Kalistan

[Doc]

Emperor addresses National Assembly on International Tensions
Calls Istalian Criticism "wild and unforced"
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
May 18, 5682


His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto, speaking in National Assembly

"We happen to find the regime endorsed comments of Equilibri Globali to be entirely out of left field," said His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto, as he stood before the National Assembly to address the recent article published by the journal which harshly criticized the Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Ericka Donahue following her recent comments condemning international communism. "We cannot assume that the journal is, as it claims to be, independent of the foreign policy establishment in Istalia, nor have we heard any sort of retraction or disavowal from the Regime in Istalia. We therefore must conclude that this wild and entirely unforced commentary is the official position of the Istalian regime, a regime we have, until just recently, been entirely friendly with. Such a policy shift seems incomprehensible to us here in Kalistan, and we are not sure why they decided to hit our Chancellor in this fashion."

The Emperor was referring to the EG article which called Kalistan "myopic" and compared the Empire unfavorably to the "mature" states of Egelion and Istalia. "We are not sure about the level of maturity it takes to snipe at the Government of the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan from a foreign opinion rag, but if this is how Istalia conducts its foreign policy, it seems that the course that Wrnuke took in expelling the Istalians may be a course we should also consider following." The Emperor equated the Istalian comments to "trolling" which he said is the entire summary of the foreign policy of states like Trigunia. "Trigunia may be a more apt comparison for Istalia than a decent nation like Egelion. Trigunia's foreign policy seems to be most easily described as 'If Kalistan is upset by what we are doing, we are doing the right thing.' While we should consider it an honor to live rent free in the head of the multi-faceted opacity that passes for government in Trigunia, it certainly is not the treatment one would expect from a nation that calls itself Kalistan's friend."

The Emperor went on to ask, rhetorically, whether this change in attitude toward Kaliburg is really the result of Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Ericka Donahue's recent comments concerning communism, or something deeper. "We can't see how, for a nation that has an Emperor, one of whom, by the way, that we have had numerous cordial encounters on a personal basis, Lady Donahue's comments would have provoked this sort of response. The journal posited Egelion and Istalia as mature. And were held as contrary to Kalistan, who they refered to as myopic. But, we understand that Vrassan is not Istalia's first language, so if you will indulge us a moment, we will switch to Istalian: La miopia non è l'opposto della maturità. L'immaturità è l'opposto della maturità. Quindi il loro scopo era quello di definirci infantili? Perché il nostro Cancelliere ha un problema con il comunismo? Tengono alla nostra amicizia o vogliono difendere il comunismo? Questo è incomprensibile per noi.

"It would seem that perhaps the author misspoke when they really meant to hit the Chancellor harder," continued the Emperor. "But it was an unnecessary strike. Any questions the Istalian regime had about our position could be cleared up through normal diplomatic channels, which we still have available, either through our Ambassador in Romula, or theirs here. Like adults would. Like Mature Nations who have been friends for a long time would. They chose to attack us in the press however. Like Trigunia would."

The Emperor wrapped his remarks by stating, "We won't let this slight change our policies with regard to Istalia. It seems to be the fashionable thing to punch up when you are yourself attempting to climb. We should be honored that this is the course Istalia chose to take. They attempt to put themselves into a club they themselves do not feel that they are members of. This is understandable, and we should instead take it as a compliment. But our Chancellor spoke our mind. Communism is a deeply problematic ideology, specifically because it sets itself as opposed to monarchism.

"And as a word of warning to the Istalian Emperor, allowing that ideology to persist within Istalia exposes the Emperor to a threat every bit as real as allowing fascism to fester within the nation. Whatever communism is: whether it be a purely good liberationist ideology, which occasionally goes bad, or a pernicious evil that plagues the world wherever it exists, we do not care to opine upon at the moment. The fact remains that, dear Emperor, Communists are not, and never will be your friends. Because their MO is to erase the existence of monarchs and tyrants alike and level the playing field so that literally anyone can set themselves up in your place. We know this in Kaliburg. Our objection to communism is based on our commitment to monarchism as a governing practice, not any sort of imagined opposition to human liberation. You are known by the company you keep and we do not care to court the friendship of those who would sooner see our heads roll than fit into the society as it is now. We do not support revolutionaries, and we certainly encourage other imperial monarchies to tread cautiously around them as well. This is what a friend would tell a friend. We certainly would criticize our friends in our press."

The Emperor then stepped from the podium to a silently standing National Assembly who bowed their heads as a body in respect for the Emperor, and as soon as he departed the chamber raised an ovation for both the Emperor and Empress and the Chancellor. Clearly, this message struck a chord with the Deputies in attendance. It is unclear how it will be received abroad, but if surly attitude of Istalian journalists is any indication, a positive reception is unlikely.

@TheRepublic