I received this in my mail today:

Hello from your Western frontier!

We represent The North Pacific and we're contacting you to guage your interest in forming an alliance with us.

The general purpose of the alliance would be:

1) Mutual defence
2) Sharing of information
3) Military co-operation
4) Better UN resolutions

We can also offer you access to the regional advertising area on our off-site forum. As a feeder region, a lot of eyes will see your ad and it could potentially increase movement to Canada.

We are willing to discuss this further, both in public or in private, whichever you prefer. Please let us know your thoughts. Thank you for your time.

- Blackshear, North Pacific emissary

P.S. Excellent constituion. Simple and effective. We could use a few pointers.

I think it is premature to enter into a full scale alliance or even set up an official embassy with the NP at this point in time. We should wait until a Cabinet is in place for that.

However, as a temporary measure, I think we may want to send an official observer from Canada to see how things operate there, and just get a feeling as to whether the region has similar aims as us.

Thoughts? Volunteers?

We may also want to invite them to send an observer here (though, apparently they have one already - still doesn't hurt to formalize that and get an official contact).

The only security that exists in the North Pacific is their large size. Recent events in SP demonstrate that size alone is not enough. I would recommend avoiding a Mutual defence pact but work to strengthen the partership in the other areas.

As an example of what Canada can get themselves into; here is a post taken from the NP boards just now:

The Jingoistic States of Underground Moles I say we should declare war on the East Pacific.

I don't think they speak for all of NP but I don't know for sure.

That's probably why we are wise to just send an observer for now, and get a sense of what's going on there...

I could send my other nation and report back with my findings. It might be good to have several nations go as they have more nations than we do it might be difficult to follow most of what happens.

Bweezy TG me and let me know how we might best tackle this task.

My appologies they have only 90 nations. The delegate only has one endorsement and a founder called kalagan.

Greetings from the North Pacific.

We wanted to clear a few things up.

Firstly, We observed your region for a short while before making contact in order to determine whether our nations had any mutual interests. We're being upfront now to try and allay any fears of underhandedness.

Secondly, Underground Moles plays no role in the governance of the North Pacific. His words were noted, however, and he's been talked to. This can be independently verified by viewing our forums. We invite you to come and take a look and see what we're all about.

Thirdly, you have to look under THE North Pacific. We have over 7,000 nations and our delegate is Twoslit.

We apologize for any misunderstandings.

The intention of our region is not to be an underground mole but to observe and see if the values are the same as ours.

Deception does not help any one.

The reference to "Underground Moles" in previous messages refers to a nation in the NP that seems to have an itchy trigger finger insofar as it relates to declaring war on the East Pacific. I don't think anyone was suggesting that you were an underground mole...

Glad to see you are taking on the NP role. Let us know your thoughts once you've formed an opinion.

No offence was taken as it reminded me that if one were not to declare that they were observing it could be seen as an act of aggression. That is not my intent.

I agree with Micon.

The best policy is to be absolutley honest and upfront. Looks like we are the first of the new strain of Canadian embassadors. It comes with a burden of responsibility though, and it makes our adherence to a code of integrity all the more important.

Its a good development in lots of ways. I think it shows that our region is developing.

Let us know how things go Micon, should be interesting to comparing information from both of these pacific giants.

Sounds like it is time for my favorite quote on this subject:

Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations -- entangling alliances with none.
Thomas Jefferson

Thats an awsome sentiment, and one that I think it is worth keeping to.

However, you got me thinking about what Winston Churchill would have said, and I found this.

"Canada is the linchpin of the English-speaking world. Canada, with those relations of friendly, affectionate intimacy with the United States on the one hand and with her unswerving fidelity to the British Commonwealth and the Motherland on the other, is the link which joins together these great branches of the human family, a link which, spanning the oceans, brings the continents into their true relation and will prevent in future generations any growth of division between the proud and the happy nations of Europe and the great countries which have come into existence in the New World." (September 4, 1941)

Who knows, maybe we can even live up to this! :D

I was wondering if an iron-clad alliance is necessary. Could we, instead, negotiate a more informal co-operation pact? Something that ties our regions together in times of mutual need, but doesn't drag us in to fights we don't support. Or perhaps we could include a Notwithstanding clause in any formal agreement.

Flexible is good. Mutual defence might work - that way if NP attacks someone, we are not obligated to do anything, but if they are attacked, we send in a few reinforcements.

This is something that can be finalized once we finally have a Minister of FA in place...

I just dropped by to say hello and to thank Micon and Bweezy for keeping the lines of communication open between our regions.

Good luck with your elections and I hope to speak with you again after the results are finalized.

Thanks, Blackshear -we'll keep in touch.

Ah yes, the linchpin of Canadian democracy.

The Notwithstanding clause. Eternally threatened, never used.

Every country should be so lucky as to have one. ;)

-Dunefish

Here is a post on the NS forum. Follow the link below.

Micon


The campaign to install Crazy Girl as delegate in The Pacific has begun. The first stage will be creating a campaign thread here: http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopi...2641869#2641869

The results of this campaign will be
1. The collection of an invasion army with loyalty to Crazy Girl.
2. The removal of endorsements from the bad guys' lists.
3. Eventually, the numbers will be right and an invasion will happen.

Has this topic been locked? Or is the URL incorrect?

I think it was shortened and doesn't provide the full address now.

Does this work? Link attempt

Keep trying as I had some difficulty getting in initially.

Micon

I have just been reading the forum on NS through.

Two things occur to me.

One - Is this just a PR thing? Can we achieve what we are going for here, or is it just talk?

Two - Where will the Pacific powerbase move next? These Nations won't go away as I see it. Unless they get kicked out of NS altogether, which would seem unfair.

They'll move to one of their puppet regions, like Pacific Navy, and regroup. They'll try to take down one of the five pacific regions, I suspect.

To Boardz first point: "Is this just a PR thing? Can we achieve what we are going for here, or is it just talk?"

For now it will have to be mostly a PR thing. Canada has it's own security issues we have to address first (and soon). Also I'm guessing, but I don't think that Crazy Girl is in a possition to actually do much, yet. I would like to see us start building connections with these folks. A little farther down the road we may be able to help return democratic rule to NP.

yep - for the time being we may just have to watch this one grow in support until the numbers are sufficient to merit going ahead.

Just checked the NP forum it looks as if this invasion of the SP is not going to happen anytime soon.

Much more support is needed.

Micon

Here is the latest post in the North Pacifac by Anake.

It looks as if those in looking to unseat FS realize that old invasion tactics will not work.

I will keep every one up to date.

Micon

Hello everyone!

I've been asked to compile a weekly report on the region of Canada, much like Micon does in regards to The North Pacific.

My report will focus on your vote to amend the constitution, with a small note about your interest in our delegate change.

Is there anything else you would like to see me include? I want to give a fair impression of your region.

I hope you'll soon feel more comfortable asking me questions about The North Pacific. I understand your concerns about being fed the "party line", but Micon is in place to keep me honest. :D

Remember, I'm only a PM away.

On a more personal note, I was wondering if you would feel it was intrusive if I posted in other areas of the board? I'm from just outside Edmonton in real life and would love to join in some of your discussions about our fine country. Let me know and I'll abide by your decision.

I wouldn't mind it at all...in fact I encourage it.
Feel free to post wherever you want.

I would certainly welcome your posts. It helps to get to know everyone around the table.

Thanks guys. I don't know whether I'm a high or low draft pick, but hopefully I'll get off the bench and contribute soon. :lol:

Hello, everyone. I'm just checking to support the fine work of our ambassadors. If there are any questions any of you would like to ask me, I am more than happy to address those.
I would like to mention that I have a more complete elaboration on our standard treaty if you would like to see that. This elaboration shows the lack of limitations on individual soveriegnty, and how the treaty is more of a gentlemen's agreement with an intent to provide mutually beneficial cooperation on matters which may affect each of our regions.
Yours truly,
Two

Thanks, Two.

In an effort to promote inter-regional cultural exchange, I'd like to invite the citizens of Canada to visit The North Pacific off-site forum.

Say hi, tell us where you're from and show everyone why they should love Canada. :D

If the powers-that-be are interested, we have a forum called Guests! Advertise Your Region! +Diplomatic Affairs in which Canada can start a new topic and post an advertisement outlining the virtues of your great region.

Either here or there, I hope to talk to you soon.

Wow, it's great to have our very own embassy. The curtains will have to be changed, of course, but otherwise this place is fantastic. I am pleased with the cordial relations our regions have shared these past few months and look forward to continuing and strengthening our relationship.

btw, the embassy comes with a "bottomless beer fridge", if you know what I mean :)

I'm writing to inform you that I've officially resigned from all my duties in the North Pacific, including my diplomatic postings.

I've enjoyed my time in Canada and I appreciate having had this chance to interact with you. Thank you for your time.

-Blackshear

(That bottomless beer fridge did cause my first pause during my circuit of resignations. :D )

I'm sorry to see you go. Will the NP be posting another diplomat here, or is the embassy going to be closed?

I don't know for sure. I suspect not. The lack of activity among the other NP diplomats was one of the reasons I resigned. Perhaps Micon can formally ask, on the NP forum, if a replacement will be forthcoming.