France | Message to the United Kingdom

[Jamie]

"I could certainly look at endorsing a GA Peacekeeping Force, the only issues I would foresee is that they'll be a huge influx of countries offering forces, with very little organisation. Logistically, it's a nightmare. New Caledonia itself is a logistical headache to deploy peacekeepers. That's not to dispute the idea, but it's something to consider. If you were to get outside peacekeepers involved, I would suggest limiting it to an extremely low number of countries, perhaps even one, or having a very well established commander to manage it.

There's also political complications in that the rebels evidently have issues with the current French Government, that's not to excuse their attacks but it does introduce the risk of them gaining support if foreign troops then descended on them -- even in a peacekeeping capacity.

The deployment of UK troops is a possibility, with or without the GA, but it's certainly something that needs discussing more and to understand how we would be able to support you. Do you know much about the leadership of the AINC? From our experience, peacekeepers would only do so much but if the leadership is still out there, they'll always have supporters unfortunately."

Taranis

 

[Taranis]

"Of course, we'll be considering all the implications of our actions. What we're thinking of will be primarily medical, humanitarian and advisory aid, probably preferably in the low hundreds. France will have no shortage of military aid, but we will need a lot of humanitarian and civilian aid. But we can discuss that further in the GA if we reach that stage.

"We have recorded a few defections from the police into the AINC, but only around 10-15 in a force of some 200. We expect that they will be well trained and therefore the senior leaders of the AINC. We have managed to get a profile of its leader, or at least its founder, a man called Fabre. We is a socialist, and therefore with a lot of support from the public. But militarily we doubt his expertise, and he will most likely be delegating that role to defectors; fhe ambush, for example, was led by a different man. Other than that we have little intel on the AINC.

"We won't be expecting the GA to be in frontline roles; the elimination of the AINC and its leadership will preferably be left to French forces, and of course any allied forces. As for British forces, again we do need a lot of humanitarian aid, as part of a hearts and minds policy- but with military forces due to be deployed within days, we would also like to explore the possibility of having British military advisors and instructors, probably in nearby French Polynesia to prepare forces for New Caledonia."

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

There was a considerably silence, with a Royal Navy ship due to depart for the Indian Ocean, they had an option to support the French Government during this time. Considering the ramifications, he spoke again: "After consideration, rather than our Frigate making port in Marseille, we can have it make straight for the Indian Ocean for its initial re-supply and use that as an opportunity to have additional sailors board for a support mission to New Caledonia. This mission would be able to provide: Supplies in the form of food, water, medical supplies. The ship has a number of medical staff on-board and a helicopter which can assist via transport, delivery of cargo and intelligence gathering.

We would likely deploy a small unit of Royal Marines to provide a protection detail due to the growing risk of combat which would not only be able to protect our sailors but act as advisors to support your forces present. Is this a suitable option? If so, I can arrange the orders immediately for the Frigate to make its way straight there."

Taranis

 

[Taranis]

"That would be most welcome, thank you Your Excellency. We are happy to allow Marines to protect our supplies, and your offer as them as military advisors is certainly something we can allow. Yes, I will make the necessary arrangements so that we can prepare for your arrival."

As he spoke, an aide came in with a hurried note from the President. It said that Thailand was also considering sending aid and supplies to New Caledonia- and that at the moment the position was to stop them. Now he could hardly approve the same mission by British forces. Thinking fast, de Villepin collected his notes and continued.

"Yes, by all means go ahead. And, er, please keep in mind that for now your mission is entirely humanitarian... at least in public. Our position is not to give the AINC too much ammunition- metaphorically and literally- if foreign troops were marching through New Caleodnia."

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

"Entirely understandable, the deployment itself is limited to around 30 marines and the sailors on-board the vessel who can help support, its mandate will be down to humanitarian assistance and advisory with support from a Lynx Helicopter which forms part of their patrol. They'll be accompanied by a tanker from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary but that is only in support of the Frigate. They'll be departing within the next few hours and will confirm when they're approaching New Caledonia to discuss where you'd like them to operate... their certainly won't be any marching through." he added with a soft chuckle.

Taranis

 

[Taranis]

Dominique seemed pleased. "Of course, then I have no objections. A point of contact for coordination and cooperation will be our High Commissioner, Thierry Lataste. I am sure there will be no problems, owing to our historic alliance. Police, and soon military forces, will be on standby to assist you. In particular I suggest that you dock in either Papeete, in neighbouring French Polynesia, or in Nouméa. However I must warn you that Nouméa is currently extremely unsafe and has little police coordination. You could dock in Koumac, which is safer and is currently where the government has relocated.

"As for where you can drop supplies, as you say we can discuss that at a later time, but safe to say anywhere outside of large population centres, and places on the coast, are more likely to be hostile to your forces."

After thinking for a moment, he sat back in his chair. "If Your Excellency has nothing else, then I believe we are done?"

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

"I'll relay that information onto our Patrol Group, they'll be able to provide more or less any support you'd require during their deployment in the region and hopefully, they'll make a significant impact to humanitarian efforts. In the meantime, I'll start work on a cooperation agreement and get this sent across as soon as I possibly can for you to review, we can then discuss it and progress from there." he paused "That aside, I have nothing else to bring up so unless you do, I think that would conclude this first of hopefully many talks." - If nothing else was said, the British Delegate would be sure to offer a polite farewell having taking notes from their meeting, these would be assessed privately and work can begin on a cooperation agreement.

Taranis