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BBC WORLD NEWS SERVICE -- 31.05.2004 -- TOBAGO FULLY RESTORED IN AFTERMATH OF WAR
PORT OF SPAIN, COUNTY TRINIDAD -- History will long remember the Florida War as the force of great liberation for the peoples of the Caribbean. It was the defining moment of the decade when the region's countries came together to end the grip of Flordia-Caribbea on the colonies, provinces and counties that comprise the dozens of islands in these seas. What history will probably forget all about is the second war of liberation fought in these islands, not against the Floridian invaders, but against, of all people, the Latvian invaders.
Tobago was first settled by the English 1616, where they built a fort and town at Scarborough, but the Carib natives drove them away in 1628. In 1632, the Batavians took the island, settling also at Scarborough and rebuilding its fortifications. Two decades later, the Latvians were able to secure a permanent settlement of the island, thought to be near Charlotteville. Many years of fighting led, in 1698, to a Latvian victory in Tobago and the Batavians were forced to flee to Guyana. Throughout the 18th century, English and Kemrese privateers harried Latvian shipping in the region, making Tobago a money drain for the Latvian treasury. Four times, in 1702, 1714-16, 1777 and 1813, English forces landed and held various parts of the island, often with the assistance of the Batavian minority. When Latvia was conquered by Russia in 1867, English forces immediately landed at Scarborough, seizing the Latvian fleet and properties in the city. With the help of Batavian settlers, the English conquered the remainder of the island. Since that time, Tobago has been a crown colony, part of the colony of Trinidad & Tobago and now an English overseas county along with its neighbour, Trinidad.
In the last stages of the Florida War, Latvia saw an opportunity to sneak their invading forces into Tobago while Federated forces were busy elsewhere. March 31 of this year saw a ready-made Latvian government of occupation land at Scarborough and, in spite of there being County officials in town, proclaimed the "Union of Latvia and Tobago", citing their ancient claims over the island and also a "power vacuum" created by no nation "being interested in the island". When County officials tried to intervene, several hundred Latvian troops landed and secured the city. Happily, this was done without loss of life; but County officials were imprisoned without charges being made.
England sent many diplomatic envoys to Latvia, hoping to resolve the impasse without having to resort to war or violence. Latvia never answered those envoys, except to say that the Union of Latvia and Tobago "picks up where our nation left off in 1867".
At last, on April 20th, Federated forces landed at Charlotteville and Speyside, quickly moving through the Tobago Forest Preserve national park. On the 23rd, County officials arrived at Roxbury to set up an interim government and continue to help the locals settle post-war affairs. By the 30th, Federated forces and the local militia had secured the island and surrounded Scarborough.
By May 4th, talks between English crown envoys and government of occupation officials ended in stalemate. The Latvians continued to press their claim that the "Union" was now in effect and that the English are considered the invaders and occupiers.
At last, on the 12th of May, irate civilian milias from around the County rose up and marched on Scarborough, demanding that the Lativans leave peacefully. A Latvian cruise ship The Courland, filled with "colonists" was discovered and held at sea by Federated forces. On the 14th, citizens seized the radio station and post office. The next day, Federated forces entered Scarborough and seized the County offices. There, they captured the Latvian officials, various documents and bales of Tobagan "talers" (presumably the currency of the supposed Union), weapons stashes and some 250 remaining Latvian forces of occupation. Released from confinement, the County officials declared Tobago to be liberated from both Florida-Caribbea and Latvia all in one go.
On the 16th of May, the remaining Latvians were all airlifted out to the Courland and there released. County officials refused to press charges with the County magistracy, in stead opting as a sign of peace to release the officials, citing that undoubtedly they will be in enough trouble at home, and Latvia itself will have to pay reparations to England for the trouble caused.
The Courland was seen steaming for home that evening, accompanied by a detachment of Federated detachment of airship and cruiser. On the 31st, reports from Latvia noted the arrival in Riga of the Courland, where hundreds of "colonists" and ousted occupiers alike had to disembark.[PB]
THE STAR, GEORGETOWN -- 12.05.2004 -- THE INVADERS HAVE ARRIVED!!
GEORGETOWN -- After 17 years of juvenile hibernation, living amongst the roots of our trees and bushes, the 17 year cicadas begun making their grand entrance foreyesternight. While cicadas, or locusts as many call them, in fact appear each Summer in our region, every seventeen years a vast horde of these winged invaders awakens in their millions.
Though these green bodied and red eyed cicadas eat very little and do not sting or bite, many people have expressed fear of these harmless, bumbling insects. In fact, the only damage they cause is to the thin twigs in which they will soon lay their eggs; and to out door wedding receptions scheduled in the next month. The affected branches will soon die, leaving the eggs to hatch and drop their cargo of young larvae to the ground into which they will burrow and begin the cycle anew.
While the first cicadas were sighted on the tenth in the countryside around Georgetown, yesterday marked the true invasion date. Many hundreds could be seen crawling out of the earth, up poles, tree trunks and the sides of buildings. Once in place, their dull brown shells split open and a milk white insect with red eyes and two dark patches behind its head emerges, its wings
crumpled and folded up. Within a matter of an hour, these young cicadas may be seen hanging from their shells, waiting for their wings to expand and dry. Within the space of two or three hours, their wings are fully extended and their bodies are turning green. Local musicologist Stephan Loeb states that the cicadas whirring call is of C pitch.
Soon, we will be witness to one of the true miracles of nature: squillions of bumbling, buzzing bugs going about their amatory business. After about three fortnights, the excitement shall have died down and we'll be left only with our memories -- and millions of dead bugs to sweep up! Happy Summer, Georgetown![PB]
RADIO WRW1 via BBC RADIO ARCHIVES -- 25.04.2004, 12:30
[JINGLE] "Good afternoon, dear listeners, it is 12:30. While enjoying this
beautiful, sunny Sunday, please stay tuned for 'The World in Half an
Hour'. Your humble servant is, as always, Waldemar Fiorarz."
"Next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the leaders of the Baltic League
will convene in Skuoda. The main issues will of course be the
expected enlargement of the League. We speak about this with the
director of the Institute for International Relations of the WiLASz
[Academy of Sciences, ed.], professor Onute Staniszkiene."
WF: "Welcome to our studio, professor. It's always a pleasure having
you here."
OS: "Thank you."
WF: "Professor, may I ask your prognosis for the outcome of the
summit? Will Belarus and the Republic of Petrograd and Novgorod be
allowed into the Baltic League?"
OS: "If you had asked me the same question one year ago, the answer
would simply be 'No'. But a lot of things have changed since then.
You know, Mr. Fiorarz, it used to be like this: a decision of the
Sejm [the RTC's parliament, ed.] was almost automatically a decision
of the League. It was simple as that. But now, other League members
seem to have become much more aware of their own rights. They feel
entitled to have their own point of view and defend it, even if that
means opposing the RTC. I'm afraid the days of our dominance over the
League are over, and me must learn to cope with that. Not that that
is necessarily a bad thing, though."
WF: "How do you explain this change?"
OS: "First of all, because the world has changed. At an earlier
point, smaller league members like Estonia, Latvia and Skuodia were
still fresh after their snorist past, and under the mother wing of
the RTC they wouldn't even have dared to challenge us. But now, these
countries have grown self-conscious. They are on an equal footage
with us now, and as a result we have not the absolute majority
anymore. Another thing that doubtlessly contributed is the Floridian
war. While I still believe our participation in the war was
justified, I must admit that we made a few capital mistakes in the
beginning. You know, this whole stupid thing with general Aldendorf,
and our own government pretending more or less that it was actually
us who won the war... All this made us loose our face in front of the
whole world, and we enraged some of our best allies."
WF: "I see. But you still haven't answered my first question. Do you
think Belarus and the Republic of Petrograd and Novgorod will be
admitted as new League members?"
OS: "Well, in a way I díd answer that question, because... You know
my own point of view: as I've pointed out here before, I am opposed
in both cases. Now, I admit that Mr. Kotau is doing a wonderful job
in Belarus, but we all know that Belarus is far from ready for League
membership. It may become so perhaps after ten years, but to achieve
that Mr. Kotau and his associates need to remain in charge for a long
stretch of time. Please don't misunderstand me. I am not at all
against close cooperation with Belarus. In fact, that's what we are
doing already. But league membership has other requirements too:
harmonisation of currencies and prices and all that. From that point
of view, Belarus has a long way to go. People seem to believe that
membership of the Baltic League is the only way to achieve
cooperation, which is of course very untrue..."
WF: "But that's your opinion, professor. Does our government share
it?"
OS: "You interrupted me. Yes, that's what I was going to say. Our
government shares that opinion, although I'm not entirely confident
it is going to defend it fiercely enough. With its current
preoccupation Southeast Florida, its attention in other matters has
rather weakened... And then, we have this weird application of the
Republic of Petrograd and Novgorod. Of course, it's too ridiculous
for words! Have you any idea what that would mean for the League?
That country is still so completely embedded in post-snorist Russia's
structures, that frankly, I can't imagine what would happen. But
nevertheless some of our fellow league members seem to support that
application, too. Latvia welcomed it immediately, and both the Nash
and the Skuodians are going to support it, too. Similar sounds come
from Estonia. Their logic seems to be that it would be unfair to
accept one candidate member and turn down the other. And that, Mr.
Fiorarz, is exactly what I believe Arapov [the RPN's president, ed.]
was playing at."
WF: "So they will become League members?"
OS: "I don't know. But I'm sure it will be tough. Much depends on the
stance of the Scandinavian League members. If Sweden, Finland, Rygen
and Slesvig-Holstein are going to support Belarus and the RPN as
well, then we are lost. Otherwise, we are simply divided. It might
even come to a vote, which would be unprecedented, since the League
has always operated on a baseof consensus."
WF: "Would all this affect the status of Ukraine as well, professor?"
OS: "Hard to tell. Currently, Ukraine is a candidate member and may
or may not be raised to the status of full membership. Ukraine's
progress will be assessed during the next few days. Of course I
cannot predict the outcome, but personally I don't see any problem
here. Basically, Ukraine fulfills all the requirements to become a
full member, except one: it is not a Baltic Sea state. From that
point of view, allowing Ukraine to become a full member would mean a
far-reaching redefinition of the League's very fundaments. What if
the next application for membership comes from, say, Georgia, Greece
or Montrei?"
WF: "One last question, professor. What is your opinion about the
recent developments in Latvia?"
OS: "Ah, Mr. Fiorarz, better don't ask, because it is painful even to
think about it. You remember that one month ago, during the Floridian
war, several prominent members of the Latvian opposition were
arrested, including former prime minister Osvalds Talmanis? Well,
last week they were formally indicted. Talmanis himself is charged
with the most idiotic accusations... from corruption, stealing
millions of talars from the state and spying for foreign powers, to
raping his secretary and insulting the government. And no doubt they
will produce enough fabricated evidence to find him guilty!... Let me
tell you one thing, Mr. Fiorarz: I know Talmanis very well, and I bet
my head that he has never stolen a single dzienarz!... The worst is,
they intend to give him the death penalty for all that nonsense,
although officially the death penalty was reintroduced in Latvia only
last December. No, Latvia is getting from bad to worse. We can safely
state, that now Latvia is not a democracy anymore."
WF: "Isn't that to be expected if a country reelects its own former
dictator?"
OS: "Perhaps, perhaps not. I have never been a great fan of Mr.
Alksnis [Latvia's prime minister, ed.], but I must admit that I am
surprised. After all, under snorist rule he was a relatively mild
dictator, who quite successfully guided Latvia towards democracy. The
very fact that he managed to survive a decade of desnorisation seemed
to prove that he would be able to exist within a democratic
constellation. Unfortunately, I was wrong about that, and so were the
Latvians who now pay the price."
WF: "Can we expect some actions on the part of the Baltic League
against Latvia during the next few days?"
OS: "Bah, no. We are much too occupied with other things. After all,
we keep telling ourselves that it was Latvia's own democratic choice,
and so on, and so on. I'm afraid our government will do what it
always did in such cases: nothing! Only Estonia seems to care, but
they simply do not have the power to change anything..."
WF: "But Latvia's short-lived attempt to recolonise Tobago was met
with strong international protests, no?"
OS: "Short-lived, why? From what I hear, Tobago is still firmly in
the hands of its Latvian-controlled government. British and Venezôlan
troups have indeed landed there, but as far as I know they haven't
managed to occupy anything else than a few tropical beaches. What's
more, thousands of Latvian civilians are being shipped to Tobago as
colonists. No, I think Alksnis was right in his calculations... of
course, there were some international protests against Latvia's
behaviour, but that won't hurt him at all. What counts is that he has
it his way."
WF: "Thank you very much, professor. It was enlightning as always.
And now, time for some music! Maestro, what do we have for our
listeneres today?"[JvS]
[END TRANSCRIPT]
Asahi Ximbun -- Friday 23 April, 2004 (Saisei 53) -- HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY LEAVES ON GRAND TOUR
TAIAN -- His Majesty the Emperor left the Imperial palace in Quiòto this morning on a grand tour of the Empire's former colonies, in honor of the 50th
anniversary of the Releasing of Colonies. He will be traveling in the
Imperial Zeppelin, the Nixxi. His Majesty will first visit Naha, in the
Kingdom of Lùquiù. He will visit with the King of Lùquiù, and tour the
Kingdom and give speeches. He will spend 2 days there. He will then
travel to Corea, where he will tour the nation for 2 days, staying at
the Royal Palace the first day. Afterwards, he will leave for the
Republic of Alaska, spending 2 days there, before heading south for
Meidji-xi (Roshiya). He will spend 2 days in Roshiya, visiting with the local elite. He will then head to Kanawiki to spend 3 days there, and the final day
touring the Line Islands. Afterwards, he will return to Quiòto. As of
the time of publication, he has landed in Naha, and is meeting with the
King of Lùquiù.
During his absence, his granddaughter, Crown Princess Aico will be
given authority to take the regency in the event of an emergency.
This tour has been in planning for almost 2 years now, and the Emperor's
itinerary is very carefully laid-out, but, by the request of His
Imperial Majesty's bodyguards, specific details remain secret ... (article continues with historical background)
*****
PRO-IMPERIALIST DEMONSTRATIONS AT ÒSACA UNIVERSITY
Members of the Yamato Party and their supporters held a rally today at
Òsaca University in celebration of His Imperial Majesty's tour of former
colonies. The demonstrators showed their support for the proposal by
Canada Aqui, president of the Yamato Party, to work towards
reintegrating the former colonies into the Empire.
"We have no wish to conquer these former colonies, or in any way force them back to the benevolent leadership of His Majesty the Emperor, but
we do feel that His Imperial Majesty should use this tour as an
opportunity to show our former brothers and sisters the economic
opportunities they could have as part of the Empire." Said one student
"These colonies drifted away from us during the chaos of the Civil War.
They should at least be given the opportunity to consider whether that
was really best for them." Another added
Not everyone at the rally was in favor of Canada-san's proposal.
"Why should we worry about lands far away from Yamato? Why do we care
what happens in the Americas, or in the middle of the Pacific Ocean?
We're better off without those burdens. Let Alta California deal with
Meidji-xi. Let the Kanawikians deal with their own problems. They'd
do a better job than some bureaucrats half an ocean away, anyway," a
counter-demonstrator stated.
His Majesty the Emperor has once again reiterated his position that "if
those former colonies so desire, they will be welcomed back with open
arms, but if they desire continued independence, they will be given
that, too. Any change in the status of a condominium shall not be
determined without negotiations with the co-holder" [What is the term
for the parties involved in a condominium?]
Elsewhere, demonstrations were not so peaceful. In Soccaitxi, in the
condominium capital of Vladivostock, violence erupted between
pro-Japanese, pro-Primoryan, pro-Independence, and pro-Condominium
demonstrators. No one died, but dozens were injured. Both the Japanese
and the Primoryan governor of the territory have urged their people to
remain calm.
*****
GOSSIP: CROWN PRINCESS RUMORED TO BE IN RELATIONSHIP WITH MOLISATÒ
Rumors are flying of an intimate relationship between Her Imperial
Highness, the Crown Princess, and world-famous musician Molisatò
Hidequi. The two were seen together after Molisatò's concert in
Sapporo, Ezo. One witness claimed to have seen the musician whispering
something in the Crown Princess' ear. Her Imperial Highness the Crown
Princess has denied these claims. "I enjoy Hidequi's music just as much
as the next girl," she told a reporter for the Ezo-based Hoccaiqui, "but
he, as an individual, would never appeal to me romantically. We are
just friends." However, one servant of the Imperial Household, speaking
on condition of absolute anonymity, claims that the young musician has
visited her, unsupervised, in her wing of the Imperial Palace. A
spokesman for the Imperial Household Ministry strongly denies that
Molisatò-san has ever even visited the Imperial Palace, much less spent
time alone with the Crown Princess.[NT]
BBC WORLD NEWS SERVICE, AMERICA DESK -- 10.04.2004 -- Commonwealth Forces Oust Spurious Latvian Occupation
KINGSTON -- "Intolerable! Utterly and astoundingly ridiculous!!" That was the response of Admiral Sir Waughnsley Pickwick, commander of Commonwealth Naval Forces in the Caribbean last week in response to the news that Tobago had been claimed and invaded by Latvians. "We have just gotten done with one bunch of looney tunes in this part of the world, and now it appears we must deal with yet another little penny-hapenny berk suffering from delusions of grandure."
Venezolan military leadership offered similar in response to our agents questioning. The island nation, once a colony of Courland (and hence the one and only leg upon which Latvias claim rests), was transfered variously to Castile and England. Since the late 19th century, Tobago has been jointly administered by Venezola and England, attaining independence within the Commonwealth in 1955. Though Florida attempted to conquer the island, joint British and Venezolan forces repulsed their attacks.
Most of the British and Venezolan garrisons were redirected out East or else to other local islands after the Atomic bomb blast was detected in the Cruzans, and it is thought that Latvian agents entered Tobago at this time. These forces which captured the Town Hall and set up their own queen were largely ignored by the populace and seem to have been dealt with returning Coalition forces.
No official declaration of war has been issued against Latvia, though the English ambassadors to Latvia and the Baltic League have issued the strongest protests against that baltic land.
FLORIDA IS NO MORE
KINGSTON -- The Republic of Florida-Caribbea has ceased to exist. of course, Occupation Forces are settling into Florida proper and are working, with varying levels of success, at rebuilding that part of the country. In the northern American Zone, the NAL is busy reordering the local political structures and instituting a democratic government. The Americans have established a reformed system of ridings, townships and local councils, based largely on their own local structures. As far as the American press is concerned, while the Scandinavians and Weneds have been busy either burning everything down, looting everthing or holding needlessly extravagant parades, the Americans have gone about educating the Floridians in proper self government, Life, Liberty, how to properly throw a Tea Party and all that.
In general, the NAL do not support a return of Florida to colonial status. That's out of the question. An independent Florida within the Castillian Commonwealth would be acceptable; but fears that South Florida will not be properly prepared by the Weneds must be addressed before any move in that direction can be entertained. And they certainly fear and are not afraid of saying it: that the SR have left a very nasty and bitter taste in the mouths of all South Floridians.
Parliment, at the North American city of Philadelphia, are considering a Plan that will divide Florida into North (the American Zone) and South
(the European Zone); set up some national elections in the North immediately and get them integrated into Castille as soon as practical, perhaps as a condominium. There seems to be some support behind joining up with the NAL in portions of North Florida. If they wish to petition Philadelphia for provincehood, say sources, they may "approach the Council Fire and state their case". We don't know what a Council Fire is, but the Americans and Floridians seem to be serious about it.
South Florida will remain in the hands of the RTC and Irish occupation armies until they can figure out what they're actually going to do.
As to Cuba and Porto Rico, the Agreement made between the Federated
Admiralty and the President of the Republic of Cuba and the President of the Republic of Porto Rico y las Franceses calls for separate extradiction of all Bush administration higher ups and any junta thugs that might have escaped
from Florida proper. Mr Bush, being an American citizen still, he can be dealth with individually.
Clearly, these last months have been very tricky, as no one outside Florida was aware of a military coup abrewing. Though one could easily expect it, as Bush was steaming at full towards reforms that the entrenched Armed Forces leadership did not want to go.
Pandits are up in arms that Bush will face no real punishment. Junta
leaders will probably face some strict punishment, perhaps gaol, but will almost certainly not meet with Jack Ketch.
Both Cuba and Porto Rico y las Franceses have planned to desuspend their own National Constitutions and basically pick up where they left off when integrated into Florida-Caribbea. Porto Rico y las Franceses is composed of Porto Rico, Guadaloupe and Martinique.
To recap which Caribbean Islands belong where, the following is a list of current affiliations:
Turcs and Caicos is a dependency of Canada (NAL) El Pais -- 01.04.2004 -- GREAT OPPOSITION FOR REANNEXATION OF FLORIDA
Valladolid -- According to recent polls, the Castilians do not want Florida back in any sort of relationship. The opposition is stronger in Spain (78%) than in New Granada (67%) and Central America (65%).
Most people think, however, that Castile has a duty to take an active role
in the reconstruction of Florida into a friendly country under the Castilian
Commonwealth.
Goverment has been highly criticized for the rather passive possition during
the recent Florida-Caribbean crisis. Despite being part of the coalition, and having voted in the league of nations favouring military action in Florida-Caribbea, government barely commited a small Central American garrison to San Andres.
"We did not did anything important to free the Florida people, the Cubans,
the Portorricans, to get rid of the warlords in Florida, but now we are getting in the hell of administrating the mess the Scandinavians made" said
Francisco Mendoza, a school teacher in Toledo, reflecting the general
concern of the Castilian people.
"For the last one hundred years Florida had been bulling Castilian interests, in the name of a so-called Castilian Destiny, and now we are
supposed to admit them as fellow country men", Sara Lopez, a housewife in
Cadiz La Nova pointed, "We should had been more energetic to fight them, now
they expect we take them as sibblings".
The Cortes had not yet taking a decision into taking control of Florida for
Castile-Leon; but the most probably outcome will be to accept the offer made
by Scandinavia and take administration of Florida for a limited period, in
which a working form of government should be restored to Florida and their
people. Most discutions are based on the level of involvement and the
length of the time period.[CT]
WITA WARSINY -- 1.04.2004 -- RTC INVADED BY MARTIANS?
TOMASZU LUBLINIK (WSAP) - Hundreds of reports are coming in from people who
claim to have seen a flying saucer landing in the woods near Tomaszu Lublinik.
"It was enormous", a farmer said. "At least half a stadz long. And there were
lights everywhere." A woman said: "Really huge, and covered with thousands of
little lights. It moved so fast that it was gone before you realised that it
had been there!"
This is not the first time that UFOs have been seen. Observations like this one are made frequently, in the RTC as well as in other countries. In most cases these observations can be explained easily, and the so-called UFOs always turn out to be weather balloons, airships, meteorogical phenomena, or the products of someone's fertile imagination. However, what is unique about this case is not only the huge number of people who saw it, but also the fact that they all claim to have seen exactly the same. What makes it even more interesting: the ship is reported to have landed, although officially no one has actually seen it yet.
"This is the most exciting day of my life," an old man said. "Tomorrow we'll
probably know whether they have come to kill us all or to cure our diseases,
and most importantly, whether they can speak Wenedyk."
"Everybody here knows they come from Mars!", a local said. "Whatever those
so-called scientists want to make us believe," he added, referring to the
current opinion among astronomers that life on Mars is improbable, if not
impossible.
The exact location where the ship is supposed to have landed is unknown or has not been disclosed, but the army has sealed off a large area around it.
Unconfirmed sources claim that chancellor Sacz has left the Sejm and that he is
on his way to Tomaszu. It is not known which ministery will be responsible for
the contact with the Martians: the ministery of interior, the ministery of
foreign affairs, or the ministery of national defense.
*****
TOBAGO UNITES WITH LATVIA
SCARBOROUGH, Tobago (WSAP) - The provisional government that yesterday seized power on the small Caribbean island Tobago, has declared itself part of a "Union of Latvia and Tobago". Yesterday evening at 21:20 the regular program of the local television was interrupted by images of Tobago's self-proclaimed
prime minister, Vassel Birko, surrounded by a mix of armed locals and officers
of the Latvian navy who had just arrived to Tobago, speaking from the town hall
of Scarborough:
"Liberty has finally come upon us! Thanks to our friends here [Birko pats one of the Latvian officers on the shoulder], centuries of foreign occupation have come to an end. No more oppression! No more slavery! [...] We are happy to tell you that Tobago can finally return to... under the mother-wing of Latvia. But not as a colony, oh no. Nor as a province, for that matter. No, my friends, we will be equals. Latvia's queen will be our queen as well, but our government will pursue its own course. My friend Viktors Alksnis has assured me that Latvia will support us, not exploit us. [...] Our friends here [points at the Latvian officers] are not here to colonise us. They are here because we have kindly asked them to, and they will help us defend ourselves against the
imperialists from Florida, the NAL and Venezôla. [...] Oh yes, and from now on
the name of this town will be 'Skarspils', remember that. Hail to queen
Valentina! Hail to Latvia's great leader Alksnis!"[JvS]
Pobal na hÉireann, Déardaoin -- 01.04.2004 (1 Aibreán 2004) -- "Haytian Envoy Proposes Compromise" BY: Maire Ní Shúilleabháin
Newly arrived Envoy to Hayti, Gearoinn Ó Connail, yesterday proposed an
alternative arrangement that would accomodate both Republican and Monarchists
on the island: A President for Life.
"To take a lesson from pre-dominion Ireland, a compromise position I believe
both sides would accept would be to have a President for Life in place of a
King or Emperor. [DieuDonné] would, of course, be the first President. A
presidency could be terminated by either a Popular Referendum for a new
president, essentially a presidential election, or by Death."[KG]
NOTICIAS -- 31.03.2004 -- DUI BIDS FOND FAREWELL TO THEIR MAJESTIES
DUI -- It has been confirmed that King Pedr V, his partner Mrs. Sarah Pomhui, and their daughter Bewdrig have left Meddlan in Dui for permanent residence in the Tyrdyr. The home in which they lived in Meddlan has been sold
confidentially with the Terruin's express wish that it remain a private
residence and not be promoted as an historical landmark, in his own words, "a
bloody shrine to the monarchy!" The new occupants, said to be owners of a
trucking firm in Aberddui, are reported to be happy with their new lifestyle
farm and plan to preserve it as a home to raise their growing family. It was
sold at below market value and we understand there is already a van on cinder blocks in the back field.
The royal family visited the country town, a satellite of Aberddui, between
Shrove Tuesday and Calen Marth. They were farewelled at a community function that was widely attended by the locals. It was described as a bittersweet occasion with tears and laughter shared by all. No members of the media were present. The 'Paderns' lived in Meddlan for three years, after then-prince Pedr moved to Dui to study the foot and mouth disease outbreak at close range to compare it with a similar outbreak in Dûnein.
The Terruin has announced that princess Bewdrig will be henceforth known as
the Duchess of Aberddui. "She likes the ponies", he observed.[AS]
WITA WARSINY -- 31.03.2004
WARSINA (WSAP) - Heated discussions in the Sejm during the last few days. The Sejm convened yesterday and on Monday to discuss the government's policies in Florida and the crisis in the relations with the Scandinavian Realm. The
government was under heavy attack from both sides of the opposition. According
to analysts, a government crisis is far from excluded.
"What business do we have being in Florida anyway?", KRN[1] leader Wójt Kramar exclaimed. "Since the end of the Second Great War, we have always lived in peace. Until our government deemed it necessary to meddle with somebody else's wars. And look what happened: we are stuck in some remote banana republic and we have become the laughing stock of the whole world. I say, ladies and gentlemen, we have no business being there at all! I therefore propose we withdraw all our troops from Florida at once."
Other parliamentarians expressed their concern with the costs of the Floridian operation. WPP[2] leader Waldemar Pawlin asked: "Has our esteemed chancellor ever wondered who will pay for all this?" The promise of minister Piniatyk that other coalition members will carry part of the expenses, while Florida itself will pay back some of the expenses in a later stage, could not satisfy him. "Our peasants are facing a difficult year again. Instead of spending millions of talars on a military adventure overseas that nobody here is waiting for, we better spend them on the people who actually worked for them, who need them desperately, and who deserve the fruits of their labour." Pawlin added: "May I assume that our beloved chancellor is unable to tell us how much the Scandinavian sportsmen have left for us in Florida's musea?"
The camp of critics of the Republic's presence in Florida was joined by one of the nine coalition parties. Kazimierz Leonik, caucus chairman of the WUPS[3], said: "We are not happy at all with this military enterprise. Had we been
consulted before the government decided to send the army to Florida, we would
have blocked that proposal immediately. With all due respect to our
Scandinavian friends, it was them who started this war in the first place. What
if Latvia starts a war with the NAL or Venezôla? Would that mean that we need
to declare war on them as well? Besides, has it ever occurred to any of my
esteemed colleagues that the Scandinavian Realm as such is nót a member of the
Baltic League at all? It might have been a different story if Sweden or Finland
had been invaded, but in this case we were not bound by any obligations related
to our League membership." Leonik continued: "We are a neutral country, and I
wish to make clear that we cannot support a government that participates in
wars at the other end of the globe." Whether the WUPS will effectuate this
threat by withdrawing its ministers from the government is not known yet, but
if this happens, the LSDDP[4] is likely to follow. This would mean that the
government loses its parliamentary majority and may be forced to resign.
Severe criticism came also from the right, both Catholic and nationalist,
mainly on the government's "weak defense" against the attack earlier this week
from Scandinavia's foreign minister Bernstorff. "Since when", ND[5] leader
Marczó³ ¯owanu asked, "do we obey Scandinavia's orders in our foreign politics?
How can we be proud of our country, if we allow other countries to belittle us?
And, most importantly, how can we respect a government that lets this all
happen?" ¯owanu's rage was mainly directed at the dismissal of general
Aldendorf as commander-in-chief of the occupational forces in Florida:
"Unforgiveable! Each country brings forth a genius every once in a while, a
person who helps distinguish his nation from other nations. The RTC has many of
such remarkable people, and general Aldendorf is one of them. We should be
proud of a man like that, instead of setting him aside because one of our
so-called allies cannot appreciate him. Did you know that the Scandinavians
even have a word for such behaviour? They call it 'Jante's Law'! And the worst
is, it seems to have caught on in our beloved country, too... the leftist press
even had the guts to accuse him of 'visiting several musea in Miami with less
than honourable intentions'!"
Zowanu is also furious with interior minister Branik for closing down the
drafting bureaus for emigration to Florida. "What kind of a country is this?",
he asked. "How can a government calling itself 'democratic' use brutal police
force against a perfectly legitimate example of private initiative? Only
because foreign powers wanted us to!" He concluded: "All in all, a government
that allows these things to happen does not deserve our confidence. Therefore,
this chancellor and his ministers must go!"
Several proposals have been submitted in the Sejm for the dismissal of the entire government, for the dismissal of individual ministers, and for the withdrawal of the Republic's armed forces from Florida. The deliberations continue, and the vote will probably take place tomorrow or the day after.
*****
COUP IN TOBAGO
SCARBOROUGH, Tobago (WSAP) - The small, tropical island of Tobago has been the
scene of a coup this morning. A small group of armed civilians, who called
themselves the "National Unity Front of Tobago", occupied the town hall of the
capital Scarborough, hanged twelve officers from the NAL, took several others
as hostages, and proclaimed the independence of the island.
In the vacuum that emerged after the fall of Florida-Caribbea, the future of
the Caribbean islands has become uncertain. The most likely solution seems to
be the Scandinavian proposal of transferring Florida-Caribbea to Castille-Leon,
an idea not every islander is happy with. But Tobago, having no common history
with Castille-Leon at all, has found another candidate, namely Latvia. Although
Latvia's claim, going back to the 17th century, is weak and little convincing,
it seems at least to provide a small contingent of the islands populace, who speak a Latvian-English-French-Native American creole, with a reasonable alternative. With the Floridian governor and his staff gone, and only a small contingent of Commonwealth military presence on the island, all conditions seemed to be fulfilled for a Latvian take-over.
The leader of the NUFT, Vassel Birko, has not issued an official statement yet, but it is expected that he will call upon the two Latvian cruisers that are on their way to Tobago for military back-up. It is unknown what kind of future relationship with Latvia he has in mind.
*****
BATAVIAN QUEEN BURIED IN DELFT
DELFT, Batavian Kingdom (WSAP) - The former Batavian queen Julienne d'Orange, who died last week at the age of 94, has been laid to rest yesterday in the family grave of the Oranges in the town of Delft. Julienne, who was queen in the years 1948-1980, made herself very popular among the Batavians for her unorthodox approach to protocol; she was commonly known as "the queen on the bike". Among those who attended the funeral ceremony were king Witold and queen Helena.[JvS]
[1] Confederation for an Independent Republic WITA WARSINY -- 30.03.2004
WARSINA (WSAP) - Chancellor Sacz has accepted the apologies of his Scandinavian colleague Høgh-Guldberg for the attack of the latter's foreign minister Bernstorff on the RTC's policies in Florida. "Mr. Bernstorff's attack was of course unfounded", Sacz told the press, "although we have never been after his head. Anyway, I'm glad this most unfortunate incident has been settled now."
"I have also explained Mr. Høgh-Guldberg that no official representative of
the RTC has ever tried to depict the Scandinavians as monsters, as he calls it,
nor that any official representative of the RTC has ever accused them of
robbing musea, stealing gold, or harassing Floridian civilians. If any of our
newspapers should have misreported the Scandinavian liberation of Florida, that
is very unfortunate, but as we are a country with a free press, our government
can do very little about that."
"I also wish to point out," Sacz continued, "that it has by no means been our intention to overstate our own role in the liberation of Florida or to
understate Scandinavia's role in it. We did it together, and that is that. To
show our goodwill, a statue of Scandinavia's national composer Edvard Grieg
will be erected on the Plaza del Pueblo in Miami. I also urge the Scandinavian
Realm to reopen its embassy in Miami, and the Baltic League to reopen its
office there."
*****
WARSINA (WSAP) - The commander-in-chief of the Republic's occupational forces in Southeast Florida, general Marek Aldendorf, will not return to Miami.
Although officially he resigned for health reasons, it is suspected that the
government needed to dispose of Aldendorf, whose autocratic behaviour had
offended the rest of the coalition and almost caused a split in the Baltic
league.
Upon his arrival at Warsina's aerodrome "Wniastra Wenedy", Aldendorf announced that he will leave the army. When asked what his future plans are, Aldendorf answered enigmatically: "The options are many. If nothing else works out, I can always become chancellor."
Aldendorf will be succeeded by colonel Stasys Lozoraitis, who will respond both to the minister of defense, Edmund Mielć, and the government plenipotentiary, former ambassador Katarzyna Prowana.[JvS]
IBAP -- 11 Germinal, CCXII (March 30, 2004)
PORT-AU-PRINCE -- With the arrival of DieuDonné III in Port-Au-Prince the situation in Hayti is quickly polarizing as people choose which side they will
support, the restitution of the Imperium or a renewed Democratic Republic.
While there was an impromptu parade held in DieuDonné III's honor, a
protest began in the eastern quarter of the city, demanding a
referendum, that the people might choose for themselves, rather than
having the choice forced upon them.
The Louisiannan Peacekeeping forces quickly moved into the area to
quell the uprising, promising that Louisianne would do all it could to
ensure self-determination for the Haytian peoples.
Grand Mareshal Albert Marsden of the Armée de l'Air was interviewed
for an official response.
"We will support the Haytian people if they choose to restore the
Dessaline Family to power, but we wish for them to be able to choose.
This people has been so put upon by other's wishes...it's time for
them to speak out for themselves."
Marsden later went on to say that he anticipates the situation to have
calmed sufficiently by early summer so a referendum can take place.
When questioned about the peacekeeping force of Louisiannans occupying
the southern half of Hayti, Marsden would say they were there to
ensure law and order.
His Imperial Highness DieuDonné III was not reportedly available for
comment at press time.
Analysts of the situation say that it seems very likely that the
Haytians will choose the Imperium, but there was strong showings of
rifting between the royalist north, held by NeoFrancien troops and the
south, held by Louisiannan Troops.[DH]
NEWSLETTER OF THE AMERICAN BUREAU OF ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEANIC STUDIES -- 30.03.2004 -- FIRST EVER SOUTH ATLANTIC FURACANO IS DOCUMENTED
Georgetown -- The first verified South Atlantic furacano known to science struck the coast of Brasil near the town of Porto Alegre. It seems to have developped from a storm that went to sea from the land on 19 March, then on 21 March was declared a tropical storm and given the unique designation "SATS#1", South Atlantic Tropical Storm #1, for the season. On the 23rd, the storm reversed its course and headed back towards land. On the 26th, a short way off shore, the storm was upgraded to "SAS#1", as the winds of 75 to 80 mph warranted the title "Class A Furacano". The storm came ashore at the small town of Santa Catarina, leaving 1500 persons homeless and, fortunately, only 2 dead.
The unique nature of the storm comes as a blow to the Brasilians, who claim that the storm was no furacano at all. The photographic evidence, obtained by crews of both Scandinavian and Commonwealth airships, demonstrate quite the opposite. The unique clockwise turn of this southern hemisphere storm serves only to add weight to the argument, against the Brasilian detractors who claim that the photographic evidence was faked. The Bureau is convinced that, indeed, a furacano can develop in the South Atlantic, contrary to previous scientific thought on the matter. The Bureau has called upon the various weather bureaus of the Commonwealth to ally with their Scandinavian and South American collegues to be on the lookout for future storms in the region.[PB]
OMNIPRESSE -- 29.03.2004
PORT-AU-PRINCE -- Flanked by the Imperial Banner of Saint-Domingue and the current flag of hayti, His imperial Highness DieuDonné III, Current Head of the House of Dessaline, shared today with the press his views about the
current situation in Hayti.
"Finaly" he said "a nightmare has ended for our people. We may now
move forward into an era of peace, freed of the warmongering of the
preceeding decades. With the help of our allies from other nations,
we shall rebuilt hayti into the beacon of prosperity it once were."
Born in exile after the 1957 coup d'état, HIH has spent his entire
life moving around with his family until the death of his father in
Ville-Marie (NF) 17 years ago. An accomplished historian and peace
advocate, his most recent book "Hayti et le défi des Caraibes" was
released to critical acclaim. It contain what he refers to as "a road
map to peace", a plan which include transforming Hayti into a
Consultative-Empire where power would be held by the emperor advised
by an elected council.
The idea of a return to monarchy is one that has gained a lot of
empetus in the last decade as Hayti economy continued to sag. Many
also blame the nationalist-republican in power since the revolution
for the isolation of the country from other neighbouring countries.
After delaying his arrival twice for security reason, HIH was flown
in this morning on a Air Intendance flight chartered by the New
Francy government. Tho they are the one paying for his transport and
security, the Intendancy claim that its actions should not be seen as
interference but simply as a goodwill gesture.
"Taking the Almighty as a witness," he said to the assemble press "We
declare that we, the Dessaline Dynasty, have no love but that for
Hayti, and no zeal but that for the dignity of Haytians; recognise no
duty but that of serving our nation and our people; So as we are
their monarch, we are also their servant. May God grant all of us
strentgh and wisdom in this time of need."[MP]
Radio Skuoda Transcript via BBC RADIO ARCHIVES -- 29.03.2004 15h00
[BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]
[JINGLE]
[Presenter:] Hello, the Town Hall clock has struck three in Skuoda and
it's time for the news. I am Heliena Pustuova, and we start with today's
press conference given by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Aliesandare
Voldimiruove. Paule T'iernuove reports from the Palata Urienda [the
Skuodian government's residence.
[Correspondent: ] Today Mr. Voldimiruove gave his first press conference
since the Baltic League started its involvement in the Caribbean affairs
with the 21 March Danzig resolution. He levelled what some will see as
sharp criticism against both Scandinvia and the RTC, who seem to be
breaking up in a row. His opinion was delivered in Mr. Voldimiruove's
familiar buoyant manner, which many see as not diplomatic enough.
[Unidentified voice: ] Yesterday's press release from your Ministry
claimed that recent happenings in Florida jeopardize the very existence
of the Baltic League. What did you mean exactly?
[Voldimiruove: ] Yes, it is true that the Baltic League has the
potential to be much more than an economic union. However, if things go
as they go, we might be left with no economic union - and no Baltic
League. Scandinavia is furious becase the RTC is not doing what they
have done: well, they could have refrained from letting them in in the
first place. The RTC is reacting sharply - they should show restraint.
Skuodia is not going Latvia's way, and we have very few ties with
Caribbean - except that our citizens, of course, like to spend the
holidays there. [general laughter] What is important for us is that the
League continues its existence. We sympathize with the Floridians, and
we commiserate with the Scandinavians - but with all due Florida is not
a matter that should split the League.
[Another voice, speaking English with an accent: ] Mindaugas Melnikas,
Vilnius. Mr. Voldimiruove, Skuoda is hosting the next summit of the
League in April. Will Skuodia be proposing something there?
[Voldimiruove: ] Yes, definitely. We are already with starting
negotiations with Estonia - who will be chairing - to draft a joint
resolution. We are urging restraint for all sides. The downfall of a
petty banana dictator is too small a matter for age-old friends to
quarrel over. The horrible destruction of Charlotte Amalie is a
catastrophe that must unite our peoples, not divide them.
[Correspondent: ] Mr. Voldimiruove was obviously refering to tomorrow's
nationwide mourning declared as a sign of solidarity with the
Scandinavian people. Mr. Voldimiruove also mentioned other matters that
will be discussed at the summit.
[Voldimiruove: ] We must not forget about other matters. There is the
possible enlargement: we will review Ukraine's progress, and consider
whether the process of admitting Belarus and the Republic of Petrograd
and Novgorod should be started. It is our opinion that it should. We are
also being increasingly worried at the situation in Latvia, and we have
quite a few questions for Mr. Alksnis.
[Presenter: ] Thank you, Paule, and now for internal matters...
[END TRANSCRIPT][PI]
RIGETS TIDENDE -- 29.03.2004 -- BERNSTORFF REPRIMANDED
GJØTEBORG - Several members of the Rigsråd were enraged by Bernstorff's verbal attack on the RTC last Saturday. Venstre opposition leader, Arne Melchior, called Bernstorff's words "the worst form of Jante's Law ever seen in foreign politics. Jante's Law has no place in foreign policy. In a time when we need friends, not enemies, we cannot and must not let our misfortunes
dictate how we feel about the fortunes of other countries, let alone a coalition partner and a fellow neutralist state like the RTC." He also
stressed that "Bernstorff alone has no right to raise the Øresund Tax and spite our neighbours. Only the Queen can do that with the consultation and
approval of the Rigsråd and the Kancelli."
Chancellor Høgh-Guldberg has consequently reprimanded foreign minister
Bernstorff by demoting him to position as vice-foreign minister, promoted Karl Leskinen to foreign minister, and has sent an official letter of apology to the RTC.
But in it, he has also stressed that he also wished that the RTC presented the facts about Scandinavia's involvement in the coalition truthfully. "As RTC's very own professor Onute Staniszkiene has stated herself about the future stability of the Caribbean, 'it is a matter of psychology'. Security for the Cruzan islanders will only succeed if we together can manage to convince the Caribbean hispanics that Scandinavians are not monsters. However, General Aldendorf's position in Florida is unfortunate, because he has given
the Floridians and other hispanics a bad impression of the SR. The SR did not steal Florida's gold, rob musea, harass the Floridians, nor do we want to
sell Florida to Castille-Leon. We hope the RTC government will reprimand General Aldendorf (as we have done with Bernstorff), and help bring the SR in better light among the hispanics."
*****
TYSK-SKANDINAVISK RUM COMPAGNIE READY FOR TESTS
AKRA - Gadangmeland has been selected as the base of operations for the Tysk-Skandinavisk Rum Compagnie [The German-Scandinavian Space Agency, ed.] (TSRC). TSRC intends use the same principle that the Louisiannians have used in their attempts by launching a rocket from an airship. However, Gadangmeland's proximity to the equator will allow the TSRC to fully exploit the momentum of the earth's rotation. The TSRC intends to fly an airship to the equator directly south of Gadangmeland, then fly east in the direction of
the earth's rotation, and finally launch a rocket. Tests are expected to begin next month.[KJ]
WRW1 RADIO TRANScRIPT via BBC RADIO ARCHIVES -- 29.03.2004, 20h00
[RADIO TRANSCRIPT]
[JINGLE] "It is 8:00 PM, here is the news at WRW1. Foreign minister Piniatyk is furious with his Scandinavian colleague Bernstorff, who yesterday criticised the RTC's Floridian policy in harsh words. In an interview with WRW1 earlier his morning, the minister said:
"Mr. Bernstorff says the RTC intends to annex Florida. If Mr. Bernstorff would have cared to ask me personally, I would have explained him what everybody knows already: that we have no such intent. Our job in Florida is to return order, to prepare the country for freedom and democracy, and to leave once our mission has been accomplished. That, and nothing else, is the goal of our presence in Florida. Mr. Bernstorff's words are a direct insult to our
efforts."
"Mr. Bernstorff says we are imposing our culture in Southeast Florida. I would certainly like to know where he got that information. We do not rob musea, we do not steal Florida's gold, we do not harass people. Unlike some of our allies, we treat the population with respect. After all, they were victims of Florida's dictatorial regime even more than we were."
"But what is even more insulting is that Mr. Bernstorff accuses us of abusing his goodwill. May I remind Mr. Bernstorff that it was the Scandinavians who first invaded Florida and then elected to leave? And that subsequently we were called in to clean up their mess? Now, if Scandinavia does not want to take its responsibility because the costs are too high, that's fine! But we áre prepared to take ours, and we would prefer to do it without this kind of narrow-minded criticism from the sideline."
"Our long-term objective is to help Florida flourish again as a free,
democratic, independent state. This is in the best interest of not only the
Floridians themselves, but also of the countries surrounding it. Unlike the
Scandinavians, who plan to sell Florida to Castille-Leon, we are not motivated
by self-interest."
"And now, as a gesture of gratitude for our support to Scandinavia's war
effort, Mr. Bernstorff demands we leave Florida. He even dares to abuse the
Øresund Tax, once the cradle of our flourishing Baltic League, as a means to
blackmail us. Needless to say that this is unacceptable to us."
Minister Piniatyk has filed an official protest to the Scandinavian ambassador Østerbjerg. Later today the Sejm will convene in an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis in the relationship with Scandinavia.
Further news. The commander-in-chief of the Republic's armed forces in
Southeast Florida, general Aldendorf, has unexpectedly been recalled to Warsina
for reasons unknown. He will be temporarily replaced by colonel Stasys
Lozoraitis.
Several of the newly founded drafting bureaus for emigration to Florida have
closed their doors after an urgent request from interior minister Branik. The
minister argues that he understands that they are private enterprises that are
not subject to decisions on the part of the government, but that this may
change when state security is involved. It is not known what will happen to the
remaining bureaus, but the minister explicitly does not exclude the possibility
of interference by the state police.
[END TRANSCRIPT][JvS]
WRW1 RADIO TRANSCRIPT via BBC RADIO ARCHIVE -- 28.03.2004, 12h30
BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]
[JINGLE]
"Good afternoon to you on this cloudy Sunday, dear listeners. It is 12:30. Time for 'The World in Half an Hour', I am as always Waldemar Fiorarz."
"Great things are happening in Florida-Caribbea. I will speak with Professor
Onute Staniszkiene, director of the Institute for International Relations of
the WiLASz [Academy of Sciences, ed.], hoping that she can cast some light on
most recent developments there."
WF: "Welcome, professor. We have been meeting quite often, really. You are
becoming one of our regulars! Shouldn't I start calling you 'Nusia' by now?"
OS: "Call me anything you like, Mr. Fiorarz, or should I say 'Wally'? But
please don't tell you listeners!"
[laughter]
WF: "Well. Professor, your name was frequently mentioned as the possible head of our temporary administration in Southeast Florida. How come you are still sitting here talking to me?"
OS: "You know, Mr. Fiorarz, I have no idea why, but the press always puts me in such positions. Three years ago it was written that I would 'almost certainly become the new foreign minister'. Last year they wrote that I would 'almost certainly become the new secretary-general of the Baltic League'. I don't know where they get this information, but let me tell you one thing: it's nonsense! The only job that I've been really offered is ambassador to Kiev. That was three years ago, and I turned it down. I am a scientist, Mr. Fiorarz, not a politician. I am perfectly happy with what I am doing now - teaching, writing, advising, training young diplomats, giving my opinion to whoever asks for it...and sitting here with you, of course."
WF: [laughter] "But if you had been proposed the job, would you have done it?"
OS: "I don't think that's the issue here. Besides, I know little more about
Florida than any other person who reads the newspapers carefully. Plus some
additional knowledge about international politics in general, of course. But my
field of expertise are post-snorist societies, and their transition to more
democratic models. What I think ís important, though, is that the process of
rebuilding Florida should not be the exclusive domain of the military. With all
due respect to Mr. Aldendorf and his crew, I think they should not start
behaving like politicians. That's why I am very glad that Mrs. Prowana has gone
there too...
WF: The former RTC ambassador to Miami?
OS: Yes. She has a very healthy mind. She knows the country from within,
understands it, speaks the language, etc. The army should do what it was meant
for: fight battles when necessary and maintain order. From this point of view,
I think Aldendorf's show-off in Miami was not the luckiest choice."
WF: "Our allies seem to agree with that. An Irish newspaper wrote yesterday, I quote: 'The recent actions of the RTC go beyond liberation. They are nothing more than colonialism.' May I ask your opinion about this kind of criticism of our conduct in Florida?"
OS: "They surely have point, although in my opinion they exaggerate it a bit. You see, Mr. Fiorarz, it is also a matter of psychology. Of course we were not the only ones who liberated Florida! Maybe we don't like to be reminded, but it was in fact the Scandinavians who did the job, not us. When we arrived, our bed was already made for us. The question is only: does it matter? To the average Floridian, we and the Scandinavians are basically the same thing. Our uniforms look alike. The only difference is that our flag is a red cross on white and theirs a white cross on red. They probably haven't even noticed the difference! Of course, the Scandinavians were slightly more, let's put it gently, emotional in their behaviour than we are... My point being, that if wé are the true liberators in the eyes of the Floridians, that will only make our mission easier to accomplish. This is all about reality, Mr. Fiorarz, not about rewriting history."
WF: "But they also accuse us of colonising Florida!"
OS: "You surely mean those drafting bureaus? No, I disagree. Look, people have always been emigrating to Florida, as well as to many other countries in the new world. Now they suddenly start calling that 'colonisation'. Furthermore, we need a lot of qualified workers there. That is, if we take our job of rebuilding Florida seriously."
WF: "How long do you think the RTC will stay in Florida? I've heard several
politicians say that they want us to stay there for a very long time."
OS: "Honestly, I have no idea. Quite a while, I think. You know, transforming a totalitarian society into a democracy takes years, many years. I don't say we'll need to administrate the country for so long, but at least we'll need to guide the Floridians in the process. Much depends also on what the other members of the Coalition intend to do. Høgh-Guldberg wants to return Florida to Castille-Leon as a colony! I am very much opposed to that idea, and I think we should do anything we can to prevent that from happening. It wouldn't solve the problem on the longer term... it would just make it worse.
WF: "Do you think we - a neutral state after all - should have participated in that war at all?"
OS: "Ah, that's a tricky question. Well, the answer is simple: yes. I believe our neutrality had lost most of its meaning anyway. Not only because it was imposed on us, but also because the world is not divided in two camps anymore. If we would have stayed neutral... well, that would only be because we got used to it. No, we definitely did the right thing. A member of the Baltic League was attacked, so we decided to act. I think this is very important, because it shows where we stand, and that despite our overcomplicated political system we are still capable of acting. It also shows that the League has some potential for becoming more than just a body for economic cooperation. I must admit that from this point of view I'm a bit disappointed with some of the other members of the League. Especially from Estonia I would have expected a more daring attitude."
WF: "But at least Danzig and Latvia joined the Coalition. Doesn't that count, professor?"
OS: "It counts, it counts, of course it counts. Though personally, I have my
doubts regarding Latvia's motives. Don't forget that Mr. Alksnis was a personal
friend of Jaime Bush. Look what happened: on the very last moment, when the
battles are over and this madman Silva has already been captured, Latvia joins
the coalition. And at the very same moment, several important members of the
opposition disappear. Even ex-premier Talmanis. You think that is a
coincidence? Of course not! Our papers were so busy writing about our own
heroic acts in Florida that they hardly even mentioned Latvia! No, to me it is
quite clear that Alksnis has a hidden agenda behind everything he is doing,
including this!"
WF: "Yet, Latvia seems more successful than one would have expected. It
declared war on an already defeated Florida, subsequently claimed Tobago and
sent out some war cruisers to secure it. And the world is letting it all
happen."
OS: "Latvia's claim on Tobago is of course too ridiculous for words! Did you
know that it is all based on two short periods in the 17th century? The
Batavians claiming back the NAL or the Turks claiming back Hungary would be
more legitimate than this! And what surprises me most is that both the
Coalition and the Baltic League are just letting it happen. It seems like every
Coalition member has got his own hot cake in the oven. This is all about
interests! And what is Tobago after all? A small island, quite far away from
where it all happens, with only 45,000 inhabitants and no significant natural
resources. Simply not worth the effort. Well, perhaps Venezôla is going to act
up, but even there I have my doubts. And the worst is, this is not about Tobago
at all! Alksnis just needs a success abroad to cover up his interior failures.
You see, the Latvians have already come to regret the choice they made half a
year ago. Since that moment, successful reforms have been turned back,
censorship has been reintroduced, members of the opposition are constantly
being harassed, the army is everywhere... No, I feel genuinely sorry for the
Latvians, although of course they inflicted it upon themselves. I wonder if our
own government is going to say something about all this, at last. Because if we
won't act, who will?"
WF: "Thank you for this conversation, professor. It was enlightening as always. Let me just use the occasion for some shameless advertising: professor
Staniszkiene's latest book, 'Skuodia 1989-2004, from snorism to snobism', about
its transformation from a small snorist country into the 'Jervaine of the
Baltic' will make its entrance into the bookshops tomorrow, where it can be
purchased for 2 talary, 20 groszy and 55 dzienarzy. Believe me, people, it is
certainly worth the expense!"
OS: "Thank you very much, Mr. Fiorarz."
WF: "And now, time for some music. Let's listen to Maja Nazala, piano, playing Frydryk Chopin's Vénédaise in G flat minor opus 322."
[END TRANSCRIPT][JvS]
RIGETS TIDENDE -- 28.03.2004 -- SR PROTESTS RTC BEHAVIOUR IN FLORIDA
GJØTEBORG - Foreign minister Bernstorff has expressed his disgust over the recent behaviour of the RTC occupying forces that took over the SR's former occupation zone in southeast Florida.
"The liberation of Florida was not the work of any one member of the
coalition, and the RTC cannot in any way call itself the liberator of Florida, since they arrived after the Caribbean was liberated by the British Commonwealth, the Scandinavian Realm, and Ireland.
"The recent behaviour of the RTC in southeast Florida is an insult to the SR, who afterall entrusted the RTC with the SR's former occupation zone in Southeast Florida. Now we see that the RTC intends to impose its culture in Southeast Florida. The coalition was started to stop exactly this kind of behaviour committed by Florida on the Cruzan Islands.
"It seems that the RTC intends to annex Florida. But only Castille-Leon has that right, because of the shared culture and history between them. We do not propose that Florida become a colony of Castille-Leon. Instead, we propose that it become an equal part of Castille-Leon.
"Since the RTC has clearly misunderstood the reason why the coalition
got together, and has abused the goodwill that the SR has given it, we request that the RTC steps back immediately and allow the SR to reoccupy Southeast Florida once again despite the costs. If the RTC does not step back now, we will be raising the Øresund Tax 100% on all RTC surface and air shipping.
*****
QUEEN THANKS THE COALITION
KJØBENHAVN - Queen Margrethe II spoke to the coalition on television yesterday, where in she expressed her gratitude to the swift action taken by the coalition to liberate her Cruzan subjects against Floridian aggression. She also expressed her deepest appreciation that so many countries around the world had expressed their sympathies to the Cruzan people, both before and after the war. Finally, she gave her condolensces to those who have lost loved
ones in the war, and especially to the Cruzan people, who have lost a large percentage of their entire population.
*****
DANNEBROG TURNS BLACK
GJØTEBORG - Will the Dannebrog turn permanently black? That is what
foreigners seems to be asking these days. But the truth is, the whole Rigsfælleskab is in mourning after Charlotte Amalie's destruction, and the grief is so great that, in an unprecedented sign of solidarity, all SR ships, both state and civil vessels, are flying the black mourning Dannebrog, even in foreign waters and airspaces.[KJ]
Gníomhaireacht Nuachta Fánach - Saturday 27.03.2004 (27 Marta 2004) -- "Chief of Staff Expresses Reservations on RTC" BY: Aine Ní Ceallaigh
AN CURRACH: Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Commandant Pól Óg D'Arcy has
expressed reservations at the recent procession by The RTC Armed Forces in
Miami today.
"The liberation of Florida was not the work of any one member of the
coalition. No one of us alone can call ourselves the Florida's liberators.
Nor does any coalition member have the right to impose its culture upon
the Floridians. The recent actions of the RTC go beyond liberation. They are
nothing more than colonialism.
"This war was started to stop this kind of action. The coalition's mandate was to affirm the right of the Cruzados to self-determination. That the RTC is
taking the opportunity to take this right away from Florida cannot be
tolerated."
The Oireachtas is currently debating what action to take in response to the
RTC's actions.[KG]
WITA WARSINY -- 27.03.2004 -- TRIUMPHAL PROCESSION IN MIAMI
MIAMI (WSAP) - One day after his arrival to Florida, general Marek Aldendorf, commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the RTC in the occupation zone Southeast Florida, has made a ceremonial procession through the city of Miami. Under the cheers of thousands, Aldendorf made his round in an armed, black limousine, previously property of ex-president Bush. For reasons of security, the general could only wave his hand to the enthousiastic crowd from within his car.
"That must have been disappointing for the people of Florida," Aldendorf's
security chief, colonel Marcinu told us. "I'm sure they wanted to see more of
the man who liberated them from the yoke of those usurpers. But unfortunately,
we cannot afford such risks. Behind every friendly, smiling face, a terrorist
may be hidden, and we have reasons enough to believe that at every single point
of his route at least twenty guns were pointed to his limo, eagerly waiting for
the general to come out."
Nevertheless, the Republic's occupational force in Florida has made significant progress on its first day. Marcinu: "The attitude of the local population towards us is extremely friendly. In fact, the warmth with which we were welcomed is overwhelming. Not without a reason, of course. Due to our presence in the streets of Miami, most fightings and raids have been stopped. Thanks to us, people feel safe again. Until now, about 800 criminals have been arrested. Those elements that still try to disrupt order better watch their steps!"
In the meantime, the process of "de-Bushification" has already started. The
enormous, 27 Venedic feet high statue of former president Jaime Bush has been
taken down and crushed into the pieces; the remnants will be used for a bronze
statue of Frydryk Chopin, 32 Venedic feet high, which will be erected already
in the second half of April. All pictures and paintings of Bush have been
removed and burnt. The Avenida Presidente Bush has been renamed "Avenida Rey
Witold IV"; the direction of the famous Hotel Jaime has decided to rename it
"the Aldendorf Hotel".
The success in Florida can also be felt in the RTC itself. The Sejm has
appointed a special commission to investigate whether the Venedic language
should become an obligatory subject in Floridian schools or merely a
facultative one, and in all major cities of the Republic drafting bureaus have
been opened, where people can gain information about the possibilities of a new
life at the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, or even apply for immediate
emigration.[JvS]
WRW1 RADIO TRANSCRIPT via BBC RADIO ARCHIVES -- 26.03.2004, 16h00
[BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]
[JINGLE]
"It is 16:00 hours, time for the latest news at WRW1. The war with Florida is facing its final hours now. The last remnants of resistance against the Coalition seem to have broken. There has not been an official capitulation yet, but this is merely due to the fact that there is no central authority left who could sign it. Nothing is known yet about the whereabouts of former Floridian president Jaime Bush. In the meantime, total anarchy has broken out in the Floridian cities. Despite the curfew imposed by the Scandinavian leadership, former representatives of the Bush administration are being lynched to death by angry crowds, shops are plundered, cars, telephone booths and other properties are vandalised, and public buildings are emptied and burnt down. The Scandinavian authorities claim to have everything under control; however, other sources claim that members of the Scandinavian military have again started emptying musea and harassing Floridian civilians.
For the Republic of the Two Crowns, the war has become one of the greatest
successes in its history. Addressing the Sejm this morning, chancellor Jan Sacz
said:
"We have all reason to be proud of ourselves. Could we have known the war would be so short, and our victory so complete? No! We expected months of heavy
fightings, hundreds or thousands of casualties, and the sad duty of telling
wives, parents and children that they had died for a just cause. Yet, we took
our responsibility, not for our own sake, but for a better future of the entire
world. Could we have known that we could finish the task without one single
shot? Again, ladies and gentlemen, the answer is: no! But we did it anyway.
Thanks to our efforts and those of our allies, a total victory over
Florida-Caribbea has become a matter of days. Our brave soldiers have done a
fantasic job, and I am confident they will do an even greater job during the
months or years ahead of us."
The Republic of the Two Crowns will play an important part in the future of
Florida. Chancellor Sacz said:
"After long deliberations with my Scandinavian colleague Høgh-Guldberg, we have come to the following conclusions: as soon as general Aldendorf and his staff arrive in Miami, the administration of the Scandinavian occupation zone in Southeast Florida will be handed over to them. The Scandinavian Realm itself
has chosen to retreat from Florida as soon as possible, and to concentrate
itself on the rebuilding of Charlotte Amalie instead. We respect their wishes,
and I am convinced that we have the knowledge and the resources to make this a
success."
It is not clear yet what the future of Florida-Caribbea on the longer term
should look like. Høgh-Guldberg suggested that the country could be returned to
Castille-Leon as a colony, but the Coalition has not reached any concensus yet
regarding this proposal, nor has there been a reaction from Castille-Leon
itself. Sacz: "All options are open to us."
General Aldendorf's airship has arrived in Miami two hours ago. Upon arrival, he held a short speech:
"I am both saddened by what I see here and happy that at least we have the
opportunity to change it for the better. It is time to return this country to
order! For the time being, the curfew must remain intact, but I promise that
all civilians will be treated respectfully, and that those who engage in any
crimes against them will be severly punished. I urge every Floridian to remain
calm, to let our soldiers to their work, to go do their jobs, to make love, to
watch the television... in short, to live a normal life. But let all those
guilty of war crimes be warned, because we will hunt them down. Sooner or later, we will find them, and eventually we will make sure that they will pay
for their crimes."
"Our intention is to rule this country with dignity. We shall make an inventory of the damages done by the Bush administration, the junta, and the liberating forces. We will provide or find all the experts and labourers needed to rebuild this poor country. Of course, we will also make sure every single artefact end up there where it belongs."
"Among the Floridians, we will look out for those who enclose freedom and
democracy in their hearts. As soon as we make out who is who in this country,
the Floridians will be allowed a free, self-elected, democratic government. We
shall provide them all the guidance needed. And eventually we will leave
Florida, as soon as we convince ourselves that our mission has been completed."
Subsequently, a black limousine escorted by army jeeps and motorcycles brought Aldendorf to the smoking remnants of the national library, where he intends to establish his headquarters.
At roughtly the same time, an impressive view was presented in Danzig, when no less than sixty huge zeppelins of the type Wenedyk Hindenburg P-20 from the
Republican Airforce took off for Florida. "The sky was dark with zeppelins.
They were everywhere. Amazing!", an observer stated. Their purpose: to bring
9,000 soldiers from Danzig, Veneda and Lithuania to Miami. "I am proud of these
fine young men," their commanding officer, colonel Statys Lozoraitis, said.
"and of the mission they will fulfill. Together, we will write history."
Some reactions from the soldiers who will share in the honour: Other news has reached us from Latvia. Prime minister Alksnis has claimed the island of Tobago, not far from Venezôla in South America and previously part of Florida-Caribbea, for his country. His claim is based on the fact, that back in the 18th century Tobago was a colony of Courland for a while and still has a population that speaks a Latvian-Spanish-Native American creole, alongside the more commonly heard English and Castilian. Although Latvia has joined the Coalition against Florida-Caribbea on the very last moment, Alksnis considers himself one of the victors, entitled to come for his share. To effectuate his claim, Alksnis sent out two war cruisers to Tobago, and he appointed colonel Ziedonis Malevics in the function of Minister of Colonies. Tobago is also claimed by the Commonwealth in condominium with Venezola, and the island was apparently liberated by their forces also.
Finally, here's the weather for tonight [...]"
[END TRANSCRIPT][JvS]
IBAP -- March 26, 2004 (7 Germinal CCXII) -- Atomic Thunder Over Louisianne, Tehas.
Yesterday's prevailing winds from the Southeast have pushed the contaminated water vapor over Louisianne, and a polluted rain is falling over large areas of St. Onge, and parts of Tejas.
The actual RAD count has yet to be determined by scientists, but it must be said that the effect on the land will be much different than if the Floridian bomb had landed on Louisiannan soil. President Marie Gildersleeve has been in communications with the SR Representatives to negotiate a settlement of damages for those affected in St. Onge.
The evacuation effort of the last few days was touted as a large success, and similar systems are being modeled for the other Departements of the country, with the cooperation of CFL and Air Louisianne.
In related news, President Jean-Francois Young spoke with the press during a break in session at the League of Nations, and spoke his condolences to the affected peoples of St. Onge. He related that his argument for an international peace-keeping force in Hayti was being well received, but no decision had yet been made.[DH]
RIGETS TIDENDE -- Friday 23.03.2004 -- MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE VICTIMS TODAY
GJØTEBORG - It has been a week since the destruction of Charlotte Amalie. Memorial services are being held today throughout the Rigsfælleskab to commemorate the victims, and mourning flags will be flying at every flagpole. Her Majesty, Queen Magrethe II, will be attending the memorial service at the Copenhagen Cathedral together with other royal dignitaries and government
officials. Crown Prince Frederik has apparently seen action in Vestindien. He will be attending the services at the Evangelic Lutheran Church in Christiansted together with his Irish colleagues and the Cruzan government.
*****
FLORIDA OFFERED TO CASTILLE-LEON
GJØTEBORG - The Kancelli has been discussing for the past three days about what to do with Florida, and a decision has now been made. Last night, at a press conference inside the Kancellihus, Chancellor Høgh-Guldberg made the following statement:
"The Kancelli has decided on our proposal on what to do with Florida.
"First of all, let me stress that the Rigsfælleskab does not intend to stay in Florida long as this would be costly and the Kancelli feels that the Rigsfælleskab has already sustained enough expenses from this war and Florida's more than fifty years of misconduct towards the Cruzan people culminating in the nuclear blasting of Charlotte Amalie and its residents.
"Secondly, we recognize that the Floridians are unfortunately completely incapable of governing themselves without endangering the neighbouring countries in Vestindien.
"Finally, we feel that the partners of the coalition has already achieved their goals, which were the liberation of former condominium territories from Florida, and the containment of the Floridian threat itself.
"The Kancelli therefore intends to pass on the administration and sovereignty of Florida to capable hands as soon as possible. The Rigsfælleskab will not accept an independent Florida.
"Given the aforementioned considerations, we intend to hand over our occupation zone of Southeast Florida to the Republic of the Two Crowns as soon as their fleet arrives. But most importantly, we propose the return of Florida to Castille-Leon. Although Castille-Leon did not contribute to the coalition, we recognize the cultural and historical ties between Castille-Leon and Florida, and we are willing to accept that Castille-Leon takes control of Florida as is: war ravaged and bankrupt. The Rigsfælleskab will have no part in Florida's rebuilding."
*****
CUBA ON THE VERGE OF STATE BANKRUPTCY
CHRISTIANSTED - Economic experts agree that Cuba and its allies, who
together form the surviving remnant of the former republic of Florida-Caribbea, must be on the verge of state bankruptcy after the silver and gold reserves in Miami were confiscated by the SR last Tuesday, 23/03/04, despite protests from Cuba. The Cuban currency, the peso, was once backed by the metal reserves in the former Banco Nacional in Miami. But the only thing backing the
currency today are the few bars of silver found in the Habana branch of the former Banco Nacional. The confidence in the peso has consequently dropped, and
foreign currency like the pound and the rigsdaler is being used instead. A barter based economy has also been reported.[KJ]
From a letter forwarded by BBC agents in La Habana (CUBA) to Federated Admiral Sir Waughnsley Pickwick, Commander, Commonwealth Naval Forces in the
Caribbean:
"... please understand that Cuba is not and has not declared war on your ravening allies! We have heard of the rapes and pillaging in the Scandinavian Zone of Florida. We will never allow Scandinavians to land here! We had severed all political and military ties with Florida: after the Coupe, the leaders of the junta became enraged - we had nothing to do with their lack of
judgement in the Cruzadas and the planned attaque on Louisiana.
Since the junta we are defending ourselves against is now defeated, we do not see any reason to continue with the fighting. In accord with the Military Governor of Puerto Rico, Guadaloupe and Martinique; we hereby seek an Armistice with the Coalition...
...the Scandinavians my do what they will with Florida, but they must know and we can not trust any other power in the world than that of the great Commonwealth of Nations to tell them, that we are not their enemy! We urge you to relay this message to the Scandinavians before we too are overrun!"
"PS: We do not know where the FLORIDIAN Presidente has gone. He was an American; perhaps he has gone home, after all?"
"PPS: Please let them know also that 450 persons, former inhabitants of their city of Carlota Amalia are currently guests of the interrim President of Cuba. At your earliest convenience, please arrange for an ENGLISH transport ship to come to Guantanamo on 28 March. The reports were true that these people were to be used as human shields against threatened Scandinavian atomic
weapons. Cuba and Puerto Rico beleive we need have no fear of such an attaque and will happily repatriate these Scandinavians without further delay. We suggest the 28th, since a transport is expected to La Habana with a further 68
Scandinavians from Puerto Rico."[PB]
WRW1 RADIO TRANSCRIPT via BBC RADIO ARCHIVES -- 25.03.2004, 13h00
[BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]
[JINGLE] "It is 13:00 hours, here is the latest news at WRW1. The war with Florida seems to have come almost to an end. The armed forces of the Coalition have successfully secured most of the Floridian mainland, including all major cities and the entire sea shore. Cuba, the last stronghold of resistance against the coalition, is still defending itself, but it expected that Cuba will fall within a few days, too. Unconfirmed sources claim that the Floridian ex-president Bush has left the country in an airship, after his efforts to reclaim power by building up a resistance in Cuba have failed. His destination is unknown.
The RTC will not leave the coalition. Earlier reports about the supposed
misbehaviour of Scandinavian individuals in Florida have proven gravely
exaggerated, and foreign minister Piniatyk has taken the explanations of
ambassador ¨sterbjerg of the SR for satisfactory. "The Floridian population is
being treated respectfully", Piniatyk said, "and the Scandinavian government
cannot be held responsible for the actions of individuals. We have been assured
that those who made themselves guilty of excesses will be punished properly.
Therefore, the government sees absolutely no reason to return from its decision
to join forces with the Coalition."
Now that the war is almost over, questions have been raised about the necessity of the Republic's presence in Florida. Several members of the opposition have demanded a retreat of our armed forces. "Florida has lost the war, and I can't think of any reason why our troops should be going there", KRN leader Wójt Kramar. "The RTC has no business there anyway." However, defense minister Mielcz said: "Our ships will continue their course to the Caribbean. With Cuba still firmly in the claws of Florida's former government, Florida continues to be a threat to world peace. The risk of further terrorist actions is far from imaginary. Unlike some of our opponents suggest, the war is not over yet. At this time, it would be a mistake to abort our mission."
Chancellor Sacz has called upon the Baltic League to arrange another emergency meeting within two days. "Given the latest developments, Baltic League resolution no. 1664 condemning the acts of Florida has become obsolete. Before any misunderstandigs arise, we should once more coordinate our policies." Until now, the RTC and Danzig are the only non-Scandinavian League members who effectively declared war on Florida-Caribbea, although the Latvian government has yesterday ratified the resolution and pledged its full support to the Coalition. The government of Nashina on the other hand has explicitly stated that it will not enter the war as long as Nashic territory is not under attack, and that adheres solely to the diplomatic path as proposed by Russia.
In the meantime, the coalition is busy discussing the future status of
Florida-Caribbea. The various Coalition governments seem to lean towards the
establishment of an international consortium, supported by the League of
Nations and consisting of representatives of democratic nations from both
inside and outside the Coalition, that should take over the administration of
Florida until the country is ripe for a democratic, self-elected government. It
is said that the RTC will play a major role in this consortium, whose main
mandate will be the rebuilding of the devastated country. Frequently mentioned
names in this context are those of Katarzyna Prowana, long-time ambassador of
the RTC to Florida-Caribbea, general Marek Aldendorf from the Republican
Airforce, and professor Onute Staniszkiene from the WiLASz, an important
advisor of the foreign minister, as possible commissioners.
Further news. It has now been officially revealed that Latvia's former prime
minister and current opposition leader Osvalds Talmanis has been arrested by
members of the Latvian state police. Talmanis disappeared four days ago, along
with seventeen other leading members of the Latvian opposition, including
several former members of his government. It is unknown on what charges
Talmanis, a vehement opponent of the government of ex-junta leader Alksnis, was
arrested; minister of justice Petersons has refused to give any further
explanation.
And now the weather. [...]"
[END TRANSCRIPT][JvS]
IBAP -- 25.03.2004 (6 Germinal CCXII) -- Second Horrific Blast in Caribbean Destroys Brave Solders of VOLTAIRE, Valiant Disarming Attempt Fails!
The few citizens of Vienne-le-Port who remained in their homes were jolted awake this morning to a sonic boom and an incredible flash of light.
The threatened Floridian bomb had been intercepted approximately twenty miles off-shore at 4:37 AM, LST. The Louisiannan Navy ship Voltaire had intercepted the rusty, leaking boat that was trying to run the barricade, and had boarded, only to find a lone Floridian at the controls, his hand clenched around a deadman's switch.
Preliminary reports made by Capt. Jean-Marc Breboeuf before the explosion stated that the man was dressed in the remains of a Floridian military uniform of some sort, and that the Voltaire crew were trying to disarm the bomb. Obviously, their valiant attempts were not successful.
The resulting explosion vaporised a large section of the Gulf, sending
radioactive water vapor into the upper atmosphere, which is and will be descending as rain, expected to fall over southern Louisianne and the NAL. All persons along the Gulf Coast are encouraged to stay in their homes until authorities can evacuate the affected areas.[DH]
WITA WARSINY -- 25.03.2004 -- SCANDINAVIAN AMBASSADOR REASSURES PINIATYK
WARSINA (WSAP) - The Scandinavian ambassador, Annika Østerbjerg, has confirmed to foreign minister Piniatyk that on the day after the invasion of Florida, a curfew was imposed on the population, Floridas entire gold and silver reserves was confiscated, and that Scandinavian soldiers, in a brief emotional state of berserkness and grief, destroyed numerous cultural artifacts.
However, Østerbjerg assured Piniatyk that, although it will take a long time for the grief to heal, Scandinavian soldiers have now calmed down from their frenzied rage, and that what is left of Florida's cultural treasures are being safeguarded by the coalition. Moveable treasures are being sent to Gjøteborg and safeguarded there until such time Florida can satisfactorily
compensate for the pulverization of Charlotte Amalie and its population, and for the after effects of the nuclear blast. Scandinavia sees the confiscation
of Florida's entire gold and silver reserves as part of this compensation. This compensation must cover the expenses of the war, the rebuilding of Charlotte Amalie, the loss of priceless cultural treasures lost in the blast, the clean-up and ecological recovery of Skt.Thomas harbour and its immediate
surroundings, the burial of the dead, medical costs to survivors of the blast,
medical costs to the descendants of these survivors for generations to come, compensation to the families of the blast victims, and compensation to businesses that operated in Charlotte Amalie.
Østerbjerg also pointed out that the curfew is still in effect in Florida, not "to batter innocent civilians" as Piniatyk puts it, but to protect them and to impose some order in what is clearly chaotic times. The curfew will be lifted as soon as the coalition is sure that Florida is stable. The Scandinavian Realm does not intend to stay in Florida long as this would be costly and the Scandinavian Realm feels that it has already sustained enough expenses from Florida's more than fifty years of misconduct towards the Cruzan
people culminating in the nuclear blasting of Charlotte Amalie and its
residents. The Scandinavian Realm therefore intends to pass on the administration and perhaps even the sovereignty of Florida to capable hands as soon as possible. The Kancelli of the Scandinavian Realm is currently discussing who this might be.[KJ]
RR WORLD SERVICE - 24/03/04 00:00 PMT
[BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]
[JINGLE] "This is the RR World Service! Its midnight PMT. First an update on the developments in Vestindien.
Coalition forces have secured Northern Florida and the Floridian coasts, including the capital of Miami. There are reports of some resistance still holding out in the swamplands of inland Florida and in Orlando, but the Coalition considers these areas nothing more than places for mopping up operations.
General Silva-Gonzales has been captured along with a number of officers in his staff. Although some of them, including Silva-Gonzales himself, are severely wounded, they apparently survived the missile attack on the Presidential Palace last night. They are being flown to Bolama where they will be tried. If found guilty of the crime committed against the Cruzan people, they will be dumped in what Chancellor Høgh-Guldberg calls "the SR version of
hell" - this being on a nunatak somewhere in the middle of Antarctica where they will be marooned with nothing more than sporadic supply drops of food to keep them alive.
The Floridian civilian population are being kept in their homes by a curfew, and nobody is allowed to approach government buildings which Coalition forces are emptying and destroying.
In Miami, for instance, SR marines are in the progress of emptying the
Floridian Reserve Bank of all of its valuables, including all of Florida's gold and silver reserves. These are being loaded onto naval airships to be flown and escorted directly to Gjøteborg.
"We are taking Florida's bank reserves to help compensate for the damage inflicted upon the Cruzan people. Nothing, however, can ever fully compensate for Florida's horrendous act. Florida will be paying for this act for the next hundred years. This is just the beginning."
...says a naval spokesperson on the scene.
Coalition forces have also considered it appropriate to destroy Florida's cultural treasures. The national archives, the national museum, and all the government buildings are being reduced to rubble and their contents burnt. This is seen as payback for the Cruzan cultural treasures that have been pulverized when Charlotte Amalie was nuked by Florida.
The former Floridian bases of Pensacola, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, and Fort Lauderdale, however, are being spared. These are now being used by the Coalition as their bases of operations in Florida.
In the Cruzan Islands, the Grønkors personnel and Irish medics are assisting the few scores of survivors of the atomic blast in Charlotte Amalie. Most of these survivors were government officials, like Cruzan Statesminister Turnbull, who had openly defied Florida. They were being hidden in rainwater cisterns by the resistance when the blast occured.
"The most acute problem we have right now is water. We're afraid that all the cisterns may be severely contaminated by radioactivity. We are bringing in water from other parts of the archipelago."
...says a Grønkors volunteer at the scene. Rainwater cisterns are the only reliable source of water in the Cruzan Islands.
Meanwhile, mopping up operations are being carried out in Culebra and Crab Islands, while the SR and Irish navies are patrolling the sound between Porto Rico and the Cruzan Islands. Enemy forces in the rest of the Cruzan archipelago have surrendered. The officers are being shipped to Bolama where they await trial together with General Silva-Gonzales.
[END TRANSCRIPT][KJ]
Našemo, Sedigord -- 24.3.2004 (Našemo, 24. berzenec 2004)
"We are deeply sorrowed with what we see is going on Florida-
Carribea. Yes, we are shocked. And, honestly, taken aback.", said
the Nashina Defense Minister. "As members of Baltic League,
we fully support its communiqué to the situation. As a strictly
neutral country, we all the time insist on diplomatic solutions,
since weapons bring doom and doom brings only new doom. It seems,
that communauté international failed the mission, as well as
individual governments involved. Let it be our main goal for the
future to reconstitute them into a functional system on a platform of
good will and cooperation. Use of nuclear weapons is irresponcible
under any circumstances. We call both sides to négociations.
Responcibility towards the citizens, and justice to the cause."
According to the Nashina Constitution, the Nashina armed forced cannot act
on territory of another sovereign country, until it declares war on
Nashina. Our activities will go along with other diplomatic activities,
as those proposed by the president of the Russian Federation. The
peculiar situation, in which Nashina was railroaded as a neutral
country with strong antimilitaristic tradition and close economical
ties to the Scandinavian Union, seems to make our goverment and also
the citizens anxiously anticipating the situation. As till yet, Nashina is not directly touched with the current events, we expect nothing more than some rhetoric. As what we heard out of record from the Foreign Affairs Minister, Nashina is going to strictly follow the communiqués of the Baltic League and will undertake only strongly supported diplomatic actions.[JH]
WITA WARSINY, 24.03.2004 -- SCANDINAVIAN MISBEHAVIOUR IN F-C; PINIATYK DEMANDS EXPLANATION
WARSINA (WSAP) - The war with Florida-Caribbea seems to have come to an end
before our military even had the time to get there. The Cruzan Islands have
been liberated by the Scandinavians, the Floridian junta of general
Silva-Gonzales has been captured, and currently the Coalition is firmly in
control of most of the country. However, alarming news is coming in about the
misbehaviour of Scandinavian troops in Florida: a curfew has been imposed on
the population, Florida's entire gold and silver reserve has been confisquated
by Scandinavia, and Scandinavian soldiers are reportedly mass-destroying
Floridian monuments, musea and other cultural treasures. The high king of
Dumnonia (Kemr) even deemed it necessary to address the Coalition in person and
ask them to refrain from what he called "wanton destruction".
This places the RTC, only one day upon entering the war at the side of the
Scandinavian Realm, in an awkward position. "This is no behaviour for a
civilised country", foreign minister Piniatyk said. "We understand the
Scandinavians' anger and grief about the tragedy on the Cruzan Islands very
well, and we sympathise deeply. But no tragedy can justify the battering of
innocent civilians or the destruction of works of art. Soon they are going to
tell us that Scandinavian soldiers are also plundering shops, raping women and
killing children. I very much would like not to believe these stories, and I
certainly hope that they are at least gravely exaggerated. But if all this is
true, we must seriously reconsider our support for Scandinavia in this war."
Piniatyk has summoned the Scandinavian ambassador, Mrs. Annika Østerbjerg, to
his office and demanded an explanation.[JvS]
Journal de Ville-Marie (via Omnipresse) -- 24.03.2004
VILLE-MARIE -- When asked to comment on the accusions by Louisiana's President Young that the Intendancy had some ulterior motives for sending aids
to Hayti, Minister for Safety Perrat (appearing on the morning talk show "Salut, Bonjour") replied that "Mister Young should take care of his timber before looking for other people's twig"
The minister is thought to be refering to an article published yesterday in our newspaper in which the author (JdVM's own Laurent Tremblay) claimed that the invasion of Hayti by the louisianais was due in great part to a desire to hide their own past misdeed.
Based on confidential papers obtained through an anonymous source, the author write that for years the government of Louisiana has turned a blind eye to weapons sales by some of its national arms manufacturer to countries in open conflicts or under dictatorships.
Beside the well known case during the Tejas/alta california conflict, Tremblay maintain that an unnamed company, will full consent from the higher echeleons of the republic, provided large amount of military hardware to florida-caribea. Many of these subsequantly ended up in the hands of the pro-FC militia that terrorised the Haytian population.
On a related news, the newly arrived contingent of Neofrancians troops has started its duty today in the northern part of the country and a section of the Capital's suburbs, most of the capital being under Louisianais control. Tho not entirely friendly, the relationship between LA and NF troops is still calm and no incident of consequences have been reported.[MP]
WWL-TV -- BREAKING NEWS -- 24.03.2004 (5 Germinal, CCXII)
[BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]
[The entire transcript is narrated by Angelique Hill, anchor of
WWL-TV, Nouvelle Orleans]
"An unnamed source called to the Council offices at 10:05, Louisianne
Standard Time, and declared themselves to be a member of the now capitulating Floridian Military government. He went on to say, "A small boat left Tampa Monday heading west. Will Louisianne find it before Skt. Tomas is repeated?" cackling in villainous laughter before hanging up.
Top military officials are treating this as a true threat and the Nouvelle Cournouaillian Armee de L'Air detachment that was en route to Hayti has been rerouted to fly a search pattern over the Northern Gulf to locate any unidentified boats.
All Citizens are asked to remain calm. There is no certainty as to the validity of the claims by the telephone informant, and the measures I will now explain are a cautionary move by the government.
All members of the Home Guard are called to active duty and will report to their activations centres immediately. I repeat, ALL MEMBERS of the HOME GUARD are called to active duty IMMEDIATELY and will report to their activation centres IMMEDIATELY. The Police National will verify your identity as you leave your place of employment or home and once again in the activation centres.
All Citizens of St. Onge are requested to remain in their homes or places of buisness until directed to evacuate by Police Nationale. Parents are encouraged not to worry for their children; all schools are being systematically evacuated with their neighborhood.
All Citizens are being evacuated to Le Caillou, where a tent city is being erected. Schools in Le Caillou have been closed for the day and students are sent home. Citizens of Le Caillou are under curfew after 5:00 pm. This curfew covers the entire Departement of St. Onge as well as some cities in the lower half of Departement St. Louis.
Citizens in coastal areas are ordered to pack a minimal amount of clothing; any amount exceeding 5 kilos per person will not be taken on the evacuatory transports.
Les Gendarmes de Mer have also been mobilized in full force to a five mile radius surrounding Biloxi et Mobile and the coast of St. Onge, with many smaller Navy Clippers pulled in from Shipping-Lane patrol to boulster the numbers. A search pattern has already begun with a Navy detachment, but is felt to be insufficient without air support.
The Nouvelle Orleans Port Authority have placed a moratorium on traffic along the Mississippi and is supported in this venture by the Port Authority of Vienne-le-Port at the terminus of the river on the gulf. A blockade of the river mouth is in effect.
The Police Nationale are mobilized along with local police forces. Bus fleets and CFL trains have been commandeered to help evacuate coastal areas in anticipation of a failure in the safety net, although many citizens are resisting relocation.
[A peice of paper is held onscreen by unidentified staff; Hill takes
it and reads:]
And this just reported: Despite the activation of the Home Guard and Police National, looting has broken out in Hammond and La Salle, but Police National and local police and Gendarmes are moving on the areas in riot gear.
President Gildersleeve is expected to make an address to the people of St. Onge later this morning. We'll keep you posted as to events as they continue to come forth. May God have mercy on us.
[END TRANSCRIPT][DH]
RR WORLD SERVICE - 24/03/04 15:00 PMT
[BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]
[JINGLE]This is the RR World Service! Its 15:00 PMT, the 24th of March, 2004.
First an update on the developments in Vestindien.
Its morning now in Florida and the whole peninsula is now secured and under naval administration after the last of any resistance inland has been neutralized by coalition forces. Admiral Odum Kofisen Tesie of the SR Guinea-West Indian Command will lead the administration.
Coalition forces have ceased their activities against Florida's cultural treasures after the High King of the FK recently appealed to the coalition to stop. Instead, SR troops are now loading what is left of effects from the Floridian National Museum and the National Archives, including such priceless effects as Florida's original draft of its declaration of independence from
Castille-Leon, onto airships that will then fly and escorted directly to Gjøteborg.
"The Dumnonian High King had a point there. I'm afraid we went berserk.
Instead of destroying a lot of this junk, we should have confiscated them from the start. The SR can then sell them back to Florida at a later time if they want these junk back, to pay for what they have done to our Cruzan brethrens."
...says one SR soldier at the scene.
Others, especially those of Guinea-West Indian descent, are not as complaisant. One told us, "Bah! This High King... what does he know of what
we feel? Besides, he is not our king, so why should we listen to him? These kakerlakers living here deserve nothing after what they have done to us! They
should all be exterminated with insecticide like the kakerlakers they are."
The anger and hatred felt by many Guinea-West Indian marines is colossal. A group was caught earlier today at dawn bulldozering and defecating in the tombs at the Miami Cemetary. Despite the earlier destruction of Florida's cultural treasures, the destruction of cemetaries was specifically forbidden. The group has been disciplined for disturbing the gravepeace.
Floridians, have expressed some concern with the selection of Admiral
Tesie, a Scandinavian Guinea-West Indian himself, as the head of the
naval administration of Florida. They fear that he too will unleash
the same kind of rage that his Guinea-West Indian brethrens have. But
he has given his assurance to the Floridian people and the coalition
partners that "only the guilty shall be punished".
Meanwhile, licensed SR privateers have arrived and are helping themselves to the goods stored in Florida's ports and to what remains of Florida's merchant fleet before the war is officially declared over. Unlicensed privateers are being forbidden from entering Florida's ports by the coalition. Mærsk and the East Asiatic Compagnie has announced that all of their earnings on privateering will go to rebuilding Charlotte Amalie.
In the Cruzan Islands, life is returning to some degree of normalsy,
except for Charlotte Amalie, which is now being abandoned and the survivors are being ferried to Christiansted on the island of Skt.Croix. Christiansted is now the temporary capital of the CruzanIslands, and the government is establishing itself in Von Scholtens Palace which will now be the venue for the Cruzan parliament.
[END TRANSCRIPT][KJ]
DAGAT CUZOT -- Jerusalem -- 24.03.2004 (2 Nisan, 5764)
A flurry of press releases and televized statements have come from the
usually reticent governments of a number of Middle-Eastern nations over the past few days. It seems like the detonation of the Floridian nuclear bomb has shaken them out of their region-centric slumber.
The first to respond was the lugal of Al-Basra. At a televized press conference in the Garden of Creation near Basra City, Lugal Taliiq ibn Ash-Shams read a statement prepared and signed by himself and every member of the national council. In it, the "Government and People of the Ecotopic Arab Republic of Al-Basra pledge[d] any and all humanitarian and ecological recovery aid needed to heal the wounds of the Cruzan Islands and their inhabitants," as well as condemned the use of atomic wepons in all situations. A number of Al-Basra's "scientist heroes" of the young nation's post-secession cleanup effort have already sent information from their works on ecological recovery while waiting for travel permission from Scandinavian and Coalition military authorities. This was Ibn Ash-Shams's biggest press
conference since the one thanking the countries which contributed forces to the defense of Al-Basra at the time of the fall of `Iraaq's Saddaam Hussayn.
In a joint statement, the governments of Judea, Lebanon and the Hijaaz,
while praising the swift action taken by Coalition forces, expressed dismay at the reports of the destruction of Floridian cultural treasures, archives and institutes. "War is fought between people," they said, "not between objects. The destruction of artifacts is the destruction of human history, and the destruction of history is the rewriting of history - and the rewriting of history is a step into dark ignorance. If you have come to the conclusion that the government of Florida, based on its record of human matters, is also an untrustworthy guardian of its cultural history, it would be understandable to remove those treasures from its hands. What is not understandable is grinding them into dust." Aside from this one issue, though, the statement was overwhelmingly positive, and offered whatever humanitarian aid is needed to the war-ravaged Caribbean.
A number of other countries have unofficially pledged aid, and formal
statements from them are expected as the week continues...[SB]
IBAP -- 5 Germinal, CCXII (24 March, 2004)
In an early morning press address from the Paris-sur-Mizouri Aerodrome, President Jean-Francois Young spoke out against Nouvelle Francien Minister of Safety Perrat's commentary on Louisiannan motives.
"Louisianne has announced our intentions with the military and civilian support to Hayti. We've stated a time frame within which we intend to get Hayti back on its feet and moving forward. We plan on holding general elections once peace is restored wherein all persons of Hayti may select electors to represent them in a constitutional convention, held under League of Nations auspices. We want a free, autonomous and self-determined, self-governed Hayti.
"In our analysis of events we are lead to a dark conclusion, that the motives of Nouvelle Francie are not support for Hayti, but colonization. One simply has to look at the distance from Nouvelle Francie to Hayti to realize that their fleet had departed many days before the Lousiannan convoy. It is my fear that the Nouvelle Francien government has made this move to boulster its own royalist ends.
"I fear that Minister Perrat's commentary was a move to cover his derriere, seeking to shift the blame that would likely fall on his country for this bold move. I am leaving this morning to the League of Nations headquarters to demand a unilateral peace-keeping force be sent to Hayti to ensure the right of self-determination for that poor, abused people.
"It is my hope that the people of our world will see the risk in allowing Nouvelle Francie to occupy parts of Hayti when their motives are questionable. This is not a matter of sibling rivalry, nor is it divisiveness over the issue of republican versus royalist government. This is a matter of people being able to decide for themselves how they will be governed.
"If I am wrong in my supposition, which is based on the facts of these last few days, then I urge the Nouvelle Francien government to declare its intentions with their occupying force in Hayti, to explain why there was no communication between our two governments as to a plan of action with Hayti. If Nouvelle Francie's intentions are truly honorable, then I apologize d'avance. If not, I urge them to withdraw and allow this people a choice of sovereignty."
In related news, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, based in Zarahemla, Nouvelle Cournouaille, has begun to send large amounts of food, clothing and medicine to Hayti, as well as specialized personnel to help train and rebuild the infrastructure.
When asked about this move, President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "They are our brothers. They are our sisters. How can we look at the abundance the Lord has placed before us and not share with them?"
When questioned about the personnel, he said, "We have called these people who are even now travelling to Hayti to serve in a service mission capacity. They will train, they will teach, they will heal this people who has so long been abused. Most will only remain there for a year or 18 months. Others may or may not replace them depending on the stability of the region and the need for more support. They are not sent to indoctrinate the Haytian people. They
are not there to agitate for any form of politics, and we will recall them if they do so. They are there to serve, to bless a trodden upon people. It is my prayer that the Haytian people will have a time of peace and respite, that they will be able to live their lives in happiness, as God intended."[DH]
WITA WARSINY -- 23.03.2004 -- RTC JOINS THE WAR
WARSINA (WSAP) – The Republic of the Two Crowns has declared war on
Florida-Caribbea. Yesterday evening, at 22:50 hours, all programs on radio and
television were interrupted for a live transmission of chancellor Jan Sacz, who
spoke directly to the nation.
"As we know by now, my fellow countrymen, the regime of Florida-Caribbea has
set off an atomic bomb in Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the Cruzan Islands.
Thousands of harmless, innocent civilians – men, women and children – were
murdered in the largest act of terrorism since the beginning of human history,
and all this for no other reason than to intimidate Scandinavia and the North
American League."
"We have always successfully pursued a neutral course", Sacz continued. "But in this case we should not hesitate, my fellow countrymen, because our own safety is at stake as well as the safety of our allies. Do no underestimate Florida-Caribbea, for it is not a simple banana republic; it is a bandit state capable of destroying more than we all can concieve. Therefore, the government has decided to join forces with the coalition of democratic nations. I have just informed my Scandinavian colleague H¸gh-Guldberg of this decision, and assure him our full support in the war, both morally and militarily. In other words, the Republic is now officially at war with Florida-Caribbea!"
He then handed over the microphone to defense minister Edmund Mielã, who said: "To be precise, we have sent eight frigates to the Caribbean, as well as
twenty-four airships and sixteen Spretu fighters from our Air Force and Navy,
under the joint command of general Marek Aldendorf. Of course we can disclose
neither the exact place nor the scheduled time of arrival; all I can tell you
now is that they will join the forces of Scandinavia, Ireland and the NAL soon.
We hope of course that we will not get involved into any direct fightings, but
the Floridians must know that we are there, that we are prepared to fight when
necessary, and most of all, that we are determined not to rest until the regime
of Silva-Gonzales is wiped out."[JvS]
BBC RADIO-3 -- 23.03.2004 -- "Latenight Esca"
[BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]
...It seems no one is sleeping the night: Cruzans are awake and sorting through the remains of their land for survivors, Floridians are awake and wondering what will happen to them next, the Scandinavians are awake and seeking those who have destroyed the Cruzan Islands. Earlier the night, we heard that the forces of the Grand Coalition have invaded Florida and have made a quick sweep of it. In less than two days, all the major ports and cities have been siezed, leaving only pockets of any strong resistance by loyalist troops. Damage reports from the Cruzan Islands keep comming in. Now, the Scandinavians have come in to see for themselves what only our Navy had
seen previously: the total destruction of Charlotte Amalie and the ruin of the Scandinavian Caribbean jewel. Remaining Floridian forces, which apparently moved back into the ruined city after the atomic blast, fired upon our scout
vessels, but with heavily armed SR and Irish forces arriving thereafer, those islands have now been secured.
In light of the horrific toll inflicted upon the Scandinavian people, our High King has broken his silence on the War at last and is defending of all people the Floridians! Here's the speech just released to the press and you are hearing it here first on BBC-3:
"People of the Commonwealth! We have heard at long last that our brave warriors are advancing, in step with our Scandinavian and Irish allies, upon the nation of Florida. In these last days we have heard what will undoubtedly be a mere tithe of the horrors inflicted upon the Cruzan people by the usurper General Silva-Gonzales, leading up to the detonation of the horror of our Age: an atomic bomb. Twice before in War has this devil of the physicists been unleashed on innocent people; and the Cruzadoes, perhaps least of all, deserved that fate, for it seems that the General gave the order in order to snub his nose at the Scandinavian Realm. Perhaps he's saying 'if I can't have those lands after this war, then by all the gods, you shall not have them either!'
Now, we hear this night that the Floridians are being kept in their homes during curfew - fine. It is important to impose order in such a chaotic
situation. We also hear the the Scandinavians are emptying the vaults of the Banks of their valuables - fine. To the victor goes the spoils; and the Cruzan islands will be an expensive mess for the Realm to clear up.
But we also hear that "Coalition Forces" are seeing fit to wantonly destroy the cultural treasures of Florida - and that is not fine! We must punish Florida for its recent crimes, but we must be wary of punishing the other victims of those crimes: innocent Floridians. While the Grand Coalition will almost certainly be victorious in its War against Florida, we must take care not to let the victory get away from us! Reducing the cultural treasures of Florida will serve no purposes other than demoralising the Floridian nation; it will almost certainly turn them against us in future; and our behaviour
shall not speak well of our rightfully noble part in this action to future generations.
I therefore call upon His Majesty, the King, and all His Majesty's ministers of war and all those in authority over Commonwealth forces to refrain
from such wanton destruction! Unless we are prepared to annex Florida as a colony or province of America, she shall ever be our next door neighbour. We can not afford to make a belligerent neighbour into an actively hostile and spiteful neighbour.
Let all us Britons together call for a sane and moderate policy of subduing the machine of Florida's governance - let us not subjugate the Floridian people and destroy what is good in their culture!"
[END TRANSSCRIPT][PB]
BBC WORLD NEWS SERVICE -- 23.03.2004 -- HAYTI FIGHTS FLORIDA FLEES!!!
KINGSTON -- "Nou rêmê Fwansi Nouvo yo!" Haytians are certainly appreciative of the copious assistance given them by the New French. Not only has the Intendant sent militiamen, but has also sent materiel, food, medicines, good will and that all important necessity for a country so terribly worn down: money, and lajâ is certainly something the new governing council of Hayti will
need in times to come.
At last the Big Push has come to a shove. And it looks like General Silva's hastily drafted and gathered troops have mostly fallen like so many dominoes when faced by the fury of SR troops avanging their fallen Westindian bretheren. The "Cuban Traitors" - it is still uncertain whether or not Mr Bush is in residence at La Habana - seem to have secured their own island, plus those of Porto Rico, Guadaloupe and Martinique. Dominica seems to have come out the worst for wear, as local warlords have seized control of various parts of the country, while now leaderless Floridian troops wander about the land
seizing what they may.
Soon to be former presidente Silva of Florida-Caribbea recently called our Scandinavian allies "savage vikings", and it appears that they are now howling for bloody vengeance. Will the Commonwealths leadership be able to curb the
understandable berserk of the North as they ravage the coasts of Florida, lest the Grand Coalition be sucked into the bloodbath initiated by Generalisimo Silva?[PB]
IBAP -- 4 Germinal, CCXII (23 March, 2004)
Le Caillou, Osage -- Albert Cassin, a renowned government analyst spoke out today against the influx of Nouvelle Francy troups in Hayti.
"I'm deeply bothered by the quote from Minister Perrat. What is the most bothersome is that the Nouvelle Franciens would have been welcome to contribute to the effort of restoring Hayti to an autonomous, self-selected government, but they instead chose not to contact the Louisiannan government, and sent troops.
"It would seem to me that Minister Perrat is not so deeply concerned with the intent of Louisianne, but rather with securing another royalist support for their country.
"If I were on the Council, I would make heavy petition to the League of Nations to send in a peacekeeping force made up of representative nations. This has all the feeling of a great political snafu in the making. It makes me cringe."
M. Cassin is expected to be called into special hearings with the Council later today.[DH]
Inagua is a dependancy of Bahamas (NAL)
Cayman Islands, Swan Is. (dependancy of Cambria), Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, St. Lucia, Barbadoes, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago and Tortuga were all Commonwealth and have been
reoccupied and properly reintegrated (Tobago, of course, in conjunction with Venezola
Tortuga was privately owned (dependency of Lundy) but has apparently been occupied by Venezola.
Margarita and Tobago never fell to F-C, though Latvian insurgents seem to have been able to enter Tobago and briefly occupy it; Margarita is, of course, Venezolan.
Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire have been occupied by the Royal Navy and were returned a fortnight or so ago back the Kingdom of Batavia.
Montserrat is slated to become a Condominium Protectorate of the Irish Union (AE).[PB]
[2] Venedic People's Party - conservative, agrarian party
[3] Venedic Unified Socialist Party
[4] Lithuanian Social-Democratic Labour Party
[5] National Democracy
"We're gonna kick some asses!"
"Yes, it is an honour indeed, really, you know. I am, I am... proud to be here, really."
"Wow man, always dreamt about going there... You know, sunshine, hot beaches,
even hotter beach bunnies, catch my drift? Natch natch wink wink?"
"Party time, baby!!!"
"Let's see if those bloody vikings have left something for us!"
"I don't know about this Bush guy, but looking at his picture I'm sure we'll
find him quickly. In the zoo!"