Nordic Lands News (CLOSED - for Nordic Lands members only)

[Copenhagen Metropolis]

A place for all the different news and media organizations, papers and broadcasters within the Nordic Lands region to publish and distribute information.

Latest version of the Nordic Lands map

Reserved for members of the region only. Please do not post unless invited. Thank you.

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Current RPs:

-

Past RPs:
Union-Baltic Border Crisis
Svenskis Civil War
Nordic Lands Football Association
Norsevision 2014
Nordic Space Race
Nordic Economic Centre
Nordic Rally Championship
Nordic Lands 1650-1900
Eddsen and Beatrix Rowing Regatta
Pushkinskayan-Farshonian War
Pushkinskayan Exclusion Zone
Conflict in Pushkinskaya

[Pushkinskaya]

Pushkinskayan National News Broadcast

Several armed personnel have been seen entering territories of nations that ceased to exist, people that had contact with these soldiers say they were using crossed out "C" armbands but weren't using any Pushkinkayan uniforms, reports of shootings and robberies along the areas have been confirmed. The CommanderFührer Pavel Ostentov has said the following: "The Pushkinkayan Army did not receive any orders to advance into these territories, these men are rogue soldiers and do not represent us." General Pietr Chenov refused to give an interview but before entering a military vehicle he said "The Army is currently facing a lot of desertions because of the confusion of recent infection crisis, and most of these men have become bandits and raiders that move into no-man lands to rob and kill without having to face our glorious justice.

The Gestapo announced that they do not have autorization to pursue these criminals since they do not want to create any International incidents and they advise that these areas should be avoided and that anyone entering these areas need to have extra caution because this is no minor problem.

The recent events have generated various theories as to what is really happening in these zones, some believe these men are just a band of degenerates and killers, others believe they are trying to form a strong enough army to invade Pushkinskaya in the future.

Attemps to contact the group's representatives have ended in failure and one reporter named Yuri Nemerov was considered MIA. The Pushkinskayan International Affairs Office has requested that any action made by other nations that end up in the rescue of this reporter was to be relayed to them immediatly.

This is Diana Blinov for PNNB.

[Eylandia]

Prime Minister Dr Bledric Caradoc appears on national tv.

"We have weathered a tremendous storm. I am awed by the spirit of the Eylandian people, it is this spirit that powered us to victory over the zombie plague. We have once again become united and remembered how great Eylandia not only can be, but is."

"During the zombie plague our specialised elite zombie squads were deployed into the neighboring land of Mollsamland. Sadly, the government of this once ally has fallen and the land is now an ungoverned failed state. Our elite teams were able to contain the plague there, when otherwise this area would have become a breeding ground for the unnatural creatures. Given that our secret services have also managed to trace the sniper of the political activist, Mr Penwith, to a radical group based in the former Mollsamland, it is my government's belief that we have a duty to intervene in this ungoverned area."

"The people of Eylandia deserve security on our borders after our great sacrifice against the hordes. The people of the former Mollsamland deserve a functioning government. Therefore, my coalition government has taken the step of ordering an intervention force be deployed to the former Mollsamland. We call on all our allies and neighbours to join with us in this intervention to save the people of Mollsamland."

"I salute you, the Eylandian people, and our glorious dead heroes of the zombie plague. They shall never be forgotten"

This dramatic television announcement followed Eylandian special forces raids the night before on selected targets within the former Mollsamland designed to take out key underground targets. Inside sources say that all of the targets were taken, either dead or alive. Mechanised infantry of the Eylandian army is now beginning slow progress across the border. An armoured column has struck out to the city of Bristol, which it has been announced separately will be annexed by the Eylandian Commonwealth as a city culturally twinned with Eylandia but which has become a particular hotbed of revolutionaries, militants and religious extremists.

[Eylandia]

ETV News Update:

Eylandian forces have successfully reached the capital of the former Mollsamland and reinstated many of its former institutions. Eylandian forces will remain as guards at key government buildings while the government of Mollsamland begins regaining its former strength. The Eylandian government has offered a one time bonus to any former members of the Mollsamland police and military who return to duty this month, and will be providing retraining where it is needed. The former president of Mollsamland has been greeted back in to office after retreating in to exile in Eylandia when his government fell.

Eylandian special forces are said to be hunting down the remaining elements of militant organisations hiding in the more rural parts of Mollsamland, whilst the battle for Bristol is beginning with aerial bombardment of known militant hotspots being carried out.

[East Frisia]

Ostfriesen-Zeitung

Unabhängige und überparteiliche Tageszeitung für Ostfriesland

East Frisia Declares Independence

Leer - After surprisingly short political discussions, the counties of Leer, Aurich, and Wittmund and the urban district of Emden declared its independence from the Newer Austrian city-state of Frisia yesterday morning. The newly founded state will - at least until the parliament's inaugural session - be called "Free State of East Frisia". The bilateral talks between the Newer Austrian Government and the East Frisia Regional Commitee (OFRK) were across the board peaceful. Only the status of the new state as a possible part of the alliance was a bit controversial. In the end the OFRK declined the offer to remain in Newer-Austria as an independent city-state. Both sides ephazised though, that this offer will remain on the table, for now indefinitely.
"It is a special day for all of us", said Hajo Allena, Chairman of the OFRK, during the champaigne reception yesterday afternoon. "Not only because we were allowed to found out own nation, but also because this happened in agreement with Newer Austria. In so many countries something like this leads to a civil war. We proved, that it doesn't have to be like that." The OFRK proposed to announce November 7th as the naional holiday.
After that Hajo Allena emphazised, that the declaration of independence was just the beginning. "We have drafted out constitution already, but it is just a proposal. Our first task will be to hold elections. After that the new parliament will approve of the constitution - or not." The OFRK is planning on holding the first democratic elections in the small nation in two weeks already.
Representatives of the Newer Austria Alliance Government reacted positive to the independence during their press conference yesterday morning. "We as an alliance of city-states obviously have no concerns aubout self-governance", declared Alliance Minister for Foreing Affairs Ulrich Peerenbaum. Alliance Minister for the Interior Florian Zimmermann addeed: "The discussions with the OFRK have been very constructive. We are confident that they know, what they are doing."
Some villages in the border region of Copenhagen Metropolis have announced their intention of wanting to join the newfound state yesterday evening. This includes mainly the municipality of Friedeburg, which has culturally been associated to East Frisia for a long time. The Copenhagen Government has hinted at its general agreement, but the OFRK did not yet make a statement on this.

-mvb

A Day For Celebration
Commentary by Marcus van Beveren

Yesterday was a very special day, and not only for East Frisia. ven now, after some less peacful things happened - just think of the events in Mollsamland - it is a commendable achievement of the Newer Austria Government and the East Frisia Regional Commitee that this Declaration of Independence was as peacful as at all possible. Especially the emphazised and unlimited offer of Newer Austria to East Frisia that in case of a political collapse, the worst case would be a return into the alliance, is a sign of true partnership. Although it might remnd some people of the Assimilation Clause of the Treaty of Aachen, this time it is above any suspicion of being forced and is supported by a majority of the populace.
Especially this offer will take some burden off the Regional Commitee, because a lot of prominent individuals have announced their intent to enter their party into the upcoming elections in two weeks. And as of now there is no reliable prognosis. Many political commentators - national and international - expect the election results to be complicated and one ballot to be insufficient.
But although Hajo Allena referred to the ambitious plans of the Regional Commitee - to hold elections as soon as possible - very often, it was a day of celebration. In all cities, especially in Leer, the people celebrated the independence happily and appropriately. Even though the independence was expected to occur for a long time now, it came as a surprise, as the news were on TV all over the country yesterday morning. After only a few days of debate noone expected a finished contract.
The tasks that will stand before the new government will be diverse. Our country, just like the rest of Newer Austria, is still struggling with the financial crisis. We are just starting to recover. It will take a long time for corporations to regain trust in the markets. Many also voiced their concern about the state of the infrastructure, although Frisia has in Newer Austria been ahead in this issue for a long time now. A third point of concern is the huge deficit, because of which both nations cannot avoid a heavy tax burden on their citizens. A new government will be busy for quite some time to find a solution to this.
Overall this day was appropiate for celebration, though, seeing as it was a statement to international peace and democratic self-governance. This eclipses the problems the future holds at least for a day.

Ostfriesen-Zeitung

Unabhängige und überparteiliche Tageszeitung für Ostfriesland

Ostfriesland erklärt Unabhängigkeit

Leer - Nach überraschend kurzem politischen Hin und Her haben gestern Morgen die Landkreise Leer, Aurich und Wittmund, sowie die kreisfreie Stadt Emden, ihre Unabhängigkeit vom neuerösterreichischen Stadtstaat Friesland erklärt und damit einen neuen Staat gegründet, der - zumindest bis zur Einstandssitzung des ersten demokratisch gewählten Parlamentes - offiziell das "Freie Land Ostfriesland" heißen wird. Die Gespräche zwischen der neuerösterreichischen Regierung und dem Ostfriesischen Regionalkommitee (OFRK) liefen durchweg friedlich ab. Nur der Status des neuen Staates als möglicher Teil der Allianz war leicht umstritten. Das OFRK lehnte schlussendlich das Angebot der neuerösterreichischen Regierung ab, als selbstständiger Stadtstaat Teil Neuer-Österreichs zu bleiben. Beide Seiten machten jedoch deutlich, dass diese Option vorerst unbefristet auf dem Tisch bleibt.
"Dies ist ein besonderer Tag für uns alle", verkündete Hajo Allena, Vorsitzender des OFRK, während des Sektempfangs gestern Nachmittag. "Nicht nur, weil wir heute unseren eigenen Staat gründen durften, sondern auch, weil es einvernehmlich mit Neuer-Österreich vonstatten gegangen ist. In so vielen Ländern führt so etwas zu einem Bürgerkrieg, wir aber haben heute den Beweis erbracht, dass das nicht passieren muss." Das OFRK hat vorgeschlagen, den gestrigen 7. November daher als Nationalfeiertag auszurufen.
Weiter betonte Hajo Allena, dass die Unabhängigkeitserklärung erst der Anfang sei. "Wir haben zwar unsere Verfassung schon geschrieben, aber sie ist nur vorläufig. Unsere erste Aufgabe wird sein, die Wahlen abzuhalten. Danach wird das neue Parlament die Verfassung bestätigen - oder eben nicht." Das OFRK hat sich vorgenommen, schon übernächste Woche die ersten demokratischen Wahlen im neuen Kleinstaat abzuhalten.
Die Vertreter der neuer-österreichischen Allianzregierung begegnen der Unabhängigkeit in ihrer Pressekonferenz gestern Vormittag durchweg positiv. "Wir als Stadtstaaten-Allianz haben natürlich nichts gegen Selbstverwaltung einzuwenden", erklärte Außenminister Ulrich Peerenbaum. Innenminister Florian Zimmermann fügte hinzu: "Die Gespräche mit dem Regionalkomitee waren sehr konstruktiv. Wir sind sehr zuversichtlich, dass sie wissen, was sie tun."
Einige Dörfer im Grenzgebiet von Kopenhagen Metropole haben gestern Abend noch ihr Bestreben geäußert, dem neu gegründeten Staat beizutreten. Hierbei handelt es sich vor allem um die Gemeinde Friedeburg, die kulturell sehr stark von der Nachbarschaft zu Ostfriesland geprägt ist. Die kopenhagener Regierung hat ihre prinzipielle Zustimmung angedeutet, jedoch hat das OFRK dazu noch keine Aussage getroffen.

-mvb

Ein Tag zum Feiern
Kommentar von Marcus van Beveren

Gestern war ein ganz besonderer Tag, und das nicht nur für Ostfriesland. Gerade in letzter Zeit, in der einige weniger friedliche Dinge vonstatten gegangen sind - man denke nur an die Ereignisse in Mollsamland - ist es eine herauzuhebende Errungenschaft der neuerösterreichischen Regierung und des Ostfriesischen Regionalkommitees, dass diese Unabhängigkeit so friedlich und einvernehmlich wie nur irgend möglich vonstatten gegangen ist. Besonders das ausdrückliche und unbefristete Angebot Neuer-Österreichs an Ostfriesland, im Falle eines politischen Kollapses nicht tiefer zu fallen als zurück in die Allianz, ist ein Zeichen von ernsthafter Freundschaft. Obwohl eseinige an die Assimilationsklausel aus dem Vertrag von Aachen erinnern dürfte, ist es in diesem Fall völlig frei vom Zweifel des Erzwungenseins und wird von der Bevölkerung stark befürwortet.
Gerade dieses Angebot wird dem Regionalkommitee eine große Erleichterung sein. Denn bereits jetzt haben viele einflussreiche Persönlichkeiten angekündigt, ihre eigene Partei übernächste Woche ins Rennen zu schicken. Und zuverlässige Progosen gibt es noch keine. Dass das Wahlergebnis sehr unübersichtlich sein wird und dass ein Wahlgang nicht für eine Regierungsbildung ausreichen wird, wird von vielen politischen Beobachtern - national wie international - erwartet.
Doch obwohl Hajo Allena gestern sehr oft auf das ambitionierte Ziel des Regionalskommitees hingewiesen hatte, die Wahlen so schnell wie möglich abzuhalten, war es dennoch ein Tag des Feierns. In allen Städten, und natürlich ganz besonders in Leer, wurde die Unabhängigkeit freudig und angemessen begangen. Denn auch, wenn die Unabhängigkeit schon lange erwartet wurde, war es doch eine sehr große Überraschung, als gestern morgen die Nachricht über die Bildschirme lief. Nur ein paar Tage nach Aufnahme der Gespräche hatte noch keiner mit einem fertigen Vertrag gerechnet.
Die Aufgaben der neuen Regierung werden vielfältig sein. Unser neues Land steckt ebenso wie Neuer-Österreich tief in der Finanzkrise, von der wir gerade erst begonnen haben, uns zu eholen. Es wird noch lange dauern, bis Großkonzerne wieder Vertrauen in den Markt gewinnen. Viele haben auch den Zustand der Infrastruktur in der Allianz kritisiert, wobei hier Friesland eher eine Vorreiterrolle unter den Stadtstaaten inne hat. Ein dritter Kritikpunkt sind die tiefen Löcher in den Haushaltskassen, weswegen beide Staaten nicht um ein hohes Steuerniveau herumkommen. Hier wird eine neue Regierung noch lange mit dem Finden eines Erfolgskonzeptes beschäftigt sein.
Insgesamt war dieser Tag jedoch angemessen zum Feiern, denn er ist ein Statement für internationalen Frieden und demokratische Selbstbestimmung. Da rücken die Probleme, die die Zukunft stellt, zumindest für einen Tag in den Hintergrund.

[Askerike]

-Secretary of Foreign Intelligence to the Askerikean Keiser(Eiríkr Hákon), Askerikean General of the Armaments(Vakr Greiprsson), and The Minister of Foreign Affairs(Hrafni Brandrsson)-
SoFI - Keiser minn! Nú er tækifæri! Lækkað Berglandia hefur!
Keiser - Þú veist hvað ég á að gera. Gera það svo, Vakr.
GotA - Það er svo gott sem gert, Keiser minn!
Keiser - Hraffni láta tilkynningu nú vera.
Hraffni - Já Frændí
-------------------------------------------

Greetings! As most of you are aware, I am Hrafni Bradrsson, the Jarl of Fornheim, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Nephew of the Keiser -His Imperial Magnificence- Eiríkr Hákon.

Once again I stand before you this day on behalf of my Uncle and my Nation...

Today in an earthshattering series of events following a complete breakdown of government.... the once Free Land of Berglandia no longer exists. This is Sad... and we pledge to aid Berglandians the best we can as a neighboring nation... but this is not the main reason that I stand before you today.

In the recent past we have negotiated... an uneasy right-of-way through The Free Land of Vingulmork to access our Military-less Economic Allied nation of Swedton. We were always afraid troop movements through Vingulmork were subject to extreme vulnerability giving the terms of our right-of-way agreement...

The Norræn Heiðinn Keiserrike of Askerike will be officially annexing a small portion of the former Berglandia across the Northern Border of The Free Land of Vingulmork so that we can ensure a safe method of passage of troops and supplies to Swedton... Thus ensuring Swedton's Safety and in ensuring Swedton's Safety, Cementing a frightening economic alliance for centuries to come!

The Order was given to divert the Tank Divisions participating in the Gullinbursti VI assessments in the North East of Askerike to the Former Berglandia land tract to secure our claim. As well, Mobile Infantry stationed in Swedton will also be moving westward through Former Berglandia for re-inforcement.

This is the Will of the Keiser - His Imperial Magnificence - Eiríkr Hákon.

[The Union of Sjaelland and Fyn]

SAF Nyt Netværk

The #1 source of news in the Union for only a krone!

A Council of the Nordics?
The Union of Sjaelland and Fyn's ambassador, Frederik Jensen, has proposed the creation of a Nordic Council with unanimous support by the Parliament. "A Council for us to discuss things with our neighbors will help us get closer to them," states Mikkel Klintrop, Prime Minister of The Union. "I believe each nation should have 1 vote per 1 million within the Council, but the smaller nations may want 1 vote per nation, no matter the population," states ambassador Frederik Jensen, "so we will see in the voting." Hopefully, this Nordic Council will be created.

[The Baltic Alliance]

SAF Nyt Netværk

The #1 source of news in the Union for only a krone!

A Council of the Nordics?
The Union of Sjaelland and Fyn's ambassador, Frederik Jensen, has proposed the creation of a Nordic Council with unanimous support by the Parliament. "A Council for us to discuss things with our neighbors will help us get closer to them," states Mikkel Klintrop, Prime Minister of The Union. "I believe each nation should have 1 vote per 1 million within the Council, but the smaller nations may want 1 vote per nation, no matter the population," states ambassador Frederik Jensen, "so we will see in the voting." Hopefully, this Nordic Council will be created.

Baltic Alliance News Network

A statement prepared by Frederik Larson was read on the BAN Network for all to hear:

"Frederik Jensen's proposal of a Nordic Council is an interesting one for sure. There are many problems with such a council. Sjaelland and Fyn Prime Minister Mikkel Klintrop states that the purpose of such a council is to discuss matters of import and bringing nations of the great Nordic Lands region together. While a noble venture, we feel this would only lead to regional political posturing and heightened tensions among members. How much power would such a governmental organization have? What would its jurisdictions be? Would it be able to levy sanctions toward uncooperative nations? Declare war? Nullify treaties and agreements made between sovereign nations? The voting system is ripe with controversy no matter what recommendation is undertaken. There is no fair way to distribute votes between member nations. It is because of these reservations that if a Nordic Council project were to be undertaken we, The Baltic Alliance, must decline involvement."

[Eylandia]

OOC:
I have been an idiot and accidentally deleted what I wrote in this post. In the hope that somebody has a copy of any of it please let me know, if not I'll just continue where I left off.

Thank you!

[SdKfz 186]

=The Kiel Chronik reporting on an Interview with Herr Chancellor Faust regarding the proposal of a Nordic Region Council=

SdKfz 186 will stand opposed to a Nordic Council.

It is our Opinion that we do not need an Organization to propose, pass, and enforce policies that we might possibly be opposed to. We are aware of how "clique" groups tend to walk blindly together on each-other's whims.... and "resolutions" may not necessarily reflect the good of the region vs. the good of one select group, which would inevitably lead to bitterness, resentment, and eventually animosity. The region as it stands is Mostly stable, This is working, Why change it.

We also believe that all nations are not equal... and equal say amongst non-equal parties would be poorly received by many, by us certainly. SdKfz 186 is not an oppressive land... and yet we have a robust economy which supports our populace.... There are those nations that have robust freedoms but are economically equivalencies of the term "third world"... that is not to say that their citizens are not equal, but that if these kind of nations had equal to say in certain situations that they could ban together to ... well.. let's call it acquire an unfair trib... well.. donations from more stable nations.

[Pushkinskaya]

The CommanderFührer Ostentov stands up and approaches the microphone.

"Today, our armed forces have succesfully eliminated various rebel leaders in the neighboring wild lands, I am confident that no more violence will be necessary in these territories, regarding the MIA reporter our forces haven't been able to find him and thus he is presumed dead.

Regarding the Region's proposal for a Council I think that the idea of a Regional Council is not one that would be effective, given the massive differences in our Region's governments it would only lead to conflict among the nations, it is your duty as a true Pushkinskayan to not support such ideals, I guarantee that it would only delay our glorious nation in its plans for the future.

I was asked what is the governments opinion in the recent territorial changes in our region, it seems that the nations that are making territorial annexations are hiding imperialism behind false hopes of a better future and I assure the pushkinskayan people that the population of these territories will struggle under these new governments, and that soon they will seek new lands and I fear their eyes could be turning to us, in order to protect our way of life and our ideals I have given the order that in the following months everyone who is not a true pushkinskayan will be persecuted and arrested, we can't allow foreigners spreading their views here and I say we keep the barbarians at the door."

Gestapo Police Chief Ivan Anrep shakes the CommanderFührer's hands and steps up to the microphone.

"The Gestapo will be making routine home searches and identity checks, we shall colaborate with the Pushkinskayan Army to reinforce our borders, all the people identified as non-pushkinskayan will be arrested and taken to our labor divisions, any unnautorized armed personnel will be immediatly eliminated.

Your government needs you now, if you know the location of a non-puskinskayan please inform the nearest Gestapo officer immediatly, the REM(Reich Emergency Militia) will be activated to help root out the scum, in order to join speak to your nearest recruiter and you shall be issued an "C" armband, you rifle and your orders."

The crowd screams and shouts its nation's name and praises their leader, some immediatly go to join the REM unit, others just go about their normal lives. But the foreigners unfortunate to be living in the country fear for their lives and try to smuggle themselves out of these hostile and hatefull lands, many are lucky and get out of the country before the army and the gestapo can organize, but soon the gates will be closed and those that stayed will have to live in hiding or suffer the consequences.

[The Union of Sjaelland and Fyn]

OOC: You can vote "No" and propose another option in the ballot: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-FyBzK ... E/viewform

IC:

SAF Nyt Netværk

The #1 source of news in the Union for only a krone!

Addressing the Issues of the Nordic Council
Frederik Jensen, Ambassador to the Union of Sjaelland and Fyn, has noticed some negative feedback to this from Eylandia, The Baltic Alliance, Pushkinskaya, and SdKfz, and wishes to address this. "The proposal is simply asking about the creation of the Nordic Council, and is not intending on specifics yet. Once this council is created, we shall decide on the rights & duties of member states," states Jensen. "I can understand your fears of the Nordic Council interfering with your plans, but we will do our best to avoid this. In fact, I intend on membership of the council to be optional, but encouraged. You likely will be condemned by the council if you are a threat to peace within the Nordic lands, though." Jensen will be glad to answer any additional questions the ambassadors may have.

[The Union of Sjaelland and Fyn]

SAF Nyt Netværk

The #1 source of news in the Union for only a krone!

Two Additional Proposed Models
Ambassadors Frederik Larson of the Baltic Alliance & Ulrich Peerenbaum of East Frisia have proposed additional voting models to the council. Frederik Larson's plan, instead of working with the one vote per 1 million population option, has decided on a 1 vote per 1 billion setting, with nations that have less than 1 billion residents having 1 vote. However, the Peerenbaum plan, instead of basing votes on population or giving 1 vote to each nation, proposed each nation gaining 1 vote per regional influence ranking from the World Census. "These are all quite interesting ideas," states ambassador Frederik Jensen. We shall see how the voting ensues.

[The Union of Sjaelland and Fyn]

SAF Nyt Netværk

The #1 source of news in the Union for only a krone!

Nordic Council Modified and Reproposed
Ambassador Frederik Jensen, noticing the criticism received from the initial proposal, has rewritten the proposal. "The two complaints were that the voting systems would cause controversy and that there shouldn't be laws within Nordic Lands. I modified this law to use all 3 proposed voting models (one per nation, population-based, influence-based), and removed the council's ability to make internal laws, replacing with a commend & condemn system." The new proposal looks like this:

The Nations of Nordic Lands,

DESIRING to come closer to each other

RECOGNIZING the use for a council

ESTABLISHING the Nordic Council to do the following:
-Vote on all foreign affairs of Nordic Lands
-Condemn & Commend members of the Nordic Lands

ESTABLISHING three houses, structured with the following method:
-One house where each nation has only one vote
-One house where each nation has one vote per 1 billion plus an additional vote
-One house where each nation has the same amount of votes as the WA regional influence index value

ESTABLISHING that a bill must be approved by two houses to pass

HOWEVER REQUIRING that this bill uses only the one vote per nation model for the sake of simplicity.

Jensen has sent the ballot to all of the Nordic nations, to see their opinion. "Hopefully this will do better."

OOC: To vote, click on the phrase "the ballot"

[Eylandia]

An editorial newspaper article in the Daily Herald - Eylandia's premier left-leaning newspaper - on the current state of foreign affairs in the region

The region is alive with political intrigue and affairs. Following deadlock in talks designed to create a pan-Nordic Lands Council many smaller developments have gone largely unnoticed by many governments. With the approaching breakdown of these talks it is time that Eylandia took the initiative and our politicians take the lead in refocusing attention to the important matters at hand.

In The New Reich of Pushkinskaya there is a humanitarian crisis. Our sources there tell of execution squads roaming the streets killing innocent civilians on the mere suspicion of links to 'foreigners'. This should be at the top of the regional agenda, not talks on creating a well-healed forum for talking. We have enough talking on our own without creating more together. No talking is necessary to be shocked by what is unfolding in Pushkinskaya.

Many governments have been placated by the Pushkinskaya regime's soundbites, that their tourists and officials are all safe. All the while the people of Pushkinskaya are suffering under the tyrannical rule of their despotic dictator. CommanderFührer Ostentov, the Pushkinskaya dictator, has repeatedly accused Eylandia of imperialism to detract his own people from their woes. He accuses Eylandia of acting in self-interest, attempting to establish an empire with our intervention in our neighbour, the former Mollsamland. A man who orders the killing of his own people has no right to speak of such things, he knows nothing of the selfless sacrifice of Eylandian men and women in our armed forces who are utterly committed to a free and secure Mollsamland, for the benefit of all in the region.

It has more recently emerged that CommanderFührer Ostentov has activated his own private militia, the REM, to take part in the oppression of the suffering people of Pushkinskaya. The dictator is militarising and mobilising, and all our politicians can do is talk in plush office surroundings about the possibility of talking some more.

Eylandia's politicians took a bold and brave step to intervene in the former Mollsamland, while everybody in the region recognised the need for strong action to avoid disaster in the future and did nothing, our politicians acted. We must encourage them to act strongly again in condemning the on-going unreported crisis in Pushkinskaya. We must place strong trade sanctions on the regime and work with our regional partners in creating a political consensus which can champion decency and human rights for the people of Pushkinskaya.

[Pushkinskaya]

A rebel article quickly published by an unknown individual or group, features the drawings of a conversation between two pushkinskayans and shows resistance propaganda.
"Sasha have you heard from your uncle?"

"No, I dind't check on him."

"You know what the uniforms will do to him if they discover that he is from Newer Austria, and they might even hunt us down for being related to him."

"I know, I know, I'm thinking... I'm thinking about going with him to the south."

"Why south?"

"The resistance is forming there, the rural areas make it easy for them to hide from the government, I think they can keep me and uncle safe."

"Sasha... the resistance can't even keep themselves safe, we have to... we have to cooperate."

"What are you saying?!"

"I'm talking about staying alive in a situation we can't control."

"Now you sound just like all the rest of those REM fools, I'm going to see uncle and we are leaving by morning."

The dire situation in Pushkinskaya gets worse, prisoners at labor divisions work like slaves, military cruelty escalates very quickly, people's lives mean nothing if they show any hint of not being born in Pushkinskaya.
Meanwhile to the south a pocket of hope rises, a small group of fighters had enough from CommanderFührer Ostentov, these rebels are brave, but bravery alone doesn't win wars, they are just a bunch of infantry guerrillas with no access to vehicles of war or more specialized weapons, the Reich's armies can crush them in combat, and even in hiding the Gestapo Police have been hunting them with ease, many say that fighting back is hopeless, but the resistance soldiers always says that as long as someone is fighting there is always hope.

Most of the people that escape the borders, do so with the help of the resistance, they attack checkpoints along the border's many roads and quickly send refugees away from the claws of the regime. Some believe the resistance doesn't have much time left, others think they will free the pushkinskayan people from oppression, the war right now isn't fought with bullets and grenades but with hearts, The resistance competes with the REM for new recruits and given the amount of "naturals" in the country the REM is attracting much more people.

[The Union of Sjaelland and Fyn]

SAF Nyt Netværk

The #1 source of news in the Union for only a krone!

Compromise of the Council
Jensen, seeing the lack of support for proposals 1 & 2 for the creation of a council, has sent a poll to the Nordic ambassadors to see their opinion. "At this point, this seems to be the best method of compromise," states Jensen. "I fully wish for the existence of a council, but not if our neighbors disagree with the system." Many are speculating on what this council will be like.

The Pushinskaya Problem
For long, the Nordic Lands have been letting Pushinskayan oppress their people and conquer neighboring nations. The Eylandians have recently condemned the dictatorship, stating that anyone who stands for human rights must act against the oppressive nation. "The Pushinskayan government is evil, and we will not stand for this," states Prime Minister Mikkel Klintrop. "Im fact, I will request the Parliament to vote on banning trade with Pushinskaya." "The Eylandians believe we should be focusing on Pushinskaya instead of establishing a regional council, and I disagree. If the Nordic Council gets created, one of my top priorities will be to topple the Pushinskayan government. With a council, we can pack quite the punch against them," states Ambassador Jensen. "We hope Eylandia recognizes this, and the rest of the Nordic Lands as well."

OOC: Vote here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Lzkzz1 ... 0/viewform

[The Baltic Alliance]

Baltic Alliance News Network

The Baltic Alliance, looking to improve their lackluster armed forces has recently contracted with the Imperial Ministry of Defense of the New United British Empire to build twenty-five military bases. The purpose being to maintain a strong military presence in the region and have a well organized military. These bases of operation are to be operated by the air force, regular army, the home guard, the navy, and the Frontier Guard. The Baltic Alliance has also armed ten divisions of light infantry and the full regular infantry (approximately 1,100,000 soldiers) with arms and munitions from Myrmidon Tactical Designs. MTD has developed many lightweight arms that the Baltic Alliance believes could be of great importance to the light infantry and regular infantry of the army. Baltic Alliance Minister of War Karl Grosz addressed this with the media in a statement earlier in the day: "We are proud to announce that our armed forces are receiving the attention and care they rightly deserve. We are still in the process of rearming and resupplying the various branches of our military. Our army, navy and air force will be fully armed soon, so that we may defend our borders and those of the CSO to the best of our abilities. Thank you."

[Pushkinskaya]

General Chenov gathered together the leaders of the now activated REM and prepares his speech. The whole endeavor being filmed by PNNB.

"Brothers in arms, we are now at full force and ready to move on our glorious nation's goals. We are being sent south where most of the resistance is located, these traitors have taken to calling themselves Red Foxes. Don't underestimate our enemies, most of them are former pushkinskayan officers who didn't have the same glorious vision of a bright future like us civilised men, they know our battle tactics well and will use that against us, we do not have the element of surprise but we have the numbers and soon these rats will be crushed, so repeat after me brothers. HUA! HUA! HUA! Dismissed."


The following text is from the "Red Guardians", a rebel propaganda group that is trying to expose all of the Pushkinskayan war crimes and to bring international support to the rebel cause

The oppressive government had killed thousands in the past few weeks, those that made it out come with horrible stories of how entire families were being dragged and shot right in front of their houses, some were sent to waste their hands mining and making weapons, the survivors surely had the faces of someone who has seen hell and came back to tell us all about it. One of these survivors an Eylandian artist that didn't want to reveal his name said:
"I was asked what shocked me the most when I was in the middle of all that chaos, at the time I didn't have an answer, but yesterday I made a drawing that catches every feeling I had about these horrible events, I realized that what scared me the most was... the organized sound of the leather boots coming down the streets, and then the image that sent chills down my spine... the death squads..."

We the Red Foxes show this drawing as a reminder to the international community of the last thing seen by every innocent who is killed in the hands of these devils, we seek peace and they seek war and suffering.

[Eylandia]

Eylandian Prime Minister Dr Bledric Caradoc gives a speech from his office broadcast across all radio and television channels

I am talking to you, the Eylandian people, at a grave hour in our region's history. We have once more seen genocide on our doorstep, this time in the evil dictatorship of Pushkinskaya. Our own citizens have been victim to these inhuman acts, and as a result we have no choice but to declare war on the dictatorship of Puskinskaya.

We commend all of our regional friends and partners to join us in this action, to open their eyes to the evils going on in Pushkinskaya. At the very least we expect everybody in the region to cease trading with the psychotic dictatorship of Pushkinskaya.

We fight to free our citizens, and the people of Puskinskaya, from tyranny. We have succeeded in the former Mollsamland and we will do again in Pushkinskaya. We will stop the death squads, we will stop genocide for good.

------------------

Following the announcement of hostilities between Eylandia and Pushkinskaya the newly returned armed forces involved in the intervention in the former Mollsamland began readying for active deployment. The Eylandian National Air Defence Shield Network (ENADSN) has been put onto top alert, and the Eylandian Royal Navy has begun gathering a fleet in their home port city of New Plymouth.

[Pushkinskaya]

PNNB Broadcast
The place for your daily news in our glorious nation.

D: "Today we welcome our glorious leader CommanderFührer Ostentov in an interview that he wanted to do so he could adress their loyal and faithfull citizens about the recent declaration of war. Commander what are your thoughts on the Eylandian threath?"

CF: "Diana my dear, when I stepped into my role in our national history I warned everybody that the foreigners would be a problem, and now they have just proven my point, I expect that now the Pushkinskayan people will realize how much we need them to fight against these barbarians."

D: "What about the army? are we ready to face our enemies?"

CF: "I assure you the army is ready, our new unit will prove to be key in holding our enemies at the gates."

D: "New unit? could you talk about that?"

CF: "I can't get into details, lets just say the Eylandians better bring alot of ammunitions to bring down some of our boys, and they tend to get quite crazy with those big guns of theirs."

D: "The army have made some technological advances in these past events that some would say are quite impressive, how could you achieve that?"

CF: "Diana, lets just say we had some help from some of the foreigners that were taken to labs X-18 and X-11 to the east. Thats about all the time I have, I can't thank you enough for letting me adress our people in such an informal way I feel so much closer to them now."

D: "This was CommanderFührer Ostentov and I am Diana Blinov for PNNB. Be safe and glory to our nation."

[Eylandia]

Heads of Defence Staff Meeting with Prime Minister Dr Bledric Caradoc

Dr BC: "I need you to give me options gentlemen. I know you have contingency plans for potential hostilities with all nations - what do we have in our hand to play for Pushkinskaya?"

Chief Admiral: "Our ships are gathering for an invasion strike should you order it. We have at least three Marine Assault Platform Groups ready to go instantly, and potentially five if we wait a week. Five battalions of the Marine Corps are already loaded on these ships, I highly recommend they spearhead any invasion. 2-7 Commando Battalion in particular would be proud to volunteer to lead the invasion. We also have two Dauntless Class submarines running silent towards Pushkinskaya's waters. I recommend you give authority for the submarine captains to act intuitively in order to gain reconnaissance information."

Dr BC: "I like the sound of these options. What about you good general?"

Chief General: "1st Armoured Division and 2nd Mechanised are ready to load on to Royal Navy Auxillary ships should you order invasion preparations. 1st Armoured are particularly keen for the fight, having fought an invisible enemy in the streets of Bristol before Naval Air Support annihilated their command and control structure. My men are ready to fight and die for the cause. It doesn't get more black and white than destroying evil, and we are committed entirely to it."

Dr BC: "I appreciate your input gentlemen. I'm glad you are both so committed to the mission. This is not a mission of choice, this is a mission of necessity and it is good that you understand this. Our intelligence reports indicate that the Pushkinskaya military is increasingly radicalised, so do not expect many to surrender, and increasingly heavily armed. With this second information in mind I recommend you begin preparations for all of your suggestions. I want you to be ready to invade immediately given the order, but hold off from any provocation until I give you orders. I don't want any corners cut on this, we do this properly. Keep your guard up and we shall soon see the back of CommanderFührer Ostentov."

Before leaving Dr Caradoc pulled the Chief Admiral to the side of the room to whisper an order "I want the SNS activated. Team 9 should be pulled back from Mollsamland and redeployed". The Chief Admiral nodded to confirm his understanding.

[Pushkinskaya]

Pushkinskaya National News Broadcast

Diana Blinov appears on screen.

"Today our glorious nation goes to war to protect its own people and glorious ideals, we have long anticipated that the foreign menace would arise and now the day has finally come for our mighty army to march on to protect us all from the greedy hands of our enemies."

"The army is already making preparations along the shores of our northern beaches and its there where they want to hold and crush the Eylandian's spirits."

"On other news, the mines are at full working capacity, minerals pouring out of them will be crucial for our foreign trade negotiations as well as a way to fund our military, the work on the X-series labs is nearly complete, with the new funding from the mines its almost certain that the labs will be done in the near future."

"On other news..."

[Pushkinskaya]

PNNB reports:
In a recent turn of events, officials from both the Pushkinskayan nation and the Baltic Alliance have met in Mariehamn for diplomatic discussions, embassadors from both sides traded handshakes and left with a sense of accomplishment, when asked about it Foreign Relations Officer Alexei Averin said:

AA: "I can't talk too much about it, but both our nations reached the common tought that Eylandia is in the wrong by declaring war on us, for now we are looking into a trade agreement and military resources aid, but the possibility for a military alliance is not far from everyone's minds."

D: "But what about the views towards foreigners in Pushkinskayan soil? Wouldn't that go against the regime's goals?"

AA: "The regime's goal was to protect Pushkinskaya against any foreign ideals, any rumours of mass executions and things like that are exagerated and come directly from the communist rebels in the south and I assure you, they are the real enemies here."

D: "Thank you Officer Averin, the Pushkinskayan nation trusts its leaders in this time of need."

AA: "Indeed, now if you excuse me I have more meetings to attend to."

D: "This was Foreign Relations Officer Alexei Averin, fighting the good fight, and for the boys at the front stay strong and HUA. I am Diana Blinov for PNNB."

[Newer Austria]

The report ends, the camera cuts back to Ulrike Mittelmosel-Wittlich, Anchorman of the NORF news format "Zeit mit Bildern". She is looking at her papers, eyes focused then she looks up and begins speaking.
A picture appears right of her, it shows a crowd of people in front of the Roubaix Parlament.

"Today saw the first protest in front of the Parlament since the Reintegration of Ypresia. A crowd of approximately 1000 people protested against the stand of the Government in the current Pushkinskayan crises."

The camera cuts to more footage of the crowd, followed by a protester being interviewed.

"Why I protest here!? Because people are dieing out there! Even our people! I mean, we can't let that happen, but what are they doing? Nothing! Neutrality my ass, Eylandia was the first country to finally grow a spine and do something. I think we should do the same."
The mic leaves the screen, the reporter asking, "So you want to go to war?"
He shrugs.
"If it means freeing our people, freeing their people... then yes."

The camera cuts footage from President Oliver Ruberbach shaking hands with Hajo Allena at a conference with East Frisia. From off, Mittelmosel-Wittlich comments, "Präsident Ruberbach however declared in an interview..."
The camera cuts to the President getting interviewed.

"We will stand behind neither Eylandia nor Pushkinskaya in this conflict, because that is the only path that our Absolute Neutrality allows us to take. The Svenskis Crises showed us what we have to do in such cases. It was deduced long ago that there are games that cannot be won, only lost. War is one of those games. It's a strange game. And the only winning move is not to play."

The camera cuts back to Mittelmosen-Wittlich.

"In addition, Defence Minister Dumm has announced increased patrols in Newer Austrian Waters, specific reasons are currently not specified. But now for something completedly different...."