Kalistan

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FM DuMont and MoD General Jackson fly to Lourenne
Her Imperial Majesty's Ministers aim to consult on Anantonese Security
Kaliburg Free City, Grand Duchy of Ananto
July 23, 5575


Dame DuMont, seen here, enroute to Eroncourt with General Martin Jackson

Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign and Defense Ministers were dispatched this week to the United Kingdom to meet with Lourennais counterparts on Anantonese Security and to discuss the Majatran situation, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alex Handle said in a short press conference.  "Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister is renewing discussions that have languished since the Canrille Emperor visited Kalistan several years ago.  Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Pavlina I Ananto knows she will be retiring sooner rather than later, and there are a number of outstanding initiatives she wants to at least work on before she steps down, to give the Crown Princess a head start."

On the agenda is a formal agreement on Anantonese Ocean security, and the Istalian invasion of Pontesi.  "Her Imperial Majesty would like to begin doing regular naval exercises with Gaduridos, Lodamun and Lourenne," said Handle.  "Part of it is to help Gaduridos come up to speed with regular naval operations in the Central Anantonese Ocean, because now that they have joined the Empire, they will begin receiving Imperial support with materiel and patrols, and training with three excellent navies will certainly give Gaduri commanders valuable tactical experience as they fit into overall Anantonese Security.  But another reason is that Kalistan has long sought to increase security in and around Ananto, and building a regular regime with Lourenne for dispute resolution, joint security operations, and surveillance will greatly enhance Kaliburg's security in both the Northern Anantonese and the Central Anantonese."

Another important topic of discussion is the ongoing conflict in Majatra.  "Kalistan maintains its neutrality in the affair, as does Gaduridos and Lourenne, but Kalistan also has spoken out strongly against communist aggression from Istalia, and will likely offer to relocate its infantry and artillery divisions currently stationed at Bék Hillesko Military Compound in Hizdrkrtak, Wrnuke to Pontesi to support the Jelbic Empire's defense of Pontesi.  Kalistan would look for an opportunity to strengthen local defense and civilian security institutions, while avoiding direct combat with the communists.  While this would not equal intevention or supplying either side, it would free up additional Pontesi forces to push back the communists and eject them from their country to restore peace in the Majatran Nation."

Handle noted that General Jackson, the Minister of Defense, was travelling to float the idea to the Canrille Emperor.  "We're not specifically asking Lourenne for permission for anything, but we are curious about how the idea will fly in Eroncourt, which has taken a strong stand against foreign intervention.  We would like to weigh their opinion on the matter, as Her Imperial Majesty's Service Chiefs are all in favor of the idea, but she would like to hear a potentially oppositional opinion, in case there is something she is not considering.  Her Imperial Majesty is a convinced Brethrenist and wishes to avoid conflict all together, so seeking out a contrary opinion, the way Brethrenists frequently do about all weighty decisions, seems to be in line with what one would expect her to do."

Handle was clear that no decisions had been made regarding the two divisions stationed abroad.  "We also have no run the idea by the Khan either, but we suppose the Khan would be in favor of Kalistani support in Pontesi, so that input won't necessarily change much one way or another.  Her Imperial Majesty won't decide anything immediately, but will continue to watch the situation as it unfolds, and then if she determines that Kalistani Regular can help enhance the potential for peace and stability in Pontesi, she will make a move."

The pair of high level ministers from Her Imperial Majesty's Cabinet are likely to be in Eroncourt for two weeks, before they return to Kalistan and make a report to Her Imperial Majesty.

In related news, Her Imperial Majesty is working with Her Highness the Crown Princess Carolina Ananto-Hulanevek to install a new Chancellor of the Empire.  The previous Chancellor of the Empire, Sir Bertram Ames-Ananto, was angrily dismissed from his post by the Empress during Her Imperial Majesty's recent speech at the National Assembly, when he audaciously reminded her of the rules of protocol following her use of the first person singular pronoun several times during the speech.  "Her Imperial Majesty and the Crown Princess are interviewing candidates, and Her Highness the Crown Princess Carolina seems to be leaning toward a Gaduri candidate, as a nod to the new Kingdom of Gaduridos," said Handle. 

"As for former Chancellor Ames, he has fallen from power rather precipitously," continued Mr. Handle.  "Publicly chastising the physical embodiment of all political legitimacy in the Empire about the nuances of the law was an unforgivable act.  It doesn't matter that the law says that the Empress must refer to herself in the first person plural.  If the Empress does it, it is by definition legal.  That is a long standing political axiom in Kalistan.  Who is going to correct the Empress in public?  Sir Bertram made the grave error of doing that and now his political career is not only over, it is utterly abolished, as if he had never done anything with his tenure.  He is lucky he remains a free man."

The Ministry spokesman offered a final word, which certainly reflects the official position of Her Imperial Majesty's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and specifically its leader, Dame Jacqueline DuMont.  "Even with a terminal diagnosis like early onset Alzheimer's Disease, Her Imperial Majesty is an absolute monarch clothed in immense power and responsibility, and she has been doing this a long time by herself, so she knows precisely what the law says, and Sir Bertram addressing her directly in public was itself a violation of the Rural Land Act.  She has the power to waive the law at will by her simple fiat, Ames does not."