Kalistani Major History

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President Betta Announces work on District Government
Prospects are "good" for new District Assemblies
Kaliburg, Ananto District
October 1, 4054


President of the Republic Orenthall Betta discusses development of District Governments

In an effort to update Kalistani Government for the new Millennium, The Government of Kalistan, working with the two main opposition Parties, has forwarded a bill for debate and discussion which aims at the development of District Governments.  President Betta held a short press conference on the District Government Act of 4054 (which is expected to become law before the 4056 elections) and then sat down to discuss the bill with The Republic.

In the bill, which greatly updates the seven hundred year old District Government Act, the National Assembly proposes to create District Assemblies.  Seats in the District Assemblies will reflect District results in the National Assembly, and the winner of Plurality in the Districts will be awarded the Title of Speaker of the District Assembly.  The Speaker will set the Agenda for the District Assembly, and for all practical purposes, control legislation within the District.  The Plurality Party in the District shall also name the Governor of the District, who will represent the District at the National Level, and will also serve as Commander in Chief of the District Units of the Regular Armed Forces of Kalistan, which are also to be devolved to the Districts.

President Betta said of the Act:

"There is some legitimate interest within Kalistani Politics for a degree of regional autonomy.  With this act, we are making explicit the concept that there are some things that the National Government does, and some things which should be handled by the Districts.  It is only a matter of time before the proponents of Ananto autonomy gain seats in the Assembly and force the issue.  And so I have asked the Premier, to begin working with the presumptive Speakers of the Opposition Parties to begin to update the District Government Act.  We think this update addresses many of the interests of those who seek to increase regional autonomy, without yielding power from the National Government.  We stress:  this does not establish Federalism.  But it does provide a method for regional Parties to actually hold power which is separate from National Power."

With regard to the slowly growing calls among some groups within the larger Anantanese population for Autonomy and Independence, the President of the Republic was emphatic:  "Kalistan is Five Districts.  It is indivisible.  Ananto is not going anywhere.  The SP has long called Ananto home, and I can assure you no Socialist will be supporting any effort to separate Ananto from the Republic.  Now.  That's it."  When asked whether the Militia was mobilizing in Ananto, the President answered simply "Look-  No comment on that.  You would have to talk to [Captain Joyce] Mark.  She'd be able to tell you about all that."  The President added that he is a lifelong Birthright Brethren, and doesn't have anything to do with the Militia.  Artillery Captain Mark is currently the commander of RSMoK forces in Ananto, and was unavailable for comment before this article went to press.