Kalistan

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Empress addresses National Assembly
Etxea and Valruzia subjects of the Speech as some Deputies balk
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
April 4, 5633


Empress Mary I Ananto speaks forcefully at the National Assembly

"Here we go again, you know?" started Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Mary I Ananto's speech before the National Assembly.  She was at the Capital to call for aid to Etxea to help deal with recent chemical attacks by the Legion against the legitimate Government of Kundrati, based in Etxea, and to inform the National Assembly of the upcoming trip by the Foreign Minister to Valruzia.  But many legislators openly expressed their disagreement with the policies the Empress put forth, especially in regard to Kundrati.  Their opposition was based in a general opposition for re-involvement in Artanian Affairs.  Their opposition did not deter Her Imperial Majesty, who ultimately put rowdy Deputies in their place with a public admonition and lecture about principles.

"Shortly after we were born, our parents, Empress Consort Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis the late Emperor Fredrick Ananto fled their home on Wilson's Hill in Kaliburg here to the home where our earliest memories were formed.  The reason they fled was that the death camp known as Legionary Kundrati deployed chemical weaponry against our capital city.  There is not a Deputy nor a Peer in this chamber who does not daily walk past the monuments to that attack, the scars that still lay in the landscape, the green spaces in our City which were left empty because even today they are not deemed safe enough to rebuild long term habitation over.  

"We have seen this play before, and while we begged the world to step in and do something about the menace that territory in the iron grip of the fascist Legion still poses, the rest of the world has turned a blind eye to the pernicious threat of fascism in mainland Artania for the entire time we have been alive.  Only a few notable nations answered that call, among them Luthori, Mordusia and Lodamun:  most still sit on their hands, claiming they don't know how to answer it, while still trading with them and sending them food in direct contravention to sanctions that a half a dozen nations have placed on them.  And now, these terrorists have done it again, this time to the homeland of our Great Grandmother and our Grandmother.  When will the world take this threat seriously?"

Some of her comments raised critique and discourtesy, because there is a belief among some that the more outrageous are based on hearsay and are not bases for solid national policy--The Empress was interrupted several times during her speech, something that would never have happened with her predecessors.  But the Empress was forceful in her retort and held her own on the floor of the National Assembly against several attempts to shout her down.

"These people, if you can call them that, are vile menaces with no regard for human life, except for its nutritional value...  Yes...  Yes...  It's true....  No, don't ask us to stop speaking on this!  It is well known...  It is well known.  Excuse us Madame Speaker, excuse us.  No...  No, friends, it is well known and confirmed by testimony that they engage routinely in cannibalism and medical experiments.  No...  No...  it is confirmed.  You can stop that howling now.  We know it is true, and it needed to be stated into the record that this is the understanding of this Empire...  We have it on excellent authority that this is state policy.  it is not a scurrilous and outrageous charge if it's true!  

"And if you Deputies are outraged, then do something about it.  Get Etxea the necessary aid to help them recover from these attacks and to stand up to Legionary Aggression.  They act with impunity because well-meaning nations of this world, or so called, sit by and allow them to do as they please instead of disciplining them to make them learn their lessons about proper conduct in this world.  Even to the point of extinction for the Legion and its braindead zombie minions.  And...  Look, just stop.  If you have an issue with how we are putting this, you are invited to refer your complaints to our chancellor.  Yes...  yes... Look.  We care not:  We mean every word of this.  Do your job.  Help the legitimate government of Kundrati defend itself from those monsters.  Or don't say you stand against fascism.  

"And when we say this, we don't merely mean the members of this Assembly--You will do as you are expected to do, and we will have our way, whether you like it or not, or you will resign and we will find someone who will.  That is not the issue.  Yes, yes...  we know...  elections elections democracy, whatever.  We are not here to debate that matter with those whose sole function is to see our will manifested in the policy of this nation.  We aren't only referring to you.  We also mean the nations of the world who provide cover and assistance for that dreaded regime of terror and death.  We call upon all Hosian nations of the world to practice what you preach, because otherwise you are represented by your complaisance in the face of evil masquerading as Hosianism.  If you claim to support God, but you allow the Legion to continue their evil unchecked, you are hypocrites.  

"Kalistan has done her share and then some--We've sacrificed to forestall the day of ultimate reckoning, to allow the world to finally gear up to face the menace, and for all that loss and suffering we've endured, what has the world done?  As far as we can tell, several nations of the world have chosen to normalize that evil and start trading with them.  But now, it's finally time for you to step up now and carry the ball over the goal line.  If you weren't shocked, and were maybe even a little happy that Kalistan was attacked by chemical weapons twenty years ago, maybe their use of them in Etxea should tell you that they will use them against whoever they deem to be not sufficiently compliant with their evil plans for world dominion.  That means everyone is fair game.  It's ridiculous that a 22-year old, basically kid, has to call you out.  But like most burdens, it falls upon Kalistan to be the ones to do it.  Do your job.  Stand for your principles, or shut up about principles."

More than half the members of the National Assembly stood and applauded the Empress' exhortation, while several Deputies were notably upset with how the Empress framed the situation.  But by the end of the day, the National Assembly passed legislation dedicating medical supplies, chemical mitigation supplies, burn kits, antibiotics, food and temporary shelters, and additional financial aid to be used by the Etxean Government as it sees fit to help recover from this attack to Etxea as a fraternal gesture.  Additionally, the Government approved more than 100 million Imperial Rubles of credits to the Etxean Government to be made available should the Etxean Government seek to use those on military purchases.  This represents the first marginal military aid to the Island since the end of the war in 5614, and signals a renewed, albeit limited re-entry of the Empire into the seemingly never-ending conflict.

Meanwhile, the Empress also announced that Lady Anya Waltrip and Trade Minister Mel Greene-Collins would be dispatched to Valruzia.

"We were part of the transition monitoring team as Valruzia left their dictatorship in the dust.  We are pleased to announced that we can certify that they have completely, and hopefully permanently, transitioned to a government that serves their people and represents the will of the Valruzian populace.  We would like to continue to encourage them on their path to self determination and a strong independence from foreign domination, which has no place whatsoever in Seleya, by giving them assistance in building their national industries.  We have asked Lady Waltrip to discuss the permanent establishment of an Anantonese Diplomatic Mission in their capital, and to offer them all the export, technical, and material resources our Empire has at its disposal.  Kalistan will trade with Valruzia without aim to profit from the relationship.  It is enough for us, and furthers our goals to strengthen Valruzia against foreign, particularly Artanian and Majatran domination, by doing what we can to promote their independent national development, so that they have a firm foundation for their independent economic and social development."

The Empress once again praised the vision of the Chancellor of Valruzia and said she was hopeful that a strong and independent Valruzia would contribute to a strong and independent Seleya.  She was also encouraged by the Chancellor's resistance against Communism in the nation, and stressed her belief that communism and radical ideology in general tends to make nations susceptible to internationalism and globalist ideas that take the focus off of building at home.  "Neither liberalism, nor radicalism," finished Her Imperial Majesty, "what has benefitted our Empire most, and what we would hope for for all nations is a steady hand, order and regularity.  We believe that Valruzia is on the correct track in this direction and will seek to do all we can to support them in furthering their journey along that path."  The Kalistani Delegation is expected to fly to Valruzia to open talks in May.

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