Aenean News Network [Closed; Aeneas only]

by **Andallion** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 3:39 pm

Elections in Andallion
Parliamentary Elections coming down to the wire as tensions run high

The Andallic general election debates of 2015 kick off as a series of the three major political parties debate things such as national defense, environmentalism and discrimination. Anthony Crèvanche, Prime Minister and leader of the National Labour Party; John Davis, Leader of the Opposition and Conservative Party; Andrew Trendeu, leader of the third largest political party in the Andalls, the Royal Democrats. They are the first such debates to be broadcast internationally in the run-up to an Andallic election.

The first debate ran without a break for 90 minutes and were broadcast weekly by ANN and IntAndallTV over three successive Thursday evenings starting on 19 March. They were moderated by Jean Jaques Stewart and Anne Boulton respectively. The first half of each debate focused on a particular theme (domestic, international and economic affairs), before general issues were discussed. The questions were not disclosed to the leaders before the debate.

List of Contesting Political Parties in Andallion

Anthony Crèvanche - National Labour
Seats in Parliament: 68
Elected in: 2010

Prime Minister Crèvanche has led the country through recovery in the Aenean Economic Recession that lasted from 2007-2013, and maintained stability through the Aenean Spring. He has been credited to investing in education and healthcare, as well as sponsoring a bill to allow women to serve in the military, although the bill was defeated in 2012.

The National Labour Party is a centre-left political party that grew out of the trade union movement and socialist political parties of the nineteenth century and has been described as a broad church; the party contains a diversity of ideological trends from strongly socialist, to more moderately social democratic.

National Labour continues to adhere to a policy of non-interventionism and isolationism in foreign policy. It welcomes trade agreements openly and believes in regulated free market capitalism. Crèvanche's office refused to comment on recent discrimination discovered in House Johannes.

Sophia Angèle - Conservative
Seats in Parliament: 31
Elected in: 2005

MP Angèle (born 24 December 1969) is the current the Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition. She has been the Member of Parliament (MP) since 2005 and served in the Cabinet from 2007 to 2010 under Prime Minister Arnold Kirnn.

On becoming Leader of the Conservative Party in 2014, Angèle also became Leader of the Opposition. At 39, he is the youngest Conservative Leader ever. Angèle spoke at a large "March for Capitalism" rally held in Landres in January 2015 to protest against regulation and increased public spending, though she was criticized by some for marching.

The Conservative Party continues to adhere to a policy of non-interventionism and isolationism in foreign policy, along with National Labour. It welcomes trade agreements openly and believes in open free market capitalism. Angèle' office refused to comment on recent discrimination discovered in House Johannes.

The Lord Niven Connor - Royal Democratic Union
Seats in Parliament: 31
Elected in: 1995

The Royal Democratic Union, commonly known as RDU, is a right-wing political party in Andallion. It was founded in 1993 by members of House Johannes with the primary objective of securing the Andalls withdrawal from Carpathian international policies. The party describes itself as a "democratic, Royalist party" and is widely regarded as right-wing populist.

Lord Connor, as a Member of House Johannes, was a founding member of RDU, having left the Conservative Party in 1983 after the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1983. Having unsuccessfully campaigned in parliamentary elections for RDU since 1990, he won a seat as MP for House Johannes in the 1995 general election, and was re-elected in 2000, 2005 and 2010.

The Royal Democratic Union wholeheartedly believes that discrimination recently uncovered in House Johannes does not exist. It believes that a complete deregulation of industry and a repeal of campaign finance laws.

by **Otulia** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 7:58 pm

THE FEDERALIST

NEWSWIRE

Government promises election funding in Andallion

Today, the Minister of Finance stated that it would "enthusiastically" finance pro-Otulian parties in Andallion if the Royal Democrats, a right-wing fringe group, wins enough seats to gain a majority. "Despite their fascist ideology and eager attempts to put Andallion back in the dark ages, the Royalists will certainly help our cause if they win." The leader of the RDU, a Mr Niven Connor, has promised to abolish all campaign finance laws if elected Prime Minister.

"These reduction in laws would be a boon for Otulians, since the federal government could easily and vastly outspend even the richest billionaires," states economist Markus Finchel. "Even if you look at the high end of forecasts, this could all be very easily covered with the government's current budget surplus."

The money, says the Minister of Finance, would go towards funding local politicians, providing security, and, some say, extending Otulia's government into Otulian-majority neighborhoods.

Militias raised; additional troops placed on the border

As tensions rise since Andallion imposed nationwide sanctions against Otulia and put 45,000 soldiers on the border, the Premier of Souznik, one of two provinces bordering Andallion (the other is Kazuma), formally declared the threat of an Andallic invasion "imminent," allowing him to declare a state of emergency and order the raising of 108,000 militia to police the border. The Souznik High Court ordered all cases stayed for a week while militia take their oaths of loyalty at county courthouses. The militia force, which will be raised for one year and cost Tl6 billion, will be jointly funded by Souznik and the federal government. Currently, Kazuma is in too much a state of disorder for provincial militia to be called forth, and Premier Falling Leaves said that the province would soon have to declare financial bankruptcy due to an oil glut that has hurt profits from the small petrostate, which produces 40% of Otulia's oil. Militia will receive 3 months of training before being deployed to the border. While some have called the move ridiculous, the Premier, who is under pressure to support Otulians across the border, says that the move is "extremely prudent and guaranteed to stop all Andallic aggression immediately."

Meanwhile, Chancellor Regrets summoned the Army Chiefs of Staff to respond to the situation while militia are summoned. Following the military conference, the Chancellor held a press conference and announced that VIII and XVI Corps, 72,000 men and women, would be called up into action. The drastic move would cost the country a further Tl4 billion. According to the Chancellor, four divisions totaling 48,000 men would be deployed on the Andallic border, raising the number of troops deployed there to 60,000 in all. Another 24,000 troops will be deployed in aid of the two divisions currently in Kazuma, to guard against a possible Communist insurgency.

Economists warn: Wild spending will lead to deficit

At a hearing by the Chamber Finance Committee, several senior economists warned that the country's current spending will quickly drain its surplus. "Currently, thanks to the spending this government has conducted in just over two months in power, we have seen an additional 20 billion Tulliks not appropriated in the budget spent, largely on grandiose war projects, has drained our surplus from 1% to 0.2% of the GDP," said lead economist Tymik Nukkus. "Any further crisis, especially one involving a ground conflict with Andallion, will lead to a deficit."

Several parliamentary figures, however, brushed away this concern. "Our current reserves, numbering Tl250 billion, will be more than enough to sustain this country and keep us from having to issue bonds or collect debt for plenty of time, even if a war with Andallion breaks out, even if a crisis we have to react to emerges," said MP Griswold Fekker of the Socialist Party. "I'm extremely confident that we can keep our country in the black and maintain a small surplus in the future."

Starting in 1997, the Ministry of Finance has pioneered a government efficiency and anti-corruption campaign that resulting in a consistent, if small, surplus, which is usually used to either pay off portions of the national debt, or kept in reserve against unforeseen crises, such as the current one against Andallion.

Some economists, however, are still skeptical as to the government's war-making capabilities. "Other wars have cost billions of Tulliks a year," says political science professor Mik Mikal. "If a conflict with Andallion erupts, however unlikely, we won't be able to pursue a cost-efficient, well-spent war, and will likely run up a budget deficit and increase the national debt." Mikal cites that war could cause billions in damages, which the government would be held liable for, and that rebuilding costs for both countries would "drain national coffers and increase the national debt" up to as much as 50% of the GDP, Mikal says. "While I agree that my statistics are drastic, war itself is drastic: It will be no laughing matter if we and Andallion come to blows over this issue."

Already, in fact, it appears that the government will have to dip into reserves: A new emergency appropriations bill before the Chamber Defense Committee plans to appropriate Tl5 billion to put a new air fleet of 400 combat aircraft within 50km of the border would result in current appropriations breaking even.

Tanks, Planes, and Guns: Mechanized forces on the border

Along with its recent deployment of infantry forces to the Andallic border, the Federal Army also deployed 150 tanks, 80 aircraft (not including an appropriations bill currently on the table), and 500 artillery pieces. To pay for all this, the Ministry of Defense says that it will now begin bringing a financial statement to the Chamber of Deputies on a monthly basis, detailing what it has spent and what it will need in the future. Lawmakers are expected to approve the former but to intensely scrutinize the latter.

"In a country where we spend less than 1% of the GDP on our armed forces, asking for a 200% increase over the course of two or three months is unheard of, but the situation on the border has driven us to take these sorts of steps," said Army Chief of Staff Uroy Navalomin as a press conference outside the Chambers of Parliament. "We need these appropriations if we are to be expected to be prepared for further aggression by Andallion, which is extremely likely," Navalomin continued. "If Parliament will not fund our requests, His Majesty Dickwad VIII may be sitting in Reko within another year or two."

Several MPs, including those from the Communist Party (PCO), oppose the appropriations. "Why my colleagues continue to fund this imperialist war is beyond me: Surely, they understand that a people's revolution will rise up and overthrow the Andallic fascist oppressors eventually: We do not need any armies to do that, but a vanguard of the revolution to instill class consciousness into the people and convince them to rebel against their feudal masters," said PCO Chairwoman Fillicia Algoro, who has lead an attempt to prevent the appropriations from moving through.

Meanwhile, even the coalition Moderate Centrists (PCM) are having their doubts. "While we fully support the war effort and will continue to fund it, we ask Chancellor Regrets: How long will this last? How long must we risk the lives of our children, so that we can needlessly stockpile weapons we don't need on borders we don't have to guard? If this brouhaha is not concluded by May, I intend to pull my party out of a coalition with the Socialists and seek and end to this nonsense," was the response of PCM Leader Merk Jensen, who said that any success in combatting Andallic aggression "will win our full support."

Back on the front, military machines continue to build. The CA18, the newest tank model, has thick armor: more than 550mm on the turret and 675mm on the hull, while its gun, a 135mm model, is larger than conventional cannon. The tank is well-protected, and has an additional coaxial machine gun to prevent attacks.

The aircraft in usage is the popular Stella-7, which is a lightweight, short-range air superiority fighter used mainly to launch missiles at enemy aircraft and then leave before a response can be delivered. The aircraft would heavily rely on inflight refueling to sustain an air campaign. Also in the new appropriations bill is the Terren-4 ground attack aircraft, which has powerful 30mm cannon and can fire unguided rockets and missiles at ground targets. The decision as to whether to use long-range bombers such as the Falcon-3 or Nighthawk-1B has been considered, though they have not been included in the draft, presumably because their 15,000km range wouldn't make putting them closer to the border very important.

Finally, there are the artillery, divided about 50-50 between self-propelled and towed models, largely 300mm-500mm pieces with ranges of up to 35km.

Whether these will compare to Andallic equipment is yet to be seen, but the mounting tensions on the border are not a good sign.

Retaliatory sanctions imposed; embassy withdrawn

In response to Andallic sanctions targeted against the Otulian leadership, the Chamber of Deputies passed a bill, 503-247, to enact sanctions against the entire country of Andallion, to withdraw Otulian assets, and to rescind the Otulian Embassy in the country. The Chamber came under heavy pressure from Vice-Chancellor Breathless Cloud, who said that "the Chancellor's agenda is paramount to ensuring that Andallion does not continue to terrorize and murder innocent Otulians who were unlucky enough to end up on their side of the border."

The closure of the Embassy is seen by many as Chancellor Regret's message to Andallion that further moves towards military aggression, especially targeting Andallion's Otulian minority, would be seen as the last straw in a history of abuses by the errant House of Johannes. The Chancellor issued an executive order attached to her signature of the bill, ordering all Andallic diplomatic personnel out of the country within 24 hours.

Refugees to be accepted from Meddittareania

The Ministry of Interior in a brief statement announced that it would be granting refugee status to all people fleeing the Catholic State, in the south of Carpathia, and that citizenship would be granted within one year or residency. The Ministry asked for "advice and consultations" from Esperance International to help set up camps and treat refugees, and Parliament is expected to approve further appropriations to fund the roughly Tl1 billion project to build camps and naturalization centers for the new immigrants.

"Freedom of immigration has long been a tenant of Otulia's landscape, and we intend to make this a reality for those desperate, hungry people who cannot find safe refuge elsewhere," the Minister of the Interior said, stating further that Otulian transport ships would be used, with help from Esperance International, to remove the refugees and bring them into Otulia for processing. "While we can certainly finance this project, we unfortunately do not have much experience with these kinds of situations, so we are asking the NGO to help us organize and prepare, and will provide consultation and equipment fees to aid them in their attempt to help these immigrants move forward in life."

Seglandic Conflict Continues; Anthrax Found

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Seglandic Nazi Party for its "egregious violations of human rights and the laws of war," and announced that it would be "fully backing" Agenorian Coalition intervention in Segland to secure bioweapon sites within the country. The Ministry also said it would be "consulting with Esperance International on what Otulia can do to help with operations, primarily with funding and logistics." While some have criticized the government for looking so afar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said that "the risks involved are minimal, and our support of humanitarian missions should be the norm, regardless of the current geopolitical situation."

OFS Felicity reaches Nasiristani waters, waits

The Ministry of Defense announced that its flagship, the OFS Felicity aircraft carrier, had reached the coast several hundred kilometers from Nasiristan, along with an escort of destroyers and cruisers, and said that the carrier would be prepared for operations once the April 2nd deadline for El Basir to step down as leader of the Revolutionary Guard expired. Due to the proximity of the conflict to Otulia and the keen interest Otulia has in investing and protecting democracy within Nasiristan, Parliament is expected to pass a declaration of war, which requires a two-thirds vote in favor in both chambers, with ease.

Currently, Revolutionary Guard advances against Nasiriyah have been halted by governmental air bombardments. The humanitarian situation is said to be deteriorating, which has prompted some to propose keeping Otulia neutral and instead deploying peacekeepers to protect aid workers.

by **Mediterreania** » Sat Mar 21, 2015 1:55 pm

(OOC: Credit to Aurinsula for the concept)

ANN expands selection of Mediterranean translations

We at the Aenean News Network are proud to announce that in the interest of informed news consumption, our English-language Internet portal will begin carrying authorized translations of stories published in two more Mediterranean news outlets. A review of all Mediterranean outlets now carried by ANN will follow.

World Latinity (Latinitas Globalis)

Latinitas Globalis publishes daily in Standard Latin, with translations to the Sedula and Siracusa dialects. Both the Standard and Sedulan editions are published in Sedula, Lusca. Before the outbreak of civil war on the mainland, Latinitas published its Siracusan edition from the city of Siracusa; now, it is published from a temporary headquarters in Dariopolis. A weekly international edition is available in English and traditional Persian. The editorial staff is politically neutral, although it devotes much attention to the Partito Illuminato. It is considered the newspaper of record in the Luscan Republic; although the rival Novita has the highest circulation in Lusca, Latinitas is financially independent of the ruling Familia Manina.

Independence (Esteqlāl)

Esteqlāl is the official mouthpiece of the Mediterreanean Workers' Party, and the newspaper with the highest circulation in syndicalist territory. It publishes daily in Persian, written in the Latin alphabet. The online edition includes articles published side-by-side in the Perso-Latin and traditional alphabets. A weekly international edition publishes in Standard Latin, Moorish (Spanish) and English. The editorial staff is drawn almost entirely from the radical wing of the Party, and "dangerous" Party upstarts are often assigned to write for the newspaper in order to keep them away from the Central Committee. Nonetheless, Esteqlāl offers the perspective of an average leftist worker in Mediterranea. In addition, the standard Perso-Latin alphabet was developed by and is named for Esteqlāl.

Mediterranea Today (Mediterāneh Emruz)

Mediterāneh Emruz is widely regarded as the newspaper of record in Daryāshahr. It publishes daily in traditional Persian with a special Sunday color edition. ANN is proud to be the first English-language news service to carry authorized translations of Emruz. The editorial staff is politically independent, although they tend to be more critical of ethnic separatist movements and embrace the idea of a unified Mediterranea. Its logo is the flag of the Free Assembly superimposed on a map of the non-Republican territories, but Emruz is often critical of the actual leadership of the Free Assembly.

The Citadel (El Alcázar)

El Alcázar is the newspaper with the highest circulation in the Moorish Republic (República Morisca). It has a special Friday edition in recognition of the Muslim sabbath. Alcázar tends to emphasize the Moors' Islamic history at the expense of their Latin heritage, using a very Arabic vocabulary and the eastern Arabic numerals. In its earliest years, this marked it as a conservative outlet. Today, its editorial staff encompasses all political camps, except for Llanito separatism.

by **Torvalyn** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 4:38 am

"Good morning, you're listening to the news on Radio Torvalyn World Service with me, Lars Skiv. Today's top stories:

Debate resumed on The Courtrooms Act this morning after parliament sat for the first time in two weeks due to refurbishment work being carried out on the Alning Building. The bill is part of Justice Minister Jan Segeren's plans to clarify Torvish law, which he says is often 'shrouded in ambiguity'. It forbids photographic, video or auditory recording of courtroom proceedings, wearing items of clothing which obscure the face 'to such an extent that it cannot be immediately recognizable or identified' in court and outlines how an oath is to be taken. None of these elements are actually new to Torvish courtrooms and these rules are already adhered to, leading many MPs on both the opposition and government side to claim that the bill is a waste of time, but Minister Segeren adamantly believes that the law 'needs to be clearer'.

As was mentioned earlier, the Alning Building in central Roosenbee was closed off for two weeks after construction work began to secure the ceiling of the debating chamber and to freshen the building up. The building, which is a modern landmark and major tourist attraction in Limbuik, was built in 1800 but much of it has now been replaced with safer and more innovative materials and designs.

And finally, Finance Minister Bart Strarvers has announced sweeping new infrastructure reforms to the Torvish banking system. The archaic Silver Reserve is to be replaced with a more conventional central bank system and interest rates are going to rise to encourage investment. Herr Strarvers has hinted at other new changes such as an increase in government borrowing and a plan to link Torvalyn up to the Aenean banking industry.

Those are our top stories for today. You've been listening to Radio Torvalyn World Service."

by **Andallion** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 1:05 pm

Foreign Minister condemns Otulian aggression
Calls upon international community for support

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs this afternoon condemned the formation of a new, hostile foreign policy to Andallion and supported the “collaboration of all States” to help ensure international dialogue between Andallion and Otulia, stating that Andallion would not tolerate "unnecessary escalation and unwarranted involvement in internal affairs."

In a statement presented by Prime Minister Crèvanche, whose party controls Parliament until April 5th, the Cabinet strongly condemned the expulsion of Andallic ambassadors who were in the process of negotiating with Otulian officials.

"It only solidifies our belief that the Otulian community, which has practiced it's own discrimination openly and freely, is the greater of the two evils. It is uninterested in negotiation and only responds in ultimatums. There is no room to hold respect for an irrational action such as this," stated Prime Minister Crèvanche on the floor of Parliament this morning.

At the same time, the Cabinet urged the international community, to strengthen and expand support for the Government of Andallion's efforts to cool the situation. It reiterated the urgent need to stop any escalation and demanded patience from the international community as the Ministry of Justice investigates discrimination in the Crown Contingencies.

Additionally, the statement expressed support for full integration of Otulian immigrants into the country, and recognized the importance for it to achieve the standing it held following the adoption of the Civil Rights Proclamation of 1995.

The Ministry of Justice opened its investigation of House Johannes on Tuesday, March 24. The Exploratory Committee appointed Lord William Castreux of House Karlyle to lead the investigation. Over the course of the investigation, the committee with interview City officials and police officers, members of the Royal Family in the region and members of the Armed Forces stationed in the region. Lord Castreaux stated that producing evidence, however, would be highly doubtful, arguing that mass disenfranchisement ceased to exist in the region in the 1970's.

by **Nasiristan** » Tue Mar 24, 2015 1:14 pm

As Fighting Rages On, Al-Subai Declared Emir of Nasiri Emirate

Morning Edition

Hassan Mansuri, 23 March 2015

Emir Meshal Al-Mansur Al-Hamad Jaber bin Abdulaziz bin Talal Al-Subai sits his new throne in his large estate on the outskirts of Wahat.

In another shocking turn in what has already become a defining moment in the history of our country, Nasiristan's richest man, Meshal Al-Mansur Al-Hamad Jaber bin Abdulaziz bin Talal Al-Subai has been officially declared Emir of Nasiristan by Field Marshal Karim El Basir. The government of the Emirate of Nasirisitan is now one of the two forces, the other being the Islamic Republic of Nasiristan, battling for control of nation of Nasiristan. The move to appoint an Emir has been almost universally decried both at home and abroad, with many viewing it as a return to the monarchist period that preceded the infamous Islamic State of Nasiristan. The so-called Emir Meshal I Al-Subai has promised a pro-foreign business platform and other intiatives to modernize the Nasiri economy, which conflicts directly with the Republican aims for resource nationalization. Meshal, the richest member of Nasiristan's prominent Al-Subai family, has been a well-known supporter and financial benefactor the Revolutionary Guard and President Khaled Al-Husseini was among the first to speak on the topic.

"This sort of corruption is just what we have expected to see from the Revolutionary Guard and Mr. El Basir...Meshal Al-Subai's family has made its fortune on selling the resources of our great country to foreign businesses and now he has been rewarded for his betrayal."

People even within the Revolutionary Guard are upset by the declaration of an Emirate. Many feel it represents a break between the leadership of the Revolutionary Guard and its constituents, who are mostly Islamists or authoritarians, and resent the monarchy that existed over 30 years ago. "This move by El Basir, which may have been done to cement financial support from Al-Subai and other foreign powers, might ultimately prove a strategic blunder, weakening the morale of the Revolutionary Guardsmen who are fighting at this moment for the control of Nasiriyah," Anwar Gamel, a strategic analyst in Bashir said. He references the Battle of Nasiriyah, which has been raging nearly since the coup d'etat, where a limited number of Nasiri Army soldiers have been holding the city under a large onslaught by the Revolutionary Guard. Ultimately, only time will tell if the Emirate was a good decision or not.

by **Aurinsula** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 3:18 am

民国112年03月25日

GAO ZICHENG DEAD AT 86
Former President leaves divisive legacy

XINJING - At 10:53 PM on Tuesday, March 24th, Gao Zicheng, 10th President of the Republic of Aurinsula, died in his sleep. The cause of death was attributed to complications from pneumonia, from which he had been suffering for several weeks.

高自成

Gao Zicheng was born on October 9th, in the 27th Year of the Republic, in the city of Fengyao in Beihai Province. His father, Gao Xikuang, was a local civil servant. Along with his family, he emigrated to Jindao Province in the year 32, settling in the city of Mengzhou. He received his first degree in the year 47, and studied economics at the University of Esperance-Zhengzhou from 48-54, within which he received his second and third degrees. After a brief pause in his studies, during with he worked for the Bank of Mengzhou as an assayer, he completed his fourth degree at the University of Xinjing in the year 63.

Gao Zicheng entered politics officially in the year 69, when he stood for and won the National Assembly election for Mengzhou's 9th district as a member of the Democratic Party. He thus joined the 2nd National Assembly and entered the Assembly Committee for Finance. In 79, he left the Legislative Yuan and became Finance Vice-Minister for State Property Administration, during which he was instrumental in expanding the National University System. In 84, President Jia Quanzhi named him Minister of Finance, where he served until 89.

During the Guo administration from 89 to 94, he worked entirely within the upper offices of the Democratic Party, becoming Party Chairman for Financial Adminsitration in 90 and Party Vice-Chairman in 93. In 94, he was chosen by the Democratic Party and the National Assembly to be the 10th President of the Republic of Aurinsula.

The Gao Administration promoted itself as a 'return to normalcy' after the events of the Liberal Guo presidency. Under Gao's supervision, many of Guo's policies, including the National Health Guarantee, the '91 Agricultural Credit Five-Year Plan, and the expansion of the Xinjing-Mahanakhon Railway were all cancelled or changed dramatically. President Gao was widely seen at the time as the "Orange Avenger," returning the country to the policies it had championed before Guo Zongfei's election.

Gao also oversaw large economic growth, as his "Digital Aurinsula" policies laid down the groundwork for both Aurinsula's internet infrastructure and for its information economy. During his tenure, the economy grew by an estimated average of 6.1% per year, the highest ever recorded since the early 70s. His administration was also notable for improving relations with Mizuyuki, particularly his expanding of the charter of the Institute for Strategic Research.

Gao Zicheng is survived by four children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. His body will lie in state beginning on Friday the 28th.

by **Otulia** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 8:12 am

THE FEDERALIST

NEWSWIRE

Communist Party: "We will aid the Workers Republic"

In recent developments showing growing Otulian interest in the fate of Meddittaranea, Communist Party Chairwoman Fillicia Algoro announced that the party would begin providing financial support to the Workers Republic. "It is in our interest to the see the workers' revolution successfully spread throughout the world, and having that begin in a country like Meddittaranea is a good idea," said the Chairwoman, who said that the party would be earmarking about 10% of it's $130 million in annual fees and dues for supporting the Workers' Republic and its operations, including militia forces who are suspected to have begun entering Nasiristan against El Basir and his revolutionary guard. No one is quite sure how the aid will be used, but Chairwoman Algoro said that she was confident that the $13 million "will be used efficiently and effectively by our foreign comrades."

No-Confidence Vote Fails: Unpopular Kazuman Premier Retains Seat

In a razor-thin vote of no confidence against the provincial government of Kazuman Premier Falling Leaves, a breakaway faction of the Communist Party narrowly lost 100-101, leaving the Premier in power, for now. The General Assembly has recently been at odds with the Premier, especially over his belief in laissez-faire policies. Additional military forces were deployed to the province yesterday, where unrest following widespread accusations of vote-rigging continue to permeate the Leaves administration.

Chancellor: Andallion "unmanageable"

Chancellor Thoughtful Regrets warned that Andallion's "reckless and irresponsible behavior" was "extremely counterproductive," noting that they refused "to accept a visit from the Foreign Minister of Otulia to negotiate some sort of settlement." The Chancellor said that she intends to send a special envoy to negotiate with the Andallic government, and said she was "pleased" with the ongoing investigation into widespread discrimination within House Johannes, but said that the investigation should expand its scope to cover ordinary citizens.

"Normally, we would not take an interest in the internal affairs of a foreign country, but the fact that our fellow brethren over the border are denied the same opportunities they experience here in Otulia is appalling, and the fact that it perpetuates is abominable." The Chancellor said that the recent military escalations along the border, including 400 additional fighter aircraft, would not be halted, but that further escalation beyond current Parliamentary appropriations "will be prudently withheld while we conduct productive negotiations with the Andallic government." The Chancellor's current approval rating was 47% following the speech, up from 44% the week before.

Economy: Still growing

Despite a minor recession caused by oil sanctions imposed by Lanos, the economy is still growing strongly, said the Ministry of Finance. Unemployment went down, from 3.5% in January to 3.3% in February, and economic growth for this quarter is expected to be at above the Ministry's goal of 4%. The Ministry of Finance also announced it would be cutting interest rates from 5% to 3%, to stimulate more growth and boost inflation, which has lagged at 0.7% since the beginning of the year. The administration's inflation goal is 1.8%.

Foreign Minister to finally arrive in Nasiristan

Foreign Minister Cautious Advance, through a spokesman, said that he would be crossing the Nasiristani border and land in Bashir, to discuss Otulian aid, which is expected to come within a week. Already, a carrier and several escort craft are off the Nasiristani coast.

New religious reforms enacted

Raising the issue of the power of the Office of the Inquisition, a Right Party (PD) MP in the Chamber of Deputies has proposed a bill to cut the Office's powers, reducing it to an internal investigative agency, and legalizing the right of independent religious entities to construct houses of worship and criticize the Church's doctrine and reasoning. The bill has multipartisan support, and Chancellor Regrets said that she would sign it if the bill passed. A spokesperson for the Church said that it viewed the bill "as a sensible move to reform our practices of religion and ensure that everyone can join together in peace and harmony in the heaven that they believe exists." Nonetheless, Catholics remain under suspicion, especially radicals who may be susceptible to the propaganda of the Catholic State.

by **Mediterreania** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 12:15 pm

Otullia Invites "Catholic State" Refugees; Reactions Mixed

DARYĀSHAHR - The Otullian Ministry of the Interior issued a short statement last Friday issuing refugee status to all Mediterraneans fleeing the terrorist activities in the south of the country. The Ministry also asked the aid organization Esperance International for personnel, and the Parliament of Otullia for Tl1 billion (approximately 20 billion riāl). Reactions within Mediterranea were mixed. While many expressed gratitude for the Otullians' help, the religious policy of the Federal Republic has led many to question its motives.

Refugees in the town of Barbalissa receive food and school supplies from an Esperance International convoy.

General Shahrbāni praised Otullia before the Free Assembly yesterday. "While Otullia is not as free a country as ours, it is a steadfast ally in the fight against international tyranny. They have done more than perhaps any other nation to ensure human freedom around the globe, and we are glad to share the continent of Carpathia with them." This speech received a standing ovation, even from Shahrbāni's opponents in the Assembly, the Liberal Front. As Otullia's relations with neighbor Andallion deteriorate, a bill has been proposed by Assemblyman Callicrates of the Siracusa CIvil Association offering various types of assistence "should the Federal Republic of Otullia enter into a state of hostilities with either the Kingdom of Andallion, the armed opposition in Nasiristan or the illegal terrorist militias in Siracusa [translator's note: the Catholic State]." Forms of assistance would include access to airfields, intelligence sharing and logistics support. The Liberal Front was less thrilled with Callicrates's speech.

The Otullian declaration was issued partially in response to the Republic of Lusca's new policy of turning away refugees, a fact not lost on the opposition. "A foreign nation thousands of miles away is willing to do what we will not for our own brothers!" declared Terrafirmist Party leader Antonio Paulo. Liberals and neo-imperialists have made strange bedfellows on the [Luscan] Islands, and immigration is one issue on which they agree. Support for the Illumination Party's bill giving Luscan residency to all Latin-speaking Mediterraneans and opening the borders is expected to rise.

Meanwhile, Ayatollah Houshang Nasrollah warned Muslim refugees not to accept the Otullian offer. "Freedom of religion is non-existent in Otullia," he stated in a sermon during Friday prayers, soon after the declaration was publicized. (Due to sectarian conflicts not unlike our own, the Church of Otullia was given legal jurisdiction within the Federal Republic, a policy which is denounced by many.) "Muslims should not willingly move to a country where they will not be freeto practice their faith. In fact, God and His prophet tell us that it is our duty to fight against all forms of oppression. As the faith is one of our most important qualities, freedom of conscience should be our number one priority." Other Islamic leaders around the country expressed similar sentiments. Mullah Hossein Keivanzadeh called the declaration "a drink from the poisoned chalice." The Right Party of Otullia has proposed a bill giving religious freedoms to minorities; Nasrollah is expected to express his support during the next Friday sermon.

by **Otulia** » Fri Mar 27, 2015 7:22 am

THE FEDERALIST

NEWSWIRE

Chancellor instigates reforms; signs bill

In a move that surprised analysts, Chancellor Thoughtful Regrets, in her capacity as High Governor of the United Church, ordered the suspension of all cases being heard before the Court of Inquisition, and also gave permission to local authorities to begin issuing building permits for houses of worship, a practice not conducted in Otulia since the Revolution of 1919.
Meanwhile, in a close vote, the Chamber of Deputies voted 375-375 in favor of a bill (CD-R487) to legalize free expression of religious belief. Vice-Chancellor Breathless Cloud broke the tie and voted in favor of the bill, which will now be sent directly to the Chancellor, who is expected to sign it. Some opposition leaders, primarily among the Otulian Fascist Front, have accused the Chancellor of "bowing in to foreign pressure," though the Chancellor stated that she saw the move as long overdue.

Economists: Church will remain profitable

Despite rising concerns about whether the United Church can continue to fund its own operations, economists have predicted the Church will remain solvent at least until 2050. A recent revival in religious piety among Church members suggests that their statements will hold true. The Church currently collect Tl21 billion in donations from its congregants, but only needs Tl11.2 billion to cover its operations. The rest goes to funding government operations. Theoretically, the government is obligated to use taxpayer to fund the United Church, though this has never happened since the Federal Republic was created in 1957.

Minister of Defense headed to Meddittarenea; More support key

Minister of Defense Straight Spear announced today that he would be heading to Meddittarenea, to hold discussions with both the Workers' Republic and the Free Assembly, over "better, stronger military cooperation in combating global terrorism and attacks." Minister Spear said that Otulia would be "ready and willing" to provide "logistic and other support" to various brigades of Workers' Party militia that are expected to begin intervening in Nasiristan later this month. On April 2nd, the deadline for El Basir to step down will expire, at which point conflict will become inevitable, say analysts.
Minister Spear also expressed Otulia's "strong determination to improve our human rights' record, and to improve our relations with friendly countries in Meddittarenea." Minister Spear ended the conference by saying that Otulia would be "discussing further attempts to bring a lasting peace to Meddittaranea" before the next session of the Aenean Assembly, which would include peacekeeping. Spear stated that several dozen military advisers would be deployed "with the consent of the parties involved" to help allies in the region "degrade and eventually destroy the Catholic State." Spear mentioned that several Otulians with a Reko-based NGO would also be arriving in Free Assembly territory to aid the operation. The NGO is affiliated with Esperance International.

Andallic Border Calms Down; Nasiristani Intervention "Guaranteed"

Chancellor Regrets briefly addressed concerns about Andallion, saying that "we see no further threats from the north," and that operations against El Basir "will be unhindered by security concerns regarding Andallion; we intend to continue expanding our foreign policy of ensuring better help and security for democracy across Carpathia and Aeneas, including fighting the Catholic State." The Chancellor ended by saying she would be asking Parliament for an additional Tl8 billion to mobilize the country's third carrier for deployment off the Meddittarenian coast to "help our allies bring down this terrible threat to global stability." The Chancellor "guaranteed" involvement in Nasiristani after the deadline.

by **Mediterreania** » Fri Mar 27, 2015 4:39 pm

Nasrollah Creates Civil Association, Awaiting Free Assembly Approval

Ayatollah Houshang Nasrollah, religious leader and aspiring head of the Association of the Believers.

DARYĀSHAHR - In a move that shocked many, Ayatollah Houshang Nasrollah has filed an application with the Free Assembly for a new Civil Association. This group, the Etehād-e Mo'menān (Association of the Believers), would have full voting powers in the Free Assembly and be able to carry out court orders on behalf of its members. Already a high-ranking clergyman, Nasrollah has made several attempts to enter politics since the outbreak of violence in 2012. Many criticize this latest move, calling it an attempt to create a theocracy. The Free Assembly is set to vote on the application on Monday, a vote that will be followed closely by those in the know.

Along with the title āyat-ollah ["sign of God"], the highest possibly rank for a Shia clergyman, Nasrollah holds much political influence within Mediterranea. His Friday sermons in Daryāshahr are attended by thousands, transcripts of which are distributed to mosques around the country. The outbreak of the Catholic terrorist insurgency in Siracusa has led to an increase in Muslim militancy, and many of the militias fighting on behalf of the Free Assembly consider themselves a revival of the medieval Safavi religious orders; the Ayatollah plays the role of their Sheikh Hyder. The Association of the Believers would consolidate these militias, and bring them under Nasrollah's direct control. The creation of the Association would also integrate the finances of these militias with those of hundreds of mosques and charitable foundations around the country.

Nasrollah only recently become known to the international community for his denunciation of the Otulian refugee program. During today's sermon, the Ayatollah reversed his position, claiming that the new religious reform bill set to take effect in the Federal Republic "is tantamount to a peace treaty with all Muslims." Nasrollah also offer to finance the now-legal construction of mosques in Otulia. "Our jehād is now ideological," he said, "we must put down the sword and take up the Book." His controversial Sāzemān-e Khāne-ye Tālebān [Institute of the House of Students], called Sakht [Hard] or the Sāzemān-e Kharāb-kāri va Terorizem [Institute of Mischief and Terrorism] by critics, will send a delegation of one hundred student-missionaries to Otulia this summer. A few analysts in Otulia saw this as an intentional slight towards the Otulian Fascist Front, who criticized the religious reforms as foreign-influenced.

Influential members of the Assembly were less than thrilled with Nasrollah's newest proposal. Roxana Kosmatos, representative of the Mercantile Association and head of the informal Liberal Front, slammed the application as "a blatant attempt to create a Muslim counterpart to the Christian theocracy we're at war with." Assemblyman Callicrates of the Siracusa Civil Association also called the move "inflammatory." Diego abén Tar, ambassador of the Moorish Republic, expressed "alarm" at the application. Even some devout Muslims took offense at Nasrollah's move. Amin Rakhshān, a junior member of Irani's delegation, complained, "It will soon be impossible to donate to genuine charities without financing some militia or political campaign." Mullah Shamshiri of the Port Mosque of Daryāshahr, a popular "quietist" cleric, denounced the intermingling of faith and politics.

Despite the criticism of the larger Associations, Nasrollah has widespread support among smaller Associations, especially those whose constituencies were worst affected by the Catholic State terrorists. Many see the inclusion of the Shia militias in the Free Assembly a just reward for their efforts in defending Mediterranean soil. Nasrollah's social outreach programs, including reconstruction and refugee assistance, has brought him much admiration from diverse sectors of society. The vote may very well come down to a contest between the large delegations of more prominent Associations and the sheer volume of smaller Associations.

Whether these grand political gestures will change the situation on the ground remains doubtful. As Mohsen Kāzemi, member of one Shia militia, told Mediterāneh Emruz while reloading a field howitzer, "it would be nice to vote in the Free Assembly, but the real victories are won with blood and sweat."

by **Andallion** » Fri Apr 03, 2015 2:40 pm

Missing 5 year old causes national outcry
Emergency rescue effort offers no clues so far

The sudden disappearance of André Carlos Léon, a 5 year old from the Karyle Contingency, has been reported missing for 30 days after going on a camping trip in the Johannic Contingency with his family. The boy was last seen with his parents near an Otulian dominated community known as Croyaux, with a population of 30,000 Otulians.

"We know he is strong and will endure," said Kellie Léon, the boys mother. "We can't blame before we are sure he is dead."

André is described as white, about 3 feet 11 inches tall, with blond hair and brown eyes. Police said he was wearing khaki shorts, a plaid shirt and hiking boots.

Suspicions against the Otulian community have been raised by private groups and political fronts, but Parliament has been taken up by the upcoming Parliamentary elections scheduled for next week and the sudden forced-vote on an education & prison rehabilitation reform bill. All party leaders refused to comment on the subject.

The King has demanded an emergency search and rescue mission be taken to the upmost importance, stating that André will be found. The Ministry of Defense has stated that it will divert search and rescue missions will be constant. Police, troops and agents of the Royal Security Service had spent hours blocking off Otulian villages and searching house to house near Croyaux after the boy was reported

€1,000 cash reward is being offered for any information that leads to André's wherabouts. More information on André will be released as events develop.

by **Otulia** » Mon Apr 13, 2015 7:35 am

THE FEDEREALIST

NEWSWIRE

WAR DECLARED!!!
REKO, Otulia- Almost two weeks after a deadline imposed by Chancellor Regrets, demanding El Basir's resignation as commander of the Revolutionary Guard, Parliament formally approved a state of open war, 683-67 in the Chamber of Deputies and 71-33 in the Senate. Chancellor Regrets signed the declaration at noon, along with a series of executive orders directing airstrikes at known facilities throughout the country. Currently, one aircraft carrier and several destroyers are off the coast of Nasiristan, with a second carrier expected in the coming weeks. Significantly, the declaration of war gives the Chancellor the authority to conduct operations against the newly-declared Nasiristani Emirate, and provides unlimited appropriations to achieve this. Opposition MPs warned that the resolution grants too much power to the Chancellor in conducting the war, and are trying to amend the act to prevent the deployment of ground forces to Nasiristan. Foreign Minister Cautious Advance is reported to have begun negotiations with the pro-democracy Husseini government in the north of the country.

Andallic Child Found; Charged

WILTERSGREEN, Kazuma- About one week after a 5-year-old toddler named Andre was reported missing in Andallion, the Federal Border Guard said that they had found the child. Citing security concerns over what the toddler may have seen approaching the border, including classified fortifications and military emplacements, as well as troop numbers and concentrations, the 5-year-old was indicted on charges of espionage and illegal border crossing. Federal District Judge Abrahew Marshal, in indicting the child, said he would be tried as an adult, "given that no clause on minors is provided in the 1957 Espionage Act or the 1958 Border Control Act." Andre is being held at a federal facility near the federal courthouse in Wiltersgreen, in Kazuma. He will be provided with a public attorney, though the government has prohibited any media or visitors, citing security concerns and the possibility that the child will reveal valuable information. The initial court hearing will occur within 30 days, as per the Constitution.

New Federal Budget Approved

REKO- After divisive debate on the financial future of the country, a federal budget to maintain the country through October 2016 passed on a 375-375 vote in the Chamber of Deputies, with Vice-Chancellor Breathless Cloud voting in favor of the Tl525 billion ($787.5 billion) budget. Here's a quick breakdown:

Pensions: Thanks to the recent Pension Reform Act, the retirement age will rise to 66 by August, saving the government as much as Tl225 billion over a decade. The reform also increased pensions for military veterans, while free healthcare and federal benefits mean that the Federal Ministry of Health and Welfare took the lion's share of the budget, as normal. The Ministry will be fully covered this year by the 10% payroll tax.

Defense: Despite sudden increases in military spending, the base level will remain at about 1% of the GDP. Economists, however, estimate that additional add-ons and special appropriations, including spending in Nasiristan, could in fact increase the defense budget to as much as 3% of the GDP.

Education: Like years before, the Parliament will continue to support universities across the country, while providing small amounts of federal aid to provinces and local governments for education. A controversial amendment requiring university students to register for the draft was dropped.

Space: OMOSE will receive a record budget this year, of about Tl31.5 billion, or 6% of the federal budget. Despite frequent delays, the new moon mission and Lars mission OMOSE has lined up for the end of the decade are in full swing and expected to continue. More satellites and unmanned exploration vehicles will be provided.

Income Taxes: Worried about possible fallout from a large, unruly deficit, Parliament approved increasing the federal income tax from 3% to 5.8%, which will bring in an additional Tl82 billion in revenue every year, cancelling most of the debt the country has begun to wrack up in trying to fight foreign wars. It is the only significant tax increase in the budget. While citizens are expected to feel some pain to the purse, Chancellor Regrets stated that the move was necessary to prevent "a massive financial disaster years down the road." Nonetheless, the Chancellor's approval ratings slipped to 43%, their lowest since she took office in 2011.

Aid to Free Assembly; Workers' Party Passes

REKO- Along with approving the new federal budget, Parliament also approved a round of aid, both humanitarian and military, to the Free Assembly and Workers' Party factions in Medditarranea. The total package will cost Tl5.2 billion, with around 70% of the aid being sent to the Workers' Party. Opposition Right Party MPs have accused the coalition Socialists and Communists of backing the Workers' Party in an attempt to curry favor with the Party's leadership, which has raised several thousand militiamen to help oust Nasiristani General El-Basir. In an increasingly common maneuver, Vice-Chancellor Breathless Cloud broke a split vote in Parliament, approving the aid.

Chancellor's Itenerary: War on the Agenda

REKO- A spokesman for Chancellor Regrets today stated that the Chancellor would be making several special wartime visits, including visiting the OFS Felicity off the coast of Nasiristan and traveling through Medittaranea, to address both the Free Assembly and the Central Committee of the Workers' Party. The goal of the discussions will be to provide Medittarenan "boots on the ground" in support of Otulian air operations. Chancellor Regrets said she was "ready and willing" to provide logistical and financial support to any "free-spirited forces who wish to see democracy return to Nasiristan," though whether the Chancellor can provide such aid under the current declaration of war is questionable. Nonetheless, hopes that the Chancellor will be able to gain support in Medittaranea to fight Nasiristan is optimistic.

First Refugees Arrive; Religious Building "Good"

REKO- For the first time in decades, new construction on mosques and other religious houses of worships not associated with the United Church are being brought up, giving additional fuel to a new economic boom, with some economists even predicting economy growth of up to 5%. Moderate claims are in the 4.5% range. In addition, the first batch of several thousand Medittareanean refugees arrived at a camp prepared by the Ministry of the Interior. The Ministry of the Inteior said it will cooperate with the Ministry of Health and Welfare to provide jobs and employment to the new immigrants, who will be provided citizenship after one year of residence within the country.

by **Andallion** » Tue Apr 14, 2015 12:44 pm

Crackdown
Evidence of kidnapping results in 300 arrests

The arrest of at least 297 Otulians and others in Johannic territory on April 14, 2015, raises serious concerns before the 2015 Andallic elections. The arrests, including a group of Lanosian journalists and an Otulian diplomat, followed a news conference by the Johannic Crown Police, who accused several Otulian communities with a sex trafficking ring, organized with support from corrupted foreign diplomats.

On March 17, 2013, the authorities investigated 10 Otulians in the illegal Otulian settlement of Gomadur for being alleged sex traffickers. Soon, it was found that 159 Otulain immigrants had been found working with the sex trafficking business, causing a huge national outcry. Otulia and Andallion launched a joint investigation, finding that both Andallion and Otulia's foreign ministries were soaked in corruption, often helping traffickers across the border.

Sex trafficking is a huge issue in Andallion, with a reported 28,000 girls and boys of all ages being reported smuggled in Otulia, Lyncanestria, and Lanos last year. A bill that will add a safe harbor provision to Andallion’s laws for children exploited in sexual slavery, titled the Human Trafficking Safe Harbor Act, protects exploited minors from being convicted under prostitution laws and ensure they have access to shelter, health care, and mental health counseling through the juvenile court system.

Police starting making arrests last night, after 3 witnesses reported that the boy found on the Otulian was kidnapped by the West Council, a crime syndicate that profits off of the drug trade and sex trafficking. The West Council flourishes in lower class, Otulian communities, drawing members in promising a better life. Otulian communities are an area where daylight, open-air drug markets flourish, police said.

Police also say they confiscated 94 vehicles belonging to the dealers and their customers. One car had a compartment to hide drugs and allegedly people under the back seat. The narcotics officers say these mass arrest operations will continue in hot spots all across the Johannic territory.

Students, mostly; have taken to the streets to condemn the actions of government, who promise to deport the Otulians for violation of laws. The Andallic government has demanded an immediate release of the Andallic child in exchange for Otulian immigrants, some of which have been charged with coming to the country illegally.

by **The Republic of Lanos** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 6:58 pm

National Broadcasting System
Lanos National News
Freedom, Democracy, Justice!

Lanosian journalists arrested in Andallion crackdown
Keinsteinem Courier retaliates, releasing thousands of documents alleging racist tinge to crackdown

Andallic media have reported a massive crackdown against Otulian organized crime in the border areas of Andallion neighboring Otulia in light of recent tensions between the two countries. Two Lanosian journalists, Greg Torres and Douglas Hoyle, both of the Keinsteinem Courier, were arrested in the crackdown despite having no known criminal ties to any of those arrested. Despite efforts by the Lanosian embassy to free the journalists, Andallic authorities have not released the Lanosians to the Embassy for repatriation home.

In an act of retaliation against the arrests, their home newspaper, seen as the flagship newspaper of the country, has released thousands of official documents from House Johannes, alleging that the house bribed police, local judges, and mercenary groups in order to launch a targeted crackdown on the ethnic Otulian minority on the grounds of ethnicity. The documents also allege that the house has tried to bribe the national government with mixed results. Managing Editor Elias Rice promised that his newspaper would continue to release any and all House Johannes documents regarding, as he calls it, a "racist campaign" against the Otulian minority and called for the immediate release of his two journalists from police custody. The Lanosian government refused to comment on the leak, citing free speech laws and also calling for the immediate release of the two Lanosian journalists.

Stay tuned.

by **Andallion** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 2:58 pm

Conservatives Win it Big
Riots and possible insurrection in southern Andallion

The Conservative Party, led by Sophia Angèle, have won 115 out of 200 seats in the Royal Parliament, returning them to majority for the first time since 1995.

In the days leading up to and during the elections and the voting period, independent groups documented a number of violations, apparently aimed at restricting the ability of independent political parties and activists to voice dissenting political views from those of the ruling parties, in House Johannes. Activists affiliated with Otulian dissent groups, calling on supporters to boycott the elections, have been subjected to arbitrary arrest and ill-treatment by police forces.

A number of political opposition party members, including electoral candidates, have been arrested and detained by the Royal Johannic Intelligence Bureau (RJIB). Members of the Otulian Congress Party (OCP) in particular, have been targeted. On the eve of the elections, two online newspapers, Yohannesbourg Daily and Lyons Tribune, were hacked. Yohannesbourg Daily website is still down. The same day, the RJIB called newspaper editors in Johannic Territory and warned them that publishing on elections was a “red-line” issue. The next day, the first day of voting, editors reportedly received another phone call from the RJIB reminding them to not publish on the elections boycott that was organised by mainstream political opposition parties.

In Other News:
1. King dissolves Johannic
Crown Council
2. "House Johannes runs
risk of being named
enemy of the state,"
says Labour MP
3. Army arrests House
Johannes members. Coup
d'état?

The victory of the Liberal Democratic Party in Johannic Territory has caused many Otulian communities to rebel. Many Johannic cities--including Landerson; New Kingston and Levoire--have been convulsed by riots led by what police are calling "armed Otulian dissenters". Johannes' capital city Yannesbourg had not escaped unscathed; police in the capital rushed from emergency call to emergency call as mobs of men, women and children moved from store to store, breaking plate-glass windows and taking what they found. Television sets, clothing, food and liquor were carted away from largely Andallic-owned businesses. Fires have blazed out of control across the city.

Not long after, the first of 3,000 Royal Army troops arrived to back up police, who have had little to no training for such a civic catastrophe. Military units and fire department crews have been greeted by sniper fire. A battle has ensued.

King Clovis III has condemned the RJIB for voter intimidation tactics and dissolved the Royal Johannic Intelligence Bureau. Royal decrees calling for the arrest of the RJIB head, Oswald Cousteau, have been issued throughout the Kingdom. The Ministry of Justice has subpoenaed all of the Johannic Crown Council's recorded private debates, and the Supreme Court of Andallion has summoned Lord Alvin Johannes to Landres for questioning.

Army closes in on Yohannesbourg
House Johannes looks to be dissolved

The King has ordered the military arrest of members of House Johannes, using a televised statement to declare that it had become "necessary to establish control in the deteriorating situation".

The head of the Royal Army, Marshal Jean Turné, made the announcement tonight alongside senior military officers, vowing to work with the King and the Ministry of Justice. The move comes after violent protests erupted earlier today in the wake of national elections and have threatened a rebellion in southern Andallion.

"In order for the situation to return to normal quickly and for society to love and be at peace again ... and to reform the political, economic and social structure, the Royal Government needs to take control of power in the region," King Clovis III said in the televised announcement.

After the address, Marshal Jean Turné official told the Tribune that troops would "arrest Johannes members in accordance with the command of the King and the Ministry of Justice".

Protesters have been blockading several parts of Yohannesbourg since 3:00, and the military has pledged to bring the Johannic capital back under control.

by **Otulia** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 5:23 pm

THE FEDERALIST

NEWSWIRE

Government condemns Johannes, applauds Royals

REKO, Otulia- In the wake of discredited elections in which it is highly likely that House Johannes rigged elections and turned Otulian voters away from the polls, as well as a massive crackdown on prostitution (which is illegal in Andallion but legal in Otulia) provoked Chancellor Regrets to lambast House Johannes as "the principles of Satan erected into a pillar of government" and "a racist, prejudiced bunch of inbreds whose idea of purity is marrying their siblings." The Chancellor said that "no deal will be made in which we are trading people, which, if I am correct, was the entire point of this anti-trafficking operation." The Johannic government also arrested Michael Namosi, charge d'affaires at the Otulian consulate in

Following the elections, widespread riots and looting across House Johannes forced the Andallic government to deploy military police and effectively declare martial law, suspending civilian government and ordering the arrest of the Johannic government. Andallic media speculated as to whether the action amounts to a coup d'état. Chancellor Regrets said that she sympathized with the "serious problems King Clovis is facing," but continued saying that "it is necessary to understand that only when Otulians are properly represented and accepted into Johannic society can House Johannes become peaceful once more."

Citing concerns of civil unrest spilling over the border, the Chancellor and Souznik Premier Radolfo Hakari increased the number of militia and Federal Army troops along the Andallic border to 192,000 soldiers, with 60% of those troops being Souznikian militiamen. The country has already committed most of its air and armor fleets to the border with Andallion. Citing further security concerns, the Chancellor ordered 108,000 Federal troops to the Lyncanestrian frontier. As of today, all Otulian reserve troops have been mobilized and have been deployed along either the border or within Kazuma.

Otulian Congress Party receives funds; support

REKO, Otulia- The opposition Otulian Congress Party (OCP), which is based in southern Andallion, has gained funding and support from within Otulia, and several parties, including the Socialists, Greens, and Communists, have pledged a total of Tl30 million to help fund and maintain the party. Chancellor Regrets applauded the move, saying that "the well-financed, cruel devils' machines that operate within House Johannes will for once be forced to accept that the power of the people cannot be stopped through thuggish tactics."

The additional funding will be driven to the border and given to representatives of the OCP. The government has warned that "severe retaliation" would occur if the shipments were interfered with.

by **Andallion** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 8:18 pm

Parliament threatens war with Otulia
King Clovis III condemns Otulian "covert tactics"

Andallic troops deploy along the Otulian border.

Chancellor Regrets of Otulia has increased the number of militia and Federal Army troops along the Andallic border to 192,000 soldiers, committing most of its air and armor fleets to the border with Andallion. The Otulian Congress Party has received support from several Otulian political parties, including the Socialists, Greens, and Communists. They have pledged a total of Tl30 million to help fund and maintain the party.

Citing further security concerns, the Chancellor ordered 108,000 Federal troops to the Lyncanestrian frontier. As of today, all Otulian reserve troops have been mobilized and have been deployed along either the border or within Kazuma.

These actions come following the King ordering the military arrest of members of House Johannes, using a televised statement to declare that it had become "necessary to establish control in the deteriorating situation".

King Clovis III summoned the Otulian Ambassador to accept demands to withdraw the Otulian troops from the Andallic and Lyncanestrian borders, citing that Andallion's unrest are an internal matter and is not to be interfered with. The Ministry of Defence has called upon 120,000 volunteers to be called up, as only 65,000 soldiers are currently deployed along the Andallic border. The Otulian Army outnumbers the Royal Army with a ratio of 3-1.

Parliament voted on a resolution citing that if Otulian aid enters Andallion, the Kingdom will see it as a act and declaration of war. It also called upon the C.C.D. to impose sanctions on Otulia.

by **Otulia** » Sun Apr 19, 2015 6:10 pm

THE FEDERALIST

KING CLOVIS BELLIGERENT, CHANCELLOR "EXASPERATED" WITH ANDALLIC AGGRESSION

LANDRES and REKO- After Chancellor Regrets controversially ordered a total of 192,000 soldiers to the border with Andallion, King Clovis III beat the drum of war and declared that any aid to House Johannes, including financial aid to the Otulian Congress Party, would be treated as an act of war.

Chancellor Regrets, whose administration has so far been defined by what opponents are calling a "wily" foreign policy, said that she and her cabinet were "exasperated" with the Andallic response. "We are sick and tired of the Andallic government, which, currently, cannot even protect its own people, telling our country what to do. I will not stand for this. Otulia will not stand for this." In response to the Andallic threats, the Chancellor ordered live-fire exercises just kilometers from the border, within sight of Andallic Royal border guards.
Adding to the growing crisis, the three-party group that is sending financial aid to the OCP announced that they would continue with sending the money. "We will not be intimidated by a government that has failed to protect all its people and has currently managed to turn one of its own provinces into a war zone," said Communist Party General Secretary Giuliana Radolfiori. She said that the "nongovernmental aid to a fellow party aimed at improving the lot of our people" would be allowed, or "the Government of the Federal Republic will have to show the Andals that they cannot bully us."

Otulian Ambassador to Andallion Frederico Massimiliano, following a summons by the King, said that Otulia would continue to pursue a policy "of concerned nonintervention" towards Andallion "unless the situation dramatically changes." Massimiliano further stated that, because of the fighting and civil unrest throughout House Johannes, the Otulian Federal Frontier Guard would be denying entry to all non-Otulian nationals along the Andallic-Otulian border. The unrest in Johannes as caused a serious drop in BorsaReko, the country's main stock index, which fell 6% after Royal Army troops entered Yohannesbourg yesterday.

Concluding her talks, Chancellor Regrets said that "any attempt to prevent nonlethal, financial aid to the people of Andallion" would force her to deliver a declaration of war to Parliament, which has so far this year already approved one such declaration, against the Emirate of Nasiristan.

Your correspondent then travelled by private car to the border. There, anti-tank ditches and railroads ties and ad hoc barbed wire perimeters greeted me. The border post, which I had crossed just a few weeks earlier going into Andallion, was much changed. It had gone from a simple wooden box with a bar to a veritable concrete bunker, with a heavy steel turnpike blocking the way across the border. The guard who came out to check my passport was a Federal Army soldier in full combat gear, including a 5.56mm-FDC and kevlar helmet. After confirming that I was who I said I was, he asked me to leave the car (I was alone), then thoroughly patted me down. Then, with the same efficiency and thoroughness, he searched my car. When I asked about my constitutional rights, he showed me the warrant that allowed him to search "all vehicles and persons" that crossed the border. With the search done, and nothing showing me to be an Andallic spy, the guard cleared me and let me cross.

A column of Otulian Federal Army soldiers standing at attention at their newly-built base, 1.8 km from the Andallic border

When I crossed the border, the highway covered with cheap wooden signs showing the various newly-created military installations by company, battalion, regiment, and division. As I was driving, numerous armored vehicles, in one case even a tank convoy, came by. After a while, I barely even noticed the roar of all the jets that were flying overhead.

At one point, I saw a company of soldiers, dressed in heavy combat gear with rifles, marching in the heat. Pulling up, I asked it I could speak to someone. A few seconds later, Lieutenant Figaro Namosa, commander of Company B, 33rd Souznik Militia, came to great me. My first question was what he knew about his orders.
"Some of it's classified, but standing orders are to reach the border and dig in."

"So, Lt Namosa, how recently was your company mobilized?"

"More accurately, we were formed. I'd served with the militia before, so the Premier appointed me Lieutenant of this company. As a company, we were summoned about four weeks ago."

"What would you say the condition of your troops is, then?"

"Unfortunately, I've found some of my men to be... lacking. However, our esprit de corps is high, and I'm confident in our ability to repel any attack. Will that be all?"

"Yes, thank you, sir.

The 4th Federal Circuit Court, which presides over Souznik and Kazuma, the two provinces bordering Andallion, issued an eminent domain order 30 days ago, which permits the military to requisition land near the border to build defenses. This has displeased farmers and traders, who claim that the requisition is destroying the local economy. Others, however, say that it helps, since the new defensive works have employed thousands of people. Combining the summoning of unemployed to the militia and to help build military fortifications, the unemployment rate in Souznik has fallen from 4.4% to 1.5%, and workers from other provinces are being trucked in to help with the building.

The appropriations for this were including in a Special Defense Funding Bill, which passed Parliament last month and was signed almost immediately by Chancellor Regrets. The bill provides unlimited funding to operations aimed at combatting "impending Andallic aggression." The rampant spending, however, is expected to wreak havoc on the federal budget: Finance Minister Rathi Matoglu released a preliminary report today, estimating that, even without a war with Andallion, the war preparations and mobilizations could cost the country as much as Tl150 billion ($225 billion). In response to the report, which would mean that the country would plunge deep into debt, Chancellor Regrets asked Parliament to increase the income tax to 3.7%, and airfares by 8%. This would raise Tl23 billion in revenue, but wouldn't prevent a budget deficit, the first since 1997. In addition to the current surplus, the money provides a meager cushion against the impending defense spending, which would cause a deficit worth 4.1% of the GDP. The tax increases, as well, are expected to slow economic growth down to 3.3% this year, compared to 4.5% growth the previous year.

In Parliament, debate over the expenditures and conduct of the escalation with Andallion have been raging, with the Communist-Socialist coalition barely succeeding in keeping the country afloat, though many foresee that Parliament will soon break up over the issue if tensions continue without turning into a worthwhile action that will enrich the country. Chancellor Regrets has promised "some kind of solution" to the problem within the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the focus of Parliament continues to be domestic, with 218 laws passed so far this year, an extremely productive pace, though this is expected to slow soon. About half those laws passed along party lines, with Vice-Chancellor Breathless Cloud breaking the tie vote in favor of the Communist-Socialists. Chancellor Regrets has yet to use her veto against any laws passed by Parliament. The recalcitrant Senate has tried to block the passage of some bills, but the strong Communist-Socialist majority there ensured that most of the legislation this year has passed without a hitch.

Nonetheless, the Communists have vowed to leave their coalition with the Socialists if the Andallion Crisis is not resolved soon. This would probably result in the collapse of the government and snap elections. To prevent this, the Chancellor has frantically stated that "we will do everything in our power to ensure an end to this affair." Meanwhile, the Chancellor's popularity fell from 38% to 19%, mostly due to what many see as her bungling and fiscal irresponsibility. 4% approved of the Chancellor's handling of the crisis in Andallion, but 64% said they supported her efforts in Nasiristan. 16% said they approved of the Chancellor's foreign policy in general, which opposition MPs have said is imperialistic, has isolated Otulia, and caused an economic crisis at home. 41%, however, said they like the Chancellor's domestic policy, which has included expanding the space program, passing anti-lynching laws through Parliament, and expanding the Ministry of the Interior to combat racism and discrimination across the country, as well as increasing the government at a slower rate than previous governments. 98% of respondents said they didn't like that the country will be going into debt soon, and 96% said they disliked the Chancellor's "carefree" fiscal policy.

Finally, at the CCD, Otulia is expected to try and convince Nasiristan and Meddittarennea to vote against any resolution to impose region-wide sanctions against the Federal Republic. The government, which has promised large aid packages to both countries, hopes that such aid, as well as promises of strong military intervention in both countries, will sway their governments to vote against the imposition of sanctions against Otulia, which Andallion has recently proposed. The Foreign Ministry called the sanctions "irrelevant and needlessly belligerent."

by **Andallion** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 6:14 pm

Shots exchanged between Andallic forces and Otulian forces
Otulian forces provoke Andallic troops to fire

Royal Army battalions reported to central command that Otulian forces moved too close to the Andallic border and moved to cross from Otulia into the Kingdom, Andallic Defence Ministry spokesman André Sienne said. Chancellor Regrets controversially ordered a total of 192,000 soldiers to the border with Andallion. According to THE FEDERALIST, Otulian political parties refused to cease sending financial aid to the OCP and announced that they would continue with sending money.

The Royal Army reported that a company of 35 Otulian troops approached the border, ignoring warning shots, and attempted to fire on Andallic forces. The Royal Army opened fire, driving back Otulian forces. For a 45 minute period, small arms fire was exchanged across the border. Artillery fire took part in the battle for another hour. No aircraft or armored vehicles were reported to be engaged. Casualties have not been confirmed.

Royal Army headquarters are fully aware of the situation, and have requested that another 60,000 men be called up for military service.

King Clovis III demanded that Andallic forces continue to defend the border if necessary and order all Andallic forces to be put on alert. Parliament convened in emergency session.

by **The Republic of Lanos** » Thu Apr 23, 2015 1:19 am

National Broadcasting System
Lanos National News
Freedom, Democracy, Justice!

Becerra demands Otulian, Andallic forces stand down after border skirmish
National Assembly authorizes State Militia mobilization, military overseas deployment, funding
Government quiet on potential military intervention plans

President David Becerra took to the podium in Nostrom's Fort Wood to call for Otulia and Andallion to stand down its militaries from their shared borders in the wake of a reportedly deadly border skirmish. Visiting the Assault Brigade, Becerra's remarks were unusually fierce in condemnation of both sides but focused on Otulian signs of escalating the crisis, sparking what he feared would be the start of a ground war between the two countries. Laying out a general plan, Becerra said that he would be in discussion with the Andallic government to provide Lanosian military forces to help the country in the event Otulia invades the nation. After the speech, Becerra continued to meet with members of the brigade and undertook a tour of its military installation and equipment.

The National Assembly, meanwhile, undertook a potential war authorization maneuver by authorizing the National Defense Forces to send military personnel overseas to Andallion in the event of a war and also funds any war effort should hostilities break out. While the final bill would later include a war authorization if Otulia did attack Andallion, it was more telling that early drafts of the legislation included giving the President the authority to mobilize the State Militia for the purpose of forming the Army's regular combat divisions and deploying them to Andallion. The Green House has indicated that President Becerra would sign the bill into law as soon as possible.

The NDF and the Defense Department were mum on potential mobilization and deployment plans. Even if the State Militia was being mobilized currently for immediate war deployment, it would take 7-14 days for two regular combat divisions to fully form and arrive in Andallion barring the previous deployment of the First Strike Division. Speculation has formed that 8 of the active duty brigades could be used to form the combat divisions as they can be assembled in less time and be easily reinforced and reformed by State Militia brigades at a later date. In any event, the NDF undertook steps to prepare for immediate deployment of forces to Andallion, starting with an immediate recall of active duty personnel to their bases and visible signs the Army, Air Force, and Navy were preparing for war.

Stay tuned.

by **Nasiristan** » Thu Apr 23, 2015 4:52 am

Revolutionary Guard Leaders Killed, El Basir Severely Injured In Car Bombing

Morning Edition

Zakariyah Khoury, 22 April 2015

[IMAGE REDACTED DUE TO GRAPHIC CONTENT]

A suicide car bomb that exploded outside of the Revolutionary Guard Headquarters in Wahat, Al-Wahatiyya Governorate, Nasiristan has killed thirty-seven senior Revolutionary Guard officials and critically wounded Field Marshal Karim El Basir, commander of the Revolutionary Guard. The blast wounded an additional 56 people and leveled half of the compound. No civilians were injured by the blasts, but they explosion could be heard and felt throughout most of downtown Wahat. The car bomb, which was in a small truck, is believed to have been comprised of ammoniun nitrate fuel oil explosive (ANFO).

The perpetrator of the bombing has been identified as Abdulrahim Al-Zargabadi, a hard line Islamic fundamentalist, who detonated the bomb outside of the facility. Karim El Basir was found by rescue teams, unresponsive but alive, and is now at Wahat Islamic Medical Center, in the rubble of the collapsed compound.

The Wahat Islamic Medical Center is yet to issue a statement about his health, but it is known that he is in "critical condition."

The news comes as an Islamic Republic of Nasiristan offensive has begun along the border between the two warring factions. Such an advance seems to have caught the Emirate of Nasiristan's Revolutionary Guard battalion off guard. Counterattacks have begun in Nasiriyah against the forces of Revolutionary Guard commander Aqil Hakim. The Emir of Nasiristan, Meshal Al-Subai, is believed to be in Lyncanestria at the moment, and it is unknown who will assumleadership of the Emirate after these events.

by **Otulia** » Fri Apr 24, 2015 5:45 pm

THE FEDERALIST

ANDALLIC FORCES ATTACK FEDERAL ARMY; CHANCELLOR ASKS FOR WAR!!!

REKO, Otulia- Breaking news from the capital today, as Chancellor Regrets went before a joint session of Parliament and asked for a declaration of war on Andallion, following what she called "wanton Andallic aggression against the Federal Republic." The Chancellor said that 40 Federal Army troops, accompanying a convoy of armored cars transporting gold and silver to the Otulian Congress Party (OCP), were fired at by Andallic border guards. The Federal Army, in its own press briefing, stated that "the Andallic Royal Army seized and impounded the convoy, and, when Federal Army forces attempted to get the Andallic Royal Army contingent to release the convoy and let it continue, shots were fired." It is unclear who fired the first shot, but the Chancellor said that such "unpardonably ghastly, oppressive Andallic behavior can no longer be tolerated by the people of Otulia, nor by their cousins, crushed under the monarcho-fascist boot in their own homes, where the government regularly and with impunity violates their human rights and makes a mockery of democracy." The Chancellor concluded her speech by asking for a declaration of war "to ensure that a free, just workers state, free of bourgeois monarcho-fascist elements, is put into place, to ensure the continued freedom and prosperity of not only our Andallic brethren, but also of all of Carpathia."

The Chancellor's belligerent request was met with widespread applause, especially for adopting Communist rhetoric in her speech, to curry the favor of that party and the liberal elements of the Green and Modern Centrist Parties. Following the Chancellor's request, Parliament approved a closed session, and the Parliament Building was locked down by the Sergeant-at-Arms.

Currently, military forces are preparing for what seems to be an inevitable war, and the Federal Army has received large shipments of munitions and supplies, to sustain a large offensive. The government also moved several million liters of jet fuel to airbases near the border, and Chief of Staff Radolfo Galtieri has arrived at the frontier headquarters to assume personal command of the army. Chancellor Regrets has promised that any conflict "will have no adverse impacts on Otulia."

Residents in border areas have been encouraged to evacuate the area for fear of an Andallic invasion, while the almost-constant roar of jets rumbles along the border.

by **Esperance International** » Fri Apr 24, 2015 8:05 pm

Esperance News Network

GLADWELL OFFERS ESPERANCE MEDIATION
IN OTULIA/ANDALLION CONFLICT

By: Fujiwara Hatsuyo
24 April 2015

New Prospect – Hours after Chancellor Thoughtful Regrets asked the Otulian Parliament for a declaration of war against the Kingdom of Andallion, High Commissioner Catherine Gladwell has made an urgent call for both nations to settle their differences through diplomatic talks mediated by Esperance International, which Ms. Gladwell calls Carpathia's "last, best chance for peace."

The High Commissioner's plea comes after months of worsening tension between the two nations. Geographic neighbors long divided by different ideologies, governments, and cultures, the Federal Republic of Otulia and the Kingdom of Andallion fell to odds after an Andallic newspaper, La Soirée Landres Tribune, revealed systematic discrimination against Andallion's Otulian minority. The noble House Johannes, whose lands border the Federal Republic, was accused of using voter intimidation and electoral fraud in order to suppress Otulian voters and maintain a high level of income inequality between citizens of native Andallic origin and those of Otulian origin. Chancellor Thoughtful Regrets responded with virulent rhetoric - including a promise to make those responsible for the discrimination "choke on their bloated corpses" - and deployed thousands of troops to the border with Andallion. King Clovis III of Andallion responded by refusing to negotiate with Otulia, mobilizing the Andallic military, and launching his own investigation into discriminatory practices.

Tens of thousands of Otulian troops are entrenched on the Andallic border.

By mid-March, it seemed that the crisis was abating: the Otulian government insisted that it did not want a war with Andallion, and moved many of its troops away from the Andallic border. But the Otulian Parliament also passed economic sanctions against House Johannes, which provoked the Andallic government to retaliate by freezing all Otulian investments in Andallion. Otulia then withdrew its embassy from Andallion, passed blanket economic sanctions against the kingdom, mobilized the national militia, deployed powerful air and armored forces to the Andallic border, and declared its intention to fund pro-Otulian political parties in Andallion directly. The Andallic leadership called for calm and international support in the face of what it described as Otulian escalation.

In early April, tensions rose after the disappearance in southern Andallion of André Carlos Léon, a five-year-old child. The boy reappeared at the Otulian border, where he was arrested and charged as an adult with espionage. The following day, Andallic security forces arrested two Lanosian journalists and 297 Otulians, including a diplomat, on human-trafficking charges; the Andallic government offered to release its detainees in exchange for the return of André Carlos Léon. Lanosian media responded by releasing documents proving that House Johannes had "bribed police, local judges, and mercenary groups in order to launch a targeted crackdown on the ethnic Otulian minority on the grounds of ethnicity."

Last week, the local victory of the anti-Otulian Liberal Democratic Party - abetted by anti-dissident violence on the part of the Royal Johannic Intelligence Bureau - caused rioting across southern Andallion. King Clovis moved to dissolve House Johannes by military force, but the Otulian government further reinforced its military presence on the Andallic border and promised financial aid to the Otulian Congress Party, an Andallic dissident group. Andallion vowed to regard the delivery of any such aid as an act of war. As both sides rushed troops to the border, and the Lanosian government vowed support for Andallion, a unit of Otulian troops guarding funds intended for the Otulian Congress Party were fired upon by Andallic troops. Chancellor Thoughtful Regrets responded by asking Parliament for a declaration of war.

Andallic forces, having massed on the Otulian border, fired on Otulian troops two
days ago.

In the face of the worsening crisis, Esperance International has until now been relatively silent. Commissioner of Inquiry Frances Delaney confirmed on April 7 that there is an ongoing Esperance investigation concerning discriminatory practices in southern Andallion, but she refused to comment on its progress, and she noted that there is also an ongoing investigation concerning discrimination against religious minorities in Otulia. The Commission on Democracy and Civil Society issued statements strongly condemning both the Otulian government's treatment of André Carlos Léon, and the blatant voter-suppression efforts of the Royal Johannic Intelligence Bureau. Since the start of April, non-essential Esperance International projects near the border between Andallion and Otulia have been suspended for safety reasons. Hamid al-Amin, Commissioner for Mediation and Diplomacy, has called on both nations to show restraint in repeated but poorly publicized statements.

Overall, however, enthusiasm to engage with the crisis has been notably lacking among the Esperance leadership. A high-ranking staff member within the High Commissioner's office, speaking on condition of anonymity, told ENN that "we're dealing with a country run by corrupt nobility and a country that until recently had a functioning inquisition. The general feeling here is to say 'A pox on both their houses.'"

But in the face of immanent and seemingly almost inevitable war, Wright House has clearly been shocked into action. In a syndicated statement this morning, High Commissioner Catherine Gladwell called on the Andallic and Otulian governments to accept Esperance mediation in finding a peaceful solution to the crisis. The High Commissioner's speech stressed the human consequences of allowing full-scale war to erupt:

We stand upon the brink of a catastrophe. Open war in Carpathia will cause thousands of military casualties, maybe tens of thousands. And for every man and woman in uniform who is slaughtered, there is a father to mourn their loss, a mother to see her child torn from her arms forever.

There will be civilian casualties, too, men and women murdered by accident for the crime of living in the wrong place at the wrong time. And for every child maimed by an artillery shell and left to live the rest of his life in a wheelchair, never again to know the pleasure of normal play, there will be a thousand men and women and children forced to flee their homes, to leave their whole lives behind, and to dwell as refugees, in wretched poverty and inhumane squalor, in the company of strangers.

Hamid al-Amin, Esperance International Commissioner for
Mediation and Diplomacy, insists that a peaceful solution to
the crisis is still possible.

Let those who are making the decisions in Reko and in Landres know: these are the consequences of your actions.

In order to avoid this nightmarish scenario, Ms. Gladwell called upon Chancellor Thoughtful Regrets and King Clovis III to suspend all military operations and meet for diplomatic talks on New Prospect. "Esperance International has no interest in geopolitics," the High Commissioner declared. "We do not play favorites. We have no allies and no enemies. We care only for the countless lives that will be destroyed unless we act to prevent this war. And so I call upon you both, Chancellor and King: if you cannot trust each other, at least trust us. Do not sentence your people to a pointless death. There is a better way."

Such emergency talks are a specialty of the Mediation and Diplomacy Commission. Commissioner al-Amin told ENN that "this is what we do. We have a room ready. We have interpreters ready. We have Otulian and Andallic personnel prepared to offer their own perspectives. We have experts on border security, minority rights, and prisoner exchanges on hand. We know that there's a limited window of opportunity to solve this before people walk away from the table and start shooting. But we're confident that we can negotiate a peaceful solution to this crisis, if the Andallic and Otulian governments are prepared to give us the chance to do so."

Ms. Gladwell also warned that there would be diplomatic consequences if one nation agreed to mediated talks and the other did not. "If one country's head of state is on New Prospect working for a peaceful solution, and the other country's leader is ordering the tanks over the border, then there can be no doubt in the eyes of the world who the aggressor is in this situation. Chancellor, King, you have both said in the past that you are committed to peace. Now it is time for you to show the world whether you meant what you said. Aeneas does not forgive a warmonger. Choose wisely."

"This is a Hail Mary pass," ENN's source in the High Commissioner's office admitted. "We have less than a week to make it work. But if nothing else, it will serve as a test to show the world who the real aggressor is here. And there's still a chance that we can save a lot of lives. I mean, in the end, saving lives is the whole reason we exist. If the chance to do that is real, then we have to try to take it."

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by **Viridisolum** » Sun Apr 26, 2015 6:45 pm

International Mass Media Broadcasting Corporation
Viridisian Service
ONLINE

14 Year-Old Girl Raped By College Students

ERU Administration Building and Campus Grounds
SOURCE: ERU Official Website

We will not tolerate any immoral and inhuman act of humiliation and violation. These criminals must ultimately serve justice onto the victim in accordance with the court and the penal code."
- Eyri Redarala University Administration, faculty, and staff

^{SHARE THIS:}

Mary Fedae Jakas (@MariFJ)
^{Monday April 27 2015, 9:44:55 AM | Ney Bayensbard, Viridisolum}

Victim petitions to the Imperial Crown for the capital punishment's reinstatement, "at least for 'her case'", following the VNP's capture of accused suspects. The first suspect arrested has confessed and is now convicted.

Two nights ago, two Viridisian teenage girls in the National Subdivision of New Northwestern Valaran took an evening stroll in their neighbourhood beach "Faral Community Seaside Park" exchanging the events of the day, perhaps about prime minister and parliament, emperor and monarchy, the future or the past, and who loves or hates them at school, just young women preparing to become a part of the next generation to lead the Nation. One, who will not be named for her sake, wanted to stay a bit longer to take in further the fresh evening breeze at the beach. The other, who also will not be named tried to bring her friend back to the warmth of their homes since it is not very safe to walk around in the light of night as midnight approaches despite being far. It failed, leaving her friend behind out of frustration. It was 9:47 PM. Unaware and unprepared for what was to come that night.

Five students of Eyri Edarala University, 19 year-old ERU Football Player Garde Valaka, 20 year-old Land Development Empire of Barokel and Co. heir Fenast Barokel Jr., 18 year-old Albenz Roista G.U Kaels, 20 year-old ERU Basketball Player Imaje-Conqua E. Valaka, and 20 year-old Omal Dakah, happens to have also been spending their time in the beach following a day not so different from their other days, enjoying the remainder of their early lives in its closing upon the sand and before calm northern waves and the Moon's radiance. Although being similar to any other day, that night wasn't.

At 3:35 AM the teenage girl who decided to stay in Faral Community Seaside Park was discovered by her parents still not at home after almost six hours. Her mother asked her daughter's friend, living just across their street, who accompanied her last night. Telling only what has happened until she left her alone. Alarmed the mother called for the Faral Community Police. The girl's father grew impatient following an hour of waiting and chose to look for his daughter on his own. The Community Police 30 minutes later arrived and begun search in the Park. At 5:51 a girl was found sleeping naked and spread out against an inflatable mattress surrounded by used condoms and scattered foot and shoe-prints. The girl was later identified as the one who was missing by her enraged father.

The teenage girl was taken to Ney Bayensbard General Hospital at 6:30 AM to be examined and taken cared. The Ney Bayensbard Police took over and investigated, taking evidences in the area where the girl was found.

5:00 PM The GFP announced their findings that consist of seven used condoms, 13 unused condoms, 10 condom packaging, two socks, two Viagra packaging, a knife, an empty bag, a pair of glasses, a shot class, a shoe, a pair of pants, and an ERU student identification card. The student identification card belonged to Omal Dakah. The Viridisian National Police was asked to assist the GFP since Omal Dakah is not a resident of Ney Bayensbard but of Viridisian Vonley. The GRP already submitted the complaint for an arrest warrant against Omal Dakah and was immediately approved by the Ney Bayensbard City Courthouse due to the significant amount of evidence gathered. 8:58, 2 minutes before 9:00 Omal Dakah was arrested by the VNP and was sent to Ney Bayensbard under the custody of the GFP.

Omal Dakah was interrogated and confessed that he, along with Garde Valaka, Fenast Barokel Jr., Albenz Roista G.U Kaels, and Imaje-Conqua E. Valaka, sexually abused the victim for five hours. All four were arrested within the next eight hours. The case was made public an hour after the arrests were made.

The four will be charged of rape according to Article XVII, Section 6, Number 17 of the Revised Viridisian Penal Code of 2001 defined as:

Rape
A subject (Person A) has committed this offence if he or she:

Penetrated one's (Person B) vagina, anus, or mouth, with intention, regardless if it is a male genital organ for copulation or not,
Without any consent from Person B and
Person A believing that Person B has given consent to it without a reasonable cause.

Omal Dakah, since he has confessed which is legally accorded in the Viridisian Legal Process Act of 2003, to replace the Valaran Legal Process Act of 1899, is convicted of rape and is currently imprisoned in Ney Bayensbard City Correctional Facility. He will be moved to Montinen Penal Colony within this month. The four refused to admit and accept Dakah's confession and wanted to continue the case in court.

However, the victim herself defies the accused their right to a trial and petitions for the restoration of the Viridisian Penal Code of 1956 to the Imperial Crown through Emperor Edric Skaran III's vice-regal national subdivision representative, Dr. Bared Carcan, the High Secretary of New Northwestern Valaran. She wants the accused to die after being proven guilty, the same fate those who committed rape before the Revised Penal Code of 1989 was implemented, desperate even that she also added that it could only apply for her case and does not need to take effect indefinitely. The High Secretariat reminds the victim:

"Despite the Crown being a public servant, your servant, it may not intervene in state affairs, especially those concerning of crimes only in need of immediate attention from the Viridisian Supreme Court and the populace.

His Imperial Majesty, Their Excellencies the Grand Secretary and this national subdivision's High Secretary, and the High Secretariat, have our hearts with the victim including our support. No girl deserves to experience such at the beginning of womanhood. We wish to her good health and a speedy recovery."

The case will begin trial on bench in Ney Bayensbard City Courthouse, Courtroom Four in May 4 at 8:30 until 2:00 presided by His Magisterial Honour Judge Weiklas V. Xacar. A request was made by Land Development Czar Fenast Barokel Sr. to Judge Xacar for a jury trial to be held instead but was denied due to the conclusiveness of the evidence gathered. Barokel Sr. protested the judge's decision "It is unfair for my son and so I will spread the word on this 'denial of human rights.' His Magisterial Honour Weiklas Xacar is aware of this."

Eyri Redarala University expelled Omal Dakah and has condemned him and the accused publicly in a statement expressing hatred for their students’ legal and moral misdeeds. The accused will also be expelled if proven guilty.

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