FROM: Electors office
TO: Ministry of Foreign affairs
CC: Chancellory, MCE, and MCW
SUBJECT: STRATEGIC DIRECTIVE EAST, WEST
ENCRYPTION: TOP SECRET

In light of the recent advance across the Vertavian Republic of Whiskeasean and Donegalian forces the Hardenburghian and Ostrian Armies have suffered a series of damaging setbacks, now being almost entirely regulated to the Southern Ardennes. Allied forces operational in the area have suffered significant material and manpower losses due to the air campaign launched by Ostro-Hardenburghian forces, however the threat posed by Allied forces remains tantamount. Hardenburghian Forces should remain prepared for the escalation of conflict and ultimately thermo-nuclear warfare. Under no means should the Hardenburghian government attempt to de-escalate this war by putting national prestige and sovereignty and prestige in peril. The recommendations below outline the desired course of diplomacy and policy.

1.	As aforementioned, foremost, the government should strive to defend Hardenburghian territorial integrity and sovereignty. Under no circumstances should Vertois overtures to gaining control over the Ardennes region be tolerated. Threats directed at the region and its Germanic population should be interpreted as genuine military threats and responded to accordingly. The Hardenburghian military should only begin to stand down when a binding peace agreement has been reached. Although the Foreign Ministry should indicate the willingness of the Hardenburghian government to concede to the withdrawal of forces from the border regions, this process should happen after a peace agreement has been signed.
2.	The Hardenburghian government and military command should consider the escalation of conflict a real possibility. The Bundestag has ordered naval assets in the Western and Southern Maredoratic onto standby to respond to any aggression or threats. It is worth noting that the Nuclear Forces have been placed on full readiness and nuclear artillery units deployed on the Hardo-Vertois and Hardo-Ilmenochansk border. Any attempt by allied forces to compromise either Hardenburghian or Ostrian sovereign integrity will be responded to via a nuclear strike. Against military and, if necessary civilian assets. The Air Force will remain on standby indefinitely to resume it’s bombing of Vertou if negotiations break down.
3.	Publically, the Budestag has also authorized the deployment of a further four mechanized/armoured divisions to the Hardo-Vertois border. The Ostrian government has indicated its reluctance to escalate further conflict with the allied forces, however, the Hardenburghian government believes it is of upmost that the Southern Ardennes should remain well defended to prevent any kind of aggression on the part of the Vertois Free State and its allies. The police and internal security services in the area have been ordered to instigate a crackdown against partisans and Vertois Nationalists; marshal law will not be lifted until this process is complete.
4.	The Peace Conference itself will take place in Arvaglio, Van Luxembourg (this dependent upon a meeting taking place tomorrow between the Luxemberger premier and Hardenburghian ambassador). The Hardenburghian delegation should not immediately consent to the withdrawal of forces from the border region. A willingness to accept terms imposed by the Vertois Free State may represent a political and military weakness on the Hardenburghian Part. Although the eventual goal of negotiations should be to hand the said areas off, on the part of the Allies this should be as hard-fought as possible. The Vertois Free State has already indicated its intention to have the interim government returned to its custody, this demand should not be responded to. The Budestag will remain in constant contact with the delegation, however it is worth noting that if Allies attempt to impose harsh, uncompromising and/or damaging terms on Hardenburgh then the delegation should immediately withdraw from negotiations – the Ostrian government can follow it’s own course of policy.