Siggary Response to East El-Hussaq
October 5, 2001

"To President El Cid II of East El-Hussaq:

Re: Kamostopol territory in dispute

"You are doubtless aware of the circumstances surrounding Siggary’s purchase of the Kamostopol territory. Kamostopol was annexed by Buenos Altos on September 15, 2001. This territory lies in the heart of the new Siggarian zone of control from the land rush, and so the Queen was anxious to settle the borders with the official in possession of the territory, whoever that may be. After having been assured by the Secretary General himself that the head of Buenos Altos had the right to speak for Kamostopol, Siggary engaged in talks with him. Initial negotiations with Buenos Altos had reached an impasse and [were] stalled when Buenos Altos made a demarcation claiming a zone of control[,] including a sizable part of what had been claimed by Siggary in the initial land rush. Siggary was forced into action by this unilateral declaration of borders, [nothing] more. Had she not felt compelled to respond to Buenos Altos, the area in dispute would likely have remained under Buenos Altos occupation until rightful ownership had been settled in a congress.

"Your succession of the Kamostopol territory was to say the least, unexpected and delayed. Had your succession been made public before the sale of the territory to Us (that is, any time between 15 September 2001 and 29 September 2001), you can be assured that Siggary would not have purchased this property from one not entitled to sell it. We purchased the territory with the understanding that the Chieftain of Kamostopol had given up his rights to the area: ‘The arrested chieftain of Kamostopol has given up all hope of fighting Buenos Altos and instead simply denounces the attack’

"As We are now aware, rightful ownership of Kamostopol is still in dispute. The Queen did make an attempt to communicate with Kamostopol and arranged to have a message sent to him through the Secretary General. It was with great shock that We received an ultimatum from you, President El Cid II of El-Hussaq the very next day.

"While We understand your patriotic fervor to liberate a territory you consider yours, We must object to your methods in attaining it. An ultimatum to Us, with a particularly inconsiderate time constraint is both disrespectful of Our nation and insulting to the diplomatic process. It should be understood that We do not negotiate under duress and that We cannot be unjustly threatened. Had you a complaint with our current occupation of Kamostopol, it would have been considerably less inflammatory to send us a communication with your concerns and allowed us to communicate diplomatically before resorting to more extreme means.

"Notwithstanding this, We must inform you of some issues of which you must be unaware – on 1 October 2001, We made a request to Congressional Parliament that Kamostopol be transferred to the Parliament for Peacecorps occupation until the issue of possession of the land can be settled. We were, and still are, prepare to cede the land to Congressional Parliament so that its fate can be decided in a congress.

"Having been made aware of your concerns, if abruptly and in a less than desirable manner, We can make several propositions that you may consider acceptable, so that We can settle the matter between our two nations if Congressional Parliament does not take possession of the area. Please consider these, or if you wish, reply with your own.

"We propose that you cede the territory to Us for a sum of not more than A100,000K. Remember that from Our perspective, the territory is legally Ours and that we have already purchased the territory from Buenos Altos. If you are determined to keep the territory, We must ask that the geographic location of it be shifted to an area where it is not completely encompassed by ours. As well, we would require some compensation, as we view Kamostopol as legally our land. If the above propositions are unacceptable, We would like the matter to be turned over to Congressional Parliament so that the issues of possession and compensation be decided in a congress.

"Despite your accusations, Siggary is a nation dedicated to peace. We would like nothing more than to have the situation resolved without further conflict. Please reply as promptly as you are able. We are currently awaiting a reply to our request to Congressional Parliament that we sent prior to receiving your ultimatum. Be aware that if Congressional Parliament takes possession of the territory, We will no longer be in a position to negotiate with you, the above propositions are void, and the matter of ownership will be decided in a congress."

Regally, Peacefully,
Her Majesty Queen Amidala of the Republic of Siggary