Kalistan

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Sir Thomas Harney named Foreign Minister
Chancellor named candidate preferred by Regent
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
March 31, 5686


New Foreign Minister Harney replaces the late Mr. Henry Greene

The Chancellor of the Empire has confirmed the replacement for the late Foreign Minister, Mr. Henry Greene. Her Imperial Majesty's new Foreign Minister is Sir Thomas Harney, O.A.E. Sir Thomas Harney, a veteran foreign policy analyst for the Foreign Ministry's Artanian Department, is seen as an agnostic when it comes to the question of whether Kalistan should adopt a Nationalist or Internationalist foreign policy. Harney is, however, known as an ardent Institutionalist, and aims to improve Kalistan's image in the world, and was personally selected by Her Highness, the Princess Regent Nicolette Ananto-Collins.

"My job," he said at his acceptance speech at the Capitol this week, "is to promote those policies of Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress in Waiting. I will of course work with the Regent and the Chancellor to ensure that those policies are in accord with the interests and needs of our nation, but there are also some positions we can stand to modify on that would allow our foreign missions to have more success in the field. My appointment also suggests, I think, a refocus on continuing to build the new Partnerships we are forging abroad, outside of our region, that were begun under the late Emperor and Empress. Mr. Greene was a personal friend of mine and we worked together leading up to the ill fated trip to Kundrati, and so I come into the job with very recent and very relevant experience with the issues he was working on at the time of his death, and we will have continuity between his tenure, which ended too soon, and my own which is unexpectedly beginning now."

The continued emphasis on continuity, which began with the naming of Her Highness Princess Regent Nicolette Ananto-Collins, to the now naming of Sir Harney as Foreign Minister has been quite beneficial to Kalistan's business community. It was expected at the end of January that there would be some major disruptions in the KalSiE, but the steps Her Imperial Majesty's government have taken have greatly reduced the panic reaction to the great disruptions that were caused by the tragic loss of The Emperor and Empress. For it, recent polls show that Lady Donahue's job approval numbers have taken a large jump over January and February, from about 46% in mid December to over 82% just last week. The Princess Regent also enjoys 60% approval ratings, as she remains a relatively unknown quantity, but within the last week, the Chancellor was deliberate to be seen standing next to the Princess Regent as often as possible in public photos, as it is clear that the Chancellor has adopted the role of mentor of the 39 year old Royal.

Sir Harney said his first phone calls were made to Kalistani Embassies and Consulates across Terra, to personally introduce himself to Kalistan's representatives abroad. "I then called the President of Valruzia, the Emperor of Istalia, and the King of Egelion to personally thank them for reaching out with words of condolence for the loss of our monarchs. I spoke with each Head of State for about 15 minutes each, to ensure them all of Kalistan's continuing cordial attitude toward their nations, and to invite them to Kaliburg during the summer to meet with the Princess Regent and Chancellor."

He also said he called the Queen of Hutori, the President of Lodamun, President of Kundrati, the Emperor of Luthori, representatives of State in Tel Bira and Pontsi, the Prime Minister of Mordusia, and the premier of Xsampa. "I wanted to introduce myself to all of them and let them know that Kalistan intends to reach out to the world, and to some extent, we wish to clear the boards of any outstanding issues. I intend to call Deltaria, Rildanor, Dundorf, Vanuku and Narikaton next."

The Foreign Minister also announced that all combat troops have departed Kizenian soil, and the two cities of Luncasi and Deltabor have been entirely handed back over to the Kizenian Provisional Government. "We will wait to establish full diplomatic recognition to the Government until it is listed as a permanent government in the nation," said the Foreign Minister. "We stand by to offer assistance in standing up a sovereign and Independent Government in Kizenia, as well as training their armed forces as they stand up. To date, we have not been asked to participate in the process."

He did say a Battalion of Marines and two Companies of Regular Engineers remain at the recently constructed Port facilities in Luncasi, on the Anantonese Ocean. "As part of the treaty negotiations, Kalistan negotiated the lease of a naval base in Luncasi. The Port was transformed from a small commercial port to include berths for large cargo ships and naval vessels. It is our intention to work with local contractors there in Luncasi to construct drydock and railhead facilities, and convert the port completely into a naval logistics base which Elements of the First Navy will then be stationed at." Sir Harney also stated that the Regular Forces and the Government of the Free City of Luncasi have signed a Status of Forces Agreement that is expected to be grandfathered in when the Permanent Government has stood up.

"We expect the Port to be fully converted by 5689, and then at least one squadron of the 1st Regular Navy will be detached to be stationed at the Base," said the Foreign Minister. "We are cooperating with the Free City's Government in all things, and we have complied with their reasonable requests. in addition, we continue to move supplies and money into Luncasi to provide the City with material and funds to continue to improve their infrastructure along the Southern Coast between them and the Free City of Deltabor, but we are not ourselves overseeing those projected." Kalistani Regulars remain billeted at the Port, but the gate is controlled by Kizenian Security Forces, as per the SOFA. Kizenia is expected to be able to access the Base as well, and once the Base facility is completed, a new port project will be begun just east of the Base to serve as the new Commercial port for the City. That project is expected to take an additional ten years following the completion of the Naval base facilities.

@TheRepublic