Retalian News Network

[Remuria]

TOP SECRET

To the Governments of:
Grand Duchy of Bourgogne
Kingdom of Eiffelland
Pelasgian Empire
Kingdom of Lovisa
People's Republic of Serenierre

ON: EXERCISE SANTA LUCIA IN RETALIAN AND LONG SEAS

To whom it may concern,

The Grand Duchy of Nichtstein is happy to notify our good neighbors that as per the general line at maintaining and strengthening the defense of the Grand Duchy, the Grand Ducal Armed Forces will be conducting the regular "UBUNG SANKT LUCIA/ESERZICIO SANTA LUCIA" naval, air and ground exercises in the Retalian Archipelago, the surrounding territorial waters of the Grand Duchy and in the international waters of the Long Sea.

The Grand Duchy assures our good neighbors of our continued esteem and good will and we will strive to the maximum that any disturbances are brought to a minimum. No international right of unarmed free passage will be hindered and there shall be little to no disturbance of civilian activity in the concerned areas.

Given that regular naval exercises are practiced by all nations of the world and the Grand Duchy has been lagging behind in such activities, we hope for your good understanding.

Please rest assured of our highest regards.

MINISTER OF DEFENCE
STEFANO DI PEZZONOTTE

 

[Rheinbund]

Streng geheim - Topt secret

To Stefano di Pezzonotte, Minister for Defence of Nichtstein

We have full understanding for your need of conducting war exercises. We thank you for notifying us. Good luck with the war games.

Ferdinand Jung, Minister for Defence

 

[Pelasgia]

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Pelasgian Empire
Ministry of National Defence
Private Dispatch

ΑΚΡΩΣ ΑΠΟΡΡΗΤΟ

​

24th of October, 1956
To the attention of the Right Honourable Stefano di Pezzonotte, Minister of Defence of the Grand Duchy of Nichtstein.

Your Excellency, We thank you for notifying us of your exercises in advance and understand your reasons for conducting them. We wish you the best of luck in the execution of your drills.

Signed and Sealed,

Nikolaos Kallergēs

Megas Doux & Minister of National Defence
Pelasgian Empire

ΕΝ ΤΟΥΤΩΙ ΝΙΚΑ
​

 

[Remuria]

INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES

Serenierre announces a call to arms. The People's Republic of Serenierre has been busily posting posters of grave looking red women all over the country, calling on the citizens of the republic to enlist with the Armed Forces. The Ministry of Defence of the Grand Duchy of Nichtstein has announced that this most likely hints at the possibility of rapidly increasing militarisation of the People's Republic. "We're pretty much sure that we get the hint right, they want more people with rifles, so we're currently exploring our options," a statement from the Ministry said.

Landwehr on Retalian Islands called up over weekend. The members of the Landwehr reserve component in the Retalian islands will be called up over the weekend for duty. The Armed Forces, however, denied reports of an Auszug call up. The Landwehr call up will test the speed and readiness of the component.

Grand Ducal Navy yet again postpones major High Sea exercises because of Serenierre. "Each time we plan on sailing off about the world and visiting far away lands, our good neighbours in Bourgogne and Serenirre stirr a fuss and throw a tantrum. And so we're pretty much stuck on alert in the Retalian Sea," a member of the Admiralty complained to the Nichtsteiner News Network.

 

[Serenierre]

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GOVERNMENT OF SERENIERRE
COMMISSARIAT FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS

PUBLIC STATEMENT
​

24. Février. 1957 Upon instruction from Généralissime Nicolas E. Serazin, the following statement has been issued: The People's Republic is not embarking on a mass-moblisation of any sort. It is established protocol for the Government to encourage the public around the time of mandatory military service commencing annually. However, we are pleased that the works of the Information Directorate have drawn a comment by the Nichtsteiner press. A signed copy of the poster shall be delivered to the editor of this publication. The Government commends the maturity of the Nichsteiner Government through these difficult times. C.R. Bertrand Commissar for External Relations​

 

[Remuria]

Nichtsteiner News Network
International News Department

The staff of the Nichtsteiner News Network thanks His Excellency C. R. Bertrand the Comissar for External Relations of the People's Republic of [MENTION=635]Serenierre[/MENTION] for the signed copy of the poster of the grave looking red lady calling people to sign up to the Serenierrese Armed Forces. It shall be featured prominently in our reception lobby.

We are also happy to extend His Excellency an invitation to visit the seat of the Nichtsteiner News Network in Losanna to share and express the People's Republic's vision of the current events, as well as obtain additional insight about the Nichtsteiner view of the ongoing events.

Whilst we cannot speak with full authority for the Nichtsteiner Government, we're pretty confident and certain that His Excellency does not risk any arrests or surprise raids during his visit to the Grand Duchy. They tend not to pull off such surprises. Except maybe for throwing litter outside of garbage bins, our police don't like that and tend to issue hefty fines.

 

[Remuria]

INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES

Kadikistani Bridge to cut Trivodnia off from Saaremaa and Ivernia? The world community seems to be puzzled whether the pompously unveiled bridge project between Kadikistani Rurikgrad and Calidia will cut the naval access from Trivodnia to Saaremaa and Ivernia.

Kadikistani bridge re-ignites passions for over a dozen bridge projects in the Retalian Archipelago. Inspired by the Kadikistani infrastructural project between Rurikgrad and Calidia, a number of initiative groups have already proposed restarting a number of frozen bridge projects within the Retalian Archipelago, between the Archipelago and the Mainland and between the Islands and Eiffelland. "For the past year we've been in contact with our friends in Eiffelland on a project between Panarea and Eiffelland for a speed highway to Trier," said Hans Gruber, head of the Retalian Islands Feasibility & Transportation (RIFT) Concorcium. "But apparently there's some concern about some very rare species of Thylaciotera, and specifically the Oddium Wanderus, that lives only in the area of the projected bridge construction, so there's some concern from ecologists on that..."

 

[Remuria]

INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES

Nichtsteiners evacuated from Serenierre arrive home. Nichtsteiners unlawfully detained in Serenierre have safely arrived home, it has been confirmed. The Foreign Affairs Department has expressed satisfaction that all denizens of the Grand Duchy have been repatriated, but continues to call for the immediate release of Pelasgian journalists facing trial and potentially even execution in the People's Republic of Serenierre. The Grand Duchy has also called for the release of Serenierrese citizens held during the raids, but the Foreign Affairs Department has admitted that the Grand Duchy's margin of maneuver on this issue is quite limited.

Travel warning against Serenierre will be maintained and expanded. The Grand Duchy of Nichtstein has expanded the travel warning against Serenierre and calls on its citizens to restrict travel to the People's Republic only for the most critically needed reasons.

Diplomatic relations with Serenierre to be maintained. The Foreign Affairs Department has denied rumours that the Grand Duchy is about to break off relations with Serenierre following the spat over the arrest of foreign journalists and aid workers.

 

[Remuria]

HEADLINES

Parliament approves trade deal with Telora. The Parliament has approved the trade deal with Telora, after the deal was finalised by the Council of Ministers. The bilateral trade deal between Nichtstein and Telora will mirror the bilateral trade deal between [MENTION=254]Telora[/MENTION] and [MENTION=18]Eiffelland[/MENTION] and will streamline the existing economic relationships given the tight economic and financial integration between the Grand Duchy of Nichtstein and the Kingdom of Eiffelland.

"Well, we do approve of the deal, of course," a Member of Parliament was quoted as saying during lunchbreak. "Besides, we've analysed it deeply and the number of laws and regulations we need to enact for the Nichtsteiner-Teloran deal is less than the number of laws and regulations we'd need to enact to counter the effects of the Teloran-Eiffellander deal on Nichtstein to streamline it all ourselves. About half that many! Imagine the efficiency! Oh, and it's also good for the economy. Yes! More jobs, more trade, all is good."

 

[Serenierre]

Commissariat for External Relations

The People's Republic welcomes the news of the agreement between Telora and Nichtstein. While matters have been tense in the region in recent months, efforts by the Nichtstein and Teloran government to strengthen the bonds of peace through mercantile dealings are well appreciated by Villesen.

 

[Remuria]

HEADLINES

Lauenburg to go for Calidia? The Grand Duchy of Nichtstein will wait for clarifications from the United Kingdom on whether the statements of the Lauenburger Prime Minister amount to a formal change of policy, or whether they are just statements.

Foreign Affairs Department to become a Ministry. The Foreign Affairs Department will follow the lead of its colleagues and rename to a Ministry starting from May. The Department has been holding on to its titles whilst other former Cabinet Departments moved to the Ministry status long ago, e.g. the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Justice and Police, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries all switched from "department" to "ministry" over the past 5 years. "Well, we weren't really in a rush," a Foreign Affairs Department-soon-to-be-Ministry spokesman stated. "There's other pressing issues to deal with, like averting war with communists once in a month."

Routine Monday Notice to Serenierre caling for the release of the Pelasgian nationals delivered with 37 minutes delay. The weekly notice by the Foreign Affairs Department to the Embassy of the People's Republic of Serenierre was delivered 37 minutes late today as the courrier stopped for coffee and croissants along the way. The Foreign Affairs Department has stated that an investigation will be done into the matter and has reiterated its calls for the immediate release of the three Pelasgian nationals unlawfully held by the People's Republic of Serenierre.

 

[Serenierre]

Commissariat for External Relations

The Government officially lodges a protest at the use of the term "illegal" for the arrest of the 3 Pelasgian nationals who have been in custody of the Police after a detailed investigation and are currently being tried under due process guaranteed by the Constitution of the People's Republic. To suggest that the People's Republic does not respect the rule of law is a serious and gross misstep by the Government of Nichtstein and we urge our counterparts in the Grand Duchy to be aware of the finer aspects of diplomacy.

 

[Pelasgia]

Pelasgian Empire
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Public Statement

​

6th of April, 1957
To whom it may concern.

We would like to thank our Nichtsteiner allies on their vigilance and solidarity, all the while reminding our partners in Villesen that all men are innocent until proven guilty and that journalists are not spies.

Signed and Sealed,

Ikaros Dragases

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Pelasgian Empire

ΕΝ ΤΟΥΤΩΙ ΝΙΚΑ
​

 

[Remuria]

HEADLINES

Nichtstein to synchronise with Eiffellander sanctions against Serenierre. "Well, that escalated quickly! Very fast!" the spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Department-soon-to-be-Ministry was quoted as stating during the press briefing today as the Grand Duchy of Nichtstein has confirmed that it will be aligning itself on the sanctions against Serenierre enacted by the Kingdom of Eiffelland. "We support our allies in Eiffelland. Complete support. The outright embargo by Serenierre is unjustified and completely disproportional. Totally out of the blue. Eiffelland raised the import tariffs to a very reasonable 25%, completely normal. Not punitive, in fact. An outright ban on trade is a whole different issue. Completely unacceptable." The Government will present its position to the Parliament within the coming days. The counter-measures will include not only tariff hikes, but also stringent limitations on Serenierrese economic activity within the Retalian Sea under Nichtstein's sovereignty and/or economic authority and redirecting the quotas towards Eiffellander and Pelasgian economic actors.

Nichtstein demands Serenierre to lift the embargo against Eiffelland and release the Pelasgian nationals. The Grand Duchy of Nichtstein has lodged a formal demand with the People's Republic of Serenierre to make a de-escalation in its conflict with the Kingdom of Eiffelland and withdraw the embargo enacted against the Kingdom, to stop using the Pelasgian nationals as instruments of the Republic's foreign policy and to de-escalate the situation started, enacted and continued by the People's Republic through the baseless prosecution of the Pelasgian nationals.

Grand Duchy provided with a copy of the "Pelasgian file" by the People's Republic of Serenierre. The Grand Ducal government has confirmed that the Nichtsteiner Ambassador to the People's Republic of Serenierre has been provided with a copy of the file on the Pelasgian nationals. However, the Grand Duchy will not be condoning any proceedings or attesting to the legality of any proceedings in Serenierre. "Our Ambassador will not be used as an instrument of justification to the process. It's impossible," the Foreign Affairs Department stated in a press-release. "It is up to the People's Republic of Serenierre now to be seen as either an example of kangaroo courts. Not very good. Or an example of reason, which would be good. We call on Serenierre to de-escalate the situation and return to a productive relationship with her neighbours. Totally good neighbourly. By persevering in a path of escalation, the People's Republic will simply lose what support it still had with Nichtstein."

 

[Pelasgia]

Pelasgian Empire
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Public Statement

​

21st of April, 1957
To whom it may concern.

We would like to thank our Nichtsteiner allies on their vigilance and solidarity once more, not in the least bit because of their resolute character and resistance to being used as a diplomatic pawn by Serenierre to legitimise the Villesen regime's highly illegal and immoral actions. We are also impressed by the Nichtsteiner Government's initiative to make diplomatic terminology great again.

Signed and Sealed,

Ikaros Dragases

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Pelasgian Empire

ΕΝ ΤΟΥΤΩΙ ΝΙΚΑ
​

 

[Serenierre]

Commissariat for External Affairs

The stance adopted by the Nichtstein Government is unfortunate but expected. When the masters in Trier tug the leash, the dogs in Altburg must obey. The disrespect and disregard shown to the Serenien legal system is also an uncivilised display of undiplomatic behaviour.

 

[Rheinbund]

Aussenministerium
Trier, Eiffelland

We thank the Nichtsteiner Government for its solidarity and support in the matter of the three Pelasgian journalists and the sanctions imposed on Eiffelland, and for refusing to legitimise a course of events that should be considered criminal.

Rudolph Kögler, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor

 

[Remuria]

HEADLINES

Nichtstein and [MENTION=1774]Pelasgia[/MENTION] to hold military exercises "because everybody's here anyway". "So we gave it a really deep thought, and then some more, and then decided that since our Pelasgian allies have anyway dropped by the Retalian Islands, it'd be a great opportunity to do boost our interoperability," a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said during a press briefing. The Grand Duchy of Nichtstein, which has increased its alert levels over the fallout between Bourgogne and Kadikistan, has expressed satisfaction that the two great powers found common grounds. "However, once everybody goes home, it'll surely take another round of international tensions to bring everybody together again," the Ministry of Defence spokesman said. "So because everybody's here anyway, we plan to hold all sorts of scenarios. Capture the Island, Sink my Battleship, Pelages Eunt Domus and some others."

Nichtsteiner-Pelasgian Exercises definetely not a threat to anyone. The Foreign Affairs Ministry has confirmed that the planned Pelasgian-Nichtsteiner military games are not a threat to anyone. "In fact, we very much hope that the international tensions subside. The Admiralty has been petitioning for a round-the-world expedition for a year now, but the Navy can't sail out while they're on alert close to the shores." The Foreign Affairs Ministry has also stated that regular shipping lanes will not be concerned by the exercises.

 

[Remuria]

HEADLINES

• Grand Ducal Navy finally completes a Round-the-World tour, test-proofing the Grand Duchy's capacity to operate in the High Seas and in expeditionary conditions away from the Homeland. Operation "Moonshine", postponed on several occasions due to regional concerns, was declared a great success by the Admiralty as the High Seas Fleet docked back in home ports over the week.
• Operation "Moonshine" reinforces naval ties with friendly nations as the Grand Ducal High Seas Fleet docked in friendly ports over its months long journey over the world seas and oceans.
• Parliament to approve additional spending limits for the Navy in this fiscal year already, with the limits retained during the next fiscal year. A good portion of the increased limits will go towards additional salary and social benefits for naval, army and air force personnel while on expeditionary duties outside of the Retalian Sea as the Grand Duchy plans to establish a more permanent schedule of expeditionary missions.

 

[Tyonic Confederacy]

Department of Foreign Affairs,

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Foreign Affairs Minister Tristen Kreutzwald

We enjoyed the visit from the Grand Ducal High Seas Fleet on their global expedition and look forward to further positive interaction between our nations and navies. We would be willing to further cooperate if you are willing.

Best of luck with your navy,
Tristen Kreutzwald, Minister of Foreign Affairs