Alpha SIM Military Buildup Conferences/Summits

[Lt. Staplic]

Hello,

I am pleased to see that you have come to discuss these things with us. I believe it is imperative for the success of these talks if we agree to one thing. We are here to talk, not shoot. While these conferences are ongoing war must be avoided. To this end I propose two things: the first is that we open our vessels and fleet to observers from all other nations. This shall prevent any, misunderstandings, from occurring. The second is that we all agree to allow mediation for any conflicts we may have. A neutral third party shall be chosen by both parties to mediate their dispute and reach a peaceful conclusion.

With these two conditions in place we should have no problem establishing a stable setting on which to hold these talks.

[BigJKU316]

The Ferengi Alliance will consent to these terms for the period of discussion.

However will withdraw from the talks if any power uses these as a pretense for withdrawing from a contract agreed to under Ferengi Law. Powers should take that into account during these negotiations. We also will not be able to tolerate any limits on the sales of ships to other powers as it would be contrary to our business interest.

[stitch626]

The Gorn can agree to the second condition. In fact that would help things, as we are not known for our... skilled diplomacy.

We have no problem with other powers watching our fleets. We have no plans to be an aggressor. We have our internal patrol fleet, which watches for pirates and keeps the newly allows civilian ship traffic from going off course. We have our defense fleet, which is prepared to move to any point within our borders should the need arise. We also have two scout patrols, which patrol our north and south border, mostly for pirate activity. There are plans for an exploration fleet to be formed, once we develop a suitable ship.

However, we cannot allow for observers to be placed on our vessels. Too much risk of easy espionage.
It isn't that we don't want to trust other species. It's that we cannot afford to trust another species.

[Sonic Glitch]

The Breen agree with the Gorn. We agree to the principle of mediation to solve disputes. However, we cannot allow observers into our fleet operations. Long experience has taught us that it is, regrettably, necessary to distrust outsiders. As sound as the idea may seem, the opportunity provided for espionage by allowing outside observers of fleet movements is of too great.

[Tsukiyumi]

The Federation also agrees with the idea of mediation to prevent war; we, like our Gorn and Breen colleagues, believe that opening our fleets to investigation would increase the chances of incidents between powers, and would therefore be counter-productive.

[BigJKU316]

The Ferengi agree to open their fleet to observers and invite any and all to look at their operations. Every spy is a potential buyer of our goods after all.

[Tyyr]

The Romulan Star Empire would be willing to allow observers on our squadron leader and higher warships. We would not open them to all but we believe the Ferengi, Federation, and Cardassians would be tolerable. We fail to see how the presence of known, declared observers, even ones who are too inquisitive for their own good, is dangerous enough to start a war.

[Tinadrin Chelnor]

The Tholian Assembly agrees with the mediation of disputes to avoid conflict, we however will not be open to allow observers onto our vessels at this time. We have no desire to engage in conflict with any other power, and our fleets are limited to defence and patrols. As with the Breen, we have learnt it is difficult to trust outsiders.

[Reliant121]

The Turian Hierarchy would hope that clause 2 would be common sense, not a requirement of law. We support this wholeheartedly.

However, we will not allow foreign inspections of our ships while others themselves withhold this privilege.

[Tyyr]

Our understanding of this agreement is that the representatives would be there merely to confirm in an unbiased way the actions of our vessels, that such ships are not preparing for an offensive war and to reassure each other that no sneak attacks are in the works. Not that they would be allowed nuts and bolts inspections of our vessels.

[Tinadrin Chelnor]

In the interests of moving forwards, and bearing in mind the Romulan Star Empire is willing to allow some observers, the Tholian Assembly would be willing to allow observers on fleet command vessels and starbases. We are only willing to allow Ragnar or Ferengi observers for the time being. The Ragnar, as the initial proposers of these talks, and the Ferengi who are more interested in profit than interstellar conquest. We do however, reserve the right to retract from this agreement if we feel it in any way jeopardizes Tholian security.

[Lt. Staplic]

The Romulan representative is correct, such observers are simply aboard to provide neutral observation of any potential dispute. Given that my own nation just recently allowed a Federation Journalist onto our ships for nearly a year without compromising our securit,. I see little reason to suggest any observer would gain access to classified or sensitive starship information given the proper security conditions are in place.

[Tsukiyumi]

Observers aboard vessels would be able to track fleet deployments and strengths, shipyard locations, and any number of other vital strategic security assets simply by looking out a viewport. We decline this aspect of your proposal.

[Lt. Staplic]

So be it. No one shall force observers on any state; however those whom like myself are willing, should work together to exchange observers for such peacekeeping efforts.

Additionally, I believe it necessary to point out that without the Klingon Empire and Kobol joining us, any agreement reached will not be worth anything. If we are to agree to certain arms limitations that the Klingons and Kobol do not then we shall do little more than make our states easy victims to any campaign by either of their states. Additionally given the recent build up of military forces within the Klingon Empire in particular, their participation seems crucial to any long term success these conferences may have.

I would urge those of you who have close relations with the Empire to urge they join us.

[Tyyr]

Observers aboard vessels would be able to track fleet deployments and strengths, shipyard locations, and any number of other vital strategic security assets simply by looking out a viewport. We decline this aspect of your proposal.

What an interesting development. The Romulan Star Empire willing to be open and the Federation holding tightly to its secrets. I fail to see the concern though, why would we need observers on your ships to discern your movements, fleet strengths, starbase and shipyard locations when your vaunted free press publishes such information openly?

In fact let me just get this out of the way. Sol has a starbase 74 equivalent starbase, Vulcan, Tellar, Andoria, and Alpha Centauri have Spacedock equivalent Starbases, Bajor, and systems 18, 28, 31, and 34 all have DS9 equivalent starbases, and systems 1, 8, 11, 22, and 25 all have starbase 375 equivalent starbases. Your shipyards are located at Sol, Vulcan, Tellar, Andoria, and Alpha Centauri. Your fleet is composed of 6,252 ships. 14 Galaxy Class Mk 1's, 25 Galaxy Class Mk 2's, 194 Sovereign Class ships, 1,550 Andor class ships, 767 Akira class ships, 15 Centarui class ships, 745 Vulcan Class ships, 150 Rhode Island class ships, 1,250 Tellar class ships, 75 Pulsar class ships, 845 Intrepid class ships, 792 Nova Class ships and your Excalibur class is about 60 months from completing development isn't it? If you'd like I can have the names of their commanding officers along with their entire service records in a few moments, or can we put this laughable concern about espionage via eyeballs behind us? Really, you publish this information openly, do you think we don't already know it? Besides, who is so amateurish in their intelligence gathering as to think these observers, who will undoubtedly be closely monitored, would be of any use in gathering serious intelligence?