Kalistan

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Kalistani News in Brief:  Naval Procurement kicks into High Gear
Foundations laid in Spencer; Union Conference proceeds apace
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
June 30, 5561


Concrete is poured on the first Launch Facility at new Spencer Space and Test Center

Naval Procurement shifts into High Gear
The 4th Fleet continues to take shape as a number of recommissioned ships that the 4th Fleet has been using during its stand up period are pulled off the line and replaced by brand new ships.  24 of the 28 submarines scheduled for deployment have taken their positions in the new 4th Fleet, as have one of the two new Destroyers, five of the 8 frigates, and 2 corvettes have been built.  Both Naval Shipyards in Sulari and Kaliburg have been working overtime to meet the order, and the procurement is on schedule to be completed by December of 5562.  "The biggest bottleneck has been in armament," said National Shipyard spokesperson Monica Jones.  "We haven't had a need to build much naval artillery in a very long time, so as we are commissioning a lot of these ships, we are having to cannibalize the guns from recommissioned ships:  We push one out, take receipt of the one they were sailing on, strip the guns and the fire control assemblies, and use them in the next ships that are coming off the lines, then get the next ship in here.  We built the delays into the production schedule, but since we are actually building new ships, with new processes and new electronics and new everything, rather than simply refitting old ones, we have to deal with this bottleneck."  The ships coming off the lines that are being stripped are set to be completely scrapped after this procurement cycle, and a few of the re-decommissioned ships are already being disassembled in Bozo River.

ISCA Spencer Space and Test Center begins pouring concrete for launch facility
In a multi-stage construction process, the first courses of concrete are being poured in the new Spencer Space Center at Point Spencer, Suldanor.  By the time the launch pad is fully constructed, there will be about 56,500 tons of concrete poured.  "Kalistan is lucky to have a National Service Program that can supply the thousands of skilled concrete workers, rebar specialists, welders, and every other skilled labor class we need to build this facility," said project lead Kathy Heinrich.  "Most nations when they say 'I'd like a space program' don't think about all the things necessary to build the facilities necessary to actually construct the physical plant of a space program.  They just think 'I'd like rockets,' and then expect to have rockets.  Its going to take years to get this place ready to fire our first rocket.  This launch pad we are building will be one of two on this site, and will be primarily used to test rocket designed.  Our main rocket site will require nearly twice as much concrete and tons and tons of steel.  But we can do it."  Heinrich said that though the rocket scientists will be returning from Lourenne in a couple years, the physical structures will take nearly a decade to complete.  "You can do it fast or you can do it right," said Heinrich.  "In Kalistan, we always do it right."  The first three courses of concrete on this launch pad will be poured and set up by the time work stops for the season in late fall.

Union Conference Proceeds in due order
The Northern Seleyan Confederation Conference is continuing in Kaliburg.  The Plenary Session, which is being chaired by Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister Dame Jacqueline DuMont, is currently working on whether we should begin to develop a closer political and or economic union in Northern Seleya.  Currently representatives from the 4 Vrassan/Luthorian speaking nations in Northern Seleya and Tukarali have sent delegations to the conference.  "We regret that Gaduridos did not send a delegation," said Dame DuMont.  "The Government noted that the President said they would have been interested, but inexplicably opted to not send anyone, despite the benefit they would have received from at least having a voice in the Conference.  But judging by the several high profile visits to Gaduridos since the beginning of the Conference by Narikiton, Luthori, and Lourenne, all of whom have strong interests in keeping Gaduridos seperate from a closer association with Gaduridos' northern neighbors, and lack of offsetting visits to Gaduridos by other Seleyan nations, I suppose the Gaduri unwillingness to participate on any level makes more sense.  It is what we figured at the outset, and we have to carry on with or without them.  So it looks like it will be without them."  In regard to the absense of Valruzia, Dame DuMont said simply, "No Comment."  

Judging by the proposals of the various delegations to the Conference, Dame DuMont is optimistic on the formation of a confederation of some kind.  "We will issue our own proposal that will be similar to the proposals made by both Likatonia and Lodamun, but will likely urge for a more solid political union where all members share power and internal decisions are made democratically.  It will be slightly more than both Lodamun and Likatonia have proposed but our desire is to present delegates with a range of options.  Ultimately, Kalistan will be satisfied with what the body decides, as long as it is something."  When asked if she thinks others will be able to join when the confederation is built, DuMont said "If Kalistan has anything to say about it, not without significant concessions on their part.  I personally would never want to see our work get used to leverage some Artanian.  Seleyan independence is far more important than that."  The Conference will continue.