European Press Association

[Serenierre]

Government, AP showdown continues

PARIS (Reuters): Earlier this week, AP Paris made public allegations against the current government of Premier Plantard which have caused tension between Belmont and various other states, ranging from communist states to liberal ones. Being described as a "foreign policy fiasco" by some in Paris, the AP's allegations against the Plantard government have caused many a headache in the government, according to one source.

A senior official in Grosvenor House told us that the Plantard administration was indeed harsher on communism than past governments but it was not going to support any anti-communist group in another country. He also said that the AP's story was "not based on facts". He also added that it was not in Belmontien interests to fund insurgents in communist states.

When asked about the meeting between PM Plantard and several high ranking officials at Grosvenor House, he told us that the meeting was to discuss measures on how to prevent communist insurgents from entering Belmont. In the meeting, according to him, also discussed was propping up the defense capability of allies such as Montelimar and Lusitania from communist infiltration.

 

[Austurland]

Archduke Supports Prime Mininster Over Belmont

DALERNA (Reuters): Today Archduke Christian Frederik II, publicly gave his support for Prime Minister Raev. With the PM's criticism of Belmont and the retraction and resignation of the Paris AP Bureau Chief, many are still undecided. "Resigning from outside preassure made by the government does not completely ease the minds of many. Many believe that the government forced the bureau chief to resign, which doesn't look well for Belmont."

Reuters also released a poll where 53% of Austurlanders oppose Belmontian membership in the AGE. Also 58% veiw Belmont as a possible liability for both the AGE and Austurland.

When asked what should be done the Archduke responded, "I believe a fresh start is needed in the Kingdom. That fresh start is a shake-up of the current leadership." When asked if he thought that the Belmont Prime Minister should resign, the Archduke refused to comment.

The Palace also announced that talks and planning of a state visit by the Belmont Prime Minister and Queen to Austurland have been placed on hold until the end of the current crisis.

 

[Serenierre]

PM Plantard set to resign, says son

PARIS (Reuters): Speaking to reporters, Pierre Plantard, the thirty six year old son of PM Plantard announced that his father would resign from the office of the Prime Minister. He added that his father would send his resignation to the Queen as soon as she returned back from Arendaal on Friday. He also said that the Prime Minister had asked the Speaker of the Chambre des Communes to immediately adopt the duties of Acting Prime Minister.

Oliver Plantard first became Premier in 2000 in a landslide victory and again, although with much narrower margins, in 2005. Since 2007, Premier Plantard has lost much support and he has grown immensely unpopular across the nation with a popularity rating of only 21%. Polls suggest that the PCB, with or without Plantard, is headed for a resounding defeat in January's elections. Reports suggest that the next Prime Minister will be Alexandre Millerand.

 

[Austurland]

Cronstedt Incorporated Reacts to Slavic Flu

DALERNA (Reuters): Over the weekend several nations reported the first known cases of the H3N2 virus, also known as the Slavic flu, in those countries. Nations from Lusitania and Carentiania and now Frescania and the Levantine Confederation have reported cases.

Since the first outbreak in Międzymorze Cronstedt Inc. has been watching the spread and has been working on the possible vaccine and preparing for mass production of the drug. Cronstedt CEO, Kapsar Cronstedt, gave a press conference on the subject. "Cronstedt Inc. has petioned the governments of Frescania, Levantine Confederation, Lusitania, and Carentiania to allow our scientists to come and collect samples of the various flus in those nations, and to compare them to see if the virus has mutated during transmission."

Last week prior to the new outbreaks, Cronstedt tried to go to Międzymorze to collect a sample of the origional strain, but the scientists were denied entry into the nation for such purposes. Mr. Cronstedt commented on the situation. "Cronstedt Inc. is not a part of any government and it is sad that politics have prevented the progress on this disease. We once again petition the corwn of Międzymorze to allow us to collect samples of the H3N2 virus in Międzymorze to decipher if the virus has mutated. This is not an LFS nor AGE problem, but one that effects the entire globe equally. I hope that as they see that the virus is spreading they will allow us the neccessary axcess."

Currently Cronstedt Inc. has two labs, one in Austurland and the other in Serbovia, a LFS nation. Cronstedt Inc. is looking for more potential sites for construct new labatory facilities, and the company board of directors is considering taking the company public to funs such ventures.

OOC: I hope this also clears up any misunderstanding between me and Beau.

 

[Taley]

Military Rule in Seleucia Ends

SAN MARINO (Reuters): Duke Ladislao Mazzolani, Exarch of Seleucia announced the end of military rule in the Western province. Seleucia, known to most by the Carentianian name Vrbas Kraj, has been under military governance since it was ceded by Carentiania in 1927. Since then a military governor, usually a high ranking general, has been appointed by the Emperor. The governors since its conquest have also been titled Exarch, granting them almost autonomous authority from Talemaniki, reporting exclusivly to the emperor.

Duke Ladislao Mazzolani, announced the cessation of military rule after approval by the Emperor and the Consistory. Duke Mazzolani has been Exarch for the past fifteen years, and has overseen the economic expansion of the resource rich province. Mazzolani will over see the final transformation from the Exarchate into a civilian led province of the empire. Mazzonlani will continue as Exarch until a civilian governor is appointed, and then he will resign the Exarchate and return to military service.

This revelation of the end of the eighty-two year old Exarchate of Seleucia some claim to be a slow modernization of the empire. Accompaning the change will the elections for the municipalities within the Exarchate, which will be at the same time the entire nation elects its municipal leaders. This could serve and a huge point to bolster the tide for more democratization of the Talemantine Empire beyond cities and localities.

Secretary of War Alfonso Radini, praised Duke Mazzolani for his service to the empire and the people of Seleucia and he looks foreword to further cooperation in military affairs. The Consistory is expected to announce nominees for the civilian governor of Seleucia.

 

[Wazistan]

Wazistan's president warns Hajr seeks to undermine regional stability

IJAD (Reuters): In a rare interview with foreign media outlets, Wazistan's technocratic president Hamid Najibullah accused the Hajri government of undertaking a "silent campaign" to undermine stability in the region and warned the international community that time was running out to confront the Al A'raf regime. The president pointed to intelligence from his security forces that showed the Hajris were actively supporting insurgent campaigns in at least three different countries and their continue efforts to "defame" Wazistan before the international community.

The president also accused elements within the Sultanate establishment of "preventing the principles of Prophet" to support their "imperialist campaign" in the region.

Despite his harsh attacks, Najibullah says his government would leave open the door of reconciliation with the Hajri government, provide they cease what described as their "dangerous game of distortion." President Najibullah's term expires in March of this year and he is expected to be replaced by a hardliner ruling party official who has historically been critical of the Hajri regime.

 

[Wazistan]

:!: Breaking News: Wazistan's revolutionary leader Yassin has died, opposition sites :!:

IJAD (Reuters): Reuters International News Services has learned that opposition websites are reporting that Wazistan's revolutionary leader Mohammed Abdul Yassin has died in hospital in the central city of Rabat at the age of 81. According to the Nawaz website, run by respected Wazi dissident Hassan Abdullahi, Yassin was taken to Rabat University Hospital late last week after complaining of headaches to his security team and reportedly arrived at the hospital unconscious. Nawaz, quoting several unnamed hospital sources, say Yassin had suffered a series of strokes over the last two days and that he had been in a coma since Monday.

They are reporting he died just after 9 o'clock this morning and that family and senior government officials were at his bedside.

There has been no mention of Yassin's health on state media in Wazistan and Reuters has yet to independently verify these reports.

 

[Serenierre]

Sources: PM Martinique unsure of stability of Marqeuttan economy, considers limiting Belmontien involvement

PARIS (Reuters): Paris has been abuzz with rumors that, Prime Minister Martinique has started having second thoughts about the stability and security of the Marquettan economy. Sources within the Prime Minister's Office at Grosvenor have said that the Premier was unwilling to grant Belmontien businessmen with incentives to invest in Marquette and that she wanted to limit the Belmontien involvement to an interest free loan of $560,000,000 and the government's purchase of $1.2 billion worth of Marquette government bonds. The Finance Minister, Hirohasa Yamaguchi, a man known for his meticulous financial accounting and saving schemes, has also advised the Prime Minister against investing "too heavily" in Marquette.

To complicate matters further, the Parliament is trying to push through additional aid packages to the southern Kingdom and the Parliament has, already, approved the purchase $125,000,000 worth of government bonds from Marquette. The situation in Paris has called for many senior leaders to meet with Premier Martinique and with others in Parliament to resolve the situation before the matter explodes onto the greater public consciousness and before there is a showdown between the two wings of government.

 

[Polesia]

Vangalan Intelligence chief links Islamist militants to Wazistan

KILKILA (Reuters) - Colonel Mainul Dal, head of Vangala's Military Intelligence Division (MID), has explicitly accused the Wazistani government of supporting Islamic extremists in both Vangala and elsewhere in a rare public statement. Speaking to selected journalists, mainly from media outlets controlled by the Communist Party, before a confidential meeting with the Vangalan President, he said Wazistan's leaders had 'blood on their hands' and that the Military Intelligence Division possessed 'irrefutable evidence' of Wazistani involvement with jihadist movements.

Colonel Dal's allegations coincide with similar accusations from the Sultanate of Hajr, who suspect the radical Islamist regime in power in Wazistan of backing Islamic separatists in the North Qirwan province.

The Islamic Republic of Wazistan has flatly denied all claims it is aiding Islamic terrorist groups, describing the accusations from the Hajri government as 'reckless statements'.

Colonel Dal's statements will also add a new dimension in relations between Wazistan and Vangala, which have been mutually cold due to Wazistan's membership in the League of Free States and Vangala's ongoing persecution of Muslims. Vangala has been combatting religious extremists since the 1970's and it is only now has such a senior official accused other countries of supporting terrorist groups operating in Vangala.

 

[Wazistan]

Statement from the Foreign Ministry

Foreign Ministry has summoned the Vangalan ambassador in Ijad to express are completely outrage at the statements of Colonel Dal, though we should not be surprise. The Vanaglan government has repeatedly shown itself to be prime sponsor of state terrorism given its ongoing campaign of persecution against its Muslim people.

Nevertheless, the Foreign Ministry warns Kilkila that such statement will only hinder bilateral relations and demand authorities take the appropriate steps to rectify this situation.

 

[Wazistan]

Kurdish rebels ambush army convoy in near Sine, kidnapping three soldiers

IJAD (Reuters) - Kurdish rebels ambushed a security convoy in Wazistan's restive southeast on Friday, killing seven soldiers and wounding twenty others before kidnapping three others, a Defense Ministry official has told Reuters. Officials on the ground in the region say militants from the military wing of the banned Kurdish Social Party reportedly attacked the convoy just before morning outside the main city Sine with RPGs and automatic weapons and that the attack appeared to be "highly coordinated." It was the deadliest incident in the region since a military crackdown on Kurdish protesters last month killed nearly 50 people, according to most independent groups.

The government has denied the figures, saying only 21 were killed in what the military has described as a "security clampdown on lawless thugs."

The Kurdish Liberation Army has yet to issue a statement on the issue attack.

Following news of the attack, eyewitnesses say government warplanes bombed suspected rebel training camps along the border with the Levant States, reportedly killing nine people. In the city, security forces could be seen setting up numerous checkpoints on major intersections and searching vehicles for KSP sympathizers.

A Sine provincial official says several arrests have been made.

 

[Serenierre]

Report: Belmont lends support to Scania in wake of hostile Batavie

PARIS (Reuters): The Foreign Minister, in his weekly press conference, has said that the Kingdom of Belmont stood steadfastly behind the Scanian States and that the recent conduct being shown by various members of the IRB was showing that Belmont could not work with the IRB. The Foreign Minister said that, within a week, two nations of the IRB had shown aggressive and hostile actions and he said "Its not hard for me to conclude that they are trying to show the world that they are ready to fight and the recent attack in Scania is, in my opinion, an attempt to find a casus belli."

This tough statement comes at a time when Mme. Martinique has shown reservations in cooperating with the IRB if they continued their harsh policies and irresponsible attitudes. The recent episode, in Scania, had, according to the Foreign Minister, enflamed many in Paris and could very well be perceived as an act of war on Scania. He also said that Belmont would stand shoulder to shoulder with Scania in any eventuality.

 

[Hesperia]

Diwan of Foreign Affairs

The Sultanate views this as further proof of the destructive and murderous nature of the regime of demagogues in Ijad. We condemn the un-Islamic violence spread by Wazistan against other Muslims.

 

[Wazistan]

Wazistan leader urges execution of separatist sympathizers

IJAD (Reuters) :In his first high-profile public appearance SINCE assuming the leadership of this volitale state, Wazistan's new de facto leader Ayatollah Mahmoud Esfandiari made no effort to show his readiness to take a much harder line towards the country's separatist movements. Addressing more than a thousand people during his Friday Prayer sermon at Ijad University, Esfandiari urged the country's "young revolutionaries" to remain vigilant against threats to the principles of the Islamic Republic from both foreign and domestic threats.

Speaking on the country's territorial integrity, Esfandiari blasted "foreign elements" of engaging the country's separatist movements to weaken the Islamic nation for economic and political interests. The cleric went on to say it was the "moral duty" of all Wazis to "exterminate" all those suspected of offering comfort to these "traitorous regimes."

As he spoke, many in the crowd chanted "God Willing, protect our next leader" and "Death to the Foreign Powers."

While analysts say Esfandiari has largely succeeded his brother as the center of power within the Islamic Establishment, officially he remains on the outside until constitutional package is voted on in February. In the run up to the vote, Esfandiari has decided to seek a seat on the powerful cleric-dominated Assembly of Experts, which will be responsible for naming him the next Leader sometime in mid-February.

Opposition websites suggest his decision to run is more aimed at boosting his national and religious image than anything else.

 

[Hesperia]

Diwan of Foreign Affairs

Hajr condemns the belligerent language of the Ijad regime towards the minorities under its control. Wazistan must cease its discriminatory policies against its own citizens or face domestic instability perpetually.

 

[Papal States]

Congregation for External Affairs

Wazistan must understand its attitude towards minorities strongly harms its appearance on the international stage.
The Papal States will closely monitor the situation of religious minorities, not necessarily catholics, to prevent a catastrophy for these people.

 

[Wazistan]

NGO: Thousands riotst in Zanjan following raid by government forces

KHODABANDEH (Reuters): In the wake of a devastating military assault against three separatist-held cities in the south of the province, thousands have taken to the provincial capital, according to a human rights group operating in the province, as tensions continue to rise in this troubled region. Wazistan, already dealing with a sustained Kurdish armed separatist campaign in its southwest, has increasingly seen a barrage of attacks by ethnic Azeri militias on government offices and security forces that hope to breakaway from the Islamic Republic.

Analysts say the government appear to have been caught by surprise by the attacks, linked to offshoots of the Islamic Salvation Army, and that yesterday's military campaign in the province may have been knee-jerk reaction than a planned operation. Unconfirmed reports suggest a number of schools and hospitals were hit during the day-long aerial bombardment.

Now, the aid group Relief Action Network told Reuters that the streets are filled with people denouncing the government's operation in southern Zanjan and calling on the provincial government to step down. One RAN official, speaking on the condition on anonymity, says columns of black smokes rising throughout the city as cars and buses have been set ablaze.

Businesses have also reported that many stores have been vandalizes and looted.

 

[Austurland]

Alvar Ortendhal Named new AGE Secretary-General

NYSTRA (Reuters) Former Austurlander Prime Minister Alvar Ortendhal was named the new Secretary-General of the Alliance for Greater Europe. After the final vote in Nystrå, Skånskige Statsunionen Mr. Ortendhal won over candidates from Scania and Hosagovinia.

In his acceptance speech SG Ortendhal outlined his plans to reform and revitalize the alliance. "The AGE, Europe's premier alliance, will seek to expand our membership. We will engage our neighbors and nation in European cooperation to further the goals of peace and commerce. We will also focus on increased partnership with the AGE's Parthership for Peace programs, where nations can cooperate and be a part of the AGE's vision without being members. Together we can increase and ensure the peace of this planet while expanding economic ties between one another."

Ortendhal was elected with Batavie on the brink of revolution, the dissolution of the IRB, communist successes in Ratomikira, and increased tension between Batavie and AGE member the Scanian Union.

OOC: As the last active AGE member I'm tired of waiting for them to return, so this is my coup of the AGE. Lets see if I can rebuild.

 

[Touzen]

Imperial Ministry of War and Foreign Affairs

We congratulate Mr. Orthendhal to his election and wish him prudence and wisdom in pursuance of his office. The League of Free States - and the Oikawan Empire- are looking forward to an open, constructive and productive dialog with the Alliance for a Greater Europe.

 

[Batavië]

Comissariaat Buitenlandse Zaken | CoBuZa (Commissariat for Foreign Affairs)

We hope indeed that Mr Ortendhal will take an active role as new AGE SG and seek an end to confrontation with our country.