Federation-Cardassian Treaty

The Federation-Cardassian Treaty was a treaty between the United Federation of Planets and the Cardassian Union in force from 2370 to 2373, when the Dominion War began.

The Federation-Cardassian Treaty was the successor to the armistice between the Federation and Cardassia signed in 2376. Terms of the treaty included the establishment of a Demilitarized Zone between the two states--and a redrawn border that ceded several Federation colonies to the Cardassian Union (and presumably the reverse as well). without consultation of those living in these areas. Residents of these worlds faced a choice: evacuate from their homes, or live under the other power's rule. Initially the Federation tried to force the evacuation of its worlds, but changed its mind after aggressive actions taken by the Federation settlers on Dorvan V. These colonists ultimately refused to leave their homes.

Anger over the treaty led to the formation of the Maquis, a terrorist group determined to take on both Cardassian and Federation interests that they held responsible for handing their homes over to the Cardassians. 

Not all Federation opponents of the Treaty joined the Maquis. Lieutenant Commander Mike Spirodopoulos disagreed strongly with the Treaty. Other opponents--though they dared not speak their views lest they be seen as condemning their own people's role in it--were Cardassians, including Gul Tayben Berat, who attempted to negotiate peace with the colonists of Volan III, and narrowly escaped death after an assassination attempt. (--The Thirteenth Order, "Flash")