Kalistani Major History

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MoD Jackson announces tentative reopening of Ananto Strait
"Tensions have decreased", says Captain
Yoshimi, Duchy of Suldanor
February 7, 5547


Minister of Defense Captain Martin Curtis addresses public in Yoshimi

His Imperial Majesty's Minister of Defense, Captain Martin Curtis, KRA, gave brief statements to address a tentative change in Kalistan's policy in the Ananto Strait.

"His Imperial Majesty has ordered a full stand down of all naval activity along the Northern and Southern Limits of the Ananto Strait and an opening of the Strait to armed and flagged foreign naval traffic," said the Captain. "This change in policy follows the lines of strategic and tactical decisions taken by our neighbors in response to a decrease in tensions in the Northern Anantonese Ocean. The Regular Navy will maintain its submarine, surface and air patrols in the Central Anantonese between Kalistan and Gaduridos for the time being, but the Anantonese Strait is open for transit of all flagged foreign naval vessels, military and civilian." Following the brief words, the Captain, who was currently in the field with Army South on Border watch took a few questions.

"Initially, the Chancellor and the Emperor felt that the Strait reopening should apply to only Anantonese Nations, but the Naval staff pushed hard for a more general overture, and at the end of the day, their arguments were persuasive," said Captain Jackson. "The Chancellor feels that this is not only an opportunity to reduce the potential for conflict in the region, but also an opportunity to look for friendly nations to return to peacetime exercises with."

When asked if this had anything to do with Canrille's strategic shift of focus to Southern Seleya and Lodamun's restoration of patrols in both the Northern Anantonese and Mad Dog, the Captain responded, "Yes. It is His Imperial Majesty's will that we look for ways to work with Lodamun especially on regional security, and given the decrease in threats to the Empire back to more status quo ex ante levels, opening the Strait and putting the peace dividend to work for the Kalistani people seems like a much more reasonable policy than maintaining a war footing indefinitely."

When asked how that peace dividend will be spent, the Captain was more circumspect. "The Emperor has ordered the Chancellor of the Empire to increase surveillance and intelligence gathering services abroad with at least part of it. We are also maintaining the presence on the Baltusian border, though Baltusia itself has gone relatively dark, and the 3rd Fleet is still running patrols throughout the Central Anantonese Ocean to ensure that Baltusia doesn't reignite once more."

When asked how long the "tentative" opening of the Ananto Strait would last, the Captain responded "As long as it stays quiet in our part of the world, the intention of His Imperial Majesty is that it remain open to foreign naval traffic indefinitely. Conflict, brushfires or heavy foreign intervention into Northern Seleya or Central Dovani could change that policy, but for right now, the boards are cleared, and Kalistan would like to get back to peace." At this, the Captain thanked reporters for the questions and returned to his unit's position in the countryside outside of Yoshimi.