The Confederate Bulletin ~ Životinje and Volga Edging Towards War?

[Josepania]

The Confederate Bulletin
Est. 1840



Democratic Demonstrations To Go Forward​

Despite speculation to the contrary, it has been announced by the 'Movement Towards A Free Confederation' that officials in the capitals of the five Confederate member-states have agreed to allow pro-democracy demonstrations to take place, albeit under heavy guard and watch from Confederate law enforcement.

For months now, the movement has been petitioning government officials to allow the demonstrations to take place, and for months the officials have been denying the petitions. There is some speculation that deals and promises had been made by the Movement to coax acceptance of their petitions.

"If there's one thing the Movement and the Confederation agree on, it is that any communist or socialist presence in these demonstrations is too dangerous to allow." said an anonymous source in the capital city Axiflos. "The Movement had to swear up and down that they would allow no Reds to take part in the demonstrations and marches." Representatives of the Movement were unavailable for comment on this matter, as were government officials.

Still, many fear that the demonstrations, dated to take place on the eleventh of November, will get out of hand quickly. "You can't keep out every single Red, if they're smart." commented an Axifloa resident. "Those [CENSORED] will sneak in and cause a ruckus, dragging idealistic and confused Democrats into it, and causing a whole lot of trouble for everyone." Law enforcement officers, however, are confident that the demonstrations will remain peaceful.

Naval Exercises To Take Place Tomorrow​

The Secretary of the Confederate Navy confirmed today that large-scale exercises for the Confederate Navy will take place tomorrow, as scheduled. "Despite some protests by pacifist Democrats that this will incite ill-will from our neighbors, I answer not to their misguided cries, but to the Confederate Congress, and they have assured me that our neighbors were informed well in advance to these exercises."

It is expected that numbers of ships involved will be large, larger than any other naval exercises in recent memory. To this, the Secretary responded, "True, there is an increase from the last exercise, but this is because of the demands the exercise has. The navy is still important to the Confederation, and our men and women in uniform must be prepared for anything and prepared to do anything that is ordered of them in these uncertain times. We may practice strict neutrality, but that may not alway be respected by certain ideologies."

Critics of the impending exercises are already many-fold. 'The Movement Towards a Free Confederation' released a statement shortly after the announcement criticizing the Secretary for "belligerent behavior" and that the Axifloan Confederation "must practice exercises of peace, not war."

 

[Serbovia]

Ministry of External Affairs
Federated Social-Nationalist Republics of Serbovia

While in recognition of Axifloa's right as a sovereign state to conduct military maneuvers of a peaceful nature as the Confederal government sees fit, His Excellency the Supreme Leader will in the interests of European geopolitical stability point out that such maneuvers in the Serbovian Bay could be interpreted as being of a provocative nature.

In order to deflect any such suspicions the Supreme Leader would like to propose observership of these naval exercises by officers of the High Command. A similar courtesy would be rendered upon equivalent Confederal officers in the event of Serbovian military exercises of a similar character.

Regards,
Daniel Nemanjic,
Minister of External Affairs

 

[Josepania]

Secretary of Foreign Affairs

It is the wish of the Confederate Congress and their Majesties, the Heads of Government of the member-states, that the sovereign Federated Social-Nationalist Republics of Serbovia not feel threatened by these exercises, and as such will extend invitation of observation of these exercises, secure in the knowledge that future exercises, naval, aerial or land-based, by the Serbovian government will be observed by Confederate officers.

Sincerely,
Ernestito Morána
Secretary of Foreign Affairs

 

[Thaumantica]

Herald of the Union

Motions to permit public personnel to openly demonstrate their political passion has been recognized by our Blue Union, democracy and free expression from the people is a notion your northern neighbors can support on a fundamental level.

Security of such events or demonstrations is paramount, and we recognize this as well, the red communist threat to our basic civil liberties, free market, and physical persona can only warrant careful observation. We fought long and hard during the Great War to keep the Red Scourge at bay, we of the Blue Union, thus it is a domestic imperative that the Axifloan Confederation does not allow itself to be stained a deadly red.

Bojnik Konavle,
Herald for the Union of 2009

 

[Josepania]

The Confederate Bulletin
Est. 1840



Democratic Demonstrations Dispersed After Communist Provocation​

Despite promises by the 'Movement Towards A Free Confederation' that the demonstrations would be peaceful, only after three hours the demonstrations were dispersed after clashes occurred between the demonstrators and Confederate law enforcement, starting in the Avelian capital city of Aguabajo and spreading to Mittelberg, Seran, and Axiflos itself. With tear gas and water cannons the agitated demonstrators were dispersed, and hundreds of arrests were made.

The head of Avelian Police released a short statement, saying that it is their current belief that "communists are behind this unfortunate incident." According to the head, several arrested demonstrators have admitted to being communist infiltrators and their mission was "to provoke the Democrats into pre-maturely challenging the so-called 'capitalist monarchists' and, following the expected crackdown, drive them into the arms of underground communist movements."

Some demonstrators have claimed that it was the law enforcement personnel that began the clashes, but the Avelian Police Chief replied to these accusations with one word. "Nonsense."

Naval Exercises A "Sweeping Success"​

The Secretary of the Confederate Navy stated that the two-day long naval exercises were a "sweeping success" and that the crews "executed their orders swiftly, competently, and flawlessly." All done under the watchful eyes of the Secretary of War, His Majesty King Philip VIII of Avelion, and several Serbovian naval officers, on the request of the Supreme Leader of Serbovia.

Involving a large fraction of the Confederate Navy, from the mightiest battleship to the smallest corvette, this was the largest Confederate naval exercise in over thirty years, and while there had been concerns that the long gap of such an extensive exercise would affect performance, such concerns proved unfounded.

And, as promised by the Confederate Congress, these exercises were completely peaceful, and fears of an impending naval attack on our neighbors were proved as nonsense, the Confederate policy of armed neutrality prohibiting aggressive warmaking under any circumstances.

 

[Serenierre]

Foreign Office

The communist interference in the democratic demonstration shows clearly the threat which is faced by civilized states from the Red menace.

 

[Miroslavl]

Ministry of International Relations

The Soviet Republic urges the Axifloan Confederation to be more honest about it's anti-opposition activities. There's no need for deception when it comes to suppressing dissenters.

 

[Serbovia]

Ministry of External Affairs
Federated Social-Nationalist Republics of Serbovia

We expect the Axifloan authorities to be able to ensure public order in the country.

Regards,
Daniel Nemanjic
Minister of External Affairs

 

[Josepania]

The Confederate Bulletin
Est. 1840



Confederate Congress Begins Crafting Anti-Communist Bill​

With the memories of the democratic demonstation disaster fresh for all Confederates, the Confederate Congress has announced the beginnings of a bill that makes it treasonous to be communist, and those who are guilty of such beliefs will be deported from the Confederacy or, if found guilty of additional crimes of sedition, will receive harsher sentences.

Communism has been, at best, a constant thorn in the side of all loyal Confederates, and at worst, the greatest threat to our prosperity and freedom. As well as the demonstration disaster, no Confederate can ever forget the Great War, a war that almost tore apart our Confederacy, but instead solidly united us against one foe: the tyranny of the so called "Dictatorships of the Proletariat".

With this bill, says one Congressman, "No longer will we have to fear the corruption of the Reds. We will boot them all out and make our Confederacy a stronger, freer Confederacy." Initial support of the bill from the latest polls have indicated that it is high, however, it is not without critics, one coming from a representative of the 'Movement Towards A Free Confederation'. "While I am not opposed to the idea of curtailing communism, how can we be sure the Confederate Congress will stop there? Next it will be Socialists, then Social Democrats, Liberals, maybe even us, should we make too much noise. This bill has the very real danger of putting too much power into the hands of the monarchist Confederate Congress, and we all must make sure that this power, despite the noble reasoning behind it, must remain true to its purpose and not extend its reach to other 'undesirables'..."

No comment has been obtained as of late to this criticism by the Confederate Congress.

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Commissariate for Foreign Affairs

We most strongly condemn this recent move to eliminate all remaining political freedom within the Axifloan Confederation.

 

[Serbovia]

Ministry of External Affairs
Federated Social-Nationalist Republics of Serbovia
Delivered by diplomatic courier from the Serbovian embassy

The Supreme Leader understands the precarities of the internal situation facing Axifloa and is confident in the Confederate government's ability to solve this predicament in a correct and speedy manner, as well as its ability to take needed action to assure stability of the country.

Regards,
Aleksandra Kovacevic,
Ambassador of the FSNRS to the Axifloan Confederation

 

[Josepania]

The Confederate Bulletin
Est. 1840



Council of Nations Membership Debated in Congress​

Alongside the controversial piece of anti-communist legislation being debated in the Confederate Congress, another piece of legislation is being debated, legislation that is perhaps as controversial, if not moreso. It is a bill that authorizes the Axifloan Confederation to apply for membership in the international group, the Council of Nations, established immediately after the Great War.

In the interests of national sovereignty, the Axifloan Confederation declined membership then, and all other tentative steps to join since then have been rejected by the Confederate Congress, or by the Council of Nations due to the vague nature of the composition of the Axifloan Confederation. Namely, is the Confederation a union of five states, or an alliance of five nations, and from that, should the Confederation get only one vote, or five?

This question is still asked often by citizens of the Confederation, as the union has had a troubled past, and only after the unifying experience of the Great War has this union seemed strong. Even the Constitution of the Confederation gives only vague answers that are contested by the two sides of this argument, Unionists and Sovereigns.

In the bill itself is a proposed article that is clearly Unionist, stating that the Confederation would seek only one vote in the Council of Nations, an article that has sparked the fiercest debate amongst members of the Confederate Congress. Representatives from the Kingdom of Avelion and Grand Duchy of Remus have expressed cautious support for this article, but representatives from the Reich of Seran and Empire of Yaman have expressed condemnation of the same article. Axifloa representatives appear to be the swing votes, as their opinions on the article have not yet been published.

This split has provoked fears of the beginnings of a third end of the union of five nations, as the split is remeniscient of the first Crisis of the Coalition in 1836, when an assassination of a leading Yamani diplomat led to Yaman's secession from the Coalition, followed swiftly by the Reich of Seran. Congressmen and women from both sides of the debate have been swift to silence such fears, reaffirming their support towards the Confederation.

Those fears have not been completely silenced however, as the debate continues to be loud and inconclusive over one of the hottest topics of the Axifloan Confederation.

 

[Thaumantica]

Herald of the Union

Coincidence, our victorious Union does not view the parallel path which we are currently sharing with the Confederation as mere coincidence. Debates over participation within the Council of Nations, and a necessity to take a tough stance on Communism which dares to fund Terrorist activities of a most perverse degree.

It is of course obvious that it will be up to strong Unions like our own to crush the Communist Cronies who threaten our way of life, though we would be foolish not to suggest one another that two like minded Central European Powers could do a great service to the international community by teaming up in Wiese to make the Council of Nations a more efficient entity.

Bojnik Konavle,
Herald for the Union of 2009

 

[Josepania]

Statement by the Confederate Congress

Rarely do we consider the words of non-Confederates as having any meaning within the borders of our noble union. But the Blue Union has proved time and time again that it is not like other foreign entities, it stands with the Axifloan Confederation while respecting our unalienable sovereignty.

With this in mind, as well as the legitimate points the Blue Union makes about the paths our two unions go down, their words shall be heeded, as will their actions in the coming days. Along with this, we in the Axifloan Confederation shall endeavor to walk forward, confident the decisions we reach at the ends of these paths will be wise and true, and also confident that this union can never be separated again, no matter what is thrown at it.

 

[Josepania]

Ministry of External Affairs
Federated Social-Nationalist Republics of Serbovia
Delivered by diplomatic courier from the Serbovian embassy

The Supreme Leader understands the precarities of the internal situation facing Axifloa and is confident in the Confederate government's ability to solve this predicament in a correct and speedy manner, as well as its ability to take needed action to assure stability of the country.

Regards,
Aleksandra Kovacevic,
Ambassador of the FSNRS to the Axifloan Confederation

Secretary of Foreign Affairs

The Axifloan Confederation is thankful for the unwavering confidence the Federated Social-Nationalist Republics of Serbovia, represented by the Supreme Leader, has in our efforts to solve the Red Question, and will endeavor to see that our efforts are successful and stability will thrive once more in our noble union.

Sincerely,
Ernestito Morána
Secretary of Foreign Affairs

 

[Josepania]

The Confederate Bulletin
Est. 1840



Outrage In Międzymorze​

A blow to the idea of the Confederation involving itself in foreign affairs was struck today, as five female Yamani physicians working in Międzymorze to contain the "Slavic Flu", were kidnapped, gang-raped, beaten, and left for dead at the residence of their colleagues by a terrorist, Muslim group.

The physicians, whose identities have been withheld for security and respect for them and their families, were part of a group of fifty men and women, all practicing Muslims, sent to Misłika, Międzymorze, to assist in the innoculation of the residents, who have been resisting efforts on the part of the Crown of Międzymorze for religious and nationalistic reasons. The perpetrators of this barbaric crime against our citizens are a radical Pan-Turkic Islamist movement called "Dar al-Islam". It is reported by officials from Międzymorze that those involved in this crime have been arrested and executed, and that further crack downs are expected.

Apologies and compensation have been offered by the Crown of Międzymorze to both the Yamani government and the families of the five victims, both of which have been accepted by the Supreme Khanzhar, Peter XIX. The Khanzhar, however, has also made some waves by vowing that the group "Dar al-Islam be wiped off the face of the planet" and that the Empire of Yaman to offer its "cooperation and assistance in any manner to further crack down on this... 'society', that committed these acts.", clearly going above the heads of the Confederation as a whole.

The Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Ernestito Morána, was swift to rebuke the Khanzhar, if not directly. In a statement, he said, "While we share the Supreme Khanzhar's intent of suspending further activities in Miedzymorze until the situation improves, we also, as a whole, view Miedzymorzie affairs as their own affairs, and will not involve ourselves in any manner unless requested to, and even then, only if all members of the Confederation agree to."

It is expected that Yamani representatives in the Confederate Congress will be calling for a heeding of the Supreme Khanzhar's declarations, but it is also expected that other members of the Confederation will be reluctant, at best, to do so. One political analyst says, "If anything, this is a disaster for the idea of the Axifloan Confederation involving itself abroad, and I'll personally be most surprised if it turns out otherwise."

The Yamani physicians have had their work suspended until further notice, and are expected to return to the Confederation quickly, "until the situation improves" as the Secretary of Foreign Affairs stated. Some expect, however, that the situation can only get worse from here.

 

[Josepania]

The Confederate Bulletin
Est. 1840



Životinje and Volga Edging Towards War?​

Diplomatic drama grips the world as the Union Confidential, one of the major news organizations in Životinje, leaks confidential reports of a Union Operative in Bolghast, the capital city of the Red Republic of Volga, detailing plans for an invasion of Volga.

Also included in the reports were refusals by unnamed Confederate representatives to allow Životinje to use Confederate soil as a possible staging point for the invasion. Quoting from the Union Confidential, the representatives stated that they "[do] not trust the Union enough to allow a single soldier pass through our sovereign territories, nor our majestic seas. If the Blue’s want a crack at Volga, it will be through Oikawa." Confederate officials, contacted by the Confederate Bulletin, would neither confirm or deny that they were indeed contacted by Životinje about an invasion of Volga, instead releasing a statement that read in part, "Confederate soil, sovereign and untouched by the boots of foreign soldiers for over six decades, shall remain sovereign and untouched while it is in our best interests. And getting ourselves involved, passively or agressively, in a foreign war is not, at this time, in our best interests."

According to the Union Confidential, military officials from Životinje speculate that “Anything less then a blunt attack from the East would be a grave mistake on our [Životinje's] part", clearly implying that an attack may still be imminent, but this time from Oikawan-controlled Volga. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Ernestito Morána, stated in reply to questions of this nature, that "The Axifloan Confederation, striving for peace within and abroad, but also respecting the sovereignty of our neighbors, hope that this crisis is resolved without incident, and should war come, the Confederation will not send our men and women to die in some foreign conflict not in our best interests."

Nevertheless, there are more and more reports of mobilization coming in the wake of these news, mainly for the navy and the marines. When asked about it, military officials confirmed that low level mobilizations are in effect, but they are insistent that it is to maintain Confederate security of our borders in the event of war between our two neighbors, and that the Axifloan Confederation has no intention of actively involving itself in conflict.

Council of Nations Membership Bill Narrowly Approved by Confederate Congress​

In internal news, stunning success for Council of Nations Unionists as the Confederate Congress passes a bill that would authorize the Axifloan Confederation to join the international organization, the Council of Nations. And with membership, the Confederation would seek only one vote in the General Assembly, while compromising with Sovereignists by also calling for five representatives, one from each member state, and every vote cast by the Confederation would have to be agreed upon by an absolute majority of four representatives to one, or the Confederation would abstain in the vote.

The vote itself is rather peculiar; representatives from the Kingdom of Avelion, Grand Duchy of Remus, and City-State of Axiflos voted in favor, while the Empire of the Tribes of Yaman and Reich of Seran, instead of voting against the bill, abstained, making the vote technically unopposed and therefore allowed to become law. Political analysts state that this was the best Unionists could hope for, as Yaman and Seran have always been staunch Sovereignists, and it was the best way for them to save face, by refusing to oppose the bill but also to refuse supporting it.

Many speculate that, along with the compromise of five representatives, there were agreements made for the upcoming votes on the Anti-Communist Bill, which would arrest and deport all communists from the Confederation, and for debate on Yamani calls to offer assistance to Miedzymorze in response to the savaging of five female Yamani doctors there. No officials would confirm or deny these speculations, stating that all "should focus instead on this historic event, and how that event has once again shown that the Confederation, unlike its ancestor the Coalition, is solid and unbreakable."

The official application to join the Council of Nations is to begin on January 1st, 2010.

 

[Anglyn]

Foreign Office

His Majesty's government is relieved to hear the the Confederation will remain neutral and will not get involved if conflict erupts between the Blue Union and the Red Republic.

The Rt Hon. Ian MacKenzie
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs