The Breen Reconstruction Mission

[Joy 0]

Subject : The Breen Reconstruction Mission

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

To : Kith Ghemor, The Cardassian Union, Sky Harbor Aegis

Ambassador Drankum, The Ferengi Alliance, Sky Harbor Aegis

Ambassador tr’Aeolix, The Romulan Empire, Sky Harbor Aegis

Captain Quark, Starfleet, Sky Harbor Aegis

CC : Commander Chirakis, Starfleet, Sky Harbor Aegis

Security : Confidential

 

 

It is proposed, under the assumption that the Breen will no longer be able to maintain control of that area of space which they have recently occupied, that Aegis might be moved to the border of Breen territory for the purposes of scientific research, expediting diplomacy, providing security and reconstructing the economy. While these are the same missions recently performed in Cardassian space, the political and military circumstances are quite different. The Aegis Treaty was originally negotiated in the immediate aftermath of the Dominion War. The Federation was occupying the area of the Cardassian Union where Aegis was located. The Cardassian government was originally not in a position to object to the terms of the treaty.

 

The situation in Breen space will be quite different. We will have no mandate to enter star systems without the consent of those living there. Their territory will be their own. If we enter within the Oort clouds of an occupied system, we should do so with their permission, or be in violation of interstellar law. If we required local air traffic control or legal jurisdictions, we must negotiate for such from planets which have every right to exercise such authority in their own space. As our treaty requires that all allies shall have access to the station, we should not enter the space of any planet that is uncomfortable with the presence of all of the Aegis allies.

 

This paper is intended to briefly introduce basic legal, treaty and military considerations relating to the proposed move. The intent is to briefly explore treaty and diplomatic considerations associated with a proposed allied peace keeping operation. It shall take the form of a series of proposals. These should not be considered best and final. These should be considered an extension of traditional Federation approaches. It is understood that other powers with different doctrines might well propose distinctly different approaches. Let them do so. This paper would rapidly grow too complex if it explored every possible extension of every traditional allied doctrine.

 

(This is definitely a first draft. I am circulating it to the Aegis diplomatic corps first, in hopes that they will raise serious objections early. Certainly, if Captain Quark does not believe she can implement the proposal as written, the proposal is apt to be withdrawn. Kith Ghemor and the Cardassian Union have also seen Aegis from a different perspective, and might provide valued insight on issues apt to be raised by the planets in Breen space.

 

While I cannot prevent anyone from forwarding this draft to their respective superiors, I would request that a first round of concerns might be exchanged internally first, with direct meetings to avoid misunderstandings. This draft should definitely not be considered anything approaching a best and final.)

The first assumption is mutuality. If any ally wishes to perform a reconstruction task, it seems improper to try to prevent any other ally from performing similar missions. On the flip side, if any ally wishes to prevent another ally from performing a specific type of mission, the forbidding ally should not expect to be performing that mission itself. We should work towards a common understanding as to what should be done, and what may not be done.

 

The Federation will likely attach one or more support ships to Aegis which will be effectively be under the command of Aegis station management. It is not expected or demanded that all allied ships operating off of Aegis will be under Aegis chain of command.

 

It does seem prudent that all allies share information with one another as to the basic state of the Breen sector, and any threats to the peace. There should be a general agreement for all allies to keep each other informed.

 

Federation doctrine features the Prime Directive. We shall not interfere with the normal development of any society unless that society becomes a threat to interstellar peace or other neighboring cultures. If we provide assistance to another culture, it will be with their fully informed consent. We will not use force or coercion to achieve economic advantage, acquire military advantage, or to coerce cultural change. We propose that these principles, or something like them, should apply to all allies within the area of the Breen reconstruction mission. The mission should not be to acquire territory or influence through force. Let no power enter the space of any local system without permission of the planetary authorities, or, in very unusual cases, with the unanimous consent of all the allies.

 

The Federation may at some future point consider membership applications from planets within the current Breen space. Under the mutuality concept, unless we renounce this possibility, we could hardly suggest that other allies cannot seek long term political and economic ties. It seems prudent, however, to put a moratorium on seeking permanent ties during the initial efforts. Let us agree to stabilize and understand the region before long term relationships are formalized. Let this moratorium last at the very least until the circumstances of the Breen disappearance are understood.

 

At some point it might be practical to partition reconstruction efforts. The Federation might properly focus on areas near its own border, as might the Cardassians near their border, and so forth. Initially, I propose there be no such formal partition. Let each ally be unrestricted during the initial phase.

 

One function of reconstruction would be encouraging trade. Let all interested allies participate. Let no ally discourage or block any interstellar trade within the region.

 

One security function is protecting trade from pirates and commerce raiders. Again, let all interested parties participate. Let all allies be kept informed of disruptive incidents. While commerce protection missions in interstellar space might be allowed, hot pursuit onto a planet’s surface might be considered an offensive use of force against the planet. This might require either the permission of the government of the planet involved, or, should it become clear that the planetary government is complicit, the unanimous consensus of the participating allies. I suggest that no ally should be using force on the surface of a planet in the reconstruction area without such unanimous consensus, and unless the planet in question has committed an unprovoked act of war.

 

There may be planets still under the control of Breen authorities, against the will and interests of a native population. At least initially, I propose that the allies should not attempt to destabilize such planets, to systematically attempt to remove remnants of Breen dominance. Let us develop a complete understanding of the circumstances before any firm policy on such measures start.

 

It might even be prudent to support the Breen. If they have a government system capable of maintaining the peace, with the only missing component being a space fleet, we might at least consider helping them maintain the peace until their fleet can be rebuilt. No, I do not propose that this should be our assumed plan going in, but in the very short run, we should not exclude the possibility. We should not go in with the attitude that we can freely antagonize Breen remnants. In fact, unless and until we achieve a finding that the Breen Empire no longer exists, acting against Breen remnants should be understood to be in violation of interstellar law, and an act of war.

 

***

 

If the short term intent is to locate Aegis in the Portas system, it might be prudent to establish diplomatic contact with Portas immediately. Legally, we should not bring the station inside the system’s Oort cloud with permission. We should honor requests of their air traffic system. We should make our needs and intentions known, and the requirement that all allies must be able to reach the station. We might speak with them of the trade offs of station placement. If they wish maximum economic and security benefit, the station might be placed in a planetary orbit. If they are concerned with the proximity of alien ships to their home world, a more distant placement might be desired.

 

I would like provisions made for a no fault divorce. If they wish us to leave, or if we wish to leave, let there be an agreement that we will leave. At the same time, we have some legitimate concerns. We will need local air traffic control too coordinate comings and goings. The station also cannot be directed to be moved around frequently or at whim. We should seek an agreement on how it should be placed, and that it should be allowed to stay there unless a major concern arises.

 

There are also legal jurisdiction concerns. Our own security forces and legal systems should maintain jurisdiction within the station and within visiting allied government ships. They may wish to retain legal jurisdiction over their own citizens that visit the station. We might want to compare systems of contract law, see if there are incompatibilities, and determine whether local, Federation or interstellar standards should apply. I also believe that any disagreements relating to the meaning of the Aegis Treaty should remain under the jurisdiction of allied admiralty courts, or interstellar courts.

 

I would suggest that agreement on the above should be achieved before the Aegis move is made. If our needs are utterly incompatible with the desires of the government of Portas, we should know this before we reassemble the station on the edge of Portas territory.

 

Some of the above might need be written into a revised Aegis Treaty. I also believe the Aegis Treaty might best be written in a flexible manner. There are many options and considerations raised above. The treaty might best contain flexible language that allows flexible response to changing circumstance.

 

***

 

There is talk of a small group of ships exploring Breen space. The courier MMS Mudd, captained by my sister Eight, is due to arrive at Aegis shortly. I suggest that the Mudd might be dedicated to diplomatic exchange with Portas. There is certainly much else to be done in Breen space. I would encourage other ships to perform other tasks, cover wider areas, together or singly, but I believe diplomatic contact with Portas should be one of the priorities. I would welcome diplomats from any of the allied powers to come aboard the Mudd, should they wish to be part of the Portas diplomatic negotiations. I am also tempted to offer Portas embassy space on the station.

 

Comments are welcome.

 

 

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

Edited October 14, 2008 by Joy

[Joy 0]

Subject : A State of Conflict?

From : Ambassador Joy Two, UFP, Sky Harbor Aegis

To : Office of the President, UFP, Earth

Office of the Chair, The Federation Council, UFP, Earth

CC : Ambassador Joy Seven, Mudd, The Presidio

Captain Muon Quark, Starfleet, Sky Harbor Aegis

Classification : Secret

Precedence : Immediate.

 

I am programmed to honor legalities. This is not my fault. Blame my programmers...

 

Five of the Aegis allies, excepting the Ferengi, recently agreed in principle to investigating the disappearance of Breen. It was proposed to move Aegis to the Portas system. I initially objected to this mission on the basis that entering Breen space in force without informed consent would be a violation of interstellar law and an act of war. With the recent clear vanishing of the Breen, it seems that this mission of investigation and nation building should definitely proceed. It would be desirable to do this in a way consistent with interstellar law, and in a way that gives us legal options for dealing with any Breen force encountered.

 

The entry of a vast Breen fleet into Cardassian space without notice or permission is quite clearly an act of war against Cardassia. The Cardassians could quite legitimately declare that as of the start of that incursion, a state of conflict exists between Breen and Cardassia. At the time of that incursion, the Federation, the Rihannsu, and the Ferengi held fleets in preparation to support Cardassia. This reflects a very real alliance. With a few formalities by the assorted governments, we could create a legal and valid state of conflict between the Breen and various allies associated with Aegis. This would clearly legitimize the incursion into Breen space.

 

The Breen did not actually fire upon any of the allies. Note, I used the word ‘conflict’ rather than ‘war.’ I believe the Aegis mission should start with investigation, diplomacy and reconstruction as the intended primary purposes, not conflict. I believe the objective should be free trade and self determination for the planets in Breen space, rather than an attempt to force unconditional surrender. I expect various Breen remnants will have other ideas. We also cannot set firm objectives or methods until we know a lot more of what happened.

 

My programming compels me to push towards making the proposed incursion proper and legal. Still, it would not be proper to nudge Cardassia towards declaring a formal state of conflict with suggestions of Federation support without consulting civilian command authorities. I believe Cardassia ought to take the initial steps, as it was Cardassian space that was trespassed upon.

 

I will await instructions before proceeding.

 

 

Ambassador Joy Two, UFP, Sky Harbor Aegis

[Joy 0]

Subject : Vulcan Embassy Space

From : Ambassador Joy Two, UFP, Sky Harbor Aegis

To : Ambassador Joy Seven, Mudd, The Presidio

CC : Captain Muon Quark, Starfleet, Sky Harbor Aegis

Commander Kirel Chirakis, Starfleet, Sky Harbor Aegis

 

 

Sister, Mine

 

I am starting to think through the movement into Breen space. it does seem likely we will soon relocate to the Portas system. It seems likely that the Portas government might require representation on the station. It might be polite and symbolic to allocate them embassy space equivalent to that given the Aegis allies. It seems likely they will need such space to handle customs, tariff, emigration, passport and similar functions.

 

The most likely available spaces belong to Vulcan and Bajor. The Bajor are treaty signatories. I believe space was reserved for the Vulcans as a result of former Commissioner Sorehl's recent mission, which is now over. I am holding several offices available in my own complex for visiting Federation diplomats, and would certainly make such available to any Vulcan representative. There are also smaller unused embassy spaces available to the Vulcans as well, though they are not located on the main ring.

 

Could you inquire if the Vulcans have any intent to open their space on Aegis? This is not of critical importance, but honoring Portas with a practical symbol of their importance seems advisable and... logical.

 

Two

[Joy 0]

Subject : The Non Addition of Evolutionary Capabilities

From : Ambassador Joy Two, UFP, Sky Harbor Aegis

To : Captain Muon Quark, Starfleet, Sky Harbor Aegis

CC : Commander Kirel Chirakis, Starfleet, Sky Harbor Aegis

 

 

Captain

 

Hopefully, this is just the android being an android, not something vital. I am just somewhat paranoid regarding the current wording of Article 14 of the Aegis Treaty. I have a few requests, however.

 

Could you not make anything vaguely resembling an improvement to the station without consulting me? Article 14 requires notifications, studies and approvals involving the other allies. Any improvement should involve science, diplomacy, security or reconstruction. The engineers should confirm that any new additions will not interfere with the existing station equipment.

 

I think the fighters are all right. I have yet to receive an objection. Still, if you could list them as a visiting unit for a few more weeks, rather than permanent attachment, this might be prudent. If you could have an engineer confirm that none of their systems interfere with existing Aegis equipment, this would fulfill what plausibly might be a treaty obligation. (It might even be a good engineering practice.)

 

It might be prudent to put the station back together after the move exactly as it was, as well.

 

I intend to renegotiate Article 14 as part of the upcoming move, but for the moment caution would be advised. Any upgrade to the station without jumping through the appropriate diplomatic and engineering hoops really does give the Ferengi fiscal possession of the station.

 

 

Joy