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Mergogne

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USSK Office of Foreign Affairs

The Kryobaijani government wishes the best for Mr. Ortendhal's tenure, and hopes that he can create lasting ties between the AGE and the rest of Europe.

ooc: this is a conspiracy
 
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Nassirian: Islamic Republic moving away from principles of Revolution

IJAD (Reuters): In a rare sit down with foreign jounalists, a prominent conservative in Wazistan's ruling establishment expressed expressed reservation over the direction of the Islamic Republic, a move that is sure to antagonize the country's leaders ahead of a major opposition rally today. Speaking to Reuters from his suburban home in northern Ijad, Mehdi Nassirian offered glowing praise for President Hamid Najibullah's leadership during the recent turmoil plaguing the country, but warned "an appropriate resolution" to restore national unity.

Nassirian is the first senior figure within the country's cleric-dominated establishment to openly criticized the country's leadership, a sign analysts say that the division within among the leaders in widening.

A close ally of Wazistan's late revolutionary leader Yassin, Nassirian has been chairman of the powerful Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution since its creation in 1981. The 25-member body, which includes the most prominent living figures of the Revolution, is constitutionally recognized as the most powerful institution in the country with the final decision on all matters of state, though its powers were largely exercised by Yassin alone until his death.

In an example of Nassirian's status, Ayatollah Mahmoud Esfandiari, Yassin's brother and de facto successor as Islamic Republic's supreme leader, is officially below Nassirian in state rankings. Esfandiari serves as vice chairman of the Supreme Council, a post he only assumed last year.

Experts say the criticism is even more significant given Nassirian's position and role in the Revolution.

"Dr. Nassirian's criticism is significant in the scene that it's coming from a man who literally near the center of power." Professor Ibrahim Fahim, an political science lecturer at Ijad's Yassin University.

"Nassirian has never been identified as someone who sympathetic with the country's opposition movement or reformist policies. He's always been seen as a loyal servant to the Revolution and its leaders."

Despite his criticism, Nassirian makes clear he has "no love" for protesters on the streets who break the law and seek "to destroy" the accomplishments of the Revolution. However, Nassirian says he does feel that some of those demonstrating within the confines of the law have legitimate concerns that must be addressed before the country could "move on from this terrible episode."
 
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Tension builds in Wazi capital as opposition calls for strike

IJAD (Reuters): One day after hundreds of thousands of opposition supporters turned out to a independence rally in defiance of the country's Islamic rulers, anger among the activists continues to build on the streets as reports suggests division within the government over how to deal with the crisis. Anti-government graffiti has begun to appear on streets signs and walls across the city and while opposition activists have taken to gathering in small groups to chant anti-government slogans before they are broken up by riot police and security forces.

Experts say he opposition appears to have been embolden by the turnout for yesterday's commemoration rally for independence hero Sid Sidalia Alloula despite harassment for state security services and pro-government supporters.

Opposition officials say the movement is benefiting from the division within the government over crisis, which has evolved from a question of minority rights to a direct challenge to the entire Islamic regime. The hardline clerical establishment, backed by the important security services, have strongly been criticized of what they see as President Hamid Najibullah's timid response to the crisis and are demanding the government take a march tougher line with opponents.

Najibullah, a technocrat who is largely viewed as a moderate within the otherwise hardline Revolutionary Democratic Party, has reportedly balked at those calls fearing they would only invite further turmoil. He is said to have the support of several prominent conservatives, including revolutionary hero Mehdi Nassirian.

In a sign of the new opposition's assertiveness, the main Wazistan Islamic National Movement party called for its supporters not to show up for work next week as a show of defiance against the government. In a statement posted on the opposition Nawaz website, party official Mohammad Kamal al-Jabar said the movement had achieve "new momentum" in the wake of yesterday's rallies and that it was up to the supporters to help sustain it.
 
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Wazi vice president Barzinji resigns ahead of general strike

IJAD (Reuters): A deputy to President Hamid Najibullah has resigned from the Cabinet after asking to retire for health reasons, government officials have confirmed to Reuters, adding to the troubles of regime. The Islamic Republic is currently in the midst of one of its biggest internal crisis since the Revolution as the country's opposition movement increasing challenges the legitimacy of the Islamic establishment and its increasing repressive policies. Opposition websites have called for supporters to heed calls for a nationwide strike on Wednesday and there are signs that campaign is building steam.

The turmoil has also led to increasing division within the regime, putting the country's more pragmatic leaders, among them President Najibullah, against the hardline clergy backed by the powerful security apparatus.

In a letter sent to the presidency, Vice President Samir Barzinji, the most senior Kurd in the government, says he felt that the pressures of government had begun to take its toll on his health and asked to believe relieve of his duties to focus on his health and spend more time with his family. Barzniji is known to have a history of health problems including a battle with prostate cancer.

Aside from the vice presidency, Barzinji's portfolio included responsibility for monitoring human rights and youth affairs.

Sources say that alongside stepping down from the government, Barzinji is also expected to give up his seat on the Politburo of the ruling Revolutionary Democratic Party.
 
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Wazistan shuts down amid general strike

IJAD (Reuters): A strike called by the country's largest opposition party has brought much of the country to a halt as millions reportedly fail to show up for work, a source at the Ministry of Labor Affairs has informed us. Called by the Wazistan Islamic National Movement, it is the first major strike to hit the country in more than twenty years and comes amid rising tension between the government and opposition. It comes on the heels of a mass opposition rally last week in support of a revered independence hero and signs that the opposition is preparing more protests.

According to the source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, reports more than 7.4 million people failed to show up for work, forcing many businesses to shut down for the day and disrupting public services including the international airport and train services. A number of provincial and state government offices hare also reported to have been forced to close down, including the Ijad municipal government and the provincial government of Ujaz.

An aide to opposition leader Jamal Bishara, who has reluctantly backed the strike after pressure from allies, called the reported figures "unbelievable."

However, the Labor Affairs Ministry put out a statement has disputing out figures, saying less than 10,000 had not shown up to work. SState prosecutors had been directed by the judiciary to charge those who skipped work in violation of labor laws.
 
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:!: ReutersNewsBreak: Opposition leader seized by police :!:

IJAD (Reuters): Wazistan's main opposition leader Jamal Bishara was arrested a his north Ijad home early Thursday morning, a opposition member of parliament and Bishara spokesman has told Reuters. The lawmaker, speaking on the condition of anonymity, says police stormed into Bishara's home just after three in the morning and took the 71-year old human rights lawyer into custody.

Calls to the Ijad Public Safety Department and the state prosecutor's office were no returned.

If confirmed, Bishara's arrest would come just hours before mass opposition rallies are expected across the country. Government and security officials have warned they will deal harshly with any further protests.
 
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:!: ReutersNewsBreak: Heavy clashes reported in Ijad, surrounding cities :!:

IJAD (Reuters): Reuters News Service is reporting heavy clashes have taken place between security forces and supporters of the democratic opposition movement, hours after reports surfaced that the main opposition leader, Jamal Bishara, had been arrested. Reuters, quoting unconfirmed postings from opposition websites, also reports similar clashes in neighboring cities including Samangan and Bam. The opposition leadership had called on supporters to turn out for nationwide rallies against the government on Thursday and the latest events indicate the government is moving forward with a crackdown.

Ijad correspondent Kevin Jonathan, quoting intelligence officials, is also reporting foreign journalists have been ordered to remain in their offices and banned from reporting on the streets for the next 48 hours.
 

Serenierre

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The situation in Wazistan is of utmost concern to Paris. We continue to monitor the situation.
 
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:!: ReutersNewsBreak: Clashes reported in Sine, Rabat, Ramadi

Amid reports of heavy clashes between opposition supporters and security forces in the capital, opposition websites have begun to report similar clashes taking place in other cities in the Islamic Republic. Reuters News Service, quoting the popular opposition Nawaz site, reports heavy fighting on the streets of Kurdish city of Sine after thousands of opposition supporters attacked the provincial government complex and the headquarters of the province's security services.

In Rabat, the base of Wazistan's late revolutionary leader Mohammed Abdul Yassin, security forces reportedly stormed the Rabat Science University and attacked students in their dormitories. The opposition Street Journalist newspaper reports 20 students were taken away in vans after being severely beaten by soldiers with batons.

In Ramadi, reports indicate hundreds have been injured after security forces prevented opposition supporters from gathering outside the office of the governor. Other unconfirmed reports suggests the prestigious Al-Kamari University was shut down after police raided several dormitories and beat several students.

Reuters will have more information as it becomes available.
 

Hesperia

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The Sultanate condemns this collective punishment of minorities by the Persian oligarchy of Wazistan. We demand an immediate stop to this violence against protesters voicing their legitimate grievances.
 
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:!: Continuing Updates on the situation in Wazistan :!:

Crackdown in Wazistan continues as troops arrests opposition MPs

IJAD (Reuters): Wazistan's crackdown on the country's opposition movement continued Friday, with security forces arresting more than half of the opposition's delegation in the Majilis parliament. The popular opposition Nawaz website is also reporting the 23-year old son of opposition leader Jamal Bishara, who was arrested by troops early Thursday, was beaten by police after being arrested at his apartment in downtown Ijad.

The site says Ahmad Bishara had just arrived after visiting his mother.

State TV in Wazistan is also reporting that foreign diplomats have been ordered to remain in their embassies until further notice. This comes as clashes between security forces and opposition supporters on the streets of Ijad continue and unconfirmed reports that opposition groups have petitioned embassies to take in the wounded.
 
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:!: Continuing Updates on the situation in Wazistan :!:

Wazistan on edge as Esfandiari consolidates power

IJAD (Reuters): Following nearly four-days of continuous violence between government forces and pro-democracy opposition activists throughout the country, an unease calm settle on Ijad and other cities in Wazistan Monday, though analysts warned the situation could still spiral out of control. Security forces, backed by the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Armed Forces, launched a brutal crackdown on the main opposition Wazi People's Democratic Organization and other opposition groups ahead of a major protest against the government and Wazistan's Islamic clerical establishment.

While official numbers have been difficult to obtain due to government restrictions placed on the media, analysts suspect more than 200 were killed during the unrest while more than 2,000 dissidents were arrested, including opposition leader Jamal Bishara.

Reuters has learned that many of the remaining opposition leaders who were not arrested last week have since gone into hiding, including prominent opposition figures Payan Kasravi and Elias Lahoud.

The violence comes as Wazistan's supreme leader Ayatollah Mahmoud Esfandiari continues to consolidate his authority and clampdown on dissident. Only hours after being formally installed leader, Esfandiari ordered the closure of thousands of opposition newspapers that were allowed to operate under the rule of his brother, revolutionary leader Mohammed Abdul Yassin while approving the expulsion of more than 16 opposition MPs from parliament following their arrests last week.
 

Polesia

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Visa applications rejected by Vangala

KILKILA (Reuters): Reports the People's Republic of Vangala has refused thousands of requests to either renew or issue new visas in the last few days were today confirmed by a spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs. The Ministry of External Affairs, which is responsible for issuing visas, did not state any specific reason for the recent decision to deny so many access to the country instead urging individuals to check their personal responses and to visit the nearest consulate or embassy for further information.

Analysts suspect this is part of a wider crackdown by the Communist regime, which has recently been seen as vulnerable following the dissolution of the International Revolutionary Bloc and continuing instability in Batavia, one of the nation's few remaining allies. Suspected and known opposition activists have also been detained by security forces according to human rights NGOs.

Journalists have also been disproportionately affected. Vangala is in the minority of countries where reporters have to apply for a separate visa. Reuters has had many of its staff rejected by the Vangalan authorities and is currently in the process of appealing.

Diplomatic staff from unfriendly states, such as Wazistan and Belmont, are also facing troubles with their visa applications.

External Affairs Minister Ajoy Qamaruzzaman ruled out any personal investigation or intervention, describing the issuing of visas as an 'administrative process' and echoed the earlier statement released by his ministry.
 
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:!: Continuing Updates on the Situation in Wazistan :!:

Wazistan President resigns, quits party post

IJAD (Reuters): Wazi President Hamid Najibullah resigned from his post Friday, a move that could only raise tension between the country's Islamic establishment and militant opposition groups. In a statement obtained by the opposition Nawaz website, Najibullah expressed his "deep frustration" at the paralysis that had gripped the country since the death of Wazistan's revered revolutionary leader Mohammed Abdul Yassin and criticized "those within the clerical leadership" that have used religious principles as a pretext to silence opponents.

It's been no secret that Najibullah has had a very frosty relation with Wazistan's clerical rulers, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mahmoud Esfandiari. Many in the clergy, who control the country's top state institutions, have longed been critical of Najibullah's reform-minded policies since he was elected in 2005, and have strongly limited his ability to enact such legislation.

In a move that is expected to only exacerbate the crisis, Nawaz reports Najibullah resigned from the ruling Revolutionary Democratic Party along with 50 mid-level party officials. The president, seen more as a technocrat than a ideologue, often clashed with the party's conservative wing that has remained firmly aligned with the clergy.

Analysts says Najibullah's sudden departure will embolden the country's restless militant groups and leave Esfandiari with limited options. Many believe the Esfandiari refrained from removing Najibullah before taking office was because his presence, while frustrating to allies, projected an image of moderation to the international community.

State media in Wazitan has yet to report on the president's resignation, highlighting the sensitivity of the government over the move.
 
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:!: Continuing Updates on the Situation in Wazistan :!:

Military officials arrested in reported purge

Wazistan's security forces arrested more than dozen senior former and active-duty military officials in a pre-dawn sweep through Ijad and other major cities Saturday, a move analysts say underscores unease among the country's Islamic leadership over reported division within the officer corps. The arrests come following increasing warnings from the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Mahmoud Esfandiari, over the rise "subversive activities" within the upper echelons of the Islamic Revolutionary Armed Forces and could point to an even wider purge of the military brass.

The move comes as the government grapples with its worst internal crisis since the Islamic Revolution, with the Islamic establishment pitted against a reformist opposition that has aligned itself with separatist militant groups. Tensions reached a head earlier this month when the government forces launched a violent crackdown on dissidents, killing hundreds of oppositions supporters while jailing the movement's top leaders.

Analysts warn of potential turning point this coming week, whenhe country's main opposition leader, Jamal Bishara, is expected to be tried by a secret revolutionary court. Opposition websites say Bishara, who has not been since he was seized from his home earlier this month, is widely expected to be found guilty, which could spark further turmoil.
 
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:!: Continuing Updates on the Situation in Wazistan :!:

Soldiers pour into Ijad ahead of Bishara trial

IJAD (Reuters): Wazistan poured thousands of troops into the capital and surrounding provinces Wednesday as the government prepares for potential clashes between security forces and opposition supporters ahead of the trial of the country's main opposition leader. International experts have warned of major confrontations this week over the trial of Jamal Bishara, which many expect will end in a guilty verdict. Many fear the country could descend into chaos if Bishara, the figurehead of the country's democratic movement, is sentenced to death, which analyst warn is a real possibility.

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There is fear Bishara's trial will result in more violence

Over the last few days, a number of top government officials have called for Bishara's execution, including the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Armed Forces.

On the streets of Ijad, thousands of soldiers and riot police lined the streets around the Revolutionary Court building, where Bishara is widely expected to be tried. Military trucks rolled through many residential neighborhoods with soldiers shouting into loudspeakers for the public to refrain from going downtown for the next 48 hours.

Major highways leading to the capital from neighboring provinces were expected to be shutdown tonight while public transportation was also suspended.
 
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:!: Continuing Updates on the Situation in Wazistan :!:

ReutersNewsBreak: Heavily secured convoy seen leaving Katamek Prison

A heavily secured convoy of military vehicles has been seen departing a prison where Wazistan's revered opposition leader has reportedly been detained since being last month, Reuters News Services has learned. Reuters' chief Ijad correspondent Keith Hanns is at Reuters' bureau in the capital and has more on the situation.

"It was just about 10 minutes ago here in the sweltering city of Ijad, when we began to receive reports from eyewitnesses of a sudden burst of activity near the Revolutionary Court in the center of the city, the place where opposition leader Jamal Bishara has been expected to stand trial. Roads leading to the court were closed off to traffic as hundred of soldiers and pro-government militiamen began lining the streets.

Shortly afterwards, in the north of the city, multiple eyewitnesses say a 34-vehicle military convoy departed the notorious Katamek Prison.

It is just after two o'clock in the morning here in the capital and this move by the government seems aimed at heading off any attempt by opposition supporters turnout for the trial, which analysts widely believe will end with Bishara's execution."
 
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High-level consultations on Batavia in Nürnberg

Nürnberg (Reuters): Having started in the late afternoon of Wednesday, senior representatives of Oikawa, including their ambassador and a deputy foreign ministers, the EDF countries have concluded consultations on how to deal with the situation in Batavia at the Staatskanzlei in the late night. Both the EDF and the Oikawans have interests in the Batavian theatre. Their strongest common goal for Batavia is to ensure its independence and relative stability, as Ministerpresident Graf Peter Solms told journalists this morning. However, foreign affairs analysts suggest that both the EDF and Oikawa may have ulterior motives. The speculations range from guaranteeing Batavia's neutrality to dividing Batavia into several states.

What is a fact is the recent rapprochement between the Eastern power and the European Defence Federation is very likely based on Realpolitik considerations. Neither side is very keen on tying themselves to each other permanently. "Think of it as a (hopefully) profitable joint-venture between two ambitious enterprises.", an eminent professor for international affairs at Nuremberg's university suggests. The next consultations are scheduled for the coming weekend, Graf Solms announced at this morning's press conference, too.
 
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NGOs: Hundreds dead following government air raid

BIJAN (Reuters): More than 300 people are dead and thousands more have been wounded after government warplanes bombed three rebel-controlled towns in central Wazistan, aid groups operating in the region have told Reuters. The strikes, launched last night following another day of furious clashes between rebel forces and the military, was the first major air strike in Wazistan outside the restive western provinces in more than a decade and comes as cracks begin to emerge within the country's powerful security apparatus over the government's handling of the unrest.

In Bijan, the largest town hit, more than 90 dead had been counted by emergency teams, and medical officials say the death toll will likely rise as more bodies are recovered from the rubble.

One aid group, Helping Hands for Peace, accused the government of indiscriminately attacking civilian targets, including a school and community center.

The attack comes as opposition websites in Wazistan begin to report growing tension within the security forces over the crisis. According to reporters, more than 13 Kurdish officers were arrested over the weekend after they refuse orders to send troops to attack a rebel-controlled city in South Kurdistan province. Similar accounts of Sunni soldiers in southern Wazistan refusing to fight have also been reported.
 
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Opposition leader calls on government to step down

IJAD (Reuters): In his first public comments since widespread fighting broke out in Wazistan last week, a top opposition leader is calling on the country's government to step down and allow the formation of a interim authority to oversee the writing of a new constitution and elections. In a statement posted on his personal website, opposition leader Payan Kasravi accused the government of using "death squads" to silence political dissidents in the wake of the recent uprising and warned the cycle of violence in Wazistan would continue "until this wretched government draws its last breath."

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Kasravi has been in hiding since a violent crackdown on political dissidents last month

Kasravi, a popular human rights lawyer who was once a member of the ruling RDP, also reiterated his call for the release of opposition figurehead Jamal Bishara.

A second statement, released by Kasravi's Freedom Movement party, called for the end of Welayat-e Faqih, or the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists in which Ayatollah Mahmoud Esfandiari has the final say on all state matters and un-elected clerical bodies hold significant power.

Analysts say the clashes between government forces and rebel militias have prompted Wazistan's dissidents to being preparation for the possibility that Ayatollah Esfandiari and the Islamic system is brought down in the hopes of avoiding a power vacuum. Many political groups, many who have seen the pressure placed on them by the state eased as attention is focused on the rebels, have begun holding small talks over the future of the country and cooperation with armed groups in the event the government falls.

However, there has been little talk from opposition groups on whether to endorse the armed campaign. In his statement, Kasravi lamented the violence and urged "the respect for the dignity of life" from those who have expressed support for the opposition's cause.
 
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