The League and Concord Forums

Hi, all! I'll be using this thread for updates from the government of the North as they come.

The North Pacific is a proud Independent region. While we share common interests and goals with regions we consider our friends and allies, and our interests may even be perfectly aligned at times, the decisions we make and the actions we carry out are ultimately rooted in how to best serve our own region and its interests, not theirs. In recent weeks, many people in this game, unfortunately including some old friends, have seemingly forgotten this fact, or refused to respect this reality. Unfortunately, our old ally The South Pacific decided to deliver an ultimatum to our region and, in apparent solidarity with several other major defender regions, threatened to oppose any resolutions in the Security Council that we wished to see pass, if we did not join them in opposing condemnations of prominent raiders. There is no excuse for this, and it is entirely unacceptable for any region, especially one of our allies, to extort our vote in the World Assembly. TNP’s WA vote, like anything else, is only to be utilized in our region’s best interest, and consistent with the will of our citizens. While we are willing to discuss votes and come to agreement whenever possible, we almost never do so apart from our internal vote, and we almost never vote in contradiction of that internal vote. To make a binding pledge that extends beyond a delegate’s term in office before an internal vote has even taken place, and before a proposal is even at vote, is unheard of.

We have spoken to representatives from all the regions involved in this matter, as well as our other allies in the MGC, to get as clear a picture of these events as we could, and to determine how best to proceed. The tactic employed by The South Pacific, The Order of the Grey Wardens, 10000 Islands, and The League will never be accepted by our region, and will never be successful. Such an effort, should it ever be repeated in the future, will be rejected out of hand by this government, and we are confident in saying, every government in charge of TNP in the future, given the response of our citizenry, which has been loud and clear in its denunciation of what has happened. Similar efforts in the future will constitute the termination of our cooperation with the region or organization that attempts them, and this will include the termination of any treaties or formal diplomatic agreements we have in place, including any embassies.

We appreciate the apologies we have received, especially those made to our previous delegate, who despite his approach to handling this issue did not deserve to be treated the way he was. We recognize that all parties involved are aware of the gravity of their actions, regret them, and will change their own procedures and practices as a result. We take them at their word. Clear breakdowns in communication took place not just between our delegate and their regions, but among the defender regions as well. This is a shame, and we hope that all of us can work together in the future to communicate better and move past the recent bad habits of assuming the worst of each other, and holding back for the sake of pride or posture. Based on the conversations we have had with these regions, and the much appreciated assistance they have already provided in protecting The Wellspring, we believe that we can move forward accordingly, and continue to work together on areas of mutual interest, and do so in good faith.

But this does not change the severity of the offense. TNP has been disrespected and humiliated. We accept our role in these events, and are doing everything we can to move forward without repeating them, and guarding against similar failings in the future. Our community deserves better than how these matters have been handled as of late, and this government will deliver. They also deserve accountability for what was done, and we will deliver that as well. For the foreseeable future, the following measures will be taken (with others under active consideration) in response to this outrageous behavior:

• The North Pacific Army will not partake in any bilateral military cooperation/training operations with the South Pacific Special Forces, The Order of the Grey Wardens, the League Defence Forces, or the Ten-thousand Islands Treaty Organization;
  
• The talks in pursuit of a non-aggression pact with The League will be suspended;
  
• No additional diplomatic agreements will be considered with the regions of The South Pacific, The Order of the Grey Wardens, The League, and 10000 Islands, nor additional embassies constructed where they do not currently exist;
  
• All planned cultural events with the regions of The South Pacific, The Order of the Grey Wardens, The League, and 10000 Islands will be canceled, and no future cultural events or collaborations will be considered.
  
  
  The North Pacific does not wish to close the door to future collaboration and cooperation with the regions named above, but if it is to resume, all regions that would seek to engage must do so with the understanding that we will not be intimidated, strong-armed, or treated as a subservient source for votes and boots on the ground. The talents of our players, and the votes we provide in resolutions, are ours first and foremost, to be used for us and our community, and while we are happy to help a friend or a worthy cause, that help should never be expected or demanded. When that assistance cannot or will not be provided, we expect that our decision not to provide it will be respected and speak to the issue in question, without being dragged into unrelated matters, and certainly not in a disproportionate way, as was done in this case.
  
  Furthermore, while we accept that regions will often make deals or ask for assistance on matters that are important to them, all regions would do well to remember that The North Pacific is an Independent region, not an anti-raider one. We may or may not provide assistance in matters related to R/D concerns, but that assistance will never be on the basis of anti-raider sentiment. We have repeatedly explained our stance on this area, and have taken measures against prominent raider organizations, not based on their ideology, but in response to aggression and interference in our affairs. Any organization that conducts itself as these raider organizations have will meet with similar response, including defender organizations. And just as we have spoken out and taken action in defense of our allies and fellow Independent regions when certain raider organizations have wronged them, we will respond just the same should defender organizations or regions attempt something like the extortion we experienced against our allies. As we outlined in our prior statement On Alignment, The North Pacific is a pragmatic player in the R/D sphere. We believe there are times when raiding is acceptable, and we will conduct raids in such circumstances. Our leanings have not changed, nor have our priorities in the diplomatic space. We will continue to advocate for that pragmatic view, and resist the extremes of anti-raider sentiment, which played such a strong role in this drama. We hope that there will be no doubt about this in the future, and that if there is, we can talk it out rather than resort to threats and escalation.
  
  Signed,
  
  Gorundu
  Acting Delegate
  
  St George
  Minister of Foreign Affairs
  
  Pallaith
  Advisor to the Delegate
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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The North Pacific is delighted to announce the signing of the Treaty of the Northern Wells, which establishes an alliance between our region and The Wellspring. The relationship between our regions is unique and the treaty we have established reflects that reality. Almost immediately after the region was created, The Wellspring was successfully occupied by The North Pacific Army, and for a single update it was the only functional frontier in the game with half of the game’s new nation spawns. The decision to take control of The Wellspring was a spontaneous one, but it soon led to serious questions about how the region would develop and what precisely its relationship to us was. Most observers believed the reality was simply that The Wellspring was TNP’s frontier, a territorial extension of it, fully under its control and administration. Developing a region, and a new community to reside within it, is a difficult process, and relies on the dedication and creativity of the individuals who set out to do that work. Much like TNP’s decision to occupy The Wellspring, the creation of a new community is an organic, unpredictable process.

The Wellspring didn't just become another territory; it transformed into a vibrant and self-sustaining community in its own right. It developed its own unique government and organization, driven by its dedicated native inhabitants who were passionate about shaping its future. The transformation of The Wellspring from a promising newcomer to one of the most significant frontiers in NationStates was entirely a result of the resilience and creativity of its citizens. They breathed life into the region with their distinctive themes, ideas, and goals, all motivated by a shared vision to create a sense of belonging and purpose within The Wellspring. In the dynamic world of NationStates, innovation and community spirit can turn any opportunity into something truly extraordinary. The Wellspring is a testament to this idea, showing how far a community can come with enough individuality, ambition, and dedication.

This treaty is more than just a formality; it's a strong bond that reflects our commitment to the security and prosperity of both The North Pacific and The Wellspring. In a world filled with challenges and shifting landscapes, this treaty stands as a symbol of our unity and strength. It reaffirms our promise to stand together against threats, determined to protect our regions' safety, stability, and future success. Our commitment isn't just words; it's deeply rooted in the shared values and ideals that bring us together. Many in The Wellspring, after all, share an identity as TNPers. But the home they made for themselves is distinctly their own.

While emphasizing our shared history and membership, the treaty also reflects the unique relationship our two regions have, by providing The Wellspring an option to formally make itself a territory of our region without giving up a shred of its independence or sovereignty in how it governs itself, whenever it sees fit. To the eyes of the world, our regions are both distinct and forever intertwined, both distinct and united at the same time. Our alliance is built on this premise, as we can never forget where and how this relationship started, but we also cannot deny that The Wellspring is not an extension of TNP, and that even when it hews closer to our community, it will always have its own identity and will never be contained.

The Wellspring turned a significant challenge into an opportunity. We are proud of all they have accomplished these last few months, and proud to consider them not just friends and allies, and a home shared by many of our own citizens, but an extension of our community that goes beyond borders or formal claims of ownership. What we have is sometimes hard to define or explain, and always in defiance of expectations and historical norms for how allies or regions with a past shared history are expected to behave. Whatever it is, we like and cherish it, we fully commit to it, and we want to celebrate it with the world. You can view the treaty here.

Kaschovia
Delegate of the North Pacific

Pallaith
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Today the North Pacific marks the start of a new alliance with Carcassonne and the evolution of our relationship with one of our oldest allies, Taijitu. Our partnership with Taijitu, which has been a cornerstone of our diplomatic history as one of our longest standing allies, has evolved significantly in the wake of Carcassonne's emergence as a vibrant frontier. Over the past several months, Carcassonne has grown from Taijitu’s successor state into a distinct and vital region in the world of frontiers, and has become a major catalyst for shifts in gameplay. As we begin to consider more carefully how our own region responds to these changing times, we feel that Carcassonne’s approach and experience in this area is valuable and we can work together to pursue similar interests. The bonds that united us through our shared history with Taijitu, our common values, and the resonance of our ideas make this treaty a natural and logical progression in our diplomatic relations. It not only signifies the deepening of our friendship but also recognizes Carcassonne as an exceptionally esteemed partner within our regional network.

As Carcassonne is the successor state to Taijitu, we have adopted this new treaty to recognize the community as it exists today. We continue to recognize the significance of Taijitu, extending the treaty’s recognition and protections to it even as we recognize this treaty replaces the one we had with Taijitu. We are thrilled that this community we have known for so long, and which has been dormant and casual in recent years, can take on a new and exciting role, and that they can be a more active partner of ours as we navigate this new, ever-changing landscape together. We hope we can expand our partnership in new areas, including the World Assembly, as reflected by the new language we have adopted in this treaty to encourage greater cooperation there. Going forward we hope we can make strides here and also in frontier space, where Carcassonne can provide assistance and knowledge just as we can do the same in the World Assembly. Based on such significant friendship throughout our shared histories, we look forward to the years ahead in hope and excitement for the Aude Alliance. You can view the treaty here.

Kaschovia
Delegate of the North Pacific

Pallaith
Minister of Foreign Affairs

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To all North Pacificans,

We are officially at war.

Our Regional Assembly has passed two motions recognizing that a state of war exists between The North Pacific and both the Communist Bloc (TCB) and the Brotherhood of Malice (BoM), and has also passed a separate motion exempting them, their territories or possessions, and regions which are operated by their members and contribute to their military or support their cause, from legal prohibitions on members of the North Pacific Army performing Class B restricted actions.

In the days following TCB and BoM’s invasion of our region on August 27th with their delegate tip and the subsequent release of former Acting Delegate Chipoli’s statement “Taking A Stand” on August 29th, the Brotherhood of Malice has continued to engage in further hostilities against our community and friends, most recently in their raids against multiple treaty allies, where they openly begged for a war despite their “Vampire King” vehemently claiming it was us that wanted one. If their insatiable desire for conflict has not been made clear enough through all of the baseless, self-serving narratives they spin and push wherever they can, insulting our region and its members, their actions over the last two months definitely have. While we deliberated over the best course of action in response to these provocations, it is now the mandate of the region to recognize and act on the fact that a state of war exists between ourselves and those regions, which I intend to carry through until the end.

In the wake of our participation in the ongoing operation in Solidarity, we have seen these same conflict-seeking enemies attempt to recast us as aggressors interested in waging a war based on political ideology, and one that The North Pacific does not subscribe to. We trust that the nations of the world recognize these desperate lies for what they are, but I want to state clearly that this is not at all a war of political ideology. We engage in this conflict not only for ourselves, but for our friends and allies who have had their sovereignty violated at the hands of the Communist Bloc and the Brotherhood of Malice. The operation in Solidarity also demonstrates as clearly as possible that we not only have significant backing from our allies, the defender sphere at large, and numerous independent militaries in our counteroffensive efforts, we also have the support of many regions who have similarly suffered as a result of the aggression of TCB and BoM. Those communities too, and their allies, are just as tired of the insults, threats, and rhetoric, and have decided that we have to take a stand much greater and more impactful than ever before. We will show the world, and in particular the two regions with which we now meet on the field of battle, that we will never be discouraged by the tactics they employ, we will never back down as a community because of their threats, and we will never let our allies suffer at their discretion without consequence.

Our region has faced countless challenges throughout our history and prevailed every single time - this will be no different. This is a direct call to arms for all North Pacificans, no matter what position you hold, to show that we are united in our efforts, prepared for any eventuality, and will fight until the end. Various dispatches will be released today to highlight avenues of participation for all residents of the North Pacific. But we also call on the citizens of the world to join us in standing up to these enemies of freedom and peace. To anyone who respects the efforts of our collective residents to build a vibrant and ever-improving interregional community, and believes that the work we’ve all put into it amounts to something and is worth preserving and protecting - join us in this fight.

To the Communist Bloc and the Brotherhood of Malice: you’ve been dreaming of this moment, caught up in your web of rhetoric, itching with anticipation for a war with the North, but it’s time to wake up and face the real consequences of your aggression. You cannot expect us to do nothing while you directly attack our region and our allies, and blatantly violate our sovereignty. You cannot expect to do these things and remain unscathed and unchallenged, nor can you hold the world ransom and expect it to let you have your way with it. We carry with us the undying flame of democracy, one that has fueled our independent spirit for two decades and united thousands of North Pacificans against adversity and against anyone who dares challenge our way of life. It is the bedrock of our community, inseparable from who we are. And that flame is not ours alone, but one that we have always sought to share with the world. Not only will we carry it with us in this war, but we will bring it to every nation who believes in the same values and principles that we hold dear, and is willing to fight for them. You are only now beginning to realize that this fight isn’t just with us, and it is not the same thing as slinging mud and taunting us in gameplay. You will face the judgment of the world and the hundreds of nations you have antagonized and victimized for over a year. It is not just The North Pacific who is taking a stand and fighting back today, and it will not solely be our victory when you are but a mere footnote in this game’s history.

Signed,
Kaschovia
Delegate of the North Pacific
Pallaith
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the North Pacific

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