Editing Savage X-COM: XCOM Structure (section)

==<center>Council of Funding Nations</center>==

The Council of Funding Nations (CFN, or Council for short) are the primary backers and directors of the Extraterrestrial Combat Unit (X-COM), though they do not micromanage day to day operations. An international organization, similar to the UN but far more covert, the Council has existed since the sixties, maintaining an intelligence network across the globe. At various points, they've operated through front organizations, such as the International Astrophysical Commission, but at the moment are completely covert save for their relationship with the funding nations and X-COM.<br>

Officially, they are responsible for monitoring and countering alien activity on earth, negotiating with representative governments and providing reports on X-COM's activity. In practical terms, they serve as the go between for X-COM and the countries backing it. They provide the money and equipment sourced from the funding nations, and serve to distribute recovered technology and artifacts to the backers.<br>

The CFN is divided into three tiers. Tier I nations are the primary backers of X-COM, and the founders of the Council. Tier II nations are minor nations that receive X-COM benefits, but don’t contribute as much and in return, will receive much less recovered technology. The Tier III nations are non-members who must, nonetheless, be observed for potential alien infiltration.<br>

The Council's role is also to suppress knowledge of alien activity on Earth from the public. In light of the very overt activity of the present invaders, this mandate is no longer possible.<br>

The organization of the Council is mostly classified. The primary council consists of a single member from each Tier I Funding Nation, led by the Council Representative. The Command Staff of X-COM interact primarily with the Council representative. The Representative's identity is classified while he or she holds that position. Former known representatives include General James L. Henderson (deceased, 2005).<br>

The Council Representative meets with the X-COM command staff at the end of each month to pass along the reactions of the funding nations and provide the next month's budget. While the Council Representative is the primary point of contact, members of national governments can and will request meetings with the X-COM command staff so they can judge for themselves what utility X-COM is having, and make specific requests (which can be granted or denied at the discretion of the Supreme Commander).<br>

The Council Representative will also pass along intelligence gathered by the Council, and mission requests for specific incidences of alien activity.<br>

===Rights and Duties of the Council of Funding Nations===

====Rights====
* ''Exclusive access to the spoils of operational missions at agreed, stable prices.'' X-COM may not auction the proceeds to the highest market bidder. Instead, proceeds are allocated to each nation in strict rotation. In the allocation of artifacts, each country's funding level determines both the precedence of allocation and the quantity of artifacts received. Once allocated, the funding nations are free to trade or sell items to other CFN members, but not to non-member nations or the general market.
* All funding nations, equally, ''receive all information gleaned from the project.'' New technologies will be help in abeyance by X-COM, and will be equally released to the backers pursuant discussion.
* Lastly, all nations receive ''preferential protective treatment'' from X-COM forces, governed by a detailed technical appendix to the charter known as the Security Commitment Objectives - Resource Engagement (SCORE). SCORE also defines precise criteria to evaluate X-COM's progress.

====Duties====
* To provide operational ''funding'' for the force, which is subject to a monthly review and revised accordingly using SCORE.
* To provide operational ''security'' by: a) denial of the force's existence; b) conceal any traces of X-COM and/or operations; c) restrict the dissemination of alien technology.
* To ''militarily collaborate and subordinate its national forces to X-COM'' on any situation regarding the aliens, up to and including signing over existing military bases for X-COM's sole usage. All alien activity is considered to be in the jurisdiction of X-COM, with the exception of situations considered to be a state of national emergency. However, on that extreme case, any individual action will need to be notified to the CFN.
* To ''avoid any individual contact'', diplomatic or otherwise, with the aliens. X-COM will be the only organization authorized to negotiate with alien forces on humanity's behalf. One chief concern is that non-member nations will attempt negotiations on their own behalf. CFN members are required to have their intelligence networks remain aware of such attempts.

====Public and International Law in Relation to X-COM====
* Unsupervised use of public funding. Although it is possible for the CFN to conduct audits, X-COM has complete freedom on how it spends its funding and the Council cannot dictate funding directives. They can make requests, but do not have the authority to enforce these requests.
* Unrestricted use of national territory/airspace. UFO interceptions and ground engagements have no restrictions regarding use of force, together with flyovers of national territories. National militaries will be required to obey all orders of X-COM forces when in their presence, and allow them free passage.
* Freedom of placement of bases on its national territory. X-COM has the authority to requisition and repurpose existing military bases from national governments.