NationStates

The Theocracy still had issues with the SCANDIVAN ACT. Indeed, it would be better if those two clauses ceased to exist in their entirety rather than just changing the wording to not comment or reflect on the slave trade of Dienstadi nations to outside forces. Still, the main arguments that they had against it had been answered if not perfectly, at least well enough that the Theocracy would not consider a moral crime. "While the Scandivan Act is not perfect and we would simply prefer that the two clauses mentioning slaver states within Dienstad be removed in their entirety, changes to those clauses have not made them objectionable to the degree they were before so we support bringing it to a full vote," she began while looking at the Ralkovian Act.

Now that was the good one. A ban on the slave trade was something the Theocracy would have considered just part of international affairs already but some nations recoiled when confronted by the light and warmth of righteousness and morality. Well, they would be confronted by the light and warmth of the fire and the shell in due time. "We, of course, wholly support the Ralkovian Act, and would offer our resources and capabilities to the development of the GDFO."

Ambassador Honda reads the new proposals and again listens intently to the other ambassadors.

“I have said this before and I will say it again. I wish to see all people’s free no matter which nation they come from. I understand the sovereignty of the nations within this region. I must confess that I do not know why nations still practice the disgusting institution of slavery.

Besides my personal and national beliefs. I wish to support both proposals. I certainly hope that it brings it closer to the absolute rights and freedom for all people”.

With that, Mr. Honda sits back down.

Monfair Falrai bristled in a sort of indignant manner that would have resulted in her middle academy headmistress hitting her fingertips with a ruler. That old bag was long since dead, so any dread Monfair would have felt, had died with the tyrant.

Coming from a lesser noble family, the family did not own slaves, more as an effect of cost than of belief. However, for Monfair, her exposure to slavery later in her life, without its presence earlier, had horrified her when she had lived in the Capital City. As a low-level government official, her advocacy against slavery had earned her scorn, but now served as credentials for her current status as a Federal Representative.
She continued to stare at the other representatives that controlled her nation, hoping someone would say something about naming this act “The Ralkovia Act.” It was an insipid insult and one that could harm the continued growth of the new Republic. She had only remained silent for so long because of the status of the occupied, but finally seeing no alternative felt obligated to speak.

“Excuse me my fellow representatives. The Federal Republic of Ralkovia is still healing after a devastating war. We have, as you may know, fully embraced a policy of truth and reconciliation over the horrid acts perpetrated under the belief of Ralkovian Supremacism. I say this only because I do not want this organization to think that we are shirking from our duty in open and honest confrontation of our past. However, calling this act ‘The Ralkovia Act’ is a step too far. Currently our nation relies on Foreign investment and tourism. This money is crucial in mending the damage that has scarred the country and which we rely upon for jobs for former slaves and Ralkovians alike. As I travel across the World in my role as representative, I still come across nations that believe slavery is still an active part of our nation. I still come across the scorn of being a slaver nation. The Ralkovian people are not mendicant by nature, however, I must ask to give us some respite from continuing to battle our past, by painting our future with such a title and naming an act meant to bring good to this Earth by furthering burying us in our history. I move to rename this act from ‘The Ralkovia Act’ to ‘The Freedom and Liberty Act.’”

Alfonso Rivera gave what few words were required to support the motions.

"The PUF will support the Ralkovia Act, and its renaming to a more appropriate 'Freedom and Liberty Act'. Let it not fall to the Ralkovians to carry the burden of sin for these crimes. Yes, some Ralkovians did commit these crimes, but so did some in Potthan, some did in Krasnova, and even some pirates from territories belonging to The Golden Throne. Let slavers fear us no matter where they reside."

His device on vibrate, Don Novak barely noticed the incoming message, engrossed as he was in the proceedings. But in Vladarsik, the proceedings had spectators higher up the food chain. Finally, curious, he switched to the high priority/high security message queue.

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Randall Field signified his discontent with the pace of the delegation's response to the renaming proposal. He voiced that discontent in firm, but polite words.

Don - are you awake there? I expect to see a more vocal support of the intraregional slavery motion to rename. Get on this!

Randall Field

Puzzled, Novak turned to share the message with his Second Secretary, Louis Aiden.

"What - Foreign Affairs Main has been monitoring this?" questioned Aiden.

"Apparently. Wasn't aware until now. Didn't think we needed to make a further point" responded Novak.

Lauren Hinkle, First Secretary peered over Novak's shoulder. "Wait - look at the timestamp" she chimed in.

"What? Oh. I see. That message was sent from Foreign Affairs an hour and a half ago. And look at the receipt timestamp", Novak noted.

"Huh? What? Oh yeah. boy, that's some delay, considering it's from the chief." Aiden added.

Novak turned to Hinkle. "Hey, is this delay coming from here, or back in Vladarsik? Why don't you ask around to see if anyone else in the hall is having these problems.

Lauren trotted off to Ambassador Honda. Drawing his attention, she pulled him aside for a brief conference.

"Sorry to bother you Ambassador, but we've had some issues today in getting timely messages from our government. If you could, please, take a look at your message log. Have you been having similar delays?"

Back at the delegation's desk Ambassador Novak continued discussing his response with Aiden. Finally, getting recongition by the chair, he rose to deliver it.

"I would like to say at this time that we certainly support the more appropriate name for the proposal before us, and thank Ambassador Andro for this consideration. As Ambassador Falrai voiced so eloquently, and as I have alluded before, Federal Ralkovia has made great strides in bringing an entire people up from the shadows of slavery. These efforts are admirable, and should be encouraged in every way. Such a task is substantial, and cannot be done in one fell swoop. The renaming gives consideration for those efforts by the Ralkovian people, as is due."

As he was seated, Novak turned to Aiden. "Ask Lauren to see if Foreign Affairs saw our response. Keep it within protocol. If IT issues a problem ticket, let me know. I'll touch base with Randy Field tonight".

CoraSpia wrote:

Aerkunlauh

Aerkunlauh read and re-read the proposals before him, highlighting certain points for closer inspection and effectively letting the debate wash around him. At the moment, his heads relationship with his body would be a distant one at least in the eyes of the Havenic press if he supported the first proposal. On the second though...a break arose in conversation and the towering Prince rose again to speak.
"Having examined the proposals thoroughly, I will sadly inform the council that the Haven is still totally unable to support the first. I will not expand on this at length now as the changes that have been made to the proposal text render it impossible for me to give it my support. One does not attempt to regulate how trade is conducted in Velstrania unless one wishes to be laughed at, please take this from somebody who has tried.

Regarding the second proposal, the Haven has only one reservation before our complete support is offered to it. The Haven will never support a blockade on the ports and borders of any state that does not present a direct military threat to itself or its allies and therefore we ask that this be struck from the proposal. As a show of our good will and support for the anti-slavery mission however, and to show that we are not going to sink straight into our old ways, I have been given the authorisation by the Havenic government to offer a site in the Haven as a potential host for the GDFO, should this meet with the approval of the council."

Andro was not keen to give slaver states any respite, and the entire proposal of the Liberty and Freedom Act had been built to cater to the anti-slaver extremists in the region, but the proposal also lacked one last crucial backer to move it to vote. And, so, he rose to reply to Aerkunlauh, "To the representative from Haven, I ask, should the words 'blockading slaver state ports, shores, and borders' be removed from the text of the bill, would you back the proposal for a vote?"

Aerkunlauh

Aerkunlauh smiled warmly at Andro as he responded. "If these words were removed from the bill, it would have its fifth supporter. The support of the Haven can be assumed once these words are removed."

The Macabees wrote:

Andro watched the representative from the Ralkovian Federation skeptically. While much had changed since, terms between the Golden Throne and Ralkovia — in all of its shapes and forms — were still rocky. It wasn't so long ago that the Golden Throne and its Triumvirate allies had quickly responded to Ralkovian threats against Eitoan by deploying significant naval forces to northwest Greater Díenstad. And although since then much had happened, including the occupation and partition of much of Ralkovia's Greater Díenstadi territory, most politicians in the Imperial Bureaucracy believed that it was just a matter of time before Ralkovia returned to its old ways. Even if the Federation remained under tight Eitoani and Marshite control, they could not speak for what remained of the old regime. Thus, Andro — pressured by this general bias against that slaver country —, found something amiss about catering to their complaints regarding the name of the proposed bill.

All the same, between Mokan support for the name change and the expectation of Eitoani support, as well as the general reasonableness of the Ralkovian representative's demands, he introduced the same bill in renamed form following that same representative's recommendation. Besides, he agreed with the general sentiment of the request and said as much when he briefly spoke on the matter.

"While my peers back home may show some doubt in catering to a request introduced by a Ralkovian," he began, "there is nonetheless undeniable truth in Madam Falrai's words. It would be incorrect for me to deny that truth for the sake of old grudges. The Federation has come a long way since its founding and I commend its people and leadership for that progress. Out of respect for the attempt at liberalism and democracy in your country, and out of respect for our Eitoani allies, who although they have not spoken I have no doubt agree with your general sentiment, I find myself compelled to resubmit the proposal under the name name. I ask, though, will the Federation not go one step further and back the proposal for vote? Whether or not you vote in favor at that stage, I make no comment. But it would go a long way to prove your commitment to new values should you do so."

PROPOSAL FOR THE FREEDOM AND LIBERTY ACT: BAN ON SLAVER STATE TRADE INSIDE GREATER DÍENSTAD

UNDERSTANDING that the Greater Díenstad Regional Council (GDRC) is voluntary by nature and that so are the bills it passes, and therefore any responsibility to enforce this legislation is voluntary in nature.

ACKNOWLEDGING beyond doubt the immorality and evil of the human slave trade.

CONDONING the selfless actions of many the Greater Díenstadi nations which already contribute individual resources towards the patrolling of regional waters and the suppression of the slave trade.

GRANTING slave traders no rights and no quarter, and giving them neither the recourse to using the GDRC as a venue to hamper anti-slavery efforts in Greater Díenstad nor the opportunity to hide their vile acts behind a veneer of non-slave trade commerce.

SEEKING to eliminate the practice of human slavery altogether.

WE PROPOSE a complete, unequivocal, and unconditional ban on the slave trade within Greater Díenstad. Furthermore, this legislation puts into effect:

• The Greater Díenstadi Freedom Organization (GDFO*), a voluntary organization to facilitate the sharing and cooperation of intelligence, logistics, and military assets in the crusade against slavery in Greater Díenstad.
• Condonation of all anti-slavery actions, including: the monitoring, stopping, and searching of all slaver state ships; blockading slaver state ports, shores, and borders; direct military action against slaver states.

"We of course support the act."

In the new business session, Ambassador Donald Novak rose to address the issue of disposition of underdeveloped territories in dispute or occupation as the result of war. The objective of the Eitoan government, indeed all of The Alliance in The Ralkovian War was the future of the former Imperial Ralkovian territory of Ra'govizik Indara. Suffering for many years under the iron boot of the Ralkovian Death Guard, plagued by environmental devastation, illiteracy, slavery, and seething with the ethnic resentment of the Eitoan and Balkovian populations against their late overlords, the islands were a long way from ready for any kind of self-government.

Ambassador Novak spoke.

"We wish to put before the Greater Dienstad Regional Council a proposal for the guidance and disposition of the lesser developed territories acquired in the course of war, territories that are far from ready for any kind of independence due to literacy, poverty, hunger, health and environmental problems, which are ethnically and culturally unrelated to the metropolitan powers.

There can be a consensus in the Council as to guidlines for developement to these territories toward the time when greater autonomy can be granted to the local populations. Eitoan and The Alliance have borne the cost and responsibility for assisting The Federation of Ralkovian States, and we are pleased to see their advance into the family of nations in this body. But other former imperial territories are in need of much effort. And to that point, along with the objective of reassurance to all members of the Council that such territories not lapse into anarchy or become a base for slavery, terror, or crime, we propose the following:"

PROPOSAL FOR THE OFFICE OF MANDATORY SUPERVISION: GUIDELINES FOR GOVERNANCE OF ACQUIRED OR DISPUTED TERRITORIES

UNDERSTANDING that the Greater Díenstad Regional Council (GDRC) is voluntary by nature and that so are the bills it passed, this legislation is entirely voluntary, both in it's adoption and application, on the part of the metropolitan powers.

BASED ON THE CASE OF RA'GOVIZIK INDARA at the behest of the occupying Alliance powers, in view of the territory's state of development, it's ethnic composition, and strategic location.

WITH RESPECT TO the future wishes of all elements of the populations of those territories.

IN THE KNOWLEDGE that this case may be again extant in the future in Greater Dienstad

WITH THE GOAL of advancement of the territorial populations to the point of self-determination and participation in the regional economy.

ASSURING the members of the Greater Dienstad Regional Council (GDRC) that plans for such territories will be designed following the principles expressed by the Council, and without prejudice to any Council member state.

WE PROPOSE the establishment of the Office of Mandatory Supervision under the aegis of the Greater Dienstad Regional Council to aid and assist territorial populations, the metropolitan powers, and all interested parties in such a manner to ensure a smooth transition to a more permanent sovereign status or, if it is the wish of said population to accede to the sovereignty of the parent or metropolitan state.

A dark look came into Aerkunlauh's eyes as he finished reading the Eitoni proposal, an expression that was mirrored by his various aids. He got up to speak, ready to deliver the well known Havenic opinion with regards empire builders.
"Ambassador Novak," he began. "I am sure you will remember at the outset of the Ralkovian war the ships readied, the aircraft on standby and the armies mobilising all around the Haven for an order which in the end did not come. The people of Celeria and the Vakolicci Haven supported assisting Ralkovia strongly, however, disgusted by the idea of sending our men to die to protect the institution of slavery Velstrania held back those calling for war. Our province denied the Haven its war and the Imperial Ralkovian government the largest military inside the region that could ever have been expected to come to its aid.
Ambassador, I have spent many years fighting against slavery, and indeed I am a former slave myself. However in those first few months I spent my time travelling the length and bredth of Velstrania urging my provinces government to change their decision, mainly because I feared a result similar to what stands before us today and which your nation and her allies would see perpetuated in the future. If, during the course of your war you have reduced a state to the levels in which it is unable to administer its territories, this is a mess entirely of your own making. If you have come into possession of a land which you feel to be underdeveloped, then develop it, in short ambassador I am telling your government to fix its own messes. You can expect no say in how the territories you are fixing shall be run, nor any economic concessions from those territories: furthermore you can expect no recourse should the citizens of these territories wish your occupying forces gone. Your role shall be merely a charitable one.
This is the only way in which the Haven could ever support a proposal such as this. I can accept that an international body tasked with distributing aid to underdeveloped lands, irrespective of the reasons for their underdeveloped status is a good thing, but I will never provide my backing or that of my government to a system that allows empire building through the backdoor with the blessing of the council."

Gregor stood and spoke after the Havenic representative sat back down. "The Greater Ordenite Reich cannont and will not support this legislation. The only outcome regarding Ralkovia we will ever accept in this council is the leaving of the Marshite led coalition and the restoration of the Ralkovian Empire or something similar. That is all." Gregor then sat back down.

Ambassador Novak addressed the responses to the proposal respectively.

“I thank my colleagues for their attention to this matter, and consideration of the proposal.

With regard to Ambassador Andro’s comments, we see the scope of such an oversight office as providing guidance to those powers having the responsibility of guiding newly acquired, disparate territories with severe development needs toward a commonly accepted baseline for increasing levels of self government. To wit, it would establish and monitor benchmarks in the advancements of legal systems, self-policing policy, financial reform and education by which members of the council can be satisfied that such territories will be able to stand on their own upon independence, or accession to another state if that be the choice. This will reduce concerns that such territories will become prey for hostile powers or criminal enterprises. The objectives could include, but not be limited to:

Creation of a judicial system in line with current practice compatible with local traditions and generally accepted standards of jurisprudence.
Progress toward definition of legislative and executive bodies.
Creation of a forerunner currency authority or central banking system.
Creation of safeguards against common forms of financial and cyber criminal activity.
Supervision of the establishment of a modern education system.
Blueprints for turning over the management of transportation facilities and communication providers to the local inhabitants.

At this time, I believe the task of peacekeeping would be in the hands of the powers currently responsible for the administration of said territories. The Mandate Office would have oversight and audit authority over the action of the occupying powers.

I appreciate the concern of Ambassador Aerkunilauh and the Havenic government, and recognize the contribution of the people of Velstrania in bringing the continent forward through the overthrow of the Raskov tyranny. But you know that Eitoan was plunged into that war by the treacherous Raskov sneak attack on Aurensia. We defended a helpless neighbor. The Alliance prevailed. These are the facts on the ground on the continent. This has made possible advancement out of the dark ages of slavery for all on the continent, including The Haven. You know also that Ra’govizik Indara is a specialized basket case, a despoiled land, under the grip of Raumfestung oriented warlords. The Raumfestung itself is a hellscape, unable and in any case unwilling to provide the necessary services, or even feed the Indaran people. In any case, The Alliance will not permit the rise of the Death Guards of the Raumfestung in any corner of the former empire. Their only option is accession to the Federation of Ralkovian States under conditions acceptable to the Federation and The Alliance. Within Ra’govizik Indara itself the forces of The Alliance are providing the charitable aid of which you spoke, at our expense wholly. We are keeping the peace in Ra’govizik Indara, Eitoan and Timocratic soldiers putting their lives on the line to keep the ethnic Balkovian and Eitoan population from exacting revenge on the resident Ralkovians. That, sir, is substantial charity, providing no gain to the Eitoani or Timocratic people. And discussion of the future of the territory is including the interests of the Ralkovian people, as expressed by the Federation of Ralkovian States. It is our hope that the standard of living of the population can be raised above the subsistence level. If we had intended to expand into this far flung, disparate and backward area, there would have been no need to put forth our proposal. But we seek through this assurance of the regional community that Ra’govizik Indara is progressing toward entry in the community of nations, in any form that is of the choosing of the Indaran people, be it sovereignty or affiliation with Federal Ralkovia in part.”

Grimly turning to Ambassador Gregor, Novak continued.

“With respect to the honorable ambassador from The Reich, we included mention of Ra’govizik Indara as an example of such a territory that might benefit from an Office of Mandatory Supervision. Council members could be assured that such cases in the future will be handled in an orderly, productive, and generally acceped manner. You have raised the spectre of a Raskov restoration in your comments. I must answer to the specific case you raised. There will be no Raskov restoration either on continent or in Ra’govizik Indara. The Eitoani people and all free peoples of the northwest will not stand for it and we have shed blood to end it. The Federation of Ralkovian States is the legitimate government of the Ralkovian people. And this is the way it will be regardless of the passage or failure of this proposal.

Gregor snorted at the Eiotan representative. "The Federation of Ralkovian States is nothing but a Marshite puppet. The Raskovs were and will always be the sole legitimate heirs to Ralkovia and its people. Whether you like it or not, Ambassador Novak." Gregor responded with a snarl directed at him. "The Ralkoviak race is a pure one on the same pedastel as the Ordeans. They nor we will for very much longer stand for this travesty you and your Marshite masters have carried out in Ralkovia." Gregor was then motioned by the Speaker with a slam of the gavel as he ended his speel.

Donald Novak rose, sneered coldly at the imprudent Ordenite, and sat down slowly.

"We support this proposal intellectually, of course. Underdeveloped land crushes the opportunities of those who live there. It is a service to all," the Ambassadress began before briefly turning her attention to the Ordenite 'Ambassador'. "Oh, and the Raskovs are never coming back to power. The war is never over and who knows what new chapter will be written before the inevitable conclusion, but the Raskovs, if they are to play a part in the future, will not be a major player in how it ends. Their personal weaknesses are legendary. Of course, Ordernite leadership is well versed in the art of the weak leading the strong, are they not?" She ended with a puff of her cigar, working her way back towards those who matter. "The issue, of course, will be defining who can make up the Mandate Office. On one hand, I doubt any occupying power would easily assent to their forces being hamstrung by it if they didn't get to have a say, and even then. On the other, if the Mandate Office is made up purely of occupying powers, it becomes essentially an arm of the occupation. The first answer would be to try to get as many voices as possible together for the Office, but then it will eventually become politically paralyzed. Too few, and it is open to wild swings based on leadership and interpretations. How would you solve this conundrum, Ambassadors?"

Ambassador Novak had the amended proposal distributed to the council before the next day’s session. At the start of business, he brought up the revision.

“We hope you have all had time to review the updated resolution. It should flesh in detail as requested, and at least serve as a starting point for further discussion.”

PROPOSAL FOR THE OFFICE OF MANDATORY SUPERVISION: GUIDELINES FOR GOVERNANCE OF ACQUIRED OR DISPUTED TERRITORIES

UNDERSTANDING that the Greater Díenstad Regional Council (GDRC) is voluntary by nature and that so are the bills it passed, this legislation is entirely voluntary, both in it's adoption and application, on the part of the metropolitan powers.

BASED ON THE CASE OF RA'GOVIZIK INDARA at the behest of the occupying Alliance powers, in view of the territory's state of development, it's ethnic composition, and strategic location.

WITH RESPECT TO the future wishes of all elements of the populations of those territories.

IN THE KNOWLEDGE that this case may be again extant in the future in Greater Dienstad

WITH THE GOAL of advancement of the territorial populations to the point of self-determination and participation in the regional economy.

ASSURING the members of the Greater Dienstad Regional Council (GDRC) that plans for such territories will be designed following the principles expressed by the Council, and without prejudice to any Council member state.

WE PROPOSE the establishment of the Office of Mandatory Supervision under the aegis of the Greater Dienstad Regional Council to aid and assist territorial populations, the metropolitan powers, and all interested parties in such a manner to ensure a smooth transition to a more permanent sovereign status or, if it is the wish of said population to accede to the sovereignty of the parent or metropolitan state.

REGARDING the establishment of a mandate, the Office, by majority vote of the GDRC shall establish a Custodial Council for each mandate to consist of five representatives of Council members. Four on the Custodial Council shall be chosen by non-mandatory members, while the remaining seat on the Custodial Council may be either a mandatory power or not. The Custodial Council shall be responsible for proposal of mandatory guidelines, to be agreed upon by GDRC majority vote and shall be used as the yardstick for progress of the mandated territory toward the ultimate determination of sovereignty. Operations of the mandatory powers shall be open to the territory’s Custodial Council at all times. The Custodial Council shall report to the GDRC at least annually on progress toward agreed upon goals and objectives.

NO ACT OF THE OFFICE, OR THE PARTICULAR CUSTODIAL COUNCIL shall constitute any financial commitment or legal encumbrance on the powers represented on the Custodial Council.

---

www.News-Herald.et.com

Opinion:
Drama at the GDRC; What Does it Mean?


Is The Spat Over Ra’govizik Indara Serious, Or Just Mean Girls?

Tolor Emmerson, Secretary of Foreign Affairs in the Brznak and Blackstone Administrations,
Director, Institute for Strategic Policy Studies, Eitoan National Sciences Academy

What is the average Eitoan to make of the spat surrounding Ambassador Donald Novak’s proposal in the GDRC to establish a mandatory government under international supervision in Ra’govizik Indara? There can be no doubt that Secretary Field, seeking buy in from the international community in setting direction over the maritime territory has made an honest effort, but it may have come off as half baked. Foreign Affairs has had it’s own growing pains since the cessation of open hostilities in mainland Ralkovia, and this approach to the GDRC may be one symptom of it. The evolution of Eitoan policy from local and continental concerns to the wider region has been unexpected, and indeed the department has been scrambling to move up the learning curve. We have been fortunate in our associations in Greater Dienstad, generally aligning with The Golden Throne in the Northwest Mutual Assistance Agreement and more lately, with Holy Marsh as part of The Alliance. But here Foreign Affairs venture into murkier waters.

I cannot fault Ambassador Novak for his response in open session at the GDRC. An intelligent, calm diplomat, he has served ably as ambassador to Relica prior to the GDRC post. And there hasn’t been much controversy between him and the Ordenite Reich’s Gregor to this point. Was his non-verbal response to Gregor appropriate? In this instance, showing a little fire can be a good thing. But how serious is the Reich’s stated support for the return of the Raskovs? Certainly trade and diplomatic relations between Eitoan and Ordenia haven’t been impacted. The big question is how far The Reich is willing to go to put a Raskov on the throne anywhere in the west. A military operation would inflict very heavy damage on their naval and air forces, and they are in range of significant retaliation from Timocratic forces, should they decide on precipitate action. Ralkovia itself has moved on from the days of the Raskovs. Federal Ralkovia is making significant progress, the role of religion is greatly diminished under the territories ruled by the Regime, the dukes of The Northern Mountain Alliance have long since abandoned the Emperor, and the starving Raumfestung is hardly a desirable realm for a putative monarch, to be installed and protected by foreign arms.

And what of the Ordenite people? Although given no voice, what would be their enthusiasm for dying to reestablish a deposed monarch in a faraway land lording over a people with which they have little knowledge and no blood connection? Even if there is enthusiasm for such a venture among certain components in the Ordenite power structure, there may be less enthusiasm elsewhere, in the business community, or among some in the military. Ambassador Gregor’s display of pique may be a demonstration to gin up support of emigre Ralkovians in the Reich. So my conclusion is that we shouldn’t make too much of this dust up. Words will be exchanged from time to time in a more frank than diplomatic manner. So I would urge both Foreign Affairs and the Legislature to take the spirited discussion with a grain of salt.

Vladarsik:
Ahoy! Hard Alee Port!


Supplemental Naval Appropriation Proposed Following Leftist About Face in Ghastak

In a sudden change of direction, the Ghastak unanimously passed a 12% increase in naval appropriations, following swiftly on the heels of the recent GDRC controversy. The sea change was powered by Socialist and Communist Ghastakers repenting their opposition to this years naval appropriations request. Haggling over mission support for increased operations in the Jesheoda Channel, Great Inland Sea, and patrolling in the Bay of Chains force a compromise between leftist Ghastakers and President Shrdlu’s budget on the original bill, but was swept away following comments in the Greater Dienstad Regional Council. The Reich’s Ambassador Gregor’s comments although seen as a masterful display of bluster appears to be leading to an escalation of a naval arms race in northern waters. The Council discussions raised the need to beef up the Northern Vanguat fleet, and was the driving force behind the Ghastak measure. The additional funding now goes before the Dashez for consideration.

The move has sparked discussion of how to pay for the naval buildup. Initial discussions have included a 3% across the board reduction in domestic spending, and issuance of bonds. Financial sector leaders are indicating support of the spending reduction, favoring a pay as you go approach as opposed to higher government borrowing, possibly leading to upward pressure on interest rates. The Chief of Naval Operation’s staff is now evaluating how best to make use of the additional funds. Alternatives include a quick and dirty approach to fleet expansion such as purchase of all available Elizabeth Tanalgo class nuclear powered guided missile destroyers from Palmyiron, and a more measured approach through acceleration of existing fleet expansion plans, and the greater seasoning of younger and typically highly aggressive junior naval officers through joint training with the Palmyiran Navy and with The Golden Throne Kriermada.