APwire ~ Affiliated Press News Agency

[Cúlanor]

Journalists Permitted Within Helia Once More
AP Priana

The Helian Government has announced that, for the first time in several decades, journalists from foreign and international organizations will be permitted within its borders once more.

Journalists and all other foreigners were banned from entering Helia more than three decades after a crisis erupted within the large nation. Soon after, little communication made it into or out of the country and the government had effectively sealed the Greek nation from contact with the outside world. The distance from this nation and other civilized nations made it relatively easy to keep journalists, planes, ships, etc out of the country. Few governments had interests in the absolute monarchy that reigned there, or the people whom lived there.

The nature of the crisis never reached foreign ears, as communication was cut off too quickly. Governments quickly shied away from discovering what occurred, not interested in any obligation to send aid or get involved in any conflict so soon after the Great War.

Journalists, predominantly from APWire, have poured into the country after the announcement, seeking answers and clues. Little is known about the isolated nation, the status of government, current ruling party, state or nature of the economy, among various other facts and information.

 

[Batavië]

Leader of Social Democrats Discusses Former Government
AP, Emyr Arnen

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Alex de Jonghe, leader of the Batavian Social Democratic Party

Batavian Social Democrat leader, Alex de Jonghe, discussed his view on the former communist government today at a rally in downtown Hilversum. Having been imprisoned for a year during the 1980s, Mr De Jonghe witnessed and experiences first-hand the brutality of the now gone regime. When asked about the Politburo members that fled last month, prompting the transitional government to step in, he said that he hoped to one day bring justice to the Batavian people by having them tried here at home.

Alex de Jonghe and the Batavian Social Democratic Party is ahead in the polls. This coming Friday's election is expected to have a very high voter turnout despite polling stations expected to be targeted by the BRA.

'We know from Treasury records that the Politburo members and General de Graaf himself made their way to the Papal States. We do not have an extradition treaty with said country, but one of my goals, if my Party is elected into office, is to arrange for one.'

His higher priorities, as outlined in the Party manifesto, are attracting foreign development aid and investment, building up the oil and natural gas industry as well as shipbuilding and agriculture and revamping the country's infrastructure and relations with its most immediate and regional neighbours.

'I see a Batavië that will grow quickly, be accepted into the international community and play an important role in democratic affairs and regional business. I also hope to erase the old policy of restricted borders. We need to be seen as an open society willing to trade with our bordering neighbours.'

 

[Touzen]

Chaos in Yiyuan as rumors spark fears of Liu-Wong execution drawing nearer
AP International

A demonstration in the Jizhou capital of Yiyuan by supporters of revolutionary icon Zhou Liu-Whong turned bloody, with reported large-scale clashes between state security forces and the demonstrators. Dozens of people are said to have been arrested, amateur recordings from the scene showed large scale destruction. The authenticity of the pictures could not immediately be confirmed.

The demonstration had been organized by several local universities and had not been authorized. Official figures are missing, but organizers spoke of "over 3000 persons" attending the event that had been inspired by recent rumors that the execution of Liu-Wong was "imminent", with the government in Nokanwa allegedly pushing for an execution before the 18th of April.

The 18th of April has been a date of rallying and protest for the Jizhou opposition for the last 20 years as it marks the anniversary of the arrest of university student Zhong Liu-Wong, who was arrested during the country-wide protests in 1989 on charges of allegedly murdering two members of the Oikawan embassy in Yiyuan with a Molotov cocktail during the riots that shook the capital that year. Following a controversial trial with irregularities, Liu-Wong was ultimately sentenced to death and has since then been on death row in an Oikawan high security prison. His arrest, trial and continued imprisonment have drawn the criticism of international human rights groups, who allege that that Liu-Wong has been the victim of a show trial. The Jizhou opposition and the alternative left meanwhile have embraced Liu-Wong as an icon and have used the anniversary of his arrest in the past for the organization of riots against the Jizhou government that shares close ties with Nokanawa.

Now, opposition leaders alledge that Nokanawa wants to do away with Liu-Wong for good. Liu-Wong has been a burdensome prisoner for the authorities, using his rights to all extends possible. Liu-Wong, who is a self-professed Marxist, writes biannual columns for the Franken based "Roter Morgen" newspaper and Carentanian based "Revolutionary Inquirer", talking about contemporary socio-political topics as well as socialist theory. In 2000, he was allowed to record a ten minutes radio interview from death row, where he urged supporters to not "support my release, to fight the sentence imposed on me, but rather [...] to fight for the end of the death penalty and freedom for political prisoners, wherever they may be." In his last contribution to the "Revolutionary Inquirer" last autumn, Liu-Wong strongly urged the Carentanian government to "not compromise the moral high ground and continue to staunchly oppose authoritarian and deceptive tendencies in self-proclaimed Socialist regimes". Liu-Wong has also been odds with the Vangala-based All Jizhou Socialist Revolutionary Committee, calling it "authoritarian and manipulative", instead advocating "revolutionary and basic democratic action by the people" as the way to Socialism.

The opposition has announced new protests for the 18th of April.

 

[Polesia]

পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রক
Ministry of External Affairs

Vangala believes Batavia's chief focus should be ending the terrorist campaign of the Batavian Republican Army and bringing its leaders to justice rather than indulging in an anti-communist witch hunt based on misguided sentiments.

 

[Wazistan]

APNewsBreak: Wazistan opposition leader sentenced to death
AP International

Wazi opposition leader Jamal Bishara has been found guilty by Ijad's Revolutionary Court on the charge of "subversion of state power" and has been sentenced to death, court officials have told the Associated Press. Bishara, the leader of the largest alliance of democratic parties in Wazistan, has been in custody since a government crackdown on dissidents in February and the guilty verdict was widely anticipated.

One official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, says the execution could be carried out "in a matter of days."

There has been no reaction to the verdict from opposition groups or rebel militias, who have vowed to launch new attacks if Bishara was convicted.

 

[Wazistan]

Wazistan on edge as riots sweep across country
AP International

Angry crowds clashed with troops and government militiamen Wednesday as riots continue to sweep the country following the trial of Wazistan's most prominent opposition figures ending with a death verdict. The decision to execute Jamal Bishara, seen by the government as the biggest threat to its hold on power, has pushed the country to edge of full-scale war after armed rebel groups and opposition groups warned of "uncontrollable violence" if the cleric-controlled judiciary failed to release the 71-year old leader.

Acting President Jawad Ibrahim Massoud is expected to meet his security team in Ijad in the coming hours to discuss the crisis.

Opposition leaders, many who remain in hiding since the February crackdown on political dissidents, roundly condemned the trial as a "kangaroo court" and called for the release of Bishara and other dissidents. In a statement carried on several opposition websites, Bishara's number two Payan Kasravi called the verdict "an unfortunate attempt to silence a symbol of democratic and freedom."

In an ominous reference to the unrest, Kasravi also warned that the verdict would be "the final straw" for many seeking a peaceful solution to the country's problems and that he could no longer be counted on to "control the emotions of my supporters."

Since news of Bishara's conviction spread, violence has broken out in Ijad, Rabat, Jalabad, Balad, Sine, and dozens of other towns. Eyewitnesses say thousands of troops from the Islamic Revolutionary Armed Forces have been deployed in Ijad and the surrounding suburbs after angry mobs attacked several government office buildings and briefly occupied the headquarters of the Islamic Republic Public Broadcasting Agency, the center of Wazistan's state-run media.

In Jalabad, Bishara's hometown, hundreds of angry protesters torched the offices of the governor and provincial council.

 

[Batavië]

Elections Occur in Batavië, BRA Kills Officer in Vlaanderen
AP, Amyr Arnen

National elections are underway in Batavië save for the Batavian Republican Army held areas in the extreme North of the country and the city of Spa. The election has largely been considered to be a success. With polling stations only open for another four hours voter turnout has been considered high with nearly 80 per cent of eligible voters, those 19 and over, coming out to mark their choices on the paper ballots.

The Batavian Social Democrats are largely expected to win the election, however a potent minority of the Conservative Union Party and other smaller parties is expected, providing a healthy opposition for this country's first every democratically elected Parliament.

The BRA did, sadly, kill one police officer guarding a polling station in western Vlaanderen. The officer was killed by a strafe of machine gun bullets from a car that whirled by at high speeds. A police chase managed to corner the car and the two gunmen were killed after a ten-minute gunfight in the Western Industrial sections of the city.

Social Democrat Part leader, Mr Alex de Jonghe, placed his vote in his home-town of De Grenz earlier today. De Grenz is located five kilometres from the border with Scania. Mr De Jonghe is poised to become the next Prime Minister. According to the Batavian Election Commission's rules, the winning Party will choose their leader Saturday afternoon and the new Prime Minister will be sworn in this Sunday.

Results of the election are expected sometime tomorrow with counters working through the night.

 

[Wazistan]

Wazistan's supreme leader calls for calm as unrest continues
AP International

Wazistan's supreme leader called for an end to the ethnic and religious unrest that has gripped the country since the execution verdict of opposition leader Jamal Bishara, breaking three days of silence and signaling that concern among the establishment is rising over the renewed violence. Speaking to a group of clerics at his heavily-guarded office in Ijad, Ayatollah Mahmoud Esfandiari described the violence "a despicable foreign-inspired campaign" to undermine the country's Islamic system and split the country along ethnic and religious line.

The rule of Esfandiari, the brother of Wazistan's late revolutionary leader Mohammad Abdul Yassin, has been under constant strain since he came to power. Earlier in the year, Wazistan saw weeks of turmoil in the country's restive Kurdish regions while a crackdown on political dissidents in February sat days of violence in major cities.

The supreme leader's speech comes as clashes between armed groups and riots continue in many of Wazistan's major cities. In Rabat, security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a crowd of several thousand rioters that had attacked several Shiite mosques and Christian churches. Hours later, militant from the pro-government Bahj militia gunned down a prominent Sunni cleric just hours after delivering a Friday sermon calling on the government to free Bishara and work towards reconciliation.

In Sine, Kurdish militants blew up a car bomb in a crowded market in the city's Persian quarters, killing 23 people.

In an unusually move, judiciary officials issued a statement late Friday declaring that despite the conviction, Bishara's execution will not be carried out until his appeals have been exhausted. The announcement is seen by analysts as an attempt by the government ease tension.

 

[Batavië]

Batavian Economic Reform Plans Critcised Left and Right; Government Invites Foreign Advice Panel to Visit Country
AP, Vlaanderen

Reporting directly from Batavië for the first time since the Associated Press was banned here over 50 years ago, we bring to you news from Vlaanderen.

The ruling Batavian Social Democratic Party (Bataafsche Sociaal Democratische Partij) has already had its economic reform plans criticised from analysts in Danzig and Carentania. Recognition of the new government is slow with even Franken still waiting to grant recognition and initiate ties. Prime Minister Alex de Jonghe will be embarking on a fast-paced world tour next week to smooth over relations and rebrand the image of the once reclusive country.

In response to the recent criticism against the government that has been in power for mere hours, the Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and the Bataafsche Nationalbank (central bank) have invited economic advisers from Danzig and Carentania to tour the country and provide advise and plans for the government.

'We would like two differing opinions from two differing states as we prepare to revamp our entire economic system. We are not afraid and have no shame in asking for advise. This is how we are going to surge onwards and upwards.' is what Nationalbank Chairwoman Esther Benedict said after her appointment speech.

 

[Wazistan]

Tanzim military chief rules out deal with government
AP international

As the security conditions in Wazistan continue to deteriorate, the military chief of the most powerful rebel group warned Sunday that his fighters had no intentions to enter its negotiations with the Islamic government and called for overthrow of the Islamic system. Speaking to a group of reporters outside his home in Ramadi, Tanzim military commander Mustafa Kaddoumi accused the country's Persian Islamic rulers of waging a "genocidal campaign" against the country's other ethnic groups and said the Tanzim would continue its campaign until "we have a new system in place that respects rights of the people."

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Khaddoumi dashes hopes for early resolution

Kaddoumi's remarks come as government security forces attempt to re-group after the assassination of the country's vice president, Bijan Sarafpour, earlier this morning in Ijad. The murder of the second-highest elected official in Wazistan has reportedly shaken confidence within the Islamic establishment and prompted concern within the hardline military over the course of the government's security policy.

Independent analysts have told the AP that is unclear how much territory has been lost to rebel groups in the last week of fighting, though it is widely believed groups such as the Tanzim and Hezb-e-Islami are in firm control in a number provinces in the south and east.

One analyst says the fact that Kaddoumi was able to hold such a press conference in broad daylight shows the government is no longer in control in places like Ramadi and Qalqilyah.

Kurds, which have been waging their own separate campaign against Ijad to establish a Kurdish state, has signaled in recent days it is ready to support the Tanzim and its allies in bringing down the government. Kurdish politician Ciwan Karim told the AP that a meeting of the central committee of the Kurdish Social Party will convene "in the coming days" on whether to enter into dialogue with the Tanzim.

 

[Barazi]

From the Minister of Foreign Affairs

As a free state, we the government of The Scotlands condemn this recent strike and tragic demise of the Wazistani vice president Bijan Sarafpour by this Tanzim terrorist group. Surely there are more diplomatic ways to deal with these issues plaguing the nation instead of causing any further bloodshed on those sworn in to lead the country. If needed, we are prepared to send in an ambassador to monitor a possible peace summit between all opposing sides of these lands.

 

[Wazistan]

Statement from the Tanzim

We strongly reject this outrageous characterization by the Scotands Government. The Tanzim is a resistance force against the un-Islamic and murderous regime of dictator Ayatollah Mahmoud Esfandiari. The Tanzim stands to defend the interests of Wazistan's Arab community and all other ethnic groups that have suffered under the rule of Persian clerical elite in Ijad.

 

[Polesia]

পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রক
Ministry of External Affairs

With the assassination of Vice-President Bijan Sarafpour by insurgents, the need for action by the international community through the Council of Nations is clear in order to prevent Wazistan descending into total chaos and bloodshed.

 

[Hesperia]

Diwan of Foreign Affairs

The Sultanate condemns the malicious comments made by the Scotlands about the Tanzim self-defense organization of the Arab people in Wazistan. We assert that it was the Ijad regime which has led the way into this tragic state of affairs and categorically support the right to self-defense amongst the oppressed minorities of the demagogues' regime.

It is clear that the Ijad regime can no longer maintain order and stability within its own borders and that something must be done by the nations of Himyar, and the wider international community, as soon as possible.

 

[Batavië]

Batavian Prime Minister Flies to Augsburg; No More Monkey Business
AP, Augsburg

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The Batavian government's long-haul plane, The Griffin maintains normal KLM livery for security purposes

The Prime Minister of Batavië, Alex de Jonghe, has flown to Augsburg with a crew of his best advisers and diplomats. What will this fresh leader be doing in the meeting place of the world? He will be talking business in front of the Security Council. The unplanned and spur of the moment decision to fly to Wiese and the Council of Nations is a testament to the much different style of Prime Minister De Jonghe. Even members of parliament from his own Social Democrat Party were surprised to hear of it but gave their full support.

Beginning Tuesday morning, after arriving in Wiese, Prime Minister de Jonghe will be addressing the Security Council in what many are saying is a last-ditch effort to get peacekeepers to arrive at his country. Progress has been painstakingly slow with the Levant and Oikawa vetoing each other's resolutions for old political reasons.

The Associated Press' chief Batavian political correspondent, Fritz Guttenberg of Franken, gave his thoughts: 'What most people should expect from this last-minute journey is a strong speech essentially pleading for peacekeepers. I doubt, however, that the PM will budge from his Party's preconditions, which prevent the so-called "Great Powers" from sending troops.'

There are also rumours circulating within the Prime Minister's Press Corps (yes, for the first time ever a Batavian leader has a diverse and international press corps that travels with him) that he will bring with him sob stories and emotional tales of the tragedy brought on by the conflict with the BRA.

But what most people are afraid of is a Security Council disapproval. If they still cannot agree on a way to deploy peacekeepers Mr De Jonghe will be forced to consult with the EDF or other parties, or even worse, unleash the Batavian military to wipe out the BRA in a conventional manner, surely to spill even more blood. It appears, however, that he is trying to avoid such a scenario.

 

[Wazistan]

Group: 1,000 killed in Al-Zaatar following raid by Bahj
AP International

Scores of people have been forced to flee their home in western Wazistan after a midday raid by Bahj units in the town of Al-Zaatar left more than 1,000 people dead, a humanitarian aid group operating the area has said. The aid group, Free Aid Now, described the scene in Al-Zaatar, a largely Christian seaport 50 miles west of Ijad, as "horrific." Charles Goodman, the Free Aid Now's chief director in western Wazistan, said the raid appeared to be connected to the government's nighttime raid on several Arab villages in Ujaz province yesterday.

"There have been many execution-style killings from what I can tell. There are many bodies in the streets, including women and children."

Goodman says much of the town's infrastructure's has been destroyed as well.

There has been no comment from the Bahj, which many consider a paramilitary arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Armed Forces, on the attack.

 

[Confederal Republics]

Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of Anbat

The Republic of Anbat fully condemns this reprehensible and utterly disgusting act of state terrorism carried out by forces affiliated with the Ijad junta.

The true nature of the Islamist regime and its malevolence towards both its own citizens and the members of the international community is now blatantly obvious in form of these unforgivable atrocities, and the Republic calls for neighbors of the Wazi state and the Council of Nations to pursue swift action against the Ijad junta.

Accordingly, His Excellency the President has issued a decree declaring all employees of the Wazi embassy and consulates in Anbat as personae non grata and requests their urgent removal from the Republic. All Anbati diplomats in Wazistan have been instructed to return home immediately. As of this moment, the Republic of Anbat officially severs its diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Wazistan.

Regards,
Mr. Mikheil Khoury,
Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of Anbat

 

[Khemia]

On Behalf of the Unity Front
It is extremely disappointing for the Unity Front to watch national governments overreact to the irrational, fear-mongering privatized media. The Unity Front cautions all nations from acting on the information provided to them by the reports of an obviously liberal-leaning humanitarian organization such as Free Aid Now, as it is not uncommon for slanderous anti-governmental statements to be released to the free media. It is our duty as governments to deal with this information responsibly and to commit ourselves to hard evidence and sanctioned inquiries.

While it may very well be true that the Wazi government is committing these atrocities, it is equally likely that the media is fabricating evidence. Realizing that the Tanzim and others may not appreciate such comments, please realize that the fabrication of false evidence could be released condemning yourselves just as easily as the Wazi government. Until hard evidence such as video, and not personal testimony, is acquired to prove that such atrocities are actually happening, any action taken against the Wazi government is based on hearsay and unfounded accusations; any nation with a respectable legal system will admit that hearsay is not a valid reason to condemn a nation.

The Unity Front demands that the Revolutionary Wazi regime release an official statement and permit a formal inquest to determine the nature of the accusations against their regime.

 

[Wazistan]

Statement from the Foreign Ministry

The government strongly denies these reports by the so-call humanitarian group "Free Aid Now" and wishes to assure the international community that the security forces of the Islamic Republic have in no way carried out any such crimes against the people of Al-Zaatar.

However, the government must stress that it feels that any international inquest into these reports are completely unnecessary and would simply play into the hands of separatist forces seeking to split the Islamic Republic.

 

[Polesia]

Vangala executes seven for 'cyber terrorism'
AP International

Seven Vangalans were executed yesterday on charges of terrorism following a landmark ruling by the People's Supreme Court that accepted the Vangalan government's argument that certain types of cybercrime could be considered and treated as acts of terrorism. Under Vangalan law, convicted terrorists face the death penalty or life imprisonment. Human rights NGOs condemned both the People's Supreme Court's decision and the executions.

It is believed the seven Vangalans were attempting to bring down the websites of the Ministry of National Defence and the Communist Party through distributed-denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. They also allegedly had ties to a number of pro-democracy groups operating in Vangala, although the Ministry of Justice has not confirmed these reports.

While internet access is confined to a few urban areas in Vangala, it has become an important medium for Vangala's opposition and subject to heavy restrictions and censorship, with opposition websites often blocked for supposedly containing child pornography. Yet the Communist Party has promised to extend internet access and with new laws concerning cybercrime being debated in the People's Assembly, many abolitionists and human rights activists fear these executions will be the first of many.