Dundorf

[Drax]

DUNDOF NOT A CANDIDATE FOR MATO
 
ODERVELD – LEUCHTFEUER
 
Foreign Office, September 29, 5707:  After Foreign Minister Gunther Krancke chaired a meeting of Foreign Office senior staff on whether Terran history knowledge was a vital element to be considered in recruiting entry level personnel, ODERVELD – LEUCHTFEUER asked him if the Bundesrepublik would be pursuing membership in the Majatran – Artanian Treaty Organization now that Luthori appeared to be joining:
 

That is not in the works.  No one has approached us requesting we join. We have generally had much more of a neutrality stance than one inclined toward mutual defense treaties so we are an unlikely candidate for membership.
 
We want to continue to seek to be economic and trading partners with most nations whether MATO or not. That has not been and will not be a factor.
 
We do feel close to Luthori with which we have participated on the same side in two wars. And to the Triad republic with whom we have had a number of cultural, military and technical interchanges.
 
In the past it is fair to say we first tried to have mutually beneficial relations with our Artanian neighbors. Then during an extended period our closest ally in all respects was Lourenne.  Now we are trying to look more Terra wide for new partnerships. In Dovani, for instance we have only had two arrangements in the rememberable past.

 
Asked by ODERVELD – LEUCHTFEUER if the Bundesreoublik felt that MATO was dangerous to the peace of Terra or would revive unfortunate past disputes, Krancke replied:
 

Not at all. Our friends Luthori and the Triad Republic believe it is a good organization for them, and we have no reason whatever to doubt their judgment.  We are just not a candidate for MATO.
 
Since we are not purely pacifist but have fought in wars from time to time, let me be clear.  We may again someday enter a mutual defense treaty with another nation. But we would reach such an agreement as a  bilateral not a multilateral contract.

Foreign Minister Krancke