Kalistan

[Doc]

FM discusses Luthori Deal
"Her Imperial Majesty Can Accept Offer," says Dame DuMont
Kaliburg Free City, Ananto
January 9, 5573


Dame Jacqueline DuMont welcomes terms of Settlement with Luthori

The Republic was granted an interview with Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister, Dame Jacqueline DuMont, to talk about the recent deal with Luthori.  Below is the transcript of the interview.

[The Republic's] C[orrine] S[mith]:  Dame DuMont, thank you for taking this interview.

[Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister, Dame] J[acqueline] D[uMont]:  I am happy to meet with you today.

CS:  First of all, congratulations on your success with the settlement.

JD:  Well, let's not break our arm patting ourselves on the back just yet.  We still have heard nothing official from the state of Luthori.  So we are still in the tentative phases.  They are notoriously slow at getting back to people about things that they aren't the sole author and exclusive beneficiary of.  So anything can happen, and it is still very possible that this whole thing can fall apart at any moment, until they officially confirm things.  But this is a deal we feel that Her Imperial Majesty can accept, and feel good about.

CS:  Fair enough.  You are correct that Luthori is a bureaucratic nightmare.  Unless they really want to move, they generally do not.

JD:  That's right.  It is really amazing that their leaders get anything done.  But, let's leave all that on the table.

CS:  Fine, My Lady.  Can you tell us where this deal stands right now?

JD:  Yes, Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Pavlina I Ananto has instructed me to release details of the deal that is a tentative offer for settlement.  We will of course wait ourselves until we see some movement, but Her Imperial Majesty has made some moves to show she is in good faith, so it is our hope that this becomes the permanent thing.

CS:  Our paper reported last month that Kalistan has lifted the Embargo.  Is this Correct?

JD:  Yes, for Mordusia and Likatonia.  The provisions concerning Luthorian shipping are still in place until Luthori actually settles this affair.  And should Luthori refuse to carry through on their part, we will reinstate the Embargo for Luthori-allied Seleyan States.  But for now, we are no longer refusing Mordusian goods or Likatonian Goods, and have begun to repatriate a lot of their impounded assets.

CS:  Do they still have the punitive actions in place against Kalistan?

JD:  To my knowledge, yes.  It is unfortunate, but I suppose like us, they too are waiting on word from their colonial masters to take action.  Her Imperial Majesty lifted that part of the Embargo act as a sign of good faith.  It doesn't require that it be reciprocated.  The Empress wanted to signal that we are seriously committed to restoring a sort of status quo ex ante.

CS:  My Lady, ex ante what?

JD:  Ex ante Luthori's aggressive expansion in Northern Seleya.

CS:  Alright.  Can we step back a moment?  Can you kinda fill in some blanks for us?  How did this deal happen?

JD:  Of course.  So.  As you know, the culprit behind this was Luthori--Kalistan had fair relations with Luthori for a long time.  We had a normal embassy and ambassador in Fort William, and Luthori had one here in Kaliburg.  This was due to the efforts of the Empress Nicolette II Ananto, who finished what her mother, Nicolette I Ananto, The Great had begun, which ended centuries uncounted of animosity between Kalistan and Luthori stretching back to the Plateau Wars.  At any rate, the troubles began when Luthori refused to attend the late Emperor Fredrick and at the time Princess Pavlina's wedding.  For whatever reason, Her Imperial Majesty took the absence as a snub.  Several additional provocations occurred, Her Imperial Majesty skipped the funeral for the king over there or whatever and tit for tat.  You are going to get that when you are talking about the personal politics of royalty.  Who understands anything they do?

At any rate, the real break came when Lourenne temporarily closed up shop, and abrogated its role in the world.  This action created a vacuum that brought out the vultures.  And one of those vultures was Luthori, who immediately rushed to Seleya to try to expand their wretched Commonwealth.  Their target was Likatonia--It seems that they were furious that Lodamun was charting a new course, so they felt that they needed to shore up their position in Northern Seleya.  No concern for the fact that Kalistan might object.  They simply just stepped in, found a compliant government in a Northern Seleyan State at the time we were talking about working together more specifically to resist something like this, and incorporated Likatonia into their web of exploitation in Northern Seleya.  

Despite the difficulties we were having domestically, such a provocation couldn't go unanswered, so the Emperor pulled the Ambassador to Luthori and shuttered the embassy in protest.  Instead of sending anyone to Kaliburg to ask what the problem was, and try to resolve it, Luthori decided to double down on their expansion plans for Northern Seleya, a place they do not belong under any circumstances, and expressed a desire to not only economically integrate Likatonia, but also to restore their old master-slave relationship with Lodamun, who, to their credit, has resisted admirably, and is still to this day, charting its course independent from advice from Fort William.

This was strange, and unnecessarily hostile, because we were in talks at that time to assist Luthori in building a monorail based on our MagLev system.  We were still working on that when they pulled their Ambassador from Kaliburg.  Again, no attempts were made to find out what Kalsitan was upset about.  We got the message that our concerns were entirely illegitimate, and that Luthori intended to set the terms for Northern Seleya.  Luthori also began making moves to tie Canrille States to itself as well.  That octopus had its sights set on this entire continent, and was showing itself to be very much the Luthori of old, who had been the nemesis of the Anantonese Empire, rather than the partner we thought we had in Artania.  Emperor Fredrick knew that he had been tricked, and so, well, the rest is sort of history.  I knew His Imperial Majesty:  he was not quick to anger.  But action after action after action demonstrated that Luthori saw itself as the hegemon of Seleya, and Kalistan has no modus operandi if it is not to oppose that sort of stupid and shortsighted attitude from any Artanian nation.

CS:  My Lady, what about this deal.  How did it come about?

JD:  Years passed, and the relationship remained hostile.  Kalistan insisted that Luthori leave, and Luthori refused, etc.  Fast forward to present:  Luthori continues attempting to colonize this continent with impunity, and announces that it intends to build Seleyan Headquarters for its major banking sectors.  Where?  In Artania?  No, why would it do that?  In Dovani?  Of course not:  that woudn't create enough drama.  In Majatra?  No, there is an empire there that Luthori respects, who would oppose that.  No, they choose Gaduridos of all places.  They did not discuss this, knowing full well how Kalistan views Gaduridos.  They didn't even attempt to reach out.  We believe they did this specifically to draw a response from Kalistan.  And Her Imperial Majesty felt that this was the final straw, and slapped an embargo on those nations that trade with Luthori and attempt to bring Luthorian Goods into Seleya through the Strait.  The goal was to get those nations, hopefully to pressure Luthori to stop its ruthless and irritating expansion, and focus elsewhere.  I will not lie:  I sat in those meetings, and was one of the sole voices of dissent, arguing that an Embargo would likely alienate other Seleyan nations more than Luthori.  

But at the end of the day, the Empress' Job is to make policy, and my job is to carry it out.  We put the Embargo through the National Assembly, and my prediction was correct--We probably alienated Seleya for a generation, not because the Embargo was incorrect, I don't think.  But more because Luthori is well liked by their drones, and Kalistan's action didn't have enough public context created to explain what the goal was.  Kalistan now appears overly hostile and Luthori is able to claim they are just doing what every other country does, when we in Kalistan know that there is a national policy in Luthori to continue the expansion of its system into Seleya, until it is involved in every nation in Northern Seleya.  Except Kalistan.  And probably Baltusia, because we can say to Luthori's credit that they hate communists almost as much as Kalistan does.

At any rate, when it appeared that the Embargo was hurting Luthori's economy, and yet they were still unwilling to come to the table, Her Imperial Majesty called her principles together.  I was in that meeting of course.  She asked us for ideas.  And some of us came up with ways to mitigate damage to the Kalistani economy, which we took.  And I advised her to end the Embargo due to the diplomatic damage it was doing to Kalistan.  That is advise she said she wanted to take, but could not because Kalistan had to take the hard line against Luthori, as the soft line had been ignored.  But by the end of that meeting, Her Imperial Majesty thanked us for our ideas, and summoned her daughter.

The next thing we know, Her Highness Crown Princess Carolina Ananto-Hulanevek is giving an off the cuff interview to her school newspaper, where she is openly disagreeing with our Empress, in public, in the press.  I was floored.  I couldn't believe the audacity, and apparently, state security was also taken in, because they actually interviewed the Crown Princess.  But you see, I think I understand now what was happening:  Her Imperial Majesty needed Carolina to take a soft line.  It was the policy that she had decided on, but could not credibly play it.  Carolina, on the other hand, was 'just an inexperienced girl.' The Crown Princess, she's pretty smart, I mean, insanely smart.  And I think, I'm not entirely sure, but I think, she and her mother worked out a good cop, bad cop gambit to signal to Luthori that the Empress cannot move off her position, but Carolina could represent a back channel.

The Crown Princess was set to go to Kundrati anyway to discuss the Metro with Kundrati engineers, another positive, due to the damage that had been done to Kalistani-Kundrati relations as a result of the Artanian Conference, and Mordusia, to their credit, saw the signals that there might be an opportunity to talk to someone with Her Imperial Majesty's ear.  I give a lot of credit to Mordusian officials for making contact with the Crown Princess at Ananto House in Etxea and suggesting that a meeting could be set up.  Kundrati offered us a neutral location, one of their leader's manors nearby Ananto House, and the Crown Princess arrived and met with individuals, all non-public officials, of course, from several of the affected nations.  Before the meeting, the Crown Princess called me to ask me what she should do, and I took the call with Her Imperial Majesty, who advised her to try to listen to what Luthori was upset about, to state Kalistan's position as clearly and as honestly as possible, even if it means providing them a little more information than we would tell even some of our close friends, so they know we are in earnest, and try to find a solution that will work for everyone.  Her Imperial Majesty assured the Crown Princess that she was smart enough to do well in this situation, and added that as Empress, Carolina would have to do this anyway.  So she may as well learn how to do it now.  Her Grace answered confidently and hung up the phone.

CS:  Can you share some of the details of the deal on offer with Luthori?

JD:  Yes, We expressed that we are emphatically opposed to any efforts on Luthori's part to expand their commonwealth beyond Likatonia and Mordusia in Seleya.  This was the main point that Kalistan made.  This includes taking slow steps to integrate Gaduridos into the Luthorian economy.  I think Luthori was most concerned that Lodamun not abandon the security and economic agreements that they had made with Luthori, and they were also concerned about the fact that our 4th Fleet had been repositioned in the Artanian Sea.

The Crown Princess discussed the issue of the Crown Lands, and reminded Luthori that Kalistan has legitimate claims there, but just because we are not actively pursuing those claims does not mean that those lands are open for some other imperialist state to simply come in and swoop up.  The Crown Princess reiterated that until Kalistan could pursue its claims in those lands, we have made ourselves guarantors of their independence from any other nation, and would resist any efforts by Luthori to spread its commonwealth to Lodamun, Baltusia, or Gaduridos.

At the end of the discussion, the Crown Princess believed that Luthori understood Kalistan's objections a little better:  they settled for leaving the fate of the Crown Land Nations in the hands of the Crown Land Nations themselves, which was an acceptable position to Kalistan.  Lodamun chooses its own fate, and chooses for itself who it wants to work with.  As does Gaduridos.  Baltusia is still an open question, because I believe both nations have an interest in crushing the communist revolution there, and Kalistan would be fine with any settlement as long as it has the opportunity to re-acquire South Suldanor.  But that issue will be left for another day.  Kalistan opts to support the decisions of the Nations we consider crown lands, and will not raise objection to Luthori's agreements with Lodamun as they currently stand.  Kalistan also expressed support for any economic investment Luthori should make in Gaduridos that benefits Gaduridos primarily, rather than ties Gaduridos to Luthori.  Kalistan is committed to Gaduri neutrality, and will act to defend it if Luthori decides to put pressure on them to abandon it.

To signal good faith, the Crown Princess agreed to an immediate suspension of the Embargo against Mordusia and Likatonia.  We also agreed to relocate our 4th Fleet.  Upon advise from the Defense Minister, the Crown Princess informed the Luthori representative that the 4th Fleet's mission is primarily surveillance and enemy asset tracking.  The 4th Fleet is a Vanguard force; it is not configured to wage long term combat operations, and is primarily part of the Defense in Depth strategy to provide our three combat organized fleets an early warning about the presence and movements of enemy naval units from our traditional naval adversaries.  As a result, to decrease tension, we would move the 4th Fleet closer to Karzon to focus on the Karzon Strait region.  Kalistan seeks to work closer with the Lodamese Navy in asset acquisition and monitoring.  These actions were designed to immediately reduce pressure on Luthori and to signal that our intention was peace and resolution.

We also asked Luthori to begin consulting Kalistan on Seleyan Matters, not specifically to get our permission, but so we know what they are doing, and give us the opportunity to at least tell them how their plans will affect Kalistan's position toward them.  Luthori, as a sovereign state, does not have to clear anything with any other state:  We believe that in principle, but actions have consequences, and if possible, Her Imperial Majesty would like Luthori to be aware of some of those consequences before they settle on any policies.  And Kalistan also offered to consult them on Artanian affairs, if we ever decide to make any moves on that continent.  This move recognizes our respective positions in our regions, and begins to acknowledge sphere's of interest.

At the end of the day, I feel that Kalistan ended up with the shorter end of the bargain, and I advised Her Highness to press for more concessions from Luthori.  But Her Imperial Majesty overruled me, and told the Crown Princess to tentatively accept their offer, and take the win.  The Crown Princess was not supposed to be in Kundrati conducting diplomacy, but starting the Metro project, and she had already spent far too much time on talking with the Luthorian reps.  The Crown Princess went back to work on the Metro Project, and I have subsequently been tasked with following up with Luthori. 

When we see movement in the Luthorian Government, I will dispatch my Artanian Deputy to Fort William to work out final details with Luthori.  I hope to have a final agreement by the end of this year, and then will advice Her Imperial Majesty to rescind the entire Embargo bill.  

CS:  Will this improve relations with Luthori?

JD:  Let's say this:  It will lay a foundation to build improved relations on.  Whether those relations are built is an open question still, but this is a start to repair decades of corrosion and resentment.

CS:  Madame Foreign Minister, I hope so, but I can't help notice that your own words felt unnecessarily harsh at times.  Can you credibly represent a position of conciliation with Luthori if you view the world as you do?

JD:  Ms. Smith, I am an old nationalist.  I served two lifetime imperial monarchs in my career, and if God wills it, I shall serve a third, who will make the others seem like republicans.  I am set in my ways, and will never fade from my duties to Her Imperial Majesty first, and Kalistan second.  If my words are harsh toward our nation's biggest rival, I hope that at least they admire my consistency, because I have never felt any different toward that country.  At the end of it all, I work to serve Her Imperial Majesty in all matters, and if My Empress ever feels that I am doing poorly, she knows she can have me replaced at any time.  I don't fear it:  I know that my replacement will serve her as well and as candidly as I do.

CS:  Very well.  Thank you for your recounting of these events.

JD:  It was my pleasure.  It is my hope that this sheds some light on their crisis, and I hope we are nearing its end.

CS:  I am sure the entire world does.

JD:  Indeed.

[Doc]

Mark Ananto Puts offer on Luthori Imperial Oil Shares
Authorized to purchase 80% of shares believed to be on offer
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
April 2, 5574


Mark Ananto-Orleans, speaking before Board Meeting of Miramar Holdings

In a somewhat confusing about face for the Empire, Grand Duke Mark Ananto-Orleans has made an initial offer to purchase shares from Luthori's National Oil Company.  "We read in the paper this month," said Grand Duke Mark Ananto-Orleans, "that people who are set on a liberal, free market agenda in Luthori are looking to privatize their nation's petroleum company, over some time.  We obviously do not believe that this is a good idea, as it gives foreign actors an opportunity to have a stake in a nation's strategic production, however, we do not set policy for Luthori, and as Her Imperial Majesty has lifted the Embargo and looks for an opportunity to normalize relations with that Artanian Nation. Therefore, I figured that Miramar should put in a bid on a bloc of stocks that will allow House Ananto to begin siphoning off wealth from their oil industry, that we fully intend to expatriate back to Kalistan, and push Luthori toward green energy.  We will want to direct all earnings toward future privatization events, with the aim of eventually controlling a significant share of that corporation, maybe even the plurality of the stocks in that company."  Miramar, it should be noted, is House Ananto's Business arm, and operates as a holding company for all of House Ananto's investments.

The Grand Duke's offer instantly sparked a bidding war internationally over the possible bloc of stocks, said to be approximately 15% of the company.  "The prices will go up, of course, but Miramar has significant money on the table right now.  We have earmarked ₭16 Billion for the purchase, and another ₭20 Billion to manage price increases due to bidding," said Mark Ananto.  "That will be very expensive stock, but if we can outbid other institutional players who may be interested, we shall try."  Grand Duke Ananto said the stock is currently trading at about ₭31 on the secondary market in Kaliburg, while Luthorian Imperial Oil futures are between ₭81 and ₭85 a barrel, and when word drops about Miramar's interest in the stock, he expects the price to rise dramatically.  "That should cut a lot of Luthorian firms completely out and leave only the big players in the market."

Asked if he was concerned that Luthori would limit Kalistani purchase, Grand Duke Ananto said "Not at all.  I trust they are fully committed to free market ideology, and if they truly are, the Government shouldn't get involved.  They are not mercantilists, like Kalistan is, and appear to be fully embracing economic liberalism.  So why shouldn't we take advantage of that switch in ideology?"

The Grand Duke said that if he is able to secure the block of commodities for Miramar, he hopes someday to make them a present to his cousin, Her Highness the Crown Princess Carolina Ananto-Hulanevek.  "Nothing less than 12% will suffice, this round.  We would be happy with 15% but don't think we will get that, so we may be willing to accept a mere 12%.  Hopefully, I hope to acquire 51%."  For now, the Grand Duke says it's a waiting game:  "The bill hasn't even passed their Parliament.  There may be nothing to buy, after all, when they realize that Kalistan is attempting to buy their stuff off of them.  Or they may decide they don't like ALL of the tenets of economic liberalism, just some of them, and decide to limit the ability a foreign corporation can purchase.  At anything less than 12%, I won't authorize Miramar to spend a cent.  So, let's just see what Luthori does."

[Doc]

Her Highness Crown Princess Carolina Ananto-Hulanevek Flies to Gaduridos
Grand Duke Mark Ananto-Orleans joins trip to discuss Empire
Kaliburg Free City, Ananto
May 2, 5574


Crown Princess Carolina, center, joined by Grand Duke Mark Ananto fly to Ciudad Gaduri

In a remarkable breakthrough in foreign affairs, Her Highness, Crown Princess Carolina Ananto-Hulanevek and Lord Mark Ananto-Orleans, Grand Duke of Kalistan, flew to Ciudad Gaduri today.  Their agenda:  beginning the process of bringing Gaduridos into the Empire.

"Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Pavlina I Ananto, has ordered me and the Grand Duke to fly to Ciudad Gaduri and bring Gaduridos into the Empire," said the Crown Princess Carolina.  "I will be representing Her Imperial Majesty, who cannot travel due to being ill with influenza, and will speak on her behalf.  My Uncle will serve both as my translator so we may conduct the discussions in Egelian, as well as a representative of House Ananto."

Her Highness said that the offer for Incorporation will include full local autonomy over domestic policy, and partial autonomy over foreign policy.  "In addition, Gaduridos will be able to keep their language and culture in tact, and will still be free to use the LFR for all local exchanges and for international trade.  The Kalistani Ruble will also be introduced and will be freely convertible in Gaduridos."  In exchange, the Empress asks that Gaduridos sign a handful of important treaties, acknowledge the Empress as the Sovereign of the Gaduri People, appoint for themselves a Governor General to govern the Nation in the Name of the Empress, coordinate major Foreign policy through Kaliburg, take down all trade and travel barriers as they exist, and consider themselves an integral part of the Anantonese Empire.  "We will grandfather Gaduridos into the AESA and all other treaties regarding Anantonese Security, trade, and cultural exchange, as they please," said the Crown Princess.  "This will also not disturb Gaduridos' existing arrangements with any other nation, including Lourenne who possess a military base currently on the Island of Marlingantos.  We instead welcome the opportunity to build additional connections with the Lourennais Navy."

The Crown Princess added a few more points.  "The goal is to keep Gaduridos as independent as possible.  Therefore, it appears that the Empress will keep the title of Queen of Vintalli, a matter which can be discussed at a later time, but will not require Gaduridos to adopt the ancient name of the Kingdom.  Obviously things have changed in the last several thousands of years, and we would like to preserve the nation and the Gaduri people in tact without changing too much.  We obviously cannot permit the republic to remain, however, We do acknowledge the democratic traditions of Gaduridos and welcome their experimentation with Government on their own terms.  So long as Her Imperial Majesty reigns at the end of the day."  The nods to democratic institutions in Gaduridos seem to be the most striking point of the agreement.  "The people are used to governing themselves, such as it is, in Gaduridos.  In Kalistan we seek something different.  It is fine to have some variety."

The meetings will take place over the next two months, and Her Highness expects to have a draft treaty ready to submit to both the Empress and the Gadui National Congress by the end of the year.  This is the highest profile visit of Her Highness since she visited Kundrati and secured a settlement with the Luthorian Empire that ended the Embargo and opened the nation back up.  The trust placed in the Crown Princess by Her Imperial Majesty suggests that The Crown Princess is a quick study, and is gaining a lot of very valuable experience that will aid her when she is Empress.  Gaduridos is the first of the Crown Lands to join the Empire, and will cause a change in Kaliburg, as the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan becomes the Anantonese Empire.

[Doc]

Her Imperial Majesty addresses developments in Majatra
Welcomes Gaduridos with a word of Hope; announces diagnosis in National Assembly
Kaliburg Free City, Ananto
July 7, 5574


Her Imperial Majesty makes a rare trip from Eveari to Kaliburg to Address National Assembly

Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Pavlina I Ananto was welcomed to the National Assembly in Kaliburg.  The assembled deputies gave Her Imperial Majesty a standing ovation, while onlookers noticed that the Black Empress is not as hale as she was even a few years ago.  Her Imperial Majesty has not delivered an address to the National Assembly in many years, and has stayed almost exclusively in Eveari for the last six years following her removal of the Imperial Seat back to Eveari.  Her most loyal supporters were in attendance for the speech, including her long serving Ministers, and members of the Ananto family, as well as most of the Dukes and Counts from across the Empire. Dame Lindsay Ontiveros-Maxwell, the former Chancellor of the Empire also attended. 

Her Imperial Majesty spoke in a soft voice that suggested fatigue, but she was clearly determined to make it through the speech, which she read from paper in front of her.  Soon, however, she decided to go off her script, as well as throw Imperial Protocol right out the window, for understandable reasons.

Below is the transcript of Her Imperial Majesty's Speech:

Friends, Deputies, fellow Nobility.

We stand before you today in our moment of triumph. Let us recount our success.  We have given Kalistan Space Program to be proud of.  Kalistan is on the verge of launching our first telecommunications satellite into stable Terran orbit, and from there, sky is literally limit.

We have two ocean Navy now that we can be proud of that protects our Empire and our neighbors from foreign threats and incursions, and will give our combat units plenty of time to move into position, should Kalistan be approached on, above, or below the surface of the Sea.

We have settled many outstanding disputes with our neighbors, and hope to improve relations with even Luthori.

We are beginning, with the help of land of our Birth, Kundrati, to help give Kaliburg a subway system to be proud of, a first in our Empire.

We have helped Kalistan come to internal peace, with justice and friendship, 

We have lost...  many...  many...  along way.  But now is time for smile, because one who was lost so long ago has returned to us.  And we embrace our friends and brothers and sisters in Gaduridos with open arms.  We welcome them as we welcome old friend who we have not seen in many years.  We have asked House Ananto to begin making investment funds available for them, and we have asked Finance Minister to set aside more than ₭500 Billion from Kalistani Rainy Day fund for integration support, to ease transition within Gaduridos to Imperial Realm, so that the people of Gaduridos will know that Empire is committed to their health, well being and prosperity.  It is closest matter to our own heart that the people of Gaduridos be welcomed to Empire, that the grievances and protests of some segments of Gaduridos.  We would travel to Gaduridos to meet with protestors, if Government of Gaduridos believes it would help to defuse the dissent there.

We have so much to celebrate.  But while we see our success after success after success, we also see Communist aggressors from Istalia attacking friends in Pontesi among other states.  Kalistan cannot and will not involve itself in war, while we are Sovereign, however:  We do condemn, in the strongest terms possible, the unprovoked attack by Istalia against their neighbors on Majatran Continent, and will do all we can, short of war, to sanction Istalia and pressure them to seek settlement.  Selucia (Istalia, an error in the speech few noticed at the time) is the unfortunate victim of warped ideology of world conquest, and aggression must be met with strongest possible action.

We would like to begin working with Lourenne and Lodamun on new Anantonese Security Agreement.  Obviously, representatives of our Government in Gaduridos will be welcomed to participate in discussions as well, as this now concerns them as well.

As we transition ourselves to new Anantonese Empire, we ourselves would like to make good on promise we made years ago, and would like to send a representative to World Congress.  We have asked our Foreign Minister Dame...  um...  Excuse please...  Dame u,.  Dame DuMont, forgive us Madame, it was long trip of twenty minutes to Kaliburg from Eveari (said with smile, to which Deputies laughed and applauded)  Yes, Dame DuMont, one of our oldest and closest friends, she...  We have asked her to explore possibility to sending representative to World Congress.  It is our hope that World Congress will meet on Istalian situation and will take action, and We would hope that Kalistan will have representative in General Assembly to speak on our behalf.

Finally.  (Pausing, as if she were about to start, but then checking herself, before starting hesitantly,)  Friends.  We wish to tell you something.  We...  saw...  um...  We were asked to take appointment with doctor recently.  He was, as you call him, cognitive therapist, and he recommended we...  I... that I take test.  I took test, and then we did more test.  And test revealed that I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.  Is early onset, but will get worse, and I will never be cured of it.  For all medicine and science, there is no cure.  Doctor said I may have, excuse me...  (to Chancellor, who attempted to remind her of protocol for personal pronouns)  yes,  Excuse me, Chancellor, I...  Excuse me... damn protocol.  Doctor said I may have...  

(Switching to Lurrian, and speaking sternly to Chancellor, who warned her she was violating the law by using first person, singular pronouns) Isilik, orain ari naiz. Nola ausartzen zara?! Ez daukazu zuzenean ni jendaurrean zuzentzeko eskubiderik, baliorik gabeko burokrata hori! Ez duzu nahi nik Batzarrean egia esatea.  I... You, Mr. Ames, are dismissed from post.  Do not interrupt your Empress, and do not correct Her in public while She speak.  You are ghost, Mr. Ames, you no longer serve me, and you shall never again speak to me...  I am your Empress and will not tolerate insolence.  If you do not remove yourself from my sight, I will have you removed.

At this point, the Sergeant at Arms appeared next to Ames, and escorted him from the National Assembly, as the Empress, with tears in her eyes, slowly regained her composure.  The rest of the Assembly sat stunned at the absolute disrespect and complete violation of Imperial Protocol committed by the now former Chancellor.

...As I say.  Doctor said I may have three years, I may have ten.  No way to know what time I will have.  He recommended music to me.  Music.  I only hope I live long enough to see daughter be ready to take my place.  I apologize to People of Kalistan and Gaduridos.  I have tried to be good Empress and good Sovereign for all.  I hope you will remember me fondly, when I can no longer remember you. 

I will hold on as long as possible, but have instructed my daughter, the Crown Princess Carolina, to please prepare herself to take over for me, if I become incapable of serving in this role longer.  If I am no longer capable of governing you, my people, I wish for her to relieve me and take Crown for herself.  Dame DuMont, my old friend.  Dame Ontiveros, my old friend, you both welcomed me to Kalistan when others would see me thrown in Strait.  Will you both help my daughter when time comes? 

When I no longer can remember my only child's name, I have asked doctor to arrange a good departure for me.

I apologize to you my people, for bearing bad news.  Is sad for me to report, but conscience dictates that I live with integrity, and I will try to govern you as faithfully as I can for as long as I can.  And I welcome you, Gaduri brothers and sisters, to family.  We wish you peace and ease and will do all within power to ensure you integrate fully and quickly into the Empire.

We hope our news did not greatly upset you, our people.

With that, the Empress looked as if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulder  She had tears in her eyes, and was helped down from the podium by Dame DuMont, and assisted her to her seat. The physical contact with the Empress was also a serious violation of Imperial Protocol, but the Empress welcomed the compassion.  As she took her seat near the (former) Chancellor's own seat, the applause in the chamber grew loud and enthusiastic.  One after another, deputies filed up to greet the Empress, some to shake her hand, for the first time ever, and others to thank her for all her work and accomplishments on behalf of the Empire, all feeling welcomed by the Empress herself to ignore the rules of protocol for just this little period of time.

[Doc]

Kalistani News in Brief:  Crown Princess Carolina Ascendant
Gaduri Integration, Kaliburg Metro Begun, Oversees new Tech investment
Kaliburg Free City, Ananto
April 8, 5575


Crown Princess Carolina Ananto-Hulanevek takes a significantly larger workload with gusto

Gaduri Accession to the Anantonese Empire
Crown Princess Carolina, working closely with Her Imperial Majesty Empress Pavlina I Ananto and Dame Jacqueline DuMont, have been overseeing the accession of the Kingdom of Gaduridos into the Anantonese Empire. "The Transition has been smooth," said Dame Jacqueline DuMont, Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister, who has also just returned from her fact finding mission to Rildanor. "However, there have been some incidents of public disorder around the decision by Gaduri Nationalists and socialists who either oppose the monarchy, or support full Gaduri Independence. If matters begin to get serious for Her Imperial Majesty's Government there, Her Imperial Majesty said she might like to go and meet leaders of the protest movements to see if some accommodation could be reached." In addition, Her Highness the Crown Princess has been tasked with authoring a new Treaty for Empire, which formally lays out the relationship between the Crown and the Kingdom of Gaduridos. "Her Highness believes that the Gaduri Government will benefit from a formal outline of rights, freedoms and responsibilities within the Empire," said Dame DuMont. "Her Majesty's Government in Gaduridos will have the opportunity to contribute to the document before it is ratified, to ensure that Gaduri points of view are fairly and fully represented within the Treaty. This treaty will become a basis for additional accession, should the opportunity present itself." Her Highness the Crown Princess will present a draft of the treaty in two months.

In related News, Grand Duke Mark Ananto will lead a team from MoCo, KALNAFERCO, and KMD to Gaduridos to discuss investment in the nation. "We would like to restart our efforts to help Gaduridos build their own auto, steel and electronic industries," said the Grand Duke to reporters yesterday. "It is important that Kalistan provide Gaduridos with whatever they need to continue their efforts to build and modernize their nation: A strong Gaduridos is a Strong Empire." Ananto's comments underscore the idea that Kalistan does not view Gaduridos as a mere colony, but as an equal component of the Empire, and feels that the two formerly independent nations' fortunes are indeed intricately tied. Ananto will bring a guarantee of more than ₭5 Billion in start up funds along with the offers from the Kalistani companies. "This money was originally earmarked for Luthorian Oil shares, but Kalistan is no longer interested in buying into Luthorian Oil, as we determined that it is probably an unsafe investment given Luthori's defiantly nationalistic attitudes and preferences for local firms over foreign investment, and we would much rather invest at home, as any good nationalist would do. As Luthori has taken a nationalist approach, we would expect them to act as any mercantilist nation would, and feel free to expropriate foreign investment as a political tool, so, that money will remain here in the Empire where it can do more actual people more good."

Kaliburg Metro Construction begins
Along with taking more of a role in foreign affairs, Her Highness, the Crown Princess has overseen the ground breaking of the new ₭23 Billion Kaliburg Metro Project. The project, designed by Kundrati engineers, will be constructed jointly by Kundrati and Kalistan, and will provide access to most residents in Kaliburg. "The exciting thing is that there will be a subway stop within a mile of nearly 90% of the residents and businesses in Kaliburg and Port Davon," said Her Highness, the Crown Princess Carolina Ananto-Hulanevek. "We have major stops at the Airport, at Port Davon, at the National Mall, near many schools and universities, and at the Sports Complex in Capitol Hill. This is an exciting infrastructure program, and it will take us many years to complete, but we have been working on it for years already, and we had some practical problems to iron out that the Kundrati Engineers worked out brilliant solutions to." The Metro Project will be divided into two teams, one the overhead team and the other the underground team. As the construction of elevated train tracks throughout the South and East of the City, in mostly residential neighborhoods and light to medium commercial districts will be much quicker, the Overhead team will start work next year. However, the Underground team needs to dig an estimated sixty five miles of tunnels, and in some places, the water table will be an issue, especially around the Port, due to the historical nature of the land, which was primarily reclaimed marshland requiring deep pylon formations, but crews from the NSP are already operating heavy drilling machinery underground in Imperial Hill.

At the ground breaking ceremony, Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Pavlina I Ananto was on hand, but Crown Princess Carolina delivered the invocation: "Today we embark on a great engineering feat the likes of which we have not seen since the construction of the MagLev Line hundreds of years ago. We will bring quicker, cleaner, more efficient public transportation to the residents of Kaliburg Free City, reduce congestion and commute times, and make our neighborhoods more walkable, bike-able and liveable. We thank Kundrati for supplying us technical expertise as we carry this project forward, and can't wait to see the day when we can travel about this city on the most modern Subway System in the world!" The Project is expected to take more than ten years to complete.

KMD works with Crown Princess on new Tech Initiatives
Kalistani MicroDivisions, whos consumer electronics department leads the cellular phone and home computing sectors in Kalistan, while representing a significant market share in the rest of Seleya and Keris, has decided established a software division. "The National Government is offering KMD a sizeable renewable grant from the Ministry of Science to begin developing native software applications that work well with KMD architecture, and will provide Kalistanis alternatives to foreign software operating systems, web browsers, and social media," said Her Highness, Crown Princess Carolina Ananto-Hulanevek. "Foreign software applications are unfortunately proprietary, so it is difficult to dig into them and make them work on Kalistani devices. KMD has thus far either had to alter their own architecture, or run into all sorts of problems and miscommunication between software and hardware. KMD has had to put what they describe as 'translators' into their devices thus far to ensure that bugs, glitches and software crashes are less common, but its not 100%. KMD would not only like to develop native software systems that work well with KMD's architecture, but also make that software available to other nations in the world to adapt and improve themselves."

Her Highness the Crown Princess, noted another upside for KMD. "If KMD develops software for their own hardware and processors, they will be able to improve processing speeds, battery efficiency, and onboard peripherals, which will all integrate seamlessly without needing a translator. Software and hardware development can go hand in hand, and KMD will be able to provide their consumer technology at a lower price point, making their products more competitive, especially in the international market." Release of Kalistani source code internationally, and encouraging other developers to improve it, will also make KMD processors, mobos and peripherals more attractive to international buyers as well." The Crown Princess noted that KMD already has a new operating system in beta testing, and is working on a new browser application that features security and access to the internet.

[Doc]

FM DuMont and MoD General Jackson fly to Lourenne
Her Imperial Majesty's Ministers aim to consult on Anantonese Security
Kaliburg Free City, Grand Duchy of Ananto
July 23, 5575


Dame DuMont, seen here, enroute to Eroncourt with General Martin Jackson

Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign and Defense Ministers were dispatched this week to the United Kingdom to meet with Lourennais counterparts on Anantonese Security and to discuss the Majatran situation, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alex Handle said in a short press conference.  "Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister is renewing discussions that have languished since the Canrille Emperor visited Kalistan several years ago.  Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Pavlina I Ananto knows she will be retiring sooner rather than later, and there are a number of outstanding initiatives she wants to at least work on before she steps down, to give the Crown Princess a head start."

On the agenda is a formal agreement on Anantonese Ocean security, and the Istalian invasion of Pontesi.  "Her Imperial Majesty would like to begin doing regular naval exercises with Gaduridos, Lodamun and Lourenne," said Handle.  "Part of it is to help Gaduridos come up to speed with regular naval operations in the Central Anantonese Ocean, because now that they have joined the Empire, they will begin receiving Imperial support with materiel and patrols, and training with three excellent navies will certainly give Gaduri commanders valuable tactical experience as they fit into overall Anantonese Security.  But another reason is that Kalistan has long sought to increase security in and around Ananto, and building a regular regime with Lourenne for dispute resolution, joint security operations, and surveillance will greatly enhance Kaliburg's security in both the Northern Anantonese and the Central Anantonese."

Another important topic of discussion is the ongoing conflict in Majatra.  "Kalistan maintains its neutrality in the affair, as does Gaduridos and Lourenne, but Kalistan also has spoken out strongly against communist aggression from Istalia, and will likely offer to relocate its infantry and artillery divisions currently stationed at Bék Hillesko Military Compound in Hizdrkrtak, Wrnuke to Pontesi to support the Jelbic Empire's defense of Pontesi.  Kalistan would look for an opportunity to strengthen local defense and civilian security institutions, while avoiding direct combat with the communists.  While this would not equal intevention or supplying either side, it would free up additional Pontesi forces to push back the communists and eject them from their country to restore peace in the Majatran Nation."

Handle noted that General Jackson, the Minister of Defense, was travelling to float the idea to the Canrille Emperor.  "We're not specifically asking Lourenne for permission for anything, but we are curious about how the idea will fly in Eroncourt, which has taken a strong stand against foreign intervention.  We would like to weigh their opinion on the matter, as Her Imperial Majesty's Service Chiefs are all in favor of the idea, but she would like to hear a potentially oppositional opinion, in case there is something she is not considering.  Her Imperial Majesty is a convinced Brethrenist and wishes to avoid conflict all together, so seeking out a contrary opinion, the way Brethrenists frequently do about all weighty decisions, seems to be in line with what one would expect her to do."

Handle was clear that no decisions had been made regarding the two divisions stationed abroad.  "We also have no run the idea by the Khan either, but we suppose the Khan would be in favor of Kalistani support in Pontesi, so that input won't necessarily change much one way or another.  Her Imperial Majesty won't decide anything immediately, but will continue to watch the situation as it unfolds, and then if she determines that Kalistani Regular can help enhance the potential for peace and stability in Pontesi, she will make a move."

The pair of high level ministers from Her Imperial Majesty's Cabinet are likely to be in Eroncourt for two weeks, before they return to Kalistan and make a report to Her Imperial Majesty.

In related news, Her Imperial Majesty is working with Her Highness the Crown Princess Carolina Ananto-Hulanevek to install a new Chancellor of the Empire.  The previous Chancellor of the Empire, Sir Bertram Ames-Ananto, was angrily dismissed from his post by the Empress during Her Imperial Majesty's recent speech at the National Assembly, when he audaciously reminded her of the rules of protocol following her use of the first person singular pronoun several times during the speech.  "Her Imperial Majesty and the Crown Princess are interviewing candidates, and Her Highness the Crown Princess Carolina seems to be leaning toward a Gaduri candidate, as a nod to the new Kingdom of Gaduridos," said Handle. 

"As for former Chancellor Ames, he has fallen from power rather precipitously," continued Mr. Handle.  "Publicly chastising the physical embodiment of all political legitimacy in the Empire about the nuances of the law was an unforgivable act.  It doesn't matter that the law says that the Empress must refer to herself in the first person plural.  If the Empress does it, it is by definition legal.  That is a long standing political axiom in Kalistan.  Who is going to correct the Empress in public?  Sir Bertram made the grave error of doing that and now his political career is not only over, it is utterly abolished, as if he had never done anything with his tenure.  He is lucky he remains a free man."

The Ministry spokesman offered a final word, which certainly reflects the official position of Her Imperial Majesty's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and specifically its leader, Dame Jacqueline DuMont.  "Even with a terminal diagnosis like early onset Alzheimer's Disease, Her Imperial Majesty is an absolute monarch clothed in immense power and responsibility, and she has been doing this a long time by herself, so she knows precisely what the law says, and Sir Bertram addressing her directly in public was itself a violation of the Rural Land Act.  She has the power to waive the law at will by her simple fiat, Ames does not."

[Doc]

Kalistani News in Brief:  Empress Creates new Titles for Gaduridos
Kalistan withdraws from FOMAT; ISCA achieves Stable Terra Orbit
Kaliburg Free City, Grand Duchy of Ananto
April 5, 5576


Her Highness Crown Princess Carolina and Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Pavlina share a walk at the Ananto Estate in Eveari

Empress Creates New Titles for Gaduridos
Her Imperial Majesty has ordered that the following new titles be created for the Nobility of Gaduridos:
*Duke/Duchess of Duchy of Manzamal
*Duke/Duchess of Duchy of Cancon
*Duke/Duchess of Duchy of Curenatecas
*Duke/Duchess of Duchy of Sonara
*Duke/Duchess of Duchy of Marlingantos
*Lord Mayor of Cuidad Gaduri

Her Imperial Majesty has asked that the Congresso del Reino de Gaduridos submit names to Her Imperial Majesty of people who are proven popular and competent to serve in those ducal roles.  They will act like governors of their respective duchies, and will convene a Ducal Council that will act as government for the Duchies.  All government functions currently existing on the Ducado level will transfer to the Duke and Council directly, without interruption, and all rules governing elections will remain in place, subject to Gaduri Governmental review.  Additional titles will be created in the future, especially in regards to additional Free Cities and Counties, but Her Imperial Majesty looks to consult with the Governor General regarding Gaduri political and administrative divisions before creating new Counties.

Her Imperial Majesty has also created a new Order of Vintalli, members of whom are to be considered Peers under the Kalistani Rural Land Act (http://classic.particracy.net/viewbill.p...lid=707352).  The Order of Vintalli will be open to Gaduri Nationals who either serve in Her Imperial Majesty's Administration of Gaduridos, or members of the Government (Cabinet) of Gaduridos, or any Gaduri National that is recommended by the Governor General of Gadridos for inclusion in recognition of significant achievement or contribution to Gaduri Society.  All members of the Order of Vintalli become eligible for membership in the Ancient Order of the Grey Smoke, the Peerage and Privy Council of Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Pavlina I Ananto.

Kalistan Withdraws from FOMAT
In a stunning maneuver, Kalistan has withdrawn their entry from FOMAT in protest of an entry from another country.  Baltusia's entry, ostensibly called "The Baffled King" by singer Lennard McOwen, is actually a note for note cover of the classic Kalistani tune "The Sacred Chord" which was written by Kalistani composer Jennifer Stepanov, and was recorded several times by other artists, most famously by Joanie Yeardly in 4909, and by Brad Willis in 5535.  The Kalistani FOMAT committee has withdrawn our entry due to Baltusia's refusal to acknowledge Kalistani authorship of the song.

"We cannot participate in a contest where communist plagiarists can take Kalistani Music and call it something else," said Committee President Marcus Walters, of Sulari.  "This is an affront.  Stepanov is quite possibly the most creative songwriter our nation has ever produced, and her music still plays today.  Brad Willis, who last hit the charts with the song is still alive today.  It's insane that they would try to pass that song off as their own without even giving us the acknowledgement."  Kalistan does not have copyright laws, and technically all is in the public domain, but the reasonable request of proper attribution has gone unheeded.

The withdrawn band, The Kites was greatly disappointed at the news.  "Of course we are disappointed," said singer Jill Weston, "but what can we do?  I myself listen to Brad Willis, hearing his rendition of 'The Sacred Chord' played a little part in me getting into music in the first place.  We all know that Stepanov should be acknowledged, but it doesn't seem fair that we can't go to Pontesi over that communist nonsense."  KRTVN will also no air FOMAT this year within the Empire, but people may still watch it on the internet.

In Consolation to The Kites, we have decided to link to their entry, now withdrawn, of "I Don't Mind", their third single from their 5575 album "When We're Naked" published by KMI:

[Video: https://youtu.be/VkVy2FeqIyc?feature=shared]

ISCA achieves stable Low Terra Orbit
At long last, the Imperial Space and Communications Agency (ISCA) has achieved the dream of a generation, and has put its own satellites into permanent orbit.  Improvements in rocket design, as well as the addition of booster thrusters have helped an artificial satellite made in Spencer to achieve Terran Orbit at an average altitude of more than 400 miles.  The satellite orbits the planet at a rate of once every 97 minutes, and contains solar arrays to generate power for the signal.  Right now the satellite acts as a rebroadcaster of signals issued from ISCA's Spencer Space and Test Center in Sulari, but listening stations tuned into the frequency from Dolgava to Gaduridos have picked up the signal as the satellite flies over head and have reported "L/C" to Spencer command.

This is an exciting moment for Kalistan, and a break through in the possibilities available for telecommunications.  ISCA noticed that Kundrati intends to put thousands of satellites to support their Internet service operations, and while Kalistan's goals are a bit more modest, Kundrati has approached Spencer about possibly serving as an additional launch point for their program.  "Doing what Kundrati would need us to do will necessitate building a new launch facility that can handle multiple stage rockets.  We had planned to do that once our Low Terran Orbit satellites are in place, but the request from Kundrati gives us an excuse to get started," said operations spokesman Morris Holquist, at Spencer. 

Meanwhile, ISCA intends to create a satellite array to begin delivering KRTVN to homes across Kalistan and Northern Seleya as early as 5579.  "We need to have satellites in place so that as one goes over the horizon, three more are in the sky at all times," said Holquist.  "This will ensure that the satellite transmissions remain constant to those on the ground."  ISCA is also working out telemetry to begin introducing GPS technology to the Empire.  "We are playing a lot of catch up with other countries who have used this stuff for centuries, so that part is pretty easy," said Holquist.  "The hard part is delivery.  But by the time we complete the multi-stage rocket facility, we will be ready to launch geosynchronous satellites for all kinds of applications, including weather forecasting, GPS, and secure military communications and surveillance."  Those rockets, said Holquist, are at least 10 years away.

[Doc]

MoCo to return to Playa del Oriente
Plant begun in 5541 sees new signs of life
Playa del Oriente, Cuernatecas
May 17, 5576


The MoCo Plant in Cuernatecas, Gaduridos, begun in 5541

The MoCo plant which was begun with investment between local Gaduri investors and money secured by House Ananto in 5541 under Emperor Fredrick I Ananto, was abruptly closed in 5548 following a sudden downturn in the nation's investment climate.  Since then, the campus has sat mostly vacant, and was overgrown with weeds and other things.  But following the Accession of Gaduridos to the Empire, there have been new signs of life at the Cuernatecas campus.  the land has been cleared and construction resumed on what is likely to be Seleya's largest electric car production facility.

"MoCo has committed to spending ₭65 Million on the Plant to get it up and running," said Kalistani Motor Company spokesman Alex Morales. "We need to improve our Corporate structure for the expansion, but the building itself needs some rehab and then we need to install machinery that we have fabricated but has just been sitting in the warehouse. This stuff is 30 years old, and has never been used, but even some of that will need to be replaced."

The goal is to have the factory in Gaduridos operating at minimum capacity by 5579. "We plan to produce cars in Playa del Oriente to expand the Kalistani Market," said Morales. "The plant which will employ more than 4500 workers will operate 24 hours a day, and it is our hope that MoCo floods the Seleyan Market as a well built, reliable electric vehicle. We do build high performance vehicles in Kalistan, but as the Gaduri plant gets up and running, Kalistan's production will switch to specialty vehicles like utility vehicle, Cargo trucks and Semi Trucks, and military vehicles, and Gaduridos will pick up the consumer production for every day and family usage."

Also, House Ananto has secured funding for an additional expansion of the Playa del Oriente airstrip, and MoCo, KalNaFerCo and AeroKal are also active partners in the expansion program. "On the Airport expansion, we will definitely need the ability to land cargo planes on the Gaduri Mainland" said Morales. "Right now, the airport is a little regional concern that flies mail and commuters to and from other Duchies around the Kingdom. But Playa del Oriente is situated both on the Trans Seleyan Rail line and the National Highway in Gaduridos, and therefore is well placed to become an air air hub as well. It is also connected to nearby ports. We have long sought to expand the air port here, and know that an international cargo and passenger Airport will dramatically improve the economic potential of the region and have significant spill over effects to surrounding communities."

The factory construction is already underway, while air port expansion, which is expected to cost more than ₭250 Million will begin in 5577. MoCo itself is also working to expand its corporate structure, to spin the Gaduri Division off from the Kalistani division, while keeping both under the same overall board of directors. Morales says the goal is to keep at least 90% of all profits earned in Gaduridos in the Gaduri Division as an effort to grow the division.

[Doc]

Kalistani Pilgrims reoccupy abandoned Brethrenist Settlement in Vintalli
Imperial expansion sees many Brethrenists on the move, looking for Democracy
Chicciola, Cancon
October 14, 5576


Abandoned Meeting House of the Hermanoistos Gaduri near Chicciola

For a brief time a millennium ago, Kalistani Brethrenists actually became a legitimate force in Gaduri politics.  In 4481, members of the Kaliburg Yearly Meeting purchased a plot of land which was an abandoned fishing village on the Northern most point of what was then called North Vintalli, and entered Gaduri politics, aiming to develop a political form of Brethrenism for Gaduridos.  At the time the nation was a vibrant multi-party system, and the Brethrenists saw an opportunity: the Government in Kalistan was firmly in the hand of fascists, and the ancient Brethrenists looked to Gaduridos as an opportunity to practice democracy.  Under the leadership of the Clerk of the Gaduri Yearly Meeting, Tina Calderone, the Party gained some local success, but failed in their first electoral bid, due to significant structural barriers designed to prevent new Parties from building political positions and attracting public attention.  When the Brethrenists were essentially locked out of government, the energy for political brethrenism evaporated.  

Calderone noted in 4486 that many of the Brethrenists sought to return to Kalistan, where a new Socialist Party was in the process of reforming, and the political movement dissolved.  Over the next 200 years or so, Brethrenists fanned out across the Nation, and as of 5366, 4% of the population still identified as Brethrenist, but by seventy five years later, Brethrenism had all but vanished in Gaduridos, most likely either through return to Kalistan or being folded into the Luthorian Church.  By 5433, the remaining Brethrenists in Gaduridos were listed as "Other".

But now that the Empire has been restored, there is some interest among Kalistani Brethrenists in relocating and reuniting with their southern kin.  The descendants of that initial experiment have dispersed throughout the rest of the Duchy, but the buildings of the old Pueblo Hermanoisto remains in place, and Kalistan Bretheren have been quietly repurchasing the land to be turned into a Brethrenist retreat of sorts, as well as a place to reignite interest in Brethrenism in the Southern Kingdom.

"We feel that Gaduridos already aligns in many ways with the Faith and Practice of the Kaliburg Yearly Meeting," said Joseph Alonzo, of Sulari.  "From their commitment to peace and neutrality to their continuation of their democratic institutions, Gaduridos looks very attractive to Kalistani Brethrenists right now.  Brethrenism is fairly hegemonic in Kalistan as an expression of faith, and our Rulers have all but explicitly aligned the State with Brethrenist beliefs and practices, but we would obviously like the opportunity to restore our historical connection to Gaduridos, and would like the chance to live in an intentional community which is run along Brethrenist Faith and Practice.  The community itself can be an example to others, but as for evangelism, Brethernists in the Kaliburg Yearly Meeting, at any rate, do not practice that."

Alonzo himself said there is enough interest among Kalistani Brethrenist families to re-settle nearly four dozen families in the Duchy of Cancon, Gaduridos.  "It will be a fairly gargantuan effort to get the place rebuilt, but it will allow us plenty of time to contemplate as we work," said Alonzo.  "We see it as an opportunity to get back to nature and to practice what we spend all day talking about." 

Alonzo said the movement is enlisting skilled workers, agricultural families, carpenters, and tradesmen and women of all kinds, as well as those who can provide general labor.  "This is not a rich people's movement, by any stretch," said Alonzo.  "Everyone who moves to the revitalized Pueblo Hermanoisto will work.  They will be expected to bring their skills and their willingness to learn new ones.  And they will be expected to contribute their time and energy to the improvement of the whole city and to the Duchy of Cancon as well.  We want to meet and get to know our neighbors and let them know that we want to be a part of their larger community.  We want the town to be a thriving and involved part of not only Cancon and Gaduridos, but also an example of a city that works together, lives together in peace, and demonstrates that we can be good stewards of our planet, live and act with integrity, and be truly equals."


Map of Gaduridos which shows the location of the (mostly) abandoned Pueblo Brethrenist in the North of the Island of Vintalli

The Brethrenist Movement to Cancon is a small movement right now, but there seems to be a trend of Kalistanis slowly filtering south more since the passage Union Act in Gaduridos, due to the more open attitude that the Gaduri regime has toward democracy.  "Yes, democracy is part of it," said Alonzo.  "People long for the opportunity to participate in their government, and it's our hope that that ability is more available in Gaduridos than it is here in Kalistan.  Absolutism and Brethrenism is a strange mixture after all.  But I know that the Institution is just that:  Our Empress, for example, is a Convinced Brethrenist.  And our next Empress will be as well, and that tempers the imperious domineering impulse which would consume other rulers.  The title is an institution, and the Empress happens to possess the title, but that is not who she is as a person.  That is what she does as her purpose in life.  But that said, I also would prefer to vote for my leaders, and participate in the government of my city, and I can't honestly find that in Kalistan, even here in Sulari where we supposedly have a City Council, but they exist to do the Lord Mayor's agenda.  So Gaduridos holds that attraction for me as well."

Alonzo expects that Pueblo Hermanoisto will be fully reoccupied by nearly fifty Kalistani Brethrenist families by 5578.  "We are working on restoring the historical meeting house there in town, which was initially built a thousand years ago.  Believe it or not, it was well cared for for most of that time, and has only been vacant for about 100 years.  So, we do need to do some repairs and remodeling.  But when it is done, it will form the center of a vibrant city of by and for the Brethrenists, and will be a wonderful bridge and symbol of hope between Kalistan and Gaduridos."

[Doc]

IBSI and Ministry of Defense overseeing construction of OTH radar in Marlingantos
Aim to enhance Central Seleyan Security Information
Ciudad Gaduri, Marlingantos
November 16, 5576


Radio Engineers begin important calibrations on the western array of the CD OTH Radar installation

The Imperial Bureau of Security Information and the Ministry of Defense have begun expanding the Imperial Radar Surveillance network into Gaduridos.  Two new radar sites are being set up on the Island of Marlingantos, one pointed north toward Kalistan, to overlap with the site that is already located there, and the other pointed south toward Indrala.

"The expansion of the IBSI net into the Southern Anantonese Ocean is a long term goal that we are finally meeting now that Gaduridos has fully committed to the Empire," said Regular Army Spokeswoman Martha Wendel.  "With Gaduridos as security partners, we can expand not only our eyes, but eventually the reach of the Imperial Navy and Air Force.  We are indeed fortunate to partner with Gaduridos, who has long been seen as a key component of Kalistani Strategy and the Defense in Depth Strategy, and it will behoove us to begin arming Gaduridos so they too can more effectively participate in the Regional Security arrangement

The establishment of the radar station comes on the heels of the ratification of the Anantonese Security Community, which commits the Empire to work with regional partners on naval patrols, regional defense integration and intelligence sharing.  "We will share all our intelligence that we obtain from these stations with the Gaduris, of course, but also we intend to share the information, especially what we obtain by looking south, with Lourenne and Lodamun as well:  If there is a threat coming from the south, they will want to know and we will want their help in countering it.  We are sure there are people that will complain about international waters and freedom of the seas and all of that.  But our security in Kalistan and Gaduridos is far more important than some ridiculous international law principle that other want enforced because they happen to benefit from it.  Other states should know that the Anantonese Ocean is a yard, not a highway, and we don't welcome just anyone at all to cut through it.  We will have eyes on you, we will follow you, and really, if you don't belong here, you should probably find a different route to wherever you are going, because you won't be able to move with impunity."

The radar installations will be completed next year, and will be staffed by Kalistanis and their Gaduri counterparts.  Eventually, data obtained from the surveillance devices will enter into target identification and acquisition computers in Gaduridos and back in Kalistan for dissemination and analysis.