Kalistan

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Kalistani News in Brief:  Emperor addresses Commission protests
Government signals tentative support for new IO; "Stranded" is number 1 new show of season
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
June 14, 5625


Emperor's official Spokesperson Allison Stuart delivers statement of Emperor

Emperor Addresses Commission Protests
As the Independent Truth Commission begins to prepare for the release of its final report later this summer, protests against the Commission have sparked across the Empire.  "How dare you!" chanted several hundred protestors at a small rally in Vrassa City last week, while much larger protests have been held in the Capital, in Eshar, and in Port Swedes, all sites of attacks by chemical weaponry in 5612.

"How can the Emperor ask these men and women to put on a uniform, and then go command them to fight and die in a war, and then question how they do it?" asked one woman at a Sulari protest last week.  "Its like we're expecting our soldiers to fight with one hand tied behind their back.  It's intolerable, and makes their sacrifice decreased."

His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick III Ananto addressed these protests, via a statement by his spokeswoman, Alison Stuart.  "His Imperial Majesty has expressed his full support for the work of the Independent Truth Commission.  It is designed to bring to light the truth behind allegations of depredations in the Likatonian War.  His Imperial Majesty believes that there is justice even in warfare, and it is his intention to ensure that when Kalistan finds itself in the horrible situation where it has to fight a war, it is not our side who acts like savages and animals toward the opponent.  They will do that to us, but we must conduct all our affairs, even to the defense of our Empire, ethically and correctly.  Those who have violated the ethical code of justice in war will be held to account, so that a precedent for the entire world can be set to show that there are some acts which cannot be tolerated, even in a violent situation.  The other side will not ever hold their own accountable for the crimes they have committed against our people.  But His Imperial Majesty believes that we are better than that.  As a people."

The Commission is expected to issue its final report in September.

Government signals tentative support for proposed Terran League
Kalistan's long held position of standing outside a world congress of sorts may be one step closer to ending.  Chancellor of the Empire Sir David Levine stated that the Empire would be willing to join an international forum and body for adjudicating international crises, "were one to be presented to the International Community with specific attention to national sovereignty."

The Chancellor stated that one of Kalistan's primary objections to the World Congress in the past was their domination by Large Powers, who seemed to want to use the body specifically to push their own particular state interests.  "Kalistan was not one of the Large Powers at the time.  Things have changed.  But there were certain states in the world that actually fought over control of the Security Council because they believed they should be able to use it to force smaller states who had no say in the decision, to comply with their dictates.  Now that the shoe is on the other foot and Kalistan is a major international actor, we would still nonetheless oppose a system that became an 'great powers club' with the mendaciously obvious façade of popular representation by the less powerful states of the world, the way the old and thankfully dead World Congress was, and the way that some states still wish it to be."

The Chancellor said the Government would support an international body who could coordinate action to maintain world peace.  "If the world finds it within them to stand against fascism, and can use some such body to better empower them to hold nations accountable for violating international peace, this seems like something Kalistan could also support.  We would balk at required military contributions such as exists in most collective security treaties, but we would be open to participate in peacekeeping efforts world wide.  But there are only talks right now.  So, we'd have to see any final proposals before we commit one way or another."

KRTVN's "Stranded" the network's Most Watched Show
The Adventure Mystery "Stranded" 's first season wrapped up this week after a full 24 episodes on a major cliffhanger.  If you haven't seen it yet, we won't spoil it here.  But it remained the network's most watched show for a fifth week in a row. 

The adventure series which debuted in January, was widely anticipated by television viewers and the three part pilot set a record for viewers of a pilot in Kalistan.  "We were amazed that this show, which had more mystery surrounding the pilot than I think we anticipated, did so well," said the show's producer Devin Hollingsworth.  "Of course people loved the cast, but the real treat was to watch them talk about the show to their friends in real time on social media as they were watching the show.  People organically set up private chat servers to discuss the show without spoiling it, and throughout the season we saw a number of fan theories developing, which people spent the week discussing as they awaited the next episode.  It was very exciting, this meta commentary."

Maxwell Ellis, the show's main lead said the response he got was phenomenal.  "The character I play is this real rugged type guy, good with knives, can do land navigation, and everything.  When the show became real popular this year, people started recognizing me in the streets, and asking me to like teach them things.  I had to tell them, Look, I am a classically trained stage actor.  If you went to the National Mall with me and asked me to help you find your way out, I might be able to do it with a tourist map...  Many go away disappointed.  I guess its true what they say:  you should never meet your heroes."

The show will return for a new season in January of next year.  Principle shooting begins in Gaduridos in September.

@TheRepublic

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Independent Truth Commission releases report
Narrative sandblasts Regular Military for Conduct in Likatonia
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
October 1, 5625


Chairman of the Independent Truth Commission delivers long awaited report

The Chairman of the Independent Truth Commission, Henry Gallegos delivered the final version of the Report of the Independent Truth Commission yesterday in Sulari, where the commission is based.  The report was immediately blasted by several public officials as being biased, revisionist, and downright scandalous, while it found few defenders in the media.  The report itself levelled many serious accusations at Officers and enlisted men in the Kalistani Regular Forces, and accused the entire Military apparatus of conducting an "unjust war."

Upon the release of the report, Gallegos said, "Many people will view this report as an attack on the brave men and women who fought and died in Likatonia," said Mr. Gallegos, a professor of Human Rights Studies at Suldanor Duchy University in Sulari.  "But our mandate, by the National Assembly, was to investigate charges of wanton violence and destruction by those who are bound by a code, and by law, to conduct our foreign policy in a certain way.  The Report is not an indictment of the Military, but an indictment of war, and it should be read as a call for Kalistan to not participate in wars of the future.  Because those wars lead to dehumanization on both sides of the bullet, and barbarity committed by otherwise reasonable men and women."

Within the report is a careful accounting of the Likatonian War, beginning with the long preceding history of rivalry, conflict and crisis with Likatonia stretching back into the Reign of Empress Pavlina I until the moment that chemical weapons launched from Likatonian soil at Kalistan set Kalistan firmly on a path of war.  It then goes into an almost day by day granular chronology of the buildup and launching of the war, as well as the battles in and around North Bend, St. Jackson, Delores Edisville, and Saultillo in Likatonia.  "In each combat engagement, Kalistani regulars conducted reprisals against both disarmed prisoners of war and against the civilian population, with the most egregious violence and destruction occurring in St. Jackson and Delores," said Gallegos.

The report catalogued more than 8500 separate incidents of depredations against the population of Norwalk Likatonia, to include torture and prolonged death of prisoners of war, desecration of the dead, mutilation of the dead to include the taking of corporeal war trophies, infliction of unnecessary suffering on the surrendered as well as destruction of civic infrastructure, to include basic necessities and utilities, schools, hospitals, local shops, grocery stores, churches, and private homes.  "The town of Delores, which was almost completely destroyed by Kalistani regulars, was deliberately burned in the middle of the night, for example," said Gallegos.  "At this point one would have to look at it and wonder if the Regular Military was not just a gang of arsonists."

Violence and destruction was primarily targeted at enemy soldiers, but in Delores, the Commanders of Kalistani forces held safety briefings where they designated anyone not in an Anantonese Uniform as a legitimate target.  "Several children were murdered in this fashion and in one evening, more than 45 families were attacked in their homes and murdered by one platoon in particular, who were taking fire from somewhere inside the neighborhood and simply went out of control on the whole neighborhood."  In another episode, several tanks from the Echo Company, 4/12 drove through a civilian neighborhood, destroying houses.  "It was viewed as a contest, to see how many homes you could demolish before your tank got stuck.  One tank scored more than 20 houses, and deployed its main gun 5 times during the 'contest'."

There were only 3 sexual assaults investigated during the entire truth commission process.  "What struck us most was that in dirty wars like this, soldiers often resort to sexual violence, but we didn't see this during our investigation.  We were able to corroborate allegations in only three instances, all three in Delores.  Most of this violence was more about revenge than domination."  Additionally, the violence was primarily committed by service members from Odufaray, Vrassa, and Ananto, while most of the people who were cooperating with the Truth Commission were from Nevaras and Suldanor.  "The geographical breakdown is surprising, unless you factor in the areas hit by chemical weapons in 5612.  It's inexcusable, but as vengeance, at least it is not inexplicable."

Most notably, the report found that the violence and reprisals received sanction from the Officer Corps, and the vast majority of those who turned into witnesses for the commission and provided corroborating evidence were among the NCO ranks.  "You saw that it was mostly officers giving orders to Staff NCOs who then gave orders to the Non Rates.  The Corporals and the Sergeants were among those who consistently tried to soften the commands and encourage the junior members to either ignore the commands entirely or to not as enthusiastically carry them out, but most often, they were unsuccessful.  This fact is supported by testimony from both NCOs and members who were E3 and Below during the conflict.  And by far the highest number of Courts Martial for Insubordination during the war came from among the NCO ranks, so the military's own records support this--In fact, one Corporal was shot in Delores for trying to order the enlisted men to ignore an illegal order from their captain in an attempt to save the life of a civilian woman.  After the Corporal was shot, the woman was also summarily executed."  Meanwhile Field Officers along the entire rank structure supported the action or looked the other way.

The activities of two groups were not scrutinized by the Commission.  "Our Mandate was only to examine the actions of the Regular Force," said Gallegos.  "We therefore did not take evidence of any activities of the Militia.  Since it is outside of our mandate, I will not attempt to characterize any action of the Militia.  They are irregulars, with their own chain of command and act outside of the Regular Military Structure.  Needless to say, we have no comment in regard to the Militia."

But most strikingly, the report also did not touch the Emperor, who is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.  "We found no evidence whatsoever that His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick III Ananto ordered reprisals, nor that he was involved in the operational conduct of the War.  His Imperial Majesty is not a tactician:  In this sense, having him give orders directing reprisals would be absurd.  His Imperial Majesty's role in the war was limited to receiving reports from his Joint Chiefs of Staff on the overall conduct of the war.  Those men received reports from the heads of the Service Branches, and those men received reports from their Field Commanders.  It is at the Field Command level where decisions were made to engage here or there and how to do it.  His Imperial Majesty is, therefore not a focus of this investigation."

Gallegos said his Commission recommends the formation of a Tribunal to hear these charges, and bring those named in them to justice.  "As to verdict, we believe the evidence here laid out is clear, and these men and women would be convicted of these blatant and egregious acts of criminal violence against the people of another nation in a war setting, but as to Remedy, the Commission proposed reaching out to Likatonia and offering them an apology, and offering them meaningful compensation for the destruction and death."

When a reporter asked whether Kalistan would demand an apology from Likatonia for the Chemical Weapons attack, he responded, "The belief was that those attacks might have originated in Likatonia, but they used weaponry from other nations.  And whether or not that regime will ever apologize or compensate us?  I wouldn't hold your breath.  We are addressing the things we are responsible for.  That is what our mandate was.  I can't speak about what other regimes will do.  Especially monstrously fascistic ones like the one who attacked us."

The Report was met with widespread protest, as public marches on both sides of the issue were planned for the Report's Release across the Empire.  The protests were mostly peaceful, though there was an altercation in Kaliburg between police and anti-Commission protestors which ended in four injuries and 15 arrests.  Chancellor of the Empire Sir David Levine responded immediately His Imperial Majesty's Government accepts the findings of the Commission, and will empower the Justice Ministry to form Charges and begin Indicting individuals named by the Commission.  The Office of the Emperor also signaled His Imperial Majesty's acknowledgement of the findings, and said they will support the Justice Ministry in conducting this work.

@TheRepublic

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Kalistani News in Brief:  Protests continue as More than 35 Officers, 650 Enlisted Veterans Indicted
Kalistan to send observers to Valruzia for elections; Cult Kill makes appearance on Charts
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
November 19, 5625


Anti-Commission Protestors face off against Police in Sulari

Protests continue as More than 35 Officers, 650 Enlisted Veterans Indicted
Political protests continued this month as the first indictments were handed out by His Imperial Majesty's Justice Ministry.  In the first round of indictments, 35 Officers and 653 formerly enlisted men and women who were active in the Kalistani Regular Forces during the Likatonian War were officially indicted on charges ranging from arson and destruction of public property to extrajudicial killing and torture of Prisoners of war.  The charges stem from credible evidence that alleges that war crimes were committed during the Likatonian Conflict.  To date, 23 Officers indicted and 256 enlisted members have either surrendered to police willingly or have been arrested, with more arraignments being scheduled in the coming weeks.

Protests spread throughout most of Kalistan's major cities, including Kaliburg and Sulari, where more than 600 protestors stood off against armed riot police for more than an hour before being dispersed by tear gas.  "Its really ironic that we are out here peacefully protesting Government Injustice and these pigs are gassing us for it," said one 17 year old Sulari native who's father is a veteran of the conflict.  "They shouldn't treat veterans like this," said another.

The protests were, on the whole peaceful, and few resulted in confrontations between citizens and the police.  In Kaliburg, a large protest of more than 5,000 citizens marched on the National Assembly, and held a pro-Veteran rally on the National Mall, while in Eshar, protestors staged a vigil at a spot locally known as "Ground Zero" where one of the chemical weapon laden rockets that hit Kalistan in 5612 destroyed more than a block of civilian homes, sparking off a fire and smoke storm that left much of the northwest side of the city uninhabitable.  "While I don't personally support war crimes," said Martha Johnson of Eshar, "when you see pictures of the destruction of this city by chemical weaponry, you kind of understand why they might have decided to pay Likatonia back."

The first trials are expected to begin in January in the newly commissioned Special Court, overseen by the Justice Ministry.

Kalistan to send election observers to Valruzia
As the Seleyan Nation of Valruzia prepares for its first dictatorship election, Kalistan has offered to send election monitors to the republic to help oversee the election.  The Election is the first test of the new Organization for Stability and Cooperation in Democratization (OSCD) which was founded at the recent Conference of Altea and was based on a proposal from South Dovani.

"At the Conference, Kalistan committed to supporting the Organization," said Dr Keith Dawkins, professor of Political Science and Institutions at Kalistan Imperial University in Kaliburg. "While we are not a democracy ourselves, the Emperor believes that stable, institutionalized democracies are important in the battle against totalitarian and tyranical government. A stable democracy in West Seleya will serve as a front line of defense in Seleya against the encroachment of fascistic movements on our Continent, and can serve as an example to other mixed regimes who are debating whether to go to a people-centered government or one that is susceptible to totalitarian beliefs."

According to the Professor, Kalistan's status as an absolutist state gives it a unique advantage. "We have no stake in the outcome, but are committed to the process," said Dawkins, who will lead a team of 14 election monitors to the Valruzian capital in January to join South Dovani in monitoring the election. "We will work very closely with Valruzian officials and civil society actors to ensure that we fully understand their election system in the weeks leading up to the election, and then will join with other monitors and government officials to ensure that the people can have confidence that their election was carried out fairly and transparently, and that the results of the election reflect the genuine will of the voting population, whatever those results happen to be. This will help Valruzians have confidence in their new government and ensure that there will be popular support of the results."

The Election Monitors are expected to be in country for a total of three weeks, and meanwhile, are conducting intensive training and education on Valruzian institutions in Kaliburg.

Kill Cult releases "La Musica del Diablo, Volume 12" on LCR
As Wanderlust is still dominating album sales with their ultra-smooth sophistipop Time and Again, Last Chance Records has released something that sounds totally different. Sample heavy, sludgy, groovy, and very danceable metal music from Springfield, Odufaray's favorite horrorfans in the band Cult Kill. Their latest release, the ambitiously titled La Musica del Diablo, Volume 12 is their first major label release, but is actually their third full LP, the other two released on GhoulTunes, the bands own independent label. And given the national mood, it is doing surprisingly well: La Musica has reached number 35 on the Album Charts in Kaliburg.

"Well, our previous stuff is kind of like, we wanted to you know do electronic club music with, kind of influenced by the goths, and kind of really featuring, you know, clips from these old stupid horror and sci fi movies and stuff, from the music we were into," said vocalist and group frontman Ed Dracul (not his real name). "But, I think, you know, that was a pretty far out concept, and we kinda gotta eat." Bassist Martina von Westphalia (not her real name), said "I think the key was getting a drummer (Bat Ivanovich [not his real name]) that knew how to play drums. It allowed us to abandon the stupid ass drum machines, and actually jam." The quartet is filled out by rhythm guitarist "David" Lethal Injection (also, not his real name).

The new release then, abandons the old electronic sound, and adopts really heavy riffs, tons of old horror and grindehouse movie samples, the crunchiest bass the Empire has heard since the demise of Noise Alternative, and an irresistible groove. "Yeah, its still dance music, for real, like, that's where our heart is. But it is also in making people's ears bleed," said Dracul. "We may have moved from electronica to mosh music, but I think whatever we're doing, we want to make sure that people can still do the twist to this s--t."

"I mean, none of us are technically what you might call, uh, like I mean, um none of us are technical or even really all that good," said von Westphalia. "Or sophisticated, or anything like that. But I figure if we play loud enough and hit people hard enough, nobody is really gonna care. Plus. We got a, f--kin, chick bassist, I mean, you know? What's not to love?"

Check out Cult Kill's first single, "Reynoldia Speed Deth" from their LCR release La Musica del Diablo, Volume 12." And then ask where the first 11 volumes of Devil Music are.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8izPzFRDYPQ]

@TheRepublic

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Kalistani War Crimes Trials begin
Prosecutors find Guerra Guilty of 15 Counts of Accessory, as second round of indictments made
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
February 1, 5626


General Martin Guerra affirms that he is telling truth before the Special Judiciary Panel

The Justice Ministry has formally convened a Special Judiciary Panel to try allegations resulting from the investigation of the Independent Truth Commission.  More than three dozen officers and 350 enlisted servicemen and women have been formally charged of a wide array of crimes, and 203 individuals have already plead guilty of the crimes and have agreed to cooperate with the Court in exchange for a lesser sentence.

The first person on the docket after convening the Court was General Martin Guerra, who was the Kalistani Overall operational commander during the war.  Though Guerra was under Lodamese command during the conflict, he was charged with dereliction of duty, failure to report more than 1000 individual crimes which he knew of, and as a direct accessory to another 4,382 individual crimes which took place under his command.  General Guerra plead not guilty to all of the charges, and the Court ordered a recess to prepare for the trial.

The trial is a special trial held by a new constituted three judge panel:  One Justice, the Honorable Connie Hernandez, is the Representative of the Ministry of Justice, and therefore represents the interests of the State.  The Second Justice, Lt. General Christopher Morrison is a senior member of the Judge Advocates General Corps in the Regular Military, and represents the interests of the Regular Military.  And the Third Justice, the Honoralble Carina Hernandez-Vasquez, is a long time Civil Rights Attorney from Sulari, and represents the Human Rights Community.  This panel was selected by the Justice Ministry and will serve as the Jury of the trial.  The variety of backgrounds on the Court are designed to ensure that all aspects of the law are taken into account when making decisions, and all decisions on all charges must be agreed upon unanimously.

The first witnesses to take the stand were both from Liktaonia. Katherine Donnelly, from Delores and Jared Whitehall from St. Jackson both gave compelling and heartrending testimonies of Kalistani reprisals in their respective towns.  Donnelly spoke of seeing civilians rounded up by foreign soldiers and treated roughly as they were thrown into the back of vehicles and taken out of town: "We were the lucky ones, until we weren't, Kalistan destroyed the only city we have ever known, almost everyone in Likatonia knows someone who died fighting on the frontline, thousands more still missing." She said she saw one Kalistani squad break into a house and she heard screams before the squad left the building and started it on fire. "We just hid the kids," said Donnelly.

Meanwhile, Whitehall testified as to the destruction of various vital infrastructure projects. Whitehall, a local engineer at the St. Jackson Water Treatment Plant, said that Kalistani soldiers broke into the facility, held his workers at gun point and deliberately destroyed the water filtration systems for the city, flooding the town's drinking supply with raw sewage that contained high levels of dangerous bacteria. This was part of a much longer program of deliberately destroying civilian infrastructure. ""Kalistan showed no mercy on us, it was collective punishment. In the Likatonian war every day felt like a lifetime, it never seemed to end. They carried out reprisals against the civilian population. At one point St. Jackson was left without any electricity, no water or heating."

The General sat silently as the testimony was given, and the General's lawyer asked few questions on counter examination. The testimony was followed by testimony of five former service members who had taken plea bargains from the state, all saying they had received orders from their chain of command to commit the depredations. The Contention of the Prosecution each time was that "The Chain of Command does not act independently. Those orders come from above. And if they do act independently, responsibility for those actions still rests with the chain of command."

Over the next four days, witnesses for the Prosecution made the case that the General not only knew about the acts, but also condoned them. The most damaging testimony came from Guerra's Corp commander, Colonel Jacob Renner, who said he discussed the depredations with the General at length on several occasions, the two men joked about it, and on one occasion, within earshot of both the General's Executive Officer, as well as the Colonel's executive officer, the General was heard to say "Well, these people knew we were coming. Maybe they shouldn't be Likatonian." The General's Lawyer has denied that any such conversation ever took place.

In the end, the Defense Attorney only called one witness, Lt. General Martin Guerra, who took the stand. He was asked if he thought he would receive a fair trial in this court, and the General responded "The verdict of this court was reached long before we ever got here. Let's get it over with." He was asked if he ordered any troops to commit depredations, reprisals or crimes of any sort. He said "No Sir." He was asked if he knew of any depredations, he said "I would not call anything we did depredations. They were all within the proper conduct of war." He asked if he had ever misrepresented the activities of the units under his command to anyone, including the Emperor. He said "No Sir." And on Cross Examination, he denied any responsibility or knowledge of any of the alleged crimes, and stated, "The Prosecution wishes to paint the Highly Professional Kalistani Regular Force as an Unruly Mob. We were in Likatonia to do a job, and we did it. And then we went home. And that is the sum total of our activity in Likatonia." When he was asked who ordered him to do this job, he said "We receive our orders from the Commander in Chief of the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan." He was then asked if the Emperor ordered him to commit depredations, and he said "No Sir."

Following his testimony, the General was dismissed, and the court was put into recess. The panel determined that there was enough evidence to find the general guilty of most of the charges he was facing, however, compelling and irrefutable evidence had been provided in only 15 of the hundreds of counts leveled against him. He was found guilty of Accessory to Criminal Acts in the cases of destruction of public property and civilian Infrastructure, six counts of Accessory to the Criminal Acts of Extrajudicial Killing, and 8 Counts of Accessory to the Torture of POWs. Each charge carried a maximum sentence of life imprisonment on King's Island Penal Colony. He was ultimately sentences to six life sentences to be served concurrently.

The Court then began hearing panel charges against Guerra's Officers. Guerra's conviction immediately served as precedent in the trials. That trial proceeds apace, while the court has also issued more than 300 additional indictments of officers and individuals.

The Trials will continue until all the charges are heard and tried. The speed of Guerra's Conviction was meant to clear the court of the highest profile case, so that lower charges could be tried more thoroughly. As the court is a special court that closely follows a normal courts martial proceeding structure, both rules of evidence and rules of due process are different than one would find in a civil proceeding. "We opted to not use the Courts Martial system itself, because while all the men and women indicted were connected with the War in Likatonia, most of them are no longer in the Regular Force," said General Morrison. "But we can't try them under civil law either, because few of the things these individuals are charged with necessarily violate civil law, and it would be a real stretch to try to fit the existing law to their charges. Consequently, the Justice Ministry developed this Hybrid System to provide something of both worlds in trying these charges."

@TheRepublic

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More Convictions in War Crimes Tribunal as Emperor takes to the Press
"Protests should remain peaceful," said Kalistani Monarch
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
April 7, 5626


Thousands protest outside of National Assembly, showing a deep unpopularity of War Crimes Tribunals

More than 6,000 protestors marched in downtown Kaliburg this afternoon demanding an end to trials of Kalistani Servicemembers in conjunction with the Likatonian Invasion.  They were demanding that the Government stop "persecuting the brave men and women who fought for this country," said protest organizer Jill Kenner.  "My father fought and died there, and my mother was killed here in Kaliburg by a chemical weapons attack.  These people were brave and their loss is tragic, but if they were alive, you know they would be being tried too.  It's not fair."

A recent survey of Kalistanis shows that support for the trials seems to be slipping.  Before the opening trials, public support for holding people accountable for war crimes was steady at around 82%, but since the beginning of the prosecution of the charges, that support has fallen to 63%, in a survey of 3400 respondents with a margin of error of +/- 2%.  In Ananto and Vrassa, support for the tribunals dipped below 50% for the first time this month.

Spokespeople for the Commission, who is overseeing the trials defended not only the process, but the outcomes.  "These trials are public, they are transparent, and they recognize the rights of the defendants," said Natalie Shew of the Independent Truth Commission.  "The fact is, most of the 685 individuals who have been indicted have plead guilty and have agreed to assist the Commission in bringing the others to justice.  This cooperation includes turning over records, providing physical evidence such as photos, videos, and trophies, and providing first hand testimony about what they and their units did in Likatonia.  Often, in these situations, they offer evidence of things we aren't even alleging.  Many of them are wracked with guilt, and many of them want to come clean about what the Kalistani Regular Force did in Likatonia."

Of those found guilty, only 85 individuals, mostly officers and Senior Staff NCOs have been sentenced to long term sentences on King's Island.  These were the ones who were either found guilty of, or plead guilty to some of the most egregious and destructive crimes.  "Most of the Senior Staff officers and field commanders who have been convicted are those who ultimately bore responsibility for overseeing the action of the troops under them, and have been convicted as permissive accessories to the various crimes of the men and the women serving under their command.," said Shew.

The Commission got an important Assist by His Imperial Majesty Emperor Fredrick III Ananto, who issued the following written statement:  "We request that all Kalistani Citizens have patience and let the Commission complete its work.  It is performing its task at our request, because while we successfully prosecuted this conflict to its end, we even acknowledge for ourselves some culpability in allowing morale to drop so low within our armed forces that killing and destruction was so permitted and rampant in our force.  We can sympathize with the spirit of destruction that our Armed Forces demonstrated in Eastern Likatonia.  But in doing so, we gave ourselves a choice:  We could either sweep it under a rug and ignore that it happened, or, follow the guidance of our consciences, be honest about what we did in Likatonia, accept responsibility for it, and do what we can to make amends for the hurt and damage that we caused.  If we opt for the first, we become like the fascists and operate from the absence of any ethic, conscience or soul.  This period of reconning will be hard for all of us, but at the end, telling the Truth about our role in this, as a nation, is the ethically correct thing to do, and it is better to be ethically correct than to escape accountability."

The Emperor called for peace if protests will continue.  "We do not want to hinder our citizens' ability to make their voice heard, even to the very doors of our National Assembly.  However, the hard limit of that temperance in response is endangerment of human life or public or private property.  The legitimate target of your political outrage should be your elected representatives.  Let them hear what you say:  They will come and speak with you to hear your concerns.  But do not take your anger out on other Kalistanis.  These protests should remain peaceful, and they will be allowed to be held unhindered.  But, your fellow man or woman is not your enemy.  We can and will get through this period of reconning, and will come out on the other side chastened, but perhaps a bit more aligned with our values as a people than we were when we started.  Please do not compound the matter with more violence and destruction.  That sort of defeats the purpose of your protest in the first place."

It is too soon to know whether the Emperor's words will have a calming effect on popular outrage.

@TheRepublic

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Kalistani News in Brief:  Princess Mary Natalia Ananto-DeLaurentis named Crown Princess
Kalistani Royals attend Princess Nicole's Wedding in Egelion; Kalistan prepares for Solentian Refugees
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
May 31, 5626


Crown Princess and Future Empress Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis hiking near Cliff House in April

Minor Princess Mary Natalia Ananto-DeLaurentis named Crown Princess
Just ahead of her 16th birthday, Her Highness the Minor Princess Mary-Elizabeth Natalia Ananto-DeLaurentis has been named Crown Princess.  As such she now begins the long informal process to replace her Father, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Fredrick III Ananto on the throne of Ananto and Kalistan.  The Minor Crown Princess has no formal duties as such, but in the last two years ahead of her National Service, the Minor Crown Princess will now be made more familiar with the organs of state.

"Her Highness, the Minor Princess Mary has a very sharp mind," said Crown Watcher Monique Goldblum in Kaliburg.  "In school her favorite subjects are physics and earth science.  She plays the piano for the school's swing band, and enjoys hiking and mountain climbing.  The Minor Princess Mary is also a competitive softball player, and her JV team won the High School Ananto Championships this last spring.  She speaks three languages (Vrassan, Egelian and Canrillaise) and is interested in learning Dundorfic.  She has an analytical mind, but also attends the theater with her parents and her sister, and is said to especially like musical theater.  During her training, she will become steeped in Institutions and history as well, and will need to learn finance."  

All of that is for the future though.  For now, the title won't change much.  "Her job now is finishing secondary education and completing her National Service," said Goldblum.  "His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick won't likely begin preparing her for office until she is at least 22.  But it is believed that he wanted to ensure that she received the title, to put everyone on notice that he is now thinking about his future and the future of the Monarchy."  The entitlement was attended by His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, Her Highness the Empress Consort, His Excellency the Chancellor of the Empire Sir David Levine, who read out the official proclamation granting her the title, Her Highness the Minor Princess Margaret-Carolina Nicollette Ananto-DeLaurentis, and her Highness the Princess of the Empire Carolina Ananto.  The Ceremony took place at Cliff House in Kaliburg.

Royal Family Attends Lady Nicole Ananto-Bjorksdattir's Wedding in Egelion
The Royal Family visited Altea earlier this month to attend the wedding between Egelion's King Romulo I and Lady Nicole Ananto-Bjorksdattir, the youngest daughter of Lady Dana Ananto-Alvarez and Sir Christopher Bjorksdattir.  With the marriage, the two Anantonese Royal Families are united by marriage.  "We welcome our Cousin, Romulo Rey to our family," said His Imperial Majesty Emperor Fredrick III Ananto, through his official interpreter and spokeswoman Allison Stuart.  "Strengthening fraternal ties between our two nations has long been the policy of Ananto and Kalistan, and it is an honor to be present for this beautiful ceremony."

The Ceremony was held at the Basilica of Our Lady of Egelion in Altea, and the Bride was attired in a beautiful designer white dress that shimmered in the natural light of the Chapel.   Empress Consort Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis served as her maid of Honor for the Ceremony, which was conducted in Egelian.  (Lady Nicole speaks Egelian as a first language, and only speaks Vrassan with a heavy Gaduri accent, having learned it later in her life.)  Following the Ceremony, Lady Nicole Ananto became Reina Nicole de Montalivet y Sildavia.

After the beautiful ceremony, the wedding party moved to the Sorsuela Palace for a grand reception.  The Kalsitani Contingent, all of whom speak Egelian, were able to greet their Northern Neighbors among the Egelian Royal Family and the various ranks of Egelian Nobility.  His Imperial Majesty Emperor Fredrick III was in his element  at the party, where he told jokes and did magic tricks for party attendees, free of the stifling constraints of Imperial Protocol while in Egelion.  It was widely reported that he had a fantastic time making others smile, and his wife is very indulgent of her husband's mirth making.

It is also believed that the marriage of Lady Nicole to the King of Egelion is also the final act of the great careers of her parents, who are set to retire from public life in July.  The Viceroy of Gaduridos presented the newlyweds with keys to a six bedroom, four bathroom, 6,500 sq ft. vacation chateau in Marlingantos, which she had built on her estate's property outside of Vespiano specifically for her daughter as a wedding present.

Kalistan congratulates the King and Queen of Egelion, and looks forward to further strengthening the bonds between our two nations and two royal families.

Kalistan prepares for up to 50,000 Solentian Refugees
His Imperial Majesty has ordered the Ministry of Health and Social Services to begin preparing to receive as many as 50,000 Solentian Refugees in Kalistan.  "Each Duchy will accept up to 10,000 refugees, primarily at their Ducal Seats and in their Free Cities," said His Imperial Majesty's Minister for Health and Social Services Miguel Gomez.  "We feel that the refugees can be spread effectively throughout the nation, both to share the burden of taking on thousands of foreigners who all speak a foreign language, as well as to ensure that we are preventing ghettoization by crowding them all into the same area."

The Minister said that integration services are being set up ahead of the arrival of the Solentians.  "We have technology assisted translation available, but of course this will only get us so far.  So we are also setting up VASL classes to ensure that the arrivals are able to obtain a working knowledge of Vrassan.  We also want to give them all they need to start earning money and providing for their family.  We will give the single men and women who are between 18 and 26 the option of performing National Service rather than seeking employment on their own, but everyone will be entitled to live and work within Kalistan without hinderance or discrimination."

The Minister said that by seven years, the refugees will be provided the choice of either remaining in Kalistan permanently or returning to Solentia.  "If they choose to remain they will be granted citizenship immediately.  They will have contributed to this society, whether they choose to do national service or not, plenty by seven years, and will be allowed, and encouraged to remain in Kalistan as part of our population.  But if they would prefer to return to Majatra, this will also be available to them.  We will be in a position to return them to Solentia at request, with our compliments.  The choice will be theirs.  We are prepared to add all fifty thousand to our population, if this is their decision."

The refugee commitment was made by Princess Michelle Ananto at the Altea Conference, as commanded by His Imperial Majesty.  The Ministry of Health and Social Services said they should be ready to begin receiving refugees by June.

@TheRepublic

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Lady Dana Ananto-Alvarez retires as Viceroy
Emperor to name Gaduri Businessman to Position
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
November 29, 5626


Lady Dana Ananto and Sir Christopher Bjorksdattir in Kaliburg earlier this month

Her Excellency Lady Dana Ananto-Alvarez has retired from her role as Viceroy of Gaduridos.  The long serving Royal was named Viceroy in 5599, and has served as the Emperor's representative in the Southern Kingdom ever since.  Her replacement, Sir Alejandro Lopez de Leon, was named last month in preparation for the Viceroy's retirement.

Lady Dana Ananto-Alvarez started her career taking over for her father, Lord Mark Ananto as the operating head of House Ananto and Miramar Holdings.  In her role, she oversaw tremendous expansion of private capital into Gaduridos, as well as the growth of the Coffee Industry in Gaduridos, and the founding of the Steel Industry.  Since then, there has been constant investment in various sectors, but news from Gaduridos has been relatively quiet, as development there was overshadowed by the war.

The new Viceroy, Sir Alejandro Lopez de Leon, was the Director of Operations for Miramar in Gaduridos when he was named Viceroy.  The 36 year old portfolio manager oversaw the 5623 Diversification Campaign which raised more than ₭557 Million from Gaduri investors to build a new electrical arc blast furnace at the Cuernatecas Steel Mill with the aim of doubling the plant's output. Sir Alejandro received his education in Gaduridos, and is known as a populist while retaining the reputation of being an inside man. Lady Dana nominated Lopez de Leon as her successor, and he received an important endorsement from Lady Michelle Ananto-Sandoval, who said she looks forward to continuing to work with him in improving the investment climate and industries of Gaduridos.

Lady Dana intends to retire to her estate in Vespiano Marlingantos with her husband Sir Christopher Bjorksdattir, and spend their days working with local organization to expand childrens' access to health care in rural Vintalli, between visits to her daughter, Reina Nicole, in Egelion. She is currently 72.

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Kalistani News in Brief: Princess of the Empire suffers a minor stroke in Eveari
Lady Michelle Ananto-Sandoval donates to Aquarium; War Crimes Trial names last batch of indictments
Dulnerstaad, Grand Duchy of Ananto
December 5, 5626


Lady Michelle Ananto and Minor Princesses Mary and Margaret Ananto-DeLaurentis in Dulnerstaad

Princess of the Empire Carolina Ananto suffers minor stroke in Eveari
Her Highness, Princess of the Empire Carolina Ananto, 80, suffered a minor stroke at her home in Eveari last week.  Her personal attendant, Catherine West, was speaking with the former Empress, when she said the Empress became confused and was unable to lift an object with one of her hands.  She immediately called the paramedics who responded to Ananto Estate within minutes, and immediately brought the Princess to the Emergency Room.

The doctors administered an anti-coagulate to the Princess, and proceeded to conduct a CAT scan to look for blockages in the arteries of her brain.  Luckily, the stroke was identified early enough for the Princess to make a full recovery, but her liklihood of having another stroke have dramatically increased.  The Princess' spokesperson, Matt Hayes, said that she will remain in Eveari Hospital for a few more days while they continue to observe her and go over long term health treatment to try to reduce the likelihood of another incident like this.  His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick III Ananto met West at the hospital and personally thanked her for her quick reaction that certainly saved the life of the Princess of the Empire.  Her Highness is said to be in good spirits and is lucid and responsive.

Lady Michelle Ananto-Sandoval makes large Donation to Aquarium
Lady Michelle Ananto-Sandoval is a long time patron of the sciences, especially when it comes to marine wildlife and habitat restoration.  This week, she essentially made a personal donation to one of her favorite places in Terra, the Dulnerstaad National Aquarium, who recently acquired a juvenile humpback whale which had got separated from its pod and made its way into Davon Bay, where it became injured.  The Aquarium wants to nurse the aquatic mammal back to health and return it to its pod, which it is currently tracking as it migrates south.

"The humpback whale eats a lot of food," said Her Highness, the Minor Crown Princess Margaret Natalia Ananto-DeLaurentis, who was at the Aquarium with her aunt and sister, Her Highness the Minor Princess Margaret Nicolette Ananto-DeLaurentis for a tour.  "It costs about ₭1800 Rubles a day to feed Mickey," said the Crown Princess, referring to the whale.  "Plus there was the cost of building the nursery to protect the whale while it becomes healthy.  Since the National Aquarium relies on donations and memberships, Aunt Michelle decided that she would just fund the project herself, so the Aquarium was able to help the whale."

The Aquarium itself thanked Lady Michelle Ananto-Sandoval for her generosity, and gave the Royals a private tour of the Aquarium.  "Michelle more or less lives here," said Crown Princess Mary.  "But I've only been up here a couple times, and there is so much to see!"  Incidentally, the Aquarium staff named the baby whale after her Patron, Lady Michelle Ananto.

Last Round of Indictments made in War Crimes Tribunal
The last round of indictments related to crimes against Likatonia have been issued by the the War Crimes Tribunal.  So far, more than 85 Officers have been sentenced to terms ranging from 10 years at King's Rock to 8 Consecutive Live Sentences.  The last batch of indictments involve mostly clerks who are accused of falsifying records relating to the operation, in an attempt to hide the expenditure of ammunition and other materiel during the war.  These charges amount to fraud more than actual war crimes, but as they were committed in association with crimes for which service men and women have already been found guilty, they are included in the tribunals, and the indicted members are considered accessories.

The list of indictments includes 25 Administration and Supply Clerks who worked with Chiefs and officers to doctor and falsify official records.  They are all expected to accept a plea agreement in exchange for a lesser sentence.  Though most of the protesting of the summer months has died out with the arrival of colder weather, the last plea will bring the war crimes tribunal process to an anticlimactic end.  If and when this last batch of defendants plead guilty and take a deal, the sum total of convicted individuals will sit at 2182, nearly all of whom plead guilty rather than going to trial, and have accepted lesser sentences including public service and some degree of restitution.  Nearly all of those who insisted on going to trial lost their case, and only 14 prevailed against charges, because of either technical issues with the case or mistaken identity.

Kalistan will send a final report of the proceedings with an official representative to Likatonia next year, to offer them an official apology on behalf of the Government and Nation of Kalistan, for the destruction and depredations, and work on developing a new status quo for relations between the two northern Seleyan Nations.

@TheRepublic

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Emperor Orders Major Administrative Reforms
Goal is to increase democracy at local level
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
February 19, 5627


Emperor and Chancellor discuss plans for reform, interpreted by Lady Allison Stuart at Cliff House

His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick III Ananto announced new administrative reforms this week aimed at streamlining National Administration and increasing local democracy.  Lady Allison Stuart, the official spokeswoman for His Imperial Majesty, announced the Imperial Fiat after consultation with His Imperial Majesty and Chancellor of the Empire, Sir David Levine.

"His Imperial Majesty has worked with His Government and the Chancellor of the Empire Sir David Levine to alter the state of the Duchy Government, as well as increase democracy in His Imperial Majesty's Free Cities.  In brief, the reforms conform with the original Imperial Enactment bill passes in 5148, specifically the Duchy Arrangements:  His Imperial Majesty plans to name Members of the Extended Ananto Family to set up ducal branches in the Four Kalistani Duchies, and permit those families to govern those Duchies on behalf of the Emperor in perpetuity.  He further names the Sulari Duke or Duchess as the Perpetual Grand Duke of Kalistan, and he or she shall serve the Emperor as Viceroy for the Grand Duchy of Kalistan.  It is the opinion of His Imperial Majesty that these reforms conform with the Initial Imperial Enactment Bill."

The Emperor also announced that henceforth, all Free Cities in the Empire (Sulari, Gendaris, Eshar, Vrassa City, and Kaliburg-Port Davon) will begin forming popularly elected City Governments.  The Emperor will appoint a Lord Mayor, who will serve as a liaison between the Self Governing Free Cities, and the National Government.  But each Free City shall remain outside the jurisdiction of the Ducal Government.  Self Governing Cities must obey all national laws, but may set all other local policies for themselves, including school policies, local taxes, and local ordinances.  

Free Cities will also be permitted to set up city courts and try and convict criminal suspects who have committed crimes within the limits of the Free City.  They may appeal for, and shall receive County and Ducal support in any matter that they need to assist in law enforcement and maintenance of public order.  County and Ducal Authority shall henceforth be barred from exertion within the limits of the Free Cities.  "His Imperial Majesty has agreed to local self-government in Kaliburg's Free Cities, both to allow cities to manage local affairs themselves, and to provide citizens the opportunity to express their voice in local matters.  The Lord Mayors will still be on hand to ensure that local policies don't go too far afield, but stay aligned with National Laws and Priorities, but meanwhile, as the Free Cities are home to close to 25% of our population combined, giving these people the right to self govern, even to some degree, offers an opportunity to test whether even a modicum of democracy is compatible with Imperial Government."

"The final reform His Imperial Majesty has pronounced involves the creation of an upper house of the Legislature," said Lady Stuart.  "It has long been the intention of this Monarchy to officially create and empower an upper house made of the Peerage.  The Upper House would be advisory and would meet with the Emperor on a Regular Basis to discuss Ducal, County and Barony affairs.  The Upper House, known as the Peerage Council, will convene monthly or more frequently, if needed, and the Emperor will sit in audience during the proceedings to hear the ideas and petitions of the Peers.  The only member of the National Assembly, which will be designated as the Lower House, who will be permitted to sit in the Peerage Council will be the Chancellor of the Empire."

The announced measures represent the widest administrative reforms in Kalistan since the re-establishment of the Empire in almost two hundred years ago.  The changes have been long contemplated by His Imperial Majesty, and the Chancellor agreed to move the bill through the National Assembly as soon as the Likatonian War Inquiry was completed.  Both the Commission and the Administrative reforms will likely be His Imperial Majesty's lasting legacy.  A preview of the reforms was released three months ago to Institutional Party Leaders for comment and consideration, and the measures in the Imperial Fiat incorporate many of those suggestions.  The measure are expected to be formally introduced in the National Assembly next month, followed by quick passage.

@TheRepublic

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His Imperial Majesty names new heads of Ducal Families
Administrative Reforms set stage for more Self Rule
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 14, 5627


New Kalistani Nobility Directed to form Ducal Houses (clockwise from top left): Duchess of Suldanor, Duke of Vrassa, Duchess of Odufaray, Duke of Nevaras

His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick III Ananto continued to deepen his Administrative Reforms this month when he named new Dukes and Duchesses for The Grand Duchy of Kalistan.  He instructed them all to formulate institutions and processes to ensure hereditary succession within their respective demesnes.

"His Imperial Majesty was working to bring his Realm into compliance with the initial enabling acts passed by the National Assembly," said Imperial Spokeswoman Lady Allison Stuart said.  "He has named Lady Emily Alvarez-Caballo as hereditary Duchess of Suldanor, Lord Gregory Bolton as hereditary Duke of Vrassa, Dame Flora Martinez-Bahia as Hereditary Duchess of Odufaray and Sir Johnathan Northern-Collings as hereditary Dike of Nevaras.  The hereditary duchess of Suldanor will also receive the hereditary title of Grand Duchess of Suldanor, and she serve his Imperial Majesty as Viceroy in Kalistan."

The creation of hereditary dukes and duchesses in Kalistan signals a move toward more localized governance in the Grand Duchy.  Lords and Ladies Mayor of the Free Cities were also named, however, these titles still remain discretionary and are not hereditary.  Lady Stuart reported that His Imperial Majesty has directed that each hereditary Noble set up a ducal house similar to House Ananto, which began as a ducal house.  Each House will be named after its respective Duchy, will support the local nobility, and will receive a direct line of credit with House Ananto until they are individually self-sustaining.  House Ananto will retain its various investments in Kalistan, but each Ducal House will limit its investments, businesses, and properties to its respective duchy. 

"The Hereditary Duke or Duchess will take the name of their House, starting with the first successor after the House's founding, and members of their noble family will be exclusively entitled to use that name henceforth.  Each hereditary Duke will be entitled to membership in the Ancient Order of the Gray Smoke.  As the Hereditary Grand Duchess of Kalistan, Lady Alvarez will be responsible to oversee the building of administrative institutions across Kalistan."

Some things about the new hereditary Dukes and Duchesses:

• Lady Emily Alvarez-Caballo is 32 and a member of the Alvarez Family of Lucid City.  Her Great Aunt was Countess Margaret Alvarez-Ellison, who married Duke Mark Ananto in 5547, which makes her the cousin of Queen Nicole of Egelion.  She has previously worked as an administrative director for the outgoing Duke of Suldanor, and oversaw maintenance on both RailSur and the Lucid River Dam.
  
• Lord Gregory Bolton is Count of Jah.  He is the grandson of former Chancellor of the Empire, Dame Dianne Bolton.  He is 35 years old, and was named Count of Jah due to his family's long connection with the Institutional Party apparatus in Vrassa.  Before being selected as Count of Jah, Lord Bolton earned a Masters of Public Administration from Vrassa Duchy University.
  
• Dame Flora Martinez-Bahia, 41, is an artist and a performer from Eshar.  She earned top honors from the Odufaray Stage Actors Association, for her portray of Melanie Calloway in the the Stage performance of Sunrise over Athosia.  She is a recipient of Knighthood in Letters from the Most Excellent Order of the Anantonese Empire, for her 20 year career on contribution to Kalistani Arts.  She has deep connections to the Odufaray Philanthropic Community.
  
• Sir Johnathan Northern-Collings, 45, is the Chair of Political Science at High Bong University in High Bong, Nevaras.  He has taught for 22 years, and was elected Chair of the Kalistani Political Science Association.  His primary focus of scholarship is Kalistani Institutions.  He has served as a member of the outgoing Duke's advisory council and served the Emperor in helping to work up the policies that led to this administrative reform.
  

The new Dukes and Duchesses will take up Administration on September 1.

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