[SENATE] Bill to Improve Brazilian-Liberian Relations

[Smyg]

It largely explains itself.

Bill to Improve Brazilian-Liberian Relations

Whereas the Republic of the United States of Brazil and the Republic of Liberia have entertained diplomatic relations since the year 1852, when a treaty of friendship and commerce was signed,

Whereas the Republic of the United States of Brazil and the Republic of Liberia jointly signed the Treaty on Judicial Settlement of Controversies in 1925,

Whereas there is, quite notably, a formerly Franco-German trans-Atlantic submarine telegraph cable laid between the Liberian capital of Monrovia and the Brazilian city of Pernambuco, laid in 1910-11, cut by the French Navy in 1915 and subsequently repaired post-War, which via its 3,460 kilometres connects not only Brazil and Liberia quite well, but also Brazil and the rest of Western Africa and also Europe,

Whereas the Republic of the United States of Brazil and the Republic of Liberia hold joint status as participants in the Great War against the Central Powers and as founding members of the League of Nations,

Whereas the Republic of the United States of Brazil and the Republic of Liberia share much historically, such as our American origins, our significant African background, and much of the same difficulties in regards to climate, geography, etc.,

Whereas the Republic of Liberia, which suffered extensively during the Great War due to their expulsion of the dominant German investors of the country, holds many natural riches vastly similar to those of Brazil's, such as cocoa, rubber, diamonds, and various minerals (including significant iron ore exports, in addition to known significant deposits of gold, lead, zinc, nickel, tin, copper, bauxite, phosphates, etc.),

Whereas there are many current initiatives to help develop the infrastructure services of Liberia (such as the production of electricity, the building of transport structures, and so on, which Brazilians excel at), and to develop the country's educational standards (such as the 1929 establishment of the privately funded Booker Washington Institute, built on 1,000 acres of land granted by the Liberian government),

• Section 1. The Republic of the United States of Brazil shall propose the establishment of a Brazilian consulate in the Liberian capital of Monrovia to the Government of President Charles D. B. King, and likewise invite President King to establish a Liberian consulate in Rio de Janeiro, to promote commercial, technological, military and cultural ties between our nations, with the possibility of later upgrading said facilities to the embassy level.

• Section 2. The Republic of the United States of Brazil shall apply for membership in the League of Nations-initiated International Commission of Inquiry into the Existence of Slavery and Forced Labour in the Republic of Liberia, established earlier in this year of 1929 and led by Dr. Cuthbert Christy, as to complement the presence in said International Commission of the American Dr. Charles S. Johnson with an uniquely South American perspective.

• Section 3. The Brazilian National Congress will appoint a parliamentary group from among its members, the Liberian Committee, to evaluate the future of Brazilian-Liberian relations and the possible commercial and technological exchange between the two countries.

• Section 4. The Ministry of Transportation and Public Works shall jointly with representatives the Brazilian Navy approach the Government of the Republic of Liberia to establish a commission to ensure the long-term maintenance of the Pernambuco-Monrovia trans-Atlantic submarine telegraphic cable, and to investigate the possibility of acquiring the right of the Brazilian Merchant Marine to refuel and resupply in Monrovia.

• Section 5. This bill shall go into effect thirty-one (31) days after passage.

[Smyg]

No commentary?

[acecipher]

While more pressing concerns have attracted our attention, we find this bill to be helpful on both the fronts of improving our Foreign Relations and maintaining our infrastructure. It would be foolish of us to neglect the maintenance of our Trans-Atlantic lines of communication: we hardly are opposed to measures that may create jobs for well-needed maintenance.

[Flamelord]

Having examined this bill, we are ready to give it our support.

[Snacks]

We shall gladly offer our own support to this bill.

[Luc]

Sebastião do Rego Barros, President of the Chamber of Deputies

Given the discussion, would delegates be willing to move this bill into voting? Or would more time be appreciated to debate it?

[Smyg]

I think we can safely open the vote.

[Luc]

Sebastião do Rego Barros, President of the Chamber of Deputies

We will accept the Communist motion and move this bill into voting procedures.

[Snacks]

The BLOC (2) will gladly vote yes.

[Smyg]

The Communist Party of Brazil (4) will of course vote yes.

[Flamelord]

The Federal Union Party(93) votes Yes on this bill

[Westar]

National Liberal Alliance (70) will vote in favour.

[Red John]

Partido Liberal Democrata(91) - yes.

[Luc]

The Democratic Party (42) votes IN FAVOUR of this bill.

The Socialist Revolutionary Party (3) votes IN FAVOUR of this bill.

[Luc]

Sebastião do Rego Barros, President of the Chamber of Deputies

Due to a clear majority, this bill passes, and is now sent to the Federal Senate for further voting.