Phone Call to Argentina

[Alex]

In the hopes of beginning bilateral relations, Minister of the Department of Global Affairs, Edward Reid would use an encrypted phone line to contact the Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Esteban Cambiasso.

Naio90

 

[Naio90]

After a brief confusion regarding the intended receiver (either President Cambiasso or Minister Andrada), it would be assumed that considering the caller was the canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the intended partner was the argentine minister. The private call would be redirectd to Minister Andrada's secure office phone.

"Minister Reid, pleasure talking to you, how are you?"

Alex

 

[Naio90]

Alex

 

[Alex]

"Good morning, Minister Andrada," the Minister would begin, "I hope all is well. The new government of Canada wished to begin diplomatic ties with Argentina as soon as possible. As the previous government and yours have had close ties, it is our hopes that this relationship may continue. Peter MacKay's diplomatic stance is Pro-Americas and aims to bring all American nations closer together, something that I believe Argentina could be in favor of. We did have a few things we wished to discuss with your government, and I'm certain you also have some things of your own to discuss with me?"

Naio90

 

[Naio90]

"Thank you for the kind words Minister Reid. The Argentine Republic has fond memories of the last canadian administration that really managed to make the country internationally active, and we agree with your intentions to resume that active bilateral relationship.

The Argentine Republic, among other policies, also abides to the idea of an american continent without extra-continental intervention. We deem that there is no place for colonies in the americas, and our nations should be completely sovereign in the decision making, without having to be concerned with having to deal with such colonial remnants, or new threats.

But tell me, does your Government already have something more specific in mind? Argentina currently has good bilateral relations with Brazil, a strategic ally of us, but not much so with the US. Their recent history of involvement in our region obviously makes us hesitant.

As for issue I would like to speak of, well, we are interested in resuming bilateral maritime trade, and wanted also to offer you our assistance in case Canada has some long term development in mind. Argentina has been witnessing for a time now an unparalleled age of progress, and we would be more than happy to share that with our friends."

Alex

 

[Alex]

"That bides well for us, then. We have good relations with the United States but have yet to contact the Empire of Brazil. I believe we would both be able to put in a good word for our nations to Brazil and the United States. I do understand your people's hesitance, however. My word alone may not stand for much, but Canada has recently been the victim of internal meddling with the Global Assembly's attempt to sanction Canada for the previous election - something that we see as extremely anti-democratic and against everything the Global Assembly stands for. So be assured that no matter where Canada's plans may go, we will never advocate nor stand for internal meddling in other nations, especially those we share a continent with.

Now, regarding what we had in mind in more specific terms. We wish to bring all American nations closer together than ever before with the help of non-aggression pacts, mutual defense pacts, and an economic bloc between us all. Furthermore, we are aiming to form an international space agency to be shared by Argentina, Brazil, the United States and Canada. Forming an official alliance would simply create too much tension between nations that may hold ill-intent or frustration towards member states and may create conflicts in the future that may be otherwise avoided by signing no official alliance and instead only non-aggression and mutual defense pacts. Furthermore, an economic bloc - one based on the now defunct NAFTA - between our four nations, all economic powers in their own rights either through industrial capabilities or natural resources, would prove to be nothing more than beneficial. It would hopefully prevent any foreign nations from crippling our economies with sanctions or other actions. It would also give all members of the bloc more economic power on the international stage - having access to more products and resources than before.

Lastly, the international space agency between our four nations. The United States hold the needed technologies, Brazil has the geographical position to allow for us to construct launching bases and a headquarters right dead on the equator, and together we would be able to pour more funding into the space agency than any other nation or corporation would be able to. This amount of funding would allow the agency to research technologies that other nations yet have, allow the agency to put various civilian and military satellites alongside space stations in orbit and allow the Americas to be at the head of space exploration and technology.

All of this will take time to accomplish, but if you are interested in any of this then I will notify my government and we will begin preparations to hold a summit between our four nations here in Ottawa.

In regards to Canada's long term development projects... We have plans to construct people movers in various large cities alongside either constructing new or modernizing many of our subway systems throughout Canada. Furthermore we have three large plans to better Canada's hydroelectricity output, five to better our solar energy output, and a large project for wind energy. We also have many projects across Canada involving modernization and new projects that will bring all of Canada closer together and working far more efficiently. We have also just finished constructing a naval base and are looking to construct two more naval bases in the Arctic Circle.

In total, we will be investing billions of dollars into Canada. Any aid that Argentina would like to offer would be greatly appreciated, though not necessary."

Naio90

 

[Naio90]

"Our Government does not go one day without being relieved of not being part of the GA. Although it has good intentions, its easily coopted and used as a tool by some nations to try exert power over other countries. As you said, Canada is the prime example of this.

We would be more than hapyp to talk to Brazil regarding a potential itnensification of canadian-brazilian bilateral relations, while we would also appreciate some help into ammending positions with the US. Argentina would welcome an all-american alliance, but we are also aware that some of our demands would need some serious discussion and negotiation. If Canada, Brazil and the US are willing to negotiate, we are more than happy to ivnest in a potentially power-shifting alliance such as this, specially in terms of economic and scientific projection. I understand that perhaps a preliminary meeting, to discuss the raw structure and principles of such alliance could be good.

This leads me to your very interesting proposal of a join space program. Argentina is currently ivnesting heavily in our own National Space Program -CONAE- and obviously gaining access to some of the US/Canadian expertise and tech would accelerate processes. We would also be more than happy to share our own infrastructure, resources and know-how.

As for your own internal development, Argentina's own recent marked expansion and industrialization gave us a good idea and expertise on how to tackle such long term projects, and I even could talk to some of our more prominent enterprises and investors to seek out and ivnes tin canadian projects."

Alex

 

[Alex]

"The Brazilians have recently contacted us and we will shortly begin full diplomacy with them. It's my hopes that by the end of the summer season we'll be able to hold a summit in Ottawa and discuss all of this far more into detail. In the mean time, yes I believe holding a preliminary meeting would be good, perhaps over videoconference to save time and avoid international knowledge of what the American nations may have planned. Regarding the joint space program, Canada has pushed forward their space program and we are currently investing a few billion dollars into returning the Canadian Space Agency into operational status. They should be ready for operation in roughly eight months.

With India, the United Kingdom, and Russia before their government's collapse re-opening their space agencies and most likely soon beginning operations it's our hopes that a joint-agency will give us the funding and technology needed to out-perform all of these agencies combined in both the civilian and military sectors.

As of now, the government of Canada has invested over twelve billion dollars in the infrastructure of Canada in the health, trade, and clean energy sectors. We are still planning on investing money in the oil industry, expanding mines, grow our wood exports, and expanding our clean energy output. We would be more than content to allow Argentine companies to invest in these sectors, or perhaps even begin their own projects or open their own branches in Canada. It's our hopes that once all of these projects will be completed, Canada will be able to export large amounts of power, gems, metals, oil, and various other resources."

Naio90

 

[Naio90]

"Good to know. We have opened a line of communication with the US Government as well, mostly through commercial affairs, but its a first step. We look forward to this preliminary meeting and have no problem with doing it over videoconference, please keep us posted in the matter.

The argentine space program has recently been unveiled and we are now working on Phase II, which focus essentially on improveing and expanding existing infrastucture, including the construction of a whole new Space Center with different launch platforms and resear and engineering facilities. Incorporating canadian technology and know-how will not only reduce costs for both, but also shorte the timeline.

Finally, regarding investment, is there a priority area you would the ADCA (Argentine Development and Cooperation Agency) to start with? We are willing to contribute direct funding and designs through it. As for bilateral trade, Argentina is looking for enw markets for our vehicels, lithium, grain, meat and soy derivates. In return, we would also be interested in opening the argentine market for canadian goods."

Alex

 

[Alex]

"That's wonderful to hear. Our space agency is still in the early stages but their headquarters in Ottawa, Longueil, and their old rocket launching base in Manitoba are currently being brought back into operational status and should be fully operational in roughly another six months or so.

As for the ADCA, we still have some projects that we require aid for. We are looking to expand our oil industry in the Prairies with additional wells, fields, and pipes to connect the new oil fields to Vancouver and potentially our brothers to the south. In addition, we are hoping to also expand our oil industry into the sea and begin building oil rigs and acquiring drilling ships to begin this expansion. Other than this we are looking to expand our natural energy productions, we already have a number of large damns in construction but we're aiming to construct solar panel farms and large wind farms. Lastly, with the development of our space agency, we are looking to upgrade the railway tracks from Thompson to Churchill and turn them to high-speed rails.

Would the ADCA be able to help us in these regards?"

Naio90

 

[Naio90]

"We are looking forward to intensify bilateral cooperation on scientific affairs, specially on space exploration. We are currently constructing several facilities and training personnel in areas of expertise and interest. Cooperating with the Canadian Space Agency would eventually benefit both sides, since we could offer infrastructure and personnel, while at the same time gaining access to canadian equipment.

Regarding cooperation on ifnrastructure projects, indeed ADCA's main objective is to facilitate the share of expertise and know-how for large projects, as well as eventually bringing also financial solutions. Iunderstand they do have experience in the planning and construction of pipelines for gas and oil, thanks to national projects we had here in Argentina. Same goes for hydro-electric damns. I understand that this issue would merit a meeting with the General Director of the ADCA, Guido Rodriguez. Perhaps I can serve as link between him and the official you designated for these talks.

On another issue, I was tasked by the Ministry of Defence to request access to a canadian port on the atlantic for one of our frigates for resupply and use as temporary port. We are planing on multiple deployments around the world to provide support to international maritime trade and to safeguard navigational safety. I understand the ship would mostly be at high seas on international waters, but they would need to enter a port for resupplying and do some minor repairs if necesary. Obviously all information related to this deployment would be shared with Canada."

Alex

 

[Alex]

"If you give us the necessary information related to the deployment then we'll be more than willing to allow your ships to refuel and resupply in Royal Canadian Navy ports. Please send us the information regarding the deployment before the ship attempts to resupply or refuel or they'll be denied entry.

Regarding the ADCA, I can handle Canada's side of the discussion. Canada's oil reserves are third only to Venezuela and Saudi Arabia's, because of this is it a wise choice for us to focus on our oil industry as much as possible. We wish to add oil rigs in the Jeanne d'Arc Basin and the Nova Scotian continental shelf in the Atlantic. Additionally we plan on adding lake oil rigs in the Prairies alongside increasing the number of oil wells in the region. As for the fields in the Atlantic, shipping the oils to other nations will be easy due to its location. The fields in the Prairies will require a pipeline from the region to the Pacific, likely Vancouver, where the oil can then be shipped off to foreign nations. Do you think the ADCA would be able to write up a project for us for this?"

Naio90

 

[Naio90]

"The idea would be to deploy an Argentine Navy Destroyer to have temporary base in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. We understand you have a naval base located there. The ship will be tasked with patrolling the north atlantic ocean and do region specific tours using the canadian naval base as departure and return point. Of course all relevant information would be shared with your Ministry of Defence and we can also offer your navy to designate liaison officers to board the ship and accompany it on its missions.

As for the infrastructure projects, yes, I understand ADCA could come up with an interesting proposition, although they would need to be closely working with canadian experts and companies, given that it would be a waste to not used your local expertise, specially regarding the off-shore rigs."

Alex