Kalistani Major History

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Talliaferro-Bennots named new ODEN-K HeadTass retires after successful ODEN career
Kaliburg, Ananto
June 1, 4435


Jack Talliaferro-Bennots of Kaliburg set to replace Georgia Tass at ODEN-Kalistan

ODEN-Kalistan Chief Georgia Tass retired from her long time job as Director of ODEN-Kalistan at the end of May.  Tass began her tenure at the Kalistani subsidiary branch of ODEN in 4421, and her first mission was Lourenne, in an attempt to negotiate an opportunity for Lourenne to host the GanJam.  A trade war, a dramatic extension of ODEN, and several steps deemed controversial by foreign governments, and now Tass has decided to retire. 

She will be replaced by Anantonese chemist and Superion Pharma representative Jack Talliafero-Bennots.  The 45 year old Talliaferro has set as his agenda further expansion of ODEN, as well a legitimizing of ODEN in the world.  "We totally welcome the developments of a new, non addictive cocaine substitute in Telamon, first of all.  Enercaine represents a great advancement in the recreational drug field, and also provides a great opportunity for pain medication advances.  The possibilities are endless."

Talliaferro signaled a new direction for ODEN.  "Look:  I'm on the same page as Tass.  The policy of ODEN in Kalistan is the same regardless of who is in charge.  But I think new blood in ODEN and new ideas will also help ODEN continue to grow.  I mean:  I'm a pharmaceuticals guy.  I know pills.  I know therapy and I know about addiction.  I'm not going to go out and promote drug addiction.  I don't think my predecessor did either.  But she is unfortunately associated with some policy decisions that even some of our friends don't like, and so I'm going to bring a new perspective on this."

Talliaferro declared an end to preferential pricing from ODEN-Kalistan stocks to Lourenne smugglers.  "No:  there's no reason why our producers, and the whole Cartel for that matter, needs to take a hit to try to hurt Lourenne.  We should be trying to make friends with them.  There is a market for ODEN products that even Lourenne can import without needing to flood their country with stuff that they declared illegal.  We have plenty of pharmaceuticals that have therapeutic purposes which are not recreational drugs, and I think many of my predecessors focused on the recreational side, and not so much on the fact that therapeutic drugs are made by ODEN which can actually also help people."

Talliaferro stated that ODEN countries have been shut completely out of many places in the world, and it should not be this way.  "When they [countries like Louernne] completely cut out ODEN, it not only hurts Kalistan, but all ODEN members.  And several of them have at least some focus in medicine.  We note that Vanuku expressly told us that they did not want drugs which they saw as deleterious to human health and well being.  This is fine.  Let's have ODEN export drugs that countries around the world want.  They don't have to take everything:  why not just focus on the things they want?  ODEN is in an excellent position to supply most of the world's pharmaceutical demands as well, and we invite pharmaceutical producing countries to consider joining ODEN because cooperation is better in many ways than competition."

Talliaferro had a message for those countries who had completely blocked ODEN.  "Look:  the best way to control drug imports from ODEN is to join ODEN.  We, as member states, are forbidden from competing with your own local industries.  If you want to keep out ODEN products, join us and set drug policy with ODEN at your side, rather than behind your back.  There are 20 nations that are eligible to join.  Let's work together."

Talliaferro's rise signals a potential shift in direction for the Cartel, and it is hoped that these first steps represent a new coordinated effort to legitimize the Cartel abroad.  Talliaferro stated that he hopes to consult with ODEN Nations soon to develop a new export strategy for the Cartel.  Talliaferro's first act of ending the dumping policy toward Lourenne was followed by the policy of ODEN purchasing the therapeutic pharmaceutical stocks of several major companies in Kalistan, including Talliaferro's previous employer, Supereon Pharma, in Eshar.  "There is no conflict of interest.  I'm fully divested, and do not stand to gain materially from these purchases.  And besides:  We've bought everyone out, not just Supereon."  Talliaferro expects to complete a new Drug Survey for Kalistan by the end of the year.