The Galaxy Alliance Senate takes up the confirmation hearings of Iante Riis, the Chancellor's choice for Minister of State. During the hearing, Iante is grilled on questions related to his proposed relationship with Starfleet, and whether he has the experience to serve as a diplomat in areas that are more peaceful than his previous assignments (Cardassia and Gorn). The meeting is cut short due to other caucuses, part two will be forthcoming.
(Full log after the break)
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Alliance Hall - Joral Memorial Senate Hearing Room [Earth]
The Hearing Rooms of the Alliance Senate are large and ornate, with bright lighting on the ceiling. The focus point of the room is a series of forward-facing desks on three levels raised above the ground floor for members of the committee to sit during meetings. They face out to a large, ornate conference table where dignitaries sit to testify before the Committee here. Behind this are a series of seven rows for visitors to sit and observe procedings. A holographic projector displays information, as needed, in the space between the testimony desk and the Senators' seats.
You see Viewscreen here.
Cerys, Miran, and Iante are here.
Obvious exits:
[ Out ]
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The room is bustling with activity as lawmakers chat quietly with their staff and each other. Microphones are currently turned off, but there appears to be some movement as Senator Cerys, the Vice-Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, takes her seat in the center of the Senator's area. She turns on her microphone, "Let's get started."
Iante enters the hearing room and finds his seat-- the hot seat, so to speak. He is a tall dark-skinned Deltan with elegant movement and long strides. He waits to be addressed.
Miran enters, a PADD held crooked in his arms, taking his seat next to Cerys. He looks with what he hopes is a suitably professional demeanor to the Deltan as he sets the PADD in front of him, pulling up his questions.
The Angelite Senator bangs her gavel and clears her throat. "I bring the Alliance Committee on Foreign Affairs to order. I am told the Vice-Chancellor has called a leadership meeting simultaneous to this hearing today, so members of this Committee will most likely enter once we're already in progress. You will have to excuse their absense for the start." She offers a slight grin. "We're here today to take up the vacancy of the Minister of State, and debate the merits of the Chancellor's choice in Secretary Iante Riis to this position. Secretary, the Committee thanks you for your service and your time here not only today, but in the preperation of documents we have requested. I'd like to open the floor to allow you to address this body, Secretary, before we begin with the questioning . . ."
Mr. Iante rises to his feet, his fingertips remaining on the tabletop as he addresses the committee. "Thank you all for this opportunity. Since entering into civil employment with our Galaxy Alliance government in 2392, I have held numerous positions including Director of the Department of Communications, and the Department of Foreign Affairs." He takes a pause, lifting his chin slightly. "I am open to all questions but you will note in the briefing packet that I sent to each of your offices, some topics may be impossible to answer due to matters of Alliance security." He pauses again briefly before sitting again.
Cerys nods. "Thank you. I'll remind the committee that we're under a time constraint for caucus later this afternoon. It's not my intention to cut anyone off, but we may need to expedite things, or recess for later in this week, to ensure we can hear from everyone." The Senator picks up her eyeglasses, places them on, and reads a piece of paper for just a moment. She glances to her side. "Let's get started. The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Trill."
Miran clears his throat as he looks up from his PADD. "Thank you," he says to the Angelite Senator. "Secretary Riis, I would also like to thank you for the information you've provided this body in advance. With that in mind, I would like to expand upon question three, which I feel may be one of the more...cantakerous issues," he says, with a hint of a wry smile. "I didn't see you advocating increased diplomatic training for Starfleet officers, and with all due respect, political affairs offices sound almost..Cardassian. Would you like to expand on these points? How do you see your office and Starfleet, in more precise terms, coexisting?"
Iante remains seated now that the introductions are done and questions have started. He sits upright and tense in the chair but conveys a comfortable tone of voice. "Thank you, Senator Miran. I hope you injuries from the last time we met have healed for you." He sounds sincere and personable. As his gaze breaks from Miran to sweep the rest of the committee, he nods once. "Managing Starfleet isn't in the purview of the Minister of State and while," he smiles as though amused by a thought, "I was accepted into the presigious Starfleet Academy, I decided to pursue a career in peace and diplomatics in service to my government. Could Starfleet use increased diplomatic trainins? You won't ever me say that I deny that. Is Starfleet the best tool in the Alliance's arsenal for general diplomatic purposes? No. I do -not- agree that using a blunt force hammer in a situation that requires the finesse of gentle, even, constistent pressure is the best tactic that we could employ. Also, as has been in the media recently, Starfleet is loosing it's numbers. We cannot afford to choose between security and diplomatics. We need both and we need them both to be effective at their respective purposes."
Miran nods with a gracious expression, and perhaps the barest hint of a blush at the tip of his spotted ears. "Managing Starfleet may not be within your purview but the interactions indeed are there. And many in the government have had long and noted careers in the Fleet, and many of our finest diplomats have indeed been Starfleet Officers. I just disagree that Starfleet only exists as a threat of violence. It has always had a dual mission, and I think a great deal of the discussion on the issue now deals in false dichotomies." He looks back to his PADD. "One more question, Secretary. As the Senator for one of the Outer Worlds, and one of the victims of the solar bombings, our status is still more precarious compared to that of the Inner Worlds. How do you propose working with the Secretary of the Interior to secure our defenses and to increase trade with non-Alliance systems, including the Bajorans and the Beeraxi, to help stimulate and secure our economies?"
"Senator," the Deltan diplomat begins, his gaze dropping to the table that his hands are resting on for a moment before coming back up to meet his gaze. "The internal security of the Alliance is something very important to all citizens, I am certainly no exception to that. I am sure you know, however, these matters really fall upon the Minister of Interior and the Chancellor. I do know from my frequent travels through the Trill area that a new facilities in those regions are likely part of the larger answer to that question. In regard to trade and economics, the Ministry of State will continue to work very hard to open and maintain dialogs with all of our neighbors so that the Ministry of Commerce and Transportation can follow-up on exactly those concerns."
Miran nods, and presses a button on his PADD. "Those are all of my questions at this time." He glances back up to the Deltan with a calm, steady gaze. "Thank you, Mr. Secretary, for your candor."
Corde shuffles the papers on her desk and reads quietly for just a moment. "Thank you, Senator. Secretary, I've read your biographical information and I am aware of your previous assignments. Gorn. Cardassia. Harsh, difficult assignments. I imagine you're just a glutton for punishment." Senator Cerys pauses for a moment with a grin. That was apparently a joke. "Knowing that our Chancellor apparently has her own penchant for killing her opponents, and the relative militarization of your previous assignments, I'm curious as to whether you've ever killed anyone yourself."
Iante takes the question in stride. "I have not, Senator, although I can tell you that Gorn negotiation ceremonies are not very civilized by Angelite or Deltan standards." A small tug at the corner of his lip.
Cerys wrinkles her nose. "I would imagine not." She allows her glasses to slide down the bridge of her nose so that she's now staring out without them. "Still, you're being appointed during a Klingon administration. Would you be morally opposed to the use of force in, what would cho'Sheq call it, 'extreme negotiations'? Or would you tell the Chancellor 'No'?"
"If, theoretically, the Chancellor isn't interested in negotiations as part of a mutually beneficial relationship with outside governments, she wouldn't have a need for skilled Diplomats," Iante replies with steadfast gaze on Cerys. "Since she has made a priority of filling the Ministry of State seat, -I- don't believe those are her intentions." He takes a deep breath and draws up his shoulders a bit, clearly the most uncomfortable he's been since seated in these hearings. "The answer to your question, however, is that negotiation is about working out a compromise based on the cultural norms of each party. If the Alliance elects a strong leader, then strong negotiation tactics can be employed."
".. within the laws of the Alliance, of course," Iante adds with a note of strain in his voice now.
The woman rolls her eyes. "I'll refrain from asking whether you think the Chancellor is a strong leader, because I can predict your answer." Dropping the papers in her hands, Cerys softly claps them together and uses them to motion toward Iante. "See, here is what I'm hung up on. My constituents are worried. They're worried that we run rough-trod over our neighbors. Now, granted, the Amazonians of Angel I were no stranger to battle, even as part of diplomacy. I do not subscribe, as some of my Federation-originated colleagues, that all diplomacy must be with flowery words alone. We joined the Alliance directly, not as part of the old peaceful UFP, after all. But some of our neighbors are soft. And I am not yet convinced that one as hardened as you will be able to further the diplomatic aims of the more traditional members of the diplomatic corps without breaking a few arms. Mostly because I am sure that would be perfectly fine with the Chancellor." She sighs, leaning back in her chair. "Let's move away from your abilities as a combatant. As Minister of State, what will your first action be?"
The Deltan remains silent through the senator's monologe. Finally, he leans forward a bit to reply "My first action would be to push for diplomatic presence in the Gamma Quadrant. There are many new cultures there, all of whom we know precious little about."
"Would you propose to do this as part of a Starfleet exploration team, or are you suggesting the Alliance invest in a Ministry-led expedition to the Gamma Quadrant?" Cerys asks.
"Once Starfleet clears the way," Iante replies, "I would recommend sending ministry-led teams who can take the time to fully evaluate each new situation. For the purposes of first contact and initial humanitarian aide situations, Starfleet captains do a fine job of that on their own."
Cerys hmms. "My colleague from Qo'nos would probably disagree with you on that. In fact, there are a great number of people in this body who think Starfleet should remain doing what it specializes in: Defense."
Miran coughs. "I do apologize, Madame Senator, but not everyone in this body agrees with you. And I imagine many in Starfleet would disagree as well."
Iante says, "I would be remorse in my duties to send Alliance diplomats into potential hostile environments. Starfleet is better suited for these missions and they are trained for it."
She nods, "Why not, we sent /you/ to hostile environments. Did you receive some sort of special training no longer offered by the Ministry of State?" A staffer moves along the side of the seating area and comes up to whisper something in Cerys' ear. She nods. "I am told the Senate Colony Caucus and the Defense Committees have moved their schedules and will be meeting within the next five minutes." She then looks towards Iante expectantly. Oh, that wasn't a rhetorical question.
Iante says, "Relations with the Cardassians and the Gorn is challenging, but has been studied and tempered by many decades of interaction. When I send a diplomat, even myself, into any situation, we need to know what the risks are ahead of time. Sometimes they are not as safe as we'd like, but we still have data and experience to work from. In many cases, thanks only to the efforts of Starfleet."
Cerys raises her eyebrows. "Well, you certainly won't get any argument from me that it is the efforts of Starfleet that keep us safe." She leans back in her chair. "Thank you for your time today, Secretary. I know you're busy preparing to stand up your Ministry (should you be confirmed). I must ask that you remain close to Earth for the time being, as we must recess for the time being. We'll reconvene on another day, as will be communicated by the Chairman once he returns from the leadership caucus." She bangs the gavel. "We're at recess."
A voice overhead comes on, "This was just the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations confirmation hearing on Minister-designate Iante Riis for the Ministry of State. Next up, we join the Galaxy Alliance Commission for the Protection of Endangered Species as they discuss efforts to repatriate Earth-species."
