B-006: Aldurian Accession to the Raspur Pact Act, 1680

[Alfonso Velez]

Madam Speaker,

As members of Parliament will know, I have been a proponent of maintaining a great degree of neutrality and have resisted the idea of formally joining the Raspur Pact. It has been my view that Alduria must remain above the international fray and not become entangled with foreign engagements. Unfortunately Madam Speaker, this neutrality has been threatened by the aggression by The Iron Company against Aldurian interests and our allies. I have made the difficult determination that we can no longer remain on the sidelines and that it is in the best interests of the Republic that we join the Raspur Pact so that we can come together in strength to restore order and peace.

There are difficult times in the life of a public servant where we must subjugate our own personal beliefs when they are outweighed by the best interests of the Republic. I have come to conclude that this is such a time--and therefore I have made the determination that we ought to join the Raspur Pact in order to strengthen our alliance with our allies and have the assurances of mutual military support to defend against any acts of aggression.

I know that there will be many here--especially in my own party--who will have principled and sincere objections to this. I respect these objections. This is a difficult call for many--but I believe this is the right call. In respect of the beliefs of many of my colleagues, my party will not be whipping this vote and will consider it a conscience vote. I encourage all other parties to do the same, and respectfully commend this legislation to Parliament.