Robbeneiland Parliamentary Elections

[Robbeneiland]

"Si Quaeris Insulam Amoenam Circumspice"

Parliamentary Elections for the Eilandraad on Robbeneiland.

The Eilandraad or Island Council is a unicameral parliament dedicated to affairs that are confined to Robbeneiland and the surrounding islands. Foreign politics are still the prerogative of the national government of Free Tristania.. which is over a 1000 miles away. The islands are situated some 9 to 20 miles (20 being the furthest away) from the coast of Globexanter.

Recent developments have shown increasing difficulties between the various islands and the various factions on the Islands in particular on Robbeneiland itself. The worst of which have been reported between Globexians that have been living on the islands for generations, supposed by Catholics on one hand who wish to see more recognition for their rights (including the rights of the Globexians to use their own language) and the Protestants on the other who wish to remain closely linked to Free Tristania.

Another problem is the increasing separatism from groups of Islanders that wish to resign from the Commonwealth of Free Tristania altogether. Before the Revolution in Free Tristania that had been increasing violence on the island that lead to the deaths of two civilians. Several arsons have already been committed. All of which targeting the Globexian minority or separatists and attributed to Protestant extremists. In this heated environment the first elections are being under close supervision from Free Tristania. There has been the general hope that the elections will lead to an equal government and equal opportunities for all.


The parties involved:

Robbeneiland Gereformeerde Party
Hardcore Protestants that wish to see the islands remain in close conjunction with Free Tristania. Most members of the economic elite are part of this party. The adherence is strictly in accordance to the Bible and overall unionism. National symbols are frequently abused by party members in a show of extremism. They are strongly against bi-lingualism or against giving up any form of power that might benefit the minorities. The increasing interest of mainly Globexian companies in the oil around Robbeneiland disturbs them and they have already asked the national government to put a stop to it. Something which is not high on the list of the list of priorities of the government in Free Tristania.

Protestantenbond
The Protestantenbond is another protestant party. They work closely together with the Gereformeerde Party and even have a para-military wing. They too don't wish to share power in any form or way.

Katolieke Volksparty
The Katolieke Volksparty is the party for the Catholic minority on the islands. The Catholics on the islands have been trying to find more rights for their religion for quite some time but always saw any progress blocked by the Protestants. However.. there are signs that the national government is getting increasingly weary of the militant unionists and might be willing to act.

Liberale Party
The Liberale Party is a small and increasingly popular party for both Protestants and Catholics that had enough of the sectarianism and also several Globexians have joined this group. They however face very stiff opposition from both the unionists and the separatists. They adhere to the principles of liberalism and fiscal conservatives but seek to get rid of the religious attitudes on the islands and get the economy moving.


Globexiaans Front vir Gelijkberechtiging
The Globexian Front for Equal Rights is a group of Globexians living on the island that demand more equal rights, including the rights of which to use their own language in every way or shape as they see fit. The Globexian minority has been living there for generation and getting increasingly fed up with the unionists. They seek to align the islands more closely with Globexanter --on at least an economic level stating that being dependent of the Commonwealth (which is over a 1000 miles away) is ludicrous at best. They too have voiced their concerns about the Globexian oil drillings however and are not in favour of allowing oil drills to take place in the national waters surrounding the islands.


Onafhanklikheidsparty
The Independence Party wants to leave the Commonwealth first and foremost and understands the economic reality of working more closely together with Globexanter. They feel that the Commonwealth and previous governments has neglected the islands for generations and they feel the need to start looking somewhere else. This has made them hated by any other groups.. even by the Globexian Front.

[Free Tristania]

Announcement by the National Military Movement for the Preservation of Democracy and the Provisional Government of the Commonwealth of Free Tristania.

PRESS RELEASE TO ALL NEWSPAPERS IN GLOBEXANTER AND FREE TRISTANIA (INCLUDING ON ROBBENEILAND).

It has been noted in our Constitution that all citizens have equal rights and equal duties. This is something that the ruling faction on Robbeneiland does not yet seem to understand. Let them therefore be reminded of that fact. The Catholics or the Globexians residing on that island as there ancestors came in have and ought to have equal rights. This means that they have the rights to have their own religion.. or to speak their own language for that matter.

We therefore wish to STRONGLY remind the Eilandraad of the following: your National Government and the government of the United Kingdom of Globexanter have only the best interests at heart for their respective citizenry and therefore the National Government has announced that it will seek the participation of the United Kingdom (our most esteemed neighbours and allies) to solve the internal problems of Robbeneiland if they can't do so themselves.

[Tekcirb]

Wheres the Socialist Party?

[Free Tristania]

There is none on the island. It's a very conservative area.

[Globexanter]

On the Island

After a short helicopter trip from Mainland Globexanter, the 10 men News Team arrived at Robbeneiland.
After landing, they walked to a station where they had hired two minivans.
After getting the keys, the loaded the gear and set off to their hotel.

" Let's hope that this gets good. " said their Director.

[Free Tristania]

At present it seems that the Gereformeerde Party and the Protestantenbond are trying to form up a cabinet in an attempt to keep the GFvG out of office. The National Government itself for trouble. From the main island come accounts of riots and voter intimidation. During one riot earlier today in a village 1 Globexian and 3 Catholics lost their lives when armed gunmen fired into the crowd.

The local police or Robbeneiland Constabulary seems to be unable to maintain order.. and worse.. often seems to join the rioters. As soon as the news reached the floor of the National Government the government swung into action. A following operation, to prevent civil war on the Islands, has been put into effect: troops are going to be send. 12 Parachute Brigade and the 20 Fuseliers Brigade are to the send to be islands in order to keep the warring factions apart.

[Globexanter]

On top of Robbeneiland, in a Military patrol of five F-18 Hornets

The five planes were in an arrow formation. Every now and then, one of them slowed down to look at the Ocean or any land.
After a quick speed-up, they arrived on top of Robbeneiland, where they slowed down.
The Squadron leader slowed down and began to look at the streets.

" Christ, take a look at those roads. Over. " he sent on his radio.

In an organised manner, the five hornets took a look at the roads.

" Looks like a bloody war down there. Over. " commented one of them.

[Free Tristania]

At that moment a couple of C-130 Hercules began to land on the island, several hours later. And the first troops, paratroopers, took control of the landing strip and outlying areas. In the streets it became quieter when the first troops suddenly marched down the street of the capital on the main island. Their bayonets fixed and with a menacing look in their eyes. They had come as a neutral party but they were not willing to take any "shit" from anyone.

"Company HALT !" an order was bellowed. The company halted within a second and clicked their heels. "Order ARMS !". It was a clear show of intimidation in an attempt to let the rioters know that the law had arrived. If the police couldn't maintain order.. they would. Even if they would have to crack every skull on the island to do it. Then some more troops, fuseliers, began to arrive.

[Globexanter]

The five F-18's set to save their fuel, knowing they all had 75 % left.

" Right, start filming this. " said the Squadron leader.

Immidiatly, a screen on each F-18's started recording from a camera under the wings the situation underneath.
At the H.Q., the Control Rooms where just starting to receive the message with only the area.
A controlled sent the signal receptor ' clone ' to a USB key and ran to a General's office.

He knoked the door and put the key on his desk.

" Problem developping in Robbeneiland, you might want to see it. " said the man as he saluted.

The General saluted back and transfered the receptor to his PC.

[Free Tristania]

The National Government contacted the Government of the United Kingdom.

A small cable was send to Globexanter.

Troubles on Robbeneiland got out of hand. Government decided to act. Troops send in as a result. We are asking Globexanter for the role of mediator.

[Globexanter]

In the Capital City of Globexanter, Carcasonne, Governmental Buildings.

The Foreign Affairs office received the short message on the ' Close Proximity ' channel. After taking a glance at it, the Operator slid it into an envelope and scribbled his signature in black on the envelope, a code for Top Priority and Urgency.
He then passed it to a runner who ran to the P.M.'s office, knocked at the door and came in after going through a quick check.

" Urgent Message. " was all he said as he handed the P.M. the message, saluted and immidiatly left.

The P.M. opened it and began to read.

[Free Tristania]

At the same moment people were returning home. In some neighbourhoods. Mostly in the areas where Catholics and Globexians lived the soldiers were welcomed with tea and biscuits. For them they had come as saviours. Protecting them from the oppressive police and the Protestant rioters.
A woman came out with a tray with tea and biscuits and after speaking some words in a dialect none of them understood handed it over to a soldier that thanked her and walked to the other side of the road where he put it on a bench where he started to distribute it over his mates. "We seem to be welcome here." he said.

Somewhere else an officer with some soldiers came to ask civilians if they needed anything. They wanted the street blocked off from the other side as there the Protestant neighbourhood begun.

[Globexanter]

The P.M. read the message.

" Seems important, type this message to their Gov. " he said to his Assistant.

From: Mr. Ryan Gache, Prime Minister of Globexanter.
To: The Government of Robbeneiland.

> Greetings.

Following a report from Robbeneiland and one from my own Military Forces, we see that the problem in Robbeneiland is a rising problem.
We would wish to know the exact causes, and if Robbeneiland requires Foreign aid in any way.
If you need any help, feel free to ask.

Signed, the P.M. of Globexanter Ryan Gache.

[Free Tristania]

It took some time for a reply to come back.

From. National Self Defence Force --- Robbeneiland.
Co-signed . De Swart- Lieutenant-Governor

Greetings,

As of yet the NSF has taken over the communication centres on Robbeneiland and placed the area under martial law. This to prevent even more disturbances from occuring. Situation as of yet seems to be stable. We ask the Government of Globexanter to contact the National Government for more information. Disturbances are due to age-old rivalries and sectarianism that flared up during the elections.

Signed,

General A. E Cole.
Commander in Chief NSF Stabilisation Force on Robbeneiland.

[Globexanter]

The P.M. was passed the message in his Office.

" Seems good to me, just keep an eye on it. Also, keep an eye on those Oil Riggs, we dont want them getting attacked. " he said.

---

On one of the offshore Oil platforms near Robbeneiland.

Two of the guards where walking on the East side of the Platform, donig their usual patrols.
Even from the distance, they heard some of the clashes in Robbeneiland.

[Free Tristania]

In Robbeneiland there was another small clash between rival factions. This time no one got killed but the army acted decisively and sealed off the area and did an arms search. Suddenly from a rooftop a soldier was shot by a Protestant that was armed. An army sniper responded and fired two shots at him. Both hit the Protestant sniper and killed him on the spot. The houses were searched and several people arrested. Today's grim harvest was 6 semi-automatic rifles, 4 pistols and a pipe bomb.

[Globexanter]

A message from the G.N.F. Base in Carcasonne was sent to Robbeneiland and Free Tristania.

Greetings.

We have been informed by sources of the on-going problems in Robbeneiland.
It is in the G.N.F.'s ideas and policies to aid fellow Allies in any civil problems.
That is why the G.N.F. is officially asking the Government of Robbeneiland & Free Tristania if the situations needs more help.
If the situation does, the G.N.F. can easily send over to Robbeneiland 10,000 Troops.

This would, of course, be free of charge.

The Globexanter National Forces, Carcasonne H.Q.

[Free Tristania]

The reply of the Provisional Government was quick and a note was send to the HQ of the Stablisation Force on Robbeneiland which was received permission to speak directly to the Globexians.

Greetings dear friends,

Because of the situation that also involves the Globexian minority bringing Globexian troops to the islands would be deemed unwise as it might further inflame the situation. We do hope that the Globexian government understands the need for our fighter aircraft (which will be send later this week if permission is given) and naval units to be send to Robbeneiland for reconnaissance purposes (We will use the aircraft carrier 's Lands Schip van Riebeeck ) and if necessary bombardments of terrorist targets on the islands. We are therefore earmarking a group of Sea Harriers belonging to Force A.

Also.. APC's belonging to 20th Fuseliers will be send to the island as a show of resolve to keep the lit on the situation.

Signed:

General A. E Cole.
Commander in Chief NSF Stabilisation Force on Robbeneiland.

Including was a small list of goals that the force was trying to achieve:

• Restore order on the island and keep the factions apart.
• Achieve a lasting settlement.
• Return to democratic rule.
• Evacuate (when needed) the Globexian minority to the mainland of Free Tristania. If the other goals cannot be achieved
• Full independence if the Globexians will have to be evacuated. By then the Globexian Army should be called in.

[Globexanter]

A message was quickly sent back.

Greetings.

We understand the problems.

On the issue of Carriers, if needed, the G.N.F. can let the Free Tristanian Air Forces use it as a faster way to re-fuel or/and re-arm.

Already, a group of 10 armed men have been arrested on suspicion of mass murder. They were caught attempting to go near a Globexian Oil Rigg in National Waters, reports say the attempted to shoot down a guard whom saw them and called the alert. The guard is in a stable condition in a Hospital.

This recent problem has raised alarms of how many more attempts of this can happen. If the situation elevates, the G.N.F. will have no choice but to intervene.

The Globexanter Nation Forces, Carcasonne H.Q.

[Free Tristania]

Greetings

The latest plan developed by the provisional government envisions a full-scale evacuation of the Globexian minority if the need arises. They will be brought to the English-speaking part of the country. The minority itself consists of 12.639 people (according to our reports).

If it would be possible to use G.N.F facilities to refuel our aircraft then it would definitely be an option but as far for now we do hope that they won't be needed other then for reconnaissance.

We received the message that an oil rig in your waters has been under attack and a guard wounded. We therefore think that it would be wise to let ships patrol in that area and to provide us with the necessary details needed for the apprehension of the group the terrorist is possibly involved in. Detailed personal information would therefore be requested. The NSF also wishes to show it's sympathies in regards to the wounded guard. We hope for a speedy recovery.

At present there is another weapons search going on in a (this time) mainly Catholic/Globexian area. Tonight it will be the turn of the Protestants to undergo a similar search.

Signed:

General A. E Cole.
Commander in Chief NSF Stabilisation Force on Robbeneiland.

[Globexanter]

A message was sent in response.

Greetings.

The name of the guard is Pvt. Louis Jjorial, he is currently in Hospital in Mainland Globexanter.
On the issue of Sea Patrols, starting the 24th of January 2011, the G.N.F. is rising the number of patrols in that area to quite a large number, bringing in Radar Ships and R.I.H. ( Rapid Intervention Hercules's ) which can drop Zodiacs.
This officialy means that the G.N.F. has partially moved into the area, not yet on land as the situation seems pretty calm so far.

And, the Ferry Service running from Robbeneiland to Globexanter will either have to boost up on security for this amount of time or/and shut down until the problem leaves.

The Globexanter National Forces, Carcasonne H.Q.

[Free Tristania]

During the night the Self Defence Force shut down the ferry services and started checking a Catholic- Globexian part of the capital. No shots were fired but 4 rifles, some molotov cocktails and 5 pistols were found. 7 people were arrested and taken away.

[Globexanter]

Arriving on the last ferry trip was two neutral-coloured cars.
From a building near the Ferry Port, one of their occupants looked out of a window using some binoculars. From there, he saw it being shut down. He waited a bit then ran downstairs.

" They've shut off the Ferry port. " he said, then ran back upstairs.

He then watched in this distance, seeing an offshore Oil Rigg being patrolled by some men standing on the passages. Althrought from Robbeneiland the Rigg was far, it was still visible.

[Free Tristania]

There were a was a group of six soldiers patrolling the very port. Two in the back turned around or walked backwards while monitoring what was going on behind the patrol. Other then the majority of the NSF these troops were not equipped with the modern standard weapon ( the F88S Austeyr) but with FN FAL's which were still a popular weapon with the paratroopers.

[Globexanter]

" Whatever is really going on, it is going on bad. " muttered the man using the binoculars as one of his comrades layed down next to him and used a portable scope.

He then grabbed a long-distance wireless and sent to his base a series of coded words, using them from a book which was next to a bucket of water. The pages where water-dissolvable, in the case of a raid, he would throw the book in the bucket therefore blowing up all evidence.

" Pass me that Camera Scope. " he then said to his comrade of which immidiatly passed it to him.

He then zoomed in to some of the soldiers and took snapshots, then a few other interesting things.