Aegis Treaty Interpretation Difficulties

[Joy 0]

Subject : Aegis Treaty Interpretation Difficulties

From : Ambassador Joy Two, United Federation of Planets

To : Admiralty Court, Cardassia

 

 

Your honor.

 

There is currently a disagreement taking place on interpretation of the Aegis Treaty of 2376. (See attached.) The Ferengi Empire and citizens thereof differer in interpretation of the treaty from representatives of the governments of the Cardassian Union, United Federation of Planets, and Klingon Empire. (Two other signatories have not yet made their positions clear.) The legal claim on the part of the Ferengi is established by the following diplomatic messages. (See attached.) A seizure of property was declared with no opportunity for the various allied governments to present their interpretation before any court recognized under international law. Thus, we require time to assemble a legal team representing various involved parties, and to prepare our response to the Ferengi interpretations.

 

I assure you, however, a solid legal response can be made.

 

The Treaty of Aegis was signed upon Cardassian soil. The station in question is in Cardassian space. I believe yours is the proper court to resolve differences in interpretation of the treaty when procedures for resolving differences within the treaty have not been followed or fail to achieve consensus. I request a hearing on jurisdiction.

 

I do not believe the Ferengi courts have legal jurisdiction to declare seizure of properties within Cardassian space.

 

I do not believe the Ferengi navy has police powers to execute seizure of properties within Cardassian space.

 

The position of the Government of the Cardassian Union is that this proposed seizure has initiated a 'state of conflict'. (See attached.) There are many tangential issues being raised. The Ferengi are claiming a right to be in Cardassian space according to the terms of a treaty they have declared void, and are claiming that the terms of a commercial treaty guaranteeing rights to move goods and people give a right to ignore orders issued by military authorities during a declared state of emergency. (See attached.)

 

I would request a stay order be issued, putting the seizure on hold until hearings can be held to settle jurisdiction issues and settle differences in interpretation of treaty. I fear I must also request the obvious, a directive that the Ferengi ships must comply to movements requested by the Cardassian government during the current declared state of emergency.

 

 

Ambassador Joy Two, representing the United Federation of Planets

[Joy 0]

Subject : Ferengi Aegis Conflict

From: Ambassador Joy Two, United Federation of Planets, Sky Harbor Aegis

To: Office of the President, United Federation of Planets

CC: Captain Muon Quark, Starfleet, Sky Harbor Aegis,

Ambassador Joy Seven, San Francisco

Classification: Secret

Encryption: UFP39D

Precedence: Immediate

 

The current crisis likely resulted from a hurried and clumsy handling of the move of Aegis. The Ferengi were humiliated in how a rush to move the station took place without sufficient deference to assuage their pride.

 

Their ability to penetrate Cardassian space may well similarly humiliate the Cardassians. They take great pride in their military strength. It has been shown to be inadequate. From their perspective, this incident may show a need to increase their military strength and strengthen security procedures. While this is a natural and proper response, this counters our efforts to reduce military tensions in the region.

 

Starfleet deployments in support of this crisis might thus be made not according to the amount of force required to answer the Ferengi threat, but according to the amount of force required to make the Cardassians feel secure. Let there be no doubt that the Federation will support Cardassia in an hour of need. Yet, I approve the Starfleet decision to hold the bulk of Federation forces out of Cardassian space until they are invited in. Allowing Cardassia to take the lead in deciding military responses is prudent. Starfleet's handling of the situation has thus far been excellent.

 

My office and Starfleet Aegis have been offering firm support to Cardassia. I would like permission to make this total and unqualified support.

 

And yet, as much as it is desirable to maintain and extend proper relationships with Cardassia, this office will be looking into ways to offer the Ferengi a way out of the hole they have dug for themselves. They are putting pride ahead of profits. Suggestions on approaches to breaking the escalating series of financial embargoes and restoring Ferengi pride would be welcome. You may wish to consider whether directly confronting the Ferengi in their area of strength prudent.

 

I have begun proceedings in Cardassian Admiralty Court to resolve issue through legal channels. I do not anticipate that the Ferengi will honor legal due process, but it seems prudent to show that the allies are making every effort at non-violent resolution.

 

Ambassador Joy Two