APwire ~ Affiliated Press News Agency

[Dagomba]

Mabutu-Ahwari Skirmish Leaves 20 Dead
AP Nya Ängelstad

Tensions related to the delimitation of farmland and grazing fields led to a skirmish this Sunday between the villagers of Al-Habish, populated by the marsh Uroduah, and of Telemo, populated by the Mabutu. According to police sources, the conflict was provoked when a young Mabutu shepherd was severely beaten up and his lifestock stolen by Al-Habish villagers for presumably grazing on fields belonging to Ahwari farmers. In retalliation, a group of Telemo villagers armed with machettes and hunting rifles mounted a raid upon Al-Habish, burning farm fields and homes and attacking people on sight. In the confrontation between armed people from both villagers, twenty are confirmed dead, dozens more wounded.

According to police, violence ceased with the arrival of Home Guards from the 27th Battalion, nicknamed the “Spearheads”. Witness accounts on the ground differ from the official version and claim that members of the 27th Battalion actually provided transportation to Mabutu villagers and set up a perimeter around the village, turning fleeing people back.

Inter-ethnic tensions are high in the arid reaches of northern Sahir, where Mabutus and Ahriwis live intermingled in a complicated mozaic. Mabutu villagers have been complaining about the growing pressure from Ahriwi farmers, who are moving further up north to escape the desertification brought upon by the advancing dunes of Sahir. Despite the tensions outbursts of violence as the one on Sunday are rare and the Home Guard units deployed in the area usually manage to keep things calm. However, many dispute the exact role of the Home Guard in the region, citing numerous cases of abuse and criminal behaviour by Home Guards.

 

[Serbovia]

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.

Directorate of the State
United States of Greater Serbovia

The Union considers allegations that a 'massacre' has occured to be utterly ridiculous, especially given the status of the accusors as the servants of a single-party Communist regime as opposed to the servicemen of the Union Forces, citizens commanded by citizen officers answerable to the democratically elected government of the Union.

Given the circumstances behind the March 16th air strike, no one could have anticipated any presence of civilians at the scene of the attack, and we note to the Vangalan government that the action's purpose was the neutralization of a Korelan terrorist responsible for several killings within the Republic between 2009 and 2011.

The mere fact that the Vangalan government would try to use such a human tragedy to deflect away international attention from its own dubious policies serves as a proof of the vulturish character of the regime in Kilkila. No tragedy, no coincidence of unfortunate circumstances is so great that it could not be used as a political tool by the Communist aparatchiks of this regime.

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

 

[Josepania]

The Deafening Silence of the "Hermit Empire"
AP Bisera

Despite everything that goes on in the world today, including but not limited to Solaris calls for religious terrorism upon Nicosia, trade embargoes and military saber rattling by Warre and Bantyr over the Batavian occupied island of Windhoek, named Caorachstyr by the Celtic nations, and increasingly erratic actions both internal and external by the revolutionary government of Trans-Nineveh, the Imperial Government of the Axifloan Empire remains silent, as it has done for several decades. There are no open diplomatic cables sent out to Europe, rarely any national news makes its way to international hands. In short, the Empire takes its self-imposed isolationism very seriously, becoming what some call the "Hermit Empire" of Europe.

Not even renewed pirate radio broadcasts of Collectivist Radio News by Axifloan exile Alexander Constantine have caused a notable stirring within the Empire. At least here, one would think the Empire would take such a thing seriously, due to the open proclamations in each broadcasts that a leftist revolution in the Empire is at hand, but so far there has been no response. Is the Imperial Government truly cut off from the rest of Europe, or are they listening to every single word carefully, and choose to not respond to any? It's unclear, and unlikely to become clearer anytime soon due to the Empire's banning of AP news and other international news agencies such as Reuters.

The only government we can be reasonably sure the Empire regularly communicates with is Engellex, and all those diplomatic wires are heavily encrypted. This comes as little shock, considering Engellex has the most at stake economically within the Empire, possessing a de facto monopoly over the latter's coal resources. Yet whenever asked about anything having to do with the Empire, spokesmen in the Engellex government dance around the issue, or occasionally choose to completely ignore the questions. It is clear, regardless, that Engellex has taken the same vow of silence the Axifloan Empire has in regards to anything having to do with the latter.

Alexander Constantine, through all his ideological ramblings, perhaps described the Empire best at one point in a previous broadcast. "... the Axifloan Empire, my friends, is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma, covering a paradox..."

 

[Serbovia]

Retired military commander calls for air strike against Vangalan nuclear targets
AP Karelingrad

A former head of the Serbovian armed forces has caused controversy by advocating pre-emptive air strikes against the Communist state of Vangala in a recent interview with a Serbovian military paper. Currently an independent Privy Councellor and a Life Duke of Eastern Volinia, Commander-General (ret.) Alexander Buinov served as the Supreme Commander of the Union Forces between 1997 and 2006 before transferring the mantle to the present commander, Commandant-General Gennadi Telashnikov.

"I think that it is plain and obvious that if Vangala gets the bomb, then the RDTO will follow, and then I think that our security will be at a direct risk especially with the Denisovan entrance into that group", Buinov said in an interview with the Gardiya, an important Serbovian magazine on defense policy and military development, "I know a lie when I see one, and we're right now talking about one. If their (Vangalans) nuclear program was peaceful, then why all the secrecy and hostility towards the rest of the world about it? We are also talking about one of the most militarized states in the world here."

Discussing tactical circumstances related to carrying out such a strike, Commander-General (ret.) Buinov said that "cruise missiles from a submarine or a strategic bomber" would present a low-casualty option for the Serbovian military. The Directorate of the State and the Stavka, the Serbovian military command, declined to comment on Buinov's statements but said that political
measures constituted the primary measure of nuclear non-proliferation at this time.

Buinov, a veteran of the 1970s Jurchen Intervention and the Korelan Insurgency, is still highly popular among veterans and servicemen of the Serbovian military and an active figure in Serbovian security policy discussion through his membership in the Privy Council. As a result, his comments have drawn attention in Serbovia, where several "hawk" politicians have suggested similar measures against the risk posed by Vangala's nuclear program.

 

[Polesia]

Ministry of External Affairs

The People's Republic of Vangala will not be scared into surrendering our independence and right to pursue a peaceful nuclear programme by the wild and bloodthirsty of rhetoric of foreign militarists. We demand Alexander Buinov is removed from all positions of responsibility if Serbovia wishes to maintain working bilateral relations.

 

[Serbovia]

Directorate of the State
United States of Greater Serbovia

Under the Imperial Constitution, removal of life peerage bestowed by the Sovereign with the consent of the Union Council can only occur upon a life peer's will, his or her renounciation of Union Citizenship or his or her conviction to imprisonment for criminal offenses.

Democratic states do not 'remove' people for exercising their freedom of speech, a fact obviously lost in Vangala.

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

 

[Polesia]

Ministry of External Affairs

Serbovian claims to be a modern democratic state are laughable. Serbovia's feudalist system is dominated by ageing aristocrats and aggressive reactionaries. We find it alarming Serbovia is also defending Alexander Buinov and his outrageous threats. The People's Republic of Vangala is entitled to nuclear power like all other nations and nothing will not stop us.

 

[Serbovia]

Directorate of the State
United States of Greater Serbovia

First, the Union is obliged to defend the constitutional rights of all its citizens, including freedom of speech and self-expression. In a state based on the post-Enlightement principles of individual rights, this does not equate to the defense of a person's opinions itself.

Second, the Union Directory and His Excellency the Regent are answerable to the Union Council, which in its both chambers includes 681 representatives elected directly by the people or elected indirectly through Union and state-level organs. Only 103 representatives are appointed by other means.

Third, the Union does not object to the use of civil nuclear power. As long as Vangala insists on arguing otherwise when addressing international concerns of military non-proliferation this can only increase our suspicions.

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

 

[Touzen]

Ministry of Revolutionary Defense and Foreign Affairs

The Vangalan government's willingness to openly call for censorship is alarming and raises suspicions about censorship going in the People's Republic in regards to the nature of its nuclear program.

 

[Polesia]

Foreign dignitaries invited to Vangalan nuclear plants
AP International

A list of nations invited to visit the construction sites of Vangala's nuclear energy plants was revealed by Vangalan External Affairs Minister Ajoy Qamaruzzaman today in a televised statement defending the country's nuclear programme. In the address he also denounced Serbovia, Sinhai and Touzen for their criticism of the People's Republic. Ambassadors of the invited nations had been informed hours before the announcement and rumours were beginning to spread on the internet and in the media.

The list includes Carentania, Coronado, Denisova, Franken, Hajr, the Jurzan, Kassiopeia, Khalistan and Kryobaijan. All except Franken, Hajr and Khalistan are members of the Revolutionary Defence Treaty Organisation, an alliance of socialist states. Franken is the former colonial power and largest aid donor and Vangala enjoys warm relations with Hajr and Khalistan. Hajr is also the main oil supplier and home to a large Vangalan immigrant workforce. Khalistan is culturally close with Vangala and the two have co-operated in the Council of Nations previously.

Some have interpreted the move as an attempt to compromise with nations like Serbovia and Touzen who are demanding an international investigation into Vangala's nuclear programme. Leading scientists from the invited countries have been encouraged to attend the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed. Vangala's leadership is hoping they will validate claims the programme is entirely peaceful.

None of the invited nations have confirmed publicly, and the international community has yet to respond.

 

[Serenierre]

Secrétariat des Relations Internationales

We welcome this announcement and hope that stability returns to Cathay.

Sincerely,
Mme. Elisabeth Mercelierre
Secretary of International Relations​

 

[Khemia]

ราชกระทรวงการต่างประเทศ
กรมสารนิเทศ
Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Department of Information

The Empire is not amused by the farcical gesture made by the People's Republic of Vangala in it's mockery of the Empire's appeal to rationality and peace. The admittance of a sleu of nations which all share nominally warm ties with the People's Republic is nothing but a rubber stamp to find approval from those states fundamentally opposed to the expansion of nuclear power. Of those non-Socialist nations listed, the People's Republic of Vangala has a substantial amount of economic leverage over. All three nations, whose economies are far larger than supported by their domestic populations, rely on the human resources of the People's Republic, and would suffer greatly for any slander against the party. Furthermore, it is the Empire's opinion that the EDF is using the People's Republic as a geopolitical proxy, given their weak position in the region - and therefore, a friendly eastern nuclear power would be beneficial.

As such, the fair and impartial ability of these so-called "third parties" to observe inconsistencies in the so-called "civilian plants" is a complete sham meant to undermine the credibility of the argument maintained by the Empire against Vangalan nuclear technology. The Empire warns again: should Vangala pursue nuclear power, the Empire will be forced to take measures to preserve the integrity of the region.

ด้วยใจ
Chaokrom Chakrit Chattagan

 

[Hesperia]

Diwan of Foreign Affairs

We object strongly to the condescending and insulting language emanating from Siraama. We are not dependent on any nation for our independence or prosperity, and Sinhai would do well to remember this.

We can assure the Sinhese government that the judgment of our observers will be fair and neutral to all parties. The current rhetoric and actions of your government is clearly destabilizing the region and threatening global peace, and we strongly urge you to take the outstretched hand of the Vangalan government.

 

[Polesia]

পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রক
Ministry of External Affairs

The visit to the construction sites of the nuclear power plants is an opportunity for foreign nations close to Vangala to witness the peaceful nature of the nuclear energy programme and celebrate the technological achievements of the People's Republic. Vangala does not have to appease arrogant nations like Sinhai by complying with the unacceptable demands for an international investigation into our internal affairs.

 

[Großlausitz]

Das Auswärtige Amt

In response to the non-helpful comments and behaviour by the government of Sinhai the Empire's ambassador to the Court of Nürnberg will be summoned and handed over a diplomatic note by His Majesty's Government. Sinhai has displayed a very particular interpretation of the idea of sovereignty towards Vangala, which is a trusted and reliable partner state of Franken.

We gladly accept the invitation to send a team of scientists to inspect the facilities in question. As a nation with ample expertise in the field of industrial energy production Franken is home to fine scientists and experts. The delegation will be led by His Majesty's Ambassador to the People's Republic of Vangala, Maja Hofmann.

 

[Serbovia]

Directorate of the State
United States of Greater Serbovia

Even a slightest degree of openness in the Vangalan nuclear program constitutes a step forward, but the Union still questions the fact that all nations allowed access are either RDTO memberstates that cannot be considered impartial under any circumstances, or states otherwise closely associated with the Communist regime. However, we trust that responsible governments such as Franken and Hajr will not allow their own realpolitik impact the greater good of international security.

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

 

[Serbovia]

Government spokesmen confirm a nuclear summit is to take place in Karelingrad
AP Karelingrad

Spokesmen of the Directory have confirmed future plans to host an International Nuclear Energy Conference in Karelingrad after earlier reports in the Franconian media about a planned nuclear conference. The Directory's Chief Spokesperson Yekaterina Sharapova confirmed that such a conference was being planned at the instigation of the Imperial Regent, Alexei Nikitin.

"The Directory has forwarded invitations to select European nations known as regional powers and responsible international actors", Sharapova said in a press conference at the Anichkov Palace, the Regent's official residence, "However, we stress that the conference itself will be open to all internationally recognized governments, and that the Directory wishes as large an attendance as possible to provide a wide breadth of views to the undertaking. Preparations of the conference are still in relatively initial stages, hence the low-profile approach undertaken."

According to Sharapova, the INEC 2011 conference would take place "well after" the conclusion of the ongoing Pasila Accord meeting in Imperatorskoje Zelo near Karelingrad.

The announcement comes after Regent Nikitin attributed the opening of Vangalan nuclear facilities to international inspectors as a "success of Serbovian diplomacy", promising further Serbovian involvement in military nuclear non-proliferation. The Nikitin administration has been an outspoken critic of the secrecy related to the Vangalan nuclear program and has accused Kilkila of hiding military purposes.

 

[Polesia]

পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রক
Ministry of External Affairs

The planned conference in Serbovia is most likely a conspiracy against the proud Vangalan nation, with attending nations plotting to destroy our peaceful nuclear programme. If Serbovia was genuinely interested in nuclear security and co-operation it would have invited the People's Republic to participate in the summit.

 

[Polesia]

Vangalan officer calls for nuclear deterrent
AP International

Speaking in an interview with the Vangalan armed forces’ official newspaper People’s Struggle Lieutenant General Kaushik Razzak advocated the establishment of a Vangalan nuclear arsenal in response to Keida’s claims to possess nuclear weapons and Sinhese aggression. Vangala’s nuclear programme has caused international furore, with Serbovia, Sinhai and Touzen suspecting the ultimate aim of the programme is the successful manufacture of nuclear arms. The People’s Republic of Vangala has maintained its ambitions are entirely peaceful and recently invited scientists and diplomats from friendly nations to visit the construction sites of its nuclear reactors.

Lieutenant General Razzak’s latest comments are likely to provoke more hostile reactions to Vangala’s nuclear energy plans and Sinhai has already threatened military action if Vangala does not abandon its nuclear programme and has deployed a carrier battle group in the Padma Bay. Razzak is a senior officer in the People’s Air Force and was influential in the decision for Vangalan fighter jets to fire on Sinhese AWACs patrolling just outside Vangalan airspace. He also has known links to many hardliners in the Vangalan Communist Party and some Party members came out in support of his comments.

However, a spokesperson for the Vangalan Ministry of External Affairs distanced themselves from the Lieutenant General and reiterated claims the nuclear programme is civilian and peaceful in nature. Razzak later appeared on Vangalan television apologising for his comments, describing them as ‘irresponsible’. Unusually, he did not renounce his views or offer his resignation, which is normal procedure when military officers publicly disagree with the Party’s leadership.

Further details of Vangala’s nuclear programme will be revealed after the visit to the nuclear power plant construction sites. Analysts’ opinions are divided on whether Vangala is pursuing nuclear weapons, and with growing ballistic missile arsenal, many fear the implications for regional peace and security. Vangala already possesses a large chemical weapons stockpile and is actively producing more and historically had a biological warfare programme.

 

[Serbovia]

পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রক
Ministry of External Affairs

The planned conference in Serbovia is most likely a conspiracy against the proud Vangalan nation, with attending nations plotting to destroy our peaceful nuclear programme. If Serbovia was genuinely interested in nuclear security and co-operation it would have invited the People's Republic to participate in the summit.

Directorate of the State
United States of Greater Serbovia

As in fact stated beforehand, all sovereign nations are invited to attend. Rather, the preliminary contact to select nations was to assess the viability of holding such a conference well beforehand.

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