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PE-RA-Diplo [Watchers II]: Naked Aggression is Ugly
Date:Wed, 17 Sep 2003 17:13:38 +0000

The Watchers have for all ages past opposed all acts of naked
aggression.  Aggression is not pretty, and naked aggression is
downright ugly.  (Aggression with clothes on is little better, but at
least you don't get to see the ugliest parts.)  

In particular, Mr. Big's actions against Asterix cannot be condoned. 
Mr. Big, we are giving you two turns' notice of cancellation of our
peaceful relationship.  If you refuse to return the region, you can
expect visitors.  This is especially disappointing as we had hoped to
become allies someday, yet we were not even consulted about this
unilateral venture.  Had we been asked for our opinion sooner instead
of later, we could have counseled prudence in private instead of
having to go public.

The Watchers (II)


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PE-RA-Diplo [Winston Churchill]: And so it begins
Date:Thu, 18 Sep 2003 11:40:40 +0000

Naked aggression indeed!

Tzu Doh Nam has sent large armies to invade the New British Empire.
Over 200 soldiers have entered our counties of Karachi and Capetown,
slaughtering numerous members of the Home Guard and causing the death
of many innocent civilians. 

As is the case with Mr. Big and Asterix, Tzu gave no warning of his
attack. From reading the annals of the old world, it appears that
these leaders have taken a lesson from the stalemates of that era and
have eschewed the path of alliance and diplomacy in favor of naked
aggression. 

It appears that we have reached a crossroads at this early day of our
new era. Shall the world be lead by savages; tyrants who know only the
power of force and terror? Or shall this be a world of men; with
leaders who temper their strength with honor,  whose words are their
bond, and whose friendship is a rock upon which their neighbors can
depend?

The path of the tyrant is a dangerous one for their neighbors and
themselves. Dictators ride to and fro upon tigers which they dare not
dismount. And the tigers are getting hungry. If Tzu and Mr. Big are
successful, then who will be their next victim? They will have grown
in strength and their appetites will have grown as well. 

There are two paths that diverge before us. In one, nations act like
jackals and fall upon the wounded lands of Asterix and the New British
Empire and rend them apart like beasts. Or we can work together in
alliances to build the new era and to work to strengthen and support
our friends and allies. 

Tzu has committed all but 80 of his soldiers to this attack. He is
counting on the passivity of his neighbors to allow him to attack my
land with impunity. Show him that he has miscalculated; that one
cannot grow by strength of armies alone. For if we do not do this now,
then who among us can ever feel safe, never knowing when a neighbor
will attack without cause or reason?

I say we stop the savages here. That from all nations there arise a
resounding cry that this we shall not allow. The people of the NBE
shall fight on, and with the right behind us we shall prevail, but our
strength and our toil will not be enough without the support of
others. 

Winston Churchill


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PE-RA-Diplo [Asterix]: Mr.Big & Asterix
Date:Thu, 18 Sep 2003 12:18:57 +0000

I woud like to inform you that Mr.Big and Asterix are in the middle of
peace negotiations and 
very close to some mutually beneficial agreement. Both our nations
think about peace, 
not war. 

It seems Mr.Tzu Doh Nam is the only malefactor here.


Thanks to all the friends who have offered their help to us.
You could recon on my help always,
Asterix




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PE-RA-Diplo [Mr. Big]: Asterix & Mr. Big
Date:Thu, 18 Sep 2003 13:21:55 +0000

All

I freely admit my agression was wrong, and I am returning the region
to its rightful owner, so if you see any battle reports between
Asterix and myself over the next couple of turns, is just the returing
of regions to the correct owners.

Thanks

Mr. Big


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PE-RA-Diplo [Tzu Doh Nam]: Clothes
Date:Thu, 18 Sep 2003 17:20:13 +0000

Winston Churchill speaks with a pretty voice.  His original
speech talked of conquering the world, but now he decries the
"naked aggression".  I cannot hope to match his persuasive powers
but I must try.

First some notes:  
WC may think "all but 80" of my units is a lot--but some
of us do not have as many units as he does.  His calculations
are also not quite right...   In any case, MrBig invaded someone
smaller than himself.  I am at war with someone bigger than me.

WC did not complain about the attackon Asterix until he himself 
was attacked.  It is easy to fall into "nobody attack anybody" mode
when you are big.  I am not a naked aggressor.  I am certainly more
aggressive than The Watchers, and less so than -xXx-'s speeches
indicated in the Web of Intrigue.  Probably in the middle somewhere.
My smaller neighbors have nothing to worry about from me.  At least 
until the alliances are formed.


Hopefully the following will expain and perhaps even partially 
justify my actions:
1) I did attack WC on turn 19.  We had a peace treaty that lasted
until turn 18.  I had tried to extend it but he did not want to
so I assume he was preparing for war.  It is true that I did not
announce that I was going to attack.  Was I supposed to?

2) WC is bigger than everyone.  I have had bad experience with 
nations who are the biggest telling other nations what to do.  
I think one point of rival alliances is to avoid that. If I 
become the biggest nation I shall split my regions with members 
of my alliance to avoid being biggest and avoid a lopsided 
alliance.  I am in the process of recruiting nations to split my
regions should that eventuality arise.

3) WC should be able to repel my advances given his stronger 
military strength.  He calls on others to help him--and that is 
fine.  I also call on fellow nations who don't want to see NBE 
as a world dominating power.  Let us act now while we still have 
a chance.

I will let the world court judge my actions.  It might help if we
all decide whether an attack should be announced ahead of time or
not.

Looking forward to more interaction--but trying to keep my messages
short.
Tzu Doh Nam


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PE-RA-Diplo [Winston Churchill]: The Big Lie
Date:Fri, 19 Sep 2003 13:36:34 +0000

I hate to do this. The back and forth of messages in public between
two parties is unseemly and mostly serves to annoy everyone else. But
Tzu has made an accusation against me which is untrue and if I let it
go unchallenged, may lead others to think his words are true. 

Unfortunately for Tzu, all communications with the New British Empire
are saved. While I prefer to keep these communications confidential,
it this case I believe I am justified in sharing them. 

Tzu said " I did attack WC on turn 19.  We had a peace treaty that
lasted until turn 18.  I had tried to extend it but he did not want to
so I assume he was preparing for war.  It is true that I did not
announce that I was going to attack.  Was I supposed to?"

The history of our communications does not support this claim. 

On Turn 8, I sent the following message to Tzu: "Now that we are
neighbors, we should consider the nature of our relationship. This is
a time for growth, not a time for fighting. Would you be interested in
a limited peace treaty, one good for 10 turns (expires on T18)? This
will allow our nations to explore their surroundings and to learn more
about each other. "

His reply was: "While I prefer treaties without fixed ending dates, I
accept your treaty offer for no aggressive behavior through turn 18. 
I wish you well in your explorations and I hope to be in touch with
you more."

That is all the messages that have passed between us. No requests for
an extension, no queries about future relations; simply an attack as
soon as our treaty expired. 

Finally, I ask that we stop the practice of making accusations in
public. Tzu, If you have a response to this message to share, do so;
and I will not respond (unless you continue to make provably false
statements about me). I doubt others want to read this type of
exchange, and  I certainly do not enjoy writing them. 

I do not object to the remainder of Tzu's message. It is certainly
appropriate to use the public message system to garner support from
other nations. For him to work to build support from others because I
was the biggest nation is reasonable and perfectly good rhetoric. I
will continue to use the diplomatic system to build support for my
position; and as they say "May the best man win". 

Winston Churchill




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PE-RA-Diplo [Tzu Doh Nam]: Lie?
Date:Tue, 23 Sep 2003 18:40:26 +0000

I tried to send this before but apparently didn't get through, so 
I'll try again.

WC's quotations seem to support my claim, not refute it.  We keep
careful records here just as he does and his quotations,
whle not entirely complete, are accurate and give the correct
sense of our discussion.

It is funny how the same data can lead to different conclusions.

Meanwhile, I continue to call on those who don't want a runaway
leader dominating the game to join us in the attack on NBE.
I will be spreading any gains appropriately as mentioned in my
previous message.  
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Tzu