Dear players of WarEra,
I write to you, this time without the use of AI, clear of propaganda, but just a simple message:
Italy has refused peace.
The Italian president https://app.warera.io/user/68995483e7c74552d8d2b094 contacted us, pleading for peace. Unofficially offering us our original goal of Liechtenstein and Tyrol to leave them alone. Agreeing in our government it would be better for everyone to end this quickly, we had decided to draft up a peace proposal.
Within 30 minutes we responded.
We set up a meeting room, inviting 2 large neighbours and allies who had been urging us to make peace as witnesses and mediators.
Present was our government, 2 members of the French government, and Poland who was invited but had not yet responded in the middle of the night. They will be able to review the talks when they join.
We sent our proposal. It was quickly clear the Italian president had no power there to decide and was their interface to copy-paste information to the Italian government.
The Italian president had already admitted as much, saying impeachment was waiting for him.
They denied our proposal. No counter-offer. Only denial.
They tell us they cannot accept our demands, yet they don't tell us what they want. They call it an ultimatum. They tell us in no uncertain terms it will be war.
A mediator chimes in and proposes a ceasefire. The Italians jump on it quickly and want us to agree. However this ceasefire has no benefit to us, only to Italy to build up forces and stop our momentum.
In real life a ceasefire is used to stop innocents from getting hurt, but this is a game and not applicable. We say so, refusing the ceasefire.
"War it is", the Italians tell us.
We are left dumb-founded. Asked to propose a peace deal.
They were never interested in peace.
Not now during the war, not before the war.
Every political option offered was denied, by a seemingly fractured government.
Included is our peace proposal. A proposal, not an ultimatum. A proposal, open for discussion. A proposal, denied by Italians who say they want this war to end.
The Government of Belgium proposes the following terms with the objective of bringing the current conflict between our two nations to a prompt and durable conclusion.
Belgium firmly believes that ending this war will benefit both parties far more than its continuation. We therefore wish to make clear that Belgium has never intended to occupy the entirety of Italy or to keep the Italian state in a position of subjugation.
Our objectives in this conflict have been limited and specific. They consist solely of the acquisition of Liechtenstein and the establishment of a territorial connection through Tyrol. The military operation conducted in the core region of North Eastern Italy was undertaken exclusively for strategic purposes: namely, to sever military connections to northern regions and to safeguard Belgian-controlled territories from attack.
In accordance with these intentions, Belgium is prepared to immediately release the region of North Eastern Italy and withdraw all Belgian forces from that area.
In return, Belgium requests that the regions of Tyrol and Liechtenstein be transferred to Belgian control, and that Italy formally forgo any present or future claims to these territories. We further request the removal of all Italian proxy forces from Liechtenstein.
We acknowledge that Italy previously requested an alternative territorial arrangement to compensate for the loss of Tyrol. Belgium cannot agree to such a concession. This refusal is not based on any claim of military superiority, but rather on a desire to prevent future instability and conflict. The Tyrol region is an integral part of the Austrian territory currently under Belgian administration. Due to the mechanics of resource generation and periodic regional adjustments, any divided control would likely give rise to recurring disputes.
Belgium also notes that earlier this month we assisted Italy in securing control over Tunisia, thereby enabling Italy to obtain a strategic resource of significant value.
With a view toward rebuilding a constructive bilateral relationship, Belgium is open to discussions regarding the regular exchange or trade of strategic resources on a monthly basis, where feasible and mutually beneficial.
We recognize that multiple grievances between our countries have accumulated over time and ultimately contributed to the outbreak of this war. It is our sincere hope that both governments can learn from these events and move forward toward a more stable and cooperative relationship as neighboring states.
Belgium submits this proposal in good faith and considers it a generous basis for peace given the current circumstances. We trust that the Italian government will give it due consideration.
Aditionally, we would like to thank all countries, involved and external, for their civility and understanding.
Special thanks to France and Poland for their mediation.
Respectfully, The Government of Belgium