APwire ~ Affiliated Press News Agency

Ministry of Revolutionary Defense and Foreign Affairs

The Constitutional State expressed mild concerns over the announcements of the Vangalan government to pursue a nuclear energy program and the possible security risks coming from such a move. The Constitutional State requests the Vangalan government to specify on its nuclear ambitions, to present the Vangalan government's assessment of the dangers of establishing a nuclear program and to clarify on the current policy of Vangala in regards to pursuing a nuclear deterrent.

Controversial police brutality case postponed due to evidence issues
AP Karelingrad

A criminal case being brought up against four members of the Serbovian Gendarmerie for January's death of 24-year old Seoran immigrant worker Kim Dae-Chun in Gendarmerie custody has been delayed until April. While the trial was originally scheduled to take place next week, sources in the Gendarmerie said that the investigative magistrate in charge of the case had requested additional time to review evidence in the case.

The Chief Investigative Magistrate of the Serbovian military, Brigadier Feodor Vladikov, refused to publicize the reasons for the delay in the trial, with the case having taken place under confidentiality. As formal members of the Serbovian military, trials concerning members of the Gendarmerie take place under tighter press regulations than trials concerning regular police officers, and Serbovian press has only referred to the officers in question by their ages and first initials. As members of the military, Gendarmes are tried for serious offenses at the Court of the Judge Advocate General, a military court-martial.

The investigative magistrate alleges that the four members of Karelingrad Gendarmerie facing charges used their batons to cause severe wounds to Kim Dae-Chun, which eventually led to his death in police custody. Two defendants are charged for second-degree murder and dereliction of duty, while the other two are charged for aiding and abetting in second-degree murder and dereliction of duty.

Within Karelingrad's community of Seoran immigrants, the case has caused a significant stir and it is worried that the delay might might manifest in problems in Northern Karelingrad, which houses a significant community of Seoran immigrants. Complaints over random ID checks carried out by the Gendarmes and the regular police are a common place, as are claims of racist behavior by law enforcement officers.

Directorate of the State
United States of Greater Serbovia

The Union echoes the concerns presented by its allies in Touzen and calls for Vangala to ensure that any results of its nuclear ambitions will be open and transparent to international observers.

Regards,
Hon. Mr. Petar Nikolich,
Director of the State,
United States of Greater Serbovia

পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রক
Ministry of External Affairs

Nuclear energy is essential to Vangala's development and prosperity. The People's Republic of Vangala has no intention to construct criminal nuclear weapons and such suggestions are offensive and based on unjust fears and successful enemy propaganda.

Sinese Military Warns Vangala Against Nuclear Programme
AP International

The head of the Imperial Sinese Armed Forces has issued a warning against the Vangalan regime's mission to acquire nuclear power for ostensibly civilian purposes. General Varanai Van stated that the Empire would "be forced to respond" should the Vangalan administration pursue it's current agenda.

The statement, though not backed by the Imperial Assembly or Household, carries much weight as the Imperial military represents a significant political player in Imperial domestic politics. Independent sources within the Empire suggest that government bloggers have already begun a campaign of incitement designed to agitate popular opinion surrounding the issue, with several officials announcing on their websites their intentions to table proposals which will enact unilateral sanctions against the People's Republic, which has maintained a tenuous trading relationship with the Empire since the Communist Parties liberal economic reforms.

The Sinese military, already designated to receive a larger cut of the 2011 budget, may see further increases as the issue spurs popular opinion to pressure officials into further revisions. The military claims the principle threat from the Vangalan nuclear project primarily lies within rocket tests which were successfully launched by Kilkila in mid-2010. The Sinese military claims that Vangalan nuclear power would bring all new, much more catastrophic weapons to the Empire's door, the sort of power dynamic which would destabilize fragile regional relations.

USSK Office of Foreign Affairs

The Kryobaijani government supports its Vangalan comrades in their initiatives to develop peaceful nuclear power program, and will staunchly defend their sovereign right to invest in such energy infrastructure. The irrational and and paranoid fears of possible nuclear weapons proliferation in Vangala are ill-founded, and the international community has every reason to trust the responsible administration of the People's Republic.

Private communiqué to Kilkila

The Bashnya would be interested in supporting Vangala in its new nuclear ventures, and would like to discuss the the possibility of a joint development program. We would like to be sure that our allies can take this important in fossil-fuel independence with full confidence in the technology's safety and efficacy. To that end, Derjiste would be willing to offer technical assistance, professional guidance, blueprints, markets for equipment and materials, and general logistical assistance.

Directorate of the State
United States of Greater Serbovia

With all due respect, it is the belief of the Union Directory that the Kryobaijani government may not be the right and neutral party needed to correctly gauge Kilikia's intentions.

The Union supports peaceful nuclear energy as a right of all sovereign states, but at the same time recognizes the inherent risks should such technology should it fall into hands not interested in peace and prosperity. Furthermore, the Union warns that there is an inherent risk of greater regional tension and possible triggering of an arms race unless Vangala opens its nuclear program to international review.

Regards,
Hon. Mr. Petar Nikolcih,
Director of the State,
United States of Greater Serbovia

পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রক
Ministry of External Affairs

The People's Republic of Vangala rejects demands for an international investigation into our peaceful nuclear energy programme. An international investigation leaves us vulnerable to attacks by saboteurs and infiltration by foreign spies. The People's Republic of Vangala is being unfairly targeted by nations like Serbovia, who continue to accept the lies of Sinese propaganda, which is desperately trying to justify Sinhai's militarist politics and aggressive foreign policy.

Directorate of the State
United States of Greater Serbovia

Implying that first-world nations such as Serbovia, already possessing well-developed civil and military nuclear systems, would have the need to spy on a Vangalan nuclear program is curious at best. Indeed, Kilikia will best dispel 'Sinese propaganda' and rumors concerning the nature of their nuclear program by allowing the international community to see for themselves.

If this is not enough, then the Union Directory is ready to invite representatives of the Vangalan government to visit a Serbovian nuclear power plant in return for a reciprocal invitation.

Regards,
Hon. Mr. Petar Nikolich,
Director of the State,
United States of Greater Serbovia

:!: Jurzan accepted into the RDT
Sharjah, Jurzan

The entire Jurzani Nation seemed to be in cheer today as news spread that the Jurzan was accepted into the Revolutionary Defense Treaty. The new Government has installed many socialist programs, including the takeover of the Bank, Oil Industry, all insurance, healthcare, and mining. Interestingly enough, the education system is privatized. President Nadarejshvili, on the topic of nationalization, stated that it isn't the government's interest in nationalizing the economy, the Government simply wants to ensure equality and growth for all. And that it is unlikely any other industry will be nationalized.

The relationship with Carentania has long suggested eventual membership in the Revolutionary Defense Treaty, Khayrat even called it a "long delayed foreign policy decision." People filled the streets chanting "ṣ̌ayy d khdaa twfyqwnh srh Carentania" which translates to "May God's graces be with Carentania" while waving their flag.

President Nadarejshvili promised that now being a member of the Revolutionary Defense Treaty, the Second Jurzani Republic will see huge economic increases and an all around increase in the way of life.

Government use of fighter aircraft in Korela criticized
AP Karelingrad

After a Serbovian Air Force strike killed five people described by the authorities as Korelan separatist militants, local legistlators and human rights groups have voiced criticism over the military's sudden decision to use such heavy equipment in the area, which has seen a low intensity of separatist operations since the 2008 offensive which crippled most of the Korelan People's Army.

According to Serbovian military sources, one of the five killed was a terrorist leader responsible for planning and carrying out several attacks, one of which led to the death of three police officers in Sherbaty last week. The four others are believed to be his associates. Military sources described inability to assault the objective with regular forces and achieving surprise as the reasons for launching an air strike. A Yu-29 fighter dropped a 125kg guided bomb on the targeted farmhouse near the Eastern Border.

In Korelan Republican Parliament, representatives including Marek Korolweski of Communist Party-Vanguardist criticized the move. "This operation could have been carried out with conventional forces", Korolewski described, accusing Karelingrad of trying to escalate the situation in Korela and showing disregard towards civilian lives in the Republic. Korolewski also claimed that several civilians were killed during the attack. Korelan Minister-President Shrabat Nazarbayev said that he had not been informed of the military's decision to call in an air strike, and called for more communication between Karelingrad and local forces in Korela.

Expert analysts raise different points. Josif Ivanov, a Serbovian affairs analyst in the Franken-based Center of Crisis Studies, reminded that since the official end of the KPA insurgency in 2008 Serbovian regular forces had restricted their involvement in the relatively sparsely populated Republic to external defense providing support to the Korelan Republican Guards who have taken over most of the military studies in the area. "With the pace of attacks having grown since 2009 and 2010, it stands to reason that Karelingrad's worried that violence might be flaring up again", Ivanov said in a phone call with the AP, "Otherwise they wouldn't have resorted to such drastic measures."

Vangalan fighter jets intercept Sinese AWACs
AP International

Vangalan fighter aircraft were dispatched yesterday to intercept Sinese AWACs flying over the Padma Bay near Vangala's airspace, officials from the Ministry of National Defence have confirmed. The Vangalan pilots initially signalled before firing a series of warning shots, with the Sinese AWACs ending their patrols after the third round. Speaking at a press conference earlier today, National Defence Minister Nurul Banerjee refused to comment on whether the fighters were authorised to shoot down the Sinese planes if they did not comply.

Sinhai began reconnaissance missions monitoring international traffic to Vangala over concerns about the nature of Vangala’s nuclear programme. Sinhai fears Vangala may be intending to manufacture nuclear weaponry, which Vangala strongly denies, claiming it has entirely peaceful intentions.

This latest incident is likely to heighten regional tensions. In a televised speech, President Moheen Chatterjee described the AWAC patrols as a ‘provocation’ and warned against further patrols. The Ministry of National Defence also announced it would be increasing aerial and naval activity in the Bay of Padma. The prospect of a new conflict led to a poor performance in stock markets in Toyou and elsewhere and some economists have reduced growth forecasts for the region.

Sinhai and Vangala have had poor relations for decades and both nations support opposite sides in the Ratomkiran Civil War. Sinhai also accuses Vangala of supporting the People’s Independence Party, a left-wing Sinese insurgent group. Last year, Sinhai and Vangala came close to war after the sinking of a Vangalan ship, which Sinhai believed was transporting military supplies for insurgents. Vangala claims it was a scientific vessel researching migration patterns.

Directorate of the State
United States of Greater Serbovia

The Union urges calm from the parties involved but notes that the Vangalan government has itself engaged in an act of provocation by firing upon a foreign aircraft in international territory. Attempting similar measures upon Serbovian or allied aircraft will warrant an instant retaliation on behalf of the Union Forces.

Regards,
Hon. Mr. Petar Nikolich,
Director of the State,
United States of Greater Serbovia

Sinese 1st Fleet to Deploy Carrier Battle Group to Bay of Padma
AP Siraama

The Sinese Imperial Ministry of War has condemned actions taken by the Vangalan military against Sinese planes over international waters. In response, Sinese 1st Fleet, responsible for the defense of Western Sinese waters, has announced it's intent to deploy it's carrier, the ISS Yommathut to the Bay of Padma to ensure such incidents do not continue to occur.

The ISS Yommathut, a diesel-powered Gumpee Nimitr-class Aircraft Carrier which carries 22 jets, is designed to permit longer distance air power projection, and it is believed that the authorization of force may have been granted should future incidents occur in international waters.

Authorities suggest that AWAC's patrols will resume by nightfall, however the Ministry of War has stated that the carrier ISS Yommathut will not intervene with civilian shipping, and has guaranteed the security of merchant vessels bound both towards Vangala and Sinhai.

Commissariate for Foreign Affairs

We call upon the nation of Sinhai to stand down immediately and cease its aggressive posturing towards Vangala. While Vangalas actions may seem excessive, they are understandable in the light of continued military actions by Sinhese forces and we wish to stress the fact that an AWACS is a military plane and can thus, especially considering past incidents between Vangala and Sinhai, be considered threatening.
For the sake of peace, we call upon Sinhai to abandon the path to war it has chosen and return to diplomacy. Sinhai needs to immediately withdraw its military presence from Vangalas proximity and instead engage in talks to resolve the situation.

পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রক
Ministry of External Affairs

The Empire of Sinhai is committed to pursuing its self-destructive course of conflict with the People's Republic of Vangala. The deployment of a carrier battle group is an attempt to intimidate the people of Vangala into surrendering their independence but we will not have our internal affairs dictated to us by the bandits and murderers in Siraama. We warn Sinhai that the People's Armed Forces will not hesitate in using overwhelming firepower to destroy their ships and planes, should the territorial integrity of Mother Vangala be violated.

ราชกระทรวงการต่างประเทศ
กรมสารนิเทศ
Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Department of Information

The Empire has recognized that the People's Republic does not have a precedent for compromise on international issues, and therefore the Emperor does not believe that the People's Republic is capable of opening a dialogue with the Empire or other states over regional and global concerns relating to an expansion of nuclear power in Cathay.

The Empire has deployed a carrier battle group to the Bay of Padma to ensure the security of it's military forces within international waters, and has no intention to interfere with issues within Vangalan sovereign territory, and continues to maintain a stance of neutrality towards the People's Republic. However, should Vangalan military assets continue to interfere with Sinese operations in international waters, Sinese military units will be obligated to defend themselves.

ด้วยใจ
Chaokrom Chakrit Chattagan

Mujahideen rebels attack and kill mining camp, 12 expats slain
AP Aqaba

The Ministry of the Exterior has sent a diplomatic cable to all nations with activities within Trans-Nineveh to inform that a band of mujahideen had attacked a mining camp in the Ban province, killing 12 expats. Colonel Aristotle Parvin, former Minister of the Exterior, was replaced by Mohammed Ba'atur yesterday after allegations of 'gross negligence' and 'incompetence'. Ba'atur is known as an Islamist politician who has written several inflammatory pieces on ethnic divisions in Trans-Nineveh.

Despite his islamist background, he has sent heartfelt condolences to all involved. No nationalities were given to AP, citing 'privacy and diplomatic concerns'. Ba'atur pledged he will cut down all Mujahideen opposition 'sudden and without mercy', but also assured the international community that Trans-Nineveh is able to withstand the Islamist threat without foreign assistence.

This escalation of violence in the north comes as tensions grow within the Coalition Government during a major reshuffle of cabinet positions; the minstries of finance, interior, exterior, security and others have gotten new ministers who are, according to international analysts pro-Kahn after what can be described as an internal purge by Reza Kahn to undo foreign influence. It is unknown what exactly is happening within the presidential palace or cabinet, but some speculate that a conspiracy against Reza Kahn has been uncovered.

Funeral march of air strike casualties turns into a riot, leaving two dead
AP Karelingrad

The burial of the remains of a couple killed in last week's military air strike to take out a Korelan separatist leader near the town of Zaysan turned violent today as a result of what officials of the Korelan Republican Guard and the Corps of Gendarmes described as separatist agitation. Approximately two hundred of the thousand participants in a preliminary funeral march march clashed with Republican Guards and Gendarmes near Zaysan's Eastern Saints Church of the Holy Salvation, and security forces fired rubber baton rounds and tear gas grenades to break up the riot.

Hospital sources said that two people had been killed during the rioting, a 19-year old man to unspecified blunt force trauma and a 42-year old man as a result of a rubber bullet accidentally impacting his head. At least sixty participants of the funeral march were injured, and forty arrests were carried out in course of the operation. The Korelan State Police reportedly ordered the funeral of the killed farmer couple to be postponed until Friday in fear of further unrest.

The revelation that in addition to a separatist leader and two compatriots two civilians - a 31-year old farmowner and his 27-year old wife respectively - were killed in the farm airstrike has stirred discussion over Karelingrad's involvement in Korela. In the wake of controversy, a cross-party delegation of the Korelan Parliament has reportedly set off to Karelingrad to petition the Nikitin Administration to investigate the circumstances behind the air strike. Minister-President Shrabat Nazarbayev has reportedly discussed the matter with Regent Alexei Nikitin through his own channels.

The air strike incident has a sectarian slant to it as well. The killed civilian couple were supporters of the Serbovian branch of the Keidan-originated Eastern Saints Movement, which has also been historically prominent among Korelan separatists and regionalists. At the same time, the majority of Korelan Republican Guards and police forces, as well as Union forces in the area, are Orthodox Christians. As a result, the air strike and its fallout have stirred discussion about sectarian bias among the security forces in Korela.

পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রক
Ministry of External Affairs

Calls by Serbovia for an international investigation into the internal affairs of Vangala look hypocritical with the recent massacre of civilians by the Serbovian military and it is becoming increasingly evident Serbovia and Sinhai are the greatest threats to peace, not the People's Republic.