The Pyrrhus Journal[News]

[Greater Belkan Reich]

The Pyrrhus Journal
International News Service

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Pyrrhus|Merlein|Sudentor|Dinsmark|Konstatine|Bifröst|Gandvik|Midgard|Niflheim|Vimur

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The Pyrrhus Journal is a independent Belkan newspaper operated out of the capital city of Pyrrhus. It was first published in 1943,and is dedicated to bringing to the people the latest news from the Capital. With a online viewership of more than sixteen million individuals and a physical circulation more than double that, the Journal is easily one of the largest Belkan news sources and a major player on the International News scene.

The Journal was founded by Johanne Rutte in 1943, and has been the go to paper for all Belkan news ever since.The Journal has consistently reported record sales ever since it's founding and strives to continue this tradition of excellence and first hand reporting. The Journal was the first paper within the region to go online in 1993 and the first to expand internationally in 1999. The Journal is a brand committed to duty, honor and truth and no other paper can measure up to our quality,delivery or accountability.

The Pyrrhus Journal is is at it's heart specializes in Belkan political news coverage, do to it's proximity to the nation's executive, legislative and judicial branches as well as it's members close working relationships with our nation's political and economic leaders. The Journal breaks the latest stories with firsthand sources and completely rejects sensationalist reporting, a fact that has garnered it significant support both within Belka and outside.

The Journal is the brand for the modern Belkan.

[Greater Belkan Reich]

The Pyrrhus Journal
International News Service

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Belka completes first solo Space launch in 10 years

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Auther: Heinrich Durst
Published: 2013/12/08

Pyrrhus,Belka-At a approximately 0300 hours this morning, the space shuttle Belka was launched into space today in the first independent shuttle launch in over 10 years for the nation.

The shuttle Belka is apart of the latest class of shuttles designed by the space agency of the Federation; Luftfahrtagentur which has only recently began to resume it's space program after more than a decade of inactivity.

Belka will have exited the Earth's atmosphere around 0500 hours today and will then proceed to launch and repair a number of Belkan satellites. The satellites being placed into orbit around the planet are a combination of commercial and defense units which is expected to enhance the Federation's ability to communicate with it's forces across the far range of the world during international peacekeeping operations; such as in the Horn of Africa as well as increasing the coverage provided by private communications and entertainment firms within the country.

The Federation hasn't been able to launch a shuttle on it's own since 1991; when the rising tensions in the country as well as budgetary concerns caused the nation's space and aviation program to be temporarily suspended; a state which lasted until the President Starke reactivated the agency in early 2011.

Starke has long been a champion of the Luftfahrtagentur; a fact highlighted by the increase in the agency's funding since Stark's began in the late 2000s. With the increase in governmental funding and presidential support; the agency has been under serious pressure to resume independent launches of space craft within five years, a goal which it has accomplished at approximately 0300 hours today.

After the shuttle completes it's assigned objectives at 2300 hours today; it will then begin to orbit the planet for seven days where it will then observe the planet from orbit for several more days before beginning it's descent back to the planet.

A number of foreign news services and governmental agencies have claimed; without any substantial proof, that this launch is actually a Wehrmacht operation to put into place a number of defense satellites whose primary purpose would be to expand the ability of Belka's intelligence services to intercept international communications.

Belka has since the end of the civil war and the formation of the Federation; been accused on multiple occasions of using it's private and commercial assets to spy on foreign governments and corporations. A accusation that the government and President Starke have repeatedly denied.

Despite these concerns, the Belkan people and government are largely supportive of the launch and it's symbolism both locally and internationally.

[Greater Belkan Reich]

The Pyrrhus Journal
International News Service

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President Starke kicked out of private summit

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Author: Heinrich Durst
Published: 2013/12/11

Pyrrhus,Belka- It has been confirmed by the Presidential press office that President Starke was expelled from a private diplomatic summit with various regional heads of state earlier this week.

President Starke, who has led the Federation for almost eight years now, as recently made a attempt to clean up the nation's popular image internationally and this summit though private, was a effort to continue that program-said the Presidential press office.Many within the government and populace have expressed concerns that the Federation was becoming something of a international pariah after the civil war and there have been increasing calls for the President to make a greater effort to restore Belkan prestige and reputation abroad.

Several foreign relations experts have remarked that despite popular opinion, many states view Belka as a unstable nation, having seen several different periods of major unrest and violence within the last decade in addition to the sometimes overlooked fact that the nation is surrounded by monarchies as opposed to democracies or republics. They draw attention to international history, where monarchies and non-monarchies have had a hard time getting along and in some cases engaged in warfare with one another.

While history is technically against the Federation, many within the country were previously optimist about the nation's ability to recover from the loss in diplomatic recognition and respect in the aftermath of it's civil war and post-war government lead by President Starke. However such optimism has reportedly been replaced with grim determination to reclaim their prestige international as news of the President's expulsion becomes widespread.

The Press office has declined to comment on why the President was expelled from the meeting; however it has been hinted by sources close to Starke that it was a result of a fundamental clash of personalities. While that's not exactly much to go on, a more plausible and in fact believable story suggested by International Relations guru,Dr. David Gola of Bern, is ''[that] international relations is a exclusive club within the region of Aurelius and the fact remains that despite the change in government in Belka, it is dominated by monarchies who have been groomed since birth to lead their nations and they expect to deal with similar individuals, not former military officers turned world leader.'' Dr. Gola's take on the situation is a popular theorem at the moment but with the Presidential Press office remaining tight lipped about the situation and no other press outlet releasing details, it's unlikely that the whole truth will be revealed anytime soon.

[Greater Belkan Reich]

The Pyrrhus Journal
International News Service

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Belka withdraws from World Assembly

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Author: Heinrich Durst
Published: 2013/12/14

Pyrrhus,Belka-Months of tension and personal and professional disagreements, President Starke has finally answered the calls of the people and withdrawn from the World Assembly.

Early today, Belkan Ambassador to the World Assembly, Dieter Strumgiest announced to the world that the Belkan Federation would no longer be party to World Assembly obligations, requirements or legislation and would not participate in the body any longer. Officials reasons behind Belka's withdrawal are, ''[that] Belka and the World Assembly are following two different paths and that the time for cooperation between these two entities has passed''

Unofficially of course, the reasons and motivations behind this action are numerous. From the World Assembly's various restrictions of National sovereignty and self-determination to Belka's legendary violations of economic and political regulations.

Many within the Belkan state and country are both relieved and worried as the nation redefines it's place in the International community in the face of growing opposition to it's government which has been characterized by foreign observers as a Authoritarian corporate state and it's rapidly expanding economy driven by rising energy prizes and it's massive reserves of natural resources, namely oil,natural gas and coal.

Belkan citizens both within the country and abroad have been quick to note that Belka only entered the World Assembly as a way to hold off the possible humanitarian intervention in the nation's civil war almost a decade previous and now that the conflict is over and has been put to rest, they see no need to continue in a organization that in their view, violates national sovereignty and right's to popular self-determination and and government at a fundamental level.

Where Belka' stands in the International community is currently unclear now that the country has rejected the only organization which it has been a continuous member of since the end of the civil war. Belka has in the post been a party to numerous international agreements and organizations, ranging from the short-lived Union of Socialist Nations to being a applicant to the now defunct Anti-Communist Alliance. Belka's has historically be opposed to engaging in diplomatic treaties which seek to restrict it's ability to act independently; it is now apparent that such measures might have to be taken to help prop up the state now that the passive support of the WA however little it might have been has been removed.

[Greater Belkan Reich]

The Pyrrhus Journal
International News Service

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Interview with President Winter

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Author: Heinrich Durst
Published: 2014-12-05

Pyrrhus,Belka- As the end of the year 2014 finally comes to a close; many within Belka and around the world have fallen victim to the virus of reflection and self-pity and we of the Journal are unfortunately not immune. So we've decided to outdue everyone else in Aeneas and attain a exclusive interview with President Winter where he will reveal his thoughts on this past year; covering a variety of topics ranging from the rise in regional tensions these last few weeks to Belka's economic growth to the expansion of the Wehrwache. The official transcript of the interview is provided below.

Transcript

Interviewer:Greetings, Herr Präsident!. It is a pleasure and a honor.

President Winter: The honor is all mine; it is a honor to allowed to lead you and a honor to live in a country with so many good Belkans.

Interview:Well, I suppose we should get into already. Is that alright with your Herr Präsident?

President Winter:This is your show as they say; run it as you like.

Interviewer:Alright, we'll start with recent events and work our way backwards until we reach the beginning of the year. The most notable and quite frankly the most disturbing event to occur of late has been the Defese-Demphor crisis which began, essentially over a single TV host's remarks. What are your thoughts on the situation currently and as a whole and what does it mean for Belka?

President Winter:The situation between these two countries is truly deplorable and a example to all on what can happen if nations refuse to elect sensible leaders to govern them; a problem we have had in the past in Belka. The escalation of these tensions is something that myself and my advisers have and will be working very hard to avoid though we believe the worst is behind us. As for Belka; as distasteful as it might seem, this situation has been very good for business. We as a nation specializing in the manufacturing of arms, this has been a extremely profitable time as nation states, non-governmental organizations and individuals the region over have almost quite literally flocked to Belka to procure supplies to defend themselves in these trying times.

Interviewer:Interesting perspective on the situation Herr Präsident; it has been said that Belka's relationship with it's immediate neighbors has been rocky at best in these last couple of years; for the most part because of the Federation's relaxation of it's regulations on the export of high-grade military weaponry.Yours thoughts on that?

President Winter: In the immediate aftermath of the Belkan War and during the economic slump of 07 and 08; Belka had taken relatively large hits to it's economy and as a statesmen it was and still is my duty to ensure the prosperity of my people and my country. The loosening of export regulations which of course included those on arms exports was part of a federal strategy to boost Belka's competitiveness on the international market and those states who opposed that are merely economic rivals rather than opponents on the global stage. Our relations with those countries have been the opposite of rocky in my opinion; as we have had near continuous dialogue with the individuals in charge of their respective governments.

Interviewer:You would know better than I how relations are between these states so we'll leave that debate for another day. Now seeing as the whole Defese-Demphor conflict basically started over the remarks of a rather ignorant media host; what is your personal and by default your government's stance on free speech.

President Winter:My government's and of course my own stance on free speech is the same as any freedom loving Belkan's stance. That you should be allowed to say whatever you want and you should also be held responsible for what you say. This goes doubly true for those in positions of authority or influence which this individual was and still is in. You have a moral and personal responsibility not only to your nation but to humanity to speak only on subjects you know and only when your opinion will bring about positive change. The world is full of individuals who speak first and think later and that's simply what happened here. In Belka; you are free to say whatever you like, whenever you like as long as you are aware that there are consequences for everything.

Interviewer:So your saying that you would punish those who would speak their minds through mass media?

President Winter:No not at all; I'm simply saying that in Belka you are held responsible for your actions. I am held responsible for my responses right now as you are held responsible for your questions and both of us will be held responsible if what we say here doesn't sit well with the people of the world, Belka or certain individuals.

Interviewer:I see; um let's move on shall we? In recent months; a number of Anean states have either increased military activity or announced provisions to increase military funding in the near future. This combined with the fact that the majority of states within the region are already heavily militarized with a number of them boasting military forces numbering in excess of one million men and women, Belka included; what does this mean for Belka's security in these coming years?

President Winter:Belka possesses one of the region's largest military forces with a established military infrastructure with a seasoned officer corps and quite frankly, more weapons than we have men to use them. Belka is extremely secure in my opinion.

Interviewer: As a citizen of Belka; that is extremely comforting information. While I am extremely confident in the Bundeswehr's ability to protect us from external threats; in recent times the world has been set upon by multiple viral outbreaks that have threatened to turn into global pandemics. Belka has been lucky in this regard but it begs the question; what provisions are in place to prevent the worse from befalling the country.

President Winter:You are correct in our supreme luck in avoiding such nasty situations in Belka but more than that; we have been careful. All hospitals within the Federation are held to the highest standards and all prospective immigrants are screened extensively before they are allowed within the Fatherland. In the event of such a outbreak; measures have been put in place to preserve the integrity of the Belkan state and the Belkan people. I cannot comment on the specifics of these measures but it is safe to say that in the event of a such a event; we will not be caught unawares.

Interviewer:That's even more comforting than knowing that Belka is more than capable of defending itself from any hostile nations.However; it does beg the question would Belka have to fight alone in any of these potentially trying scenarios we have discussed tonight from an external war with one of it's neighbors or a viral outbreak of biblical proportions. Belka is currently one of the few nation's within our region to not be party to any international organization or alliances; even the World Assembly. That's extremely concerning considering the rise in tensions across the world.

President Winter:It is true that Belka is not party to any international organizations or treaties but that doesn't necessarily mean we are alone on the international stage. We are friendly with more than a dozen states within our immediate physical borders and even more throughout the world and should events deteriorate to the point of war; I am confident that we shall not stand alone. Pieces of paper do not tell the story of who are friends are or who shall stand beside us when trying times are upon us; trying times tell the story of friends and foes alike.

Interviewer:Wise words from a very wise man; Herr Präsident. While it seems you yourself and of course your government is more than prepared to face any enemies on the field of battle; but how will the Belkan state respond to non-governmental forces who threaten Belka? Those who take up arms against your government but who do not fly the flag of a foreign state or in common terms; terrorists?

President Winter:Terrorism is no different from a enemy nation; both desire to see the end of Belkan power and both would be rendered mute by defeating them on the field of battle, capturing their leaders and destroying their ability to wage a effective campaign against the federation. Enemies of the state can expect no mercy, quarter or reprieve if they raise arms against us and we will fight till our last breath leaves our bodies and one second afterwards for good measure.

Interviewer: That was a very passionate response and I'm sure our listeners and readers will have much to say after this interview is published but moving on. On the flipside of terrorism is humanitarian aide, refugees and essentially a concern for humanity as a whole rather than just our kinsmen. As a state with a record rather lacking in international aide work; where does modern Belka stand in regards to helping it's fellow nation states?

President Winter:Belka stands where it has always stood; with those who help us. Contrary to popular belief; we are not heartless in our affairs with world but exactly the opposite. We have learned from our past and limited our commitments to assisting others because others when the situation was flipped have refused to help us. Belka is a loyal ally and a staunch friend but our friendship and generosity truly depends on whether our support is reciprocated.

Interviewer:It's understandable that Belka would be wary about helping it's fellow nations states as limited aide was given during the aftermath of the Belkan War and the financial crisis of 2007-2008. However; in the defense of those nations who did not provide support during those times; I believe it was because of the uncertainty of the stability of the Belkan state; a uncertainty that many still hold. You are the elected Präsident of the Belkan Federation; however recent constitutional amendments passed by the Social Nationalist Belkan Fatherland Party, your party have seen the position of Vice President abolished and the position of Chancellor left vacant with it's powers being de facto transferred to you. In the event of your death, an unfortunate event that I hope never to see, the Belkan executive branch would be crippled and the country left leaderless. How would the government react in your absence?

President Winter: I truly hope Frau Winter doesn't read about this in the paper or you might have a firestorm on your hands my friend (laughter). However, in the indeed unfortunate event of my untimely demise; power would be assumed by the Federal Parliament with Presidential powers being assumed by the Senate and Chancellery powers assumed by the National Assembly until instant elections brought into power a new President and the Assembly appointed a new chancellor.

Interviewer:So if the Assembly would elect a new Chancellor; why haven't they done so since you assumed the Presidency in 2008? The combination of the Chancellor's and President's powers concentrate a considerable amount of power in your hands, Herr Präsident.

President Winter: The duty of the Chancellor is to facilitate cooperation between the President and ruling party of the Assembly however in this case, I am THE founding member of the ruling party, so it makes no sense to appoint a individual to that position and waste vital federal resources for a position that is not needed at this moment. The current arrangement I have with the Federal Parliament is very efficient and very beneficial to the Federation. We have passed more legislation in the last six years than Belka has in the last sixteen; comprehensive military,educational, tax and social welfare reform have brought increased prosperity to the Belkan people; a worthy trade considering our history.

Interviewer:So what your saying is that because it is beneficial to the masses; it's essentially okay to violate the constitution?

President Winter:What we are doing isn't expressly or even vaguely prohibited in our constitution and therefore completely legal. These past twenty years have been trying times for the Fatherland and trying times mean desperate and sometimes unpopular moves must be made to restore order. What we are doing is neither illegal or unpopular as evidenced by the super majority the party has enjoyed since 2006 and continues to enjoy to this day. When that changes; so will the situation in the capital.

Interviewer:When that day comes; I hope and pray that you are on the right side of history, Herr Winter.

President Winter:That's Präsident; perhaps during your time abroad you forgot that in Belka, we address individuals by their titles as a gesture of respect. It's very beneficial to respect people in positions of power I've found.

Interviewer:I'm sure you have; unfortunately we are out of time. It has been a pleasure interviewing you and having your ''educate'' me on Belkan cultural norms and I hope to be able to do it again soon.

President Winter:Of course; I can arrange to have some of my subordinates continue your education at a later date so our next meeting will be even more productive. It's been a pleasure and I wish you the best.

Interviewer:The same to you, Herr Winter.