"Gazetin de Vinèxia" - News from Vinedia

GRAND DUCHY OF NICHTSTEIN
FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY

The Grand Duchy of Nichtstein is happy to see peace and order return to Vinedia after the failed coup attempt. The Grand Duchy condemns without any doubt the putchist move by some fringe elements of the military and is happy to see the northern neighbour take a firm step in the direction of freedom, human rights and democracy.

The Grand Duchy offers its continued support to the Republic of Vinedia in its strife for modernisation in good neighborly spirit.

Also, please kindly disregard the tactical battlegroups of the Palatina Armoured Brigade on the northern borders of Nichtstein. Just the regular exercise Santa Lucia taking place within well established protocol and time frames.

While as true Marxists we remain weary of the existence and continuation of bourgeois democracy, we most definitely consider it a lesser evil than a reactionary junta which rules against the will of the people. We are glad to see stability return to the core of Germania and Gallia, and congratulate the Doge for his relatively peaceful victory.

Signed,
Petar Kujundzic
People's Commissar for External Affairs
Democratic Socialist Republic of

You must be registered for see links

Ministry of External Affairs

The Free State condemns any military usurpation of a democratic government and welcomes the return of Doge Ludovico.

However, the situation in Vinedia is clearly unstable and we urge all Trivodnian citizens to return home and advise against all but essential travel.

VINEDIA RELEASES HUNDREDS OF POLITICAL PRISONERS
VINÈXIA - The Republic of Vinedia has released from Ducal Prisons more than 240 political detainees under an amnesty that was the first official act by the Consejo de i Diexe (Council of the Ten, the Executive Body) after the attempted coup against Doge Ludovico Dandolo, who is currently in Shigo to attend an international meeting. The move is in net contrast with the past policies and influence of the now defunct Comisiòn par la Moralità Publica (Commission for Public Morality) a de-facto secret political police which enforced ultra-conservative customs and laws in Vinedia.

Televisiòn de Stato (State Television) said today that dozens more detainees were released across the country. Human-rights groups estimate that Vinedia has had about 400 "prisoners of conscience" in detention. Families and friends of the detainees began gathering at prisons after the Council of the Ten announced that prisoners would be released in the afternoon. Supporters greeted prisoners who were freed with flowers, cheers and hugs.

Most of the detainees were charged under an unlawful association law and undecent exposure, a Council of the Ten spokesperson said "There will be no more prisoners of conscience in Vinedia" he added. However, the spokesperson stressed that while there will be no such prisoners, individuals found guilty of committing violent crimes for political reasons should still serve their sentences. Vinedia is gradually emerging from two centuries of authoritarian aristocratic rule that resulted in internal oppression and international isolation.

Government of Serenierre | Commissariat for External Relations
We welcome the steps taken by the Republic of Vinedia in releasing the prisoners of conscience held in official custody. The Serenien Government endorses the stance adopted by the Council of Ten regarding the futility of crowding jails with non-violent offenders. The steps being taken by the Government of His Excellency The Doge are in accord with the conventions of our modern times and signal the start of a true renaissance in our esteemed neighbour's history.

Truly,
Bernard Cocteau
Commissar for External Affairs

MEET THE FANTERIA DA MAR: VINEDIA'S ELITE AMPHIBIOUS FORCES

You must be registered for see medias

VINÈXIA - He marched for miles carrying gear that weighs as much as he does, killed animals for food during survival training and practised jumping out of planes to get behind enemy lines. But Cristiano, a 19-year-old from the lagoon, will only concede that he's "pretty tough". He is part of the Fanteria da Mar (Marine Infantry), Vinedia's elite amphibious assault troops. "I wanted to do something bigger, the toughest the army could offer me," Cristiano says. "I wanted to see how far I could push myself." After six months, despite some "really low moments", he is determined to get through the course. Next up on the training schedule is close-combat fighting and offensive driving.

The Fanteria da Mar, as it is known in Vinedian, was set up in 853. Making it the oldest amphibious assault force in Europe, and one of the oldest military units in continuous operation. Military commanders here in Vinedia say that Vinedia's military history has been mostly centered around sea-land operations. And it was natural, for a city like Vinedia, to develope its own path on amphipious warfare.

What began in antiquity as a desperate attempt to defend the city from raiding pirate bands and slavic incursions, is now seen as a major success and a national pride. More than 300 men applied this year, providing a pipeline of elite amphibious soldiers that can be deployed at home or abroad. The hardest part so far has been "hell week", says Cristiano, a test of mental and physical strength involving long marches over several days with little time for rest, and minimum amounts of food and water. "They just see if you can handle the pressure when you're down," he says.

The young men are today practising fighting their way out of an urban ambush. They work in teams of two: taking cover behind burned-out tanks, providing suppressive fire with their sub-machine guns and throwing smoke grenades so the team can get out safely. Every time they hit one of the metal targets in the expanse ahead, a clear "ding" rings out, to the approval of Captain Giuliano Raimondi, who oversees their training. "To prepare them we try to give them the best training possible, as realistic as possible," the veteran special forces operator says. "We have them go through the exercises so many times that they are comfortable with it."

In between rounds, the men, who are all aged between 19 and 27, rest, and the dynamic changes completely. They sing, and joke around. Three men sprawl out on an equipment box, enjoying the brief downtime. Later they light a fire, and get a barbeque going. This is the Fanteria da Mar, defending the Republic for over thousand years.