Business As Usual

The recent discovery of alien life on Mithra 11 in the Calian galaxy has brought with it new dilemmas .
You will remember that these gentle peace loving aliens made themselves known to us when they formally requested an agreement to use earths ‘air space’ whilst travelling to other planets. This has sparked heated debate amongst the worlds dominant governments.
America is refusing to take part in any forum to discuss ownership. As the ‘leader of the free world’ they feel that ownership is a foregone conclusion and have automatically refused any permissions for the use of the space. One of George Bush's last acts as President is rumoured to have been the dispatch of star wars technology to the space station, while at the same time, putting into place the threat that any country trying to hold separate negotiations will have heavy sanctions imposed upon them. There are rumours of the C.I.A. wanting to replace the Mithran leader with the director of NASA. This in turn has sparked a furious row between the Democrat and Republican parties
France and Germany are demanding a UN forum to decide ownership - they both want to make their own claims heard. They are holding separate talks with the Mithrans.
Switzerland is remaining neutral but has offered ‘off world’ banking facilities to the inhabitants of Mithra.
Russia, also already in talks with the aliens, has offered unlimited use of the space in return for technology and Putin has sent pin-up's of himself flyfishing with no clothes on to the Mithran ambassador.
The Italian government has decided to wait until the outcome of all arguments before it makes a decision.
Iran has approached the Mithrans with a request for advanced technology for their 'power station' programme.
Britain is standing shoulder to shoulder with the Americans and Bill Clinton has nominated that Tony Blair should be elected as the first inter-galactic emissary to negotiate for peace with all other planets. Certain Tabloids though, are claiming that Gordon Brown is already doing some negotiating of his own with the Mithran tourist board for holiday accomodation for next Summer's family break.
Israel have commissioned their scientists to work on a 'space barrier' to be erected in the airspace above the Israel/Palestine border and are training a new breed of astronauts who will man it.
Spain was in the middle of a fiesta when the Mithrans first contacted earth 6 months ago and so far seems oblivious to the arguments that are raging worldwide.