| Author |
Thread Statistics | Show CCP posts - 0 post(s) |
Elsebeth Rhiannon
Gradient
Electus Matari
359
   |
Posted - 2013.05.07 21:29:00 -
[1] - Quote
Just going to copypaste this here: https://forums.eveonline.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=233306
Today at about 16:00 I and some other known loyalists received a request from the Republic Fleet to assist in an operation to forcibly extradite the shooter of Karin Midular from Federation care. The leader of the operation was given as General Aruko Aruman of the Republic Fleet; point of contact was Heder Elislar. I stated my opinion that I thought the operation was madness and that the Fleet should stand down, but under what for me counts as orders gathered a patrol force to support.
I was at no point given further intel about the exact plans of the Fleet. I went into Bei with the goal of coming out of this without having to engage and without betraying my oath to the Minmatar Republic. I failed in the first.
At about 20:00 local a Republic Fleet capital wing entered Colelie and demanded passage further. Federation Navy capital wing denied. Words were exchanged. Both in public and in private I and others from Electus Matari pleaded for the Republic Fleet to stand down, but this was in vain. When the Republic Fleet engaged, I was told by the officers in charge of the capitals that this was under orders "from the top".
Being an oath-bound warrior of the Republic I could personally see no other option than to follow the Fleet. I did not agree with the order and I agree with our current leadership even less, but to refuse simply because I found the order disagreeable would have gone against everything I have spoken for during my career in space.
I gave the order to the EM fleet to engage; the pilots with me should not be blamed.
We lost.
To whom it may concern: Electus Matari does not agree with this course of action. This is not the way to treat our allies. This is not the way to win the war with the real enemy. This is not the way to honor the legacy of the Ray. We followed our leaders now, but we warn you to remember that you can only lead free people to where they are willing to follow. The Matari people in space have always been divided into two: those who cherish war for the sake of honor and emotion, and those who rather avoid it for the sake of long-turn survival of our people. When the Ray was in charge, she managed to balance the two for a long time. The "Sanmatar" now needs to do the same.
Elsebeth Rhiannon
Director, Gradient
Diplomat, Electus Matari |
Elsebeth Rhiannon
Gradient
Electus Matari
463
|
Posted - 2013.05.19 10:24:00 -
[2] - Quote
I have spent half of my career in space being diplomatic to people who opened fire on me or allies. Often, I have managed to convince them to cease hostilities altogether or leave Republic territory.
Your point is?
Elsebeth |
Elsebeth Rhiannon
Gradient
Electus Matari
463
|
Posted - 2013.05.19 20:27:00 -
[3] - Quote
Rodj Blake wrote:And you destroyed your reputation for diplomacy when you took part in an illegal and immoral assault on Gallentean territory without first exploring other options.
To do or not do diplomacy on that one was not my call.
However, I admit to a failure in convincing people with words in that my attempts to talk sense into the commanders on both sides were completely in vain.
It does not unfortunately work every time. Not even with the independents I usually work with. I'd say the success rate is closer to 1 or 2 in 10.
Elsebeth |
Elsebeth Rhiannon
Gradient
Electus Matari
463
|
Posted - 2013.05.20 11:48:00 -
[4] - Quote
While symbolic battles indeed do happen in parts of the Republic, I think we have to give our Fleet and leaders a little more credit than assuming they'd not realize such a party would not get the response it receives in the Federation. After all, we have been Federation allies for long, and if something is integral to the culture of the Republic (not Minmatar, but the alliance of multiple tribes that is the Republic), it is the ability to understand and negotiate in the web of differing customs.
The Fleet would not simply barge into Colelie following one symbolic battle custom from gods know what part of which planet, and expect to be treated in the appropriate response. They would contact the opposition first and ask whether such a custom would also be acceptable to them.
We are not barbarians. We can talk about such things. We can negotiate for a mutually acceptable solution when customs differ. Every clan chief worth the air they breath knows how to do that with neighboring clans. The Republic has managed to do so between tribes for over a century. We have even now offered to negotiate about jurisdiction with the Federation.
Elsebeth |
Elsebeth Rhiannon
Gradient
Electus Matari
464
|
Posted - 2013.05.20 19:13:00 -
[5] - Quote
1) Before the attack, communications between the Tribal Council and the Federation had been going on for days. Ultimatums were on the table and negotiations had been stopped. By then it was clear to everyone in space that if the situation will not be resolved, it will come to blows - and that certainly includes the Federation.
2) Even if they somehow managed to miss that, the information that the Federation knew the Republic attack was coming leaked to general public hours before the events. They certainly did expect it, even if they did not heed the diplomatic warnings.
3) Therefore, calling this a surprise attack is somewhat exaggerated. |
Elsebeth Rhiannon
Gradient
Electus Matari
465
|
Posted - 2013.05.20 19:44:00 -
[6] - Quote
According to my information, the Tribal Council had negotiated with the Federation for a long time before the events, and that those negotiations had ended unsuccessful. The ultimatums were on the table, from both sides. We have still not (thankfully) seen intent from either side to enter into a state of war. Distasteful as quarrels between allies are, there is much room between perfectly harmonious co-existence and total war.
Elsebeth |
Elsebeth Rhiannon
Gradient
Electus Matari
473
|
Posted - 2013.05.24 15:06:00 -
[7] - Quote
I don't know about you guys, but where I come from "It is ok to be angry; it is not ok to scream and hit" is stuff we teach to two-year-olds. That some of you have not learned separate between emotion and action yet is... interesting.
It is quite possible to at the same time thing Republic's anger has a good reason, and to think that what happened in Colelie was crossing the line. You do not need to say we are wrong in being angry to say we were wrong in Colelie.
Elsebeth |
| |
|