Iberian News 1913

[miketr]

Meeting of Civilian Government
January 10th,

Prime Minister of Iberia, Don Felipe González y Márquez
Foreign Minister, Diogo Freitas do Amaral
Finance Minister, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

"I understand we have received a report that Greece is going to mimic the Foreign Investment Act.  His Majesty wants to know what we can do about this turn of events." Don Felipe said.

The Foreign Minister looked sideways at the Finance Minister who sighed and spoke up.  "We have heavily committed to our heavy industry expansion program.  We have targeted tax incentives there to encourage more rolling mills.  I am not sure we can do anything about it."

Do Amaral then spoke up, "I have received word that the Hapsburgs have beaten us to the punch anyways.  As part of the Balkan investment program they are going they are going to be investing in Greece." 

The Prime Minister looked surprised at the announcement, "How did they manage that?  We just found out about this ourselves a few days ago."

"When we receive information on the Balkans we told them at once as part of our joint intelligence program; Greece is part of the Balkans."  The foreign minister said in a matter of fact tone.

The Prime Minister nod at the information, "Odds are just as well as I would have trouble forcing the change through the Cortes, but the Emperor was most interested in trying to get us involved in the Greek Economy.  What else are they going to be up to that we could help out with?"

Da Silva looked over the notes, "Well the Italians are rebuilding the port of Athens and it appears that they are going to be directing Green Cross aid towards the tenant farmers.  Combined with some type of play in politics, the liberals at least I are not sure what else is going on of that sort..." The Prime Minister glanced at the foreign minister who nodded in confirmation as the finance minister continued on. "The Greeks also plan a rail line to run from Pylos in the South West up to Thessaly but I believe they intend to do that themselves with a national subscription campaign 'Rebuilding Greece with Greek knowhow, Greek money and Greek Labor for the Future.'  All that is left is the restoration the 2nd rolling mill in Athens."

The Prime Minister perked up at the last bit of information, "Well there we are.  We can help the Greeks with that and work out some type of arrangement till they by us out."

Minister da Silva raised an eyebrow in response, "What about our own project in the Philippines helping the Greeks would cut directly into that project?  I doubt that the Partido Autónomas would go along with such a plan, their strong hold is in the Philippines."

The Prime Minister thought about it for several moments, "What did their delegation head ask for last session again?  He wanted the forts around Manila bay repaired and updated like we did for Puerto Rico's defenses were.  What was the phrase he used...  I remember now, 'A Gibraltar of the West!'"

Minister da Silva, "I have scene the requests, the high end would be hugely expensive as not only do they want to update the land forts but they want to place coastal defenses on the harbor islands including drawings of one that's called the concrete battleship.  Just rebuilding the forts would be bad enough let along everything else they want."

The Prime Minister nodded, "Yes I recall now but we shot that down and bought them off with the building of the one cruiser in the Philippines instead.  Hmmm... If we pay for the rebuilding of the Greek Steel Mill we designate its output towards repair of one of the forts in the Philippines.  That should buy of the PA and also the Partido Ibéria; anything that involves more spending on defense should make them happy and perhaps even the Partido Nacional-Sindicalista; at least the latter won't get in the way."

Minister do Amaral said, "I take it I am going to make a visit to Athens?   
         
The Prime Minister nodded, "I think you are..."