Request for a Position Paper II

[Joy 0]

Subject : Request for a Position Paper

From : Joy Eight

To : Captain Ayres

CC : Admiral Goran, Ambassador Joy Two, Captain Sorehl

Classification : Confidential

 

 

Captain

 

It is rapidly becoming traditional, at the end of our conversations, that you remind us that we have no authority. We suspect, as you keep emphasizing this point, that you have noted how irrelevant we consider this to be. We doubt, however, you understand why. Thus, please forgive a mild diversion.

 

I might also make a small request. You could not possibly have reached your current rank without going through courses in alien values and first contact. If you could kindly step into that mode of thinking for a while, it might be to your benefit. Your method of perceiving he world and manipulating it is not uniquely true. Even if I do not expect you to embrace a new value system, an officer of your rank and position should at minimum be able to comprehend other value systems.

 

My sisters and I have long served Starfleet. We know the military 'chain of command' paradigm, though 'pyramid' would be more accurate. A few at the top make decisions, to be rapidly implemented by those below. Such a system is so effective in conflict situations that most cultures adapt it for their soldiers, even if it is anathema to the culture as a whole.

 

Diplomacy presumes an assumption of equality. In addition to serving on Starfleet, my class has considerable experience serving on Council. There, everyone is presumed to be of equal dignity. While each planet might have some advantages in such areas as seniority, technology, economic strength or some other gift, it is dangerous or presumptuous to count on using such to manipulate or coerce another ambassador. Instead, each ambassador is assumed to have varied ideas, goals, resources and information. The culture is one of pooling these things to achieve common goals. The culture is one of cooperation and respect, rather than one of authority. In a diplomatic environment, no one has authority over another.

 

There were times when the Chairman of Council believed he had or ought to have authority, and tried to manipulate Council by withholding information, manipulating the agenda, bypassing parliamentary procedure, or otherwise forcing an issue. The result, quite properly, was often a new Chair. Military and diplomatic value sets do not mix cleanly. Ambassadors see it as their duty to preserve and protect the dignity and sovereignty of the governments they represent. In general, any attempt by one sovereign power to establish authority over another sovereign power will generally be met be an instinctive, emotional and yet quite rational resistance.

 

Thus, it is improper and dangerous to assume a position of authority when one is involved in diplomacy. Thus, your repeated warnings that I do not have any authority are quite irrelevant from my perspective. When dealing at a diplomatic level, seeking authority over other ambassadors is dangerous and counter productive. As the command staff of Aegis seems determined to act as if they are members of the diplomatic corps, it is proper that you at least understand the diplomatic value system, even if it is alien to your normal perception of how the universe ought to work. My sense is that 'someone on Aegis' equates in your mind to 'someone under my authority.' This is a dangerous assumption when applied to representatives of foreign governments. It has led to much of the difficulty we have seen in recent days. It is as if you were trying to dicker in gold plated latinum with a Klingon, while speaking of courage honor to a Vulcan. There is a profound values clash in progress.

 

End preamble. I recently solicited from Ambassador tr'Aeolix a brief summary of the Rihannsu position. A copy of the result was sent to Admiral Goran. As Two was with Admiral Goran at the time, I assumed I would get a similar summary from the Federation. This did not happen.

 

At this point in a potential conflict, my objective would be to prevent the conflict. If this is not possible, it would be to justify the conflict to other nations such as to acquire allies while denying allies to the other side. Ambassador tr'Aeolix is playing this game. In withholding information from other nations, in not making your position clear, you are leaving yourself open.

 

I know I do not speak for the Federation. I can only advise.

 

Ambassador tr'Aeolix made a will not fire first pledge. If at all possible, a similar pledge, under whatever limits you consider necessary, would minimize any impression that the Federation is the instigator. It would also reduce tensions and help prevent a minor accident from escalating into conflict.

 

Ambassador tr'Aeolix asked for an independent third party to review any evidence of Rihannsu involvement. He also promised a Rihannsu investigation if some fringe Rihannsu group is acting outside the authority of their Senate. I would advise you make this reciprocal, asking that the same independent third party be given equal access to both investigations.

 

Ambassador tr'Aeolix alleges a violation of treaty to which the Klingon Empire is signatory. It may become very important that you defend voiding the treaty without suggesting that your word of honor is not important, or suggesting that the Klingon Empire did not live up to their word of honor.

 

When Two spoke to you last, she spoke of Mudd values, that preserving unique lives is more important to us than preserving individual nodes within a hive mind. Thus, to Mudd, preventing war is more important than the safety of our embassy staff. While the other members of the diplomatic corps are not hive mind nodes, many are former military. I feel safe in saying that most will consider their duty to understand and manage this crisis, to keep their governments informed, is worth taking the same sort of risks that Starfleet officers are taking. In disrespecting their dedication to duty, in withholding information, in isolating them from communications, the impression given is that you wish diplomacy to fail, that you are striving to force your own agenda, that you are trying to prevent other powers from influencing your plans. A sincere effort to inform them and at least a pretense of listening to the opinions of other governments could significantly impact the course of any upcoming war, or even of any peace. Your manner of treating the diplomatic corps will be remembered, regardless of the short term outcome of this crisis.

 

If you wish assistance in wording your responses within the traditional norms, I am certain Two will make herself available.

 

Joy Eight

[Joy 0]

Subject : Cardassian Crisis Update

From : Joy Eight

To : Ambassador Joy Seven, San Francisco

CC : Ambassador Joy Two, Aegis; CSec Lee, Aegis

Classification : Secret

Encryption : JOY8:1FE8DC932CAB

 

 

Things are getting no clearer protocol wise. When last Two spoke with Captain Ayers she attempted a simple summary of the diplomatic protocol. Do no search, scan or detain diplomatic personnel, vehicles or spaces. Use courtesy. Make polite requests rather than giving orders. Last time I spoke with Captain Ayers, he denied launch clearance for the courier, and ordered all embassy personnel to a shelter area. He did so in a reasonably courteous fashion, so perhaps not all is totally lost.

 

The Mudd has launched. Immediately after I stated an intent to protest, the shipping ban was lifted. As this prompted an immediate reversal of what Captain Ayers had just ordered, I can only assume Admiral Goran intervened. As the civilian crews of the merchantmen are also being held in the Aegis shelter areas, the lifting of the shipping ban has thus far effected only the Mudd. I suspect there is a message or two in this somewhere, but as the shipping ban was objected to by most of the diplomatic corps, I just launched the Mudd without immediate comment.

 

Two told Ayers that Mudd embassy personnel "with bodies" would withdraw to the shelters. He didn't ask clarification, so hopefully he figured out that making a holo sentient safe by forcing him to leave the holodeck wouldn't work. This leaves me in free space, able to communicate with Dukor and tr'Aeolix. Two is in the shelters, where any other ambassadors still on Aegis might be. Bruce is manning the consulate, and should be able to reach anyone still on Embassy Row. I am not sure where Drankum and Sidega are, but we have covered our bases in terms of trying to maintain diplomatic communications as best we can...

 

In spite of the efforts of the Aegis command staff. It is getting harder to assume that Starfleet's efforts to disperse, discourage and disable the diplomatic corps are not deliberate.

 

A Rihannsu shuttle is currently heading for Aegis. I have vague hopes that the Rihannsu will keep the diplomatic corps informed of the result. I shall forward what I hear.

 

Eight

[Joy 0]

Subject : Request for a Position Paper

From : Joy Eight

To : Captain Nicholas Ayers

CC : Admiral Goran, Ambassador Joy Two, Captain Sorehl

Classification : Confidential

 

 

Well, we differ. In my experience, this is precisely the time when it is important to keep diplomatic channels open, and precisely the time that military organizations need to remember treaty obligations.