[GA]: 1996 Antarctic Summit [Concluded]

[Flying Damascas]

"You're most welcome, Secretary General. The honour is all mine." Holst said in a rather subtle sarcastic tone of voice escorting Wembly out of the room thereafter. "You're a live one aren't you."

 

[Owen]

She would comply. Heading outside. She would pass her brownies to the security guards for disposal. She would go outside and light up a cigarette to help her relax.

"It's just fucking... you know. FUCKING SWEDISH!" She would try to explain her behaviour to the Belgians.

"They just went in there... they took Antarctica and they shat on everything. I just don't have the fucking... patience. I need those brownies to you know, help me relax." She would take a long drag out of her cigarette.

Flying Damascas

 

[Hollie]

Due to the drunk and disrespectful manner on show by the Indonesian Ambassador, the door security would refuse entry into the chamber. As a last resort, a tannoy system alert would be activated. It would repeat an automated message regarding health and safety. Clark Stone would scribble a few notes about Penelope, to forward to the Australian Government.

 

[Flying Damascas]

Holst would smile brightly. "Yes, its very Swedish alright. To be honest I hate this job, But its a pleasure though. I think those brownies are kicking in right about now." He would light up a cigarette containing a rich blend of Turkish and Virginian tobacco. "Are you surprised? Let them eat cake."

 

[Alex]

The Canadian Representative would take another sip of his whiskey mixed coffee as he looked at the Indonesian being kicked out. He'd shake his head and whisper to himself again. "Drunk bastard."

 

[JakeDorent]

The Brazilian would watch the two representatives next to him leaving the chambers, shaking his head, he'd then turn his attention to the Canadian, attempting to start a conversation, having a quiet tone.

"I never have seen you around here, What's your name?"

Alex

 

[Odinson]

After hearing that the Secretary General was starting the summit early, Special Ambassador Sven Nored rushed over to the meeting place as quickly as he could. Just outside of the chamber he lit a cigar and then walked inside, with his ID visible and his briefcase containing various documents in hand. He took a seat next to the Swedish delegate, who was infamously flamboyant. Sven had heard rumors that the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs had a homosexual-culture and that the entire thing was actually some kind of elaborate sex cult - but that was just a rumor. He offered to shake his hand and smiled, "Hallo, I'm Sven Nored. I'm sure you know my counterpart who is the Norwegian representative to the GA? It's nice to meet you," he said, before taking in a puff of his cigar. In order to avoid blowing smoke into his allies face, he briefly turned and forced out a billowing cloud of smoke towards the Australian and British delegates. Fine particles of spittle unintentionally left his mouth as he did so.
"Top of the morning lads!" he said as he made a poor attempt to wave away some of the smoke with his free hand - the other one was holding the large cigar which likely wouldn't be finished for about an hour or so. Sven then put the Norwegian flag in front of him in its placeholder, and removed an ashtray from his briefcase which was in the shape of Iceland - the ashtray had belonged to his grandfather, who was from Iceland.

Sven then paused for a moment and looked around, "Why does it smell like an old McDonald's in here?"
Connor
Jamie
Owen

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

The Russian Representative Sergey Lavrov would arrive and take his seat. Quietly listening and watching the other delegates. A folder with a piece of paper in it. He didnt say anything, and simply observed the others.

 

[GingeOrCringe]

Ostap Antonovych Ilchuck, representative for the Republic of Ukraine, hugged a mess of papers to his chest as he entered the building. His shoe had come untied during the walk from his apartment to the assembly building... In addition to spilling the contents of his folder all over the sidewalk, the fall resulted in a bloodied nose. As he hustled for the chamber, he spotted the Australian and Belgian representatives outside eating... baked goods?

"Hey," he said in an uncharacteristic moment of bravery and social aptitude (sort of), "I probably should have asked sooner, but do we have assigned seats or..?"

Owen Flying Damascas

 

[Connor]

Marc darts his eyes to the Norwegian and smiles, he whispers to not disturb the rest of the chamber "it is certainly a pleasure to see you darling, welcome to the chamber", he goes on to dart his eyes around the chamber literally watching representatives of their respective governments behaving like children in the chambers of the Global Assembly... scratching his scalp he leans over to the Norwegian and begins to prompt conversation "in all my time as an Ambassador for the state, I have never seen representatives behave like... this."

He continues to remove paperwork from his folder, the amount of which available to him was extensive given the status this conflict holds on the international stage.

 

[Odinson]

Special Ambassador Sven Nored sat up and spoke into his microphone to the Secretary General.
"Mister Secretary General, can we begin the summit?" he said, as he puffed his cigar.
Hollie

 

[Owen]

The Australian Representative would return, brownie-less and would take her seat next to the Belgians and Argentinians as is determined by alphabetical order.

 

[Hollie]

Secretary General, Clark Stone combed the room to check everyone was back in their seats before clearing his throat to speak.

​

​

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am convening the first ever Antarctic Summit of 1996. In preparation, a report has been prepared: "A Draft Resolution on Antarctica", which is before you. I want

to welcome this opportunity to brief you all today on something that is profound, urgent and growing more challenging. Today's complex theme is Antarctica, which has seen an increase

in extreme violence, as territorial positions have been asserted but not agreed, creating a tension that has threatened to destabilize the entire region. Problematic differences over territorial

claims must be effectively set aside to restore trust in our global world order. The urgency and scale of these challenges means we must act decisively, with compassion and resolve. This is

the moment for us to come together to renew our commitment to unity and cooperation, before this descends into chaos. We must be totally committed to a world in which international law

prevails, and in which multilateralism has a key role to play in the management of world affairs. The agenda I present to you today will help us to achieve this. This is why I ask you and your

leaders to commit to take it forward. There are two responsibilities for action, first leaders must assume their responsibility to prevent and end conflict. They must commit to work with greater

intensity to find political solutions, which should compel us to make conflict resolution our highest priority. Second, states must affirm and respect the rules they have endorsed internationally."​

​

 

[Owen]

The Australian Representative, Penelope Wensley would rise.

"As the proposers for the resolution, I assume we will go first..."

She would shuffle the notes in front of her.

"Distinguished members, this summit has been called together today to discuss the resolution which is infront of you. Now this resolution has been written and proposed by us in response to recent issues surrounding Antarctica. In essence, this resolution works to ensure that Antarctica is used only for peaceful purposes and that scientific research is paramount. It strips states of the right to have armed military in the region and as such, effectively strips them of sovereignty. Now I know this is complex, but because this resolutions works to demilitarise Antarctica there effectively cannot be sovereignty because cannot be enforced as such. That includes using military or some other agency such as a law enforcement agency. It is complex and we are open to amendments, that is why we are here today... to discuss it. We can include a clause to allow sovereignty, but the overriding theme must remain that states cannot use military or armed force to inhibit any other nation from working in Antarctica. That effectively removes the sovereignty... because it can't be enforced. I think we could be open to allow sovereignty to be recognised by individual states and that individual states can act in a manner that recognises that the territory is sovereignty of whichever nation they choose to recognise. However, we think that the Global Assembly shall not recognise any state as having sovereign territory in Antarctica for the purposes of International Law.

I will be honest with you, the clauses around sovereignty need some rework to be compatible with International Law and we will be open to amendments from the nations present here today. By and large though, we believe this resolution is important and it's fundamental to peace and security in Antarctica and that's why we shouldn't be brushing it off but rather working to improve it.

Thank you."

She would take her seat.

Hollie

 

[Connor]

Marc Kvet leans into his microphone, stunned by the direction of conversation by the Australian representative, he was very passionate about Sweden despite his relaxed and flamboyant personality and the actions in Antarctica has undoubtedly lead to not only material damage but also the potential loss of life... which the Australian's are now openly ignoring?

"With respect, Ambassador, we aren't here to clap and cheer at the might of Australia for drafting an agreement. Especially on the basis that some of those involved in this conflict are not even apart of the Global Assembly and thus are not bound to her charters, resolutions or agreements. We are here to discuss the ongoing conflict in the region which is escalating at a rapid pace, such a pace that it cannot be controlled by hopes and prayers but much rather thrashing it out in this chamber. Forget your resolution.

Sweden and Argentina are clashing in the oceans which is becoming a catalyst for the loss of life, there are one hundred and twenty personnel currently recognised by the Swedish Department of Defence as Missing-in-Action - not only that we are receiving constant threats from various nations around the globe that if we do not abide by the Argentine exclusion zone then we commit an act of war, which is overtly preventing us from conducting essential search and rescue operations to remove, if any, surviving personnel from the freezing Antarctic waters as soon as physically possible.

That is what we shall start this summit about."​

 

[Owen]

"Just formalities to discuss and explain the resolution which has been proposed... Now we may proceed with the important stuff, as you say."

She would sit, calmly, with her hands clenched together.

"I think the situation in the South Atlantic is of utmost concern, especially if it's true that search and rescue cannot get to the vessel. To be honest, I think it highlights the need for an international agreement on search and rescue.. but we will sort that down the track, I think it would be worthwhile for the clerk to make note of that. What we need is a thorough and independent investigation done into this collision, not conducted by either the Argentinians or the Swedish, maybe a third party nation or the Global Assembly. At this point in time we're hearing two sides of the story and it's hard to determine who is right and who is wrong and that's why it's important we have that investigation. The immediate issue with search and rescue. We ask that the Argentinians either provide search and rescue in accordance with the Geneva Conventions or allow the Swedish unrestricted access to the collision site to do it themselves. I do believe though, correct me if I'm wrong, it would be unlawful under the Geneva Conventions for Argentina to restrict Sweden from conducting at sea search and rescue? Yes?"

Connor

 

[Naio90]

The argentine representative, with clear instructions from Buenos Aires on how to proceed would ask for the floor.

"Gentlement, Argentina agrees in general terms with the presented draft. We do have some minor suggestions and changes to be included, which we would be delighted to share here with you, such as the creation of SAR responsabilities areas, to be assigned or offered to nations that have that capacity on a quick-reaction and arrival condition, and the establishment of a Council of Antarctic nations to monitor the events related to Antarctica.

On the catastrophe provoked by Sweden, as Argentina has widely made public, we will abide by the Geneva Conventions, which obviously highlights the preservation of lifes on both sides. Seeing the bold swedish maneuver and the potential losses, the Argentine Navy had prepared units to conduct SAR in the area. However, the aircraft were put on hold due to the presence of swedish frigates with anti-air capacity and no public commitment of Sweden to guarantee their safety. Argentina cannot risk the lifes of its own people, if Sweden, with ships nearer to the scene than ours and giving no securities it will not shot down our rescue aircraft, gives no guarantees. As for the collisioned argentine ship, its captain informed that due to the sustained damage it is not capable of maneuvering to provide any assistance.

Thank you."

 

[Connor]

Marc is utterly baffled.

"To clarify, you agree that you are hearing two sides of the story and it's hard to determine who is right and who is wrong... but your government has publicly come out in support of Argentina?

Anyway, yes, the Argentina movement has blatantly left one hundred and twenty personnel floating in freezing waters with not even the slightest attempt to attempt search and rescue - I'm sorry but the excuse that they're fearful on contact from nearby Swedish assets is complete rubbish, the Argentine Navy has already shown they are not in fear of Swedish repercussions, this is a clear attempt to cover their disregard for human life with some public relations guff. I agree, an independent investigation does need to occur and this is something we will be seeking once this has been resolved and it is safe and justified to do so. Our ships are miles away from this damaged vessel. The personnel are in freezing waters."​

He then goes on to speak in respect to the Argentine representative.

"Absolute rubbish. Your vessel is capable of continuing to advance towards the Antarctic Peninsula but too severely damaged to stop and at least provide some form of search and rescue capability, even if this were to be identifying souls still alive in the water? You have been operating an aircraft alongside your naval vessel throughout the conflict, which was not and has not been shut down. You are not a Global Assembly member state so perhaps you misunderstand the concept of the chamber. This is to come to a peaceful resolution, stop with the public relations attempt, stop with the lying. I want to ensure the one hundred and twenty families not effected by your grossly offensive action get some form of reassurance."​

 

[Jamie]

"I would like to interject and confirm that the Royal Navy has two Ice Breakers stationed permanently at the Falkland Islands, we would like to offer their services for a strictly-neutral Search and Rescue Operation. If not us, then regardless, it needs to happen. Whether its a recovery or the prospect that some have the right equipment to survive for a short time. Equally, we would urge that this is a priority for those in the South Atlantic, not as justification to start a war over a collision. I agree that this requires an independent investigation because right now there are two sides involved, lives lost, and we are seeing evidence from both Argentina and Sweden which contradict each other. This means there is some foul play going on in regards to evidence provided and has been doctored. This is something we feel is extremely important and is vital to answer how two vessels ended up in such a position which not only took lives, but due to the substances on a military frigate, is no doubt putting the environment and wildlife at risk.

Furthermore, regardless of your inputs on recognizing Swedish Territory or not, the entire chamber should be here to negotiate and discuss a peaceful solution. This is not the place, and has gone beyond making demands but should be a place for genuine discussions to prevent any further loss of life and to deescalate the conflict. Antarctica has not seen a conflict and is one of the places in the world that remains preserved from such atrocities, we would like to see this continue regardless of claims. We should be able to sit down, put together a peaceful plan where everyone is happy and move forward."

 

[Owen]

"Our Government has stated support for the broader Argentine scientific mission to the Antarctic. What I was saying is that there are two sides of the story coming out in regards to the collision that has taken place and we cannot, and indeed many nations cannot determine who is at fault when it comes to that collision. Just because we support the Argentine mission doesn't mean we're ruling them out as being at fault for the collision. An independent inquiry needs to take place. We agree with the British delegate, there is an environmental catastrophe waiting to happen. If the Swedish and Argentinians approve, we would support the British going in and acting as search and rescue."