ERT News Europaland

[Europaland]

There is no persecution of religion in Europaland and almost 20 million people are at least nominal members of the Church of Europaland which is the nation's largest religious denomination. This has nothing to do with marriage and most religious people in Europaland rightly understand that marriage is an outdated institution which they need take no part in. The Orthodox Church can call it 'debauchery' if they like but our citizens are perfectly happy living together as free individuals unburdened by the dictates of conservative, patriarchal tradition.

Ingebjørg Haugen,
Equality Minister of Europaland

 

[Potenza]

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The Grand Duchy condemns the blank check that Europaland's government has given to insurgent world elements, which hinges upon her definition of to what the phrase "authoritarian, un-democratic regimes" refers. Any funding of insurgent, anti-government groups within Potenza - whether openly or privately provided - will be regarded as an act of war and will be met with as such.

Franco Frattini
Foreign Minister​

 

[Europaland]

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ARABIC/URODUAH TO BE MADE AN OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

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Foreign Minister Saida Nasri recently launching a new initiative to reach out to Uroduah speakers

The National Assembly in Europa City has voted by a wide margin to add Arabic/Uroduah as Europaland's eighth official language, meaning it shall be entitled to its own TV channel and radio station and must be offered to all children who wish to learn it at school. Official documents must now also be translated into Uroduah and it will be possible for it to be spoken in parliament and in the courts. Arabs comprise roughly 4% of the population with many having come to Europaland over the last few decades as immigrants or refugees from states such as Hajr and Jurzan. The language has more speakers than Yiddish which was made an official language a decade ago due to the long Jewish presence in Europaland. The decision by parliament today will, it is hoped, address this imbalance which some Uroduah speakers had considered unfair.

Europaland hopes also to reach out to people across Europe of an Arab or Islamic background with this move. Many of the more conservative or religious elements in the Uroduah-speaking countries have been reluctant to associate with Europalandian Arabs who are widely seen as atheistic and hostile to traditional Islamic values. It is estimated for example that less than 10% have been to a mosque or church in the last year and that over half consider themselves atheists. The effect which ERT's new Uroduah language channel, to be made available on satellite across Europe, will have upon the country's perception among Arabs and Muslims throughout Europe is as yet unclear. The channel however is expected to cover a range of potentially controversial topics such as gender equality, gay rights and sexual liberation as is common on ERT's other channels.

Such moves are not the first towards increasing the status of Arab culture in Europaland. The municipal council of Europa City declared last month that it wants Europaland's capital to be considered one of Europe's main centres of Arab culture and to this end shall organise a number of events and exhibitions to showcase it as well as increasing municipal funding directed at Arab cultural organisations. Europa City is currently home to several Arab film-makers, musicians and pop stars who have achieved world-prominence, many believing Europaland to offer a freer cultural environment compared to that existing in their native countries.

OOC: I'm not sure if Uroduah is just the name of the language or if we should always use the term instead of 'Arab' on NS-Europe.

OTHER NEWS

Government expresses outrage at the Danziger embassy's misuse of its diplomatic priviliges to make money by illegally smuggling alcohol, tobacco and banned pornographic films into the country and selling them on the black market. The authorities have responded by putting the embassy under surveillance and will, until further notice, be inspecting any packages it receives.

Foreign Minister Saida Nasri draws criticism from Touzen for her recent comments about capitalist countries being dominated by a ”blood-sucking elite”. Both President Nordahl and the other members of the cabinet have stood by her and she has been defended by her Carentanian counterpart. According to Ms Nasri the comment has been misinterpreted and will not be withdrawn.

Engellex and Potenza threaten war should Europaland support any opposition groups in their countries. President Nordahl has referred to the comments as ”nothing other than petty threats” and ”evidence that our efforts to promote democracy and liberation are working”, noting that ”the tyrants of our world are feeling increasingly insecure in the face of their peoples' demands”.

 

[Khemia]

民國外交部
Mínguó Wàijiāobù
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Given the deterioration of Europalandian culture and the disrespect shown to hosted diplomatic personnel, the government of the Republic of Yujin will be discontinuing diplomatic operations and withdrawing diplomatic personnel from the Libertarian Republic of Europaland forthwith and for an indefinite amount of time. The Europalandian embassy in Yujin has likewise been given notice to vacate the premises for an indefinite amount of time. We can not, and will not in the future, deal with a nation which willingly violates what is accepted to be an international custom; that is to say that any package clearly labelled as property of a diplomatic envoy should be immune to prosecution, search, and seizure by the state which hosts that envoy. The fact that these actions were taken without first resorting to diplomatic recourse further condemns in our view the intolerable violation of privacy by the Europalandian regime. Should the Libertarian Republic wish to renew diplomatic ties with Yujin, we ask that the People's Republic of Carentania be used as an intermediary. Until such time, we will remain in contact with Rijeka and work with the leadership of the RDTO on matters involving trade and relations. We ask for understanding on this matter - our government would not go so far as to violate the privacy of the ambassador of another nation in an attempt to curb petty crime.

 

[Europaland]

If Yujin wants to react this way then it is their choice however we must point out that it was Danzig which broke diplomatic protocol through its openly illegal activities on our territory. Our actions (which do not involve reading letters but rather checking the content of larger packages) are in response to blatant lawbreaking and in that way are perfectly legitimate. Even the media in Danzig itself has noted that the embassy was not even being used for the purposes intended ie. representing its citizens and conducting diplomacy between Danzig and Europaland.

Saida Nasri,
Foreign Minister of Europaland

 

[Europaland]

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BREAKING NEWS: DANZIG EMBASSY OCCUPIED BY PROTESTERS, AMBASSADOR TAKEN HOSTAGE

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The march before it turned violent

Hundreds of protesters have broken through police lines to pour into the Danziger Embassy in Europa City, holding the ambassador hostage not long after Danzig annonced its intention to close the building. The events started off peacefully as around 20,000 people took to the streets of Europa City this morning to protest the violation of Europalandian sovereignty by embassy staff apparently involved in a relatively large-scale smuggling ring making money off of alcohol, tobacco and illegal pornography. As the protest march headed towards the embassy however it soon became apparent to the police that a large radical contingent made up by extremist anarchists and other violent revolutionary groups were looking for trouble, some being spotted carrying weapons such as hammers and baseball bats. The police at this point tried to move in in force but were quite simply overwhelmed with several police officers beaten to the ground. Several thousand protestors then broke off from the march to make a run for the embassy, culminating in several hundred managing to scale the walls surrounding the building.

The situation inside the building is currently unclear and noone knows how many embassy staff were inside at the time or if they are all safe. Shortly after the occupation began police reinforcements were able to regain control of the situation outside the embassy (making dozens of arrests) and now have it surrounded. Unconfirmed reports say that some of the protesters have threatened to kill the ambassador should the police try to move in and, if true, may explain why, several hours later, the police have made no attempt to take control of the embassy itself. Specialist teams of negotiators have rushed to the scene and are attempting to get the occupiers and hostage-takers to give themselves up. They have apparently offered an amnesty from prosecution for anyone voluntarily leaving the building and, as a result, a large number of protesters have been observed doing just that. The problem for the authorities is that those remaining are likely to be the most extreme and potentially violent of the protesters.

The reaction from the country's politicians has universally been one of shock. President Nordahl has stated that ”regardless of what the ambassador and his staff may or may not have done this occupation is totally unacceptable and brings shame to our nation”, appealing to the protestors to ”leave the embassy, return to your homes and leave our nation to deal with whatever accusations exist in a civilised manner, not through sheer violence and intimidation”. According to Ms Nordahl the authorities ”will do all they can to get all of the embassy staff out safely and bring to justice all those hostage-takers who refuse to leave of their own accord”. The Centre Party has meanwhile urged an immediate investigation into why not enough police were on duty to guard the embassy when it was known that a large demonstration was likely to take place. The events should, in the words of the party, ”never have happened” and will ”no doubt harm our country's status in the eyes of the international community”.

 

[Caelia]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

By Decree of the State Defense Council the Ambassador of Europaland is hereby expelled from the Kyivan Peoples Republic, effective immediately. Europaland should consider itself advised the KPR considers it's embassies sovereign territory and is fully prepared to repel any attacks on them.

 

[Jydsken-Østveg]

KVALIFICERAT HEMLIG
(TOP SECRET)​

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Drottningens kabinett för den utrikes brevväxlingen
The Queen's cabinet for the correspondence with foreign powers
​

Måndag 16 jan 2012
Monday, Jan 16 2012


Foreign Office, Danzig

Sir,​

Götarike offers displaced embassy workers, who may not have been held hostage in the Danziger Embassy due to being out of the office, etc., safe refuge at the Götisk (Suionian) Embassy in Europaland. As it has been stated it is the goal for the Embassy to close, Götarike can also ensure their safe passage back home to Danzig. As it is to be guaranteed they will be extensively searched or unlawfully imprisoned on their way home, they will be issued temporary Suionian Diplomatic Passports so that they may be able to easily clear Europalander customs with diplomatic immunity. A Suionian chartered jet will be hired for their transport.
​

Med Vänliga Hälsningar,
Henne excellens Charlotte "Lotta" Öqvist
Her Excellency Charlotte "Lotta" Öqvist

LOTTA ÖQVIST

Statsminister för utrikes ärendena
Minister for Foreign Affairs

 

[Europaland]

With this announcement from Kyiv we have no choice but to expel the Kyivan ambassador and all his staff from Europaland. We give every last Kyivan diplomatic official 48 hours to leave before their presence in Europaland shall be considered illegal.

Saida Nasri,
Foreign Minister of Europaland

 

[Touzen]

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​

Ministry of Revolutionary Defense and Foreign Affairs
__________________________________________________ _______
"Servants to Citizens!"
​

Nokanawa 16 January, 63


​

The Constitutional State will until further notice restrict general public access to its embassy in Europaland to the bare minimum needed to continue operations. Furthermore, security measures on the embassy compound will be stepped up to accommodate to the new security situation in Europaland. These measures will stay enacted until the current security issues in the country have been resolved.

Constitutional State of Touzen Embassy, Europaland

 

[Frescania]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

We are shocked at the violent treatment of a foreign nation's representatives in Europaland. Frescania will be withdrawing within the coming hours top officials from our embassy as we feel that the Europalandian government cannot guarantee their safety. We will also be increase our security throughout in our embassy and consulates throughout the nation.

 

[Europaland]

I can assure both Touzen and Frescania that their embassies and diplomatic staff are safe in Europaland and security will naturally be stepped up around all foreign embassies following these unfortunate events. The vast majority of people in Europaland are united in seeing the embassy occupation as completely wrong and inexcusable and our nation cannot possibly be held accountable for the actions of a few violent extremists.

Saida Nasri,
Foreign Minister of Europaland

 

[Wieserreich]

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Reichsministerium des Auswärtigen
Imperial Ministry for Foreign Affairs
​

"His Imperial Majesty's Council of Ministers universally condemns the irresponsibility of the Europalandic government as shown in recent times. After the foundation of a notorious terrorist fund, we now witness the violation of diplomatic sanctity as Europaland's capital is proven to have insufficient security and protection. The complete responsibility behind the destruction of Danzig's embassy in Europaland is at the hands of the government and security forces of Europaland, who either failed to secure or opted to not secure certain paths.

"In light of these recent events, security staff in Wiese's embassy and consulates in Europaland have received orders to fire at will in the event of an invasion of embassy territory in Europaland, shooting to kill if necessary in order to protect the lives and property of the embassy and its staff. Furthermore, the Europalandic ambassador to Augsburg is hereby ordered to appear before His Imperial Majesty and the Council of Ministers for consultations on the matters raised."

Regards,
Heinrich Maximilian Graf von und zu Babelfisch
Imperial Minister for Foreign Affairs

 

[Caelia]

With this announcement from Kyiv we have no choice but to expel the Kyivan ambassador and all his staff from Europaland. We give every last Kyivan diplomatic official 48 hours to leave before their presence in Europaland shall be considered illegal.

Saida Nasri,
Foreign Minister of Europaland

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Kyiv will withdraw it's ambassador and all staff within 48 hours. Should your government be contemplating a "Danziger" solution be advised any attempt to interfere with their orderly withdraw will be interpreted as an act of State-Sanctioned aggression and the KPR will respond accordingly.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Office of the Chancellor

As Europaland has failed to meet its obligation to protect an embassy, Nicosia must take action. International custom dictates that all nations shall provide protection to diplomatic missions. In light of this, Nicosia will remove its staff temporarily. Should Europaland have business with Nicosia during that time, communication can be facilitated through the embassy of Eiffelland.

 

[Natal]

Ministerul Afacerilor Externe

After the recent events in Europaland, the Principality declares that the staff of its embassy in Europa City is not safe and needs to be recalled to Altai until the city shall be safe again. We are sorry for any inconvenience made by the recall.

 

[Danmark]

Danske Ambassade

We believe it is imperative that the staff and the property of international missions are duly protected and, accordingly, view the assault upon the Danziger Embassy and it's staff with great lament. We urge that the perpetrators of the offence undergo the due process of law and a full investigation is carried out.

However, we are heartened by the the words of President Nordahl and sympathise that the image of Europaland has been tainted. Europaland must do all that it can to repair the damage caused to the relations with foreign nations.

The Kingdom of Danmark has no plans to close it's embassy and will operate as normal, and we will not be issuing any travel restrictions or warnings preventing Danes visiting Europaland at this stage.

 

[Breotonia]

Foreign Office

While deeply troubled by the actions of the Europalander Government in light of the possible indiscretions committed by the staff of the Danziger embassy, His Majesty's Government does not believe the situation to be as dire as many other nations must believe as evidenced by the rather drastic and sudden withdrawal of diplomatic representation. While non-essential staff might temporarily be relocated as a safety measure and security services present at the Breotish Embassy will be on alert, we will maintain our mission to Europaland and business will continue as normally as possible. We would urge the Europalander Government to make all reasonable attempts to stabilize the situation.

 

[Europaland]

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EMBASSY CRISIS UPDATE: HOSTAGE-TAKERS ISSUE LIST OF DEMANDS

The embassy hostage-takers have posted four different demands online which they say must be met before Danzig's ambassador and his staff are released safely. The demands which were posted on a vanguardist website are as follows:

* Danzig shall pay 20 billion Euromarks to Europaland to compensate for all that which has been ”stolen” by the ”theiving, parasitic capitalist scum” over many decades.

* Danzig shall force its ratings agencies to upgrade the status of Europaland and ”stop discriminating against the socialist states”.

* Danzig shall waive the diplomatic immunity of its ambassador and his staff so they can be tried by a Europalandian court.

* The government of Danzig shall resign and all political power will be transfered to the ”working class and its representatives”.

So far the government of Danzig has not reacted publicly to the demands but the unrealistic nature of them suggests there will be little or no room for negotiation. President Nordahl has meanwhile made clear that responsibility lies with the Europalandian authorities and that Danzig is under no obligation to comply with the hostage-takers' requests.

As time has gone by details of the occupation have become clearer. One protestor named Emma who was briefly in the building before giving herself up to the police, has told ERT that she and most of the other protesters ”only wanted to send a message that Danzig's actions in our country are unacceptable through a short occupation” and that noone she spoke to had intended to take the ambassador hostage. Once inside the building though a small hard-line group of vanguardist terrorists pulled out guns, threatening the other protesters and rounding up embassy staff, some of whom were beaten and tied up. It is believed now that most of the protesters have left the embassy with no more than a few dozen terrorists and extremists still inside.

As such details emerged the Liberal Forum's leader called for an elite army special forces team to be sent in at once to liberate the embassy, using potentially lethal force against anyone who resists. According to the Liberal Forum ”terrorism must be met with swift and decisive action if we are to have any hope of eliminating this cancer from our nation”. The Centre Party have also considered using the army but have cautioned that the authorities are ”dealing with a bunch of armed lunatics” and that they must be careful to avoid endangering the Danzig embassy staff. Interior Minister Marie Bertrand has responded by saying that ”all options are open” but that the situation is ”extremely sensitive and requires caution”.

OTHER NEWS

A series of countries withdraw or scale-back their diplomatic presence in Europaland as a result of the hostage crisis. Foreign Minister Saida Nasri claims there is no reason for concern and that security will be stepped up.

Carentanian media calls for Foreign Minister Nasri to resign. The Europalandian government has so far reserved comment.

 

[Thaumantica]

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___________________
FOREIGN OFFICE
VESPER : : JANUARY 16, 2012
​

THE Covenant has been redeemed in its dissolution of customary ties with Europaland, for The State that is not safe or stable from within cannot presume to project hostilities abroad. We none-the-less commend Elin Nordahl for her firm leadership and impeccable use of mouth to alleviate many of the swelling tensions. Though much of Europaland is to blame, President Nordahl is perhaps the shining star within a very dark sky.

Forward Cantigny!
Benjamin Stokes,
Chief Officer