Levantine Media

[Vistrasia]

A short (OOC) introduction to the media outlets I'll be roleplaying in this thread. Currently all of my news outlets are in agreement with the government. I hope to add in a couple of opposition news papers (or maybe tv networks) showing some other POV's in the Levant, and a Sports thing.

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The main news outlet for internal affairs and simply general news. Based in Antioch, it's a daily tabloid newspaper. Though originally focusing on the city of Antioch it's many insiders in the government and a number of big scoops has led to the Antioch Post to become a popular newspaper nationwide. It's political affiliation is with the ULF and the "Post" is often described as a Liberal propaganda outlet by conservative pundits.

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A weekly newsmagazine, the Weekly International focuses more on international affairs, though often it will also provide commentary on important events within Levantine politics. The Weekly International (practising advocacy journalism) is renown for it's pro-AGE stance, though there have also been a number of positive articles on the EDF recently. It's Headquarters is in Barca, and it's also circulated in many AGE countries.

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Part of the same media group as the Weekly International, this broadsheet (as the name implies) focuses more on financial news, including broad coverage of international stock markets. Though practising objective journalism, editorials often betray a right-wing liberal attitude, as you would expect from a financial publication. The FT also publishes a number of stock market indices based on companies with their primary listing in the Barca Stock Exchange.

 

[Vistrasia]

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AGE Secretary-General Joaquim Rafael to step-down.

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Joaquim Rafael, earlier this year
Antioch - Rumors are about in higher diplomatic circles that the current Secretary-General of the AGE is about to step down, after a 6 year run at the helm of prime right-wing democratic alliance of Europe. The 61-year old politician, who's highest position before becoming the "AGE Sec-Gen" was Vice-President of the Levant, is said to be wanting to take a step back and return to the Levant after 6 hard-working years on the international stage. During his tenure as Secretary-General he has presided over a general détente in the relations between the AGE and LFS.

While Rafael has received praise for his secure management of the AGE, resulting in a increase of economic influence, stronger relations between member states and internal stability, his detractors call him dull and have complained about his inability to attract new member states to the AGE and address international human rights issues.

It is expected that should these rumours prove to be true, arrangements for a new AGE summit will be made, during which a new Secretary-General will be elected. Considering Rafael is stepping down, it's highly unlikely that a Levantine will be elected to the position. It will most likely depend on the individual candidate and his political affiliations whom the Levantine States will be supporting. Meanwhile, Joachim Rafael will most likely take the traditional retirement path for Levantine politicians, taking a senior position in his party (the Union of Levantine States) and taking seat on the Board of Directors of a large Levantine company.

Levantine military engages in new recruitement campaign

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Antioch - Hoping to gain new young recruits, the Levantine military is engaging in a multilingual promotional campaign across television and the internet urging young people to join the military, with an emphasis on the wide variety of jobs available within the military, and the pay the recruits receive during their training. While the results of the campaign are unclear, the news that the military hired an external marketing company to develop the campaign and a brand-identity raised eyebrows in the Parliament, which criticized the costs involved.

In the coming months, apart from commercials on television and banners on the internet, reporters from well-visited blogs are invited to join on Levantine army training missions. At the end of the campaign, next summer a number of demonstrations and air shows will be organized throughout the country, during which military recruiters will be active. A number of interactive websites have also been opened through which people can register. While the campaign will predominantly focus on young males, a number of commercials will also focus on women in the armed forces.

The Levantine military is a professional army, conscription having been ended in the wake of the Great War. While during much of the Cold War there were enough people willing to join the military, in more recent years their numbers have been dwindling.

In other news
- The arrest of a notorious drugs dealer in a squat in the Guillem II slum of Antioch goes wrong and soon descends into a battle between police and several local gangs which lasted for about 3 hours, and in which 2 officers were killed and 17 gang members.

- First Carthaginian Bank publishes year results showing a further increase of profits. Retail banking in general, but especially in the States of Gilgamesh and Kazan have shown a marked increase, although experts warned that "these underdeveloped markets are highly volatile, and gains can be reversed just like". The relatively good results, in comparison with other Levantine banks were still cause for celebration at the HQ in Barca.

-In the race for the city council elections, which will be held nationwide on the 17th of December, the Union of Levantine Freethinkers is leading nationwide, though OPP has managed to report significant gains in Iberia and Cilicia, where it is said that coalitions with local parties could become a possibility. ULF is strong as ever in Antioch, where it holds on to a steady 60 percent majority.

 

[Vistrasia]

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Belmont Crisis hurts relations with Levant
Antioch - A foreign ministry spokesman commented on the Belmont crisis this morning, saying that the entire situation has hurt relations between the Levant and Belmont. "It is not simply the fact that such rumours leak, it is the shoddy damage control and the rectification by the AP office in Paris, which seems to have been done in cooperation with the government of Belmont, shedding doubts on the freedom of press in Belmont." Many in the Levant have looked sceptically at the rectification by the AP in Paris, amidst rumours that in the past days the local AP office has been put under intense pressure by the government of Belmont to retract it's past statements, in light of increasing international condemnations, and a general unwillingness of the government of Belmont to take responsibility.

For some time, Belmont has been eager to establish stronger relations with the AGE, possible even becoming a member. Asked about the prospects of stronger relations with Belmont, the spokesman replied "if this is how their government acts during a crisis, then I don't see how the Levant could ever rely on them. It does not bode well for future relations. We must also take into account Belmont's general standing in the international community, which has definitely taken a hit, and their priorities in foreign policy."

Insiders say that any chances for Belmont to become a member or even a partner of the AGE in the short term are negligible, though bilateral relations are expected to continue in a form, and might improve should the government of Belmont display a more responsible attitude in the future, and is able to take care of future crises in a better way.

In other news
- Levantine Islamic Banks, which have long had a reputation for being somewhat backwards, amateur and in general small are said to be professionalizing, setting up offices in the Levant and looking towards possibilities of expanding in other Islamic countries, and countries with significant Islamic minorities.

- Relative peace returns to the Guillem suburb, while a continued police presence remains and military police is still patrolling through most of northern Antioch. Antioch police say that this heightened state of alert will remain for at least another week, and called it "standard procedure".

 

[Vistrasia]

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President Abizaid gives speech on future foreign policy
Edesa - Yesterday, before International Affairs students from around the Levant at the University of Edesa, President Abizaid gave a speech on the course of future foreign policy by the Levantine States, in a still very much developing world. Key issues on the agenda were the resignation of Joaquin Rafael as Secretary-General of the AGE and mountain fears in the north for communism. Weekly International is glad to publish a condensed version of this speech.

"International Affairs Students, it is a honour and privilege to stand before you, our future leaders. Today I have had the chance to talk with many of you, giving me great confidence in my future retirement plans, as this country will certainly be in good hands. I also welcome our students from abroad, the Levant is welcome and hospitable to all.

Today, I will talk about International Affairs, a subject that has always interested me during my tenure as President, and I must say there is never a dull moment in international diplomacy. As you might have heard, there are rumours that Joaquim Rafael is to resign. I can let you in on a little scoop, in the coming days an announcement is forthcoming that he will. Rafael has done a great job, and I am glad to have him back serving the Confederate States.

President Montford had negotiated a great deal when he got Joaquim in that seat, and it is one of my key objectives at the next AGE summit is to negotiate a good deal for the Levant at the coming summit, hoping to promote my vision for foreign affairs. This vision can be described as reconciliation. I am pushing for improved relations with the free world, to improve trade, to help strengthen the bonds between our people and to decrease the restrictions of borders.

It is my duty as President to improve the quality of life in the Levant, and foreign policy in my opinion should serve this task. Through greater trade relations, we can improve our economy and our economic clout, and through stronger diplomatic relations the risk of the Levant coming under attack will decrease, and our people will not have to live through the horrors of war. In order to avoid such a war, the Levant needs to have a network of allies to deter foreign powers. In the wake of the Great War, we established such a network through the AGE.

And we do need to deter foreign powers from invading us. You have studied the post-war situation, you know the score at this moment. It takes one look at the World Map to know that there are belligerent powers who seek to expand their territory and influence at the expense of other populaces. It is our mission to ensure that these powers cannot go on the offensive again, and threaten the sovereignty of democratic states. The democratic states who are divided at this moment, and some of whom seem to consider a handful of backward communist states as the greatest threat to their security.

I will take the initiative for cooperation within the free world, on the diplomatic, trade and cultural front. To ensure that never again can there be a great war, never again millions of innocent dead on the battlefield or next to it, that there will never again by population expulsions, people forced to flee their homes and lives because of artificial demarcations."

 

[Vistrasia]

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Extreme-Leftist groups announce protests during upcoming AGE summit
Antioch - A coalition of anarchist, communist, libertine and anti-globalist groups have announced their intention to organize protests during the upcoming AGE summit. Though no exact date and location has been published by the Alliance, this coalition, calling itself the Left Behind Coalition, said to be based in a squat in southern Antioch, already announced it's intention to participate in protests:

"We hope to send several representatives to the location of the summit, to make it known to the world that there is also a voice from the Levantine people that disapproves of the unrestrained capitalism and pseudo-democracy that the Levant and the AGE symbolizes. We also plan on participating in protests within the Levant (most likely in Antioch and Barca) and that being organized by Carentania."

Many worker unions and traditional socialist and communist parties are not included in the "Left Behind Coalition" and to date have remained silent on the upcoming AGE summit. While the "Left Behind Coalition" did not comment, there could be a connection to Carentania, which recently has been criticizing the International Revolutionary Bloc, which much of "Old Labor" has been traditionally associated with, indicating a growing schism within the left wing.

Many AGE summits have traditionally been the target of left-wing protests, at least in part due to the participation by a number of AGE nations in the Great War, many left wingers accusing the AGE of collaboration with Fascism and being directly to blame for the present situation.

In other news
- Lusitanian troubles with communism, and a build-up of forces by Montelimar leads to a generally negative tone on the Barca Stock Exchange, many companies with investments in the EDF losing value. Political commentators doubt there will be any serious escalations.

- Leader of the Iberian mob in Antioch, Khaka Tshiadzvili has been arrested yesterday morning by Antiochan police during a raid on his villa in western Antioch. Tshiadzvili is linked to a number of liquidations across the State of Antioch of Cilician gangsters, in a mobwar that is ongoing in much of the Western Levant.

 

[Vistrasia]

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Slavic Flu reaches Levant, experts unimpressed
Antioch - In a number of major cities in the Levant, the Slavic flu has started to pop up, after Levant has managed to stay clear of any major outbreaks during the summer and autumn. Although antiflu medicine have been bought, it is expected that they will only be distributed to high-risk groups. Health experts said that they only expect things to be a bit more heavy then the regular seasonal flu.

People are advised to take extra precautions, wash their hands regularly, sneeze into handkerchiefs or their elbows and if they get sick to remain indoors, just to be sure. The Slavic Flu, officially known as H3N2 is said to have started in Międzymorze and has since spread into several parts of Europe. It is expected to make a rather large impact this winter, and several governments have stockpiled on anti-flu medicine in the past days, just in case.

Fears are that the Slavic Flu could cause large amount of casualties, however experts say that mostly children, elderly and individuals who are already ill need to be aware, most healthy people being able to cope with it.

 

[Vistrasia]

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President AGE Secretary-General Joaquim Rafael confirms resignation
Bremen, Hosagovinia - At a press conference at AGE headquarters, what has been a public secret for some time has been confirmed, Joaquim Rafael is stepping down from his position as AGE Secretary-General, preparations for an upcoming summit in the Union of Scanian States having been completed. "It has been an honor and privilege to serve the AGE, I'm happy to return to the Levant, to spend some time with my family."

At the summit, AGE memberstates will be represented by their respective Heads of State of Government, it is expected that the Levant on this occassion will be represented by President Elias Abizaid and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bartomue Pijoan. Issues at the summit are expected to be the standing application of Belmont, the AGE budget and the relationship towards the non-aligneds.

Rafael's return to the Levant could mean a return to the old rivalry that had dominated Levantine diplomatic circles for some time between the factions supporting Rafael and those supporting the (current Levantine MEP to the Council of Nations) Dídac Verges. Prior to Joaquim Rafael becoming AGE Secretary General 2003, the two had a number of verbal exchanges in the media, which split much of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

[Shinryeo]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Shinryeo

We are really appreciate the hardworks of Mr. Joaquim Rafael as the Secretary-General of Alliance of the Greater Europe.

 

[Vistrasia]

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Antioch prepares for anti-AGE summit
Antioch - Police throughout the State of Antioch is being mobilized to help secure the city during the coming week, as the city is preparing for a number of protests and demonstrations by leftist activists in response to the AGE summit in the Scanian States. Condemning the AGE alliance, a counter-AGE summit of sorts has been planned in Antioch and will feature a number of demonstrations throughout the city, workshops and lectures at the University in Antioch, including "Civil Disobedience 101" and a lecture by prominent Trotskyist professor Joan Savall. Several squats are also poised to cooperate.

The Antiochan city council has said that it supports the freedom of speech and will not stop the event, however that should the event turn violent this will not do the squatters any good. It has criticized the University of Antioch for allowing the use of their classrooms for leftist workshops and lectures throughout the weekend, claiming that "this compromises the political subjectivity of the University, and casts a shadow over coming budgetary meetings".

It is expected that the summit will attract large crowds of left-wing youth from southern Europe to come to Antioch, while obviously the focus of the northern protests will be in the Scanian States. Protests will also be taking place in Barca, which have taken a more pro-Carentanian character, being described as solidarity protests with the rallies ongoing in Carentania, included is a planned march towards the border with Carentania, where on the other side a similar march is planned by Carentanians. Despite the relatively small scale of this protest, it has already provoked mobilization by local police, border police and military units in the city.

In other news:
-Swine flu further spreads, with increasing amounts of cases being reported. Government has urged state governments to restrain the supply of medicine to small children, the chronically ill and the elderly, and even then to use medicine appropriately, as the side-effects could be worse then the flu itself.

-President Elias Abizaid has arrived in the Scanian States, where he is joined by Bartomue Pijoan and Joaquim Rafael. Joaquim Rafael will be stepping down as Secretary-General, while Elias Abizaid will represent the Levant at the summit.

 

[Vistrasia]

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AGE Heads of Government and State Summit gets underway
Nystrå, Scanian States - Heads of Government and State from across the AGE are currently meeting in the city of Nystrå in the Scanian States, where they will be choosing the new Secretary-General of the AGE and will be discussing AGE foreign policy in general. The summit has been called in response to the resignation of Joaquim Rafael as Secretary-General. Key topics of discussion are expected to be the policies in the Council of Nations, behaviour towards EDF and LFS, and key-nations to improve AGE relations with. The summit is also expected to be between nations who seek to expand the scope of the AGE in government affairs and increase cooperation between the nations, and those who want AGE to remain focused on diplomatic, military and maybe limited economic cooperation.

The conference will mark the farewell speech by Joaquim Rafael, who has led AGE since 2003. His position as Secretary-General has been marked as rather peaceful, while AGE has failed to expand, which was one of his goals in 2003, it has gained economic clout through close economic cooperation between the member states, and strong economic policies. Rafael has been criticized as a relatively dull and uncharismatic individual, at least Levantine diplomats hoping for a more charismatic Secretary-General better able to represent the Levant on the international stage. A gentleman's agreement in place within the AGE since it's foundation means that the Levant will not push forward an candidate for the position of "SecGen".

Elias Abizaid, upon arriving in Nystrå released a statement from his Hotel, saying that he looks forward to meeting with fellow Heads of State and current and future AGE officials, and that he might visit another number of countries in the wake of the AGE summit, hoping to increase bilateral ties with a number of nations in northern Europe.

Wiese: Aligned or not?
Augsburg, Wiese - A slightly heated exchange of words was sparked by the announcement of Wiese attending the EDF summit, with diplomats of a number of countries questioning whether Wiese can still be considered neutral. First to bring up their disapproval was the Union of Scanian States, the Storriksdag passed a resolution of concern, criticizing Wiese's ties to the EDF. The response by the Levantine Ministry of Foreign Affairs was more muted.

In a short statement, Bartomue Pijoan currently at the summit in Nystrå, said that the Levantine recognition of Wiese as a neutral state was being put under review, but that it would be unlikely to harm Levantine relations to Wiese: "We have never had any major problems with Augsburg, and this will not change, even should Wiese join the EDF. Our relations to the EDF as a body has been problematic in the past, but we consider many of the individual nations involved in the EDF to be good and reliable international partners."

The debate casts a shadow over the AGE summit, and could be convenient for a hardliner becoming AGE Secretary-General, in the wake of a less interventionist Secretary-General.

 

[Vistrasia]

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Iberian Presidential candidate on the campaign trail
Acre, Phoenicia - "It takes hard work and perseverance" a campaign aide of Malkhaz Asatiani whispers while he is standing in front of a room filled with 23 people in a suburb of Acre. The Iberian, the founder of Asatiani Consultancy and an executive at Bagration Oil has been campaign to become the first Iberian to take the Levantine Presidency, hoping to gain the OPP nomination. His base of support is in Iberia and Cilicia, and he is also popular among the large Iberian communities in Antioch and Barca, but he is only slowly making headway among Levantine communities.

The campaign for the elections in February 2010 has been under way for some time. They have been rather uninteresting for the Union of Levantine Freethinkers, focused around who will be second man to sitting President Elias Abizaid. Abizaid has the party ranks effectively closed, and has become the undisputed leader. Things are more interesting in other parties, such as the Orthodox People's Party. The OPP last success dates from the eighties, and ever since they have been a close second to the ULF. During the 2004 elections, it seemed for some time Sergi Barjuán would become President, but his popularity peaked too early in the campaign, months before the election, and partially due to his poor peformance in the pre-election debates with Abizaid was unable to recover.

Barjuán is still a candidate to lead the OPP into this election, but is no longer as undisputed as he was in 2004, several outsiders campaigning for the spot, among them Asatiani. Asatiani represents the right-wing of the OPP, heavily in favor of the free markets, however socially conservative and with a xenophobe twist, disliking foreign immigrants (in particular Slavs and Khazars) and calling for a more hawkish attitude by the AGE, to step away from the current detente with the EDF and LFS. Where Barjuán emphasizes his support for social-conservative policies, Asatiani uses populism, especially the fears many Levantines have for foreign immigrants, and the distrust of the LFS.

"I have no problem with immigrants, the Levant has always been a tolerant and diverse nation. However look around in some of the slums around Barca or Antioch. Entire neighbourhoods dominated by criminals either with a tan or with slit-eyes. We are spoiled in the Levant, unless we take proper measures our superior state-of-life will not last long. I call for a stop for immigrants who cannot prove they have had higher education, and for all immigrants that are arrested to be expelled from the Levant, and returned to their homeland."

Despite the low turn-up of this night, Malkhaz Asatiani and other populist outsiders for the OPP nomination for President are quickly gaining popularity. They are a step away from the mainstream, avoiding the careful rhetoric of Sergi Barjuán and Elias Abizaid, although Asatiani carefully chooses his positions. On campaign in Babel, Asatiani appealed to Islamic audiences, condemning anti-Islamic stances taken in the past by a number of OPP politicians. It are the areas where Asatiani knows elections can be won, the areas that haven't gained all that much from the 2 decades of ULF rule. In Acre, Asatiani might have attracted 23 people, in a slightly bigger hall in Babel, Asatiani attracted 300.

How successful Asatiani will be remains to be seen, he is charming but still a member of a small minority, a significant drawback in the Levant, build on ethnic divisions, and he is a rich man capable of paying for his own campaign, though he has received significant campaign contribution from Bagration Oil. Plus he is just one of the many outsiders. The OPP nation-wide primaries take place 24 december.

 

[Vistrasia]

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Retailers report the beginning of a good Christmas season
Barca, Carthage - After a year which was noted by a relatively stagnant economy, continuing the trend that has been set in since 2002, when the "dot com boom ended"* the beginning of the holiday season has been promising. As the results of the week after "Black Friday" are starting to pour in, it seems that this week was the best since 2004. Large retailers are confident that should this continue, 2009 will still turn out to be a rather good year. Yesterday, many of these retailers were at the top performers on the LVSE 200 index. Analysts have argued that this is the result of increasing consumer confidence in the economy.

Parliament calls for a more belligerent attitude on the international stage
Antioch, Antioch - In a heated session, which divided both the ULF and the OPP along party lines, a motion was reached calling for Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bartomue Pijoan and his diplomats to act more aggressive on the international stage "working harder to defend Levantine principles and fight injustices" as Josep García (OPP) put it. The motion has been criticized by opponents as populist, "Levantine diplomats have been working hard behind the screen, which is a slow process but in the end will return much greater results then acting as a Jack Russell Terrier on the international stage. "

From Nystrå, Scanian States where Pijoan is currently at the annual AGE summit, Pijoan replied that he will respect the Parliamentary majority, and will follow up on the motion.

Levantine dealings with Soledad de Pacifica under fire
Antioch, Antioch - It's been a longer ongoing debate in the Levant, the continued close business relations with the nation of Soledad de Pacifica, in Western Europe. The impoverished nation has been a favoured location for many Levantine businesses, especially the mining industry, who have been making use of the available cheap labor. In recent news, criticism surfaced in the Parliament over the sale of licenses and blueprints for the production of W3 rifles in SdP. Pasqual Maragall of the Levantine Greens Party (LGP) heavily criticized both private and government business dealings with the nation, showing reports from several human rights organizations he said "if we want to maintain any respect asa democratic nation, fighting for international justice, we need to lose all connections to Soleedad de Pacifica, and any dictatorships like it."

The continued business dealings with "El Presidente" can still count on the support of both the ULF and the OPP, together controlling a large majority in the Parliament. Their position, defended by Manuel Pedroda (ULF) was that "while our government and businesses should lobby for increased attention for human rights by the government of Soledad de Pacifica, our first and foremost concern are actual constructive increases in the quality of life in SdP, through helping the country become more stable and improvements in the economy. A civil war or an economic embargo is undesirable, and will do nothing but kill thousands, and further put back the already fragile local economy."

Critics say that an important reason for the government support to Soledad de Pacifica are lucrative contracts which have been obtained by Levantine mining conglomerates. Manuel Pedrosa made use of the opportunity to dismiss any such claims, "these contracts are not particularly lucrative, anyone who claims so has no actual knowledge of the dangers and hard work it takes to do business in third world countries. No, these are costly enterprises which give little profit but giving employment to locals, improving the local economy greatly, indirectly creating many more jobs. To pull out of Soledad, and maybe organization an international embargo would be the real human rights violation."

* - OOC: In my roleplay, I've decided stuff like internet business and electronics, caused the inevitable boom during the 90's. The bubble didn't burst, but the economy has been stagnant for some time, slowly killing off companies.

 

[Saxe-Friesken and Polaben]

Konungens kabinett för den utrikes brevväxlingen
(Private Communique)

It is the hope of my Government that the Levantine States cease their indirect sponsorship of the undemocratic regime in Soledad de Pacifica. The news that W3 rifles may be produced by such a regime also proves unnerving as it propagates their widespread use by others seeking to suppress the rights of the individual.

A great concern for the Enström Government here in Fjäderholmarna is the rights of women and empowerment and/or protection of women in crisis situations. We feel that the sale of W3 rifles, their licenses and blueprints hinder such an effort and produces an environment in which a dictatorship and the vast network of treaties and trade that cover our globe between regimes of common interests can continue to terrorize their own civil societies leaving women and children at the blunt end of a bloody sword.

While of course it would appear to be that the sale has been completed, know that we feel such irresponsible action in the future would be appalling.

My Government has always maintained a strong level of respect for the Levantine States and their propagation of democratic values; however, we feel the laissez-faire ways of Levant do not equate to equality between people, classes, much less nations.

Lastly expect to hear from my colleagues in the near future as rumors in military circles expect us to look towards Levant for helicopters. I believe our deals in the past have always been beneficial for the both of us.

As always, please send my warmest regards to Parliament and the President.​

Tack så mycket,
Her excellency, statsminister för utrikes ärendena
Mathilde Lund
Mathilde Lund
Konungariket Fjäderholmarna

 

[Vistrasia]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Levantine States
Private Communique to the Government of Fjäderholmarna

We have always emphasized free enterprise and free trade. Our diplomats, while recognizing the volatile nature of the government of Soledad de Pacifica, and it's moderate violations of human rights does not consider these of such a nature to block the trade of small arms, we would like to emphasize that these small arms have been sold by a private enterprise.

The Levant diplomatic strategy in the Soledad de Pacifica is to bring local stability, and in a more pragmatic sense ensuring that a friendly regime is in place. At this moment, we focus our efforts on improving the local economy and stability. We feel that democracy and human rights can only came in the wake of improvements in basic living conditions and security, and that in the end it is the duty of the people of SdP to choose their government, not ours.

Other then this, in these times, as the EDF and LFS are aggressively increasing their influence, we have no choice but to be pragmatic. We need to make friends in corners where we in the past would never have bothered to look, we need to take certain deals because if we don't, others surely will. Unfortunately, regardless of how much we regret it, in these days we have cannot continue to base our foreign policy decisions solely on idealism.

 

[Vistrasia]

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Elias Abizaid's Christmas speech
Antioch, Antioch - From Nystrå, Scania, where the AGE conference is still ongoing Elias Abizaid has delivered his Christmas speech, which was broadcast live on several Levantine television channels. His speech emphasized tolerance and liberal values, focusing on internal affairs. The Union of Levantine Freethinkers has confirmed that he will be leading their ballot during the upcoming elections, amidst stable approval ratings. There is however mounting criticism, in especially conservative publications, for his ongoing tour abroad, his extended stay in Scania, and his planned visits of other countries.

Marquettan hyperinflation worries the financial district
Barca, Carthage - The announcement of the massive debt owed by the government of Marquette (which was followed by hyperinflation of the Marquettan Joliet) troubled the Barcan stock exchange in the last day of trading before Christmas. The stock exchange eventually closed for the holidays at a loss of 4.5%, companies with significant investments in Marquette in particular and many EDF countries in particular having been hit especially hard, ongoing speculation on the trade floor being that several more countries in central Europe could be owing significant debt. Only a handful of companies (mostly retail) managed to avoid losing value, as the entire stock market suffered.

Levantine drug policy to come under review
Antioch, Antioch - In the last day before the Christmas and New Year's recess of the Levantine Parliament, the Parliament agreed upon a review of Levantine drug policy under which substances such as Marijuana, Cocaine, XTC and GHB and several other drugs have been legalized, individual possession of small amounts being legal, and the commercial sale being controlled and taxed by the government. The Parliament is expected to call upon a number of expert witnesses to determine the effectiveness of the ongoing policies. Even within the Union of Levantine Freethinkers the policy has been the subject of controversy, which has often been criticized by the Orthodox People's Party.

 

[Calidia]

Royal Office of External Affairs

The Kingdom of Ratomkira finds it hard to believe that Elias Abizaid has been honest in his Christmas speech. The claim that the focus of the Levantine government lies with internal affairs is highly doubtful considering the past. We certainly hope that the Union of Levantine Freethinkers does not continue to lie and manipulate its own people, although such methods are sadly common in Levantine politics.

 

[Vistrasia]

Royal Office of External Affairs

The Kingdom of Ratomkira finds it hard to believe that Elias Abizaid has been honest in his Christmas speech. The claim that the focus of the Levantine government lies with internal affairs is highly doubtful considering the past. We certainly hope that the Union of Levantine Freethinkers does not continue to lie and manipulate its own people, although such methods are sadly common in Levantine politics.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Levantine States has consistently been working hard to establish a more fair and just world, to defeat the bloc of dictatorships in the east, many of whom have blood on their hands or are implicit in genocide. The attitude and provocative behavior of the Ratomkiran Kingdom is hardly surprising and we invite the Royal Office to present evidence of our supposed lies and manipulations.

 

[Vistrasia]

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Crisis brewing around Meribian nuclear testing
Antioch - The news of nuclear testing by the Meribian government, Meribian news sources claiming the Meribian military celebrated New Years Eve by detonating a one-megaton nuclear weapon underground has hit the international community like a bomb, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Levantine States unable to announce any specific sanctions but that "consequences are inevitable". The very fact that an impoverished and relatively weak nation such as Meribia possesses any large quantities of nuclear weapons has bewildered international observers, and divides them, some thinking that the production of nuclear weapons has long been a focus of the Meribian government and has taken a significant amount of their resources, others saying that the Meribians actually do not have that many nuclear weapons, lack reliable delivery devices and that the New Year's detonation has been for internal propaganda mostly, attempting to prove the military prowess of Meribia.

This bit of internal propaganda will most likely have dire consequences for Meribia, as the Levant isn't the only country eager to take actions many other nations having been eager to take a hit at the orthodox communist nation.

Ratomkiran criticism of Elias Abizaid's christmas speech
Antioch - Last week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Levant, has announced that it has received a communique from the Ratomkiran government harshly criticizing Elias Abizaid and the Union of Levantine Freethinkers, explicitly claiming the ULF is filled with liars and manipulators. The communique puts a damper on increasing detente between the AGE and LFS, insiders near to Elias Abizaid claiming that a more pro-active attitude against the LFS is becoming a possibility once more.

New Years Eve relatively quiet in Antioch
Antioch - Thanks to widespread police presence, 2010 has started peacefully in Antioch, amidst a number of parties. What incidents have taken place have mostly been related to substance abuse and fireworks. In the north of Antioch however, Iberian and Arab minorities clashed however in relation to a long-standing feud between the two, the two groups standing opposed during the standing tradition in this part of Antioch to burn piles of Christmas Trees. In one in the San Agustín neighbourhood, Arabs attacked the Iberian celebrations, which included driving a stolen car, said to be filled with explosives into a large pile. Riot police were able to prevent any large riots, as took place in 2007.

 

[Skånskige Statsunionen]

Office of the Executive Chancellor

The Scanian People wish to thank the leaders of the AGE conference for their patience during this time of national grief surrounding the passing of our late king.

OOC: I will make a backstory to explain my absence, thanks for waiting.

 

[Vistrasia]

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The Marquettan Crisis continues
Barca - Weeks after the crash of the Marquettan economy, the results still remain to be felt a number of companies from the Levant having announced to be ending their operations in Marquette, to please shareholders and because of economic analysts predicting that the economy of Marquette will remain in dire shape for the coming years, as Constantine Tsatsos predicted:

"The government of Marquette is understandably downplaying the ongoing economic concerns, but personally I'm not sure whether we have seen the bottom of this. As companies from across Europe are dumping their investments in Marquette, it will take a while for the true consequences to take effect, but when they do you don't want to have any investments in Marquette left."

Companies that continue to have investments in the Francophone nation have been steadily losing value in the last days, while their losses stalled directly after New Years. It appears that the banks, investors and stockbrokers agree with Tsatsos that the stormcloud over Fond du Loc has yet to blow over.

Tensions in the south heating up
Antioch - Hajr and Wazistan seem to be heading towards a confrontation as a diplomatic crisis is escalating over supposed Wazistani involvement in insurgent operations in North Qirwan. The League of Free States has been getting under increase fire for it's supposed support to insurgent operations across Europe, on a separate occassion the government of Kyiv, a northern ally of the Levant has provided evidence of agents of Miedzymore having been involved with Khazar separatists operating within Kyiv.

Levantine politics start to focus to the upcoming elections
Antioch - While Elias Abizaid has been abroad for a number of weeks now, Levantine politics have already started to focus towards the upcoming elections campaigning beginning to start, the Orthodox People's Party having launched a PR offensive among a number of grievances one of their most popular has been accusation that Elias Abizaid with his prolonged stay in Scania shows a disinterest in the Levantine democracy, and refuses to take the voters seriously. The campaign of the Orthodox People's Party has been met with some success, in recent polls they have gained several percent, although they are still behind the Union of Levantine Freethinkers.