APwire ~ Affiliated Press News Agency

[Serbovia]

PMC ERCS to provide security services to Serbovian embassies
AP Karelingrad

Eremenko Risk Control Services, a Serbovian Private Military Contractor offering complementary security and support services to the Serbovian Union Forces and other militaries and security services as well as foreign government and corporate clients operating in high risk areas, has won a high-value government bidding contest. The Serbovian Directorate of the State will be contracting the firm to provide additional security services to Serbovian embassies and diplomatic representations.

The Diplomatic Security Unit of the Imperial Corps of Gendarmes, which is primarily in charge of embassy and consulate security, denied connection with the recent embassy siege in Trans-Nineveh and other grown international tensions. DSU head Brigadier Ivan Kravchenko said that the decision to contract private assistance had been made to improve security in high-risk nations without private security companies meeting Serbovian government standards. Since 2007, ERCS security personnel have complemented the Gendarmerie Diplomatic Security Team in the Serbovian embassy in Dagomba in what has unofficially been described as a pilot experiment between the Directorate of the State and private security companies.

In memberstates of the Pasila Accord, Karlskrona Accord and the European Defense Federation, as well as several neutral nations, perimeter and outside security is contracted out to local security companies. The bid with Eremenko Risk Control will therefore only affect countries where complementary local security is not available. Brigadier Kravchenko said that the security contractors would operate with same rights as members of the Gendarmerie DST within areas of diplomatic immunity, but in areas not covered by diplomatic immunity they would operate with same rights and obligations as local security contractors. He defended the use of private contractors with avoidance of cost and flexibility issues related to possible expansions of the Diplomatic Security Unit.

News of the signed security contract caused protests among Serbovian opposition parties who have long called for restrictions in international operations of Serbovian Private Military Companies. Eremenko Risk Control Services itself was subject of minor controversy in 2006, when security personnel in its employ shot four people during a violent protest against a Gazneft oil extraction project in Dagomba.

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Commissariate for Foreign Affairs

If Serbovia wishes to employ said contractors for the Serbovian embassy in Rijeka, we will have to evaluate whether or not they conflict with Carentanian law. We have our doubts in regards to that, but it will require a full legal evaluation before we can make any definitive statement.

 

[Butuan]

Foreign Ministry

Such security contractors will be allowed as long as those contractors meet certain requirements and obtain the appropriate licensing.

 

[Polesia]

পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রক
Ministry of External Affairs

We are deeply concerned by the possibility of Serbovian mercenaries on the Motherland's soil. The People's Republic of Vangala will require Eremenko Risk Control Services to undergo thorough investigation before they are granted special permission to operate. Any Private Military Contractors found operating without express permission will be imprisoned and prosecuted.

 

[Clarenthia]

د بهرنيو چارو وزارت
d bhrnyw charw wzart
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Serbovia's PMC ERCS is not permitted to operate within the Jurzan. Jurzani Security Forces are more than capable of providing protection from any threat and we find that armed mercenaries are dangerous to the peace of the country. Should any of these mercenaries land in Jurzan, they will be immidiately turned and boarded back onto a plane for departure to Serbovia.

 

[Dagomba]

Dagomban Government Denies PMC Threat
AP Nya Ängelstad

The Ministry of the Interior has rebuked concerns that Serbovian PMCs are a threat to private citizens in Dagomba. The statement comes after official news from Serbovia about ERCS winning a government contract to provide security to Serbovian embassies overseas. The news has already sparked a negative reaction from several governments, with the government of Jurzan going as far as banning ERCS from operations in the country.

“Employees from ERCS operate according to a license granted by the Ministry of the Interior. They do not enjoy diplomatic immunity in the slightest and are fully under the jurisdiction of Dagomban laws,” commented Mbeke Tatengu, the spokesman for the Ministry of the Interior.

ERCS made top news in Dagomba after its employees shot and wounded four people during a violent protest against a Gazneft oil extraction facility in 2006. During the protest, a group of young men broke through the police cordon and attempted to climb over the fence surrounding the extraction facility. A Dagomban tribunal later found that the security personnel involved in the incident exceeded their mandate and suspended their individual licenses. The criminal case, however, did not go further as the victims and their families withdrew their complaints following an undisclosed settlement with ERCS.

Critics argue that PMC activity in Dagomba is not well regulated and numerous gaps exist in national legislation. One of the major legal voids pointed out is that the “excess of mandate” is an administrative violation, not a crime, as long as it is not accompanied by a criminal charge. The Ministry of the Interior can, thus, issue a new license to an individual guilty of an administrative violation as long as the accompanying criminal charge is dropped. Companies are accused of bribing or bullying victims of “excesses of mandate” into withdrawing their complaints. One case where a judge will always prosecute criminal charges is murder.

 

[Serbovia]

Public Relations Division
Eremenko Risk Control Services

While understanding of the term's use in academic and journalistic contexts, ERCS dislikes the use of the term "Private Military Company" in referring to our company's activities. Eremenko Risk Control Services specializes in customized provision of security services to high-risk government, corporate and NGO targets and is not involved in mercenary activities of any kind.

In statements made by the Serbovian government in regards to the Directorate of the State-Eremenko Risk Control Services contract it was made clear that the ERCS operates within boundaries of local legistlation. Appropriately, our company is commencing the necessary licensing procedures in countries covered by the terms of the contract signed with the Directorate of the State.

Best Regards,
Mr. Stepan Ivanov,
Director of Public Relations,
Eremenko Risk Control Services

Directorate of the State
United States of Greater Serbovia

Unless similar conditions apply to other security companies operating in Jurzan, the Union must express its opposition to the Jurzan government's seeking to limit the right of the Serbovian government to choose the providers of security services to diplomatic institutions overseen by the Union government.

However, in regards to countries covered by terms of the contract with Eremenko Risk Control Services wherein restrictions limited to fulfilment of the contract apply, the Union government is prepared as a secondary option to provide for additional security needs through the Diplomatic Security Unit of the Imperial Corps of Gendarmes.

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

 

[Serbovia]

Serbovian foreign minister says Nicosia crisis resolution sets a "worrying precedent", while satisfied with the release of the 4000
AP Karelingrad

The Solaren hostage crisis concluded today when the Nicosian government paid a multi-million sum of ransom to Torrence in exchange for the liberation of the four-thousand Nicosians held hostage by the Solaren forces. Commentong on the issue today, Serbovian Director of the State Petar Nikolich lauded the safe return of the hostages but said that "Nicosian bowing down to Solaren demands set a poor precedent for future exchange."

Director Nikolich predicted that the incident would show in further incidences of hostage-taking, not only by traditional terrorist groups but also "rogue nations in need of international attention and currency". "Once you show the first guy that this is a viable way of getting attention and your demands, whatever they are, accepted, more will follow", Director Nikolich said in front of the Serbovian Duma, "It's especially worrisome for the EDF whether or not this was alliance agreement or Nicosian own doing."

The Director of the State reiterated that Serbovian policy is "non-negotiation under all circumstances" with terrorist groups and rogue states, pointing out that during the recent Trans-Nineveh embassy crisis the incident had been successfully resolved through assertive diplomacy and geopolitic. Nikolich said that other nations in such danger in future would receive Serbovian support in securing the return of their citizens and their safety through means other than "bowing down to terrorists".

In Serbovia, the resolution of the Nicosian hostage crisis has drawn significant attention, with leading politicians puzzled over the acceptance of the Solaren demands even amidst EDF military movements near the country. The crisis and its fallout have been closely monitored in Karelingrad as the Serbovian government seeks to gauge the EDF's political will to function as a defensive alliance.

 

[Trans-Nineveh]

Government nationalizes all mining joint ventures, denies reimbursement
AP Aqaba

Eskander Laleh, Director-General of Union Minière has sent a memo to AP today announcing immediate seizure of all assets held by EDF countries in Trans-Nineveh. Mining equipment, operations, real estate, mines, bank accounts were taken today by customs and tax officials in a crack down operation on 'foreign thievery', and 'monetary leeching'. After the humiliation of Nicosia, and the whole EDF alliance by proxy, the regime in Ko-I-Noor is growing more bold every day in its attitude towards the EDF in particular. Loyalist rebels in the south, centered around the cities of Samarkand and Kokand, are slowly losing hope of a more active EDF approach towards the escalating tensions in Trans-Nineveh. It is becoming more likely an internal approach will be sought between the two warring parties. A compromise between the Loyalist White Army, supported by the navy and most of the financial clout that remains in Trans-Nineveh, while religious folk and farmers are loyal to General Mahmoud Reza Kahn.

Theophile Muratti, president of the Provisional Government in Samarkand has proposed a truce and an exchange of prisoners to relieve tensions. "First of all, we have no problems with the person Mahmoud Reza Kahn, we do have problems with his politics. If he steps down we are prepared to offer a full termination of hostilities between the Loyalists and the Government forces. What's more, his close friendship with the mujahideen is a thorn in our side and only contributes to further destabilization of the entire region."

The Loyalist love for the EDF is rapidly cooling down, as demonstrated by their moves towards General Kahn. Muratti: "I do admit, without any reservations, that we have sympathy for the EDF and their policies. However, after the Nicosian debacle we are doubting whether the EDF is a solid international partner in our struggle against oppression. Our diplomatic attempts to ease what may degrade into a civil war will no longer be directed at the EDF headquarters, instead, we'll with it as an internal affair from now on."

 

[Caelia]

PMC ERCS to provide security services to Serbovian embassies
AP Karelingrad

Foreign Affairs Ministry

In accordance with the accepted conventions of international law Serbovian PMC's will be permitted to operate on the grounds of Serbovian embassies in the Allied States. Be advised however mercenary activity is a capital crime under Kyivan law and any contractor found outside of the Serbovian embassy will be subject to criminal sanctions.

 

[Serenierre]

General Secretary Renaudière to visit Carentania, Vangala
AP Villesen

The Communist Party of Sereniérre has announced that the General Secretary will be undertaking a diplomatic visit to Carentania and Vangala, the two most important communist powers of the globe. According to analysts, the General Secretary's visit is aimed at formulating a joint policy in regards to the grave threats international communism faces and to consolidate revolutionary victories. This comes just after the recent diplomatic spat between Solaren and Nicosia, which ended with the EDF's reputation in tatters, and the Long Sea trade routes severely compromised by Solaren.

Within Sereniérre, the General Secretary has ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate diplomatic overtures to all Boreas and Scanian nations, as part of the new foreign policy doctrine being adopted by the Government.

 

[Coronado]

Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores
Ministry of External Affairs

In reguards to "PMC ERCS to provide security services to Serbovian embassies", security within the embassy grounds is the Serbovian government's prerogative, but outside they will respect the laws and customs of Coronado and will be afforded the same diplomatic courtesies security personnel of other nations are given.

Carlos Mendez
Ministro de Asuntos Exteriores
República Socialista de Coronado

 

[Trans-Nineveh]

BREAKING NEWS: Fighting erupts in Ko-I-Noor, Loyalists-Coalitionists attack Kahnist positions in capital
AP Aqaba

Tonight our AP journalists in Ko-I-Noor, capital city of Trans-Nineveh report a battle has erupted between Loyalist-Coalitionist forces under joint command of Theophile Muratti, president of the Provisional Government of the Shah-in-Exile and Colonel Idriss Ould Mozadegh, former Minister of the Interior against General Mahmoud Reza Kahn. These fights, still ongoing, are part of the most serious attempt in 19 years to topple the regime of the General and install a new government. It is unclear where most of the fighting takes place, but eyewitness reports speak of heavy fighting around the old Imperial Palace, the central bank and the main square of the city, Espace Guilliaume Darí, as well as uprisings in the Christian and Jewish neighborhoods of the city. This is breaking news, more to follow as we learn more about the ongoing fights what appears to be an escalation of violence that began after General Kahn exposed a 'grand conspiracy' by members of his cabinet. Bomb blasts rock the city and gunfire is heard everywhere in town, citizens are taking shelter and reports come in of summary executions by Loyalist-Coalitionist forces of mercenaries and Mujahideen fighters. State television announced a press statement by General Mahmoud Reza Kahn within hours but it is unclear if that deadline will be met in light of the violence.

 

[Trans-Nineveh]

BREAKING NEWS: Rumors spread General Reza Kahn has escaped Ko-I-Noor, vows to return, unites with Revolutionary Mujahideen
AP Aqaba

After intense fighting our AP journalists report that the Eternal Warden of the Revolution, General Mahmoud Reza Kahn has abandoned his position in the former Imperial Palace in secret and has managed to escape the city to the safe south central province where most of his traditional support resides. Although the country is teetering on the brink of civil war, the Loyalist-Coalitionist forces have not yet claimed victory and said that a 'regime change is still miles away', as long as Kahn has not been brought to justice, or murdered, whichever comes first, according to Colonel Idriss Ould Mozadegh, leader of the violent coup attempt. While on the run, Kahn lashed out at his former political allies, calling them 'rats', 'vermin' and 'treacherous henchmen of international capital', and vowed they will 'hang from my balcony, for crows to feast on their eyes while they'll beg for a quick death', after speeding off into the desert.

OOC: I'll make a more detailed post in my A Random Pick thread about these events.

 

[Serbovia]

Fourteen soldiers, policemen die overnight in Korelan separatist attacks
AP Karelingrad

Up to fourteen soldiers and policemen were killed during last night as separatist insurgents believed to be affiliated with the Korelan National Liberation Army struck five targets in Eastern Korela in and around the city of Zaysan, believed to be a hotbed of separatist activity. Ten soldiers and policemen were said by hospital sources to have been wounded in the attacks.

In the hamlet of Khankov twenty kilometers east of Zaysan, a two-vehicle patrol of the Gendarmerie came under fire from small arms and rocket-propelled grenades from a nearby forest as it tried to enter the village, disabling one of the vehicles and killing three crewmembers. In addition, two others were killed as the Gendarmes returned fire, though the bodies of four believed separatist fighters were later discovered in the forest that was the source of the gunfire.

At the same time, a sniper killed two members of the Korelan Republican Guard in separate incidents in Zaysan, while a rocket-propelled grenade fired at a police station in Eastern Zaysan killed two officers and an imperial gendarme. Small arms and RPG attacks at government checkpoints near Atyrau and Chelkar killed a regular soldier and three Republican Guards, but the government forces are believed to have killed at least six insurgents in the ensuing gunfight.

The attacks mark the most serious incidence of violence in the Republic of Korela since the 2008 conclusion of the Korelan insurgency. The KNLA, which claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement sent to the Associated Press, formally announced a recommencement of the Korelan insurgency and threatened to "continue the battle until oppression of the Serboves ended in the Korelan sovereign Fatherland."

In response to the attacks, Serbovian Regent and Chairman-Director Alexei Nikitin has reportedly summoned a meeting with the Directors of War and the Police and highest officers of the Serbovian military command Stavka at his Anichkov Palace.

 

[Polesia]

Crackdown on Christian Churches in Vangala
AP International

Several churches in the cities of Kilkila and Chingrikhali have been forced to close by the Vangalan authorities for alleged links to the Solaris Catholic Church. Solaris Christianity is not a recognised religion in the People's Republic of Vangala and its adherents are forbidden from operating places of worship and proselytising. The Ministry of Internal Affairs is currently considering classifying the Solaris Church as a terrorist organisation due its alleged involvement with the bombings in Nicosia.

However, local Christian leaders have claimed the closed Churches were not affiliated to the Solaris Catholic Church and accuse the Communist Party of persecuting Vangala's Christian minority, an estimated 1.56 million people. Vangala has been accused of harassing faith groups before by human rights organisations and foreign governments. Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the country's constitution.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs rejected the claims and stated there were ongoing investigations into the activity of the Solaris Catholic Church in Vangala.

 

[Serbovia]

Directorate of the State
United States of Greater Serbovia

While in belief that all branches of the Solaris Church are dangerous instruments of state-sponsored terrorism controlled by the regime in Torrence, the Union is highly worried that Vangala will seek to use the tragical events in Nicosia for their own political gain to provide an excuse to crack down on groups not in favor of the regime - the legitimate genuinely Christian groups of the country. Such actions would not be surprising on behalf of the Vangalan regime.

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

 

[Keida]

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It is a wonderful thing when the Keidan People can find common ground with Vangalans, but it is indeed in this particular arena that the Republic and the People's Republic can agree. The excesses of the West and their Jesus Disease in particular is a threat to all right-thinking peoples. We applaud the Vangalans in their efforts to reduce and restrict the influence of this poisonous institution. The Justice Party will take this rare opportunity to share a hope with the Communists, as we beseech Amitābha, Our Infinite Light of Infinite Life, the Most Merciful Amida Buddha, that one day the Jesus Cult will be gone from this world.

 

[Josepania]

BREAKING NEWS: Coup d'état Strikes Aresura, Fighting is Ongoing
AP International

After six hours of complete silence, reports are leaking out that the nation-state of Aresura, an isolationist democratic republic, is experiencing a violent coup d'état. Who exactly is leading the coup is still unconfirmed, but most reports name a certain Joseph Constantine, a Captain in the Aresurai Defense Forces. While there had been previous reports of growing unrest in Aresura, most of this was restricted to peaceful demonstrations throughout Aresura.

It is reported that high-intensity fighting is taking place in the capital city of Smyrna, with the revolutionary portions of the ADF having the upper-hand, although this cannot be confirmed at this time. There are also scattered reports of fighting across all of Aresura, on both the mainland and in the numerous archipelagos, though who has the advantage is, like with the fighting in Smyrna, unclear.

In an emergency broadcast made only an hour ago, a spokesman for the Secretary of International Affairs denied claims that an armed revolution is taking place, calling the reports of fighting either "minor" or "completely false", and that all "will be suppressed shortly by the Aresurai Defense Force."

 

[Touzen]

Ministry of Revolutionary Defense and Foreign Affairs

The Constitutional State is highly concerned about reports of a coup happening in the Aresurai Republic. We urge the responsible authorities to repel this aggression against freedom at once. Violence has no place in a democratic society, and the Constitutional State stands on the side of those that cherish liberty.