Quote:Comrades, friends, nations interested in this.. situation.

I understand that this is an incredibly controversial issue. To those out of the loop, this seems like a blatant imperialist grab. To our comrades back home, this seems like selling out to capitalism. To our comrades across Dovani, this seems like selling out to the West. To our friends concerned about the fiscal situation, this seems like adding another burden, a yeudi one no less. I understand these concerns. I'd like to address them head on. I understand that what my predecessor did was controversial. No doubt. We can sit here and continue pointing fingers, yes. Or, we can look at what has practically happened and what this means. 

Xsampans are no strangers to past aggressions. After all, we waged a war nearly 100 years ago against the former state of Beiteynu. We understand why the world is concerned. To that I say, is this not another form or containment? The world speaks of containing the threat. No one wants Beitenyu to return into formation. We, of all people, know we don't want the same. We never want another Bargas Chenpo. Yes, this 14th Canton is controversial. But, it allows us to keep a close eye. Both in the interests of preserving regional stability and peace, and more importantly, keeping an eye in the event that a threat to world peace ever emerges again. I ask our friends abroad. Do not mistake compassion for blindness. We have extended second chances before. Lifting the travel ban for example. But does this mean we can trust and even ally with the Amudim city states? No. No it does not.

Equally, it does not mean we can continue to give the cold shoulder forever. The possibility of a threat is there, yes. But there is always a possibility of a threat with any nation. We must normalize relations with all states across the Red Bass Ocean. Whether we like it or not. This is an interconnected world. That does not mean giving into laissez-faire economics. That does not giving into the endless greed of capitalism. But. It does mean opening the door for economic diplomacy with new states. 

I ask our friends abroad, I ask our comrades at home, and I ask our allies this. Is this not another form of containment in the name of peace? We've secured a permanent peace in the Red Bass Ocean. We've secured a permanent peace in a vital trade region to the world, the Migrants Pass. We've secured a permanent peace in one of the most troublesome regions, the Jelbek Peninsula. This is not an act of imperialism. This is not an act of selling out. This is an act of containing and erasing the last remnants of the biggest threat the world had seen in the 54th century. Beiteynu.

We do not give compassion to those who so flagrantly used nuclear weapons on a civilian target. But we cannot keep the status quo of cold ambivalence forever. We must make the first step, both to securing security of the modern world and to ensuring a permanent peace. Whether by negotiating, or by keeping a watchful eye.

Quote:Regarding Canton 14, yes it's a difficult situation. The Passereau Administration put us all in a hard spot. As much as we'd all love to simply abandon it, we cannot. We have responsibilities. First and foremost, we will commit to ensuring the demilitarization of the Canton, and the region. That is a guarantee. Once the 15 year integration period is up, we'll push for a referendum to determine whether Canton 14 stays with Xsampa willingly, joins another neighbouring stage, or becomes independent. We don't want imperialism. The people will decide when that 15 year period is at an end. In the meantime, we will work with local authorities in ensuring that period and the demilitarization is as smooth as possible. If they vote for independence with the referendum, we'll work with them on that. If they vote to join someone else, we'll respect it and work with them. If they vote to properly become apart of Xsampa, we'll have to respect it. Once again, the CPX has been handed a hard, undesirable situation. But we'll make the best out of it if elected.