[War] Spain/Canada: "Spaniard on Tour Continued."

[Iain]

"Spaniard on Tour Continued."
21st August 2014
PM James McColl, Canada
PM Elena Rodriguez, Spain

<Ottowa>

Elena's hand tightened around her husband's as they stepped onto the top of 
the stairs taking them onto the Canadian runway. She wasn't used to landing
aboard to a crowd of people, albeit mostly press, vying for her attention.
When his hand squeezed hers gently, she put her best smile on her lips and
they descended in synchrony. The gentleman she had read so much about was
stood a few metres away and she let go of her husband's hand as they
approached him purposefully.

"Mister Prime Minister," Elena extended her hand to shake his with a curt
nod. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you."

"And I you, Madame Prime Minister.  Welcome to Canada!"  McColl said with a
big smile as he shook her hand.  Introductions went around as McColl
presented his family.  "I am glad you could make this trip, may I call you
Elena?"

"Indeed you may, Mr. McColl." She gave him an uneasy smile as they began to
walk away from her plane. "I believe we have much to discuss, particularly
in light of recent events."
 
"Please, call me James.  Yes, we do have much to discuss.  However, I think
it should wait until our meeting tomorrow when you will be refreshened by a
good night's sleep after your flight.  For now, the drive into Ottawa to
your residence, where Mr. Decker and his wife stayed not so long ago."

"I look forward to that, James." She gave him a nod and relaxed a little, it
wouldn't hurt to play the tired traveller, at least for this evening.
Tomorrow would be business as usual.

----------------------
The next morning:

"Good morning, Elena.  Welcome to my humble home away from home."  McColl
gestured grandly to his spartan office with a grin.

"Can I get you anything?" he asked.

Elena looked around the rather desolate looking office, a stark contrast to
the one she normally inhabited back home full or personal effects. She shook
her head as she replied. "Just some water, I've already had two mugs of tea
this morning so you'll probably be excusing me to the bathroom in the not
too distant future..."

"Ah, no worries."  He poured the iced water into a tall glass for the
Spaniard.  "Here you are," McColl said as he handed the glass to her and
poured one for himself too.

"So where did you want to start?  I know there are several issues at hand,
maybe get the big ones out of the way?" McColl asked.

"Indeed," Elena sipped her water and place it on the table before her. "I'm
sorry to jump right in on this one but I'd rather get this over with. Do
feel free to answer as much as little as you'd like, but what exactly
happened in China? We have only what has been released by yourself and China
and what little Interpol has on the situation. Our intelligence networks are
very limited as I presume you know."

"Indeed.  Well, most of the information is quite classified.  But I can tell
you the general gist of it, you know?  Basically, paired CSIS and JTF2
agents infiltrated China via Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the
Philippines and pulled out those prisoners.  The Americans provided some
help, but they played a minor role in the shenanigans.  We did everything
else on our own.  This is of course strictly confidential and you never
heard this."  He looked her right in eye with a very direct gaze.

Elena nodded her understanding, they had figured out almost as much. It was
the next part that could bring a troubling answer that may mar this visit
for her. "And of Hong's claims that you did not approach her government to
negotiate the return of these prisoners?" She held his gaze, now was a time
to be candid not to brush over the matter.

McColl looked right back at her.  "No, we did not.  We figured the time for
action had come and that further negotiations with the Chinese government
was a waste of breath and effort."

Rodriguez shrugged a little. "Let's agree to disagree on this one. It's very
easy for me to sit here and talk about morals, but what I would have done if
it was my citizens in Chinese prisons.Who can tell." She allowed a smile to
cross her lips, softening her tone somewhat. "Besides, despite what the
media may think, there are more important things to discuss are there not?"

"Agreed.  I have been made aware that Spain might be interested in a Free
Trade Agreement.  What did you have in mind, exactly?"

"Well, I thought a little tit-for-tat on that matter would be beneficial to
both our countries. We have good production lines in some products that may
be of use to you..." The olive-skinned woman fished into her briefcase to
remove an analysis of Spanish surplus products for export to hand to her
Canadian counterpart. "And I believe you may have some things that we would
benefit from getting at...preferential rates if you see my meaning - for
instance, I believe some of your aircraft are much better than what we
currently work with. Furthermore we are also considering upgrades to our
telecoms and energy supply systems and an overhaul of rail systems is
already underway - I believe you may have some more experience in those
fields than our own industries?" Nothing like getting straight to your
point, and she was sure she could tempt some sort of deal out of McColl,
given that she had a reasonable amount to offer in return.

McColl opened the dossier and browsed through it.  "Hmm... Obviously, I
cannot rush into a thing like free trade.  We have seen the consequences
first hand with NAFTA.  However, because our two countries have economies of
a similar size, in my opinion domination of one by the other will not be an
issue."  He paused.

"I have never really approved of free trade.  Outsourcing and globalization
have transformed our countries from industrial nations to service based
economies.  That being said, I think we can come to an... agreement.  Now
that you've said what you're willing to offer, what did you want in return?"
He raised an eyebrow.

"A little assistance in our aviation trade - both civil and military would
be useful, as would anything you could do to assist the improvement of our
transport links in general. Also, I do believe my Ministry for Economics did
hear tales of the possibility of oil exportation from Canada being a
distinct possibility in the near future. Whilst we currently get adequate
supplies from Russia and the Middle East, a more 'stable' trading partner
would be something I'm sure many of our companies would be highly interested
in." A killer smile seemed appropriate at this juncture.

"I see..."  he mused.  "Yes, I did suppose that you would be interested in
something along those lines.  Right now, we are currently in the process of
re-organizing our energy infrastructure.  Any oil exports to Spain will need
to wait until next year, once our pipeline is finished and the refineries
are done retooling.  We do have a massive surplus in production compared to
our needs, so I'm sure we'll be able to help you."  

"But, a formal trade deal will need to wait until parliament resumes this
fall.  With regards to the aviation and rail industry, I have no doubt that
Bombardier among others will be more than interested in business prospects
in Spain.  Also, I know that Spain operates several nuclear power
facilities.  Perhaps I could interest you in a dedicated source of Canadian
uranium to feed those plants?"

"That would be a matter of some controversy with our current proposals to
reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear power. But in the meantime it is
true that we must continue to supply our facilities as without them we would
have a rather large power shortage. I must admit, I am not briefed on where
our current sources are but I'm sure my people could talk to your people as
it were?"

"Mmm'yes, I think that would be quite satisfactory." McColl mused.  "We all
recognize the need to reduce nuclear power dependence.  But until then,
people still need electricity, and the uranium that fuels it.  I'd also like
to propose a joint Canada-Spain research effort on recycling technologies.
Any thoughts?"

"I'm not sure if you're aware," Another document was produced from the
briefcase, obviously pre-prepared. "But we recently made commitments to
replace a nuclear facility with renewable energy sources, so we have a lot
of need for said research. Given our joint research projects currently
underway, I was actually going to propose a refocusing on renewable energy
as I believe it would benefit us both?"

"I was also going to propose that as well, so it seems we have found some
excellent common ground.  We have a burgeoning green technology sector that
needs new markets and not only would Spain be good for that, but the joint
research will benefit everyone involved.  I'm sure our respective tech
sectors will be in ecstasy."  He grinned, and pulled out the document that
he had prepared from his desk and handed it to her.

Elena reviewed the document with a smile, it wasn't dissimilar from the one
which she herself had been carrying. "Excellent, and our current research
staff in the marine technology sector will be well place for development in
wave farming, as well as sea-based wind farms." She read over it a bit more.
"I think this is going to be a very beneficial venture to all involved
also." She looked back up to McColl with a childish smile. "I think these
documents making their way 'accidentally' into the press wouldn't be the end
of the world."

"I think that's a good idea.  Was there anything else you'd like to
discuss?"

"Just one thing, with the upturn in the global economy and people starting
to increase spending on luxury goods and services once more, I thought
perhaps addressing tourism between our two countries might be worthwhile?"

"Hmm, that's not a bad idea.  Having been to Spain several times, I know
it's a wonderful country.  What needed, in your view, to be addressed
concerning this area?"

"Well there is definite improvement that could be made in links between our
two country's as fair as air travel goes. I imagine some preferential
treatment for those willing to set up more might help this area, and perhaps
a little subsidy to get the market for tourists going between Canada and
Spain on it's feet more firmly could be scraped together?"

"Honestly, although tourism is a good thing, I think this is something best
left in the hands of the people who travel, and not their government; it
just seems too heavy handed for me.  If Air Canada or SpanAir want to start
direct flights from Canada to Spain or vice versa, that's their prerogative.
If they find that enough people are interested in something like that, I'm
sure they will.  I know that a flight over the Atlantic is long, and that
the routes follow the north pole because it is shorter.  Sorry to shut down
that idea, but I just don't see it happening.  Most Canadians go to Florida
or California for their winter vacations just because it is so much easier
than those gruelling flights to Europe."  he shrugged.

"However, there was one thing that has not been mentioned yet, and that is
Spain's desire for a seat on the G8, namely, Canada's seat.  You must know
that there is no way I will give up my country's seat on such an important
council.  Although yes, your economy is marginally larger, and Spain has
used that argument before, to shake up the G8 would make it not the G8
anymore, and I'm not sure I'd like the consequences of that, seeing as
Canada would most likely get turfed.  So until a solution comes to hand, the
best I can offer is that we'll take your concerns and present them along
with our own.  We will, in effect, represent your interests as well as
ours."

"As reassuring as that is, James." Elena shrugged a little helplessly.
"Spain does deserve more appropriate representation. I'm not saying I won't
take you up on your offer neither that I am threatening Canada's position in
the G8 but I do wish to investigate our options regarding membership. Baring
in mind that technically Russia has the weakest economy of the 8 it is
perhaps they who should feel threatened although I know it likely they will
not be thrown out. I am intending to take the advice given to me by
President Williams that perhaps approaching Italy may be an option though I
imagine they will be more than reluctant to handing over to Spain."

"Well I hope that goes well for you.  I'm not sure they will be likely to
give up their spot either..."

Elena smiled. "You're probably right, the other option we were thinking as a
proposal would be to have an EU membership rather than individual countries
of the Union but we haven't really developed how that would work in terms of
representation yet. This is perhaps a more likely option that would meet
more approval than someone losing their position to our determination."

"That would indeed be an option to explore.  I'm afraid I'll stay neutral on
the issue for now."  McColl shrugged again.

"Sensible stance, and one I can't blame you for. Now, if you don't mind I
think I need that bathroom break now. Perhaps something a little more
light-hearted can be on the agenda for when I return?"

"Sure, nature calls after all."

-----------------------

Actions:

1] Canada and Spain agree to disagree regarding Canada's recent incident in
China.

2] Canada and Spain agree on a joint research program for recycling and
renewable energy technologies.

3] Canada and Spain agree to pursue closer economic ties, possibly a FTA
down the road.  Oil exports to Spain starting in 2015, and Canadian access
to Spanish markets in exchange for help in modernizing transportation and
energy infrastructure.