Great Britain | Interest in Antartica

[Jamie]

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The brewing tension over claims of Antarctica had caused disputes among members of the British Parliament, sparking calls for the British Antarctic Survey to be re-established to ensure the United Kingdom 'gets its share' of science in Antarctica. It was almost as if having colonies all over the world wasn't enough. With that in mind, it was contemplated that if Britain was to embrace the opportunity to have research teams in the region that discussions with Sweden would be needed. British Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Tom Kirby, was given the mandate of opening negotiations with Sweden to request their authority to open UK research stations on the former UK-claim. Confined in his private office, Mr Kirby picked up the phone and begun to call the relevant authority of the Swedish Government, if incorrect, he'd simply ask for the correct number and try that until he was able to speak to someone that could assist in his queries. Of course, due to the interests of other parties, the call would be encrypted.

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Connor

 

[Connor]

With the Secretary of Antarctic Affairs occupied with another telephone call to the Kingdom of Norway, the call was passed to the next most appropriate person, Under Secretary of Antarctic Affairs for Research Emmy Skoglund. She sits within her office, secure from the general public and prying eyes and ears, her communications and computer systems are encrypted thus the entirety of the telephone call remains simply between Sweden and Britain. Naturally the Under Secretary was too fully aware of the issues surrounding Australian research in the continent, done so without lawful reason or permit from central government, thus the telephone call second only to Spain was one of the first to formally request the right to conduct research in the region.

"Under Secretary Emmy Skoglund speaking, to whom am I speaking?"

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

Due to the amount of time the British Secretary was on hold, he had spent a brief period of time crossing words out from the British Word Search he had bought from the shop that morning, "Ah there we go" he murmured, crossing out 'Australia' in the book. It was almost poetic, as if an indication that Australia's objection to the Swedish claim had been overruled by the UKs interest in working with Sweden.. when the voice of Emmy came through, Tom was quick to drop his pen. "Ah hello" he responded promptly. "My name is Tom Kirby, the Secretary for Energy and Climate Change for the British Government. I have been authorized to raise an area of discussion with your own office about the prospect of UK Naval deployments to the Antarctic region and the opening of UK research bases. I would be interested to hear whether this is something your government would be willing to approve? As to prevent complication and each of us getting in one another's way. We'd be interested in working in the British Antarctic Territory claim that was taken up previously, whilst also wishing for you to recognize this claim once more; which obviously wouldn't impact your own but would allow the UK to have it designated as the 'British Antarctic Territory' once more. Essentially, that part of the region would be 'shared'."

Connor

 

[Connor]

Emmy was fairly young in her political career in comparison to the years served by various other cabinet members yet she was privileged to be in a position where she could finally hold her own in the international arena, making some genuine decisions in a region that was at the forefront of global tension. None-the-less hearing Tom's voice down the phone brought out her innocent side, making her feel somewhat flustered... lady-flustered... yes, that special feeling of warmth from within that males could only dream of feeling but following a short pause as she contemplates the face behind the dreamy voice, her strong independent status as a women prevails, bringing her professionalism back to the table she responds with the phone to her ear

"Mr Kirby, it's good to hear from you and always nice to hear from the British Government." she pauses, noting the speed in which the proposal with given and coming to the conclusion that it had obviously been extensively considered "Claims in and around Antarctica have since become complex and as you're aware there is an extreme amount of tension in the region of both civilian and military nature. The Kingdom of Sweden recognises the continent of Antarctica as sovereign territory of the crown and intends to continue doing so having lawfully occupied it, that being said we are devoted to research in one of the most untouched locations on the globe and would be interested in a joint-venture with Britain to ensure that happens." she pauses again before going on "Antarctica is untouched in terms of research and Britain would be the very first foreign nation to step foot on it since coming under Swedish rule, we could look at some agreement to allow your scientists exclusive access to the continent..."

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

Tom retained his silence whilst she spoke, the young woman's voice indicates how young she were and may be inexperienced, nonetheless, he proceeded to allow her to speak without interruption and only took notes of anything he deemed necessary. The prospect of an agreement indicated the Swedish Governments readiness to work with others in the region was enough reassurance that would go onto allowing discussions continue. "An agreement sounds ideal. As mentioned, our goal would be to re-open the claim for British Antarctic Territory which would ideally be recognized by Sweden, in which, we would still recognize your own claim over the region including the fact it would be overlapping with our own claim. This would allow us to work together closely. What we were thinking, in return of course, is that the Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands becomes a hub for Antarctic Operations; permitting Swedish Deployments through the Falklands as a... 'gateway' to the region. Of course we would get this down as a written agreement which would be reviewed yearly or more, depending on preferences. We both seem to have the same ideals of research and the Falklands are perfectly situated to ease the logistical nightmare."

Connor

 

[Connor]

Emmy nods whilst Tom speaks despite the fact he was obviously unable to see this. She quickly responds "Yes Mr Kirby, I am eager to see cooperation between our states with the view to conduct essential research in the region and the opening of the Falkland Islands is something I'm definitely interest in exploring." another brief pause, this time she was distracted by the exploration of the Falklands and was considering what it would be like for Tom to explore her body, but she quickly diverts her attention back to the subject matter noting her immaturity in her mind "The problem lies with words like 'claim' and 'territory' which is where people way above my head start to get... twitchy. We have invested, alongside Norway, billions in the region to ensure prosperity and are wanting to ensure Swedish interests are met - we could view your claim in the same way leasehold land is recognised however dissolve the requirement to payment in light of future cooperation of joint venture in the interest of research?"

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

"I would be interesting to hear how much you would be looking at in terms of leasing land in Antarctica. Equally, I'd like to raise the prospect to outright cover the costs with profit to take the region south of 60°S latitude and between longitudes 20°W and 80°W under British Control if that would be one option you would be willing to take? Again, this would all depend on how much you'd offer on lease, whether you'd be willing to essentially 'sell' that region of Antarctica that we're interested in. I'll be honest, we were hoping using the Falklands as a hub would act in 'payment' of sorts for Britain to use and set up research bases in the British Antarctic Territory. I imagine logistics are somewhat horrific. To summarize, I'd like to know:

- If your government was to lease that part of the region to the UK, how much would this be?

- Is there any price we could pay to take that part off your hands all together?

- Is there no option for using the Falklands as a staging area, of course, this would be using the islands to re-supply as payment for using the British Antarctic Territory for our own research bases?"

Connor

 

[Connor]

"At this stage in the early development of Antarctica there is no room for the sale of territory, but this is definitely something we'd consider with our allies in the future - hopefully I see Britain and Sweden alongside each other as exactly that. To be clear regarding my earlier comments, if you were to accept the leasehold venture there would be no requirement for Britain to pay any monetary value for your right to research in the region; any offer for facilitating use of the Falklands would be greatly accepted as a gesture of good will but Swedish interest is purely surrounding the development of our relationship and harbouring essential research in the area."

Emmy makes some quick notes before going on...

"The region would remain under Swedish law although given the remoteness of the region we would be willing to show some flexibility with you... rest assured you will retain the rights of any land occupier within Sweden."

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

"That is understandable, and generous of you to offer. I will have to discuss this with the Cabinet as of course, there remains tension over Antarctica and I'm worried about the build up of interest. Odd, really, no one seems to worry about it until Sweden enforces a claim" the British delegate couldn't help but laugh. "Might I inquire as to your intentions regarding the continent given the growing opposition?"

Connor

 

[Connor]

"Yes, we have been in control of Antarctica for over a year now and nobody has any interest until we begin investing in the development. We have received physical tests of our national security from both Australia and Argentina, I suspect this is likely to grow to other nations as they seek an opportunity to extend their own land. Whilst they play the diplomacy card and insinuate that their challenge is for the greater good, it is utter rubbish. I have every intention to defend Antarctica as I would with Swedish mainland, it is an overseas territory and legally claimed." Emmy dusts hair from her face before continuing "Might I ask, what is the British view on the tension? Even off the record?"

Jamie

 

[Connor]

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

"I'll be honest, we're remaining neutral in the matter as the tension over Antarctica we feel is a bit unnecessary. However, we do sympathize with your government due to the amount spent, both financially and in resources all these months. The sudden interest of other nations is, unexpected. We suspect that we will see an increase of military assets in the region so are contemplating the deployment of an extra Frigate to the Falkland Islands as reassurance of Britain's interests there but beyond a routine patrol, that is where our action will stop on the matter. I would like to see a peaceful solution, whether through yourselves and those involved directly or through the Global Assembly. I suppose only time will tell in this regard, I presume Argentina is your biggest threat due to the proximity they have. Equally, I suspect yourselves and those that are in opposition are currently building up supporters for both causes so a lot will be discussed at the Antarctica Summit. Are you attending that?"

Connor