~ The Parliamentary Inquiry ~
The "Parliamentary inquiry into the Pony Question" has the purpose of finding out the 'true nature' of the so-called "magical ponies", and assessing potential threats and opportunities for the Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss and its allies. The committee of inquiry will make policy suggestions for dealing with the 'magical ponies', and the nations controlled by them.
A Knootian parliamentary inquiry is called for by a majority of the parliament, the Staten-Generaal, to obtain information. A Committee of Inquiry carries out this assignment. By law, anyone in Knootoss is obligated to cooperate to the best of their ability with the committee of inquiry. Witnesses can be heard under oath, and witnesses are compelled to answer all questions to the best of their ability.
Alongside domestic Knootian experts, foreign experts and representatives of the "magical ponies" are being called to testify as well. Foreigners who are called to testify have their expenses for travel and lodging compensated. Their security is also guaranteed for the duration of their stay in Knootoss.
~ New: The Committee of Inquiry Findings ~
Weeks of additional hearings featured many Knootian "experts", such as they were, weighing in on the issue. The final document was 600 pages long but, thankfully, summarised on the first page:
Staten-Generaal of the Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss
Executive summary:
The Parliamentary inquiry into the Pony Question was approved by the Staten-Generaal in response to growing concerns about the advancement of a newly dominant, and apparently sentient, species. The Staten-Generaal charged the Honourable Member Maurits Viljoen, the Honourable Member Jeremy Jules Bastaard and the Honourable Member Francis de La Court to find out the true nature of the creatures known in common parlance "magical ponies", to assess potential threats and opportunities for the Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss and its allies, and to make policy suggestions for dealing with the 'magical ponies', and the nations controlled by them.
With regards to the first question, the Committee of Inquiry finds that "magical ponies" consist of at least three sub-species of fully sentient creatures, capable of making informed decisions and being accountable for those decisions. The committee also finds that magical ponies are capable of both moral and immoral decision-making. Although some magical ponies claim to have a moral superiority and increased sensibility, the actions of other ponies demonstrate that there is no reason to suppose that any member of this species is inherently well-intentioned or, for that matter, ethically above reproach.
Although some members of the pony races have abilities that are extraordinary compared to those abilities possessed by humans and other species that are known to inhabit Knootoss, these abilities can be readily explained through scientific principles, particularly the unique physiology of rare members of the species. The committee rejects the hypothesis that these creatures use super-natural abilities, and further rejects the hypothesis that ponies are merely a figment of the imagination precipitated by some virus.
Having investigated the religious creeds that are being promoted by "ponyist" states and non-pony adherents, the Committee of Inquiry finds that the beliefs espoused by the believers have no more merit than those beliefs practiced by any citizen of Knootoss. While the committee notes, with concern, the cult-like tendencies involved with the religion, as well as the way that it seems to fuel aggressive military conquest in some adherents, the religion lacks a formalised hierarchical structure. Princess Luna, to whom many have ascribed the status of demi-goddess, does not seem willing to exploit the adulation of the masses to its logical conclusion at this time.
The above-average physiological abilities of magical ponies, their apparent political dominance in a growing number of nations and their tendency to operate as a single unit for political purposes constitutes a clear and present threat to the security of Knootoss. However, there is no reason to suppose that the leadership of the magical ponies, collectively, harbours any intentions to threaten the Knootian Federation, the Western Atlantic, or Knootian national interests outside these regions. It is reasonable to suppose that restrictive legislation or hostile action against pony-led nations will provoke military action by the Coalition of Ponyist States.
Trade with "ponyist" states has significant advantages. A large consumer base, receptivity to Knootian exports and a willingness to negotiate free trade agreements all suggest that a policy of open trade could promote economic growth in Knootoss and the states of the Knootian Federation. Similarly, the Committee of Inquiry finds that highly skilled pony migrant workers could fulfil unique niches in the labour market, and enhance economic growth. However, the committee notes that trade with the specific nations of Hippostania and the Greater Pony Herd is incompatible with the demands of an ethical Foreign Economic Policy.
Policy recommendations
Based on the above findings, the committee makes the following recommendations:
- The subspecies of "magical pony" should be treated as sentient beings under the law, and afforded all the rights and duties associated therewith. This includes the rights and duties afforded to them by international treaties and World Assembly resolutions.
- Knootoss should permit adherents of the pony religion to practice their faith, but permit the national intelligence agencies to monitor any practitioners who show serious evidence of having developed a willingness to use violence against non-adherents or non-ponies.
- The government of Knootoss should observe a benign state of neutrality towards the Coalition of Ponyist States, unless its vital national interests come to be threatened by any of their members. In such an event, every effort should be made to treat conflict as a disagreement between states, and not as a disagreement between races. Knootoss should only resort to an alliance with so-called "anti-ponyist" alliances in the event that the Coalition of Ponyist States invokes collective self-defence clauses, in order to act aggressively against Knootian national interests.
- The government should develop non-conventional countermeasures, to counter pony abilities and create a level playing field in the military arena. The Budget Committee of the Staten-Generaal should appropriate the necessary resources for this purpose. Such countermeasures should remain classified, and only shared with outsiders in the event of a significant threat to Knootian national interests.
- Knootoss should pursue free trade agreements with all nations of the Coalition of Ponyist states, unless other concerns related to the policies of individual nations make such agreements undesirable.
- Knootoss should continue its present restrictive policies vis a vis the illegal government of Hippostania.
This government communication has been printed on biodegradable paper. All carbon emissions associated with the creation of this government communication have been off-set with new plantings in Colombia, using the Pink Bunny Tree™ Carbon Offset Scheme, sponsored by the Pink Bunny Cola Corporation and the Global Hell Group. For more information about the Pink Bunny Tree™ Carbon Offset Scheme, consult http://www.futureproof.kn.
OOC: Conclusions reached! Feel free to comment.
