Kalistan

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Foreign Minister pummeled at Presser on Kundrati War
Press Conference starts well, but ends in terse exchange with FM
Kalibrug, Grand Duchy of Ananto
September 24, 5637


Lady Anya Waltrip speaking with Reporters at Foreign Ministry

Her Imperial Majesty's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lady Anya Waltrip answered questions today concerning the prosecution of the latest episode in the ongoing Kundrati War.  She stated that the post war environment would look very different from the pre-war world, if the Coalition is successful in its war aims.  By the end of the press briefing, however, tensions began flaring in the Press Room as several reporters decided to take oblique swings at Imperial Policy. 

Below is a partial transcript of Lady Waltrip's remarks.

Waltrip:  Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, before I begin, I would like to read an official statement from Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Mary I Ananto.  She writes, 

"Our fellow Kalistanis.  As we begin to receive reports from our men and women fighting at the front lines on the Kundrati Mainland, we find grounds for some cautious optimism that the war will be successfully concluded and that at a date in the near future, our forces will return home to us victorious.  We celebrate and acknowledge the ongoing sacrifices born by the courageous nations of the world, by which we mean those who have committed to this fight, and have sworn to see it through or die in the attempt.  

"Men and women are now under arms and deployed in combat zones from more than a half a dozen countries, to include the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan, The Kundrati Union, the Kingdom of Hutori, the Republic of Davostag, the Luthorian Empire, the Kingdom of Mordusia, and the Empire of Dolgava.  We recognize and appreciate those who have chosen to stand on the correct side of history.  Whatever your position on the matter was before this day, on this day, those men and women are counted in the forces who stand opposed to the fascist threat, while others sit on the sidelines and will nonetheless also reap the benefits that our men and women fight and die for.

"Whether the choice to keep our head buried in the sand would have been convenient for Ananto and Kalistan, nonetheless, this is the choice we have never taken--Kalistan has already lost more than 40,000 in this conflict and are prepared to lose twice as many more before it is done.  But standing by is the choice of far too many other nations who claim to support freedom from tyranny, and democracy in the world.  So be it.  As our father, the Late Emperor Fredrick I Ananto would have said if he were here today, they will have to live with their choices to not stand up and be counted when it came down to brass tax.  Our fighting men and women will clothe themselves in the impeccable armor of justice and honor on the fields of glory in Artania.  

"Someday, when our grandchildren come to ask us where we were when Kundrati was finally liberated, we won't have to look at them in the eye and tell them, 'well, I stayed home where it is safe, and shoveled manure in Odufaray.'  This is a fight the Coalition can win, and this is a fight the Coalition will win, and then our veterans will add their names to the pantheons of heroes in their native countries, while those who sat by and did nothing will have to watch others accomplish what they could not.

"We recognize the sacrifices that our Militia will make.  We recognize the sacrifices of their families here on the home front.  And we recognize the bravery and contribution of each and every Kalistani National in helping our nation contribute to the war effort.  It is only through our collective contributions that this war will be successfully concluded, and then the people of Kundrati, united once more, will see the light of a new day in Kundrati, where Artania is once more at peace.  That will be our Coalition doing it, and we will jealously guard our laurels from those other nations who may seek to falsely claim title to them, but did nothing to earn them.  May the God of Justice and Righteousness bless our Fighting Men and Women, and may that same God Bless our Empire."

I will now take questions.

Q:  Will Kalistani Militia see combat in the Kundrati Mainlaind?

Waltrip:  Yes, they already are.  Next?

Q:  Will regulars be deployed?

Waltrip:  Her Imperial Majesty has opted to not send regulars.  She needs the Kalistanis to be highly mobile, not like a regular army.  This is aimed at leveraging their size and mobility to greatest effect.

Q:  Is it true that the reason Her Imperial Majesty doesn't want to use regulars is because they could be charged with war crimes?

Waltrip:  We obviously would not want Kalistanis to commit atrocities.  Her Imperial Majesty was emphatic about that.  Next....

Q:  Is there any comment about the Egelion King referring to Her Imperial Majesty as inexperienced, and taking a veiled swipe at her for changing her position on the embargo?

Waltrip:  Her Imperial Majesty has not read that.

Q:  Follow up:  are Her and the Egelion King still close partners in the security of the Anantonese Ocean?

Waltrip:  Her Imperial Majesty has not seen or spoken with the King of Egelion since before the coronation, which he missed because he was reportedly in Dovani on other business.  While Her Majesty, the Queen of Egelion has visited Kalistan within the past few years following a horrific terrorist explosion that wounded her and the Crown Prince, she has also returned home.  The Empire of Ananto and Kalistan still remains on cordial terms with the northern Monarch, and if there has been a shift in relations, Egelion is keeping that information close to them and like most other foreign policy and security related matters, don't share that information with Kalistan.

Q:  How does Her Imperial Majesty see the World following the war?

Waltrip:  I am certain that the post-war world will look very different from the pre-war world.  Her Imperial Majesty remains a nationalist, and wishes only for peace and prosperity for Kalistan.  But she would like to stress closer ties to our partners in this conflict, primarily Hutori and Dolgava.  These Nations, along with our Artanian coalition partners, are standing bravely for peace and security, and have shown themselves to be reliable when the chips are down.  Others have been more fair weather.  So I have no doubt that Her Imperial Majesty will be reviewing our partnerships and ending those which do not serve Kalistan's national interests above all else, while committing to the reliable partnerships that we have.

Q:  Some will say that Her Imperial Majesty's shifts in foreign policy represent a lack of solid advice from her immediate advisors.  Would you care to comment, Lady Waltrip?

Waltrip:  Who says that?

Q:  People say that, confidential sources say that.  Public figures are on the record saying that.

Waltrip:  If you mean me then, I will say this:  I have had the opportunity to advise Her Imperial Majesty, as I advised her father.  And I have only ever advised her to select, in the moment, the best option to serve Kalistani interests.  Some people don't like when she takes one policy and publicly blast her for taking that policy, and then when she adopts a different policy, others come out of the wood work to complain.  But I will say that she has followed the advice of those around her, and has done so in good faith, believing at the time that it was the best policy for her to adopt.  And if it turned out to be wrong, she was mature enough and brave enough to admit her mistake and take steps to correct it.

Q:  Do you think she should ask for your resignation, Lady Waltrip?

Waltrip:  For what, Madame?

Q:  For the ending of the Embargo?

Waltrip:  If Her Imperial Majesty wants my resignation, she will have already asked me for it.  The fact that I am still standing here today is testimony that she does not seek it.  Her Imperial Majesty is clothed in absolute power  and her will is beyond contest or question.  I serve explicitly and exclusively at her pleasure.  You can say what you like about the end of the embargo:  But it did catalyze the important players of the world to finally take decisive action to address the fascists.  Whether this was intentional or not, Kalistan will have the peace we sought.  And we will have it on our terms.  It is not Her Imperial Majesty's fault that the Legion is composed entirely of fascist liars.  Nor will I permit you people to blame her for that fact:  The accusation is absolutely unsupportable, and it is a mark of a complete lack of imagination on your part to suggest anything of the sort.  

Q:  But, Lady Waltrip, you advised her, so either you or she is at fault for the bad policy that played right into the hands of the fascists.  In fact, that agreement could have been written by the fascists themselves:  it gave them everything they wanted and cost them absolutely nothing.

Waltrip:  Have you no shame, Aaron?  Are you really that crass and cynical?  That you call it "bad policy", Mr. Johnson, or attribute it to anything other than a genuine desire on Her Imperial Majesty's part, for peace for Kalistan, for the Anantonese Empire, and for the Legion's neighbors, is surely beneath you, Sir.  And may I remind you that lese-Majestie is still the law of this nation, so be sure to mind your words concerning the Empress, at least.  

She may have been misled by a professional con man, but I assure you, at least she tried, which is more than we can say for 90% of the governments in this world who haven't done anything about the Legion.  And which is more than you and your liberal cronies would have had her do.  And I will defend her policies until my last breath, but at least I will politely ask you to keep your ill-informed opinion to yourself.  

Next question.  No further Questions?  Alright.  Good luck to you all.  We will brief you further as we get more updates.