existence was an infringement on royal sovereignty, as was the concrete aid of 'foreign agitators' from Asteron. Now, the RWU is not illegal everywhere, but in most nations the state still deems it so. So feel free to deem our actions illegal, Madam President, and you as well Wise Yuyan if you judge it so. We will continue, regardless, to prioritize the concrete conditions and power of the working masses over the decisions of far-off courts held without their input or consent. This is the very purpose of the RWU." Throughout her entire short speech, Jaira Devikar kept a measured and neutral tone. She hoped to make clear the RWU's position without being any more confrontational than necessary.
"Now, since we have reached consensus on the essential terms of continued peace, and since as I have expressed the RWU is indifferent to any judgments this session makes on the legality of our actions, I believe we have an agreement, do we not?"
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Post by zurajai on Sept 28, 2015 22:40:31 GMT -6
"A desire for change is not something to be considered legal or illegal," interjected Zhao Yu swiftly, "However the Bureaucracy does deem the means of which the RWU actively employs to be illegal; the covert movement of agents shows clear intent to operate beyond the law and is in strict opposition to international law. However, it is the opinion of the Bureaucracy as well that the public act of spreading such ideals should not be illegal; indeed, it is how the Prelates of the Fundamental Truth teach those who have not had the benevolent illumination of the Yuyan given to them. Unless, of course, freedom of speech is not provided to the citizens of the Conglomerate which brings up very different connotations for a very different discussion."
"Yes, of course," chimed in the Yuyan, his voice fluttering into a lower tone for a moment, "Though I do not condone such secretive methods, neither do I support the removal of freedoms fundamental to the growth of individual thought. However, this is not something to speak on now. Is this an acceptable deal? The lives of thousands if not millions of IsiKwazans, Humans, Ayar, and Wuxianese hang on the balance of this one decision."
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Post by RWU on Sept 29, 2015 0:29:42 GMT -6
"I believe the Union Council would be open to adopting new rules for organizers specifying that all activities will be public, provided that our neighbors agree to refrain from repression and arrests of them and their local comrades," Devikar replied to the Chancellor and the Yuyan. "But as you pointed out, we can discuss this later. I repeat that the deal as accepted by Comrade Rra Goto is acceptable to the RWU."
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Post by Admin on Sept 29, 2015 8:52:05 GMT -6
There was clear disappointment written on the face of President Tusana and most of the rest of the Kwazan delegation. They had hoped that by being willing to compromise on the issue at hand they could secure some concession from the RWU regarding its interference in their territory, or at the very least a clear condemnation of such tactics by the Yuyan and his government. Instead both parties were unwilling to even address the issue, preferring to focus on the "crisis" on Tusi itself and leave the Conglomerate with nothing. They would make the compromises, the RWU would continue to agitate its citizens and they would find themselves back in the same room making yet for concessions for no benefit.
"No." President Tusana replied, her voice like titanium. "We will make no concessions unless the issue of sovereignty is addressed. The RWU may once have been a broad class movement, but today they rule the system of old Antoviya, with billions of citizens and millions of soldiers at their command. If our demands for respect of our sovereignty fall on deaf ears I must remind the RWU that it has treaties and interests like any established state, and that if it wishes to continue operating in the field of diplomacy some respect for other nations is necessary."
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Post by zurajai on Sept 29, 2015 10:01:38 GMT -6
"The President is right," spoke the Yuyan once more, "Despite the place in my heart for the RWU, by all definition you are no longer an international organization but a state in of itself. With such power you must recognize that you have to abide by a different set of rules. For this and any peace to come is to work you must recognize that despite your own perceptions of yourself, they are certainly not the perceptions of the galaxy at large. According to our own defensive treaty I would respond to such threats to your own sovereignty with force; that is what you wished for. How then can you expect others not to do the same? While the Conglomerate brings about a Tribal Convocation I emplore the RWU council to have a serious discussion on what to do about this issue. Your reasonable revolution is being mired by such acts and what has been seen in a good light on my own world is starting to appear as a threat on others. If you wish success for yourself to spread the good word of your ideals then you must change as you expect others to do the same."
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Post by RWU on Sept 29, 2015 18:00:54 GMT -6
"So because the revolution of the masses is powerful and has liberated significant territory, we should no longer organize anywhere else?" the RWU delegate inquired. "It's not as if the galaxy's political leaders, except in Wuxian, ever perceived us as anything but a threat," she pointed out. "The President's outlook is nothing new. Without a state, we were dangerous, corrupt subversives and malcontents in their eyes. With a state, we are dangerous, corrupt strategic rivals and 'syndical imperialists.'"
Devikar sniffled briefly to clear her talpidic nose. "That being said, as I conceded earlier, the Union Council can discuss a moratorium on all covert organizing, but the prospect of ending our outreach altogether would betray our inviolable founding principles. We would no longer be a labor union at all, only a state, and not even a Syndicalist one at that. And unless the Conglomerate plans to massacre the Council, the Congress, and any resistance that ensues, then I can assure you that such a change will never happen." The last sentence was unusually violent against Devikar's generally restrained tone, but she had her reasons. She knew that this was exactly what the Conglomerate would do, if it had the power.
"Now, do we have an agreement, comrades?"
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Post by zurajai on Sept 29, 2015 19:05:49 GMT -6
"We have an agreement on all accounts except this latest quandry," retorted the Yuyan, "For now, if you will not completely disband the unions, in the interim please call for a complete cessation of conflict and have all unions halt strikes. They shall be safe and amnesty promised to them shall ensure that safety. I implore you to look into your heart; I do not know your faith, Comrade-President, but I know all those who follow the Fundamental Truths in the RWU will speak out against such violence. All life is sacred and to squander it over something that can be solved through diplomacy would be a terrible waste. What say you? Look into your heart and save those who would suffer."
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Post by RWU on Sept 29, 2015 22:32:13 GMT -6
"Those terms are acceptable to the RWU, if they are acceptable to Comrade-Elder Rra Goto Baromo," Secretary Devikar replied to the Yuyan. "We have no desire for war."
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Post by Admin on Sept 30, 2015 15:11:02 GMT -6
Devikar's spech brought notable remorse to a couple faces on the Kwazan delegation, particularly that of Mma Mana. They were the ones who had pushed for coexistence with the RWU and convinced the President to send overtures and diplomats. To hear the Councilor's blatant disdain for the Conglomerate and refusal to accept restraint was a great blow to their efforts. Tusana would remember, and it would no doubt be harder to convince her to see the RWU as anything but a threat.
"We are willing to accept an interim ceasefire while the tribal conclave is called, provided that the RWU agrees to limit any further activities in Kwazan territory to legal and open channels, and that the current unions on Tusi are dissolved upon the enactment of reforms satisfactory to the observing Wuxian party." President Tusana assented, careful to outline the terms in detail so there could be no misunderstandings. The last thing they needed was ambiguity in this agreement, which could see them back in the same situation with less leeway and more hostility.
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Post by RWU on Sept 30, 2015 20:52:10 GMT -6
"The RWU accepts these terms, if the Tusi unions ratify them. Comrade-Elder Baromo, I trust you can arrange for this?"
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Post by zurajai on Sept 30, 2015 23:38:30 GMT -6
"I believe I can. You shall all be remembered for this day."
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