Ambassador Leslie Raza recalled as Rodarian forces surround CDI embassies
Kader Tarek (@KaderTarek) and Donald Voortman (@DDVoortman) (UP)
March 1, 2014 10:21 PM | Oured, D.A., United Republic of Emmeria
A Marine Embassy Guard stands atop a compound in the U.R. Embassy in Romula, Rodarion. Security guards at the UR embassy in Romula were placed on high alert as Rodarian military forces surrounded the embassies of the United Republic, New Belhavia, and the Western Confederation. PRRB photo
S T O R Y H E A D L I N E S:· NEW: President Vaziri orders the recall of the UR
ambassador to Rodarion
:· Embassy security forces on high alert as
Rodarian forces surround compound
:· Romula government releases vitriolic statements
critical of U.R. and CDI policies
Rodarian military forces surrounded the embassies of the
United Republic, New Belhavia, and the Western
Confederation. PRRB photo
An aerial photograph of the UR embassy compound in Romula
reveals U.R. Marine security guards who, due to short notice,
are patrolling the roof of the compound in shorts. PRRB
photo
For weeks, a Catholic insurgency in southern Itailia has prompted large-scale anti-CDI sentiment throughout Rodarion. Anti-CDI protests and riots have occurred throughout the country, especially in front of the embassies of CDI nations. The threat these demonstrations present to the safety of embassy officials and staff members prompted increased security measures and techniques.
Saturday morning, as armed gunmen dressed in Rodarian military gear (but not wearing any identifying insignia) surrounded the embassies of the United Republic, New Belhavia, and the Western Confederation, U.R. marine embassy guards wielding rifles and body armor appeared on the rooftops of compounds within the U.R. embassy in Romula. Similar security forces became visible from outside the Belhavian and Western embassies.
It is currently unclear if the Rodarian forces are present to keep embassy personnel in check or to prevent protestors from storming the embassies. The UP is unable to independently confirm the reports because the Papal Republic retains stringent restrictions on foreign journalists.
Irresponsible behavior
Both President Vaziri and Secretary of State Alia Kouri referred to Rodarian actions as "irresponsible".
Secretary Kouri, speaking to reporters in Blackdon, Afalia where she went to discuss a security relationship with Afalia, said that Rodarian forces should clarify their position.
"We are indeed concerned for the safety and security of Emmerian citizens in Rodarion," she said at Question Time. "Armed military forces surrounding a foreign nation's embassy without specifying their intention is an irresponsible action that can cause unnecessary harm."
The U.R. State Department issued a travel warning for Emmerian citizens in January, advising against all non-essential travel to Rodarion. On the State Department's website, travel information for Rodarion specifies: "Extremist groups continue to target U.R. and CDI interests in Rodarion. Extremists have exhibited a willingness and capability to attack areas where U.R. and other CDI citizens are known to congregate or visit. Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations, bombings -- including vehicle borne explosives and improvised explosive devices -- assassinations, carjackings, assaults, and kidnappings. [...] We remind U.R. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful may turn confrontational or violent. Rallies, protests, and demonstrations occur regularly throughout Rodarion and have often taken an anti-Emmerian or anti-CDI character. [...] Information regarding demonstrations is available on the websites of U.R. Embassy-Romula and Consulates in Voluntari and Videle."
Armoring the border
According to Rodarian state news outlet PRRB, Romula confirmed earlier Emmerian, Western, and Belfrasian intelligence reports suggesting that Rodarion deployed over 450,000 troops to the Belfrasian, Itailian, and Western borders in January. PRRB indicated that Pope Pius justified the deployment as necessary in preparation for the "inevitable" armed military conflict with the CDI.
"[W]ithout any action by ourselves, the CDI has sealed off the crossroads, the turning points and side routes, they trapped us and themselves directly on the path towards hostilities," the Pope told reporters during a session with the Sacred College of Cardinals.
Members of the Rodarian military confirmed their willingness to support the Pope, according to Rodarian state news. Colonel Traian Tudor, a spokesman for the Papal Army, told PRRB: "The CDI has rejected diplomacy and continue to brutally crush a pursuit for freedom and liberty by an oppressed majority. We will assist them, we will aid them, and we will secure their freedom if we are ordered to."
The UP is unable to independently confirm the reports, because the Ecclesiastical Security Commission, the current military junta led by the Pope, maintains strictly enforced bans on foreign journalists.
UP's Kader Tarek and Donald Voortman contributed to this report.
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© United Press Group 2014
5871 comments
Aimhere · 3 hours ago
A guy who went into office spewing anti-war rhetoric is now threatening Rodarion with it? Ridiculous.25 up · 14 downREPLY · UPVOTE · DOWNVOTE
CommonSense · 3 hours ago
UP is horrible news. Where is the mention of Itailia's own Rubicon Line? Rodarion's not the only one sending hundreds of thousands of troops to the border.150 up · 137 downREPLY · UPVOTE · DOWNVOTE
Tina · 4 hours ago
Why is Rodarion surrounding their embassies? Does Pope Prius think the CDI is about to invade Romula from three little embassy compounds?24 up · 21 downREPLY · UPVOTE · DOWNVOTE