Kalistan

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Chancellor calls for divestment in Foreign Nations
"MATO is a real problem", Alvarez says on Kaliburg Tonight
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
September 1, 5711


Chancellor of the Empire promotes regional development in KRTVN

The Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Melanie Alvarez-McLinn made what is becoming a regular appearance on KRTVN-1's Kaliburg Tonight where she spent her segment making the case for divestment in foreign economies. "Whatever the return on investment overseas, Kalistan is not helped at all by those investments. When Kalistanis are not investing in Kalistan, we need to focus our investments on decent nations closer to home."

She targeted Kalistan's significant investments in Kundrati and Luthori, specifically but also argued that Kalistan should reconsider its relationship with Tel Bira. "Given Tel Bira's role as central financier of Amudim, and therefore of MATO, Kalistani investment in that nation's financial institutions goes to help a set of nation's who are hostile to Kalistani existence and identity. We understand that Tel Bira is nominally independent from the state of Amudim and the city of Himmelstern, but nominal independence doesn't negate the financial ties that city has to the rest of not only Amudim but also to MATO. Divesting in that City's financial institutions, as well as MATO member states in Artania should be a priority of our investment community. A neoliberal hypermilitaristic MATO is a real problem: Alignment with them should not be a free choice for anyone."

Of the three areas named, Kalistan has significant investments primarily in Kundrati where it is heavily leveraged in the nation's gold mining industry. "Dividends have been lucrative for Kalistani investors most certainly, but they are nothing compared to the profits that Kundrati producers are making, and the profits our investments allow them to make. But to be sure, I'm not arguing for a greater share of the profits. I am arguing for denying a MATO nation the profits from Kalistani investments."

One of the panellists, liberal author Richard Smith took great umbrage at the Chancellor's bellicose rhetoric. "Madame Chancellor," he said, even interrupting her, "This nation already chokes off free enterprise and distorts the market to an unrecognizable shape. How do you and Her Imperial Majesty expect those of us who invest our money to ever make money? Is it your goal to bankrupt all of us? How can you call Kalistan a free country when you restrict economic liberty almost as much as you restrict political liberty?"

The Chancellor simply laughed off the concerns of Smith, saying, "What Mr Smith and people like him do not seem to understand is that our economy is for this nation, not for people like him. Investment is permitted not because Kalistan needs him to be individually wealthy, but because we need our nation to be collectively wealthy. It isn't about him, or people like him. He doesn't understand that, because he labors under the mistaken impression that one person is more important than the entire nation. In anything. It simply is not true. If I have to impoverish him and fifty people like him, for the benefit of the 94 Million people who live in Kalistan, I will. Without even blinking."

The Chancellor called divestment Something we all must bear. "Her Imperial Majesty is heavily invested in Kundrati Gold as well as a number of other very important industries in Luthori. I have already asked her to consider divestment. She is willing to make that sacrifice, and if she is willing to require divestment by Miramar in those industries, then capitalists like the ones Mr. Smith presumes to speak for should follow her example."

The Chancellor said that Kalistanis ought to focus closer to home. "There is a much more ethical investment environment in Egelion for example, where people can spend their money in a way that makes our regional position stronger," said Lady Alvarez. "Lodamun presents an excellent investment opportunity for Kalistanis who have money to send overseas. And Kalistan itself is one of the most stable and secure investment environments on the planet. All these nations provide far better investment opportunities than anything in Artania, with the possible exception of Dundorf, because investing in any of these nations helps us, as a nation rather than helping MATO as a Collective."

The Chancellor said that Kalistan would begin imposing assets based taxes on all investments made into corporations headquartered in MATO nations. The measure is controversial because critics believe it will force Kalistanis to sell those foreign held assets rather than having to come up with the tax, which will be assessed on securities and commodities held regardless of if they are sold or not. Additionally, the Chancellor said before the end of the year, she will strengthen capital controls to prevent money from flowing out of the country, especially to nations associated with MATO.

"[Investors] can complain all they like," said the Chancellor. "I keep reminding them that Kalistani National interests always come first in our consideration. And by the way, we do have buy in from Miramar: If we do move this bill to tax these foreign held securities, the Miramar Mutual Fund will divest more than $400 Million Imperial Pesos from the Kundrati Gold Industry rather than pay an assets tax on them. We encourage others to follow suit, its the responsible thing to do."

After taking several questions, she finished up the segment with "Look, its simple. Invest closer to home. The neo-liberals hate us in Majatra and Artania. We're not going to continue to reward that sort of shortsighted behavior anymore."

@TheRepublic