abstract
| - Ever since its signing and ratification between various states, the Inter-Species Commerce Agreement, abbreviated as ISCA, has been shrouded in controversy. The treaty was first proposed in September 2553 on Earth during the official establishment of relations between humanity, the Sangheili and Kig-Yar trade republics. The ISCA was intended to develop trading routes and stations across human, Sangheili and Kig-Yar space. During the negotiations, the treaty and its sponsors experienced a wave of criticism during its inception, mostly among human populations. Protests erupted throughout human colonies, with the most destructive taking place on Jacinto and Earth. Many humans believed this agreement was treasonous, for allowing trade with species that wanted to eradicate them not even a year ago. This anti-ISCA movement grew a large following and even gained support within the UEG and UNSC. Some believed this agreement would allow the Covenant to enter human systems unopposed where they would be able to glass colonies and kill millions to continue their genocidal campaign. Despite the controversy and growing support against the treaty, it was eventually signed by all three parties in 2554 on Jacinto, with commerce ships entering territories of member states and conducting trade without incident later that year. By 2558, the ISCA still existed and was a major success. However, tensions still remained between the humans and the former Covenant species. In October 2558, the ISCA was brought to a halt in human territory after the arrival of the Guardians. Because of this incident, traffic across other ISCA member territories was significantly decreased and Sangheili naval forces entering a state of high alert as a result of the confusion.
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