FT indicates that nuclear testing will resume

[Free Tristania]

Departement van Buitelandse Sake
Department of Foreign Affairs

Departement van Landsverdediging
Department of Defense


Joint press release

On behalf of the Cabinet the Departments of Defense and Foreign Affairs would like to announce that the Commonwealth of Free Tristania will continue to perform atmospheric thermonuclear tests.

The tests will take place on the remote Fangataufa atoll in the Commonwealth's part of the Pacific Ocean and we are therefore restricting access to the atolls. You have been informed.

(OOC: I am not looking for a war. It's just "local" news other players might be interested in).

[Free Tristania]

During the preparations for the NOS/NBS 1 8 'o clock news the chief editor passed a quick note to anchorman Jack Pienaar who chiefly read it "Has this been confirmed ?" He asked. The editor nodded and said "make this our number 1 item." Pienaar nodded and straightened his tie while his wife, anchorwoman Kim Pienaar - de Wit, quickly checked the top button of her shirt . She looked into the camera and the cameraman put up his thumb.

Mr. Pienaar smiled: "Good morning ! This is the 8 'o clock news with Jack and Kim Pienaar. It's another lovely day here with the temperature at 25 degrees but don't worry, people, soon it will be roasting but I'll gladly leave that item to a man that actually knows a thing or two about the subject."

The camera moved to weatherman Michael "Mitch" Kruls who winked into the camera "Don't forget your snorkel when you're going to the beach. It's a lovely Sunday so those who are along the Seaboard might just as well.. for those who are up in the Ranges: forget it. You're about to see your first real day of winter so check your tires and don't forget to "scratch" your windshields and leaving your engine running before leaving otherwise you might not be going anywhere. Now let's go back to the Pienaars as I will tell you about the weather later on. It seems that Uncle Jack has some news for you. Aint that so ?"

"Yes, Mitch, that's the case.' On the blue wall behind him the image of a court case appeared with the word "Kort geding" - the subtitles were running like clockwork as at the same moment the word "Lawsuit" appeared.

"Parliamentary leader Whitehead of the Green Party has announced that the Green Party, together with the National Forestry Commission and the federation of anti-nuclear watchdogs, Nukefree, will file a class lawsuit against the State of Free Tristania since it hasn't kept it's promise that the Fangataufa atoll would be declared a National Park and that nuclear tests would be halted. It's the first lawsuit of it's kind as the ruling parties had promised the electorate during last locations that no nuclear tests would be held for the foreseeable future. The plaintiffs therefore consider the steps taken by the government to be fraudulent and demand that the government will keep it's word or hold new elections. We are now moving to the Honorable Member for New England, Mr. Peter Whitehead who is currently standing just outside Parliament House.. Mr. Whitehead, good morning."

"Good morning, Mr. Pienaar.." A tall blonde haired man, wearing a shirt and tie appeared standing on the steps of the National Monument, with Parliament House in the background, his jacket casually hanging over one arm. "We understood your lawsuit to be quite unique, Mr. Whitehead... would you care to tell us more about it ?" 'Of course.." Mr. Whitehead smiled briefly and explained. "Even though there is no law preventing governments from not keeping their promises made during elections we do have the government's promise in writing. The government has the status of the atoll as a National Park, taken into the books last month and now it seems to be getting back on that promise and declaring the status to be null and void. Which, of course, it can't.. since it passed through the House and through the Senate by a majority vote. According to our legal system the government, simply can't just abandon it's promises without breaking the law and committing fraud. According to § 2 of the National Parks Act the Fangataufa Atoll is included and which would also make the atoll to be a demilitarized zone. So when we got wind of it we first met up with our fellow plaintiffs and decided to take it to court right away."

Mr. Pienaar nodded "So this means that the Cabinet has not just "cheated" the electorate but also violated the National Parks Act, is that what you're saying here, Mr. Whitehead ?" Mr. Whitehead nodded "That's correct. Fortunately no tests can be carried out while the lawsuit is pending so that means that any tests that were scheduled in the atoll are hereby cancelled right away."

Mrs. Pienaar moved her arm across the desk. "But that wouldn't stop any tests held in the Northern Deserts as the case only applies to the atoll ?"

Mr. Whitehead shook his head "When we filed the lawsuit we have asked the House to support a temporal halt on all nuclear tests while the case is pending so that means that the Northern Deserts will not be subjected either. To top it off: we have filled a bill that the Northern Deserts will be turned into a National Park which would effectively make nuclear in this country all but impossible. While this bill is pending no nuclear tests can be held there either."

"Can you tell us when the High Court will be looking into the lawsuit ?" Mr. Pienaar asked.

"The court case will be held on January 12, next year, so both sides will get the time to look into it." Mr. Whitehead replied.

"Do you think that this could be the end of nuclear tests within Free Tristania ?" Mrs. Pienaar asked.

"Not just that.. if we win this one it could mean the end of ABC-weapons within the country.." Mr. Whitehead said. 'But we think that this should be decided by means of a referendum."

"We thank you for your time, Mr. Whitehead". Mrs. Pienaar said.

"No problem. Thank you for giving me the time." Mr. Whitehead nodded and waved them goodbye, turning around and began to walk to Parliament House.