Kalistan

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Chancellor of the Empire goes on Explanation Tour
"Baltusia is not the Problem" said Lady Alvarez
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
July 1, 5654


Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller takes the Case for protectionism to the Streets

Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller is beginning her second month of meeting with Kalistani Constituents around the Empire to attempt to explain the rationale behind the recent round of protectionism against Baltusia.  Her goal was to prepare Kalistanis for economic pain that is likely to intensify later this year.  "Her Imperial Majesty is working very hard to work with the National Assembly to enact policies that help mitigate the pain, but make no mistake, if the matter is not resolved soon, there will probably be pain, and it will come just as construction is ending across the north for the Season and the harvest is in in the south.  And that could make matters difficult."

The dour news was tempered somewhat by the Chancellor's assurance that paychecks will continue whatever happens.  "Nobody will go hungry in Kalistan," she said during a rally in Sulari.  "Her Imperial Majesty has already instructed Her Government to take steps to ensure that private enterprises can apply for grants from the National Government to protect payrolls in the event of falling production schedules for up to six months, after which time we will re-evaluate.  As payroll is nationalized, the grants will come in the form of payroll tax forgiveness for private sector business who pay a portion of their earnings into the Payroll system.  And for all public sector operations, payroll is guaranteed anyway."

The Chancellor hoped the difficulties would be resolved, but at one particularly challenging public Q&A, the Chancellor was asked to explain why Kalistan and Baltusia are at loggerheads.  The question by a resident of Lucid City was simply, "We're not working with Baltusia because Kundrati workers are in the country.  What does that have to do with me and my family?  Why should I have to suffer because the Empress has an ancient blood feud with those people?"

The Chancellor answered simply, "Try to tell Her Imperial Majesty not to hate the Kundrati, not to fear them.  Try to explain to her that she shouldn't be worried about people who, when she was two years old, poisoned and burned her city so badly that her family lost their home.  I wasn't alive when Kundrati launched chemical weaponry at Kaliburg, at Eshar and at Port Swedes.  But I will tell you this:  Those people who were alive then remember it, and they are all cheering everytime the Empress stands up to the Kundrati and pushes back whenever they make a move against this nation.  She sees the Kundrati as a scourge on this planet, and she doesn't want them anywhere near this wonderful country of ours.  And whether I agree with her is immaterial:  I wasn't there, but for every one of you who thinks this is about you, or about Baltusia, there are three of her who remembers the horrors of the war, and how it affected her personally.  It's the way it is."

The crowd at that meeting remained silent following that answer, and most left with a feeling of resignation.  "I don't really think its a personal pique," said one Lucid City resident.  "It really is just terrible that we all have to pay the price for one nation's unwillingness to be civil toward the world.  I think if Kundrati even tried to normalize its behavior and stopped with all this hyper militarism and this glory to Sladek bulls--t, we might have a decent chance at finding some peace between us, but I can't hold my breath for that and unless they do, I don't imagine the Empress is going to change her stance on the matter either."

Another angry crowd in Gendaris complained about Baltusian shortsightedness.  "Look," said the Chancellor, "Baltusia is not the problem.  Her Imperial Majesty fully understands that Baltusia is doing what is in Baltusia's interest.  Who knows why they wouldn't seek assistance from Kalistan first on virtually everything they are supposedly getting from Kundrati of all people.  But whatever:  Baltusia is doing what Kalistan would do in a similar situation.  The problem is the existence of the Nationals of a Pariah state right on our border.  They are in Athosia right now.  They are working in that country.  And no amount of assurances that they are all under surveilance from the Merridan Government can convince Her Imperial Majesty that he's not missing some, and some haven't made their way into Kalistan and are planning some horrendous feat.  I don't know myself if they are:  We have the border under pretty tight lock down, but who knows:  they might have secretly shipped a mountain climbing commando unit over here who got in the country.  There's literally no way to tell when most of the border is porous, and has been utterly uncontrolled for centuries.  We aren't Kundrati, after all, with an impenetrable forcefield that prevents people from going and coming in and out of the country.

"Nor do we really want to be," she continued.  "Our border with Lodamun remains completely open, and as far as I know, so is Baltusia's.  So if they really want to come in, we aren't stopping them."  The Chancellor smiled in thought:  "Actually, these measures only stop the lazy ones.  But between you and I, I have it on pretty good authority that the Empress is waiting for the Baltusian Government to demonstrate that they are taking the matter seriously enough to reach out to Kaliburg.  They say they are willing to negotiate:  Officially, the position of our government is that there is nothing to negotiate.  But I assure you, and everyone who is listening to this, that Her Imperial Majesty would much rather be on friendly terms with Baltusia, and she is waiting for some sign that they are serious about Kalistan's very legitimate concerns.  This is not something we have gotten during this crisis from the Merridan Administration.  They haven't picked up the phone.  It's not to point a finger, but it was their choices that caused this reaction in Kaliburg, and I would hope that they realize that and take steps to offer a solution that suits both them and us.  That hasn't happened yet.  We're hopeful that it will soon.  Because I believe Her Imperial Majesty is ready to make a move toward Baltusia under the right circumstances."

There can be no doubt that the messages of the Chancellor are not mere off the cuff statements by a rogue politician.  It is certain that the Empress would have told the Chancellor to telegraph this message and it was assured that it would be picked up by the Press.  But much of the purpose of the Chancellor's ongoing messaging tour is to answer the people's questions and speak on a more intimate level with the population of Kalistan.  The engagements typically draw less than 100 people, and usually feature light snacks, like chips and punch.  The Chancellor has never asked for a vote for the Party, nor has she asked for money during the tour.  Instead, she speaks directly with people in a strange personal directness that is unusual in Kalsitani politics.

"I think I'm more impressed with the Chancellor as a person than anything else," said Vanessa Grey of Lhasa, who saw the Chancellor speak at the beginning of the month.  "We're both Brethrenists and she came to speak after our Meeting.  And though she gave us bad news, the way she did it was honest and straightforward.  It was very respectful and treated us like adults.  And then she asked for suggestions.  Like how different is that?!"  A poll commissioned by La Moda rated her "Most Popular Member of the Assembly," and this speaking tour has earned the Chancellor positive marks across the board.  "I voted SocDem last election," said Grey.  "I would give the Institutional Party another try though if Lady Alvarez was gonna be the Chancellor."

For now, Kalistan retains its closed posture in regard to Baltusia.  There is growing pressure from the business and trade communities in Kalistan for a settlement, but nobody seems to have any ideas other than complete capitulation to reality as it is in Baltusia.  But Her Imperial Majesty's government is holding out for Baltusia to put an offer on the table that Kalistan can possibly consider, and the Chancellor has made it clear that they are open to hear proposals from anyone to resolve the matter.

@TheRepublic