Empress restores Ancient Titles
Act asserts claims to much of Northeastern Seleya
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 22, 5519


Her Imperial Majesty, with Chancellor Wilkes, IBSI chief Marquez, Prince Consort Bjorn and Grand Duchess Martina sign "Enacting Bill" in Eveari

Quote:"Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Nicolette II Ananto hereby revitalizes and fully realizes the ancient titles "Monarch and Sovereign of Andalay" and "Monarch and Sovereign of Vintalli". Both titles shall be restored to the Imperial Style, which shall hereby present forth as follows: By the Consent of the People, Her Imperial Majesty, of the Ancient House of Ananto, Empress and Absolute Sovereign of The Empire of Ananto and Kalistan, Queen of Andalay, Queen of Vintalli, Grand Duchess of Ananto, Duchess of Icehaven, Countess of Davon, Commander in Chief of the Regular Forces of Kalistan, Sovereign and Great Mistress of the Most Honorable Order of the Grey Smoke, Defender of the Constitution and the Realm, Head of the Anantonese State and Formal Head of Government, Embodiment of the Anantonese Nation, Guarantor of the Anantonese Ocean and Ananto Strait, Nicolette II Ananto."

As Andalay and Vintalli lie fully within the respective modern States of Lodamun and Gaduridos, both of which are currently administered by their respective people through Republican Governments, the Empress is hereby prohibited to reacquire this lost territory through war or conflict of any sort, overt or covert. However, should those territories wish, by thier own choice to reincorporate themselves into the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan, this Enacting Bill shall serve as the grounds upon which to accept those territories back to their rightful and ancient Mistress.

This Enacting Bill also officially establishes an ancient claim over the State of Althosia, currently being administered by the Republican Government in Baltusia under the same terms, having long viewed Althosia as the stolen southern portion of the Duchy of Suldanor. Her Imperial Majesty is hereby charged to protect these titles as co-equals to all titles she shall possess or have the power to present from this point forward for all time, until such time as she herself vacates and destroys them.

May no individual sovereign rise to attempt to wrest these claims from their rightful possessor: Her Imperial Majesty is content to allow this portion of her patrimony to be administered by those three Governments, according to the cries of the people who live there.

Signed forthwith and most solemly on this date, the 22nd Day of August, in the common year 5519

Her Imperial Majesty, and so forth, Nicolette II Ananto
Empress of Ananto and Kalistan

So witnessed
Lord Stephen Wilkes, Count of Vrassa, Chancellor of the Empire
David Marquez-Villanueva, Director, Imperial Bureau of Security Information
His Highness Prince-Consort Bjorn Ananto-Nordholm Count Luxon, Prince Consort of Ananto and Kalistan
Her Highness Lady Juliette Martina, Grand Duchess Kalistan

Chancellor Declares Election "Technically Valid"
"Institutionalists will continue to Defend Monarchy" says Lord Wilkes
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
October 12, 5519


Chancellor of the Empire Lord Stephen Wilkes Count Vrassa says Institutional Party will fight for Institutions

Empress invites ReNew Kalistan to form a Government
"It is their Right to do so", says Her Imperial Majesty
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January, 5, 5520


Empress Nicolette speaks to reporters following closed door meeting with IPoK leaders in Kaliburg

Quote:"We have informed our Chancellor that we have invited the Majority to form a Government and to Govern according to our will," said Empress Nicolette. "It is their right to do so. As Majority they represent the unambiguous choice of our People, and should be given a chance to not only form a government, but to move their agenda in accord with the demands of our People. It is our desire that the Institutionalists support their efforts to the extent possible, and give them a chance to offer changes within the extent of the political reality of Kalistan."

Quote:"We believe," continued the Empress, "that while Democracy remains dangerous to the stability of our state, new ideas work to the contrary, and can improve and strengthen of our Empire. We have informed the Institutionalists that if they truly respect the institutions of this State, they are to cooperate with the ReNew Party to improve Kalistan. That is our explicit desire, and those who take issue with that can find another profession."

Quote: "We do not doubt that they too will work for the good and improvement of our Nation. Kalistan is not so weak that important matters of government at to be put off by an election. We will work with ReNew and encourage them to always consider what will best benefit the Nation, and the Institutionalists will simply have to try again in the next election."

Quote:"Petulance is unbecoming any of our Deputies, and petty politics are quite beneath us all."

Tret_les Wrote:
ReNew party has chosen its candidate for Chancellor
The vote reflects deep divisions within the party
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January 6, 5520

Trevor Parkinson, Count Neveras was elected a parties' leader
The day after the Empress formally granted permission to form a government, the elected members of the ReNew Kalistan Party gathered in the Kaliburg for a closed-door meeting to set the agenda and choose a leader. There were no surprises as ReNew Kalistan Party founder Trevor Parkinson was chosen as the candidate for Chancellor in the new government, and therefore leader of the ruling party. In an anonymous vote, he received 37 out of 45 votes from elected members of the National Assembly, which gives him the right to choose candidates for ministerial posts. A source granted anonymity to freely discuss the intra-party vote told KReview that the most radical republican MPs disagreed with Parkinson's decision to work with the monarchist party, heatedly criticizing him for not including republican reforms in the party program. Political analysts have long spoken of deep divisions in the party, which united broad ideological groups and did not even have a clear manifesto before the election in October.
'We didn't expect this result, it feels like a miracle,' a strategist at the ReNew HQ told us as we waited for Parkinson to speak. 'Some people are concerned about, you know, the monarchy, but the fact that he received a blessing from the Empress is relieving. And by the way, we have never called for revolutionary changes.'
As Mr Parkinson took to the stage with a beaming smile, his supporters clapped and shouted their approval. 'Dear friends,' he began, looking for someone in the crowd, 'it is a great honour for me to be the leader of the majority party, a party that has received the support of the citizens of our country, I promise to work day and night as Chancellor for the good of our country and to make our country truly free and great. As you know, yesterday the Empress made us appoint a Cabinet of Ministers, and I will present the full list and our party manifesto the day after tomorrow at the first sitting of the National Assembly. I would like to thank all those who put their trust in me and elected me to lead our party for the next five years. Our main objective has been achieved - we have ensured a peaceful transition of power and reaffirmed our democratic institutions which, it must be acknowledged, have deteriorated considerably in recent years. We have a lot of work to do in the coming days, but I believe we have now laid the foundations for a new chapter in the history of our country. Thank you, people! Thank you, Kalistan!'

Despite the appearance of confidence among his supporters, Mr. Parkinson will have to navigate between the interests of his fellow party members, not all of whom are optimistic about the direction their leader has taken. A lawyer from Maridon, he has spent his life defending a variety of clients with different beliefs, following the long-standing rule of defense for the highest bidder. The lack of an ideological core infuriates those who joined the ReNew party just to get campaign funds and get rid of competitors in their districts. Nationalists are irritated by Parkinson's commitment to the free market and his unclear stance on foreign investment and private party militias. Socialists denounce him for the same things, but using different rhetoric. Liberals dream of sex-change operations and the full, total legalization of cannabis, while the rare religious leaders who have backed the party hope for permission of public missionary work and strengthening the role of the church. Torn by disagreement, the party never seems to have been able to agree on the specific points of a program it never had in the first place. This is indicated by Parkinson's speech, which is almost identical to the one he gave three months ago after winning the election, and the sullen faces of the deputies after the leadership vote. They all publicly supported Parkinson, but some of them still voted against his candidacy, which puts him under tons of pressure. One way or another, the deadline for speculations is at noon on the day after tomorrow, when the new Chancellor will present the cabinet and set the agenda for the next five years.

Tret_les Wrote:

National Assembly opens new session
MPs sworn in, new Chancellor elected, Lord Wilkes becomes leader of the Opposition
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January 8, 5520

Chancellor of the Empire Trevor Parkinson presents his cabinet and agenda
The National Assembly of Kalistan opened a new session today. In a solemn ceremony in Kaliburg, all 79 Members of Parliament were swiftly sworn in, each swearing or affirming to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Imperial Majesty Empress Nicolette II, her heirs and successors. When all formal procedures were over, the floor was given to the Chancellor of the Empire Trevor Parkinson.

Quote:Good afternoon. I have just returned from Imperial Palace, where I accepted an invitation from Her Imperial Majesty Empress Nicolette II to form the next government of our great nation. It is a great honor for me and a few minutes ago I swore to be Her Imperial Majesty's loyal subject. I want to thank the outgoing Chancellor, Lord Wilkes. We recognise the dedication and hard work he brought to his leadership. But now our country has voted for change. For national renewal. The forgotten men and women of this country are forgotten no more. The need for change will be met. Not with words, but with action. With that, I want to paint the picture, the Kalistan that we see. I see a country where people are given authority over their lives. A country, where people and people only determine their way of life. I see a country where the government gives people liberty, not opression. I see a country where the young people are not deceived by sweet yet deadly lies of criminals, drug dealers and radicals. I see a country which puts the interests of its citizens' first. I see a country which grows on the principles of friendship between peoples, provision of equal opportunities for all, tolerance and justice. The highes focus of the next government will be ensuring that the citizens of our country have the liberties they need. Take a look at the last election cycle. We could not advertise ourselves. We could not agitate ourselves -- and for the record, institutionalists couldn't do it too. But even with the lack of basic democratic instituions, we have made our way to the government. It shows that people want change.
Now, what that change will be? First of all, let me be very clear with this one. Freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of religion. This should be the founding principles of our nation. We will make sure that no young people are sent to work without their consent, as it happens now with deeply flawed and inefficient system of National Service. The government will no longer tell people what to do, including the issue of education. We must allow pluralism in the teaching methods that parents choose and stay within the bounds of the law. Our government will also make sure that the right to private property is inviolable, unshakeable and undiscussable, and the State has no right to nationalize and seize land without good reason. At the same time, we will continue to encourage and subsidize modern, large-scale industrial enterprises to make Kalistan an industrial leader in Seleya. And we will keep our finger on the pulse to ensure that foreign investors do not become monopolists in our most important sectors. <...> Thank you. Thank you.

New Cabinet of Ministers presented
The Chancellor of the Empire presented the new cabinet of ministers, agreed upon with Her Imperial Majesty. Most of them had no government experience, even in local governments, but many of them have management skills or experience in the field of their new portfolio. The most noticeable ones are the HEM Foreign Minister Elizabeth Brown (an interpreter from the embassy of Calistan in Baltusia), the HEM Minister of Defense Kevin Kennedy (a retired Marine officer), the HEM Minister of Food and Agriculture Juan Murphy (the leader of the agricultural workers' union) and HEM Minister of Finance Teresa Armstrong (a banker from Vrassa). All of them, as Mr. Parkinson promised, will take an active part in the life of the legislature, presenting their positions on important issues and commenting on the bills presented, but the main focus of attention is now on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, which is expected to comment soon on rising global tensions and the situation with Her Imperial Majesty's titles.

Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister Elizabeth Brown

Militia Deepens Training
"The World is getting dangerous" says Captain
Razar TC, Duchy of Vrassa
May 31, 5520


Militia Demo Squad exhibits Destructive force of Improvised Explosives

Kalistan wins IGA Invitational
St. Vincent becomes youngest 9th Dan in Kalistani History
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 4, 5520


Louise St Vincent (9d) (W) defeats Yuki Watanabe (8d Seko) in IGA Finals

Surfers Discover massive waves in Luxon County
Summer swells attract international attention
Luxon, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 18, 5520


Gaduri surfer Daniel Gomez rides a 30 foot wave face at Tapper Reef south of Luxon

KalMilInCo Reps fly to Lodamun
Initial Discussions over Radar Network on Table
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
September 20, 5520


KMC reps departing from Kaliburg International to discuss long range radar technology

Quote:T(he) R(epublic): Can you speak about your mission to Lodamun today?

(KMC spokesman) I(gnacio) R(ogers): Yes I am at liberty to speak about the mission.

TR: Why is KalMilInCo going to Lodamun?

IR: He have the opportunity to buy some surplus Aircraft from the Lodamese Air Force.

TR: Didn't Kalistan just acquire aircraft from Kundrati and Kazulia?

IR: We were talking with them, a few years ago... same thing as it usually is, we make an offer to spend money, and it goes nowhere. I, personally think someone else got to them after we made the offer, but who knows. Its like people don't want our money... But at any rate, this meeting with Lodamun is something else entirely.

TR: But you are heading to Lodamun to acquire aircraft?

IR: We intend to come home with 8 AWECS aircraft secured, as well as the blueprints and schematics for those aircraft so we can begin producing them in Gendaris. We are partnering with KalMD on the avionics and radar technology based on the Lodamese schematics. Once these are ours, we will make necessary modification to allow them to fit in with our own SOPs.

TR: If you are just going to modify them, why do you need to acquire the tech from Lodamun?

IR: Well, we haven't yet built AWECS yet. But we had this opportunity to acquire them, and with the plans we will then be able to work out how this stuff works for ourselves, so that major powers who are primarily interested in denying Kalistan the ability to defend itself can not deny us this technology.

TR: Why is Lodamun willing to part with these planes, if they are such sensitive and protected equipment?

IR: In regard to these planes in specific, Lodamun has updated their Airborne early warning and control systems. This is older technology: we might not be as updated with the most modern AWECS in our region, but we don't currently have any of these systems, so something is better than nothing. But we are also going to talk with them about a system they are currently developing to provide surface based radar stations. While they are looking to build several deep sea surface radar platforms that are similar in construction to oil drilling platforms, we already possess a lot of that infrastructure along and inside the Southern Limit: Our old KPO rigs can in theory give a joint Kalistani-Lodamese early warning radar network a major extension to the south into the central Anantonese Ocean.

TR: Does this mean that Kalistan and Lodamun are drawing closer in the security arena?

IR: Kalistan and Lodamun have a long history of working together on security matters. If Lodamun is under threat, it is likely that Kalistan is also under threat. This is more true for Lodamun than for any other country in Seleya or in the region as a whole. We've worked together on naval development and more recently on air force training. It makes sense that we take steps to link our intelligence gathering and sharing systems as well.

TR: So Kalistan gets AWECS and sea-based radar stations. What does Lodamun get?

IR: We're outright buying the planes and the blue prints, so that's that. But Kalistan's willingness to host surface based radar and integrate those into a wider regional network is immeasurably valuable to Lodamun as they move into a more of a regional security role. Lodamun looks at both the Anantonese Ocean and the Mad Dog Ocean. Early warning about from the south and from the east will be a major improvement in Lodamun's security. especially with wildcards like Aldegar in that direction.

TR: Do you predict increased information sharing and cooperation between Kalistan and Lodamun in the future?

IR: It's not really for me to say, really: I am in procurement. But it seems that is this a natural next step between Kalistan and Lodamun. If I was a betting man I'd say it is a real possibility.

TR: And what about other nations in the region? Will they be part of this?

IR: I can't speak about other nations: Other nations in this region seem preoccupied... Excuse me, the flight is boarding.

"Foreign Policy with Professor Chang"
Radio Kaliburg announces New Podcast Platform
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
February 9, 5521


Dr. Pierre Chang, hosts his featured Radio Kaliburg Podcast on Foreign Policy