Austerain Welcomes the Irish and Welsh President

[Austerain]

"I'm certainly glad to see that progress is being made in your own country," says Asher, "It's imperative for societies to ensure appropriate, fair punishments and rehabilitation. Death penalty for most cases doesn't satisfy this standard, unless if there is a clear and present danger in law enforcement and protection of the public."

[New Ireland and Wales]

Edwards smiles and says "I quite agree since I've taken office there's only been two executions and one of those was an illegal one done by one of the provincial governments. I think the death penalty solves nothing."

[Austerain]

"I couldn't agree more," Asher grins, "Shall we move on to military and intelligence sharing before we call it a day?"

[New Ireland and Wales]

Edwards nods and looks down at his papers "Yes, that's a topic we have a lot of interest in. Ireland and Wales's number one priority with this is a non-aggression pact. Could that be agreed to?"

[Austerain]

"Certainly," confirms Asher and he looks to the woman sitting across the conference table from from him, "Julia?"

Secretary of Defense Julia Warner clears her throat and opens her notebook, "Yes, Mr. President, a non-aggression pact is among our list of military related ties. We would also like to have joint exercises with our air and naval forces just southeast of the island's shores, and joint infantry and special ops exercises at military bases around Austerain and New Ireland."

She flips a couple pages, "For intelligence, we were thinking joint intelligence facilities between our national intelligence agencies. I must mention though that wiretaps and Internet cable taps are illegal here without a warrant from a Provincial Appeals or Regional Judge, so performing things like that on our own citizens are out of the question even for us. It's an unfortunate restriction, but the privacy of our citizens is something we are required to protect according to our 1790 Constitutional Accord (Bill of Rights) and as Member States of the SLU."

[New Ireland and Wales]

Edwards looks at Secretary Warner as she speaks "That sounds perfect Madam Secretary. Of course we are willing to participate in military exercises with Austerain's military and that is actually much welcome. While I'm much welcome to the idea of joint intelligence facilities I'll first have to get the Directors of our 8 intelligence agencies on board with it first. I hope they'll get on board as I have no jurisdiction over those agencies and I can't fire the Directors and I can't exactly ask Congress to remove them. But, that does remind me we are currently in the process of dissolving these agencies and forming one sole National Intelligence Bureau in which the Director shall serve at the pleasure of the President so I hope that makes it easier. We also respect Austerain's sovereignty and we will not spy on your citizens or your Government."

"Mr. President you may want to order an investigation into the intelligence agencies to make sure that's not happening." Secretary Cox says then looks at Secretary Warner "Our laws make it to where the President or rather the Executive Branch has no jurisdiction over the intelligence agencies and as such they don't have to report what they are doing to the President but if we order an investigation then they can't hold anything back."

[Austerain]

Secretary Warner wonders to herself how they function with so many intelligence agencies. She tries to veil her surprise over the amount of agencies and all, "Thank you, Mr. President, I hope the reforms on your intelligence community succeed. Reformation will make it easier on all of you!" She smiles.

She turns to Secretary Cox, "I think that would be a good idea, Mr. Secretary. If your intelligence agencies are spying on your people, you don't want that kind of thing leaking to the public. Then you'll have a situation where your people won't trust the government and they will hold President Edwards and his inner circle responsible. Before you know, there begins the movement towards a populist wave wishing to oust the so called 'elites'."

[New Ireland and Wales]

Edwards chuckles "I hope so too. So much to reform and I wonder how much Congress is willing to work with me."

Secretary Cox sighs and says "Well if a populist wave happens either the fascists get in, the people who destroyed the economy get in, or the only people to the left of us get in which may sound appealing but they are to the left of normal socialists...somehow. Of course I wouldn't put it past the people to blame the President if something goes public. Sometimes or rather all the time people's emotions beat down logical thinking."

[Austerain]

"Not to worry Ted," Asher does a light duh-duh beat on the table with his fingers, "I think when your Congress starts seeing results from your first reforms, they'll be happy to keep the momentum going. If anything you can use your political capital on it."

Warner sits back in her chair and crosses her arms, "It's a dangerous thing when people feel that the economy and the government work against them. When they feel that way, they turn to authoritarian demagogues who promise easy solutions and proffer up scapegoats. As the government, it's our job to make sure we do all we can for the welfare of our people so that they trust us to continue that work. Which means retaining integrity over potentially better security and intelligence assets. At least that's what our party platform says."

The room is silent.

Asher interrupts the silence, "Well, anything from your side for this portion?"

[New Ireland and Wales]

Edwards looks as Secretary Warner "I fully agree Madam Secretary. We have to work hard on behalf of the people or else we fear handing back power to the people who need it least. That's something we don't exactly want to do."

The President then looks as the Chancellor "No, Mr. Chancellor we have nothing else."

[Austerain]

"Good," says Asher, "My aides have recorded our conversation here for the draft of the agreement, which will be finally drafted by tomorrow. If there is nothing else, this meeting concludes. You're all dismissed, thank you."

The Cabinet Secretaries gather their things, and shake hands and have small talk with the President and Secretary Cox on the way out. Once the room is empty, Chancellor Asher shakes hands with the two gentlemen, "Thank you, gentlemen, I think the meeting went well. A couple bumps in the road there, but I think this was productive. I'm confident that this agreement will be a fine milestone for both of our peoples. Tomorrow we will read over the draft. After this, we will address the joint chamber of the National Congress and sign. After tomorrow's speech and signing, we'll leave the city for our two city tour."

[New Ireland and Wales]

President Edwards smiles "Thank you Mr. Chancellor. I believe so far this has been a productive visit. I'm glad to be here. This is a beautiful country you have. I can't wait to see what else this visit has in store for us."

[Austerain]

"We're very happy to have you. Since your country's embassy and residence aren't ready yet, you will both have to stay here in the Palace at the Residence Floor overnight while you're here. Come, you'll get to meet my wife."

Asher leads them back to the large foyer room and they walk up the stairs to the third floor. They follow hallways and a couple corners to another set of grand stairs that lead up to the Chancellor's Residence wing. On their way in, Mrs. Angelina Asher is walking out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee in her hand, wearing jeans and t-shirt. The First Lady of Austerain beams as she kisses her husband and extends her free hand to the gentlemen, "It's nice to meet you, welcome to Austerain. I forgot that you were staying here, I'm sorry to meet you for the first time in a t shirt and jeans".

[New Ireland and Wales]

The President shakes the First Lady's hand "It's an honor to meet you Madam First Lady and your attire is quite alright I've shown up to cabinet meetings in a t-shirt and jeans before and before that my husband showed up to my inauguration in roughly the same style."

[Austerain]

"Your husband?" She says pleasantly surprised, "How long have you been together? It's nice to see another country to allow fair access to marriage for all, despite all the ignorance against it."

She stops herself before she starts droning on.

"I'm being rude, aren't I? You've had a long day, I'm sure you and Secretary Cox want to rest."

[New Ireland and Wales]

President Edwards laughs "Oh you're fine I love answering people's questions. We've been together for about 25 years. I'd love to say gay marriage is legal in Ireland but the past 3 Presidents have made it to where it's not. However, we are contesting it in the courts and expect the Supreme Court to rule on it by the end of the month. Marriage equality is a major goal of mine."

[Austerain]

"Wow congratulations, 25 years is a long time," she says impressed, "I hope Giorgio and I make it that long, if I don't choke him first. I hope your courts will make the right decision- there's no reason why two consenting adults shouldn't be able to marry as long as they're happy."

Asher smiles and says "I agree. Now, we should probably show them to their rooms to rest. Darlin', show Secretary Cox to his room if you will? The Malachite Room"

She nods and leads him down a hallway to his room. Asher and Edwards walk together.

"I apologize for my wife, she likes to go on sometimes. She used to be an attorney for the Austerain LGBT Law Center before same sex marriage was legalized."

Asher opens an oak door to reveal a large room with red carpeting, French style furniture, white stone walls with sculpted trim and mosaic art, a large bed, a single large gold and crystal chandelier, and two large windows with velvet curtains revealing a view of the nearby parks and buildings.

[New Ireland and Wales]

"No need to apologize Mr. Chancellor. Your wife seems like an intelligent woman who knows how to handle herself. If you don't mind me asking Mr. Chancellor what did you do before becoming Chancellor?" the President says, when they enter the room the President gasps and looks around "This is a beautiful room Mr. Chancellor."

[Austerain]

"She certainly is an intelligent woman, and strong willed at that. My better half really," Asher laughs to himself, "I have been Chairman of the National Reserve Bank, Governor of Ericsson (a province in the south), a Senator, and a Delegate. Before my political career, I was a professor at a university we will visit. What about you, President Edwards?"

"Thank you, I sure hope so!" he chuckles "It was an expensive part of the renovations."

[New Ireland and Wales]

Edwards laughs "Well that depends on what decade you wanna talk about. During the 70's I fought in the rebellion against the military regime which took power in 1916. In 1980 I went to jail after I got into an argument with a provincial governor and as that was during the confederate period I spent about 13 months there. Later on in the 80's I was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, in from about 1985 to 1990 I was college professor and a City Councillor on the side, then a Governor of Leinster, then Representative, and for a brief time I was a cabinet secretary before I joined the Progressive Union, then I went back to being a Representative, then I became President. I guess it was being a delegate to the constitutional convention that started my political career. Got a lot done in my 65 years on this planet I guess. No where near finished though. Too much to fight for just to retire."

"Well whoever did this did a very fine job." Edwards says as he inspects the room.

[Austerain]

"My political experience and conflicts pale in comparison to you, Mr. President," said Asher surprised, "I'm honored to meet a worthy ally who has fought his whole life for justice and love of his country. I don't have military experience myself, though my father was a general under a former Chancellor during Royalist Uprising."

"You can tell them yourself. We hired University of Pinth engineers to renovate and redesign the rooms of this palace, and they went above and beyond. The bed over there- hand carved."

[New Ireland and Wales]

Edwards chuckles and says "Oh trust me it was my honor to serve my country in the capacities in which I did. The rebellion in the 70's was everybody's fight. I also lost my first election pretty horribly I ended up getting only 200 votes in that election."

"Ah, well I look forward to it. I always like to congratulate people on a job well done."

[Austerain]

"And look where you are now," Asher grins, "President of a stronger New Ireland and Wales, here negotiating a milestone agreement. Now, I'll let you have some rest for a big day tomorrow beginning at 7. Good night, Mr. President, press that button on the intercom for the staff if you need anything, or help yourself to anything in our personal kitchen."

Asher shakes Ted's hand and rejoins his wife to get ready for bed for a big day tomorrow.

[New Ireland and Wales]

"Thank you, Mr. Chancellor" Edwards says with a smile. After the Chancellor leaves Edwards prepares to go to sleep preparing for another big day.

[Austerain]

The next morning, the staff wakes up Edwards by drawing his curtains to let the sunlight in and they set a silver tray with Iberian bacon, a cordon bleu omelette, hash, sausage, a glass of water, and a cup of coffee with Irish rum. The Chancellor and his wife are waken similarly.

Over at the other side of the Palace, the Governors, Grand Senators, and Delegates file in to their seats in the Great Joint Assembly Room, a great room with frescos and the stone carved high ceilings, with 6 large chandeliers hanging. As the chandeliers and tall windows illuminate the room, a podium and a table is set up at the head of the room. One seat for the Chancellor,another for Secretary of State Sinclair, another for the President, and another for Secretary Cox.

When everyone is dressed, the Grand Chancellor and Secretary Sinclair are waiting for the President and Secretary Cox in the Chancellor's private office to go over the proposal before they go down to the Assembly Room.

[New Ireland and Wales]

Edwards leaves his room and heads to the Chancellor's private office. Upon arriving he walks in "Good morning Mr. Chancellor. Good morning Secretary Sinclair."

[Austerain]

"Good morning, Mr. President, I hope you enjoyed your breakfast this morning. Big day today. Here is the finalized draft."

Asher lays a thinleather bound book with the State Department logo on the front on his desk, and opens to the front page,

AUSTERAIN - NEW IRELAND AND WALES

BILATERAL OMNIBUS AGREEMENT

4 JANUARY 2017

A bilateral agreement to open trade, free movement, economic and financial ties, intelligence sharing, and military cooperation between the Federal Republic of Austerain and the Federal Republic of New Ireland and Wales. Agreed upon by Grand Chancellor Giorgio Asher of Austerain and President Theodore Edwards of New Ireland and Wales.

Section 1................. Proprietorships, Industries, and Corporations

Section 2................. Financial Services Regulations

Section 3................. Joint Stock Exchange Creation

Section 4................. Capital Gains

Section 5................. Full Faith and Credit of Legal Documents and Entities

Section 6................. Freedom of Movement

Section 7................. Travel Security at Airports and Seaports

Section 8................. Education and Work Between Countries

Section 9................. Creation of Diplomatic Property and Diplomatic Advantages

Section 10................. Extradition of Criminals or Persons of Interest

Section 11................. Understanding of Fair Due Process of Law, Order, and Justice

Section 12................. Non-aggression Pact and Mutually Assured Defense

Section 13................. Joint Air and Sea Exercises Between Forces

Section 14................. Recognition of the Rights and Liberties of Humans and the Importance of the Environment

Section 15................. Intelligence Cooperation

Section 16................. Common Goals and Objectives

Section 17................. Signatures of Heads of State or Government

[New Ireland and Wales]

President Edwards looks through book nodding as he goes along. "This looks very well put together to me. Secretary Cox what do you think?"

Secretary Cox takes the books and looks through it as well "I'm quite pleased with this. I believe this could get passed by congress."

[Austerain]

"Good," says Secretary Sinclair happily, "If we're all satisfied, we can begin to head down."

Chancellor Asher leads them across the Palace of Auster to the legislative wing. He notifies the Sergeant-at-Arms to announce their arrival.

"Madam Speaker!" He shouts, "The Grand Chancellor of Austerain! The Secretary of State of Austerain! His Excellency the President of New Ireland and Wales! And His Excellency the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Ireland and Wales!"

The hall erupts in applause, and everyone stands. The four walk to the front of the room and shake hands along the way. The Chancellor approaches the podium to introduce the President.

"My fellow Austerens. Madam Speaker. Honorable Governors, Senators, and Delegates of this Congress. Today marks the day of a new beginning for Austerain and New Ireland and Wales. Nearly 50 years ago, my predecessors were wary of any foreign ties and leaders, but it is my government's belief that we are strong enough to build new friendships with our friends abroad. This agreement will be essential to the growth our economies and our middle class, and to upgrade the living standards of all of our people.

I had the pleasure of hosting President Edwards and Secretary Cox with members of my Cabinet. The discussions, though there were a couple disagreements, have helped build a detailed and thoughtful agreement between our nations that we will sign today. I thank the President and the Secretary for being patient with us during this process and making the right step towards better prosperity between our peoples.

Without further ado, I introduce my new friend Theodore Edwards, the President of New Ireland and Wales!"

The room again erupts in applause.

[New Ireland and Wales]

Edwards walks up to the podium and then sighs "Senators, Delegates, Governors, and Chancellor Asher I want to thank you for having me here today. It is an honor to speak to the legislative body of what I hope will be one of New Ireland and Wales greatest allies. The last time I spoke to a room filled with legislatures and important figures such as this I was being inaugurated as the 4th President of New Ireland and Wales. Our history goes back over 1000 years. For much of that we as a nation kept to ourselves mostly ignoring what the world thought or what the world did. Upon my inauguration I knew that this policy could no longer stand. It was time for our nation to see progress and come together behind that progress, it was time for our nation to be open to other nations and to talk with these nations.

This is what a true nation of the 21st century looks like. I'm proud to lead our nation through this era in our history. The Irish and Welsh have a history of standing for what they believe in. From overthrowing the monarchy in 1864 to overthrowing the military dictatorship in 1980 to electing a progressive President thus unseating an incumbent who had been in office for 16 years. Since taking office I have put in place many reforms, from shrinking the cabinet from 23 cabinet secretaries to 12 cabinet secretaries, we've established the office of the Vice-President, we've cut pay for the President, cabinet secretaries, and legislators, we've put in term limits to ensure our politics do not become stagnant, we have established a Supreme Court to ensure our government works in a constitutional manner and doesn't breach the people's rights, we've also championed pay equality, LGBT equality, and religious equality. I along with the rest of the government and the people of Ireland and Wales have made an Ireland and Wales that works and exists for all people. But my fight in this goes way back.

In 1975 a bloody revolution began in our nation. This was not long after the death of Chairman Eamon Gallagher who ruled the nation from 1932-1974 as Chairman of the Central Military Operations Committee. Chairman Gallagher while a horrible man who killed those who strongly opposed him was perhaps one of the most moderate Chairmen of the Military Republic. His successor was not so moderate but was weak. I fought in this revolution. I fought to see the restoration of free elections in my nation, I fought to see freedom flow across the nation as my Great Grandfather used to tell me as a young boy. We succeeded in this fight and brought down the military republic after over 60 years in power. But my fight was not yet over. The people of our nation fearing an all powerful government established a confederate type of system. Of course the provinces had way more power than the national government. In my home province of Leinster I served as a provincial legislature where my strong opposition to the Governor landed me in jail for 13 months. Things like this kept happening and it became obvious we needed to change how our government operated. So a constitutional convention began and I was elected a delegate to the convention in 1983. From 1985 to 1990 I was a college professor where I taught Irish Heritage. I was elected to the city council in Dublin as well as being a Professor. In 1990 I was elected Governor of Leinster. As Governor I did not make any fans of the big companies. Especially the big oil companies. They still aren't friends of mine to this day. As Governor I blocked over 30 pipelines from being built. I recognize the need for economic growth and development but I knew and still know to this day that does not mean you put people's lives and the environment at risk. Later on in the 90's I ran for a seat in Congress and one where I continued what I fought for as Governor. In 1997 I was briefly appointed to the cabinet as Education and Skills Secretary where I resigned in 1998 when I joined the Progressive Union. The National Conservative Party of which I had been a member of since 1984 was steering far to the right and was getting in line with many corporate interests. I knew it was time for a true progressive party to rise up. It took years but in under 20 years we rose to a majority in Congress and assumed the Presidency. 2016 was a landmark year for me, my party, and my country.

The people chose progress and change over the same system that had controlled the nation for over 30 years and had made everything such as the economy stagnant. The people making that decision is why I am standing here today addressing a foreign nation's legislature. I am the first Irish and Welsh leader to visit a foreign country. I see great potential with what our two nations can accomplish if we work together. I look forward to working with your Chancellor and his cabinet and with working with every single one of you. Thank you."