[Norway] Phonecall to Egypt

[Odinson]

The Norwegian ambassador to the Republic of Egypt picked up the phone in his office and made a secure call to the Egyptian Foreign Minister. He patiently waited for an answer on the other side.
@Naio90

 

[Naio90]

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs would be taking the call, due the Minister being currently in a private meeting. He would pick up the encrypted phone in his private office.

"Mr. Ambassador, how are you?"

@Odinson

 

[Odinson]

"Thank you for taking my call, Deputy Foreign Minister. I'm doing well, I hope that you are as well," he said, giving a moment for the Deputy Minister to respond with a pleasantry. "I'm sure that you've heard of the terrorist incidents that have occurred around the world, and shootings at embassies in Iraq?"
@Naio90

 

[Naio90]

After the customary protocol salutations, the Deputy Minister would continue.

"Yes... It is very sad and shocking at the same time, so many innocents dead. Andthe situation in Bagdad indeed looks concerning. I hope we are not at the gates of a new Gulf War..."

@Odinson

 

[Odinson]

"I agree. This is all very concerning... I am actually calling concerning the well-being of some Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish citizens in Iraq at the moment... The Nordic Council may soon need access to the Suez Canal for a rescue mission of some sorts - I hope that you can keep this between us. Would the Egyptian government be willing to waive the payment fee for our vessels, in the event that we have to conduct this operation, and in return we'll keep it a secret that the fee was waived," he said.
@Naio90

 

[Naio90]

The tone of the Deputy Minister would become more serious.

"I see... It's understandable what you are mentioning here. There should be no problem in waiving the fee's, but... It's not something I can reply you right now. You see, Egypt is a neutral country as you surely already know. We fear that allowing military vessels through the Canal could be interpreted as taking a side here and might carry conseuqentaial acts by some of the nations involved in this crisis. Regardless of how in agreement I or my Government could be with you on the barbaric and coward nature of the terrorist acts, I would need to introduce this issue to the Minister and the President."

@Odinson

 

[Odinson]

"If it would help our case, Deputy Minister, we would be conducting this mission to rescue civilians and an ambassador. It would not be to launch an invasion of any country. I hope that you could ask the Minister and the President as soon as possible, as lives are at stake, and time is of the essence... Would that be possible?" he asked.
@Naio90

 

[Naio90]

"Do you have more information on this? What type of ship would that be?"

@Odinson

 

[Odinson]

"I'm not aware of that information, or if it has been decided yet," he simply replied. "Do you think your government would be open to this?" he asked.
@Naio90

 

[Naio90]

"As things are, we would prefer not exposing ourselves. Even more, I cannot make any compromise if we don't even know what kind of hip we are talking here. Certainly no military ship would be authorized. Approving one ship will also open the doors for other nations to want make use of the Canal, and we would prefer not to have any extra regional forces, or iraquis, operating in our area of influence."

@Odinson

 

[Odinson]

"I'll be sure to pass that information to His Majesty's government, and the Nordic Council. Thank you for your time, Deputy Minister." If there was nothing else to be say but goodbyes, the ambassador would end the call.
@Naio90

 

[Naio90]

"Nothing else, I'm sorry for not being able to provide the answer you were looking for. Good bye Mr. Ambassador."

@Odinson