Kalistan

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Kalistan offers cautious encouragement for Gaduridos
Election of Stable Government "bodes well" for relations, says Chancellor
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
May 26, 5718


Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Melanie Alvarez-McLinn address developments in Gaduridos

Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Melanie Alvarez-McLinn, well known for her arch nationalist positions and her early opposition to the dismemberment of the Empire, spoke to the National Assembly yesterday on developments in Gaduridos. "We clearly do not wish to appear to be putting our finger on any scales in regard to Gaduridos," said the Chancellor. "But I have to say, the election of the moderate Benjamin de la Cruz to lead his Party into the General Elections is one positive step that gives Her Imperial Majesty some hope of a rapprochement between Kalistan and Gaduridos."

The Chancellor said she had to measure her words about Gaduridos in a public forum. "I had to give Her Imperial Majesty assurances that I would not say anything to derail any of the efforts that she may or may not be making to begin to repair the rift of bad feelings and mistrust that currently exists between our two nations. My last aim is to undermine the efforts of my cousin, Lady Marisol Paz as she leads behind the scenes talks with the current Gaduri caretaker government as they prepare for their General Elections. So I will simply say that Her Imperial Majesty's Government is prepared to support any policy initiative that serves Her Imperial Majesty's goals of establishing a new formal relationship with the Southern Nation after a decade of non-contact between our two nations."

The Chancellor said Her Imperial Majesty found the discussion of monarchy in Gaduridos to be encouraging. "Gaduridos has been a monarchy for more than a century, but have opted to never appoint a king. The Viceroy served, functionally as the head of state, but when the Empire was formally abolished, that authority, like the rest of the Government, went into receivership. Her Imperial Majesty wishes to express encouragement around the words of Mr. De la Cruz, concerning the necessity of a monarch to take the throne of Gaduridos, and cautions against the siren song of Republicanism and liberalism."

Like the Gaduris, the Chancellor did not discuss Bentasur in her speech. She merely alluded to it in an oblique fashion: "Kalistan wishes to work on all outstanding issues between our two nations so that we may start fresh with nothing in our past standing in the way. The time is critical at this moment for relations between our two nations, and Kalistan has to step carefully if it wants to have any relationship at all with Gaduridos. So Her Imperial Majesty is being careful to establish a solid foundation of trust and cooperative spirit, a foundation solid enough to get to some of these other issues from a place of trust rather than mistrust."

The wait and see approach expressed in the Chancellor's speech is at odds with her long history of very incendiary comments regarding the end of the Anantonese Empire. Before becoming Chancellor, she was on the record saying that if if were up to her, Gaduridos would be invaded, forcibly occupied and directly governed from the Imperial Seat. She was miles away from that position this week, when she seemed to tepidly endorse Her Imperial Majesty's policy preferences rather than her own. "As I said, we will do all we can to support Her Imperial Majesty's efforts down there in... the Sovereign Kingdom of Gaduridos... Her Imperial Majesty has decreed it and so it simply is what it is, whatever I or anyone feels personally about the question. Our only job is to implement her fiat. So we shall."

She took a moment specifically to address Gaduri audiences in her speech. "A las facciones nacionalistas de la política de Gaduri, deseo enviarles mis saludos. Me gustaría invitar personalmente a sus representantes a participar en todas las discusiones con los kalistaníes. Es posible que no coincidamos en muchos aspectos, pero estoy seguro de que ustedes, al igual que yo, solo desean lo mejor para nuestras naciones. Este es un sentimiento compartido por los nacionalistas de toda Terra. Y, ciertamente, aunque podamos encontrarnos en lados opuestos respecto a muchas cuestiones, esto no significa que los beneficios derivados de las negociaciones sean mutuamente excluyentes o de suma cero. Ustedes conocen a Lady Álvarez. Puede que ya no considere a Gaduridos su hogar, pero les aseguro que su corazón permanece allí, con ustedes: el pueblo al que conoció durante toda su vida. Ella actuará con la mayor equidad posible al defender los intereses de su propia nación, sin dejar de tener en cuenta los intereses de Gaduridos. Si ella no es capaz de desempeñar ese papel, entonces no hay nadie que pueda hacerlo. Son bienvenidos a colaborar en este proceso con el fin de lograr el mejor resultado posible para su nación; un resultado que evite el conflicto y los encamine hacia una recuperación rápida y total. Esperamos que, en esta ocasión, cuenten con Kalistan como socio. Este es el sincero deseo de Su Majestad Imperial."

The Chancellor's speech was roundly endorsed by various sectors in Kalistani society, including the business and investment community, who expressed their support by a moderate uptick in the KalSiE, notching the index up 3.2 points week over week. Futures in the Observers Market also reflected growing security in Gaduridos, with the morning open at +424, down from +564.

@TheRepublic