Kalistani Major History

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"Why is Kalistan an Empire?"
Political theorists and Historians gather in National Symposium on Regimes
Kaliburg, Ananto
July 31, 5198


Political Scientists attend workshop on Kalistani Political History at National Regime Symposium this month

"Why is Kalistan an Empire?" was the theme of a Recent Symposium on Regimes held at Kaliburg National University in Kaliburg earlier this month. More that 450 scholars, think tank analysts, and philosophers attended the three day event which featured more than 20 panel discussions on the various aspect of the National Government.

Jill Greenbriar, associate Professor of Political Science at High Bong University in Neveras was the invited Keynote Speaker for the conference, and summed up her speech to the Symposium: "Kalistan has most recently been a fierce advocate of the Republican Tradition, which was formally in place in Kalistan for more than a millennium, under largely Socialist government. However, our ties to Empire stretch further back into the past: So far in fact that Republicanism, though a thousand years old, seems like a newborn compared to the history of the Empire. Our recent experiments with the regime form aim at stability in our body politic, in our economy, and in our government that a Republic, with its electoral and legislative chaos simply cannot provide."

Dr. Greenbriar suggested that when adopting the Institutionalist Agenda, and re-establishing the Imperial Throne, Kalistanis expressed their willingness to trade a meaningless vote for President for continuity in the office. "There was a reaction of course," admitted Greenbriar. "The People thought that empowering a monarch meant that their duties to the society were through. We have discovered over the largely inert reign of Emperor Fredrick, that it is still up to the people to Keep Kalistan from sinking into stagnation and atrophy. I believe the Institutionalists under Empress Elizabeth are beginning to show some signs of life once more, and will take up the charge of revitalization after what has been a four decade long period of 'nothingness'."

Some panels asked a different version of the Question, however; "Why an Empire and not, say a Kingdom, or a Parliamentary Republic?" Dr. Lisa Edwards, of Sulari District University, answered this question in his panel. "Kalistan and Ananto, while welded into one people, over the course of thousands of year of cultural homogenization, have never really been a single political unit. When separatist movements have appeared throughout our history, they either appeared in Ananto, or on the Mainland, but never both. Our National Government has always treated Ananto as somehow separate from the Mainland. And cultural attitudes also bear this out: For example, voters on the mainland tend to be more conservative, and more favorable to larger Government roles in the lives of individuals, while Ananto has a definite libertarian streak. The identification of the Socialist Party with Ananto, ensured that Anantonese priorities governed the Mainland. Music is different, clothing is different, architecture is different, attitudes about the world, language... you name it. Ananto feels a bit wild to those who arrive from Kalistan proper, and Kalistan feels backward compared to the Capital. The political regime therefore respects that difference as it sets up grand duchies in Ananto and Kalistan, and governs them with separate hierarchies under a unified Crown. That is the essential definition therefore of an empire."

Asked if in becoming an empire, Kalistan has made any claims over foreign nations, Historian Larry Sanderson answered "Kalistan's historical claims over former northern Seleyan territories including Lodamun, Gaduridos and Eastern Baltusia have not actively been pursued. Those claims date back to prehistory, and given the state of the modern world, it is doubtful that Kalistan could pursue these claims with any hope of satisfactory resolution. Our longstanding claim over Lourenne is a more modern one which has been thrown about by various nationalistic elements in our Government and especially in our media, but in my research I was unable to ascertain the historical basis for that claim. We do note that the Anantonese Empire once made colonies of Sekowo and Dolgaria, but it is not clear whether we ever had any outposts located in Lourenne, so I had to conclude that those claims to Lourenne specifically are ahistoric."

When Sanderson was asked if Kalistan ever had any plans to expand, he was clear: "There is no indication that Kalistan is an expansionist nation. We have historically been opposed to war which wasn't in defense of our national territory, and do not readily intervene in actions in foreign states. The one thing that is clear, however, is that The Imperial State will continue to insist upon its rights in the Strait, and will never abandon those claims."

All in all, the conference was well attended and shed important light on the current state and function of the Kalistani Government, which hasn't really been discussed at such an elevated level to date, and this insight will provide political observers and social scientists a light of understanding going forward.

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Foreign Minister Robert Stuart Makes Visit to Port Swedes
Welcomes foreign Opposition leader from Dankuk
Port Swedes, Vrassa
October 7, 5198


Foreign Minister Stuart arrives waves to a small crowd of Institutionalists before meeting with Dankuk Opposition leader

The Foreign Minister of the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan arrived on an unscheduled visit to the International terminal at Port Swedes where the foreign opposition leader, Park Je-Sang from the Republic of Dankuk has been residing for the last three days. The visiting Kyo opposition leader fled his home country, and was reportedly in talks with the Kalistani government to seek refuge in the Empire.

While the Foreign Minister did not make a statement following the meeting, Government spokespeople responded to reporters who asked about the meeting: "Mr. Park is one of a persecuted political class due to his affiliation with the deposed democratic Government of that State. The Empire of Ananto and Kalistan does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with The Republic of Dankuk, and we do not recognize the Government of the Dankuk National Workers Association which came to power illegitimately, and proceeded to attack its political and cultural enemies. The official policy of our government is that we welcome all refugees and will help all new arrivals seek a permanent place to settle within the Empire where they may maintain their unique identity as they slowly integrate into the Kalistani Population at large." There was no additional word about the political situation in Dankuk.

Following the meeting with Park, the Foreign Minister continued to Vrassa City to dedicate a new library in the International Affairs Department at Vrassa District University and meet with students to encourage them to enter into a career in Foreign Service.

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Following grant through KALENCON, Ananto to see first large scale fusion plant
Plants to replace local reactors and power entire Duchy
Bozo River Fusion Center, Ananto
January 10, 5199


New Larger Scale Z-Pinch Fusion Reactor at BRFC to come online in May

For just over one hundred years, Kalistan has relied upon clean inexpensive fusion reactors to light and heat our homes. These mini-reactors, each supplying about 2.8 Gigawatts of power built primarily near the Ocean due to fuel requirements, have allowed the nation to wean itself off of fossil fuel. As new demands for electricity develop, including the slow but steady switch to electric automobiles, the replacement of natural gas heating units with electric ones, and a population whose zones of living tend to be growing horizontally rather than vertically, the demands on the century old infrastructure have been increasing, while new infrastructure seems to be built on a case by case need.

KALENCON now oversees more than 40 of these small scale Fusion Reactors across the country. As these age, they also become more expensive to maintain, and are only replaced on a one for one basis when maintenance cost outstrips the cost of a purchase of a new reactor. To this end, engineers with the National Energy Company have decided that it is time to begin building higher capacity reactors which can light tens of millions of homes from a single reactor.

"We envision replacing the relatively lower yield local power generators with new higher capacity ones," said KALENCON's spokeswoman Dianna Marie. "Building Three new High Yield reactors, each of which produce 15 gigawatts per Duchy will save millions in maintenance costs a year, and will return the cost of provision of electric to the nominal fee that people paid when we originally began the project more than 100 years ago."

Having an abundance of power will further facilitate people living a good life in the Empire. "Our biggest complaint," said Vernon Lorre of Kaliburg, "is that we are always having to ration what we use. If we want to charge the car we have to turn off the lights. If we want to run a refrigerator and an air conditioner and a computer, it feels like during peak hours, we have to pick one to shut off while we do the others. More energy allotment per family will certainly be a real benefit."

The larger scale reactors will begin coming on line in May of this year in Ananto, Suldanor and Vrassa, and the oldest small scale reactors will be decommissioned starting in June. "KALENCON has gotten a grant from the new Minister of Science and Technology to begin this phase in of updated technology," said Marie, "equaling more than K15 Billion, and that money is already being spent to get this project moving. We expect the new reactors to be completed by June of 5201, and the older reactors completely decommissioned in a rolling schedule over the next ten years, depending on unmet needs and such. This is such an excellent opportunity for Kalistan, and the people who we serve will truly benefit from the forward thinking of this new administration."

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First Major Stars of New Century to tour Kundrati
KMI artists The New Wave and Tom Marcus will join FSH for several shows on Artanian Continent
Kaliburg, Ananto
January 18, 5199


The New Wave (Top) will headline the Kundrati 5199 Tour, and will be supported by funkmaster Tom Marcus and Kundrati Rock band FSH

KMI artists The New Wave and Tom Marcus will travel this year to Kundrati, in Artania. These two bands will be the first two Kalistani bands to play live in Kundrati, and as such represent pioneers as Kalistani culture seeks to revive after a long dark period. The tour will be joined by Kundrati hard Rock band FSH, who have had a recent hit with the song "Down the Road"; "Down the Road" has also received airplay on KRTVN Channel 7, which focuses primarily on International Music for local populations, and the joint tour is sure to be a hit with Kundrati audiences.

"This is a first for us," said New Wave front woman Bobbi Rohn. "When [KMI] asked us if we would do a tour, we had no idea they meant Kundrati, but the chance to meet new people and share our culture while experiencing theirs is definitely something we're all pretty psyched to do." New Wave bassist Kathy Morris said she looks forward to meeting and jamming with Tom Marcus, who is associated with the reemerging funk movement in the capital. "Yeah, he's pretty funky. He also has a lot of forward leaning ideas about music, and progression in his genre and everything. He's a cool dude, and his music makes people dance!"

Often Kalistani record labels send touring acts when they are boosting their profile for a run at the top of the charts. Tom Marcus himself downplayed this: "Well, I don't have a new record coming out. I think they just wanted to send some great musicians from Kalistan to kind of get our country's name back out there. I mean this is supposed to be fun. I am playing with some great bands on the ticket, I got my entourage, got my ladies, I mean, it's gonna be a lot of fun, but I'm not moving to the top of any charts anytime soon, so there's like no pressure, dig?"

Rohn confirmed this: "Yeah, its totally cultural exchange. Our debut record kind of made a little splash in the Sulari market, and maybe our experience will help us on our second record, especially if we get to learn how they make records, but to be honest, the label was like 'Don't worry about anything, just go play music, have fun and meet the people. Party with them. The tour is in good hands." (KMI has assigned veteran road manager Frank Citronell to oversee the bands in Kundrati, as well as the skilled road crew known as "The Bikers.")

The tour is expected to last more than six weeks, as the three acts hit all major Kundrati Cities.

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The Nursery of the Society
Kalistan's Bar and Club scene a breeding ground for culture and social harmony
Sulari, Suldanor
September 5, 5199


Thrash Metal band Black Deth plays for a crowd of 8 at Kat's Dive Club in Sulari

The Bar and Club scene in Kalistan has long been a fertile bed for the growth of new bands, but it is also seen as one of the major sources of Kalistani culture, and a great implement that encourages social harmony in the Empire.

In Kalistani circles, it is believed that almost one tenth of the entire population has been in either a semi-professional band or a practice band at some point before they are 30. Most of these bands go nowhere and will break up after playing a show at a party or several weeks of practice. But occasionally, a band will find some traction in one of the more than 30,000 clubs, bars, and music venues across the Empire. Such a high ratio of establishment per citizen is one of the primary reason for Kalistan's long music and arts scene, and is a direct driver of Kalistan's cultural station in the world.

Bars and Clubs as promoters of Kalistani Music

On any given night, there are more than 6500 concerts held by tons of local bands who land gigs, or bands which are specifically hired as house bands and play for a set fee. Life as a house band has its pros and cons, as does all things. On the one hand, the ability to hire a house band signifies that the club owner feels that the band is popular enough to draw a crowd on a regular basis: since bars frequently make their money from the sales of alcohol, drugs and cover charges, the band serves as a draw. These bands tend to be well known local acts who are technically proficient but are either at the very beginning of their career, or never cared to make a play for a national audience. Or they do not want to tour, and therefore never decide to leave the city.

The draw back to being a house band is that house bands tend to be locked into exclusivity contracts, with fairly hefty severance fees, as bar owners see the hiring of a house band to be a capital investment. This means that if they are heard by a record executive, they won't likely be able to withdraw from their contracts in a timely fashion. They can escape the contract if it is bought out, and if the band is good enough, a label will buy the contract out, but this initial investment usually only accompanies high faith from the label that the investment will be recouped through record sales, and the catch 22 is that the fanbase for a house band is almost always local and therefore not enough to guarantee return on investment. Most house bands therefore will remain in place for the duration of their career, and playing music becomes a job.

House bands, though only make up about 15% of Kalistani's bands. The remaining 85% are considered independents. They are free agents who have to hustle to make a living. Clubs usually have house bands play two nights a week, leaving the other 5 nights open for "general entertainment" Thus, independents will spend a good portion of their time auditioning for a slot on one of the general nights. On a given night, a bar may hire up to six bands for entertainment all evening, but musicians also compete with comedians, magicians and lecturers, and they all compete for a portion of the "artists' share" of the night's take. For example, if bars earn K10,000 profit in a night, and their "artists' share" is set at 65%, and there are 5 bands who play at that bar that night, the band itself will split K1300 between them. Granted, K10,000 profit is far and above what average clubs and bars usually earn, so while it may seem lucrative, the artists' pay is dependent on a number of factors which makes their living very precarious, including not even getting a slot that night at all.

The insecurity of the independent is generally offset by the mobility they experience relative to the House Bands. The Independents are free to sign on with record labels without requiring high initial investment from the Record Labels, who do not need to buy out any contracts in the case of independent bands. They are free to organize their own tours with brother and sister bands from the area and try to reach a national audience, or move to a new scene where their music may be more appreciated. Independent bands tend to either be complete unknowns or have a more regional reach which is more attractive to a record label. The one unifying thread with all independent bands is that they are entirely insecure unless they are very good. But unlike the house bands, they do not often practice as often, usually have less initial skill and experience with their music and are not as good. Regardless, six independent bands are signed to record labels for every one house band which is, so for those who have national (or international) ambitions, independence is the preferred route to take.

The Business Model of The Bar and Club

The Club's entertainment director is a central figure in every club or bar. This man or woman is a highly valued employee who needs to have a working understanding not only of creative arts like music, so he or she can say what is "good" but also needs to have skill in bookkeeping and financial management. The contracts the Entertainment Director signs can either make the bar a lot of money, or can cost the bar dearly. It is the rare individual who possesses both skills in equal measure: Usually entertainment directors are much stronger in one or the other, and this usually works to the detriment of the establishment. This is why the National Tavernowners' Association sponsors training programs at various colleges and universities across the Empire to identify and train ideal candidates for the positions, and this is why the most successful entertainment directors are some of the most highly paid individuals in the service sector. Those who have had great success frequently find a second career as record executives.

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One of Kaliburg's most successful Entertainment Directors, Katherine Singh, of the Naked Walrus Saloon in Zappa City[/align]

The music tastes of patrons of a given bar are not eclectic. One of the reason there are so many bars, nightclubs, and music venues in the Empire is because each club caters to a different genre and clientele. Some clubs are exclusively rock clubs, who sell high priced drinks to rich clients. Others are dive bars with sawdust floors that are swept up every night, where patrons can expect to see at least one physical altercation. There is a bar, club or venue for each taste in nearly every city, town, or village. As the Bar makes its money by attracting patrons, specialization tends to work out for the Bar's advantage: A club that doesn't have a set theme and clientele may experience more volatility night to night than a Bar which attracts the same patrons back over and over because it is the "RF Club" in town, for example.

Music is the preferred form of entertainment, of course, but some clubs feature poetry readings, or comedy shows. Other bars cater to the weird, where bands who will never be hired at mainstream clubs and bars can find work. Other clubs host shows which are strictly adult in their nature. Mainstream acceptance of the sort of entertainment tends to feedback: A club that hosts famous or excellent performances tends to do better financially, and those bars then can turn around and hire better quality talent, while niche bars and clubs tend to feature more underground or new, up and coming acts.

Over all, the nightlife scene in Kalistan is by far the most profitable private sector activity in the Empire. The bars, lounges, clubs and Venues part of the economy annually draws more than K32.5 billion, and these operations tend to be hundreds or in some cases, thousands of years old: Despite the nationalization of huge sectors of the economy since the mid 2700s, there has never been a national effort to nationalize or remove bars and related establishments from the private sector.

The Bar and The Club as Pillar of the Dual Economy and the Nursery of Kalistani Culture

Overall, the bar, club and venue scene in Kalistan serves directly as the nursery of Kalistani cultural and music tastes, and indirectly, fashion, and attitudes toward the world. Without the bars, clubs, and venues, Kalistani culture would be very sterile, people wouldn't be as outgoing or tolerant of differences in their midst, or welcoming of outsiders.

Bar owners and club owners are seen as pillars of the free enterprise side of Kalistan's Dual Economy, and are often pointed out by liberal economists as a vindication of the functioning of a market: In the bar scene, given the saturation in Kalistan of this particular type of enterprise, going to a club is an entirely free choice on the part of the consumer. They have an abundance of very real options, they have perfect information with regard to what sort of clientele is at a given bar, easily obtainable information regarding the sort of entertainment the bar will offer in a given night, and no compulsion, formal or otherwise to patronize a given bar. Owners must meet the demands of the consumers, or lose money. In this sense, we see a perfect meeting of supply and demand curve which simply is not present in almost all other economic exchanges under systems like capitalism.

Therefore, there is a high incentive for bar owners to trim their margins to almost nothing, provide attractive entertainment options, and generally cater to the tastes of their patrons. This doesn't leave a bar owner completely without agency in this mix: They enjoy a fairly high status in their communities, and serve often as tastemakers. It doesn't matter how big a band is, or how strenuously an Entertainment Director lobbies for a particular band, of the owner vetos the band, that band will not play in that bar. The owner can freely weigh the loss of those patrons who would have just come in for that band against their own preferences, and most bar owners are fine with this trade off.

IN addition to being drivers of economic activity in the private sector, Kalistani bars and clubs are our Nation's great social equalizers; these public establishments serve as the meetinghouses and social hubs of our great society, and when a worker can knock back a pint with his boss while listening to some great alternative band at the local watering hole, many differences that plague other societies lose their saliency here. Not only does our thriving nighlife scene promote social harmony, but it also consistently sets Kalistan as one of the premier nations for International Cultural production, which furthers our National policy of goodwill and friendship toward all peoples of Terra, which does more to keep Kalistan safe than a million ship navy would.

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KALNAPECO Weighs increasing production to counter price increases
Kalistani Industrial Minister calls a halt to further decommissioning while matter is considered
Sulari, Suldanor
October 8, 5199


Oil Rig off Yoshimi, along Southern Limit, will pause decommissioning while Oil shortage is considered

Following the arrival of clean Fusion power generation in the 5090s, and the creation of KALENCON, KALNAPECO has experienced a century of phased decommissioning. The initial targets of 6-7% of National Capacity, primarily for export and to support KALNAPECO's small plastics and asphalt operations, have yet to be met, primarily due to continued international demand. Kalistan is currently producing at about 14% of its total capacity, which is just over half of capacity when the 6 percent target was set in 5093.

Whether further scaling back and decommissioning of KALNAPECO's formerly extensive extracting and refining infrastructure will continue is now up in the air, as fluctuations due to price setting by the International Oil Cartel, OPEN (which Kalistan has not been invited to join yet) and decreased production in the face of increased demand are expected to very rapidly create price shocks in the petroleum futures market, and send prices skyrocketting. Kalistan finds itself in an interesting position: The Empire is no longer oil dependent, not as an export commodity, and not for the operation of our economy. Oil exports last year were a paltry 135,000 barrels a day, earning Kalistan a gross K3.2 Billion. The oil export sector is now so small that world prices are no longer affected by Kalistani domestic policy.

And yet, we could affect prices and more importantly, futures earnings, if the Empire did step up production. A significant return to the international market, selling Kalistani oil at a discount, could conceivably lower prices per barrel by as much as K10 a barrel, and offset the increases in price planned or forced by speculative markets. There are downsides for the Empire for this plan: While decommissioning has crawled over the last 100 years, many of KALNAPECO's drilling operations are capped. It would require capital to reopen those wells that we have capped while the rigs were perparing for dismantling. Additionally, our refinery capacity is not what it used to be: Much of the oil Kalistan has sold over the last century has been sweet crude, not refined petrol gas. As domestic demand for gas products has dramatically dropped off since the arrival of fusion, refinery capacity has dropped sharply, to meet the reduced needs of Kalistani industry. Major capital outlays and more importantly time would be required to ramp up refinery capacity.

These considerations will be before KALNAPECO directors as they meet in Sulari next month to discuss the matter. Right now the official policy is at "Wait and see", especially if a re-entry into the volatile international market is warranted by what appears to be price gouging. Meanwhile, if envoys from OPEN were to approach Kalistan with an opportunity to join, that would also be an additional consideration. Meanwhile, all ongoing decommissioning efforts have been paused indefinitely, and it is our hope that the news of Kalistani supply stability may in and of itself provide downward pressure on Crude Prices without requiring further actions from KALNAPECO.

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Kyo Opposition Leader sets up base in Port Swedes as Park Je-Sang sets up Dankuk Government In Exile
Kalistani Government restates explicit protections for Migrants and Refugees
Port Swedes, Vrassa
August 12, 5200


New medium density Housing in and around Port Swedes dramatically increases capacity for Migrant permanence in Empire

In the nearly 2 years since the subrosa arrival of Kyo Opposition Leader Park Je-Sang, several things have developed in the Port Swedes area that make the community a hotspot for international attention in Northern Selaya. The usually sleepy port city, home of the Grit music trend, strong coffee and heroin addiction, has within the last two years become the site of the Dankuk Government in Exile. The Government has been working for two years with the Opposition Leader, the remaining member of the deposed democratic Shin Government in Dankuk, to assist with attracting Kyo and Dranio bureaucrats who are fleeing from the fascists, as well as their families and other dissidents, refugees and migrants from the Northern Dovani Nation. Since his arrival, Park has set up the Dankuk Government in Exile, and has been working on fundraising around the world to acquire safe passage and other necessities for those who wish to flee Dankuk.

The Government of Kalistan has been officially silent on the Dankuk affair, except to mention their commitment to refugees and legitimacy in Government affairs. Kalistan has not generally joined the calls of other nations for sanctions or intervention in Dankuk, and because of its neutral status, a shift in policy is unlikely. But permitting government's in exile on Kalistani Soil is a tradition which included a Lourennais Government in Exile at Eveari more than 100 years ago. In addition, Kalistan's culture has always been welcoming to new Arrivals and will continue to do so regardless of their country of origin.

As Kyo refugees first began arriving, the infrastructure of Port Swedes was initially overwhelmed. Refugee centers were quickly dedicated, and Kyo migrants, who enjoy all legal protections under Kalistani Law, the same as domestic workers, began accepting work in whatever field they could find. Initially these jobs were low paying, low skilled jobs. But within six months, the newly arriving migrant population was organizing and working with local trade associations and unions, including the Swedeport General Contractors' Association, and the National Service Program, and were put to work at the National Wage, in building a new suburb for Kyo families who are arriving. The building trades pitched in labor and materials to provide new families clean, spacious apartments and town houses with modern Kalistani amenities, and convenient links to Kalistani Infrastructure. There was no job left unfilled as even non-skilled laborers were given jobs on construction crews. The results were astounding--Over two years since the first Kyo and Dranio refugees began arriving, work crews made up largely of migrant workers, constructed more than 10,000 housing units, each suitable for families of 4, in and around Port Swedes, as well as 2,500 units suitable for families up to 6.

The Kalistani Government, in accord with the law, also provided families and individuals subsidies to help them integrate into Kalistan. Education was commenced, and while teachers from the population itself were hired to teach students in their native language, free Vrassan Language classes were also offered to help encourage the new arrivals to learn Vrassan as well, and obtain enough of our language to be able to function within the larger Kalistani society. Communication errors aside, now two years in, more than 40% of the Kyo arrivals who had no command of Vrassan upon arrival, have at least functioning literacy and semi-competent spoken communication skills, with 67% of those achieving fluency in the written and spoken language. This commitment to learning Vrassan, as well as other subjects like Kalistani History and culture, demonstrates a commitment to integrate into the Kalistani society for the medium to long term.

The Kalistani Government has reiterated its policy recently. "We want to make sure," said Interior Minister Josephine Herrera, whose office is overseeing the migration and transition, "that ALL migrants, refugees and foreign dissidents are welcomed to make Kalistan their new home. Hopefully they will be willing to share with us the things that make their culture so great, but even so, they receive the full protection of Kalistani Law when they arrive in our country. For all practical purposes they are identical to Natural Born citizens, and the efforts these people have made to contribute to the economy and society that they are now a full part of is admirable. For that, we will continue to host them and shelter them as long as they wish to stay. If they wish to stay forever, they will be welcome to do so as Kalistani citizens. If they wish to return home when the crisis is abated, they will be free to do that when they feel the time is right. But for now, the people of Dankuk are here, and they are welcome."

Kyo families are now beginning to move out of the Port Swedes area to other cities on the Mainland, as the influx of migrants, mostly by way of Lourenne and Dolgava, continues. More newly constructed housing units are coming online every day, and the Interior Minister believes she cannot hazard a guess as to how many Kyo refugees will arrive, but as the crisis continues to deepen in both Dankuk and North Dovani, it is likely that the flow will continue unabated for the foreseeable future. As for the Dankuk government in Exile, an official attache, James Donnelly, of the Institutionalist Party, has been assigned to act as liasion between the GiE and the Empire. Donnelly is not a fully installed ambassador, but works to provide assistance and support for the Government in ways that protect Kalistani neutrality, but also otherwise helps to further the activities of Park's administration. Park has taken residence in Port Swedes, as have his ministers, and security is provided both by Kalistani regulars and Kyo security forces recruited from among Park's political allies.

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News In Brief: Kalistan to seek weapons from Trigunia
Representatives of the Ministry of Defense to travel to Weapons Fair in Northern Nation
Kaliburg, Ananto
April 17, 5201

The Government of the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan has announced plans to send representatives from the Defense Ministry, the Regular Forces and the KALMILINCO to Kaiserberg Trigunia during the Triboronexport Expo this year. Officials have revived plans to modernize Kalistan's regular forces, a dream of several generations of political leaders in Kalistan. "It seems like every time we make important advances in our armed forces and attempt to reach the level of other nations, something, some force seems to drag us back," says Military Spokesperson Lt. Frieda Nichols. "Fate seems to work to ensure that Kalistan will always remain underpowered. But buying new generation weaponry direct from one of the world's major suppliers will allow Kalistan to at least move forward. Kalistan will never be a world power, but as our military has been in mothballs for decades, a revitalization is nonetheless in order."

Kalistan looks toward buying modern close air support fighters, as well as the light tanks which are on offer, with the aim of organizing a force capable of returning Kalistan's credible deterrent to any attacks. Kalistan will also begin developing new heavy artillery, as well as rebuild Kalistan's network of shore batteries with anti-aircraft batteries aimed at preventing foreign invasion forces from approaching Kalistani shores.

In addition, the Government has asked the Institutionalist Party to consider calling a paramilitary force to begin training as an irregular force similar to the Socialist Militia of the past. "We will always need a paramilitary, irregular force who can do things that regular armies either can't do, or shouldn't do," said Lt. Nichols. "A regular military destroying infrastructure isn't a good look, and yet, total war often demands that water supplies be sabotaged, or the enemy be denied any sense of security in rear areas, for military and civilians alike. A Regular force is at a disadvantage if asked to carry out these more delicate tasks, but irregular, un-uniformed forces which can blend back into the population and who can't be identified allows us to carry out these sort of activates none the less." The Institutionalist Party noted that they intend to study the matter.

The Government has pledged more than 600 billion over five years for the restoration of the Regular Force.

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Crown Prince David assumes title to Grand Duchy of Ananto
Largely viewed as first step in transition to Monarchy
Kaliburg, Ananto
October 7, 5203


Crown Prince and now Grand Duke David Ananto, with wife Duchess Consort Katherine, Countess of Dah at Annual Audience in Eveari

Nearly six years after becoming Crown Prince of Ananto and Kalistan, David, Count of Davon was named Grand Duke of Ananto last week at the Annual Audience in Eveari, which has become a tradition in recent decades. At this meeting of the Counts, Dukes and Mayors across Kalistan, started by the late Emperor Fredrick I of Ananto and Kalistan, the Nobility are asked to bring strategic petitions to the Empress, to help her develop policy. The Monarch also acknowledges all hereditary changes, names all new members of the Order of Grey Smoke in closed session, and meets citizens of Kalistan, who take the opportunity to interact with the Empire's VIPs.

As David assumes a larger profile that comes with the assumption of new titles, it is widely believe that the Empress is preparing for her son to finally take over parts of direct government in the Empire. The Grand Duke has long sat in royal confidence with both the Empress, and her husband before her, and became an elected Deputy from Dulnerstaad in 5194, where he sits as Count. Both he and his wife, the Countess Katherine of Dah are expected to become co-Sovereigns when 80 year old Elizabeth I leaves the throne and David's appointment suggests that the Empress is considering leaving of her own power, rather than dying in Office.

Grand Duke David and his wife are expecting their first child in May, news which was overshadowed by the Count's appointment to Grand Duke. David now assumes the House Name Ananto and is now titled Grand Duke David Ananto, Count of Davon, Crown Prince of the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan while Elizabeth adds Duchess Consort to her title Countess of Dah. The Empress surrenders the title "Grand Duchess of Ananto" but retains the title Countess of Luxon until death, after which it will be for the Emperor to dispose of: If she retires from office, her title will be simply Princess Elizabeth of Ananto and Kalistan. David's brother Prince Victor is expected to receive the County of Luxon when Elizabeth dies, and his sister the Princess Margaret is likely to remain untitled for the time being but will no doubt serve in an advisory capacity in the new Monarchy.

At the moment, Elizabeth has not made any announcement with regard to her plans, and it is likely that any decisions she makes will come after the upcoming Assembly elections in February.

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Institutionalists expecting Rout in upcoming Elections
"Kalistani citizens vote randomly," says Prime Minister
Kaliburg, Ananto
January 17, 5204


Institutionalist Party HQ is silent for the Moment, though electioneering is occurring across the Empire

"We have not been able to substantially differentiate ourselves from those who claim to be Socialists," said Prime Minister Gina Fernandez, head of Her Imperial Majesty's Government and leader of the absolute Majority, for the time being. "Consequently, given that we know that Kalistani's tend to vote randomly, and like to vote for 'new Parties' whatever their positions, we expect to lose the Majority in the coming elections."

While PfS has only voted on 8 bills, all of which were sponsored by the Government, they have not voted in any way which would allow voters to differentiate them from the Institutionalist Party. "We have essentially the same positions, essentially the same visibility on those positions, and essentially the same voting record in the last half dozen years," said Fernandez. "They have put toward no bills except a call for early elections, and I believe one other bill, and then voted with the Institutionalists on everything else except one major omnibus where they objected to the Government's withdraw from questions of marriage. This means, given the utter insanity which tends to reign at the polls and the preference in Kalistan for new Parties as opposed to established ones, we expect that we will at best evenly split the electorate, but then the new Party advantage which seems to be the only iron clad rule of Kalistani Politics, will put the new Party over."

The Prime Minister, who expects to be thrown out of her job after a probable Socialist victory, was asked what she intends to do. "I intend to continue to serve my constituents," said Fernandez. "I will likely be re-elected to my own seat, and after that I intend to remain active in Party Leadership and will offer support to whomever is named Premier." If the vote is split, with the Institutionalists remaining in the Majority, Fernandez stated, "We will look forward to opportunities to form a coalition with the Socialists, in the name of stability and peace in the Empire. We should acknowledge the split in the Assembly either way, but should we remain in the majority, I assume we will reach out with an offer for form a joint government."

The Elections will be held on February 1st of this year, and is a nailbiter, as it is the first competitive election in Kalistan in many years.