Prime Minister Munro returns to Scottish Parliament!

[Munro]

SCOTTISH HERALD, 1540AD

After an extended period of absence from parliament, Prime Minister Munro returned yesterday to Edinburgh to retake his place as prime minister and head of the Scottish State Democratic party.  Citing 'personal reasons', Prime Minister Munro disappeared from public view after a recent state visit to Wei where he was promoting his campaign for an international coalition against slavery.  He disappeared shortly after and is rumoured to have spent the last two decades tracking big game in the remote jungle areas along the wartorn Wei and Grendel City States border.

Taking back the reins of a newly industrialized Scotland nation from interim prime minister Niklas, the Prime Minister's first action in parliament was to push through an nationwide ban on the ivory trade.  Although Scotland is not a major importer or exporter of exotic animal products, this has effectively wiped out the value of ivory in Scotland and made trade in ivory products obsolete.  It is not known if this is connected to Munro's 'missing decade' in the wilderness of the Wei / Grendel jungle, but concerns already abound that a trade ban on furs from lion, jaguar and other endangered species is likely to follow.  In Scottish Military tradition, these have typically been used to adorn the kilts of prominent Scottish clans.

Demand for squirrel pelts is said to be booming.

[DribNairb]

The Founders are glad to see your rightful leader has returned to his nation. We are also glad to see your ban on the ivory trade - the global number of elephants is declining rapidly and the species is nearing extinction. For these same reasons The Founders have also banned their trade.

We would like to bring to your attention the actions of your military. You may not be aware that a small number of your generals are secretly sending military aid to those who seek to undermine The Path. This aid is misguided at best and at worst borders on a declaration of war. I am sure as leader you can put a stop to this treacherous behaviour before it escalates into greater conflict.

[Munro]

Scotland congratulates you, Founder, on the wisdom of your environmental policy.  Can I assume you will also be disbanding your battalion of war elephants currently touring south of Yourcenae?  Clearly in such desperate times, it is vital that the poor animals be returned to help bolster the natural breeding population in the wild.

Do you people not wonder, however, at the irony of a nation which bans trade in ivory before trade in humans?  Join our coalition, wise leader, against the despicable practice of slavery.  Set your academics to the study of democracy and join us in emancipating your people.  For the sake of humanity we implore you!

As for our military, it is true that in the past, Scotland has had military contracts to provide defence equipment to the Weians, who were neutral in the conflict at the time.  It was understood that these would be used for self-defence only.  However, since they have subsequently entered the war these contracts have all been cancelled.  Scotland takes no sides in this war and we will not agree to provide military assistance to any nation currently at war in this conflict.  We hope that you will find a speedy and peaceful resolution.

Regards
Prime Minister Munro

[Capsavian Hopewell]

Prime Minister, welcome home!  ((OOC:  is that one of your pics you took?  Awesome!))

Your country has been in good hands apparently in your absence.  Though we must continue our protests regarding the increasing border tension your cities impose upon our settlements.  Thus far, those protests have apparently fallen on deaf ears.

We are also disheartened that some of our recent Great Squirrel missionaries have been turned away by your people.  It's imperative that they learn more about Him, if their souls have any chance at harmony in the forested afterlife.

To blazes with the heathen elephants!  Save the squirrels!  For they are wise and fuzzy creatures made in His image.

We will join you, however, in decrying the trade in humans as despicable and contemptible.  The Great Squirrel does not approve of bondage for any creature so long as those creatures do not infringe on His children's nuts.

Vali Hopewell

[da_Vinci]

We are pleased to see the Prime Minister of our neighbor across the puddle back at the helm of Scotland.

Let me assure him, that it was only the forces of the Terra Cotta army, supplied by The Buddha that were used in "offensive" operations.

And, in reality, we have not undertaken any truly offensive operations.  Just as we declared war to achieve peace, any so-called offensive operations undertaken by Wei are for the purpose of defense.

We are pleased to join the world in opposition to human trafficking and human bondage.  Rest assured, there is no slavery in Wei.  We are, of course, at war ... and at times we must hurry our industrial production.  At those times, we sometimes suffer some unfortunate ... "industrial accidents".  These, of course, lower the morale of the population for a time.  But our people do understand the need for this sacrifice.

Woo Li, Chief Monk of the Shaolin, Wei Dynasty

[DribNairb]

an I assume you will also be disbanding your battalion of war elephants currently touring south of Yourcenae?

SmailliwAmme is a peaceful missionary who landed on the shores of your continent a very long time ago to spread The Word and show people The Path. Look closely and you will see the 3 elderly elephants in the groups are well cared for in a symbiotic relationship with the travelling group. They are a part of the nomadic family and there is no chance they would pose any military threat.

Do you people not wonder, however, at the irony of a nation which bans trade in ivory before trade in humans?  Join our coalition, wise leader, against the despicable practice of slavery.  Set your academics to the study of democracy and join us in emancipating your people.  For the sake of humanity we implore you!

Indeed, this is something that has troubled me for some time. I wish to further understand your democratic government as it appears to be something which would benefit all. However, my scholars are finding it extremely troublesome to understand some of the finer points and have so far been unable to draft suitable law to ensure it is accomplished successfully. Ironically, I have been unable to spare further scribes in this area due to the ongoing conflict which has been exacerbated by your involvement. Perhaps if you have influence with the Weians you can persuade them that the war is only ongoing due to their own ignorance?

As for our military, it is true that in the past, Scotland has had military contracts to provide defence equipment to the Weians, who were neutral in the conflict at the time.  It was understood that these would be used for self-defence only.  However, since they have subsequently entered the war these contracts have all been cancelled.  Scotland takes no sides in this war and we will not agree to provide military assistance to any nation currently at war in this conflict.  We hope that you will find a speedy and peaceful resolution.

I am glad to hear this. However, we know that some military contracts have been fulfilled since the Weians declared war - I therefore assume that these were carried out without your knowledge and that the persons responsible will be stopped?

[Munro]

I am glad to hear this. However, we know that some military contracts have been fulfilled since the Weians declared war - I therefore assume that these were carried out without your knowledge and that the persons responsible will be stopped?

Yes, they have been stopped.  There will be no more military units sent to Wei or any other nation involved in the war.