Fwurg

[Senator Danar Tassar]

"I believe there are no laws forbidding a cartel in the Union, so we have no issues here. We are only afraid that such a cartel might cause a bridge between the bigger and smaller economies." Tassar sounded a bit concerned about this.

[Danar Torig]

"At the other hand," Torig said, "there is a negledible amount of trade between the larger and the smaller economies as for I know, so this bridge would only be a political one, as on economical scale, it does nothing. We, of the Teprogrenaian economy are in favour of forming a cartel."

[Senator Danar Tassar]

After hearing what Torig said, Tassar sounded a lot more reassured: "We of the Consensus have no issues as well."

[Nehket Aeka]

Senator Nehket Aeka listened to the other opinions with growing confusion.

"But, senator Tassar, why are you opposed to creating a bridge between economies? Isn't it a good thing to work together, and in this way form a closer economical and political bond with each other?"

"And as to the Stellarian Triad Federations applicability of law... Well, it is not the tradition of the Union to apply the laws of one's world to the intergalactic trade -- doing so would create to much complication. In fact, it would grind all economic cooperation to a halt.

Maybe the term cartel has a different meaning in your culture. I did not intend a cartel in the sense of a criminal organisation, I intend a cartel in the sense of a formal agreement among firms. Such an agreement is basically what we will already be doing by exchanging zone rights, or shipping large quantities of specialised goods. By formalizing our stance towards others, and by careful consideration of our economic plan we can help the Union's information market mature, and gain control over a significant share of this market. This market share will translate into political power, and will allow our smaller economies to increase their competitiveness against the larger established economies.

I propose we formalize this by creating a board of directors, with each participating faction nominating a board member. The exact details on voting weights, relative income balancing, exact authority of the board of directors and such can be ironed out later."

[Maria Latharion]

"I didn't mean a cartel as a criminal organisation either.

My apologies, I sometimes forget the size of the Union and it's members.

On a planetary scale cartels have a much larger market share compared to the competition. On a Union wide scale it would be much smaller, relatively speaking.

Your way of putting it seems reasonable, in this case the STF would be in favour of forming a cartel."

[Senator Danar Tassar]

"I believe we misinterpret eachother, senator," Tassar said to Aeka, "we are in favour of working together and creating political bonds. We are only afraid that our cartel will create a bridge between our smaller factions, and the larger factions. But as Torig said, there is very little economical trade between the larger and smaller factions, so our cartel will not be the cause of such a political bridge.

The appointment of a board sounds like an excellent idea as well."

((OOC: As the negotiations started when Nehket Aeka was still a senator and not chancellor, I assume we announce her here with senator.))

[Nehket Aeka]

Senator Nehket Aeka looked funnily at senator Tassar. "Senator Tassar", she started, "You are aware that a bridge is 'a structure carrying a road, path, railroad, or canal across a river, ravine, road, railroad, or other obstacle.', and that you repeatedly use it as if indicating some kind of divide between groups?"

Addressing the assebled representatives, she continued: "Now that we have determined that we wish to form a cartel, we should work out the details, and we should decide whether we wish to bring in Niom at this point, or at some later point."

((OOC: There is no need to suddenly address Nehket Aeka as chancellor. She is still a senator, and also a noblewoman. The forum is just a bit wonky when it comes to name changes.))

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

"As I understand it, a cartel such as this would have significant impact on the market and the parties involved in the Information business. I believe that, in the spirit of cooperation, it is only fair to ask the Socialist Republic of Niom if they would be interested in partaking in such a cartel. "

The Lady de Montrève said, as it had become clear that the general consensus was to for a form an information-cartel.

" The Sundarian Federation will contribute to the cartel through the Real-estate of the SimTech corporation. Should Niom decide to join, their capital share would probably be the KnowDisc Corporation or a part thereof. Which contribution would your Governments be willing to make? "

[Maria Latharion]

"I can see how bringing in Niom would increase potential profits. However I am somewhat concerned about what I have heard about their xenophobic and bureaucratic nature.

Xenophobia is generally bad for business and Astrians aren't to fond of bureaucracy either."

((OOC: I'm also hesitant bringing an NPC into this))

"By 100 we can have 5 zones available for specialization, more if necessary. Any earlier will be difficult as we need to terraform Serina which takes time."

[Senator Danar Tassar]

"Brining in Niom would be good for better political ties, we have no problems with their bureaucratic nature.

And to answer your earlier question, senator..." Tassar said to Nehket Aeka, but before Tassar could finish his sentence Torig poked him hard in his side. Tassar realised that he just failed his galactic, "pardon me, I mean of course wedge, not bridge, how stupid of me."

[Nehket Aeka]

"Lady de Montrève, we might have a misunderstanding. The way you speak of real estate and capital shares it seems you intend to create a supercorporation as a legal entity in which each of our factions invest a share of the capital.

This is not what I had in mind. As there is no legislation with respect to such a supercoporation, my original idea was to create a cartel through mutual agreements on -based trades. That way, we each retain the ownership of our own corporations and distribution networks, but we decide and take economic actions as a whole.

Should this cartel be succesful then, over time, we could look into consolidating the cartel as a legal entity. For now, mutual agreements and a board of directors should suffice. We would have to determine what level of influence the board of directors has, which is why we are here, and why the cartel will be made official with a treaty."

Nehket Aeka directed her attention to senator Tassar.

"As there is virtually no economic interaction between the larger and the smaller factions, there is little reason for the larger factions to make a fuss over any cartel. There is just not enough economic interaction for it to be worth the effort."

And finally, she addressed lady-senator Maria Latharion.

"I agree that Niom is overly bureaucratic, but they have helped smaller factions in the past and they have a large stake in the -market. It is but a courtesy to ask them to sit at the table..."

((OOC: I'm also hesitant to bring in an NPC -- however, I can't justify this from an IC perspective.))

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

After hearing the hesitant reaction of the other delegates, concerning an invitation for Niom to join in on these negotiations, Peinaili concluded:

"Very well, we shall continue these negotiations in the current composition and offer the Socialist Republic of Niom a chance to participate in these negotiations. I shall make sure that they receive an invitation to join us, and expect an answer shortly."

Peinaili then continued with a response to a statement by Lady Nehket Aeka.

"Lady Nehket Aeka," Peinaili said, "If that is what you meant, then there has indeed been a misunderstanding. I was under the assumption that the cartel would be formed on a bases of capital investment, either corporate or infrastructural. What you propose is more a set of mutual agreements on trade and management, effectively controlling a great share of the market without sharing a pool of financial or infrastructural assets."

She then consulted briefly with Thomas Pendra, before she continued.

"I have no objections against such a set of agreements and treaties, however this raises difficulties with the formation of a board of directors and every parties influence as the logical bases, based on investment share is not possible, while the investments and tied economical interests of the factions involved may differ greatly.

How would you propose to resolve this issue?"

[Nehket Aeka]

"With all due respect lady de Montrève, a cartel is 'a formal agreement among competing firms. It is a formal organization where there is a small number of sellers and usually involve homogeneous products.' I proposed this, but due to my apparent inability to clearly communicate this, it seems I have made it appear is if I proposed the establishment of a supercorporation.

I see no issue. Those that wish to participate in the cartel get a seat on the board of directors. Members of the cartel are bound by the decisions of the board of directors, with regard to -based trading and pricing. Those that are not members of the cartel will either join, or be competed out of the market. There is no need for the surrender of property..."

[Danar Torig]

"The Consensus has an extra proposal, Our position to process the into actual goods is less then ideal, and it looks like that in the long run this will not change. However we can produce a decent amount of . Our proposal is that we produce and another party with a more suitable position processes this into goods.

To clarify, per zone we need 2 to 3 zones to transform the into goods. In a quick calculation by head tells me that total this will come down to something like 6 to 11 zones, depending from the reached deal here, and the created goods."

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

"That sounds like an excellent suggestion Mister Torig," Peinaili replied, "I'm sure we could accommodate such an arrangement through cooperation with the parties here present. Perhaps that is how we should proceed for now, determine the possibilities and willingness of each parties here present, to see if we can reach some consensus, possibly setting out a bases for some agreements.

As for the matter of a board of directors, I'm willing to listen to proposals."

She then consulted briefly with Thomas Pendra, before she continued.

"We have received a positive reply for the Socialist Republic of Niom, senator Ght'Twwf will be joining us shortly."

[Nehket Aeka]

"I propose that we hear Niom's opinion on this matter before continuing with the discussion."

((OOC: I would like to emphasize that I OOC don't really like bringing in an NPC; but there is no real IC reason not to ask Niom. I'm a bit afraid that we wouldn't be able to get any decision done because we need the vote of the NPC (and we all know that they are terribly slow repliers :P)))

[Nehket Aeka]

"As Niom has not shown, I can do nothing else but assume that they are not interested. I propose we make haste with forming our cartel, so we can invite the Inter-System Charter Company into the cartel."

"As to the board of directors, I propose that each faction has a single representative in the board, and that each representative has a single vote. Votes are weighed equally. Decisions by the board require a absolute majority, and decisions by the board are advisory within the scope of the treaty.

This requires, of course, that we define the scope of the treaty. I propose that the treaty allows decision within the scope of trade, and -derived product pricing, and the transport of -based goods."

One of the aides of senator Nehket Aeka handed her a datapad.

"Honesty demands that I inform you of this.", she started. "One of my advisers informs me that, due to recent events such as the joining of the Inter-System Charter Company, the expected profit of establishing an information corporation have been significantly reduced. However at the moment, we still believe that organizing the information industry is necessary."

((OOC: Niom was informed two weeks ago. I don't want to wait any longer. If others do, go roleplay! :P))

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

"Thank you Lady Nehket," Peinaili replied, "that proposal seems fair and I will support it. A single (equal) vote for each participating member is fair, as is the advisory capacity of the board. This proposal should ensure a better management of the information market but also maintain the possibility for individual members to conduct their own policies.

As for the position of the Commonwealth to not establish an information corporation, that decision is understandable and I'm sure that there are other parties for which such an investment would be more worthwhile. As for the possibility of inviting the Inter-System Charter Company, they are welcome to join, should they decide to accept the terms of the treaty."

Peinaili then consulted briefly with Mister Pendra and took up a datapad before she continued:

"Such a scope of the treaty, as proposed by Lady Nehket, would indeed be our choice as well. The information market could benefit greatly from a better management of transport and trade. However we should be careful when it comes to setting prices for and -based goods, the Union economy has some degree of stability, but short term trades and developing members influence the market constantly. This would mean that we should, at least periodically, reassess our prices and adjust them if needed."

[Maria Latharion]

The Astrian Lady-Senator, who had been quiet for some time, sighed.

"Senators, representatives..., since the start of this meeting we have been discussing nothing but politics. We have barely discussed the economics, if we have discussed them at all.

I came here to discuss a business proposal, not politics."

While Maria's voice was calm she was clearly irritated and was starting to lose her patience.

"It's also evident this corporation is getting less and less beneficial.

I suggest we get down to business or, to my regret, the STF will have to back out of these negotiations."

[Nehket Aeka]

"I disagree that we have only discussed politics. The proposal to start a cartel is at least as much economies as it is politics. By agreeing on how to go about managing our combined information interests we can exert significant influence on the market. However, I do agree that we have discussed enough about the creation of a cartel.

On the business side of things, the Veolian Commonwealth is willing to invest in an extension of its Holonet Relay backbone, to connect the Stellarian Traid Federation homeworld to the Veolian-Sundarian Holonet backbone. This will connect the STF to the Consensus, allowing better transportation of all information-based goods. Of course, we would ask for a small investment from the involved parties, since increasing our backbone is an expensive proposition; it might be best to discuss the details later?"

"What business arrangement do you wish to discuss further? I take it that you wish to discuss the trade of specialised information, or even the exchange of specialisation rights?"

[Maria Latharion]

"That might be a..." Maria stopped mid-sentence and closed her eyes for a moment.

She opened her eyes again a moment later.

"Would you excuse me for a moment? I have to take an important call."

She got up and left the room.

The lady-senator returned a few moments later.

"I have just spoken to the Triad Boards. They no longer see any benefit in participating in an information based corporate endeavour. The costs are becoming to high compared to the benefits, according to them. As such the Stellarian Triad Federation will be retreating from these negotiations.

Senator Nehket, they also asked me to inform you that they still wish to start the terraformation of Serina."

She looked to the other senators and representatives.

"I wish you all a good day and the best of luck in further negotiations."

With those words Maria bowed to the others and left the Sundarian Embassy.

((OOC: Sorry, changed my mind and wanted out.))

[Nehket Aeka]

Before senator Maria Latharion left, the veolian senator stood up.

"In that case, I am afraid that this initiative will have too little economic weight. Niom has apparently decided to ignore our invitation, and with the leaving of the Stellarian Triad Federation, I feel we have little choice but to step out as well."

Turning her attention to the two representatives of the Sundarian Federation and the Teprogrenaian consensus., she said: "I suggest you look to a solution on a smaller scale, and inform yourself on the proper use of nouns in Galactic Basic and the meaning of the word 'cartel'. Good day."


After that she left in a hurry, hoping to catch up with the Stellarian Triad Federation's representative.

"Senator Latharion, if you have a moment?", she said when she caught up. "I am sorry that we couldn't agree on creating a cartel in time. With a new member specialised in information, and the delays caused by waiting on Niom, a male representative, and explaining the concept of a 'bridge' to the Teprogrenaian representative, again a man, I am afraid we have missed the opportunity.

I do not completely understand why it had to be mentioned, but I am glad that the Stellarian Triad Federation still wishes to start the terraformation of Serina. I would also like to inform you that our offer still stands: should you wish to transport larger quantities of information-based goods, the Veolian Commonwealth is willing to help out by providing the necessary infrastructure. Though it might be best if we kept those negotiations to ourselves, to prevent undue delays."

With a short bow, the veolian senator parted ways with the astrian senator.

[Danar Torig]

"The Consensus is largely loosing interest as well with the rapidly dwindling economical benefits, and we prefer to look into smaller scale solutions. However, as long as the need is there, we remain open for the cooperation in the information business. We are not yet dismissing the creation of a information cartel or corporation, we are just less interested than at the start."