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KAMCHETKA – WEDNESDAY 21ST DECEMBER 2011

Economic Forecast Threatens Crisis Christmas
Figures released today by centre-left think tank 'Kritchko', have pointed to a slow start for the economy heading into 2012. Forecasts predict that the economy is expected to grow at its slowest rate yet, as the economic wind-down continues. The government today however refused to release details of their fiscal and monetary policy in a bid to calm domestic markets and businesses operating within Polasciana. The new Finance, Trade and Industry Minister, Benjamin Usan said that UnionParty was attempting to 'make a political point' out of a 'serious economic situation.' He continued that markets were 'stable' and had been reassured by the governments 'willingness' to look twice at domestic investment.

Lukyanov To Give Final Interview
The President has agreed to take part in a comprehensive interview on the eve of the inauguration of President-elect Gennadiy Artamova.The interview, to be held live on PTV1 on January 5th, 2012, will take a look back at Lukyanov's term - charting some of the most volatile moments in his political career. The Office of the President has said that Mr Lukyanov has agreed to take a number of unprepared question about his legacy, in an interview which is expected to mark the end of a difficult period in the country's history. Lukyanov has also announced that he will publish his account of his time in office in a book which is expected for release in 2013. Refusing to lay out plans for his Presidency, Lukyanov's successor Artamova, has reportedly rejected a request to take part in a similar interview on inauguration day.

Conservatives Agree To Federal Assembly Veto
The Prime Minister, Ludvig Fedorov, has agreed to a deal which gives the upper-chamber, the Federal Assembly, an automatic veto of government policy. Previously government policy could accede in the event that the Federal Assembly did not vote, by majority, to accept the bill. Now, in a deal which ends months of uncertainty, Fedorov must achieve a majority in the Federal Assembly before enacting any government bill. The deal, confirmed by the Federal Assembly leader, Ivan Tattar, was a condition of the UnionParty supporting the installation of Fedorov as Prime Minister. Mr Tattar, the opposition spokesman for Foreign Affairs, said the change would mark a 'significant step forward' to protect the democratic role of the upper-house.


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KARASICENA – MONDAY 26TH DECEMBER 2011

Conservatives Pledge To 'Renew' In New Year

In a Christmas message to the country the Prime Minister, Ludvig Fedorov, has pledged to 'unite' his party and 'renew' their 'mission in government'. Marking the formal start to his tenure as Polasciana's Premier, Fedorov has urged his ailing Conservative colleagues to 'fully support' his leadership and 'move beyond' the era of the country's politics dominated by his predecessor, Koruin Gruaman. In an attempt to break with the past and assert his authority, Mr Fedorov has revealed a new brand for the Polasciana Conservatives, and has named his full cabinet. Mr Fedorov, announcing his new cabinet, said that this was a government 'for all, by all' - attempting to draw out a distance between his leadership and the fractured relationship of the past between Gruaman and his party. A one-time critic of Mr Gruaman, Fedorov found himself promoted to Foreign Minister in June in an attempt by Gruaman to cement his authority of the Conservatives after forming the nation's first coalition government, with the United Nationalist Democrats.

Appointing his first cabinet, Prime Minister Fedorov has attempted to calm tensions within the party by reappointing two former ministers, Kristina Rudakov and Ruslan Cherstennikov, who were cast aside in June for two new, non-Slav, UND members of the coalition. Mr Cherstvennikov return to his former role of Sport, Recreation and Arts Minister whilst Ms Rudakov takes up a new role at the Department for Communications and Media. Taking Ms Rudakov's former role as Transport and Tourism Minister, the Prime Minister has appointed the Germanic-born representative for Gersfeld, Yevcimir - Fabian Meyer. Marina Yanaka, who held the post of Prime Minister when Koruin Gruaman was President between 2003 and 2007, takes up the role of Foreign Minister whilst Ida Korneev is promoted from Deputy Prime Minister, to First Deputy - overtaking Ms Yanaka as the most powerful female politician. The man who steered the unsuccessful Conservative presidential campaign and long-time Gruaman ally, Dmitry Lebedev, becomes Deputy Prime Minister and also takes the role of Energy, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Minister. Party high-flyer Asta Dahn becomes the Education, Science and Healthcare Minister whilst Raisa Skepitrova becomes the only member to stay in post at the Department for Defence. One of the only shocks in Mr Fedorov's cabinet appointments was the replacement of Yevgeniy Kalandarshivilli as Finance, Trade and Industry Minister. The young politician was seen as one of the party's brightest talents, and had established a 'path' to economic growth to stimulate the sluggish economy. Instead, the untested Kamchetkan representative Benjamin Usan takes the role.

Whilst the cabinet has now officially taken office, the appointment of Ms Yanaka as Foreign Minister, and Benjamin Usan as Finance Minister must be confirmed by the opposition-controlled Federal Assembly after the festive break. As the constitution allows the upper-house to accept or reject the appointment of the Foreign and Finance Ministers, a strengthened majority for the UnionParty in the upper-house and the relatively unknown agenda of President-elect Artamova will continue to cause headaches for the Prime Minister until his appointments have been fully confirmed following the inauguration of the President-elect next Friday. Close aides to the Prime Minister have suggested that the appointments list had already been 'cleared' with Federal Assembly leader Ivan Tattar, and the UnionParty leader, Lazar Ulanov - but the opposition leaders, Mr Ulanov and Mr Tattar have refused to confirm or deny whether they plan to refuse Mr Fedorov's appointments of Ms Yanaka and Mr Usan, sparking speculation that they may not honour the deal they cut with the Conservatives to install Mr Fedorov as Prime Minister. Mr Fedorov's appointment as Prime Minister has already been accepted by President Lukyanov, and Mr Fedorov is thought to command the 'respect' of the President-elect.

As the country heads towards one of its most difficult years since its formation, the Prime Minister's efforts to reform his party's standing in the eyes of the public may not be such an easy task. With lower-house elections not due until June 2013, many are suggesting that Mr Fedorov may find it difficult to cohabit with a resurgent UnionParty - who now control the upper-house and the Presidency.

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The new Conservative logo is an attempt to give the party a 'fresh start'

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KARASICENA – TUESDAY 10TH JANUARY 2012

National Holiday Ends As Artamova Outlines 'Shared' Agenda

In a rousing speech last night at Central Square in Arvi, the largest city in Polasciana, President Gennadiy Artamova drew to a close the celebrations marking his accession to office following his inauguration on Sunday. A four day national holiday began on Friday when Artamova replaced Pavel Lukyanov has Head of State. As the most electorally successful President in the country's history, Artamova began to outline his agenda for the next four years - declaring that he believed that 'Polaciana's time is now.' A former Federal Assembly leader himself, Artamova is closely allied by his successor in that role - Ivan Tattar, who is considered more popular within the UnionParty than the party leader, Lazar Ulanov. The two men are believed to have met on Thursday to discuss implementing the President's agenda in the Federal Assembly. Throughout the election campaign, Mr Artamova consistently said he believed that foreign affairs, and most particularly how the country deals with its relationship with the EDF, RDTO and Germanian League, would prove to be the 'big issue' of this decade. In his speech the President said that it was 'time' for Polasciana to be 'ambitious and defiant'.

In a departure from his predecessors values-led foreign policy, President Artamova insisted that Polasciana must begin to 'reach beyond borders' and be willing to 'embrace' its Central European neighbours more openly, in order to strengthen its economy - which he highlighted as his other key priority. "There are those who say the easy days have gone away, that we now must struggle to find our place at the table, due to our weak economy," the President said, and borrowing a phrase used by his rival in the Presidential Election, Artamova said he believed the country could be 'back on track' this year - "I believe that our best days are yet to come. I believe that Polasciana's economy can be back on track, I believe we must work together to heal the divisions between those who are given the proceeds of growth, and those who grow. I believe in an economy that works for the working people." In an attempt to brand himself as a 'unifying' figure for the nation, the President suggested the nation must 'put aside' cultural and social differences in order to "unite behind a shared vision [of the] future."

The President is due to meet for the first time officially with Prime Minister Fedorov tomorrow in a private meeting that will begin to set the future of the political landscape for the next year. The Federal Assembly met today to officially approve Mr Fedorov's accession as Prime Minister - but the upper-house must meet again tomorrow to approve the appointments of Marina Yanaka as Foreign Minister and Benjamin Usan as Finance, Industry and Trade Minister. The approval of both Ms Yanaka and Mr Usan is expected to be much more difficult for the Conservatives, who face a 12 seat UnionParty majority. While the President agreed to approve Mr Fedorov's nomination as Prime Minister, he has not officially announced whether he intends to allow a smooth path for the approval of the Foreign Minister and the Finance Minister. Mr Fedorov is expected to discuss the economy, foreign affairs, defence and industry with the President - in what he has called a "shared agenda". The Prime Minister's office released details of a provisional agenda, including the discussion of a recent visit by Danmark's Industry Minister, Rikard Magnussen who met with Benjamin Usan on Friday.

The approval of Ms Yanaka and Mr Usan tomorrow could open up a new era of stability within Polascianan politics, but also counter the opinion that Artamova will lead an incredibly divisive and authoritarian administration. The President is expected to announce details of a potential regional tour in order to 're-establish' relations with some of the country's closest neighbours, after what he calls an era of 'misjudged silence.' Whilst Artamova has now officially taken office, former president Pavel Lukyanov is expected to reside at the President's second official residence in Ostrong, near the Danish border in the state of Buratiyan until he returns to his neighbouring home-state of Yevcimir in February.

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Artamova during the official inauguration procession on Friday

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KARASICENA – WEDNESDAY 25TH JANUARY 2012

Yanaka Expresses Concern Over Danish Refugees
The Foreign Minister, Marina Yanaka, has expressed her concern over the recent movement of refugees from Montelimar in neighbouring Danmark. Suggesting that Polascianan authorities were 'concerned' over the movement of refugees, Yanaka dismissed accusations that Danish authorities had not briefed the Foreign Ministry over the movement of nearly 3,000 refugees to Europaland. Whilst the Foreign Minister said that Polasciana was not directly involved in the passage of the refugees across the region, she said the government rejected the idea of an 'open' border into 'volatile corners' of the continent. "The very notion that we should be lifting people from their homes is one that this government rejects - we support aid and peace-workers in their missions across Europe, keeping citizens of all sides safe, that can be done without open borders."

Kamchetka Finance Negotiations Criticised By Badal
Assemblyman Emil Badal has criticised a deal by the Kamchetkan Governor, Stepan Michalvich, which has reduced the states annual grant by almost 8%. Badal, who represents the state in the upper-house said that while the state was one of the 'better off' in the nation, it also had some of the 'hardest hit' regions from the economic downturn. Criticising newly appointed Finance Minister Benjamin Usan, he said that 'Karasicenan based politicians' were 'ripping off ordinary families'. His outspoken comments come just a month after clinging to his seat in the Federal Assembly in the recent Presidential Election. Speaking from the chamber yesterday, Mr Badal said that 'no other state' had been asked to 'sacrifice' as much as Kamchetka. The Government responded, suggesting it was responding to concerns over the unfair bias shown towards 'southern' states.

Olympic Bid Ruled Out After Lack Of Support
A potential Polascianan bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics has been ruled out after an initial study revealed a lack of support for the project. According to the Polascianan Olympic Committee, nearly 54% of respondents thought it would be 'inappropriate' for federal funds to support an Olympic bid at a time of 'financial constraint'. While 87% of the public supported the idea of bidding for a future edition of the games. The Committee released details of initial proposals put forward by the cities of Arvi and Kiasé to host the games, which were rejected in favour of not submitting a formal proposal. The Committee suggested that it would be supportive of Cantignia's bid for the games with the city of Vesper.


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KARASICENA – WEDNESDAY 28TH MARCH 2012

Lebedev Under Pressure After Blacklash From Energy U-Turn

The Minister for Energy, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection is under pressure after he signalled a shift in the Government's energy policy. Speaking at a press conference in Karasicena yesterday, Dmitry Lebedev announced that a deal had been reached between President Artamova and Conservative Prime Minister Ludvig Fedorov, to switch the government's energy policy away from a focus on renewable energy. The controversial stance is likely to lead to a major increase in funding for offshore oil and gas drilling as well as an expansion of oil fields in Amar, in northern Polasciana. The policy switch follows months of negociations with neighbouring Danmark, after a deal was struck to construct new pipelines in Germania and Sarmartia. At the conference Mr Lebedev, who is also Polasciana's Deputy Prime Minister, said that the renewed focus upon oil and gas production would ensure the "emergence of Polasciana as an independent and energy efficient exporter."

With the two dominant political parties in Polasciana supporting the move, the role of the opposition has fallen to the Conservative's former coalition partners - the United Nationalist Democrats. Their leader, and former Presidential candidate, Tymur Rubin issued a strong statement and urged the Federal Assembly to reject the Government's proposals. Stating that Polasciana "must have a future in protecting the environment," Rubin joked that the Minister had been 'too busy playing Deputy Prime Minister' that he had 'forgotten' that he was also the Minister for Environmental Protection. Urging Prime Minister Fedorov to reconsider, Mr Rubin said that Mr Lebedev was "out of touch" and had "no idea of the impact of such a devasting u-turn." Submitting a report to the President's office, the United Nationalist Democrats threatened a walk out of the Federal Assembly in protest to the planned construction of four new oil and gas drilling platforms off the coast of southern island Olkshoi.

The leader of the official opposition, Lazar Ulanov is meeting with key members of his party this evening in a crunch meeting on whether to support President Artamova's decision to support the Conservative government's policy shift. The UnionParty is under increasing pressure to oppose the shift by left-wing activists who are committed to campaigning for a 'clean energy' policy in opposition. Labour unions have also criticised the Government's plans on the basis that the private sector's expansion of major gas and oil infrastructure in the Long Sea will be largely unregulated by the Energy Ministry, and instead by a new 'competition commission' - a vote will be held on Thursday afternoon on an initial reading of the Energy and Economic Futures Bill.

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A change in government policy could see four new platforms build

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KARASICENA – SUNDAY 8TH APRIL 2012

Administration Agrees To Germanian League Accession Talks
A leading Conservative Minister, Fabian Meyer, has been appointed by President Artamova as a lead negotiator for accession talks between the United Federation and the Germanian League. The discussions, due to take place in Aalborg in neighbouring Danmark, have signalled a shift in foreign policy. President Artamova's decision to appoint Mr Meyer, who is the incumbent Minister of Transport, Tourism and Social Development, has been touted as a possible excercise to appease Germanic voters following his decisive win over Germanic former Prime Minister Koruin Gruaman in last years presidential election. Meyer, who represents the region of Gersfeld in the lower house, said that talks would begin 'soon' and he hoped they would be 'both constructive and successful.' Pro-slav protest group 'Freedom Front' called for Prime Minister Fedorov to remove all Germanic's from the cabinet. Mr Fedorov declined to comment.

Usan Looks South For Industrial Development
In an interview with one of the country's top newspapers, the Minister for Finance, Trade and Industry has said that Polasciana must continue to look for 'new partners' to help 'kickstart' its economic recovery. Benjamin Usan, under pressure to perform is presiding over the most stagnant phase in Polasciana's economic history. Growth, now forecast at just 0.6%, down from 0.7% at the start of the year, said he was "Determined to get [the] economy moving again." Since 2007, the economic outlook for the country has been bleak, with external investment plummeting. But Mr Usan said the country should remain 'optimistic' and said that the Government was keen on expanding Polasciana's interests abroad. In his interview, released tomorrow, Mr Usan said that he had spoken to his counterpart in Altai about boosting trade between the two nations - including tax changes.

Rail Appeal Turns Pressure Up On Rudakov
The national rail operator has had its call for an appeal to the findings of the Dubrovka rail disaster inquest upheld. Momentum, the part-state funded company responsible for operating the high-speed rail line 'Delta' where the crash took place last year, said that it had been 'wrongly blamed' for the death of 140 people. The original inquest, which reported last summer that the company had broken health and safety regulations, cleared the manufacturer of the rail unit and the Ministry of Transport of any wrongdoing. But the appeal lodged earlier this year, has now turned attention to the Minister responsible at the time. Kristina Rudakov, now the Minister for Communications and Media is facing calls to resign after Judge Shovolev today said that there had been accusations of a 'fundamental and widespread whitewash.' A new inquest is to begin on Tuesday.


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Certain corporate interests within Karakhstan have expressed an interest in a joint economic venture project in Polasciana, specifically dealing with the construction of a mineral refinery, among other things. Polasciana has been chosen as a potential partner due to its superb geographic location, sound governing policies and recent developments as a Germanian League candidate country.

Should the government of Polasciana be interested in discussing this further the interested business parties as well as Karakh government officials would be happy to meet with Polascianan officials either in Karakhstan or Polasciana.

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KARASICENA – SUNDAY 8TH APRIL 2012

Top Minister Urged To Resign After Corruption Allegations

Leading figures at the top of the Polasciana Conservatives are facing a growing scandal ahead of the opening of an independent investigation into the Dubrovka rail disaster. The crash last May, which killed 140 people in the country's worst rail accident, had already been investigated by the Ministry of Transport and leading industry experts. The part state-owned operator of the Delta line where the crash happened, моментym, had been accused of a 'lack of care' by the inquest which reported to the government in August 2011. Rejecting the verdict that it had 'ignored health and safety guidelines set by the Ministry of Transport', the carriers' board of directors appealed a decision by the former prime minister Koruin Gruaman to remove its operating rights. After eight months of legal wrangling, Judge Shovolev reported on Friday that the Government had acted 'unfairly' against the carrier and had 'rushed' the investigation procedure.

But now the Minister responsible for the inquest at the time, Kristina Rudakov, has become embroiled in a corruption scandal after it emerged that she holds a significant share in the manufacturer of the rail units. Ms Rudakov, who is now the Minister for Communications and Media, is facing calls to resign after further accusations have suggested she 'purposefully obstructed' the investigation into the manufacturer Burov, which was cleared of any wrongdoing as part of the original investigation. In June 2011, Rudakov rejected calls for an independent investigation into the crash and had insisted that rail remained an "incredibly safe way to travel in Polasciana." She is now under investigation by a new inquest - where it has been suggested that she may have profited directly from the aftermath of the crash after Burov was awarded a €1bn maintenance contract to upgrade all rail units which operated on the line. The UnionParty, which called for an independent investigation in 2011, said that Ms Rudakov had failed to respond to allegations that the government had been made aware of 'serious doubts' over the 'suitability' of technology used by Burov to manufacture and maintain the country's rail infrastructure.

Prime Minister Fedorov, who was the Energy Minister alongside Ms Rudakov in cabinet, said that the scandal had raised 'serious questions' over Ms Rudakov's conduct. Saying that "the full independent investigation, which was not held at the time, will now be conducted and we must wait for the report from that inquest," the Prime Minister refused to comment on whether Ms Rudakov would stand down as the Minister for Communications and Media. Former Prime Minister Koruin Gruaman is also under pressure after being accused of 'pandering' to Ms Rudakov's requests to be moved out of the Ministry of Transport. She left the cabinet in a reshuffle just a few weeks after the crash. Gruaman had been criticized at the time for replacing Ms Rudakov as Transport Minister at 'such a pivotal time'. Prime Minister Fedorov brought Ms Rudakov back to the cabinet in December. She is also facing calls to stand down as a representative in the lower house. The independent inquest begins public hearings on Tuesday, where it is due to hear from the Chief Executive of Burov, Boris Svikorivo - the rail manufacturer which was privatised by the first Gruaman administration in 2004.

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As Minister of Transport, Rudakov awarded a €1bn contract Burov

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KARASICENA – WEDNESDAY 11TH APRIL 2012

Inquest Opens As Burov Boss Under Investigation
A new independent inquest into the Government's handling of the Dubrovka rail incident has opened to explosive accusations in a leading tabloid newspaper. 'Shchodnya Istoriï' reported this morning that Ms Rudakov, the Government minister responsible for transport had been involved in an intimate relationship with the boss of the country's biggest rail manufacturer - Burov. Refusing to comment on the allegations, Boris Svikorivo, the Chief Executive of the manufacturer was questioned by the inquest today and said that he believed "that the relationship between [Burov] and the Government [could] be described as anything other than professional, straight and in the public interest." Refuting allegations that the privatised rail company had been given a €1bn maintenance deal because of a personal relationship with Ms Rudakov, the Chief Executive said that the inquest would prove Burov's role in the matter as one of 'respect and dignity' for the people who lost their lives.

Controversial Energy Bill Rejected In First Reading
Despite passing in the lower house last Thursday, the initial reading of the 'Energy and Economic Futures Bill' in the Federal Assembly has been rejected. Leading the vote against the Government bill, the UnionParty's majority leader in the chamber, Ivan Tattar said the government had 'failed to listen' after doubts were raised over the role of the 'Energy Regulation and Competition Committee' which the bill would set-up to regulate, what is currently a largely publicly owned industry. The opposition believes that the committee, a part of the Energy and Environmental Protection Department is a 'first step' in the re-privatisation of the energy industry. "Two failed botched jobs and the Conservatives are reckless enough to try it again - well I tell the Prime Minister - It will not wash with us, no more privatisation of the backbone of our economy" a defiant Tattar anguished in the Federal Assembly. The bill will now have a second reading in the lower house later in the week.

Economic Forecasts Raised As Karakhstan Deal Set For Approval
The Department for Finance and Industry has hit back at the leader of the UnionParty's suggestions that the Minister was being 'complacent' over the country's economic recovery. Benjamin Usan, the Finance Minister widely criticised as 'too inexperienced' to be leading the economic recovery, hit back at critics - saying that the starting of talks with Karakhstan over mineral exploration and a widely anticipated tax policy change with Altai were 'examples' of how the Government intended to proceed with securing economic growth. Charging the opposition leader as "out of touch", Mr Usan said that "The UnionParty has failed to note that Polascianan industry is leading our recovery - only today we have seen what cooperation with foreign nations can bring - prosperity and the development of key industries. Our role is to facilitate that, and I look forward to further meetings with Ministers in both Karakhstan and Altai in the coming months".


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BELEV – TUESDAY 19TH JUNE 2012

Potenza Withdrawal From Zamosca Prompts Polascianan Action

The Defence Minister today confirmed that following the withdrawal of Potenzan security forces from Zamosca, the United Federation has agreed to provide assistance in providing training for police and prosecutors in the country, together with Talemantros. Dmitry Lebedev, the Minister for Defence and Disaster Relief today announced that, together with Foreign Minister Yanaka, Polasciana had agreed to send "preliminary support" through the deployment of 1,000 security personnel. Some four hundred officers will train new recruits to the Zamosca State Police force and will also provide advice on a structured framework for law enforcement. The forces will be accompanied by over two hundred trained military police in an attempt to provide security for the mission - including the creation of three temporary camps, which will be shared by Polascianan and Talemantros forces. The first deployment is expected to be on Thursday, with the security forces arriving on the Zamoscan coast on early Friday morning. The force is being assembled in the port of Belév, in the south of Kresnovic state, and is expected to make its way to Zamosca by boat. It marks the first international action to be approved by new President Gennadiy Artamova, who said that "Polasciana should not shirk its responsibilities as a modern state. What we can teach may be valuable to the stability of a nation, and we should play our part when called on to do so."

"The stability of the region is of great interest and importance to Polasciana," Defence Minister Lebedev said this afternoon, "It is the wish of both this government and of President Artamova that we begin to build for a safer, and more stable future - we have a role to play in that." Dismissing the risks of conflict with Altai, the cause for the withdrawal of Potenzan forces from a similar role in the nation, Lebedev said he could 'assure' that Polascianan forces would be safe, and would have 'excellent' work conditions. "Whilst Potenza has withdrawn its support for a similar role, we understand that the Zamoscan nations require a trained and equipped state police force, to enable them to secure the freedoms which we enjoy. Our forces are trained to work in many different working conditions - but with joint camps being constructed, the Polascianan people can be assured that we are not sending our forces directly into the line of danger - they will be providing training to the Zamoscan police in well guarded and well secured policing academies."

But the withdrawal of Potenzan forces, rumoured to be due to the fear of an 'imminent' attack by Altai freedom groups, the safety and security of Polascianan forces has been called into question by the opposition leader, Lazar Ulanov and his opposition spokesman for defence, Adnan Anadinivich. Mr Ulanov said he was 'worried' that Polascianan forces were being but in the 'line of danger' for a 'needless and thankless' task. Responding to Mr Lebedev in the lower-house, Ulanov accused the government of using Polasciana's security forces to 'play politics' - "The Prime Minister [Fedorov] has told us that he has allowed his two leading ministers to put our forces in danger, without any explanation of why we are flying across the continent playing teacher to troops who have been forced into their role. The Prime Minister must reassure our forces, and their families, that they are serving a purpose - that they are not needlessly being placed in danger. The Prime Minister must explain to the Polascianan people - he must explain to them how our forces will be kept safe." The Defence Minister continued to defend the mission, stating in the house that he believed "Polasciana is a country that will play its part in the future", whilst he went on to attack former UnionParty Prime Minister, Maksim Obelschenko, "The last Socialist Prime Minister wasted millions of Polasciana's debt on high-flying missions abroad that got us nowhere, he [Ulanov] defended Obelchenko, why does he now cast aside our international role?"

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Polascianan forces are due to arrive in Zamosca on Friday

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KARASICENA – WEDNESDAY 4TH JULY 2012

Construction Begins For Controversial Olkshoi Oil Platforms
The country's controversial new energy programme, spearheaded by President Artamova, has moved into its next stage of development, with construction beginning for four oil platforms off the coast of Olkshoi. As part of a long-term refocusing on energy independence, the new programme will invest record levels in the oil and gas sectors as well as new grants and incentives for cutting-edge technological development and engineering. The Polasciana Conservatives are supporting the move, with the Government allocating nearly €3bn of extra funds for the creation of new engineering and technology academies, designed to train young people for careers in high-powered energy sectors. As part of the programme, signed off in the 'Energy and Economic Futures Bill', the platforms are being constructed in partnership with industry-leading experts from Eiffelland, Danmark, Karakhstan and Kyiv.

Usan Confident As Figures Suggest Performance Resurgence
The Department for Finance and Industry has released key performance indicators, which suggest that the economy has outperformed expectations over the past 3 months. The Minister for Finance, Trade and Industry Benjamin Usan said that, "These figures show that whilst our economy has been slow moving over the past year, our resurgence is well under way." Buoyed by an expansion in manufacturing and construction, the futures show that the economy expanded 2% from the four months from January to May of this year. State-led expansion into infrastructure by a number of states, including Kamchetka, Buratiyan and Béspura is thought to have helped save many construction jobs in the new year. The Governor of Buratiyan, Andrei Pribylov said that "It is because of the decisive action of Governors across the country, and of President Artamova, that this economy has begun to move in the right direction again - never write off the Polascianan people."

President Expects 'Teething Problems' For Education Bill First Reading
President Artamova's Federal Assembly leader, and right-hand-man, Ivan Tattar said that the President expects his key Education Bill to have 'teething problems' at its first reading in the lower house later today. The bill, which scraps individual state mandates for education policy, disbands the Education Authority Alliance and replaces it with a federally adopted 'national curriculum' has divided national opinion. "The President knows we will have issues with the bill in the lower house, as the Conservatives remain ideologically opposed to a federal education policy, but these are teething problems - it's the right thing to do for our country." The Government faces a rebellion of up to 50 of its members in the House of Delegates, after agreeing to support the President's bill. A bill that comes from the Federal Assembly requires a 50% majority in the Lower House and a 75% majority in the upper house to be adopted as legislation.


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BYKIVEN – TUESDAY 31ST JULY 2012

Environmental Protests As Coal Expansion Gets Approval

Polasciana's largest city is bracing itself for a heavy night of protest after environmental lobbyists scaled the walls of the Governor and Mayor's offices in the city of Arvi. Visiting the city, the country's main industrial city and home to a workforce of over two million heavy industry workers, earlier today President Artamova announced that the states of Amar and Buratiyan would be granted an exclusion from federal mandates on tackling climate change. Passed under his predecessor Koruin Gruaman, the original legislation prevented the expansion of heavy industry in what were classed as 'saturated and over polluted' areas. Both states, which house large parts of Polasciana's energy sector and heavy industry were placed under the restrictions, until the recently passed Energy and Economic Futures Bill removed binding targets for restricted areas. Environmental action groups launched protests during President Artamova's visit to nearby Bykiven, the industrial heartland of Amar. Protesting against the announcement that five deep coal mines, originally closed when environmental legislation came in to affect in 2006, climate change activists staged a sit in protest in Governor Schavelev's offices. Safety campaigners have also joined the protests this afternoon after the announcement was made that the mines will be reopened without being refitted with new safety modifications and without emissions targets.

The reworked bill, which passed in the lower house in June, is one of the flagship policies of the new president. It aims to create over 50,000 new jobs by revitalising the nations energy sector over the next two years, and push Polasciana towards an 'end-goal' of energy independence. The bill has overturned environmental protection laws, and increased funding for modern technology in oil and gas exploration. But the news of this latest expansion of deep coal mining has come as a surprise to many in the industry, who believed that the bill would only lift exemptions for gas and oil, which the country exports in small volumes. "I hear the protesters, I hear what they say but by creating over 50,000 new jobs we can drive forward the technological development of this country - we can drive forward the technologies that will create the green energy of the future," said Ada Mantel, the Minister for Energy, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection whilst accompanying the President today, "With the economy moving again, we should be confident that we are doing the right thing." Ms Mantel, of the Polasciana Conservatives is vastly supportive of the new investment into non-renewable energy but went on to comment that she believed the president was 'wrong' to veto certain sections of the bill, which included creating a new 'energy regulator' - which the UnionParty blocked, stating it was 'the first stop on the road to privatisation'.

One of the protesters, Nataly Egorov, who was dragged from the roof by police officers said she believed the bill would 'destroy people's homes and lives', "The president doesn't understand the damage he's going to do to communities in Amar. We've lived with the scars of the coal industry before - these mines were closed for a reason, our children and our husbands deserve better jobs than this." But Governor Andrei Pribylov of Buratiyan said he welcomed the news; "This is a great step forward for our industry. With these mines back open, and people back to work, our people will be better off for it. I promise, personally, that once people are back to work they are going back to safe and secure working conditions - the President is granting us 3 billion Kryak to see that the work is done." The Police Force in Arvi says it will allow 'peaceful' protest to continue, but released an arrest figure of over 60, aimed at a warning sign to would-be protesters heading for the city overnight.

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More than 50,000 new jobs in the energy sector are expected

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[Serenierre]

Imperial Council for Foreign Affairs

In the interest of fostering positive ties with a nation in the greater region, the Government wishes to inquire about a possibility of a ministerial meeting to discuss common issues and to focus especially on the economic side of our relationship.

Makhdoom Dara Hussain
Councillor for Foreign Affairs

 

[Saracia-Polamar]

Headlines National

KARASICENA – WEDNESDAY 1ST AUGUST 2012

Yanaka Brand Neighbours 'Trigger Happy' Over Boliatur
The Foreign Minister, Marina Yanaka criticised Polasciana's regional neighbours for escalating conflict with Boliatur. The eastern nation, which borders Karakhstan has been labeled a 'rogue' state by nations including Danmark. Speaking in an interview earlier today on an Eiffelland news network Yanaka said she believed that the crisis was a 'war of words'; "Look, you've a country with an unstable government - I'm not sure a war of words works when you've got a trigger happy international community." When questioned if she would support military action by the international community, Ms Yanaka said, "We're calling for calm. I think in any situation where tension is this high, where we have armed forces ready to leave, we have to ask ourselves - truly - what the threat we are facing is." She went on to condemn recent terrorist attacks in Eiffelland, but said that any conflict in Boliatur had to be 'about the people of Boliatur.' "Regime change won't stabilise the situation if we don't consider the impact on the people of Boliatur. Countries like Karakhstan will have to be ready, we want to support them if the international community goes with this."

Prime Minister Eyes Nicosia To Flex Foreign Image
The Prime Minister is expected to use a trip to Nicosia in September as an opportunity to build up an international image. Fedorov, serving as Prime Minister since December will mark his first international visit to the island, when the two nations are set for diplomatic talks. The former Foreign Minister called for the international community to 'act with caution' last July when Nicosia faced a severe threat from Solaren. Seen as a 'caretaker' in the role as the Head of Government, Fedorov's popularity has not risen in his own party since taking over the reigns, although his party has risen in national polls. Just 22% of those polled in November 2011 supported Ludvig Fedorov to take over from Koruin Gruaman, with 45% preferring the more economically right-wing minister Krill Serbin. Today, the Prime Minister has a slight lead over a theoretical government led by Serbin, at 45% to 37%. In a reshuffle in May, Mr Serbin was promoted to Deputy Prime Minister.

Protests Continue As Police Threaten Further Arrests
Protests in Arvi have continued over night following the announcement that coal mines in Amar state will be reopened, and environmental laws relaxed. Climate change activists still remain in the Governor's office, while police removed nearly 40 people from the Mayor of Arvi's chambers last night. Activists had chained themselves to doors and staircases in the seat of local government in the city. Governor Schavelev called for protesters to 'go home', "We understand your frustration - but this state, and this country, will not be held hostage by a minority of people. Our country needs industry, and it needs jobs," the Governor said people would 'grow impatient' of those protesting. Overnight a clampdown by police in the city arrested 70 more protesters. Police suggested they may impose a curfew on the city from 10pm tonight - such tactics proved effective when managing similar anti-government protests in May last year by the Slavic-nationalist organisation, Freedom Front.


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[Saracia-Polamar]

Headlines National

KARASICENA – WEDNESDAY 15TH AUGUST 2012

Yanaka Pledges Assistance To Sikandara
Marina Yanaka has pledged to provide Sikandara with financial assistance in return for guarantees over the nations cooperation in aiding peace and humanitarian efforts in Boliatur. Yanaka, who has called for a 'responsible solution' to the developing situation in Boliatur, said that Polasciana would be willing to commit almost four hundred million Kryak in order to provide a 'stabilisation' fund for the Sikandara government, in order to help it meet short term loan obligations. The country faces unemployment levels well above average rates, currently representing a level of 25% - a serious challenge to the country's ailing economy. "We have provided guarantees to Karakhstan over our support for the humanitarian efforts they are assisting with in Boliatur, along with the Danish government - we are seeking the support of Sikandara to enable us to carry out support missions in the region," Ms Yanaka said.

Conservative Issues Nationalist Defection Threat To Fedorov
A leading Polasciana Conservatives party figure Alexei Sukhorukov has issued a public warning to the Prime Minister, that he is considering defection to the Slavic nationalist party, Party of Unity. Speaking in an interview on PTV earlier today, Mr Sukhorukov, who resigned as Deputy Prime Minister in May 2011, said that he had reached the 'final straw' with the Conservative leadership, which he said had 'failed to find a voice for Slav nationals.' Sukhorukov's defection to the far-right Party of Unity would be a major blow to Ludvig Fedorov's leadership - in which he had attempted to balance prominent Slav voices in government, with Ministers from all of Polasciana's three dominant ethnic groups. Despite his resignation under Fedorov's predecessor, he was a vocal campaigner in the 2011 presidential election, and was a prominent voice of the grassroots of the party. Mr Fedorov however this evening said he felt Mr Sukhorukov should air his views 'in private'.

Extreme Danish Protesters Deface Polascianan Embassy
Extremist environmental campaigners in Danmark have violently attacked the Polascianan embassy in Christiansborg for a second time. Demonstrating against President Artamova's controversial new energy policy, the protesters have claimed that the expansion into coal energy will adversely affect their living standards in Danmark and surrounding Germania. The Minister for Energy, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Ada Mantel said that protesters were 'doing incredible damage to the reputation of Danish citizens.' The re-opening of five coal mines in Amar and Buratiyan, near the Danish border in the North of the country, will be the first in a phase of a rapid expansion in coal energy. Ms Mantel said the government was 'not worried' by the removal of emissions targets, but that it would seek to 'offset' pollution from the new coal plants, by investing in 'clean coal technology' over the next 15 years.


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[Danmark]

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The government communicates its sincere apologies for the actions of several unruly citizens who, despite our efforts, broke a security cordon and targetted the ambassadorial compound of the United Republic of Polasciana to the Kingdom with porcine slurry and offal. As is known, the government has agreed to foot the bill for the complete clean up of the compound and has equally covered the costs involved in the temporary relocation of embassy staff to the Espirit Hotel, taking up five floors of the 5-star establishment.

We must point out, however, that the unfortunate attack by a lone farmer was the first, not the second, incident of its kind upon Danish soil. We record no other other incident of its kind against Polasciana. We are also moved to believe that, and hope that, the incident of one citizen should not and will not cause ruptions in otherwise stable and promising relations between our two governments and peoples.

Regarding the issue of emissions, the government is studying this issue closely. As part of an effort to determine the effects of the liberalisation and reopening of 'unclean' coal mines, their extraction and combustion, HDMG shall undertake scientific studies of soil and air in the Østflod canton following intense petitioning from environmentalists, farmers and inhabitants of the canton. We seek to work with the Polascianan government over this issue in order to ameliorate the effects of pollution traversing our international borders. It is hoped that the Polascianan government will recognise these legitimate concerns and do all possible to work with us in this endeavour.

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HR. HENRIK JOACHIM WESTERVELD

FOREIGN MINISTER TO REX DANUM MAGNUM

 

[Saracia-Polamar]

Top Story National

SIRET – FRIDAY 17TH AUGUST 2012

Security Tightened As Memorial Tribute To Victims Begins

The National security level has been raised to 'critical', as the country prepares for two days of remembrance and mourning. This weekend marks the fifth anniversary of the Munsau Bombings, which killed 63 people and left over 600 injured on Sunday 19th August 2007. The attacks, carried out by far-right Slavic nationalists took place to coincide with a traditional holiday, which marked the ceasefire between Slav and Germanic fighters in the former Republic of Polas in 1984. Tomorrow also marks the fourth anniversary of the failed assassination attempt on former president Pavel Lukyanov, which killed five people in the city of Siret, when a lone suicide bomber detonated explosives strapped to himself at a speech being given by the president to mark the first anniversary of the Munsau attacks. Bajram Thaqi, from Altai but with Polascianan citizenship was not killed instantly by the explosives around his chest, but died later in a military hospital. He had claimed responsibility for the attack in a video message that was filmed at his house. Thaqi's message said that Lukyanov had 'betrayed' the 'Slavic way of life'. The families of the five victims of the bombing in Siret will lead a candlelit vigil in the city tomorrow evening, before making their way to Munsau to take part in a national memorial service, led by President Artamova.

As part of the attacks on Munsau, four bombs were detonated by Slavic nationalists, targeting the Germanic and Hispanic quarters of the city, which is around 50km from the capital, Karasicena. They marked the biggest single loss of life through terrorism since the unification of the country in 2003, and visibly shook the resolve of the nation. On the day of the attacks, five years ago on Sunday, former president Gruaman said, "This was a day that we hoped we would never see again in our great country. And while the divisions of the past will never heal completely, they will fade in time. But it's the story of a modern Polasciana that will never fade - it's a story that you can be born into any culture, you can grow up anywhere in our country, you can follow any religion you like - you can be who you are and never fear. Today, this tragedy does not take us away from this promise. It only binds us stronger - that freedom we enshrine in our united federation, can never be taken away." In a special tribute to the emergency services who lost 17 people as a result of a second bomb at a Germanic shopping market, a firefighter who survived the attacks will read those words again, at the open-air memorial service due to start at 18.07pm on Sunday, to mark the date of the Siret bombing. A larger candlelight vigil is also expected to take place in Munsau on Sunday evening following the memorial service, to close the weekend's anniversary ceremonies.

The service on Sunday is expected to be attended by all former serving president's and prime ministers. Gruaman, Lukyanov and current President Gennadiy Artamova are set to be joined by former Prime Minister's Marina Yanaka and Maksim Obelchenko as well as current Prime Minister Ludvig Fedorov, who will be leading the reading of the names of the sixty three victims. The memorial ceremony and candlelight vigil is also thought to be attended by foreign dignitaries including the Chancellor of Eiffelland, and the Danish Statsminister. A special concert of some of the country's biggest classical stars has been put together for a stunning tribute to those who lost their lives, which will also feature a silent ballet routine with choreography by Rosa Arroyo, a widow of one of the Hispanic men killed in the attacks. A fly past of four Sukhoi fighter jets will mark the beginning of the ceremony at 19:08pm, each symbolising one of the bombs. Until the end of the ceremonies on Sunday night, the military and security services are on high alert - and an increased visual presence of all military services and police is thought to continue for the next week. The tributes this weekend will be one of the largest mass gatherings in the nation ever - with an expected 3 million descending on Munsau. The special concert 'A Tribute to Life', will be broadcast across Europe, with an expected global audience of over 100 million, with 70 million expected to watch in Polasciana alone.

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The only known footage of Siret suicide bomber Bajram Thaqi

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[Natal]

Ministerul Afacerilor Externe

We understand the suffering of our Slavic brothers, the people of Polasciana. We are deeply sorry for the fact that the action of an Altaian has provoked such suffering. As we are now feeling on our skin the continuous tension of the actions of the far-right "Movement for the advancement of the Slavic Purposes", we want our bond with the Polascianan people to be as strong as ever. We believe that the killer Bajram Thaqi was a member of the aforementioned terrorist movement as his action we believe was seen as a model for the terrorist actions to come. We witnessed the bombing of the biggest Diagist Temple in Altai, with 170 victims and countless injuries, the assassination of Florin Zelenko, the most popular spokesman of the Free Liberal Party, the Post-Delegationist party in Altai and now the crisis which unfolds in Sakibstan where the movement sacrifices the lives of young Uroduan students to make the ProNat turn its eyes over there and leave Altai defenseless. We hope that the Altaic and Polascianan peoples will stand together and will get over those problems.

Mihail Pavlichenko,
Ministrul Afacerilor Externe

 

[Potenza]

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The Grand Duchy sends her condolences to the people of Polascania as they remember the Munsau Bombings and those who lost their lives to the hands of madmen.

Gian Lombardo
Foreign Minister​

 

[Danmark]

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Lørdag 18 August 2012
​

President Gennadiy Artamova,
President of the United Republic of Polasciana

The peoples of the Great Danish nation stand shoulder to shoulder with all Polascianans as you commemorate this the quinquennial of the Munsau Massacre and remember the victims, the dead and the living, who were the unfortunates in an act of unspeakable terror which continues to have reverberations into the present.

As we all look back in unity to this horrific day and provide solace to those that remain, I am reminded that none of us have lost sight that terror remains with us in other parts of the globe and that there still exist those, whether they be individuals or regimes, that seek or have sought to stoke fear into the hearts of all decent and civilised peoples or impress it upon their own folk, Boliatur being a prime example.

We here in the sub-alpine region and beyond, whilst we are prosperous and stable, should behold the cataclysm that was Munsau as a reminder of our, indeed your, very recent history of what can happen in our own backyard if we become complacent. To me, Munsau is a glaring light that history is there to be learned from and an instructor for the present and future, certainly not to be forgotten.

​

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Hr. Asbjørn Schneider-Krogsgaard

STATSMINISTER AND HEAD OF CABINET TO REX DANUM MAGNUM