Kalistan

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Kalistani News in Brief: Kizenian CO says Imperial troops are "Holding tight" in Luncasi
Kalistan Declares Neutrality in Amudim Crisis; Chancellor welcomes talks with new Valruzian Administration
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
February 15, 5684


Lt. General Walter Delgado discusses Kalistani future in Keris from port City of Luncasi

Kizenian CO says Imperial troops are "Holding tight" in Luncasi
The Commanding Officer of the Kalistani Military Mission in Kizenia, Lt. General Walter Delgado says Kalistanis have no orders, as of yet to return to Kalistan. "We're holding tight right here in Southern Kizenia," said the General in remarks to Kalistani Press. "A lot of people want to know when Kalistanis are coming home, but what I can tell you now is that Orders to redeploy our forward forces have not been issued in Kaliburg, and so we are staying put for the time being. It's not particularly onerous for the troops: We are scheduling a regular rotation back Empireside for the men and women under arms to ensure leave is taken, and to ensure a fresh supply of troops on a regular basis. The tour of duty here was not considered a hardship due to the ease our forces have had to return home and the ease with which families can visit their troops here."

The General said he doesn't want to speculate on what the hold up is in the Kalistan's returning home. "The policy of Their Imperial Majesties' Defense Ministry, as of our last briefing was that Kalistanis will return home when there is a final settlement of the conflict. To our knowledge, that has not been accomplished yet, so we are keeping our place right here until it is. The last thing Their Imperial Majesties would like to see is Kalistan pulling out before the final peace was settled upon and then some rogue state swooping in and undoing what good we have done. We've seen that happen in the north, and I don't think its in anyone's interest that the same sort of landgrab happen on a coastline facing the Anantonese Empire. So in the interest of restoration of order, we are just staying put for a little longer."

The General will also not speculate on a time table. "That's a question for the foreign ministry," said General Delgado. "The Regular Force is the spear, not the hand who wields it. We have peace and we have developed a great functional and cooperative relationship with the civilian authorities and the general population in the South. They have expressed dismay over what has happened in the North, and have invited us to remain here until that same possibility in the south is absolutely foreclosed, and the people here can get back to their lives."

Kalistan Declares Neutrality in Amudim Crisis
Their Imperial Majesties' Foreign Minister has declared Kalistan "neutral" in the case of the recent crises in Amudim. "In the spirit of non-involvement, Kalistan officially states its neutrality on the issues facing the former Beiteynese City States of Shlomberg, Hofesh, and other spots," said FM Greene. "This is a conflict that is organic to the region, appears to be aimed at liberation of the national territory from foreign invaders, and stands an excellent chance of being resolved by the people of the region themselves. It does not require input from Kalistan, nor does Kalistan stand to gain from involvement. Therefore, we are staying out of it."

The Foreign Minister did however open the door for accepting refugees from the war torn region. "We would encourage any civilians seeking to flee from Amudim, who wish to live in peace and prosperity in the Anantonese Empire to make their way to the Kalistani Consulate in Pontesi where we can process Asylum Requests. Both the National Government in Kaliburg, as well as numerous private aid and resettlement agencies, many associated with the Anantonese Yeudi Interest Committee, are making assistance to travel to Kalistan and resettle here, for the duration of the conflict, available to civilians fleeing the violence in the Former Beiteynu." The Foreign Minister also noted that the Ministry was about to enter talks with Tel Bira to establish a consulate in that City for the purpose of processing asylum applications. "We will have details for people as soon as we nail down the final terms on our end," said Minister Greene.

The position comes after extensive discussions at the National level which included input from AYIC. Director of AYIC, Jacob Maxwell, said he was "satisfied" with the terms offered by the National Government though he would have pushed for a more muscular response. "The Foreign Ministry made some very good points regarding Kalistani interests and capabilities," said Maxwell, "but unfortunately, I think without a more direct Kalistani response, too many Yeudis will suffer from this war. Asylum and refugee services are important though, and so we will adjust what we can do to help assist the National Government in providing a safe haven for civilians and refugees looking to flee the conflict. We applaud the proposal to open a consulate in Tel Bira-- It's a start."

Chancellor welcomes talks with new Valruzian Administration
Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Ericka Donahue issued a statement congratulating the new Chancellor of Valruzia, Sovereign Valruzia's Klaudia Nowik, who takes up her new role as Head of Government this month. "While relations with Ms. Nowick's predecessor were less productive I think than they could have been due to ideological disagreements, we look forward to the return of Sovereign Valruzia into Government. Their agenda is one Kalistan has long endorsed, and in many ways mirrors our own. Ms. Nowik's tenure will be a good opportunity to rebuild bridges between our two nations."

Kalistan's Chancellor is notoriously outspoken on the topic of Communism, and even if Communists in Valruzia are merely taking on a slightly reduced portfolio within the Valruzian Government, having a non-communist to speak with as a counterpart is likely to do wonders for Northern Seleyan relations. "I am enthusiastic about working with Ms. Nowik on important regional issues, including trade, migration and foreign policy issues, and we stand ready to assist them should the Majatran crisis for some reason come to their shores as well. It will be nice to not have to negotiate what I say when talking with Valruzia for fear of upsetting people whose view of the world I fundamentally disagree with. I understand that that problem is mine, but just like a person who is committed to being a communist is not expected to change their world view for me, it is similarly unreasonable for me to be expected to do that either. A closer ideology such as that held by Sovereign Valruzia will go a long way in skipping most of that ultimately preliminary, but very important conversation, so we can get to work on substantive matters at last."

The Chancellor said she would like to make a trip to Valruzia to speak with the new Chancellor in the coming months.

@TheRepublic