Kalistan

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Her Imperial Majesty applauds developments in Egelion
"We look forward to establishing relations with our Neighbor" says Empress in Kaliburg
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
December 30, 5589


Her Imperial Majesty discusses Anantonese Relations in downtown Kaliburg

Her Imperial Majesty stopped briefly to talk with reporters today after meeting with several civil engineers in an attempt to restart the Kaliburg Metro project.  She gave some brief Comments to reporters that were gathered outside the NSP HQ in downtown Kaliburg.

R(eporter):  Is Her Imperial Majesty looking forward to restarting the Metro and completing it?

(Her Imperial Majesty, Empress) C(arolina I) A(nanto):  We did discuss restarting and finishing the Metro here in Kaliburg.  The project was supposed to take a decade and has now been put on indefinite hold as our Partners from Kundrati have more or less walked off the project while they defend their homeland.  We cannot say we blame them, but it is important for us to complete this project and we have the ability here to complete it with or without the project directors from Kundrati.  Over this winter, NSP will develop a project to get back onto some sort of schedule, and meanwhile, the NSP will reach out to the Kundratis to see if they wish to return to the Empire to work.  This is their brain child, and it is our hope that they will come back to work.  Otherwise, we will start again in the Spring.

R:  How much of the Metro is completed?

CA:  Of the original plans provided by the Kundrati Engineers, we have about 80% completed, and currently in service.  Most of that work is downtown here, as well as in Lolla and to the University.  However, about six years ago, the Kundratis came to us with updated plans, to expand out to the northeastern and southern suburbs and those have not been started yet.  So, over the whole project, we can estimate between 60 and 65% is completed.  Useful, yes, but we would like to expand service along original plans.

R:  What is Her Imperial Majesty's position on the new Egelion Monarchy that is taking shape in Keris?

CA:  We find that to be a very encouraging development.  The Empire would certainly look forward not only to meeting the future king of Egelion, the Duke Amadeo, but also reaching out in terms of economic and security cooperation.  Egelion is a nation that is simply grandfathered into a number of our regional treaties, and it would make sense for the Empire to be on very good terms with Egelion.

R:  Has Egelion reached out to the Anantonese Empire?

CA:  No.

R:  Not on anything?

CA:  No.  But they are in the process of consolidating up there.  It makes sense that they would hold off until the institutions of their national government are in place.  If we are still having this same conversation is perhaps five years time, if Egelion decides to not approach Ananto, we would be more concerned at that point.  There is no reason to our thinking that they won't eventually reach out and send representatives to talk to the Anantonese Empire.  We certainly want it known that they are welcomed in Kaliburg, as we hope our own representatives are in Altea.

R:  Does it concern Her Imperial Majesty that another monarchy is on the rise in the region?

CA:  Absolutely not.  It would be far better for a stable, sane government under a monarch should rise than a Republic, especially one prone to revolutions and instability.  From early reports, Egelion is trying its hand at absolutism, and eschewing constitutionalism.  This is absolutely something we support, and find that regime convergence like this creates many opportunities for cooperation when we both follow the same structures and sets of rules.  If the Ananto Empire treats with another Absolute Monarch, there are so many other things we don't have to negotiate or attempt to understand before going in to any conversation.  An absolute monarch's word is law.  We don't have to wonder whether the thing they say one day is going to get voted down the next day.  We welcome those developments and stand ready to create not only normal, but close relations with our Neighbors in Egelion."

R:  Finally, Can Her Imperial Majesty give us some updates on the progress His Highness, the Minor Crown Prince is making with learning to sign?

CA:  Both of our children have acquired the sign alphabet fairly quickly.  The Crown Prince has a knack for picking up nuances in language, and his little sister is already showing off her wit in sign language.  They already talk faster to one another than either we or the Prince Consort can follow, so we will ask them to slow down.  They are both learning to communicate very well, and their Tutor, Miss Helen Miller, has done so well teaching them both.  It is our hope that by Summer of next year, the Crown Prince gains fluency in Vrassan signs, and begins his instruction in Egelian.

R:  Will Her Imperial Majesty learn Egelian sign language?

CA:  We will have enough to learn with Vrassan.  Our Husband and ourselves are making progress, but the Children are picking it up the same way we picked up spoken Vrassan, as children, so it is there when the concrete in the mind sets  We do not have that advantage.  So we will need to rely on the Crown Prince's lip reading abilities when we speak in Egelian in the home.  Luckily, he will also have his sister and Miss Miller to speak Egelian with, because making friends with Egelian speaking children who are hard of hearing is difficult, given that the Crown Prince is the Crown Prince.  Perhaps, if things go well between Egelion and the Anantonese Empire, we may have the opportunity to travel there and meet some Egelian speakers who use sign there, so Fred can get some real world experience.  In addition, we want to travel to Gaduridos next Spring and look at houses.  It will be good for both Fredrick and Miss Michelle to meet Gaduris who sign too.  One would think this would be a challenge, but instead it creates a lot of great opportunities for our children, and though the fact of the Crown Prince's loss of hearing is something that might be difficult for most, we are trying to remain optimistic about the potential that he will continue to be able to communicate after his hearing is gone.  Now, we must continue to our next meeting, so we wish you all a good afternoon.

R:  Thanks to Her Imperial Majesty for her time and willingness to answer questions.

At this Her Imperial Majesty departed by automobile.

@TheKalistaniRepublic