What's new

Pelasgian Press Association

Pelasgia

Established Nation
Joined
Sep 30, 2014
Messages
4,253
Location
Athens, Greece
Nick
Demos
You must be registered for see images


Court of Cassation upholds convictions of the Andromeda IV's crew, reaffirming 22 capital sentences of foreign nationals

You must be registered for see images

The main building of the Court of Cassation, Pelasgia's highest civil and criminal court, in Propontis

The Court of Cassation in Propontis has released its decision in the matter of the Andromeda IV, the Gunnish freighter which was caught currying drugs in the Great Embasis Drug Bust earlier this year. The Court upheld the decision of the Mixed Sworn Court of Embasis, which had imposed multiple capital sentences on the 22 foreign nationals who formed the ships crew. As narcotics offences, particularly trafficking, importation and sale, are capital crimes in Pelasgia, the outcome was far from unexpected. What made the case remarkable, however, was the unprecedented volume of the seized goods: 21 tons of cocaine and 12 tons of cannabis, a European first. All of the 22 capital felons are foreign subjects, including 17 Gunns, 3 citizens of the Northern Realms, 1 Natalian and 1 aborigine from the Southern Constituent Republic of the Engellexian Republic. Three of the defendants, the Natalian, Engellexian subject, and one Gunn, are expected to receive partial pardons in the form of sentence reduction to life in prison from the Crown for their cooperation.

Apart from the sheer size of its contraband, the Andromeda IV's capture is also seen as an important step in the fight against the international drug trade. Given the nationality of ship's crew, it is assumed the ship was headed for Natal and then for the So.C.R.E.R., while their cargo was concealed as pulp and paper, as well as hard liquor bound for Port Stanley. The bust has reportedly given the Imperial Police's Directorate for the Persecution of Narcotics and the Seventeenth Directorate of the Central State Security Service (YKAK) valuable insight into one of the major criminal clans of @Gunnland . According to sources within the Ministry of Public Order, the Pelasgian authorities have contacted their Gunnish counterparts to further pursue the issue. The testimonies and cooperation of the three to-be-pardoned felons are also expected to help greatly with the pursuit of the global drug- trade networks in Himyar and southern Occitania.

Back in Pelasgia, the press and common folk continue to jokingly calling the Andromeda IV the "Lil' Boat from Mariposia" (To Vapori ap' tin Mariposia), while a renowned rembete has released with the same title. The song's publication has been banned by the Third Section of HIM Own Chancellery as per the Imperial Law 199/1984 due to "promoting the use of narcotics, particularly among the Empire's common classes and youth", though it is still widely played in taverns across the Empire, sometimes with euphemistic or altered lyrics. Apart from the popular reaction, however, the Andromeda IV drug bust also led the police to real progress in pursuing several leads in Pelasgia connected to the Gunnish drug trade. More specifically, large-scale operations by the Imperial authorities, including a raid on the infamous village of Mylopotamia led to several arrests and the confiscation and destruction of several tons of narcotics, particularly cannabis and cocaine. The Ministry of Public Order is expected to make a press statement on the matter after the operation, titled "Kaouras" after the word for "dragon" in the Kyparissian dialect, is concluded.

In other news
☞ (International) – Eiffelland becomes the first country to take advantage of Inland Development Programme by building a large number of factories and other industrial facilities in the developping Pelasgian inland. Trade deals with other countries expected to push investments in the Pelasgian inland further, as talks with Auraria and Beautancus, among others, continue. [page 3]
☞ (International) – Pelasgo-Beautancus treaty for cooperation and trade, dubbed the "Avgiros Accords", progressing in the Beautancus legislature. Nationalist government expresses hopes of large-scale modernisation along lines of the Engellexoid-Occitanian world, which is recognised as the most advanced part of Europe, see Accords as first important step in this path. [page 5]
☞ (Tephanon Question) – Azraqi Upper House reject Treaty of Zarakas, sparking alarm in the Pelasgian External Ministry. Conservative opposition demands Propontis back out of deal, citing "Empire's honour". Imperial government remains committed, for now. [page 7]
 

Pelasgia

Established Nation
Joined
Sep 30, 2014
Messages
4,253
Location
Athens, Greece
Nick
Demos
You must be registered for see images
Nationalists present new labour, social reform package in formal ceremony at Grand Palace of Propontis
You must be registered for see images

The facade of the Grand Palace of Propontis as seen from the public section of the Imperial Gardens in downtown Propontis. The Palace is the State Residence of His Imperial Majesty, the Archon Basileus of Pelasgia.

The Nationalist government, through the mouth of its leader, Sakellarios Lord Themistoklis Notaras, announced a large-scale labour and social reform package. The announcement came during an annual ceremonial event in the Imperial Palace where the Head of Government of the Empire, in his capacity as Mesazon (or intermediary between the Senate and the Crown) informs the Crown of its proposals for the next year's legislative agenda in advance of the annual Speech from the Throne. Formally, the ceremony is meant to give the Head of Government a chance to recommend that His Imperial Majesty include these items in the annual agenda which the Crown outlines for the legislature and executive to follow. In practice, it is a presentation of government policy in advance.

In this particular case, the labour and social reform package is directly tied to the modernisation and reform of the Empire's Civil Code and legal system, which was announced earlier this year. On the one hand, the package aims to improve the working and living conditions for the urban and rural common folk; among the proposed reforms are the formal introduction of the 8-hour workday, alongside overtime provisions, and formal minimum wage laws, setting the minimum wage to 2,256 hyperpyra per month (around 433 euromarks per month). Additional reforms allow the formal and free formation of labour unions, provided that these are politically neutral and law-abiding; up until now, labour unions were largely informal and aligned with individual parties or factions (as result being that that there were multiple unions for the same trade, for example). The minimum age for employment outside of a family business has been raised to 14, based on parental approval, for boys, and to 16 for girls. Measures to allow the proliferation of chambers of trade, industry, commerce and other such professional and economic organisations have also been passed, particularly with the blessing of the Association of Pelasgian Shipping Magnates and the Association of Pelasgian Industrials and Entrepreneurs.

On the social front, the government has also expressed a desire to rigidly reform to koligoi system, which has been governing Pelasgia's serf class for centuries, since the struggle between the Dynatoi and the Crown in the 13th century. The reform will bar monasteries from owning the right to koligoi (called "koligion"), while reforms to free millions from being tied to land and masters will also proceed, significantly relaxing the system. Among these is the right to possess, transfer or sell koligion over an area but not over the people therein, since these persons will not be tied to the master of the land. Apart from a drive to urbanisation and social modernisation, this move will also aid the Nationalists' drive for land reform, which will provide millions with land of their own based on the amount of years worked on the land, and freedom from koligia by default. More importantly, all judicial and personal powers over the koligoi by their Lords will be abolished and taken over by normal state courts as part of contract and other public or private law.

To alleviate concerns and preempt legitimate fears of the potential abuse or negative social impact of such measures, a new series of laws have also been proposed. These include amendments to the Delictum Sui Generis (Idionymon) Law to include subversive or factionalising elements within the labour and trade unions, and laws restricting strikes to strict and delineated lawful circumstances, codifying the offences of "Abusive or Illegal Strike" and "Labour Action contrary to Public Order". Laws have also been added to enforce protections for workers, such as the introduction of Labour Code and Workers' Safety Laws, including inspections and penalties, as well as civil liability causes, including strict liability provisions. The social reforms are also enforced by strong criminal and other legal provisions to avoid their de facto undermining through non-compliance.

The plans have faced considerable opposition from the provincial landowners and notables, as well as various industrial interests groups, while the opposition seems divided on the issue; the DKKP has expressed approval and called for further reform, the Social Party has done likewise, and the People's party is divided between its populist and traditionalist factions, the latter opposing and the former supporting. The clergy has not commented on the issue formally, being seemingly divided as well. Among the lower classes, however, the plans seem increasingly popular; any attempt to stall or suppress them would certainly incur considerable popular opposition. The government itself is committed to move forward, given its goals of modernisation, urbanisation and reform.

In other news
☞ (International) – Pelasgian government summons Permanent Representative of @Justosia and issues formal protest over Justosian Foreign Minister's endorsement of the terroristic ideology of Zionism; official clarification of some comments and retraction of others demanded. [page 3]
☞ (International) – Minister of External Affairs announces large-scale agreement with Beautancus, covering trade, cooperation and diplomacy, among other topics. As Treaty of Zarakas with Azraq moves forward, and talks with Auraria progress, Nationalists claim success in their foreign policy goals. [page 5]
☞ (National) – Imperial troops expected to complete pacification of Rogue Lords of Melingia by mid-December, according to Ministry of the Military sources. Forces take insurgent "capital", arrest half a dozen terrorist leaders. Central State Security Service continues investigation into ties and support of the failed insurgency. [page 7]
☞ (Society) – Ecumenical Patriarchate condemns the secularisation and commercialisation of Christmas across Europe, issues formal prohibition against foreign cultural imports such as "Santa Claus" over Saint Basil, and Christmas decorations before December for commercial purposes. [page 7]
 

Justosia

Established Nation
Joined
Sep 8, 2018
Messages
2,515
Location
A city rated more dangerous than Venezuela, MD
Capital
Avalon
Nick
Los
You must be registered for see images

Government Royale de Justosia
Secure Communique
Proper Governmental Designate

I write to you today to lodge what is frankly, a much, much more founded diplomatic protest. We respectfully implore your Government de Imperiale to cease its endorsement of racism.

Whilst we cannot say for certain at this time if their's is a truly democratic movement, the Holy Kingdom of Justosia reiterates that the desire for what one sees as a true homeland via secular or religious reasons is fully reasonable. We call for, hope, & pray for cessation of hostilities in that respective locale. A peaceful solution. We believe in nationalism. We would be hypocrites if we condemned theirs.

I do hope this has allayed your government's concerns. Viva Justosia.

Fernando Torres
Foreign Minister
 
Last edited:

Justosia

Established Nation
Joined
Sep 8, 2018
Messages
2,515
Location
A city rated more dangerous than Venezuela, MD
Capital
Avalon
Nick
Los
You must be registered for see images

Office of the Foreign Minister
As before, we reaffirm our belief that both of Great Southern Kingdom of Justosia & the Empire or Pelasgia are better than these trivial, distant, diplomatic disagreements.

In this spirit of a more peaceful, stable Europe, we should like to begin strengthening of relations immediately.

Fernando Torres
Foreign Minister
 

Pelasgia

Established Nation
Joined
Sep 30, 2014
Messages
4,253
Location
Athens, Greece
Nick
Demos
You must be registered for see images

Pelasgian Empire
Ministry of External Affairs

To the attention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Justosia.

Honourable Sir,

The Pelasgian Empire deeply offended at the audacity of the Kingdom of Justosia. Not content with endorsing a movement that is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Pelasgian citizens and which actively seeks to partition Pelasgia, the Justosian government has the gull to call Pelasgia "racist" for opposing a neo-colonialist ideology which seeks to evict the proper inhabitants of Philistia, in their millions, based on their ethnicity and to replace them with a "superior" and "chosen" people based on arbitrary and shaky claims of ancestry from a long extinct subgroup of an ethnicity somehow related to the indigenous Karaite population of Philistia.

With this in mind, and given the past diplomatic misnomers of the Kingdom of Justosia, the Imperial Government has no choice but to enforce its demands with coercion. Given this, the Pelasgian Empire formally moves to expell the Justosian representative from Propontis and to recall its own representative from Justosia, alongside the diplomatic missions accompanying them. Our own mission is prepared to leave tomorrow morning, having thus been instructed in advance at the outset of this crisis. Your missions shall have 48 hours; thereafter, they shall be removed by the Imperial Police for illegal residing in Pelasgia. We shall withhold more severe sanctions for now, and shall not seize the Mission building and its associated property, hoping that the Justosian government will eventually decide to apologise for its outrageous endorsement of international terrorism.

Signed and sealed,

Emannouil Avgiros
Minister of External Affairs
Government of Pelasgia
Senator by Right of Office
 

Pelasgia

Established Nation
Joined
Sep 30, 2014
Messages
4,253
Location
Athens, Greece
Nick
Demos
You must be registered for see images
Pelasgia pushes for further decolonisation of Himyar, openly supporting Loago Home Rule
You must be registered for see images

The headquarters of the Sixth Section of HIM Own Chancellery, which deals with Pelasgian policy in Himyar and the "Far South" of Europe, often called the "Himyar Department" in the press

The Secretary of the Sixth Section of His Imperial Majesty's Own Chancellery, Lord Antо̄nios Koressios, publicised a document on December 6th formally recommending to the Imperial Cabinet and the Senate the adoption of a stance of open and active support for the last parts of Himyar under non-Himyari rule. Chief amongst these was Loago, which the memo noted as "the last bastion of Hyperpontian* colonialism in Himyar". With the granting of Imperial Assent to the Treaty of Zarakas, the Empire has released its own last colony in Himyar, allowing the government to formally adopt the memo's recommendations as government policy. Thus, on December 13th, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a formal statement to the Embassies of Loago and Caledonia announcing the Imperial Government's opposition to any resumption of minority rule in Loago. The threat of sanctions was never explicitly uttered, but the tone of the declaration made its implicit existence rather clear.

The preliminary moves in this direction have already been made with "surprise" inspections of several hundred tonnes of imported goods from companies at the top of Loago's corporatist system, including the (in)famous CHC. Considerable amounts of goods were seized due to "regulation violations" and while the Imperial Authorities deny any connection, many observers have noted that the timing of this move is rather telling. "One could very well speculate that the Astynomia and the Agrophylaki had been sitting on all known Loagoan regulation breaches, no matter how minor, for months and waiting for the right time to use them as ammunition," said Valentios Leontopoulos, a Professor of International Trade Relations at the University of Ioli. Pressure also came in softer forms, with the Sakellarios of the Empire including remarks lambasting the "shameful and manifestly unfair" state of Loago in the annual ceremony outlining government policy at the Grand Imperial Palace of Propontis in late November.

Whereas the concrete state of Pelasgian involvement in Loago is unknown, sources within the Ministry of External Affairs have noted Pelasgian desires to cooperate with @Natal and @Azraq to actively pursue Loagoan Home Rule by any means necessary. The Imperial Ministry of the Military has also stated that, should peacekeeping operations be needed at any point in the future, it should be Himyari nations and not outsiders that should shoulder that burden, announcing that the Empire would be more than willing to commit military and law enforcement forces for such a task, if only to avoid the return of Caledonian and other Hyperpontian* troops to Loago. The Pelasgian overtures with regard to Loago following the Treaty of Zarakas point at a ever more active Pelasgian foreign policy with the aim of completely evicting Foreign Rule from Himyar. Though what the shape of this policy will be in the future is unknown, it is certain that it will not stop at Loago, as evidenced by the fact that the University of Propontis reportedly held a formal symposium exploring the pathways to independence for Cabaon last week.
*Hyperpontian is a Pelasgian word meaning "from across the [Long] Sea", essentially referring to those outside of Himyar, particularly Gallo-Germanians

In other news
☞ (International) – Pelasgian government expels Justosian diplomatic mission from Propontis and recalls own mission from the Kingdom in response to Justosian refusal to retract public support for Zionist terrorism against Pelasgia and for outrageous Justosian protestation of Pelasgian "racism" on the matter.
☞ (International) – Azraqi Emperor signs the Treaty of Zarakas into effect, beginning preliminary transition period until handover of power in Tephanon. With Cussian-Pelasgian Treaty of Amity and Trade ratified by both parties and a treaty with Auraria in the works, the Nationalists boast of immense foreign policy success within their first year in power.
☞ (Law and Order) – Police and Field Constabulary stage major raid in the Archipelago and Elimeiotis, cracking down on illegal narcotics producers. Over two hundred arrests as heavy Field Constabulary units arrest heads of three major criminal clans on Chandax.
☞ (National) – Imperial forces enlist thousands of Melingian commoners as auxiliaries following abolition of the Kolligion feudal land system in areas held by the rebellious lords of Melingia. Ministry of the Military sources claim they are on the trails of the last two remaining rogue lords who have yet to be captured.
 

Pelasgia

Established Nation
Joined
Sep 30, 2014
Messages
4,253
Location
Athens, Greece
Nick
Demos
You must be registered for see images


Last Rebel Lords of Melingia captured, to stand trial for high treason at Philippias

You must be registered for see images

Guards of the Imperial Field Constabulary wait outside the courtroom in the Philippias Palace of Justice hosting the Extraordinary Court Martial for Southern Elimeiotis

After months of bloody combat against insurgents on the mountains of Southern Elimeiotis, in the region informally known as 'Melingia', the Polemarch of the Empire announced to the Emperor in a formal ceremony the capture of the last two of the sixteen Rebel Lords who had taken up arms against the Crown and refused to recognise the new Pelasgian Constitution and the Pyrgos Accords. A spokesman for the Ministry of the Military confirmed that the captured Lords are to be tried in the city of Philippias by an Extraordinary Court Martial. Such courts are normally prohibited in peacetime, but the proclamation of a State of Siege in the area pursuant to Article 48 of the Constitution permits the temporary operation of Extraordinary Courts to restore the rule of law in the face of an ongoing insurrection. The Rebel Lords are charged with High Treason, Sedition, Insurrection and Conspiracy to Overthrow the Crown, as well as multiple counts of lesser offences, such as breaches of the Delictum Sui Generis law. Evidently, if convicted, they would all be faced with the death penalty, though the opposition has advocated for a partial reduction of the sentence to avoid inflaming tensions in the area and beyond.

The Rebel Lords refuse the recognise the legitimacy of the Court, and the Empire in general, considering the end of the Southern Tiburan Empire to have been null and void, since, to them, the last Emperor had no right to end a Polity created by the Grace of God or to abdicate the Throne of Saint George. More practical concerns, such as a fear of modernisation, land reform, and end to traditional feudal structures, lessening regional influence in the face of growing centralisation, and a concern for minority rights in the face of Pelasgisation by the new Nationalist-dominated political system seem to be at the root cause of the revolt. Whatever their motivations, the Rebel Lords proved to be the first true challenge to Nationalist rule since the National Schism, and the Nationalists seem determined to suppress them without mercy, if only to make an example out of them. Reports of firebombings during the Pacification of Nymphaion, and the commitment of an entire Army Corps to the region to end the Melingian Revolt are certainly indicative of such ruthlessness.

Melingia itself has seen the most aggressive implementation of land and social reform in the Nation partly as a means of disempowering the Rebel Lords, with former serfs from the area forming auxiliary forces in the tens of thousands, which were instrumental in pursuing the later stages of the campaign in mountainous and guerilla settings, and in relieving the professional army of the need to remain active in the area months after the end of the National Schism. Some minor resistance from notables afraid of losing their lands and privileges persists in the peaks near Mount Dioskerma, though the General Staff is convinced of its ability to completely suppress the insurgency before Christmas. The region as a whole remains heavily militarised, though the professional military has been increasingly withdrawing in favour of the paramilitary gendarmerie force of the Empire, the Field Constabulary, and its local peasant auxiliaries, who have been integrated as local units of the TEPA (Tmimata Eidikis Polytophylakis Amynis, meaning 'Special Defensive Civil Guard/Militia Detachments').

The trial is expected to commence soon, with preliminary hearings having taken place today at the Judicial Palace of the city of Philippias, under heavy Field Constabulary guard and with numerous members of the public gathered outside to demonstrate their intense negative feelings against the arrested Rebel Lords. In a particularly tense moment during the arrival of the accused the crowd shouted 'traitors' and called for the death penalty, at which point the Field Constabulary ordered the Crowd two blocks away to avoid any clashes. The actual trial is expected to begin later this week. In the meantime, the Senate has reportedly launched a formal investigation into the support and funding of the revolt, following several classified reports with 'concerning content' being forwarded to them by the Central State Security Service (YKAK).

In other news
☞ (International) – First Cussian advisors arrive in Pelasgia following the ratification the Treaty of Kyparissos. Legal advisors embedded in the Standing Legal and Constitutional Reform Committee of the Senate, and military advisors inspect the recruits of the first units of the planned 'New Type Army' in northern Pelasgia.
☞ (National) – Ministry of Justice and Imperial Chancellery issue formal directive including foreign genre of degenerate music known as "rap" in the index of items prohibited for corrupting the youth and offending public morality under Special Law 4000/1996, originally conceived to suppress 'rembetiko' songs glorifying drug use and antisocial behaviour. Ministry sources also consider including foreign online game known as "2 Weeks" in the index, following reports of bizarre dancing by students in a Church during a school trip.
☞ (Science) – New study by the University of Hierosolyma reveals that Karaite Jews and rest of Philistian population share 70% genetic similarities with regard to their Y Chromosome Ancestry. "Your average Karaite is as indigenous Philistian as any other resident of that region," said Professor K. Alaveris, claiming the study disproves any claims of any specific group's particular connection to the area due to generations of mixing between the local populace, "just like the rest of the Long Sea".
 

Pelasgia

Established Nation
Joined
Sep 30, 2014
Messages
4,253
Location
Athens, Greece
Nick
Demos
You must be registered for see images


Pelasgia suspends Trier Concord membership pending negotiations with partners

You must be registered for see images

The main building of the Pelasgian Embassy to the Dual Monarchy in Trier, Eiffelland - the building also hosts Pelasgia's permanent delegation to the Trier Concord

The Pelasgian Ministry of External Affairs announced the suspension of Pelasgia's membership in the Trier Concord, pending a complete withdrawal from the pact following negotiations with the Dual Monarchy. The Empire had indicated its willingness to leave the bloc for months following the end of the National Schism and the Seven Day War in Gallo-Germania, when the anti-Concord and pro-Status Quo Treaty Nationalists emerged victorious over the pro-Trier Concord Loyalists following the signature of the Pyrgos Accords. The Concord's intervention in Pelasgia in favour of the Loyalists permanently torpedoed any hopes of the Nationalists' remaining in the bloc after their victory. That being said, Eiffelland's withdrawal from the conflict before the inevitable Loyalist defeat probably came with assurances of trade and other cooperation, including continued sales of Pelasgian oil, resources and arms during the War; as such, many analysts expect a trade and amity deal largely mirroring the non-defensive aspects of Pelasgia's pre-Concord relations with @Eiffelland and Retalia to take shape from the post-withdrawal talks.

In any case, the Pelasgian Ambassador to the Dual Monarchy and the Chief of the Pelasgian Delegation to the Trier Concord gave formal notices of the move to each party's leadership earlier this morning, while the Trier Concord flag was lowered from the Pelasgian Embassy and all its associated property and buildings, as well as other Pelasgian diplomatic missions in the Dual Monarchy. As a show of good faith, the Empire has made no move to force out the officials of the Dual Monarchy's diplomatic missions who are responsible for the Trier Concord elements of relations between the former allies, though they are expected to withdraw in due time. It is unknown where formal negotiations will take place, but the Imperial government made it clear that it is eager to start them soon, to bring the matter to close as soon as possible and allow both sides to move on and cooperate based on a new, more realistic and more appropriate treaty outlining their relationship.

"Ties are still very strong between us and our partners across the Long Sea," said Ambassador Kellaridīs speaking to Ioanna Roussou of the Propontios Logothetīs, "but we must be realistic about their level and their state in the post-war world." Pelasgia recently signed treaties with Natal, Azraq, Beautancus and, just today, Auraria, while External Affairs Ministry sources also point to a desire to capitalise on the post-war benefit to Pelasgian-Kadikistani relations from Propontis' choice of the Status Quo Treaty over the Concord. All these treaties point to a general strategy of realignment which reflects the Nationalists ideological and practical goals for a disentanglement from Gallo-Germania and for an abandonment of the Laskaris Dynasty's policy of aggressively combating communism abroad and supporting dynastic relatives. However, many analysts consider this move to be inevitable rather than ideologically-driven, as a result of decades of economic growth and importance of regions outside the traditional Gallo-Germanian heartland, and of the abandonment of the policy of containment in favour of cooperation with Kadikistan in the mid to late 20th century. Perhaps the Seven Day War only served to accelerate a process already in the works.

In other news
☞ (International) – Pelasgia and Auraria sign Avgiros-Ferreiro Accords at Palace of Saint Despoina, awaiting approval of both countries' legislatures. Deal covers wide area of topics, primarily concerning free trade between the two countries and cultural cooperation and exchange. Several sections classified, analysts speculate on anything from defence and intelligence cooperation to trade in sensitive items.
☞ (National) – Large protests staged outside Caledonian Himyari Company headquarters in Propontis, Iolcus and Thermi. Demonstrators largely peaceful but large police presence still maintained to avoid clashes. Demands for Loago Home Rule made by over one hundred thousand participants as calls for boycott of Loagoan goods grow.
☞ (Local) – Propontis Metropolitan Administration outlines formal plan to deal with housing shortage caused by growing population influx from the provinces due to ongoing industrialisation initiatives. Optimatoi Thematic Government and Interior Ministry consider use of eminent domain and de-zoning of green areas, as well as relaxation of floor and density limits to accommodate population growth. Similar problems faced by other major cities across Empire.
☞ (Local) – Propontis Metropolitan Port Authority wins appeal against Mazidian business magnate who parked yacht in quays reserved for regular liners and challenged towing and fine in court. Magnate states he is ready to appeal to Council of the State though legal experts find slim chance of success.
 
Last edited:

Rheinbund

Established Nation
Joined
Oct 30, 2006
Messages
11,806
Location
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Capital
Fehrbellin
Aussenministerium
Trier, Eiffelland-Retalia


We respect the wish of the Pelasgian government to leave the Trier Concord and will fully cooperate with that. We request to start these negotiations as soon as the new government of Eiffelland-Retalia assumes its tasks early next year. It is also our wish to continue our relations with the Pelasgian Empire in the form of a trade and amity deal excluding a defensive pact.

There is one thing we want to point at though. We don't see to wich extent we breached the Status Quo Treaty between the Pelasgian Empire and Kadikistan. There was no Trier Concord military presence in Trivodnia. Eiffelland and Retalia invested in Trivodnia, but there were no soldiers of Eiffelland or Retalia in Trivodnia. Contrary to what the Trivodnian government announced by the end of June, Trivodnia entering the Trier Concord has never been on the table. Unless the Status Quo Treaty prohibits investments by the Pelasgian Empire and its allies into countries considered to be part of the sphere of influence of Kadikistan, we don't see to which extent any action taken by Eiffelland or Retalia implied a violation of the Status Quo Treaty. As a result, we don't see, either, why the Trier Concord would be guilty of the wars that erupted in Gallo-Germania this year.

Rüdiger Zimmermann, Demissionary Minister of Foreign Affairs and Demissionary Vice-Chancellor
 

Justosia

Established Nation
Joined
Sep 8, 2018
Messages
2,515
Location
A city rated more dangerous than Venezuela, MD
Capital
Avalon
Nick
Los
You must be registered for see images

Office of the Foreign Minister
We express our regret at the souring of relations between the Great Southern Kingdom of Justosia & the Pelasgian Empire.

We fully apologize for not knowing of the history of terrorism pertaining to this matter in your nation. However we must reiterate that the desire for a movement for a true homeland for any people is fully legitimate. We implore this movement be peaceful however.

The recent hostile actions from your government gave us no choice but to deport your ambassador. We took no pleasure in it. We remain hopeful a thawing, better diplomatic resolution can be reached.

Fernando Torres
Foreign Minister
 

Pelasgia

Established Nation
Joined
Sep 30, 2014
Messages
4,253
Location
Athens, Greece
Nick
Demos
You must be registered for see images


Pelasgia begins large-scale surveying of Long Sea shelf and EEZ for oil, natural gas

You must be registered for see images

The oceanic hydrographic surveying ship HIMPS Zephyros (Pelasgian Naval Forces registry no. H87) passes by the islet of Terpandros en route westwards

The Pelasgian Ministry of Maritime Affairs has announced large-scale surveying operations across the Pelasgian Exclusive Economic Area, the greater unclaimed region nearby, to evaluate the potential of the seabed for the extraction of fossil fuel resources. The surveying project, formally titled the TRITON Programme, is to be jointly conducted by both private companies belonging to Pelasgia's major business conglomerates, and the Pelasgian government and security forces. While Pelasgia is already a major exporter of fossil fuels, with oil reserves surpassing 100,000 MBP (millions of barrels of petroleum), the exploitation of these resources, combined with pipeline works across the Long Sea, could facilitate faster and cheaper delivery of fossil fuel to Pelasgia's buyers on the opposite continent.

Atrytoni A.E., a subsidiary of the Pegasus group dealing primarily with maritime oil extraction, has already unveiled designs to construct three large oil rigs in the oil fields near the isle of Pharos, in the western tip of the Archipelago, where reserves of 600 MBP are estimated to exist, after purchasing extraction rights from the Pelasgian state for several billion dollars and signing contracts promising to favour Pelasgian labour, equipment and knowledge. Though the formally published surveying plan does not exhibit any contested areas as being ventured into, the Pelasgian Naval Forces and Coast Guard have still seen fit to dispatch a detachment of "fast attack craft" and corvettes to protect some of the more faraway surveying squadrons and construction or extraction sites.

Back on dry land, Pelasgian Petroleum A.E. (PP), a joint venture of various business conglomerates and the Pelasgian state, has begun fracking operations and aggressive extraction in some of the more mountainous areas outside the arid flatlands of Philistaea which have been the traditional backbone of the Pelasgian oil industry, to meet increasing demand for petroleum in the wake of the Seven Day War. The Pelasgian government and businesses hope to reinvest the considerable profits of the oil industry into the country's ongoing modernisation and industrialisation initiatives.

However, some environmental groups have raised concerns at the potential impact and the carbon footprint of the Nationalist government's economic initiatives. In the Thapson Theme, fracking workers and workers of associated industries and environmental protesters supporting local farmers clashed, with riot forces of the Imperial Field Constabulary having to intervene to separate the two sides. Though the skirmish was relatively minor, the growing voices of environmental activism have prompted the Imperial Senate to include discussions on legislation against "economic sedition and sabotage" in its agenda for the session after the three-day Christmas recess. This was reinforced by news of an attempted environmental protest against a surveying ship, which was averted by the Imperial Port Police Corps at the last minute in Ioli.

In other news
☞ (International) – Pelasgia protests illegal application of terroristic World Zionist Congress to proposed world forum in the Two Kingdoms, while withholding own membership due to concerns over makeup and impartiality of body. Austwegian initiative a "good basis for fruitful discussion" according to Pelasgian diplomatic sources.
☞ (National) – His Imperial Majesty still planning to make annual Christmas address from Bethlehem in Philistaea despite late stages of Her Imperial Majesty's pregnancy according to formal schedule of events of the Imperial Household. Imperial Household Service reassures concerns by confirming that the Empire's best Doctors are monitoring the situation of Her Imperial Majesty.
☞ (Ecclesiastical) – Ecumenical Patriarchate reportedly dispatches delegation to Tibur in the midst of Christmas holidays to hold preliminary high level talks. Analysts speculating that potential reconciliation or even reunion of Christian Church is at hand, while Ecumenical Patriarchate remains formally silent on the matter.
☞ (Diplomacy) – Pelasgian External Affairs Ministry rejects half-hearted Justosian apology on Zionism row as "too little, too late" due to failure of southern Kingdom to stop espousing terrorist ideology of Zionism. Justosian representative's building in Pelasgia remains vacated following expulsion, as former Pelasgian ambassador to Justosia is reassigned to a new post, showcasing doubt that relations between the two countries will be restored in the near future.
 
Last edited:

Pelasgia

Established Nation
Joined
Sep 30, 2014
Messages
4,253
Location
Athens, Greece
Nick
Demos
You must be registered for see images


Pelasgian surveying team cruises around disputed islet in Western Long Sea accompanied by Imperial corvette

You must be registered for see images

The Pelasgian Naval Forces Corvette Atromītos (K-32) as seen from the coast of the disputed island of Marathos

A surveying ship owned by the Pelasgian business conglomerate Pegasus A.E. was spotted conducting repeated surveying operations around an island in the western Long Sea, between the coastlines of Mainland Pelasgia and Warre. The island, known to the Pelasgians as Marathos, has been claimed by the Pelasgian Empire, and its predecessor state, the Southern Tiburan Empire, as the last remnant of the Exarchate of the West, due to never having been formally ceded or abandoned by the Throne of Saint George. Since the collapse of the Exarchate of the West and the subsequent retreat of Imperial forces therefrom early in the first millennium AD, the islands have been de facto unoccupied by Imperial forces, most of them being too small for habitation. Marathos, the largest of the islands, is somewhat closer to Pelasgia, though the other unclaimed islands are closer to Warre. The Pelasgian surveying teams have not yet approached the islands near Warre, but Marathos and the seabed around it have been intensively surveyed for oil and gas.

You must be registered for see images

The location of the island of Marathos

Marathos was not included in the original surveying plan published by the Pelasgian government earlier this month, just like the rest of the disputed western isles, but Atrytoni A.E., the Pegasus subsidiary charged with surveying operations in the area, has issued a notice including the island in its surveying and extraction operations. The Pelasgian state seems to have supported this move formally, given the presence of at least one corvette, the HIMPS Atromītos (K-32) of the Pelasgian Naval Forces, in the area during the surveying operations. The vessel was recorded by marine biologists from the University of Ioli documenting the migration patterns of indigenous birds during the winter, and its presence was later confirmed by the General Staff of the Pelasgian Naval Forces in a press conference on an unrelated matter at the Grand Admiralty of Propontis. As of yet, the vessel's continued presence in the area is assumed, as is that of the Pegasus surveying team. Whether more such surveying attempts will take place in nearby isles in the coming weeks is uncertain though not unlikely.

In Ioli a group of environmentalists attempted to breach the fencing of the Third Fleet's headquarters in the Western Admiralty during a protest, but were driven back by riot forces of the Imperial Police and the Imperial Armed Forces Police. Sixteen arrests were made, with all offenders being charged under the delictum sui generis law and the espionage law for attempting to breach a military installation and attempting to promote subversive ideologies contrary to the National Interest. The Pelasgian Naval Forces stated that they will are determined to continue supporting the surveying and resource-extraction efforts of the Pelasgian state and private sector in the Long Sea, adding that "such activities are directly necessary for the economic prosperity of the Nation, and therefore well within our Constitutional purview". An attempted legal challenge by environmental groups in the Council of State has reportedly been thrown out due to a lack of legal basis, severely limiting the means of action of the small Pelasgian environmental movement against large-scale, state-backed oil and gas extraction in the Long Sea.

In other news
☞ (National) – Emperor delivers Christmas speech from Christ's native town in Philistaea, highlighting need for peace and cooperation in the Empire and Europe at large. Emperor includes references to the tragedies of the Great War and the National Schism, while also alluding to hopefulness of reunification of the Christian Church. Imperial Family to spend coming days in Hierosolyma and to return to Propontis by the end of the week to prepare for New Year's and Epiphany celebrations.
☞ (National) – Local land-owning notable arrested in the Elimeioton Theme for armed assault against leading peasant in farming village. Strong Imperial Field Constabulary presence due to high tensions between notables and peasantry in the area due to ongoing Land Reform programme. Tensions expected to rise as Special Tribunal for Melingia moves to final stages in coming weeks.
☞ (Politics) – Considerable division within People's party could lead to breakup, political analysts and insiders warn. Tensions escalate between traditional Loyalist High Aristocrat-dominated party leadership and increasingly popular populist base and legislature makeup over stance on Land Reform, Social Reform and Education and other initiatives, as well as on role of Crown.
 
Last edited:

Rheinbund

Established Nation
Joined
Oct 30, 2006
Messages
11,806
Location
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Capital
Fehrbellin
Schloss Charlottenburg
Trier, Eiffelland-Retalien


We saw the message on Twatter about the birth of a healthy son. Our congratulations and best wishes to His Imperial Majesty Emperor Isaakios and his wife, as well as to the newborn child. May his life be prosperous, and may he grow up to a wise man.

Albrecht von Dietz-Hadamar, King of Eiffelland, Grand-Duke of Retalia
 

Rheinbund

Established Nation
Joined
Oct 30, 2006
Messages
11,806
Location
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Capital
Fehrbellin
Aussenministerium
Trier, Eiffelland


It is with regret and much concern that we see how the diplomatic relations between Justosia and Pelasgia end, especially in the light of repeated international disputes involving Justosia. We speak out our hope that Justosia finds a way to restore the harmony with the outside world.

Rüdiger Zimmermann, Demissionary Minister of Foreign Affairs and Demissionary Vice-Chancellor
 

Pelasgia

Established Nation
Joined
Sep 30, 2014
Messages
4,253
Location
Athens, Greece
Nick
Demos
You must be registered for see images
Special Tribunal sentences Rebel Lords to death; Emperor grants conditional partial pardon to several convicts as part of celebrations for Imperial childbirth
You must be registered for see images

The Old Gardens in the Palace of Herakleios, built by the Emperor in question to replace the old Governor's Palace in Hierosolyma. The Palace if the official Imperial residence in the Holy City and the Holy Land.

Speaking from Hierosolyma, where the Imperial family has relocated for the Christmas holidays, His Imperial Majesty brought with him two pieces of happy news: one was for the Imperial populace, concerning the birth of a healthy young boy, granting the Imperial family an heir. The boy, to be named Ioannes after the late father of the current Emperor, is to be confirmed as Diadochos (Heir Apparent) and Grand Despot of the Empire in a formal ceremony in the Imperial Cathedral of Hagia Pronoia once the Imperial family return to the capital. As part of the announcement, customary pardons were made, including one which captivated the national sentiment and attention more than any other: a partial pardon, in the form a sentence reduction from the death penalty to life in prison, to be granted to the recently convicted Rebel Lords of Melingia, on condition of their and their heirs' recognising His Imperial Majesty as their lawful Lord and Sovereign and submitting to the new Constitution. The sixteen feudal Lords were convicted of high treason, sedition, insurrection and conspiracy to overthrow the crown, as well as multiple counts of lesser offences, such as breaches of the delictum sui generis law and insurrection, by the Extraordinary Court Martial for Melingia, being thereby sentenced automatically to be hanged and to lose all their titles, property and honours.

While most in the nation gathered to cheer the birth of an Imperial heir right in between two major Christian Holy Days, seeing the pardons as a matter of course and of expected Imperial magnanimity and mercy, the particular case of the pardons of the Melingian Lords was not without controversy. On the one hand, the conservative People's Party and many within the higher circles of the Church praised Imperial magnanimity and claimed that there was no need for "base barbarity" in the midst of celebrations, since the traitors are to be grievously punished anyway, and they merely acted out of a misguided sense of loyalty to the Throne of Saint George. The Nationalists, on the other hand, were staunchly opposed to any form of mercy other than a mere postponement of the executions to a period after Epiphany, to avoid offending the Divine and the Faith without allowing the traitors in question to escape. In any case, the matter was one of great and profound symbolic and political importance for both sides well before the pardon, being an incarnation of the Nationalsit reformers' struggle against the traditional feudal systems of power.

For now at least, the pardon seems to have granted the People's Party much needed rest to avoid a complete division in the face of internal struggles, as well as a partial protection of some of its strongest supporters, the provincial notables and lesser provincial lords, who face increasing strain in the face of Nationalist social, land and economic reform. The Nationalists have faced more of a setback in terms of their image of complete control suffering some visible cracks than of their ultimate objectives of reform being thwarted or even slowed down, though many expect a severe reaction to be already brewing, probably in the form of harsher reform laws and enforcement. But for most in Pelasgia, the news of an Imperial childbirth, and of a coming baptism with the name of the much beloved late Emperor Ioannes VII, only add to the jovial atmosphere of the Holidays, leaving concerns of politics aside until after the Winter Recess of the Senate is over. Whether the Senatorial class shares such a sentiment, however, is entirely uncertain.

In other news
☞ (International) – Caledonia forced to withdraw from Loago and likely soon from Cabaon too in the face of Pan-Himyari pressure from Azraq, Pelasgia and Natal. Real Loagan independence right around the corner, but conflict seems inevitable as three major Himyari powers seem set on supporting different visions for Loago's future. Fighting between Wala and Fante groups already rocks the bush as National Unity Government looks for external support.
☞ (Colonial) – As transfer of control progresses in Tephanon, Pelasgian troops in the Horn of Himyar celebrate Christmas and New Year's at the far end of the continent with gifts and letters sent as a surprise to encourage them from children across the Empire.
☞ (Defence) – Pelasgian Naval Forces General Staff refuses to comment on alleged sighting of submarine bearing the Imperial Eagle near the disputed Western Islands close to Warre, claims to be unaware of any deployments of submarines in the area.
☞ (Science) – Quantum physicists from the Aristotelian University of Thermi publish paper stating they have found a logical way of understanding the Anti-State's claim of not being a state. Peer review frenzy as colleagues struggle to comprehend paper in order to evaluate it, while prominent Pelasgian Post-Delegationists decry University as a "delegationist" institution. "To be fair," one was quoted as saying, "you need to have a really high IQ to understand Post-Delegationism. The precepts are very nuanced and will go right over most people's heads [...]."
 

Azraq

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Aug 25, 2018
Messages
583
Capital
Nkalamenga
Nick
Norse
Wasaarada Arimaha Dibada
الخارجية‎ وزارة
Ministry of Foreign Affairs


The Azraqi Empire thanks the Pelasgian Empire for its support in helping end Caledonian neo-colonialism in Loago. Hopefully together our two great nations can build a Himyar free of foreign rule and interference.
 

Pelasgia

Established Nation
Joined
Sep 30, 2014
Messages
4,253
Location
Athens, Greece
Nick
Demos
You must be registered for see images


Legislative Assembly enters heated debate as Senate unveils damning report on financing and support of Melingian rebels

You must be registered for see images

The National Assembly room in the New Senate House during the winter Holiday recess

The Special Committee of the Senate on the Southern Elimeiotic Emergency unveiled its much-awaited report on the financing and support of the Rebel Lords of Melingia. The report contained damning and highly concerning references to potential links between hardline Loyalists linked to the People's Party, the Empire's formal opposition, and the rebels, including accusations of financing, arming and encouraging the rebels, as well as attempts to allow them to evade justice. The left was also not spared in the report, with references of some of the further left elements of the Social Party linked to the DKKP's insurgent splinter faction, the EKKP, having possible contacts to cooperate with the Melingians against the Nationalist-dominated parliamentary regime.

The report caused considerable uproar in the lower house of the Imperial legislature, the Legislative Assembly, immediately upon the legislators' return from the winter recess. The Nationalist majority leader accused the People's Party of undermining the new Constitutional order and the rule of law, while directly challenging the Pyrgos Accords. "We can all see that the crocodile tears set for the recently pardoned traitors of southern Elimeiotis were just meant to cover up the Loyalists' own guilt," he is quoted as saying, igniting strong emotions on both sides. The People's Party responded by calling the report a Nationalist fabrication meant to smear and divide the opposition as revenge for the Nationalists' failure to obtain the executions of the Rebel Lords, while the Social Party seemed divided between a majority trying to distance itself from the alleged radicals damned by the report, and the alleged radicals themselves who joined the People's Party in attacking the Nationalist majority. The DKKP remained largely silent on the matter, outside of expressing some suspicion on all sides.

The meeting ended in the midst of shouting and controversy, with the Imperial Police forces guarding the Senate House nearly having to intervene to separate the legislators. The Nationalist majority has vowed to launch a full investigation, with a motion to lift the legal immunity of the implicated People's Party and Social Party legislators being allegedly drafted by some Nationalist backbenchers. Political analysts highlight the need for unity and calm, while many consider this to be the revenge of the Nationalists for the public image defeat that was the pardoning of the Rebel Lords by His Imperial Majesty. The Social Party appears to still be divided and to not have effectively recovered from the events of November, while the People's Party, though combative is in a clearly institutionally weak position against the Nationalists. It is uncertain, however, whether the Nationalists in their current form have the necessary unity for such a direct internal confrontation; perhaps the suppression of the Melingian revolt was meant to be used a rallying point for such unity and fortitude to emerge.

In other news
☞ (International) – Pelasgia launches Kalahari Free Trade Agreement with Kadikistan, opening the door for other countries to join pending the approval of the current member states. Free Trade and Movement Agreement with Eiffelland-Retalia expected to be signed soon, formally ending the era of the Trier Concord.
☞ (National) – Military launches internal investigation into video allegedly showing Pelasgian army officers participating in pagan "ancestor worship" ritual near ancient site of Kerameikos hill, as concerns of potential ultra-nationalist circles within military rise.
☞ (International) – Pelasgian government summons Elbener ambassador over deployment of Elbener "volunteers" against the Democratic Republic in Loago. Empire considering sanctions similar to those used against Caledonia to force Elbeners out of Himyar, sees "volunteers" as colonial occupation force.
 

Thaumantica

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Aug 16, 2007
Messages
7,011
Location
Grasstown ND
Capital
Caitekurke
Nick
Nilshanks
Excerpt from the Colonial
Franklin Lasting, Writer

The Kalahari Free Trade Agreement marks perhaps the greatest diplomatic maneuver of our time. Shrouded in clandestine statecraft, this agreement coincides with Pelasgia’s separation from other agreements with Eiffelland-Retalia, causing many around the world to wonder exactly what is happening behind closed doors in Pelasgia.
 

Elben

Established Nation
Joined
Nov 1, 2006
Messages
1,450
Location
Iowa, USA
Nick
Malat
Königreich Elben
Ministry of Foreign Affairs​
Communique 2019-01-03/01
Marked: Open

To the empires of Azraq and Pelasgia;
From Gerhard Schenk Graf von Schlabrendorff, His Majesty's Minister of Foreign Affairs:

Greetings!

Allow me to reiterated publicly the message of His Majesty's ambassador to Propontis:
Volunteers have willingly traveled to Loago to aid their Catholic brothers in the struggle against communist domination. This struggle has already seen the deaths of a family from Elben working in Loago for a Christian charity, peacefully and without any motive of colonialism or exploitation. So it is with the volunteers of the Elbener Brigade, who will no doubt return home once the communist threat has been destroyed.

Should Azraq and Pelasgia wish to guarantee the Catholic population its safety and ability to live its faith in peace while allowing Catholic charity organizations freedom to operate, the Kingdom of Elben shall encourage the volunteers of the Elbener Brigade to withdraw with the rest of the Caledonian PACFOR.

Most cordially yours,
Gerhard Schlabrendorff, etc.

@Azraq @Pelasgia
 

Azraq

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Aug 25, 2018
Messages
583
Capital
Nkalamenga
Nick
Norse
Wasaarada Arimaha Dibada
الخارجية‎ وزارة
Ministry of Foreign Affairs


The Azraqi Empire aims to deliver on the aspirations of all Loagans regardless of faith to be citizens of a free, democratic and crucially independent nation-state.

Rather than helping the cause of Catholic Loagans, the presence of Elbener volunteers risks aggravating communal tensions and therefore we suggest the Kingdom of Elben do everything within its temporal power to ensure they withdraw alongside the Caledonian peacekeepers.
 
Top