Heen (Realm)/Heenite Highlights/October '07/Negotiations of the Nations

Negotiations of the Nations

After almost a week to mull over some of the thoughts and feelings that had been raised by the rulers of Heen and Mesh, both realms needed to come up with some terms of agreement that would need to be settled in order to establish peace. These terms will be updated as the discussions progress, and will follow a similar format to the "Mediations with Mesh" insert to the paper.

The Terms of Heen

The Terms of Heen
20 October 1007		Thrydwulf
Chancellor Leani, Many things have happened between Heen and Mesh during the past few months, worsening the relations between our two realms that were at a stable and conscious peace for a very long time. Somewhat near a month ago, Heen formally declared to all rulers to engage in war with Mesh to bring an end to what Heen considered a hostile and ‘disgusting’ situation. Now, mediations have started to establish a new peace between Heen and Mesh. However, we all know that it takes more than a fresh signature to mend the broken relationship. Let it therefore be clear that Heen still intends to settle the situation by war if no compromise can be found between our realms. In order to find a peaceful solution, Terms for Peace will have to be agreed upon, as if our realms are trying to end a war even though it has not started yet. It is only logical that Terms are expected to come from both sides, and Heen welcomes Mesh to share their. Our Terms for Peace: Kagurati as well as Tarajist will be asked to leave Mesh as per the similar option of the judge. This will be one of the major Terms of Heen. A full investigation will be started in Mesh concerning the ‘Ambush in Naraka’. The only thing that Heen demands is to be informed of the result of that investigation. We will not demand for anything more, such as juridical actions to be taken. Another full investigation will be started in Mesh to name this anti-Heen faction. Again, we only require the result of the investigation. In this case, a list of names. The promise that whenever a member of Mesh in contacted by someone in Heen, who is leaking information, no matter what his motives are, that that noble is reported to Heen’s government. It is no courtesy to hide a spy when peace has been established again. Furthermore, Mesh must hand over a complete list of people who passed information through to Mesh. Danny should be able to supply that. We also require actual messages to back up each person’s name as a spy. An apology must be signed by all four members of the Meshian government, as well as a representative two third of Mesh’s region lords, for the ridicule and slander that Heen had to abide for so long by representatives of Mesh. Do note that we do not take this lightly. Consider well what you say in your apology, so know what we ask an apology for. Part of apologizing is for Heen to accept it as sufficient. A small, standard letter won’t suffice. A renewal of the Soil Non-Transgression pact, signed again by both representatives of Heen and Mesh, to withhold this addendum: Furthermore, this pact extends to the specific situation where no wars of mutual interest are fought. In this case, relations are improved to peace, yet the borders remain uncrossed. To repeat and clarify, Heen may not enter Meshian lands, Mesh may not enter Heenite lands. And the following addendum: Any infractions of this pact will be dealt with as following: If the soldiers under command of the involved noble(s) count less than 1/10 of his/her/their realm’s total military strength, then the noble(s) will be fined 75 gold each. If more, then their realm is held responsible and unless bans are immediately issued, the pact as well as the peace is considered broken. Relations are improved to peace, however conform the Soil Non-Transgression pact. In other words, if both realms are not engaged in wars of mutual interest, then peace will be required. If both realms are in fact involved in wars of mutual interest, then neutrality is sufficient. All Terms of Peace of Heen must be fulfilled by Mesh before the end of the invasion, that is, as soon as the last non-human race has left Beluaterra. As you can see, there are plentiful of terms that are merely a moral issue. We do not ask anything territorial nor anything military to settle this cold conflict. We only want Mesh to redeem itself and correct its errors to Heen. These Terms are of course negotiable to a certain extent, relative to the severity of the issue and many other factors that might arise during the negotiation. Heen awaits Mesh’s Terms for Peace, to be able to start the negotiation of the Terms. Signed, Martana Curs, Queen of Heen

Leani's Response

Leani's Response
20 October 1007		Thrydwulf
Queen Martana and the Council of Heen, The following letter contains Mesh's negotiation terms in response to Heen's Peace Proposal. Point 1: Sir Kagurati and Sir Tarajist are now Nobles of Mesh and they are free. Mesh is a Democracy where every Noble possesses nearly as much power as any of the Council members. Our realm works differently than yours, please acknowledge this. The two individuals are now under Meshian law and if we were to ban them for their past we would be undermining our own society, our own beliefs. We understand Heen's position but what you proposed goes against everything our realm stands for: Freedom. These individuals will not be banned from Mesh for their history, they simply can't be according to our laws, culture, beliefs, values. Point 2: The Ambush in Naraka was already explained to you Queen Martana during our discussion session. I was the Commander of the Army at that time so I can assure you that there was no such thing as trying to backstab Heen. We were intercepting a Heenite convoy en-route to Reeds to reinforce the City, we wanted to stop you from reaching the City so that the City can be successfully sieged. Naraka at that time was a region of Vlaanderen so there was no treaty broken, we fought on Vlaanderenian soil just like Mesh and Heen agreed to. There will be no investigation, it is not needed, if you can not accept my word as a proof then how could we possibly establish good mutual relationship? Point 3: Mesh is a democracy and thus we allow Freedom of Speech. This includes free expression of one's feelings about any realm in particular. If a Noble of Mesh decided to talk about Heen, whether in a bad tone or a casual one, our laws allow that. While you may consider such thing as Anti-Heen according to Heenite laws you must remember that Mesh is a different governmental system, here that is allowed. Nevertheless, like I mentioned during our meditations, there is no such thing as Anti-Heen fction within Mesh. It is possible that they exist behind the scenes but publicly no one trashed Heen in such an extent that it would be considered Anti-Heenish. Of course there were people who expressed negative feelings about Heen, especially those who arrived from Heen, but once again that is allowed according to our Democratic laws. I am certainly sure that there are people who are not very fond of Mesh either within Heen, we could call them Anti-Mesh faction. But Mesh doesn't mind that, that is natural, not everybody loves their neighbors. Point 4: Mesh is willing to make such promise. Mesh is willing report anyone from Heen that is telling Mesh information that can be considered important (we will not take interest in some random Heen noble sending random messages without meaning). In return Mesh requires Heen to do the same. Whenever a member of Heen in contacted by someone in Mesh, who is leaking information, no matter what his motives are, that that noble is reported to Mesh’s government. It is no courtesy to hide a spy when peace has been established again. Point 5: We have no list with names of people who leaked information. You mentioned that Sir Danny might have such information but he is denying those accusations. Nevertheless Mesh makes a promise that if in the future we find out who was the one sending us information and can confirm that 100% sure then we will immediately notify the government of Heen. Point 6: Mesh's government will formally send an apology for the slander that have taken place against members of Heen. Slander and bad-mouthing are not Meshian values either. Point 7/8: Mesh agrees to the renewal of the Non-Transgression pact established between the two realms earlier. However Mesh wishes to add an addendum: the Treaty may be suspended temporarily for Heen and Mesh forces to work together against a common enemy, this means fighting together against Daimons for example. Mesh does not agree to Heen's addendum. Banning a person for accidentally venturing in Heen territory with absolutely no hostile intention is absolutely ridiculous and can anger even the Titans. New Knights would be endangered by such addendum and thus we can not agree to this. Warnings to return home and fines however will be communicated to the person in question. Mesh also requires Heen to adopt the same rules regarding border violations that are not for the purpose to fight Daimons and other common enemies. Point 9: By signing this Peace Treaty Heen will be bound by it and promises not to launch offensive movements against Mesh while the invasion lasts or after the end of the invasion while the treaty is in effect. Mesh in return is also willing to promises not to launch offensive movements against Heen while the treaty is in effect. Yours, Leani Marrion, Chancellor of Mesh