Azorean Trade and Tourism Document

The other senators would receive a private message on this matter from Senator Kreisen:

Honored Members of the Senate:

I feel that this matter should require some attention. Although all of the information that I've been allowed to review about the Azoreans show that they are fairly primitive compared to us, I suggest that we attempt to enter a trade pact with this alien society.

It would not only establish a friendly environment to interact with them, but it would also give our people an opportunity to sample uniquely foreign goods. However, without a representative from the Azorean government, I do not suggest proceeding with this. We should contact them somehow immediately and formally request to open the negotiation table with them.

What say you, fellow members and comrades?

Signed,
Senator Michael Kreisen

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Drake tapped his metallic claws on the side of his chair as usual. "I suppose a new trade route couldn't hurt us TOO badly. I'd be interested to see what these Azoreans can do for us. I agree though that we need a representative or something from them before we can make any kind of decision." He tapped at another screen idly. "Well.. are there are any reasons as to why we shouldn't at least try to open diplomatic relations in this regard?" It sounded almost like a challenge, but it was hard to tell. Regnier wasn't the easiest person to read.

Sometimes, diplomacy is like business. You struggle to get what you consider to be the fair deal, court the buyer and woo the seller, all in the hopes of getting a little better off than you were before.

"Aside from the issues that Senator Kreisen brought up, I think that we have to look at why we should want this agreement in the first place." Haytham said, clearing his throat. There was a muted, but audible grunt as he read over his datapad for a moment. "I would like to put up, first and foremost, that we consider what they have to offer us that we couldn't get or make for ourselves, much more easily? Resources, items, luxuries... it wouldn't hurt to know what they have. But not to sound cruel, or callous, it's just that the formal agreements should be of some use to our government and our people."

"Secondly, I want to be the first to recommend caution in the manner we behave ourselves when dealing with a comparatively primitive culture. My main worry in this respect is that Nepleslian businesses attempt to take advantage of the Azoreans. Colonial problems haven't been a recent issue of our government, but history should form some indication of what we should be careful of. The exploitation and exhaustion of their resources... distribution of potentially damaging substances... crooked hiring policies... illegal immigration and introduction into the slave trade... and the possibility of flooding their markets with cheap, mass-produced goods. Effectively laying waste to an entire local economy and potentially, an entire society."

"Fellow senators, I think it would be best if we thought out the long term implications of our actions on them, and figured out the best plan for both parties."

But most of the time, diplomacy IS business.

Michael smiled as the discussion commenced, "Hm... those are a very interesting theories that both Mr. Regnier and the senator from Fortuna has said. We should take great caution, I agree, but even if these 'Azoreans' do not have anything we wish to trade for, I also agree we should try to at least be friends with them."

He drank a little bit of water before continuing, "There is also the Tourism section of this bill or document, however you wish to call it, that may prove useful. I'm sure that some of both of our peoples would be interested to see new sights. However, once again, we will have to discuss this with a government official from this respective party."