UK | Urgent Call to the French Republic

[Jamie]

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
Security Classification: SECRET

Concerns are brewing across the British Government in relation to the rapidly-changing situation in the French Republic with many living or traveling in France waiting for official word from the government, the first step was to establish a foothold of what was transpiring. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs have confirmed an announcement within the next hour but in the meantime, the British Ambassador to France was assigned the task of collecting data. Sat in his private office of the Embassy in Paris, he picked up his phone and immediately attempted to call the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Waiting patiently hoping for a quick response.

Oceania

 

[Oceania]

"God, everybody wants to call us now," Herve murmured, as his office told her of the Ambassador's call. Looking out the window, he could just make out the embassy itself, as protesters neared the centre of Paris. He picked up the phone.

"Hello, Your Excellency. How can I help you?"

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

"Good Afternoon" spoke the Ambassador "I'm Ben Wallow from the British Embassy. As much as I'd like to enjoy the pleasantries, I'm sure at the moment we're both busy, you even more so.
The situation seems to be developing rapidly and my government are yet to do an announcement but truth be told, it's looking like the UK will be following on a Do Not Travel advisory to France, and given the amount of people already leaving France due to similar advisories, it's looking dire.
What's the situation at your end?"

Oceania

 

[Oceania]

"I'm afraid all hell has broken loose. I am receiving reports every 5 minutes of more protests, more arrests, more officers falling back. As I have told the Americans, we can no longer guarantee your safety. National Police officers are planning to begin evacuating diplomats from Paris, where the worst of the riots are. The 7th Arrondissement, where many government buildings and embassies are located, is being attacked. We have plans for the Army to be deployed soon, but until then, I'm afraid, Mr Wallow, we are hopeless and you are helpless."

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

"Perhaps my thoughts on the situation was well under-estimated in that case. I'm to understand UK airlines will be focusing on repatriation flights but naturally, that is time limited and no doubt not enough for the hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals to leave the country.
What is your stance on the allowance of the Royal Air Force deploying assets to support evacuation flights? And for the safety of not only myself but our embassy and consulate staff - is there anything the UK is able to offer to support the evacuation of diplomatic staff from Paris?"

Oceania

 

[Oceania]

"We are able to allow RAF and other personnel into France for evacuation." As he spoke, a briefing came in. "Mr Wallow, French soldiers are beginning to clear parts of Paris. With this, I am sure we can allow the use of Charles de Gaulle, as there are no aircraft using it currently, for evacuation purposes. If needed, we may need to helicopter your people to the airport."

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

"I will discuss an immediate response from the Royal Air Force for repatriation flights, I've been given word that the UK will also be allowing American nationals as part of this operation.
With no aircraft using Charles de Gaulle, I will ensure that is the focus for RAF movements. Is helicopter transfer something you are able to offer? Or is that something you would like my government to supply?"

Oceania

 

[Oceania]

"The National Police can provide 3 helicopters, Eurocopter Fennecs, for your staff. If you have more staff or supplies, I'm afraid you will have to arrange that yourself."

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

"Truth be told, I don't think Fennecs would be sufficient unless you intend multiple trips. What other foreign assets, besides our Royal Air Force, are operating or plan to be operating in France during these times? We obviously don't want any overstep if military flights are involved.
I am able to arrange helicopter flights from the embassy through the Royal Air Force but this comes down to whether your government would authorize foreign military assets operating in that way?"

Oceania

 

[Oceania]

"Yes, we will be able to allow RAF aircraft to evacuate your staff. A coordination centre for this operation is operating at Hexagone Balard, the French Armed Forces Headquarters. For the purposes of evacuation we will allow all aircraft you deem necessary to get the embassy out of Paris."

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

"Perfect, thank you very much. I will arrange for this to commence in the next few hours.
In the meantime, is there anything else my government can do to assist yours?"

Oceania

 

[Oceania]

"I'm afraid not. Most of the crisis is caused by domestic affairs... Now we can only sit and wait." Herve muttered, as the National Police came in to inform him that the French High Command had evacuated for Corsica and that they should too. "You should probably get out of here as soon as possible, Mr Wallow, while you still can." He hung up.

Jamie