Mazara Free Press Association

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Driver of di Perugia Assassin Arrested near Mazara

Police forces of the interim government managed to arrest the driver of the attempted assassin of Count Stefano di Perugia after his escape to the Carentanian occupational zone. The man was seized at a road-blockade after the security forces had been informed about his escape. He was brought to the small town of Aielli near Mazara and was interrogated by both Solaren police and a Carentanian intelligence officer, interim government and Carentanian authorities reported in a joint press conference. "He was ultimately very cooperative and revealed that a third party had ordered the assassination of di Perugia," officials commented. "However, only the assassin himself, who was killed by Eiffelländer forces, had actually met that third party. We are, however, investigating numerous clues and are confident we can reveal the identity of this third party within the near future."
The driver, whose identity was revealed as a certain Guino Contadino, will likely face charges for his participation in a murder attempt.

Gazetta di Torrenza Denounces Libel Charges

The conservative Gazetta di Torrenza which had published pictures, depicting who appears to be Count Stefano di Perugia in homosexual intercourse, has rejected the libel charges of the leader of the Social-Liberals. "It is fully within our right to reveal the sexual crimes of a public figure," the newspaper stated in an article that was published on the day of the assassination attempt. In its reaction to the libel charges, the Gazetta di Torrenza insists on the authencity of the pictures and attacks di Perugia as a "decadent, wealthy Sodomite", who allegedly abused its wealth to silence critical voices. Similiar criticism had been voiced by Caprarias interim gouvernor Guiliani, who stated that di Perugias "army of lawyers" was mocking the poverty of the common Solarener.
However, the Gazetta di Torrenza went further, calling the legal status of the charges into question. "If any court in Solaren accepts this lawsuit," the newspaper stated "prosecution will have to open up charges for di Perugias crime of homosexuality as well." The editor in charge announced that he could prove beyond doubt that di Perugia was engaged in homosexual acts. The reasoning for this argumentation lies in the fact, that the current state of many laws of the old regime are dubious at best. Formally, the old laws are still valid, but most are not enforced. Unless a working constitution is published and an elected government can work out a new penal code.

Large Protest in Mazara against Homosexuality

Nearly 15.000 protestors took to the street today in the southern city of Mazara, opposing homosexuality and calling for the enforcement of anti-homosexuality laws. Protestors carried signs expressing mostly a religious opposition to the practice of homosexuality, but also linked homosexuality to child abuse. "I will not allow these beasts to prey on our children, Solaren must stand strong against the corrupting influence coming to us from the east," one speaker during the demonstration commented, noting how Eiffelland and its occupational forces have been especially tolerant of homosexuality. Another target of the demonstration was di Perugia and his Social-Liberal party, with numerous protestors announcing their support for the attempt on his life. The protest itself remained largely peaceful, as police and Carentanian military had established a strong presence. Nevertheless, three people had been arrested in the course of the protest march. Further protests against homosexuality are planned next week.

 

[Potenza]

Grand Duke Guido III Pays Surprise Visit

The grand ducal office in San Salvo confirmed that Grand Duke Guido III himself was paying a surprise visit to northern Solaren, where Potenzan troops are stationed. His itinerary has been kept confidential to maintain security, but it was confirmed by General Battisti that he had paid a visit to the Solaris civilians who were wounded in the rebel attack that occurred last month. While there he spoke with the victims and wished them a quick recovery.

He is expected to visit Potenzan troops at unknown locations, as well as briefly meeting with the Potenzan high command to discuss the current situation and the conflict with the Party of God. He may leave tomorrow, although this has not yet been confirmed. He came with no other nobility, accompanied by his royal scorta (or personal bodyguard). The Grand Duke is the first of the Potenzan nobility to visit Solaren since the deployment of the Grand Duchy's troops to the region.

Solaris National Dies from Rebel Attack

One of the Solaris citizens fatally harmed in the attack against Potenzan troops has died from his wounds, members of the Potenzan medical corps confirmed earlier. While on his trip to northern Solaren, Grand Duke Guido III received news of the death, and promised that the royal coffers will pay for the man's funeral, as well as provide compensation for the man's next of kin. The man was identified as one Antonio Corbari, who was 62-years old.

NC Supports Homosexual Ban

In response to the massive protests being held in Mazara, the Potenzan-supported Northern Council passed a resolution unanimously condemning homosexuality as a "sin against God and nature." They vowed that they would not support any laws promoting homosexuality or permitting the act to occur. They likewise called on the Eiffelland authorities to not "pervert Solaris values," or "introduce corrupting influences."

General Battisti has said that Potenza will permit this so far as Potenza desires the autonomy and will of the Solaris people to be upheld. He has denied allegations that shortly after this resolution was passed, several suspected homosexuals were killed in small bursts of mob justice. The general assured journalists that the Potenzan military will not permit individuals to be accused without due process of law, and that homosexual rights to life will not be infringed upon.

 

[Rheinbund]

General Modersohn: “It is up to God to judge homosexuals”
Eiffellandian army won’t uphold any laws against homosexuality

During a press conference this afternoon, General Modersohn commented on the recent commotion on homosexuality. He started the press conference by strongly condemning the assault against the Count di Perugia: “Only savages kill each other for their thoughts, not civlised people.” After that, he told that he had already sent a letter to the Count and wished him a speedy recovery.
Then he continued with the following statement: “We are aware of the aversion against homosexuality here in Solaren. Indeed, that is not something we can ignore. Therefore, we certainly do not support homosexuality here. Whatever emerged regarding places for homosexuals to meet each other was grounded by homosexuals themselves, not by us. Nor did we encourage the grounding of such meeting places, indeed because we are aware of the aversion against homosexuality here.”
“However, we cannot and will not tolerate it if homosexuals are beaten up, or even murdered. Like my colleague the Potenzan Lieutenant‑General Battisti says, homosexuals also have the right to live. We will uphold that right. Furthermore, in this matter, it is up to God to judge. People beating up or murdering homosexuals are deliberately playing God here on Earth. Nobody has the right to do that. We won’t act against peaceful demonstrations against homosexuality. We won’t act if people try to convince homosexuals in a non‑violent way to choose for heterosexuality or celibacy. But we won’t uphold any laws against homosexuality, either. My soldiers have better things to do than checking out bedrooms.”

When asked about the accusations of homosexuality against the Count di Perugia, the general said: “At this moment, it is uncertain if those accusations are true. The Count denies them and says that the pictures are false. I can tell you that there are numerous ways to manipulate pictures, so the Count’s claim that the pictures are false is not without basis. It is needed, and justified, to thoroughly investigate the pictures in question. Nothing is certain before that has been done. We cannot accuse the Count of homosexuality before that has been done. The Count di Perugia has all the right to defend himself against this accusation. Apart from the damage to his public reputation, which is tremendous, we are also talking about the Count’s personal life, about his marriage, about his family life. This accusation has an enormous impact. It is completely understandable that the Count reacted in the way he reacted, and even more understandable if those pictures are indeed false.”
“Especially given the fact that homosexuality is such a controversial issue in this country, each newspaper has the duty to thoroughly check whether accusations of homosexuality are true before publishing them. The Gazetta di Torrenza disqualified itself as a newspaper if it did not perform such a thorough check. Whether the laws of the Urban‑regime are still in effect or not, whether the new constitution is in effect or not, a newspaper is never allowed to tell lies, especially not if those lies lead to unjustified damage. That is the basis for a libel procedure. Furthermore, there is no basis at all for any criminal lawsuit against the Count di Perugia as long as it is not clear whether the pictures published by the Gazetta di Torrenza are real or not. Therefore, the libel procedure will have to be carried out first.”

 

[Rheinbund]

La Stampa Libera debunks story about Count Di Perugia’s homosexuality

During an interview with Dr. Mancini, the barrister of the Conte Di Perugia, the liberal newspaper La Stampa Libera obtained evidence that the pictures published in the Gazetta di Torrenza to support a claim about the Count di Perugia’s supposed homosexuality are false. Dr. Mancini handed photographs of Di Perugia’s upper body to the interviewer. Comparison of the pictures in question revealed several differences between the body of the man on the pictures in the Gazetta di Torrenza presumed to be the Conte Di Perugia and the body of the real Conte Di Perugia. The navels of both men differ, as well as the pattern of naevi. But the most important difference is a large irregularly formed scar on Di Perugia’s body, which is the result of an accident about 15 years ago.
La Stampa Libera stated that this was proof that the pictures used by the Gazetta di Torrenza do not show the real Conte di Perugia, but an actor wearing make‑up to look like the count. “The photograph was a brilliant piece of art. The make‑up man did a tremendous job. Based on the faces, it was impossible to distinguish between the actor wearing make‑up and the Conte di Perugia. The idea in itself to stage the sex scenes in this way is brilliant as well. However, all this brilliance, talent and hard work had a contemptible goal: To mislead us all. This brilliant piece of art has been made to spread lies. Of course it would have been the dream scoop for the Gazetta di Torrenza if the Conte di Perugia would have been homosexual. It is, however, despicable that the Gazetta di Torrenza fabricated that dream scoop. This is a scandal that nullifies the value of everything that the Gazetta di Torrenza has published and still publishes, and mutilates the reputation of journalism as a whole. Every incorruptible journalist should be furious about this,” said the last lines of that article.


PSDS: “Recent debate on homosexuality only distracts from real problems in this country”

The left‑leaning journal Giornalio del Sud‑Est published an interview with the leader of the sociodemocratic party PSDS, Giuseppe Craxi. In that interview, Craxi stated that the recent debates on homosexuality did nothing but distract from the real problems Solaren is facing. “Currently the only issue that is debated is homosexuality, to be precise the question whether the Count di Perugia is homosexual or not. And that while there is still not enough food in this country. We should work on the lands now to finally grow some crops, we should construct some houses so that the people living in refugee camps and shanty towns finally have a proper place to live, but the top politicians of this country, including the ones from the Carentanian zone who award themselves an aureole of moral sublimity while considering themselves the only good socialists, are discussing whom the Conte di Perugia is dating. Grow up, gentlemen, we are not at the school yard any more,” said Craxi.
When asked about his personal opinion and the PSDS’s official stance regarding homosexuality, Craxi commented: “What happens in the bedroom must remain in the bedroom when consenting adults are involved. With that said, it is my personal opinion and the official stance of the PSDS that homosexuality should be decriminalised. Doing so would have an additional advantage: We would finally have the time to build up the country. Regarding the Conte di Perugia, it is terrible what happened to him last weekend. He was killed for his ideas, nothing else. That should be condemned in each and every way possible. The Solaris have killed people for their ideas for centuries. The only thing that happened was that we got dramaticly underdeveloped. We must leave that path. We must create room for deviant ideas and opinions.”


OOC: The first paragraph of this post was amended on Tuesday 19 March 2013 between 00:10 and 00:20 CET. Please see post 146 of the OOC-thread "Let's talk Solaren" (

You must be registered for see links

) for the original first paragraph.

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

OOC: sorry, that is godmodding. You can't just decide that the RAI used a really sloppy technique for faking pictures and you have easily revealed this.

 

[Rheinbund]

OOC: I will discuss this further in the "Let's talk Solaren" thread.

 

[Rheinbund]

PSL-Giovani: “Stop making a problem of homosexuality and focus on real problems of this country”

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. This is a combined radio broadcasting by Radio Tegeata and Radio Torrenza. Thank you for tuning in. The topic of tonight’s program is the turmoil that emerged around homosexuality. A couple of weeks ago, the commander of the Eiffellandian troops in Tegeata, Colonel Rahmke, indicated that the Eiffellandian army would patrol continuously in Tegeata because of the riots against dancehalls and several attacks against homosexual individuals and pubs for homosexuals. But the turmoil around homosexuality really started with an article on Conte di Perugia’s supposed homosexual affairs in the conservative newspaper Gazetta di Torrenza. From then onwards, the call for enforcing the old prohibition of homosexuality became louder and louder. We asked several people on the streets in Tegeata about their opinion.

«Voice of a man, ± 45 years old» “In the old days, homosexuals were arrested and burned for their disgusting behaviour. Maybe barbaric, but look around now. We have never seen so many homosexuals as nowadays. They even occupied a complete city quarter here. That’s what you get when you don’t act against it. Now the homosexuals get the opportunity to influence other men so that those become homosexuals as well.”

«Voice of a man, ± 30 years old» “The idea of two men kissing each other is disgusting, but we have been fighting against it for centuries. Did it help? No. So let’s stop wasting our time on them and give them room to practice their behaviour out of the sight of society.”

«Voice of a young man, ± 20 years old» “Homosexuality? I see my brother struggling with it. Terrible what he has to go through. While the country was at war, he was fighting a second war. Initially, my father forced him into a relationship with a girl, but it was completely clear that my brother was unhappy with her. In the end, my parents accepted my brother’s homosexuality, but not before he attempted to commit suicide. That is more misery than society is allowed to demand according to me. We as a society must find another way of dealing with this problem. I even think that homosexuals should get the room to live the life they want to live. God will never have wanted the misery my brother went through, or what the old regime did to homosexuals. Homosexuality may be a sin, but how we handle homosexuals goes against the Bible as well.”

«Voice of a woman, ± 45 years old» “If you don’t play the game, or better said, if you’re not supposed to play the game, you shouldn’t meddle with the rules. That for the Church’s stance on homoseuxality.” [1]

«Voice of a woman, ± 45 years old» “How can two men build up a love relationship with each other? They can’t perform the marital act with each other properly, so they have nothing to base a love relationship on. Real love can only exist between man and woman. What the old regime did to homosexuals was horrible, but we must lead them the way to normal love.”

«Voice of a young man, ± 20 years old» “Come on, all those old bores that are screaming about how bad homosexuality is, have a sexual problem. Either they don’t get enough at home, or they are homosexuals themselves and are frustrated because their spouse is a woman instead of a man, and now they act like ‘I had to marry so now all homosexuals have to marry’. But that’s not how it works. OK, they didn’t have the opportunity to stand up, but we have. We will live our lives like we want, and if the society doesn’t like it, it should look the other way.”


Tonight we have Giancarlo Camici in the studio. He is the president of PSL‑Giovani, the youth organisation of the PSL. He is a 24 year old medical student in Tegeata. Giancarlo, good evening.

Good evening.

The current turmoil about homosexuality also touches the PSL because of the recent messages about Conte di Perugia’s supposed homosexuality. What do you think of it all?

Well, first of all, it is good that you say “Conte di Perugia’s supposed homosexualty”. Like you know, La Stampa Libera unveiled that the pictures used by the Gazetta di Torrenza are fabrications. This also means that the rumours about the Conte di Perugia’s supposed affairs are false. But that is not the whole problem. The real scandal is that people apparently don’t shrink from spreading blatant lies to destroy somebody’s reputation. It went even further: An attempt to the Count’s life was committed based on those blatant lies. Apparently we have learned nothing from the days of the old regime.


What do you mean by that?

We all know how the old regime handled dissidents. What people understand less is how people make a career in a dictatorship like the one that governed Solaren. In such a system, your loyalty to the regime is more important than your skills. That leads to several problems. First, correcting mistakes in decisions made in the past can be explained as disloyalty to the regime, so if somebody finds out about such a mistake, he will have to play it very carefully if he wants to correct it. Most people don’t have the courage to do so with Ustica [2] in their mind, so most mistakes made in the past remain uncorrected.
The same acoounts for somebody discovering that his superior is doing something illegal. In the old regime, it was very uncertain who ended in Ustica—that could be the culprit, but more often it was the discoverer. That is the reason why Aldo Siciliano could go on committing his crimes for such a long time: The people that tried to tell about his crimes were immediately sent to Ustica.
But that was not the only problem. If loyalty to the system is important to make a career and you want to make your next career move, you will have to prove that you are the most loyal candidate. That can be done by showing your own loyalty, but also by creating doubts about the loyalty of your competitors. That makes you the most loyal person not only because the other person seems to be less loyal, but also because your loyalty seems to be higher after betraying a dissident. Lots of people ended in Ustica as a result of that kind of tricks.
The old regime disappeared, but apparently not the old habits. Now again we see somebody creating false pictures to destroy the reputation of his opponent. If the Gazetta di Torrenza, and many other groups, would have had its way and the Conte di Perugia would really have been arrested, he would have gone to prison and maybe even executed while being innocent. Actually, the Conte has nearly been killed because of false pictures.


Do you already have an idea of who is behind those false pictures and the assault against the Conte di Perugia?

I don’t know. It must have been a group that thought it would benefit from the Conte disappearing from the stage. That can be both sides of the political spectrum. It could have been a radical socialist group, but also supporters of the old regime or other extremist religious groups. I don’t know.
But it is more important to see the bigger picture. We from the PSL have plans with the country that other groups apparently don’t like. But instead of telling why they don’t like our plans, they call us bourgeois and accuse us of trying to create a second Eiffelland. I have never heard one single argument against the contents of our plans. And now the Gazetta di Torrenza causes us to discuss each other’s private life, while we actually have to discuss the future of the country.


But you can’t deny that homosexuality is an important topic in this country. There are demonstrations against it throughout the country, people are calling for enforcing the old laws against homosexuality, homosexuals are attacked and sometimes even lynched. Apparently it is important to the Solaris to know that the people they deal with are heterosexual.

I know. Indeed, Solaren is not ready for a decriminalisation of homosexuality. On the other hand, we have been executing homosexuals for centuries. Did homosexuality disappear? No. Several psychologists and psychiatrists have tried to cure homosexuality. Did they succeed? No. Maybe because they haven’t found the right treatment yet, but it could also be that homosexuality cannot be cured at all. Actually, there are lots of psychologists who state that. In that case, we have to reconsider our legislation on homosexuality, based on what damage it causes in the society.


Can you explain this?

There are quite a lot of mental disorders that cannot be cured. Sometimes such a mental disorder causes someone to murder other people. If a murderer suffers from such a mental disorder, it is questionable whether he is really guilty or not. But we cannot let him go freely, because sooner or later he will commit the next murder. He has to be locked up.
But now let’s look at homosexuals. To what extent are they dangerous to society? Do they murder? Do they rob? Do they steal? No. Maybe the majority of society considers the idea disgusting, but strictly speaking they do not form a danger to society. Therefore, I don’t see the need of arresting homosexuals.


But you just said that Solaren is not ready for a decriminalisation of homosexuality.

Indeed. Therefore, we have to find a middle way so that homosexuals can live the life they want to live while society is not confronted with it. In other words, what happens in the bedroom between two consenting adults, stays in that bedroom.


But will that really solve the problem that society has with homosexuality? People will still be afraid that homosexuals will infect other people with their homosexuality.

I can tell you that that is not possible. The only thing that homosexuals can do is waking up homosexual feelings in persons who don’t know yet that they are homosexuals. If somebody is heterosexual, then homosexuals can do whatever they want, but that heterosexual will remain heterosexual.
I know from my own experience. A guy in my study year put an enormous lot of effort in persuading me, but didn’t succeed. He didn’t stop until I met my girlfriend though.


How did you feel under that?

Quite uncomfortable, to be honest.


Did you go to the police?

No, I didn’t. I won’t go into detail, but what he did was not enough for the stake.


OK, we won’t ask further. The Eiffellandians are currently reproached for introducing a homosexual lifestyle in Solaren. What is your view on it?

Well, it is not true that the Eiffellandians introduced a homosexual lifestyle. They facilitate it by not enforcing the prohibition of homosexuality and protecting the homosexual quarter in Tegeata, but they introduced nothing. It were Solaris homosexuals who saw their chances under an Eiffellandian occupation. It were Solaris individuals who bought and reconstructed the buildings in the homosexual quarters, and they did so with Solaris money. That has been verified, by the way. The only thing the Eiffellandians do, is protecting the homosexual quarter.
Í personally agree with it that this is happening, but I also think that the Eiffellandians have underestimated how deep the Solaris Catholic Faith is in this country. It would have been better if they would have taken a different approach. For instance the Potenzan approach of preventing the lynching of homosexuals but at the same time giving room for enforcing the ban on homosexuality. But now the Eiffellandians can’t go back any more without loss of face.


You plea for a way to deal with homosexuals that pleases both society and the homosexuals. Part of your plea is tolerance to homosexuals. The PSL won’t make itself popular with such a plea.

Well at least we show that we don’t shrink from unpopular measures. And that is a quality that is necessary if you want to rule a country. Sometimes you have to push through an unpopular measure if you want to prevent worse things from happening. We show that we are capable of doing so.


OK, that’s true. «Both the interviewer and Giancarlo giggle»

But there is also another reason why we plea for tolerance to homosexuality. Currently we are so preoccupied with each other’s bedroom secrets, that we overlook which capacities are really needed to run the country. Those leading capacities will not suddenly disappear if you do something uncommon in your bedroom, but now even telling lies about a politician’s bedroom secrets can lead to his fall. The Conte di Perugia was so lucky that he had a scar that nobody knew about, so that he could prove that it wasn’t him on the picture, but I doubt whether the political leader of the Alleanza della Fede and the governor of Capraria have such scars. Now people have to mutilate themselves before going into politics so that they can debunk strange photographs.
Of course it would be easier to scream with all the others how bad homosexuality is and that homosexuals should be executed, but the easiest solution is not always the best solution. In this case for several reasons.


Last week, the political leader of the PSDS, Giuseppe Craxi, said that we are discussing who’s dating who while we should build up the country. You say something similar.

Mr. Craxi is right in this. The real problem of this country is not homosexuality. The real problem is how to rebuild the country. In the future, even in the near future, we will have to be able to earn our own’s living. We can’t live from the support of Eiffelland, Carentania and Potenza for ever. We were able to feed ourselves in the past and to even export food, we will have to be able to do so in the future again. But to do so, we will have to get ourselves back on our feet again. All the discussions on which politician is dating whom only distract from the real issues. And it is even dangerous.


Dangerous?

There are currently a lot of groups in this country who want to go back to the old regime, including the terror. When that happens, the discussion we currently have will not be possible any more. The high‑handedness with which people were arrested will return. The corruption will return. People like Aldo Siciliano will get a free hand again. We were 40 years behind under the old regime. Now the Eiffellandians, Carentanians and Potenzans catapulted us into the 1950s, but we will stick here forever if the old regime returns, while the rest of the world will develop further. Currently many people are making a romantic picture of the old regime, but in fact life was hell under the old regime.
But not only that. On the other side of the political spectrum, we have the radical socialists in the SNC. Also we from the PSL want to introduce workers’ rights. That is absolutely necessary. Also we from the PSL want to create a good life for the workers. That is absolutely necessary. But we won’t create that good life for the workers with a random nationalisation of factories, agricultural grounds, shops and all other kinds of companies.
Do you know what the first thing was that the Carentanians did after they conquered Capraria? They seized all the agricultural grounds. Farmers who protested against that were called bourgeois and chased away from their grounds. After that, the socialists sent some other people to manage that farm. And of course those people were selected on their loyalty to socialism rather than their agricultural skills. Or better said, people who hardly knew how to run a farm were ordered to run a farm. This happened not only to large landowners, but also to people owning small farms. Simply owning a small piece of land was enough to be called bourgeois. Quite some ex‑farmers fled from Caparia to Southeastern Solaren because of that.
This will happen on mainland Solaren as well if the socialist faction in the SNC gets its way. Also the factories will be nationalised. Of course the owners will be kicked out while being called bourgeois. A new person to lead the factory will be selected, of course based on loyalty to socialism; capacities to run that factory are of secondary importance. But it will go further. Also small shop owners will have to fear for their shops. As soon as you earn a bit more than the average worker with your shop, somebody will come by, call you a bourgeois, kick you out of your shop and put somebody in it who is a loyal socialist but doesn’t know at all how to run a shop. The socialists are even capable of seizing your watch while calling you a bourgeois when the person next to you doesn’t have a watch.
Of course we need to improve the workers’ conditions, of course we need to improve the workers’ lives, but what the Carentanians and the socialists in the SNC want will not help at all. If you want to redistribute wealth, then differentiate the tax tariffs based on somebody’s income.


Is that part of the PSL‑programme?

That is part of the PSL‑programme.


The PSL is often accused of wanting to turn Solaren into a second Eiffelland. It is even accused of being steered by Eiffelland.

We are definitely not steered by Eiffelland, but indeed we took many of our ideas from Eiffelland. Simply because that society works properly. Furthermore, the Eiffellandian system is easy to adjust when something goes wrong. We didn’t have that possibility under the old regime, and won’t have that possibility if we go for the Carentanian system. On the other hand, Eiffelland’s social market system will be easy to adjust to the Solaris situation.
But I also have to say that the accusation of us wanting to turn Solaren into a second Eiffelland is a bit cheap. What is the problem with looking outside the country for solutions to your problems? The SNC did the same. It also looked outside the country for solutions to the problems they saw in Solaren. There is nothing wrong with that. Unfortunately, the SNC looked at the wrong country, but maybe also because they stayed in that country for many years. If you yourself got your inspiration about how to run the country from abroad, then don’t blame us for doing the same.
And don’t use the same example over and over again to demonstrate that you are not a puppet of a foreign country, like the SNC does with its example of how it protested against the Carentanian plans to evacuate all the inhabitants from Iscla. That protest in itself was the right thing to do, and the SNC should be commended for that, but using that one example over and over again is a bit weak as proof that you are not a puppet from Carentania when at least the socialist faction in the SNC continuously presents Carentanian solutions to our problems.


Giancarlo Camici, I thank you for this interview.

I thank you too.


OOC: Notes.
[1] This is not completely my own quote. A Dutch comedian, Wim Kan, said in his New Year’s Eve show of 1973: “If you don’t play the game, you shouldn’t meddle with the rules.” That was indeed an attack against the conservative faction in the Catholic Church, because of its stance on sexuality, to be more precise on sex before marriage, contraception, abortion, homosexuality and divorce.
[2] This island was the penal settlement of the old regime, like Carentania RPed it about a year ago.

 

[Potenza]

Potenzan Missionaries Killed

Sources within the Potenzan Royal Army have stated that the Party of God, a Solaris rebel group, have struck in another, more deadlier attack, aimed at the Potenzan presence in northern Solaren. According to the report from General Battisti's headquarters, the Party of God launched an attack against a group of missionaries from the Reformed Church of Potenza. The group of missionaries, which consisted of two families travelling by two vehicles, were ambushed while on their way towards the western part of the region. At least nine people - including three children - were killed. The Party of God then turned against a convoy of personnel from the Turin-based Mazzio Corporation, who happened to be nearby. The personnel were armed and launched a counterattack, killing most of the attackers save for one, who is now captured and in Potenzan custody. The Mazzio Corporation has confirmed at least one of their personnel has been killed in the attack, but denied that Leopoldo Mazzio - CEO of the Potenzan transportation empire - was involved in the attack.

The Reformed Church of Potenza released a statement saying that they were saddened by the news of the attack, and that they will hold special memorial services for the dead once they are returned home. They likewise said this will not deter them from continuing their work in Solaren, but that they will advise their missionaries to take greater precautions in travel. Duke Prospero di Cornaro, the largest sponsor of the Reformed Church of Potenza, has stated he will pay for the travel and funeral costs.

At Battisti's behest, the Northern Council held an emergency meeting and condemned the attack, calling it a terrorist act against harmless civilians. Battisti denied that the resolution was rushed, and that it passed with some members absent. The Potenzan commander likewise said that the Royal Army will not tolerate this second attack against Potenzan nationals in Solaren, and that "severe justice" is about to come against the Party of God. The identity of the man held in Potenzan custody has not been released, although the firearms used in the attack have been identified as weapons used by Solaren armed forces during the previous war. This has led some to speculate of weapon caches hidden throughout the region, if not beyond.

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Draghi to Camici: "Stop Making Politics With Fear And Lies"

Professor Luigi Draghi, currently serving as Minister of Agriculture of the interim government, has sharply assaulted statements given by the Social-Liberal youth leader Giancarlo Camici in an interview. He criticised what he perceives as a misrepresentation of the politics of the socialists as "making politics with fear and lies" and demanded Camici to publically correct his mistakes. According to Camici, Carentania had seized "all agricultural grounds" on Capraria following the war. "This is not true", Draghi pointed out. "Nor is it true that any faction of the National Congress has implemented or advocated forceful collectivization". According to the Minister, collectivization has been encouraged and supported throughout Solaren, but remained voluntary. "Camici will be hard pressed to find a single Solaren farmer who has been called 'bourgeoise' and had his land taken from him at gunpoint. Spreading such stories is blatant fearmongering." He stressed furthermore that, wherever there had been actual expropriation of land, this was the land of criminals: officials and dignitaries of the former regime or war-profiteers, black-marketers and food-hoarders. "The SNC supported Carentanian actions on Capraria because it was - and is - an urgent necessity to seperate economic power from the spiritual and political influence of the Solaren church. We have witnessed how gods words were distorted when the church became an important worldly power in Solaren."
Draghi went on to chide Camici for what he called a "political gambit." According to the Professor, the PSL is trying to rake in popular support on the countryside by creating the illusion the rural population could continue their traditional lifestyle. "The liberals know as well as the socialists that this is not possible, that the pressing need for Solaren to modernize and catch up with the rest of Europe holds true for the countryside as much as for the cities." However, Professor Draghi claimed, while the Socialists drag these needs to the spotlight and seek to implement a social solution to these issues by encouraging collectivization and supporting the modernization efforts of these collectives, "the liberals omit a strange silence over the consequences of their policies for the rural population." The minister insisted that a market economy would give advantage to large landowners, export-oriented farms and cash-crop cultivation, while placing family-owned farms and subsistence agriculture at a severe disadvantage. "In the long run, this means the extermination of the base of life of many Solaren families through harsh competition. Small farms will be inevitably swallowed by the large-landowners and become unemployed and homeless."
Professor Draghi, who is deemed a moderate Socialist within the SNC, advised farmers not to listen to "dark liberal fairytales" and take the Socialist offers for collectivization. "They may change the lifestyle that has been ingrained in the Solaren population for centuries and I understand that this is difficult, but: while large, collective farms, rural replotting and modern machinery mean that your children may not follow in your footsteps as farmers, the joint strength of farming collectives and the support of a socialist state would mean that they have options no generation of peasants had before them: they could go to a good school, visist a university and advance human condition as a whole."


Gazetta di Torrenza Insists: Pictures Are Real

The Gazetta di Torrenza, which had printed pictures seemingly depicting social-liberal leader Stefano di Perugia engaging in homosexual acts, has defended its claims against statements from La Stampa Libera. After di Perugias alleged homosexuality had caused nationwide turmoil and di Perugia launched a lawsuit for libel, La Stampa Libera had printed claims that the pictures were fake as several anatomic features, most notably a scar, were notably absent. Gazetta di Torrenza now claims that "we'd have to take di Perugias words for that" and that they deem it doubtful the scar is really as old as the Count claims. "We admit," the newspapers chief editor laconically wrote in an editorial "we don't know how old these pictures are. For us, it never mattered: once a homosexual always a homosexual." The newspaper continues to doubt the legality of the libel lawsuit and criticises the Eiffelländer decision to prevent the enforcement of anti-homosexuality laws in their occupational zone, yet to allow the libel lawsuit.
Furthermore, the Gazetta di Torrenza claims there is circumstancial evidence to back up claims about di Perugias homosexuality. "Any normal, godfearing Solarener would be disgusted by the vile practice of homosexuality," while di Perugias political stance towards homosexuality, so the newspaper claims, would be evidence of his very own sexual disposition.


Riots in Mazara

During another protest against homosexuality held in Mazara this morning, protestors turned to violence and heavy riots have gripped the city for most of the day, leading to the death of at least 2 protestors. Nearly 20.000 people had turned to the streets in what was the third protest against homosexuality in recent days. While earlier protests had remained peaceful, todays protest saw an office of the PSL attacked with petrol-bombs. The building, which also included homes for a total of forty people, quickly catched fire and was nearly completely destroyed. Security forces managed to bring all inhabitants to safety. Another attack with petrol bombs on a nearby Dancehall failed, as Carentanian soldiers had been positioned around the etablishment following a prolonged and partially violent campaign by conservatives against Dancehalls in general. "We had not anticipated an attack on the PSL office, much less against one situated in an apartment building," the commanding officer of the Carentanian forces commented. "This was a grave mistake."
In front of the Dancehall, shots were fired against protestors armed with petrol bombs and both dead protestors are reported to be attempted arsonists as well as card-carrying members of the Faith Alliance, Solarens largest conservative party.

 

[Rheinbund]

Bomb attacks in Torrenza

After the Stations of the Cross had been done, a truck exploded near the headquarters of the Eiffellandian Armed Forces in Solaren, killing 20 people and wounding 100 other people, all soldiers or civilians working for the Eiffellandian Armed Forces. General Modersohn was unharmed. A press release by the Eiffellandian Armed Forces indicated that the truck driver had jumped off the truck about 100 meters before the headquarters of the Eiffellandian Armed Forces while the truck rolled further. The driver was arrested by the Staatsschutz. Soldiers managed to change the course and velocity of the truck by shooting at the tyres and to prevent it from driving through the entrance and explode in the hall of the building.
In the evening of Good Friday, another bomb exploded in front of a dancehall. Luckily the dancehall was closed because of Good Friday upon a directive from the Eiffellandian Armed Forces that followed an Eiffellandian law forbidding to dance on Good Friday. As a result, nobody was killed or injured, although the dancehall itself was damaged. Also here somebody was arrested.


Attack on PSL-office in Mazara strongly condemned

Several instances strongly condemned the attack on the PSL‑office in Mazara. The Consiglio del Centro e Sud‑Est (CCSE) indicated in a press‑release that “what the protesters did in Mazara is not stating their opinion but plain barbary and the behaviour of cavemen”. The PSL itself stated that “this is not voicing your opinion but voicing your stupidity”, but also criticises the authorities in Mazara for not protecting the PSL‑office against the mob. Also the Eiffellandian armed forces criticised the authorities in Mazara: “An attack like this could have been foreseen. It is a clear mistake by the authorities in Mazara that the possibility of an attack against the PSL‑office was overlooked.”


PSL: “The socialists should stop accusing us of what they do themselves”

Cosimo Trapani, who currently leads the PSL on behalf of the Conte di Perugia, indicated that he fully supports the president of PSL‑Giovani. “He may have overexaggerated some things, but he did not tell lies,” he said. He indicated that, while describing the PSL’s plans for the agricultural sector in Solaren, “the professor does exactly what he accuses Camici of: Spreading fear and lies”. Trapani stated that it has become a habit of the socialists to accuse the PSL of what they do themselves: “First the socialist faction of the SNC accuses us of wanting to turn Solaren into a second Eiffelland while that same faction of the SNC is extremely eagerly attempting to turn Solaren into a second Carentania. Now a Professor of that same faction accuses us of spreading fear and lies about the socialists and with the same gasp of his breath spreads fears and lies about us.”
Trapani also said that Prof. Draghi did not tell the whole story: “Indeed, there will be large farms which will massively grow wheat, cotton, flax and comparable products, because those are bulk products. But this type of agricultural mass production is only possible on large plains or when the landscape is not too hilly, simply because the large machines you need for that can only be used there. The large combines that Prof. Draghi envisions cannot be used on steep slopes. And we have quite some hilly landscapes and mountains in Solaren. There it will not be advantageous at all to create large agricultural companies, no matter whether they are commercial companies or socialist collectives. It is not an option to let the agricultural sector simply disappear in those areas, because that will lead to a loss of population and in the end ghost towns there, and an enormous lot of people for whom we have to think of a new way to let them earn a living. Either we have to be sure that we have enough jobs to give to those people, or we have to think of a way to let the agricultural sector survive in areas where it is impossible to create large conglomerates of agricultural companies. Otherwise we create a tragedy.”
Trapani agreed with Prof. Draghi that less people will find jobs in the agricultural sector, and that the number of farms will decrease. There will be children of farmers who will have to find jobs outside the agricultural sector: “That will happen anyway. But where Prof. Draghi only gives a vision of good schools and universities under socialism, the PSL has concrete plans to improve the schools and universities and make education free of charge. In that way, your intellectual capacities will determine your educational path instead of the income of your parents.”
The president of PSL‑Giovani, Giancarlo Camici, indicated that he won’t formally take anything back from what he said in last week’s interview. He also said that “socialism may have been built on noble thoughts, but its interpretation and implementation is often twisted”, and that “meanwhile the socialist faction in the SNC cares more for the implementation of a socialist system than for the well‑being of the Solaris people, and maybe even only cares for the implementation of a socialist system and not at all for the well‑being of the Solaris people”.
Camici described the discussion technique of the socialists as follows: “The very first thing many Socialists say if you question their arguments, is that you are a bourgeois. I even remember a dispute about a medical matter between Eiffellandian physicians and a commissar from Carentania, in which the Eiffellandian physicians criticised the Carentanian government for spreading self‑help packages for treating cholera and typhus. The self‑help packages were totally ineffective, and the advices in them were even dangerous to patients with cholera and typhus. The first thing the Carentanian commissar did was calling the Eiffellandian physicians bourgeois. Prof. Draghi is the first socialist I ever heard who did not call his opponent a bourgeois.”.
About the socialist plans for voluntary collectivisation of the agricultural sector, Camici commented: “The collectivisation in Capraria may not have been carried out at gunpoint, but we did hear of farmers who were put under very much pressure to agree with collectivisation. Maybe that was not official policy, but it did happen. Furthermore, the definition of ‘crime’ that is used to expropriate farms is very wide. I know the story of several Caprarian farmers who lost their lands simply because they had stored money on foreign bank accounts. Maybe out of frustration that most farmers don’t give in to the continuous SNC‑attempts to push through the collectivisation, but the SNC is very fast with expropriating farms. Very fast. Don’t forget to hand over that single pea that rolled under the bench, or else you’ll be accused of food‑hoarding.”


La Stampa Libera: “Gazetta di Torrenza misses chance to restore reputation”

The editor‑in‑chief of La Stampa Libera indicated in a comment that the Gazetta di Torrenza misses a chance to restore its reputation with refusing to rectify the article on the Conte di Perugia’s supposed homosexual affair: “It is clear that the picture is false. Somebody who doesn’t see the differences between Di Perugia’s body and the body of the person faking to be Di Perugia is blind. Furthermore, it is preposterous to claim that the picture would have been made before the Conte got his accident. The face of the man acting to be Di Perugia on the picture looks like Di Perugia currently looks like. The face on the picture is that of a man in his fifties, like Di Perugia. If he would have looked like at the picture before he would have got his accident, he would have looked like 70 by now. But Di Perugia looks according to his age: A man in the beginning of his fifties. If the board of editors of the Gazetta di Torrenza has a bit of sense of honour as a journalist, it ceases to call the Conte Di Perugia a homosexual and rectifies the article with the pictures. Failing to do so will undermine the credibility and reputation of the Gazetta di Torrenza even further.”
A freelance columnist of La Stampa Libera went further and called the board of editors of the Gazetta di Torrenza “an insane bunch of confabulating lunatics” and the Gazetta di Torrrenza itself “not worth to be called a newspaper” and “even a failure in telling fairytales”. On the claim of circumstantial evidence for Di Perugia’s supposed homosexuality based on the PSL’s liberal stance on homosexuality, he said that “not only homosexuals but also heterosexuals who are secure about their sexual preferences have liberal stances on homosexuality, while on the other hand especially people who call themselves heterosexual but in fact are very insecure about their sexual preferences have the most extremist opinions against homosexuality”.
Also Dr. Mancini, Di Perugia’s lawyer, indicated that “the Gazetta di Torrenza continues to undermine its credibility and its reputation as a newspaper with sticking to lies”. About the lawsuit for libel that he started on behalf of the Conte di Perugia, he stated that “we will continue it unless the Gazetta di Torrenza rectifies all articles on Di Perugia’s supposed homosexuality as well as all the pictures it published to base its claim about Di Perugia’s supposed homosexuality on”. About comments from the SNC that the status of various laws to base libel charges on are vague, Dr. Mancini commented: “This is a very simple case: It is not allowed to spread lies. Even the Bible says: Thou shalt not lie. It should be easy to the SNC to solve that issue.”

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Legal Dispute Has Congress Worried

The Solaren National Congress has expressed its worries about the ongoing legal dispute between Count Stefano di Perugia, the head of the Social-Liberal Party, and the Gazetta di Torrenza, one of Solarens largest conservative newspapers. According to the SNC, both the libel charges against the newspaper as well as the calls for homosexuality charges against di Perugia reference pre-war legal codes of, as the SNC views it, "dubious legality." Due to the lack of both a new constitution and an elected government, many laws of the old government are still de facto valid, but not enforced at the moment. A future constitution will likely invalidate many of these laws and a legal government will review their legality in finality, until then the SNC considers it best to "refrain from all charges but those most necessary to ensure the safety of the Solaren public in general."

The unilateral decision by the Eiffelländer occupation forces to prevent the enforcement of anti-homosexual law, while enabling the libel charges against the Gazetta di Torrenza have been criticised as "heavy-handed and unnecessarily provocative towards the conservative population," by the SNC, while the Faith Alliance has gone as far as to call it "an act of stewardship by the Eiffelländers towards their destined satellite government to be."

Comments by di Perugias lawyer Dr. Mancini as to the effect that the bible stipulated "Thou shalt not lie" and hence the libel charges would take precedence were rejected by the SNC: "General consensus amongst the various factions within Congress, as it stands, is that the future constitution will be a secular one."


Gazetta di Torrenza Sues La Stampa Libera Journalist for Insult

In what must probably described as a tit-for-tat response, Solarens largest conservative newspaper has sued a freelance journalist of the liberal La Stampa Libera for insults. The freelance journalist writing for La Stampa Libera has called the employees of the Gazetta di Torrenza “an insane bunch of confabulating lunatics”, which the legal office of the Gazetta di Torrenza has called "insulting to the honor of our staff." La Stampa Libera was instrumental in defending Count Stefano di Perugia, who is pressing legal charges for claims by the conservative newspaper he were engaged in homosexual acts.

The Gazetta di Torrenza was a leading pro-government outlet during the rule of Pope Urban and remains not only a hardline conservative leaning, but also a tendency towards publicity stunts. Reportedly, sales, after hitting an all-time low in the months after the war, have skyrocketed ever since printing the alleged pictures of Count Stefano di Perugia.


Interim Minister for Agriculture Slams PSL for Rural Policy

In a continued spat between the socialist interim Minister for Agriculture, Professor Luigi Draghi, and the Social-Liberal Party, the Minister has called the PSL rural policies "smokescreens of wishful thinking," indicating a lack of insight into the matters of his departement. The dispute had been started by comments made by Social-Liberal youth leader Giancarlo Camici in an interview. Luigi Draghi had made a public comment, demanding him to rectify apparent misrepresentations in his interview - a demand now outright rejected by Camici, who has drawn support from PSL vice Cosimo Trapani.

According to the Minister, "the PSL is more concerned with developing homely stories about the beautiful rolling hills of our countryside than to adress the real needs of modernization of our agricultural sector." The PSL has, in a recent statement, insisted that large collectivization projects would prove ineffective in more remot areas of the interior countryside, as machinery could not properly be employed. "Not only is this contrary to experiences in other countries, it also omits the effects of other, capital-heavy modernizations: fertilizers, pesticides, modern transportation, irrigation projects, electricity, industrial dryers, threshers and mills, refrigeration and more." The minister reinforced his earlier statements, advising farmers to take the governments offers to join collectivized farms. "The alternative will be an increasingly fierce competition with the large landowners, especially those in favourable terrain, who can utilize the cheap loans provided by Eiffelland to maximum efficiency and root all competitors."

Draghi refused to comment on statements by Camici regarding rhetorics of the socialist faction. "Camici may enjoy a meaningless mudslinging match, but I have dignity. There is a pressing need to rectify very apparent misrepresentations and outright lies about the policies of my faction, but I will not engage in meaningless squabbles about the word 'bourgeoise'."


Carentanian Government Defends First Aid Packages

Camicis latest public appearance has also drawn fire from the Carentanian government for a reference he made towards first aid packages distributed by Carentanian troops during the war. Frontline troops had been issued packages to be handed out to civilians, which included antibiotics and vague instructions on when to apply them. Eiffelland had, back then, criticised the procedure, while Carentania insisted on its usefulness. Camici has now reiterated the criticism of the Eiffelländer Medical Corps, causing the Carentanian Commissariate for Defense to adress the issue once again.

In a press release, the Commissariate rejects the claims by Eiffelland that widespread use of antibiotics will lead to the developement of resistances as "scientifically unbased claims" and "in direct contradiction to existing experiences with this comparatively new medical innovation". Carentania furthermore stated that the widespread application of antibiotics served as "preventive measure" in less accessible parts, amongst refugees and in parts of the country that were still being fought over. "In short: until there could realistically even be talks about a stable medical service for the general public, the distribution of antibiotics helped to contain the spread of virulent germs."

Carentania explicitely stated the similarity of this approach to ongoing trials in industrialized cattle breeding, where antibiotics are to be distributed pre-emptively - however remarked, that this comparision is not meant to convey any similiarity between the Solaren people and cattle and merely meant to reinforce the argument with a broader perspective.

During the war, Carentania had rejected Eiffellands insistence that proper medical care could be distributed by them to all Solaren citizens as "wishful thinking" and speculated that this resulted from the lack of on-hands experience of Eiffelländer medical personnel with anything but their own, elitist and bourgeoise medical circles. This ironic stab was now used by Camici for his own musings about "socialist rhetorics", implying that the term bourgeois were a generic and essentially hollow insult. "It is, in fact, an accurate description of the life-reality of Eiffelländer physicians, who couldn't wrap their heads around the difficulties they would be facing in a war torn country and consequently decided to outright deny these difficulties", the Carentanian Commissariate for Defense commented.

 

[Rheinbund]

Königlicher Eiffelländischer Ärzteverband: “Carentanian aid packages indeed ineffective against severe intestinal infections”

Fritz Kaufmann, chairman of the Königlicher Eiffelländischer Ärzteverband, reacted in a press release on the latest comments of the Carentanian government about the first aid packages spread by the Carentanian government during the Solaris war. The dispute of those days focused on the fact that the Carentanian government had added antibiotics to those first aid packages. Because of recent statements by the chairman of the PSL‑Giovani, Giancarlo Camici, this dispute flared up again. The press release by the Königlicher Eiffelländischer Ärzteverband is the following.

Back in 1951, we had several reasons for not adding antibiotics to the health packages we spread in Solaren. Indeed, one of them was an observation still not fully understood: We have a bacterial stem that usually responds to a certain antibiotic, but sometimes we find specimina of that bacterial stem that does not respond to that certain antibiotic. We don’t know why, but we call it resistance. This does not occur often, and when it occurs, there is always another antibiotic to which the bacteria do respond. But it is alarming enough to investigate it further, something that already happens in Eiffelland. “Not giving bacteria the chance to get used to antibiotics” was one of the reasons why we did not add antibiotics to our aid packages, but it was by far not the most important one, because it is a small problem that can be handled easily. Strangely enough, the Carentanian government focused on this argument to attack our decision not to add antibiotics to our aid packages.
Even stranger, the Carentanian government fully ignores our other arguments against adding antibiotics to aid packages. Arguments which are much more important.
The diseases that the Carentanian government wanted to prevent, are severe diarrhoea and dysenteria—Cholera, Typhus and Paratyphus. In the case of Cholera, the bacterium is not the problem but the massive dehydration of the patient is the problem. Therefore, what you have to do, is giving the patient Oral Rehydration Salts. Antibiotics are often not even needed, and only giving antibiotics won’t cure the patient.
Typhus indeed requires antibiotics, but this disease is so severe, that only doctors can cure those patients. The same accounts for dysenteriae caused by Shigella, other enterobacteria and parasites. Talking about parasites, they often require medications with such severe side‑effects that they can only be given in a hospital.
Indeed, it will be hard to find a hospital in a war zone, but as soon as you can spread aid packages on the groud, which both we and the Carentanians did, you can also set up a fied hospital. Something that we did.
Now the Carentanian government talks about spreading antibiotics as a preventive measure. It is unclear to us what it means by that. Back in 1951, a certain Dr. Mejic mentioned an information leaflet telling to take the antibiotics in cases of stomach cramps and vomiting—things that can mean everything and are mostly caused by a common stomach flu or simple nervousness. Stomach flu is caused by a virus, which does not respond to antibiotics. Nervousness does not respond to antibiotics, either.
Now suppose that there is an outbreak of cholera. Quite some patients will have used their antibiotics to “treat” a common stomach flu, as instructed by the information leaflet. The remainder of the patients take their antibiotics. All patients die of dehydration, because Dr. Mejic forgot to write in the information leaflet that the patients should get Oral Rehydration Salt. Oh, did he? Then all the antibiotics will have been used without curing the patients, because they were cured by the Oral Rehydration Salt.
Now suppose that there is a typhus outbreak somewhere else. Also here, some patients will have used their antibiotics to “treat” a stomach flu, as instructed by the information leaflet. The rest take their antibiotics, but die because they were not adviced to go to a hospital. Even worse, there are no hospitals, because the Carentanians believed that they were not needed. The antibiotics would do their work. Oh, were there field hospitals? Then the patients will not have gone there, because the information leaflet said nothing about it.
This way of prevention won’t work. Then what about continuously giving all the Solaris antibiotics? Three capsules a day, 21 capsules a week, 90 capsules a month. That for 30 million Solaris, that means 2.7 billion capsules a month to hand out. It is not doable to get that to all Solaris in the Carentanian Occupational Zone. Mix the antibiotics through the drinking water then? But then even more antibiotics are needed. More than can be produced.
But let’s go back to the complaints described at Dr. Mejic’s information leaflet: The patient should take the antibiotics in the case of stomach cramps and vomiting. We are quite sure that the antibiotics will be vomited out before they can do anything.
In conclusion, the way the Carentanians spread the antibiotics over the country will not have helped at all with containing the spread of any virulent germ.
Regarding the remark by the Carentanian government that the Eiffellandian doctors would not have been able to react adequately to the problems they would face in a war‑torn country, the facts show that we were very well prepared for our task in Solaren. We even managed to educate the Solaris doctors in how to use antibiotics in such a way that they actually cured patients with them.

Daniele Grillo: Honour? What honour?

The freelance journalist who wrote the column in La Stampa Libera, Daniele Grillo, gave a short reaction to the lawsuit that the Gazetta di Torrenza started against him: “An ‘insult to the honour of the staff’ of that package of paper waste cannot be used as a basis for a lawsuit, because the staff of that package of paper waste already lost its honour with placing false pictures and basing a fake story on those.”
La Stampa Libera indicated that Grillo himself was responsible for the contents of his column, but also indicated that it wasn’t Grillo who inflicted the most damage to the honour of the editors of the Gazetta di Torrenza: “We don’t know whether the Gazetta di Torrenza actually knew that those pictures are false when it published them, but now that they refuse to rectify the article, they themselves damage their reputation more than our columnist did. And if the Gazetta di Torrenza published those pictures while knowing that they are false, this newspaper insulted not only it’s own honour but also the honour of journalism as a whole. And that may be the cause of Grillo’s anger towards that newspaper. We will make sure that Grillo will apologise for his remarks as soon as the Gazetta di Torrenza rectifies the article on Conte di Perugia’s supposed homosexuality.”
Di Perugia’s lawyer Dr. Mancini and Cosimo Trapani from the PSL indicated that Grillo’s remarks “went too far”, but also insisted that there would be only one way for the Gazetta di Torrenza to restore its reputation, and that would be rectifying the article on Di Perugia’s supposed homosexuality. Dr. Mancini re‑iterated that he would drop the libel charge in that case. Trapani added that “everybody can make mistakes, but mistakes need to be corrected”.


Trapani: “Draghi has blind spots and twists words”

Cosimo Trapani indicated in an interview with Radio Tegeata that “Prof. Draghi has some blind spots in his view on the future of Solaren’s agricultural sector”. Also the PSL sees the need for the introduction of modern techniques, but “we categorically reject the idea that those modern techniques can only be introduced together with a collectivisation of the whole sector”. Trapani said that “the introduction of electricity and waterworks and the building of roads and railroads are not the responsibility of the agricultural sector but of the government, because those facilities will be used by all Solaris citizens and companies”.
Regarding the remark that “Machinery would not work in remote areas”, Trapani indicated that he was only referring to large combines and comparable machines: “Here Prof. Draghi twists my words in the wrong way. Of course you can build a refridgeration installation everywhere, and of course you can build an irrigation system everywhere. But you can forget using a large combine that has been designed for flat plains on a 20 degrees slope. That was what I wanted to say.”
The story that large land owners would compete the small farms away with cheap loans from Eiffelland was another twist of words by Draghi according to Trapani: “Here we have to speak about the role of the Eiffellandians. I don’t know what Prof. Draghi means by ‘cheap loans from Eiffelland’. The Eiffellandian government? They will not give cheap loans to companies which can easily borrow money from commercial banks. They will give those cheap loans to companies that need to invest to become competitive and can’t borrow the money cheaply enough from commercial banks. So the large land owner on the plains will have to find the resources for his investments himself. The small farmer in the hills will get that refridgeration installation through a cheap loan.”
Trapani also indicated that it is “very well possible to keep smaller farms alive”, although “quite a lot will change”. He did not see a future for small grane farms, because “granes are a bulk product that can be produced in the cheapest way by large farms”. “The best solution will depend on the location of the farm then,” Trapani said. That could indeed mean that small farms would be merged to form large farms, or taken over by large farms. Another possibility would be that the farmer focuses on a different product.
Furthermore, small farmers could form cooperations together that would be able to negotiate lower prices for fertilisers, insecticides, seeds, cattle food and so on. Cooperatives formed by farmers could also manage milk factories and industrial mills, threshers and dryers.


CCSE calls for a “civilised attitude” towards homosexuality problem

A spokesperson from the Consiglio del Centro e Su-Est (CCSE) called for a “civilised attitude” in response to the ferocious debate and violent demonstrations against homosexuality. “It is not needed to demolish things or lynch people because of this. Beating up people is not needed, either. And to be honest, the old laws about homosexuality were a bit draconic. However, also we are against the decriminalisation of homosexuality, although we believe that a couple of years in prison instead of the death penalty is enough punishment for homosexuals. But as long as the old laws are not enforced and there are no new laws yet, there is enough that we can do against homosexuals. Nobody will oblige you to buy from homosexuals. Nobody will oblige you to sell to homosexuals. Nobody will oblige you to let houses to homosexuals. Nobody will oblige you to give jobs to homosexuals. And nobody will forbid you to fire homosexuals. You see, we can do a lot against homosexuals without becoming violent,” the spokesperson said.
The Eiffellandian Armed Forces in Solaren called this statement “the responsibility of the CCSE”.


Dr. Mancini: Lying not only forbidden by Bible

Dr. Mancini had a short remark on the SNC’s statement regarding the new constitution of Solaren: “The Bible is not the only Book that forbids lying. It is also forbidden in a secular community to lie.”

 

[Potenza]

Potenzans Warn Against Fanaticism

After the victory of Operation Judgment, Potenzan leaders are showing some nervousness after a news source in Cantignia reported strong words from the reported "Holy Church of Reclamation", an ecclesiastical organization of Solaris refugees who were quoted as saying: "I feel the presence of our Great Pope...He is gathering the full wrath of God himself to be smote against the wretched defilers!" This is causing fear that there may be a resurgence in Solaris Catholic fanaticism throughout Solaren.

Potenzan military patrols, started last week, reported at least two instances of gunfights with rebel units they believe to be remnants of the Party of God, declared destroyed by General Battiste after Judgment. Battiste himself has asked Solaris to cooperate with Potenzan officials, and to report any suspicious activity to the nearest military station.

Northern Council Calls for Clarification

With the appointment of Tomas Jerman as Carentanian Commissar for Foreign Affairs, the Potenzan foreign affairs ministry asked the Carentanian government for clarification on two statements from Mr. Jerman: "abandoning past attempts of cooperation with capitalist powers and focusing on partnership with other socialist states" and "I will increase Carentanian support for socialist factions in Solaren." No answer was given by Jerman or any other Carentanian, and now, at the behest of Potenzan government officials, the Northern Council - the regional representative body of Potenzan-occupied Solaren - has asked for Carentanian military spokespersons to explain Jerman's comments and what it bodes for the future of Solaren.

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Interim Government Issues Moratorium On Homosexuality and Libel Laws

The interim government of the Solaren National Congress has issued an official moratorium effecting anti-homosexuality and libel laws, putting an effective stop to the ongoing dispute between Count Stefano di Perugia, the head of the Social-Liberal Party, and the Gazetta di Torrenza, one of Solarens largest conservative newspapers. Pictures published by the Gazetta di Torrenza had seemingly depicted di Perugia engaging in homosexual intercourse with another man, which the Count denied and insisted these pictures to have been fabricated, suing the newspaper for libel. In a reaction to this lawsuit, many conservatives had insisted on raising charges against di Perugia for his alleged homosexual acts, if the libel lawsuit were to be accepted by the courts.

The ongoing dispute had caused problems for the interim government, because both sides claim continued legality for a section of the law of the old Urban regime, forcing the SNC to take sides. Even worse, Eiffelland had announced not to tolerate any applications of anti-homosexuality laws within its occupation zone - a stance decried by opposing political factions as hypocritical, insisting that, if Count di Perugia could sue for libel under the old law, the old laws against homosexuality had to apply as well, warranting an official investigation and charges by federal prosecution.

With its decision, the Solaren National Congress has avoided many of the consequences of taking a clear stance on the matter, instead postponing both the libel lawsuit and the question of sodomy laws to the future government, to be elected once the SNC can reach a compromise on the new constitution. However, the decision is sure to raise the ire of both the Conservatives and the Social-Liberal.

 

[Rheinbund]

Uffizio del Partito Soziale Liberale
Perugia, Solaren

We still don't understand the link between the homosexuality laws and any existing laws on libel, because libel is to be judged under civil law and not under penal law. However, we think it is not productive to discuss that out. We put up with this decision by the Interim Government and won't question it further, because we understand the position of the Interim Government in this matter and realise that this decision is the wisest one at this moment.
Instead, we will continue our fight against the ridiculous and false accusations against the Conte di Perugia put forward by the Gazetta di Torrenza. There are more than enough other legal means for that than a lawsuit.


La Stampa Libera
Torrenza, Solaren

The decision by the Interim Government is based on a shaky legal ground, but given the position of the Interim Government in this matter, we understand why this decision was taken. A legally sound decision would indeed have been unwise in this matter.
However, we stick to it that the only way the Gazetta di Torrenza can restore its reputation is by retracting its claims about the Conte di Perugia's supposed homosexuality, because they are definitely false. Everybody can make mistakes, and there is always room for forgiveness for your mistakes. As soon as the Gazetta di Torrenza retracts the article about Conte di Perugia's supposed homosexuality, there is no reason for us or our columnist Daniele Grillo to further attack the Gazetta di Torrenza.


Office of the Eiffellandian Armed Forces in Solaren
Torrenza, Solaren

We fully support this decision by the Interim Government, because we understand the postion it had been manoeuvred in by the course of events between the Conte di Perugia, the Stampa Libera and the Gazetta di Torrenza. We hope that this decision will defuse the confict between the Conte di Perugia and the Gazetta di Torrenza.

Karl-Heinz Modersohn, General of the 3rd Army and commander of the Eiffellandian Armed Forces in Solaren

 

[Potenza]

Splinter Rebel Groups Confirmed

Months after Lieutenant General Battisti reported that the Party of God had been "smashed," several small groups have arisen which the Potenzan Ministry of Defense say are "splinter groups" arising after the death of the Party of God's leadership during Operation Judgment. Some of the names have been identified and released by Potenzan authorities:

• Party of God
• True Party of God
• Sons of God
• Joel's Army

Each one is believed to be small in number and "hardly significant in strength" (as the Potenzan military has said), but Solaris citizens are advised to report any suspected activity to their local authorities or the closest Potenzan command. Battisti has released a statement saying that the Royal Army is monitoring possible rebel activity, and that the Folgore are currently assigned to the task

Several small firefights have erupted across northern Solaren, between these rebel groups and the Potenzan military, mainly Folgore units on patrol. The Royal Army has reported no losses, save for several wounded. Battisti intends to expand patrols to "strangle the rebel groups out of Solaren."

Northern Council Affirms Anti-Homosexuality Laws

Shortly after the Solaren National Congress declared what was called "an official moratorium effecting anti-homosexuality and libel laws," the Northern Council - a representative body which functions to assist in relations between the Solaris people and the Potenzan Royal Army - released a statement unanimously declaring a ban on homosexuality and said that those accused of "lewd acts or sodomy" would be tried and, if found guilty, punished according to the Law. Calling the Congress' decision a "pure act of politics at the expense of morality," they stated that they would continue to hold homosexuality as a high moral crime.

General Battisti asked local Solaris authorities to maintain law and order, and to do their best to avoid mob justice. So far, no one has been arrested, harassed, killed or executed on the charge of homosexuality.

Potenzan Carabinieri to Solaren

Potenza's national police force are dispatching instructors to norther Solaren to assist in the reconstruction and training of the Solaris police force in the north. Their officers, called Carabinieri, will recruit, train, and instruct Solaris police forces to function in the duties of preventing crime and fighting against illegal activities. Potenza stated that this is part of the Grand Duchy's plan to eventually leave their operational zone to Solaris authorities, so that the north will function as a regular nation, as it did prior to the invasion.

 

[Polesia]

Widespread protests against suspension of sodomy laws

The controversial decision by the Solaren National Congress (SNC) to suspend anti-homosexuality and libel laws inherited from the old regime has been met with large-scale protests across the country. Even in the Potenzan Zone of Occupation, where the Northern Council, the regional governing body, reaffirmed its commitment to upholding anti-homosexual legislation, there have been demonstrations, with reports of members of the Potenzan military having been assaulted by some unruly demonstrators. In the Eiffellander and Carentanian Zones of Occupation there are also reports of peacekeepers being attacked by protesters.

Many protesters are rejecting what they perceive to be the enforcement of foreign liberal values on Solaren by the occupation forces. The establishment of dance-halls across Solaren for the entertainment of peacekeepers sparked similar protests last year, after rumours Solaren women were accompanying foreign soldiers to late night events at the venues. The provocatively named dance-hall 'Sodom', located on the isle of Capraria, in the Carentanian Occupation Zone, was the focus of particularly violent demonstrations, with petrol bombs hurled at the premises.

The Solaren National Congress suspended the old sodomy and libel laws following a dispute between Count Stefano di Perugia, leader of the Social-Liberal Party, and the Torrence Gazette, the capital's main newspaper known for its hard-line conservative views. The Gazette had published photographs depicting Count di Perugia in partaking in homosexual activities. Count di Perugia claimed the photographs were a forgery and attempted to sue the Gazette. The Social-Liberal Party, has cautiously welcomed the suspension of the sodomy and libel laws, but questioned its legal grounding.

While the moratorium may have ended one political crisis, it has started another. All three occupation authorities are concerned the demonstrations may grow in size and intensity after weekend church services. Church leaders have been frequently accused of organising unrest and even harbouring militants by the occupying powers.

The Faith Alliance, Solaren's largest conservative Christian political movement, has played an instrumental role in orchestrating opposition to the suspension of the sodomy laws and hopes to capitalise on the latest outrage and have a strong showing in the forthcoming elections.

(OOC: I've joined in the whole Solaren thing via Prop-10, hope its ok with you guys. I plan on doing a couple more posts as well)

 

[Potenza]

OOC: The Carabinieri are currently in the process of being deployed to northern Solaren, and they aren't there to enforce law, but to instruct Solaris law enforcement personnel. The Potenzan military, especially the Scipio's Own division, would be the one handling crowd control. You can edit the post to that if you want.

 

[Rheinbund]

OOC: Cathiopa, I have no problems with it if you step in.

 

[Rheinbund]

LA STAMPA LIBERA​

Consiglio del Centro e Sud-Est to enforce anti-homosexual measures

In a joint press conference by General Modersohn and the chairman of the Consiglio del Centro e Sud‑Est (CCSE), Cosimo Giannotti, it was announced that the CCSE are preparing to start the enforcement of anti-homosexual measures from the first of July onwards. This move is surprising, given the fact that the Eiffellandian Occupational Forces had made clear a couple of months ago that it categorically refused to uphold any anti‑homosexual measures from the old regime. General Modersohn had even described it as “checking out bedrooms”. But the planned enforcement of anti‑homosexual measures by the CCSE is not completely a return to the anti‑homosexuality laws of the Old Regime, and that may be the reason why the enforcement of anti‑homosexual measures in the Eiffellandian Occupational Zone (EOZ) is acceptable to the Eiffellandians.

This is a list of the conditions under which the CCSE will enfore anti‑homosexual measures:

1. No death penalties will be issued. Instead, the minimum punishment will be 5 years imprisonment and the maximum punishment will be 20 years imprisonment. This kind of measure was already seen for other crimes that usually led to the death penalty under the Old Regime, although in those cases death penalties were always converted to life imprisonments.
2. Suspects will be trialed according to the principles of the constitutional state. The most important one of those principles is that suspects will be considered innocent until proven guilty. Preventive detention is possible, but a judge will have to decide about that. Furthermore, suspects have the right to a barrister, and the evidence for the crime must fulfil a set of credibility criteria. The reason behind this is to prevent as much as possible that innocent people will be convicted based on false evidence.
3. The CCSE will start enforcing anti‑homosexual measures from the 1st of July onwards. Homosexual acts committed within the current borders of the EOZ by consenting adults between the 1st of July 1951 (approximately the start of the Solaris War) and the 1st of July 1953 will not be prosecuted. General Modersohn explained this condition by stating that all homosexuals will have to be informed about this measure first, so that they have the possibility to adapt.

General Modersohn added the following statement: “I re-iterate that the Eiffellandian Occupational Forces will not enforce any anti‑homosexual measures. I already indicated that my soldiers don’t have the time for that. However, we understand that homosexuality is not acceptable to the majority of the Solaris. Therefore, we decided to let the CCSE enforce anti‑homosexual measures, under the conditions I just mentioned. However, let it be clear, that, like in the recent past up to now, physical violence against homosexuals will not be tolerated. I explicitly warn against everybody who plans to carry out the death penalties that we prohibited. My soldiers have the order to open fire when needed.”
Cosimo Giannotti added to that: “We agreed with the conditions put forward by the Eiffellandian Occupational Forces under which we can prosecute against homosexuality. We also agree with General Modersohn’s explicit statement on violence against homosexuals. The CCSE still needs to do some preparations until the 1st of July, but from then onwards the correct way to act against homosexuals is to turn them in at the local office of the CCSE.”
There were some questions from the journalists present at the press conference. One of them was about what would be considered credible evidence of homosexuality. Modersohn explained that sexual intercourse needed to be proven by several witnesses. Upon the question whether a picture was good as well, he said: “This is probably about the pictures of the Conte di Perugia published by the Gazetta di Torrenza, isn,t it? There are several ways of manipulating pictures. Therefore, especially in legal issues, we will always have to ask if a picture shows what we think it shows. A picture can be very helpful in a trial, but it cannot be used as evidence as soon as there is reasonable doubt about whether it is real or a fabrication. In the case of the Conte di Perugia, it will be enough when he shows his upper body to the judge to prove that it was not him on the pictures published by the Gazetta di Torrenza. And then those pictures cannot be used against him in a trial. More in general, we must prevent that people produce false evidence to get their foes convicted.”
Cosimo Giannotti indicated that the CCSE would also check the dance halls in the EOZ on the occurrence of any other criminal acts, although he was confident that the Eiffellandian Occupational Forces had everything under control: “There is one thing that the Eiffellandians are much keener on than the Old Regime ever was, and that is drugs. The Eiffellandians put an enormous lot of effort in preventing the spread of marihuana, heroin, cocaine and whatever other strange products there are, and they make sure that drug trafickers spend large parts of their lives in prison. And the Eiffellandians are more successful in that than the Old Regime ever was.”

The recent decision by the SNC to put a moratorium on the anti‑homosexuality laws put the conflicts between the Conte di Perugia and Daniele Grillo on the one hand and the Gazetta di Torrenza on the other hand on hold, but ignited nationwide protests against that decision, showing once again that homosexuality is a highly controversial issue in Solaren. So controversial that the Eiffellandians considered it impossible to enforce tolerance to homosexuality. Maybe indeed it is too early to legalise homosexuality in Solaren.
Fact is, that homosexuality was the only discussed topic in this country for several months. More important matters, for instance the future of the country, were structurally ignored. With that said, the last five months can be considered lost. Maybe the enforcement of anti‑homosexuality measures will stop the discussions about homosexuality, so that we can finally discuss about the future of the country.


New seaport of San Remo to be opened next weekend

San Remo is a city of 30,000 inhabitants at the west coast of Solaren. It has quite a large fishing harbour, but never managed to compete with Bargia and grow out to a large trans‑shipment point. While Bargia grew out to become Solaren’s most important harbour on the west coast, San Remo remained a sleepy fisher town, despite its population growth.
But then the war came. After the war, Bargia became part of the Carentanian Occupational Zone (COZ). When the lack of a large harbour on the west coast became a problem to the EOZ, the Eiffellandians decided to expand the harbour of San Remo. Well, not exacly expand, because that would require the demolition of the historic city centre. So while the fishing harbour remained in San Remo’s city centre, an additional harbour for trans‑shipment and naval tasks was built next to the city.
Now the job is done. San Remo has a new harbour. And it will be opened next weekend with a song festival. The mayor of San Remo, Anatolio Marcusi, referred to the large part in Tiburan culture that is reserved for singing: “The Carentanians and Eiffellandians should have opened singing halls instead of dance halls to entertain our youth.” He also indicated that he planned to organise a song festival once every year.


Students check sexual preferences of prominent conservatives

Suppose it is 2 o’clock in the morning. Most people are asleep by then, or at least are lying in bed. But then suddenly the doorbell rings. It is an official who wants to check whether you are sleeping with somebody of your gender.
Something similar happened to the editor‑in‑chief of the Gazetta di Torrenza and several prominent members of the Alleanza della Fede and other ultraconservative associations. But it weren’t officials who woke them up by ringing their doorbells. It were students of the Università di Torrenza, who protested for the legalisation of homosexuality in this way. Every time they said the same thing: “Good evening Sir, we want to check your bedroom to find out whether you sleep with your own wife or somebody else; to be precise a man.” Reporters of this newspaper accompanied them to report about one of the few non‑violent protest actions in this country.
One of the students explained that in fact this is what the anti‑homosexuality laws do: Peeping in your bedroom to check your sexual preferences. “I myself am as straight as possible, so I won’t do anything against the law, but despite the fact that I have nothing to hide, I don’t want some strange government official to peep into my bedroom, not even for checking out whether I sleep with someone of the opposite gender. What happens in my bedroom, is so private that it should remain in my bedroom. That’s why I’m protesting against the anti‑homosexuality laws,” he added.
The reactions of the victims were not as decent as could be expected given the societal positions these prominent men have. We have never heard so many “Vaffan culo”s as this night. One group visited a prominent ultraconservative priest. He did not let us into his bedroom and produced a “Vaffan culo”. In any case, there were some indications suggesting that he was not alone. And that second person was definitely not sleeping on the couch or in the guest room. We won’t reveal the name of this priest. But something strange happened shortly after we had visited that priest. Suddenly a group of men with large sticks appeared. Luckily, we all managed to reach our VAN on time and speed away.