General Orbay was ushered into President Grinys rebuilt and refurbished office. He found President Grinys, Field Marshal Tamassaulo and General Papieliushko, waiting for him. Orbay smartly saluted the Lithuanian president and his Lithuanian military collegues. Grinys returned the salute with a polite bow, and gestured for General Orbay - and to Tamassaulo and Papieliushko - to take a seat.
Grinys ran a hand through his hair in a harassed gesture, as he remained standing in front of his desk. Orbay noticed there was a distinctly apologetic air about the Lithuanian president's expression.
"General Orbay, I appreciate you taking the time out of your own busy schedule to met with us, but we consider the matter of some importance, otherwise we wouldn't bother you with it." Grinys remarked.
Orbay nodded, and waited. He expected that the Lithuanians had made some decision or other regarding the flagging cease-fire talks, although word that they were resuming with some progress had reached him, through League of Nations diplomatic channels. That was a hopeful sign, but the Lithuanians may have decided to make preparations for the worst, if they did fail, which seemed as likely as their success.
"Given events, General Orbay, concern has been expressed on the League of Nations Wilno Task Force's safety. I understand some efforts are being worked out amoung the League of Nations for the safe removal of the task force and it's personel in the event that full scale fighting resumes in the disputed region."
Orbay, nodded in acknowledgement that that was the case, Grinys sighed - he'd obviously been hoping that that might not be the case, but realizing it probably was.
"Field Marshal Tamassaulo, and General Papieliushko, have made their own plans to assist your task force if events, God forbid, get worse. If a withdrawl is required routes will be kept open through Lithuanian territory for your troops, and the League of Nations Depot in Vilnius will be used as a rally point. If and I emphasis only IF you specifically request it - Lithuanian military units, specifically the Army Tank Corps, and the I and II Cavalry Corps, will cross the Antanas Line to ensure that routes remain open for the Wilno Task force, if the Insurrectionist forces attempt to stop your people form withdrawing or in the event of outright aggression against your people."
"I will emphasis further, that Lithuanian units will not in any event cross over the provisional Wilno-Lithuanian border unless, the situation has seriously deteriorated - and threatens the safety of Lithuanian territory and citizens -and the Wilno Task Force has been withdrawn from the area."
Orbay absorbed what Grinys had said, it was an ominious development, but one he had little say over, one way of the other.
"With your premission, President Grinys, I'd like to stay a while yet in Vilnius, at the Task Force Headquarters, and consult further with the Ministry of National Defense and the Antanas Line Command, on their plans and make sure they mesh with our own contingency plans, I sincerely hope they won't be necessary, but as you say things may indeed get out of hand." Orbay responded not liking the turn of events that he could feel developing. He sensed that neither did Tamassaulo or Papieliushko, but they were soldiers with a job to do, and Grinys had given them their marching orders.
"Thank you, General Orbay, I appreciate that. I only hope a peaceful resolution comes out of the negiotations which will make this discussion redundent."
This post has been edited 1 times, last edit by "Agent148" (Jun 11th 2008, 9:16pm)