Kalistan

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FM updates Kalistan's Foreign Policy
"We are watching what is going on in Valruzia," said Sir Harney
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
February 25, 5706


FM Sir Thomas Harney interviewed at Annual Foreign Correspondents' Dinner

Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister, Sir Thomas Harney, who attended the Annual Foreign Correspondents' Dinner in Kaliburg sporting an eyepatch, discussed Kalistan's Foreign Policy. He touched on a number of flashpoints, including Kalistan's continued with with regional partners and the rise of a hypermilitarist bloc in the west.

Below are his brief comments:

(The Republic's) S(ylvester) U(vale): Sir Harney, it is a pleasure to meet you tonight.

(Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister, Sir) T(homas) H(arney): Well met, indeed.

SU: Let's get the first and most obvious question out of the way. Are you doing alright these days?

TH: Sure. Right as rain. Why do you ask?

SU: Well, did something happen to you eye?

TH: Oh, the eye patch? No, this is really more of a fashion choice. I thought it would be fun to wear one for a while.

SU: An eyepatch, Sir Harney?

TH: Yes, literally nobody else is wearing an eyepatch here tonight. Have you noticed that? But they all have tuxedos on, so I wanted to do something a little different.

SU: And you went with "eyepatch"?

TH: Yes, completely unexpected.

SU: I suppose one may not argue with that statement.

TH: I think I'll keep it. It's very distinctive.

SU: Alright. I will then start the actual interview with a question about Luthori.

TH: Yes, I had a feeling I would get this question.

SU: Your thoughts?

TH: Well Her Imperial Majesty's Ambassador, His Excellency Kerry Slaughter has obviously written and requested reasignment. The Empress is tempted to give His Excellency his request and let him return to Kalistan, but I've asked her to wait because we are having trouble finding someone else to fill his spot and she would like the Embassy to stay open. So I had to tell the Ambassador that he needed to wait in place until we can.

SU: The Ambassador wants to be reassigned because of a gem?

TH: A gem? What do you mean?

SU: The news that the Luthorians have opted to return one of their Yeudi gems to Yishelem. That's not why Ambassador Slaughter has asked for reassignment?

TH: No. Why would that matter?

SU: Then what is the reason?

TH: No, that's irrelevant, to anything really... The reason for Ambassador Slaughter wanting to leave Luthori is... well, you know...

SU: I'm afraid, Sir that if its not about the gem, then I do not know. I thought that was the reason.

TH: Look. I'm not going to create an international incident here. But I will just say that His Excellency happens to more than agree with, shall we say, the Egelian estimation of the mental acuity of the Luthorian Monarchy. He said he finds the discussions with the Emperor there to be tedious to the point of insult. I don't have any evidence to corroborate the Ambassador's feelings on the matter, having never personally spoken to the Emperor myself, but I will say, he is entitled to his own opinion on the matter, and if he does not feel like he can effectively represent the Empress to the court of the Orange Villains, due to, as he put it, audiences being a general offense to the senses, we really have a problem. Unfortunately that point of view is fairly common among people who do know, so it will be difficult to replace Ambassador Slaughter. It really has nothing to do with a shiny orange rock.

SU: Do you think this is part of the ramping up of tensions between the East and the West?

TH: I honestly think its really just personal. And its a shame because we were making progress for a while. We do like their music and hopefully all their musicians move to Kalistan so we can get the one benefit from association with them without having to put up with all the other bits.

SU: Moving on. What if the Empress' position on the developments in Valruzia.

TH: Well, as you know, Valruzia is a very important partner of Her Imperial Majesty, and the two nations have forged personal as well as strong diplomatic bonds over the course of Her Imperial Majesty's life. We are watching the situation there with Mr. Barela, and while Her Imperial Majesty does not want to make any comment on Mr. Barela's personal life, she is truly saddened that he was forced from office over personal choices he and his family have made. How a man or woman choose to form their family should have no bearing on whether they are capable administrators of a nation. She commends his grace in stepping down, said she appreciates the kindness his government has shown to our nation in our time of trouble (they were the only ones to offer us assistance, by the way,) and wishes him to know that he and his family always have a friend in Kaliburg.

SU: Does she have any comments on the rise of the new imperialist party in Valruzia?

TH: Her Imperial Majesty has said that this is purely an internal matter of Valruzia, and while she tentatively supports the development, it is still far too early to judge its effects, and therefore Kalistan doesn't want to appear to be influencing events there one way or the others. This is for Valruzia, and Valruzia alone to decided, and if they request assistance from Kalistan we will be the first in line to help.

SU: Does Her Imperial Majesty have any updates on the Egelian Conference?

TH: We are moving ahead on an agreement on intelligence sharing at the moment. We are waiting for a draft, but other than that we are still actively participating and enthusiastically cooperating with our neighbors. Hey-- I think they are about to restart the speeches, so I will beg your pardon, but I am needed back at the dias.

SU: Very well, thank you for your time, Sir Thomas.

TH: It was a pleasure.

@TheRepublic