Hapan Trade Equality Act - Star Wars RP: A Galaxy At War Forum

Date: Sunday, 04 Sep 2011, 5:02 AM | Message # 1

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Senators,

We have recently had an encounter which has been demonstrative of the danger which the Hapan Consortium poses to us both Militarily and Economically. Thus, as their borders are closed to our traders and "refugees" I propose we act to discourage the Hapans from entering our space and trading, they have little to offer but expensive and dangerous trinkets.

Hapan Trade ~~Discouragement~~ Equality Act

Trade with the Hapan Consortium is to be discouraged (to prevent the dissemination of valuable technology to these primitive matriarchs).

1. A 20% Tariff is imposed upon all transactions involving Hapan Citizens.
2. Hapan Guns of Command as dangerous weapons are prohibited for the use of civilians.
- Possession or trade in these items shall warrant a mandatory minimum sentence of no less than 5 years imprisonment with hard labour.
3. Hapan "Rainbow Gems" shall be prohibited from being imported to Imperial Space due to their very high market and potential to devalue the Imperial Credit Standard. It should also be added that the dangers to health posed by these Gems is as yet unknown, and they are known emitters of radiation.
- All presently extant "Rainbow Gems" in Imperial Space should be registered with the authorities, paperwork identifying the provenance of these gems is to be required for trading these gems (to verify they were not imported after imports were prohibited).
- The penalty for possession or trade of unregistered "Rainbow Gems" shall be fixed as a minimum sentence of two years imprisonment with hard labour.
4. Trade in weapons, technology or data with the Hapes Consortium is to be considered prohibited.
5. The Senate calls upon the Imperial Customs Department to enforce these regulations stringently.
6. Any Hapan entering Imperial Space must pay for an "Entry Visa". This will require biometric details to be taken of each Hapan entering Imperial Space and a fee to be paid of 500 Imperial Credits for processing.
- Any Hapan found to be in Imperial Space without a visa may be sentenced to up to one year's hard labour or imprisonment, deportation to Hapan space and a ban from entering Imperial Space in future.
7. A "Spaceways tax" shall be levied on any Hapan vessel using the Imperial Spacelanes annually (as they do not pay income tax for their upkeep) of 5,000 Credits or 10% of their annual net profit (whichever is higher).

Oriel Amendment

8. All funds raised by this act will be added to the budget of the Imperial Department of Military Research.

Senator Hubert Ordan
__________________________

Senator of the Azure Sector
Foreign Minister of Anaxes
Captain-General of the Azure Interest Protection Squadron
Deputy Chairman of the Ethics Committee
Worshipful Master of the Most Loyal and Honourable Company of Blockadeers
Archtreasurer of the Vault of Pols Anaxes
Autocrat of Selgon
Owner of Azure Durasteel
Systems Admiral (Ret)
Order of the Canted Circle

Message edited by Senator_Ordan - Sunday, 04 Sep 2011, 8:10 AM

Date: Sunday, 04 Sep 2011, 6:38 AM | Message # 2

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I daresay, Senator Ordan, perhaps we should limit the trade to what we share for what they will give us, in the event we even do trade with them. It is my understanding that the Consortium is isolationist and those likely to trade with us are pirates and raiders cast out of the Consortium's good graces. If the rainbow gems need be studied, then send them off for research, Ordan. Don't block out a valuable resource that is worth so much, especially to high-born ladies. You'll ruin jewelers everywhere.

I daresay you worry too much because a group of supposed renegade Hapans dealt us a blow for reasons we do not yet know. Don't tell me Da'shune has unmanned you, sir. That would be a laugh, considering he is, after all, a man with a headband.

Druckenwell wishes the Senate to temper its vote with careful thought and consideration. For the time being, we abstain.

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

Date: Sunday, 04 Sep 2011, 6:43 AM | Message # 3

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The Hapans have dealt us no blow, they were defeated at Parein II.

I hardly see jewelers being ruined, the Rainbow gems already within the Empire may continue to be retained. This (if anything) will increase the value of the registered Gems within Imperial Borders while preventing any Hapans (renegade or otherwise) from profiteering off a valuable commodity, funds which they could then turn to use to produce weapons and warships to be deployed against our boys in Grey.

Date: Sunday, 04 Sep 2011, 6:46 AM | Message # 4

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Garos IV votes against this act in its entirety and agrees with the fine senator from Druckenwell. They are normally isolationists. There is no reason for the senate to step in and put such sanctions on the whole for a few trouble makers.

Ja'nar Cerra
Queen of Garos IV
Acting Senator to the Republic, Garos IV

Date: Sunday, 04 Sep 2011, 6:47 AM | Message # 5

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You don't think the death of a Sector Governor along with over a thousand dead from the Imperial Military is reason enough? If these mere renegades can do this then we ought to do nothing to stimulate the economy of the Hapes Consortium as a whole.

Date: Sunday, 04 Sep 2011, 6:55 AM | Message # 6

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What we ought to do is throw you into a sarlac pit. I am sick and tired of this childish behavior on all parties within these chambers and out. I feel like this is a personal vendetta against the Hapan Cluster and I for one will not stand for it. War is ugly, battle is ugly. We fight to keep our ideals alive yet we punish those who are doing the same but their ideals do not correlate with our own. The reality of war is not a pretty thing, people die. I am sure they have lost just as many as we, so why continue this? If you say the Empire has won, then it has won and we should move on. No reason to rub salt into the wound.

Ja'nar Cerra
Queen of Garos IV
Acting Senator to the Republic, Garos IV

Date: Sunday, 04 Sep 2011, 6:56 AM | Message # 7

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Ordan, surely you have heard the rumors and reports that come out of the Cluster? If we even assumed half of it to be true, should the Hapans come forth in force, we might suffer even more losses. Put a ban on Hapan trade? Pfft. I say improve our own defenses and vessels and weapons. You own Azure Durasteel, do you not? Perhaps the Senate can allocate certain funds so that companies like your can research better starship armor. That would be a better bill, I would say.

Date: Sunday, 04 Sep 2011, 7:01 AM | Message # 8

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We are not presently at a state of war with the Hapes Consortium? Did I suggest this? I seek to avoid war by denying them the resources with which they could fight such a war effectively! I am seeking to prevent a war with actions that make it impossible. To impede this act is to increase the likelihood of open war with the Hapes Consortium.

Do not talk to me of war, Madam, I served in the Clone Wars with the Republic Navy and the Imperial Navy, pray Miss Cerra, where were you? I shed blood for the Empire, did you? Or were you busy suckling off your mother's nipple? Or perhaps sipping the first of many Corellian ales with a death stick in hand?

Date: Sunday, 04 Sep 2011, 7:01 AM | Message # 9

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Once more I must agree with Senator Ryuun but again I feel he may have a personal interest in that course of action it could be the best. Why let them know this bothers you so much, allow them to become compliciant once more and then strike. The element of surprise is always best and if you are throwing a huge fit about everything and putting sanctions they will only gain more power knowing that another attack is looming.

Ja'nar Cerra
Queen of Garos IV
Acting Senator to the Republic, Garos IV

Date: Sunday, 04 Sep 2011, 7:06 AM | Message # 10

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I would like to express my shock that the Senator of Druckenwell has expressed the unpatriotic opinion that we are somehow unprepared to currently face a war with Hapes (if we needed to). They have at most a few thousand ships, less than the average well populated Sector. While I do not think the insidious threat they pose should be understated it should equally not be overstated, Hapes poses a small threat to neighbouring sector's security, it poses no threat to the continued existence of the Empire but in order to bolster the security of these Sectors it does not sit well to continue to stimulate trade with them.

Also, it should be noted the Senator is proposing that I allocate Senate funds to my own company. The very thought shocks me and I reject any notion that I would abuse my position in such a way.

Added (04 Sep 2011, 8:06 Am)
---------------------------------------------
Senator Cerra! We are not planning to attack the Hapes Consortium! I demand the Chair call her to order for suggesting such a matter and acting in a way which can only hope to prejudice Imperial and Hapan foreign policy towards war.

Date: Sunday, 04 Sep 2011, 7:17 AM | Message # 11

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Ordan, where is your justification that open war with the Hapan Consortium is even in the cards? If you are privy to some unknown information, I am sure the Senate would like to hear it. If not, stating that certain acts or the not taking of certain acts in regards to the Consortium may or may not increase the likelihood of open war is simply fear-mongering. They have remained in isolation for how long now? Surely us smashing some renegades is hardly cause for open war. Denial of possible trade could be otherwise.

Also, Ordan, if you will see my wording: 'companies like yours.' I use Azure Durasteel as an example. I am sure there are better-equipped and equally willing companies who could benefit from an allocation than your company, as I would not infringe upon your honor as a Senator or a CEO.

And, once more Ordan, I will thank you not to twist my words. Have you proof of an accurate count of Hapan ships, or do you simply assume? I would hope you were wiser than that. Simply put, Ordan, we do not know if we are prepared to face a war with the Consortium. We have strength, I'll not deny it, and we have the finest men and equipment I can conceive of. Nonetheless, rumors of rebellious groups springing up, Separatist remnants who still possess weapons capable of subjugating a planet and terrorists plague us. We need to ensure our home front is secure fully before even considering a possible war with a well-equipped and organized force.

Bernard_Oriel

Date: Sunday, 04 Sep 2011, 7:20 AM | Message # 12

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I vote in favour of this act. While I feel for the Hapan people and the honourable way in which they have treated me during my visit to them (prior to them shooting me), I feel no more Imperial Credits and resources should be encouraged to go into the Hapes Cluster.

Bernard Oriel
Senator for the Planet of Vjun
1st Earl Malreaux (Second Creation)
Vjun Delegation to the Imperial Senate

Date: Sunday, 04 Sep 2011, 7:22 AM | Message # 13

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The only suggestion of war with Hapes has been raised by Senator Cerra.

Date: Sunday, 04 Sep 2011, 7:25 AM | Message # 14

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Perhaps Senator Cerra misunderstood your intent. I will give her that point.