Luca Curti Wrote:Greetings,

First, let it be clear that this is a highly secret and completely extra-legal communication and has been sent to both Trigunian parties. Kalistan has been involved in an ongoing dispute with Baltusia, who are something of a maverick state. To try and bring an end to the matter, I would like to know if Trigunia would be interested in, shall we say, having their ships spend some time in Baltusian water. No aggression needs to occur, just some public bravado. I hope you consider this offer and feel free to discuss with your governing partner but ensure this is a clandestine procedure.

Regards,
L.C.

Quote:(Gregor Dand, news anchor): Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to a special episode of The Evening Report! Tonight, I am delighted to have to alongside me, Kalistan's Foreign Affairs Minister Sophia Conti: at a time when international relations are severely strained. Minister Conti, welcome to the show.

(Sophia Conti): Thank you for letting me come on, Gregor.

D: Now, you have taken office at a time when relations between Kalistan and several other nations are being put under a lot of pressure. Most recently, the Confederation of New Endralon, Kizenia and Kuzakiului has declared war against drugs, one of Kalistan's most influential exports; this after the actions of Vanuku along the coast of Saridan. How do you respond to these two nations and what do you perceive their motives to be?

C: Firstly, I want everybody in Kalistan and across Terra to understand that in these deeply uncertain times, when it often seems as though darkness is lurking around every corner, Kalistan will always remain as a safe haven for the persecuted and victimised. Throughout the centuries when conflict has arisen, those who are in danger have always sought refuge in our great nation and it is now a deeply ingrained and integral part of who we are as a country and as a people. With regards to the specifics of the nations you mentioned, I have to be rather careful with what I say. In the case of Kizenia, it is apparent to me (and it should be apparent to everyone) that this is a nation which is desperately trying to secure power for itself. The NEPP, in particular, claim they speak for their population when in fact they cannot even manage to reach an agreement within their government! Their cowardly actions, to use Vanuku as a shield to protect themselves with, demonstrate how they are attempting to exploit a geopolitical crisis for the advancement of their self-serving agenda.

D: Do you not believe that their ambassador to the World Congress is correct when he says that Kalistan is trafficking drugs into nations where they are illegal?

C: Gregor, as I am sure you know, as Foreign Minister ODEN does not fall under my scope and so I cannot offer a comment on that matter. If you want my thoughts on the Confederation's ambassador then I won't be ashamed to tell you that I think he is a liar and I think he has grossly overestimated his position. This is a man who has called upon his nation's two closest allies, Hutori and Vanuku, to go to war with Kalistan! In what circumstances is that acceptable? Fortunately, I consider the leader's of those nations to be both rational and competent; I believe they will see that Kizenia is behaving in a way that is provocative and which threatens peace in Terra. Hopefully, they will speak to their ally and ensure that they understand the consequences of their actions and rhetoric.

D: The relationship between Vanuku and Kalistan is a mysterious one, to say the least, could you perhaps shed some light on whether you have spoken to the Vanukean government or whether you intend to do that?

C: Personally, I have had no direct contact with Vanuku so far but that is an option which we are exploring. One potential route which is being considered by the Foreign Affairs Ministry is that Kalistani and Vanukean delegates hold formal talks on a neutral ground. At this time, what I'm telling you is very much unconfirmed and we still need to contact our counterparts in Majatra- nonetheless- I don't think this is something that should be put off the table. One encouraging sign is a new relationship between Trigunia and Vanuku that we see blossoming. The Trigunian Empire, ruled discerningly by His Imperial Majesty, has been a close ally of Kalistan for many years- actually, I would even say it is Kalistan's closest ally in Terra today. If Kalistan and Vanuku are to reach an agreement in relation to Saridan, I feel Trigunia could be crucial in facilitating it.

D: Minister, for a number of years, most observers would agree that one of Kalistan's strongest international relationships was with the Celestial Empire of Indrala. Recently, the Empire has seen great turmoil and at one time it looked like they might abrogate the 'Indralan-Kalistani Fraternal Affinity Community'. What is the state of this relationship today?

C: Honestly? It is weak. You correctly referred to the complete turmoil which has engulfed the Indralan political system, first with the rise of the radical 'Socialist Worker's Party' and now with the similarly radical 'Dragon Faction. In these circumstances, it is testing for us because many nations want to engage with Kalistan, many want to do business and cut deals and if we are hampered by our past commitment to Indrala, well that is an issue. At the moment, for example, Indrala is considering the ratification of the 'Treaty of the Lion, the Tiger, and the Dragon Addendum: The Phoenix', in which Kalistan is explicitly stated to be part of Indrala's 'sphere of influence'. To me, that is repulsive! We are a sovereign nation and if we are to cooperate with other countries, it must be on an equal footing.

D: Finally, Minister, a word on domestic policy if you don't mind. A leaked memo from your office revealed that you and the Social Democrats were at loggerheads over a spending and taxation budget, can you explain that?

C: It would be inappropriate of me to delve into too much detail. The difference in opinion arose over taxation. In the Labour Party, we believe that citizens pay more than enough in tax and that the increases we wish to see- in defence spending particularly- should come from our surplus not from the wallets of our citizens. The Social Democrats would prefer otherwise.

D: Okay, well thank you for joining us Minsiter Conti!

C: Anytime, Gregor. Have a wonderful evening.

Quote:The Neocons, in my view, haven't the faintest idea what they're talking about on Foreign Policy! I won't give precise details or name names but I attended a meeting between party leadership teams on the subject of Foreign Affairs yesterday evening. One Neocon Deputy, when we were discussing Kalistan's Seat D nomination, turned to me- and this isn't a joke- he said 'what is Trigunia exactly?'. That level of ignorance, it's unheard of! This wasn't a rank and file backbencher either, the guy is almost a household name!

Quote:(Ayesha Nur, reporter): First question, Mr President what is your view on the ongoing crisis in Saridan?

(Randell Ross, President of the Republic): Listen, I think whatever my foreign policy guy says.

N: Are you aware that the Foreign Minister is a woman, Mr President? Sophia Conti, your predecessor in office. A follow up question: if you agree with your Foreign Minister, why did you vote against her on the bill to support Trigunia?

R: Because, let's be honest: Sophia is an idiot. She won't even let us have a police force. And she is letting people get hurt and killed by having no protection for them, and if I have the power we will be seeking criminal charges.

N: Do you understand that your comments are factually incorrect? That Kalistan has never had a police force and that support for such a force is in the single figures among the public?

R: I'd like to see the report you got that from, you know what you must be one of those brainwashed people of Conti!" [Ross throws his notes] Fuck Conti, fuck Labour, and fuck liberals! None of you bastards know how to run a country!

N: Mr President, we will be asking no further questions. You are clearly incompetent.

R: HUH YOU LIKE THAT? THE LIBERALS ARE TERRIBLE. I DARE YOU TO PUBLISH IT! DO IT!

Quote:Premier Espinoza and I have now returned from our official visit to meet with the Vanukean government. We would like to express our tremendous appreciation for the hospitality of both the officials we met and the wider Vanukean population. Our communications were extremely productive in resolving the outstanding differences in opinion between the respective administrations. I hope that this can serve as a catalyst for a period of extended collaboration with one of Terra's most esteemed nations.