Yurope 1936 [IC|Region Only]

[The Landfish Colonies]

President Abbas sat hunched over his desk, and the mound of papers which covered it. The sun had long since set over the Bekkeri cityscape, and the streets were now illuminated by the soft orange glow of streetlights. In Abbas's office was awash in a similar light, bringing life to the the colorful books lining the shelves, and several empty frames on the wall. They had once held portraits of Muhammad Kahlil, and Marcus Bekker before him. Abbas supposed that one day, it would be his own likeness hanging from the wall, ready to be torn down by whatever power hungry psychopath felt it was his time to step up to the plate, and to hell with it, let him, a smile crossed Abbas's face. Let some one else deal with all this paperwork.

The reality of the situation was starting to way on the new President. Sure, he could preach all day, but putting his promises to action was a whole other story. It looked like peace was farther off then he had once thought, the Loyalist, the PLA, and now the mess of Bearia, men in suits pointing fingers and calling names. Through the files and documents, Jonas found a small, framed photograph. It was grainy, and out of focus, but Abbas could see a trio standing happily in frame, a man, woman and child. A family. "What would you do?" Abbas stared long and hard into the faces of his parents, before an odd feeling overcame him. As his vision blurred with tears, he quickly put the photo away and wiped away at his eyes. He would not have another war. He would make peace. He had to.

Anansian Union Condemns Mediterranean Action against Bearia

To My Allies and Friends,

It has come to my attention that a controversy has arisen over the practices of Bearian Union Government, regarding the treatment of foreign diplomats and exercises conducted by their armed forces. While I understand your frustration, I do not believe the response is appropriate or deserved. We are rushing to quickly into conflict with potential partners over something extremely trivial that could be settled without hostilities.

If Bearian officials truly commit any wrongdoings in the future, unprovoked I will add, my stance on this issue may change. Until then I will not not support any further action taken against the Bearian Union, by the Mediterranean Union or any other nation.

Jonas Hakim Abdil Abbas
President of the Union of Ananasia

Anansian Union offers Bearian Union Trade Deals

To all those it Concerns,

Please forgive the harsh words of my allies, and let me be the first to say that we believe Mediterranean Union Nations are wrong in taking a hostile stance towards you and your people. I wish to extend to you the olive branch, and hope that we may be able to reach some sort of trade agreement. If such an agreement is simply not possible at this time, I will take no offence, and continue to hold a neutral stance on your nation.

Regards,
Jonas Hakim Abdil Abbas
President of the Anansian Union

[Unibearia]

Bearian Union suggests alternatives

With Byzantines trying to provoke war and get supporters against the Bearian Union, the Lord Commander has invited diplomats from Copenhagen, Durham, Vvarvia and Zhazaria to discuss the concerns over the recent military expansion and hopefully find a compromise to the current world tension. Copenhagen may represent Byzantium but no Byzantine may enter Bearia under any condition.

The Bearian Union promises that any anti semitism towards Khazarian delegates by the Bearian people will be punished with 1 weeks worth of imprisonment. If atleast 2 of the 4 nations accept, the talks will take place in the Kremlin.

Bearian Union dispatches Ambassador to Anansian Union

Greetings,

It is in the Union's best interest to establish trade links all over the world and it's an honour the dispatch an ambassador to your nation, the Anansian Union. I hope that talks of trade and culture will take place and that we can start a long lasting relationship between our peoples.

Signed,
Lord Commander Stoski

Northern Tribes grow restless

It is not unknown that the Bearian Union was once 6 warmongering nations who came together and signed the Treaty of Lycos to form the Bearian Union. However there were 12 Bearian nations in total. These 6 remaining nations border the Union on all sides however the more militant ones are in the North. For decades they harass Union settlers and kill farmers livestock. But instead of going to war the Union would just reimburse the farmers 105% of the value lost. More so, in the recent years these tribes have even gone as far as to try assassinating some political officials.

The Lord Commander has spoken about the subject saying that "The Union has been forgiving and we still have hopes that we can all live in solidarity with our Northern Brethren but our forgiveness has all but dried up. The North has crossed the line with the failed assassination of Regional Commander Yukov. I hereby send an ultimatum to the Northern Tribe."

The Contents of the Ultimatum have been officially released and are the following;

* The Northern Tribe will cease all offensive action against the Union and its people

* The Northern Tribe will make annual payments of 50,000 Unakoes for the damages it has done

* The Northern Tribe will allow Union troops to be stations as garrisons in the Tribal Capital of Huloskivs

* The Northern Tribe must notify the Union central command (UCC) about any military action or movements.

The Lord Commander has given 1 month to give its answer. There may be talks to change a couple of the requirements but if it rejects it after the talks, war will ensue.

[St Saratoga]

Rogerbei, Saratogan Republic --

George was just finishing his counting his drawer in the cash register. Buisness has been slowly in the past couple of days since the robbery.

Someone knocks on the door. "George? It Catherine."

George walks over and lets her in the store. "You know that we are closed?" George says.

Catherine rolls her eyes as she sits down on a stool but the cash register. "Buisness good today?"

"It's still been slow still since the robbery," George says as he goes back to counting.

"Really? I didn't think people would avoid the store." Catherine says, gazing at George.

Finishing counting, George walks into the back room to put the money in the safe. As George starts to open the safe he here a few distant pop. Ignoring them, he places the cash in the safe and closes the door.

"George? Did you hear that?" Catherine says from the other room.

George walks back out of the backroom to see Catherine standing by the big window on the left side of the store.

As George walks up beside her, he sees a few people running down the street with a panicked look on their face. "What's going on?

"I have no idea," Catherine says.

George walks over to the register, opens a drawer underneath the register to pull out and quickly hide a pistol in his pants. Walking back to the window where Catherine is, a man come stumbling by and falls into the window. As the strange man who is leaning on the outside of the window slowly falls to his knees, He leaves a trail of blood on the window.

Catherine and George quick rush outside to the man. As the drag the man inside they see the Star of David carved into the man forehead.

"Bring him into the backroom, I'm going to lock up the front door and close the blinds on the windows." As George locked the door and started to close the blinds he starts to hear people running down the street screaming. After closing the blinds, he sees through the gaps in the blinds that the street was being lit up by something. George runs over the spot in the wall where the wall connects to the window, pulling the blinds out far enough to see outside, he sees a huge mob of people walking down the street. The mob has torches, George hears them yelling "Death to the Juden!". Across the street is another member of the Jewish Storefront Association that George is a part of. The store owner across the street opens his door to see what is happening, as he opens his door he is grabbed, beaten, and dragged to the front of George's store.

"George! We know you are a Juden! Come out and surrender to use or you will be killed!" Says a strange man that was leading the mob.

George stays as still as possible. He knows they have no idea if he is there or not.

The leader then makes a gesture and the store owner from across the street is forced to his knees. The leader then pulls out a pistol and blows the brains of the store owner out. Letting the body fall to the ground, the leader yells, "This is your last warning! Come out now!"

George runs over to Catherine who is still nursing the injuries of the wounded man. "Stay here!"

George then runs to the door, takes a breath, and walks outside. Right as he walks outside he is hit in the head and fall unconscious.

A few hours later...

George wakes up, as he starts to get up a nurse runs over to him "Are you ok sure?" The nurse then goes and immediately starts bandaging his forehead. As Geoge sits up, he turns round to see his store in smoldering ruins as the fire department is walking through the still standing skeleton of the store. George is helped up by the nurse. As George walks towards what's left of his store, he sees to objects hanging in the middle of the store, George stops.

Hanging is the middle of the store are two charred skeletons with wire nooses around their neck. The skeletons are Catherines and the wounded man's. George feels the world stop for a second before blacking out.

[Ender Systems Incorporated]

Copenhagen

Bearia


Copenhagen would like to personally apologize for the probable overreaction of the Byzantines to Copenhagen's request of Bearia, and in turn accept the diplomatic offer to begin talks over the militarization of the country. Patrician Claus feels that his statement was misinterpreted, and wishes to clarify for any nation affected by this recent turn of events.

"My friends, it has come to my attention that in light of my statement of warning to Bearia recently, several nations have... -how do you say?- jumped the gun, in rushing to my defense, or the offense of Bearia, as it may be. This, in such a time of peace, especially after what the last war did to this continent, should frankly be unacceptable for any civilized nation to do, and should be condemned, no matter the belligerent or the recipient of the finger-pointing.

It is most likely that these wargames of the Bearian Union are nothing more than a revitilization of their military history in order to quell the northern tribes they have been having problems with, recently. If it does turn to be this case, then no action on any party's side would be necessary and we may all go back to our previous states, building towards a better Yurope.

I would also like to take this chance to present a few of my ideas for the international community, hopefully laying the groundwork for an idea that has come to me in recent years. Many of you know of the anti-semitic feelings in Bearia as well as several other nations, and equally anti-wolven feelings in many other areas of Yurope. I would like to propose what I shall refer to as a Yuropean Common Law, which I have entitled, Protection of Minorities' Rights. This would entail exactly what you would expect. Any nation that would sign this Law would agree to provide civil and political protection to the Wolven and the Jews, as well as any other minority group that is prosecuted. Should this law be violated, it is expected of the nation's government to punish the wrong-doer, and should the government itself violate it, intentionally or otherwise, the government shall face prosecution from the international community.

To continue with my ideas, many of you have heard of the plans to construct bridges from Sweden to Denmark, in order to assure a more connected and efficient nation, as well as a planned revitalization of the nation's highways and roads. I would like to propose that this same project should be carried throughout Yurope, to whatever government should fund its construction, in order to create a more connected and civil Yurope, from Durham to Khazaria, from Anansia to Varvia.

I hope that my fellow leaders should approve of my ideas, and should the time not be entirely right for my visions of Yurope to come true, that some day in the future, we shall come together as one, so that we may call ourselves not Varvians, not Byzantines, not Saratogans, but Yuropeans."

[St Saratoga]

Republican Times - International
"The most reliable news source in Yurope."
Saratoga launchs new alliance!

Cost: K$ 1.50

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Rogerbei, Saratoga Republic- The Jackson Administration has announced the creation of the Central Yurope Coalition. Even though the coalition has Central Yurope in the title it is open to all members in Yurope. The goal of the Alliance is to defend and protect peace within Central Yurope through diplomacy first but does have a military option if needed. The Coalition is in the beginning stages of being formed and once members start to join it alliance will be restructuring.



Bigger & clearer image of the above one.


The Coalition does not require the commitment of troops in the event of war, but it is encouraged if a member of the alliance is under attack. The Coalition is led by a Secretary-General whose job is to guide the alliance in a way to keep true to its mission statement of "The mission of this coalition defend the peace of Central Yurope and its members." To apply to the Coalition, the Acting Secretary-General J.R. Sauser, asks to submit a request via telegram.

---

The Prime Minister has also sent a message to the Channel Commonwealth welcoming its recognition within Yurope and the Prime Minister has sent a request for a Trade Agreement as well as an invitation to the Central Yurope Coalition. The Prime Minister has set the Commonwealth Channel as a high priority for the Department of International Affairs to keep in good relations considering the distance between the two nations.

---

Monica Lewinsky
Senior International News Reporter
RepublicanTimes

[46566]

Byzantine Empire applies to Central Yurope Alliance
Constantinople-The Byzantine Empire has officially applied to be a member of the Central Yurope alliance. The move is expected to bring the Saratogan republic and the Byzantine Empire closer allies. The two countries are already on friendly terms after the republic joined the Mediterranean union.By controlling strategic territories to further trade around Yurope the alliance can make it easier to trade goods around Yurope.

[Valariel]

Most Gracious Thanks

The Commonwealth expresses its most sincere thanks for the courteous greetings and offer of the Saratogan people.

For now, the Commonwealth will accept the Open Trade Agreement with open arms, but shall for now hold onto its thoughts of this "Central Yurope Coalition." One of our more principal concerns, is if members are able to be members of other multinational organizations as well. The Commonwealth has already recieved invitation to join the North Sea Alliance, and we have also withheld our decision, in hopes of recieving more detailed information. It is not so different in this case.

For now, we shall have to remain satisfied by the Trade Agreement and opening of formal diplomatic relations. Do understand our converns, and current standing on this matter.

[St Saratoga]

CYC HQ, Rogerbei, Saratogan Republic --

Acting Secretary-General J.R. Sauser has accepted the Byzantine Empire's request to join the Central Yurope Coalition.

"My Administration is happy to see that the Byzantine Empire has applied. We feel that they will make a great ally for Saratoga and will serve as a valuable member of the Coalition. I look forward to meeting the Byzantine Empire's ambassador when they arrive and I encourage any and all nation interested in the Coalition to apply!" Stated Secretary-General Sauser on the steps of the soon to be CYC Headquarters.

[Promethius Prime]

The Kingdom of
Durham


Prime Minister Carr Presents Treaty Document
Approaches made to Copenhagen and the Channel Commonwealth.

Prime Minister Carr today presented the ambassadors from Copenhagen and the Channel Commonwealth with a formal treaty to seal the alliance and formalise the creation of the tripartite North Sea Alliance; the original alliance was a bipartite treaty between Durham and Copenhagen, however since the head of government of Copenhagen sponsored Channel Commonwealth membership a need for a more comprehensive treaty document has been felt. As such the Prime Minister has presented a proposal to his fellow North Sea countries in the hopes that a new formal treaty will bring them closer together and help to keep trade in the North Sea free and open. A copy of the summarised terms of the treaty can be seen below:

The North Sea Alliance Treaty
Summarised Terms

The signatory nations agree to the following key terms of alliance:

• A complete and comprehensive Non-Aggression Pact shall exist, forbidding NSA members from engaging in military, espionage, economic, or diplomatic offensives against fellow Alliance signatories.
• A formal Mutual Defence Agreement shall exist, compelling Alliance members to come to one another's aid should they be attacked.
• A full and comprehensive free trade agreement shall exist, creating a North Sea economic zone.
• Recognition of national borders and territorial ambitions, as detailed in a map below.
• New Member States may be welcomed into the alliance by a simple majority vote of existing members.
• Joint naval patrols of the North Sea, English Channel, and Western Approaches to ensure the safe passage of merchant shipping in these areas.

[Valariel]

The
Channel Commonwealth

From the Office of the General-Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Upon review by the Commonwealth Council, Administrative Commissions of London and Paris, and the General-Secretary, the Channel Commonwealth hereby acknowledges and accepts the terms and conditions composing the North Sea Alliance Treaty. With this, the Commonwealth enters into the folds of the North Sea Alliance, and shall treat its fellow signatories with the respect and comradery that is befitting of them.

May the North Sea Alliance bring us closer together, and create a prosperous, and bright future for us all.

Let it be known, that The Channel Commonwealth also accepts the invitation to join the Central Yurope Coalition, so that The Commonwealth may secure its mainland Yurope relations, and open up new sources of wealth and trade.

[46566]

(secret RP)
Byzantine Empire will supply northern Bearian tribes
Constantinople-The Byzantine Empire has agreed to sell weapons to the northern free Bearian tribes. As they are a free people and nation they are eligible to buy weapons from the Byzantine Empire. Under the new military weapon laws the northern tribes are eligible to buy small arms, self propelled guns, Artillery and a lightly armed vehicle from the Byzantine Empire. Military observers will also be sent to the country to help train the tribes in the use of the new weaponry.While no official protection has been promised the sale of the weapons are final and delivery is underway.

[Unibearia]

Bearian Union at WAR!!!

The Northern Tribes have rejected all the requirements that the Ultimatum handed out by the Lord Commander demanded. over 50,000 enemy troops have crossed the border and heavy fighting has ensued with the border guards and the enemy.

Reinforcements have been sent in the form of 5 infantry divisions (Bearian divisions are 10,000 men strong), 2 mechanized divisions, 3 armoured and 1 elite Guards Infantry. Current estimates show that the enemy is making steady progress into the Bearian Northern Frontier with one source stating they have progressed 15 KM into the country.

TK-33s make their way to the front

LUK-3s about to takeoff

Color Image of Bearian National Guardsmen

The wargames is still going to continue but with more priority going to the Northern Front. The navy has been dispatched to blockade all the enemy ports and all ships going to the Northern ports will be required to be searched for anything that isn't in the form of food, medical supplies and non military. Any restricted goods will be confiscated by the Bearian Government.

The airforce has begun reconnaissance operations and has made small contributions to infantry support. The order has not been given out to bomb industrial targets, yet.

The Lord Commander's only comments on the subject were that "It's disappointing that they [Northern Tribe] hadn't even tried to negotiate. War could have been easily avoided."

The Bearian Government has also asked that foreign powers stay out of this conflict. These are Bearian people and the Union treats this conflict as more of a civil war and classifies it as an internal affair in its sphere of influence. Any action made to intervene militarily or by supplying any goods that could help the Northern Tribe in its war effort will be met with consequences. However moves to solve this conflict diplomatically are encouraged but only to mediate and host talks of peace.

[46566]

Shipping blocked by Bearian union
Constantinople-The Byzantine empire shipping to the northern tribes have been stopped by the Bearian union. As a neutral government during a war of aggression on another country the Byzantine empire has refused to coincide to the searches by the Bearian union and demand access to what they see as a neutral government.As the northern tribes didn't sign the treaty of Lycos they are not members of the Bearian union and are free nations. As such the war is not considered a civil war do the fact that no signatures of the northern tribes thus they were never members of the Bearian union regardless of ethnicity of the people. Any forced seizure of a neutral trading vessel will constitute a declaration of war. Knowing that they were going to a potentially hostile situation a small amount of military escort ships have also been deployed to protect the ships.

[Unibearia]

Bearian Union stands ground

Lycos- The Bearian Union will not allow ANY merchant vessel to enter the Northern Ports without being searched for restricted goods that will help the Northern Tribes in their war effort. Any attempts to smuggle goods into N-T (Northern Tribes) will be met with prosecution and the seizure of all the goods and the mercantile vessel to the Bearian Government. The Lord Commander has made comments that "If the Byzantines want to help the Northern Tribes, they can send food and medical supplies and if their merchant ships were filled with such goods, then they should have no problem with allowing Bearian Crews to search the ship for any counterfeit. However, this is not the case and my administration view this refusal to comply with suspicion. Not only with the recent proclamation but that in the recent events, the Byzantine government has done in all its power to isolate and surround the Bearian Union with enemies. If the Byzantines want in, they have to abide to my set of requirements. If not, they can sail all the way back to Byzantium. And I say this publicly; any attempt to evade a search will result in the seizure of the vessel and all its contents. So please, don't try and sneak in."

With the Lord Commanders comments, the Navy has ceased military exercises and has deployed all available ships to patrol and blockade the only port available to the Northern Tribes. To add to the current situation, the Bearian Union has started mobilizing. Reservists are being called up and new recruits are being trained. With Byzantium pushing the Union's buttons and trying to antagonize it into war, the Lord Commander has been left no choice but to prepare.

A small letter of notice has been sent to Vvarvia to let them know they should also mobilize and ready their forces.

The Union does not want war. So please, don't make it a reality.

[Croxoco]

Florence Concerned by Italian Alliances:

The Florentine Republic has grown concerned by the formation of a far right alliance between the deeply Catholic Papal States and the Fascist Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, both to the south of Florence. This alliance, the Rome-Naples Axis has an aggressively nationalist foreign policy, which includes the annexation of the entire Italian Penninsular. In response, a secular, liberal alliance has been formed between the Duchy of Milan and the Most Serene Republic of Venice. Florence, valuing its own independence, has been welcomed into the new Veneto-Milanese alliance, which promises mutual defence in the face of aggression by the new Rome-Naples Axis. There are indeed dark times ahead for the Itallian Penninsular.

Florence applies to join the Central Yuropean Coalition:

Florence has formally contacted the Saratogan Government to apply for membership of the Central Yuropean Coalition. Citing the lack of international security, Doge Francesco Mozzi insisted that joining the coalition would be the best way to ensure the effective implementation of the Prosperous Peace Plan.

Florence to purchase military equipment from Durham:

Prompted by the formation of the Rome-Naples Axis and Florentine membership of the new Triple-Alliance of Milan, Venice and Florence, the Florentine Ambassador in Durham, Galleazzo Ricardi, has been authorised by Doge Francesco Mozzi to proceed with negotiations to purchase heavy military equipment from the Kingdom of Durham, with particular emphasis being given to the Tanks and Aircraft Durham has been developping. The Florentine Government will use its monetary reserves to purchase the equipment it desires.

[46566]

Byzantine goods unload in neutral territory
Constantinople- The goods headed for the northern tribes have been offload in a neutral territory and will be shipped overland to the Northern tribes currently fighting the Bearian union. After unloading the merchant ships have begun the return to the Byzantine territory. The goods are expected to reach the Northern Tribes and help them survive what the Byzantine Empire considers a unfair invasion of a separate country and the rights of the local population against a aggressor country. The Byzantine empire stats that the former treaty would make the country little more then a puppet of the Bearian Union. The military naval ships have stayed within the Baltic sea to watch the Bearian navy and act purely as a early warning system for a move against Copenhagen.

[Unibearia]

BEARIAN POST

The Bearian Question . . .

With the Byzantines bringing the subject up as to whether this incident is an internal affair of the Bearian Union, a very well respected Proffessor at the Lycosian Historian's Institute has aggreed to explain to the Greeks of Byzantium some actual history.

"When we have Chinese warlords go to war, it is considered a 'Civil War', an 'internal Chinese conflict'. Why? Because they all speak Chinese, they all share the same culture, they all share the same race and their history is almost identical. They are Brothers at war. However with the latest conflict involving the Bearian Union which is 75% Wolven (Who Identify as Bearian) and the Northern Tribes (also known as the Northern Bearian Tribal Federation) which is approximately 99% Wolven and they also identify themselves as Bearians, it's considered not an internal conflict or a civil war. And if you actually looked up in the history books, you can see that the Treaty of Lycos was Signed AFTER the first Bearian Civil war which 6 of the 12 Tribes agreed to form a lesser Unibearia.. The Bearian Union. The Union is surrounded by BEARIAN Tribes. So when you add the fact that all these Bearian Tribes surrounding the Union also share the same language, same alphabet (Cyrillic), same writing, same culture, same holidays, same religion (Bearianism), same history and culture; They form the Bearian Nation. Unibearia. Yet according to the Greeks, a piece of paper suddenly dictates whether or not it's a civil war or a war of Aggression which the Bearian Union did not declare."

Bearian Union embargoes Byzantium

The National Assembly has voted for an embargo to be placed on the instigating nation of the Greeks, Byzantium. Countless times have the Greeks disobeyed Bearian warnings that any action against the Union will be treated as an act of War. First they restrict arms sales right after concluding an arms deal with the Union, second they tried to surround and rally the International community to form an anti-Bearian alliance and now they are intervening into our affairs.
The Lord Commander has issued his final warning.
"Stay out of our affairs or war will ensue."

The Union is also urging the International Community to put the Greek nation of Byzantium in its place. They have shown time and time again that they are trying to push the Union to war. They didn't intervene with Khazaria, neither did they with Durham in their conflict yet they decide to sell arms to an oppressive nation that has violated many international laws and has even crossed the Border into the Bearian Union to terrorize Union farmers (which they have for more than 15 years)? Absolute codswallop.

Not only have they ignored our demands for searching their vessels, they unloaded in neutral territory. Reconnaissance aircraft have spotted heavy military equipment on its way to the Northern Tribe's border.In response to this, the first paratrooper division has been put on immediate standby. No other comments have been made about what the 1st Para division will be doing.

The Lord Commander Urges the Mercantile Union of Copenhagen to request that the Byzantine ships be removed from the Baltic sea and returned to a M.U. port or back to Byzantium as this has been interpreted as an act of provocation. If the Byzantine ships enter within 5 kilometers of the Blockade area, they will be met with hostile force. A 24/7 loop radio transmission has been put active on a neutral channel that any and all ships with a basic radio can tune into to broadcast it. The channel has been given to Byzantine officials and all the other Governments of Yurope. If any Byzantine vessels falls within this zone, warning shots will be fired and if said vessel does not turn around in the given time of 30 minutes, hostile action will ensue.

Tribal Offensive has been pushed back

Reports from the Front have just come in stating that after an initial advance of 25 kilometers into Bearian Territory, the mechanized and armored divisions successfully halted the advance and has begun a blitz to surround the enemy forces. Estimates show that within days, a pocket will be encircled.

Heavy artillery has also arrived on the front and as soon as they arrived, they began shelling targets. Their rapid arrival can be given thanks to the railway lines that connect economically important areas to the rest of the country (excluding rural areas). The H.Q. has taken position in Petrograd where more of the reinforcements arrive by the hour.

The airforce has also started to bomb the very primitive infrastructure network of the Northern Tribes and has also begun targeting Supply lines. Orders have been given to bomb any and all military targets.

[Promethius Prime]

The Kingdom of
Durham


Carr Government Agrees to Florentine Arms Deal
Aircraft, Tanks, and Small Arms to be Exported Overseas.

After a series of meetings with Florentine Ambassador Galleazzo Ricardi in Durham today the Prime Minister announced before an afternoon session of Parliament that Durham was to begin exporting arms to Florence as soon as practicable. The Supermarine and Hawker aviation companies are amongst the publicly owned businesses which will be manufacturing aircraft for export to the Italian state which is a key Mediterranean trading partner. However the area of aerial warfare is not the only one in which Durham will be aiding the erstwhile republic - brand new Cornwallis tanks will soon be rolling off the production lines in Leeds, Gateshead, and Middlesbrough for export across the sea. The trading agreement is expected to boost the economy significantly and generate thousands of new jobs across the industrial sector; with new minimum wage laws in effect the standard of living is also set to rise rapidly.

[46566]

Byzantine emperor replies to Commander
Constantinople- The Byzantine emperor has replied to the leader of the Byzantine Emperor:
"At the time of the previous wars were mentioned a embargo of our own creation stopped the trade of military weapons to the outside world.We are simply organizing trade with what we consider a separate country. There are a bunch of Slavic states sharing the same religion and writing system that are not part of the same country. As they go by a different name internationally and a separate national government and are self ruling then they are classified as a separate state regardless of the similarities in cultural or ethnic background. As thus they are a separate country of wolven and not under the Bearian union banner. It's your national prerogative to embargo my nation but i fear that it will damage your country more as we were one of the few nations with a trading deal with your nation. Each national government can if need be ask buy military supplies from other foreign countries. As this was a deal with the government of the Northern Bearian Tribal Federation and not the Bearian Union i feel the Bearian union has no right to demand anything in this matter."

[Unibearia]

Lord Commander not Pleased.

The Union has pulled all its assets from Byzantium and has frozen all Byzantine assets inside the Union. The Bearian Union officially cuts all ties to Byzantium and will now force the Byzantines to use their allies to communicate with the Union. Any direct attempt to communicate with the Union's Ministry of Foreign Relations will be ignored.
Many patriots (mostly adolescents), have started putting up posters with the words "Byzantium? The Land of Hypocrites!" and "No Greek belongs in Bearia"
The Government made it clear that it does not support or encourage these actions and has stated that it only "Allows them to post these posters because they have the freedom of speech and expression."

In a public appearance that was recorded and broadcasted on World Television, the Lord Commander made a direct reply to the 'Emperor' of the Greeks
"What of Durham and their recent conflict? And what of Khazaria and their current? You say we have no right to demand anything from the rogue nation that resides on Bearia's northern border yet the nations I just named have and/or are dictating their demands on nations they are in open hostilities against. I am personally displeased with the Bias the Emperor has taken."

Again, the Bearian Ministry of Foreign Relations has stated that it does not wish to escalate the current conflict and hopes that a diplomatic solution will arise.

[Promethius Prime]

The Kingdom of
Durham


Scunthorpe Falls as 1st Tank Division Moves South
Mercian Collapse Continues Under Fresh Onslaught

The MoD today announced that Scunthorpe has been captured by the 1st Tank Division supported by troops from the 2nd Scots Volunteers, a unit drawn from Scottish expatriates which owes its formation to the religious divide in Scotland between the Protestant and Catholic churches. Under the overall command of Field Marshal, General Douglas, the units of Army Group East struck decisively south into the disorganised Mercian lines south of Goole, finally resuming the advance into Lincolnshire after weeks of preliminary bombardment across the Humber. Lincolnshire was the initial target of the war with Mercia, being the territory from which the original border disputes occurred, that it is finally under direct attack by Pitmatic forces is a clear indicator that the government means to end the war with a decisive victory.

As the flag of Durham was raised over the city General Douglas took a moment to proclaim 'This is the beginning of the end for this glorious chapter in our nation's history. Soon we shall be reunited with our brethren in the Midlands and shall be able to proclaim ourselves proudly an English nation once more in truth, rather than in our most fervent dreams.' The speech was followed with a rousing chorus of the Unionist Hymn, Rule Britannia by those assembled troops not patrolling the line to the south.

The fall of Scunthorpe has come with such rapidity that it seems that Mercia is on the brink of complete military collapse; tonnes of Mercian war materiel was found on the roads leading to and out of Scunthorpe, simply abandoned by the troops in their haste to retreat. Everything from small arms to tanks were simply left to be captured by Pitmatic forces and the main roads leading south and east were found to be choked with arms and equipment. Forward units have been ordered to collect the materiel and store in at Scunthorpe for evaluation by the Royal Logistics Corps, useful equipment will be reused, the rest will be stripped down used as raw materials to fuel the nation's industry and reconstruction efforts.

Durham Offers Byzantines Expanded Trade Routes
PM Carr Hopes to Improve Relations Further

A dispatch sent tot he Byzantine Ambassador in Durham today detailed and offer to expand the Empire's northern trading routes, by granting them access to the North Sea Trading Zone. The offer would allow the Byzantine Empire to send shipping of all kinds freely through the North Sea, allowing the Empire to expand its trade with the nations of the North Sea Alliance. It is also the hope of the government that this agreement would result not only in increased trading revenue for the North Sea Alliance, but also in increased revenue for the Byzantine Empire, which suffered a hit to its trade with the Bearian embargo and freezing of their assets. In addition the Prime Minister hopes to open talks between the NSA and Byzantine Empire which would facilitate the continued supply of the Northern Tribes by the Byzantine Empire via the Baltic Sea - such an agreement however would require the approval of both the Channel Commonwealth and the Mercantile Union of Copenhagen.

[46566]

Byzantine Agrees to Durham proposal
Constantinople- The Byzantine Empire will agree to the usage of the North sea alliance trade zone and the opening of trade with the Kingdom of Durham. Already trading with two of the three members of the Northern sea alliance it would make sense for the Byzantine Empire to expand and trade with the Kingdom of Durham. The Byzantine Empire will abide by the decision of the NSA about the continued supply of the Northern Tribes. The move will mean the Byzantine Empire has formal trade agreements with every huge nation in Yurope except for the Bearian union.

Byzantine Empire to expand Industrial base
Constantinople- After the recent expansion of it's infrastructural base within the country the Byzantine Empire has decided to move and expand it's Industrial base within the country. With the recent expansion of it's trade deals the increase in the Industrial base will have the affect of increasing both it's goods to trade but the making of its military goods faster. The move in expanding both it's infrastructure and Industry sectors are a first two(2) steps in a five(5) planed step to expand the countries economic base and increase it's trading power around Yurope.

[Promethius Prime]

The Kingdom of
Durham


Mercian Commonwealth Surrenders

Lord-Protector Hambley Surrenders to Field Marshal Haig at Nottingham

Following the disastrous defeats at Scunthorpe, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, and Chester and an ever advancing Pitmatic army pressing south from three directions a communique was dispatched from the Commonwealth's capital of Nottingham requesting peace talks. After a terse refusal by the Prime Minister and continued assaults south towards the spiritual heart of Mercia, Tamworth, a second communique was received in which the Lord-Protector - leader of the Mercian Commonwealth - surrendered unconditionally to the Kingdom of Durham. The motivation for surrender is clear to see; the Mercian Commonwealth had engaged Durham in several major battles and despite often outnumbering the Pitmatic troops arrayed against them failed to win any significant victories; furthermore with the naval blockade by the navy of Copenhagen along their east coast and the capture of Liverpool by Pitmatic troops the Commonwealth was forced to rely upon the cities of Newport and Cardiff, themselves in a disputed border region with Wales, as their main trading hubs.

Without sufficient food and materiel the already beleaguered Mercian Army suffered further from desertion and malnourishment, while the civilian populace began to question the necessity of war when the Kingdom of Durham intended to crate a stable united nation. Though the Lord-Protector had refused to back down in the face of the early defeats at Hull and Leeds, the enormous pressure placed upon him by his advisors and military commanders eventually left him with no choice but to surrender. As soon as the surrender treaty was signed Field Marshal Haig ordered his troops to occupy the city and disarm any remaining troops to be found there; Lord-Protector Hambly was then taken into custody along with his top generals to await a decision on their fate; it seems likely however, since no major atrocities were committed on either side, that they will face a long period of house arrest rather than any serious punishment.

The Mercian surrender now means that the counties of Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire, Northamptonshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, and Monmouthshire, as well as the city of Cardiff fall under Pitmatic control. This huge boost in territory had in turn led to a massive increase in the nation's agricultural potential and part of the new reconstruction program has been dedicated to the massive increase in agricultural output in the former Mercian territories.

[Onza]

In the city of Lakka, known as "The Jungle" since the PLA occupation

"We won't know unless we try, my love," said the man dressed in torn rags. Dirt covered his face to the point to where he would have been invisible were it not for the indirect light coming from the torch hung on the nearby building that illuminated his face just enough to reveal the sclera of his eye. "Please, I beg that you do not risk your life for me! I cannot even think what I would do if he were to hurt you," responded the woman who was similarly dressed and dirty. "He is the only way out of this lifestyle of poverty and sin - believe me when I say this," the man responded, much to the visible dismay of his female companion. She winced as he leaned in to kiss her on the cheek and then made his way around the corner to the front of the stone building.

Surrounding the door stood two, stocky men, each with eyes as red as the fire that illuminated them. They carried weapons, but slouched against the wall, appearing extraordinary relaxed for a job that required them to be alert. The opiate usage was rather obvious to the man in the torn rags as he got closer, as there was no jumping to a stance of alert or even motion of caution from them. Instead, they remained slouched against the wall. One's mouth was even slightly ajar, where a glimmer of light reflected off of this saliva of his lips.

"Ex-excuse me, gentlemen," began the man in the rags. There was still no response from the guards. "I've come to speak with the King of the Jungle," he said. Still no response. A look of confusion sieged the poor man's face and his fear and anticipation quickly turned to anger. "Fine - there's something you must know. I'm having an affair," he said. Suddenly, the man on the right slurped the saliva back into his mouth and stood into a semi-normal posture. "Go in, then" he said, with a thick west-African accent that would have made any man in the DPRO stand out. The man walked past the guards and found himself in the middle of the center room of the building.

Surrounding him in the center were sofas, each with men sprawled out across them, clearly under the influence of opiates even stronger than what the guards on the outside had been on. "In fact," the man in the rags thought to himself, "I'd wager that I could attempt to murder one of these men and not one would notice anything was happening." It was but a thought, of course, as although he wasn't particularly supportive of the PLA, he knew that the King of the Jungle was he and his lover's only hope.

The room remained eerily quiet as he traversed to the other side. The breathing of the sedated men was the only sound that was audible from any corner of the room. He carefully stepped across one man who lay stark naked on the floor - in doing so he noticed several prominent scars all across the man's body. They looked self-inflicted, as if some scratching caused them. The man reached the other side and opened the door.

Entering the room, he was immediately met by the King of the Jungle, who sat on the opposite side of the over-sized desk facing the door. Sitting on his knee was a scantily-dressed woman who bore resemblance to a girl that the man remembered seeing on a missing poster a few days earlier. Nonetheless, he wasn't going to ask questions.

"And so another man has followed the light and found his way to the King of the Jungle. Let me ask - what told you to make this journey to me? Was it a diamondback snake? Perhaps it was a crocodile from the Nile? Or was it the coke-white tiger?" inquired the King of the Jungle, motioning to the girl to leave the room. The man in the rags stood before the desk and began to tremble slightly from his nervousness. "Well, are you going to answer my question?" asked the King of the Jungle.

"It was none of those, sir. Word of your miracles has reached far and wide, though it did not need to travel far, for I live here in Lakka," the man in rags responded.

"And so here you are," said the King of the Jungle, rising from his desk. "Let me ask you, then - what substance did you consume that told you of my doings? Or was it a dream where I came to you?" he asked.

"I'm afraid it was none of those, my lord," the man in the rags responded. "Then tell me," began the King of the Jungle, "why in the name of everything that is right and just would a man such as yourself - seemingly rational and with no encounter with the supernatural or otherwise - risk your life to come see a magical man who can supposedly create miracles?" asked the King of the Jungle in an assertive tone.

The man in the rags began to tremble more violently. Thoughts began to race through his mind about the rumors of those who "failed" their journeys to see the man that he stood before. "What kind of sense does that make? You've never seen a miracle before in your life, yet you suddenly come to me with no prompt and expect me to suddenly make you believe?" asked the King of the Jungle, drawing a machete from his side holster and placing it to the man's neck.

"I beg of you to understand that I am without hope," began the man in the rags. "I do not seek you out in hopes that you may cause a miracle. But you have seen them, you have hope and faith about their existence. That is much more than can be said for me, and that alone is inspiration enough for me to seek you out," he said.

The King of the Jungle was visibly pleased with the response. "You have spoken well for yourself, even when I was convinced that your name would be the next addition to my collection," he said, pointing to his chest. Tattooed on his chest were many names - hundreds, possibly - some larger than others and some in different fonts than others. "My chest bears the names of those who failed to complete the journey which you have begun. The smallest names failed the first step, which you just succeeded in. The larger names got to the end but could not complete what was left," said the King of the Jungle. "If you listen to my guidance, you will be able to complete the journey, but you must listen, even when it requires something that you do not understand," he said. "And once the journey is complete, you will be enlightened," he said, as a smile began to form across his face.

All the man in the rags could do was stand in awe at the words of the King. He had just spared his life, but he felt internally that his gratitude was misplaced, as after all, he was the only he threatened it to begin with. "Go on, now," said the King. "You will find no shortage of opiates in the main room. You must take them for your next mission to come to you," he said, still smiling.

The man in the rags stumbled out of the room and into the center room. The men still lay sprawled out across the room, but he had no hesitation. He passed out from the euphoria, atop the others who had undoubtedly done the same.

--------

Outside, our spy from the previous entry, Makena Udo, stalked the man in the rags from the bushes. He scribbled the phrase, "There's something you must know. I'm having an affair," in his notebook, put it away, and returned to his hotel room. He was one step closer to killing the King of the Jungle.

[Croxoco]

Florence Issues Ultimatum to Bearia

In response to the Trade Embargo and Freezing of Assets placed upon Byzantium by the Bearian Union, in addition to the anti-Greek rhetoric which has arisen in Bearia, the Florentine Senate has approved the following ultimatum, which has been drafted, in a rare show of Medici Rule over Florence, by the Pater Patriae and Capo of the Republic, Signore Piero de'Medici:

Lord Commander,

Byzantium is one of the two founding members of the Medirerranean Union; to impose any economic sanctions upon a union member state is itself an assault upon the diplomatic prestige of the Mediterranean Union. Moreover, because Byzantium is the closest tradibg partner of my Republic, the economic sanctions damage Florentine interests. I am therefore bound by my duty as Father of my Country to issue the following ultimatum.

The Bearian Union has three months (1 week IRL) to end the economic sanctions it has placed upon Byzantium, and to suppress the anti-Greek rhetoric currently spreading like disease throughout Bearia. Should Bearia fail to undertake these obligations, they shall be considered actions contrary to the recent treaty signed between Florence and Bearia, and as such, said treaty will be considered null and void. As a consequence, the Florentine Republic would be relieved of all its obligations under said treaty, and would be forced to sever all diplomatic and economic ties between Florence and Bearia unilateraly and immediately, and would be persuaded to compell the other member states of the Mediterranean Union to do the same.

OOC: HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE XX