As you are probably well aware, hostilities have developed between ALG, and ourselves. While we have agreed to withdraw security forces from the area for the time being, I am contacting you today with a request on behalf of Deep Space Engineering to restrict ALG from mining Scrap and Premium Scrap within Liberty's sovereign territory, and that ALG should not be allowed to haul scrap or premium scrap into Rheinland.
There are many reasons for this request, the initial reasoning being the sensitive nature of the area. As you are aware, the previous attempts at creating a supergate failed, causing the mess Texas is in now. There are still large amounts of restricted technologies and information in the fields, that would have detrimental effects on our house if Rheinland were to discover this.
We are losing money as a house by allowing it to be shipped by ALG out of Liberty at no cost. We are potentially allowing them to use the scrap to their benefit, war, civilian or otherwise. The scrap metal has the ability to be smelted down and re-used in a variety of applications. While it will not be the strongest, it is possible to use it on the war front.
Which brings me to my third point on the matter. War is on our doorsteps, hostilities are all around us. It is not a secret that Bretonia is struggling, potentially allowing hostile vessels access to our House, if it has not done so already. With the ongoing war with Rheinland, and hostilities with Kusari, our supply lines have been all but severed. Civilian pilots are loosing their lives trying to get supplies into our House, through embargo's and war fronts. To support our Republic.
We, at Deep Space Engineering, are already feeling the effects of this, I can only imagine what the impact must be on the Liberty Navy and primary security forces. I personally believe we should be stockpiling resources in preparation for the inevitable difficult times ahead. As I mentioned earlier, it might not be the strongest metals, but if it is to be smelted with other easily accessible metals, to become an alloy of sorts. Our facilities on Doe Industries Space Port and Baltimore Shipyard are capable and should be able to create mass ship panels for fast and easy repairs. Allowing damaged ships to be brought back up to space worthy in minimal time, requiring minimal resources.
The scrap metal in Liberty is readily available to us. With the future looking grim, I would suggest we utilize what could be a very valuable resource.
The recent sparks of conflict between DSE and ALG are most unfortunate, due to a previous history of good relationships between ALG and the members of our House. Regardless, we are glad that you have taken the nobler option and decided to petition us instead of participating in unnecessary combat that might have led to bloodshed.
After reviewing Deep Space Engineering's request, the Government has decided that the best course of action will be to restrict ALG from hauling Scrap Metal across the embargo line to Rheinland. As you may or may not be aware, they are already restricted from the collection or trasnportation of high quality recovered materials designated as Premium Scrap. Our intention is to have ALG continue their assistance in cleaning up the Texas system, but to have the recovered materials preferentially directed to Libertonian smelters, not least of which includes your own facilities.
If you have no further questions or concerns, we will be announcing an amendment to the Laws within a few days to reflect this changed policy.
- Ferris Dufresne, Secretary of State for Trade and Economics.