Kalistani Major History

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Chancellor Johnson says Kalistan Welcomes Peace
FM Diane Smith is expected to travel to Gaduridos as informal Observer at Peace Conference
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January 18, 5474


Chancellor Johnson speaks to Kaliburg Polytechnic on Kalistan's Neutrality

Speaking before a packed auditorium at Kaliburg Polytechnic in the nation's Capital, Chancellor of the Empire Michael Johnson went over Kalistan's role in the now concluding war in southern Seleya. "I am proud tonight to announce that our Government has met Her Majesty's mission for Kalistan during this time of crisis," the Chancellor announced. "Her Imperial Majesty's Government conducted itself professionally and set itself as a standard for neutrality in international conflicts, by opening our borders to those fleeing from war, and by serving as an active participant for Peace. In maintaining our strict neutrality, we avoided alienating any nation in the process, and we avoided being dragged into a conflict which did not touch Kalistan's shores. Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress has asked me to thank you, her people, for your steadfast dedication to Kalistan during this international crisis."

Kalistan is one of the few nations in the world whose economy did not suffer serious damage from the international war which claimed thousands of lives and disrupted travel, trade and international relations on all continents. "Kalistan has built itself as a nation of self sufficiency," illustrated Johnson. "We are a nation who trades with all nations for the things we cannot produce ourselves. The production for need model, based on Just in Time supply chain logistics and statistical adjustment may mean that profits in Kalistan are not wild and unimaginable, but it also means that low times are never as bad, shortages can be easily adjusted for, and most consumer demands for non-necessities can be easily met. Our middle path approach between mercantilism and liberalism allows us to not only achieve high levels of relative prosperity for all, but also ensures that Kalistan can meet most of its needs domestically, and embrace trade in foreign goods to satisfy taste, rather than necessity. This insulates us from wars that do not directly affect our shipping channels, which this one did not."

With regard to the end of the war, The Chancellor said that Kalistan still has a role to play. "Her Majesty's Foreign Minister will travel to Gaduridos to informally observe the peace talks and then report back to the Empress. Her Majesty has instructed Dame Smith to keep a low profile at the talks, and look for ways that Kalistan may be of assistance in bringing a lasting peace. But her Majesty feels that these policy options will originate right here in the Empire. I don't expect that Dame Smith will be invited to speak on behalf of Kalistan, nor do I think that Dame Smith was commissioned to speak on behalf of Her Majesty. But observing the talks and bearing witness to the events will allow Her Majesty to develop policies to promote peace from a position of more complete understanding of the viewpoints of the participants. Dame Smith will travel with a small staff, who will assist her in researching the positions presented at the conference."

In closing, Chancellor Johnson said Kalistan welcomes peace. "Some people call this war the Hubris War," he said. "Hubris is a good word for it, but I think I agree with her Majesty who feels that all war represents Hubris. So saying Hubris War is like saying the same thing twice. Her Majesty said that War is a Failure of Imagination. It does not decide who is right; only who is left." The audience politely laughed at this turn of phrase. "But now that it appears that peace, at least between Lourenne and Beiteynu seems to be on the horizon, Her Majesty would like to do all that we can to embrace that and foster it. Because Peace and Understanding has been her policy all along."

As soon as the ink dries on the peace agreements, Johnson said that Her Majesty will return Kalistani Ambassadors to Alduria and Beiteynu to restore normal relations with those governments. Johnson added a special word of thanks to those diplomats and consular staff who remained in country to process visas out of Beiteynu for all fleeing the conflict and danger.