Wieserreichische Welle: Germania: Augsburg in Transalpine talks with Christiansborg?

[Wieserreich]

War Ministry announces 40 missile tests for 2010
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The Imperial Ministry for War has announced a series of ballistic and cruise missile tests to be held throughout the year 2010, following the unwarranted and aggressive missile tests by a wide array of European countries, among them Meribia, Hajr, Belmont, and others.

The War Ministry announced a sum of 40 missile tests this year, the majority of which being allegedly "tactical ballistic missiles." The reference of a "strategic cruise missile" is making analysts highly suspicious as to the nature and the intention of the weapon in question. The first three tests are set to take place the upcoming weekend, Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 January.

The missiles were confirmed to be of both tactical and strategic nature, and to be tested by both the Heer and the Luftstreitkräfte. Of the 40 missile tests to be held this year, averaging 3,3 tests per month, according to today's announcement, almost all will include Landwehr personnel, and about a quarter will include Landsturm personnel in support roles.

The exact nature of the missiles to be tested remains unknown, and it is speculated that there might also be the unveiling of a long-expected R-85 ballistic missile among them, the speculated successor to the R-75A1 Lanze that is in service with the Kaiserliches Heer since 1995.

The R-75 Lanze was designed by Thießen Heavy Industries and formally entered service in 1995 to replace the ageing R-65 Schwert tactical ballistic missile, which entered service in 1972. The Lanze is thought to have a range exceeding that of 120 kilometres (75 miles). The development status of the R-85, a missile first referred to in 2003, as well as its adoption name by the Reichswehr, remain unknown.
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Reichstag, Reichstag in administrative reform clash
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The Imperial Diet and the Imperial Council are clashing with the Imperial Cabinet once again, this time over the government-suggested "Franz Joseph" administrative reform. The arguments stem from the controversial election reform tied to the "Franz Joseph", as well as alleged infringement of the rights of state governments.

Named after Emperor Francis Joseph the First (r. 1810 - 1850) who reformed the administrative functions of the Empire during his early reign, the "Franz Joseph" is a proposed legislation which strengthens central government control over the finances of the individual states, changes the election law, and sets the foundations of a centralised education system as opposed to the current regional, Imperial-regulated system.

The Reichsrat (Imperial Council, where the elected representatives from the states are placed) and the Reichstag (Imperial Diet, where nobility and clergy continue to form the upper house of Wiese's legislature) are opposing the measures, feeling there is unnecessary strengthening of the central government in Wiese and weakening their fundamental rights.

It should be noted that the legislation is not enjoying much support with the reigning Imperial People's Party either, whereas the Imperial Palace has yet to present its official position.

In the other news:
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• Society: Banned anarchist terror group "Nuclei of Fire" vows for re-appearance, Police promises crackdown.
  
• Sports: ZSKH beats Löwen 4 - 1 in Erfurt.
  
• Economy: Wieser defence and arms manufacturing firms to attend Hajri IMEX.
  
• Culture: Nymphenburg Royal Palace museum to host "History of the Council of Nations" expo.
  

 

[Wieserreich]

Partners agree to speed up A400M deployment
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Joint German aerospace giant VRL, parent company of Eurofighter and Airbus, has announced it has come in agreement with the governments of Franken, Eiffelland and Wiese to speed up the Airbus Military A400M project by several weeks, which was previously scheduled to launch in late February 2010.

The A400M has been marketed by VRL as an all-new, radical military transport, with a unit price reaching €100 million in certain designations. With the ongoing international crisis among several countries in the waters of Batavia, VRL parents have shown determination to proceed with quicker deployment of the aircraft.

The increased funding will also affect the delivery dates of aircraft for Anglia, Belmont and Batavia as well, which have also pre-purchased A400M transports. With priority to the needs of the Franken, Eiffelland and Imperial air forces, however, these deliveries are not expected to begin before spring or summer 2010.

Previously offset by delays, the A400M programme entered its final countdown in late 2009, when it was announced that the first aircraft would be delivered to the Imperial Air Force of Wiese in late February 2010. Its launch customers include Wiese, Franken, Eiffelland, Belmont, Batavia and Anglia.
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Batavia Crisis leads to increased military alert
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The ongoing crisis in Batavia and tensions in the Council of Nations have upped national military alerts, as well as the alerts of the Nymphenburg Palace police forces at the Council of Nations headquarters. Several countries have, thus far, announced they will dispatch a big number of aircraft carrier battle groups off the shores of Batavia.

Imperial Chancellor von Baden has affirmed Wiese's neutrality in the conflict, and announced that the national military organisations will see increased security and alerts. This will include increased border patrols from both major branches of the military, and especially on the borders with AGE or LFS countries, which spearhead the Batavian Crisis events.

Baden announced that the military would not proceed to any pre-emptive buildups near the borders, however, and stated that only readiness has been increased, with no reserves actually called up to active service, from neither the Landwehr nor the Landsturm. Civil Defence has, however, lodged a warning, announcing that public bunkers are fully prepared in the event of any war, and recommends private bunkers and shelters are fully stocked up, just in case missiles start flying among trigger-happy alliances.

In the other news:
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• Society: Anarchist trials proceed in Mecklenburg.
  
• Sports: ZSKH 'to win 2009-2010 championship' says team coach.
  
• Economy: Augsburg Stock Exchange (ASX) sees very positive results after sessions for the past week.
  
• Culture: 2010 Short Film Awards nominations begin in Thuringia.
  

 

[Thaumantica]

Herald for the Union

With neither haste nor glee, Union forces shall also increase readiness along our borders and beyond. It would do our nation wise to observe and follow Wiese to certain ends for the duration of this potential conflict

 

[Wieserreich]

First A400M rolls out from production lines
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The first production Airbus Military A400M rolled out from production lines from the VRL factories in Preßburg, with the presence of the mass media and Imperial Minister for War Maximilian von Bumgarner and VRL and Airbus Military executives. The production had seen limited acceleration recently after the VRL partner states decided to speed up matters due to the ongoing crisis in Batavia.

The first aircraft is expected to begin trials for Wiese's Imperial Air Force the coming week, and its maiden flight will be the upcoming Wednesday when it will fly from the VRL assembly line in Preßburg to its designated military airbase, which currently remains secret and undisclosed to the public. According to an Airbus Military spokesman, production is already commencing for Eiffelland's and Franken's orders as well, with Anglia, Belmont and Batavia all on schedule.

The A400M is the first all-new military transport aircraft in almost three decades, and the first official product of the newborn Airbus Military branch of the multinational aerospace giant VRL, which is also the owner of Airbus, Eurocopter, Eurofighter and VRL Astrium. The aircraft had seen several delays due to its engines, which were only resolved the past winter.
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War Ministry considers increasing enlisted reserve obligations
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The Imperial Ministry for War is officially considering the possibility of increasing reserve obligations for enlisted personnel who finish their term, currently until their 40th birthday. Although ten years behind the contemporary Anbat and Vangala law, and five years behind Hajr's, Wiese continues to retain Europe's most intensive conscription laws.

Unofficial estimates want the Reichswehr and the Landwehr to maintain around 2 million servicemen, the majority of whom are "voluntary conscripts" in accordance with the peculiar Imperial draft system. As many as 11 million other Wiese subjects are written in the Landsturm's catalogues, aged 21 to 40 (60 for officers.)

The official data for Wiese's military, including manpower details, remain a well-guarded state secret.

In the other news:
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• Society: Halle mayor expresses concern over Imperial and Zivotinje patrols increase, calls international leaders for caution and reason.
  
• Sports: Zenit Oldenburg wins women's championship, defeating ZSKH 3-1 in Augsburg.
  
• Economy: KEF makes major Talemantros investment, officially enters oil production abroad. Franken shipping companies thought to handle ferrying.
  
• Culture: Singer Nena to represent Wiese in Belmont's Eurovision Song Contest with her 1980's classic "99 Luftballons" to be sung in German and French.
  

 

[Wieserreich]

15 year old harassed repeatedly by schoolmates
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It is not common to hear about bullying in Wiese schools even though conditions are not in favour of such petty things, but it has been a while since something as decisive as what happened at an unnamed school in the Duchy of Schaumburg, centred around the 15 year old Henrietta and three of her schoolmates. The names have been changed to hide the participants' identities according to a Schaumburg Police directive.

"Abuse" in the vocabulary of the education system means any case from bullying to actual abuse, and young Henrietta faced both the past months at the hands of her three schoolmates. The 15 year old girl, who belongs to a non-German ethnic minority, was repeatedly bullied by the kids.

"My classmates did not approve of my style and attitude, and decided to... uh... well, apparently do something about it" explains young Henrietta. "Every day they would force me to do their homework, buy their lunch from their own money, and threatened me that if I did not they would do indecent things. Eventually they began touching me in inappropriate places and put pressure on me to do sinful things."

The story ended last Friday when Henrietta finally talked to her parents and school teachers, who contacted the school board and local police about it. Although it has thus far not turned out that the three boys have broken any actual laws through their behaviour, they have indefinitely been suspended from school until investigations conclude, and may face charges of sexual harassment.

The three boys and their parents were not available for comments.
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Reichsrat denies reserve obligations increase
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The lower house of the Imperial legislative bodies has decisively rejected alleged War Ministry plans to increase the reserve obligations of all Landsturm personnel who were enlisted during their Reichswehr or Landwehr service. The proposals from the War Ministry included plans to expand Landsturm retirement age for enlisted personnel from 40 to 50.

"There had been no formal proposal by the War Ministry but it was pre-emptively rejected" commented CDU politician and Council member Franz Bamberger. The vote held in the Reichsrat concluded with an advisory text supported by 52% of the members - short of the 55% majority required to make it compulsory, but definitely a painful blow to KVP government policies.

The KVP, which has the plurality in the Reichsrat with 35% of the seats and strong support in the Reichstag, has pledged to increase military retirement age to ones closer to other professions'. Normal retirement age in Wiese is at 70 for most professions, but ex-servicemen can retire from their military obligations at 40, and their full-time employment at 65. Reserve officers can retire from both at the age of 60.

KVP's coalition partner CDU has, thus far, rejected such plans, claiming the KVP proposal is undermining the integrity and effectiveness of the Imperial war machine in peace and war alike.

In the other news:
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• Society: Train accident near Erfurt kills 2, injures 15. Investigations underway by Thuringian state police.
  
• Sports: ZSKH to face Zenit next Sunday in men's football championship finals. Cup finals held the weekend after, between Bochum and Arsnberg.
  
• Economy: Finance minister promises to attract foreign investment. "Wiese is a lucrative target" he says, citing decent incomes, beneficial exchange rates, historical experience and reliability, and attractive tourist destinations.
  
• Culture: Nena concert scheduled in Regensburg for 1 May. Local philharmonic orchestra to participate.
  

 

[Calidia]

Royal Office of External Affairs

We wish the Wiesen police forces the best of luck in destroying the anarchist threat.

 

[Wieserreich]

Cassiopeia concerned over Wiese missile shield objections
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With Cassiopeia and Zivotinje planning a ballistic missile defence shield over Sarmatia and the Imperial government at Augsburg criticising the decision as a counter-productive one, Cassiopeian media outlet Zielone Srodki Gwiazdy have highlighted stress within Wiese's large eastern neighbour. Zielone Srodki Gwiazdy has, in a recent article, highlighted the Empire alongside LFS's traditional enemy Kyiv, in the area of "paranoia" concerning the proposed Sarmatian missile shield.

The news outlet sparked Chancellor von Baden's reaction, who was quick to highlight the reason behind Wiese's concerns. According to the Chancellor, "a missile shield can only increase tensions, given the fact it forms a strategic defence against an otherwise credible and effective deterrent" and "the application of such defensive measures can only increase tensions in the Sarmatian region as a result."

Kyiv was quick to respond with orders from its leadership to accelerate its own ballistic missile defence programme. The Commandery's Generalissimo Tarassenko personally called for a demonstration programme of the proposed Kyivan missile defence, which is expected to rise more tensions between Kyiv and the League of Free States.

Wiese itself lacks a dedicated ballistic missile defence programme, though the War Ministry has been quick to highlight the powerful anti-missile capabilities of the R-300 and R-400 air defence systems, especially against tactical missiles.

"The Söldner and Doppelsöldner systems currently in service allow our country to main a comparatively high ballistic defence capability" commented War Minister Maximilian von Bumgarner, "however the ongoing Sarmatian missile shield programmes in Kyiv, Cassiopeia and Zivotinje require a multinational response of equal magnitude, if the Reichswehr is to be expected to give similar defensive coverage to Wieser cities."

What is to happen remains a mystery, however the Reichswehr is expected to give a decisive response to Wiese's international peers, as a guarantee of the country's independence and sovereignty and a warning to whoever might wish ill of the country and its well-being.
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Wiese demographics at good condition, says Government
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The Ministry for the Interior has released demographic data for the last half of 2009, with its conclusion being that "the country's demographics are at a very good condition." Particular highlighting has been given to the increasing fertility rates, with average fertility rates being 2.01 children per Wieser woman.

Of the 10% of the country's population that belong to various minorities, Jews have first place with 3 children per woman, Thuringia's and Schaumburg's Slavs and Wieser Oikawans share second place in fertility ratings, averaging 2.5 children per woman, and Portuguese Saxons have the lowest at only 1.2 children per woman, far below national averages.

"It is most fortunate that we are not facing a demographic crisis in the future, but even so, caution is strongly recommended. Further support needs to be given by the state to families, which form the most important unit in Wieser society" commented Dr. Angela Schmidt of the Royal University of Swabia.

In the other news:
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• Society: Civil Defence to hold nation-wide shelter and siren tests through the coming week.
  
• Sports: Merkel wins silver medal in men's biathlon in Marquette Winter Olympics. Sachs comes just short of a bronze in women's biathlon, ranking fourth.
  
• Economy: Rathenau Gruppe opens new factory in Oldenburg. The Eiffellandish corporation also has factories in Halle, Duisburg, Magdeburg and Anhalt.
  
• Culture: Nena's "99 Luftballons" rises to third place in weekly charts, expected to go up further.
  

 

[Wieserreich]

Civil Defence to hand ABM network to Air Force
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The country's Anti-Ballistic Missile Defence Network, consisting of several early warning systems and over-the-horizon radars, will be formally transferred from the Civil Defence to the AIr Force on 1 March, announced War and Interior Ministry officials today at a press conference in Augsburg. For now, operating personnel will continue to be members of the Landsturm, however they will be subject to direct Reichswehr control according to the announcement.

Wiese has no plans or current capabilities for an advanced ballistic missile defence beyond the R-300 and R-400 missiles, which are allegedly capable of defeating short-range ballistic missiles, however the country has traditionally had an important radar network to give it early warning of missile attacks at or over its territory. It has traditionally been a part of the country's extensive bunker network, which is said to cover up to 85 percent of Wiese's population.

In addition to the transfer, the Interior Ministry and the Air Force will work to fund together an expansion of the OTH radar network, and modernise its more ageing parts with new technologies. A significant part of the expansion will be classified, according to official admittances from the War Ministry, implying darker schemes in the works.

"The transfer of the OTH radar network to the Air Force signifies a more militant approach to defence, and I do believe our military leaders use this as a form of political response to the Zivotinje-Cassiopeia ballistic missile defence system" explains WW-Welt's defence analyst Hans Goebbels. "The High Command could use this network to monitor military or civilian flights beyond our borders and respond to them well in advance in the case of a crisis."
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New bunker network close to completion, says official
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There is a new expansion of the country's bunker network under construction according to an unnamed War Ministry official, who cited that progress was being made since around 2008. According to the information WW-Welt has received, the new expansions concern certain sites throughout the country and will remain in Reichswehr rather than Landsturm or Interior Ministry hands.

"The bunker network is of purely military rather than civilian nature, contrary to the existing extensive system, and will be completed between 2010 and 2011" our informer stressed. "Thus far the Civil Defence network is not militarised to an extensive degree, but this is a significant break from existing habits. The new expansion will have a major defensive value, and beyond."

In the other news:
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• Society: Three arrested in Magdeburg over "plotting and scheming against His Majesty."
  
• Sports: ZSKH wins men's football championship after astounding 5-1 victory over Zenit in Augsburg.
  
• Economy: Construction sector sees stocks boost after new bunker network expansion rumours.
  
• Culture: Armed Forces Choir to hold rare concert in Erfurt, Thuringia, on 1 April.
  

 

[Thaumantica]

SECURITY STATUS: Transparent
DATE: February 2010

CONCERNING: Kaisertum Wieserreich
HAILING FROM: Plavo Sindikat Kapetanija od Životinje
SUBJECT MATTER: Anti-Ballistics

Respectively the Union government, population, and military have noted a neighbors aggressive change to a more militant approach in defense procedure. It would seem naive to suggest that the programs Wiese and Kyiv are now announcing were thoughts on the drawing board mere weeks ago, when the Sarmatian Anti-Ballistics Shield was suggested by Životinje to Cassiopeia publicly. Suggested verbally, without the logistics, contracts, or even negotiated neutrality established between these nations, who have yet to even agree on a neutral placing and timing for a diplomatic exchange, where we might attempt to mull over a century of tension.

Rightfully so, we shudder at the contemplation over what would happen if Životinje, or any other regional power revealed a real working defense system, mega-weapon, or for comedies sake a mass grave. What might Wiese feel it prudent and well timed to reveal in response to any of these actually existent pieces of hard evidence?

Freedom First,
Bojnik Konavle,
Herald for the Union

 

[Wieserreich]

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Reichsministerium des Auswärtigen
Imperial Ministry for Foreign Affairs
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"I would like to assure our friends at the Blue Union that the Empire maintains highly defensive approach in its security matters, and has no plans to actually earn the enmity of its neighbours. His Imperial Majesty's Cabinet of Ministers is following international developments on the other side of our borders.

"It is our position that the defensive programmes under the supervision of the Imperial Ministry for War are under no circumstances threatening to our neighbouring countries. The transfer of the country's early warning systems from Civil Defence to the Air Force is a matter of doctrinal and organisational change and is, by no means, a move meant to put pressure on other countries.

"Following our long, national tradition of defence and independence, the Empire has been undertaking programmes of significant defensive and economic value for many decades now, especially in response to international proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their increasingly capable means of delivery. This has been long done both in the form of active as well as passive defences, such as our military forces and our country's fallout shelter network, for which we are most notable for.

"Over-the-horizon RADAR systems have been developed for decades and have various civilian and military applications. Our network is by no means new, nor is it linked to the recent exchange of verbal and political fire between certain nations elsewhere in Europe, and had by no means been kept as a secret for obvious and practical reasons and purposes.

"In that you must realise that our defensive capabilities are strictly and solely for the purpose of defending our beloved Empire from unwarranted aggression, rather than gain an advantage over an enemy we currently both lack and have no intention of making.

"His Excellence the Imperial Chancellor Otto Graf von Baden offers to meet your ambassador to our capital in order to hold bilateral discussions to better-assure you of our pacifist and peace-loving intentions, and the defensive applications behind our defence networks.

"His Imperial Majesty's Cabinet is looking forward to a response from our neighbours' government."

Regards,
Heinrich Maximilian Graf von und zu Babelfisch
Imperial Minister for Foreign Affairs

 

[Wieserreich]

Emperor summons Shcherbatskayan ambassador in Palace
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With the Shcherbatskayan envoy to the Council of Nations Countess Inguna Gulbis beginning discussions over the relocation of the Council of Nations headquarters to 'neutral' territory and openly calling Wiese 'neither an Empire nor neutral' His Imperial Majesty Friedrich Wilhelm II has personally summoned her Augsburg counterpart the Shcherbatskayan ambassador to Wiese to his quarters in the Palace, demanding a detailed explanation of the comments and the Shcherbatskayan government position.

Tensions are flaring up in the Council of Nations, with Shcherbatskaya's mission openly aligning the Empire with the European Defence Federation, of which several Wieser business partners and primarily Franken and Eiffelland are members of. The link was expanded to the political and military spheres despite the fact Wiese does not enjoy the privileges of full membership in the EDF, and has caused great distress with Wieser society as well as politics.

Archduke Joseph, His Imperial Majesty's Envoy to the Council of Nations, responded ferociously, and stated that 'the Empire takes grand insult' at the Shcherbatskayan's words, and openly accused Shcherbatskaya of having hidden 'sponsors' behind this latest proposal of its ambassador to the CON.

The bulk of the Assembly's stance remains to be seen, but thus far Radilo and the Talemantrine Empire have stood by the Empire's position, and Shcherbatskaya persists in its groundless insults that are already flooding past the limit of tolerance according to Foreign Ministry officials. If anything, however, the slightest support by EDF countries is expected to be seen as "alignment of Wiese with the EDF" by the irrational Shcherbatskayans.

A400M begins routine missions with Air Force
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The multinational project aircraft by VRL's subsidiary Airbus Military, the A400M, has began its routine mission flights with the Imperial Air Force roughly a month after beginning serial production and with the first aircraft accepted into service. The A400M has been ordered by Wiese and several international customers including Batavia, Eiffelland, Belmont, Franken and Anglia, proving to be a profitable business project for Airbus Military.

The Airbus A400M is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. It was designed by Airbus Military to replace or supplement aircraft used in the tactical airlifter role. It will increase the airlift capacity and range compared with the aircraft it was originally set to replace, the older versions of the Hercules and Transall. Cargo capacity is expected to double over existing aircraft, both in payload and volume, and range is in

In the other news:
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• Society: Anarchist crackdown begins in Thuringia using Imperial units following intel from local police.
• Sports: ZSKH and Zenit compete in player-hunting just before the new transfer season is formally initiated.
• Economy: H&K sees profits and stock market boosts following increased interest on its firearms from the international community, and billions-worth business deals concluded and proposed.
• Culture: Nymphenburg Museum to undergo sudden maintenance, and to stay off-limits from the public until 1 July 2010.

 

[Serenierre]

Foreign Office
Classified | To the Wieser Foreign Minister

The recent proposal by the Shcherbatskayan representative to the Council of Nations has shocked us, here, in Paris. The Kingdom of Belmont would like to reassure the Government of Wiese that it has served as the most ideal place for the CoN and the Kingdom of Belmont shall oppose the Shcherbatskayan initiative and will stand alongside Wiese, and our other EDF allies.

Seeing that the last official visit by the Premier of Belmont took place in the 1970s, we request for a meeting between Premier Shahrazad Martinique and senior officials of the Wieser government to discuss matters of mutual concern.

Henri Salleme
Secretary to the Foreign Minister
Director of EDF Bureau​

 

[Telora]

Mansion Press Secretary Viktoria Creutz

"The President has no intention of re-considering the position of Telora with regards to Wiese neutrality. They remain a neutral state and a perfectly acceptable location for the CoN in our eyes."

 

[Wieserreich]

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Reichsministerium des Auswärtigen
Imperial Ministry for Foreign Affairs
*** CLASSIFIED ***
​

"Most esteemed Mr. Salleme,

"His Imperial Majesty's Cabinet of Ministers bids the graceful Belmontien nation our sincerest if belated regret for your losses in the recent terrorist attacks against your people. May all those responsible be caught and ounished with the utmost expedience, and may the ever-powerful sabre of justice fall upon their heads.

"We wish to thank you for your sincere support against the venomous slander spurt forth by the Shcherbatskayan envoy to the Council of Nations, and the ungrateful, unfriendly position of the Shcherbatskayan government. As the host country of the Council of Nations, Wiese will stand a secure and safe location for the headquarters, under the protection of the Imperial Police Corps and the Imperial Armed Forces.

"Last, but not least, it will be our honour to arrange a meeting between His Excellence the Imperial Chancellor and his Belmontien counterpart. Mr. von Baden would like to personally welcome Mr. Martinique in the city of Augsburg and discuss about all matters of common interest, whatever they might be.

"I look forward to the arrangement of your Premier's visit."

Regards,
Heinrich Maximilian Graf von und zu Babelfisch
Imperial Minister for Foreign Affairs

 

[Wieserreich]

Sarmatian nations on anti-EDF offensive in CoN
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Sarmatia['s national powers, spanning virtually the entire region from Cassiopeia to Vittoria, Zivotinje and Oltremare, have began a region-wide verbal offensive on the European Defence Federation in the halls of the General Assembly of the Council of Nations. The governments of the Sarmatian countries appear to be either genuinely concerned about the sudden expansion of EDF influence in the CoN, or as parts of a well-orchestrated political plot against the 'third bloc.'

Resorting to what virtually constitutes block-voting not unlike that of the EDF, the Sarmatian countries have gone as far as leading observers to openly questioning their real intentions and motivation behind their CoN membership.

From conspiracy theories of 'global puppeteers' to a militant approach of Germanian and Gallian proposals and positions, the Sarmatian delegates to the CoN headquarters in the Nymphenburg Palace near Augsburg,Swabia. Oltremare has gone as far as blaming 'the West' and 'Catholicism' as well, and in a very rare event, many Sarmatian countries, often noted for their anti-communist policies, openly supported Carentania's bid for Security Council membership to oppose that of Anbat, which is seen as 'tainted by EDF support.'

The concern expressed by the Sarmatians is shared by other countries, however, including sources from inside our very own government. 'Ministers' of the Imperial Cabinet who chose to remain anonymous, as well as prominent members from across the entire political spectrum of Wiese, have expressed concern over the recent developments, not in the least because our country's neutrality has come under open fire by powers such as Vittoria.

In a heated debate eventually closed by the Vice-Secretary of the CoN and Speaker of the General Assembly, Vittoria's ambassador openly called Wiese 'neither an Empire nor neutral' which sparked a furious reply by the Imperial Envoy to the Council of Nations, Archduke Joseph. Vittoria's ambassador went as far as threateningly questioning Wieser security. With the intervention of more level-headed powers such as Carentania, the Emperor's voice in the Council of Nations gave assurances to the international community about Wiese's neutrality and non-alignment.

This whole situation has sparked newborn interest in Sarmatia by the Imperial Ministry for Foreign Affairs, with Count von und zu Babelfisch allegedly saying he will personally pursue open bilateral talks between Wiese and Sarmatian governments in the near future, with the aim of repairing the recently deteriorating relations between them and the Empire. This alleged statement has neither been confirmed nor denied by either the Imperial Cabinet nor the Imperial Court.

WW-Welt will provide you with more information as the situation develops.

Imperial Army to hold trials for KMW Taurus
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KMW Taurus, the recent Leopard 1 total conversion available by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, is a very recent and thus far unsuccessful venture held by the noted Wieser industry, however KMW is now facing its first potential customer in the face of the Imperial Army of Wiese.

Sources from the Imperial Ministry for War state that the Army is going to hold closed trials for the KMW Taurus, and expressed that there is interest for all versions of the vehicle and especially ambulance and heavy APC versions. Its third version, dubbed a 'heavily armoured assault vehicle' under the name SSPz Taurus, might see service in light of the more recent trend towards focusing on augmenting its urban warfare capabilities.

The Taurus, if adopted for Army service, might see the Imperial Cabinet as a marketing sponsor, with potential customers including similarly-minded military forces with strong trends towards well-protecting their manpower, or military forces with large numbers of older Leopard 1 tanks available for conversion.

In the other news:
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• Society: Murder stuns Oldenburg, as a 39-year-old kills his 34-year-old wife in her sleep and subsequently notified the police and committed suicide. The murderer used an unlicensed shotgun as the weapon. The motives are still studied by local police authorities.
  
• Sports: 65th Pan-Wieser Sports Festival to begin in Erfurt on 1 May, including 568 athletes from all Imperial states.
  
• Culture: Actress Christina Schwarzwalder gives exclusive interview to WW-Welt.
  
• Security: The IMEX in Hajr concludes with five major contracts for the Hajri military, including for companies from Anbat, Franken, Kyiv, and Cassiopeia. No contracts awarded to Wieser companies, Foreign Ministry is 'disappointed.'
• Business: Heckler & Koch continues to surprise investors by securing new international contracts, most notably for its HK416 assault rifle to be exported to Marquette.
  
• World: Oltremare's government in major, militant anti-Catholic rant stuns Wieser public opinion. 'We brought it upon ourselves' comment citizens, referring to GA Resolution 59-1 proposed by the Imperial government.
  

 

[Wieserreich]

Military's awareness to refocus eastwards
​

The Imperial Army and the Imperial Air Force have been at a heightened state of alert for quite some time now amidst tensions in Batavia, which saw several aircraft carrier task-forces dispatched to the Scanian country, and its communist government collapsing with a new regime emerging in its place. The military forces are, however, about to refocus their awareness according to official War Ministry reports.

The entirety of the Reichswehr, along with the Landwehr and the Landsturm, are to see a switch of operational alert status and a general decrease of station alerts that was heightened for security reasons during the eve of the Batavian crisis, which has however died down thus far. The Reichswher and Landwehr, in particular, are to return to their peace-time alert status, except for the critical border sectors along Greater Sarmatia, Zivotinje and particularly Vittoria, where they will remain at heightened alert with increased border patrols. Local Landsturm mobilisation will be similarly affected, with the bulk of the force now able to enjoy their thaw amidst Easter holidays.

This move comes not long after the open threats by several Sarmatian countries before the Council of Nations, and especially from Vittoria, which introduced a failed attempt to debate the transfer of CoN headquarters from Augsburg to another location before the General Assembly. Vittorian criticism of Wiese and openly questioning the Empire's security capabilities have reportedly alarmed the Imperial Cabinet and the military alike, which are now moving to ensure there will be no nasty surprises from across the border.

The 'increased awareness project' as it has been termed by War Ministry officials will include large-scale war games in the Duchy of Braunschweig, which shares borders with Coronado, Vittoria and Zivotinje. The war games will be closed to foreign participation and will include some 2500 combat and support personnel from both major branches of service, and from all three military arms. In a rare move for such organised war games, the War Ministry has stated that journalists or the public will not be allowed to observe, and there will be 'absolutely no media reports' on the exact ongoings in them.

This move is expected to heat up the situation with Vittoria and perhaps other Sarmatian countries despite rumours that the Foreign Ministry is planning to arrange bilateral summits between Wiese's and various Sarmatian authorities.

Wiese's military figures remain a closely guarded state secret, but independent estimates want at least 500.000 troops with some 1.500.000 reservists in the hands of Augsburg. These figures reflect just Reichswehr and Landwehr personnel, and none of Landsturm's paramilitary forces or membership.

War Ministry accelerates air defence modernisation
​

With accusations from the Vittorian tsardom that Wieser security might be insufficient for the Council of Nations to maintain its headquarters in, the War Ministry has responded with a major acceleration of the ongoing modernisation of the air defence and anti-ballistic systems.

The planned and ongoing modernisation includes highly capable OTH radars, integration of newer and older air defence systems, and the expansion of the R-400 air defence system's operational capabilities with new, highly capable munitions of classified nature. As part of the modernisation, Wiese's Civil Defence radar network recently passed on to the hands of the Imperial Air Force in an internationally controversial move.

When asked about the ongoings, War Ministry officials played down the possibility of security breaches in the Central Germanian region. "This is a purely self-defensive move that cannot be interpreted as an act of aggression by any level-headed government, unless deliberately wished so" commented to WW-Welt GdI. Markus Kohl. "There is nothing controversial in it. We are merely increasing our attention to it, adhering perfectly to our policy of armed neutrality."

When asked about the resources, the War Ministry official explained that this acceleration would take place outside of the planned government or administrative budgets for the year 2010, and instead be a part of the commercial budget with loans from major Wieser financial institutions and corporations that will be provided in both hard currency and material required. The loan terms remain unknown, but historically have allowed the Wieser state to pay them back in both hard currency as well as goods and services.

In the other news:
​

• Society: Emperor delivers his customary Easter address from Saxony's capital Preßburg, wishing a healthy, joyful and happy Easter in 2010.
  
• Sports: FC Zenit Oldenburg set to announce its newest acquisitions from the local and national leagues the upcoming weekend for both its male and female teams.
  
• Culture: Eiffellandian professor Dr. Rudersbach gives passionate speech concerning neutrality and international developments in Weimar.
  
• Security: KMW Taurus trials to begin this May, state senior War Ministry officials in Augsburg. The exact details of the trials remain a closely guarded state secret, however sources suggest pre-production of the vehicle has already began.
  
• Business: State pornographic and prostitution industries record 'astounding' profits in Augsburg, leading to intensive criticism from Church officials and the local Archbishop, who call for tighter regulations. The industries are expected to be flourishing at least in part because of Augsburg's hosting of the CoN headquarters, combined with the relatively lax Wieser laws on them.
  
• World: Austurland resigns from its AGE membership in a stunning, surprising move. Is the traditional counterweight to the LFS collapsing? What is the role of the EDF and its recent surge of support before the CoN in this story?
  

 

[Thaumantica]

Herald for the Union

Životinje is not one to back down from a fight be it verbal or otherwise, that much is certain. We have not singled out Wiese in any way Kasjopeja, Oltremare, or Vittoria have not been in the past, but that does not mean we should not share this Unions cultural trademark: honesty. There are no veiled opinions here, Životinje remains strongly against the Council of Nations and its poisonous effect on Augsburg and surrounding territories, and our criticism remains targeted at our Wieser neighbors for first arming then joining in with the European Defense Federation.

If Wiese had conspired with the Alliance for Greater Europe or the League of Free States, I would be writing this same letter with only the titles rearranged. It is about the responsibility which Wiese took on when accepting the profound power of hosting the Councils regular conversion to meet global conflict and debate. This logic is fundamentally flawed, and no one here on this side of the border is falling for the argument that Wiese has retained neutrality while it exclusively "observes" for one alliance. Claiming otherwise is ludicrous at this juncture, I thus implore that Wiese abandons it before the Empire is embarrassed any further.

Maresal Huszar's orders to the Union Army Branch are to stand down, an order he intends to persist with hourly to the detriment of his own sleep schedule. Militia and Guardsmen shall continue to conduct affairs as they see fit, with no drill extending beyond the scope of what can be considered the norm. Our Wieser equivalents will not be accompanied for the days border long Easter Egg Hunt, and can I personally promise that no golden egg can be found here in Životinje - your armed forces should not come looking for themselves.

Finally, denying the existence of globalist puppeteers, yes puppeteers, is either juvenile or the shared mentality of all puppets. This so-called conspiracy became reality when governments began to broker control over disadvantaged countries by using keywords like prevention an sanction, and questioning the right of a people to conduct affairs on a national level without the puppeteers hands guiding it in accordance with the Global Standards drafted by a select few of the richest men in Europe.

Freedom First,
Bojnik Konavle,
Herald for the Union

 

[Touzen]

Imperial Ministry of War and Foreign Affairs

The Empire calls into question the practice of holding secret war games in a politically highly troubled region such as Braunschweig, noting that holding these war games in this place, at this time under the conditions that have been proclaimed to the public will do nothing to deescalate the tensions that exist in the West Sarmatian region, but will, on the contrary, in the worst case add to already existing disagreements between the parties in the area. The Empire therefor urges the government of Wiese to revise its policy in regards to this matter.

Yours sincerely,
Kihara Itsuki
Imperial Minister of War and Foreign Affairs

 

[Congress Aresura]

Office of the Chancellor to His Most Serene Excellency

Secret war games? All along the borders of the Sarmatian region? Especially during these times of heightened tensions? One must surely wonder about the mental state of the Wieser government in their decision to do this, if not their true intentions. On orders and on behalf of His Most Serene Excellency, we must enact a partial mobilization of Oltremare's military until such a time when tensions die down and we feel the well-being of Sarmatia's nations and peoples are no longer in immediate danger.

Sincerely,
Giuseppe Emmanuel
Chancellor to His Most Serene Excellency

 

[Caelia]

Foreign Affairs Directorate of the Supreme High Command

The Commandry takes a dim view of Wieser provocations. We see no credible threat that justifies the relocation of a such a large military force to the east. To have such a move occur simultaneously alongside these secret wargames also raises serious concerns about the true intent of the redeployment. We strongly urge Wiese to take steps to increase the transparency of it's activities and reassure the international community it has no hostile intent.

Commander-in-Chief of the Foreign Affairs Directorate
General-Feldmarschall Vasili Malyar