Kalistan

[Doc]

Royal Sisters scout property in Athosia
Baltusian Real Estate Brokers conclude preliminary deal with House Ananto
San Luis, Santiago, Baltusia
October 2, 5652


Artist's rendition of the Future Santiago House, House Ananto's planned villa in Athosia

Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Mary I Ananto was joined by her sister, Her Highness Princess Margaret Ananto-DeLaurentis in Baltusia where they concluded the preliminary deal to secure 3500 acres of beachfront property in rural Santiago. The property, which is about 10 miles south of the Santiago Provincial Capital of San Luis is the first foreign purchase of land by House Ananto since the House purchased property in Etxea during the reign of Fredrick II Ananto.

"The Empress wants to build a home here that will fit into the architecture of the nation," said Princess Margaret. "Of course I will visit the home too. The Brokers here earned a handsome commission but picked Her Imperial Majesty a wonderful spot."

It will be years before the home is finally built. While House Ananto used a Kaliburg based architecture firm to design the house, Princess Margaret said House Ananto intends to contract with local builders and contractors to actually build the property. "The Empress would like the money to stay here in Athosia to enrich those who live here," said the Princess. "This includes hiring local general contractors, local laborers, local masons, plumbers, electricians and landscapers. She will also use all locally sourced materials to build the property. House Ananto will consider whether local wages and salaries are higher in Kalistan or in Athosia, and she has committed to paying at the higher rate to ensure the work is quality."

House Ananto said that the initial purchase of the land was more than ₭2 million Imperial Rubles. The previous owners used the land primarily to grow export crops on, and much of it has since been reforested. It is along a very pretty stretch of shoreline with a white sand beach, and rolling hills. There is also a small river on the property less than 300 yards from where the house will eventually stand that will be damned and will serve as a primary water source for the home.

Her Imperial Majesty and Princess Margaret Ananto visit new Property on Anantonese Coast

"She wishes to build sustainable everything there and have the home not create pollution. She also wants to establish a tropical fruit orchard on the property," said Princess Margaret. "In addition to the main house, she will need to build a road from the house to the main north south Highway in the area, as well as access to the Trans Seleyan Railroad which runs less than a mile from the future homesite, and through the west side of the property. All of this will cost quite a tidy sum of money, likely close to an additional 3 million Rubles, which will go directly into the local community."

The Princess anticipates that besides construction which will happen over the next three years, The Princess expects that Santiago House will employ a permanent staff of 26 individuals, who will be provided with apartments on the property adjacent to the Main home. "While Her Imperial Majesty is not in residence at Santiago House, the staff will be retained: House Ananto will make the house available for local dignitaries and celebrities to hold events at. Otherwise, while the house is empty, we don't want to lose the staff to other employers." Princess Margaret said similar arrangements for staff are made at Wood House, Ananto House and Cliff House. "We have abut 150 staff permanently on the pay roll just to keep up Her Imperial Majesty's various homes year round. House Ananto is considered a large Employer with that and the sizeable team of finance analysts we have working with Lady Ananto in Kaliburg."

The property will belong to House Ananto, for use by the Royal Family year round, but Her Imperial Majesty is likely to take residence in Santiago House during the Winter Months only when temperatures are more moderate. "I think the Empress wants the house to have a house in Athosia," said Princess Margaret. "Its not really a pressing matter, but I can see my mom and aunt using this place more than my sister. We were here for a week and she said she already missed her redwoods, so this place will more likely serve as her vacation home and her little slice of paradise more than a working property. Miramar anticipates that they will begin turning a profit from the property from various agricultural operations and other sources of revenue on the sprawling property, within ten years after it opens, and so they consider it a great investment, even if Her Imperial Majesty is in residence only occasionally."

The Empress and Princess Margaret were in Athosia for a week to sign the preliminary paperwork to open an escrow and meet with the Mayor of San Luis, and then returned to Kalistan.

@TheRepublic

[Doc]

Kalistani News in Brief: Voters vote down Single Party Act in Referendum
Empire assists with Lodamese Wildfires; AeroKal to cooperate with AeroLeon in Egelion
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
November 12, 5652


Large Turnout, like this early morning crowd at one polling precinct in Senvias, leads Kalistanis to vote "No" in Continuing Single Party Law

Voters vote down Single Party Act in Referendum
In a stunning result, voters across Kalistan have loudly expressed opposition to the continuation of the Single Party Law, which makes the Institutional Party the sole legal political organization in Kalistan. The referendum, agreed to last August, remains a non-binding referendum, and it remains up to the Institutional Party leadership in the National Assembly to formally act upon the result, but this referendum shows definitively that the act's lifespan is coming to an end. More than 69% of voters rejected the proposal "Resolved: The Single Party Act, which gives the Institutional Party the Monopoly on Political Organization in Kalistan, shall remain unaltered, the law of the land." Nearly 7 in 10 voters voted no for this proposal. On top of the overwhelming opposition to continuing the Single Party Act as it is, there was also large scale turnout, with some of the highest numbers turning out for the referendum. In most precincts more than 50 percent of the total number of voters turned out for the election.

Opposition to the Single Party Act was predictably highest in Suldanor, especially in Sulari Free City, which was one of the first cities to organize a Democratic Club, and where Her Imperial Majesty shocked a pro-Democratic audience just a year with what can only be called a "public relations disaster." More than 74% of voters said they wanted the Single Party Act overturned. The numbers were comparatively less over the rest of the Empire, and they were the least supportive on Ananto, where Eveari reported that only 13% of voters wanted the law overturned. Sulari, the most populated City in the Empire, however, alone cast about half the number of votes as were cast on Ananto, and so, the Island was not enough to protect the Law.

The Chancellor of the Empire, who has tentatively signaled support for overturning the law, said she will meet directly with the Empress in the coming weeks to determine how Her Majesty's Government will deal with these referendum results. They are widely believed to be a preview of the upcoming general elections in January. It seems that the democratic impulse will certainly not dissipate by then.

Empire assists with Lodamese Wildfires
In the face of the ongoing Wildfires in eastern Lodamun, the Duchy of Vrassa has committed 15 brigades of firefighters from across the Duchy to assist the Lodamese Government in their efforts to control the blazes and save people and property. The Brigades were dispatched last week, after the request for assistance came in from the Barrington State Government and the Lodamese Commonwealth for assistance. The cost of the assistance is being borne by the Duchy of Vrassa. The Vrassan firefights are currently on the fireline bext to their Lodamese Brethren. Nevaras' Ducal Government has also committed more than a dozen brigades to Vrassa to help prevent the spread of wildfires into Vrassa, which borders Barrington and the Kregon Plateau, and to serve as reserves to assist if needed in Lodamun.

"Lodamun has been having a hell of a year with dry winds," said Nevaran Fire Commander Matt Jones. "They didn't get a lot of precipitation this summer or fall, and are really suffering. Plus the winds in that part have shifted in a pretty unusual pattern, keeping the place dry as a tinderbox. It's a perfect storm, which led to the outbreak of wildfires all along the plateau." Jones said that Vrassa has also had a drier than usual summer and fall, but nothing like Lodamun. "Yeah, one little spark, one downed powerline, and the whole place turns into a blast furnace."

As air quality continues to remain poor in the region, residents of Vrassa City and Red Pass are advised to wear masks in public to keep from breathing in the haze, while residents of Addisjah and Python, while not directly affected by the smoke at ground level, will still experience smoky skies, haze and increased levels of SO2. Vrassa is also opening its doors to the potential of welcoming and caring for temporary refugees in the Addisjah vicinity, until the fires can be put out and they can either return home or make other plans. Many individual homes have already signed up to temporarily house the visitors to Vrassa, and several new Apartment buildings will be made available to Lodamese Citizens temporarily. Tonight's expected rain showers are not expected to have enough energy to make it over the border into Lodamun, and the long term forecast suggests some relief later this month.

AeroKal to cooperate with AeroLeon in Egelion
The Kalistani Aircraft corporation, AeroKal announced that it intends to work with Egelion's AeroLeon to develop a new line of full bodied commercial jet. Spokeswoman Hanna Anderson said "As we are moving toward more biofriendly fuels, Kalistan is slowly pulling back from its role as the Anantonese Ocean's premier commercial jet manufacturer, and moving more towards smaller craft, civil aviation and air taxi services that will allow us to use let petroleum based jet fuel over all, reducing our carbon footprint. However, our slow withdrawal from the market has created a space that AeroLeon seems willing to step into, and AeroKal seeks to cooperate in that transition, so our region keeps its leading edge in Airline manufacture."

Anderson says the two companies will cooperate in increasing fuel efficiency for larger body planes. "We have takens some steps in developing new engines that can handle heavier blends of biodiesel in their turboprops, but the issue of course remains: for long range intercontinental flights, nothing beats the efficiency of kerosene based jet fuel, so our choice, if we want to move toward more of a Sustainable Aviation Fuel or biodiesel blend for our fleet is to either make more space for fuel to allow the planes to fly as far, or conversely, build planes that take shorter flights. AeroKal opted for the latter option, so we now have a part of our budget that we can dedicate toward R&D with AeroLeon to continue to offer passengers the convenience of international flights, while ourselves focusing on building planes that allow us to meet our biofuel goals going forward. Its a win win for everyone involved, and is expected to yield great benefits."

Anderson says the companies will send scientists, chemists and engineers back and forth to work on these problems with one another, and once a reliable, efficient model of large body and mid sized craft are developed, AeroKal will phase out its own versions of these planes, and then will simply buy them from Egelion. "That won't be for a while tough," said Anderson. "It takes a long damn time to design an aircraft engine."

@TheRepublic

[Doc]

Kalistan undergoes first Competitive Election in more than a Century
Institutional Party turns in massive Victory in National Assembly
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
April 2, 5653


Massive turnout for first competitive election in almost 120 years

Kalistanis voted in the first Competitive Election in almost 120 years last week, and results show a conclusive victory for the Institutional Party. The election saw four Parties participating in the Nationwide Canvas, with significant sheering of the International Caucus off from the Party, while Orthodox Caucus and Brethrenist Caucus Deputies remained largely with the Party. Monitors called the election fair and transparent, with a 57% voter turn out, while critics lamented the short period of time between the lifting of the Party Monopoly and the election. "We saw no significant barriers to people voting for who they wanted," said Professor Henry Berger of the University of Sulari. "But the Institutional Party had a 120 year advantage, while new Parties had only 3 months to organize, campaign and attempt to sway voters to their platforms. Two or three elections we should see the Institutional Party's advantages washed out."

Vote counts broke the votes down according to Party

Seat Totals

Institutional Party Caucus Breakdown
Faction Seats
Orthodox 33
Brethrenist 11
Internationalist 2

The results showed Internationalist Deputies of the Institutionalist Party defecting largely to either the Socialist Party or the Liberal Party. Unfortunately for the Liberals, the two wings of the ideology split the bloc between them, with most voters swinging pretty heavily to the Social Liberals, who named themselves the Social Democratic Party of Kalistan immediately before the election, while the pro-capitalist economic neoliberal internationalist Factions retained the name of the Liberal Party of Kalistan. Due to the split, as well as the long history of anti-Laissez Faire propaganda in Kalistan, the Liberal Party finished a distant fourth in each constituency, never gaining beyond 5% while Social Democrats regularly finished in the double digits.

The results of the Elections have yielded a 4-Party Legislature, while internally, the super Majority continues to be retained by the Institutional Party of Kalistan, which is primarily divided between Orthodox and Brethrenist Factions, while Internationalists were decimated in the elections.

"The election largely consolidates our Party," said Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller. "While leadership of the Orthodox Caucus has the right to call my Administration's Leadership to a vote within the Party, Caucus leadership said they intend to defer to the Her Imperial Majesty's will. I shall of course continue to serve at Her Imperial Majesty's pleasure, but it shall seem that the Kalistan People have spoken, and now Kalistan will get the opportunity to see whether our experiment with democracy really produces better outcomes or not for the People of Kalistan."

Seat Breakdown By Constituency

Voter turnout was around 57% nationwide, with Suldanor once again turning in the highest totals. Suldanor also sent the most Leftists to the National Assembly with nearly half of all Deputies from the Duchy identifying with the Socialist or the Social Democratic Ideology. Ananto, on the other hand, remained the Bastion of Institutional Support, with 12 of 17 total seats going to the Institutional Party. Nevaras and Vrassa also had strong Institutional showing.

Both sides of the Democracy question claimed vindication here, with Chancellor of the Empire Alvarez saying that these results still show a strong well of support for the Institutional Party and the Monarchy, while pro-democratic activists in the nation can legitimately say that peaceful democratic pressure has been brought to bear to cause Her Imperial Majesty's Government to pay attention to the demands of the people and give voters a real choice in the Legislature of the Nation.

While poll watchers from Kaliburg to Sulari are breathing a sigh of relief that the worst fears of some individuals did not materialize around the Nation, it should be noted that the Act which permitted new Parties to run for office this cycle only repealed the absolute Monopoly on Political Party organization. It did not legalize fascism of any support, nor did it legalize attempting to abolish the Monarchy, a provision that the Liberal Party and the Social Democrats complained about loudly before the election. "Her Tyrannical, excuse me, Her Imperial Majesty still sits protected by the Monarchy provisions, the Fiat, and the Lese Majesty," said Mark Brown, General Secretary of the Liberal Party. "We included a plank in our Platform that we intend to overturn that whole law, with exception to the anti-fascism laws, if we ever get a majority coalition that is willing to stand up and grow a spine. But we now have some seats in Odufaray and Suldanor, and at least we have a chance to propose additional changes, and so we call that 'baby steps.'"

The Chancellor has signaled that there is likely little appetite for additional reforms to the Regime structure in the near future. "I think Her Majesty has flirted safely with democracy," said Lady Alvarez. "But if people take it too far, it is still very easy for her to clamp down, so I would advise the people not to go too far or too fast. Her Imperial Majesty has graciously allowed this reform to an ancient tradition in our nation. We should all let this set in before we try anything more. Let's see how it works out, see if it can do some good, but that requires time and patience. Who knew, when I was first elected, that we'd see a day when there is more than one Party on the ballot? Who knows whatelse her Imperial Majesty may be willing to permit? So let's try to get this right first before a bunch of idiots fly off the handle about all the changes they intend to make when they can't even get into the majority."

As of press time, an update: Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Jennifer Alvarez has just been reconfirmed as Chancellor of the Empire, with a vote of 67-12, with strong cross over voting from the Socialist Party and the Social Democratic Party's Deputies. These are truly wonderous times for the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan.

@TheRepublic

[Doc]

Socialists provide Opposition, but its not enough
Several Socialist Bills die without a vote in National Assembly
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
November 18, 5653


Deputies vote for "National Pizza Day" legislation in National Assembly

The first six months following the first fully contestable election in more than a century have yielded uninspiring results in terms of being a case for democracy within in the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan, as the Institutional Party maintains a firm grip over the National Assembly. Though the Opposition Socialists have been arguing for full nationalization of several important sectors of the Economy, and a more internationalist Stance toward the rest of Terra, many of their proposals have fallen on deaf ears.

"We've tried to push through nationalization of MoCo, AeroKal, SSC-Port Elga, and KalMD this session," said Socialist Party of Kalistan speaker Miguel Fernandez of Sulari. The Socialists argue that nationalization of these industries protect Kalistani jobs and will also put Kalistan in a better position to counter nations like Istalia who, they argue, are dramatically and inexplicably targeting Northern Seleyan markets and infrastructure in an effort to undermine Kalistani influence in the region. "So far we've gotten nowhere. The Government has been polite in listening to us, but then we discover that the Speaker has moved assignment to committee till four months from now. But the Session ends a day and a half after the scheduled assignment. How are we supposed to operate like this?" The Socialists, joined by Social Democratic Party and the unlikely allies in the Liberal Party, have lodged several complaints to the Chancellor about the way bills are scheduled in the National Assembly, all of which were heard, noted and then "sent to be studied," said Fernandez. "Which is code for 'shelved and left to rot'."

"Look," said Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller. "We operate in this Assembly in a certain way. The Socialists are new to this process, and there is some inexperience there, but the SocDems and the Liberals ought to know better, since many of them defected from the Institutional Party. What the Opposition bloc is doing is trying to ram rod legislation through that will dramatically alter the function of this Assembly and the entire economy, and I can't imagine that Her Imperial Majesty would prefer radical change now. She has found a way to provide people with more representation. But this is not a mandate to put your foot on the accelerator and move forward at mach speed. Reform in Kalistan comes at a glacial pace, and at the end of the day, nothing changes unless Her Imperial Majesty wills it."

"Yes, yes, we've had the opportunity to meet with Her Imperial Majesty," said Speaker Fernandez. "But it's in formal audience, and we have to say what we need to say through the Chancellor. it's kind of weird that the Leader of the Majority is sitting right there while we air our grievances or try to persuade the Empress to our point of view. That doesn't seem like we are able to tell the Empress what this nation really needs, what we were elected to provide. She sits there, listens to what we have to say, and then nothing happens. I don't even know what the point is."

The Socialist-SocDem-Liberal block taken as a whole comprises a minority in the Government. While Institutionalists hold 46 votes, the whole opposition only holds 33 votes. "I'm not sure what they thought was going to happen," said Chancellor Alvarez. "Even in fully democratic, constitutional states, the minority doesn't get to outvote the majority, and Institutional Deputies just don't want what the Radicals are trying to push through. So we vote against it. We vote as a bloc like they do. We have our whips like they do: and in every vote to move something up on the schedule, or to hold a floor debate, they can't even hold all their own members together. We are seeing votes like 57-22 or 60-19. So not even all their own Deputies agree with some of this stuff. I am not sure what they are even thinking."

Some of the other measures the Socialists have attempted to push through are greatly expanding the size of the National Assembly to decrease vote wastage in the elections, arguing that a lower threshold will allow each Party to more adequately represent the will of the people, limit the power of the Chancellor, reallocate Deputies by population (currently, Vrassa, the third largest Duchy holds the most total seats counting the two Free Cities in the Duchy, though Sulari is by far the most populace with Ananto coming in a distant second, though it has the same number of Deputies), and requiring Assembly oversight on all ministry budgets. "This Assembly is so distorted by the Imperial Fiat that so many basic principles of democracy are nowhere to be found in this Legislature," said Fernandez. "People want to have a functioning democracy, and we were elected to try to make that happen. But we can't even get a committee assignment on some of these things. This is a sham."

The Chancellor seemed unbothered by the Opposition Speaker's complaints. "Yes, Deputy Fernandez has been pounding on these issues for months," she said. "With respect to the Socialist Party, the National Assembly does a lot of important business on a day to day basis. A lot of the things he is asking for simply are too big to handle in the small amount of time we do have. And a lot of those requests are functionally impossible as we do not have the infrastructure to accomplish it. This Assembly's primary function is to turn Her Imperial Majesty's word into Policy. Reform is not even really secondary on our agenda. If he wishes that to change, I suggest he go after a majority. Except: in our system, anything outside of statutory reform like some of the things his Party is proposing, requires a super Majority, and I honestly don't see that happening in the near future, unless Her Imperial Majesty wills it. And I will refrain from repeating Her Imperial Majesty's opinion on the matter of reform."

As we interviewed the Chancellor, she was called away to oversee a vote on a resolution naming November 3rd "National Pizza Day" across Kalistan. She returned once the vote was completed, to add a postscript: "See? 68-11 for the resolution. Democracy in action. We apparently can agree on something like naming a day for a fine Kalistani cuisine like Tilapia Pizza. I'd say that verdict speaks for itself."

@TheRepublic

[Doc]

Kalistan is reportedly shocked over Baltusian/Kundrati Deal
"We don't trust the Fascists as far as we can spit on them," said Chancellor
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
December 24, 5653


Chancellor of the Empire delivers a fiery speech in the National Assembly

"We are quite surprised they would even entertain such an offer to sponsor Kundrati workers on this continent," said Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Jennifer Alvarez today in Kaliburg. The Chancellor was there to deliver Her Imperial Majesty's hard rebuttal to Baltusia's recent announcement that they have concluded an expanded trade and travel deal with the pariah district known as Etxean Kundrati. "Her Imperial Majesty was shocked to see that her cousin, the King of Baltusia would even permit such a thing. As such, Her Imperial Majesty has ordered me to take somewhat extraordinary measures with regard to Baltusia until such time as they decide to stop letting Kundrati workers, goods and capital enter their country."

The Chancellor reported a package of immediate measures, including the freezing of all aid, assistance and investment in Baltusia, both public and private from Kalistan. In addition, the Chancellor has ordered the Southern Army onto alert and to deploy to Kalistan's Lucid River frontier, with the goal of preventing any visiting Kundratis from entering the nation.

"We haven't had to deploy our military since Baltusia was in turmoil at the end of the Syndicate Government," said the Chancellor. "Then it was about keeping a conflict from spreading into Kalistan. Now it is about quarantining a plague to our south and West." The Military will conduct searches at the Lucid River port of entry of all incoming Baltusian passenger trains and cargo trains to ensure that no Kundrati nationals or good enter Kalistan. "We don't trust the fascists as far as we can spit on them," said Lady Alvarez. "Her Imperial Majesty doesn't want a single one of those people, if you can call them that, setting foot inside this nation."

In longer terms, Kalistan is preparing to extricate itself from the recenty signed trade and development deal with Baltusia. "That deal was already being stretched by Baltusia's previous association with Kundrati," said the Chancellor. "It is extra work to quarantine all incoming traffic to make sure that Baltusian point of origin stamps are on everything that comes in. But now that they are actively eliminating barriers to trade with Kundrati, and permitting Kundrati Capital, such paltry amounts as it surely will be, to enter the country freely, the free trade deal with not only Baltusia, but other neighbors who adhere to the accord and trade with Baltusia will make its enforcement downright onerous." The Chancellor said a vote to withdraw from the trade arrangement will likely come within the next few weeks. The Chancellor said withdrawal from the trade agreement will reimpose customs and trade barriers onto Baltusia, and will most likely lead to an end of most travel and commerce along the Trans Seleyan Rail line from Lucid City into and from Santiago/Athosia.

The speech was not a complete surprise to most of the Deputies who have been reading news recently of talks between Kundrati and Baltusia. But the moves by Chancellor Alvarez did anger some deputies, especially among the Liberal Party. "Her Imperial Majesty wants to limit free trade and free access by any nation to this continent?" asked Liberal Speaker Timothy Kowalski, of Springfield. "What's next? Blockading Baltusia? Have you no decency, Lady Alvarez? I mean, where do you people draw the line?"

Another Liberal Deputy, Cathy White, said "Kundrati has changed. They show it in a million ways. They have free and fair elections that are the gold standard for a liberal democracy, which is more than I can say for this country. They are a nation that we should ourselves strive to be more like. And Baltusia is our friends. Why should we punish them for doing what is in their own national interest, just like what Her Imperial Majesty insists that we do for ourselves?"

But The Empress was not without defenders. Speaker of the Socaialist Party, Miguel Fernandez, himself recently a harsh critic of the institutional arrangements in the National Assembly rose to take a shot at the Liberals. "You apologists have no desire to work for the betterment of Kalistan. At least the Empress is standing up for what's right. And though I and my members do not trust the Chancellor to do what is right by my Party in this legislature, I do trust her and the Empress when it comes to standing up and fighting against fascism whenever and where ever it rears its hoary tentacles or its ugly head. I for one would like to see harsher penalties against ANY state that coddles those fascists in any way. The Chancellor's proposals seem a little too moderate for my tastes. But I suppose these steps are the ones that Her Imperial Majesty has put forth for now. We'll see how Baltusia reacts."

All this talk about scrutinizing the border over Baltusia's newfound relationship with Kundrati affects everyone in Kalistan, who only recently had reason to celebrate the opening of the tap for overland commerce between Gaduridos and Kalistan via Baltusia. "We were so looking forward to a rail link directly through Baltusia to Valruzia, but Kalistan can't invest in that anymore," said Lady Alvarez. "Her Imperial Majesty just brought property in Baltusia not long ago, and this will necessarily put a freeze on the building of her home, but more that that, we will once again need to rely on the Ocean to transport goods to and from Gaduridos. It will increase shipping costs and time once more, but luckily the infrastructure is in place to easily make the shift, until such time that the Trans Seleyan routes open back up again."

"It was nice while it lasted," said Lady Alvarez. "I just don't get why a nation who has a blank check in the Kalistani investment community wouldn't use it, and instead agrees to permit Kundrati, who has nothing to offer, into this hemisphere. But Baltusia is a sovereign nation, my cousin on the throne notwithstanding. They can do as they please. Kalistan, however, will need to adjust our attitude toward Baltusia for that. Her Imperial Majesty was clear: Baltusia is not the enemy, or even the problem. But their flirting with the fascists creates problems for Kalistan, and family or not, we have to protect our nation from that blight on the world and on the race of mankind."

@TheRepublic

[Doc]

Port Elga Sees Backups in shipping and Receiving after Baltusian Response
"The Empire will experience backups for months" says SSC Chief
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
April 7, 5654


Port Elga, Seleya's busiest Port, experiencing "Several Month Backlog" due to Bottleneck

The CEO of Sulari Shipping Consortium, Max Caballo announced that Port Elga is experiencing a fairly significant backup that will reportedly take months to clear. "When the Empire recently opened fully to trade with Baltusia, we did experience a sharp uptick in shiping emanating from Sulari, and transiting through Sulari on the Trans Seleyan Railroad," said Caballo in Sulari. "Now that that door was suddenly slammed shut, the commerce expected to transit out of Sulari on rail is suddenly stuck here, waiting for ships to reroute it. Meanwhile, we have been taking receipt of our normal stock on top of this, and suddenly we are short of shipping capacity and long on Container capacity."

SSC-Port Elga, the company that manages Port Elga, said the backlog is expected to take months, not weeks to clear out. "I want to prepare Kalistanis especially, but also our partners in western Dovani and Northern Seleya that this will be a medium term problem that we project will take us until August or September to clear. This means delays in the Just In Time system that our economy is fine tuned for. We are asking the Government to work with producers in Kalistan to reduce production until we can get this back log cleared, so it doesn't have ripple effects through our economy."

Caballo estimated that more than ₭4.6 Billion Rubles of commerce is stuck in Sulari. We usually manage less than ₭3.1 Billion Rubles worth of cargo during normal shipping cycles," said Caballo. "This represents a back log of more than 50% over our normal capacity, and right now we are pretty close to full. We've ordered our container factory to cease production on shipping containers because we really don't have a lot of places to put them right now. And we have shifted resources to production where we are laying in a new Supermax container ship on the North Yard. That ship won't be built for another year and a half, but meanwhile we are going to be running our ships between here and Lourenne, Egelion, Dolgava, and Gaduri non stop for the next several months."

While Caballo is optimistic that the backlog will be cleared within a half a year, he is also hopeful that the Trans Seleyan Rail reopens at Lucid City. "Having that overland link dramatically improved shipping efficiency, especially for smaller or local orders," said Caballo. "When the door slammed shut, it was like putting a car in reverse as you are travelling down the road at 70 miles an hour. The sooner Her Imperial Majesty orders that border reopened, the sooner we will get this stuff out of here, and onto its home. I get what she's doing, but keeping that railroad closed hurts our economy."

Caballo also acknowledged Istalian incursion into the region. "Kalistan outcompetes those foreigners all day every day: we move at scale. But forcing everything from and to Mainland Kalistan to go through Sulari gives Istalia advantages in the market. We'll clear this backlog long before Istalia catches up to Kalistan, but the longer that railroad crossing remains closed, the more progress they will make catching up with us. Right now, they aren't a threat to our long established advantages, but keep the border closed for 15 years and I definitely won't be able to say that anymore."

Prices on imports have already slipped upward by about 2%, though strenuous price caps have been imposed that should ease some pressure. "We are at the point where we are profitable, but we're now getting about 15% of our middle subsidized by the Minister of Trade," said Caballo. "For a private corporation, that's a first for us." SSC stock prices remained stable in the KalSiE, thanks to the temporary subsidies.

@TheRepublic

[Doc]

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

@TheRepublic

[imperialpearl]

Harrington Times: Stedman draws 'red lines' for new Baltusia relationship

[Doc]

Kalistan Agrees to talks with Baltusia
FM Jeffrey Hewlett will represent Empire in San Luis
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 16, 5654


Foreign Minister Jeffrey Hewlett will meet with Baltusians in San Luis later this year

Her Imperial Majesty' Empress Mary I Ananto has agreed to provisional terms to begin discussing several outstanding issues regarding Baltusia's open position, and the security issues it creates for Kalistan. "We have agreed to a tenative framework for discussions under the Umbrella of the Lucid Accords," said Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister, Jeffrey Hewlett. "The aim is to meet with Baltusian reps in San Luis to hammer out something that we both can live with that will help restore normal flows and more importantly, diplomatic posture between our two nations."

When asked if he thought that Kalistan or Baltusia blinked in this standoff, Mr. Hewlett spoke forcefully: "We want to be clear. It's not like that. Nobody 'blinked.' Instead, Her Imperial Majesty was encouraged by reading reports of Lodamun's new policies toward Baltusia in light of this deal with Kundrati, and as the Chancellor mentioned this summer, she was always looking for a way to restore connections with Baltusia without sacrificing something that is of vital national interest."

The Foreign Minister could not characterize how he thought the negotiations would procede. "I don't know. Her Imperial Majesty asked me to send a telegram via our Ambassador in Johnston to say that she was willing to at least talk to find out if a solution was even possible. She was encouraged by Lodamun's ability to work out a solution that fits them and is confident that we can do the same thing. Her intention was never to isolate Baltusia. It was always to address the imminent security threats posed by certain aliens in Baltusia. So she has me put out an olive branch of sorts: She has ordered passenger traffic between Athosia and Suldanor restored, though she wants to maintain stringent security checks on all passengers who began transit in Baltusia. She has ordered a pause on planned additional sanctions scheduled to take effect this fall during the talks and still intends to keep cargo on ice. These are starting points, for sure. We want to work with Baltusia to re-normalize everything, but somethings are obviously a bridge too far."

According to the Foreign Minister, the Baltusians agreed to the overture and talks are expected to begin in September or October of this year. "I've been given a significant amount of authority to negotiate on behalf of Her Imperial Majesty while in Athosia and agreements we work out will be binding for the National Assembly, So there is some real hope that we can get credible commitments from the Baltusians on security. Of course Her Imperial Majesty is most concerned about dangerous aliens in Athosia, as that represents a significant security problem for Kalistan and this might be the basis of any future agreements."

On the announcement, the KalSiE, which has been sluggish for months and has gone more than once into negative territory, saw modest improvement on their outlook for the future. Stock yields were up more than 4% on all national industries, and trade and finance sectors saw modest increase in yield. Improvement in the Stock Market also pushed the Imperial Bond rates slightly lower, fending off concerns of a looming recession. Trade volumes remain down from their historical peaks last year before the border was slammed shut, but much of the backed up inventory at Port Elga has been shipped out, or otherwise redistributed, and manufacturers are finally beginning to fill back orders that are six or more months old.

A glimmer of light can be seen by many of in the investment and trade sectors as several analysts are cautiously revising economic forecasts for the end of the year in light of the apparent breakthrough.

@TheRepublic

[Doc]

Empress Confirms end of Baltusian Tensions
"Kalistan owes Mr. Hewlett a debt of gratitude"
Eshar, Duchy of Odufaray
March 10, 5655


Her Imperial Majesty meets with Foreign Minister Hewlett at Wood House

In early residence at Wood House, Her Imperial Majesty announced on her weekly radio address that Kalistan and Baltusia have completed the Lucid Accords which were designed to eliminate the tensions between Kalistan and Baltusia. This announcement comes on the heels of the assassination attempt made on the life of the King of Baltusia, His Majesty King George Alvarez.

"We are pleased to see that our cousin, the King of Baltusia has survived this horrendous assassination attempt unscathed," said Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Mary I Ananto. "Our hearts and thoughts go out to the members of the Royal Guards who lost their lives, and we would like to let the King know that he is welcomed to come stay with us in Kaliburg until Baltusia has had the time to investigate properly and neutralize the plotters behind the crime."

The Empress noted that while announcing that negotiations around the Lucid Accords in San Luis Baltusia were successful. "Mr. Hewlet was back in Kalistan well before the shooting incident in Johnston," said Her Imperial Majesty. "He was not in any danger at all. But before leaving Baltusia he was able to complete the negotiations to return our economic and diplomatic relations to normal, and while it took some work to get the National Assembly to ratify the measure, the hard work of the Institutional Party pushed the bill over the line."

The details of the Accords were publicized this week. "Foreign Minister Hewlett communicated our interests with the First Minister in Baltusia. From the accord, the Baltusians have agreed to exclude Kundrati Nationals from Santiago State and divert all commerce to and from Kundrati through either Lodamun or Valruzia. It is known that Valruzia does not embargo trade with Kundrati, and so, this should not create too much of a burden for Baltusia. Meanwhile, Baltusia will be responsible to keep Kundrati goods and personnel out of Kalsitan."

The Empress also noted that Baltusia proposed that trade be restored both between and through both nations are soon as immediately practical and that a new permanent mission be established in San Luis to facilitate trade and direct communication between the two Northern Seleyan nations. "Before the disagreements, it was our intention to expand consular services in Athosia," said Her Imperial Majesty. "This will provide us with an opportunity consolidate both institutions at one location." The Empress said the facility will be staffed by both Kalistani and Baltusian liasions to provide an immediate link between the two governments to iron out any immediate trade issues or adjudicate differences arising under the Accords.

"This is an excellent deal that Kalistan can live with," said Her Imperial Majesty. "We feel it takes both of our nations' legitimate concerns into account and allows us to reopen trade." The Empress said that the year long border closure has caused significant economic damage to the Kalistani economy, especially in the last six months. "We have witnessed a downturn in our economy, with increasing prices due to supply chain disruptions and shortages. The National Government has payroll protection in place, but there is only so much the National Government can do about shortages. This deal best of all for Kalistan will alleviate shortages at long last and allow goods to be delivered to market here for Kalistani consumers once more."

The Empress ended her announcement with praise for her Foreign Minister. "Mr. Hewlett fairly and honestly represented our Empire abroad, as we certainly expected that he would. Kalistan owes him a debt of gratitude."

Her Imperial Majesty noted that trade was already flowing across the border and passenger checks were lightening up, as the new rules that bar Kundrati Nationals from Santiago are taking in effect. Consumers have not noticed decreases in prices in the stores yet, but as trade is restored, decreased prices are not far behind.

@TheRepublic