[Sorry for the crap post, way too tired tonight.]

Leyla Kowsar, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, sighed. She had just finished typing a letter destined to Marcos del Piñon, her Spanish counterpart. She was mildly confident that he would consent to Persia's demand that his country leave the Hejaz unsullied. The strip of land held no strategic value to the Spaniards, and the remaining Ethiopian troops were hardly a threat. On the other hand, if the Spaniards did set foot in Djedda and Mecca, Persia could not but consider itself under threat. Mecca was just a few hours drive from Riyadh along the highway, and from there, practically on the shores of the Persian gulf. 

The letter went as follows:

[quote]Esteemed Sir,

Our two nations have long shared cordial relations, which I hope to maintain as long as possible. We have, certainly, a mutual understanding, which it is my wish to preserve.

It is to this effect that I address to you, my esteemed colleague, this request. In the conflict which opposes the Spanish Republic to the Pan-African Imperial Union, your country has recently moved troops to the vicinity of the Red Sea. While the State of Persia has no intention to interfere with this affair, my government has been concerned that the cities of Mecca and Medina, which are supremely important to my people as well as all Muslims the world over, might be invested by the troops of your country. 

Furthermore, my government could perceive such an action, in light of the present request, as a hostile act endangering the vital interests of the Persian State. As I have stressed, I wish anything but a souring of the ties which unite our two countries.

We must not forget that the Pan-African army currently fields very few units in Arabia; its presence there confines to ordinary policing, and in no case represents a threat to your country.

For these reasons, and recognizing that a military occupation might trigger uncontrollable reactions throughout the Middle East, and particularly among the Persian public opinion, I ask, amicably, for a strong guarantee that the Hejaz will remain untouched by the Spanish army. 

I am confident that you will see the sensibility of this request, and will not miss the opportunity to strengthen ties between our nations by demonstrating the goodwill of the Spanish government.

Leyla Kowsar, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of His Imperial Majesty the Shah of Persia.[/quote]