This is a formal proposition to the Council of Zoners regarding Zoner-run installations around the nation of Liberty and future diplomatic relations between Liberty and the Zoners as a civilisation. Due to the increased threats in recent times from those with little or no regard for the law of the land, the government of Liberty feels that there is a solid ground for a new premise between you, the Zoners, and us.
Recently, we have experienced a startling increase in the use of Zoner-run outposts by criminals, including but not limited to, the Liberty Rogues, the Lane Hackers and the Xenos. Usually, this would not pose much more than a nuisance, but lately, the military has passed on reports of powerful raiding groups appearing to base from these stations. As you may know, the Liberty Navy, Liberty Police and the Liberty Security Force are all tasked with keeping the peace within the borders of our nation, and to remove any threat to that peace. However, we are well aware of the precariousness of the neutrality that the Zoners preserve, and thus the Department of State feels that a dialogue between you and us would be best suited to alleviate this new problem.
It is within my power to offer the loose confederation of people known as Zoners the following benefits, if an amicable agreement were to be reached:
-A limited amount of relaxation of the embargo law currently in force, exclusively for the Zoners.
-Easier access to the system of Pennsylvania for Zoner ships, both large and small.
-A measure of restraint by Liberty lawful forces and direct consultation with the Council of Zoners when Zoner vessels are found to be committing illegal activities within the borders of Liberty.
Other benefits can be proposed by the Council of Zoners during negotiations.
That said, due to the recent situation, the nation of Liberty would like to put forward the following proposition:
As piracy and terrorism spread through civilised space like an uncontrolled wildfire, we would receive passive assistance from the Zoners in territories already under partial control of the Liberty Navy. This would be the retraction of Zoner protection and docking rights for any criminals who attempt to take advantage of the imposed no-fire zones after having committed an unlawful act within any system under the house of Libertys protection. To this end, lawful agents and officers of Liberty would reserve the right to apprehend said criminals within those zones. We would not be invasive of the no-fire zones indiscriminately however. All of those innocent of violent crime* within our house would still be eligible for that protection, in some cases supported by the local Liberty authorities if needed or requested. It is worth noting that such unlawful acts are often directed against Zoner trading vessels.
In closing, the nation of Liberty would like to have a firm relationship with the representative body of the Zoners, the Council of Zoners. An agreement such as the one above would provide a firm foundation for ties between our two peoples, and would also show those Sirius-wide that the Zoners do not condone acts of violence amongst their fellow man.
*Violent Crime includes but is not limited to; Murder, Attempted Murder, Piracy, Theft, Assault and Grievous Bodily Harm.
Regards, Harrison McRemitz
The secretary of state for foreign affairs.
