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In light of rapid Klingon Expansion cutting off entire avenues of exploration for the Exploration Command, the Federation feels it has no choice but to make claims on the now neutral space as well.

We wish to make it known that primary motivations are to preserve what exploration outlets the Federation still has. Any power that wishes to make Colonial states within what is now Federation controlled territory may contact the Federation where we can work to find a solution.

We understand the Concerns of our neighbors. The Imperial High Council took care to ensure that our expansion was directed along pre-existing borders and did not wrap anyone else's space. We are not sure what "avenues" we declared to have cut off. According to our starcharts, the Federation has not be blocked in at all.

Deepcrush wrote:We understand the Concerns of our neighbors. The Imperial High Council took care to ensure that our expansion was directed along pre-existing borders and did not wrap anyone else's space. We are not sure what "avenues" we declared to have cut off. According to our starcharts, the Federation has not be blocked in at all.

Specifically avenues to the "East" have been severely restricted. Only our largest most long rage vessels would as of now be able to get around the Imperium, and with the vast distances that would be required to do so they would have little fuel and deployment time to get very far and do much exploration.

Would it not be best to simply seek transit rights?

Deepcrush wrote:Would it not be best to simply seek transit rights?

The Imperium has demonstrated on past operations that it does not trust Federation vessels in it's space, going so far as to demand observes being in place on vessels which we sent to scan the far edge of the map during the Taiiden War. Even if rights were granted for unlimited traffic through the uncolonized space it will not stay uncolonized forever and at that point we will be back to the current situation. Instead we are simply taking action to guarantee passage to the uncharted areas of the map we still have access to.

Does the Federation have a problem with their ships being monitored when traveling in foreign space?

Deepcrush wrote:Does the Federation have a problem with their ships being monitored when traveling in foreign space?

No, the Federation has no problem with this. In the event in question we even went so far as to encourage an escort sent for the ships. However long-term arrangements where the Empire would have to maintain a constant train of observers or ships to transport ships from one side of their space to the other and back again is a situation that is not eagerly pursued by this government, nor would we imagine would it be anything but an inconvenience and or annoyance to your government. The former is enough reason for us to pursue alternative approaches if they exist, and in this case they do.

Ultimately it comes down to the Imperium exercising it's right to lay claim to a great many worlds for the sole reason of securing future expansion and colonization. The Federation is exercising it's right to claim worlds for the reason of securing future expansion and avenues of exploration.

After the large claims made by the Imperium we are uncertain what the source of your apprehension to our own similar action is.

The Imperium has no apprehension of the Federation's claim of space. Just its claim that we are interfering with exploration.

Deepcrush wrote:The Imperium has no apprehension of the Federation's claim of space. Just its claim that we are interfering with exploration.

Ah, I see it was a simple misunderstanding then. We never wished to convey that the Imperium was actively inter-fearing in Federation affairs, simply that the actions taken have had that effect. We are not faulting the Imperium, we are simply making it known that because we no longer have that access we must take measures to guarantee what access we still have.

This is understandable.

While we have little concern for your treatment of your allies. Why has the Federation blocked any future expansion for any power to the south?

As was stated when we initially made said claim: Our primary motivation was the preservation of our still available exploratory paths, those being coreward, or south, coreward and antispinward, soutwest, and a little remaining far to the South east. Therefore we made claims which would preserve our avenues of access to those areas.

We also stated when the claim was laid that any power that wished to establish a colony in what is now Federation controlled territory need only contact the Federation where we will be happy to negotiate an agreement that can meet both parties needs.

The Imperium was not notified ahead of time of the Federation's claim or the extent of their claims. The Imperium left part of the southern expanse open for the Gorn/Tholian Hegemony to expand into. If they have no intent of claiming any of that space then the Imperium would stake such claim.

Lt. Staplic wrote:In light of rapid Klingon Expansion cutting off entire avenues of exploration for the Exploration Command, the Federation feels it has no choice but to make claims on the now neutral space as well.

We wish to make it known that primary motivations are to preserve what exploration outlets the Federation still has. Any power that wishes to make Colonial states within what is now Federation controlled territory may contact the Federation where we can work to find a solution.

We did notify all powers of our claim, you and I infact had a lengthy discussion about it. As for it's scope, the Federation was not obliged to divulge that information; just as you did not for your claim, nor the Breen there's. As for the Gorn, part of the Federation's initial claim is to become their space. It was felt that it would be simpler to make one claim now and negotiate exact terms later.

The Imperium dispatched the proposed map changed to all the powers effected more then a year before the expansion. The Breen negotiated their terms with the Turei who agreed and even left a buffer zone between their powers.

As to the Federation's claim, once we hear from the Gorn leadership that they support your action. Then our protest will be withdraw. However, as we have ships in that space, the Imperium with withhold formal recognition until next year when our operations can be completed and the ships returned home.