January 18, 2017
Coventry, CovonantPrime Minister Marl informs Consul of more funding for national securityFollowing the recent attacks in Coventry that saw five people dead and the attacks on a nuclear power plant in Jueverna that saw over 200 people losing their lives, Prime Minister Imperatus Marl announced in the Consul today major changes to improve national security, chief among those being more funding for defense departments, and security agency.
We have seen time and time again the destructive results that comes with terrorism. My government is taking the charge to ensure that we do not become a haven for terrorist activities, that we do everything in our means and power to defeat those whose sole intention is to defeat us. Coming from a meeting with Cabinet, it has been discussed and agreed upon that critical steps and action be taken. I have expressed such steps and actions more with the Finance and Commerce Minister to see a streamlined increase in funding to our departments and agencies responsible for our national security
The Prime Minister in his addressed noted that the increase will amount to $35 billion dollars.
We have allocated roughly $35 billion dollars that will be pumped into our departments and agencies to ensure that they are able to acquire the best in resources and manpower. We cannot place a price on our safety but one can't argue that it is not the right thing to do.
The Increases outlined by Prime Minister Marl are:
-The Ministry of Defense (Maxmum) will see a total increase in it budget amounting to $5.5 billion dollars.
-The National Legion Defense Unit will see a total increase amounting to $3 billion dollars
-The Covonantian Marine Corp will see a total increase amounting to $6 billion dollars.
-The Covonant Air Defense Institute will see a total increase of $4 billion dollars.
-The Covonantian Naval and Maritime Department will see a total increase amounting to $8 billion dollars.
-The Intelligence and Data Centre will see a total increase amounting to $5 billion dollars.
-The Federal Institute of Criminal Affairs will see a total increase amounting to $3.5 billion dollars.
The Prime Minister also noted that a separate funding will be allocated to the National Guard one he notes will not be disclosed to the public for security means.
These increase in funding is our governments will to ensure that the Covonantian people are kept safe not just at home but also abroad. We will remain committed to defeating and uprooting terrorist organisation along with our allies. One of our greatest institutions that was ever created was our National Guard, and we must respect that institution for the task it holds in this 21st century is challenging as they face a new enemy that seeks to dismantle all that this nation was built on. My government has agreed to an increase in funding this institution, the figures will at this time will remain classified as a matter of sensitive security details.
The Opposition in a great move of non-partisanship showed unanimous support with the government. Opposition Leader Crassus Gais called the move timely.
I am pleased that the government has taken the time to make our security a priority. I am sure I can speak on behalf of the opposition members in this chamber that we support this move by the government which I believe is coming at the right time. We are however concerned that all cost should be made public to the taxpaying Covonantians as it leaves them at a disservice to be left in the dark concerning where they tax dollars are being spent.
Finance Minister Archibald Steele assured the Opposition leader that it is not an exorbitant amount. The Finance Minister is to present greater clarity to the government increase in defense budget proposal next Tuesday as he starts off the Sectoral Debates.
Covonant to implement travel restrictions on countries around TWIAs the government makes moves to improve the national defense of the country following recent attacks, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Tilonius Vesa expressed that in the very near future Covonant will be looking to implement stricter travel arrangement for countries citizens travelling to Covonant.
We are taking the bold step to safeguard our peoples and institutions, and it had been agreed upon by Cabinet that our days of a open border policy are nearing its end. Covonant will have to make these bold policy changes. We will be seeing in the very near future visa restrictions imposed on certain countries within the Isles, countries that are not mutual to the Union and countries that faces a threat to our national security. Also it will be made mandatory for all visa applicant to acquire a bio metric test as a compliance with the travel authority and the Covonantian Government
Minster Vesa noted that a new agency will be created to oversee and implement the changes with great levels of scrutiny and oversight.
These new changes to our open border policy will be under the direct responsibility of the Travel Authority and Immigration Agency (TAIA). This agency is still being discussed on and should be created in due course but it will carry out the government's intent of monitoring with greater levels of scrutiny those who are travelling to Covonant, and it will also have its oversight body to ensure such scrutiny is not baseless and discriminatory.
Government purchases military vehicles from CorindiaP7 Aguila Fighter Aircraft
At the government's presentation to the Consul today, key government Ministers presented their plans and works of how Covonantian citizens can trust the government to ensure their safety throughout the year. So far the Union has already seen a terrorist attack occur on local soil in the capital less than a month since another terrorist attack took place in Jueverna. The Minister of Defense Batiatus Sula is reporting that the government is in dialogue with Corindian military contracted companies for the procurement of military vehicles.
My Ministry is steadfast on our safety. Already we have procured and placed in service military vehicles such as jeeps for our national guards. In the coming months we can expect to see more new military vehicles and aircraft being placed into service not just for our national guards but our legions as well. These vehicles we have procured from Corindia at an estimated cost of $1.1 billion dollars. We must agree that for what we are procuring the cost is inexpensive
According to Minister Sula the Union will be purchasing
-30 AH1 Lagartija Light attack helicopter (Overall cost amount to $600 million)
-20 HTH2 Caiman transport helicopter (Overall cost amount to $220 million)
-50 APC Galgo (Overall cost amount to $25 million)
-10 P7 Aguila fighter aircraft (Overall cost amount to $300 million)
With these new purchases, it will allow us to better respond to crisis situation and also allow us to prevent such instances. Be assured that we will be looking to increase the numbers of vehicles and craft as time progresses.
IDC makes surprising new discovery on Juevernan Nuclear power plant attackThe Intelligence and Data Centre Headquarters, Devios City, Devios
The Intelligence and Data Centre (IDC) is reporting a surprising new find on the attacks that occurred in December on a Juevernan Nuclear power plant. According to Lucius Frith Director of the IDC, the attacks were conducted by Sons of Asorist Retribution or otherwise called SOAR.
After intensive investigations were conducted, we realised that we were way off in terms of leads that would suggest that Faceless were behind the attacks. This new revelation is also supported by investigations conducted by the Federal Institute for Criminal Affairs (FICA). We are more than confident that the attacks were conducted by SOAR.
Mr. Frith expressed that SOAR are masterminds when it comes to cyberwars, and were well advance in distorting information. He attributed such talents as a result of the interconnections of the terrorist organisation with others around the Isles.
We realised that our leads were carrying us around in a circle. For one we couldn't see how a group 1000s of miles away from Jueverna had that level of knowledge and connections to target Covonant. We literally had to look next door and that would have provided us with the leads and conclusion to how they managed to pull it off.
Mr. Frith noted that it was a hacking of the power plant system that led to the meltdown. The deaths were caused by fire to adjoining buildings and persons being trapped.
I am not sure if their intent was on killing Covonantians or just to get our attention. Either way, I can say that they have gained our attention. I can't say to what they would want with Covonant. We are still researching on this group and will be making recommendations on how to fight back. I don't believe for a minute that we will accept their actions. I am sure we will make an example out of them. I am waiting on directives from the Defense Minister, but as it stands the matter has to be dealt by the government or any advise or command we receive will have to be provided by the government.
Mr. Frith believes that in coming days more revelation should be known on just exactly who SOAR is and why are they targeting Covonant.
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Reporter: Gloria Stiles