Den Konstitution - A Reliable Newspaper from Luziyca

[Luziyca]

Rightist Otekians to establish a new government-in-exile

Bohdan Semenyuk, 2013

GRANITSYGRAD, CHAYEVSKY - Just two years following the effective dissolution of the Otekian government-in-exile when their leaders were arrested by Luziycan officials and extradited to Namor in a vain attempt to improve relations with Namo, right-wing Otekian exiles, led by 61-year old Bohdan Semenyuk have announced plans to re-establish the Otekian government-in-exile.

Semenyuk said that "the policies led by Shohai Antelope have led us to the conclusion that the Otekian nation shall continue to experience oppression by the Namorese government and by Namorese settlers dispossessing us of our land, like how the Mazaris were dispossessed of their land by the Luziycans in the 19th and 20th centuries."

"This, combined with the determination of the Luziycan government to betray its fellow Slavic brethren by deporting the top leadership of the Otekian government-in-exile, and endorsing the so-called 'Otekian National Council,' which has advocated pro-Namo interests in their vain quest to try and achieve maximum devolution from the Namorese government, while leaving us with no real option to represent the wishes of the Otekians who still support the goal of obtaining sovereignty from Namor."

When asked by a reporter from LRT if they would support "resuming the armed struggle [in Oteki]," Bohdan Semenyuk responded that "the current situation does not require us to relaunch an armed struggle in Oteki, but only when all peaceful avenues of obtaining Otekian sovereignty from Namor have failed, will we consider resuming the armed struggle."

When asked by a reporter from Slevdovatel if the renewed Otekian government-in-exile will admit Namorese supporters in Oteki, Bohdan Semenyuk stated that "right now, the details as to 'who is an Otekian' is up in the air, as we are trying to re-establish the government in exile. We will cross that bridge when we get there."

Support
At the conference where the announcement of a new Otekian government-in-exile took place, ethnic Otekian and leader of the National Luziycan Party, Dorothy Vasiliev was present.

When asked by reporters why she attended the re-establishment of the government-in-exile, Vasiliev stated that "as a descendant of Otekian refugees, like Mr. Semenyuk, I have been critical of the decision made by Pivec and Shjoraski to arrest the leadership of the Otekian government-in-exile for baseless accusations, only to deport them to a Namorese dungeon. The fact that this institution is being revitalized delights me, because without the support of the Otekian government-in-exile, my parents and I would never have been able to adapt to life in the Christian Republic. The only hope is that they will receive appropriate funding from the Luziycan government."

Paul Nikolovich, while not attending the conference, did send his support to its re-establishment, saying on social media that "the re-establishment of a semi-governmental organization that does the functions of what government would normally do is a good thing, as it reduces the need to provide governmental service."

Opposition
President Damir Agapov criticized the re-establishment of the Otekian government-in-exile, saying at a press conference at the Presidential Palace that "the re-establishment of the Otekian government-in-exile will endanger peace in Borea: by inflaming tensions between Luziyca and Namor in a time that we cannot afford more tension between our two states."

Agapov also told reporters that "the Luziycan government will not provide support of any kind to the revitalized Otekian government-in-exile," and that the government will take steps to ensure that "no insurgency shall ever be launched by Otekians," as it would greatly impact relations with Namor.

Former President Breuvi Shjoraski criticized the re-establishment of the government-in-exile, saying that the "efforts that have been done over the past 20 years are now being undone by a bunch of old men who are ignorant enough to not realize that trying to retake Oteki would pretty much be a suicide mission with little reward."

In other news

• Namor - Luziycan government criticizes anti-Luziycan bill that passed through Congress
• Wosrac - National service reintroduced
• 2020 presidential election - NLP to start holding leadership convention next week
• Opinion - Oteki will be liberated one day: here's why

[Luziyca]

Nuclear power off the table, says Agapov

Agapov visiting a nuclear power station

BETHLEHEM - Following the explosion at the Grobyłchov nuclear power station in Ceresnia, combined with forecasts of the fallout plume spreading into Luziyca, President Damir Agapov held a press conference to discuss the plans for the Luziycan government concerning renewable energy.

President Damir Agapov said that "the incident at the Grobyłchov nuclear power station has illustrated a critical weakness of nuclear power stations: no matter how good the design of any nuclear power station is, is the fact that there is a risk for a catastrophic disaster. We narrowly averted a catastrophic in 1982 at Knyaz Mikhail near Ishim, and even then, it took us twenty-two years to clean that mess up."

"The incident at Grobyłchov has shown that nuclear power is inherently unsafe, no matter how many fail-safes we may have in place," Agapov stated. "In addition, considering that we only have a limited amount of uranium in Esquarium, nuclear power will not be a good idea in the future, especially when we have other means of energy, such as coal, solar energy, wind power, and hydroelectricity."

"Therefore," Agapov declared, "I have directed the Department of the Environment to institute an indefinite moratorium on construction of new civilian nuclear reactors until we can reduce the risk of another Grobyłchov or Knyaz Mikhail to absolute zero."

When asked by a reporter from Den Konstitution about the fate of existing nuclear power stations, Agapov said that "they may continue operating until the end of their current operational lives, or if there is any incident that results in the release of any amount of radioactive content."

When asked about how the government will respond to the plume, Agapov advised that "all residents in the northern states of Luziyca are advised to stay indoors should the plume be within 48 hours or less of reaching the borders of the Christian Republic. All animals should be brought indoors or under cover, and must be fed with stored feed."

More as the story develops.

In other news

• Nehran - Nehrani government announces joint-development group with Luziyca
• EC - EC to reach out to Nautasian democracies
• Ainin - Rumors of snap elections in autumn
• Opinion - Agapov's plan on banning nuclear power is short-sided and will harm the environment in the long run

[Luziyca]

K-70 confirmed to be in Luziyca

Damir Agapov speaking

BETHLEHEM - After days of speculation about the whereabouts of the K-70 submarine, the Government of Luziyca has officially confirmed that the K-70 was connected to the submarine which washed up near Moglinov on August 4th, and that all eighty sailors were in Luziycan custody.

President Damir Agapov told reporters that the "sailors of the K-70 are safe and sound in Luziycan custody. We have determined their reasons for coming to Luziyca, and while normally, they would be granted asylum-seeker status, due to their persecution back in Kheratia, because of the circumstances involved in their arrival to Luziyca, in particular the hijacking of the Kheratian submarine to head to Luziyca, we are more than willing to return the crew to Kheratia, provided that they do not imprison the families of the crew."

When asked by a reporter what would the Luziycan government do if they refused the requests to not imprison the families of the crew for the crew's defection, President Agapov replied that "in such a scenario, the Christian Republic shall grant asylum to the crew of the K-70, and allow them to live in Luziyca."

The decision by Damir Agapov was criticized by Nikolai Serhoskav of the Whig Party, who said that "as the leader of the free world, Luziyca has the moral obligation to accept those escaping persecution in totalitarian states, and this includes Kheratia. It is irrelevant whether they have committed a crime en route, if it means that they are free, then so be it."

It was also criticized by Dorothy Vasiliev of the National Luziycan Party, stating that "while it is admirable to let in those fleeing persecution in Kheratia, the fact that there are some who did not participate in the mutiny [that led to their arrival in Luziyca] means that if we let them in, we will end up with Kheratian spies threatening our national security. The most ideal solution is let the mutineers in, and deport those who did not participate [in the mutiny]."

More as the story develops.

In other news

• Slovunia - Will the new government be friendly and pro-Luziycan? Only if the FDP wins
• Namor - Namorese government to invest in universal healthcare
• Grobyłchov - First illnesses reported in Ceresnia connected to Grobyłchov
• Opinion - Otekians have no place in deciding refugee policy

[Luziyca]

Luziyca to hold a referendum on Nantai's status

Agapov attending a Remembrance Day ceremony, 2017

KENYEN, NANTAI - On Remembrance Day, hours after the decision by the Namorese government to suspend the military hotline between the Namorese Ministry of Defense and the Luziycan Department of Defense, President Damir Agapov and Nantainese Chief Executive Tan Ching announced to hold a referendum on Nantai's status at a press conference following a Remembrance Day service.

Chief Executive Tan Ching told reporters at a press conference that "the coming referendum [in Nantai] shall determine the status of Nantai: whether it should be a constituent republic of Luziyca, to become part of Namor, or to be its own sovereign state. It is an opportunity for Nantai to decide its own future, and hopefully, an opportunity to resolve this issue [between Namor and Luziyca] once and for all."

President Damir Agapov said that "recent policies and actions by the Namorese government have forced us to re-evaluate our previous positions concerning Nantai: while Nantai will always be a [culturally] Namorese territory, we have decided that a referendum shall go ahead, so that the people of Nantai will be able to decide whether they wish to be part of Namor, to be part of Luziyca, or to be a sovereign state."

When asked by a reporter from Kenyen Sibo what would Luziyca's policies towards pro-Namorese groups would be during the referendum campaign, Chief Executive Tan responded that "we will permit the Nantai Democratic Self-Government League to campaign for a pro-Namor vote in the referendum, and we will also permit local pro-Namorese organizations to campaign for a pro-Namor vote."

When asked whether foreign observers would be welcomed, President Agapov said that "we will allow foreign observers from Namor and the Esquarian Community to observe the Nantai referendum to ensure that there are no irregularities during the campaign, the voting, and the ballot-counting."

Finally, Agapov was asked how the referendum will affect the territorial dispute in Nantai: Agapov said that "if the pro-Namor option gains the support of the majority of the Nantainese, then we will transfer sovereignty to Namor as soon as we come to an agreement on such. If the pro-Namor option does not win, then as far as I am concerned, this is an endorsement that the people of Nantai do not want to be part of Namor."

Who is eligible?
According to the Elections Act of Nantai, 1973, to vote in Nantainese elections:

1. Must be eighteen years or older on election day
2. Have never been convicted of a felony against Nantai or the Christian Republic
3. Is of sound mind and has no mental disorders that hinder their ability to function day-to-day in ordinary society
4. Be a native-born or a naturalized Luziycan citizen residing in Nantai for at least four (4) years

However, because of the implications that a Nantai status referendum will have on the international stage, the Chief Executive has expressed her intention to grant Namorese in Namor who can prove that their ancestors lived in Nantai prior to 1897, regardless of whether they are non-citizen nationals of Namor, or Namorese citizens, the right to vote in the referendum.

When will it be held?
As the Nantainese Legislative Assembly has not formally given the okay to hold the referendum yet, it is unclear. However, it is clear that the final date will be decided within the next week, as the Nantainese Legislature not only discusses when the referendum should be held, but also whether they want to grant Namorese who can prove their Nantainese ancestry the right to vote.

However, most sources speculate the actual referendum will be held sometime between November 30th, 2018 and December 7th, 2018, with a 60-day campaign period, to ensure that all groups have equal opportunity to campaign, and for voters to be able to be persuaded by the best arguments.

In other news

• Nordanian - Nordanian League to mediate in dispute between Ambrose and Wosrac
• Opinion - If Nantainese vote to stay in Luziyca, Namor must drop all claims to Nantai
• Ainin - Maxime Bélanger becomes Prime Minister
• Opinion - We should exchange Nantainese and Otekians

[Luziyca]

Agapov extends an olive branch

Agapov speaking at today's press conference

BETHLEHEM - Following the decision by the Namorese government to sever ties with the Christian Republic for the first time in 28 years, President Damir Agapov spoke about the decision by Namor to sever ties with Luziyca, and criticized Namor's actions that led to the severing of ties between the two countries. However, he has said that if Namor is willing to go to the negotiating table, "so will we."

President Agapov said that "this action has been a culmination in years of efforts by the current Namorese administration to undermine the very foundations of detente. For years, we have tried to ignore these provocations from Namo, and to try and maintain contact via normal diplomatic channels. However, with the increased provocations from the current Namorese administration, it has become impossible for us to maintain a healthy and equitable relationship with Namor."

"While we acknowledge the problems that the relationship has had, the fact of the matter is that when the current Namorese administration severs hotlines that could have addressed these issues before it reached this point; when the current administration gets rid of its no first-strike policy with regard to nuclear missiles; when the current administration threatens to launch a so-called 'defensive war' against Nantai if we are to respond to their threats, and when the current administration justified its decision due to our 'continued hostility' to other states in the IFDS, then it is clear that this relationship is unsustainable."

President Agapov added that "while the Christian Republic wishes for a peaceful solution to this crisis, it is up to the current administration of Namor to decide whether it will go to the negotiating table. If they are willing to go to the negotiating table, so will we."

In other news

• Karshev - Karshev's Namorese subsidiary to be closed and sold
• Opinion - By severing ties over a "farcical referendum," Namor has fulfilled its own prophecy
• Frederick's Fries - Discussions on the future of its Namorese subsidiary unfold
• Nantai - 64% of Nantainese surveyed support Luziycan sovereignty, 27% support returning to Namorese administration, 5% independence, remainder undecided

[Luziyca]

Luziycan Elections Commission rebukes accusations of voter fraud

Agapov speaking at today's press conference

BETHLEHEM - Days after the Ankoreni General Information Directorate produced claims that the Luziycan and Nantainese governments were plotting to rig the referendum in Nantai, Chief Commissioner of the Luziycan Elections Commission Roman Mikhalicin held a press conference to address the rumors published by Ankoreni state media, as well as address claims from Namorese media that applications by Nantainese living in Namor were being rejected.

Chief Commissioner Roman Mikhalicin said that "the evidence presented by the General Information Directorate are completely baseless," citing evidence such as the movements of the lips of both Tan and Kostanjevec not matching the words allegedly being spoken according to the GID, and "obvious Ankoreni accents on some of the audio tapes."

Mikhalicin said that "with these inconsistencies in the so-called 'evidence' made by the General Information Directorate, we can safely conclude that it is entirely fabricated."

However, as soon as this was said, a reporter asked Mikhalicin about the fact that many applicants from Namor had their applications to vote in the Nantai referendum rejected.

Mikhalicin said that "many of the applicants who were rejected were either unable to provide sufficient proof that their ancestors lived in Nantai on or prior to October 1, 1899, or had attempted to use fraudulent records to convince us that one of their ancestors was born in Nantai, when records from that time period shown that they either lived in a different prefecture, or simply did not exist at all."

"If you wish to appeal the decision made by the Luziycan Elections Commission, they can send us a written appeal with their name, a brief statement of the reason for rejection, and why you should be allowed to vote in the referendum," Mikhalicin said.

Another reporter asked Mikhalicin about how the Luziycan Elections Commission would ensure that the referendum is conducted in a free and fair manner.

Mikhalicin said that "we are inviting observers from the Esquarian Community and from Namor, and this includes non-governmental organizations, to monitor the referendum. We are cracking down on vigilantes that seek to intimidate those who threaten those who may not support the option of Luziycan sovereignty over Nantai. And we are making sure that all the electoral rules are being followed, so nobody, whether it be a government, or a small group of hackers, will rig the referendum."

In other news

• Katranjiev - Coalition government formed
• Namor - First Lady becomes Vice-President: will Namor launch a second Green Fever?
• Cradebetia - Gibdutta: is she the new Nuoju Zeng?
• Nantai - 54% intending to vote in December, 25% intending to not vote, remainder undecided

[Luziyca]

Government responds to no-fly zone

Secretary Andrei Mushenkov

BETHLEHEM - Hours following the announcement by the Namorese government of a no-fly zone being imposed over Nantai, the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration has announced plans to ban all direct flights to and from Namor with immediate effect.

The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration, Andrei Mushenkov, said that "the restrictions made by the Namorese government to prohibit the right of civilian aircraft to fly to Nantai has led us to institute a ban on all direct flights between the Christian Republic and the People's Republic of Namor, as well as all Luziycan-registered airlines from flying to Namor, and vice-versa."

"Indirect flights between Namor and Luziyca, through a neutral country will be permitted, so long as the airline is not registered in either Namor or Luziyca," Mushenkov said. "As well, this regulation only affects air traffic: travelers heading to and from Namor by land or by sea will not be affected by this regulation."

More as the story develops.

In other news

• Sharaf - Government makes about-face, seeks to align with the UNIR
• Namor - Oil cuts reversed as government goes on the war path
• Nantai - Tourism down 30% since 2017, oil cuts and increased tensions to blame
• Nantai - 54% intending to vote in December, 25% intending to not vote, remainder undecided

[Luziyca]

Government announces Five Conditions

President Agapov

BETHLEHEM - Hours following the announcement by the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration to ban all flights to and from Namor, President Damir Agapov announced his conditions for the restoration of Namo-Luziycan relations.

"Over the past few years, we have earnestly attempted to ensure peace in the Gulf of Gelyevich region," Agapov declared. "However, with recent actions by the Antelope administration in Namo to try and force the Christian Republic to deny the right for the Nantainese to engage in the right to decide their own future, we are at the point that should Namor attempt to strangle Nantai even further, we will have to trample out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored."

"However, the Christian Republic believes that war should be a last-resort option," Agapov declared. "However, we can no longer maintain this status quo: we cannot keep giving and giving when they keep taking and taking. We cannot maintain a sustainable relationship when the Shohai administration expects us to sacrifice the basic human rights of the Nantainese people."

"If Namor wishes to restore ties with Luziyca, if they wish to see an end to the restrictions that we have put on them, they need to agree to the Five Conditions," Agapov said.

The conditions
The conditions stated by Agapov for the restoration of relations with Namor are:

1. The recognition of Namor for the right of the Nantainese to determine their own future
2. An end to the blockade of Nantai's airspace
3. All the severed lines of communication between Namo and Bethlehem must be restored
4. The right for Apostolic Catholics in Namor (including Otekians) to worship their faith with minimal political interference from Namo
5. The repeal of the Defense of Namorese Dignity Act

Response
Opposition leader Dorothy Vasiliev of the National Luziycan Party supported Agapov's intentions, saying that "the Five Conditions are a reasonable position to start from," but criticized the lack of inclusion of the right of Otekians to determine their own future in Oteki, saying that "the omission of the right for Otekians to determine their own future is alarming and a threat to the Otekians being oppressed under Namorese rule."

Social Credit leader Paul Nikolovich expressed his support for the comments, saying that "if Namor agrees to the Five Principles, trade between Namor and Luziyca will be allowed to continue unhindered."

Whig leader Nikolai Serhoskav said that "in light of the recent actions by the Namorese government, while the Five Principles are a good place to start, the best course of action is for the Christian Republic to break the blockade and to fortify Nantai against future invaders."

Newly-elected Christian Luziycan Party leader Agni Koskou cannot be reached for comment.

More as the story develops.

In other news

• Nantai - Pro-Liberationist group to file request for an injunction on the Nantai referendum, Luziycan government to fight it
• Sharaf - Government makes about-face, seeks to align with the UNIR
• Namor - Oil cuts reversed as government goes on the war path
• Nantai - 71% supporting Luziycan sovereignty, 17% independence, 12% Namorese rule