Earth II Newswire

[Layarteb]

OFFICIAL DIPLOMATIC COMMUNIQUE

P 0130900R
FM [Minister of Foreign Affairs, Empire of Layarteb]
TO [The Global Community]
INFO [Office of the Emperor]

CONFIDENTIAL LAYARTEB CITY 2012013068

TAGS: [DEF, FR]
SUBJECT: [Notification of Atmospheric Nuclear Test]

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On this, the thirteenth day of January, in the year 2012, the Empire hereby makes a formal announcement to the Global Community that on the fifteenth day of March, in the year 2012, the Empire will conduct an atmospheric nuclear test in the Pacific Ocean.

The device to be tested has been specially designed for low-yield and reduced radiation. It will be the cleanest nuclear device detonated to date and the hazardous effects to our planet will be collectively lesser than a year's output from an unclean, coal power plant being operated in a developing nation.

The location of the test remains classified for security reasons but it shall be made public four days prior to the testing date. The location will not affect international shipping lanes and it will not intrude upon the boundaries, either maritime or territorial, of any nation or micronation.

The purpose of this test is not to ignite an arms race and it will not signal the resumption of nuclear testing by the Empire. In order to fully understand the effects of this revolutionary device, the Empire must test it atmospherically. This will be a single test conducted for research purposes.

Any hostile action against this test will not be tolerated.


The Minister of Foreign Affairs

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MESSAGE STOP

[URBOV]

Treaty of Bahrain

Realizing that the Union of Sovereign Slavic Republics has fulfilled the objectives put forward to justify the initial annexation of Bahrain. Believing that the territory has no place in a Union dedicated to the Pochva ideal. Understanding that the Empire of Apilonia's increased role in international affairs will lead to a lasting peace in the region. The Union of Sovereign Slavic Republics formally transfers Bahrain to the Empire.


Article 1

The Soverign Republic of Bahrain is to be transfered to Apilonian Jurisdiction by the Union of Soverign Slavic Republics.

Article 2

The Apilonian Empire will make payments to the USSR by easing regulations in crossborder travel (flyover rights) and allowing increased trade between the Union and the Empire.

Article 3

Both contracting parties shall agree to put this treaty into effect on February 26, 2012.

Article 4

Union Military Assets will vacate the Bahrain Regional Airfield and will leave the territorial waters and airspace of Bahrain by February 27th.

[Terra Reborn]

The Imperial Times

By: Jonathan Kirkland, Senior Foreign Affairs Correspondent
Published: Sunday 26th February 2012

The Apilonian Empire formally took ownership of the shattered archipelago of Bahrain from the Union of Sovereign Slavic Republics following the latter’s brutal occupation of the nation which has left an estimated eight hundred thousand dead primarily due to starvation as a result of conditions on-the-ground following the invasion. The first Imperial Assets to arrive were not military vessels rather it was a veritable fleet of charted civilian cargo vessels as well as vessels of the Imperial Fleet Auxiliary carrying many tonnes of food to relieve the dire food situation in the Archipelago and they were greeted with cheering crowds on the dockside as they pulled into the Capital of Bahrain’s harbour.

There was some fear in the Imperial Foreign Office that the native population would react badly to another occupier however those fears appear to have been ill-founded following the realisation that the Empire was present to support and restore the population rather than occupy them once again, this was reinforced by His Majesty King Walker, who arrived in the late afternoon to address the four hundred thousand survivors of which the vast majority had packed into the Capital. She announced that all inhabitants of the new Imperial Territory would be granted Imperial Citizenship and officially made Abdul-Hamid Sarkis, the leading elder, the Marquess of Bahrain.

Aside from saving thousands of people from starvation the acquisition of Bahrain is an advantageous one in both economic terms and militarily due to the placement within the middle east and the military facilities present allowing the Imperial Armed Forces to not only station military forces in the region but also as a jumping off point for any potential military expeditions in the area. HMS Implacable and her battle group arrived at Manama Port shortly before writing, the personnel from the Battlegroup have since deployed to begin rebuilding and provide medical and other services to the ill and injured in the city. The Military of Defence announced a short time ago that the Black Watch Regiment would be deploying to the area in the medium-term to provide a defensive force until a local-regiment could be raised, trained and equipped and would then take-up the responsibilities in defending the archipelago from attack by hostile powers. This unit is expected to be designated as the Royal Bahrain Regiment

His Majesty was well received by the locals and promised the full support of the rest of the Empire to rebuild Bahrain following the occupation and announced the establishment of a Home Office Task Force specifically intended to aid Marquess Sarkis in rebuilding his shattered country following the Russian occupation. The King flew home late aboard Imperial One to oversee the continuing operations in Minnesota, which he took time away from specifically to visit the newest Imperial territory.

Imperial Times © 2012, All Rights Reserved

[Layarteb]

MOD RECONSIDERS TACTICAL NUCLEAR WEAPONS
By Dustin Sand
Published: December 9, 2011 | 11:00 [UTC-5]

LAYARTEB CITY, NEW YORK — The Ministry of Defense, in a startling and surprising move, announced today that it was reconsidering the use of tactical nuclear weapons in the battlefield. Sources within the Ministry of Defense have suggested that this announcement is late and that a policy has already been devised but questions to confirm this remain unanswered.

"In light of the brutal and indiscriminate campaigns by the Russian military against civilians in both the Marmara region of Turkey and northern Persia, the Empire must be prepared, in a conflict with another superpower, to be able to effectively neutralize their will to fight and it must be done in the first hours of the campaign." The Minister of Defense said, reading from a prepared statement. He further explained, "The limited use of tactical, low-yield, nuclear weaponry is not like it was twenty years ago. The Empire can deliver low-yield weaponry against military targets at will, from the safety of range, and strike within just twenty meters of where we want to hit. Previously, the best these weapons could do was one hundred meters."

The presence of highly accurate, nuclear weaponry was confirmed in January 2011, when the MOD announced sweeping changes to its nuclear arsenal. Though no exact figures have been published, analysts suspect that the Empire's closely guarded nuclear stockpile ranges from between 5,000 and 15,000 delivery systems with up to 45,000 warheads. It is believed that the B101 Mod 1 bunker-busting thermonuclear bomb, which entered service on this January, is as accurate as a JDAM bomb, which is capable of striking its target within ten meters of its intended impact point.

No further explanation or clarification was offered by the Minister of Defense and questions were not fielded. Whether the Empire plans to use nuclear weaponry during the onset of military action remains unknown.

The Empire's longstanding policy on the use of any chemical, biological, nuclear, or radiological weaponry has been defensive only. When asked if the Empire operations both biological and radiological weaponry, the Minister of Defense stated, "The Empire does not operate either radiological or biological weaponry nor do we intend to because we feel they are uncontrollable and can cause effects far beyond the intended consequences." In the past, the Empire has been accused of using biological weaponry against civilians in small campaigns of selective genocide.

There is precedent for this review though. In July, the MOD announced that it had revised its policies on the deployment of chemical weapons following the end of a three-year review of the Goodrule Campaign, which concluded in 2008. During the war, Layartebian forces were attacked by Goodrule forces with chemical weaponry. The Empire did not retaliate with chemical weaponry but shortly thereafter, Glasgow was attacked with chemical weapons by the Cottish military.

Dustin Sand is a co-op with the Layarteb City Times.

Military | World Affairs
Layarteb City Times © All Rights Reserved 2011

[Layarteb]

AIR FORCE RETIRES THE LAST LC-130R HERCULES
By Samantha Webb
Published: March 29, 2012 | 08:00 [EST]

LAYARTEB CITY, NEW YORK — Today, the Imperial Layartebian Air Force announced the retirement of the final LC-130R Hercules cold-weather transport. Over the past three months, the air force has retired six LC-130R and eighteen LC-130H Hercules transport aircraft, which fly long-range resupply missions to Arctic and Antarctic research bases.

The move to retire these airframes does not, however, harm the ILAF's ability to reach Arctic and Antarctic research bases. Instead, the role will be fulfilled by twenty-four new LC-130J Super Hercules transports, likewise equipped with skis for landing on icy and snowy runways.

The LC-130J's inaugural flight was conducted on March 13, when two aircraft flew to and landed at Williams Field near Mount Erebus, where the Empire maintains a scientific research station. The flight was to resupply a geological team there with supplies and airlift four geologists off of Antarctica to return home for the spring time.

Over the years, the ILAF has flown C-5 Galaxies, C-141 Starlifters, C-17 Globemaster IIIs, P-3 Orions, and a Boeing 757 to Antarctica, landing all of these aircraft successfully on Antarctica near McMurdo Station where three airfields can support these aircraft. Two of them are permanent, one snow and one ice, the latter being Pegasus Ice Runway. Sea Ice Runway is a third airfield constructed annually on the sea ice. With the exception of Pegasus, each airfield has two 10,000-foot runways. Pegasus has only one.

Plans to attempt a landing with an Airbus A380, though proposed, have not been carried through yet.

In unrelated news, the Ministry of Defense has also announced that it will be adding a third regiment to the 4th Special Operations Group, more commonly known as the "Rangers" and an eighth regiment to the Layartebian Foreign Legion. Where these units will be based was not given.


Samantha Webb is a 10-year journalist with the Ministry of Defense.

MIL
The Weekly MOD © All Rights Reserved 2012

[Layarteb]

THE EMPIRE DEPARTS KOKSIJDE
By Sandra O'Day
Published: March 1, 2012 | 11:00 [UTC-5]

WASHINGTON CITY — The last Imperial Layartebian Air Force fighter has departed Koksijde Air Base in Belgium. This marks the end of the Empire's short tenure at Koksijde Air Base.

Established at the base on October 13, 2010 during the short-lived resurgence of the Fourth Reich of North Germania, the ILAF's mission in Belgium has been declared as "no longer strategically in line with our objectives" by the General of the Air Force.

The 2nd Expeditionary Wing has been preparing to leave the base since January 1, 2012 but for reasons of security, this has not been made public until now. Where the 2nd Expeditionary Wing will be deployed to has not been revealed but aircraft leaving Koksijde Air Base have been spotted as landing at Mühlhausen Air Force Base in Alsace, France. They have departed since to an unknown destination.

Sandra O'Day has been a staff reporter since 1997.

World Affairs | Military
Washington Daily © All Rights Reserved 2012

[Terra Reborn]

The Imperial Times

Decision made on Women-in-Combat Debate

By: Alexander Blair, Senior Military Correspondent
Published: 21st April 2012

The Ministry of Defence announced today that female personnel would be allowed to serve in frontline units, such as infantry, for the first time. This decision comes following the stellar performance of the first integrated unit in the Imperial Army; the First Battalion, the Royal regiment of Fusiliers, during the opening actions of the Minnesota War. The First Battalion had been selected as a test to ascertain whether the various fears regarding women in combat would be realised, and the conduct of the 1st Battalion during the now well-known Siege of Camp Overwatch on the opening day of the War. The MOD was quick to point out at the time that it was a female Captain that commanded the operational deployment that occurred in South Dakota following the death of the senior officers of the Battalion during the incursion that began the war prior to the siege in the North. Casualties were sustained in both engagements, including female soldiers alongside men. The Battalion, including its surviving female personnel, went on to continue the fight alongside their Regiment and the rest of the Battlegroup that was put together under the command of Lieutenant General Sir Peter Cain, the Earl of Anchorage.

Although not officially the view of the MoD it is also hoped by some sources within the military that this decision will begin to reverse some of the unofficial bias that has kept women out of the senior positions of the military due to the preference of the military to having personnel with combat experience in such positions. The decision has been hailed by many womens right campaigners as a significant step forward whilst some have questioned whether the presence of women in combat will negatively impact the fighting effectiveness of the Imperial Forces. Responding to this, the Earl of Anchorage pointed out the stellar service during the Minnesota war as well as the fact that the military had gone through such radical changes before, but the units always got over the changes and learned to live with the new situation and said that the same would happen here.

Imperial Times © 2012, All Rights Reserved

[Terra Reborn]

Royal Defence Review 2012

Protecting the Empire in an Uncertain World

As Ordered by His Majesty King Walker I on his coronation the Ministry of Defence submits this Royal Defence Review for the perusal of His Majesty’s Government with analysis of current threats and recommendations for future Operations, procurements and policy. Detailed information available within this summery sheet will detail the main conclusions and recommendations for easy access and release to the Media, as such this summary shall not include any Classified Projects. The Royal Defence Review has been submitted in the light of current events and some or all of its content may or may not be relevant as a result of future events as they come to pass. A fair portion of recommendations have been updated and/or reconsidered in the light of the absorption of the Eastern Territories of Australia into the Empire. The presence or lack thereof of specific programs shall not indicate the lack of such programs as detailed within the Classified Section of this Review.

As a result of this Review the Imperial Armed Forces will undergo the following overall changes:

• The Imperial Military will be reorganised into Regional Military Commands. Whilst individual units will remain in the chain of command of their own service in the strategic command of all military forces in a given region, regardless of service, will fall to the Regional Commandant. Whilst operational command will remain in the current chain of command the Regional Commandant will be responsible for all military forces within his/her region and in the event of an emergency will exercise command authority over military forces within his/her region. Depending on size of Region the Military Commandant will either be of three-star or four-star rank.

• The Imperial Military shall generally seek to replace or upgrade aging weaponry or systems to maintain capability.

The Imperial Navy

Recognising that in the light of increased Imperial commitments aboard and the responsibility of the Empire to it’s overseas territories the vital role played by the Imperial Navy is only likely to increase. As a result to ensure the continued ability to not only defend Imperial territory and Imperial interests but also to project military power in support of this goal the Imperial Navy shall continue its expansion into the future.

• The Imperial Navy’s carrier forces will be re-organised. Battlegroups consisting of 65,000 tonne vessels of either the Washington or Australia class will be consolidated into large formations including two such vessels as well as the combined escorts. Battlegroups consisting of larger Supercarriers will remain one-vessel formations but will receive an increased escort for both protection purposes as well as for additional attached duty. The Imperial Navy will only seek to acquire Nuclear Powered 100,000+ carriers in the future whilst retaining the smaller vessels for as long as is required.

• In light of the size, capability and armament of the Saga Class warship shall be re-designated as Guided Missile Battlecruisers in the Service of the Crown. A number of Saga Class vessels will be acquired, either by further purchases as required or by reactivating vessels from the Australian stockpile for duty with the Imperial Naval Service.

• As a result of the above re-designation the Imperial Navy will seek to purchase or produce more conventionally sized missile cruisers to fill the gap now left by the re-designation of the Saga Class. This was filled with the procurement of Cottish Tiger Class Cruisers, starting with the first eight in 2011. Fourteen more are due in 2012 and the final fourteen due in 2013. The Imperial Navy will also consider purchasing further cruisers from alternative sources as required.

• The Imperial Navy will ensure that sufficient escort craft are in service to adequately protect the larger high-value vessels of the Navy as well as to ensure that the Navy can maintain its commitments abroad by the presence of these vessels.

• The Imperial Navy will seek to increase the size of the Imperial Submarine Fleet especially focussing on the acquisition of Fleet Submarines such as the Astute Class whose numbers currently stands at thirty-two vessels (following the merging of the Australian submarine fleet into the Imperial Navy), further vessels are to be acquired by either purchase or domestic production. The Fleet missile submarine numbers will be enhanced, either serving in the Nuclear Deterrent role or as guided missile submarines.

• The Imperial Navy will establish the Australian Fleet which will serve as the main defence of the Australian territories, as part of the Imperial effort to defeat the remaining hostile elements on the continent as well as the primary Imperial operating unit in the Indian Ocean and south Atlantic, working with the Imperial Atlantic fleet in the latter.

• The size of the Corps of Imperial Marine will be increased to fit with the increased size of the Imperial Navy as well as the increased requirements of the Corps, however it will remain a relatively small, elite force as opposed to a larger ‘second Imperial Army’. The Imperial Navy will maintain and procure sufficient vessels for the requirements of the Corps.

• The Imperial Navy will investigate the viability of replacing the Ocean-Class of Amphibious Assault Ship and the Albion Class Amphibious Landing Platform Dock within the near future

The Imperial Army

Recognizing the monumental task of providing defence for newly attained territories of the Empire, most notably Australia, as well as smaller territories, the Imperial Army will continue to grow in size whilst retaining the same level of equipment standardisation, training and leadership.

• All Imperial Army formations stationed in North America (approximately four field Corps+ large number of combat support/support elements) shall be part of the Imperial 1st Army. The First Army will be tasked with providing defence for all Imperial territories in the region, as well as providing a powerful tactical reserve for deployment overseas due to the relatively stable nature of the region.

• All Imperial Army formations stationed in Australia shall be part of the Imperial 2nd Army. The Second Army shall be tasked with providing defence for the Australian Territories as well as the primary force by which the Western Australian forces will be kept at bay for the near future and destroyed in the long future which will be shortly followed by the liberation of the rest of the Australian territories not under Imperial control.

• A fourth Regiment will be created within the Imperial Rapid Response Force and shall revive the Imperial Rangers to serve as the pinnacle of rapidly deployable infantry forces which will also be Special Operations Capable. The Imperial Rangers will be capable of very fast deployment (under 24 hours for a specific battalion on Immediate Readiness) and shall be versed in all means of rapid response. The IRRF itself may be increased in size depending on operational requirements that shall not be assumed in this document.

• In all expansions of Imperial Army forces the same level of combat support will be maintained at all levels to maintain uniformity and combat effectiveness.

• Three Field Corps will be established to form the core of the Imperial 2nd Army. These will be units largely drawn from the former Republic of Australian Army and the population of the territories under Imperial jurisdiction. Support and combat arms formations will also be established.

• As required for the defence of Australia an Imperial Third Army may be activated consisting of Australian forces.

• Light Infantry units will be moved from large military bases to a number of smaller barracks at the Battalion level (holding approximately one thousand troops plus support, Regimental HQ holds command battalion only) . This will free up larger bases for units that require them as well as provide the Light Infantry battalions and Regiments with the ability to protect major Imperial cities promptly in the event of an attack. One Regiment per city.

The Imperial Air Force

Recognizing that the task of defending the Empire from the air is as important as on any other plane of battle the Imperial Air Force will continue to grow in order to defend new Imperial territories as well as existing territory as well as to continue to develop its capabilities in the light of increasing Imperial commitments around the globe.

• The IAF will continue standard procurement as required to meet current commitments.

• The IAF will absorb the forces of the former Republic of Australia to serve as the defensive and offensive assets attached to Imperial Forces, Australia.

• In light of increasing global commitments the Imperial Air Force will work with the Foreign Office to acquire basing rights on foreign soil for Imperial Air Force Stations to provide combat and non-combat capabilities across the world in support of the Imperial Defence Mission.

• The Imperial Air Force will investigate the requirement/need for Strategic Bomber aircraft in the near future.

• The Imperial Air Force will invest in the continued expansion of surveillance/reconnaissance aircraft, including UAV, to further both the ability of the IAF to counter threats as well as the ability to detect attacks before they hit Imperial Forces.

[Layarteb]

OOC: Twas a good idea TR, now I shall do one.

Layartebian Ministry of Defense Review 2012

Pursuant to a decree from the Emperor of Layarteb, dated November 5, 1982, the Ministry of Defense shall present an annual review to the Office of the Empire with a review of the previous calendar year's operations, force developments, equipment reviews, threat analysis, and improvement recommendations. These are to be presented to the Office of the Empire by no later than March 1, of the following year and a summary sheet containing declassified information may or may not be made available to the public via media press release.

The following is the declassified summary of the 2012 review, covering the calendar year 2011.

Imperial Layartebian Air Force

The Imperial Layartebian Air Force remains the go-to force for the initial hours of any conflict. During the Empire's four warring conflicts of 2011, the Imperial Layartebian Air Force was involved in all four, leading the way on three of the four.

• The procurement of the F-58 Viper has been timely and efficient and the aircraft has performed as desired.
• The replacement of the LC-130R Hercules, though finalized, has come 5 years too late.
• The continued use of the MH-60G Pave Hawk will shorten the aircraft's intended lifespan by 2 years and 3 months. A replacement program must begin by the end of 2012.
• Conversion of old A-10A and A-10C airframes to the A-10D standard has been completed and service life has been extended by 15 years.
• The continued emergence of the F-22 Raptor presents a grave issue for the ILAF. Despite the superiority of the F-57 Wraith over the F-22 Raptor, the ILAF's 4.5 generation aircraft will not be capable of warding off F-22s in large numbers. The procurement of a 6th generation fighter must begin immediately.

Imperial Layartebian Army

The Imperial Layartebian Army had a quiet 2011. They were used sparingly in conflicts due to the nature of those conflicts. Against the Persians, the Marines saw the dominant amount of fighting although ILA airborne forces saw fighting on Kish Island. In the São Tomé and Príncipe Conflict, only ILA airborne forces saw fighting. The ILA was not involved on Crete in any capacity and the Rondônia Conflict remains dominantly an ILDF battle.

• Training in all environments continues to be a priority and there are no complaints to report.
• The Sabertooth MBT remains the dominant battle tank on the world and its export should not go past the Realm of Cotland in any capacity.
• The upgrade to MRAP category vehicles has proceeded on schedule and with no issues.
• The airborne forces of the ILA continue to perform outstanding in all conflicts but could become overused if current trends continue.
• The deployment of an 8th LFL regiment in 2012 is approved but a 9th LFL regiment is needed.

Imperial Layartebian Defense Forces

The ILDF continue to be used heavily in the Rondônia Conflict and though they remain entirely capable of this conflict, they are showing a distinct need for further advanced equipment. The policy of equipping the ILDF with passed on hardware from the ILA cannot continue.

• The RAH-69 Vanguard has emerged as a crucial weapon against anarchists and illegal military forces of Mato Grosso and it has become vital in saving Layartebian lives throughout the Rondônia Conflict.
• The training of ILDF forces has improved dramatically over years past but more work must be done.
• The ILDF's aerial and maritime forces continue to remain superior to its land forces and this must be corrected so that all three areas are equal.
• The ILDF must be expanded by 1% to 5% to include newly acquiring territories in the Persian Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean.
• The return of the Shetland Islands to the Realm of Cotland was economically wise but strategically, it leaves the island group in a situation whereby it could become necessary for the Empire to seize control of it again in the future.

Imperial Layartebian Navy

The Imperial Layartebian Navy remains, like the ILAF, a mainstay of conflicts. In 2011, the ILN has seen intense fighting in the Persian Gulf and they continue to be deployed throughout the Pacific Ocean to counter Hi No Moton aggression. They served in an excellent capacity following the Fall of Khorsun and they remain the deciding factor in the North Atlantic on Layartebian dominance. With the downsizing of the Bavinese state, the ILN remains wary to Bavinese aggression against the Falkland Islands.

• The retirement of the last four Ynoga class aircraft carriers should be complete by 2013.
• The Harrier Forward Deployment Team remains a crucial addition to the ILN but it must be expanded from six to twelve teams.
• The seizure of the Suez Canal by Manchurian Global was monumentally helpful to the ILN but their non-governmental controlled policies do not help the Empire.
• The deployment of forces into the Middle Eastern theater remains controversial but necessary.
• The ratio of 60% logistics to 40% combat vessels remains sound.

Imperial Layartebian Strategic Forces

The Imperial Layartebian Strategic Forces saw no major changes in 2011 and we not as actively used as they have been in years past. This is largely due to the nature of conflicts and the lack of need to deploy either the Thor or the Vesta missile.

• In seventeen separate security exercises, the ILSF remained the most secure branch of the ILM.
• The deployment of ICBMs to silos remains viable despite their vulnerabilities.
• The policy change regarded the use of chemical weapons has not affected the daily operations of the ILSF but it has warranted a 65% increase in training leading to budgetary constraints.
• The deployment of advanced nuclear weapons has continued to reduce lifespan costs and ensures safer nuclear weapons.

Special Operations

• Public exposure due to the Tehrani Embassy Siege did not actively harm SOF contingencies.
• The addition of a 3rd regiment to the Rangers is absolutely crucial.
• SOF groups played a key role in all Layartebian conflicts.
• The shroud of secrecy concerning the use of Special Operations Forces remains in place.

Ministry of the Interior

The Ministry of the Interior saw increased activity due to the many national changes along the Empire's borders. It remains a crucial organization and it is vital to the Empire's national security.

• Cross-border issues with Mato Grosso continue to plague and tire the Ministry of Intelligence.
• The Achesian Democratic Ascendency remains committed to stopping illegal border incursions but the ADA remains ineffective due to domestic issues.
• The Chilean-Bavinese Conflict remains problematic for border forces.
• The Western Wall remains sound and the waning of hostilities along the Western Wall remains crucial to the Empire's sovereignty.

[Belgio]

The Hague Guardian


HNLMS van Dalet on her shakedown cruise with the Dutch Navy

AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND

In a brief yet concise press release by the Ministry of Defence, it has confirmed it will be releasing it's declassified Review of their Ministry and ahead of this widely anticipated release in the military arms world, a small announcement has by the Minister of Defence himself that he and his Layartebian counterpart have concluded a sale of 2 Ynoga-class carriers to our nation for the price of one and a half billion each, the largest expenditure for the Ministry in this century . It has been unconfirmed so far but is widely speculated that both carriers will be immediately deployed over to the newly acquired holdings in Mauritius and the Samoan Islands.

[Amigard]

3rd Lay Council begins in Amigard City

May 2012
Representatives from every Diocese gathered at the Cathedral of Saint Michael for the Bi-Annual Lay Council Meeting to discuss various matters of importance to the Theocracy. Representatives to the Lay Council are chosen every two years by popular vote with each Diocese allotted a number of representatives based on population. All adult citizens of the Theocracy with no felony convictions and who have completed the Citizens Basic Combat Training requirement may run for election to the Lay Council. Currently there are 100 representatives in the Lay Council (See fact book for breakdown of representatives by Diocese).

While the Council of Bishops will generally meet for one week in January and in June, the Lay Council generally lasts for an entire month given the number of representatives present. Representatives from all eight Diocese and the Kingdom of Israel began arriving in the capital in the latter part of April and sessions are expected to begin May 7th and will likely last until the last day of May depending on the number of issues raised and legislation brought forth.

[Terra Reborn]

The Imperial Times

Shuffle at the top of the Imperial Navy and the Ministry of Defence
1st May 2012

The upper echelons of the Ministry of Defence, and the operational Military, received something of a shuffle today and over previous days by order of His Majesty the King following discussions with the personages involved as well as various other advisors. Sir Jenson Pierce, KCAE, stood down as Secretary of State for Defence in order to take up his new post as the Home Secretary, he was also created Viscount Valdez and Earl of Valdez Cordova in recognition of his past services to the Empire as well as the continuing role Sir Jenson his expected to play in the future of the Empire. The man slated to replace him his former-Chief of the Defence Staff; Field Marshal Sir John T. Anders (Retired), who after many years of stellar service in the Von Karin Guard and more recently in leading the Imperial Armed Forces to its current strength has retired, is expected to become the new Defence Minister within the next few days. Field Marshal Anders was created Viscount Hooper Bay and Earl of Wade Hampton this morning.

Sir Thomas Kittinger, KCAE, KCSS, BAI NA, the now-former First Sea Lord, was promoted to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet and assigned by His Majesty to serve as Chief of the Defence Staff following his predecessor’s retirement, in recognition of both his seniority and the increasing role that the Imperial Apilonian Navy is playing in Imperial Policy. Sir Thomas was also promoted to Knight Grand Cross in both the Most Noble Order of the Apilonian Empire and the Most Glorious Order of the Sword and Shield. Admiral Dame Victoria Grisham, KCSS, former Second Sea Lord, was promoted to the position of First Sea Lord and professional head of the Imperial Apilonian Navy making her the highest ranking female officer in Imperial service. Dame Victoria, in her capacity as Second Sea Lord, was involved in the planning of the naval side of the Australian operations and was personally recommended by Sir Thomas to serve as his replacement.

Imperial Times © 2012, All Rights Reserved

[Layarteb]

Manchurian Global Acquires Uranium Mines

LAYARTEB CITY, May 31, 2012, /PRNewswire/ -- Manchurian Global (LCSE: MG) has acquired the uranium mines of Akouta and Arlit in the African country of Niger. Annual production for both mines is equal to 3,093 tU. This is Manchurian Global's first venture into the uranium industry. The purchase has cost $3 billion.

After six months of negotiations, Manchurian Global has agreed to buy the uranium mining facilities of Akouta and Arlit in the African country of Niger. The move to purchase these two mining facilities will expand Manchurian Global's industrial portfolio in the natural resources sector by a significant leap.

The purchase, which has been approved by all parties, will become official as of 12:00 p.m. GMT, June 1, 2012 and caps off six months of negotiations with the Nigerien company UTex (LCSE: UTEX). The purchase does not include any other assets from UTex and it was negotiated for $3 billion. Analysts predict that after nine years, the mines in Niger will begin to yield profit.

Security for the mines shall be maintained by Manchurian Global and Manchurian Global has agreed to pay $100 million to the residents who live near both facilities in order to provide them with sustainable living conditions.

Manchurian Global has further announced that it will not conduct any personnel changes for the remainder of the 2012 calendar year and that it does not anticipate mass layoffs.

Annual production from the Akouta mine is 1,778 tU and from the Arlit mine, it is 1,315 tU. The current price for uranium is $52.00 per pound giving both mines an estimated annual income of $354,582,696 at current prices.

About Manchurian Global

Manchurian Global was founded in the early 1910s as a construction and holdings firm. Manchurian Global's first venture was in railroad construction and oil drilling. In the 1930s, Manchurian Global expanded into automobile, aircraft, and ship construction and, in 1935 Manchurian Global began its first bridge and highway building project. In the 1950s, Manchurian Global sold off its manufacturing sector with a significant profit, which was further reinvested into the construction sector. By the 1970s, Manchurian Global was one of the first multi-billion dollar corporations and its assets were located on every continent and most of the countries of the world. Manchurian Global also expanded into the textiles sector in the 1970s. Manchurian Global's construction sector continued to keep pace with Layarteb's expanding cities and it was solely responsible for maintaining the infrastructure of the Republic of Layarteb. Last year, Manchurian Global purchased the Sinai Canal.

Note to Editors

Manchurian Global responds to all media requests within 72 hours.

Media Contact
Margaret Bowfield
212-555-2188
MRBowfield@manchurianglobal.com

SOURCE Manchurian Global

[Alliance ofFree People]

The Phoenix Times

U.S. Naval Base established in the Federaton of Lacoze
1st June 2012

The United States Navy formally took control of a new Naval Base at Omisalj, Croatia today. Following the troubles in Egypt in the waning months of last year it had become increasingly important for the Department of Defence to have a forward base in Europe to ensure a speedy reaction to any threats to the United States or it’s interests in the European Theatre. As it turned out this need only became more serious in April of this year as the U.S. Embassy in Cairo was once again viciously attacked by Egyptian protesters and were only evacuated due to the fortuitous nearby presence of the U.S.S Andrew J Thorn on her maiden world cruise. The United States had approached the Federation of Lacoze shortly before the turn of the year in regards to a naval base within the Federation and after some discussions the agreement was finalised shortly into January and construction began, this only sped up with the crisis in Egypt. The base was finished a few weeks previously and has since undergone fitting out for various systems before the first tenant units arrived. Due to the previous presence of assets for the nearby Port of Rijeka, as part of the agreement the United States paid for much of the cost of moving said assets as part of the agreement, as well as compensating those who lived nearby who had to move. The U.S.S Base stretches seven kilometres south to just North of the town of Nijivice.

The majority of the local population have welcomed the presence of a U.S. Naval Base due to the economic boost it will give the local community considering the size of the forces expected to be deployed who will no doubt make full use of the nearby towns and cities facilities. The Base Complex itself also holds a Naval Air Station and a USMC Camp.

Omisali Naval Base is expected to become the United States most important overseas port due to it’s shear size and considering the strategic purpose of the base. Aside from becoming the new homeport of the Intrepid Carrier Strike Group and four forward deployed Amphibious Assault Groups (which will be used by both U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command), the base will also become the headquarters of both the U.S. Sixth Fleet as well as U.S. European Command.

Aaron Cussler
Senior Military Correspondent

[Cotland]

Ex-Police Boss Sentenced To Death

MARKTUN/OSLO (CNN): A former senior police officer in Cotland has been sentenced to death for corruption and rape.

Former Chief of Police Teo Merks was charged with accepting vast sums of money from criminal gangs in the southern city of Marktun in exchange for protection from the law.

He was also found guilty of rape and failing to account for his assets, says state news agency CRK.

Merks is the most senior official to be charged under a major corruption probe in the city.

His wife, Nina Merks, was tried at the same time and sentenced to 20 years in jail for taking bribes, the Sørlitauiske Budstikke newspaper reported.

Three other senior Marktun police officials received sentences ranging from 9 to 35 years, reports said.
Merks was convicted of taking more than 16 million CRK ($28.8 million) in bribes to turn a blind eye to crime.

The case has attracted huge media attention across Cotland.

The investigation began last summer and more than 380 people have been prosecuted as part of a Government crackdown on crime in the recently annexed territory.

Marks's sister-in-law, Helena Devostaka - described as the Godmother of Marktun - was jailed for 38 years last November for crimes including running gambling dens and protecting drug users.

She was reported to have earned more than 42 million Rikskroner ($75.6 million) from crime.

[Layarteb]

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE LIGHTENS
By Juán Pedro
Published: July 5, 2012 | 15:02 [UTC-5]

LAYARTEB CITY, NEW YORK — In an unprecedented move, the Minister of Defense announced on Thursday that the Imperial Layartebian Military, previously numbering 20,600,000 soldiers has completed the first phase of a three phase "lightening program" designed to bring the Imperial Layartebian Military back to its designated peacetime size of 11,550,000 soldiers.

The first phase, which was completed on June 30, saw the stand-down of 2,500,000 inactive reservists who had been brought up to combat readiness in a crash program instituted by the Ministry of Defense in 2010. This leaves the Imperial Layartebian Military in its current state of readiness with all of its active reservists, approximately 6,600,000 soldiers at combat readiness.

The second phase will see a stand-down of one-half of those reservists, due to be completed by the end of the summer. The final phase, which will stand down the remaining reservists, will be completed by the end of the 2012 calendar year.

This is the first time that the Ministry of Defense has made public comments concerning the state of readiness of forces and of stand-downs. A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense did however state that the readiness exercises conducted to bring these inactive reservists back into the fold will have long-term benefits and that the Ministry of Defense will institute a revolving program whereby inactive reservists will be brought into regular refresher courses and physical training, which will reduce the amount of time that it currently requires to bring them to combat readiness in half.

At present, the Ministry of Defense states that it takes an average of 90 days to bring an inactive reservist back into the fold for a basic level of combat readiness and a total of 6 months for full combat readiness.

What prompted this move, the Ministry of Defense would not say but it certainly will be met with mixed reactions around the world.

Juán Pedro is a 20-year veteran of our newspaper and he has won the prestigious National Layartebian Journalist Award in 1998 for his reporting during the Conquests.

Layarteb | Military
Layarteb City Times © All Rights Reserved 2012

[Amigard]

Amigard Establishes Naval Base in Bangladesh

May 15, 2012

After months of intense diplomacy with various political and military leaders in Bangladesh the Amigard Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with the Ministry of Defense announced that an agreement has been reached wherein the Theocracy of Amigard will assume control over naval facilities currently located at Chittagong, Bangladesh.

A spokesperson at the Cathedral of Saint Michael confirmed reports that the Theocracy had been in contact with Bangladesh officials over the past few months and that various economic and military agreements had been made, but declined to comment further on the exact nature of these agreements aside from confirming the establishment of the Soter Naval Base near the city of Chittagong.

The exchange is set to take place officially on June 1, 2012 and will likely be the new home to the Solomon Expeditionary Strike Group which consists largely of vessels obtained from the Theocracy’s acquisition of Oman including the strike groups flag ship, the HMS Solomon, a Wasp Class amphibious assault ship.

Critics of the move claim that the establishment of an Amigard naval base in Bangladesh is likely to increase tensions between the Theocracy and the nations of the Pacific and Far East. Proponents counter, however, that the new naval base will greatly increase Amigard’s force projection capabilities and allow the Theocracy to respond to threats to national security. Proponents also point out that among the various global powers; Amigard remains one of the few nations that fails to maintain any significant foreign military bases, a fact that some claim prevents the Theocracy from being anything other than a regional power.

According to Cathedral officials the naval base could potentially increase economic opportunities with surrounding nations and protect Amigard shipping in the region. In addition to the naval base, the Theocracy plans to increase trade with Bangladesh and has agreed to allow Bangladesh naval forces to use Amigard ports for resupply

[United States of PA]

Indian Armed Forces ups deployments in Maldives
Claims no connection to Amigardian Naval Base

June 2nd, 2012

The Indian Air Force and Navy today announced an increase in deployments to the Maldives Island Chain, consisting of a squadron of Multi-role fighters and support aircraft, as well as increased Missile Battery presence on certain unnamed Islands.

This is viewed as a surprising move, especially considering the recent announcement of the deployment of an Amigardian Task Force to Bangladesh early this month. The Ministry of Defense claimed no connection between the two events, instead stating that this was done to increase security for the other poorly defended chain of Islands just off the Southwestern Coast of India.

As more information becomes available we will be sure to report it.

In other news, Yesterday June 1st, the Indian Army started to conduct raids into Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan in order to track down and eliminate Insurgent Cells belonging to the White Tiger Splinter Group. The Indian Government also extended formal offers of union to the governments of Nepal and Bhutan, and is expecting a response to the offers within the next few days.

[Amigard]

HES Righteous Fury Commissioned at Khasab, Oman

July 23, 2012

Cardinal Steele presided over the commissioning of the Theocracy’s latest Contrition Class carrier today, the HES Righteous Fury, at the Khasab Naval Shipyard in Oman. Construction of the Fury had begun more than a decade earlier in June of 2000 as part of a Federation of Eurasia naval expansion project but was put on hold after the collapse of the Federation in 2003.

The newly independent nation of Oman renewed construction of the aircraft carrier in May of 2004, however an economic downturn slowed Oman’s efforts as the nation was forced to focus on its domestic and economic issues.

Construction was nearly completed by 2011 and the Theocracy’s acquisition of Oman in March of 2012 brought a much needed boost of resources and funding to the project allowing its completion, along with an upgrade to various weapons and computer systems, in late June of 2012. The recent upgrades to the carrier’s equipment and electronics package makes her one of the most advanced warships in the world.

According to officials with the Amigard Navy the HES Righteous Fury will be the flagship of a newly assembled carrier battle group that will leave for the Soter Naval base in Bangladesh within the next week or so although officials have not revealed the exact date or time of the battle groups departure. The Fury will link up with the Solomon Expeditionary Strike Group already stationed at Soter Naval Base to increase, even further, the Amigard presence in the Southeast Asian, Indian and Pacific Theaters.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a communiqué to all nations in the Soter area of operations assuring them that the move is not intended to be hostile or aggressive in nature, and Amigard forces have no plans to violate territorial boundaries or the sovereignty of any nation. On the contrary, Cathedral officials insist the move is meant to protect Amigard economic interests abroad as the Theocracy plans to propose increased trade and other economic and cultural exchanges with various nations in the region.

[Alliance ofFree People]

The Phoenix Post

James Sullivan elected President of the United States
6th August 2012

James Sullivan was officially announced as the victor in yesterdays Presidential Elections to succeed the incumbent President Andrew J. Thorn. The Democratic candidate garnered nationwide support and respect after running one of the most iconic and issue-led campaigns in the history of any of the nations that now makes up the United States. Sullivan was also able to sweep the so-called swing-states of the 2012 election, specifically those that have only recently been brought into the United States, by quite some margin. Sullivan, who opposed the wording of such states as swing-states due to their newness in the union, stating that true swing-states are those whom one party does not have a substantial majority, and said that the newer states should not be treated any differently than those that have been part of the union from the beginning. It is more than likely this inclusive rhetoric and policy that has attracted voters in the newer states, as well as the promise to bring the prosperity of the rest of the United States to the states which have only been part of it for a few months.

President Thorn congratulated his democratic party comrade in a reception held in the West House to celebrate the party holding onto the Presidency as well as establishing a working majority in both houses of Congress. President Thorn, although eligible for two more terms due to the technicalities of a new constitution, instead elected to step aside after twelve years as President of one Republic or another to ensure that a personality cult does not grow around him. President Thorn is expected to give a goodbye address on November 4th, the day before inauguration, to address the people of the nation that he has worked to meld for over a decade, and it is without a question going to be a sad day for all of America, before we turn our attention to the future the following day.

When asked what his plans for his Presidency, Sullivan replied that it would focus on the platform he had campaigned on; the continued economic strength of the U.S., the continued positive foreign policy backed up by a strong and effective military and, he added with a slight smile, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. With a strong majority in Congress it is highly likely that the Sullivan Administration will be comparatively successful in getting it’s agenda through the legislature, however when asked for comment the Republican leadership pledged to fight the administration all the way on subjects that they disagreed upon, vowing to work towards gaining control of Congress at the mid-term elections in 2014.

In any event, the twilight of President Thorn had begun, but it shall give way to the dawn of James Sullivan, the second President of these United States.

Danny Ambrose
Senior Political Correspondent and West House Reporter for the Phoenix Post.

[Amigard]

Nations Form the Eurasian Mutual Defense Pact

August 27, 2012

Amidst chaos in East Asia officials at the Cathedral of Saint Michael announced today the signing of a treaty between the Theocracy of Amigard, Byzantine-Spanish Empire, Republic of Paix, and the Kingdom of Holland in which the nations have agreed to provide mutual defense against aggressors and mutual aid in times of economic or natural disaster.

Delegates from the above nations met at the Cathedral of Saint Michael in Amigard City on August 24th to finalize the agreement and discuss the current global political situation. The treaty was officially signed by all delegates, including Cardinal Steele, this morning shortly after 0900hrs in the Cathedral’s main diplomatic chamber.

Cardinal Steele, in a statement made shortly after signing the treaty announced “Today the Theocracy of Amigard along with the other members of the Eurasian Mutual Defense Pact, have taken a great step toward global stability and peace. It is my sincere hope that the formation of this pact will herald a new age of peace and prosperity for all its members, and that the Theocracy will continue to forge long lasting and mutually beneficial friendships with the Byzantine-Spanish Empire, the Republic of Paix, and the Kingdom of Holland.”

Cardinal Steele went on to preside over the daily mass at the Cathedral in which he prayed for the success of the pact, peace throughout the world, and the prosperity of all the pact members. The Cardinal also included the Republic of Sinae in his mass intentions and prayed that the country’s leaders would work to ensure the rights of all its citizens regardless of race, religion, or creed.

The Eurasian Mutual Defense Pact can be accessed by following this link: EMDP

[The Alliance of United Worlds]

The La Paz Reporter

Republican Army troops patrol the Mountains

Military reports build-up along Bavin border
Military Affairs Staff Writer Jacque Dale

The Department of Defence has confirmed a substantial redeployment of Republican Military forces to reinforce defences along the border with the United Provinces of Bavin. Considering the United Provinces as the most likely threat in the area the DOD has made it clear that the Republic intends to ensure that every possibility of defending against a Bavinese attack is explored. In addition the redeployment is seen as a major show of force against the Bavinese, hoping to dis-encourage any attempts by the UPB to resume previous hostilities.

The DOD also confirmed that at this point the policy of the Republic in regards to the United Provinces is purely defensive and is not intended to assume an offensive footing, rather the defences, which are believed to follow the defense-in-depth model are designed to slow the enemy down whilst additional and reserve forces are mobilised. In addition in order to minimise the intelligence that the United Provinces could potentially gather on the state of the Republican defences in the region they are believed to be heavily camouflaged and ‘make the most of the natural environment’. This redeployment, only made possible by the peaceful absorption of Chile by the Republic, is intended to ensure that the Bavinese are forced to concentrate their forces away from the other, theoretically easier to assail areas.

When asked to comment on this deployment President Merik simply stated: ‘the military government of the United Provinces has proven over and over again that they are willing to launch wars of aggression, we are no longer willing to live under that threat and will take any measures necessary to ensure our safety and the stability of the region’.

[Minnysota]

Belmont Times



DoD Announces Successful Missile Test

BELMONT - Defense officials confirmed today that the first ballistic missile in Paixan history completed a test somewhere within Afghanistan. The test, which remained a well-kept secret, displayed the accuracy and speed of the missile. According to an anonymous source, the missile will be able to serve as a deterrent to nuclear, biological, and chemical attacks on Paix. "Even our nomadic neighbors to the north have weapons of mass destruction. It took some time, but we've successfully developed the means of delivering a warhead." When asked whether a nuclear warhead existed, the source merely stated, "I am unable to answer that question at this time."

The missile is reported to be able to hit a target up to ten thousand kilometers out. The warhead is rumored to be able to support up to six MIRV and a total of five megatons of offensive weaponry. As the development of this program progresses, we must only guess that nuclear warheads are being developed to turn this missile into a truly destructive weapon.

[Itailian Maifias]

Mid-Term Parliamenty Elections Close; VVD Finishes Solid

AMSTERDAM-

In a stunning turn of events for the mid-term Parliamentary elections that were held on January 20th of this year, the PVV for the first time in nearly a century and a half saw it lose all but two of it's parliamentary seats. In an even worse bringer of bad news, Prime Minister Květoslav Sedláček's own party, the Liberal Democrats, lost control of all seven of their parliamentary seats, meaning his coalition government is now down to two seats, while his opposition, namely the VVD now hold seventy three seats in the Senate while now holding an additional one hundred and twelve in the House of Representatives. Their huge victory in the polls saw the dismissal, or as the VVD say "consolidation", of more then seven parties, with only VVD, SP, PVV, and D66 holding parliamentary seats.

Bear in mind, this election also saw the implementation of the new districts that were added into the States-General following the Kingdom's annexation of the Germanic states. The addition brought thirty new seats to the Senate, two for each German state except Berlin, and seventy five new seats to the House of Representatives. A new party which gained some ground in the House of Representatives was the Bavarian Freedom Party, a left wing party that adovcates total independence for Germany.

The leader of the VVD, Lucas Hergoer, has testified to the public that he will seek a meeting with the Queen following the official announcement of the election results next week and seek to establish a new government given that the current Prime Minister's coalition government has literally collapsed.

[United States of PA]

Indian Armed Forces Announce Purchase of Fighters
144 F-58 Vipers to be purchased from EOL
Septemer 23rd, 2012

Earlier today September 23rd, 2012 the Indian Government announced the intention to purchase a total sum of 144 F-58 Viper Multi-Role fighters from the Empire of Layarteb, with a option to purchase further aircraft. In the few details released, the Government announced that the EOL would be delivering the aircraft at a rate of 24 per month, starting in October.