PRIME MINISTER CONDEMNS MURDER OF HYTEK FOREIGN MINISTER
Saulius Rimša, International Correspondent
Ričardas Petrauskas has condemned the murder of Marts Matisons.
In a statement this evening the Prime Minister has condemned "in the strongest possible terms" the murder of Mart Matisons, the Hytek Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Donhaven and has called for all parties to get back to the negotiating table.
Mr Matisons was murdered earlier today whilst walking along the street in Donhaven, Crethia. So far Crethian police have yet to attach any motive or suspects to the case but that didn't stop the Hytek government from accusing the Juznik Liberation Army, an organisation which ceased to exist following the war of liberation, of carrying out the attack.
The murder of Mr Matisons has provoked fear that Juznia and Hytekia may be on the course towards war but the Prime Minister has said he will "do all he can to stop this from becoming a reality". He also said that "Juznia remains committed to a peaceful resolution to the ongoing tensions and will continue to push for that to be realised. However, we are prepared for any possibilities and will consult with our neighbours, friends and allies to ensure that in the case of Hytek aggression we will be safe. Juznia will not be the ones that fire the first shots".
Despite the Prime Minister clearly showing his opposition to military conflict this hasn't stopped Chancellor Donal Menzies of Crethia from saying that Hytekia and Juznia "look ready to go to war".
Following the murder there have been reports of troop and equipment movements by the Juznik Armed Forces, particularly in the south of the country. Responding to this the Ministry of Defence said that "we are ensuring that the Juznik Armed Forces are prepared for anything that may occur. However, we remain committed to the various agreements and will not enter the demilitarised zone along the Juznia-Hytekia border."