Kalistani Major History

[Doc]

President Bjorksdattir to visit TriguniaComprehensive Agenda planned
Kaliburg, Ananto District
June 2nd, 3925


President Bjorksdattir addresses the Nation ahead of her state Visit to Trigunia
Bjorksdattir is the first sitting Head of State to visit a foreign Nation in many centuries

The President of Kalistan, Elga Bjorksdattir-Carrangus, issued the following statement today.

"Friends and Countrymen, I bid you all a wonderful day.  Today, the Foreign Minister, Eduardo Gallegos and I depart Kalistan to return a visit to the Tsar of the Empire of Trigunia.  This will be the first opportunity for us to visit a foreign country in centuries.  Trigunia has long held a fond place in the history of the Socialist Party.  When we were decimated overseas, it was Trigunian forces which gave the remnants of our expeditionary force safe haven until we could escape.  The Trigunian military has both hosted, and were hosted by elements of that very same Militia, in official military training deployments.  And it was less than 1 year ago that our nation welcomed the Tsar of Trigunia to our city.  The new relationship with the Empire of Trigunia is a triumph of foreign policy as well as a triumph for socialism in the world.

"Now it is our turn to visit them.  The visit will not be all smiles and light, however.  It has recently come to the attention of our government that the Trigunian Empire is now the home of anti-gay and lesbian legislation.  Their discrimination against a segment of their population on the grounds of who they love is unconscionable in Kalistan, and of course, discrimination in all of its forms must not stand.  We will express our displeasure with their recent laws in no uncertain terms when we speak with the Tsar.  While we concur that sovereign nations may theoretically pass whatever laws they like, without the input of another nation, perhaps they will be willing to listen to friends, and dare I say, Comrades, who have worked over these long years to build a close and warm relationship between our two states.  It is my hope that the Tsar will be willing to listen to reason and see a way to overturn this discriminatory act in a method which both acknowledges Trigunia's legislative process, and acknowledges that discrimination against portions of their population is not something which should ever be allowed to happen, let alone at the hands of lawmakers.

"Positively, we must say that there are many things that Kalistan and Trigunia can work on.  A closer partnership in Kalistan's nationalized petroleum industry, KALNAPECO will be offered, whereby the Trigunian economy stands to benefit from increased oil output.  We also would like to raise the issue of continued military and cultural exchange between our two nations.  We were initially approached on the subject of base leasing by the Trigunian military-  it would seem that their intentions may still be on the table, but this is something we will ascertain when we speak with the Tsar.  Finally, there is the issue of members of the Society of Brethren in Trigunia.  This year, Bretheren in Kalistan numbered more than 15,000.  I am being sent, as a member of that Society, to make contact with Trigunian Brethren, for the purposes of discovering whether they are interested in uniting with us in Faith and Practice.  On this matter, I do not travel as a Representative of Kalistan or the head of its state, but in the capacity of a Seeker of the Truth, guided by a sense of unity with fellow Brethren across the planet.  A connection with Trigunian Brethren will assist us in the creation of a more unified Faith and Practice, and will help us to expand our own efforts at building a lasting movement in the Search for the Truth.

"When we return from our visit, which is not expected to last longer than 2 weeks at the most, the Socialist Party and I are scheduled to meet concerning the upcoming election.  The Socialist Party of Kalistan has asked me to announce at this time that they will hold a National Organizing Convention, designed to regain the majority in the Assembly, which is open to all Socialists in Kalistan.  The Party has asked me to speak, and during the convention, I will provide a full record of my visit to Trigunia.  May you all be Blessed, and keep me and the Foreign Minister in your thoughts as we make the long journey to Trigunia."

With this, the President and the Foreign Minister and their staff boarded the Presidential Jet, bound for Trigunia and the first major State visit by a sitting head of State in Kalistan in centuries.


The Presidential Jet Leaves Kaliburg International Airport
The Jet will be escorted by elements of the Kalistani Airforce into Trigunian Airspace

[Doc]

PRESIDENT'S PLANE DOWN AT SEA
President, Foreign Minister, and 52 staff and Crew presumed dead
June 7, 3925
Kaliburg, Ananto

The popular President, Elga Bjorksdattir, and the Foreign Minister of the Imperial Republic of Kalistan from the Socialist Party, Eduardo Gallegos were enroute to the planned state visit with the Tsar of the Empire of Trigunia when the pilot of the Presidential plane reported to Kalistani air escorts that the plane was experiencing engine troubles.  The jets were flying above the seas to the west of Dolgaria when the incident occurred.  The Presidential pilot attempted to orient the jet toward Dolgaria to attempt an emergency landing, but airforce ground control reported that the pilot noted that controls were unresponsive.  The pilot was able to restore some hydraulic control using backup systems, but the resulting heat of the failed hydraulic system was enough to cause one of the engines to catch fire.  Escort pilots reported a ball of flames directly afterward, and then the Presidential plane disintegrated in mid air.  At this point, contact was lost, and the sea was showered with the wreckage of the plane.


The Kalistani Navy launches an early morning sea and air rescue and recovery effort

The Kalistani Navy immediately scrambled a search and rescue effort for any survivors, but they were only several hours out of Kalistan when night fell over the sight.  The Military jets, receiving refuel, remained over the site until the ships arrived just before 5am.  After sunrise, search was commenced, but no bodies were recovered.  Naval divers were able, however to recover the aircraft's black box due to a homing beacon, and investigators are now looking into it to see if they can determine the cause of the malfunction.  No details have been forthcoming.

President Bjorksdattir was 32 years old at the time of her untimely loss.  Foreign Minister Gallegos was 63.  Bjorksdattir was survived by her Partner, Jill Dorin of Ananto District, while Gallegos is survived by his wife Yolanda, his 3 children, Michael, Jesus, and Isabella, all of Suldanor.  All 52 members of the Staff and Crew on the plane have also been declared lost at sea.  Their individual obituaries are printed on p. A18.


President of the Republic Elga Bjorksdattir-Carrangus, early in her first Administration


FM Eduardo Gallegos, long serving Socialist foreign Minister, during the Petroleum Nationalization Campaign

Prime Minister San Xavier has been temporarily affirmed as Interim President of Kalistan, and will serve out the remainder of Bjorksdattir's term.  A memorial service for the lost President, Foreign Minister and Staff and Crew is planned at Kaliburg International Harbor in early August.  All government flags in the Republic have been ordered taken down until after the memorial, and privately owned flags are requested to be flown at half-mast.

[Doc]

reprinted from
IZQUIERDA-  The Voice of the Kalistani Left
UPDATE ON DEATH OF PRESIDENT AND FOREIGN MINISTER
New Socialists named to Party Offices
Vrassa City, VrassaProper
August 17, 3925

As reported in Kalistani Beacon, Beacon Report of Death of Bjorksdattir, the death of the President is still under investigation.  Kalistani investigators have called for analysis of telemetry reports to determine whether anything improper occurred which led to the explosion of the Presidential Jet, which killed the President, Foreign Minister and 52 others in early June.  No further details have been forthcoming, but investigators expect that they will have completed their work and will be prepared to make a full statement by early 3926. 

Party names new Leadership in Kaliburg

In what was expected to be an organizing conference held at the SP headquarters, SP head Jonas Bennots-Plum unexpectedly resigned as Party Leader and Speaker of the Opposition.  Bennots cited distraction following the loss of his close friend and fellow Bretheren member President Bjorksdattir.  Spokespeople for the former Party Leader said "Mr. Bennots has found it increasingly difficult to focus on Party business since early June.  He and his family grieve the loss of their close personal friend, the President, and Mr. Bennots has agreed to step down so he can begin to deal with the tragic loss."


New Party Leader and Speaker for the Opposition, Hillary Clark- Reid

To replace Mr. Bennots as Party Leader, the Socialists have selected Hillary Clark-Reid, of Suldanor.  Clark is the District head of the Suldanor branch of ODEN.  Clark is not a member of the Society of the Bretheren in Kalistan.  Clark will retain her position in Suldanor ODEN ahead of the election, and then is expected to resign to take her role in Government beginning in January.


New Foreign Minister of Kalistan, Milena Suarez, on the line during last year's training cycle

To replace the Foreign Minister, Socialists have selected Cpl Milena Suarez, of the RSMoK.  Suarez, a helicopter pilot with the Militia, was selected for Foreign Minister due to her capacity as deputy to the former minister.  Suarez is expected to push for greater integration of the Militias into Kalistan's military, but she is also on the record of being critical of the internationalist posture of her predecessor.  Look for cooler relations with foreign nations in the future.


Socialist Candidate for President and Current Governor of Suldanor, Delia Smith- Phillips

Finally, the Socialists announced that their candidate for President of the Republic in the coming elections is the current governor of Suldanor, Delia Smith-Phillips.  Smith is a member of the Society of the Bretheren, and is seen as a protoge of Bennots-Plum.  Smith, a chemistry professor at Doceus Rex University, was named Governor of Suldanor, earlier this year and was expected to rise in the ranks of the National Party.  Smith in many ways represents a continuity with the Administration of President Bjorksdattir, and has agree to complete her work if elected President.

[Doc]

All of Kalistan Represented at Memorial for President
Crowd tops 3 million In city of Kaliburg
Kaliburg, Ananto District
August 24, 3925


SPoK Leader Hillary Clark delivers a stirring Eulogy at Memorial for President

A memorial for the lost President and Foreign Minister of Kalistan, as well as the 52 members of the Presidential staff and crew, was held near the Kaliburg International Harbor yesterday.  In attendance were an estimated 3 million people from all over Kalistan and the world. The memorial featured the firing of artillery salutes from the militia, in honor of the President and Foreign Minister, as well as rifle salutes for each of the staff and crew.  Newly appointed Party head Hillary Clark delivered a emotional eulogy for the lost public servants, and her voice was projected throughout the city on Closed circuit PA systems established for the event.  A portion of the speech is transcribed below:

"We are gathered here today to remember the lives of two very wonderful humans.  It goes without saying that both were dedicated public servants.  Their hard work and countless hours spent on the job for the people of this Republic were evidence of that.  It also goes without saying that they were both fantastic socialists.  Both worked tirelessly for the cause of social advancement for all people in the Republic, and for better relations between the Republic and its neighbors.  They worked for peace, and prosperity, and Kalistani individuality.  And their lives were lost in service to the Republic-  There is no higher sacrifice which may be asked of anyone.  Both were willing to do whatever was necessary to make life better for the People...

"We still don't have all the answers, and yet everyday, we have more questions:  Why did this happen to such wonderful people?  Our 54 brothers and sisters on that flight:  their suffering was brief, and we thank the Universe for that fact.  In a blinding flash of light, it was over.  But we, the ones who must keep living, keep working, and keep fighting to ensure that their work is completed, we are the ones who must carry their burden forward.  In time we will have the answers we need to heal, as people and as a nation.  But we will never forget them, or the things they did.  President Elga Bjorksdattir-Carrangus, Minister Eduardo Gallegos, and the staff and crew who served the Republic in their work for the President, will always be remembered, and in time, the memory of their loss will become less painful...  Long Live the President.  Long Live the Republic."

Crowd of more than 3 million turn out for the Memorial in Kaliburg

Clark's last words were barely audible-  they were spoken as tears ran down her face.  And a printed transcript of the speech, provided to the Press beforehand, was abandoned about half way, and the final words of the Party Leader were delivered extemporaneously.

[Doc]

Investigation into the Death of President Bjorksdattir- UPDATE
Little new information is released to the Public
Kaliburg Ananto
October 21, 3925


Naval Spokesperson Lieutenant Garry Gordon, on recent developments in the Investigation into the
death of the President of the Republic

The Government is still being excessively tightlipped about its findings so far in the investigation into the death of Late President Bjorksdattir and Foreign Minister Gallegos last June.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs is working closely with the Office of Kalistani intelligence and have confirmed two details which were previously leaked to the Press.  The first was that the Government was able to confirm that AWACS operators on board the President's military escort did tentatively detect something which may have been a naval vessel at the scene of the accident before arriving.  AWACS operators suggested before closed door hearings that the thing they detected on their radar might have been a submarine, but naval spokespeople have been quick to tamp down any hint that the submarine was involved directly in the incident. 

  "We have been able to ascertain that if it was a submarine, it was a very specific kind of submarine which may be traced to a nation which we have no relations with on the other side of the planet, and in fact, who are friends of our friends in Trigunia.  This is what gives us pause:  We are sure that the object was not in any way directly involved with the explosion of the President's aircraft.  No missile fire was recorded, and the transcripts of the pilot indicate that the problem was mechanical in nature.  What this object was, or what it was doing in the area is still being mulled over by analysts and investigators and it would be premature, at this time to speculate as to what the object was, what it was doing there, or what became of it after it disappeared from our scopes."

The second piece of information released by the Government today dealt with the black box itself.  Experts on flight recorders such as the one used in the Presidential Jet have noted something quite unusual:  A warning light had been constantly engaged, even before the plane took off, but neither the pilot, nor the co-pilot, not any member of the crew seemed to be aware of it.  The warning light was directly related to the hydraulic system in the plane:  If it has been noticed by the Crew, the flight would not have left the airport.  Analysts were very careful about how this information was released-  They do not wish to cast aspersions with regard to the cause of the malfunction of this important warning light.  Nobody is yet sure why the warning light did not notify the crew of the pending malfunction, and there is still not enough evidence available to suggest foul play in the incident.


Kalistani Navy departs for one final recovery effort, in search of any additional clues about the accident

Kalistani Divers will return to the scene one more time before the scene becomes too treacherous due to the onset of winter weather, and will look for additional clues.  Still missing are a cache of important state documents which possible could have been incinerated in the fire.

[Doc]

FULL REPORT OF THE CRASH OF THE PRESIDENT'S PLANE, JUNE 3925
From the Kalistani National Department of Investigation
Kaliburg, Ananto

Summary:
The KNDI has determined that the cause of the malfunction and subsequent explosion of the KNA Jetstream PAC 01, on June 5, 2925 was human sabotage.  The sabotage of the jetliner in question led to a structural malfunction which, at the time it was noticed, was already progressed to the point that destruction of the craft was assured.  The pilot and crew of the plane was almost entirely blameless in the craft.  Investigators, working in conjunction with the Kalistani National Military Intelligence Service, and the the Kalistani National Department of Forensic Sciences in the Department of the Interior, have concluded that the sabateur was Vanukean in Nationality.  It is indeterminate whether this sabateur was acting on orders from the Vanukean Government, or as part of a sinister but independent plan being carried out by a faction or individual in that government.  The result of the explosion was the immediate death of the President of the Republic, Elga Mal Bjorksdattir-Carrangus, Foreign Minister Eduardo Francisco Gallegos, 4 members of the aircraft crew and 47 members of the Executive Staff who were accompanying the President on the state visit.  Additionally, the sabateur, whose identity was not ascertainable was also killed.  She or he was onboard the aircraft posing as the 5th member of the Crew.

Specific Evidence leading to this summary conclusion:
On the Afternoon of June 5, 3925, as the President, accompanied by the Foreign Minister were traveling to Trigunia enroute to a state visit with the Government of the Empire of Trigunia, the plane suffered a critical mechanical malfunction, which led to the overheating of the engines and subsequent ignition of the fuel sources.  The cause of the explosion was the ignition of the highly combustible aircraft fuel-  No residue suggesting high explosives was found on any of the wreckage.  While it is possible that some of this residue may have washed off in the ocean, a situation which would suggest that the plane had been blown up, divers recovered fragments of the fuel tank belonging to the aircraft which show clearly that the fuel ignited in the fuel lines leading to the engines, and then traveled back to the fuel tanks and blew them up.

The source of the heat was the failure of the hydraulic systems which controlled the plane's lift and pitch.  Before the plane took off, it was this system which had been critically compromised.  There was enough hydraulic fluid to help the plane lift off, and to carry the flight out to sea, but soon after leaving Kalistani air space traveling north, Black Box recordings indicated that the pilot noticed that steering the plane was difficult, and the controls were not as responsive as they usually were.  The pilot dismissed these difficulties as turbulence, given that no warning light concerning the failure of the hydraulic system was blinking on the control board, as would be expected in the event of a failed hydraulic system.  The Pilot arranged to have a ground crew examine the steering and lift system upon arrival at Petrovgrad International Airport in Trigunia.  West of Dolgaria, the low levels of hydraulic fluid made steering the plane more difficult, given the turbulent weather the air convoy needed to pass through as it approached Trigunia.  Eventually, the hydraulic system failed entirely as the pilot tried to maintain altitude.  Switching on a backup system proved to be a fatal error, as the backup system was not protected against the heat generated in unassisted steering.  Ultimately, the back up system also failed and overheated, causing the engine to catch on fire.  The fire worked its way back down the fuel line to the fuel oxygen mixture, at which point, the plane fuselage itself caught on fire.  In a matter of seconds, the fuel tank exploded causing a catastrophic destruction of the aircraft and loss of all lives on board.

Wreckage recovered from the sight bore this account out as residue of a leaking hydraulic system was identified all over the inside of the wing, and there was significant evidence of fire throughout the right side of the aircraft.  Additionally, a section of hose, identified as one of the main hoses in the hydraulic system, showed evidence of being deliberately severed.

What troubled investigators at the outset was why the Pilot's control board did not register the destruction of the hydraulic system.  Such damage must have occurred before the plane set out from Kalistan-  It must have happened on the ground, in Kaliburg.  When looking closer at the available evidence, investigators early dismissed the notion of deliberate tampering with the warning system.  However, black box recordings demonstrate that indeed, the warning was being transmitted as required by the malfunctioning hydraulic system, but for some reason it was not being received by the pilot.  A fragment of the control board resolved all confusion with regard to this matter.  The wires to the warning lights had been cut manually.

At this point, the matter became of interest to the Kalistani National Military Intelligence Service.  Various articles of clothing, mostly burned, were recovered from the sea floor.  In the pocket of one of these articles, belonging to a mechanic on the traveling crew, contained the following Message, though much of it was burned severely: 

Laijtnánt, frjo [..... .....]! Densted srnépukmo!

[........]:
- Oskyu
- Kàtanz [......]
- Hydwas[..........]
- [..... ......]

Lofrkad [..] kaerzi!

-Shlaj[... ..........]

Intelligence officers identified the language as Jelbic, of the dialect spoken in Vanuku, and extrapolated, from the fragments available, under electron microscope, the following translation.

Lieutenant, burn [this note]! No surrender!

[Remember:]
- Oil
- Carbon [filter]
- Water[pressure]
- [Alarm light]

Freedom [is] near!

-Shlaj[kai Eksandrsrmo]

The author of the note has been identified as a Commander of the Vanuku Naval Forces, though in what official capacity the Commander serves is unknown at this point. 

This fragment of evidence confirms a Vanukean connection to the explosion.  Further, Kalistani AWACS detected, at the site an unknown object which they later determined to be a Vanukean deepwater surveillance vessel.  Engine signatures on the vessel, which were picked up by long range sonar buoys belonging to the Kalistani Navy, confirmed this evidence.  According to Naval sources, the object appeared on the long range scopes only briefly, directly after the explosion and then disappeared once more.  At the time, the disturbance was attributed to the explosion, but closer analysis of the sonar tape bear the unmistakable signature of the engines used almost exclusively by Vanukean nuclear vessels in ultra silent mode.  There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that the Vanukean submarine had anything to do with the explosion-  it appears that it was merely in the area on an observation mission, possibly unrelated entirely with the plot.  But a connection cannot ruled out.  Combined with the message fragment directly implicating a member of the Vanukean Armed Forces, Kalistani investigators conclude that this act of sabotage was directed from and observed by the Vanukean Government. 

Remaining Questions
These are the things we know today about the explosion.  Some questions remain however:
1)  We are not sure about the motive for the strike against the Kalistani President and foreign minister.  It is possible that this is somehow related to the fact that Vanuku has recently witnessed the rise of a socialist opposition within its government, and it is possible that Vanuku wishes to send a message to its opposition.  It is also possible that this was an economic strike against an increasingly successful relationship between Kalistan and Trigunia.  One of its allies growing closer to a different regional player may be seen as a weakening of Vanuku relative power in the region.  As Kalistan does not maintain diplomatic relations with Vanuku, and has never done anything to directly antagonize Vanuku, it seems highly unlikely that this was an act of military aggression against Kalistan by Vanuku.  This fact alone leads us to conclude that the sabotage was for more likely the work of a particular independent actor within the Vanukean Government, rather than an action in pursuit of an official policy by the Government itself.
2)  We are still unsure how the Vanukean agent successfully infiltrated Kalistani crew services to the point where his or her identity remained undetected.  Human error and lapses of personnel vetting aside, the amount of coordination, secrecy, and more importantly money, that must have gone into this operation on the part of its planners must have been significant.  It is known that all 5 members of the aircraft crew were thoroughly vetted by state security services, and had worked together as a single unit for the previous 3 years.  The infiltration must have occurred before that point, but it is far more likely that the compromised member was contacted at some point after being assigned to Presidential duty by foreign agents and was bought off.  In this case, the cost must have been substantial, and the coordination must have considerable.
3)  Given the relationship between Trigunia and Vanuku, we are unsure about the implications of this disaster on the foreign relations of Trigunia.  This merely remains to be seen.

This report represents the final statement of the Government of Kalistan on the destruction of the Presidential Aircraft on June 5, 3925.  It is hereby officially declassified, for full release to the Press of Kalistan and the International Press.

[Doc]

President Orders Diplomatic Missions to pull back on heels of Report
Diplomatic missions in Trigunia, Indrala, Aldegar, Baltusia and Dundorf to close within the Month
Socialist Privateer Fleet formed in Anantanese Ocean
June 3, 3926
Sulari, Suldanor


President Smith issues recall of Kalistani Diplomatic Staff

On the heels of the final report into the death of Late President Bjorksdattir, and almost a year after the tragic mid-ocean disaster, the President of Kalistan, Delia Smith recalled all Kalistani Diplomatic missions to Kalistan for consultations last month.  All embassies will be closed indefinitely.  The President issued the following statement on the recall:

"In close consultation with the Foreign Minister, we have decided to recall all Kalistani diplomatic staff to Kalistan for consultations.  In the light of the apparently unjustified attack against our President in a state visit, it is our impression that Kalistani citizens overseas have become targets, and rather than establish repressive security procedures, all Embassy officials will return to Kalistan until our various friends overseas can assure the safety of our embassies and diplomatic personnel.  ODEN and KALNAPECO offices will remain open overseas."

The President has also ordered a limited activation of the Kalistani Navy in Vrassa.  The Navy will begin patrolling the Ocean between Keris and Seleya.  The President also authorized the RSMoK, the Militia of the Socialist Party to begin arming private vessels for the purpose of searches and seizure on the Anantanese Sea between Ananto and the Mainland.  Fourteen captains have been commissioned within the first two weeks of the program, as Privateers with Letters of Marque issued by the President.  The Privateers have been granted the freedom to stop all ships found in Kalistani Waters and seize shipping flying a Vanuku flag, as well as any merchandise either originating in Vanuku or transiting through Vanukean Harbors. 


First Privateer Crews launch from Vrassa District after the President authorized Letters of Marque to the RSMoK

Letters of Marque may be authorized to owners of private ships if 1) their owners are Partisans with the RSMoK, 2) their ships are less than 75 feet long, and 3) their ships possess no fixed armaments.  Captains operating under a Letter of Marque will be indirectly supported by Kalistani Naval forces to ensure searches and seizures of Vanuku shipping in and around Kalistan takes place in full security.  The Letters of Marque shall expire within 2 year's time, but may be reauthorized by act of the Assembly.

[Doc]

reprinted from
IZQUIERDA- The Voice of the Kalistani Left
Socialist Party Leader Hails Success of PartisansSociety of the Bretheren makes great strides
Vrassa City, Vrassa
December 20, 3926

Leader Clark notes success of Privateer Navy

The Naval component of the Revolutionary Socialist Militia of Kalistan was lauded by Socialist Party Leader Hillary Clark-Reid for their efforts in the Anantanese Sea over the past half year.  The Party Leader reported that Kalistani Privateers seized more than 31 million Rubles worth of commercial cargo, and repatriated 238 merchant seaman to their home countries.  Ships bearing manifests indicating Vanuku as a point of origin or transhipment have been confiscated and towed to Sulari Suldanor, where they are held in quarantine until the issues between Kalistan have been resolved. 


Socialist Party Leader Hillary Clark-Reid Praised the efforts of the Socialist Partisan Fleet

Individual countries, other than Vanuku, have applied for the return of 14 separate oceangoing vessels.  8 small cargo ships belonging to Vanukean merchants remain in Kalistani custody.  Clark made the following short statement, in addition to making these statistics public:

"Kalistani Partisans have successfully ensured that Kalistan is able to prevent Vanukean agents from infiltrating our country, without resorting to open war.  More than 75 Partisans now operate under Letters of Marque issued by our Administration, and they range from the northern point of Vrassa to the southern edge of Suldanor.  We also have evidence that our efforts are making a dent on Vanukean Commerce.  In denying the results of our report, Vanukean officials noted that at least some of the vessels we have seized were neutral scientific vessels-  in fact, those vessels were espionage vessels carrying highly sensitive surveillance equipment through Kalistani Waters.  Their manifest indicated that they were on their way to Talmoria, but given the absolute and unconscionable denial of the findings of our report on the death of our President, our Privateers indicated that it was in the National interest to merely confiscate the equipment, and impound the craft.  We stand by the results of our investigation, and will continue to provide Letters to Socialist Partisans at sea-  Our policy will continue as long as Vanuku refuses to acknowledge their role in the event and bring the criminal behind this assassination to justice.  Furthermore, we call on all nations sympathetic to Kalistan to join with us in the embargo of Vanukean commerce in the Anantanese Sea."

Society of the Bretheren makes great Strides in Kalistan


Bennots-Plum, in retirement, now working full time for the Society of the Bretheren in Kalistan

Seeing Bretheren propaganda on the streets seems to be somewhat more commonplace in the major cities across Kalistan.  Bretheren spokespeople have put the number of members of the Society of the Bretheren at 45,000.  The Society has seen a dramatic increase over the last year following the death of President Bjorksdattir.  Former Party leader Jonas Bennots-Plum, now working full time for the Society of the Bretheren in Kalistan, stated that he has made contact with Trigunian Brethren, and has invited representatives to Kalistan.  He also discussed a possible international conference of all members of the Society internationally. 

"Well, to be completely honest with you, as long as the President maintains the embargo on shipping through the Sea, we won't be able to have the conference.  There is no reliable way for foreign nationals to arrive in Kalistan without harassment by the Privateers.  While I understand the need for the Government to maintain the embargo, it is my hope that the President will see an end to it and a return to normal relations, a lift of all travel and commerce restrictions, and renewed friendship with our neighbors."

 

The Society of Bretheren in Kalistan are currently working on minutes for a new Faith and Practice, to replace the ancient one which has been used by Bretheren for more than 1500 years, but which reflects a connection between the Brethren and the Hosian council.  The Bretheren remain almost exclusively tied to the Socialist Party of Kalistan-  only a handful of members claim affiliation outside the SP.

[Doc]

Kalistani Privateers Score Major Success
Largest Vanukean Ship to date Quarantined in Vrassa
Kaliburg, Ananto
March 7, 3927

Kalistani Privateers have quarantined the largest ship to-date, a Vanukean supercargo container ship, the Shifu No. 1.  The capture took place in late February, and was carried out by a crew of 35 Partisans just inside the Embargo zone.  The Privateers took an estimated 26 million Rubles worth of merchandise off this single vessel alone.  Ship manifests established that the Indrala-manufactured containership originated its voyage in Wiel Vanuku, and made stops in Telamon and Trigunia before continuing its voyage into the Embargo Zone on its way to Talmoria.  The various stops on its route made Vanukean naval escort impractical, and the Captain told Kalistani reporters that he had deliberately opted to not ask for an escort due to the unpredictability of his itinerary.


Socialist Partisan Ahmad Al-Khalid-Hjelmson stands in front of the skeleton of the Shifu No. 1,
captured in February and beached in Vrassa

The Ship's manifest identified products of several nations on board, but the country of origin for almost all materials seized from the ship was deliberately obfuscated to make it difficult for Kalistani Privateers to separate Vanukean goods from goods from the various other nations represented aboard.  As such, the Kalistani Government issued a special order, declaring all items on board contraband being transported in contravention of the Embargo Order, and therefore forfeit to its owners.  Items consisted of all manner of consumer goods, foodstuff, textiles, and light weaponry and munitions destined for the Vanukean-suported Talmorian Government.

The seizure of the ship was not without incident.  After the Privateers had boarded the Cargo ship and subdued its crew, the Partisans began driving the ship toward Quarantine in Suldanor.  However, the ship had apparently gotten a message to Vanukean naval craft operating in the vicinity.  As a small Vanukean Frigate task force appeared several nautical miles off, the majority of the privateers disembarked the container ship and returned to their craft to harass the frigate fleet and draw them off them off.  This provided the 10 Privateers still on board the container ship an opportunity to escape. 

The Partisans dealing with the Vanukean Naval unit engaged in a brief firefight, with the Vanukeans sinking 2 of the 4 private ships, critically damaging the other two, and killing 14 Partisans.  At this point, a Kalistani Destroyer group appeared on the scene and intervened.  The standoff lasted into the night, and the remaining two ships, though crippled, were able to put the Destroyer between them and the Vanukean Navy.  By morning, the Vanukean group broke off contact with the Destroyer and headed back to the shipping lane to continue their escort mission.  Meanwhile, the remaining 9 Partisans were fished out of the Ocean and put aboard the Kalistani Destroyer.


Vanukeans aboard the Shifu No. 1 attempt to fight off Socialist Privateers with watercannon, to no avail

Back on the supertanker, the ship's Vanukean crew were able, under the cover of night to disable one of the ship's two engines by sneaking into the engine room and destroying the gearing mechanism on the Starboard engine.  They were also able to briefly gain access to small arms and manage to kill two Partisans who were standing watch.  The small arms fire woke the remaining Privateers, who quickly scrambled into position, wounded one of the Vanukean crew, and ordered the others to drop their weaponry.  The Leader of the Privateers aboard the Cargoship, Ahmad al-Khalid-Hjelmson, reportedly said to the Vanukean defenders "Give up and you will not be harmed.  These materials are not yours-  is it worth losing your life to defend things that belong to other people?"  The Vanukean resistance was not ended, however, as they got off another three shots, one of which wounded another Privateer aboard before finally running out of ammunition.  Al-Khalid accepted the surrender of the Vanukean crew, who were taken below and locked in the ship's stateroom.

The disabled engine provided the Privateers with yet another challenge.  Ultimately, with no possibility of making it to Quarantine at Suldanor, the Privateers decided instead to beach the ship on the coast of Vrassa.  At the maximum speed the ship could muster, the privateers pointed the ship toward the shore and ran the ship aground.  Luckily, the tide was in, and the ship made it significantly further inland than otherwise possible.  This essentially made the ship into a monument to the success of the Partisan crew.  Once aground, the crew was led off the ship and to a pair of waiting vehicles of the Socialist militia, who debriefed the crew and handed them over to Kalistani State authorities.  The Privateers, assisted by other elements of the Socialist Militia and the National Steveadores union, then emptied the cargo from the ship over the next three days. 

The Kalistani Privateers were paid more than 26 million rubles by private distributors for the goods from the ship, though it is likely that the cargo was worth as much as 30% more than that amount.  Split between the 19 remaining Privateers, the haul made each Privateer a millionaire overnight. Al-Khalid privately donated his share to the relief of the families who had lost brothers and sisters in the incident.  Speaking to Reporters later, he said "I am a good socialist, of course, and have no need for this money, especially when others need it more than me.  It is an honor simply to assist my nation in this troubled time.  I would be happy to return to peace-  I am a simple fisherman by trade, and this business has really hurt my livelihood.  But when the Republic calls, I answer.  And any opportunity to strike a blow of vengeance for the loss of my President is an opportunity I cannot help but take."

[Doc]

Socialist Party Leader condemns Trigunian Escorts of Shipping in Schismatic Sea
Denies Privateer Activity
Vrassa City, Vrassa District
June 17, 3927

In a stunning turn of events, Kalistani Opposition Speaker Hillary Clark denounced the comments of The Trigunian Navy, warning Socialist Partisans to not attempt to quarantine shipping passing through the Schismatic Sea.  Clark spoke before the graduating Class at Kalistani Naval Warfare University in Vrassa two years after the assassination of Kalistani President Elga Bjorksdattir, and one year after the inauguration of the Kalistani Privateer program.


Opposition Leader Clark addresses the KNWU Graduating Class of 3927, in Vrassa

"We absolutely deny operations in the Schismatic Sea by our Partisans.  Letters of Marque only extend to the straits between Lodamun and Dolgaria in the north and the National Waters of Gaduridos  and Vorona in the South.  The Quarantine Zone does not continue to the south of there.  If Privateers are operating beyond that line, they are obviously not operating under Kalistani Letters of Marque-  they may be pirates from other nations.  The Trigunians should feel free to sink all vessels to whom they attribute piracy operating in the Schismatic Sea, rather than attempting to pin these acts on Kalistani Nationals. 

"What really frustrates us in Kalistan is that our friends in Trigunia still ship their goods in Vanukean ships, and those ships still attempt to run our Embargo with impunity.  We would instead hope that Trigunia would press Vanuku to accept responsibility for their actions, and offer Kalistan reparations for the useless destruction of life two years ago.  But, the President has announced, the other day that Kalistani naval vessels will patrol the borders of the Embargo Zone to ensure that Vanukean and Trigunian naval vessels remain outside of danger and to ensure that Kalistani Privateers remain inside the Embargo Zone.  The Government of Kalistan has committed an additional aircraft carrier group to the edges of the Embargo Zone, as well as two quick deployment Destroyer taskforces, and a missile frigate group.  This is in addition to the normal patrols and coast guard units that are regularly dispatched from Kalistani Ports to offer whatever assistance that Kalistani Nationals may require at sea.

"One final thing-  We would like to highlight that this escalation in Trigunian naval activity in the Schismatic Sea is unprovoked.  We must disclose that, in encounters with Vanukean shipping over the last few months, as Privateers were attempting to enforce the Embargo on Vanukean shipping near Kalistan, Vanuku has sunk or completely disabled 27 ocean going vessels flying Kalistani colors in international waters.  More than 85 Kalistani Privateers, operating with the full authority of the Kalistani Government on the High Seas, have lost their lives since the beginning of this year enforcing the Embargo Policy.  All were Socialist Partisans.  We have not asked for a single Ruble in compensation for the destruction caused by Vanukean Naval escorts in International Waters within the Embargo Zone.  We have not sought additional sanctions against Vanuku.  We have not denied Vanuku the opportunity to trade with any nations outside the Embargo Zone. 

"We established this Embargo with our national security interests in mind, following the assassination of our President and Foreign Minister, which Vanuku mendaciously denied any sort of involvement in.  Naturally, given our long friendship with Trigunia, and our recent warm relations, we encourage Trigunia to not extend their anti-Piracy policy into the Kalistani Embargo Zone.  We hope that someday our relations may be repaired, and we look for the day when we can end the Embargo and restore normal shipping in and around Kalistan.  Hopefully, Vanuku will do the right thing and reach out to our Nation in an attempt to settle this issue in a way which satisfies all involved."

To date, Kalistani Privateers have seized more than 60 Million rubles worth of goods from ships attempting to run the Embargo Zone and quarantined more than 250,000 DW tonnes of shipping.  The vast majority of that amount was seized before March of this year, when seizures throughout the Anantanese Ocean dropped off significantly due to re-routing of Vanukean shipping to the South and then the use of overland shipping.  Increased patrols of International Waters by Vanukean naval vessels have also put a severe dent in Privateer activity within the last few months.