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Post by Pyotr Alekseevich on Feb 10, 2015 11:58:12 GMT
Representatives of the Ottoman and Safavid Empires are cordially invited to a conference in the province of Ossetia, along the northern border of of Imeretia. The conference is intended to formally negotiate spheres of influence and control in the region.
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Post by The Viceroy (AdminM) on Feb 10, 2015 13:31:07 GMT
Shah Suleiman sends his brother, Hamza Mirza to the negotiations. Also in attendance will be the Safavid general and former Georgian Prince George XI.
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Post by Pyotr Alekseevich on Feb 10, 2015 13:55:37 GMT
They Safavid dignitaries are granted lavish quarters and are introduced to various Russian functionaries and military men. They are informed that the conference will begin once the Ottoman delegation has arrived.
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Post by Sublime Porte on Feb 10, 2015 15:09:53 GMT
The Ottoman delegation arrives, headed personally by the Grand Vezir, Süleyman Pasha, and accompanied by a small detachment of guards and a great many scribes, calligraphers, cooks, servants and followers. It is clear that Süleyman is unsure of the warmth of his welcome, but has come prepared for all eventualities, even possessing his campaigning tent brought over the hills from Imereti.
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Post by Pyotr Alekseevich on Feb 10, 2015 15:25:34 GMT
The Ottoman delegation is welcomed with great warmth, the Grand Vezir is shown to his quarters and given a short time to prepare for the evening meal and the opening of negotiations.
The evening meal is a rather splendid affair, droves of servants bring in drink (non-alcoholic out of courtesy) and food for all of the delegates present. Musicians play in the background as lower ranking members of the Russian delegation press hands and make conversation with their counterparts in the Ottoman and Safavid groups.
After the meal is concluded, the representative of the Russian Empire was the accomplished General Boris Sheremetyev. He had allowed his beard to grow long before coming to the Caucases, he knew that most Turks and locals liked a good beard, he himself could not stand the damn thing. Boris stands before the assembled men "Most esteemed guests! We here in this room represent the greatest Empires and Kingdoms in the world, yet we find ourselves coming chillingly close to blows over the small region we are in. I put it to you that we must agree on a division of this region, we must avoid war, each of us had the ability to fight lengthy campaigns and inflict heavy losses, but each of us also has enemies on other borders, peoples who want to attack us, as we consider attacking each other."
Boris sat down "So let us avoid war here, that we may fight elsewhere!" No one seemed to get the joke "My Tsar proposes that we agree on spheres of influence in this region, so that we may campaign without worrying each other and agreements on trade and so forth."
Boris offers the floor to the Ottoman Grand Vezir, what with him being so much more powerful than the Safavids.
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Post by Sublime Porte on Feb 10, 2015 16:13:03 GMT
Süleyman appreciated the beard of his host, it reminded him that the Russians had a more masculine quality than many Europeans. He smirked as he remembered stories of French mercenaries, clean shaven and wigged, being mistaken for units of women. The Grand Vezir stood up, consulted a few scraps of quality paper, scratched at his blond beard and then looked up to his fellow dignitaries: "I thank you all on behalf of my master for attending this conference in the name of peace. I have been told to avoid humour by an adviser who is himself devoid of all laughter," the Vezir stopped to frown at a small old man in a turban, with a face that showed only slightly more of a reaction to the comment than the meat in front of him. "Our first and foremost interest is the retention of Imereti and the freedoms of the Circassians. We understand that the multitude of small states in the Caucasus could do with the paternal guidance of their larger neighbours, and as a zone of tension between our three wise kings, it would be prudent to divide the Caucasus entirely into spheres of control and influences. Our suggestion is as follows:- "The Ottoman state, Safavid dynasty and Russian tsar should work together in the securing of the divided and chaotic khanate of Gazikumukh. It should be divided along historical lines with the western part being granted to an Orthodox king as the 'Kingdom of Alania', a vassal of the Russian Tsar. The eastern part shall be annexed between the Safavids and the Tsar, with the Safavids claiming the Persian right to Shirvan, and the Tsar claiming the rest. "In addition, the Russians are to leave Circassia and hand over the kingdom to the Ottoman armies, who shall establish a Sunni ruler to govern the border kingdom. Thus, the Russo-Turkish border will be split between a vassal of each, the Sunni Circassia in the west and an Orthodox Alania in the west. Russia will additionally receive a great deal of territory and the Persians will claim the remainder of Shirvan, as is their right. "We believe this offer to be fair and generous, but are open to counter-offers, which I have full rights to accept on behalf of my Sultan, as long as they meet the interests of our state." Süleyman sat down and awaited the turn of the Safavids, which should hopefully be followed by a Russian reply. Despite the presence of the Persians, Süleyman felt that this was really a discussion between the Russians and Turks, and that he Safavids were there just to pick up the scraps. Süleyman's Plan for the Partition of Caucasia: Gold: Russia
Red: Ottomans
Dark Green: Persia
Purple: Alania (Russian vassal)
Brown: Circassia (Ottoman vassal) |
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Post by Pyotr Alekseevich on Feb 10, 2015 16:26:02 GMT
Boris looked at the proposed partition and chuckled "You cannot expect us to give up territory in an Orthodox area that we have already occupied? No, no, no Russia must keep Circassia and Sochi. We propose a reversal, the Ottoman Empire will take Alania and Russia will take Circassia. We may talk of vassals and the like, but we all know that this is a disagreement about maritime influence. Russia will keep Circassia, on this I cannot negotiate. We are however willing to talk of reparations and special trade agreements."
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Post by The Viceroy (AdminM) on Feb 10, 2015 16:30:01 GMT
The Safavids appreciated the dedication and commitment of the Ottomans to achieving a peaceful and universally acceptable vision of the Causasus. However, Hamza Mirza points out that one of the warring sides in Gazikumukh, the Shamkhalate of Tarki, is loyal to the Safavid Shah. Whereas the Empire will accept a partition of Gazikumukh, they ask for their very own vassal in Caucasia formed from the Eastern territories of Gazikumukh currently held by the Shamkhalate of Tarki.
However, recognising their armies were further South and East, Hamza phrased this suggestion as a request rather than a demand.
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Post by The Viceroy (AdminM) on Feb 10, 2015 16:30:38 GMT
The Safavids noted Russia's interruption with displeasure...
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Post by Pyotr Alekseevich on Feb 10, 2015 16:35:29 GMT
One of Boris' aides whispers into his ear and he blushes "I must apologize to our friends from the mighty Safavid Empire for speaking out of turn!"
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Post by Sublime Porte on Feb 10, 2015 16:44:59 GMT
Süleyman looks resigned during the Russian reply, but stands up to contribute, first looking to Hamza Mirza, "My apologies, Prince, but it seems we have hit a stalemate. I would, of course, be happy to accept your request as it seems to be just. If the Shamkalate of Tarki has already sworn to you, it would be both fair and prudent - since it would save much time and effort in the partition."
Süleyman now turned to Boris, "I have been committed by sacred oath to the maintenance of Karadeniz as an Ottoman sea. At the very least we would wish for the Circassians to cede their coastal regions, including Sochi, to the Sultan. Or even for Sochi and the inland region to be divided between two Circassian princes, one Sunni and one Orthodox. I am afraid that if you are adamant that a Russian port on the Black Sea is not negotiable, then so are we. In such a case, this conference has already failed," he slumped back into his chair, dispirited. All that had come of the conference, unless Boris had a change of heart, would be security against the possibility of a Russo-Persian alliance. The demeanour of the Safavids had even made Süleyman warm to them. His old ideas about the heterodox oddities of the empire's Shi'a neighbours had dissolved, to be replaced by a warm appreciation of them as a worthy Muslim power, such was the dignity of the royal delegate.
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Post by The Viceroy (AdminM) on Feb 10, 2015 16:58:07 GMT
Hamza smiled, he cared little about conflict between the Ottomans and Russians, but had achieved what the Shah desired. Security on their Western border with the Ottomans and recognised influence over Tarki. The delegation opts to stay, in a hope to foster more goodwill via mediation.
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Post by Pyotr Alekseevich on Feb 10, 2015 16:59:29 GMT
The conference talks are halted until the next morning, as many delegates seem rather tired.
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Post by Sublime Porte on Feb 10, 2015 18:20:09 GMT
Süleyman leaves the conference hall unable to resist a smile. Leaving the tense atmosphere gave him an adrenaline rush that made him feel alive.
"Ahmed!" he yelled, to the tiny humorless man. "You were right, for now. I maintain the hope, however, that peace is still worth more to those people than a port on our sea."
"The Sultan's mind was clear," replied Ahmed drily. "It's not like you have a choice. If you accept the Russian demands, you will surely be put to death."
Süleyman was disturbed by the trace of a smile that passed across Ahmed's face as he brought up the spectre of death. Maybe he did have a sense of humour after all - Ahmed seemed to enjoy reminding Süleyman of his own mortality, regularly. Süleyman stopped and stared just before parting ways with his colleague, adding, "We will stay one more day."
The two parted with no more words. Ahmed understood perfectly; if the Russians decided to swap diplomacy for the bayonet, the Grand Vezir didn't want to be on the wrong side of the border.
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Post by Sublime Porte on Feb 11, 2015 19:03:52 GMT
After the departure of the Russian army, Süleyman Pasha leaves the conference venue with his entourage to report back in Imereti with Bekri Mustafa. Süleyman does not want to be around a residence associated with the Russians with the devastated population in such a hostile mood towards the defilers.
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