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The Grand Duchy congratulates the King of Danes for his rightful claim to the throne, and look forward to peace and prosperity between the two peoples.
Gian Lombardo
Foreign Minister
Royal Council nullifies Lagting vote Lagting vote with has no official or legal bearingMootings of a 'Dual Monarchy'Statement of Intent delivered Henrik KierkegaardChristiansborg The pronouncement by the Kristiania-based assembly, the Lagting, in favour of HKH Princess Lovisa of Suionia becoming monarch of Agderrige has been ruled constitutionally null and void and legally unacceptable by the Royal Council of State, now with remit over the Realm of Agder and Fey, in a shot across the bows of the assembly for breaching its remit and violating protocol but likely to deepen the tensions in the Accession Crisis. "Lagtinget has no jurisdiction over the Accession and whilst it may indicate preferences, its decisions, as per existing law, have no purchase. Whilst we respect indications of the tentative reflection of popular sentiment, the body has exceeded its powers and has acted both irresponsibly and violated the the concrete borders of its powers as well as the spirit in which it was established by King Haakon", stated the Royal Council in a delivery. The Lagting, a limited assembly body, was inculcated under the late Haakon V and designed to be an approximate, if imperfect, litmus test of popular sentiment but never enshrined with full legislative or law-making powers. Members of the Royal Council landed in Kristiania ahead of the landfall of their majesties with Grand Dame Rasmussen, the incumbent High Sovereign Excellency of the Court of St Ansgaard to Kristiania, the highest tier of diplomatic representation with the post only existing in seven other countries, presenting a Hensigtserklæring, or Statement of Intent, a hefty 1247 page document, to the Queen Dowager and the Lagting party in a nod to the direction the Danes intend to take in Agderrige ~ respect for the legacy of Haakon V and maintenance of his initiatives such as the Lagting. Although not all details are known at this stage, there is a clear wish to deepen and extend the Lagting into a legislative parliament, much like the Danish Folkhuset, expanding the current forty members via the creation of a Royal Commission charged with creating electoral constituencies based on demographics. Further, the Royal Council has urged transfer of many of the powers held by the monarch to an expanded Lagting, with the armed forces of his Agderrige realm paying allegiance to him as King of Agder and Fey and Head of the Armed Forces in a personal link; discussion of a Personal Union of the Crowns of Danmark, Agder and Fey under a new constitutional apparatus of Dual Monarchy, with a much looser and freer arrangement sought by the Royal Council leaving room for a possibly extended Lagting acting on his behalf, the King becoming a constitutional as opposed to an authoritarian monarch, in line with Danish tradition. Also announced, was a several million shilling grant to be delivered for the alleviation of poverty and for economic and infrastructure investment, greatly helping the poorest of the Scanian Family and a sign of 'togetherness' from the Danes to their Agder blood brethren. But the issue of religion remains a significant bone of contention in Agderrige. Danmark, a traditionally and nominally protestant nation, has no official state church, following disestablishment in 1944. The Lagting vote has been judged problematic on these grounds as the presumption is that the King is a protestant but it is unknown what His Majesty professes in faith, if at all. But certainty over faith is seen as important to most Adgerrigers giving rise to significant rumours, so far officially unsubstantiated, that the King may seek to maintain the legitimate accession rights ~ but not via himself, but through HKH The Prince Imperial, Prince Constantine, the royal family's only professed, conservative and devout adherent to the tenets of Catholicism, by renouncing his claim in favour of Prince Constantine. He, alongside his Franconian-born wife, Princess Petra, may prove a significant way out of the question of religion but there are hints that the Prince may have to renounce his claim to the Danish Vermilion Throne. His Majesty the King of Danmark, Agder and Fey, is due to make landfall in a few days and visit the royal family and also address the Lagting in the native tongue, in what for most is judged to be a momentous first visit as monarch. Rygaard homestead attacked by nationalists Ulf SweinnSkidelsby, nr Nyborg The homestead of the Rygaard family, which left Danmark in 1857, has been attacked by Danish nationalists in what has been described as a "cowardly and dastardly assault upon one of the nation's illustrious fellows". Nationalists daubed the eighteenth century stone and thatch building, properly called Hibiscus Cottage, in pig's blood, smashed its windows, broke down the doors, and lit fire to the roof by throwing petroleum, according to forensics, upon the dry roof and then setting it alight. The intensity of the heat effectively made parts of the building collapse. "A beautiful, but humble farming cottage, the home of forebears of the Sylvanian president, has been effectively destroyed", the Treasurer of the Danish Historical Trust, Birk Boesen cried. "This building is part of nineteenth century Danish history. It is part and parcel of the history of the disapora to the Occident. It has a lineage as it is the family home of the Rygaard family, the President of Sylvania. I cannot recount to you my sorrow in words just now". The restoration of the homestead, vacant, but a tourist attraction and managed by the Danish Historical Trust, is expected to run into several thousand shillings derived from funds. But some nationalists have called for the restoration of the building to be ignored. "Why spend rigskillings on a dull farmhouse which has little consequence when there are much more beautiful buildings to plough money into? This rickety, burned down, peasant building has little demand for hard-earned money or charity", lambasted a member of the Hjemland party, currently the dominant party in the Quinpartite Coalition. But the preservation of historical relics is likely to win through as the Historical Trust has already assigned money to the restoration of the 'Rygaard Farmhouse'. Reported 'fierce resistance' to Danish Raigestan onslaught Dara, Partherriget There are consistant reports of heavy and protracted anti-aircraft fire by besieged Raigestani communist diehards against a heavy bombardment by Danish aircraft as the island regime is reported to be 'near collapse'. Several weeks of targetted bombing of the capital of Raigestan and military, communication, and government centres have seriously detracted the ability of the regime to link up to put up a greater resistance, so claimed the War Ministry, but that the 'fanaticism' was proving harder to crush than first thought with now seven aircraft shot down and four deaths. The Kongelige Danske Marine has sealed the narrow straits linking the White Sea to the Sindh preventing reinforcements to beleaguered Raigestan, whilst the straits have been mined by the Miroslavs to hinder a naval advance towards Miroslavl by the Danes. Talks are understood to be imminent between Danmark and Sikandara to put more pressure upon Miroslavl, an announcement from the Foreign Ministry indicated today, but it is clear that the War Ministry and the government do not intend to let up in the operation upon the island. "There is a close to 85% chance of taking the island within the next month or so with landforces to be dropped within days", stated Minister of War, Hr Axel-Fogh. |
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Destroyers of the Kongelige Danske Marine advancing towards Kristiania as part of the twenty-five vessel naval escort protecting the King of Danes, Adger and FeySarmatian 'Second Compact' to be discussed in Giecz Giecz, Højere Swiecziema Hr. Henrik Westerveld is due to to meet in a special conference with Premier Benedykt Stukow of the Upper Swiecziema to discuss final arrangements of the Dano-Sarmartian Compact II, or 'Second Compact', in the capital city of Giecz next week. A historical foreign position, the Sarmatian Doctrine was heralded in 1843 in an attempt to hem in the Germanian block and preserve what was judged at the time as a constant danger to the toe-hold that the Scanian Danes had in Lotharingia. Some critics judged the Doctrine to be an arch-exercise in paranoia, but supporters argued and continue to argue that it is a grand exercise in 'essential watchfulness and status quo'. Whilst the doctrine retains a wariness towards Lothars, the Doctrine has taken on a new perspective as the threat of communism and post-delegationism encroaches from the High East with particular respect of Miroslaval and Touzenist effects on weak, and implosionist, states. The conference, long in the making and following protracted talks between the tripartite of foreign ministries, is expected to see long-standing arrangements of significant gravitas that will hold a bearing not only on the traditional issue of Lotharingian aggrandisement but upon the perils of the 'High East threats' to civility and progress. "The Doctrine sees a new era and it must be flexible enough to deal with the current threats that surround all us decent and noble peoples", Hr Westerveld pointed out. The Second Compact is expected to be a significant issue in Dano-Sarmatian affairs in current times. Alongside the encroachment from the High East, the Danes are looking to reinvigorate the counterbalance to Lotharingian aspirations. The latent 'seeping' of Lothars into the Principality of Karlovia has been judged with concern, though, at the current level, seen as harmless, though Christiansborg has indicated that it has no particular interests in interfering in legitimate and peaceful bilateral relations between the Wiesers and Karlovians but that it shall keep a watchful eye on the situation. Foreign Office 'dismayed' on Potenzo-Sikandari fallout Mary Torp-Rahbek San Salvo, the Grand Duchy A diplomatic and increasingly heated spat has broken out between two of the Realm's traditional allies over the Sikandari Faisal Dam, with the Old Quarter stating that aside from acting as a friendly mediator, that it will keep out of the bilateral dispute as both nations are seen as friends to the Kingdom. The Potenzan-Sikandari impasse centres upon the Faisal Dam, a multi-million shilling engineering project designed to help alleviate water shortage and provide industrial benefits for Sikandari industry and the economy. The Danes pledged assistance to the Sikandari's by stating a near or total funding for the dam, partially in response to what was deemed a 'positive response' to communism, in which Sikandara banished the red ideology from its domain, but also in return for the lowering of prices of Sikandari foodstuffs and goods. The Grand Duchy has reacted with an out-of-character hubris, to some, over the snub by Sikandara over the dam project in favour of an official Danish pledge. "This lamentable dispute sees two allies at logger-heads and this is displeasing to the eye", exclaimed Hr Westerveld, in Queen Birgitte Airport before his departure for Giecz. "I, and the government, sincerely hope that an agreement can be reached. It is not at all pleasurable to see two of our traditional and loyal friends engage in such diplomatic assaults upon each other. For the peace, we hope they may find some settlement. I am more than willing, in my capacity, to help a meeting of hands". To many assembled journalists, the thirty-year-old foreign minister appeared unusually exasperated and irked at the headache of a diplomatic fight between the two nations. Ier flood assistance for Parthians The Old Quarter, Christiansborg Members of the Engineer Corps of the Danish Army are to be sent to help assist in defending residents located along the mighty Ier River, it was announced today. Two thousand troops will help calm the river by helping to dig canals, dredge silt, and build levees to contain the annual floods which blight low-lying areas of Partherriget and provide technical assistance to the authorities. The Danes, who reclaimed and drained large areas near to the main port of Fredrikshavn over 250 years ago, have a long history in this area which has been deemed appropriate to help the Parthians as they struggle to deal with yet another major flood. |
Prince Imperial to take charge of Agder transition talks Extraordinary Order direct from His Majesty to represent the Dual CrownRoyal Council of State to be placed in back seatRestatement of the element of popular will and devolution of powers Henrik KierkegaardHammerfest, Agder and Fey The Royal Court has announced that His Royal Highness the Prince Imperial, Prince Constantine, is to be sent to Adger and Fey with immediate effect by expressed personal wish of the King in order to find a peaceful resolution to the constitutional impasse that has threatened to plunge the realm into civil strife and to avoid continued friction with the Royal Council of State which is to be overridden. The move comes as it is some have indicated that the King has taken a 'personal displeasure' in the manner in which his realm of Agder and Fey has descended into neigh-on civil war with factions competing and contesting the accession with mounting concerns by some within the Danish parliament (Folkhuset) that the Royal Council has acted in an insensitive manner. Whilst the King himself, on a royal tour in Arendaal with Queen Clara, herself the daughter of King Edvard of Arendaal, has not made a statement as per protocol ~ indeed it is rare that the monarch makes public statements as head of state ~ the indications are that His Majesty has taken an increasing concern personally and has invoked this extraordinary move which has taken many by surprise. The Order will see Prince Constantine, the third in line to the throne, and the only practicising catholic in the senior royal family, act in direct person in lieu of the King in a situation which sees a member of the royal family act in the political sphere for the first time in sixty-nine years. His Royal Highness is expected to land in Hammerfest, the capital of Kristiania not being judged an appropriate place at the moment due to intense fighting there and the destruction of large swathes of the city. But it has been made very clear that the decision to land in Hammerfest is not an indication of taking either side, and is more along the lines of practicality. However, the Court has indicated that the King himself will not visit Agder and Fey at this time and will move to the next stop of the Grand Tour, Telora. The Danish government, which has kept a distinct distance from the Accession Crisis has given the full backing to the move and the Statsminister, Hr Jens Peder Hillerod, announced that the arguably more 'temperate' intervention of the royal family itself may do more good than harm and that this is given more weightage by the fact that the Prince can appeal to the majority catholic population as one of them by virtue of the same faith. Meanwhile, the Royal Council of State ~ the body which administers crown powers as per Agder Law on an everyday practical basis ~ has been instructed that it shall not partake in the talks between Prince Constantine, representing the crown, and senior political and royal persons in Agder and Fey, and will be placed in suspension for the time being. Politicians in Christiansborg are somewhat split over the move with some stating that the Royal Council acted in faith and that it enacted measures in response to wilful subversion, but others say that the Council has lost the faith of many of the King's Realm. However, it is known that many of the initial statements of the Royal Council ~ devolution of powers from the in-built autocratic monarchy of Agder and Fey to a proper parliament and a possible national plebiscite on the accession, with a Agder 'no vote' potentially paving the way for the legal drop of the royal accession by the King as per popular will and, crucially, enshrined in law ~ are likely to remain. The current constitutional framework has prevented this from occurring legally and has threatened to drag the issue into deeper depths. Humanitarian mission to help stricken Agderiker people Ulf SweinnFredrikshavn A Danish Red Cross chartered passenger cruiser, and often used for cargo, has set sail for Agder and Fey as part of a mission by the organisation to deliver goods from the people of Danmark and also from the government in their aims to pledge assistance to the Scanian peoples in the strife-ridden nation. The ship, St. Christopher, left Fredrikshavn today and is expected to take around a week or so before it reaches its destination. The Red Cross announced that the vessel was the first tranche of expected assistance from the Danish people who have "shown their hearts and given to their Scanian brothers and sisters in acts most remarkable", so said the head of the organisation Rudolf Schmeichel. On the vessel is a wide range of items from foodstuffs, tents, flat-packed shelters, medicines, machinery, pumps, materials such as piping and electrical wiring, books, and children's toys. Also are some 350 volunteers from both the Red Cross, churches and ordinary people with a wide range of skills who are going unpaid in order to do 'their bit'. "The troubles over there are painful for us all. At least we can do something to give some succor and lift the misery our kin face in these tough times": Hr Schmeichel. The St. Christopher is expected to carry light protection in case of high sea banditry but is not equipped with military hardware. "That would be wrong, un-christian, and contrary to our mission", the Red Cross's head affirmed. |
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The Danish Red Cross chartered ship Sankt Christopher is destined for Agder and Fey as civil war looms thereImperial capitals in diplomatic spat Christiansborg An unprecedented fall-out between the governments of Danmark and Engellex ~ deemed one of the closest non-Engellexian-sphere international relationships to exist between two sovereign governments in recent years ~ following the Engellexian decision to launch a naval cordon against what has been interpreted as an apparent Danish threat to Agder and Fey, has left the two capitals in mutual anger and flurries of antagonistic diplomatic confrontation. Hr. Henrik Westerveld has led the charge against Dulwich, especially the Duke of Nonsuch, the Engellexian foreign minister, accusing it of acting in bad faith and more concerned at its own sphere of influence over the Scanian Archipelago than the essential democracy that some say is burgeoning in Agder and Fey. "The moves by Engellex speak volumes. It does not take an expert to sift the seed from the chaff to discern that the root issue here is Dulwich's determination to control, brow-beat and grab the nations in that region into its own sphere. A nation that invades, annexes and carves up another kingdom like Montelimar has no grounds to stand on when it claims a doveish mantle as per Agder and Fey. This is all about Dulwich and its imperial desire. First Adger and Fey, where next? The truth will out". But the sensation within Christiansborg is the fact that Dulwich acted untoward in its manner towards one of its closest allies which has sent many politicians into calls for a reassessment. "The manner within Dulwich, from their current statements, though this could alter with time, is that there is an expectation that Christiansborg needs to make concessions first before a likewise reciprocation is to ensue. This cannot happen - it requires a mutual meeting of minds. It takes two to dance a waltz". However, the disputation has also spread to other areas such as the dispute between Potenza and Sikandara, those two nations having reached a abyssal level in relations. Hr. Westerveld has slammed the 'hob-nail boot approach' to the conflict by Dulwich and lambasting it for being engaging in unwieldy measures to the affairs of those nations. The repairs to relations are anticipated to be difficult but the Agder and Fey crisis seems the key to the future on that according to most officials. But the longer-term analysis is that wound-healing is weighted in favour once the kaleidoscopic flux of the world order is restored. Grand East Policy sees paradigm shift Mary Torp-Rahbek Shahdara, Sikandara The Danish foreign minister has commenced talks with his Sikandari counterpart, Grand Councillor Khan, likely to see a strengthening of ties between the two states as the government shows an increasing shift in interest to the East. The one-to-one talks are expected to cover a wide range of areas and affairs from economic, energy, military and geopolitics as Shahdara increasingly opens its doors to other nations and asserts an increasing presence on regional and world affairs. Both sides were keen to keep the the issue of Sikandara's clash with Potenza off the agenda, but the meeting comes following mounting concerns from the Imperial State over the threat of communism in their backyard and the influx of refugees from the conflict in nearby Raigestan. But it is known also that Christiansborg has been signalling towards a renewed and closer relationship with the eastern state for some time as part of a strategic policy aimed in general in the East. Anthropologists delve into the Heart of Himyar Lombard FritzNjordstadt, Gladsheim A party of university anthropologists, Danish army personnel, explorers and trekkers from Danmark and Gladsheim have begun an expedition into the interior of the huge continent of the Himyar to study the flora and fauna of indigenous peoples fulfilling a five-year preparation and raising of funds. The seventy-four-strong party crossed over the northern border of Gladsheim and into territory occupied by the Tscunzu indigenous people on a trip expected to last at least six months in order to record the lives and traditions of the tribe, the wildlife, vegetation and map the terrain of what are largely unknown areas deep inside the interior, as well as study disease and infections. Much is known of the Tscunzu already but the real gems are expected as the expeditionary party traverse out of their lands into other areas, some of which are known to be formidable warriors and in frequent conflict. |
Westerveld suffers egging after foreign policy speechUltra-nationalist outrage at 'swerve' in foreign policy Henrik KierkegaardPoll indications of Westerveld heading new coalition governmentRustic parties advocating Westerveld succession but cities and intelligentsia-elite keep cards to their chests Wilhelmsburg Henrik Westerveld faced the onslaught of a plethora of egg-brandishing ultra-nationalists as he made comments over foreign policy that they have characterised as a sell-out of Danish interests as he seeks the position of Statsmininster of a new government. Hr Westerveld was making yet another speech as he forayed across the kingdom in the seeking of the position of Statsminister, head of government, on his own credentials, following slightly reluctant endorsement of the Liberal Party but almost unequivocal advocacy by nationalists as the national elections come close to climax. Westerveld has enjoyed a poll-lead eclipsing his competitors but he has not made indicated nor moved that this is a fait accompli in the Gallian phraseology. However, die-hard nationalists have become increasingly concerned at the statements of Hr Westerveld as he has spoken of 'conciliation' and 'accommodation' over world issues that has proven a red rag to the bull of Danish nationalism in its most aggressive form. Speaking in Wilhelmsburg, the heart of the Dano-German heartland, a proscribed linguistic canton within Danmark, the current foreign minister reiterated his stance that the Danes must seek amelioration with outcasts and those that it has otherwise sought to shun in recent years. "Communism remains a bug-bear and one that all decent and civilised nations need to stand against whilst being attuned to realities with crystal clear clarity. But we must sift on a case by case basis on the basis of pragmatism. The same rationale involves the Sylvanians. We need to invite them into the sphere of responsiblity and international statesmanship upon the grounds of understanding their terms. But this does not come without obligations on their own part". As he finished his word, a storm of chicken and duck eggs railed on Hr Westerveld, thrown by angry nationalists who sensed a switching of emphasis under a likely Westerveld government, probably to be a coalition as most Danish governments are. Attempting to dodge the egg-throwing group, who were shortly and summarily escorted out of the theatre, the foreign minister was nonetheless the victim as he wiped yolk and albumen off his face and suit. "We need to stake our position and it does come with soft as well as hard power. Soft as long as it needs to be and if it garners results, hard if it doesn't. Such is the situation. I shall speak the uncomfortable truths as it is, in the clarity of the day, and if that upsets some, so be it". Although known to most, it seems that Hr Westerveld jollies in rivalry and opposition and if example be needed, this election is evidence supreme. Even with his own apparent, though apparently erstwhile, supporters. Some officiandos have spoken of Westerveld as being less nationalist than is often supposed but that due the nature of the current climate of Danish discourse he has had to act in a way that carries this dominant thread. "Like a statesman", said one parliamentarian. 'Estrup Telegramme' delivered to Zhenjing Matthias SkytteChristiansborg The Danish government has indicated that it will not support the Imperial regime in any way so long as it continues a policy of 'bloodthirst' and a cavalier attitude which it delivered in a telegramme from the Danish town of Estrup, in the name of Hr Westerveld and behalf of the Danish government. Notwithstanding that, the government has been strongly defensive of the Viceroyalty, or Colony, of Ningwei which the government has pledged shall retain its legal remits under the Dano-Yujiner Treaty and be strengthened accordingly with a dispatch of 25,000 troops of the Tenth Jutish Division to be sent to the colony with an expressed remit of crossing into Yujiner Imperial lands to secure the colony if necessary and if under threat and to stymie continued communistic activity within the Empire of Yujin. "For too long and in a precariousness, the advance and apparent envelopment of regions of Yujin, dictated from quarters beyond the limits of civility, have been permitted to determine the agenda and make deep incursions into the Yujiner future. Whilst the cats have been away the mice have sought to engage in play. Not for much longer. My nation, to some degree with reluctance, shall lead an offensive against the rising communistic menace that eats upon Yujin like a cancer. It is a calling that is necessary. In this, we shall shall call upon the support of similarly minded nations that object to the arrogance and carte blanche attitude of the communists of the globe. That does not mean that we condone the Imperial regime of Yujin, but we certainly shall act in order to push the cocky hargingers back into a state of dilution. If this means, in the short term, supporting the Imperial government, so be it, but this is not the rationale per se", Hr Westerveld announced. The increase of Danish troops and air force presence are an addition to the preexisting 2,000 troops stationed in Ningwei so the increase is a significant extra and and an indication of concerns. Nonetheless, air patrols over the region and into Yujin are believed to be already underway with bomber aircraft, reconnaissance planes and fighter jets ready to target and watch the 'enemies of the status quo' with landings due to take place on the airfields of Yujin Proper in the vacuum. Butter mountains and milk lakes Holger Gundersen-KockSkanderborg Danish farming production has led to a surplus of foodstuffs that the government is keen to sell abroad for fear of waste but also to dovetail into international needs. Due to what many have criticised as the poor policy of the nationalist-dominated coalition government in support of the farming community through subsidies, there is an excess of foodstuffs such as butter, cheese, cured bacon, mutton, lamb, beef and milk, some with shorter shelf-lives than others, which exceeds the requirements of Danish consumers. To prevent the food going to waste and to add to export revenue, the government has sought to offload the excess production in return for a fee though analysts believe this could be a cash-cow of added revenue whilst supplying the needs of foreign nations. There does not seem to be be any restriction on who buys the excess so long as they pay the due amount. Some have even argued that it may burgeon a consumer culture and demand thus not only kickstarting international trade but also wealth for the Purse (the Danish Treasury) and also for farmers but this has not swerved critics of what they slam as preferential treatment for the sphere of rusticism. |
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HM The Queen Dowager Birgitte as she opened the renovated Royal Opera House in Christiansborg yesterday acclaimed with loud cheers and catcalls replied with the 'royal wave'.Archbishop slams 'modern fetish of capitalism' Aaben-unden-Marken The Archbishop of Christiansborg has launched an unprecedented attack upon modern industry and the 'culture of modernity' in a sermon from St. Haagen's Cathedral. Archbishop Gammelgaard lambasted modern society for a 'fetish' for the 'work-all-hours culture' and the perilousness of being 'nuzzled away' from the matters of deep introspection, 'space for thought', and clarity due to slavish employers and a societal-soaked workforce driven into to twentieth-century servitude and 'serfdom of modernity'. "Over the past one-hundred years, we have seen Danish society transformed. Not necessarily for the good, despite its sellers who advocate 'progress'. Whereas at one time workers worked largely for themselves and to keep their basic means, we now see a society obsessed by the extremities of working for all the hours, with time the watchword and maximisation of industriousness itemised into mathematical parameters, whilst all are under the thumb of moneymakers and in the lame chase of consumer products produced by the colleagues of the very same people that are oppressed under this cloak of liberty when in fact it is suppression and delusion". "These moneymakers scrunch the very humanity from the souls of those that are befallen to offer their hearts and labour for the good of who? The employer. That is all. The worker- What do they receive? Little but constant onslaught and a pittance." "In the times past, before industrialisation, workers provided for their basic needs and the requests of the landlord. But the requests of the landlord were generally inconsequential and menial on balance. The question needs to be asked: who is more free on balance? The medieval 'peasant' or the modern toiler? For the oftly frequented talk of modern freedoms as opposed to 'medieval serfdom', deeper analysis actually indicates that modern people have less freedom in many respects than the dismissed peasant. But such is the idea of modernity ~ a certain arrogance towards the past". 'Free City' established in Christiansborg after lengthy squat protestations Mary Dalgaard Christiansborg Following almost seven years of protracted dispute between squatters and the Council of Christiansborg an agreement has been reached allowing for limited autonomy over a two square mile portion of the city which has been hailed by the squatters as the 'Free City of Holmsgaard'. Occupying a largely abandoned military estate, the Free City shall be responsible for internal law and order under its own remits as proscribed by a Charter organised by all permanent residents of the commune, totalling around 1300 people. Unlike much of Danmark, Holmsgaard has struck a much more liberal approach to the use of drugs use, sexual liberation and experimentation, libertarian and alternative attitudes and avocation of the tenets of peace. A speck of bohemianism in the kingdom, the Council of Christiansborg retains ultimate responsibility in policing and protection but otherwise, if order is maintained, it is not likely to intervene too often unless required. The law of the kingdom remains however, but with this quirk of dispensation to the Free City ensuring it does not become a statelet but a tolerance. According to most analysts, it is the first such development of its kind in the world though the Committee of the Free City hope that it will be repeated elsewhere. A straggly haired 'spokesperson', Joachim Voss, hailed the agreement as a mark of freedom and commonsense from Danish authorities and that the Free City was a precursor to shift in societal attitudes. "Holmsgaard is to be an open city free from limiting ideas of nationality and prejudice. Our commune is open to all that share our values which are essentially 'live and let live". It is a commune much more in tune with the social teachings of Christ, in some ways, than any nation existing and I am sure, dare I be to be devilish to say, that our cute and cuddly King Freddy may have a degree of envy if the news of his homosexuality are to be believed. Whether residents or visitors just want to explore themselves and share the spirit of alternative views, be transient loafers, experience homosexual and freelance love, talk, be comfortable or just want to grow organic food, we welcome all. But as permanent residents, we share the common values of support not only in terms of love but in allowing the commune to be self-sufficient. Skills can be learned and skills brought to us. Permanency means committal". But Danish conservatives have criticised the move to allow tolerance for ideologies encapsulating drug use and what they have called 'uncountenanced debauchery'. One rightist member of the Folkhuset scorned that Holmsgaard will corrupt the youth of the city and the country as Danes pass over the 'border', smoke the dodgy weeds, fornicate with the same sex or menage a trois, or even more, and then cross back into Danish society spreading these appallingly rotting ideas. Abhorrent". The Palace has not been drawn on the comments of Hr Voss regards the King aside from calling them 'nice'. |