OOC Thread — Please Read Before Posting
Ardokian Social Democratic Republic,
Monday 4 July 2016
President Moriarty and Premier O'Brien Resign | Provisional President ConfirmedArdoki Joins the International Freedom Coalition | Provisional President Promises Full Cooperation With the IFC and Accepts Investigations
Monday 4/7/2016| Ardea, Ardoki
Provisional President Donovan Cody Ormonde; Speaker of the Grand Legislative Assembly (2010 - 2016), Member of the Grand Legislative Assembly (1998 - 2016)
After the formal resignations of President Alistair Killian Moriarty and Premier Ríona Keeva O'Brien two days ago, Ardoki was left in what appeared to be political turmoil. The head of state and the head of governemnt had resigned with little notice and no official reasons given. This was undoubtedly pushed by the leadership of the ruling Ardokian Social Democratic Labour Party, which had long been at odds with the eccentricities of Moriarty according to unnamed sources, yet was unable to remove him due to very high public support.
However, in the past forty-eight hours numerous anonymous Party (ADSLP) sources have accused the former President (Moriarty) and Premier (O'Brien) of being the grand architects of numerous horrific crimes against humanity, abuses of power, and unconstitutional acts. An unnamed member of the Council of Ministers claim that they were not consulted with regards to any policies, legislation, or regulations and were 'effectively puppets and hostages to the dictatorship of Moriarty and O'Brien', colleagues confirm these accusations adding that they were threatened by Moriarty and O'Brien to remain silent and support any legislation they proposed without questioning it. If these accusations are true, it proves that Moriarty and O'Brien overstepped their legal authority and violated the Constitution by effectively removing all power and authority from the Council of Ministers which was delegated solely to the façade of collective governance.
But it isn't just members of the Council of Ministers who are speaking out; we've received hundreds of anonymous statements from MGLAs (Members of the Grand Legislative Assembly) who were regularly threatened by O'Brien to pass legislation without even reading it. An official joint statement from several state ministries reveal that Moriarty and O'Brien used ministry resources and personnel to blackmail and intimidate ministers, MGLAs, and Party officials into submitting to their unconstitutional and illegal abuses of power. These revelations are so shocking, and raise serious questions about the integrity of Ardokian institutions of state. Political analysts predict that it will take a lot of time and effort to reform Ardoki's governmental (executive, legislative, and judicial) and civil institutions back to the position of neutrality and constitutionality they held before Moriarty and O'Brien came to power.
However, a lot of political analysts in Ardoki are optimistic about the possibility of reform. Dr Meave Noreen Heffernan, a political scientist at the Ardokian National University, believes that the ASDLP 'commands a prominent position in Ardokian politics and society and will be absolutely vital in the process of reforming Ardoki into a liberal democracy which respects human rights'; however, she warns that 'the ASDLP must purge from its ranks, all those who are not committed to liberal democracy and ensure the leadership and membership are fully devoted to liberal democracy and human rights'. Dr Heffernan emphasises the importance of Ardokian 'full cooperation and compliance with the International Freedom Coalition ... to safeguard the Ardokian transition towards a liberal democracy and to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights'.
Dr Heffernan, amongst others, have publicly expressed their support of the new Provisional President Donovan Cody Ormonde. President Ormonde has been a MGLA since 1998, and was elected as the Speaker of the Grand Legislative Assembly in 2010 (much to the displeasure of Moriarty). Donovan Cody Ormonde has been described by observers as a 'strong proponent of liberal democracy and defender of human rights', and his appointment to the position of President until new election can be called has been seen as a symbol of friendship and cooperation towards the International Freedom Coalition. On several occasions Ormonde has described himself as a democratic socialist and openly condemned what he saw as the 'corruption and cronyism endemic to the Moriarty-O'Brien regime.'
In his first official press conference as the Provisional President, Donovan Cody Ormonde apologise to the Ardokian people for the crimes and abused of power which occurred under the Moriarty regime, thanked the International Freedom Coalition for accepting Ardokian membership and promised full cooperation and compliance to ensure justice and freedom is achieved. His full speech is below:
This is a breaking story, and more information will be released as we receive it.
However, in the past forty-eight hours numerous anonymous Party (ADSLP) sources have accused the former President (Moriarty) and Premier (O'Brien) of being the grand architects of numerous horrific crimes against humanity, abuses of power, and unconstitutional acts. An unnamed member of the Council of Ministers claim that they were not consulted with regards to any policies, legislation, or regulations and were 'effectively puppets and hostages to the dictatorship of Moriarty and O'Brien', colleagues confirm these accusations adding that they were threatened by Moriarty and O'Brien to remain silent and support any legislation they proposed without questioning it. If these accusations are true, it proves that Moriarty and O'Brien overstepped their legal authority and violated the Constitution by effectively removing all power and authority from the Council of Ministers which was delegated solely to the façade of collective governance.
But it isn't just members of the Council of Ministers who are speaking out; we've received hundreds of anonymous statements from MGLAs (Members of the Grand Legislative Assembly) who were regularly threatened by O'Brien to pass legislation without even reading it. An official joint statement from several state ministries reveal that Moriarty and O'Brien used ministry resources and personnel to blackmail and intimidate ministers, MGLAs, and Party officials into submitting to their unconstitutional and illegal abuses of power. These revelations are so shocking, and raise serious questions about the integrity of Ardokian institutions of state. Political analysts predict that it will take a lot of time and effort to reform Ardoki's governmental (executive, legislative, and judicial) and civil institutions back to the position of neutrality and constitutionality they held before Moriarty and O'Brien came to power.
However, a lot of political analysts in Ardoki are optimistic about the possibility of reform. Dr Meave Noreen Heffernan, a political scientist at the Ardokian National University, believes that the ASDLP 'commands a prominent position in Ardokian politics and society and will be absolutely vital in the process of reforming Ardoki into a liberal democracy which respects human rights'; however, she warns that 'the ASDLP must purge from its ranks, all those who are not committed to liberal democracy and ensure the leadership and membership are fully devoted to liberal democracy and human rights'. Dr Heffernan emphasises the importance of Ardokian 'full cooperation and compliance with the International Freedom Coalition ... to safeguard the Ardokian transition towards a liberal democracy and to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights'.
Dr Heffernan, amongst others, have publicly expressed their support of the new Provisional President Donovan Cody Ormonde. President Ormonde has been a MGLA since 1998, and was elected as the Speaker of the Grand Legislative Assembly in 2010 (much to the displeasure of Moriarty). Donovan Cody Ormonde has been described by observers as a 'strong proponent of liberal democracy and defender of human rights', and his appointment to the position of President until new election can be called has been seen as a symbol of friendship and cooperation towards the International Freedom Coalition. On several occasions Ormonde has described himself as a democratic socialist and openly condemned what he saw as the 'corruption and cronyism endemic to the Moriarty-O'Brien regime.'
In his first official press conference as the Provisional President, Donovan Cody Ormonde apologise to the Ardokian people for the crimes and abused of power which occurred under the Moriarty regime, thanked the International Freedom Coalition for accepting Ardokian membership and promised full cooperation and compliance to ensure justice and freedom is achieved. His full speech is below:
Dear, people of the Ardokian Social Democratic Republic and our new friends in the International Freedom Coalition;
I stand here before you all today, ashamed; ashamed of what was allowed to occur under the name of the Ardokian Social Democratic Labour Party, ashamed of what was committed under the flag of the Ardokian Social Democratic Republic. But more importantly, I'm ashamed that I didn't do more to stop the horrendous and unjustifiable abuses of power and crimes against humanity which were committed while I was a Member of the Grand Legislative Assembly.
A lot of you are probably shocked at the recent revelations. I am too. I could never have imagined that Ardokians would be capable of such depravity and brutality; however, the evidence is right in front of us. Ignorance is no excuse, all of us are partly guilty for allowing our democracy to devolve to a point where we were unaware of the actions of the President. What happened should never have occurred; however, it did occur. We can't go back in time to prevent those injustices, I would sacrifice my life to just save one of those innocent victims who was tortured and murdered by a psychopathic tyrant. However we can bring those responsible to justice, and ensure that such crimes are never to happen again in Ardoki.
We should all feel ashamed, we should all feel guilty, we should all feel angry at the injustices which occurred; and we must never forget these feelings, we must forever remember them so we may never commit such crimes ever again.
We Ardokians are a very collectivist nation; we understand that we cannot survive alone. When we all work together and put others before ourselves, we can achieve anything! Ardoki is unfortunately not in the position to reform on its own, all institutions of state have been weakened by Moriarty and O'Brien, so we need fiends who will guide us towards along the right path. Our new allies in the International Freedom Coalition are those friends.
The government of the Ardokian Social Democratic Republic will cooperate with the IFC to the utmost of its ability. IFC investigators will be arriving in Ardoki to collect evidence for the international trials of those responsible for human rights violations, war crimes, abuses of authority, corruption, unconstitutional behaviour, and other crimes. IFC monitors will monitor the situation in Aanglandia, observe new elections to ensure they are free and fair, oversee the government to ensure it is protecting human rights. Any obstructions of IFC investigators or monitors will not be tolerated. I urge all Ardokians to keep an open mind, and look forwards with optimism to a freer and fairer Ardoki for all.
I look forward to working with other member-states of the International Freedom Coalition, and thank the Prime Minister of the IFC for accepting our application. I understand it was a very unpopular decison; however, you have saved the Ardokian people and we are eternally grateful.
This is a breaking story, and more information will be released as we receive it.
Other Trending Articles
Who is Donovan Cody Ormonde - An In-Depth Analysis of the Party's Most Vocal Supporter of Liberal Democracy | 04/07/2016
The Resignation of the President - An In-Depth Analysis of the Resignation of President Alistair Killian Moriarty | 04/07/2016
The Resignation of the Premier - An In-Depth Analysis of the Resignation of Premier Ríona Keeva O'Brien | 04/07/2016
The Rise and Fall of Alistair Killian Moriarty - Was he a Hero or a Villain? Shocking Revelations Revealed | 04/07/2016
Ardoki in the IFC - What Will Change with Membership in the IFC? | 03/07/2016
BREAKING: Ardoki Joins the International Freedom Coalition - What Does this Mean for Ardoki and the IFC? | 03/07/2016
What's Next? - What is Next for the Ardokian Social Democratic Republic? | 02/07/2016
BREAKING: President Moriarty and Premier O'Brien Resign - Ardoki in Political Turmoil! | 02/07/2016
I stand before the international community today, deeply ashamed of my nation's crimes, with strong feelings of guilt for not doing enough to prevent the atrocities which occurred, with an intense anger towards those who committed such injustices, and with an eternal sympathy for the countless victims who were tortured and murdered by a madman. I stand humbled before you today.
I can understand all the concerns the international community presently has. How can Ardoki be trusted? They committed some of the most horrendous crimes against humanity in history? Will they really change? Will they hand over the criminals? How do we know they won't just continue their human rights abused under a different leadership? These are all valid concerns; which I guarantee will be addressed in due time. However, now is not the time to draw up plans for an invasion of Ardoki; now is not the time to blockade Ardoki, causing nothing but suffering for the vast majority of Ardokians, who were neither aware nor complicit in the crimes which occurred; now is not the time to alienate Ardoki, expel it from the IFC and make its people feel threatened and betrayed.
The truth is; we cannot do this alone. If we try, we will bet met with failure. We need the International Freedom Coalition work with us, not against us. I am willing to fully cooperate with IFC investigators and monitors, they will be essential in achieving justice and ensuring our path to reform is successful. We understand that many countries do not trust us; we expect that, and will work tirelessly towards earning that trust back. We understand that many countries still remember our crimes; we expect that, and will work tirelessly towards achieving justice and making amends to the utmost of our ability.
However, I urge you all to think of the future; a better future, for Ardoki and the world. A lot of Ardokians are very scared at the moment; they believe that the IFC and the SACTO are out to kill them all. I can assure them that is not the case, the IFC and the SACTO have nothing against the Ardokian people. However, threats of blockades and talk of expulsion from the IFC doesn't do much to assuage those concerns.
All those who were involved or complicit in crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other human rights abuses will be handed over to an international tribunal to stand trial for their unforgivable crimes. We grant investigators from the International Freedom Coalition full access to all records, sites, and witnesses related to these crimes and promise them complete assistance free from obstructions.
We invite experts from the International Freedom Coalition to Ardea, to advise the new Ardokian government on essential reforms necessary for Ardoki's membership in the International Freedom Coalition; and offer observers/monitors from the International Freedom Coalition full access to the situation in Aanglandia and the new presidential and legislative elections which will be held shortly.
This is just the start. The Ardokian Social Democratic Republic promises full cooperation with the International Freedom Coalition and compliance with International Freedom Coalition legislation. I look forward to Ardoki being a respected member of the IFC and the international community again, the IFC will be vital in ensuring we stay along the right path to progress.
We do not want war; however, we will not give in to aggressors who threaten to cause suffering in Ardoki. I am willing to enter negotiations with the SACTO, to assuage their concerns and make our commitment to peace, justice, and reform visibly clear. If Ardoki is blockaded, I will have no choice but to react using any means necessary to break the blockade to defend the Ardokian people. But I don't want to do that, I want peace, and I'm willing to compromise with you to achieve justice. I hope we can agree on that, and I look forward to a cordial conversation.
Kennedy Rowan Coleman, the former Minister of External Affairs (2004 - 2016), was nominated for the position of Premier by the President this morning and immediately approved by an overwhelming majority of Members of the Grand Legislative Assembly. Some have criticised her handling of the recent tensions, though many analysts have praised her for being far more professional and diplomatic than many other Ardokian diplomats. Regardless, her appointment as the head of government is a welcome act as Ardoki had been effectively left without a functioning government for the past two days.
The new Premier has declined to make an official statement, citing 'pressing concerns which must be addressed immediately'. She may be right, ever minute spend drafting a speech and then holding a press conference is valuable time which could be better spent working to assuage the concerns of numerous IFC members and defend Ardokian sovereignty.
Kennedy Rowan Coleman is one of the most competent politicians in Ardoki, and was a fierce critic of the dictatorship of Alistair Killian Moriarty and Ríona Keeva O'Brien. She could be a future President of the Social Democratic Republic. Hopefully she will prove her competency and fitnesses for the office of President to all of us during her time as Premier.
Ardokian Social Democratic Republic,
Tuesday 5 July 2016
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Caolán Kyran Mac Alastair, has released a public statement declaring that the Ministry of Internal Affairs will not 'support or tolerate any decisions and actions which put the Ardokian people in harms way'; emphasising that 'Ardokian sovereignty is non-negotiable and may not be infringed by any agreement'. Political analysts claim this is a sign of internal divisions within the Council of Ministers which could potentially undermine the authority of President Donovan Cody Ormonde.
An anonymous source within the Council of Ministers has revealed that the entire government is bitterly divided on whether they can trust the International Freedom Coalition, with several high-ranking Ministers allegedly believing the IFC intends to invade Ardoki and divide it between their member-states. This can be attributed to unexpected hostility in the IFC against Ardoki, which has alienated not only the government but many people as well. A recent survey by the Ardokian Radio and Television Service revealed that 93% of people believe that the IFC can't be trusted help Ardoki, while 87% believe that the IFC is actively working against Ardoki.
These numbers are not good for President Donovan Cody Ormonde, whose approval ratings are dropping fast. Yesterday, he had a 94% approval rating, today that's dipped to just 69% with all the attention on IFC hostility against Ardoki. An unnamed source close to the President has revealed that the President is distraught at the reaction from many members of the IFC towards his government and Ardoki, and is allegedly 'beginning to lose hope'.
Premier Kennedy Rowan Coleman released a statement that she 'doesn't comment about baseless rumours and gossip'; with some commentators raising questions about here decision to openly support the President. If the President loses the support of the Grand Legislative Assembly, he could theoretically be removed by a simple majority vote due to his status as a provisional president and subsequently replaced. However, if the IFC demands concessions which violate the Constitution, he may potentially be impeached if he even considers complying with unconstitutional demands.
Millions of peaceful protesters have gathered in cities around Ardoki calling for peace between Ardoki and the world. Significant concerns for many Ardokians include the threat of a blockade of Ardoki and the potential for the IFC to unconstitutionally violate Ardokian sovereignty. But the many millions of Ardokian people who want peace, feel as though they aren't being heard by the international community. They feel frightened about what could happen next, and are begging the IFC and the SACTO for peace.
A blockade of Ardoki could be disastrous for the Ardokian economy and would lead to a decline in the standard of living for many Ardokians due to shortages in essentials and consumer goods. Experts on Ardokian politics believe this will most likely push many Ardokians back towards authoritarianism and might lead to a rise in nationalism and militarism as a response to feeling victimised by international powers. This could be a major impediment for the President's process of reforming Ardoki into a liberal democracy; however, some analysts are worried that the situation in Ardoki might get worse than it was before if the people feel powerless and betrayed by the international community.
Caitlin, one of the protesters present at a peace rally in Ardea, claimed that the hostility by the international community towards Ardoki was 'very shocking and frightening'. She expressed feelings of betrayal, resentment, and anger at the IFC for 'actively working against Ardoki to try and punish us all out of hate'. These emotions were shared by practically every protester I interviewed today. These feelings of being victims of the international community was very strong, and it is feared that they may be hijacked by those with malicious intentions to gain power.
Everything in Ardoki seems orderly, despite the political instability. However, it only takes one demagogue to light the fuse before we watch the entire nation burn with emotion.
Ardokian Social Democratic Republic
Order, Justice, Solidarity!
RECIPIENT: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Hatay
SENDER: Ministry of External Affairs, Ardokian Social Democratic Republic
SUBJECT: Regarding Your Recent EnquiriesWith regards to your enquies, the President will answer your questions in addition to others in an official press conference tomorrow. We thank you for your concerns, and express our deepest desire for peace and lasting reform.Department of Diplomatic Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of the Ardokian Social Democratic Republic
Ardokian Social Democratic Republic,
Wednesday 6 July 2016
Yesterday, Resolution 21 was passed by the International Freedom Coalition Council. This will result in some changes here in Ardoki, I will not deny that. However, these changes will not be radical, most of them will not even be noticed as you all go about your daily lives. However, these changes are absolutely necessary to ensure the Ardokian Social Democratic Republic has a place as a respected member of the international community. This resolution will ensure that we are able to successfully transition towards a liberal democracy. It will enable us to protect and promote our human rights, by reforming our corrupted institutions and implementing the necessary legislation.
Firstly, I would like to make something completely clear. Your government is going nowhere. I understand there have been a lot of concerns, justified concerns, regarding the wording of Resolution 21. However, those concerns are unfounded. I will remain in my position as President, alongside the Premier and the Council of Ministers, until new democratic elections can be held. I have invited election monitors from the International Freedom Coalition, who will ensure the upcoming presidential and legislative elections are completely free and fair. However until then, I will remain as President alongside the government headed by Premier Kennedy Rowan Coleman.
I have been given assurances from the government of the International Freedom Coalition shall 'hold its broad emergency powers in reserve, and shall simply observe, advise, and assist' our government's 'efforts to initiate and entrench liberal reforms and purge human rights violators from power'. I am confident that the International Freedom Coalition will respect our soverignty, and refrain from violating our Constitution and interfering with our laws and regulations. I pledge the complete and immediate cooperation of the Ardokian government with the International Freedom Coalition, in our dual efforts to ensure meaningful reform succeeds in Ardoki and to achieve justice for the numerous unconstitutional abuses of power and crimes against humanity which were committed in the past.
The Judicial Committee of the International Freedom Coalition shall be conducting the investigation into the unconstitutional abuses of power and crimes against humanity which occurred, and will initiate prosecution against all those suspected of involvement or complicity. The Ardokian government will fully cooperate in this endeavour, granting access to all records which may be used as evidence and providing all resources at our disposal to assist in the investigation and subsequent prosecutions. The Ardokian government will in no way obstruct justice and urges all government agencies to comply with requests and provide assistance. I urge all Ardokians to fully cooperate with the investigators to help bring those responsible for the horrendous crimes which occurred to justice.
We welcome the arrival of International Freedom Coalition military police and defending forces, who we stand by in the pursuit of justice and freedom. However, we humbly request your forces be limited out of respect for our citizens, who are understandably very wary about allowing large numbers of previously hostile military forces into our country. I also call on the international community, specifically the countries who have threatened blockades in the past several days, to act with restraint. We do not want war, and will compromise as far as possible to ensure peace. However, we will not stand back and allow our nation to be blockaded. The Ardokian government will always defend the Ardokian people, and that is non-negotiable.
Therefore, in order to maintain peace, I would like to respectfully request an official channel of communications be opened between the Ardokian government, the International Freedom Coalition, and the countries which have threatened to initiate the blockade. I look forward to finding a peaceful solution to this problem. I have looked over the ultimatum issued by the Republic of Inyursta, and the general outline of the demands seem completely reasonable to my government. However, we cannot extradite people to a country where suspects and prisoners are neither safe nor have access to liveable conditions, not to mention the possibility of allied countries with horrendous human rights records being given suspects. That would be a complete violation of the values of the International Freedom Coalition, an alliance of which Ardoki is a member of, and would be considered inhumane and unconstitutional here in Ardoki.
Again, I'd like to reaffirm our government's acceptance of the general demands outlined in the ultimatum. However, we now have a commitment to the International Freedom Coalition, which will be conducting the relevant investigations, prosecutions, and trials necessary to achieve justice for the horrendous crimes against humanity which were allowed to occur under the dictatorship of Alistair Killian Moriarty and his lieutenant, Ríona Keeva O'Brien. I'm sure that representatives from all countries which have threatened a blockade against Ardoki, will be allowed as observers to the trial once we have come to an agreement to ensure peace.
On the topic of Moriarty and O'Brien, they are presently confined under high security at an undisclosed location; due to security concerns, I may not reveal any more details than that. However, we are prepared to immediately hand them over to forces of the International Freedom Coalition once investigators from the Judicial Committee arrive.
There is a lot more I would like to say; however, I have various meetings and briefings I must attend so I must leave you all without answering questions.
Thanks you.
