Kalistani Major History

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Speaker of the Assembly Begins Legislative Reforms
Sweeping Omnibus aims at beginning to redraw line between Public and Private
Kaliburg, Ananto
February 12, 4880


Speaker Beloit announces major changes to the Government's Role in Society

[Editor's Note: The Kalistani Republic has begun publication once more. We thank IZQUIERDA for carrying the role of Journal of Public Affairs as the Republic reorganized. They will now return to their traditional role of "Organ of the Socialist Party of Kalistan". -ed]

Speaker of the Assembly Marguerite Beloit continued moving ahead with strong reforms of the National Government with more sweeping legislation.

"This Reorganization Act," said Speaker Beloit, "Aims at redrawing the lines between the Public and Private Sectors in Kalistan. For too long, and to be clear, one year is too long, the Government has interfered where they do not belong and have held their hands off in places where their input is absolutely necessary. We aim to change that today."

The Bill, called the Public/Private Spheres Delineation Act I aims at laying the foundation for the Dual Economy, said Beloit. "We take the Government out of people's Bedrooms and their churches, and put the Government back into essential infrastructure like Airports, energy production, and housing and provision of other needs. "At the end of the say, our Administration will restore the State's Role in guaranteeing prosperity and plenty for the people of this Republic, while protecting, to the utmost degree, vital civil liberty and social freedoms within the Republic. It is a balancing act, and it requires time, but if we stay the course, we will accomplish this, most important task."

This major legislation follows on the heels of major constitutional reforms which are expected to take effect in a month and a half, and important government bills which filled the seats and created a functioning cabinet for the first time in years. The Socialist Party has also had some important early diplomatic successes, as Kalistan took the first steps toward joining a more united Seleyan Community, sent its first cultural exchanges to Selucia and Liore, where more than 50 Kalistanis are currently learning shipbuilding and naval engineering as Liori engineers deconstruct warships from Deltaria, and has sent the New Foreign Minister on a tour of several important countries, including Baltusia, where she created a minor stir by inquiring into the foreign Affairs of that country. In the end all was well, however: Th Foreign Minister's Youthful inquisitiveness was forgiven by the gracious hosts, and she received a sword to present to the Speaker as a sign of friendship.

As Public Policy slowly rights itself through the determined effort of a unified Assembly, and The Socialist Party is able to address the years of neglect, economic activity, both domestically and internationally is expected to pick up once more. "When the Dual Economy is finally restarted," said Speaker Beloit, "We can begin to explore more formal trade and investment arrangements, as well as formal diplomatic exchanges which will tie Kalistan into a larger world. We still maintain our cultural edge, and have a great reputation for this abroad, but the other sectors now require our attention. It is a slow, painstaking process, but I have every confidence that the Kalistan at the next election will be one on solid footing. We just have to avoid missteps now, which is why are are working so attentively on the questions of public and economic policy."

Across Kalistan, voters and various organized interests seem to be taking a cautiously optimistic, if tentative approach to the Administration of Speaker Beloit. Said Public Transportation Operator Denise Gordo, "We'll have to see how these things work out. I understand from history that the Dual Economy was supposed to be this great thing, but then again, all that history was written by generations of Socialists, so I would like to see how it works for myself." When asked if she would ever vote Socialist, she was less direct, "Let's just see how they do."

As soon as the New Delineation Act passes, the Speaker has said she will proceed directly to re-establish the dual economy, renationalize the Work Force, the Oil Industry and the Iron and Steel Industries, and begin regular investment in ODEN and various infrastructure projects across the Republic. In the meanwhile, it is expected that the SP will begin to rebuild KRTVN, which has been left in place in law, but in practice, due to neglect, has devolved back to complete private control and management. This move will likely be very popular with Kalistani citizens who routinely complain about the quality of programming on television and the overwhelming amount of the commercial advertisement.

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Pop singer La Sol performs for Premier at SpringFest
Young Singer joins wave of Egelian Language performers in Kalistan
Kaliburg, Ananto
May 18, 4880


Soledad Valdes, known to fans as La Sol, performed at this year's SpringFest, attended by Premier of the Republic Beloit

As Kalistani musicians Salgo return with Second Place honors from the International Festival of Music in Terra, the Kalistani Musica Egelian movement has gained steam among fans. Spearheaded by the smashing release of La Mala by KMI artist La Mas Mala in late January, more and more musicians who are interested in putting out music in the Egelian Language have been gaining attention in Kalistan. Much is of this interest is also fueled by the results of FOMAT IX, where Gaduri quintet Los Angeles Rojos, took home top honors.

The new interest in Egelian Language music has benefited one young artist especially. Soledad Valdes, known to her growing army of fans as La Sol, has recorded in Vrassan for years. Her music certainly falls into the dance and pop categories, and as she has grown up, her themes have become more mature, exploring a range of human emotion that typifies the pop music genre. She has also begun recently to explore RF, with the standalone single "Good to You". But the sudden willingness of record companies in Kalistan, including KMI, to record Egelian Language singers has provided her the opportunity to make a name for herself in a Market which is still new and fresh in the Republic.

La Sol has recently inked a record deal with La Tienda Discos, a new Record Company built specifically to release and promote Egelian Language music in Kalistan. Independently owned and managed, LTD signed La Sol as their first artist, but has a number of other musicians that they are scouting right now, as singers make a switch to a more Egelian sound. Her deal includes not only recording and mastering, of which she owns the rights, but also licensing escrow along the lines set up by ARC with the FOMAT record, and all publishing rights. LTD does all promotion and takes a fixed cut of all record sales to recoup costs and provides a nominal profit on the record. A deal along these terms seems to be seen more often for new musicians in Kalistan, and given the degree of talent, what LTD has called an "Associate Deal" may quickly be the norm, while the old style "Affiliate deals" may be more reserved for exploratory, developmental or vanity projects.

The signing with LTD has made La Sol a hot ticket this spring. A lot of her older music is beginning to be heard on commercial radio in Kalistan, and she was recently interviewed for Radio Kaliburg, where she was asked why she wants to make the switch to Egelian Language music. "Well," answered the young Singer, "I mean, it's what people want these days. It's the future of pop in Kalistan. Obviously I can speak both Egelian and Vrassan fluently, and I think you get a lot of different patterns and rhyme schemes with Egelian that you can't really do in Vrassan, because the most of the verbs have standard endings. For example, I can put Tengo, Como, Quiero and Hablo in a verse where in Vrassan, you know, those words wouldn't rhyme at all. It's a new way to express myself in Music, that's how I see it."

Due to the growing promotional push of El Sol by her label, the Singer was recently added to SpringFest in downtown Kaliburg, where she joined a host of other pop singers and musicians in welcoming the Spring back to Ananto. While La Sol was on stage, the newly Restored Premier of the Republic, Marguerite Beloit was in the crowd, taking a short break from her unending work of leading the Government of Kalistan. When asked what she thought of the singer, Beloit was more like a young music fan than the Premier of the Republic: "Oh yeah, Sol and me, we go back. She's from Zappa too [the Zappa City neighborhood of Kaliburg], and we used to canvass together back when we were in High School. She was a good hard worker, and a real champion at getting signatures. I am really happy for her that she is finally getting some recognition for her music now too."

With that ringing endorsement, La Sol begins her assent into the constellation of Kalistani musical stars. Her first all Egelian Language record on LTD is due out in August, and meanwhile, her most recent song, Una Vez Mas is in heavy rotation on Kalistani radios everywhere. Meanwhile, it appears that she will be working with ARC to release an EP of her standalone singles soon thereafter, so that those who are not familiar with her work in the Republic have a chance to listen to her in both Egelian and Vrassan.

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A Legislative Agenda for a New Year
Premier Beloit Addresses The National Assembly to lay out Goals
Kaliburg, Ananto
January 8, 4881


Premier Beloit continues efforts to realign Kalistan with Socialism in new Agenda

The Premier of the Republic, who was fully instituted in that role last fall, has continued working non-stop now for a year to ensure that Kalistan is more correctly aligned with its institutional traditions. She made this effort explicit in the address she delivered before the National Assembly this week. The Kalistani Republic has printed the text of her speech below:

Comrades, this place is a much different place than when I arrived here just a year ago. We have seen so many changes already, even with our admittedly slow legislative pace. But it is a matter to be proud of, something that we should certainly continue to support and work for.

I was asked by the Deputy Premier and several members of my government to address you today to lay out thIs Government's legislative priorities. I can start with saying "Thank you" to the Comrades who will be leaving us at the beginning of February to return to the Districts and continue our Party's work there among the people. You have had a year's worth of Legislative Experience and it is my sincerest hope that you take that knowledge and the skills you have learned as you take up a new role in the District and Local Governments.

I would also like to prematurely welcome the incoming President of the Republic, who will take office for the first time on February 1, Comrade Reynaldo Carrangus, who has been so instrumental in leading the youth Cadres on the Mainland in our effort to build Socialism in Kalistan. We are still a youth Party, and our Comrade President is younger than even a lot of you all, but his experience and his skill outshine most of those of us, myself included, sitting in this Assembly. We have asked him to leave his studies to serve as the Nation's President, the first President of the Republic in nearly 10 years. We welcome him and I do not envy the Comrade his Task.

Domestically, Kalistan is headed back toward fiscal stability and zero growth. It is our intention to fully restore the National Service Program and reauthorization of the National Industries Charters. We also ask that the Finance Ministry re-capitalized the National Bank and the Kalsie and restore Kalistan to high place that we were accustomed to for so long. I also would lie to see this Assembly vote on healthy subsidies to our aircraft, automobile, and electronics industries to make them competitive once more with a world that has left Kalistan behind. We will continue to build upon our social legislation successes and will deepen the trust among the people that this society will not let them fall if they stumble, will allow them to live comfortably when they succeed, and will not allow wealth interfere with human equality, access to government or justice, or rights and liberty. I hope to pass a budget this year which reflects these priorities and allows for budgetary surplus as well.

On the foreign side, I must take a moment to address a number of points that was recently brought to my attention by the Capable Foreign Minister Sharice Mosswell. Comrade Mosswell reports that a number of events occurred on her voyage around the world which have tested the patience of our neighbors and fellow Nations of Terra. One such event was the Comrade's request for clarification with regard to the role played by Baltusia in the ongoing conflict in Ntoto. This request for clarification raised eyebrows in Baltusia, but apparently the visit itself was objected to by the Dovani State of Tropica, who has since declared Baltusia a "state sponsor of terrorism".

To Baltusia: it is important that Kalistan stand opposed to International Intervention around the world. Spreading War does not alleviate war, and the Republic of Kalistan will therefore look forward to the day when the intervention of your nation in the Conflict of Ntoto, as well as the PERCEPTION of your nation's intervention there, is ended. While this Government gracefully accepts the token gift you presented our Foreign Minister, even after her indelicately broaching the subject of the Intervention, it is not in our interest at this moment to normalize relations with your Republic. We will look for opportunities to cooperate with Baltusia in the future, following the conclusion of the conflict. But there must be a diplomatic cost to overseas intervention, as Kalistan knows very well. And therefore, as far as your closest neighbors are concerned, it is indeed unfortunate that because of this intervention, we are both bearing that cost.

To Tropica: While we appreciate the concern you have raised, and share it, Kalistan will not be dictated to with regard to whom we may treat with and under what circumstances. The Government of Tropica shall hear from our Foreign Ministry with an official Response, as is correct procedure, contrary to the course chosen by Tropica in their efforts to characterize our Foreign Minister's visit to another sovereign state in their National Press!

Ahem. Another matter which I hope can be resolved which was discovered by our Foreign Minister: The united Crown of Lourenne and Alduria still refers to its Monarch as the "Protecteur du Kalistan". We absolutely and unequivocably reject this baseless and hateful claim to a portion of our National Sovereignty, and a formal diplomatic complain is currently being drawn up. I have advised the staff to fully apprise the incoming President of the Republic on the matter so that he may be able to determine appropriate next steps, but Comrades, this is a faux pas, to use the Canrillaise term, at best... an oversight from the land of my own ancestors,, whom I am prepared, personally to offer the benefit of the doubt, but nonetheless a diminishment and infantilization of the Republic, and I assure you, we will not let this matter rest until it is resolved to Kalistan's satisfaction.

In our foreign affairs, Kalistan aims to begin rebuilding our Naval force, along the last order of march ever devised by the Republican Government. Many of the ships and our own submarine designs we can build ourselves, but the capital ships remain outside of our ability to build which means we will need to seek, once more, purchases from foreign Nations. Over the last 100 years, the zenith of our naval strength was more than 80 years ago. Technology changes. The rotting rust buckets that sit in dry dock or at anchor north of the Shipyards here are more suitable for building reefs than for defending our coasts. It is incumbent upon our Regular Military and our Ministry of Defense to take steps to resolve this deficit immediately.

I will direct the Defense Ministry to call up enough regulars to generate a Garrison Quota of land forces. This includes the commissioning of new officers and the appointment of new Non Commissioned Officers. The Garrison Quota of the Regular Army will serve as a jumpstart to the restoration of the Kalistani Regular Army. Additionally, civilian pilots will be offered commissions to serve as instructors at flight school, and we aim to get Kalistan's airforce off the tarmac once more. And most importantly, the Socialist Party of Kalistan will reform the RSMoK, for the purposes of training and refitting Most of the Small arms in the Militia's armory will need to be replaced, as will reacquisition of heavy arms, artillery and uniforms. It is a massive undertaking and this year merely represents the start of the process which will not be finished for a very long time.

Financially, the Republic will seek to acquire and send Foreign Direct Investment to give entrepreneurs the opportunity to put their capital to work, both at home and abroad. A special focus will be in the exporting of food and clothing, as well as recreational and pharmaceutical drugs, and the importation or Substitution Industrialization of consumer electronics, automobiles, and the sorts of finished materials demanded by consumers. We maintain the right to nationalize foreign investments which do not comply with Kalistani Law, but at the same time, we also wish the world to know that Kalistani Investments are never bad ones, expecially because of the low degree of competition in the Republic and the high degree of education and adaptability of the Kalistani Workforce

Kalistan also seeks once more to set its currency up as if not THE single convertible currency, at least A convertible currency which is desired overseas, and therefore generates our nation benefits by being held and traded internationally. To this end, the National Bank will establish strict currency rules which will prevent wild inflationary trends, while at the same time buttressing up the value of trade denominated in Rubles. We do not intend to prevent the acquisition of rubles overseas, but these measures are designed to give investors faith that purchase of Kalistani Rubles is a safe and profitable decision, and we will gain as a result of increased demand for our rubles.

I would also like to announce bank reform policies which will encourage spending in the economy, without the corresponding inflation that often walks hand in hand. Beginning with the Passage of the Bank Reform Act later this year, personal accounts with the National Bank will not earn interest, and nor will the National Bank collect interest on loans it provides to individuals and small businesses. Instead, it will reserve a portion of its initial capitalization to create a profitable foundation, which once fully endowed, will invest in the market, and will then pay annual dividends to its account holders and to make loans to those that seek them. In essence the National Bank will become a credit union, which is owned by those who deposit with it. As our goal is zero growth, interest undermines that effort. Other selection criteria will be imposed at the bank to make it easier to obtain loans for personal matters or to start a new business, but ability to repay will merely serve as an early screen in the process, and more weight will be placed on the social good that will be done with the loan.

All of these policies sit atop the Government's agenda, but none as high as police reform. I am thrilled to announce that the Police are to return to a correct relationship to society, to serve the people and ensure that crime is prosecuted in society. To this end, we will also be reintroducing the prison abolition bill and relegalizing a number of activities, including prostitution and gambling which previous administrations have outlawed.

These are the priorities of this Republic's government this year. We look forward to serving the people of Kalistan and we must now get to work.

With that, the Premier of the Republic left the podium to rousing applause.

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Dustup with Lourenne Possible
New Tensions build over Lourenne and Alduria's use of the title "Protector of Kalistan
Kaliburg, Ananto
January 30 4881

The following Notice was flashed over public news wires and diplomatic information cables today, which shows the President of the Republic, Reynaldo Carrangus, requesting that the reigning Monarch of Lourenne and Alduria, Catherine III remove the title "Protector of Kalistan" from her official Stile.

Most newsworthy is the information that diplomatic relations between Kalistan and Lourenne, which have been peaceful for more than 100 years, appear to be suspended, as the Government of Kalistan has directed the Foreign Ministry to recall all diplomatic staff and personnel for consultation, and suspend consular activity until the matter is resolved.

The Premier has said, and the President agrees that the view of the Government of Kalistan, at this point, is that the title remains in the stile as a matter of oversight, and no preparations appear to be being made for any more intensified activity, at the moment. It appears that Kalistan seems to be willing to overlook this very serious matter for the sake of peace and continued good relationship with the Kingdom to our East.

As an historical note, the last time a country claimed a part of Kalistani sovereignty was 900 years ago in the events leading to the Ananto War between Kalistan and Indrala. That war, which was part of a larger global conflict began with Kalistan closing the Ananto Straits and launching pirate attacks against the shipping of Indrala, followed by by a devastating invasion by Indrala, and finally a peace treaty which removed the title and granted Kalistan and Indrala peace ever since

Below is the full text of the official protest by the Government of Kalistan:

FOR ARCHIVES

OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE
POR TO QUEEN CATHERINE III OF LOURENNE
RE: MATTER OF TITLE HELD BY QUEEN OF LOURENNE AND ALDURIA

Comrade Queen, Catherine,

Hello and Well Met.

It is unfortunate that a representative of your government did not have the opportunity to meet our Foreign Minister when she visited your country late last summer, but a matter has been brought to my attention which I think I need to raise with your government

It is concerning the title of "Protector of Kalistan" that you hold onto. I am not sure if this was a relic from the time when your Government secured Kalistan during our times of difficulty, but you should know: the generation which promoted that intervention on our behalf, the same generation that traveled to Kalistan and became the ancestors of our Premier, have all but passed away. And yet, you still hold onto this title.

The Government of Kalistan has requested that I contact you and ask you to take the necessary steps to remove that title once and for all. They feel, and I agree, that it is a diminishment of the Sovereignty of Kalistan and an infantilization of our Republic. Of all the titles held by monarchs across the Globe, Kalistan is the only Republic which is claimed to have a protector.

There are a number of benefits to removing the title: it will allow for normalization of relations between our two countries once more. In diplomatic protest, the Foreign Minister has begun to issue consultation orders to our diplomatic and consular staff in Lourenne and Alduria over the matter. She has informed me that the Government will put a stop to this effort if that title is removed from your official title. Removing the title will prevent yet another escallation of tensions which is sure to follow if our very reasonable and substantiated request is denied. Our Premier is a young Kalistani, and she is currently still building out a strategy that extends beyond Kalistan Obviously we would prefer that this international strategy includes peace and excellent relations with the Government and the Crown of Lourenne and Alduria. But her feelings on the matter were made quite explicit in her recent address to the National Assembly:

"We absolutely and unequivocably reject this baseless and hateful claim to a portion of our National Sovereignty"

I stand by our Premier in this matter.

The Premier has publicly stated that Kalistan currently sees this matter as a mere oversight on the part of the Crowns of Lourenne and Alduria.

It is my sincerest hope that indeed it is the case and the matter is easily remediated within Lourenne and Alduria, so we can move on with life, putting this small but not insignificant matter behind us, and build on a foundation of friendship, comity and equality which has characterized Kalistani-Lourennais relations for a century

Many thanks for your patience and your indulgence.

We look forward to your response.
Serenely,
Reynaldo Carrangus
Socialist Party of Kalistan
Incoming President of the Republic, United Republic of Kalistan

END TRANSMISSION

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Premier orders National Shipyards Reopened Early
Concludes "Hanshake Deal" with Dolgava for Small order of Patrol Craft totaling 16.8 Million KRB
Kaliburg, Ananto
February 3, 4881


Kalistani National Shipyards in Kaliburg begins refitting and construction work earlier than expected

The Premier this week ordered the Kalistani National Shipyards re-opened to begin refitting what is left of the Kalistani Regular Navy for active Service. "The Refitting won't be a quick job," said the Minister of Defense Edmund West. "The previous several Administrations have only done the most minimal maintenance on these ships, and most of them are simply not seaworthy. Luckily we have drydock facilities here and at Bozo River and in Dulnerstaad, and can speed up the process of inspection and refitting the hulls of these ships, but to be completely honest, most of our Naval Assets will need to be written off and scrapped, while we salvage what we can."

The move to reopen the Shipyards early comes as a terse diplomatic cable from the President of the Republic to the Kingdom of Lourenne still officially remains unanswered at press time. "The Premier put rebuilding the navy at the top of her list in regards to her agenda this year," said Defense Minister West, "And it is clear that she means business."

What is also clear is that, even with the recent handshake deal for 4 Light patrol craft from Dolgava recently concluded via back channels, which totals 16.8 Million KRB, the Republic will be no where near ready to adequately defend the Republic should a determined or combined attack from a modern navy sudden;y appear. "It is our hope, however, that we bloody anyone, to at least make them pause before they attack and ask themselves, if this really worth it?" said the Minister. "The Militia is reforming right now, and several fishing boats belonging to militia members are being retrofitted as shore vehicles and LAFAs but for the most part, any enemy will need to be within range of our coastal artillery before any real pain is brought to bear on them, and by then, it will probably be too late for the shore batteries to significantly forestall or deter any attack."

And this is why speed is of the essence in the work at the Ship Yards. "We have three months before the first system arrives from Dolgava. Within that time, we should be able to have more than a handful of ships of our own fully inspected, cleaned, repaired and ready to begin patrols. Training men and women to use those ships, well, that will take a bit longer."

"And you know, if this whole thing blows over, which is what everyone is hoping for," said Minister West, "The we have a head start on the bigger mission."

It is now a race for the Republic as time begins to tick.

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Socialists lay foundation for Nationalization
New Omnibus Nationalizes Power Grid, Makes changes to Drug Policy
Kaliburg, Ananto
January 1, 4882


Premier of the Republic Beloit discusses return of the Dual System

Three Years after assuming the Office of Head of the Government, and after significant changes to the Republican Constitution, the Premier and her Party are finally ready to begin the hard work of restoring the Dual Economy.

"We have been rather limited in our moves toward reinstitution of the socialist economy in Kalistan," said the Premier of the Republic, "along the Dual Economic lines preferred by the Socialists, due to our needs to do a lot of housekeeping and quite frankly, just cleaning up the rubbish around the National Assembly left by decades of misadministration and in other cases, non administration. We now take our first steps toward the Dual Economy."

In the newest Omnibus, called Omnibus 3, the SP calls for strict lines of Nationalization in certain sectors of the economy, to prepare for the re-authorization of the National Industries, a permission to create a National Banking System under a Single National Bank, the Nationalization of all defense operations the relegalization of gambling and prostitution, the deregulation of alcohol, tobacco and pornography, the ending of military cooperation and curfews, the abolition of nuclear weaponry in preparation for the Anti-NBC treaty's adoption, and new citizen liberties around mental illness, euthanasia, abortion, cryptocurrency, right to organize and strike, and recreational drug use."

"Each of our omnibuses moves mountains in months," said the Premier. "Naturally, it is slower than we would prefer, but it is the fastest we can go. Meanwhile, we continue to refit what is left from our Navy and train militia and regulars."

The Premier referred to the recent recommissioning of 4 Indica Class Submarines, KRS-462, 482, 487, and 491 and 3, Ananto Class Destroyers KRS 70, 85, and 89, 2 Kaliburg Class Destroyers, KRS-501 and 507 from the scrap yard at the National Shipyards. "We are working on bringing a handful of Frigates and at least half a dozen more submarines online this year," said the Premier, "But in terms of large capital ships, none were deemed servicable, and have been scrapped. When the KALNAFERCO is reopened later this year, we will begin rolling steel for a new fleet, but this will take time and extra effort. I am afraid we are simply out of ships for the time being, and have to make do with what we have." The remainder of the old regular fleet has been tagged for scrapping, with an effort being made to recycle whatever can be salvaged.

The Republic has yet to hear from Lourenne regarding the title of "Protector of Kalistan", but the Premier is preparing for the worst response, rather than the best. "We have trained one regiment of training, and the Militia is now going through basic along with the Regular forces at the Sulari Depot. Upon completion, all members are receiving basic rifleman training, as well as small arms and irregular tactical training, urban combat training, and signals training This intensifies and lengthens the training regimen from 3 months to 6 months, but we have put one class through already, and are slowly standing up both our Regular forces and the militia." In addition, Officer training is currently happening at Port Eshar Naval Base, and the Premier reports that the Junior Grade officer ranks are nearly filled. "All this is in preparation for Lourenne's response if we should step up our diplomatic pressure over their refusal to relinquish the title of 'Protector of Kalistan' from their Monarch's stile. We are currently drafting sanctions and will be calling on Lourenne's Trading Partners to honor our sanctions in the event that Lourenne refuses to address our legitimate concerns."

These are major changes for the Republic given the course just 4 short years ago. So far the population has been tolerant of the pace of change. Time will tell whether that patience holds, and the Socialist Party needs to begin wracking up results, if the people are to continue to support the Ancient Party.

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Tonya X and Newcomer Jenny Huerta release RF Duet
"Dancefloor" is first RF hit in Egelian
Sulari, Suldanor
February 18, 4882


RF scenester Tonya X joins Jenny Huerta in creating an Egelian Electronic Banger on KMI

The Kalistani Musica Egelian movement continues to spread into pop and pop-adjacent genres across Kalistan.  It has now also arrived in the RF clubs which are booming across Kaliburg and Sulari with a recent duet between the veteran RF singer Tonya X and Jenny Huerta, who join together on Huerta's debut single from KMI called "Dancefloor".  The song, which is about coupling on the dancefloor is accompanied by a spicy video featuring X and Huerta in a shower wearing revealing bathing suits.  Parent groups are outraged by the video in Vrassa, as is predictable.  "Dancefloor" becomes the most significant move of Egelian Language music into the RF scene to date, and the single debuted at Number One in the Nation this week.

When asked about the controversy, Huerta said, "Si no lo disfruta, no lo vea."  Tonya X simply smiled and responded "yeah, that's what I'm saying too."  When pushed on the matter by Vrassan reporters, Huerta defended the work, "I mean, yeah, we were close in the video, but its not like we took our clothes off.  The song is innocent.  What do you people have against women showing some skin in videos?"  Loud protests from the assembled reporters ensued and the remainder of the interview was cancelled.

"Controversy is good for word of mouth," Tonya X told The Republic's reporter, with a shrug.  "We are making some ground breaking music here.  This song is totally bilingual, it's Kalistan.  Those morons should respect that, but either way, the madder they get about it, the more the kids want to hear the song."

The Musica Egelian movement is several years old now.  Jenny Huerta is one of a host of new artists who have begun putting out music in Egelian, and utilizing Pensio and Gaduri inspired rhythms as backing tracks.  "Dancefloor" is unique because it specifically adopts the themes and the aesthetic of RF, which is something Musica Egelian has thus far avoided, simply because the Egelian language music tends to stick more to pop and hiphop and avoids dance music or such nihilistic and the more sexualized  themes which are far more common in RF songs.

"I was really happy to have Tonya on this record," said Huerta.  "I was not sure whether the RF crowd was ready to hear this song, but this is her first Egelian song too, though she does her parts in Vrassan, slipping into Egelian here and there.  So we kind of give one another credibility among our own crowds."  The pairing has worked, and represents yet another significant step for both Musica Egelian and RF in the current Kalistani Music scene.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxtIRArhVD4]

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KRTVN Relaunched in Kaliburg
The Radio-Television Network seeks to reunite Kalistan's splintered media landscape
Kaliburg, Ananto
February 12, 4882


Post-Punk band Brown Paper Bag plays inaugural concert for reformed KRTVN

The Kalistani Radio-Television Network, long a mainstay for Kalistani Media, last blinked off the air in a slew of unofficial divestment efforts more than 70 years ago. In the years since KRTVN was sold off to private, nominally "non-profit" media conglomerates, the media landscape in Kalistan splintered, and then became stagnant.

"God, TV is abysmal these days" was a popular sentiment recorded when The Republic recently conducted a poll of readers aged 18-30. "I don't even watch tv anymore. I'd rather go to a club and listen to a live band play than watch whatever claptrap is on television," said one participant. Another was more explicit: "Oh yeah, I took a shotgun to my tv a few years ago. Just the kind of commercials they played... it was all lies, and they treated me like I was an idiot."

Radio fared a little better, but common complaints were: "mindless corporate music", "Too many commercials," "DJ talking over EVERY song to advertise" and "News is all unreliable." For the most part, participants in the poll gave Kalistani TV a "Zero" in quality and gave the radio a "four" out of ten.

As this poll was being conducted, a small measure was passing through the National Assembly. The vote was conducted by acclamation, rather than a formal vote. At issue was whether to recharter the KRTVN, which had been at the center of Kalistani cultural excellence so often in the past. In a particularly contentious session discussing possible sanctions on Lourenne for their refusal to change the stile of their Monarch, The Premier of the Republic put the session into recess, but required all members to remain in their place. Suspending business is a relatively rarely used measure which is equivalent to calling an executive session of the National Assembly. Usually it is only members of the Government and the Shadow Government who remain back for Executive Session, but this time the Premier meant for all Deputies to Participate.

Normal Order suspended temporarily, the Premier put the following motion on the floor: "That the KRTVN Reorganization Act be brought back into force by acclamation." The motion was quickly seconded by the Culture Minister. The motion left most of the Assembly wondering why the Premier had suspended normal business to seek the reinstatement of a 120 year old act.

"It seemed like you Comrades were about to kill one another talking about Lourenne, and let's be completely honest: Television sucks." The comment from the 24 year old Premier brought raucous laughter from segments of the Assembled Deputies, who promptly applauded the Premier. Those who were more taciturn in their response nonetheless did not oppose the Premier. When she asked for debate on the question, one of the Oldest Members, Thomas "Tommy" Ulavaeus, from Vrassa City, said "Who could possibly disagree with you, Comrade?" Another round of applause followed the comment, and then the Premier put the matter to a vote. The Yeas were unanimous, and there was no opposition to the simple move. And with this, KRTVN was reborn once again.

KRTVN wasted no time acquiring the assets of the supposedly "non-profit" stations around the Republic. A message was sent out that all those operating radio and television stations and selling commercial advertisement had been in violation of the existing law for decades, and the law was now to be enforced with a process of collection of owed taxes and license suspensions. Stations could convert their existing holdings to public property, could still maintain their stations under their management, could draw a salary, and would owe no back taxes for profitable years if they applied for their license from the newly reopened KRTVN branches across the Republic.

Within a month of the issue of Amnesty, KRTVN ombudsman Terry Greene reported, "We had more than 90% compliance in the first week. There are one or two remaining hold outs, mostly in Odufaray, who are rural stations and have never been all that profitable to begin with. We will focus on bringing them in over the coming weeks."

With new National Networks springing up all across the Republic, the newly reignited powerhouses Radio 1 and TV 7 joined forces to put on a live, broadcast only concert, which was seen by an estimated 28 million Kalistanis. The concert featured a lineup of bands, mostly hard rock and alternative bands, but also a number of Electronic bands and more than a few Musica Egelian artists as well. FOMAT runners-up Salgo played at the top of the 7PM hour, while La Sol performed at 8pm. There was a festive atmosphere in the on-air studio, as well as in the Streets, where people played the concert from their cars, or loudly on their televisions. Impromptu block parties were organized across the Republic as people got together to cook out or to play sports while the music played.

"Pretty good for an unpublicized Concert, huh?" said organizer David van Doren. "I mean, 28 million. By word of mouth. One neighbor calling another saying "Turn on Channel 7 or turn on Channel 1... Th Response was phenomenal."

The show closed with a relatively unknown band from Senvias, Brown Paper Bag, who played a single song "Astigmatism" before the show ended. "They came up to the studio, and said "Hey, can we play? We're Brown Paper Bag from Senvias," said van Doren. "Nobody ever heard of these guys but we asked them, 'What do you sound like?' Th lead singer, Jeremy, I think was his name, said 'We're loud!' And, since dude had guts to just walk up to the studio, guitars, trap kit and amps in tow, we said 'Sure, you close the thing.' We made a great choice. It was a great way to end an amazing concert."

Indeed. KRTVN is now, two months later, generally in control once more of the radio and television stations in Kalistan. Commercial advertising has all but vanished, and new shows have even begun to appear on the airwaves. We look forward to a bright future from this phoenix which continues to get run into the dirt by liberals but continues to rise once more.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC6-hR4YLpE]
Brown Paper Bag performs "Astigmatism" on the Channel 1/7 inaugural concert which was viewed by 28 million Kalistanis

[Doc]

Foreign Minister Addresses Assembly
Prepares Sanctions against Lourenne and Alduria
Kaliburg, Ananto
July 17, 4882


Foreign Minister Mosswell backs Nationalist calls for change in Kalistani Policy toward Lourenne and Alduria

More than a year and a half after the issue was first raised in the Kalistani National Assembly, the issue of Lourenne's Queen Catherine III referring to herself as "Protector of Kalistan" remains unresolved. The issue, which has become increasingly irritating to nationalists in the Party erupted in loud opposition to both Lourenne and the Premier's preferred "Benefit of the Doubt" policy that she has maintained over the last 18 Months.

"Look! Nobody wants to make matters worse," said Nicholas Overbridge, Deputy from Dahriel Ananto, and a self-described nationalist. "But I think a year and a half is more than enough time to allow Lourenne to make a good faith effort to begin to address this, and their refusal to do so in this time demonstrates to me, and the members of this caucus that they have no intention to do so."

The heated dispute hit white hot levels this week as the Foreign Minister herself appeared to switch sides from the more patient approach preferred by the Premier and the majority of the Deputies in the Assembly to the growing chorus of the Nationalists. "Comrade Premier, we MUST do something about this continued provocation. We cannot allow this to continue unanswered by Kalistan. It is either this or we lose credibility as a sovereign and free nation. As you know, I have always stood with the policy of this Government, so I am really saddened that this is what we're here to talk about. But it is clear that inaction on the part of this Administration threatens our credibility as a Government, and if it continues without results, will lead to our removal through a vote of no confidence."

The Premier, not used to being challenged by her own Government in open session seemed non-plussed. She immediately called a recess to the session and convened her cabinet for closed session. Reporters were not permitted into the tense session, but reports on background revealed that the emergency executive session was very tense. Some ministers, standing with the Premier called Mosswell's speech on the floor a "betrayal", while others, including the Defense Minister and the Trade Minister stood with the Foreign Minister. The session lasted for more than an hour before the National Assembly was reconvened.

"Comrades," said the Premier, "The Foreign Minister may have violated decorum on the floor of this Assembly a while ago. However, what she said was not without merit, and it is worthy of our consideration. In consultation with the President of the Republic, I have asked the Foreign Minister to draft a series of sanctions to be applied to the joint crowns of Lourenne and Alduria, who have so far refused to move toward the modification of that stile. Kalistan has been more than patient in our quest for a peaceful solution, and we will continue to look for all opportunities to stay our hand. But the only tool we have to get them to address our concerns seems to be the application of economic and diplomatic pressure. If this is not successful, Kalistan will consider additional steps. This upstart monarchy has stepped on the wrong Kalistani nerve and they can no longer expect our desire for peace and tranquility between our two people to supersede our National respect and Sovereignty."

The Premier then directed the Government to actually draft articles which applied sanctions including the freezing of Lourennaise and Aldurian deposits and investments in Kalistan, to be applied immediately, as more general sanctions take hold. In addition, the SOFA which allows for Louerennais basing and refueling at Dulnerstaad will be reviewed for revocation, and trade action against the United Kingdom was also expected to be included to be in the package. The Premier ordered the Defense Minister to put Kalistan's tiny fleet on alert in the Northern Anantonese Ocean, and called upon deputies to consider the re-authorization of the Privateering Act, which remains on the books, but has not been used in centuries in Kalistan. The Premier was explicit that no restrictions are planned at the moment in the Ananto Strait.

"Our hope is that none of these matters needs to actually be carried out," said the Premier. "Any disruption to trade and investment between our two nations would be disastrous for Kalistan. But we can no longer call ourselves an independent nation if we continue to tolerate this affront to our sovereignty from a nation which has been historically referred to as 'Kalistan's 6th District'. The matter is an existential one for this Republic. It is worth crippling our economy to resolve to our satisfaction."

The Premier's action met with wide scale support from Nationalists and Institutionalists alike within the Party, and coverage of the raucous session was broadcast on KRTVN. The new Sanctions join Kalistan's already completed actions of removing Kalistani diplomatic staff from Lourenne and officially ending consular Activities following the departure of the last remaining Kalistani citizens who wished to depart the nation six months ago. Direct flights between the two nations also ended at this time, greatly disrupting transit between Ananto and Dovani: Eroncourt was the primarily port of entry to the continent before the crisis began, and direct flights to Lourenne accounted for more than 95% percent of all traffic from Kalistan to the Dovani Continent.

[Doc]

Production begins on Republican Pictures' new Film
"Poppy" is the Biopic of slain President and Partisan Poppy Smith-Bennots
Dahriel, Ananto
August 8, 4882


Camera Crews begin shooting at historic locations in Downtown Kaliburg

Republican Studios have greenlit and begun principle photography on the movie "Poppy", a biopic of former President of the Republic Poppy Smith-Bennots, who was killed at the battle of Mt. Shmee during the Indralan invasion of Ananto during the Ananto War. Smith was 50 when she died in 3994 along with most of the Socialist Militia units defending the Bridge over the Zappa River, when Socialist Partisans were routed and nearly overran by invading and determined Indralan soldiers.

Director Don Bernard has been tapped to helm the project, and bring the creative vision of author Violet Knoffzinger, who published an authoritative biography of the late President in 4878, to life. "It is an honor to work on this project," said Knoffzinger, who also consults for the film. "President Smith was an inspiration that Kalistanis spend their lives trying to imitate, even now, 900 years later." Smith had far more authority than the President of the Republic currently would ever dream of, and when the war began, she refused to evacuate the Island, but stayed behind, joined the Militia as a Captain of Partisan Artillery, but when her position was repeatedly overrun by rapidly advancing Indralans, she joined a provisional rifle company, which is where she died. "The story of her time in the Militia during the war is widely known even today," said Bernard, "but this film also gets into her pre-war life and presents her as a complicated and intelligent young woman dedicated to socialism in the Late Imperial Republican period."


President Poppy Smith-Bennots, on Left is to be portrayed by actress Tanna al-Yusef-Talibbi, from Yoshimi

Smith, a devout member of the Brethrenist Faith, held advanced degrees in Economic and International Trade, and was a post-doctoral Fellow working on Public Policy when she was elected to the Presidency at the age of 33 following a collapse in the Internationalist Government under President Estevez. She was elected to focus more on the Republic and adopt a less internationalist stance, but world events at the beginning of the Terra War outpaced her. Her entire administration was incredibly tense, beginning with problems in the Anatonese Ocean, and ending, unfortunately in her untimely death defending Kaliburg from a ground assault. Most of Kaliburg was eventually leveled by Naval barrage from the Indralan Fleet anyway, but due to the previous and tireless efforts of the Kalistani Government, most civilians had been evacuated to the mainland previous to the bombardment. Kaliburg was never occupied, due largely to the determination of Socialist Partisans.

Smith never had a spouse in her 17 years as President of the Republic. Her biographer explained that she had always wanted a love life, but first her education and then her duties as President of the Republic and then the war foreclosed any opportunities for romance. "She had a plenty romantic life, to live and die in the service of the Republic, defending Ananto in a hopeless battle that only ended in a draw against one of the most mighty Empires in Terra because Indrala needed the troops and supplies and war equipment elsewhere. Unfortunately for her, this did not mean a long term committed relationship though."

Accomplished and skilled Yoshimi actress Tanna al-Yusef-Talibbi, 43, will play Smith in the movie. "It's a real thrill to portray such a Kalistani Hero," said al-Yusef. "In a lot of ways, it almost feels like we are going through a lot of the same things today as she had to go through, but of course, we have the benefit of nine centuries of history on her, and things are a lot different too." Al-Yusef, who is herself a practicing Ahmadi was asked if it would be difficult portraying the Fighting Brethrenist. "No, I can't see how it would be. Much like the Brethren, the Ahmadi is religion of peace as well. And like the Brethren, we would also not disobey our conscience if it said we must fight."

Al-Yusef said she joined the cast after being shown the script. "I was a real fan of the book when it came out a few years ago, so when Don [Bernard] called me and told me that he had me in mind to portray the President, I put my own production about Halal Cooking on hiatus for as long as it takes to complete this Project." Al-Yusef also became one of the Executive Producers of the film.

Primary Photography is expected to wrap in February. The film will be shot primarily in and around Dahriel, but additional locations will be in Kaliburg, Neveras, and Eveari. The President's demise will not be shown graphically, out of respect for her and the partisans who died at her side. "We are working with Special effects teams to depict the destruction of Kaliburg, though," said Bernard, who plans to rely heavily on archival footage and CGI. "That sequence alone almost doubles the cost of the production," said Bernard, "But the goal is to be as faithful to History, and to show Audiences what happened to Ananto and Kalistan as a whole during the battles in the War." Luckily, though, Bernard and Knoffzinger both imagine this movie to be a "character drama" with the action sequences taking up a relatively small part of the film, while dialogue and character development occupy the vast majority of the movie. Several hundred members of the RSMoK have also been contracted to be extras and to perform minor speaking roles in the Movie.

"It will not be boring at all," said Bernard, "but it is not intended to be a war movie. Both Vye [Knoffzinger] and I wanted to make this a beautiful ode to one of the truest examples of Kalistani Patriotism that ever walked our soil, and perhaps inspire modern Kalistanis to emulate her example."

"Poppy" is slated for release next summer.