7er vi Febrera, 2019 Edicionarei No. 0008
Roendavăria othrivorie Formamarithos meroără disputarî, "ștelithos moithi lorași"
One of the geographical features in the highly disputed Sawneeak Atoll
Following a shift in Roendavarian politics to assert its place on the international stage, the Grand Court, as well as the current Crown Prince Ivan Alexandru Coastăs Avarești, has reiterated the country's stance on the current Sawneeak Atoll Dispute, advocating for: the invalidation of all claims on the said atolls, recognizing the Sawneeak Atoll, other related geographical features both above and below water, as well as all waters surrounding it, as an area of ecological importance, declaring it as a national park, and for the atolls to be governed and overseen by an international organization that would seek to maintain and protect the area's environment.
The Sawneeak Atoll, despite its name, is actually a group of islands, reefs, and shoals positioned in a circular shape located in the Southern Sea. The islands are home to 8,520 people, mostly immigrants from countries who have a claim on the islands. It is home to 22 species of birds and countless species of fish, dolphins, and whales. The islands also hold a few species of land animals and numerous species of trees and plants endemic to Sawneeak Atoll. It is also home to one of the largest coral reefs in the area, serving as habitat to countless marine animals.
According to disputed sources, 8 countries currently have a claim on the islands. These countries include Vancouvia, Noronica, Athara Magarat, Norstham, Dormill and Stiura, Suvurnia, San Montagna, and Noronica. All of them have settlements on the islands, with six out of the eight claimants having considerable military presence on the area. Despite the tense political issue, no major conflicts have been started between the claimants.
This morning, the government of Roendavar has released a statement on the issue, calling for all the claimants to retract their claims and to halt further expansions in the area. They describe the current issue as a "danger to the environment, especially to a rich and diverse area such as the Sawneeak Atoll". The Roendavarian government also expresses concern on the military presence on the islands, warning of "dire consequence to nature and wildlife if tensions are to erupt in the area". When the issue of the already settled populace on the islands was raised, the government adviced "a slow evacuation", to return the immigrants to their respective countries and leave the atolls to the local wildlife.
Others expressed confusion as to why Roendavar chose to settle in involving itself in the Sawneeak Atoll Dispute. The Crown Prince has explained this in an interview earlier this morning, citing two reasons, history and foreign policy.
In Roendavarian history, the Davari, the people of the once great Davari City States, were the first to explore the islands. It was during the Treioreferostia in 699 B.C.E., led by the God King Vladimir III of Ariethos, were the islands' existence recorded. The islands were named Formamarithos, meaning Born of Forma, the Protacist God of Water. Since then, the islands were frequently traveled to by Davari explorers, and it was even for a short period of time, part of the Empire of Corinthus around 148 B.C.E.. However, after the collapse of the Empire of Corinthus, the Sawneeak Atoll were left alone by both the Kingdom and Empire of Daciara, as well as subsequent political entities after that. That makes Roendavar the first to discover the islands, which the country sees as a valid claim. However, the Roendavarian government has stated that they will not pursue the claim, only using it as a leverage to further advance its stance and agenda on the issue.
Roendavarian foreign policy sees the country as an arbitrator to settle international disputes as well as a self proclaimed "protector" of the environment. Given the Sawneeak Atoll Dispute, Roendavar sees it fit for all the claimants to get equal solutions to the issue, and given the environmental implications of the dispute, the Crown Prince laughed, "I mean... if equality is what we're going for, then have all the claimants get nothing. That way, they can't say who won. Everyone loses. Wouldn't that be fun?". Therefore, the Grand Court has adopted this stance, calling for the complete invalidation of claims and to have an international organization, rather than a nation, to govern the islands.
Ainslie have expressed intent on supporting Roendavar's stance on the matter. This is not a surprise since both countries share a foreign policy that prioritizes the protection of the environment. Roendavar is also seeking to be the most prominent voice in the opposition to all claims in the Sawneeak Atoll Dispute. The country calls for other allies in the dispute, claiming that "we must stand together in the protection of nature".