Azano-Lemurian Department of Foreign Affairs (Open)
Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 4:30 pm
Letter of Invitation
The Rt Hon. Nikita Watridge
Capital House, 7 Kingsway Lane
Durban, ALCT
Azania-Lemuria
January 11, 2011
To The Most Esteemed Leaders and Ministers for Foreign Affairs (or equivalents thereof) of the World
From The Azano-Lemurian Presidency
RE The Opening of Embassies in the new Azano-Lemurian Capital
As the Republic of Azania-Lemuria continues its task; the unification of the formerly independent nations of Azania and Lemuria; that was started on the first of January of this year, the government is pleased to announce that the diplomatic district of the new capital city, Durban, is ready to begin hosting Embassies and Consulates.
It is on behalf of the Azano-Lemurian government, therefore, that I write today to all the leaders of the world in order to encourage the opening up of proper diplomatic relations. The new diplomatic district is within comfortable walking distance of Sharma House, the new headquarters of the Azano-Lemurian Department of Foreign Affairs, as well as Parliament House and Capital House (the President's residence and office). It is also conveniently placed with regard to La Lucia International Airport, and Durban's public transit system.
The Azano-Lemurian government hopes that this will encourage other nations to establish embassies in our nation. All further correspondence in this regard shall be handled by the Azano-Lemurian Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Rajiv Singh. We look forward to friendly and warm relations with the nations of the world.
Yours Sincerely,
The Rt Hon. Nikita Watridge,
President of Azania-Lemuria
Azano-Lemurian Diplomatic Protocol
Attached by the Department of Foreign Affairs
Concerning Extra-Territoriality and the Rights of Diplomats
* Embassies and Consulates within Azania-Lemuria are exempt from local law, are not taxed, and are considered territorially to be partial enclaves of whichever nation is represented by them.
* All diplomatic officials within Azania-Lemuria are given diplomatic immunity in accordance with General Assembly Resolution #22 (The Diplomatic Protection Act); subject, of course, to clause 10 of said resolution which prohibits nations from sending diplomats with the express intent of committing crimes of espionage, sabotage or subversion, causing harm to the civilian population, or other related crimes committed outside of a diplomat's duties.
* The Azano-Lemurian government reserves the right to, at any time and without being obliged to explain its decision, declare any diplomatic official of any nation a persona non grata. Anyone declared a persona non grata shall be expected to depart from Azania-Lemuria within 24 hours.
Concerning Staff
* Embassies and Consulates may have a maximum of sixty (60) attachés, assistants, and other diplomatic staff.
* Embassies and Consulates may have a maximum of twenty (20) security staff and armed personnel.
* Embassies and Consulates may have a maximum of twenty (20) service staff (including but not limited to; maintenance, janitorial, and culinary staff).
* Needless to say, there can be only one (1) Ambassador or Consul per Embassy or Consulate.
Concerning Equipment
* A maximum of seven (7) diplomatic automobiles are permitted per Embassy or Consulate.
* All diplomatic automobiles must be less than ten (10) years old.
* All diplomatic automobiles must be road-worthy and properly licensed under Azano-Lemurian law.
* A maximum of two (2) diplomatic aircraft are allowed per Embassy or Consulate.
* All diplomatic aircraft must be air-worthy and properly licensed to fly within Azano-Lemurian airspace.
* Nations using diplomatic aircraft that are not capable of vertical take-off and landing are expected to pay any storage and parking costs incurred at whichever airports are used. No help can be expected from the Azano-Lemurian Department of Foreign Affairs in this regard.
* All diplomatic vehicles must be non-military. Armoured vehicles not possessing weaponry are acceptable, however.
* Automatic assault rifles, machine guns and other heavy infantry weaponry are prohibited. Semi-automatic assault rifles, bolt actions rifles, side-arms and ceremonial weaponry are permitted but must be registered with the Department of Foreign Affair's Security Bureau.
* Grenades and other bombs are prohibited. However, smoke grenades, stun grenades, and tear-gas canisters are permitted but, again, must be registered with the Department of Foreign Affair's Security Bureau.
* Nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical weapons of mass-destruction are prohibited in the strongest degree. Should any such weapons be found on Azano-Lemurian soil, it shall be considered tantamount to a declaration of war from the offending nation.
* Any weaponry requiring more than one person to operate is prohibited.
* Permitted weaponry may not be used outside of the properties of the Embassies or Consulates in which they are kept, except in self-defence. It is prohibited to openly carry weapons outside of Embassies or Consulates (i.e. they must be concealed).
More information on the Department of Foreign Affairs can be found here.