Reaching for the Stars: A Space Colonization Quest

[Pempelune]

"The UN Security Council formally recommended Ana Ferreira as Secretary-General of the United Nations today at noon. To their Excellencies the Permanent Representatives to the United Nations, in my quality as 9th Secretary-General of the United Nations, I would like to give my own recommendation of Ana Ferreira. Though she is not well-known to most members of this General Assembly, her work as head of the Brazilian Space Agency was exemplary and led her country to greatness. She has also worked in private capacity as an advisor to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, helping developing nations put satellites into space through the Dream Chaser Microgravity mission. She has thus demonstrated qualities of efficient leadership but most importantly, compassion that will serve her well as she lead the United Nations toward the future. I thus ask the member of this Assembly to pass a consensus resolution making Secretary-General Designate Ana Ferreira, the world's top diplomat for the next five years to come."
- Secretary-General António Guterres hailes Ana Ferreira as a wonderful choice to steer the United Nations. Credit: UN News Centre


As a supranational organization financed by the goodwill of the member states, your finances are ridiculously low. You get 15 Budget every turn to spend on turn actions.
You may spend more than one die on an action to help it succeed. You may personally help a space action succeed, giving it a +10 bonus.
Depatment Efficiency will will give a bonus to any roll of that department.
When you use a country's dice for a space action, you take a -5 Opinion penalty to that country, and only that country's, opinion. That apply to the Minors as well.

Executive Office of the Secretary General (5 dice to spend)​

[]Woo the nations:
Often all you need to gain goodwill are kind words and diplomacy. Tour a country, smile and wave, talk about the need for unity in time of crisis... the public will listen to you, and the state will listen to the public. +5 Country opinion:
-[]EU, DC30
-[]CANZUK, DC30
-[]Japan, DC30
-[]India, DC30
-[]Russia, DC50

[]Ukraine Peacekeeping:
Novorossiya, or the Donbass People's Republic, is unrecognized by most UN states. But being a breakaway state in a profound humanitarian crisis, you technically have a remit to intervene there. Send in some Blue Helmets to stabilize the region - and prevent the Ukrainian Army from fighting there any longer. Russia will love you for it, but the EU will be very concerned, and the minors won't like the precedent it sets. DC30, 5 Budget, need at least 50 EU and CANZUK Opinion, +15 Russia Opinion, -10 EU Opinion, -5 Minors Opinion, -5 CANZUK Opinion

[]Request Japanese Peacekeepers:
Ever since the 2020 Cruz Report recommended a more aggresive stance for the UN peacekeeping forces, Japan has stopped participating in peacekeeping operations to avoid breaching its Constitution. The current government chafe with the Article 9 though, and would love to have an excuse to undermine it. Formally and publically request Japanese aid with peacekeeping - they have one of the biggest army in the world, after all - and not only will you please Japan, you will get free soldiers, what's not to like? East Asia will be worried, though.
Autopass, +5 Budget for this turn, +15 Japan Opinion, -10 Minors Opinion, -5 China Opinion

[]Kashmiri Peacekeeping:
A low-grade civil insurrection has been simmering in Kashmir for 10 years now, and increasing radicalization from both Muslims and Hindus mean that a not inconsiderable fraction of international terrorists come from Jammu and Kashmir. Propose to send Peacekeepers and international reconciliation tribunals to help end the crisis. India will hate this move with a passion, but terrorism-stricken countries - and there are many - will appreciate your action. DC40, 5 Budget, -20 India Opinion, +10 Minors Opinion, +5 EU Opinion, +5 CANZUK Opinion, +5 Russia Opinion, +5 World Stability

[]Listen to the nations:
Kind words won't get you very far. You need to know what they want - a smile is much more appreciated when it comes with a gift, after all. Thankfully, you can simply ask. DC40. Establishes a DPPA rumor mill

[]Constitutional Reforms:
Let it not be said that supranational authorities are any sort of efficient. The UN is built on what the nations can agree on - as it turns out, frightfully little. Your Secretariat is hamstrung by all sort of constitutional red tape, and you need to cut through if you're ever going to solve this crisis. Of course, any such broad change will require agreement by both the Security Council and the General Assembly. Need Minors, Russia, EU and CANZUK Opinion of at least 60.
-Shackle the agencies: The specialized agencies of the UN, like the WHO, the IMF, the FAO, etc, wield most of the power of the UN itself, and this with a startling degree of independance from yourself. You need to harness their strength to help you bear this crisis - and for horse-trading with the member states... DC60, +10 Secretariat Power, much lower DC for ECOSOC humanitarian actions
-Election Reform: While the General Assembly gets to vote on the new General Secretary, de facto the election is in the hands of the Security Council - and its permanent members. Propose to have the election take place entirely within the Assembly - most countries will love you for it, and your successor will be less beholden to the Security Council. DC70, +5 Secretariat Power, -10 Security Council Influence, +10 Minors Opinion, -5 EU Opinion, -5 CANZUK Opinion, -5 Russia Opinion

[]Political Appointments:
The nations all love embedding their nations within the UN staff so as to monitor and influence you. That's the price for their trust - you have accepted that in the past, you will accept it again - you need goodwill. +10 Country Opinion, -10 Department Effectiveness, Autopass
-[]Write In Nation
--[]Write In Department

[]Cleaning House:
The UN is riddles with political appointees of all stripes, named with little regard for competence but rather for country afilliation and loyalty. Not only do they hamper the effectiveness of your civil service, but they also spy on you for their country. That has to stop. DC40, +10 Department Effectiveness
-Write In Department

(United Nations) Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (5 dice)​

[]Initiating Detente:
The US and China are both bitter at the UN after the fiasco of the last General Secretary Election. This is a major obstacle to an eventual reentry of both countries into the UN, and will take a lot of time to be forgotten. You might be able to speed up the process, however - the UN is nothing if not diplomatic. DC60, better results at higher score.
-[]With the USA. +10 USA Opinion, open up more reconciliation actions
-[]With China. +10 China Opinion, open up more reconciliation actions

[]The Chinese Question:
Ever since the Republic of China fled to Taiwan, the question of the two China has been a dangerous one for the UN. With the People's Republic of China suspended from the UN for its refusal to pay its dues, the question has been reoponed once more: which China is the true China? Many opportunities lie there - but the risks are immense.
-[]The ROC is the true China:
The Kuomintang currently in power in Taiwan would be very grateful if it was welcomed back in the UN - and given back the Chinese Security Council seat it occupied prior to 1971. Having a sure ally among the Permanent members would be a major boon for the Secretariat and would prevent the PRC from influencing your politics through that seat - but it would also kill any hope of reconciliation, and could even open the prospect of nuclear war. It might please the Americans, though. DC40, +10 Secretariat Power, -10 Security Council Influence, -70 China Opinion, +10 USA Opinion
-[]Status Quo is King:
Antagonizing China is never the best idea. That said, opening negotiations with China for a recognition of Taiwan as an independant country distinct from mainland China would be a major win for the UN, and would win you congratulations from all over. You will need to offer them something truly massive in exchange, however. DC90, China Opinion at least 90, China Opinion -45, Public Opinion +20, all country opinion +10, World Stability +10

[]Chinese Subcontracting:
China has manpower and money aplenty. Enough that they could easily bankroll a major operation of your space program if they felt like it. Autopass. Gain a space action. -20 China Opinion.

[]American Subcontracting:
Your space program need expertise. Hell, it badly need expertise. American aerospace companies have this in spade - SpaceX and Virgin Orbit having developed reusable launchers that could cut your launch costs by one third or more. Buy their rockets until you can develop some reusable launchers yourself. Be wary though - American companies are, well, American, and in the current climate, that could be dangerous. DC30. Lower the minimum country Opinion necessary to get space actions. 5 Budget, -5 Budget/turn

[]Shifting the blame:
Blame China and/or the US for the current environmental troubles. Not a very friendly move, but they have given you plenty of ammunitions and having a clear party to blame will actually make you more popular by comparison. DC30, +10 Popular Opinion, -10 China/US Opinion.

[]Keeping your enemies close:
While the UN traditionally has no spies, it has always had plenty of big-eared diplomats. Unleash them on your geopolitical rivals - you need to do what they are doing and why. Actual spies would be better, but this is a good start. Establishes a DPPA rumor mill.

(United Nations) Office for Outer Space Affairs (EU + CANZUK + Minors = 3 dice)​

[]Space Tourism:
Not particularly helpful for humanity's survival, but space conquest is not cheap, and you need funds. Go take it where it is, in rich businessmen's pockets. Most nations will not like the uses you have for their money, though. +10 Budget/turn. -5 Opinion from all spacefaring powers, DC30

[]LEO habitat:
Before any long-term conquest of space be doable, humans will need to be able to live in space for extended periods. You will build a habitat destined to test the necessary technologies, in Low Earth Orbit, safe from cosmic radiations. DC70

[]Asteroid Resource Survey:
You know where the true riches of space are - on asteroids! Send space probes to identify the richest asteroids of the system. DC50

[]Lunar exploration program:
The Moon may not be as rich as the asteroids, but it's much, much closer. Send more lunar rovers - helium-3, rare metals, water - you need to know where those are. DC40

[]Moon base:
Humanity's first foothold on an alien world, it would also be a proof of concept for self-sufficient living in space, and test the associated techs. Could be repurposed into a base of lunar mining and manufactoring base later. DC80

(United Nations) Economic and Social Council (3 dice to spend due to lack of official control over the Council)​

[]Alleviate the Nigerian crisis
Whatever the rhetoric about space conquest and climate change, fighting humanitarian crisis remain one of your most important duty, one neglected during the three chaotic years before your election. With over 260 million inhabitants, the country is regularly struck with famines made worse by the still ongoing insurgency in northeastern Nigeria. This has generated millions of refugees. The member states will not let you relocate them though, so you can't do much more than send money in the form of food and field hospitals. DC60, +5 Minors Opinion, +5 World Stability, 5 Budget

[]Deccan Drought Relief
Droughts, already a severe problem in India during the last decade, are only getting worse as the climate change. Years of underperforming mansoons have created a very dangerous situation on the Deccan plateau, and India shouldn't have to face this alone. Send experts there to drill wells, transfer water from less affected regions and, if worse come to worse, help the inhabitants relocate. DC65, 5 Budget, +10 India Opinion

[]Dutch Dykes
With the slow rise of the waterline, the old Dutch dykes are slowly becoming obsolete. The EU would appreciate havng some financial and technical help, and it would a good training for the soon-to-come moment when such dykes will be needed all over the world. Some will say the EU is rich enough to take care of that on its own, though. DC50, 5 Budget, +10 EU Opinion, -5 CANZUK Opinion

[]Australian Wildfires
The draughts that are becoming more and more common all over the world don't only cause death by thirst, they also create raging wildfires that destroy large swathes of Australia's forest almost every year. This time, you'll be ready. Create a special commission dedicated to protecting the inhabitants and the forests, and organizing the fire fighters all over the continent. After all, the carbon the wildfire release make this a truly global issue. DC60, 5 Budget, +10 CANZUK Opinion

[]Expand the Institute:
The Institute for Training and Research is the UN's main research agency, and as experience working on both climate change and spatial research. However, it is also both too independant and too small for your purposes. Give it some budget in exchange for power of the purse and expand it as necessary for your space program. DC30. Open up research actions for the ESC, 5 Budget

[]Take Covert Control:
While in theory the ESC does not obey the General Secretary, being another autonomous branch of the UN, in practice there are many ways you can ensure the ESC do what you want it to. The General Secretary has the power to name officials in the ESC - use and abuse this to place like-minded persons in charge. DC30/70, on lower DC manipulations will be exposed. On success, grants more ESC dice. +10 ESC Effectiveness

Moratorium on this vote for the next 4 hours. Votes will remain open for 24-48 hours afterward. Don't hesitate to tag me for questions. Discuss!

 

[KleverKil'Vanya]

Well first reaction is we are fucked, to many actions a bare pittance of dice and we will need to double up on some actions just to have a viable chance. We are going to drown in fires we are literally unable to put out.

 

[Void Stalker]

Of note department effectiveness gives a +1 to rolls per 10, in addition to us being able to give +15 to a space action. Some interesting choices, we can do things that drop a countries opinion in one spot while raising in another. Increasing secretary power and department effectiveness would be good goals.

edit @Pempelune what is security council influence? I did not see it on the info post

 

[Pempelune]

Well first reaction is we are fucked, to many actions a bare pittance of dice and we will need to double up on some actions just to have a viable chance. We are going to drown in fires we are literally unable to put out.

Click to shrink...

Ah, that's very much not the reaction I was hoping to get
To clarify, you do not need to take every action. The humanitarian and peacekeeping action, for example, need not be all taken. Taking them will mae the world more stable generally, but not solving a crisis won't end the world, as we can routinely see IRL. More important to you is the bonus to country opinion that those actions give you, callous as it may sounds.
I'd like to add that I'm not here to ensure you guys fail, to the contrary. This is a hopeful quest, where humanity unite and colonize the stars. The way will be rough and difficult, in part because I want this to be very simulationist, but you won't fail just because you did not complete every single action.

Of note department effectiveness gives a +1 to rolls per 10, in addition to us being able to give +15 to a space action. Some interesting choices, we can do things that drop a countries opinion in one spot while raising in another. Increasing secretary power and department effectiveness would be good goals.

edit @Pempelune what is security council influence? I did not see it on the info post

Click to shrink...

Here it is:

Security Council Influence: Determine how much influence and power the Security Council hold over the UN. The higher this is, the more the veto of the P5 can block your actions. At 0, the Security Council may not on Constitutional changes, and you can abolish the body.

Click to shrink...

Lowering this will make the organization a tad more egalitarian, and less easy to deadlock.

 

[Void Stalker]

Here it is:

Lowering this will make the organization a tad more egalitarian, and less easy to deadlock.

Click to shrink...

Yes but I do not see what the current level is nor what level the secretariat power is right now. Can you add that to the second post?

 

[mouli]

Well first reaction is we are fucked, to many actions a bare pittance of dice and we will need to double up on some actions just to have a viable chance. We are going to drown in fires we are literally unable to put out.

Click to shrink...

Not quite, no. Remember, the modern UN also does not put out every global fire. Let's take a look at things, and move from there (warnings, this will be a spaghetti post by necessity, analyzing option by option):

[]Woo the nations:
Often all you need to gain goodwill are kind words and diplomacy. Tour a country, smile and wave, talk about the need for unity in time of crisis... the public will listen to you, and the state will listen to the public. +5 Country opinion:
-[]EU, DC30
-[]Commonwealth, DC30
-[]Japan, DC30
-[]India, DC30
-[]Russia, DC50

Click to shrink...

Straightforward, and a luxury option. I would rank this as Priority Two, to allow us more access, more tech, and more direct power in future rather than now.

[]Ukraine Peacekeeping:
Novorossiya, or the Donbass People's Republic, is unrecognized by most UN states. But being a breakaway state in a profound humanitarian crisis, you technically have a remit to intervene there. Send in some Blue Helmets to stabilize the region - and prevent the Ukrainian Army from fighting there any longer. Russia will love you for it, but the EU will be very concerned, and the minors won't like the precedent it sets. DC30, 5 Budget, need at least 50 EU and Commonwealth Opinion, +15 Russia Opinion, -10 EU Opinion, -5 Minors Opinion, -5 Commonwealth Opinion

Click to shrink...

A way to buy a lot of Russian Influence at lower DC than the earlier option, at other costs. This is not an immediate crisis so much as tacking the UN name to Russian geopolitical maneuvering in order to gain a decent quid pro quo.
A decent deal with Uncle Vlad, but one that might leave the thread feeling dirty.

[]Kashmiri Peacekeeping:

Click to shrink...

Ditto as above, but irritating India and wooing the EU, minors, and the Commonwealth (although that should be Anglosphere or something, India is in the Commonwealth).

[]Listen to the nations:
Kind words won't get you very far. You need to know what they want - a smile is much more appreciated when it comes with a gift, after all. Thankfully, you can simply ask. DC40. Establishes a DPPA rumor mill

Click to shrink...

Information. This, for this sort of quest, is gold. I would put this as priority one, and it has a manageable DC of 40.

[]Initiating Detente:
The US and China are both bitter at the UN after the fiasco of the last General Secretary Election. This is a major obstacle to an eventual reentry of both countries into the UN, and will take a lot of time to be forgotten. You might be able to speed up the process, however - the UN is nothing if not diplomatic. DC60, better results at higher score.
-[]With the USA. +10 USA Opinion, open up more reconciliation actions
-[]With China. +10 China Opinion, open up more reconciliation actions

Click to shrink...

Slow, rewarding, and I'd hit America first. More to take advantage of spaceflight expertise than anything else.

[]The Chinese Question:

Click to shrink...

There's damn good reason this is not addressed IRL. Leave this alone is my preference, as it's basically burning bridges with the PRC.

Have to make lunch, but this ought to help frame some options.

 

[Pempelune]

Yes but I do not see what the current level is nor what level the secretariat power is right now. Can you add that to the second post?

Click to shrink...

Oops!
Done:

Polity Status​

General Secretariat Power: 10 De facto head of the UN, equal parts diplomat and advocate, civil servant and CEO, the secretary-general is a symbol of United Nations ideals and a spokesman for the interests of the world's peoples, in particular the poor and vulnerable among them. However, he is more influent than he is powerful: world leaders listen to his words, but do not need to obey.

Security Council Influence: 90 The Security Council is the only body of the UN whose resolutions are binding to all members. it can also on all security and peacekeeping actions, with 5 members, the Permanent Five, having a right of veto over any decision. Better keep them happy!

Click to shrink...

They are pretty much at their maximum and minimum value, respectively: the UN is still very hamstrung, and much of the power you wield is because the nations are willing to listen to your words.

 

[Void Stalker]

Honestly, my thought is something like taking Kashmiri and Deccan Relief options, it cuts the indian opinion hit to -10 and bumps up both a lot of opinions and world stability.

edit- also working on one of the un reforms, maybe the voting one?

 

[Pempelune]

Moratorium's over, voting may start. By plan, of course

 

[Void Stalker]

Moratorium's over, voting may start. By plan, of course

Click to shrink...

For space is it -5 opinion for the country whose dice we are using for actions and does that apply for the minors as well or is it a -5 to all per dice?

 

[Ifraka]

[X] A (hopefully) Solid Foundation
Executive Office of the Secretary General
[X]Woo the nations: 2x Dice
-Russia
[X]Listen to the nations: 1x Dice
[X]Kashmiri Peacekeeping: 2x Dice
Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs
[X]Initiating Detente: 3x Dice
-With the USA.
[X]American Subcontracting: 1x Dice
[X]Keeping your enemies close: 1x Dice
Office for Outer Space Affairs
[X]LEO habitat: 2x Dice
[X]Lunar exploration program: 1x Dice
Economic and Social Council
[X]Expand the Institute: 1x Dice
[X]Take Covert Control: 2x Dice

 

[Pempelune]

For space is it -5 opinion for the country whose dice we are using for actions and does that apply for the minors as well or is it a -5 to all per dice?

Click to shrink...

When you use a country's dice for a space action, you take a -5 Opinion penalty to that country, and only that country's, opinion. That apply to the Minors as well. It's to simulate a favor economy, in a sense: the nations are doing you a favor by letting you use their facilities for your launches free of charge.

EDIT: There was a mistake in the turn options, the Shackle the Agencies option: it does not unlock more options, it lowers the DC for humanitarian actions.

 

[Void Stalker]

[X] Plan Ordering the House
Executive Office of the Secretary General (+6 to rolls) 5 dice
[X]Woo the nations: 1 Dice
-[X] India DC 30
[X]Kashmiri Peacekeeping: 2x Dice
[X]Cleaning House: 2x Dice
-[X] ESC
Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (+5 to rolls) 5 dice
[X]Initiating Detente:
-[X]With the USA. 2x Dice
-[X]With China. 2x Dice
[X]Keeping your enemies close: 1x Dice
Office for Outer Space Affairs (+3 to rolls) 3 dice
[X]Moon base: 2x Dice
-[X] Personal Knack for space (+15)
[X]Lunar exploration program: 1x Dice
Economic and Social Council (+3 to rolls) 3 dice
[X]Expand the Institute: 1x Dice
[X]Deccan Drought Relief 2x Dice

EU Opinion: 65 +5 Kashmiri Peacekeeping -5 Space Dice Net 65
Commonwealth Opinion: 65 +5 Kashmiri Peacekeeping -5 Space Dice Net 65
Russia Opinion: 55 +5 Kashmiri Peacekeeping Net 60
Japan Opinion: 60
India Opinion: 60 +5 Woo Nation -20 Kashmiri Peacekeeping +10 Deccan Drought Net 55
Minors Opinion: 70 +10 Kashmiri Peacekeeping -5 Space Dice Net 75
China Opinion: 40 +10 Detente Net 50
USA Opinion: 35 +10 Detente Net 45
General Secretariat Power: 10
Security Council Influence: 90
World Stability: 50 +5 Kashmiri Peacekeeping Net 55
Public Opinion: 50

Budget Used: 5 Deccan Drought, 5 Expand the Institute

No reforms since russia has to be at 60+ opinion but we should be ready to take both reforms next turn to increase our power and reduce security council influence. Otherwise boosting relations and getting a rumor mill with DPPA, EOSC is trying to boost ESC while resolving Kashmir to an extent (and getting us the Russian opinion boost we need plus some stability) and keeping India from dropping too far. Space is moon base plus Lunar exploration (and if we can turn that base into a mining/manufacturing as well as launching point for further exporation it would be good). ESC keeps Indian opinion from dropping too much and opens up more options as 1 dice is not enough for the higher DC options

 

[Crazy7s1]

[X] Plan Ordering the House

 

[ConfusedCanuck]

[X] Plan Ordering the House

 

[Vocalend]

[X] Plan Ordering the House

 

[ALanos]

[X] Plan Ordering the House

 

[catnip513]

[X] Plan Ordering the House

 

[Pempelune]

Locked. Plan Ordering the House won. Writing has begun.

 

[Pempelune]

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL​

Spoiler: Woo the nations: India

[]Woo the nations: India: Often all you need to gain goodwill are kind words and diplomacy. Tour a country, smile and wave, talk about the need for unity in time of crisis... the public will listen to you, and the state will listen to the public. +5 Country opinion:
-[]EU, DC30
Rolled: 1d100 + 6: 50 + 6 : 56
Passed

"Do I really have to do this?" You ask Susilo Panggabean, your Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs.
"You do, Your Excellency," he affirms. "This is an essential proof of the personal attention and interest you bear for the land of India and the fondness you have for her people."
"Which I need because?..." Your voice trails off. Diplomacy, politics... this is simply not your thing!
"Which you need necause you intend a major peacekeeping operation in Kashmir, which will in all likelyhood be very unpopular with the Hindu majority. And you need popularity in India, General-Secretary, if you are to use their resources for that space program you are so fond of.
Beside, this is quite simple. All you have to do is read this," your Under-Secretary for Political Affairs says as he thrust at least ten sheet of paper onto you, "and look like you mean it. The Indians will love you, you will get politicians elected, and the government will be more favorably disposed to you as a result. Now come on," he says, giving you a severe look.
You hide a small sigh, and start reading through the paper stack.

"People of India! I have the honor to be with you tonight, as we celebrate the first launches of the United Nations space program. And yet, this is a somber occasion. This is a reminder of how much we failed, during the last ten years. Ten years ago, Greta Thunberg came before the United Nations to tell us of what was at stakes. She spoke of the billion of young people whose future we jeopardized with the excessive carbon emissions of the last ten years. She came and spoke of the tipping points, the feedback loops, the snowball effects. She spoke the truth. But the world, the leaders of the world, did not listen. And ten years afterward, her prophecy is proven true, and we face annihilation in the face of climate change. Droughts in India will get worse, and there is little we can do. And yet we shall. This is my answer to Greta, tonight: it is not too late. We will not give up. All the actions that were not taken ten years ago, we will take them, a hundredfold. The children of India shall not die of thirst. We will not allow it. And the rockets that left Earth tonight, they too are our answer to Greta. With them we shall build a brighter future, in the stars, a future that we can all look forward to. But we will not forget this Earth. We will not let India die fallow and bare. We will reach for the stars, and we will cherish and protect this Mother Earth that gave us so much. In the name of the United Nations, I tell you this, people of India: you are not alone. United we stand, united, we will flourish.
- Excerpt of General-Secretary Ana Ferreira's New Delhi speech, 13/04/2030

India Opinion + 5

Spoiler: Kashmiri Peacekeeping

[]Kashmiri Peacekeeping: A low-grade civil insurrection has been simmering in Kashmir for 10 years now, and increasing radicalization from both Muslims and Hindus mean that a not inconsiderable fraction of international terrorists come from Jammu and Kashmir. Propose to send Peacekeepers and international reconciliation tribunals to help end the crisis. India will hate this move with a passion, but terrorism-stricken countries - and there are many - will appreciate your action. DC40, 5 Budget, -20 India Opinion, +10 Minors Opinion, +5 EU Opinion, +5 Commonwealth Opinion, +5 Russia Opinion, +5 World Stability
Rolled: 2d100 + 6: 88 + 17 + 6: 111
Passed with distinction

"Mr. Under-Secretary-General, I must protest. This is a gross attack on the sovereign rights of the nation of India."
Susilo Panggabean gave an artless shrug. "Is it? Surely not. Surely, was it so, the Nations united in a General Assembly would not have voted for it. Would not have countenanced it. Surely, it would be a worst overreach on our part not to listen to the wishes of the General Assembly."
"I am not fooled, Mr. Under-Secretary. Allies of yours initiated this resolution, I know it. And I do not know what exactly you promised the Group of 77 to get them to vote with you, but I do know you promised them something". The man was getting angry, Susilo knew.
"I am sure I do not know what you mean, Your Excellency. Beside, is not India part of the Group of 77? You would have heard of such a move. Unless of course, the position of India in that group is less secure than it looks. I am sure you would know."
This time the Permanent Representative of India does not hide his anger.
"My government will hear of this, Mr. Panggabean. I am sure you understand the consequences of that. You can forget getting any Indian help for your little space toys".
"You will find that the General-Secretary's space toys, as you say, are very popular in India right now. Make a show of rejecting international cooperation, and you will only ensure you lose your own elections."
"Is that so? Then perhaps you should wait til my government is unseated before you send your soldiers in Kashmir, Mr. Panggabean. India may love space at the moment, but they will like the UN much less by the time we're done. I truly hope the costs are worth it for you", he said, before turning sharply on his heels and leaving the room.
Which was just as well, as Susilo uncharacteristally found he had nothing to answer to that.

Final progress report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in Jammu and Kashmir
By its resolution 2945 (2031), the Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Operation in Jammu and Kashmir (UNOJK) for a final period, until 30 June 2035, and requested me to provide, by 31 January 2034, an update on the implementation of the mandate of UNOJK and its phased drawdown, including the continued transition of its security responsibilities to the Government of India.
[...]
20. Following the terrorist attack in Srinagar on 13 March, the Government stepped up preventive measures and strengthened border controls to counter terrorist threats. On 6 April, it adopted an action plan on the fight against terrorism. On 13 April, the Minister of the Interior and Security announced that 83 people had been arrested in connection with the attack. According to the Government, some of the suspects participated in that attack and in ones carried out in New Delhi and Jammu. On 9 January, the Russian forces deployed under "Operation Tamar" in Afghanistan reportedly arrested another suspect, Chitralekha Jalal, near Jalalabad, Afghanistan. He allegedly admitted to having masterminded and supervised the attack in Srinagar.
Rumours of attacks and the presence of armed individuals continued in areas near the border with Pakistan, in particular in Katrasoo, owing to the suspected presence of a large number of former combatants. On 29 March, two soldiers were wounded in an attack by unidentified assailants against an army post near the Paskistani border village of Padgampora in the Katrasoo area. Skirmishes along the border with China in April, in particular in the villages of Gullam and Iskander Pora, raised concern. To counter cross-border insecurity, including terrorist activities, the regional Governments of Jammu-and-Kashmir and Ladakh are coordinating efforts.
To further the demilitarization of the region, a total of 143,510 armaments, including 120,121 weapons, were collected throughout the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration period from 2031 to 2033. The low number of collected weapons and items of explosive ordnance can be explained by the significant number of weapons still hidden within communities. The national commission for the fight against small arms and light weapons continued community weapons collections, offering benefits to civilians in exchange for weapons and ammunition, involving local and traditional authorities in raising the awareness of target groups.
On 25 October, the final report and recommendations of the Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission, presented to the President on 15 August 2033, were officially released during a public ceremony in Srinagar. On 19 October, the mandate of the successor to the Commission, the National Commission for Reconciliation and Compensation of Victims, ended with the presentation of the final report to the President. The report, which is yet to be made public, includes a consolidated list of victims of crises in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh from 1990 to 2031, a proposal for national reparations and a draft reconciliation action plan. Civil society and victims' groups criticized the current reparations process as non-inclusive and called for the establishment of an appeals mechanism for those applicants denied the status of "victim". Alongside efforts towards national reconciliation and social cohesion, the Government continued with the restitution of illegally occupied properties. To date, 5,204 of 3,731 claims received by the established State committee on this issue have been returned to their rightful owners, while 189 are under consideration. A further 1473 claims remain to be processed. A constitutional change proposal to give Jammu-and-Kashmir autonomy as a sui generis state of India has been considered by the government, and is most likely to resolve the underlying issues of the crisis in Jammu-and-Kashmir. However, it is unlikely to be adopted by the current government, though opposition parties have pledged to adopt the change.
The human rights situation in Jammu-and-Kashmir is, in general, improving. Human rights violations decreased from the post-reoganization crisis of 2019 and 2020, from 10,726 cases noted in my report of 30 March 2031 (S/2031/211) to 145 documented between 1 April 2033 and 15 January 2034. Those cases comprised the following: 45 violations of the right to life against 51 people, including 4 women; 25 violations of the right to physical integrity against 25 people, including 2 women; 22 cases of illegal and arbitrary arrest and detention against 188 people, including 1 woman; 3 violations of the right to peaceful assembly; and 50 violations of the right to property. Only one alleged perpetrator in those cases was convicted to three years' imprisonment, while two others were arrested and remain in pretrial detention.


TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
AMNESTY COMMITTEE

The applicant applies for amnesty for two incidents. We deal with them in the chronology of their apparent occurrence.

1. The applicant lodged an application for amnesty on the 14th January 2033 with the TRC, in which he applies for amnesty for "attempted murder" on an undisclosed date in the township of Iskander Pora. The nature and particulars of the act/s are stated as follows:

"As I was a member of the IAF [Indian Armed Forces] at that point in time at Iskander, one of my colleagues' house was attacked by a mob of angry residents of the village. I reported the matter to my station commander telephonically and he instructed me to attend to the matter by all means and he ordered me to make use of my pistol to save Constable Singh's life and his entire family. I went there and one youth was shot by me". (quoted verbatim)

He gives the name of the victim as "alias" Hakim of address unknown. As political objective he states:-

"Through an order from my senior I had to comply. The rules of the government was to comply and complain later."

Justification for the act as associated with a political objective is given as:

"The offence was directed at the AJKMC [All-Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference] and its supporters of Iskander Pora. I was a member of the IAF and I had to comply with orders. The objective was to overpower the AJKMC and to make their aims fruitless."

The applicant was never charged.
The applicant testified at the trial that at no stage on the day in question, 26 August 1993, was he in or at the Municipal Police office. He was at his parents at 21h00 and then went to sleep. That night he was awakened by the police knocking at his door.
The applicant also furnished the Committee with an affidavit, dated the 9th April 1999, deposed to at Henneman. In this statement he alleges that on the 26th April he and others, eight of them in all, walked to the Transitional Council offices. None was armed. He lead with another three following directly behind him. He demanded from Constable Shuping keys to the Municipal offices. He moved around the counter to take possession of the keys. Constable Shuping started shooting above his (applicant's) head and emptied his gun. He then asked for another gun whereupon applicant left the offices. None of them was armed and they had no intention to shoot alias Hakim.

One would have expected the applicant, if it was true, to have advanced at the trial this sequence of events. It was not illegal, honourable and clear cut. He did not. On an assessment of all the information, the finding of the Committee is that the applicant has not made a full and truthful disclosure to the Committee.
In addition, the applicant denies guilt and intention to commit a murder of any kind. Amnesty is therefore REFUSED.
- Transcript of the Amnesty Commitee of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, UNOJK.

Kashmiri situation stabilized, humanitarian crisis mostly resolved. India's place in the Group of 77 in jeopardy. -20 India Opinion, +10 Minors Opinion, +5 EU Opinion, +5 CANZUK Opinion, +5 Russia Opinion, +5 World Stability
With massive thanks to the last report of the UNOCI mission, and the reconciliation commitee of South Africa.

Spoiler: Cleaning House: ECOSOC

[]Cleaning House: ECOSOC: The UN is riddles with political appointees of all stripes, named with little regard for competence but rather for country afilliation and loyalty. Not only do they hamper the effectiveness of your civil service, but they also spy on you for their country. That has to stop. DC40, +10 Department Effectiveness
Rolled: 2d100 + 6: 56 + 92 + 6: 154
Passed with distinction

The Economic and Social Council is a disgrace. Of that, there is no doubt in Ana Ferreira's mind. Placed under the authority of the General Assembly rather than being an excutive office in its own right, it has always been able only to produce recommendations to the member states, without any decision-making power. At 54 members, it is also too small to be a forum for discussion of economic and social matters, yet it is too big and cumbersome to act as a coordinating and decision-making body. But there is nothing Ana Ferreira can do about that, not without securing the assent of the Security Council and two-third of the General Assembly, a dead letter if she ever heard one.
Yet, there are things she can do. Cleaning up the civil service associated with ECOSOC, for one. The current president, at is happens, is of a like mind, and has the right to fire members of the commissions for misconduct. Typically any overzealous use of that prerogative would be blocked by the Office of Neutral Oversight Services, but that Office is part of the Secretariat-General, and thus under her authority...

Tomas Fernandez, failure to obtain any required clearance of speech or article involving matters of official concern (see 3 FAM 4170). Fired.
Hildegard Gunt, discourteous conduct to the public confirmed by an immediate supervisor's report of four such instances within a 1-year period (5 U.N.S.C. 7503(a)). Fired.
Ban Joon, engaging, directly or indirectly, in financial or other transactions, which create real or apparent conflicts of interest. Fired.
[...]
Ahmale Nkosi, improper use of sick leave. Fired.

There are 143 names on that list. You don't know how many of those offenses are real, you do not want to find out, and Susilo does not tell you.

+10 ECOSOC Effectiveness, DC of Take Covert Control lessened.



That took a lot more time than I thought it would, ngl. I was hoping to give you the ECOSOC results as well, but that will have to wait for tomorrow! And then what we're all waiting for: SPACE

 

[Void Stalker]

Well we got the russian opinion we need for reforms next turn and rolls were solid for the first 5 dice, now to see the remaining 11.

 

[ConfusedCanuck]

So far so good with the rolls lets hope it keeps up.

 

[catnip513]

Well we got the russian opinion we need for reforms next turn and rolls were solid for the first 5 dice, now to see the remaining 11.

Click to shrink...

When the time comes to push for that option, best to throw in at least 3 dices. DC 70 is quite the hurdle - best to make sure our action counts.

 

[Void Stalker]

When the time comes to push for that option, best to throw in at least 3 dices. DC 70 is quite the hurdle - best to make sure our action counts.

Click to shrink...

Right now thinking doing both, the DC 60 throwing 2 dice at and the DC 70 throwing 3 dice at.

 

[Weird Guy]

India's place in the Group of 77 in jeopardy.

Click to shrink...

For those that aren't well-versed in UN and world affairs, what does this mean?