Makai Missive

[Havenshire]

POPULAR RALLY LAUNCHES ELECTION AND PR CAMPAIGN EARLY

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Popular Rally campaign meet


Taking advantage of the doldrums of the end of the Tourist Season, the Popular Rally Party has launched an all out Press relations war against the Archipelago Conservative Party and the Ithorangi Administration. Campaign meets have been held in the suburbs of Kahuna and also in Ra'tui, a calculated effort to appeal to the ethnic Makai who normally make up the foundation of the Conservative support base.

"The Popular Rally believes in the Makai Islands. Our policies are simple: self-sufficiency, Prosperity and Greater Political Representation. Wether you are ethnically Makai or a migrant to these lands, you have a say in this Island's democracy." Kepano Kaluhia, the charismatic leader of the PR, has been active in ensuring that his party's message gets out to as many people as possible, attempting to make up for years of PR divisiveness and marginalisation by presenting himself as the Party- and the Country's- future.

Whilst broadcasting its explicitly populist message, however, the PR has also been quick- and more successful- to exploit the weaknesses of the ageing Ithorangi administration, and has lambasted the regime for wasteful spending, and indulging in "unnecessary state expenditure" and accuses Ithorangi of "trying to play at being a heavyweight." Most crucially, he cites the recent Operation Hope as being "whilst a commendable humanitarian effort" an obvious and naked ploy to "put the Makai Islands- and Ithorangi- in the spotlight for foreign interventionism." Kaluhia asserts that the Archipelagos should not waste its hard-earned resources on trying to play "catchup" to the Greater Powers, and engage in needless interventionism. The so-called Ministry of Intelligence has also been criticised, and Kaluhia calls for a probe into the source of their funding, and their activities. "Why do we have this Ministry? Where do they come from? What are they doing? These are questions the people have a right to know the anwser to."

More damaging still, the sheltering of the Yiyuan Clique, and rumours that a Free Jizhou Radio Station is being set up, have also drawn fire from PR-released pamphlets and broadcasts. "The Jizhoui expats came to this country seeking new jobs, new prosperity, and freedom from Oriental authoritarianism of all kinds. They do not need to have their taxmoney and their voices stolen, and given to a cartel of gangsters who want power back in a country that is no longer theirs."

This devestating and well co-ordinated media onslaught has left the Archipelago Conservatives reeling, many of whom were not expecting the election campaign to begin for another week. However, with the election itself barely 3 months away, it is broadly clear that if the ACP do not respond, and fast, their lengthy run under Ithorangi will finally come to an end.

Other Headlines:
Samurai Slasher's profile and name released, as he faces a court battle that could see him imprisoned with 13 consecutive life sentences, a Makai national record. Read about the demented Jizhou 21-year old, Bhai Jon, and how he murdered 13 Oikawan tourists and businessmen by posing as a Rentboy before using an Oikawan Tanto to brutally stab them to death. -Domestic Special

Belle Cup proceeds despite difficult Implarian weather. -Sports

Non-government aid agencies plead for visas to continue their work in Aquitania. -Foreign Affairs

 

[Aquitania]

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The Grand Ducal government will welcome Makai, as well as other nationalities, volunteers and humanitaian agencies and will grant visas to those eligible which will include obtaining the appropriate permission of their government.

Henri Mercier, chevalier de l'Ordre du Templiers
Secrétaire d'Affaires Étrangères

 

[Polesia]

পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রক
Ministry of External Affairs

The use of the term 'oriental authoritarianism' is potentially offensive to the People's Republic of Vangala and we urge the international media to avoid similar phrases. The notion that the cultures and societies of Toyou are inherently undemocratic is racist and betrays a skewed worldview based on Western bourgeois ideas.

 

[Touzen]

Imperial Ministry of War and Foreign Affairs

The terminology applied in the Makai Missive is misleading and insulting to the people of Touyou. This ministry condemns the racism displayed by this media outlet and the racial stigma it intends to spread.

 

[Havenshire]

Makai Missive Public Relations Office

We apologise profusely to the Oikawan and Vangalan Governments and Peoples, but as far as we are aware the racist terminology indicated is a quote from Kepano Kaluhia, Leader of the Popular Rally Opposition Party, and as such should be taken in that context. We do not wish to give the impression of racist invective in our paper, and as such are taking more stringent measures to ensure that context is made more clear, and that all statements of opinion made by our copywriters are thoroughly reviewed.

Again, we apologise profusely, and assure you that any racism implicit or explicit voiced by one of the leading politicians in this country will be noticed by the populace, and we shall report extensively and neutrally on this issue in subsequent issues.

Regards,

Jane Waihee
P.R. Officer of the Makai Missive

 

[Havenshire]

"ORIENTGATE" COUNTER-ATTACK FROM CONSERVATIVES

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President Ithorangi announces he will run for a fourth term


The Presidential Campaign has got off to a burning start, as following hot on the tail of the recent campaign speech by Kepano Kaluhia, President Ithorangi announced his intentions to run for re-election for a fourth term, something unprecedented in Makai politics, citing his long-running contribution to the Prosperity of Makai, and his conviction that there was much more he could do, at home and abroad.

Key to the Conservatives Campaign, however, has been a lightning war of smear targeted at the Popular Rally leader, whose recent speech was picked up by foreign media and led to several bitter criticisms from Cathayan and Serindian Governments, who feel that the speech was symptomatic of widespread and endemic racism in Occidental and Implarian Nations.

"The Archipelago Conservative Party has always worked tirelessly to fight Racism, implicit or explicit, by individuals or by impersonal organisations. Mr.Kaluhia's comments were ill-judged, and reflect an introverted and outdated Foreign Policy." stated Ithorangi in his speech, which also outlined his key policies as being to "reap the hard-sown harvest" and utilise Makai's prosperity to strengthen its social welfare system and to encourage more international investment.

Responding to the Conservative criticism and the foreign complaints, Kepano Kaluhia has apologised sincerely for his "unintended" use of terminology that could be deemed racist. "The Popular Rally has always been supportive of the Jizhoui, Singlish and Oikawan communities present in the Makai Islands. We have always pushed for greater intergration and more open immigration laws and fairer labour regulations. I am saddened that I have unintentionally brought shame on this legacy, and accept the chastisement of the governments offended by my words, to galvanise my and our efforts to make Makai a more open and tolerant place for all."

Despite Kaluhia's sincere words, however, early opinion polls see Kaluhia at a dim 34% approval rating, with Ithorangi remaining in the high 60s. The Popular Rally has a lot of catching up to do, and only time will tell if their generous pledges to the immigration communities will pay off.

In other News, the Labour-Communalist Alliance has also entered the race, and released its Election Manifesto, promising radical reforms of the Labour system, and a fairer compact between worker and Manager. The Labour Communalists have softened considerably since the 80s, and have been very meticulous in promoting themselves as a Market Socialist and Social Democrat Party, rather than the hard-left Unionist Party that once attempted to cripple the Islands with General Strikes.

"We here alot about support for immigrants and relaxing labour laws, but what we need is the exact opposite. tougher labour laws, more regulation on the lassez-faire international companies, and a radically improved social welfare system and education. We've sold our land and heritage to get rich quick, and its about time we put that wealth to better use than glitzy hotels." stated LCA Leader Robert Fetu in his campaign speech earlier today.

The LCA have to date not obtained a majority in the Archipelago Congress, but fatigue with the Conservatives and uncertainty about the Popular Rally may be enough to win the LCA the crucial migrant vote, which will almost certainly be the deciding factor in this race.

Other Headlines:
Bhai Jon, the Samurai Slasher, has his trial date set for early next year, as the Makai Court authorities are eager to see justice done as swiftly as possible. -Domestic

Winter rains expected to be unusually heavy this year. -Weather

NGAs granted free access to Aquitania, and aid efforts to the region are to continue without government assistance. -International

 

[Polesia]

পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রক
Ministry of External Affairs

Kepano Kaluhia has not allayed the concerns of racism the People's Republic of Vangala holds by neglecting to mention the important Vangalan community in the Makai Islands in his apology speech.

 

[Havenshire]

FAMINE IN JIZHOU ANOTHER FRONT FOR THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN!

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Boats crammed with Jizhou/Singlish/Cathayan Immigrants drift eastwards in the hope of reaching Makai

As War and bad weather continue to ravage Jizhou, a Famine situation has been acknowledged by the Oikawan Empire, which has taken the unusual step of offering limited refuge to those affected by the famine in other Oikawan protectorates. Inevitably, however, the detection of small flotillas crammed with hopeful immigrants, driven to desperation, by the Makai Coast Guard and our allies, has become yet more fuel for the increasingly bitter "race" issue in this Campaign election.

In another "humanitarian" gesture, which is being played to the hilt by Archipelago Conservative propaganda, the current government is rushing through a "Famine Relief Bill", offering resources and the assistance of Aid Agencies to Oikawa, and a limited number of "Famine" Visas to those affected by the ongoing crisis in Jizhou. This move has been welcomed by the Jizhou Community in Makai, but there is a prevailing mood of ambivalence about the issue, as many question the motives of those involved.

Foremost amongst critics is the Popular Rally, which, eager to deflect and overcome the increasing criticism that their leader is an unthinking racist, has pointed out that the Archipelago Conservative Party has done nothing whatsoever in the field of international humanitarianism for the last three terms of government it has had, untill deciding to intervene in Freiheit, six months before an Election, and again now, literally three weeks from Election Day. "Not only are their motives suspect, but this Bill cannot be anything but limited- the Makai Islands cannot in any great capacity truly relieve the enormous suffering of the Jizhou people on its own. Instead of making token gestures, Ithorangi should be fostering closer ties with our allies in Europe, and persuading them to utilise their greater resources to truly make an effective contribution." said a spokesperson for the PR, as Kepano Kaluhia has been oddly reluctant to make public statements of late.

Adding to the mix, the LCA has weighed in heavily, stating that the last thing the country ought to do is throw open its doors everytime its Neighbours to the West have a crisis. This stance has recieved suprising and unwelcome support from "Ai Api", or the New Land Party, a hardline Nationalist fringe group which believes Makai should remillitarise fully and expel unwanted immigrants.

With any hope for a sensible, reasoned debate of the issues now being lost in a cacophany of accusations, counter-accusations, and ideological rhetoric, we at the Makai Missive have decided to compile an easy-to-read issue Roadmap for our readers, who may be lost in this hullabaloo of demagoguery and faff, and want to know what each Party is actually offering. A full breakdown can be found on our website here:

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With people suffering and dying of malnutrition, with thousands crossing the Oceans in rickety rafts, hoping that the tidal currents will bring them to a small cluster of islands known as the Makai Archipelago, we can only hope that nations better equipped and with higher faculties will act for the Good of Humanity, and not ignore the issues for want of clarity.

Other Headlines:
Umbazi claims to counter-corruption: Another political purge for the tinpot tyranny underway? -International

Belle Cup ends, with an unexpected win for the late-entry Warreic Trimaran Lihr. Winners recieve Cup and M£500,000. -Sports

Defence makes unusual claim for extradition for Bhai Jon to Yiyuan Jizhou. Cunning strategy or desperation? -Domestic

 

[Havenshire]

KEPANO KALUHIA TO HONOUR THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE MAKAI LIBERATION

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Makai Liberation Memorial in Kahuna

The recent offensive revisionist calls to honour the Baghra Legion have inspired a greater, more honourable sentiment in Makai politics today, as PR Candidate Kepano Kaluhia has pledged to personally attend the upcoming 62nd Anniversary of the Makai Liberation War. He will also set aside a trust fund from his own private finances to help cover the costs of the upkeep of the various Memorials to that grim time, and the sacrifices made for the freedom of these Islands.

"Sixty-Two Years ago, not many days from now, a combined force of Anglyn, Guianan, Australmarian and other Borean and West Himyarite nations launched Operation Neptune, a massive amphibious effort to retake the Makai Islands, which lasted two months and saw tens of thousands of lives lost. We cannot ever forget the sacrifices made by our friends in the East to save us from the Tyranny of the Oikawan Empire, nor the lives freely given by those native to these Islands to aid in that Liberation." stated Kepano Kaluhia in a recent press release.

The Liberation War is too often forgotten or overlooked in our schools and public consciousness, a grim time that is often painful to remember. But the truth, unclouded by Oikawan revisionism, stands. The brutal Toyou-Makai State that existed between 1943 and 1948 saw hundreds of those living in the Archipelagos tortured and killed for political dissidence, and hundreds more deported to work camps on the Oikawan Mainlands. Many still remain unaccounted for.

Operation Neptune, begun after years of preperation and desperate struggle, on October 1st, 1948, was one of the Last Great Offensives of the Great War. Thousands of Marines landed on Makai'ai Island and near Ra'tui, whilst hundreds of pilots scoured the skies to secure Port.St.Joy, and annihilate the Oikawan Occupational Command. Occurring simultaenously, the signal everyone had been waiting for was transmitted to the Makai Resistance on all radio wavelengths: "The Whales Spawning is fortitous this year."

These simple words resounded through the Islands, and those who had lived, cowed under the threat of Oikawan reprisal, threw themselves into resistance however they could. Those who had no weapons simply formed human lines of defiance in front of the Oikawan Tanks and Trucks, delaying their advance. Some Oikawan Tank Commanders hesitated, unwilling to crush the old, the sick, the young. Some did not.

Elsewhere, the 1st Makai Rifles- a single regiment of 1,000 Free Makai- paradropped into the Jungles, and began a heavy, intense campaign of guerilla warfare, wiping out Oikawan positions and securing the Plantations.
Less than 400 of them survived to attend the VM-Day celebrations in February, 1949.

Finally, in the Factories of Port St.Joy, those not levelled by heavy Allied Bombing, the women held captive by Oikawan overseers simply refused to work. They shot many, some as young as 16, but they refused to work any longer. By such silent, passive acts of resistance the Freedom of our Nation was won, and the Oikawans forced to retreat from the Implarian Ocean altogether.

The Great War was a painful time for us all, and despite the blood, sweat and tears given to free the Implarian Sphere from Oikawan domination, still the Empire that once dreamed of Global Domination lingers, an aging reactionary colossi that rants about racism. It is for this reason that the surviving men of the 1st Makai Rifles- less than 60, now- will attend this anniversary, and remind us all of what came before. We hope you will heed them.

Other Headlines:
Crisis in Umbazi to be resolved, possibly. -International News

Heavy Rains forecast. Weather Office cautions against road-travel this weekend. -Weather

Surveys find that 41% of Makai Island males admit to having cheated on their partners at one time. -Domestic

 

[Anglyn]

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Office of the Private Secretary to the Sovereign​

His Majesty, King Roderick IV, wishes to attend the ceremonies commemorating the liberation of Makai during the Great War. His Majesty, as he did during the VM-Day celebrations in February, 1949 when he was the Prince of Wessex, would like to personally honor all those who participated in Operation Neptune and especially those, both civilian and military, that paid the ultimate price for freedom and the liberation of the Makai Islands.

Maj. Gen. Sir Christopher Airy KCOSG, MC
Private Secretary to the Sovereign

 

[Polesia]

পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রক
Ministry of External Affairs

It is important we continue to remember the victims of Oikawan imperialism and not allow historical truths be distorted by revisionists in Nokanawa.

 

[Havenshire]

PUBLIC DEBATE ENFLAMES NATIONAL POLITICAL DISCOURSE

The Ongoing Presidential Campaign continues to be mired in a storm of political claims and spurious counter-claims, with every effort to raise and debate a serious Political Issue being lost amidst a torrent of smear campaigns and PR stunts. The latest PR stunt was of course, the Public Debate, which aired on MTV last night, with the 3 main candidates- Ithorangi, Kepano Kaluhia, and the Labour-Communalist Alliance's candidate, John Ratabake.

Scheduled to last 90 minutes, the Debate ended up lasting 95, as questions were frequently interrupted by critique, coughing, and other attention grabbing actions by the other candidates. When Kepano Kaluhia attempted to speak on the matter of Immigration, Ithorangi let out a practiced yawn. When Ithorangi began listing his plans to continue his "Big Kahuna" Investment plan and export it to Ra'tui and Port St.Joy, both Ratabake and Kaluhia began drumming the side of their podium.

Although this sort of rabble-rousing disgusted the Moderator, who frequently called for calm, it did little to discourage the candidates, and it seems to have had a knock on effect, as supporters have taken to the street in large political rally-esque parties, as many commuters will no doubt have noticed today.

With all 3 main Parties fighting an intense media campaign, and competing nastily to get themselves in the public eye, it is left to us with sanity to wonder if voters will endorse any of the main parties, whose antics and naked populism, whilst hardly atypcial of Makai politics, must nonetheless cause many rational-heads to despair. Ai Api, the New Land party, has portrayed itself unusually as a calmer outsider party, and has launched a slick, yet understated leafleting campaign, blaming the populist rabble-rousing politics of the main parties as the result of needing to pander to immigrant populaces. "For too long the Makai Islands have acted as the towelboy of the bigger nations in the world. We have our own resources, our own language and way of life, and our own manifest destiny." If Ai Api were to win, they promise a sweeping set of changes which would transform the Makai Islands into a more stable, prosperous industrial and agricultural republic, rather than one at the mercy of the Tourism market.

The danger of the Ai Api campaign is that it might be taken seriously by those disgusted with the vote-hunting tactics of the mainstream parties. The older, more cynical voter will recall how in the 80s the Popular Rally virtually destroyed the power of the Unions it claimed to be friendly with, and privatised almost all of Makai's industry, allowing our sugar-cane, rum distilleries and bananna plantations to be bought out by Anglyn and Guianan Investors.

With Elections only a week away, this last week will be the most intense of all, and we urge more rational and cynical voters to turn off their tvs, put down their magazines, and close their window-shades untill it all goes away.

Other Headlines:
New Pope confirmed by the 12 abbots in Papal States. -International Affairs

Bhai Jon's extradition plea fails. Trial to go ahead as scheduled. -Domestic

Polls reveal that Kayaking and Lacrosse are most popular sports with the youth of Makai. -Other