News from the Gallic Commonwealth

[Gallega]

Tuavlaíta iosti
1,25 boinn (฿) — Dinasdánu — Argovia — Cetobriga — Aontúria — Toata Gallega​

Gallegan section of Varden Straits Tunnel completed

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Salargos, Andaluz - After months mired by cost overruns and the need to rebuild sections dug through unstable shale formations, the Gallega-Salargos Tunnel Project reached a successful conclusion this week with the connection between the Gallegan bore team and Andal dig teams near the tunnel entrance on the island of Salargos. With Gallega's obligation under the Joint Straits Commission's target project of a full Gallega-Andaluz straits tunnel met, the task will now fall to the Andaluz government's project teams to complete the Salargos tunnel to mainland Andaluz which, in the spirit of cooperation, will be bolstered by Commonwealth Works Progress Administration teams in support. Opposition parties in the Congusaxa decry what is considered poor financial management by the current National Directorate in the cost overruns of the Deva-Salargos tunnel, with members of the governing Progressive and Socialist parties in the Congusaxa of Dinasdánu agreeing to a Federal Budget Office non-partisan oversight review of the project as it stands.

While the tunnel itself has been completed, work now will focus on the construction of a suitable 4-lane divided expressway through the tunnel to accommodate two-way traffic as well as a rail-based maintenance tunnel, climate control and a railway tunnel. Paving and track-laying inside the completed tunnels is expected to last into summer 2018 with an expected opening for July of a commissioned continuous Inter-straits expressway running from Argovia, entering the tunnel at the town of Deva and passing under to the city of Salargos to be jointly operated and maintained by the Gallic and Andal republics. Nevertheless, with major difficulties resolved, a completion ceremony in the coming week is expected to be attended by Andal representatives and Consul Javeriu Cantos in the city of Salargos, with the commemoration at the Joint Straits Commission headquarters in the old square. Several ships of the navies of both nations have been retained for a naval review and show of unity organized by the admirals on the Joint Straits Naval Council and a flyover by the Banshee fighters of the Commonwealth Naval Air Forces from Deva Air Station.

Once completed, the tunnel is expected to work with the bilateral open customs area already established between Gallega and Andaluz by the Joint Straits Commission to ensure a smooth transit from one nation to the other, with customs checks required only at point of entry into either Gallega or Andaluz from a non-Straits nation. The Varden Straits Tunnel is set to be one of the greatest engineering marvels in Europe and the first direct connection by land between the continents of Gallo-Germania and Himyar, with opportunities for more streamlined economic connections between the two continents through Andaluz and Gallega bringing revenue from road and rail freight and from tourism.

 

[Gallega]

Tuavlaíta iosti
1,25 boinn (฿) — Dinasdánu — Argovia — Cetobriga — Aontúria — Tuata Gallega​

Analysis: Consal Cantos addresses Congusaxa on Immigration Reform
Consuls assert commitment to social-democratic ideals and pluralism

Dinasdánu, D.F. - In a publicly-broadcast joint session between the National Directorate and the Congusaxa Committee on Immigration and Border Security, Consal Javeriu Cantos addressed the need for the Commonwealth to take a more active global role on refugees and to seek out skilled and committed immigrants for Gallega's economic future, representing the priorities of the Directorate going forward and both himself and Consal Calleva. The most notable direct outline of the program's vision with relation to the nation's principles and values was found in the middle of the hearing:

"Ever since the birth of our Commonwealth, our nation has been one of strength from diverse backgrounds and pluralistic open societies for various and new ideas. Our position at a crossroads between different, distinct worlds, peoples and cultures has been a solid foundation for a dynamic republic where anyone can integrate and will make the Gallic identity his own, regardless of the circumstances of their birth. Anyone with a strong commitment to our republic's founding ideals and values, to Gallic culture and to respect for the law should be able to find a welcoming home and a safe, prosperous way of life here. Any discrimination against migrants is a wrong that should never permeate our democratic institutions, it tends to put the immigrant at a disadvantage and to cause them to feel bitterness and resentment during the very years of preparation for Gallegan citizenship. We must not fall into the trap many other nations have of viewing the immigrant as a mere industrial asset but otherwise a social outcast and undesirable menace, for the resentment and lack of options will lead to the growth of a criminal element in these shunned communities. To that end, I have suggested to the National Directorate to prepare for the Congusaxa a legislative package which reduces the naturalization period if the citizenship examination can be completed satisfactorily, reduced work visa requirements for fields in high demand, paired with a requirement of similar pay and treat to citizen workers, easier access to temporary residence and support for those striving for a safe haven from regions of hardship and conflict. Currently immigrants can, after a year of residence, enlist in our armed forces or work in the civic conservation corps to improve our nation's infrastructure and provide disaster relief or medical aid to remote communities, but their path to citizenship is still a complicated one of visas and bureaucracy which encourages a black market. Going forward, there must be a streamlined path to citizenship for foreign nationals willing to serve the Commonwealth without requiring residence for those who put everything on the line for our safety and our great republic. Reduction of the bureaucracy and complexity of the visa system is also a priority which will reduce costs to the current financially burdened system and remove unneeded stress during the transition period for residents settling in to a new locale and a new culture, providing for more dedicated, less alienated and prouder future citizens of our Commonwealth."

After the session, the majority of the coalition between the Progressive and Socialist parties were willing to back the reform plan, with a small dissident group in the protectionist wing of the Socialist Party seeking to scale back some of the changes to work visas. The neo-liberal Union of the Center provided conditional support for the package on the understanding that cost reduction in the bureaucracy would be a priority. Some Independent representatives plan to oppose the more far-reaching targets of the plan which are thought to be too open-ended. The lone representative from the Social Republican Movement "Scutarii" was perhaps the staunchest opponent to the immigration plan, arguing that the Commonwealth has been historically too lenient on the quality of migrants it has accepted which has led to a loss of national identity, dilution of the cultural traditions of the nation's founding peoples and a significant negative impact on working class Gallegans. Immigration Reform is expected to be a priority for the remainder of the 2017 legislative year. At press time, Consal Cantos affirmed that he did not mean that Radical Tiburanism has any place in Gallegan society, a concern for many with immigrants from some parts of Europe, and would not be acceptable along with any political or religious extremism, for that matter.

 

[Gallega]

Tuavlaíta iosti
1,25 boinn (฿) — Dinasdánu — Argovia — Cetobriga — Aontúria — Toata Gallega​

Consul Calleva proposes aggressive sanctions against slave trade in fiery speech

Dinasdánu, D.F.- Stressing the urgent need of an aggressive policy to target the revenue of the still-existing modern slave trade in the Thaumantic and the Long Sea, Consul Calleva asserted the Commonwealth's moral imperative, from its founding principles, can only be achieved when all vessels and enterprises of foreign powers willfully pursuing the enslavement of their fellow man in the region be restricted from the territorial waters, airspace and Economic Zone of the Gallish Commonwealth. "No nation that proclaims itself a free society should continue turning a blind eye to the injustice and suffering perpetrated in its immediate backyard, any apathy in the matter should be exposed for what it is: complicity. We have accomplished much in the past century and a half to help shelter the fugitive from this extreme barbarity but, ultimately, business with foreign nations enthusiastically participating in the slave trade serves only to enrich and embolden the perpetrators of a grave cruelty upon humanity. The modern economic impracticality of the institution of slavery truly shows the character of such unjust societies and the opportunists complicit in the atrocity, as they are seen laid bare defending their enslavement and deprivation of natural rights from their fellow man purely out of malice and sadism." Consul Denessia Calleva stated in an end-year visit to the Congusaxa Náisiúnta as the legislative debating body enters a holiday recess from December 31st to January 8th, following the Christmas holiday. Consul Calleva was seated with her Socialist Party colleagues in the section of the Dáil reserved for the governing coalition before taking center stage in the Congusaxa President's chair for the speech outlining the new foreign policy direction.

In practice, the Commonwealth has banned access to Gallegan ports and territorial waters, a section roughly 30 nautical miles from the low-water mark of Gallega's shores, by ships registered to businesses directly involved in the slave trade since 1853 following a period of tension, trade competition and radical abolitionism directed at the Engellex Republic but has not revised the law since to include airspace or shipping indirectly involved with or profiting the slave trade. This past discrepancy was referred to by Ms. Calleva as "Gallega's great shame" as a republic purporting freedom and equality when she was a representative in the Congusaxa herself. The call to action from the fiery orator and career civil servant had a noticeable effect, with only the Social Republican Movement signalling they would vote against the measure. Any further restrictions is expected to mostly affect the one major imperial power still practicing slavery - the Engellexic Republic - but is not expected to have a major impact as ships and aircraft involved in the Engellexic slave trade easily avoid Gallegan territory both on the mainland and overseas provinces as is. The only major effect is expected to be on Engellexic businessmen with investments in the Commonwealth. The Directorate, once given authority to pursue further sanctions, is expected to seek out cooperation from their Andal counterparts to implement similar measures in the fellow liberal republic which might be able to more effectively shut off the Varden Straits to economic activity by slaver nations. Recent developments by the Touyou Labor Union - Combinist Workers Association in Touzen has also shown a willingness by the Touzen nation to push a more active initiative to end slavery in Himyar and indicates that the offices of the Foreign Affairs Director and the Consulate can seek out allies in Touzen and potentially a pragmatic coalition with the Socialist Implarian Republic and others seeking to apply pressure on the practice of slavery.



Congusaxa ratifies mutual defense and economic pact with Serenierre

Dinasdánu, D.F. - The National Directorate was first approached by representatives of the Commissariat of External Relations of the People's Republic of Serenierre on December 1st with the view towards a united Gallian military alliance with some cooperation and integration between the militaries of the Commonwealth and the People's Republic and a common market with Serenierre. Ultimately, the original Serenien proposals were refused following consultation by the technocrats of the Directorate and the chiefs of staff in the Catubísaxa, Gallega's junta of national defense. Nevertheless, the Directorate and the generals welcomed the Serenien delegation's initiative on peace, cooperation and goodwill between the neighboring states and deliberated on a final mutual defense pact to ratify acknowledging that while the two nations operate on different systems, there is a common desire to protect the flame of republicanism on the Gallian continent from extinguishing by the larger imperial powers.

The final draft from negotiations between the Directors, Catubísaxa and their Serenien counterparts provides for:

• Mutual aid in the instance when one of the two signatory parties is attacked unlawfully and without instigation by an aggressor state
• Provision for immediate response and coordination by the air forces of both nations when the sovereign airspace or territorial waters of a signatory state is violated
• Coordination, access to resources in combating regional criminal organizations, particularly with focus on anti-narcotics and anti-trafficking operations
• Preferential tariffs on trade of goods and services between the two signatory parties with reservations for economic protection of vital industries
• A timetable for the elimination of visa restrictions on travel between the two nations
• Technical and research cooperation programs between universities of both nations

The draft of the treaty as presented was presented by the Directorate to the Congusaxa for ratification on December 24th and, following debate, was ratified with the necessary two-thirds majority with unanimous support from the governing coalition of Socialists and Progressives as well as partial support from the Union of the Center, with over half of Centrists voting against. The treaty was signed after ratification by Consuls Javeriu Cantos and Denessia Calleva present for the year-end session.

Other News:
- Consul Javeriu Cantos proclaims Gallegan neutrality on the Germanian Crisis
- Holiday tips for a memorable New Year's bash and festive Christmas
- Christmas mass at the Cathedral of St. Belisama to be presided by first openly-gay Archbishop of Aontúria, the Patriarch of the Arian Apostolic Church

 

[Serenierre]

Embassy of Serenierre

We welcome the strengthening of ties between our two countries and the role it could play in greater ties for the wider region.

 

[Gallega]

Tuavlaíta iosti
1,25 boinn (฿) — Dinasdánu — Argovia — Cetobriga — Aontúria — Toata Gallega​

May Day Parade in Nation's Capital inspires Democratic Unity

Dinasdánu, D.F. - Large crowds and foreign dignitaries accompanied the May Day demonstrations down Central Avenue of the capital today, culminating at Republic Square with a speech by Consul Javeriu Cantos before both the assembled military units and popular militias marching in the parade as well as the diverse throngs from all walks of life that had come together in unity and fraternity. Despite recent heated disagreements between the government and the opposition in the Congusaxa, the main representatives of all parties were in attendance together in a show of resolute solidarity and union for all Gallegans. Notably, First Consul Cantos positioned himself with the Caledonian, Serenien and Implarian delegations to our May Day parades after providing a warm reception for the secretaries-general of the congressional Communist Party of Gallega (De Leonist), the Progressives, the Socialist Party, the social-liberal Union of the Centre and the Social Republican Movement in the spirit of democratic and socialist unity and non-partisanship. First Consul Denessia Calleva took her place to represent the First Consulate among the congressional delegation. While combined military exercises promoting mutual defense against fascism is not uncommon around May Day, a contingent of the Caledonian Army had concluded a training exchange at the nearby Quattervals Air Base. In a show of international brotherhood and continuing dedication to friendship between the Caledonian Republic and the Federal Gallic Commonwealth, a squadron of Caledo-Gallegan Morrigan fighters in service with the Caledonian Air Force completed an impressive coordinated fly-by and aerial demonstration with our own Bodauda fighters.

The military component of the parade down the Central Promenade showcased some armored vehicles and infantry of the Republican Army while also featuring elements of the Popular Militias. Marching bands and honor guards of several national trade unions, notably the miners, autoworkers, engineers, steelworkers and others, provided a display of the strength and unity of labor. Pavilions staffed by Congusaxa delegates acting as volunteers to give back to the community provided free meals to all event attendees in the spirit of Labor Day.

After a choir of celebrated singers accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra performed a rendition of the Internationale and the national anthem Solidarity Forever, First Consul Cantos took the podium for the May Day address representing the executive of the Commonwealth, where he acknowledged the difficult and arduous road of all hardworking Gallegans to free themselves from tyranny to a better quality of life today and in the future,

"We were once a land of great injustice and economic tyranny for the working man. A land where a man, through great toil, contributed an honest day's work and yet was not compensated with the means to provide for his family. A land where another man, born into opulence and avarice, did not know an honest day's work but received many hundredfold the wage of the honest man simply for his existence. A land where the investment banker and the speculator, with no allegiance to our nation or indeed anyone but his own greed, would be given billions by our government while the miner, the farmer, the factory worker, our very own people, would struggle and fail to provide the necessities of life, food, shelter, medical care, for themselves and their families. Indeed, while the banker's son spent his life of leisure at the country club paid for by the labor of the workingman, the workingmen of this country would toil in poor working conditions, face starvation or eviction and foreclosure from their homes. When the honest citizens of this country protested these inequities, they were met with law enforcement and thuggish mercenaries under the employ of those who took for themselves the fruits of labor and ordered massacres in return. Our labor filled the coffers of banks made of silver and gold, where policemen were always on guard at every door, yet when the working neighborhoods were terrorized by organized crime and by illicit poisons, those same policemen were nowhere to be seen. 'You have a choice at the ballot box', they would reassure the common man, 'to change your country or your circumstance if you only take it'. Then the same robber barons would use electoral trickery and weighted voting to change the outcome and then silence the agitators. Our democracy was truly a sham before the Rising, but no longer!

The situation in this land four score years ago was not one which the honest farmers who led the revolution for our republic would have recognized as their vision, so thoroughly had it been twisted by the ultra-capitalist. It was only when the great many who toiled for this nation's future came together, looked past the false barriers erected by the robber barons to see each other as men, equal in the struggle for liberty, self-determination and pursuit of the just rewards of their labor, to overcome the tyranny of the men who saw themselves as masters. We must never forget the strength of this unity, as we are joined here today by international camaraderie with the workingmen of other nations, both those who have freed themselves from the shackles of oppression and those who have yet to. For this common bond of democratic-socialist unity, I am pleased to welcome the Caledonian, Serenien and Implarian delegations to our capital this May Day, our closest brother peoples. Even where there are differences of opinion, we must not forget the unifying cause of freedom and labor, and I am grateful to call the Caledonian, Serenien and Implarian as our comrades. We must also remember that the struggle of labor's proper due still persists in other nations less fortunate than ours, where men and women who work still face exploitation and can barely fulfill their basic needs. For this we must make clear our solidarity with the workingmen of all nations towards a future where all are free and none live in fear of the next day.

Thank you to my fellow Gauls and to our esteemed guests today. May God bless Gallega and God bless the cause of liberty and fraternity."