National News Gouw Marken

[Kadikistani Union]

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National Committee for Justice and the Rejuvenation of Socialism
Provisional Office of the People's Commissariat for External Affairs​

We wholeheartedly thank our Markenese friend for their continuous support for our nation and the ideals of the late Glorious Leader. Marshall Nikolai Leninov was the victim of a political conspiracy by power-hungry men belonging to the Tsjekova Clan. These men seeked to undo the legacy of our Glorious Leader and return our nation to a state of isolationism, while continuing on the path of economic ruin due to their unconditional support for flawed policies such as the 14-Year Plan. If these men would have succeeded in their treacherous plot, there is no doubt that Kadikistan would have pulled back from the international scene, and thus also Gouw Marken, within days. While we seek to cut on expensive both domestically and more severely abroad, we once again wish to state that we remain committed to the people of Gouw Marken and the Markense Omwenteling. If the wise leadership of Markstad allows for it, we would be honoured to continue the friendship and cooperation that has existed between our two nations ever since Gouw Marken made its appearance on the international stage.

In fact it is our intention to increase the cooperation between our two people's. That is why we urge our Markenese friends to re-open the East Star Airport in Markstad and allow all maritime traffic carry on with their business. A business were thousands of workers on both sides of the water along with both our respective economies profiteer from greatly. We invite the esteemed Markenese ambassador to talk with the leaders of the National Committee for Justice and the Rejuvenation of Socialism personally to answer any questions that the brilliant leader Quintus II or his government might have.

Signed,
Col. Bojan Cvetković
Provisional People's Commissar for External Affairs
Kadikistani Communist Workers' Party

------------------------------------------------------------

SECRET COMMUNIQUÉ
FROM: General Ratko Leninov, Chairman of the Leninov Revolutionary Clan, Commander of the Marxist-Leninovist Brigades, People's Commissar for Nationalities
TO: His Excellence, Jacob Van der Tricht de Willersmark, Personal Secretary of the Prince-Bishop Quintus II
REGARDING:

Your Excellency,

This highly confidential communiqué is meant for the eyes of His Eminence Quintus II, Prince-Bishop of Gouw Marken, and his personal staff only. Protocol requires us to state that any further distribution of this information beyond said closed group will be considered a hostile act given the delicate content, potentially harmful for the Kadikistani State and the Communist Workers' Party.

I speak to you as the son of a great man who brought both of our fine nations closer together, altruistically coming to the aid of the hardly known Markenese people when they suffered most. Today my father's, Nikolai Leninov, legacy is under siege by conspirators from within the military who are waging a full out war with the Revolutionary Clans and all their affiliates. With the Tsjekova's decapitated and my own family decimated I must reluctantly request the aid from Markstad in order to help bring us back on our rightful place at the head of our mighty nation. With most of my kin murdered the burdens of the patriarchy of our wounded clan has fallen onto me and as such I address you as political and military heir of the Glorious Leader, Marshall Nikolai Leninov. Gouw Marken provides for an ideal location for the remaining clan leadership to regroup while we are already in the process of mobilizing the ground forces loyal to our cause in the north, including General Moravcik from Cumbria. But as long as the mutiny is in control of Rurikgrad it will be nearly impossible to regain a foothold in the west. We hope to be able to use Markenese commercial vessels to smuggle our forces into Rurikgrad and instigate a patriotic uprising against the coup.

My uncle, Colonel Dimitri Leninov, the former People's Commissar for External Affairs has shockingly betrayed his own blood and joined this 'new order' in an unseen streak of greed and blind ambition. Though we know that it was Dimitri that handled most of the Kadikistani-Markenese diplomatic contacts and relations, we urge you not to be fooled by old friendships. This man has betrayed his own and facilitated the butchery of half his family, but he will undoubtedly approach you as a false bringer of stability and peace. We trust you will judge him accordingly.

Sincerely your Friend,
_X_
General Ratko Leninov
General Secretary of the Communist Workers' Party
Supreme Commander of the Kadikistani Revolutionary Armed Forces
Democratic Republic of Kadikistan

 

[Pelasgia]

Pelasgian Empire
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Public Statement
​

2nd of March, 1957
To whom it may concern.

The Empire does certainly remain committed to global peace, cooperation and prosperity, though we are somewhat uncertain as to why we and our allies in Trier were specifically named in His Holiness's address. In any case, we welcome Gouw Marken's initiative for the promotion of global peace and partnership.

Signed and Sealed,

Ikaros Dragasēs

Minister of Foreign Affairs & Patrician Nobelissimus
Pelasgian Empire

ΕΝ ΤΟΥΤΩΙ ΝΙΚΑ
​

 

[Rheinbund]

Aussenministerium
Trier, Eiffelland

Also we are committed to peace, cooperation and prosperity. However, we don't have any influence on what is going on in Kadikistan. The only thing we can do is wait and pray for the Kadikistani, and make sure that the conflict does not spill over to other countries. We are committed to that.
Furthermore, we advice the Government of Gouw Marken not to isolate the country because of these events. It would be unwise to close the harbours and the airport. Trade and travel has to continue, also for the good of the Markenese people.

Rudolph Kögler, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor

 

[Gouw Marken]

TO: General Ratko Leninov

*delivered through an unknown source at the embassy of Gouw Marken*

"stricktly confidential - to be destroyed after reading - Markstad will act accordingly. Commercial freight is running again starting tomorrow".
[MENTION=83]Kadikistan[/MENTION]

 

[Gouw Marken]

In the press

Our Prince-Bishop has played it very safe. He has to stick to Kadikistan, because many people, and not at least the former unfree farmers, wouldn’t agree on letting down Ivar. Gouw Marken has its hands tied and mouth sealed. If Quintus II tries to turn his back to Kadikistan, he will lose the support of many counties in the east, he will lose his credibility, and he will lose the support to all political and economic reforms still to come. He cannot but morn about the Marshall and rejoice about the Colonel.
It is a difficult excersise – and one thing is sure: if Gouw Marken loses its ally Kadikistan, it will be thrown about like a dog toy in this world. The Prince-Bishop has pointed out the heir he wishes to come second: Pelasgia. The reconversion to Orthodox Christianity, the charming moves towards the empire of the south: it has all to do with plan B. And one thing is sure: if Kadikistan collapses, Pelasgian politics will move north. Far north.
And Eiffelland? It just stands there… waiting to introduce all those multinationals in Markstad. Finally.

Journalist Christiaan Van der Zuydt in the paper ‘Markense Mededelingen’ - a controversal political analyst

We must unconditionally support the Kadikistani people, the workers and farmers of this great nation, in their quest for peace and prosperity, true to the legacy of Marshal Leninov. We will fight for this legacy, in every county, in every city, in every field. Nikolai Leninov: we are the children and we will honour you in our work and our battle. We will destroy the foundations of this world and those who betray you, and then we will built a better one!

Journalist Jan Seelmans in the paper ‘De Werker’ - pro-Kadiki paper

Other news:
-> Commercial maritime freight to Kadikistan restored tomorrow; food transit to Kadikistan will go on as usual
-> Airport stays closed for two more days, first plane will probably leave on Saturday
-> Sports introduced in many schools, compulsory starting from September this year

 

[Gouw Marken]

Latest news:
National Assemblee strongly speaks against the ‘Rejuvenation’ and asks the Prince-Bishop to hold on to what now is known as ‘Rejectionism’.

Unknown how many Kadikistani citizens are in the country, they are not urged to leave, on the contrary: full amnesty is given to all Kadikistani citizens wherever they come from, if they are not allowed to enter their home country or if they fear for their lives.

With Gouw Marken losing the backing support of Kadikistan, it is very uncertain which foreign polici will be followed and how it will affect the region of the northwest. Could there be a stabilisation in relations with Bourgogne?

Commercial maritime and air freight to Kadikistan again suspended until further notice.
[OOC: it was mainly produce and food going to the west, to help the Kadikistani government. Those freights were not known as food aid, but in fact they were. After the agricultural changes in Gouw Marken, all food that could be missed went to Kadikistan – see previous posts]

 

[Rheinbund]

Random official in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs: "Let's see if we can send a delegation to Gouw Marken as soon as possible.

 

[Rheinbund]

OOC: Oops. I accidentally posted a post for my own newsthread here. Apologies.

 

[Kadikistani Union]

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National Committee for Justice and the Rejuvenation of Socialism
Office of the People's Commissariat for External Affairs​

The People's Government of Kadikistan under the guidance of the National Committee for Justice and the Rejuvenation of Socialism, controlled by the Kadikistani Communist Workers' Party is appalled by the lack of dedication and loyalty of the Markenese people towards their Kadikistani counterparts. Indeed our citizens have always maintained their solidarity with the people of Gouw Marken ever since they set their first steps onto the international scene. At a high national cost we prevented the famine from eradicating the Markenese population and helped them rebuild and modernize. The East Star National Airport of Gouw Marken is not only a brutalist architectural pearl, but also a standing sign of friendship between our two nations along with various factories and mines build by Kadikistani State-controlled companies. The many differences between our two countries were also dealt with, using great leniency.

Frankly, we are shocked and disillusioned that the Markenese people did not return that solidarity and in fact destroyed all metaphorical bridges between our two nations. Preventing trade between Markstad and Rurikgrad can not be interpreted otherwise than a dagger in our backs after we have given so very much. The People's Government and the Party are extremely concerned about these developments and will decide our retribution in the following days until the democratic process can be concluded. We also remind Markstad that treaties and accords exist between our nations and that any cancellation must be reimbursed. Our days of charity towards your nation are over. You have turned your backs on us and despite our great willingness to continue the great friendship we once had, we can not ignore this.

Signed,
Col. Dimitri Leninov
People's Commissar for External Affairs
Democratic Republic of Kadikistan

 

[Gouw Marken]

Update 1957-2017 in OOC Gouw Marken - comments there - all news facts that follow here jump to the new situation.

 

[Gouw Marken]

Insight story: East Gouw Marken 1970-2000

The year is 1971. Quintus III is murdered by a member of the aristocracy. His successor, Quintus IV, starts a campaign against all those who want the ‘Grote Omwenteling’, the great revolution, to be set back. Especially the higher clergy and the aristocracy want to forget about the whole thing. The clergy, because they have never agreed with the change from Catholicism to Orthodoxy. A part of them returned in 1969 to Catholicism and elected counter-prince-bishop Philippus VI. The aristocracy supports him, because they cannot agree with the economic reforms of Quintus III and IV that make the rich less rich and less influential.

The ‘evangelical inquisition’, as Quintus IV calls his campaign, is a ruthless murder machine, eliminating all those in powerful positions. The clergy flees to the west, where a range of abbeys hold vast territories and still have nothing to fear. Some of them have made the lives better of those who work on their lands and these farmers want nothing to change.

The clergy that remains in the east is widely murdered, their lands seized and transformed into state-farms. The lower clergy remains into position, sometimes given important positions in local government.

In the cities, old quarrels for power are at stake. The ‘evangelical inquisition’ is used to settle these disputes. About and around 25% of them are murdered, another 30% of those in power lose their position.

Due to the power shift to unexperienced people, the economic life collapses. The farms, now run by the state, produce almost nothing as the management doesn’t work. Transportation is halted. The civil war has started and stops production in agriculture too. The years of the second great famine are cruel (1978-1992).

The end of the civil war provides east Gouw Marken with the necessary space for economic growth. Everything is put forward to increase the agricultural land and production. The population in the east dropped from 7.2 M to 5.1 M, of which 1.8 in cities. After these reforms the population of the cities dropped to 0.9. Houses were demolished and the material was re-used to build farms.

In 1997, east Gouw-Marken wasn’t ready for war. The west invaded with success. Everything was set on holding the costal areas and the most productive agricultural areas. At first, vast territories were lost, but all mostly inhabited and rough areas. After 27 days, the invasion was stopped. West Gouw Marken wanted the capital but the losses there were too high and public opinion changed. After 78 days, the war came to an end by a cease-fire. The east had lost half of the capital.

More on this:
Van der Zeemst, K., Gouw Marken in de moderne tijd, Avelzele, 2015.
Van der Zeemst, K., East Gouw Marken's modern history, Avelzele-Trier, 2017.
Willems, R., The rebirth of our great nation, Markstad, 1999.

 

[Gouw Marken]

Insight story: recent history of West Gouw Marken 1970-2000

After the Great Schism of 1969, when part of the clergy returned to Catholicism, the counter-bishop Philippus VI was elected. He resided in the bishopric summer residence near Markstad. In june 1971 Quintus III was murdered and the ‘convertors’ were prosecuted. Philippus VI had to flee to the west, to Hogenbos, where some abbots had chosen his side and there vast territories were a safe place for both the clergy and aristocracy leaving the east. Thus started the civil war. The frontline wouldn’t move in five years.

In 1977 Philippus VI died and Philippus VII was elected. He consolidated the economy in the west, based on the natural resources in the Far West. Trade with abroad made it possible to get funds to reforce the army. The East, with its new leader Quintus V, struggled and wouldn’t have survived without help from outside – it is yet unknow which countries in particular supported it. In 1989 the civil war ended as the frontline hadn’t moved significantly. Hogenbos was renamed Katholica and became the capital.

In 1997 the West invaded the East trying to get hold on the capital. But strategically it was a big mistake to leave the mainland of East Gouw Marken untouched – the army had vast reserves due to the development of the agriculture- and the airport supplied the East day after day. The attack on Markstad had a symbolic value, nothing more. The West extended its territory in the southwest towards Markstad and gained half of the city.

In 2002 Philippus IX was elected and he tried to find more support in the world by selling out the natural resources to great international companies. West Gouw Marken became de facto a colony of the developed world, where the interests of those companies dictate politics. An attempt to move the capital to West-Markstad didn’t succeed because the economic establishment wasn’t so sure about the safety there and it would be difficult to operate from the divided city.

When in 2011 both the West and the East got new leaders, it was clear the division of the country wouldn’t change. Some powerful millionaires or companies have economically to much to lose when the West would be united with the East that has a total different economic system. The clergy is against, because they fear the orthodox church of the east that has shown no mercy towards catholic converts.

 

[Gouw Marken]

East Gouw Marken adopts a new flag. It uses the old colors as a connection with the old traditions, but in a new outlay, as the country is in a new era. The hammer is a symbol for the farmers and workers, the calliper significates the territory that is part of this nation: the whole of Gouw Marken.

 

[Gouw Marken]

East Gouw Marken joins Rurikgrad-pact

Quintus VII spoke to the nation:

“Kadikistan and Gouw Marken are old friends. It has been 25 years that our nations are joined in friendship and mutual understanding. It has been 60 years since the first famine, and Kadikistan has since never left the side of our nation.

We think the time has come to safeguard our future. We must defend ourselves against all those who want to exploit our resources, our soil, our labour, our children. This is the time draw the line and say: we will draw our future, and it will be a glorious one!

To be safe, to be loyal, to be prosperous we need to look to the East. Our great leader Quintus II knew this. We still know. Our future will be with our allies, or it will be not.

Therefor, we have decided to join the Rurikgrad-Pact to unite with the most glorious nations on earth”.

Quintus VII offered West Gouw Marken peace: “If the rebellious West comes to reconciliation, if it wants to be free from the ties of capitalism and the corporations of the devil, if it leaves the path of the devil in Tibur, the East will be as a father welcoming his lost son. Workers and farmers of Gouw Marken, unite!”.

Philippus X of West Gouw Marken has commented this offer as ‘both doltish and ridiculous’, but that couldn’t help to prevent a wave of panic at the stock exchange market in Katholica. It is widely believed that the East joining the Rurikgrad-pact will outbalance the military equilibrium in Gouw Marken. And an occupation of the West will cause serious economic damage to some big companies in the world, relying in West Gouw Marken natural sources.

 

[Great Engellex]

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​

In JOINT COMMITTEE, December 15 2017
a LETTER of ADDRESS by the PARLIAMENTARIANS of the​

ENGELLEXIAN REPUBLIC​

In the ENGELLEXIAN REPUBLIC PARLEMENT ASSEMBLED the FOREIGN AFFAIRS JOINT COMMITTEE,

Since the year 1971, the Engellexian Republic Parlement have availed themselves of every opportunity of recommending to the Council of the Republic to abstain from all interference in the internal affairs of Gouw Marken.

Without adverting to those principles which his Mightiness, the Lord Protector must always consider the rule of their conduct, in relation to the internal affairs of other countries, they considered that to whatever degree either the origin of the Gouw Marken separation, the systems then established, or the conduct of those who have since had the management of the internal affairs of Gouw Marken might be disapproved of, any improvement which might be desired in the Gouw Marken system, for the sake of Gouw Marken itself, ought to be sought for in measures to be adopted in Gouw Marken, rather than abroad; and particularly in the confidence which the people should be taught to feel in the character and measures of their own sovereign constitution.

It was considered that an interference, with a view to assist one character, to overturn that which had been created, or to promote the establishment of any other form of government or constitution, particularly by force, would, only place a preference in a false position, and prevent them from looking to the internal means of improvement which might be within their reach.

Such an interference always appeared to the Engellexian Republic Parlement an unnecessary assumption of responsibility; which, considering all the circumstances, must expose the preference to danger, and the power or powers which should interfere, to obloquy, certain risks, and possible disasters; to enormous expenses, and finally disappointment in producing any result.

Upon those principles his Mightiness, the Lord Protector has advised the Council of the Republic, and has acted himself, from the year 1971, to the present day.

It is impossible to look at the existing relations between the Engellexian Republic and Gouw Marken, adverting to what has passed from the commencement of the year 1971, to this very day, without being sensible of the unfortunately false position of peace and stability in which the maintained relations between Markstad and Ivar have certainly placed our nations in. The great object of the Engellexian Republic Parlement's foreign policy is, to preserve peace among nations; the Engellexian Republic feels the most anxious for the happiness of our closest and enduring neighbours in Gouw Marken; and it is now the sincerest desire of the First Republic to allay that irritation by the sensible approach of re-consideration of the Rurikgrad Pact membership.

signed on Order and on Behalf of the Foreign Affairs Joint Committee,

Lord Benjamin Boxer,
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Joint Committee

 

[Gouw Marken]

Current situation

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[Remuria]

Somewhere within the corridors of the Nichtsteiner Foreign Affairs Ministry, First Councillor Hanz Geldmann, drinks his morning coffee, skims through the foreign policy briefs before his daily briefing with the Minister and, upon reading about East Gouw Marken, sighs, shakes his head and utters the historical:

""Oy vey..."

*-*-*

GRAND DUCHY OF NICHTSTEIN
FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY

The Grand Duchy of Nichtstein is most intrigued by the sudden move by the authorities in East Gouw Marken to break the status quo in the nation and most decisively join the Rurikgrad Pact. Whilst the Grand Duchy of Nichtstein leaves it upon the good conscience and competence of the relevant authorities in East Markstad, we can only hope that reason and stability will anyway somehow manage to be preserved in a region that is most active and dynamic in geopolitical terms.

 

[Kadikistani Union]

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Office of the People's Commissariat for External Affairs
People's Federal Socialist Republics of

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​

We are extremely glad that we can welcome the one legitimate representative of the Markenese people into the ranks of the Rurikgrad Pact. Bilateral ties between the Kadikistani and the Markensese people have been strong ever since the famine-stricken nation pleaded the international community for humanitarian aid and Kadikistan cut in its own flesh to aid these unknown fellow humans. Ascension to the Rurikgrad Pact was the next logical choice for our allies in Gouw Marken and we hope that the rest of the international community will respect Gouw Marken's sovereignty and thus their independent freedom to join any international organization they please.

Signed,
Petar Kujundzic
People's Commissar for External Affairs
Democratic Socialist Republic of

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[Gouw Marken]

East-Markstad, office of the Prince-Bishop

The Engellexian Republic has nothing to fear from East Gouw Marken, as we have honoured our mutual sovereignty for centuries. If, however, Engellex should interfere, we can only urge our neighbours to block all trade with the rebellious West. Sure Engellex understands that our safety and prosperity comes first, and that membership of the Rurikgrad-pact is the best guarantee for this. We hope one day the whole of Gouw Marken may be re-united under the true successor of the bishopric throne.
The Rurikgrad-pact is the way to bring, as said by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Nichtstein, ‘reason and stability’ to the whole region.

De werker – an East-Gouw Marken newspaper commented:
‘All workers in the free world welcome our great nation into this pact. Amongst all great nations in the world we will stand side a side and deliver all we can for farmer and worker to be truly free and to live in prosperity, liberty and peace. Long live East-Gouw Marken and long live our leader Quintus VII’

Katholica, office of the Prince-Bishop

We are grateful to our allies in the south. It is common sense the membership of East-Gouw Marken is a destabilising factor in the whole region, nothing more than an unnecessary move from Kadikistan to bring its tentacles to the north. West-Gouw Marken will never surrender to the vile heresy coming from the east. If West-Gouw Marken collapses, Engellex will be left unprotected from this dangerous ideology.

De vooruitgang, a West-Gouw Marken newspaper
The East joining the Rurikgrad-pact is nothing more as the confirmation of what is already known: the East has sold itself to Kadikistan, for more than 50 years now, and continues to do so. The East is nothing more than a province of that monstrous nation of which the red in the flag is nothing more than the colour of the blood sticking to their leaders hands. These guys are the friends of the Quintusses who will be judged for this by history.

 

[Gouw Marken]

Papal elections again without any Markenese influence

A countries religion on drift

Since the conversion of the nation to Orthodoxism under the reign of Quintus II, there has been no Catholic Markenese Cardinal any more, and the country abstained from every conclave.

Even with a substantial part of Gouw Marken clergy returning to Catholicism in 1969, no Markenese Cardinal was appointed in all those years. The Catholics fled to the west when the persecutions of Catholics and the civil war started.

Even with West-Gouw Marken being a catholic nation – the name of its capital Katholica says it all – the leaders of the church didn’t grant the title to any Markense clergyman. The East always sees this as a rejection of Markenese Catholicism by the church herself.

Many of the clergy of West-Gouw Marken await the new pope and his actions and many believe an appointment of the first Markenese Cardinal is a matter of months.

The East, being Orthodox, has the same problem. The Orthodox world isn’t that radiant about the mix of religion and socialist-lenovist politics. It is as if East-Gouw Marken doesn’t have the recognition as an Orthodox nation.

In the old days the Prince-Bishop had to resign when a new pope was chosen, and the new pope installed the Prince-Bishop again on his throne. But with as well the East as the West having Prince-Bishops that have not officially had their appointment to office, it is yet to see if they are the true successors of the Gouw Marken throne.

Or, to say, none of them have the right to claim jurisdiction and none of them is better than the other.

Journalist Hannes Meivis in the paper ‘Vrij Marken’ (paper of the unite-again movement in West-Gouw Marken)