A New Chapter in French/American Relations
The United States has exchanged diplomatic notes with France which have the following effects:
France:
- undertakes to respect the United States blockade of Brazil;
- undertakes to provide no military support to any parties in the Americas;
- undertakes to normalise relations with the United States; and
- undertakes to support American normalisation of relations with Brazil consistent with the terms found in the Caracas Declaration.
The United States:
- undertakes to allow French shipping freedom of passage
- undertakes to normalise relations with France; and
- undertakes to normalise relations with Brazil consistent with the terms found in the Caracas Declaration
Caracas Declaration:
The United States offers to restore diplomatic relations with Brazil and lifting of the blockade provided the following terms are met, these being:
- holding of free and fair democratic elections open to all;
- freeing of political prisoners, guarenteeing of their safety and security and the restoration of their political rights and economic assets
- permitting the return of exiles, guarenteeing of their safety and security and the restoration of their political rights and economic assets
- restoration of the economic assets and rights of foreign firms
- demobilisation [OOC: 40% seems reasonable]
- demilitarisation to a reasonable peacetime army [OOC: I'll accept levels equivalent to Argentina and Colombia combined]
- an undertaking to abstain from hosting of foreign troops or facilities;
- a pledge of neutrality.
The United States notes that any hostile action against United States friends and allies will invalidate the Caracas Declaration and demand the use of force.
***
President Waynes speaking in Raleigh:
"The United States is a union, and like all unions (including mine) there can be moments of friction. We've all had arguments, fights even. Lord knows I have with missus Wayne. She threw a plate at me once. But what God has put together no man can seperate. No sir. That's as true of man and wife as it is of the United States as a whole. She missed. [Gales of laughter].
But to return to more serious matters. Hamill's thrown his plate and he didn't miss. You can see the result in the thousands of coffins streaming into Arlington drapped in the ol' Red, White and Blue. I've sat through more funerals in the past two weeks than I have in my entire lifetime. I've spoken to families. Parents. Wives. Children. I've wept alongside them.
Now some have said we should just let Hamill go and say good riddance to his slave Republic. To that I say nonsense! The millions of loyal United States citizens in Tidewater demand their liberation. Before Hamill shut down the postal service I recieved tens of thousands of earntest pleas for liberation. I can't ignore that, neither should the American people. What American would be content to see millions of their fellow citizens forced to live in a foreign land?
Some others say, well Hamill might have messed up his execution but the idea [of secession] is sound. That's nonsense. Secession is anarchy. Our Republican Government only works if the majority is held in check by constitutional checks and limitations - the only guarentee we have of freedom. Whoever rejects this ought to just put on a crown and call themselves King - King Hamill.
Let us reflect on the bigger picture for a moment: the United States is the last country on earth where democracy flourishes and where men's are truly free to enjoy the fruits of their labors. The Germans might argue otherwise but they tried to buy themselves a state. Hunter offered it to them for a song. I'd have asked for more. [Gales of laughter]. I happen to know Madison is a great city. It's the only part of the United States I'd consider letting leave, but only if they agree to keep the Cubs out of the National League. [Gales of laughter]. It'd give my boys a better shot [Gales of laughter]...."