Ionon Thesis

[Ionia]

This thread is modeled after Portusgalia's thread "The Dark Side of Portusgalia". Here I will reveal facts about Ionia that others would have no IC way of knowing. However this thread cannot be used as IC reference for revelation or discovery of these facts, but simply exists so as to state these facts for possible IC need. Since Ionia is not as strong as Valkany, her government will need to work in the shadows to get things done, way more than my previous nation.

 

[Ionia]

Ionia's recent application to the Tripartite Agreement as well as the multiple diplomatic meeting requests are the results of the new republic's attempts at ameliorating its relations with various nations that Ionia has had traditionally good relations with. The fall of the monarchy brought insecurity to these nations concerning Ionia, an insecurity that has to be replaced by friendship if Ionia is to raise her international standing, after half a decade of neutrality and isolation caused by the monarchy.

 

[Ionia]

Ionia's government is skeptic and neutral concerning the International Commission on Decolonization. Portusgalia and Suionia, both close friends of Ionia, have colonies in Himyar or elsewhere while Ionia herself retains a small colony, the Island of Pharos, where the Ancient Ionian Colony of New Alexandria in Aegeptus is located, a city still inhabited by a majority of Ionians along with some Aegeptians. At the same time Tyrrhenia, a brother Hellenic nation of Ionia, is a dynamic member of the ICD. Ionia's also waiting to join the Tripartite agreement doesn't help too as Sylvania blocks major colonial powers and supporters, of which Ionia is neither and doesn't aim to become. As such Ionia is both forced to and has chosen to remain neutral, keep a low profile and pretend to be ignoring the existence of the ICD.

 

[Ionia]

Ionian Presidential Residence, Algolis
The Ethnarch is busy with diplomatic documents and intelligence reports. The recent Himyari crisis has brought a diplomatic explosion of unprecedented scale. Calls of support here, calls for condemnation there, the Inbox of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seems like a never ending contradictory documents section. His focus is interrupted by the sound of a very familiar voice...
Secretary: Your excellency, the Head of the Office of Naval Intelligence as well as the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Economics, Colonial Affairs and Defence would like to speak with you.
Ethnarch Demetrius: Send them trough, Helen.
Secretary: Understood.
The Ethnarch knew this was going to come sooner or later. The ICD issue had been troubling and dividing them for quite some time. At least he could take a break from all the work he had to do.
Admiral Themistocles Odessotis, Head of the ONI: Your excellency we have come here to discuss with you concerning the ICD
Ethnarch Demetrius: I thought as much. Now gentlemen, let's hear what you have to say.
The men nodded. The Admiral handed him a large file.

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He opened it. All pages were marked "ΓΡΑΦΕΙΟΝ ᾿ΑΝΤΙΚΑΤΑΣΚΟΠΕΙΑΣ ΝΑΥΤΙΚΟΥ - ΤΜΗΜΑ Φ5, ᾿ΑΚΡΩΣ ᾿ΑΠΟΡΡΗΤΟΝ". Next to that watermark was the emblem of the ONI.

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Yeap. Definitely ONI work. Just like he remembered it from when he had been working with them.
"I already have a lot of fancy paperwork back there" said the Ethnarch while pointing at his desk, "Care to give me a summary?"
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aristotle Filanthropos: Seems fair. You see, your excellency, Ionia is in a rather awkward position. Our allies, Portusgalia, Suionia and other have large colonies and they wouldn't appreciate our part-taking in that ICD assembly.
"But", interrupted the Minister of Economics, "financially strong and capitalist countries like Asylan or Sylvania aren't too happy about colonialism. Asylan already has an ICD peacekeeper force in the 'Cape!"
The minister of defense also stepped in "We have already applied to join the Tripartite Agreement!", "If we join or condemn the ICD we could risk being denied entry by either Sylvania or Ivernia and Ostveg respectively!"
"And don't forget Pharos! We have a colony of our own, though small in size and practically inhabited almost solely by Ionians since ancient times, it's still considered a colony! Both of those sides could use that to pressure us! And we can't lose New Alexandria, it's Pharos' capital and the Jewel of the South!" added the Minister of Colonial Affairs with a rather worried tone.
Ethnarch Demetrius: Simple, we just ignore both of them.
"WHAT?!" said the others with their jaws almost dropping to their feet!
Ethnarch Demetrius: Both condemning and joining the ICD require us to care and say so publicly. We can just not comment on the matter and act like we don'y know anything. And if anyone asks us to take position we just say "we are considering our options and have chosen to remain neutral". And that way we don't hurt our relations with anyone.
The look of the men facing the Ethnarch turned to that of agreement and a little smile was drown on their faces.
Ethnarch Demetrius: Dismissed.

 

[Ionia]

The Secret Facts on Ionia has been renamed to Ionon Thesis (Ιώνων Θέσις) meaning the position-viewpoint of the Ionians on certain issues.

 

[Ionia]

Ionian Presidential Residence, Secret Government Meeting
The Ethnarch-President and Prime Minister have called Ionia's most important government and military officials to a secret meeting. While the call for the meeting has been announced, no journalists have been allowed and the purpose, subject and discussion that will take place are not to be revealed. The subject? Painted with a shade of Red.
Ethnarch Demetrios: Now that we are all here I believe it would be best to commence our meeting. Prime Minister Georgios.
Prime Minister Georgios: Gentlemen, the subject of our discussion tonight is of utmost important It is no other than Communism and Socialism.
Admiral Odessotis: In recent times Communism has brought unsettling results around the globe. Tyrrhenia just saw a non-violent coup that replaced Raptis' government with an even more far-leftist one. The RTDO has managed to unite and mobilize all Communist nations around the globe. And our ally, Portusgalia is one step before a colonial war with the Reds. Their ambassador made it quite clear.
Minister of Internal Affairs, Demosthenes P.K. : And let's not forget that the more moderate and traditional leftist party of our nation, the KKI, is at 2% while those radical youngsters at SOKI are at 22%. In short, and if I may, we're in deep shit.
Minister of Economics: Demosthenes didn't stress it enough! SOKI is made up of not only Socialists but Anarchists and Marxists as well. The Socialist and Marxist factions are particularly radical; last week they tired to blow up up a refinery at Pharos and almost rammed two freighters coming from Mozambia in New Alexandria! The Coast Guard had to sink them to prevent them from causing any real damage! And since they got 22% they have been getting even more radical! Calling for free migration and common ownership! They even want us to break our alliance with Western nations, including Portusgalia, our closest ally!
Admiral Odessotis: Don't worry gentlemen, we have a solution. You see we found out where they get their strength from. They mainly recruit among immigrants from the third world, the border regions with Tyrrhenia and the Southern Part of Pharos. So we hit them in their roots. Last night the EKAM and OYK (Ionian Counter terrorist Force and Special forces respectively) took out an Anarchocommunist paramilitary camp in Pharos. Though it had renounced the Socialist Party it still spread secessionist and anarchist propaganda in the colony. From what we found out they were planning a hit on trade ships coming from Mozambia and the other Himyari colonies. They wanted to sabotage our trade agreement. we also arrested Socialist Paramilitaries on the border with Tyrrhenia. Finally we deported most of the immigrants that were with SOKI's paramilitary and recruitment wing as they were mostly illegals.
Minister of Internal Affairs: Why did they have so many groups in those regions? If I'm not mistaken it would be hard for our troops to get there and easy for them to get foreign support in those regions.
Field Marshall Plastiras: You are absolutely right Minister. From what the Admiral and the others at ONI told me they were planning a civil war. The Tyrrhenian rebellion against Raptis, the abolition of the monarchy, SOKI's high election percentages and the anti-colonial climate probably made them think this was the right time for their "revolution". However as of today the majority of their armed groups have been dissolved secretly and we have arrested key persons cutting them off from outside support and breaking their chain of command and organisation. To that extent we have effectively prevented a civil war years in the making.
Minister of Civil Protection: They still have an intact political leadership!
Ethnarch Demetrius: Their political leadership was against these paramilitary forces. SOKI is currently fighting itself. Tomorrow we will reveal scandals and expose their political leadership. All major leaders will face the law while the rest are not capable of even getting 4 people together. In a couple of days it will be over and SOKI will have seen its last sun.
Minister of Economics: This might not be my field but you can't just expect 22% of the total voters to go away?
Prime Minister Georgios: The public will lose all faith in SOKI. They will turn to more moderate and smaller parties like KKI.
Minister of Economics: But that would need the KKI to cooperate with us! they would never-
Ethnarch Demetrios: They already have. Guard, let Mr. Koutsoumpas join us.
A tall, large man walks through the door accompanied by a guard. The guard returns to his post and the man takes a seat. On his coat he has a small two-flag pin. The one is the Ionian flag and the other is the red flag with the hammer and sickle.
General Secretary of the KKI, D. Koutsoumpas: Good evening gentlemen. I have agreed to help you break up the SOKI. While they will expect our support we will mobilize all of our influences and friends in the unions to attack them. Public support of the leftist voters will shift to us. Of course 4 percent of them will either stay with SOKI or choose to support other parties, so we'll have to stick with 18% but it's more than satisfying.
Ethnarch Demetrius: Any questions? Good, then this meeting is adjured.

 

[Ionia]

Eleftherios Venizelos, a personal friend of the Ethnarch-President, ONI Admiral, Field Marshall, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and one of, if not the, most important modern Ionian leader was in hospital on the brink of death. The man was over 90 years old and his age was showing its effect; but Venizelos an always happy and proud man, a brave fighter to the end refused to give up to his very last minute. Just like his friends and family, who were at his side, had known him. At the time however the Minister of Foreign Affairs was not present; he had to attend to critical negotiations. He had postponed his return to Algolis, in hope that Venizelos would live long enough for them to meet one last time. The Ethnarch, in heavy grief could barely hold his tears back; he called Aristotle Filanthropos, his minister of foreign affairs to inform him of the news.
"Aristotle; we need you back. Now."
"I'll be back ASAP. I've booked the next flight. The summit went better than expected. In the meantime I'll do some paperwork concerning the foreign aid mission in Jurzan-
"Aristotle. It's about Eleftherios. He's.. gone."
"How? Why?!... I'll.. I'll be back soon. Screw the paperwork. See you there."
"Thanks..."
Demetrios took a bottle out of his drawer. ΑΓΝΟΝ ΙΩΝΙΚΟΝ ΟΥΖΟ - 96% ΑΛΚΟΟΛΗ (Pure Ionian Ouzo - 96% Alcohol), said label of the bottle. This was going to be a long and hard night for everyone. For all of Ionia.

 

[Ionia]

The Ethnarch-President and Prime Minister had been standing outside the Ionian Parliament, for God knows how much time. To them it seemed like a century. They, just like everyone else of the 2 million people gathered in Syntagma (Constitution) Square, were waiting for the march to Algolis Metropolitan Cathedral, were the Funeral of Eleftherios Venizelos would take place, to begin. And both men were, just like everyone else, in tears.
Georgios gathered all his strength and told his friend and Ethnarch,
"Come on, the coffin is out and we need to start moving."
Demetrios looked up and, after nodding in acceptance, started walking. The funeral march passed through Algolis' major roads and on every single one people were gathered in the thousands, standing by silently, to say one last good-bye to their deceased leader. And then, on Panepistimiou (University) Street, it happened. A single man started singing the national an
them. "Σε γνωρίζω από την κόψη του σπαθιού την τρομερή..." it spread like wildfire and within minutes the entire city was singing. The Ethnarch and Prime Minister joined in while they continued marching toward the Cathedral. And then, when they finally reached the cathedral, thousands upon thousands of people, men, women and children, young and old, were gathered. And without a single word, they all opened a path between them to let the coffin of Eleftherios Venizelos pass. That was how much they loved the man. That was how important he was to them. Algolis' Metropolitan Square, outside the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, was right now full of nearly a million, if not more, people, waiting for single funeral. The two men smiled. They had finally found some hope, in all this grief that had taken over everyone's hearts and minds in the last few days. After all, this wasn't the end of Ionia; it was simply a new beginning!

 

[Ionia]

To: Joint General Staff of Military Officers - Ionian Military High Command
From: Office of Naval Intelligence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Subject: Combat Readiness

ΑΚΡΩΣ ΑΠΟΡΡΗΤΟΝ - TOP SECRET

There has been an increasing inflow of evidence suggesting a possible RDTO and Tripartite Agreement war. Whether we chose to participate or not it is of utmost importance that we are ready for a possible RDTO invasion. After all Ionia is a democratic nation in the heart of RDTO territory. Additionally Tyrrhenian forces that have mobilized near our border have not returned to their bases and demobilized even after we assured the Tyrrhenian government we mean no harm and will not attack them, while the Carentanians have moved ships in the bottleneck of the Long Sea and are threatening to close it. Recommended that we take precautions and raise our combat readiness in case of an invasion.

 

[Ionia]

To: Office of Naval Intelligence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
From: Joint General Staff of Military Officers - Ionian Military High Command
Subject: Combat Readiness

ΑΚΡΩΣ ΑΠΟΡΡΗΤΟΝ - TOP SECRET

After communicating with central command we have determined that your suspicions and warnings are with good cause. Our combat readiness will be raised from DEFCON 5 to DEFCON 4. The I and II armies have mobilized 2 of their divisions each, 40,000 men total. The divisions of the I army are on alert and conducting exercises. They will return to normal once the Tyrrhenian 3rd Insurrection Army leaves their border area and demobilizes. The divisions of the II army are also conducting exercises but are not in as high alert as the I Army's. They will return to normal once the situation between the RDTO and Tripartite normalizes. For now we have strengthened our security and intelligence sectors and we are reviewing the evacuation plans for Ionian citizens and diplomatic staff abroad.

 

[Ionia]

deleted

 

[Ionia]

Plaka, Historic City Center, Algolis
President Demetrios Spirtzis was sitting on a bench in Algolis' Plaka district, near the ancient Acropolis of Algolis. As the night progressed the light from some few scattered road lights let him see in the darkness. He had been invited to meet Admiral Themestocles Odessotis Neokleous there, but he had not been told of the subject of their conversation or why they had to meet there instead of a more secure location. Then again it was not the first time he met the ONI Admiral like this. Back in '22 during right before the civil war the Admiral had met with him there to inform him of Intel of a possible monarchist coup.... Intel that cam out to be true. It was highly probable, nay certain, that he had something important to talk to him about. Then he noticed a man approaching him in the darkness.
"Good evening your excellency" said the man
"Themistocles" replied the President; "what did you want to discuss? And why out here?"
"Excuse me for choosing such humble surroundings Your Excellency but official buildings aren't very safe;"
"How so? Have we not the presidential Guard Elite Efzon Regiment and the Secret Service to protect us?"
"It is the very people inside the Presidential Residence that I'm afraid of. You see, up until now didn't they tell you along with everyone else that Georgios Dorianos Pavlou was injured in a traffic accident?"
Demetrios paused and was left in awe as he begun to realize what his friend was telling him; in hope that his hopes were simple paranoia, just like most people deal with bad dreams and nightmares, he replied passively, as if waking up from such a dream;
"Y- Yes... they did. Do you mean to tell me that..?"
"Sadly I do" said the Admiral; "It was these foul men. More specifically it was Arch-Bishop Batopeditis."
Batopeditis. That name had crossed the President's desk quite some times; but how would Ionia's most notable religious leader benefit by killing a Prime Minister who greatly supported religious unity in Ionia?
"Batopeditis? I too would think someone in his place could organize something like that but why? How?"
The President's question stood. Apart fροm whatever motivation organizing and realizing such a plot were two completely different things.
"We'll get yo that don't worry. You see Batopeditis is a major pro-monarchy advocate in Ionia. I think you remember he also brought us problems back in the civil war and in the recent abolition of the monarchy. at first I didn't believe my eyes when my ONI agents found out of his plot, but it seems to go deeper than I would have ever imagined; Three colonels, a major portion of the church's leadership and EYP's director are planning to overthrow the government and restore the monarchy. They sabotaged the Prime minister's car in hopes of killing him but they only managed to wound him. They will soon stage a coup with the help of the I, II and III motorized infantry regimens which are under the control of the three colonels and the police and secret services which men loyal to the director of the EYP have infiltrated. The church will support them. they will then restore the monarchy and probably kill us in this entire mess."
Demetrios looked down. He knew he should had shacked those men from their positions; but the need to show a good diplomatic face to foreign nations as well as the need for national unity prevented him from doing so. But now he had found his decisiveness and he was determined to see them answer for their crimes.
"What do we need to do? Are Georgios and Palstiras safe?"
"Don't worry. I've had them evacuated by agents loyal to me hours ago. They're as safe as it gets. Same for our families etc."
"Great. have you taken any steps to prevent the coup?"
"Of course. The rest of the armed forces are on our side. The royalists were counting on taking them by surprise but now that we know of their coup I've informed everyone. The IV, V, VI and VII regiments, the closest ones to Algolis have assembled to our aid, while the closest naval and aerial forces have done the same. The entirety of Northern and Western Command are on our side and they're already moving troops to Algolis as we speak. Salonika is practically under our control and I've transferred all loyal government members and PMs there. I've had police loyal to us arrest one of the monarchist colonels earlier this morning and they've transferred him to Salonika. Additionally the men of one of he three colonels aren't in support of this coup. They arrested their very commander and have delivered him to us. They're our most critical asset along with the National Defence paramilitary as they are right here in Algolis and ready to help us."
"The National Defence Paramilitary?" asked the President.
The name was more than just familiar; back in '14 Venizelos performed a democratic coup and abolished the monarchy. To succeed in that coup he organized a paramilitary organization, kn won as National Defence, in Salonika, Ionia's largest anti-monarchy and pro-democracy center. Back then Demetrios and Themistocles, a Brigadier and a Commodore at the time, helped in organizing it and commanding its successful assault on Algolis. The National Fence Army had also helped in the recent abolition of the monarchy and it continued to revive ONI and government funding. While officially part of the Virgineian National Guard, to whose call it had to respond in need of war or natural catastrophe, it effectively had a separate command and took orders form the President of the Republic himself. Now the 20,00 strong force was here in Algolis answering the call of duty to defend democracy.
"Of course. They've been deployed in the government quarter and city center. Along with the men of Eastern, Western and Northern command they'll help us against the royalists by blocking they're access to the government quarter and shattering them in a surprise attack. Then we'll arrest the colonels, the arch-bishop and the EYP's director general."
"So when are we starting?" asked the President.
We just did. replied the Admiral as a fighter plane passed right above them.
Government Quarter, City Center, Algolis
The royalist conspirator troops were moving through Stadiou street on their way to the Ionian Parliament and Presidential Residence. Carelessly as they marched, little did they know that all around Algolis the men of the National Defence Paramilitary, the National Guard and two different regiments waited in silence. As they started being able to see the Parliament building they cheered only for their joy to be cut short by the light of search beacons set up on the road which temporarily blinded them as they illuminated the night. While they were originally shocked it was only after their vision adjusted and they saw what laid behind those lights that chills went town their spines; countess troops behind organized roadblocks, with sandbags, barbed wire,

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and in-between machine-guns and artillery pieces. Before they could even react fire from above sprayed their blood allover the street; aircraft passing above Algolis' main streets rained hell on the unsuspecting monarchist troops while panic ensued with the men running in all directions. Those running to the front were gunned down by fire from the men behind the roadblocks, mainly National Defense and Presidential Guard troops. Those running to alleys found death at the hands, weapons and bayonets of National Guard troops while those fleeing back to the outskirts of the city met their demise after meeting the IV and V Infantry regiments in battle.
The royalist troops approaching the government quarter form Olgas and Perikleous street found similar fate at the hands of the VI and VII infantry regiments. The Special Forces proceeded to break into the residences of the Colonels in charge of the coup. They were so sure of their success that they hadn't even stayed at their command center, which the Special Forces had also captured mere minutes earlier. One pf them committed suicide, b blowing his brains out with his service pistol while the other was dragged out of bed by Ionian troops screaming and begging for mercy, after realizing the putsch had failed.
The Arch-Bishop was personally confronted by Field Marshall Nikoalos Plastiras and his troops and took his own life by drinking poison rather than facing public humiliation. In exchange his involvement, along with that of the church, was never exposed to the public. The Director-General of the EYP along with the remaining conspirators were arrested by Ionian Special Forces, with many committing suicide before the arrests.

The putsch had failed. And with the royalist putsch fell the last obstacle to Ionia's free pursuit of true, safe and just democracy. The fall of the monarchy had severely reinforced the socialists who fell after their own failed plot was discovered. Now the remnants of the royalists also fell. A new age dawned in Ionia. An age of freedom, progress, liberty and democracy. Finally Democracy had returned to her home, for the last a,final and permanent eternal time.