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A Blockade of Aeeq, for Free Trade and Fair Treatment
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| Senator_Cambrist | Date: Wednesday, 26 Jan 2011, 4:34 PM | Message # 1 |
 Lieutenant general
Group: Users
Messages: 761
Status: Offline
| The law requires that "notification of the use of force" must be "presented to the Empire a reasonable amount of time in advance." This is a notification of the use of force, Senators, but it is also something more; it is a plea to you, your planets, and your peoples to support this use of force in the name of our common desire for free trade and fair treatment—basic principles that have been disregarded by the planet Volus, and its government. As a consequence, and as a response, vessels from a diverse coalition of Imperial worlds--from Anaxes to Brentaal, and Chandrila to Druckenwell (to name only A, B, C, and D)—will impose a blockade upon the planet Aeeq. Bear with me, if you please, as I explain. Some time ago, a freighter belonging to an Imperial world was impounded on Volus, its "illegal" cargo confiscated, and its crew detained and, indeed, still detained. The question that comes to mind is not necessarily "why," but rather "what"—what was this "illegal" cargo? Was it dangerous? Some sort of weapon, or drug? Slaves, perhaps? No, Senators, this freighter and its crew were delivering tunics to Volus. Simple tunics made of wool and cotton, of a sort that any of our worlds can and probably do produce, including you, Telos, and you, Anobis. This freighter, belonging to an Imperial world that could have been any of us, was exercising its right—its right, Senators—to sell its products on another Imperial world, for the benefit of both worlds. Instead, it was intercepted by the government of Volus and told that a "secret law" had been passed against tunics. Against tunics, Senators! Thus, as I mentioned, the cargo was confiscated and the crew was and is detained. I have not mentioned which planet this freighter belonged to, because I wish to emphasize to you, Senators, that it could have been any of us, including you, Commenor, and you, Eriadu. But as it happens, the freighter belonged to a planet that the government of Volus has had public, political disputes with, including here in this Senate. Mind you, I am not implying that Volus impounded this ship, its cargo, and its crew for political reasons, but Senators, it implies itself. Note, for instance, that this was the only freighter that Volus impounded. Whatever the reasons that Volus did this, however, there can be no doubt that it was a serious infringement on the right of an Imperial world and its people to trade freely with one another. It is a right that all of our worlds have, and should expect to. It is not a right that one of His Majesty's worlds can take from another of His Majesty's worlds without a good reason. The Commerce Committee has agreed, and surely we all agree, that Volus did not have a good reason. Thus, for as long as it continues to hold this ship, and its cargo, and its crew, some sort of response must be made on behalf of all Imperial worlds, because any and, indeed, all of us might have our ships, our cargos, and our people detained in this shameful manner, too. A statement must be made that the conduct of Volus in this matter is not acceptable. This blockade of Aeeq, Senators, is that statement. But why Aeeq? You are right to ask this question, and I shall answer it. Volus has done what it has done for "no good reason," and I have said a few times now that it could have been done to any Imperial world, including you, Kaal, and yes you, Aeeq. Aeeq is an Imperial world, and it is one that might assume, because of its obscurity and its distance from the galaxy and its politics, that it is somehow "not affected" by what Volus has done, and never could be. This is not true, because, as I explained, what Volus has done to one Imperial world it could do to any and all Imperial worlds, including Aeeq. That is what this blockade will demonstrate. Therefore, in the coming hours an exclusion zone will be formed within a 50,000 mile radius of the planet Aeeq. Any ship entering this exclusion zone shall be intercepted, and its cargo seized (with the exception of food, medical supplies, and other necessary provisions). Representatives of the Bank of Aargau will be present to determine the value of the cargo confiscated. It will remain in our possession, and the blockade will remain in effect, until Volus releases the ship, crew, and cargo that it has seized. We also invite representatives of the Empire to monitor the conduct of the blockade, which, I assure you all, will be professional and humanitarian. To the people of Aeeq, we, your fellow Imperial worlds, mean no harm to you. You are right to be angry, but it is Volus, not us, that should be the target of your anger. Yes, some of you may live in discomfort for as long as the blockade continues, but you have our assurance that none of you shall be deprived of food, medicine, or clothing for your children. And the blockade will continue only for as long as Volus allows it to. Join us, Senators. Join this broad, diverse coalition of your fellow Imperial worlds in this statement of our, and your rights.
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| Ilanah_Thanatos | Date: Wednesday, 26 Jan 2011, 4:44 PM | Message # 2 |
 Colonel general
Group: Users
Messages: 891
Status: Offline
| Of course I agree, Senator Cambrist, as I have already pledged to Senator Oriel. I do wonder...how many ships do you have promised to participate in this blockade? I wish that I could offer to send ships from Chandrila, but as you know, our fleet was Imperialized, and therefore there are none to offer. I would hope that with this announcement, Volus would release the unjustly imprisoned men and ship, rather than further harm Imperial Citizens.
Ilanah R. Thanatos
Senator of Chandrila
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| Crin_Star | Date: Wednesday, 26 Jan 2011, 4:44 PM | Message # 3 |
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Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 313
Status: Offline
| Crin rose up having returned from Volus. "Interesting message you are trying to send here with this illegal and highly illogical move. Senators, look at what they are doing. Because they do not like a planet exercising its natural rights they will cut off another planet completely of all trade goods or rather attempt to. They do not care about planetary rights but instead their own pocket books. This coalition is a flimsy excuse for the few to line their pockets on the backs of the many with abuses against those who can not resist them. As it stands Senator Cambrist, Volus will impose an embargo on all goods from the members who take part in any blockade of another planet until such time as that blockaed is lifted. And futhermore any ships wishing to refuel on Volus and are a from one of the planets partaking in this illegal action will be sent away elsewhere until such time that this blockade is lifted. It is an illegitimate action against a planet simply enforcing its own laws.
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| LomenRyuun | Date: Wednesday, 26 Jan 2011, 4:54 PM | Message # 4 |
 Lieutenant general
Group: Users
Messages: 696
Status: Offline
| Druckenwell has little to worry about then. We don't export anything to Volus.
Lomen Ryuun
Senator, Doldur Sector
Senator, Druckenwell
Representative, Monor II (10 BBY - 9 BBY)
Representative, Geridard
Representative, Boranall
Representative, Therenor Prime
Vice-chairman, Defense Committee (Temporarily suspended)
Controlling Shareholder - Druckenwell Arms Corporation
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| Senator_Cambrist | Date: Wednesday, 26 Jan 2011, 4:57 PM | Message # 5 |
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Lieutenant general
Group: Users
Messages: 761
Status: Offline
| Senator Star, out of concern for your people, I would advise you not to provoke a circumstance in which Brentaal must respond to your embargo on its goods with an embargo on goods traveling to your world. You would, in this case, be forcing Brentaal to close the Hydian Way to you, and thus your commercial connection with the rest of the galaxy. I wish to see no one suffer. Not the people of Aeeq, and not the people of Volus either. That is what would happen if you decide to commit commercial suicide and implode your world's economy. Mind you, this is speaking only of Brentaal. There are many, many other worlds involved in this blockade, including industrial worlds, agricultural worlds, Core Worlds, and Rim Worlds. These worlds can shrug off Volus and survive without it, but Volus cannot survive without these worlds. I suggest you consult your government and your economic advisers before you take such a drastic step in the heat of the moment. I don't think they will approve. I do not deign to refute the rest of your words, Senator. I think the Senate will see these as a confusing, inconsistent attempt to justify the actions of your world, which are clearly wrong, and I think the Senate will see my words for what they are; an earnest plea to the worlds of the Empire to help us condemn your actions. The fact that you do not see this only demonstrates our point—that Volus has no respect for free trade, and is unwilling to do what is right and, thus, that only a dramatic statement, like this blockade, can possibly get through to you and your government. And Senator Thanatos, we have over a dozen vessels participating directly in the blockade, and support vessels as well. For security reasons I am not at liberty to say exactly how many, but it is a significant number.
Message edited by Senator_Cambrist - Wednesday, 26 Jan 2011, 5:03 PM |
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| Crin_Star | Date: Wednesday, 26 Jan 2011, 5:01 PM | Message # 6 |
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Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 313
Status: Offline
| Senator Cambrist, our economy is more self sustaining than most and would be resilient and any such action against Volus would be counted as a hostile action and would result in potential military confrontation between our forces. You do not want that and neither do I but if it comes to it Volus will preserve its right to determine what is and what is not allowed in its space. I am clearly right senator, worlds HAVE the right to create their own laws AND to enforce them and your actions here are saying to worlds that this is untrue and that a planet enforcing just laws will be bullied by worlds in the core and elsewhere. It is YOU senator who are in the wrong by trying to undo law and order on the planetary level.
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| Senator_Cambrist | Date: Wednesday, 26 Jan 2011, 5:11 PM | Message # 7 |
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Lieutenant general
Group: Users
Messages: 761
Status: Offline
| You are "clearly in the right"? Is that why you stand alone, Senator? With a broad, diverse coalition of Imperial worlds opposing you? You accuse me of being illogical, Senator, but you say that your world can embargo my goods without consequences, but if my world embargoes your goods in response, then it is war? But so be it, if you insist on attacking Brentaal—the most strategically and commercially important world in the galaxy—Brentaal certainly cannot be held responsible when it brushes your "fleet" aside like dandruff from a shoulder. And again, that's only Brentaal. You are threatening a dozen other worlds, too. Truly, Senator, I do not think you are well. I suggest you speak urgently with your government about a possible replacement for you. Someone who can speak more rationally for the good of the Volusian people. Your mere words here are probably crashing your markets as we speak.
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| Crin_Star | Date: Wednesday, 26 Jan 2011, 5:15 PM | Message # 8 |
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Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 313
Status: Offline
| I was speaking, Senator Cambrist, if you were to make a -move- against volus as you suggested would be your intentions placing an embargo around Volus would indeed carry with it a response which would carry an appropriate response. This measure will be in place for as long as your blockade is in place which if your words hold true should be for 9 months until the convicts are scheduled to be released.
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| Senator_Cambrist | Date: Wednesday, 26 Jan 2011, 5:31 PM | Message # 9 |
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Lieutenant general
Group: Users
Messages: 761
Status: Offline
| I was not referring to military action, Senator. I merely said that if you do not allow Brentaal's goods on Volus, then we will not allow your goods to pass through Brentaal, either. Thus, more than half the galaxy is closed to you. To return to the subject, however, if you truly wish to be apathetic to the people of Aeeq for 9 months, simply so you can continue to perpetuate the injustice of holding a ship, cargo, and crew that you have wrongfully convicted for violating a "secret law" banning common clothing, so be it. But if so, the blame—and the shame—is not ours. I have delivered this message on behalf of the coalition. Beyond this, I will let our actions speak for us, and the actions of Volus speak for Volus.
Message edited by Senator_Cambrist - Wednesday, 26 Jan 2011, 5:31 PM |
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| Crin_Star | Date: Wednesday, 26 Jan 2011, 5:38 PM | Message # 10 |
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Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 313
Status: Offline
| The blame and the shame will be on you and those committing this heinous crime senator. And to be clear we will not leave the good people of Aeeq out to dry as you clearly would like us to. Aide will be sent to those who need especially those who are wrongly suffering because of Senator Oriels wounded pride and because of a few planets pocket books possibly making a dent. The way in which you worded it senator was that you would cut off our access to the Hydian way which Implies a blockade due to Volusian proximity, which would indeed count as a military action. These people have been rightfully convicted as they are clearly guilty of bringing contraband items onto Volus and as such were found guilty there is no farce of justice as you seem to think Senator. The facts were clear cut and viewable by all, we paid for the best defense available for these individuals and yet they were found guilty still by a jury and sentenced to 9 months in a minimum security facility instead of the maximum allowed of 4 years. Do not attempt to misrepresent the facts of this case as the arrest, trail, and sentencing were all carried out in accordance to legal precedence and accepted judicial procedures.
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| LomenRyuun | Date: Wednesday, 26 Jan 2011, 6:09 PM | Message # 11 |
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Lieutenant general
Group: Users
Messages: 696
Status: Offline
| I fear I must agree with Senator Cambrist, Senator. You are clearly unwell. You propose military action against the Coalition? Volus is swamped with pirate attacks, Senator. You cannot afford the expenses of fighting everyone. Release the prisoners and everone can go home happy.
Lomen Ryuun
Senator, Doldur Sector
Senator, Druckenwell
Representative, Monor II (10 BBY - 9 BBY)
Representative, Geridard
Representative, Boranall
Representative, Therenor Prime
Vice-chairman, Defense Committee (Temporarily suspended)
Controlling Shareholder - Druckenwell Arms Corporation
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| Crin_Star | Date: Wednesday, 26 Jan 2011, 6:16 PM | Message # 12 |
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Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 313
Status: Offline
| The prisoners will not be released Senator Ryuun and Volus is not swamped with anything. Incidents are up yes, but they have all been dealt with efficiently and quickly leaving few pirates able to escape, and my words are if you take action against Volus directly then yes expect a fight.
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| Senator_Cambrist | Date: Wednesday, 26 Jan 2011, 6:17 PM | Message # 13 |
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Lieutenant general
Group: Users
Messages: 761
Status: Offline
| I did not use the phrase "farce of justice." You did, but it is indeed a proper description. Surely no one here believes it is just to convict a ship's crew for delivering common clothing to a world, with no way of knowing that a "secret law" had been passed to make that clothing illegal, for no reason. I also resent you accusing all of the worlds that oppose you of enriching themselves in this endeavor. Coruscant and Chandrila don't even have ships to send to Aeeq; how do you suppose they profit from this? I also stated, clearly, that confiscated cargo will be returned to Aeeq when the blockade is finished. Truly, Senators, who is distorting the truth here? I ask you, is it more likely that a diverse coalition of worlds of every political persuasion are all conspiring against Crin Star? Or that it is as I said—that we are joining together to make a statement against the Volusian government's careless infringement of our, and your rights? Consider what Senator Star has said here, and tell me which of us has respect for free trade? Which of us has shown compassion for the people of Aeeq? And Senators, who is really to blame? This argument will persist ad infinitum unless one of us refuses to continue it. It is apparent that Senator Star is "unwilling to be wrong," either in this argument or in her world's unjust conviction of innocent, Imperial citizens. I have stated the facts, Senators, and I will not continue this discourse. I have preparations to make.
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| Titus_Veritas | Date: Wednesday, 26 Jan 2011, 8:08 PM | Message # 14 |
 Colonel
Group: Users
Messages: 166
Status: Offline
| I would like to interject here, and state that I believe neither side is right, and both sides are wrong. Volus is in the wrong here more than the Coalition, though, I must clarify. Senator Star, I'm afraid there is a flaw in "secret laws", which is they are secret. No public notification renders them rather weak in a legitimate court room, and any legitimate court room would have struck down this law, freed these men, and more than likely ordered reparations. I am certain that those that have been imprisoned were made aware of their ability to appeal to the Imperial courts on this matter, correct? Or is that another matter that must magically be known by every being in the galaxy on a whim? On the Coalition, I do not see how a violation of free trade is fixable by a even further violation of free trade. I get the message that is being sent, and I indeed stand with that message, but the act to demonstrate it, I do not; an act which is contradictory to its intended goal. Regardless, Deralia is offering its services as a third part for negotiations between Volus and the Coalition to bring this matter to a peaceful end. I feel required as Defense Chairman to note to Volus that any military action against Anaxes, Coruscant, or Brentaal shall be considered against the Empire as well and will be responded to appropriately and swiftly.
Viceroy Titus Veritas, House Veritas
Consul of the House of Lords
Former Senator of Deralia and the Tammuz Sector (50 BBY - 30 BBY, 18 BBY - 10 BBY)
Former Chairman of the Imperial Senate Defense Committee (18 BBY - 10 BBY)
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| Crin_Star | Date: Wednesday, 26 Jan 2011, 8:19 PM | Message # 15 |
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Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 313
Status: Offline
| Senator Veritas, if a planet is blockaded or attacked defending itself is not against the empire instead it is in its best interest to either remove the blockade or destroy the attacking forces. My statement was in response to Senator Cambrist's remark that they would attempt to remove our access to the Hydian Way. And with Volus' location to that route would require a blockade to which we would respond with diligence. The law was not secret as it was passed by the Volusian Prefecture and was in the minutes of such a meeting, the government had already began distributing the information to businesses on Volus, tending to our own first, when the incident occurred. As it stands, they have been found guilty and are serving out a sentence of 9 months on Volus in a minimum security facility after which time is up they will be released. I was informed that the possibility of Parole does exist at the halfway point and it is possible they will be released a few months short of the full 9 as stipulated by the Judge who presided over the case. We are simply enforcing our own laws and as such are not at fault for any hostile actions taken by this new, updated version of the trade federation, who seek to bully planets into serving their pocket books rather than allow for self-governance and indeed free trade.
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