Austria, you are the one who 'wiped the slate clean'. To date, we have not engaged in hostilities. If you push it, that can change, and you have enough problems

I wiped the slate clean, and then you entered Tyrolia, and took no action in my favour either. I cannot keep wiping, because the cloth will wear thin.

To England:

A deal is a deal. If you need to redeploy out of Portugal and MAO, you can be assured I will not molest those territories.

To Germany:

To paraphrase (or butcher) the Bard, "Words, words, all I hear from you are sweet words, but it is deeds we must speak of". Whatever your reasoning for your earlier hostility, you're proven you're out for a solo win. Whether I move against you or not is almost irrelevant - you'll be back for me sooner or later, so what inducements do I have to stand by while you grow still mightier? I will freely admit that I anticipated eventual conflict between you and England, but I'm a bit surprised you struck when you did, without even seeing if they'd be willing to assist you. Where this leaves our 'relationship' is in the air, because I realistically don't have the forces to prosecute an invasion, barring English requests for assistance - and they have ample fleet assets at this time.

To the Turks:

To date neither of our nations have entered into conflict. However, given your fleet strength, I'd like to know how you see our relationship once your conflict with Austria ends.

To Austria:

You earned my gratitude, then you tossed it away for reasons that confuse me. You know as well as I that my move to Tyrolia was in response to an expected German invasion, and the only reason that unit was even there was your move into Tyrolia in Autumn 03, which (coupled with your 'diplomacy' with Turkey and I) gave the impression you were coming for me.

It's hardly my fault you left things in the air, and they ended up working against you. I've been exceedingly transparent and honest in my communications with... everyone, really, and if that wasn't enough for you, so be it.

To Russia:

Hi! *waves* We haven't chatted in a while, how're the wife and kids?

Well, I'm sorry I didn't let you in on my plans earlier, but the variant meant I needed to keep everything a secret. In a normal game I would have already negotiated this out with you privately.
As for out for a solo win, that remains to be seen. At the risk of sounding like George Bush every attack I have made thus far has been "preemptive". I feared a juggernaught and I feared an English stab. Not that I would turn down a win if it was offered, but I'm a ways away yet I'd say. Also, even I was going for the 18 it is PPSC.

Here are some words. As long as you aren't against me then I'm sure we will get along great. But if you aid or abet the English then I shall consider you an enemy and act accordingly. This includes intervention on behalf of my Austrian ally.

To Turkey, how do you stand on this matter? Surely our interests are intertwined. Perhaps support into Sevastapol would be to your liking?

To Austria, I suggest you disband Galicia. You may need my help to defend yourself adequately.

OK...since diplomacy seems to be continuing.

My foreign policy is quite clear. I am engaged with the Russians toward the elimination of Austria who has continually attacked both our nations and sought our destruction. I declare war on no one other than Austria. I hold favor to those who do not deter me or my Russia ally toward those means. I would hold ill will should the opposite occur.

So let me see if I can summarize your last post. Please, let me know if I am misinterpreting anything:

* Don't help England, and I'll leave you alone. Because I've been good with the whole 'keeping faith with people' thing so far

* Don't attack Germany. Don't attack Austria. Which kinda only leaves Turkey...

* ...except in the *same post*, you're asking if you can work with them.

Not seeing a lot of common ground for us here so far, Germany.

(that was obviously meant for Germany)

At Italy: Allow me to clarify. You can attack whomever you like. If its me, then we are clearly enemies. If you attack me then I will help Austria against you. Then I give some advice to Austria and an offer of help in the event you decide to back England. As for the "keeping faith" thing I don't really know what to tell you on that. I don't remember breaking any promises as of yet apart from the implied one with England. That is up to your one which is "I won't move north to Tyrolia".

The duplicity of the Germans should be clear to all. I caution Austria against throwing their lot in with them.

If the Austrians persist, however, Europe seems to be aligning into a Great War, with Austria and Germany on one side and Italy, England, Turkey, and what's left of the Russian Dominion on the other. For my part, at least, hostilities towards Russia will cease immediately. These do not look like terrific odds for the Germanic nations. Germany, however, is still very strong and I would encourage all to help contain him before the blitzkrieg extends to your own doorsteps.

Dear England we thankyou for your committment to the cessation of hostilities against Russia. As to Germany and concern for wife and kids I can say that all is well. Little Peter has the sniffles, I try to comfort him with bedtime stories of Russia collapsing. The wife is snarly, complaining about Peter not being able to sleep at night, I don't know why either. When she gets in these moods I am more afraid of her than the Austrians.

Sultan, regarding your statement about 'favor'.

There is an ancient saying "The enemy of my enemy is my friend".

There is also a more recent and more accurate saying: "The enemy of my enemy is my enemy's enemy. No more, no less."

While I am encouraged that you are only at war with Austria, it does me little good to trade a hostile neighbor with 4 SCs for a hostile neighbor with 7 or 8, even if that hostility is a few years down the road.

If we can come to a reasonable agreement between us, I can make a certain set of moves. If we cannot, I must make another. Neither *directly* affect you, but only one set is to your net benefit in the short and long term.

And Russia, it was Italy concerned about the kidlets. I offer a fine plate of pasta with garlic; my mother swears it makes the colds go away.

And tell little Peter not to despair, I'm sure you'll be back in Moscow sooner or later

I <3 public press games


not really

Lets keep the balance of power Italy!

Pontiff, I warned against Anschluss from the very beginning. In fact I was the only one vocal about this issue.

Germany, I totally agree we should keep the balance of power. When will you be surrendering territory to Austria and Russia?

Turkey, I understand your statement, but Anschluss by any other name is just as bad for the poor Italian civilians, whether the oppressor speaks a Germanic tongue or a Semetic one...

My foreign policy is quite clear. I am engaged with the Russians toward the elimination of Austria who has continually attacked both our nations and sought our destruction. I declare war on no one other than Austria. I hold favor to those who do not deter me or my Russia ally toward those means. I would hold ill will should the opposite occur.

Fair nuff. Option #2 it is

*My* foreign policy, incidentally, is based on the assumption that if someone is unwilling to 'tie themselves down' by making agreements, it's because they plan you ill down the road, sooner rather than later probably. It's a pity we couldn't come to an accord.

And please don't imply that "holding favor" means you won't jump me the second Austria goes down

Its a faulty assumption...and it is a pity that we could not come to an accord...but I will stand by my statement.

Turkey,

With respect, your statement is vague, and I can only assume it to be deliberately so. The last nation to accept vague general statements of goodwill lost two centers to his 'ally'. You can understand my concern, as I can read a map as well.

Ok Italy, how about specifics then? Are you going to help Austria? Are you going to help kill Austria? Are you going to fight me and hope that Austria stays alive long enough so you can muster a defence against Turkey? If you want to get rid of the vague statements then lets do it.

Most importantly can we even negotiate? You don't seem to take kindly to anything I say and keep referring to me as some sort of "great satan" or something which saddens me greatly. I'll put an offer on the table if you want it. But if you don't, then I won't bother.

To answer your questions, Germany:

* Maybe. Depends on what Turkey says, honestly. Austria has kinda burned their good will, but I don't need to get steamrollered if Austria goes down. Weakening that buffer would be an idiotic move on my part.

* See above

* Fighting you with a hostile Turkey on my back would be foolish. That doesn't mean, I might note, that I will screw the English by taking Portugal, it just means I can't get distracted on two fronts

* I don't think you're Satan, or even satin, or any other fabric. Nor do I think you're seitan, or any other form of wheat gluten

I do think that it isn't in my best interest to put myself in a position where you have the potential to shaft me. Realistically, can you blame me?

Well there are easy ways to avoid even the risk of shaftage. For instance DMZs. I wouldn't want you in say Tyrolia. Same as you probably don't like me in Gascony (or Tyrolia).

You are in a really good position right now. Austria and Turkey are at odds and can't be reconciled. If neither England or myself interferes, you (the strongest of the three) can come out on the side of whichever nation you see fit a reap some nice rewards.

If you don't want to take Portugal thats your choice I suppose. Its kind of unfair of England to expect you not to. But I'm not going to force you.

Turkey, I only ever wanted the destruction of the Juggernaut. Russia is all but dead, so my mission there is accomplished. I would gladly help you against Italy, even if the only return is Venice, since Italy is unwilling to help me against you.

Unless my ally Russia can intercede on your behalf, I have bent my will to remove Austria from the map.

I hold no ill will toward Italy in his neutrality in this matter. I urge Germany to remain neutral as well, despite his offer to support your positions. German involvement will be tantamount to a continued state of Anschluss and would be grounds to declare war against Germany. Obviously, if the Italians also thwarted my efforts...the same would hold for them.

Are you really allied with Russia? Aren't you in Sevastapol?

Turkey is in Sevastapol as a result of a Russian invitation. Mother Russia will continue to work with Turkey in wiping the Austrian smirk off the face of Europe.

Oh alright then. If you say so Russia. Sorry about liberating Poland, its just a Germany thing.

Taking a step back, I've got to say, I'm pretty impressed by how fluid this game has become, especially since my assumptions about the possibilities at the end of *last* year have proven to be *wildly* incorrect.