Kalistani Major History

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The Republic Sits Down with The Empress
Her Imperial Majesty talks Diplomacy, Economy and Retirement
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
October 7, 5492


Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Nicolette I Talks with The Kalistani Republic

It's been a quiet decade in the Empire for Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Nicolette. While watching for breakthroughs in Bioplastics and monitoring the increasing north south trade flows over the new Trans-Seleyan Railway from Lodamun, through Kalistan, all the way to the borders of Mordusia, the Government of Kalistan has finally gotten around to ratifying a new Friendship Agreement with Artanian nation Dundorf which points at greater cultural, diplomatic, and commercial ties with the growing northern power. Empress Nicolette, now in her early 60s, has been Empress for nearly 35 years, and as her first born, Crown Princess Nicolette nears her age of majority, the current reigning monarch shows no sign of slowing down.

In this rare interview with the Kalistani Press, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Nicolette talks with Kalistani Republic reported Marcia Down in Kaliburg.

(Kalistani Republic Reporter) M(arcia) D(own): Good afternoon, Your Highness, and thank you for taking a few moments to talk with us.

(HIM) E(mpress) N(icolette): It is a pleasure to finally get to speak with you Ms. Down.

MD: For the sake of our readers, Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Nicolette has granted me a special dispensation to ignore formal protocol when speaking with the Empress and refer to her as "Your Majesty". In doing so, I will be addressing Her Imperial Majesty directly, a rare honor and privilege for me, in order to make this interview more of a conversation with Her Imperial Majesty than a report.

EN: This is true. We are but a simple Brethrenist, and yet, the Enabling Act binds us as well as you. We welcome informality when possible, as it decreases the wall that separates us from our people, but alas, it is so rarely possible, and the institution of our office and title requires it. Please then, continue.

MD: Your Majesty: The first question is that some have noticed that the Government has been rather quiet these last few years, despite all the things going on in the world. Following the collapse of talks with the Government of Luthori, there were reports of discussions with Dundorf around strengthening diplomatic and cultural ties, Beiteynu has reached out to the Empire for potential military cooperation, and Kalistan was rated as a Rising power in Lourenne. Yet our government has not officially responded in the press. Is the Government working on these matters currently?

EN: You do have a point, Ms. Down. I assure you, things are moving forward, especially with Dundorf. Our Foreign Minister has moved the Dundorf-Kalistan Trade, Culture and Friendship Treaty to the floor of the National Assembly. There was a bit of a hickup around elections in Dundorf before it could be advanced there, and We were looking for a sign to go ahead. That treaty was negotiated in Kalistan by Dundorf and Kalistani officials, and We supported it entirely. The other matters are not too old for us to pick back up still, and move forward.

MD: Your Majesty, as your government is showing forward movement with Dundorf, is there any potential for renewing talks with Luthori?

EN: We have always been slightly more favorable toward Luthori than neutral. If you will recall, Ms. Down, several of our Deputies resigned over our original moves toward improving relations with Luthori. The disagreement between those Deputies and our own Government hurt the integrity of this Regime, but thankfully they took the patriotic route and resigned rather than continuing to stand against our efforts. You can imagine the frustration, likely on both sides of that discussion when Luthori didn't meet us half way. However, we are also encouraged by what we are reading in their press regarding our Nation, and want to continue to explore any opportunities that might present themselves, should Luthori have a genuine change of heart concerning Kalistan. Our grievance with them is thousands of years old. We believe that Kalistan and Luthori should try to find a way to come to some terms that we can both live with, that will allow us to cooperate on areas of mutual interest, and to become, perhaps, less bitter adversaries? We can start there, if they are interested. We would obviously welcome any steps they should make toward opening that discussion.

MD: Moving on, would Your Majesty please comment on any progress regarding the Biodiesel and Biopolymer programs in Yoshimi?

EN: Obviously, Ms. Down, there are a good number of scientists in both Yoshimi and in Delaune who can give you far more information than we are capable of saying. We are not trained in bioengineering. However, our Science Minister, who keeps us apprised on the program, informs our Premier that they have found acceptable sources of oil producing seeds that produce enough oil to replace up to 85 percent of our petroleum needs in Kalistan. The issue, if we understand it properly, is not that the scientists couldn't identify a proper plant species, but they needed one which could produce oils for diesel fuel and plastics at the scale that Kalistan uses it. This is very good news for the program, and it is also true that the first large scale planting of that crop, which is a hybrid of the good old fashioned soybean and canola seed, which yields 1.5 gallons of oil per bushel, and can be widely cultivated in both Odufaray and Ananto, is already underway. The polymer program is currently continuing its experimentation, but xylan and cellulose from both corn and algae both seem to show great promise. Kalistanis do not eat a tremendous amount of corn or corn products, but the researchers think it will grow well in Vrassa, and large scale algae production in Suldanor already seems to be yielding plastics. Its all a very complicated process, but we are quite satisfied on the work Kalistani and Lourennais scientists are doing.

MD: May I ask You Majesty about how your family is doing? We understand there was a bit of a health scare with the Prince Consort recently. Would Your Majesty be willing to speak on that?

EN: Absolutely. About a week ago, The Prince Consort was taken to Eveari General, where the doctor reported that he had what was called a Cardiac Arrhythmia. Apparently, Victor's heart was misfiring perhaps once every three hours. It was just enough to be noticeable and concerning to Victor, and he sought medical treatment for it. The doctors said it was the result both of age, and of Victor still trying to act like a young man, though he is now well into his 60s. The Doctor advised the Prince Consort to slow down his activity to a more moderate level, no more daredevil antics that he is so fond of doing, and act more his age. Meanwhile, they will continue to monitor the issue. It was scary for everyone. But Victor seems to be very fit otherwise, and we would like him to stick around a few more decades if it is possible.

MD: And The Princelings? How are they doing? We have heard so little about them since they were born, and our readers are very curious about how they are growing up and learning.

EN: We are so glad you asked. As you know, The Crown Princess Nicki, as we call her at home, has just turned 17, and while she is technically an adult now, we are insisting that she remain in school before joining the NSP next year. She is learning quite a lot about her future role as Empress, but she is also a teenager, and as such, also has a rebellious streak. She is into punk rock, even some of the more, shall we say, subversive stuff, but also understands that there is a time for that while she is young, but has also come to accept that sooner rather than later, it will be time for her to accept more duties befitting her title as Crown Princess. And her brother, our son Victor looks up to Nicki so much. He is a very serious kid: He studies and looks forward to being part of the Quiz Bowl Teams in High school this year. He also enjoys go, very much, and while he has no interest whatsoever in bowling, sadly, he can easily defeat both of his parents in Go. He shows a lot of potential in science and math, and is also beginning to explore Kalistani Law, especially constitutional law. He asks us questions all the time about the structure of the government, and We believe perhaps he is a little envious of his older sister and is trying to keep up with her. The future is very bright for both of them and we look forward to seeing what they shall accomplish.

MD: Did your Majesty say that The Crown Princess was planning to go into National Service?

EN: Of course! All of her friends and peers are going into National Service. It is expected.

MD: I understand it is expected for the commoners. And I assumed Your Majesty also did National Service before entering Government, because that was before your coronation.

EN: Ms. Down. We all join the NSP. It is not an option. Not contributing to one's nation, as you know full well would be a complete disgrace for every young adult. Even those who are fortunate to be born to families with famous last names. We did National Service, The Prince Consort did National Service, the Anantos have all done National Service. It is a matter of personal pride and integrity to complete your civic duty honorably. You know this, we have no doubt.

MD: Of course Your Majesty. I did not mean to offend.

EN: No offense taken. It is our hope that you will in fact print this exchange specifically, in case any of your viewers have been persuaded by liberal elements in this society, who claim that National Service is something negative akin to forced labor. While those elements do exist in this society, it is lucky for all of us that they are not in any way influential on the direction of this society. Could you imagine what Kalistan would look like if the Liberals had their way and were able to abolish things that made us great as a nation, and proud of a mutual history and experience?

MD: No Your Majesty. I dare not dream of something like that.

EN: It makes one shudder to even utter it.

MD: Indeed, and agreed, Your Majesty. Does Your Majesty have plans to retire from office, once Her Highness the Crown Princess is able to serve?

EN: As We are only 61 years of age, and are in good health, we feel it is a bit premature to discuss retirement. We shall ensure that Nicki begins assuming Imperial Duties during her enlistment with the NSP, and gradually will move more responsibility to her, but that is still a few years off. Meanwhile, there is still plenty of work to do in our Tenure.

MD: Of course. Moving to a new topic, Your Majesty, what is the prospects for Inter-Seleyan cooperation?

EN: Our Foreign Minister is currently looking at a proposal from Gaduridos concerning a Seleyan Economic Community. There are significant issues with the proposed language which would, at the present time prevent us from endorsing it or joining it. Things such as free movement of labor and capital would pose some pretty hefty barriers to Kalistan. But, the proposal is still brand new. We certainly are open to alternatives, and look forward to working with Gaduridos and other Seleyan Nations in finding something that we can all work with. This last few decades have been an era of unprecedented cooperation in Seleyan, and we hope to contribute to that cooperation, for the prosperity of us all.

MD: One last question, Your Majesty. Is there another GanJam on the horizon?

EN: Haha. We would encourage you to speak with ODEN about that. While we would certainly welcome a new Festival, it would seem that ODEN might have other priorities. We cannot speak for the Cartel on any level, as they are their own thing. But we feel it would be pretty cool if they did.

MD: I agree Your Majesty. I want to thank you for speaking with me today. It has been a singular pleasure.

EN: The pleasure has been ours. We shall look for more opportunities to speak with The Republic in the future, yes?

MD: I am certain that the Paper would take every chance it got, and the People of Kalistan will also welcome it.

EN: Indeed. Good day, Ms. Down.

MD: Your Majesty.