Kalistan

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Former Etxean President Speaks in Port Davon
Nero solicits privateer aid for new Campaign in Artania
Port Davon, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 1, 5635


Former President of Etxea Tiberius Nero solicits aid from Anantonese Private Sector

The former President of the Kundrati Union, Mr. Tiberius Claudius Nero arrived in Kaliburg last week to seek an audience with Her Imperial Majesty Empress Mary I Ananto, in an ongoing effort to raise awareness about the violent bombing campaign that Etxea is experiencing at the moment.  The Government of Kalistan agreed to permit an informal audience with Her Imperial Majesty, where the Former President attempted to make his nation's case for re-engagement.  The Empress politely listened to the statistics and the impassioned argument of the former President, but in the end, she explained that the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan would not directly re-enter the conflict, as she does not believe that doing so is in the interests of the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan.

But during the audience, Her Imperial Majesty did introduce the visiting Kundrati patriotic statesman to Don Barton, President of the Kaliburg Longshoreman's Association, and suggested that Mr. Nero would likely benefit from the connection, as the KLA is known to represent a large number of naval veterans who work at both Port Davon and at the Kalistani National Shipyards. 

Following the informal audience, President Nero and President Barton travelled to Port Davon to continue their conversation.  After several hours, Barton agreed to host Nero at the KLA Hall in Port Davon two days later.  Meanwhile, Barton reached out to his contacts in various naval veterans associations, as well as members of the Institutional Militia, and arranged for a large crowd to turn out for President Nero's speech.  When the appointed time came, President Nero was introduced by Barton, who greeted the assembled crowd of 750 Longshoremen and invited guests from more than a dozen veterans associations, as well as several operatives associated with the Institutional Party and concerned private citizens from Kaliburg, Port Swedes, Eshar and Sulari.  The former President delivered an impassioned speech on behalf of the Etxean cause in Vrassan, and it is transcribed below:

Ladies and gentlemen.

Your empire strives against fascism and against the destruction of freedom and liberty. We saw that when you, your fathers and mothers, your grandfathers and grandmothers, when they fought in the seas against the Kundrati Legion and when they fought to liberate Likatonia.

Today I come to you a regretful man. I have many regrets. I am a human being like you. Kundrati has many regrets. We regret that we didn't work side by side in enforcing the embargo. We regret that we didn't work side by side to bring peace throughout the world. We regret many things. The Kalistani-Kundrati relationship before the Legion popped up was a strong bond. Your Empress has Kundrati blood. And we are proud to have produced and helped your Empire here. And we will.

I come to you in a time of need. Our island is being bombed 24/7. This is a new escalation of the actions of the bandits who attempt a genocide against the Kundrati people in their own homeland. Understandably, your Empire has begun a détente with the Legion. But they continue to lie every day. Their actions already prove it. They pretend to give us a peace deal where we will rejoin them and everyone can leave. They want to murder anyone who lives in our island. They want to destroy what we've rebuilt. Not to mention they disdain your Empress, disdain your Empire, and demolished the Ananto House in Etxea.

They already launched missiles to Kaliburg filled with white phosphorus. They did the same to us decades later. Let me ask you this: did you surrender at that point? Did your parents? Did your grandparents? Did they surrender when they saw what the Legion could do far from home? Yet you stand here today, and I stand before you here. We know the obvious answer to those questions.

So let me ask you another question: do you seek Legion blood? Because for the last few decades, time and time again, the Legion has tried to kill us all and tried to intimidate us all into an unhonourable surrender.

They have tried to throw white phosphorus upon you and you did not yield. Now is the time to strike back.

I urge as many of you as possible to come with me. We will strike in the Jildrath Strait between our island and the mainland. No ship who goes through will be safe. They will only be there to support the Legion. Etxeans and Kalistanis, side by side once more, for eternal victory against the fascist Legion.

An eternally grateful island awaits you.

Thank you.

The President's speech received a standing ovation by the entire room, and the President agreed to answer questions following the speech as both veterans and Longshoremen sought out additional information.  The questions period lasted more than an hour, and the President received pledges of direct convertible monetary donations totaling more than ₭1.5 million from assembled audience.

Over the next four days, as former President Nero toured Ananto and Suldanor, including visiting Spencer Space and Test Center, the Veterans and Longshoremen started making phone calls across the nation, and by the time Nero returned to Kaliburg, he was met once more by Barton and was informed that more than 65 private launches have been committed to sailing to Etxea to assist.  "We have commitments from more than 600 veterans and Institutional Militia members to travel to Etxea and assist as an auxiliary privateer navy," said Barton.  "Despite the changes in Imperial Policy toward the Artania, there is still a fairly deep well of sympathy in this country for the plight of the people of Kundrati.  So these sailors are planning to join the fray as privateers, and sail under authorization from the Union Government."

Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister said the Government has no comment on the decision of these private citizens to fight for Etxea.  "Her Imperial Majesty stressed that Kalistanis are free to come and go as they please, and we do not enforce Kalistani laws abroad," said Foreign Minister Waltrip.  "Should these individuals find themselves in need of diplomatic services while working with a recognized government, Her Imperial Majesty maintains a consulate in Jildrati City which can assist in repatriation."  Meanwhile, the Minister of Defense has said that KalMilInCo will not limit surplus arms, including M2 50 Caliber machine guns, whcih may be mounted upon fast boat launches, and ammunition and materiel sales to Kalistani Citizens, but will not officially subsidize the effort.  The Chancellor of the Empire has stated that Her Imperial Majesty has offered no comment for or against the flotilla.

The tour considered a success, former President Nero returned to Etxea via Likatonia on KaliAir.  The Floatilla is expected to set sail later this month, and is expected to make its way into the Artanian Sea by early October after resupply in Newport Lodamun.

@TheRepublic