Carentanian Public Broadcasting

Hello and welcome to CPB evening news.

Todays head story: in a national adress, the Commissar for Foreign Affairs, Dusan Mejic, outlined Carentanias stance on several of the current issues in global politics. Beginning with the unfolding crisis in Wazistan, Commissar Mejic said that he supports Council of Nation backed action to pressure Wazistan into upholding the standards of equal law. The il-treatment and violence committed against the ethnic minorities of Wazistan is deplorable and, as there is clear evidence that the Wazistani government is involved with the ethnic cleansings, needs foreign intervention to be stopped. Carentania, Commissar Mejic explained, favours a "seperate state solution" in which a free Kurdistan is established as safe and independent refugium for those affected by ethnic violence in Wazistan. "This means surrendering to the violence in Wazistan as we abandon hopes to arrange for peaceful coexistance of the ethnicities within Wazistan," the Commissar admitted "but we believe that this option can be implemented more effectively if the Council of Nations commits itself to this task."

On a different theater, the Commissar explained Carentanias support for insurgents within Lusitania. "The Workers' Republic, as most progressive of all European states, remains committed to the expansion of freedom and socialism in the world. We therefore have an obligation to support all progressive forces in foreign countries as well as our own." This is currently being done by extending diplomatic protection to the insurgents, meaning that Carentania announces its intention to punish any violent response to the social unrest through different political measures. "Social problems can not be solved with the sword," the Commissar stated in his explanation, "and Carentania will see to it that no innocent blood is shed in an attempt to do so."

The Commissar also commented on the issue of Oikawan political prisoner Zhou Liu-Whong, who is facing death penalty for his anti-government activities in 1989. Following a show-trial, the dissident was sentenced to death on charges of murder which he evidently did not commit and which are doubtful to even have occured. Carentania protests to continued incarceration as well as the prospect of state murder to be committed on the marxist writer who regularily publishes articles in renowned international publications. However, the Commissar stresses that Carentania wishes not only for Zhou Liu-Whong to be liberated, but for all political prisoners to be freed and all who are facing the draconic measure of death penalty to be spared such a fate. "We as Commissariate are of the same opinion as Zhou Liu-Whong on this issue and will work towards this goal."

This brought Commissar Mejic to his final topic: Carentanias candidacy for the security council of the council of nations. "Carentania wishes to enter the security council on a platform of reasonable socialism." This, the Commissar explained, meant taking a principled stance on the important topics of human rights and individual freedoms, on peace and prosperity for all citizens of Europe, but in order to achieve these goals, to work together with other states beyond ideological barriers and to seek majorities for each issue individually instead of voting in blocs. "Carentanias only chance to achieve its goals on a global stage are by working with bourgeoise powers on seperate topics where cooperation is possible temporarily." This also involves winning over nations who would vote Carentania into the Security Council in the first place, a task which will most likely involve some deals being made in several backrooms of European politics.

Analysts expect states in opposition to Wazistan to consider voting for Carentania, due to its principled stance against the state sponsored violence in Wazistan. Some even see a chance of AGE votes going to Carentania, due to its conflicts with the LFS and, to a lesser extent, with the EDF, while having its disputes with the Levant being settled decades ago.​

Hello and welcome to CPB evening news.

Todays head story: the world reacts to Batavies transformation to parliamentary democracy with scepticism. After the Social Democratic Party won the elections in the former Party-Communist dictatorship, many doubt the continued stability of the nation. The Social Democrats have announced their goal to massively reform the economic system of Batavie, setting on a course of privatization of free trade which is seen with doubts even by capitalist states, who believe the country can not maintain its stability if it proceeds at such speed. Other parts of Europe, like Oikawa, still refuse to recognize the new government in the first place.

And the surroundings of the elections cast doubt on the legitimacy of the proceedings. The former government fled the country and a military administration took over, sparking suspicions that in fact, a coup d'etat had removed the Communist Party from power. Meanwhile, large parts of the population were excluded from elections as the BRA rebel force still holds large portions of the country. Batavies announced high voting turnout of 80% can only be explained when not counting unregistered citizens, who didn't have the chance to vote in the first time. Analysts suspect about half the population may not be registered with the election commission. The complete lack of election observers however reduces such estimates to speculations which can not be verified.

With its new government programme, which has been announced in record time, especially for a government that never before has come into contact with government work and parliamentary processes, has antagonized and scared large parts especiall of the working class in Batavie. It furthermore caused rumours about the plans having been prepared by long hand by high ranking officials of the former Communist state, including the transitional military junta. It's well possible that Batavie is heading into a direction that had been set from the beginning of this crisis.

Analysts however expect public unrest to meet the economic reforms of the Social Democrats. The Union of Communist Workers, Carentanias largest Labor Union, has already announced its solidarity with the Workers' of Batavie and its intention to aid them, should they decide to try and stop the privatization and irresponsible free trade plans of the new government. Carentanian economists expect Batavie to develope a massive trade bilance deficit should the plans be set into motion, as long-term income of the government vanishes through the privatization, most industry is dismantled and the remaining, competitive industries' profits leave the country. Low wages will hurt the domestic sector, as will cheap imports.

Batavie, the economists advise, should rather place the national industries under the control of a seperate government agency and create a national board of trade unions to be placed in charge of the economy. "Batavie needs to get rid of its corruption, this is only possible through broad participation and public control." Furthermore, strict import regulations are needed until Batavie has strenghtened its weakened industry and stabilized its political situation. The focus needs to be moved from military and police forces towards public and educational infastructure. "Raise productivity, modernize the factories, expand public transport," the renowned Ivan Sorokin Institute for Economics summarized its advices for Batavie.

In other news: Vangalan ambassador invited to meet with Commissar for Foreign Affairs. Talks will revolve around trade and security, Commissariate says.​

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Todays head story: the Commissariate for Economic Planning warns the Carentanian public that the copper supply for the near future is increasignly insecure. The Office for Foreign Trade had recently placed a bid to purchase copper on the international market, but failed to find contract partners for the delivery of both copper ore as well as refined copper. Copper is a crucial ressource for the electronics industry and considered of strategical importance to most public infrastructure, especially the electricity nets.

Until very recently, domestic mines were able to supply Carentania with the important metal. Growing demand, combined with ever smaller deposits however have led to a developement that may threaten the Carentanian industry in the near future. If the Commissariate for Economic Planning should be unable to secure additional supplies of copper, much of the growth of recent years may grind to a complete standstill, as Carentanias strongest and most advanced industries, such as the electronics sector and the production of public transit solution, especially trains, is unable to operate without electrical conductors made of copper.

The unanswered bid on the global market is placing Carentania into a precarious situation and right now, the Commissar is evaluating different alternative options, the Commissariate commented on the issue. While the Green Party pushes for an increased recycling ratio, there are doubts this alone can solve Carentanias growing problem. Critics of the Greens argue, that Carentania exports many products, such as trains and household appliances which have copper as fundamental element of their production, meaning that a large amount of Copper leaves the country each year. Increasing the amount of copper re-used on a domestic level alone will not change the fact that the Carentanian copper mines are running increasingly dry, while Carentanias copper-dependant industries continues to grow.

Some voices have demanded Carentania to step away from its focus on binding deliveryy contracts and instead buy on the international market according to the everyday fluctuating prices, but the Commissariate rejected this notion, arguing that planning security is needed or a sudden undersupply will hit the Carentanian economy even more sharply. Instead, the Commissar will probably seek out solutions that may involve the Carentanian Steel and Copper WO. to build up entire mines from scratch in foreign nations that have untouched deposits. "This will require initial, higher investments than the trade option," the Commissariate said "but in the long run it will be cheaper for the Carentanian economy."

However, it remains doubtful that there are nations which would allow Carentania to build up autonomous structures within their borders. Sceptics believe that, in the long run, the only option will be to scale down on the planned growth of all copper-dependant industries.

In other news: the investigation commission tasked with the case of the murder of Revolutionary Army veteran Luka Kalan, has announced it is 100% convinced the responsible group is operating from within the Vrbas Kraj. The Talemantine government, which has forcefully occupied this part of Carentania, has remained silent about the terrorists and is seemingly unwilling to persecute the murderers.​

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Todays head story: the Talemantine Empire has mobilized its forces on the Carentanian border, following an announcement from their government that they consider the state of war from 1927 to be still valid, since Carentania is treating the Vrbas Kraj as occupied territory and not a legal part of the Talemantine Empire. This is entirely surprising, as the Workers' Republic has always maintained the stance that treaties made at gunpoint are not to be considered valid, as they do not constitute an agreement reached by sovereign subjects, but rather blackmail. The treaty, which the Talemantine Empire only agreed on due to Levantine intervention, predates the Council of Nation and their standards on peacetreaties and represents a blatant act of imperialism.

"We have mobilized all southern forces as a response," the Commissar for Defence announced. "We can not stress the fact enough that this recent provocation by the Talemantines may be an attempt to create a casus belli, that is, an excuse to attack the Workers' Republic." According to the Commissariate, the Talemantine Empire may try to provoke an armed conflict to distract from growing internal problems and a weakening grip of the Imperial family over their country. Furthermore, the growing importance of Carentania within the socialist bloc may cause fears within the reactionary Empire that a new, stronger communist alliance could be forged - whose strongest base would be right at their borders.

Many in the Revolutionary Army are eager to defend our nation against Talemantine aggression and morale is high. "If they come, we'll be victorious before Peace Day," one soldier commented. Carentania has not seen war since 1943, when it defeated a Levantine invasion.

However, whether fights will break out depends on the Talemantines. "Our stance remains the same," Dusan Mejic, Commissar for Foreign Affairs explained. "We do not consider the treaty to be valid, the Vrbas Kraj is under illegal military occupation by the Talemantine Empire - but we will not initiate hostilities to remove the occupation forces."

In other news: following discussions with Danzig and a critical evaluation of the plans use within the Commissariate for Defence itself, the Commissariate announced it will no longer consider plans for an OTH-radar station and a channel task force in Dravinja. "There is simply too little use for too much diplomatic trouble," the Commissar said.​

Hello and welcome to CPB evening news.

Todays head story: the Speaker of the Union of Communist Workers, Carentanias biggest trade union, has publically warned against the growing power of the European Defense Force. According to the UCW, the recent growth, but also the strong position of the EDF in the current Security Council elections in the Council of Nations, have shown that the alliance - which positions itself between the fascistoid League of Free States and the market-liberal Alliance for a Greater Europe - is becoming a considerable powerbloc in Europe.

The EDF has recently begun construction of military radar installations along coastlines, especially in nations within Carentanias vicinity. Ideologically the alliance adheres to a conservative capitalist agenda, which however is not clearly defined and leaves much room for members. However, its clear military ambitions, its large influence beyond its membership and its members combined strenght make the EDF a force to be reckoned with and one that may prove problematic in the near future. Expanding its sphere of influence, the Franken-led alliance has seemed to kickstart an age of neo-colonialism, marked by indirect rule and government partnership against the interests of the people.

Many furthermore believe the EDF is moving to contain Carentanian efforts to reestablish a revolutionary alliance in Europe and especially the UCW is worried that the EDF may prove to be a repressive organ that intervenes if revolutionary governments emerge within its sphere of influence, that involves most of central Europe, but also territories in the western hemisphere and the far east. According to the UCW there is furthermore no doubt that the EDF has no defensive function against Oikawan aggression, as EDF states seem to be on workable terms with the fascist juggernaut and are generally within no area of Oikawan influence.

The Union of Communist Workers finally announced its intention to cooperate with the progressive parts of the population within the EDF states to counter the militarization of their homecountries and oppose the growing expansionism of the military alliance from within. "As Communist, we have to stop imperialism in its roots," the Speaker concluded.

In other news: in the American Union, several people have been shot at during a protest march by workers. The shots had been fired by a paramilitary unit which had been sent against the protestors instead of regular police. Carentania has condemned the events and expressed its solidarity for fellow proletarians, who fight for their rights despite reactionary violence.​

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Todays head story: Commissar for Foreign Affairs Dusan Mejic today called the Talemantine aggressions an "effort to damage Carentanias candidacy for the Security Council of the Council of Nations." According to the Commissar, the Talemantine Empire had chosen the time of its scandalization of a Carentanian policy that had been enforced for almost 80 years now very carefully in order to cause international suspicion over Carentanias stance on peace and its ability to reach agreements through diplomatic efforts.

While the Revolutionary Army has move to secure the borders to the Talemantine Empire, the Commissariate for Foreign Affairs has voiced its doubts that our southern neighbour is actually willing to enforce its stance that the two nations are still at war. "This is merely a publicity stunt," Commissar Mejic concluded during a press conference. "Carentania has made a strong campaign for a left-wing Security Council seat. The Talemantine Empire, as a longstanding enemy of our nation, sees this merely as chance to damage these efforts."

Carentanias ambitions to a seat in the Security Council are well known. The Workers' Republic campaigns on a platform of global cooperation and is critical of the approach to the Batavian peacekeeping mission, which it says failed due to the members inability to work out compromises instead of presenting one-sided resolutions. Furthermore, Carentania is in support of a peace-resolution for the civil strife in Wazistan and hopes to uphold the ideals of peace within the Security Council. Carentania also campaigns with a greater involvement of the left-wing states into global cooperation and diplomacy through a seat for a reasonable, democratic and peaceful socialist state, which may improve the CoN's ability to mediate between conflict parties that are politically left.

However, there is one worse possibility: that the Talemantine Empire is indeed planning to end the longstanding period of peace Carentania had been enjoying. "In that case," the Commissar explained "we will be sure to repeat the victory of 1943."

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Todays head story: following increasing worries about the safety of the copper supply for vital Carentanian industries, the Commissariate for Economic Planning announced today that its Office for Foreign Trade has finalized an agreement with Batavie which will secure copper supply for the following years. Carentanian engineers will aid the developement of mining operations on Windhoek Island, which will export their products to Carentania.

The agreement includes several highly progressive clauses to protect the mine workers of the complex that is to be built with Carentanian aid, granting important rights to the workers in face of an economy that is seeking to privatize on all other fields. Mine workers will receive job guarantuees and above average wages, which are flattened out to achieve a high level of equal pay amongst all those to work in the mines. Furthermore, the mining operation will be run as cooperative by the workers themselves, with a state guarantuee to prevent the workers from being held liable with their own property in case of bankruptcy.

The Windhoek Island mines will be a test-case for Carentanian industrial operations in other countries. "We insisted on workers rights to make it clear we are not coming to exploit," Commissar Goran Markovic explained the agreement. "Carentania will never operate in the ways Capitalists do. Those workers are our comrades, not mere labour force we wish to gain as cheap as possible."
Even though the Windhoek Island mines will deliver Carentania with copper at a fixed price below current market value, the deal doesn't come cheap to the Carentanians, who have to deliver expert knowledge and expensive machinery for the construction of the operation.

In other news: criticism of the European Defence Alliance grows after several incidents in the Council of Nations. Criticism of the EDF was censored by the new EDF-aligned Vice-Secretary, causing controversy about the decision.​

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Todays head story: the bodies of two boys, aged 11 and 12, have been found drifting in the Vrbas river today and all attempts by military doctors to revive the children failed. It is suspected the boys have been shot by Talemantine soldiers who mistook them for Carentanian infantry, then fallen into the Vrbas which carried them several kilometers until a military patrol, ordered to investigate the source of the sound of shooting, found them and dredged them out of the water. Both boys were later identified as sons of a family living at a village directly at the western Vrbas.

Commissar for Foreign Affairs Dusan Mejic was the first official to express his deep sadness over the incident and furthermore declared himself "outraged" at the death of two children. "The Talemantine forces had been given order to shoot at any Carentanian soldier attempting to cross the Vrbas. With such a trigger-happy policy, it was only a question of time until the lifes of innocent were taken." Recently the international community had been applauding a Talemantine publicity stunt: the country declared not to increase its military border presence. In fact, the Vrbas Kraj, remains one of the most militarized parts of the Talemantine Empire, with more than 100.000 soldiers being stationed in a mostly rural region and many public institutions under control of the Army.

The Workers' Republic has declared it will observe a mourning period of three days, with flags flying at halfmast. Many organizations furthermore declared their intention to hold mourning ceremonies and the funeral of the two boys may become a national gathering. The family of the two boys has declared it does not wish for an autopsy, but there are reports that officials of the Commissariate for Defence are trying to convince the parents to allow it to confirm whether or not the rumours about a Talemantine involvement in their death are true.

Meanwhile, pressure on the government to evacuate the border zone is rising. Thusfar, the Carentanian government has observed a policy of relative calm, as tensions about the Vrbas Kraj erupt almost every year. With two children dying due to the new Talemantine orders to shoot, the situation may, however, have changed. But while an evacuation may remain feasible for the rural border regions, the heavily populated city of Sisak may prove difficult to protect from further incidents.

In other news: as revolutionary socialist movements claim victory in Boluxia and Moskilde, hopes for a new resurgence of Communism in Europe are growing. The Commissariate for Foreign Affairs has declared its intention to foster cooperation and solidarity between the socialist governments, but also announced caution to see whether the countries will be headed the way of democracy or degenerate as states like Batavie have done in the past.​

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Todays head story: after the parents of the two children who died at the Talemantine border continued to refuse an obduction to clarify, wheter it were indeed Talemantine bullets that killed the boys, the funeral had been held today, attracting thousands of visitors from all over Carentania. The secular ceremony on a small graveyard near the small homevillage of the dead became an impressive symbol of the solidarity which Carentanias citizens shared, with many more mourning ceremonies being held across the country and a nationwide minute of silence at 12:00 o'clock.

Meanwhile, the Talemantine Empire observes an awkward silence regarding the incident, not releasing a single comment on the tragedy which may have been caused by its soldiers. Tensions between Carentania and its southern neighbour have risen over the incident, sparking protests at the Talemantine embassy. Many feel that the Talemantines Empire interpretation, that a state of war exists between the neighbours as Carentania refuses to acknowledge the Talemantine ownership of the Vrbas Kraj, is bearing a direct responsibility for the death of the two children.

Commissar for Foreign Affairs Mejic has called upon the Talemantines to abandon their shooting order. The Empire has ordered their soldiers in the Vrbas region to "shoot any Carentanian soldier that crosses the Vrbas." It has been speculated that Talemantine soldiers mistook the children for Revolutionary Guards. Carentania has given Talemantros 48 hours to withdraw the order to its soldiers or face consequences. There has been no comment available as to the exact nature of these consequences.

Following public demands, the Commissariate for Defence also announced it will organize a detailed evacuation plan within the next days and investigate on the feasibility of installing a restricted security zone along the border, to prevent further incidents like the death of the two children. However, firefights between Talemantine forces and Carentanian border patrols may erupt at any time as long as the Talemantine shooting policy stands, the Commissar warned.

In other news: while Carentania manages to secure safe ressource supplies and enjoys overall economic growth, the Vrbas crisis threatens to force an economic downturn in Talemantros, with Danziger traders speculating against the Himyarite nation. Though capitalism usually profits from the horrors of war, it may force Talemantros to a more reasonable approach in this case.​