Kalistan

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Empress Comments on protests in Baltusia
Strongly advises against Kalistanis following "Baltusian Disorder"
Everari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
September 1, 5639


Her Imperial Majesty, Mary I Ananto, at home in Eveari

Her Imperial Majesty, Mary I Ananto had strong words for the Baltusia in a short address from her home in Eveari. This address comes on the heels of the Baltusian security apparatus shooting to death one student protestor in a move that has shocked many parts of Baltusia. Below are Her Imperial Majesty's comments:

Good Evening, Citizens of Ananto and Kalistan.

Yesterday, we were shocked and dismayed to read about the developments in the State of Baltusia. The facts as we know them are that Baltusian students are protesting their government for reforms. While most of these protests have been characterized by the Baltusian press as peaceful, it does seem to be the case that in at least one instance, and possibly others not covered by the press, police officers in the nation have turned force on the protestors and have killed at least one student. As protests go, this escalation will likely lead to more violence and more death in the nation.

Our Government and our Peerage have assured us that we stand united for order, for peace and for tranquility. As such, it is incumbent upon us all to stand against the disorder we are seeing across the border. We strongly condemn the protestors for attempting to influence their government through other than constitutional means. We have labored under the belief that in a democracy, when citizens want change, they are expected to do so through approved channels. What we see instead in Baltusia is a mob based out of the town of Rutledge attempting to dramatically influence government policy through direct action in the streets. These young idealists may have good intention, but it would appear that they are allowing among their midst radicals and revolutionaries who will not stop until the entire nation burns. This will not end well for the people of Baltusia, and we urge them with the strongest possible words to stop inviting chaos to their nation. We watch with growing concern the slide of the popular movement into demagoguery and radicalism.

While we are on the protests, however, we must also condemn the Government of Baltusia, which has long been under the sway of radical left wing elements, for the violation of the civil liberties of the people of Baltusia. While we cannot countenance the civil disorder of the students, we also read, by Baltusia's own account that this particular protest where the young woman in question was murdered by an over zealous police force. Denying the people their civil liberties to peacefully protest the government guarantees that radicalism will catalyze: there is no surer way to unite firebrands than to provide them a martyr. And this is precisely what the police have done in shooting this individual.

We know we will be criticized for condemning both sides in this matter. But it can both be true that the citizens which are open to radicalism and are therefore courting revolution and disorder, also can have civil liberties that must be protected. There are such things as legitimate protests, and shooting at protestors will tell citizens that peaceful protests do not work. It will in fact undermine critical support for the whole regime. Which is why both sides here are wrong. Citizens should not adopt radical ideology or radical means, and governments are not justified by this in violating basic rights of those who are simply and peacefully exercising them.

As we watch this protest movement play out and note the government's overreaction to it, we have ordered our Southern Army, who has been encamped along the Lucid River west of Lucid Valley to take action in Athosia if needed. We hope it will not be needed, but if it appears that Athosians are under threat, Kalistan has vowed to defend them, especially from Communists in the Syndicalist movement. We all know the centuries of neglect suffered by our kinsmen and women in Athosia, and we want to send a strong warning to Baltusia: Make sure those people are protected from violence of both the mob and the Police force, or we may have to. We don't want this construed as a threat, but there are people who will read it like that anyway. We want to ensure that Athosians are protected from arbitrary extra judicial killing on the part of the Baltusian State the way they extra judicially killed Ms. Victoria Dugan.

We would also like to remind those in Kalistan who are watching these events of this ongoing Baltusian Disorder unfold that, no matter what some liberal politicians in the National Assembly decide to tell you, it is not our will that the Institutional Party change its relationship with either our Crown or our people. The example of Baltusia is dangerous to emulate. We know Kalistan will do the correct thing and not be swayed by democratic demagogues who just want you to become the footsoldiers in their power grab. But it is our desire that the Institutional Party continue to serve us in their current capacity as the sole governing Party. We implore you to inform your Representatives in the National Assembly that you too will have none of that, and if there are liberals who insist upon proposing alternatives to the Single Party System, you are welcomed to vote them out of office.

Thank you for your attention and good evening.

The speech lasted just four minutes, and critics in Kalistan were immediately following up, attempting to dissect and parse the Empress' Words. Most considered the speech to be unnecessary and beliegerent, but a few, mostly those aligned with the Nationalist wing of the Institutional Party, said it was a very strong statement from the Empress, and they were happy that she is finally taking about how the disorder in Baltusia will affect the residents of Athosia.

@TheRepublic