In the Bretonian Parliament

[pbrione]

As Lord Grey resumed his seat, the Speaker acknowledged the Foreign Secretary, who stood and prepared to offer his views on the proposal.

"My Lords. I too wish firstly to express my warmest congratulations to the Prime Minister, on his most well deserved appointment." He smiled breifly, and there were a few quiet chuckles from amonst the backbenchers. After all, Lord Canning had been one of the key instigators of the previous government's downfall, and aslo one of those who had personally gained the most from Mountbatten's subsequent appointment.

"In reference to the issue raised by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, namely the question of the junkers, I wish to offer the following advice. First of all I must say that I am broadly in agreement with his assessment of the situation regarding the junkers' supply of our enemies. Reports from the Admiralty indicate that in recent weeks their base in the Southampton Debris Field has been used as a staging ground for the increased attacks of corsair gunboats against New London. Naturally this is a most serious matter, as the junkers onboard the station are directly aiding our enemies in harming Bretonia."

"However, this matter is far more complex than simply requiring the outlawing of the junker forces or the seizure of the base. From a diplomatic persepective the junkers occupy a possibly unique position; they endeavour to maintain relations with both lawful and unlawful forces alike wherever they go. Whist this may appear to be a fairly hypocritical stance, it nevertheless causes us problems should we wish to move against them unilaterally. Our allies in the Liberty government maintain respectable dealings with them, and by attacking the junkers we may result in further enraging and provoking certain criminal elements with whom we were near to pacifying. What is more, the situation is made yet more delicate by the fact that the junkers are intricately connected with our close allies in the Golden Chrysanthamums, and are themselves fervent opponents of Hogosha, Farmers Alliance and hence, the Kusari government. In this sense we could do well not to alienate such a potential ally against the Kusari."

Many Lords were now frowning, thouroughly confused as to what stance Lord Canning was actually proposing they should take. To many it appeared that these diplomatic revelations were incompatible with the earlier stated goal of stopping the junker supply of enemies of Bretonia. Lord Canning, however, pressed ahead with his speech;

"That said, I do not think for a minute that we can continue to work with the junkers as long as they continue to support corsair incursions against Bretonia. But I would propose that this issue called for a certain degree of tact and careful diplomacy combining threats and incentives, rather than immediate legislation outlawing junker activities. I would endeavour to exploit the junker interests in Kusari to coerce them into abandoning their aid of the corsairs in Bretonia. However, I confess I can make no guarentees regarding the success of such a strategy; should a diplomatic initiative fail I would concede that we would be left with no choice but to adopt the measure of forcibly restricting junker activities via anti-junker legislation. Given the gravity of this situation, I will wait upon a decision from this House before pressing ahead with any diplomatic statements."

He resumed his seat and waited for the response of the House to his words.

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Sir Stanley Nelson




<span style="color:#000066">Charles Canning </span><span style="color:#000066"> Foreign Secretary</span>