Kalistani Major History

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IZQUIERDA-  The Voice of the Kalistani Left
Socialist Party Proposes Compensation Fund
President declares that she will not seek Re-election in 3929
Kaliburg, Ananto District
June 22, 3928

Opposition Leader Hillary Clark-Reid proposed a compensation fund for all cargo and shipping seized in error during the two year Embargo.  The key word to all of this is "in error".  The controversial proposal, which endured significant internal debate over the past month before finally being put before the Assembly, offers foreigners the opportunity to make a claim on a 1 million Ruble fund.  If cargo or shipping was found, in a Kalistani Court, to have been seized and impounded in error, claimants may be compensated at as much as 104.0404% of the total value of their loss, which represents a 100% compensation plus 2% interest over the term of the Embargo.  Any compensation over and above 1 million Rubles will be covered by the Socialist Party of Kalistan, under the law. 


Socialist Party Leader and Speaker of the Opposition, proposing the Compensation Bill

There are some fairly strict conditions under which an owner may be considered eligible for compensation under this law:  All Vanukean citizens and representatives of the Government are automatically ineligible.  All cargo that touched Vanukean soil on its journey to the point of seizure in any way is ineligible.  Any ship that put into port in Vanuku for any reason on the particular voyage that it was seized for any reason other than refueling or repairs is ineligible.  Any cargo or ship whose point of origin or transshipment was deliberately hidden for the purpose of masking its origin or point of transshipment is ineligible.  Party Leader Clark stated,

"Under these terms, we are about 99.9% that all the cargo and shipping vessels seized during the Embargo was contraband, by the definition of the Strict Embargo Order.  If we deplete that fund after 4 years, it will be a complete surprise.  And yet, we do want to make sure that all people whose ships and cargo was impounded in error are adequately compensated for their losses, and made more than whole.  We encourage claimants to come forward, file a suit in Kalistani court and let's air these cases.  I am convinced that you will find that it was foreign shippers trying to smuggle Vanukean contraband through our waters who are the ones who broke Kalistani Laws during the last two years, and not Kalistani Privateers, as is so often claimed in the foreign press."

The Law is incredibly unpopular among Socialists in Kalistan.  In an important compromise to radical nationalists in the Assembly, the Speaker added a sunset provision to the bill-  the fund is to be liquidated after 4 years and no further compensation claims will be entertained after that point.


Foreign Minister Milena Suarez fields Reporters' Questions after President Smith announced her retirement

The President of the Republic endorsed the Bill, along with the Foreign Minister, as an adequate measure to sooth tensions abroad.  The President then underscored the unpopular nature of the bill by vowing to not run for Office in the 3829 elections.  The President stated,

This last term has been incredibly trying for me.  My priorities have been absolutely overshadowed by the Embargo, and at this rate, I use what political capital I have remaining to promote this bill which I feel is entirely necessary.  Therefore it is incumbent upon me to choose to step out of the way, so that less distracted individuals may take the reigns of State and perhaps heal the divisions that were caused during my Administration.  Upon leaving, I do not wish to make any endorsement for my successor.  It is my hope that whoever succeeds me will be committed to peace for Kalistan, and eventual normalization with all nations.  But I fully encourage the Government and whoever leads it, to continue to search for justice in the case of my Late predecessor.  Kalistan should not rest until that murder is resolved.  It was our hope to bring the murderer or murderers to justice in my Administration, but I am out of time and out of patience.  After January, I will join my Friend Jonas Bennots-Plum in working to build the Society of the Bretheren in Kalistan.

The President's remarks were followed by questions from the Press, mostly handled by Foreign Minister Suarez, who is widely expected to remain in her post, whoever becomes President.