3.
The offices of the United Earth Government were also located in San Francisco, along what was once had been the Financial District of the city. Solkar waited patiently to be shown into the office of Prime Minister Nathan Samuels. He was thinking about this meeting and his son's upcoming visit were interrupted as a young man approached him. "Ambassador, Prime Minister Samuels and Interior Minister al-Rashid will see you now."
Solkar followed and, upon arriving in the elegantly appointed office, was greeted by the two men. Nathan Samuels was a middle-aged human with thinning, reddish hair. Haroun al-Rashid was of a darker skin and hair tone, younger by some ten years. Both men rose from their seats as Solkar entered.
"Ambassador, I am pleased to meet you," Samuels said, extending his hand to the Vulcan.
"It is an honor to meet you at last," al-Rashid added, turning to Samuels and explaining further, "The ambassador was part of a panel discussion at Utrecht University when I was a graduate student there. I found his analysis of our history most enlightening."
"I thank you, Minister. It was rather an enlightening evening for me as well." He turned to Samuels. "I have been appraised of your proposal for a coalition."
Samuels raised an eyebrow. "Ambassador, I'm honored you would take the time, so soon after your return-" Samuels stopped, as Solkar raised his hand.
"I have evaluated the various points of the proposed Coalition, and it is my belief that, as it stand now, it will fail," the ambassador said, rather short.
Samuels raised his eyebrows, ready to object, but al-Rashid calmed the situation. "Ambassador, I understand your objections and, quite frankly, I agree with you," he responded turning to Samuels.
Before Samuels could respond to that, Solkar nodded. "Then you see the same flaws as do I?" he asked.
The Interior Minister nodded than began to explain the Samuels what he and the Vulcan seemed to have communication almost telepathically. "Nathan, don't get me wrong. It is a truly innovative idea on such a scale. To create a governing system on such a scale is ambitious, to say the least."
"The flaw comes in the execution," Solkar explained gently, attempting to calm the Prime Minister. "To draw a parallel to your own history, the planned coalition would be the equivalent of your own League of Nations. A body that had no strong center, no way of dealing with the intricacies of exo-political relations."
"Another way of putting it, Nathan, is, it the United State with the Articles of Confederation," al-Rashid explained.
Nathan stood up from, contemplating the words of his friend and colleague and this esteemed ambassador. "If I understand you both, you believe the idea is feasible but the structuring needs work, is that correct?"
Ambassador Solkar nodded more solemnly, while Haroun al-Rashid smiled, adding "That is exactly right, Nathan."
Nathan returned the looks to the two other men. "Then gentlemen, may I suggest we work on ways to strengthen the Coalition, before we bring it to others?"
Solkar held up his hand. "If I may, Prime Minister, I would recommend we include representative of other worlds in these preliminary discussions. They may all have different feeling regarding the reach this proposed coalition should be allowed." With that he rose, signaling that the meeting was over. "I will have my aide contact you with suggestions as to whom should be included. Peace and long life, Prime Minister, Mr. al-Rashid." He then turned and left the office.
Samuels looked back at the Interior Minister. "Well, Haroun, what do you think?" he asked "Will my plan work out, or will be become the interstellar League of Nations?"
"Mr. Prime Minister, I think the chances of success have just risen dramatically. Ambassador Solkar is one of the most influential diplomat I have known over all these years. Where he leads, many other, and not just Vulcans, will follow."
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When Solkar returned to the Vulcan Embassy, he thought further on the matter of this coalition. It would be difficult to get such a proposal through to other species, especially the Andorians or the Tellarites. He knew that Ambassadors Gral of Tellar and Thoris of Andoria were difficult under the best of negotiating conditions. However, given that it was a human proposal and that Solkar had already given his support to Samuels, he project a thirty-seven point nine present chance that either of those men would agree as readily as he had.
Upon entering the embassy, T'Kal approached him, as if waiting for him at the door.
"Was your meeting productive, Ambassador?" the young woman asked.
"Quite productive, in fact. I pointed out the flaw in Samuels plan, which, after further explanation by the Interior Minister, Mr. al-Rashid, the Prime Minister understood. The proposal for the coalition will be rework, creating a stronger central authority, which will be brought to the Andorians, Tellarites and other races we feel would be amenable to such a proposal," Solkar said as they walked to his office. "T'Kal, please put together a list of diplomats who have an above average disposition to cooperation. I would like for it to be used for further contacts regarding the proposed coalition."
T'Kal bowed slightly. "Of course, Ambassador. I should be able to provide it with one day." With that she left and he contemplated the task that was before him -- seeing that Samuels dream became a reality.