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For Your Information Asks the Candidates
Debate 1: Foreign Affairs


I was originally not going to repeat this debate format, because I didn't feel it was really successful in the last election...however, this election has already turned out to be the most vibrant in our region's history, so I thought I would give it a try again. Since we are starting late compared to the last election, I have decided to condense the format and ask several questions in a particular area each day.

I hope that all of our candidates for all positions will participate in these debates so that our voters are better informed of where they stand on the issues; however it may be that some questions are not relevant for all positions, and I understand that. I ask that ONLY candidates reply to this topic so that voters will be see debates amongst the candidates only. Citizens are of course free to ask questions in the candidates' campaign topics, and can contact me if they would like something asked in this debate.

Today's questions will focus on foreign affairs...obviously, with the departure of Charax, we find our foreign affairs at a crossroads. There may be no time in our region's history that an election may have so much impact on the direction of our FA and diplomatic affairs in the future.


1) Other than Lazarus, our only current treaty partner, what region or group do you believe is our most valuable diplomatic partner and why?

2) Recently, The South Pacific announced that they would no longer utilize their embassies in other regions, instead posting news and information only on their own forum and NationStates Gameplay, as posted here. What are your thoughts on the importance or unimportance of forum embassies? Additionally to Jarl of Foreign Affairs candidates, what are some ideas you have to make embassies with our region more valuable, if you have any plans at all?

3) What specific things would you change about the way Wintreath conducts foreign affairs if you could?

4) Perhaps the most relevant foreign affairs issue which Wintreath has taken a stance on is the December 2013 coup of Osiris and the subsequent rise of the "Osiris Fraternal Order", our reaction to which is noted in Royal Decree 002. Noting the embassy request recently received from that region, what are your thoughts on the current state of non-affairs between Wintreath and the "Osiris Fraternal Order"?

5) Obviously, both the Jarl of Foreign affairs and the Underhusen have considerable input on the treaties with Wintreath enters into. What are some factors that would cause you to absolutely come out against any particular treaty?

1) Other than Lazarus, our only current treaty partner, what region or group do you believe is our most valuable diplomatic partner and why?

I believe GRA is valuable due to the fact that it is an older region which is being rebooted. As they are an older region they have more of a history and they might be able to help us at times when needed.

2) Recently, The South Pacific announced that they would no longer utilize their embassies in other regions, instead posting news and information only on their own forum and NationStates Gameplay, as posted here. What are your thoughts on the importance or unimportance of forum embassies? Additionally to Jarl of Foreign Affairs candidates, what are some ideas you have to make embassies with our region more valuable, if you have any plans at all?

I think they are important due to their directness and the fact that this way you can figure out individual reactions per region. Also it's a rather older tradition in itself. Also a way that I think that we can make our embassies more valuable is simple, inform people whom we have embassies with of festivals and events, and allow the embassies to be a communication of sorts. Also having a newspaper could help us as well

3) What specific things would you change about the way Wintreath conducts foreign affairs if you could?

Simple, it's the fact that at times(like with the region Gay Equality) the ambassador becomes inactive and there seems to be no knowledge of why. I would simply go to the regions(or have an ambassador do it), and ask why their ambassador is inactive, and I may ask for a new ambassador to try and have the embassy more active.

4) Perhaps the most relevant foreign affairs issue which Wintreath has taken a stance on is the December 2013 coup of Osiris and the subsequent rise of the "Osiris Fraternal Order", our reaction to which is noted in Royal Decree 002. Noting the embassy request recently received from that region, what are your thoughts on the current state of non-affairs between Wintreath and the "Osiris Fraternal Order"?

I think we should keep them this way, for a while, the OFO has some members which we should be weary of and also removing the stance could also allow Cormac into the region, which is not something I would wish to see.

5) Obviously, both the Jarl of Foreign affairs and the Underhusen have considerable input on the treaties with Wintreath enters into. What are some factors that would cause you to absolutely come out against any particular treaty?

Anything from having to make a new military force, to having to transfer power from the sorting to an external body or even making us be peaceful towards non-signatory regions.

1) Other than Lazarus, our only current treaty partner, what region or group do you believe is our most valuable diplomatic partner and why?

Spiritus, for the fact that we have many citizens that we have many citizens that share dual citizenship, and that Spiritus has many experienced members. GRA is a close second, due to the reasons Chanku stated

2) Recently, The South Pacific announced that they would no longer utilize their embassies in other regions, instead posting news and information only on their own forum and NationStates Gameplay, as posted here. What are your thoughts on the importance or unimportance of forum embassies? Additionally to Jarl of Foreign Affairs candidates, what are some ideas you have to make embassies with our region more valuable, if you have any plans at all?

Like I stated in Harry's thread

"Forum embassies are irrelevant, to be quite honest, except for posting FA updates and announcing things, all of which could be done in another manner. What really keeps relationships alive is personal communication between the governments/leaders of the regions/orgs. "

I think forums will only be used because
A)Customization on other forums/platforms is much better then NS
B)Some people like forums more then NS

We could partake in more festivals, events ( R/D, gaming, etc.), etc. with our allies, and even enemies. This is a game, and even those who are on different sides should partake in some fun every once in awhile.

3) What specific things would you change about the way Wintreath conducts foreign affairs if you could?

As I have told Harry in his thread, the attitude of "Wintreath first, everyone else second". Mind you, Wintreath should be a top priority, but not that high up in it. It should be more of a attitude of "Wintreath and allies first, everyone else second, but let's not piss everyone one off with our actions if it's possible". Also, more contact with groups like Osiris, Balder, etc.

4) Perhaps the most relevant foreign affairs issue which Wintreath has taken a stance on is the December 2013 coup of Osiris and the subsequent rise of the "Osiris Fraternal Order", our reaction to which is noted in Royal Decree 002. Noting the embassy request recently received from that region, what are your thoughts on the current state of non-affairs between Wintreath and the "Osiris Fraternal Order"?

As stated above, I'm all for more contact with the OFO and groups like that. I dont like what Cormac did in Osiris or Spiritus, but I wouldn't keep him out of here (mind you, he's going to stay out of Spiritus, because he doesn't want to come back, nor does Spiritus want him back). I'd treat him how we treated Govindia when he came in (Not calling Cormac Govindia). Keep him under strict control until he proves he could behave 

5) Obviously, both the Jarl of Foreign affairs and the Underhusen have considerable input on the treaties with Wintreath enters into. What are some factors that would cause you to absolutely come out against any particular treaty?

If we lost complete control/any control of our military/ who we could make treaties with. 

As stated above, I'm all for more contact with the OFO and groups like that. I dont like what Cormac did in Osiris or Spiritus, but I wouldn't keep him out of here (mind you, he's going to stay out of Spiritus, because he doesn't want to come back, nor does Spiritus want him back). I'd treat him how we treated Govindia when he came in (Not calling Cormac Govindia). Keep him under strict control until he proves he could behave

However even after Cormac proves himself doesn't mean he will keep being good. He might be good for a period of time before flipping out or just destroying something.

As stated above, I'm all for more contact with the OFO and groups like that. I dont like what Cormac did in Osiris or Spiritus, but I wouldn't keep him out of here (mind you, he's going to stay out of Spiritus, because he doesn't want to come back, nor does Spiritus want him back). I'd treat him how we treated Govindia when he came in (Not calling Cormac Govindia). Keep him under strict control until he proves he could behave

However even after Cormac proves himself doesn't mean he will keep being good. He might be good for a period of time before flipping out or just destroying something.

Then, you know, don't give him that opportunity 

You guys are aware that Cormac is no longer involved in the OFO, right?

You guys are aware that Cormac is no longer involved in the OFO, right?

*in planktons voice*

CORRECT

Did not know that.....I don't really keep with the OFO I mean we can look into embassy creation with them, however I wouldn't mind if we still keep the PNG against Cormac.

1. I believe that, while we currently, do not have an embassy with them the Coalition of Democratic nations would prove  valuable ally to Wintreath, while they do not share all of our fundamental values, they are slightly more warlike and could prove valuable in a time of war withing the NS world. They are a Region nearly our size (27th in the world), and they seem to be good guys as I spoke to one of their members yesterday. (This is merely my opinion, I'm still learning the regions and this is my general impression)

2. I believe that forum embassies are very important, because when lacking, they can lead to disarray between large regions with only a few PMs and rumors going back and forth causing turmoil that could lead to war. I think that if the South Pacific decides to not utilize their embassies then they will pay for it later.

3. I have not much to change the way Wintreath conducts its foreign affairs. We could, if possible, have a referendum for the public when creating diplomatic ties with a region over, say, 300 nations.

4. I believe that due to the actions of the Osiris Fraternal Order, they should continue to be ignored by the rest of Wintreath and the world as illegitimate government and not become a recognized sovereign entity until the people of the region retake it as their own.

5. Only if we lost control of our military power or the region was attempting to take our citizens. Or if Wintreath lost its legislative power by removing the Storting as our main legislative body.

1) Other than Lazarus, our only current treaty partner, what region or group do you believe is our most valuable diplomatic partner and why?

I feel that Spiritus, for the same reasons Horse gave, could be a valuable partner of ours.

2) Recently, The South Pacific announced that they would no longer utilize their embassies in other regions, instead posting news and information only on their own forum and NationStates Gameplay, as posted here. What are your thoughts on the importance or unimportance of forum embassies? Additionally to Jarl of Foreign Affairs candidates, what are some ideas you have to make embassies with our region more valuable, if you have any plans at all?

I feel that forum embassies are the core center of most of the usual communications between regions. I feel that communicating between regions via their forum embassies are the equivalent of communicating between nations via telegrams.

3) What specific things would you change about the way Wintreath conducts foreign affairs if you could?

Everything Chanku said with the addition of a closure of embassies if the region doesn't respond to our request for a more active ambassador.

4) Perhaps the most relevant foreign affairs issue which Wintreath has taken a stance on is the December 2013 coup of Osiris and the subsequent rise of the "Osiris Fraternal Order", our reaction to which is noted in Royal Decree 002. Noting the embassy request recently received from that region, what are your thoughts on the current state of non-affairs between Wintreath and the "Osiris Fraternal Order"?

We should officially recognize OFO as the legitimate government of Osiris, and we should open an embassy between us and OFO. Although I don't care whether or not Venico, Koth, or Cormac are kept as PNG; that's a choice I'll leave for the Monarch to decide upon.

5) Obviously, both the Jarl of Foreign affairs and the Underhusen have considerable input on the treaties with Wintreath enters into. What are some factors that would cause you to absolutely come out against any particular treaty?

If we would have to renounce our right to declare war upon non-signatory regions, or if a treaty transfers political/governmental power to an outside organization/region,  or if a treaty lays down a procedure that makes it able to be amended by an outside organization/region without requiring direct approval from the Storting.

4) Perhaps the most relevant foreign affairs issue which Wintreath has taken a stance on is the December 2013 coup of Osiris and the subsequent rise of the "Osiris Fraternal Order", our reaction to which is noted in Royal Decree 002. Noting the embassy request recently received from that region, what are your thoughts on the current state of non-affairs between Wintreath and the "Osiris Fraternal Order"?

We should officially recognize OFO as the legitimate government of Osiris, and we should open an embassy between us and OFO. Although I don't care whether or not Venico, Koth, or Cormac are kept as PNG; that's a choice I'll leave for the Monarch to decide upon.

Also dis

1) Other than Lazarus, our only current treaty partner, what region or group do you believe is our most valuable diplomatic partner and why?

To me it appears that many members of Wintreath have close ties with Spiritus, so it's my belief that fostering good relations with this region may prove useful. Furthermore, I'd be interested in seeing greater co-operation with the GCR's.

2) Recently, The South Pacific announced that they would no longer utilize their embassies in other regions, instead posting news and information only on their own forum and NationStates Gameplay, as posted here. What are your thoughts on the importance or unimportance of forum embassies? Additionally to Jarl of Foreign Affairs candidates, what are some ideas you have to make embassies with our region more valuable, if you have any plans at all?

Although Embassies on forums provide a very useful method of transferring information, I don't think all that many people actually pay attention to them when it comes down to it. Those who are interested enough will not be off-put by the idea of having to go to a new forum, and as such I see no real issue with the decision. In terms of our Embassies with other regions I feel that for the moment it's important to keep the personal touch - we don't have the size or the power to withdraw our embassies with other regions without losing the readership.

3) What specific things would you change about the way Wintreath conducts foreign affairs if you could?

As already mentioned I feel a closer link between Wintreath and GCR's may prove useful. As the automatic starting point for new members these regions are prime areas for those looking for new regions, and as such an emigration is purely natural fostering closer ties will have the added benefit of allowing us to look an attractive prospect to new players.

4) Perhaps the most relevant foreign affairs issue which Wintreath has taken a stance on is the December 2013 coup of Osiris and the subsequent rise of the "Osiris Fraternal Order", our reaction to which is noted in Royal Decree 002. Noting the embassy request recently received from that region, what are your thoughts on the current state of non-affairs between Wintreath and the "Osiris Fraternal Order"?

For the most part I've not been following the Osiris state of affairs due to a rather busy personal life, but I see no reason to refuse at least some form of diplomatic contact. It's always a good idea to have a link to something new that's going on just so you can keep a grip of what's actually happening. I defer to those with more knowledge on the situation than I have, however.

5) Obviously, both the Jarl of Foreign affairs and the Underhusen have considerable input on the treaties with Wintreath enters into. What are some factors that would cause you to absolutely come out against any particular treaty?

I think the biggest factor for me would be wilful neglect of administrative privilege. One of the duties of an admin is to ensure fair treatment of forum members - any region with poor administration would be a concern for me, although I do understand the value of having links with such places purely to offer what aid we may be able to. I suppose a particularly aggressive stance could bring me out against a treaty; if a region was particularly war-like I think I may object.

My Moment to Shine LOL

1) Other than Lazarus, our only current treaty partner, what region or group do you believe is our most valuable diplomatic partner and why?

Well Lazarus, has been one of our most brilliant choices. In my personal opinion, Spiriturs is a good diplomatic partner. And after I have been serving in UK for quite a while, i would nominate them. Some people believe that whoever is large in number and has the power is the best choice, but that's not what I think. I believe in the small things, ordinary things. United Kingdom has proved to be one of our best choices as it has to do, with opening an embassy there. Perhaps their citizens are not more than 400...(which i think its enough) But those guys, are loyal to each other...and loyalty, to our diplomacy is WHAT WE NEED! I personaly nominate them for future diplomatic partnership!

2) Recently, The South Pacific announced that they would no longer utilize their embassies in other regions, instead posting news and information only on their own forum and NationStates Gameplay, as posted here. What are your thoughts on the importance or unimportance of forum embassies? Additionally to Jarl of Foreign Affairs candidates, what are some ideas you have to make embassies with our region more valuable, if you have any plans at all?

#Weissreich is right up to a point...With all due respect, maybe I am wrong but...perhaps not many people participate on the forums, but in case they are interested on their region and NS also, they have no other choice rather than participating on them! The thing is that not all the regions work in a systematic way as we do...Not every region has the will to go even more forward. They may have the best ideas also, but not the will to make them work...To be honest, I personaly prefer checking out on our forums the changes inside a region rather than through NS. (IT IS BORING!) Since every region has its own forum, i believe that we should have an embassy on the forums also! It's the fastest way to inform every citizen to whom you have an embassy to, and also you get the chance to hear their opinions about it. Now as it has to do, with how to make our embassies valuable, is by being MORE ACTIVE on them. Perhaps you got bored hearing me, repeating over and over the importance of activity, but its the ugly truth! The first mistake that we did as Wintreath, is that we accepted every application of every citizen that requested to be an Ambassador. We need responcible and active citizens to do that job! Also we need to be active on our embassies there...By releasing games, chats, threads, funny pictures on their embassies, even poems...anything that will keep us active...after all we are a region, and they need to see every side of ours.... For example last time i released a video of mine dancing on UK, everybody liked the idea, and even wished me luck on the competition...I mean, we don't have to be strict and official all the time, releasing only ORENDI's and changes on our constitution...We can even post something hilarious also!

3) What specific things would you change about the way Wintreath conducts foreign affairs if you could?

Well as Foreign Affairs, our job must be to make our existence noted to everyone, even to those who things us as flies! Also a good way is, by showing to people that we care even about the newly started regions, in the same way as they cared about us, when we first started off. As Foreign Afairs we should work about our regions sovereignty.. By that i mean, that except the help that we offer on smaller regions..We also must sign pacts with medium or large Regions also. Also we should give the right example of a region...People get bored with their regions, if they have nothing to offer, especially fun! We can open new sections on our Ministry, where people could actually have fun... As a theatre, or open a design section, where our embassies logos stamps etc are posted, and also the work that our citizens want to introduce to us. Also adverts can help us, on promoting our region and also recieving new citizens!

4) Perhaps the most relevant foreign affairs issue which Wintreath has taken a stance on is the December 2013 coup of Osiris and the subsequent rise of the "Osiris Fraternal Order", our reaction to which is noted in Royal Decree 002. Noting the embassy request recently received from that region, what are your thoughts on the current state of non-affairs between Wintreath and the "Osiris Fraternal Order"?

I more of the idea, on be in touch with them, but open nothing for a long period of time! We simply can not trust them, who can assure us that, it won't happen the same thing to us also!? I don't trust them. Plus we have an unstable Goverment here with an unstable region which was invaded by Osiris! We need definetely, more information about them and their plans about us. As we have to make ourselves available for every citizen of their region. My answer is negative, we can be in touch with them, but have cold relationships...

5) Obviously, both the Jarl of Foreign affairs and the Underhusen have considerable input on the treaties with Wintreath enters into. What are some factors that would cause you to absolutely come out against any particular treaty?

Well the history of a particular region. For me, it matters a lot on what a region has to offer...Perhaps they don't have to offer much, but they are good folks to hang with and even give them some sort of help in any way we can...But in case they have a bloody war history or their military affiliation, is an attacker...I definetely would reject them! As i mentioned before we need good folks to run things in a proper and correct way. So what matters a lot before you enter on a treaty, is the way you run things....To enter on a treaty with someone, You must have the same political and military point of view, a stable goverment and also good folks around!

Thank you all for reading

*cunningcat sits in the shadows and watches with amusement

I more of the idea, on be in touch with them, but open nothing for a long period of time! We simply can not trust them, who can assure us that, it won't happen the same thing to us also!? I don't trust them. Plus we have an unstable Goverment here with an unstable region which was invaded by Osiris! We need definetely, more information about them and their plans about us. As we have to make ourselves available for every citizen of their region. My answer is negative, we can be in touch with them, but have cold relationships...

I disagree, Osiris is well Osiris, Cormac is out of the region, and I"m not sure about the others(I don't keep up with Osiris information), however Osiris is somewhat unstable as it has no founder. However we have an active founder, and we also have a treaty with Lazurus that will protect us. I think we should look into opening some form of relations with them as they might prove to be a good ally later, however we should not sign a treaty or anything with them until later.