APwire ~ Affiliated Press News Agency

Directorate of the State
United States of Greater Serbovia

The Union is highly concerned over the ongoing events in Aresura. While hopeful that the state will one day wake up to achieve democratic reform, we also hope that excess and unnecessary bloodshed will be avoided.

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

BREAKING NEWS: Aresurai Capital of Smyrna Captured
AP International

Latest reports indicate that the Aresurai capital city of Smyrna has been captured by military forces loyal to Captain Joseph Constantine, who has been confirmed to be leading this nation-wide coup d'état. Casualties are still unclear at this time, but it is estimated over one hundred people, most of them loyalist soldiers, have lost their lives in the fighting.

For the first time in nine hours, select TV stations such as Aresurai National News (or ANN) began broadcasting again, all showing the same thing: a televised speech by Captain Constantine. In it, the Aresurai Captain has asked for calm and the cooperation of the people of Aresura to prevent further bloodshed, and called on loyalist forces throughout Aresura to lay down their arms and surrender to forces loyal to Constantine.

The Captain has also promised that an explanation for his actions and the actions of those loyal to him will be made shortly, not just for the Aresurai people but the international community as well. He has noted, though, that this uprising, "... is supported by a vast majority of the people. While they may not have expected action so soon and from the previously silent Defense Forces, they have been demanding an end to the corrupt, paralyzed Aresurai government as it currently stands, which has no regard for those territories and peoples it has conquered, and gives them false power, in a failed attempt to keep them blind to the daily injustices."

Fighting is ongoing throughout the rest of Aresura and remains unclear, although it seems that, with the fall of Smyrna, the advantage has swung to forces loyal to Constantine. Regardless, the threat of all-out civil war looms ever nearer as hours pass with no clear victor.

Economic turmoil continues as Ringgitt falls to lowest value since 1993
-AP International

The Unionist Party in Kayah Tanah came under fire today as the ISE confirmed that the Ringgitt was now at its lowest value since 1993, as recession continues to grip the country, despite substantial and generous investment packages guaranteed by the Kingdom of Warre. Long established as the "Party for Prosperity", the Unionists have been jeered in Parliament by their Opposition numbers, the Liberals, who accuse the Unionists of failing to use their own iniatitive to try and revitalise the Kayathna economy, which has stalled ever since Tourism began to decline in the mid-2000s, after the Volcanic eruption on Pengor Island scared many people away from the once pristine holiday resort located there, but has continued as cheaper, more competitive tourist sites opened elsewhere.

"I find it disgraceful that, after twenty years of trying to get the Ringgit taken seriously, the Unionists are still talking about relief from Warre. Warre has given plenty of help, but its time to consider other options." said noted Liberal Opposition member, Ng Heng To.

"It is clear to me that a more diverse array of foreign investment is needed, as is a Kayathans-first Economic revitalisation programme, to create more and diverse jobs outside of the long sidelined Tourism industry. Industry was what built Kayah Tanah, and a return to it in force would make us a serious economic contender once again."

Historically Kayah Tanah has long been a source of cheap rubber and petroleum goods, but this declined greatly in the 80s, leading to an attempt to promote Kayah Tanah as a tourist destination, and as a producer of cheap electronic goods. Whilst the Electronics market floundered and never took off, tourism kept the country prosperous, untill the Pengor Eruption in 2004.

BREAKING NEWS: Revolutionary Forces "on the verge of victory."
AP International

After the fall of Smyrna, reports have flooded in of loyalist pockets and strongholds surrendering to revolutionary military forces under the command of Captain Joseph Constantine. For many of these surrenders, however, comes one last burst of resistance, as loyalist forces have sabotaged military equipment, from infantry weapons to navy patrol boats, in an effort to keep them from falling into revolutionary hands and damaging their long-term military capabilities. Nevertheless, despite these efforts the momentum of revolution does not appear to be stopping anytime soon, and Captain Joseph Constantine, in a quick broadcast on Aresurai National News, has declared that his forces are "on the verge of victory."

In his declaration, he explained that, "The so-called 'loyalist' forces of Aresura are demoralized, unwilling to fight for the slave drivers masquerading as legitimate representatives of the people. I would not be surprised to learn that most are fighting only because if they don't, they'll be shot in the back by those urging them on. But now that they see the government is as corrupt and broken as previously thought, with the swift fall of the capital, they themselves have found the strength to refuse to fight their brothers and sisters. They shall be welcomed with open arms and guarantees of safety." As for reports of the loyalist's sabotaging efforts, Constantine has called such efforts "futile."

Most reliable reports indicate only two remaining strongholds of loyalists within Aresura: the old Imperial-era capital of Daeva, where it is rumored the government has fled after the fall of Smyrna, and the eastern island city of Axiflos, also possessing a formidable military base. While victory for the revolutionaries appears to be near, it is unlikely these two last strongholds can be taken without much bloodshed.

Ministry of External Affairs

The People's Republic of Vangala is deeply concerned about the inability of a certain player to keep to a particular idea or map spot, making a certain Brit look like a dumbass when he does an incorrect IC post.

Bantyric Trade Administration

Bantyr is looking to make a larger investment into Kayah Tanah, we feel that we may be able to help you with your economic troubles and employ your people in meaningful industrial jobs that will benefit bout of our nations. We propose a meeting with your officials to open up a larger trade and investment agreement.

BREAKING NEWS: Daeva, Aresurai Loyalist Stronghold, Falls
AP International

With alarming speed, resistance in the old Imperial capital of Aresura, Daeva, has completely collapsed. There are also, as of now unconfirmed, reports that the Aresurai government failed to escape and are being held captive by rebel forces, but there have been no announcements of such by rebel news outlets at this time. On the other hand, news broadcasted from Axiflos, the last remaining loyalist stronghold in Aresura, have remained silent on the issue as well, fueling much speculation on the status of the besieged government.

Regardless of the government's personal status, the capture of Daeva is a decisive victory for rebel forces, as, aside from Axiflos, there are no more major pockets of resistance remaining in either mainland Aresura or the archipelagos. This fact was not lost in a brief speech by Joseph Constantine, who praised "the courage of the forces loyal to change, and to those loyalist soldiers who have seen the futility of their resistance to an unstoppable force. Only Axiflos, blinded by the lies of the past, stands against us, and they too shall fall quickly, no matter their claims of fighting to the last man."

As said, no mention was made of the status of Aresurai government officials by either Constantine or loyalist military officers in Axiflos, captured, escaped or dead. Why this is so is uncertain, but considering the recent fall of Daeva, its entirely possible they are, as of now, unaccounted for, and such news would not be beneficial to any side.

EDIT: OOC: XD Vangala. I deeply apologize, I really do. Your post was a nice save regardless.

Constitutional State dispatches naval forces to Boreas
AP Nokanawa

As reports of the fall of Daeva come in and the democratic government in Aresura finds itself under increasing pressure by insurgent forces, a spokesman for the Ministry of Revolutionary Defense and Foreign Affairs has confirmed reports that have began circulating in the Touzen press that the Touyou-based democracy had decided to dispatch a carrier group to the international waters near Aresura "to closely monitor military movements, maintain the integrity of international trade and to coordinate its agenda with democracies in the area."

Thus far, neither President Kaname nor Foreign Minister Hosokawa have personally commented on the actions the government has decided to take, but a press conference has been scheduled for later this evening, the topic having been set as "current events".

The world is left to wonder whether Kaname, who was elected on promises to defend democracy domestically and abroad, will now make good on his campaign promises as hardline defenders of the Constitutional State's doctrine of Permanent Revolution are pressuring the young leader to put his electoral platform into action.

Foreign Minister Hosokawa was said to have been in calls with regional counterparts from Anglyn, Guitania, Aquitania and Serenierre to discuss the unfolding events in Aresura.

Commissariate for Foreign Affairs

The continued unrest within Aresura is a purely internal matter and should not become a pretense for imperialist nations throughout Europe to intervene in the complicated conflict. We expect PASILA to respect this and not set a bad example for other states to follow.

Carrier group deployment by Serbovian navy after similar Touzen moves
AP Karelingrad

The Stavka has confirmed earlier anonymous reports indicating the deployment of the aircraft carrier IVK Vladimir Rushkin and its escort group, as well as the amphibious taskforce based around assault ships IVK Alexander Tännhauser and IVK Mikhail Nekrasov to Boreas in the wake of similar moves by the Serbovian ally of Touzen.

In relation to growing unrest in Aresura, Touzen earlier announced its deployment of a carrier battle group to international waters near the country, and the Serbovian move is thought by analysts to be strongly related to that. However, Stavka head Commander-General Gennadi Telashnikov refused any such claims, saying merely that the group's intent was to safeguard an evacuation of Serbovian and allied civilians from the country. Telashnikov said that "there are strong hints that the situation in the country could destabilize into an overt civil war."

The Vladimir Rushkin carrier group includes 32 Yu-29M maritime fighters and eight Yu-8 maritime bombers, while anonymous Stavka sources also say that the 38th Naval Infantry, a crack marine unit, has deployed aboard the two amphibious assault ships and two transports attached to the group.

Loyalist-Coalitionist forces clash with Mujahideen, protestors over food scarcity
AP Aqaba

Blood fighting erupted between troops of the newly installed Loyalist-Coalitionist government in the central provinces of Menkar and Mohenjo-Daro over food scarcity and a breakdown in government services, healthcare and adequate police protection. In the city of Ishfahan, capital of Menkar province, protestors were attacked by security forces and several local Auxiliary Police brigades. AP journalists in the area have reported casulties but exact numbers were not given by the government. Local citizens speak of 'at least' 30 casulties, others speak of higher numbers. The food situation in Menkar and Mohenjo-Daro has been difficult but tensions have exploded after Mahmoud Reza Kahn was toppled during a coup a week ago. Reza Kahn has, reportedly, fled to Mujahideen controlled lands north of Menkar, in Ban or Kush.

Ever since the tri-party Loyalist-Coalitionist coup gained power in Trans-Nineveh, unrest has been flaring up all over the country. Colonel Idriss Ould Mozadegh, a former close associate of Reza Kahn, said that `unfortunately our country has become a dichotomy of Kahnists and the rightful leaders of Trans-Nineveh, namely, us. We cannot change this, Kahn has served his purpose and we did the right thing by booting him from the old imperial palace. It shall be restored and the Coalition Government will be ressurected.' It remains unclear when parliamentary elections will be held, or even if they are going to be held. So far, the entente of Mozadegh, Muratti and Taxíl holds a firm grip over most urbanized areas, the navy and most important parts of the Revolutionary Airforce, as well as all areas of economic activity. Terrorist attacks are on the rise in many provinces, fuelled by discontent over a tougher stance on islamic fundamentalism.

Rebels Call For Ceasefire and Negotiations With Axiflos Loyalists
AP International

In a televised speech today, Captain Joseph Constantine, de facto leader of the Aresurai rebel forces, has called for a ceasefire with all loyalist forces hostile to the rebels, and announced his willingness for negotiations to take place between him and representatives of the loyalist forces in Axiflos, the last major stronghold. "The bloodshed must end, and it must end now." he said in his speech. "Our great nation, our great people, must not be forced to keep tearing ourselves apart from the inside. I ask that loyalist forces enter peaceful negotiations with me in Smyrna to put an end to the fighting, and bring peace, prosperity, and partnership to our land once more."

Political analysts say that this call for a ceasefire and negotiations is calculated and timely: the rebel forces have a clear advantage in the ongoing struggle, so should the loyalists accept the offer of negotiations, they would have a weak bargaining position, a scenario that must have Constantine gleeful. The Captain may also be counting on the consequences of refusal to negotiate. Having extended the olive branch, no matter how calculated it actually is, the ball has been placed in the loyalists' court, and willingness to fight on may be damaging to their popular support and international support.

But these same analysts say, however, that the real reason a ceasefire has been called for is that it is a response to the deployment of two carrier battle groups to Borean waters by PASILA alliance members Serbovia and Touzen. Such a deployment has clearly rattled the morale of the rebel forces, their rhetoric shifting from belligerent confidence to calls for a ceasefire and negotiations. International intervention in Aresura must be feared by rebel forces, and rightly so: as stressed numerous times before, rebel power in Aresura appears strong, but is in fact fragile, and should they suffer a major defeat, let alone numerous ones, popular support, or at least, popular neutrality, could collapse.

The response of loyalist forces to calls for a ceasefire and negotiations has yet to be made, but with the PASILA deployment, Aresurai loyalists have the choice of accepting with the hope of a better bargaining position than previously hoped for by the rebels, or rejecting them, counting on international intervention to help militarily break rebel power.

Still, while their position may be improved, the amount of territory they hold and the captivity of the Aresurai government means the loyalists are still at a disadvantage, and they must choose their next move very carefully.

Wargames Postponed, Battle groups from the wargames diverted to Aresura to protect mediators.
AP Geimhridhtiht

The Kingdom of Warre announced that it's newest Heli-carrier, along with another Mystra class heli-carrier and the entire battle group which was stationed near Caorachstyr for the impending war games, are being diverted to Aresura. With numerous sightings of the Warreic and Bantyric battle groups moving towards Aresura to promote peaceful and legitimate mediation between the rebel forces ['interim government' by the Warreic government] and the incumbent government.

The Warreic Government is moving it's battle group from the waters off of Caorachstyr to help facilitate peaceful mediation within the Aresuran civil war. When asked why the government had not announced it's attempt to mediate this conflict to the ongoing fleets from Pasila memberstates Touzen and Serbovia, the Warreic King commented on, 'It slipped our mind, like Touzen's mind slipped any attempt to involve us in helping solve this problem in Boreas, when we are one of the oldest nations within that region.'

Talk Of Peace Grinds To A Halt In Aresura, Limbo Prevails
AP International

The peace talks haven't even started, and already snags have been hit. The biggest one happens to be the location of the peace talks, with both sides claiming their strongest cities, Smyrna and Axiflos for the rebels and loyalists respectively, as the best place to host such peace talks. With the announcement from four different nations that they are sending a grand total of five carrier battle groups, three coming from the loyalist-friendly PASILA alliance and two from the Celtic nations of Warre and Bantyr who have expressed support for the rebels, the international community has also made the situation even more complicated. The announcement of diplomatic mediators being shipped over to Aresura by Warre has also caused a stir in the loyalist camp, a spokesman from Axiflos going on record saying "We do not want nor need rebel friendly mediators bullying us into an agreement we cannot accept." Their tone matches that of the rebels, going by a speech made by Joseph Constantine where he condemned PASILA deployment as "Overreactive attempt by meddling foreign powers to stifle the voice of the people crying for change from a government that finds itself unwilling or unable to listen."

Nevertheless, rhetoric from both sides, as a result of the incoming presence of five carrier battle groups, has been scaled back significantly compared to a few days ago. No longer is there belligerent talk of complete victory through military means from either side, even the loyalists. In that regard, the deployment of carrier battle groups to the troubled area has been a complete success in restoring at least some peace and order.

Still, the tension from both sides is quite visible, and based on scattered reports throughout Aresura, the people themselves are confused and frightened by the ever-changing situation, now made all the more serious by a very real threat of international intervention in the crisis. It has also been reported that representatives of both the loyalists and rebels are in constant talks with one another, attempting to work out a suitable compromise.

Compromise Reached In Location of Peace Talks: the Council of Nations
AP International

With international pressure mounting on both the Aresurai loyalists and rebels, negotiators from both sides, while unwilling to cave in to the others demands, were quick to turn to the most neutral international ground possible for peace talks: the Council of Nations in Augsburg, Wiese. Such an agreement was reached only a few hours ago, spokesmen from both sides said, and included in the agreement was that, alongside professional negotiators, both sides would send their de facto leaders to the talks, symbolizing how important this event is. The fact that it will be held in the Council of Nations, Europe's most prestigious international body, is not lost on analysts. "This is without a doubt, the best way to make these talks, and more importantly its outcome, legal in the eyes of the international world."

For the leaders in question, from the rebels would be Captain Joseph Constantine, who for the past couple of days has unleashed an onslaught of campaigning in most of rebel controlled Aresura, "Much like a political campaign on steroids" one analyst said, who nevertheless added it was one of the smartest things he could do. "Now that rebel military control over most of Aresura is at least partially secured, this is the best time for Captain Constantine to assist his political wing in spreading the message of why the coup occurred, and more importantly, why it was necessary. A few jabs at the PASILA alliance wouldn't be out of order either. Constantine is looking ahead, into the future, no matter how these negotiations turn out."

As for the loyalists, rebels have agreed to release Prime Minister George Alevras from captivity like the rest of the Aresurai government in order to play a key role in the negotiations. Initially, this looks like a concession from the rebels, and a rather severe one at that. In the agreement, the rebels noted that this is a permanent release, and they do not expect the Prime Minister to willingly return to captivity. In essence, he is a free man, and a key bargaining chip has been lost. One notable political analyst, however, disagrees. "First off, this shows that the rebels are magnanimous, and willing to do what it takes to secure peace in Aresura without foreign intervention, something that is no longer desired by any side, even the loyalists, considering Warreic and Bantyric carrier battle groups are sitting alongside PASILA forces. Second, this shows the confidence of the rebels in their overall position in Aresura. They control most of the country and most of the government. They feel they can give up a key chip and still have enough to have a clear upper hand in the negotiations."

"Last, but most certainly not least, I feel as though the Prime Minister had many words with Captain Constantine before his release. How he will behave during negotiations is, really, a mystery. Will he support the loyalists? Of course. But I wouldn't be too surprised if he shows more willingness to listen to rebel demands than his colleagues from Axiflos. How? Why? One can only guess, but I very seriously doubt he was left to sit in whatever holding cell he was in without being bombarded by Constantine's propaganda... or explanations, if you're a rebel."

Regardless of the reasons, a joint petition has been officially made to the Council of Nations to allow the international body to host the talks between the two sides in Aresura. How exactly the negotiations will play out is, as of now, unclear, though initial speculation is that all international parties present will serve only as observers to these talks.

Secretariat of Foreign Relations

We welcome the release of PM Alevras and the decision to hold negotiations in Augsburg. It is our hope that the situation should be resolved at the earliest.

Negotiations On-Going. Solution "Close."
AP Augsburg

In Augsburg, the tone of the talks was, while strained, cordial and at times almost pleasant, a sharp contrast to the rhetoric of the two sides in Aresura before the ceasefire. With the eyes of the international world on both the rebels and the loyalists, now amplified within the building that houses the largest international body in Europe, it is really no surprise that the threats and insults, once common in the broadcasts of Captain Joseph Constantine or the loyalists in Axiflos, are now shoved under the surface, though never completely absent.

In the talks themselves, Constantine, de facto leader of the Aresurai rebels, laid out the grievances that led to the coup d'état. "For half a century, the Republic of Aresura has ground to a halt while the world marches forward. Our government is fundamentally broken, for we have no executive, no separate judicial branch. All we have is a powerful legislature, whose individual members have too much power. Should one thing in a resolution not be to their liking, with a simple word they and a handful of others can send the attempt to move forward crashing down. The Aresurai people are no longer adequately represented, they did not elect their representatives to the legislature to maintain the status quo. The constant demonstrations and occasional riots for reform make that intent crystal clear. Yet, in the face of popular appeal for reform, the representatives find themselves unable, or occasionally unwilling, to heed their cries. Though efforts are made, they are half-hearted, and none ever make it past voting. The time for hoping the legislature will finally fix itself is over. It must be dissolved, and our Constitution rewritten, so that Aresura can become a force in the international world, as it should be, rather than a backwards, ineffective, isolationist smudge on the map."

Prime Minister Alevras, meanwhile, questioned the true intentions of the rebels. "What I fear most is not reform, but where that reform comes from. What I fear is that our legal democracy, slow to action as it is, will be replaced by a military junta that goes against all the tenets of freedom, political and civil. It is not the people themselves who led this coup, but a dissident faction within the military, and I fear that giving them too much power will end in a scenario that brings Aresura, not reform, but ruin. The international community is on our side, go to one of our beaches and observe the three mighty carrier battle groups from PASILA that watch over the self-destruction the military has brought upon us. The international community wants a democracy, not a military junta, and so do the Aresurai people."

One of the key concerns of the loyalists regarded the rest of the current government, as of today still in rebel captivity. As Prime Minister Alevras put it, "Should we be forced to recognize the rebels as the legitimate government, I don't want to be rewarded by imprisonment, exile, or execution on trumped up charges." Captain Constantine, however, has indicated his willingness to respect the Prime Minister's wishes. "No matter the corruption that is pervasive through the current government of Aresura, I like others can recognize that many involved in the current ineffectiveness of our government are unwilling participants in its impotency, and especially those who have made efforts to respect the will of the people should not be punished for that." As for the fears of a military junta replacing democracy, Constantine dismissed such claims immediately. "All involved here want democracy, there can be no question of that. The differences that separate us, is that you want the status quo, and we want a stronger democracy. A more active democracy. A democracy that listens to the people and acts, rather than wallows in the bureaucratic morass that it has placed itself in. We cannot fear government, for if we do, we will be unable to do anything collectively. No matter if it's on the local level, the province, the national, or the international."

Despite the arguments, however, spokesmen for both sides claim that a solution is "Close", and assurances have been made that, by tomorrow, talks would be concluded separately. It helps that all involved are getting few breaks, as per initial agreement between negotiators. "Stalemate cannot continue." as one negotiator for the rebels said. "We must bring peace and unity to Aresura before the international community involves itself in our affairs. This is our problem, and it must be us who fix it."