Kalistani Major History

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Barajas to Retire"Three terms is enough"; President defends Vanukean Investments in Kalistan
Kaliburg, Ananto
November 30, 4426


The President announces her retirement during last week's radio broadcast, which segues into discussion on Vanukean Investment

During her weekly radio address, last week, the President  of the Republic announced that she would not seek a fourth term.

"I've done my share.  It's time for new leadership and it's time for me to go back to being a private citizen,"  The President said when announcing her retirement.  " "Three terms is enough for me, and it is enough for Kalistan." In announcing her retirement, she noted that the Socialists will likely officially endorse the NLA's candidate for President.

"I've been told they are running a candidate for the office in next year's election.  The Party will wait until they have officially made their announcement to endorse, but the SP is in general agreement that Al-Khali should remain as Premier, so the Socialists will not field a candidate in the next election."

The President was also asked about a matter of some consequence.  KNRTVN-1 reporter Ginger Lazul, who was doing hosting duties for the weekly address this week, asked the President about Vanukean investments in KALNAPECO and KALNAFERCO.  "It is somewhat scandalous, Comrade President, that Vanuku was expelled from Kalistan following their detonation of a nuclear weapon over Jelbania, and yet now we learn that their investments in Kalistani National Industries remained untouched."

The President answered defiantly, "Yes, that's right.  To be fair, that happened under my predecessor."

Lazul pushed the President on the matter.  "But nonetheless, their investments have remained intact for almost ten years now since you took office.  Isn't that somewhat hypocritical to expel their military and diplomatic staff while allowing their investments to remain in Kalistani National Industries?"

The President was defiant.  "No:  Why should there be any issue with that?  The firms that invested in our national industries when we were getting off the ground almost twenty years ago are private firms."

Lazul:  "Yes, with very deep ties to the Vanukean Government."

Barajas:  "And?  This changes nothing.  We have seen the value of their investment increase by more than 2000 percent.  Because of their continued involvement in Kalistani National industries, KNP is trading at over 40 KRB a share, KNF is over 45.  If we were to have seized that investment, the stock wouldn't be worth paperweight value and Kalistan's word would be in the trash."

Lazul:  "But how can you, Comrade President, continue to do business with mass murderers associated with the Vanukean Government?"

Barajas:  "This is a characterization certainly.  I don't think those Vanukean interests who hold stock in our companies dropped bombs on anyone.  Before you accuse me of equivocation on Vanuku, let me remind you that it was expulsion of Vanuku which led to their departure from this corner of the planet.  We have seen a dramatic decrease in military activity in and around Kalistani waters as a direct result of Kalistan standing up for itself.  We now range over the Anantonese Ocean at complete liberty, and no state challenges our claims to the Ananto Strait.  That's because we took strong steps toward the bombers in Vanuku, who, by the way are also no longer in office.  SHouldn't we claim some credit for that as well?  As for Vanukean Investment:  A well capitalized National Industry is a secure one, and we have no problem whatsoever working with individual investors who want to buy stock in Kalistan, even if they had ties with Satan.  They invest in jobs, they invest in energy, they are investing in our prosperity.  Their investments will remain theirs.  And Kalistani Prosperity remains the benefit of Kalistani Citizens."

The overall tense interview between the President of the Republic and the Press is becoming increasingly characteristic of the Administration.  Barajas has expressed on more than one occasion that she is ready to retire and return to music.