Kalistani Major History

[Doc]

Eroncourt, Jôviant
2nd July, 4436


Minister of Defense Iztapalata to lead Lourennais peace delegation to Kalistan

Minister of Defense Pascal Iztapalata (below)


Recently, Kalistan has elected Al-Khali to the Kalistani presidency after tge shocking legislative defeat of the Socialist Party nearly three years ago. The newly elected president has stated that he would like to finally accomplish peace with Lourenne after the years of tensions that both countries have faced. His words did not fall on deaf ears. Immediately after hearing this news the Minister of Defense Iztapalata, a Orinco-Canrillaise native, decided that he will finally go to Kalistan and end the tensions once and for all. Minister Iztapalata stated that :

it's about time to finally reach peace with Kalistan. Enough is enough. We can no longer sit in a dark age and yell at  each other every time one of us breathes. I believe it's tome to revitalise the Anantonese and get some **** done together.

Minister Iztapalata has stated that he will travel to Kaliburg for hopefully a final peace conference along with the Mayor of Valois Joan De Masson and Minister of Trade and Industry, Séverine Delaune. The delegation has been specifically picked by the Ministry Defense as they believe that Lourenne will be well represented by wach delegate. Joan de Masson, the Mayor of Valois, will be representing peace at the conference. As mayor of Lourenne's largest city, de Masson has had a neutral stand point to many of Lourenne's involvement in any wars and declares that Valois is a city were peace prospers and anyone can reside in. The Minister of Trade and Industry Séverine Delaune will be representing economics at the conference. If talks go absolutely well between Kalistan and Lourenne, Madame Delaune will not hesitate to negotiate economic deals and investments with the Kalistanis. Minister Iztapalata has stated tha  the Lourennais delegation will go to Kaliburg in October of 4436 and will be protected by the Royal Navy in the Anantonese while on their way. Lourenne will have officials representing peace, economics, and defense in Kaliburg at the upcoming meeting. They hope that Kalistan will do the same.

More to come

[Doc]

Lourenne will Visit Kaliburg"We will welcome them", says Reina
Kaliburg, Ananto
Agust 15, 4436


The ruling Socialist Government rolled out the red carpet for the arrival of the Lourennaise delegation, which is expected in October.  "We will welcome them to Kaliburg.  I would like them to know that their visit is long awaited." The Premier of the Republic stated after learning from Foreign Minister Hashimoto that Lourenne planned a high level visit to Kalistan to rebuild relations between the two Anantonese nations.

The Premier, in consultation with the President, announced that FM Abe Hashimoto, Minister of Defense Tom Banks, Minister of Finance Julie Westin, and ODEN Director Jack Talliafero-Bennots will represent Kalistan.  "We have scheduled the talks for the seaside deepwater port at Eveari.  It is a beautiful little town, Ananto's second city, and can host the elements of Lourenne's Royal Navy while their delegation is in country."

As far as an agenda is concerned, the Premier said Kalistan's was short and sweet:  "We want to build a foundation for long lasting peace and security in the region.  We will also look forward to Lourennais Investment.  The President has said his goal is to boost Kalistan's private sector.  This can be an opportunity.  It seems natural to us.  It makes sense.  We'll also have other representatives of the Government here to speak for Kalistan at need."

A small trip around Ananto is planned for the delegation, and the Lourennaise delegation will be hosted at Eveari House, an ancient mansion belonging to the extinct Kalistani Nobility in the city of Eveari which served as the Indralan HQ in Ananto during the Ananto War, and therefore survived unscathed.  Talks will also take place at Eveari House.

[Doc]

Kalistan Moves toward Single Party GovernmentControversial Act by the Premier has even some Socialists, Opposition Angry
Kaliburg, Ananto
November 12, 4436


Kalistani Premier Maria Reina-Rodriguez acts to block so-called "Ephemeral Parties" from destabilizing the Government

In the late night hours of June 6, with the Socialist Party safely ensconced in the Presidential House and in firm control of the Government and the National Assembly, the Socialist Party launched a legislative coup that, when passed, will topple nearly 400 years of Republican History.  Premier Maria Reina-Rodriguez, remembering the hated "Clerical Election of 4433" where she was unceremoniously removed from office from two Parties which no longer even exist a mere three years later, and joined by 536 of Kalistan's 750 Deputies, moved a Bill to a vote which virtually ensures that no new Parties will gain any sort of legislative Advantage.  The "Anti-Ephemeral Parties Act", as this bill is known, limits the number of Proposals which may be offered by any Party in any year to 3, and the total number of proposals that a Party may hold to 5.  All Socialist Deputies supported the Act, following the Premier's Lead.

Stated the Premier: 

"We have been cursed, for some ridiculous reason, with Parties who pop up out of nowhere, drop massive omnibus bills on the Assembly which we are forced to vote on, and which will lead to destabilization of our Political positions, and then vaporize.  This has happened several times in the past few years, and add to that Parties inexplicably appearing out of nowhere, taking over the Government, and then doing nothing with it for a term before they vaporize into thin air, never to be seen or heard from again.  It is happening far too often for us to think it is a random event-  Two dots make a line and three dots make a plane.    We now have a very clear picture of what is happening in Kalistan:  I believe that it is the efforts of foreign Agents who are invading our country, whipping up a small segment of the population, and aiming to completely destabilize the country in favor of a Rightist Agenda which is antithetical to what Kalistan stands for.  We don't have to put up with that, so we aren't going to."

The Practical effects of this act are obvious. First and foremost, new Parties will have a much more difficult time gaining any traction in Kalistan.  Without the ability to propose radical alterations to the legislative fabric of Kalistan, Parties will have to do the painstaking work of actually building a base of support over a long period of time, or they will remain obscure.  Seats in the Assembly will become valuable then, and people will struggle for them.

In addition, the Two Party Structure will essentially be enshrined in Kalistan.  Given that positions will be frozen in place, and will changed at a geological pace now, the SP expects to retain control for a long time to come.  The Radical Liberty Union will also retain seats and shall be consigned, for the most Part to the Minority.  This will create a virtual Dictatorship in Kalistan, led by the Socialist Party.

"Of course, we will return to a fully functioning democratic state when this problem of foreign destabilization has passed," the Premier said of the accusations of the creation of a Dictatorship.  "But the Good of Kalistan comes first, and until these tiny Rightist factions realize that Kalistan is hostile to that sort of behavior, things will unfortunately remain as they soon will be.  One-Plus Party rule in Kalistan is a necessity right now.  It won't always be, but as the only Institutionalist Party in Kalistan which is swarming with know-nothings and market fetishists, we have to look to the Good, rather than to the popular.  If that makes me a dictator, then that makes me a dictator."

Not all Socialists were thrilled with the Premier's Actions.  The President of the Republic registered his support, but vocal segments of the SP joined the Opposition in denouncing the Premier's Actions.  Notably, the Brethrenist Caucus was uncharacteristically outspoken.  Sister Joanne Smith, of Vrassa City said, "What about Liberty?  The Socialist Party of Kalistan has always stood for individual liberty.  What if our conscience leads us to want to support the opposition?  This act means that those who oppose will never get a fair shake in Kalistan.  They will never see their goals realized in Government.  This is wrong.  The Premier ought to know that."  Another Brother, Franklin DelGado declared, "I just feel that this is wrong.  Its wrong because it does not allow for debate.  What's the point of debating anything when you know that the outcome of the debate is going to be the same whether you debate it or not?"

The Premier batted down these critiques. 

"First of all, there is a general Will that Rightism is bad for the country.  We earned nearly 75% of all seats in the Assembly in the last election and the President earned nearly 80% of the votes of all people in Kalistan.  We ran on an open and forthcoming Leftist Agenda.  And just because we will not soon be voted out of office, this does not mean that we will not be accountable to the people.  The Socialist Party is accountable on many levels.  As for liberal democracy:  it seems to regularly produce terrible outcomes, like the fluke 'Clerical Election of 4433' far more often than good ones.  Demagogues take advantage of people using Democracy.  Its time that Kalistan focused on Good Government, rather than just popular government."

The Socialist Party will take up the reigns of the new Constitutional Arrangement by the end of the Year.

[Doc]

Opposition strangely silent following Ephemeral Party BillBut Socialists remain split
Kaliburg, Ananto
November 6, 4437


Hearing nothing from the Opposition, Premier Reina has "moved on" to other things

It's been a half a year since the controversial "Anti-Ephemeral Parties" bill became law and the opposition, who vocally but ineffectually voiced their opposition to the bill during its time on the floor.  Since then, there has been no debate on much in the National Assembly.

"We've moved on," said Premier Reina, who is now focused on the talks with Lourenne, which seem to be moving toward a military and trade accord between the two nations.

"We're building off the terms of the Bilateral Accord that was drafted, but never ratified by Selucia.  This seems to be a fairly good basis for relations between Kalistan and Lourenne.  So this is where we are putting our energy at the moment."

But the Socialist Party is still split over whether the Premier should remove the restrictions on legislation.  Some of the small, but apparently growing faction who oppose the Premier's move as "dictatorial" spoke to us here at The Republic:  "We see the squishing of the power of the opposition to effect change as a move toward dictatorship.  Of course the Socialist Party is the best Party for the country," said Marcus Jones, of Sulari, who is quietly building opposition from within the Socialist Party to the Premier's actions.  "And of course getting rid of rightism in Kalistan is a good goal, we don't question that.  But this relieves the SP from having to answer to the people, and justify their choices.  I don't like it."

The Premier, for her part, has waved off such criticism.  "Eh, you know.  I mean, we have civil liberties in Kalistan.  So they can say what they will.  But nobody can argue that Kalistan is poorly ruled, as it would be if we had constant turbulence that we have seen in Kalistan during the earlier part of this decade.  We will do things necessary to build Kalistan, to provide jobs, to ensure that those interested in gaining an ephemeral majority can't just wipe out Kalistan's institutions in one act the way they have tried to do beforehand, and then, when this problem with Kalistan's electoral process is resolved, we'll go back to how things were before.  This comes from foreign destabilization efforts.  Let the destabilizers go someplace else:  Our institutions are far stronger than their efforts to use democracy against the people."

The Premier announced that she and the President will continue to work for the benefit and welfare of the People of Kalistan.

[Doc]

Editorial:
Why must they constantly antagonize Kalistan?
Kalistani President responds to NC Wargames in the Mad Dog
Kaliburg, Ananto
November 23, 4437


President of the Republic Abdulaziz Al-Khali breaks his silence in response to NC joint operations

This week, the President of the Republic wrote The Kalistani Republic a Letter to the Editor.  Due to its length, and tone, we decided to promote it to a feature column.  This is the President's Letter.  It has been slightly edited for content. -KR

Dear Editor,

You all are smart down there at The Republic.  Perhaps you can tell me:  Why must they constantly antagonize us?  By us, I mean, Kalistan.  By They, I mean the bat-s--t crazy idiots who plan Northern Council mock wars.  Don't they know that we are trying to conduct peace talks with one of their members, and are a news article in the International Press away from pulling our negotiators out of that room and calling it a day till Lourenne can straighten those morons out?  Do you think that they aren't aware that when one of their member nations, the arch-imperialists Kazulia does crazy sh-t like acquiring a new missile, that makes US want to do crazy sh-t like acquire new missiles?  Don't they know that their constant demonstrations of military d--kmeasuring puts countries like Kalistan on edge, and when we get on edge, we do our own crazy sh-t like invite Vanuku to sell us weaponry and base their ships in our Naval Bases?

How can they not see this, that their marauding around the globe puts anyone who ain't in their glorified street gang on high alert?  Or are they just too god damned dense?  Or maybe, could it be that they just don't give a f--k what other countries think:  They're going to do what they want and pretend that they are the only powers in the world who can do whatever they like?  I don't know...

Look:  Here's what we're going to do.  Its a multi step plan, and so I hope they can get their limited vision down to the bottom of the list, so they know that Kalistan ain't f--king around.

First off:  We AIN'T going to break off talks with Lourenne.  But we would like to ask that Queen they got over there to humbly get off her throne and screw the NC's head on straight.  We don't put no preconditions on this:  It's a simple request from one friend to another.  She tells us what we should be doing with our foreign policy, and we keep shut about it,  But we ain't telling her what to do.  We are simply asking her to use her power to put those upstarts she associates with in their proper place.  If she don't feel powerful enough to do so, no bother.  See, that's where plan B comes in.

We're going to follow our friends in Dankuk's example, and start talking to Vanuku again.  You heard it.  It's time to make up.  They want to balance the NC in this part of the world, we have no problem opening up the chess board for them to do so.  See:  We ain't playing chess.  We're playing Go.  And we're running a center strategy.  Our Joseki has not only divided the corners, but has given us two sides and the center.  Bringing in Vanuku is like a 3-3 invasion that the NC never saw coming, because see-  they under-estimated Kalistan.  We're talking not only airstrips, Vanuku.  We're also talking the CATC.  If you want put your fleet smack dab in the middle of the Anantonese Ocean, send someone to Kaliburg and we'll talk.

"But Khali, what about the NAM?" people will say.  "Ain't you just providing cover for a human rights violator?  Why don't you support peace and justice?"  Or some sh-t...  Look here:  The folks that were for all that liberal bullsh-t didn't even ratify the motherf--kin treaty. They pushed that language, and then cut out.  Sekowo and Selucia both.  So:  to hell with it. NAM is about sovereignty too, and if talking to Vanuku helps Kalistan defend itself against the constant and unnecessary provocations of that death cult [the Northern Council] then so be it.  And we'll do it even if 3 of the 4 founding members decided that they were too f--kin ----- to sign the damn treaty.  We got our NAM brothers' and sisters' back, even if they never get ours.

That's all.

Two steps.

We're waiting for an answer to all our questions.  Somehow, all we ever seem to read from the NC is propaganda designed to irritate.  So, maybe someone else has a clue.

Peace out.

With fondest regards,
Abdulaziz Al-Khali,
Socialist Party of Kalistan
President of the Republic

[Doc]

Lac des Lumières, Jôviant14th December, 4437
Inside the Monarchy Edition

Queen Isabelle Responds to Kalistani Premier after "Northern Council" Antagonization

Queen Isabelle I responds to the comments of Kalistani Premier, Al-Khali.

Live from Lac des Lumières, I am David Sepelxa and This week on Inside the Monarchy, we listen to Queen Isabelle give her response to Premier Al-Khali after his comments on an "Antagonizing Northern Council" Are these signs of a frustrated country looking for power? Or does Al-Khali need to drop the potty mouth? Here are Queen Isabelle's comments to Kalistan!

I am not at all surprised by Kalistan. I do not understand how they see the Northern Council as "Antagonizing". First, the Northern Council are not imperialists. We seek peace, security, and prosperity in the Northern hemisphere. Something Kalistan should try and aim for.

Second, any nation has the right to conduct military exercises. The Northern Council held exercises in the Mad Dog Ocean near Keymon. This is nowhere near Kalistan nor were they mentioned at all. The NC did but antagonize Kalistan at all, but please may I bring the point up that Kalistan heldmilitary training and exercises with Lodamun in the Anantonese. Did Lourenne blade them for it? Did Kazulia do anything? Did the NC react? No. It's okay for Kalistan to have exercises but not the Northern Council? Completely and utterly ridiculous.

This makes us question Kalistan and our conference for. For my part, I do not want our peace negotiations to end at all, but with the way the Premier is acting, peace seems far away. To that attention, they have invited Vanuku back to Kalistan. I will tell you this, If Vanuku returns to Kalistan peace negotiations will almost certainly fail. We do not hold great relations with Vanuku and that will most likely not change. If Vanuku arrives on the shores of the Anantonese, we will have problems.

Speaking of which, It is rather confusing to see Kalistan supposedly neutral and "non-aligned" aligning with Vanuku. The hypocrisy of Kalistan roams in their own Foreign Policy. We simply do not understand. If Kalistan truly wants to see change and peace in the Anantonese, please control the Premier and live up to your own ideals of non-alignment and peace between Lourenne and Kalistan.

And that is all folks. Very intimidating and truthful response from her Majesty indeed. The question now is, Will Kalistan want peace? Or risk their own security by bringing in Vanuku to Kalistan? Until next time on Inside the Monarchy

More to come

Inside the Monarchy Edition

[Doc]

reprinted from
IZQUIERDA- The Voice of the Kalistani Left

Is the War of Words Back On?President's words raise the Ire of Louernne's Queen
Kaliburg, Ananto
December 12, 4437


President Al-Khali is interviewed by IZQUIERDA ahead of the elections

President of the Republic Abdulaziz Al-Khali, never one to leave a disrespectful word unresponded to, gave an interview to IZQUIERDA this month to answer the Head of State of Lourenne.  The President sat down with reporter Samantha Bonsal to discuss the recent comments of the Queen.

A(bdulaziz) A(l-Khali):  Maybe she wants to be the Queen of Kalistan too, I don't know...  I don't think I'd vote for her, seeing how she's a monarchist and all, but...

(IZQUIERDA's) S(amantha) B(onsal):  Ahem...  Comrade President, we're about to begin. 

AA:  Alright.

SB:  And 3, 2, ...  Hello Comrades.  I am here today with President of the Republic, Abdulaziz Al-Khali.  Welcome Comrade.

AA:  Thank you, Comrade.  It's a pleasure as always.

SB:  You've had some pretty choice words for the Northern Council recently.  You've re-established that they are a "Death Cult".  You've reaffirmed that they are imperialistic and expansionistic, and you've accurately described their penchant for antagonism of the world.  And yet we see countries in the Thrall of the Northern Alliance's hypnotism come to their defense again and again.  Dorvik for example...

AA:  Yeah, well, of course, them and others.  They justify their so-called peaceful nature by holding a 21 country military joint training exercise in the Mad Dog Ocean.  I mean, I can't even begin to tell you how many Kalistani ships have been, to date inconvenienced by their ridiculously vainglorious displays of pugilistic nihilism.

SB:  So, they have raised the matter of a possible alliance with Vanuku as invalidating the Non-Aligned Movement.

AA:  Yes, they have said so.  But that is their word, not mine.

SB:  Which word?

AA:  Alliance.  We don't have an alliance with Vanuku.  Even if they were to base their ships at the Bozo River, we would be strictly hosting them.  That's the same deal we offered Lourenne, by the way.  They would be covered by a SOFA agreement just like any country that used our facilities.  Does it mean we are joining an alliance?  I think not.  Does it means if we finally have peace with Lourenne, which Kalistan still wants despite their Queen lipping off about Kalistan yet again, does that mean that we invalidate the Non-Aligned Movement Treaty?  Anyone who bothers to read the Treaty will see it doesn't mean we don't have alliances.  It means we don't JOIN alliances.  Bilateral agreements for cooperation are explicitly excluded from from consideration under the Treaty.  So we can work with Lourenne and still explicitly oppose the Northern Council.  We can work with Vanuku and not be a part of the MUN alliance.  Our training with Lodamun falls under a centuries old cooperation agreement between our two nations.  I think the talking points of the Northern Council are a bit off, and betray a lack of literacy on the part of those who are offering comment.

SB:  What would Vanuku coming back to Kalistan even look like?

AA:  I don't know.  They haven't come back.  It's difficult to say.

SB:  The Northern Council has stated that if Kalistan talks with Vanuku, they won't let Lourenne make peace with Kalistan.  How does this bode for the current peace talks?

AA:  I don't know.  I mean, we're going to do everything we can to keep the talks going.  But you know, when I read the Lourennaise Paper the other day, it looks like the NC high command got to the Queen and made her say that stuff.  Lourenne knows that it has far more in common with Kalistan than it does with the imperialists in Kazulia and Hutori.  That fact and that fact alone is what brought them to Kaliburg in the first place.  Confidentially, I'm sure Lourenne saw peace with Kalistan as a way to begin breaking free of that thuggish extortion racket.  We were glad to help:  Anything to undermine the NC.  And Kalistan needs friends in the neighborhood now that Sekowo has gone dark.  Its a mutual benefit thing, you know.  So the Queen says these things to please her imperialist friends.  It probably shouldn't make any difference in the talks, unless of course, Kazulia and Hutori dictate foreign policy for Lourenne.  I don't think this is the case.  I believe the Queen will do what is right for Lourenne and for our region, even if it is wrong for the Northern Council.

SB:  So, why Vanuku?

AA:  Why not Vanuku?

SB:  Well, Kalistan is on record as being the first country to respond to Vanukean use of nuclear weaponry.

AA:  Yeah, well, that was a generation ago.  And besides:  We're in tit for tat mode with the NC, and Vanuku has always looked for opportunities to balance them.  Bennots is their Queen's Husband, so there's another reason.  They've sold us weapons in the past, and might be willing to do so again, so there's another reason.  They still have sizeable investments in Kalistan, so there's another reason.  But most importantly, and I don't pretend to understand it, but the mere word "Vanuku" seems to give them apoplexy.  You saw how quick the response was, from both Dorvik and Lourenne, a country who didn't even acknowledge that Kalistan was on the map two months ago and a country who is trying to conclude peace with us now.  "You better not," or "If you do, you're a hypocrite" was their response:  Nothing new, of course, and we're used to it.  I don't know.  It seems like we just have to say the word and they freak.

SB:  What of this charge of hypocrisy?

AA:  We don't care.  Our rule is, we follow the policy which is good for Kalistan.  So its not hypocrisy to object to military exercises which are aimed at sending every nation of the world a message, which is "Don't mess with the Northern Council."  We conduct military drills with Lodamun, and so what?  They're good for Kalistan.  Northern Council drills are not.  No hypocrisy there.  When Kazulia tests a new missile, that is bad for Kalistan.  When Kalistan buys a weapons system and tests it, see, that's good for Kalistan.  The ethic of Kalistan in foreign policy is to do what is in Kalistan's interest and strengthens Kalistani sovereignty and to look to Kalistan's interest before all others.  We are, I don't regret to say, a nationalist country.  It would be hypocritical therefore, for us to NOT conduct military exercises. 

I'll say this, and I hope my friends who have for one reason or another tied themselves to the Northern Council juggernaut can hear this, but we will work with ANYONE who will allow us to improve our position, but we owe no debts to anyone, nor do we take orders from anyone.  If you want to treat with us, then treat with us, but if anyone thinks that Kalistan will bow to any nation or any alliance or any regime that it is not in our interest to do so, they will be sadly mistaken.  This is the one thing our friends in Lourenne should understand.  We are happy to make peace with them, but we do so for Kalistan's benefit.  If they can understand this, they will never have a reason to fear us or to doubt our sincerity.  And there will be no impediment, of Kalistan's making whatsoever, that will give them reason to not trust us or work with us, or benefit from their relationship with us.  Northern Council be damned, Kalistan is an independent country, and we will not bow though a hundred new missile systems from Kazulia be invented and aimed at Kaliburg.

SB:  Those are mighty strong words, Comrade.

AA:  The history of the people of Kalistan is one of overcoming domination.  Ananto has been destroyed by Indrala and we've rebuilt and have become better.  We've had civil wars with fascists, and Kalistan has stood strong.  A neo-liberal collective security organization like the Northern Council is, well, they got cracks somewhere, and sometimes it takes a little country who isn't afraid of them to get in there.  Just like water gets into rocks and freezes and destroys the rock.  You know.  Its an appropriate metaphor.

SB:  Thank you, Comrade President.  That's what we have time for today.  If anything changes, of course, we will be back.

AA:  I'm sure you will. IZQUIERDA is a good magazine, and I'm always down to talk to you all.

[Doc]

News Brief
Hashimoto flies to WeilFollows up on President's promise
Kaliburg, Ananto
February 21, 4439


Abe Hashimoto, venerable Foreign Minister of Kalistan, returns to international diplomacy

Following President Al-Khali's lead, Foreign Minister Abe Hashimoto boarded a special flight from Kaliburg to Weil, Vanuku.  He has reportedly been invited by the Queen of Vanuku to discuss recent tensions with the Northern Council.

The Minister didn't offer much in the way of topics or comment on the flight, but he did say:  "Well, it is always quite interesting how saber rattling makes strange bedfellows.  I'm sure the talks will be mutually beneficial, and will serve the interests of two sovereign and independent countries."

The Minister is expected to remain in Vanuku for several weeks.  His deputy, Gina Rivera will take his place at talks with Lourenne.

[Doc]

President Al-Khali AssassinatedAssailant is killed by Security
Kaliburg, Ananto
May 12, 4439


President Al-Khali spoke to crowd minutes before his death

As he was finishing a speech in front of the National Assembly, President Abdulaziz Al-Khali was assassinated by a single bullet fired from a pistol at close range.  The murderer, who was shot to death on the scene was Vrassan, Edward Fitzsimmons.  Fitzsommons was an avowed Right-wing Libertarian, and an outspoken critic of the President in Vrassan Politics.  State security agents immediately took Fitzsimmons' immediate family and neighbors, as well as close associates from his political work and social media into custody, to obtain depositions with regard to whether thy knew of his planning.  All have been released, and the Vrassan police have developed a picture of the motive for the assassination.

Fitzsimmons was upset by Al-Khali's move to deny political Parties the right to participate in legislation.  Friends and family corroborated the fact that following the election and the terrible showing of the RLU, whom Fitzsimmons claimed, he became convinced that Al-Khali would never leave office through legitimate means.  Nobody apparently had any idea that Fitzsimmons had decided to assassinate the President, but all noted that he was increasingly agitated over the months since the recent election, and had been saying over and over again how someone "ought to take that b--ch out..."  The President's speech Tuesday Night served a perfect opportunity.  Fitzsimmons waited through the speech, listening to the speech.  His girlfriend, who was with him at the Speech and warned him that he shouldn't try anything stupid, noticed how agitated he was getting.  When a small segment of the crowd booed the President following the speech, which was on Kalistan's progress with Lourenne and Vanuku, Fitzsimmons joined the booing.  Following the speech, and leaving his girlfriend behind, who promptly went to find the policy, Fitzsimmons approached the President, and as Al-Khali went to shake his hand, Fitzsimmons produced his weapon and shot the President three times in the head.

The President died instantly, and in the ensuing panic, Fitzsimmons was tackled to the ground by Eddie Volstead, one of Al-Khali's security detail.  Fitzsimmons discharged his firearm into Volstead, shattering his pelvis and barely missing his kidney.  Volstead released Fitzsimmons who stood to run, but before he was able to get clear of the scene, John Berkowitz, another of the President's security detail, shot Fitzsimmons down.  Volstead and the President were immediately attended by doctors in the crowd, but Al-Khali was pronounced dead at 8:52 PM, and Volstead was taken to Kaliburg Central and remains in Intensive care.

President Abdulaziz Al-Khali was 46 years old.  Al-Khali is survived by his wife, Eleanor, and his son Tariq.  The President will lie in State in the National Assembly Portico for one day, and then, according to his wishes, he will be buried in Suldanor.

[Doc]

Millions turn out for Funeral of Slain PresidentKalistani Economy takes a Nosedive on uncertainty over successor
Kaliburg, Ananto
May 14, 4439


Crowds filled the Capital for Al-Khali Funeral

More than 3 million Kalistani's flooded into Kaliburg as the assassinated President of the Republic, Abdulaziz Al-Khali, was carried from the National Assembly, where he has lain in state for the past day, to Kaliburg International Airport, where his body was placed onto a plane and flown to Sulari for his final burial this morning.  The main streets of the Capital City had been closed off to traffic, and capital police needed to enlist the assistance of the RSMoK to help keep crowds from spilling out into nearby streets. 

The motorcade which carried the President's body crept along down Republican Avenue, and regular Kalistanis got to say their good byes to the controversial, but adored figure.

"Well, I mean, I don't like some of the stuff he did, but standing up to the NC was something I and my entire family supported, and so we would have supported him as President till the cows came home," said 83 year old Anantan Mildred Greene.  "I know Rightists who had a hard time voting for the Right, because Al-Khali was so popular in Kalistan."

Most of the people interviewed echoed the same sentiments.  In an informal poll taken by The Republic, 92% of respondents said they liked that Al-Khali never backed down toward the Northern Council.  Most responses sounded like this one from 23 year old Mother of 2, Deeanne Fossey.  "He made Kalistan strong, and he did it with integrity.  Yeah, his language was rough.  But he was a rapper, you sort of expect it.  But I loved reading all the reprints from foreign papers that The Republic does all the time.  Al-Khali said something that we all are thinking, and all these rich and powerful nations trip all over themselves to threaten us and do war games and stuff.  I mean:  think about it.  Kalistan feels like a world power, even if other countries have bigger militaries.  People take us seriously.  Some people want to help us, some people want to hurt us, but nobody ignores us, and that feels good.  It...  felt good, anyway."

The hesitation and uncertainty at the end of Fossey's statement the general sentiment early today, and became pessimism now that Al-Khali is buried.  Uncertainty is on Kalistani investors' minds, and it is being reflected in the price of stocks.  The Private Sector Big 100, which is an index of the 100 best performing stocks in Kalistan's Private Sector, as measured in foreign Markets, took a dive, losing 22% in the last three days.  Public sector stocks which are a bit more insulated from irrational market panics, nonetheless were also trading down, as nervous investors began to be concerned about who will take Al-Khali's place.

One trader, who holds a widely diversified portfolio of both Kalistani stocks and foreign stocks, and who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said "Uff.  My domestic stocks are taking a beating.  But I mean, of course I'll sell.  I've watched futures all night and they point to a bloodbath today.  I'm not going to be the one left holding the bag.  And who knows who the Party will put in there to run the country?  Their bench ain't too deep right now, having been wiped out by that stupid Clerical Election, and nobody is sure if the next person will continue Kalistani prosperity, or if they will take a different tack.  Its just hard to say, and I think it is going to be a VERY difficult year for the Kalistani Economy."

We reached out to Dr. Stephanie Morrison for comment:  "Uncertainty is poison for economic prosperity.  This is why Kalistan's economy has had such a prolonged streak of success:  The Government is able to ensure stability and force strong market principles, despite the best efforts of the Private Sector to set prices and wages to the benefit of the owners and investors.  But with Al-Khali's assassination, the Government, which is the main break on speculation, is caught off guard and unprepared, and Kalistani investors see this, perhaps better than anyone else in this world.


Premier of the Republic Maria Reina-Rodriguez is acclaimed Interim President of the Republic pending elections; Hashimoto is named Interim Premier

The Premier of the Republic was immediately named to replace Al-Khali on an interim basis by the National Assembly, and then spoke to the Deputies in an effort to allay fears.  "We are waiting for the last of the non-voting members of the various defunct political Parties to drop off the rolls before we are able to call for new elections and put in a new government.  Meanwhile, I will be naming Abraham Hashimoto, who is currently representing Kalistan in Vanuku, as the Acting Premier.  Hashimoto is a seasoned diplomat, and has served in this capacity in the past.  Other Ministers of the Government are expected to report to and take direction from Hashimoto, as a request from the President.  Additionally, if our stock indicies fall too far, we will ask the Finance Minister to suspend all trading of public stock until the crisis has passed."

The Finance Minister, Julie Westin, for her Part, has ordered The Republican National Bank to be prepared, on a moment's notice to suspend withdrawals, if withdrawals begin to exceed 125% of their average daily net.  "A temporary halt in withdrawals may be necessary," Westin said early this afternoon, "As we don't want to touch the foundations of the Kalistani Economy while people are panicking.  The fundamentals of the Dual Economy will remain sound, regardless of what the out-of-control investor in unreasonable berserk mode thinks should happen."

Early and decisive action on the part of Westin appears to have staved off panic around the Monetary system in Kalistan.  "A stable Ruble will do wonders for Kalistan as it recovers from the financial panic which appears to be brewing in Kalistan," Morrison said. "The Bank has been remarkably resilient and stable, growing at an average annual rate of .7% since its chartering nearly 30 years ago.  A crisis at the Bank would certainly signal that an earthquake is happening elsewhere in Kalistan's economy, but we don't see that on the horizon." 

Westin confirmed that withdrawals have been higher than usual throughout the day, but insists there is nothing too far out of ordinary.  "Yes, we have seen a higher volume going out of the Bank than we are used to, but  we are still well above our 125% mark.  Due to our sizeable surpluses, we have more than enough cushion to weather out all storms coming our way from any normal economic downturn, which are admittedly quite rare in Kalistan."

Only time will tell how deep the economy in Kalistan will plumb, and what longlasting effects it will have on Kalistan and surrounding nations are unknown.  And it is the far of the unknown which have set Kalistani investors to selling.  We will report the looming crisis as it unfolds.