Kalistani Major History

[Doc]

Major setback for Northern Rail as Tunnel collapses outside of Funkadelphia
Maglev construction halted while Vrassa Northern figures out how to rescue trapped workers
Funkadelphia, Vrassa
April 23, 5344


Small earthquake in Northern Vrassa causes Tunnel collapse, killing at least 19 workers, with an additional 340 trapped in pocket

In Northern Vrassa, as Vrassa Northern Rail was nearing the final stretch of construction on the National Maglev Rail Line, a small earthquake caused a major tunnel to collapse. The collapse killed at least 19 workers immediately, while trapping another 340 in an air pocket. The collapsed tunnel is in a mile long section in one of the last ranges of uplands before breaking through to the Jah River Plain. All work on the rail line is halted as a rescue effort is mounted from the Funkadelphia side of the collapsed tunnel.

"The human toll in this tunnel collapse is unthinkable," said Vrassa Northern Rail spokeswoman Katie Del Rio. "19 lives lost is far too high a cost for a project like this, but we are trying to focus on rescuing the 340 workers who remain alive in the tunnel." Del Rio said that it is unlikely that the rubble will be able to be cleared in time to save the workers who are trapped. "We are dealing with more than a mile of debris here from the collapsed tunnel," said Del Rio. "We are unsure how stable the mountain is where the earthquake occurred, and the last thing we want to do is further weaken the structure of the mountain by blasting the rubble out of the way."

Instead, Del Rio said that the company is planning to drill an access port from the side of the mountain into the pocket where the trapped workers are. "They have plenty of air, we've been able to determine," said the Railway Spokeswoman. "What they lack is fresh water and food, which, of course, they wouldn't have brought with them- We anticipate that with severe rationing, the crew has about five to seven days of water in the tunnel, but very little food. By our calculation, between them and the surface of the mountain, there is only about 300 yards of stone. If we excavate 200 feet a day, which is a rate we were occasionally able to achieve, we can get to them in three days, but it is more likely to take us closer to five days to reach them. Once the workers are free, we will be able to determine the geological condition of the tunnel. But initial surveys suggest that the tunnel will not be usable in any sense, and we will have to reroute the maglev in this area."

When asked how much damage to the railway the collapse caused, the spokeswoman stated, "We have not done initial calculations yet. Right now we are focused on saving the lives of our workers. Once they are safe and back with their families, we will attempt to calculate the setback to the Maglev." Asked if the bodies of the 19 dead will be able to recover, Del Rio stated, "Probably not. They are buried under hundreds of tons of stone and dirt, and if this mountain is as unstable as we think, attempting to recover their bodies will simply put more people at risk."

The Governor of Vrassa was on hand, and issued an emergency declaration for the site of the collapsed tunnel, which will likely serve to shield Vrassa Northern Railway from liability by taking up any litigation on behalf of the Company. "It is in our District's interest to offer any and all assistance to Vrassa Northern Rail as they work to free these trapped workers," said Governor Michael Griffin of the Socialist Party. "We will continue to work with the company not only to assist the families of the deceased, but also to ensure that those who are trapped are brought back to full health and made whole after this tragedy. We are not assigning any blame for the collapse at this time, though we have word that Vrassa Northern Rail will cooperate in all investigations to discover if there is any negligence that was even partly responsible for this event, and due to the 60% stake that the District has in the railway, we will ultimately limit any exposure that private investors have here whatever the results of the investigation are." A determination of negligence on the part of the railway will not affect Vrassa's effort to compensate victims' families: the District said that they will negotiate compensation with the families who lost loved ones in the collapse that includes full payment of a pension and survivors benefits that the state already offers public sector workers.

The collapse is expected to delay further construction for at least a year.

[Doc]

18 years into the Project, Vrassa Northern connects to Port Swedes
President Elect Danielle Diaz on hand to dedicated line connecting to Yoshimi
Port Swedes, Vrassa
October 30, 5345


President Elect Danielle Diaz speaks before a small crowd at Dedication Ceremony

Vrassa Northern Railway officially opened the Port Swedes terminus of the National Magnetic Levitation Railway today, 18 years after the project started in Sulari. The terminus marks the completion of the transnational rail line, which has travelled 2070 miles up the coasts of Suldanor, Odufray and Vrassa. The President Elect was on hand to dedicate the railway to the People of Kalistan and the 25 workers who lost their lives in the Tunnel 16 tragedy a year and a half ago.

"This mammoth undertaking creates the first transnational magnetic Levitation railway system in the world," said President Elect Diaz, of the Socialist Party. "With it, we expect to be able to travel across the country by rail in just over 10 hours. This may be a longer trip than air travel, but it will ultimately be less expensive, kinder to our environment, and better for tourists who wish to visit other parts of the Republic. We thank the workers for all of their efforts during this generational effort, as well as our private sector partners for their generous contribution to the infrastructure of Kalistan."

The President addressed the tragedy in what has come to be known as Tunnel 16. "Just over a year and a half ago, 25 members of the third shift were constructing a tunnel for this railway, when an earthquake, we now know was the result of intensive drilling in striated sandstone, caused the mountain the tunnel was passing through to collapse. 19 workers were immediately killed, while more than 65 were injured in the tunnel collapse. The 6 most seriously injured eventually succumbed to their wounds and died before rescuers could get to the trapped crew 6 days after the events of that day. While we lost those 25, the remaining members of the work crew were reunited with their families. The families who lost loved ones that week will not be forgotten by this Republic."

Following a moment of silence for the lost, The President read an official declaration from the National Assembly: "We, the people of the Republic of Kalistan, do hereby dedicate this National MagLev Railway. May it ever serve all people along its lines with equality of access and convenience of travel." The President then smashed a bottle of Yoshimi Rum over the first car destined to travel the entire railway from Port Swedes to Yoshimi. As the people filed aboard for the maiden trans-national voyage, the President took a few questions.

She was asked why the dedication was happening in Port Swedes instead of Addisjah, which was intended to be the original final terminus. "Vrassa Northern, and I don't mean to speak for them, but this is what was told to me, had decided after the Tunnel 16 accident to abandon, for the time being, the route from Port Swedes to Addisjah. As we understand, there is no interest in Lodamun for a rail linkup with the terrestrial cargo railway, or a link into the Northern Seleyan Rail Network, which we had talked about, when I was a girl, actually, and so there doesn't seem to be a point in running this maglev to Addisjah to make a link up that will never cross the Jah River from Lodamun. A link will eventually be made in Phase 2, but this station officially completes Phase 1."

Diaz was asked about future construction in Vrassa and Nevaras. "It's only a matter of time before Vrassa City and cities on the Plateau are linked in," said the President Elect. "And from there, Nevaras will also see construction, especially in the Central Valley. We expect Nevaras City and Vilbin to be linked in within the next 10 years, and Vrassa City connected within 15, to complete the original routes that were planned in the 30 year plan. But of course, infrastructure costs money, and we are continuing to look to Private investors to make up about 40 percent of the cost of the construction. Additionally, we want to connect Lucid City in Suldanor, along with Temmon and Ulsur City via spurs that go out from Hubs where practical. Again. All of that costs money, part of which will be generated by the operation of the part of the line we have open."

When asked how long she expects construction on the MagLev Railway to take, the President was optimistic. "We should see Phase 2 construction on the Mainland completed within 15 years. After that, it will be up to the rail operating companies under the NTOC to continue construction as budgets permit and demand requires. As for Ananto, They have not begun on developing a maglev operating company yet, and I am told that it will likely be another 5 years before they even do, as the demand on the Island is obviously less, while anticipated construction costs border prohibitive due to the volcanic soil and mountain ranges across most of the Island."

Before leaving on the first Trans National voyage of the MagLev, the President Elect waved at the small crowd that turned out to see the dedication. "While this is the work of my predecessors, and I merely happen to be running for office in the upcoming special election, I, like all citizens of this Republic will benefit from the forward looking vision of those who planned this line, gave not only their dollars, but their sweat and yes, their blood to see it brought to life, and all its supporters throughout our Republic. We now take a trip into the future, as Kalistan leaps forward in the field of modern infrastructure." With that, President Elect Diaz took her seat, waved goodbye to the small crowd and the train whisked off on a magnetic field, rapidly accelerating to a speed of 245 miles an hour as it coursed through the Vrassan Countryside.

[Doc]

LCR makes major play to capture Indie Hip Hop Scenes
Signals change by signing Spliff to a three record deal
Sulari, Suldanor
April 12, 5346


Spliff, from Igloo, Kaliburg leads recruitment effort at LCR

As Radio 2 becomes more popular in Kalistan, one fact remains prominent. Though Hip hop tends to remain among the most popular music forms in the Republic, and has long enjoyed great popularity at Kalistan's music festivals, it has long been primarily a live art form. Recorded hip hop music is usually released either as independent singles on streaming services, or passed around on mixed tapes and dj bootlegs. This practice has led to hip hop artists, whose music often borrows heavily from the vast catalog of Kalistani music to retain nearly all proceeds from their music, without having some record label taking large parts of the sales to recuperate costs.

But an increasing demand for recorded hip hop in Kalistan has led to the signing of the first hip hop group to a major label. Last Chance Records, known more for punk and hard core has signed Kaliburg duo Spliff to a three record guarantee, as it makes a move to enter the hip hop market. "Signing to LCR gives us national and international distribution," said Spliff leader Greenleaf. "Normally, we distribute through word of mouth or through streaming--People hear our sh-- on Radio 2, and they like it, they download it. But now Spliff if about to blow up."

Spliff is one of the most successful hip hop bands in Kalistan at the moment, with major tour support from sponsors like ODEN and promoters in Suldanor, Nevaras and Ananto. "Our move was to artistic," said other half of the duo Cottonmouth. "Rock musicians use studios to make art. We've stayed in our home studios for too long: Even the best hip hop can't compete on production doing it independently. So we wanted to make as awesome a record as any of the rock bands make." LCR's A&R rep, Mark Claire added, "Getting Spliff to come to record records at LCR allows them to take the creativity they have honed to a fine edge both in their home studios and the experience they have from their years on the road, and apply that technical expertise with formal professional studio tools to make an exceptional quality record. It allows them to take their art to the next level."

Greenleaf said its kind of funny to think of any record a hip hop artist makes as some sort of high art. "We are top of our game as lyricists, and as independent artists we have had to figure out how to imitate the big studio sounds. But most of our songs are about smoking weed, or buying weed, or growing weed. It's fun, it's what we do. Its why we and ODEN get along so well on the road. It's not art, unless you count making the best produced songs about smoking weed art."

Spliff signing to LCR not only opens the Industry's gates to hip hop, but also takes aim at bringing hip hop to the World. "The Music Industry provides the world a window on Kalistani Culture," said LCR's Claire. "Hip hop has been a part of our music scene since the very beginning, for more than 1500 years. But the rest of the world doesn't hear our hip hop because so far, hip hop artists have chosen to remain independent, for the most part. We want to change that and begin exporting this part of our culture right along with the music that the World knows us for. Because Hip Hop deserves to be right up there."

Greenleaf was a bit more cautious about the band's prospects for international fame. "It's not that we don't think that we will do well in other countries," he said. "Of course we will. But one of the biggest reasons hip hop musicians have kept our music independent was that we don't want some corny ass wannabes trying to do this when they don't have any connections to the community. We're worried about getting too popular, you know? Because then every fool is going to start rapping, and its gonna just suck. You're gonna get like lowest common denominator stuff, which would be like selling out. So we gotta tread a fine line. We can keep the music good if we can keep it small. It gets too big, and a bunch of whack a--holes start making rap without any connection to hip hop, and me and Cottonmouth will regret doing this. Its why we didn't sign with KMI. They are WAY too big."

Whether Spliff want to keep their art form small and true to its roots or not is fairly irrelevant. The first pressing of Spliff's debut album "The Joint" which was released last week, sold out of its 5000 copy run in a week, and the album has now sold more than 40,000 copies across the Republic. Another 50,000 are being printed for international distribution, and the album, which features guest appearances by Kaliburg crews Zappateros and Binary Rebellion, as well as MCs Bozozuko, Cannibanoid, and the Smokey Z. "I mean yeah, we're making money and we're bringing our friends up with us," said Greenleaf. "We just hope it ain't too big too fast."

You can listen to Spliff's first single, "5 Sack" from their debut record The Joint here.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSC9cgvtkRs]

[Doc]

KalNaPeCo and MInInd officials fly to Lourenne to discuss increasing production
Reported Deal involves forming joint firm with Lourennais Institutional Investors
Suldanor, Sulari
April 12, 5347


Several decommissioned Oil Platforms could be returned to Service if Deal with Lourenne is sealed

Negotiators from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, as well as high level KalNaPeCo representatives travelled to Eroncourt this week to discuss the future direction of the National Oil Company. The Republic has spent most of the last 150 year attempting to free itself from dependence on fossil fuel extraction and refining, and has only been mostly successful. Kalistan now operates at just 6 percent of its total national capacity, and mainly utilizes petroleum products to fuel military vehicles and ships, and to generate plastics. Most of the currently remaining proven reserves lie in capped deep water wells along the Southern Limit.

Within the last few months, there has been a buzz in Kaliburg and Sulari about a possible deal aimed at restoring the oil industry in Kalistan. In February, representatives from the Foreign Ministry from Lourenne contacted Kalistan's government about the possibility of selling the United Kingdom petroleum. "Initially, we were fairly pessimistic on the proposal," said KalNaPeCo spokesman Jarvis Craft. "The initial proposal called for Kalistan to sell oil directly to Lourenne. But at the moment, KPO only produces about 57,000 barrels of oil a day from wells in Suldanor. This is not enough to create exports without shorting our own companies."

Craft then said that Kalistan made a counter proposal. "We actually offered a plan where Lourennais Institutional Actors (say, for example, Lourenne's Government, or large scale Private investors) purchase a block of stock in the company up the entire total of remaining outstanding stock, or just over 1 billion shares, and then as part owners, recommission the capped infrastructure we have been maintaining but not using to extract oil since about 5200. These platforms would still be operated by KPO whatever that entity looks like after the buy in, but Lourennais tankers would be treated as KPO tankers under the agreement, same as Kalistani Tankers. The new Joint Kalistani-Lourennais firm would then invest in new refinery infrastructure in Lourenne so that oil extracted in the Strait could be refined in Dovani rather than Suldanor and used for the Lourennais Market, saving Lourenne significant sums of money both on transport and also whatever markups there are in the whole sale market- They would essentially be sharing the cost of extraction, and then getting the petroleum at that cost, like Kalistan does."

Craft said this deal makes sense under the long standing economic integration agreement between Kalistan and Lourenne. "It would seem that such a reinvestment makes sense under that agreement. Rather than sell the oil to Lourenne, they would buy into the company, and it would be their oil. All profits realized by Lourennais remain in Lourenne and they share the burden of maintaining the infrastructure they use. Right now, this is KPO's largest cost--wells we can't abandon completely because we aren't trying to create environmental disasters, but for which there is no longer a market in Kalistan."

When discussing whether such a deal would involve a corporate restructuring, Craft said that might depends on how independent both nations wish to remain under this deal. "Kalistan and Kalistani Investors would retain controlling interest in the company, whatever the investment of Lourenne ends up being. But this doesn't mean that some corporate restructuring wouldn't happen. For example, I can imagine bringing KalEnCon under a larger KPO umbrella as a major institutional investor, as well as the Kalistani extraction and refinery operations, while the Lourennais extraction and refinery provisions would be a separate department of the company."

The news of a Lourennais buy-in was met with some skepticism by some of the more ardent left-nationalists among the Socialists. Deputy Brienne Gardner, of Vrassa City said "KPO is proposing selling our national resources to a foreign power. A Great power at that, who might use that oil in a war against Kalistan." Jeoffery Argentum, Deputy from Eveari said "We must stop this deal before it even starts. The paltry figures the Government has preliminarily offered this chamber do not come close to a fair market value for this infrastructure. They are suggesting that Lourenne buy in at the current stock price of 27.35 Rubles a share, for all 1.23 Billion outstanding shares, or 37% of the company. Lourenne, if they go through with this purchase, will be the second largest stockholder in the KALISTANI National Petroleum Company, after the National Government itself, which still owns just over 40% of the company. This massive transfer of the infrastructure of Kalistan is obscene!"

Supporters of a deal shouted down the Nationalists in the National Assembly, with Katie Boggs, Deputy from Sulari leading support for a deal. "The loyal opposition needs to relax," she said on the Floor of the Assembly. "The details are not formalized yet, so we do not even know what Lourenne will offer for the outstanding shares. We only know a friendly nation is interested in going into business with this Republic, and we aren't using that oil, nor do we have any plans to use it. This joint venture will be a boon for Kalistan as profits from petroleum sales by Lourenne will also benefit Kalistan. Further, it will reduce the market for foreign oil in the Anantonese Ocean basin: A deal like this may allow Lourenne to completely abandon purchase contracts with other major oil producing nations that do not benefit Seleyans or Dovanians at all. And last, the fact that Kalistani waters are the source of Lourennais Oil will help tie our two countries even closer together than they are, a fact which militates AGAINST conflict over those waters, not promotes it." In the end, Socialist Deputies supported the proposal to send negotiators to Lourenne by a vote of 53-26, with most of the holdouts being from Vrassa and Ananto. The measure passed on voice vote, fast tracking the resolution through the Assembly.

Negotiators are now in Lourenne to discuss the terms of an agreement, if there is one. The team, consisting of the deputy minister for industry and Trade overseeing KALNAPECO Operations, Chad Smith, as well as the CEO, CFO and COO of KALNAPECO, along with their staff, has the power to negotiate on behalf of the Republic, but any decision they conclude requires ratification in the National Assembly before it goes into effect. This feature was a concession to nationalists opponents of any deal, and ended up flipping perhaps 2 votes.

The Government has signaled that they will support the deal when it is brought back to the Assembly.

[Doc]

Socialist Partisans return to Nsanlosa
Militia Mission extended with a focus on tactics and combined arms
Sulekoto, Nsanlosa
September 30, 5347


Kalistani Partisan Trainer advises Nsanian special forces on the operation of the M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun

Elements of the RSMoK have deployed once more to Nsanlosa on an extended advisor mission to help the Dovani nation train its special forces. "The Socialist Party's militia has enjoyed a long relationship with the military of Nsanlosa over the years," said Captain Dwayne Norris of the 18th Column,RSMoK. "We look forward to returning to Nsanlosa to continue working with their armed forces, to not only bring them up to speed, but to sharpen our own skills in the process. The tactical training this time includes more of the irregular tactics which our Militia practices, but also we want to reinforce the emphasis on combined arms. Modern Warfare dictates that an irregular force have both the ability to operate 100% independently from the Regular force, but also, at times, coordinate things like artillery fire in support of tanks or air or support tactical maneuver. Sometimes, the irregulars will be used in a battle between regulars to relieve the Regulars in some position, or to hold a corridor open to prevent encirclement. That tactical training will make the irregulars more versatile in a theater of war and more valuable for the nation who utilizes them.:

The Militia will deploy with a stock of heavy arms, to reintroduce them to the Nsanian military. "Our centerpiece is the M2 .50 cal machine gun. It is designed to destroy engine blocks," said Captain Norris. "This is a fairly standard crew served weapon that is attached to each militia column. There are lighter weapons out there, but for the buck, the Mod Deuce packs the greatest punch and works well in a prepared defensive position, and can be the difference between being over run and escaping. A good fire team can deploy the M2 on its tripod in less than 2 minutes and engage targets up to a mile away. Proficiency on this weapon system is a must, both for regulars and irregulars."

Six columns of Militia, totaling more than 300 militia Partisans are expected to remain in Nsanlosa for up to 2 years before rotating back to Kalistan. On previous deployments, married Partisans were permitted to deploy together, but the Socialist Party has stipulated this deployment to be a "hardship" tour, following several instances of force demoralization during the last deployment, where several members of the militia took up fraternization within Nsanlosa and decided to remain. "Liberty will obviously be restructured on this deployment, with more in camp diversions," said Captain Norris. "The last thing we need is Partisans applying for discharge so they can take up with their foreign boy and girl friends. We intend to discourage fraternization to the degree that we had it last time we visited Nsanlosa, and I am under the impression that local authorities will appreciate the Partisan Command Structure keeping a tighter lid on public drunkenness, drug use, and sexual activity."

[Doc]

KALNAPECO Board Formally Approves Lourenne Buy In
Board reserves 1,317,981,444 Shares for transfer, KPO Stock Prices rise on news
Sulari, Suldanor
October 5, 5347


Board of Directors offers Majority support for Lourenne Buy-In at Emergency Meeting

News of success of negotiations in Lourenne and interest in a Kalistan's terms for the much anticipated Lourennais buy in of KalNaPeCo sparked an immediate meeting of the Board of Directors of the Kalistani National Oil Company, who debated the messages from Kalistan's representatives to the United Kingdom. In a move that was broadly supported, KalNaPeCo purchased the remaining outstanding shares of the Company, totaling more than 1.3 Billion shares, for a total of nearly 38.7 Billion Rubles. The financing for the purchase came from a line of Credit from Republican Commerce Bank, a branch of the Republican National Bank, who will hold the shares in escrow pending sale to Lourennais Institutional Investors as part of the transfer. Upon buy-back of the outstanding stock, prices of KPO in the Kalsie skyrocketed, leading to a modest sell off in the afternoon following the announcement, before Prices settled down at around K36 a share.

"The reservation of the Stock was to guarantee a price to Lourennais Investors," said CFO William Brighton. "The Republic plans to offer the block of Stock to Lourenne for a price of 6.2 Billion Francs. This represents a significant discount from the K38.7 Billion that KPO paid to purchase the stock back. The deal comes with the block of stock, which is 38.2% of the longstnding National company." In addition, KPO intends to reorganize as an umbrella corporation, to transfer oil exploitation and refining operations, as well as the plastics operations, to KALENCON, who will come under KPO governance, and unite the Kalistani energy sector into a single corporation, while creating a new Corporation, incorporated in Lourenne, that will fall under KPO's board of directors and will be operated independently from Lourenne.

The Old KALNAPECO Chrater will be officially vacated and a new Charter will be drafted by the National Assembly following the sale, and will be ratified including Lourennais Directors to guarantee the Lourennais Company, ostensibly to be organized under Petrole Royale, to have independence in operations in all matters involving Lourennais drilling and refining of the Deep Sea Oil Formations along Kalistan's Southern Limit.

"We also will transfer the aging infrastructure in the Ananto Strait to the newly formed Lourennis firm, with KPO retaining access to those wells if needed" said Brighton. "The savings in not having to pay maintenance on those capped platforms will make up the remaining cost of the Stock in about ten years allowing KPO to settle the final part of its debt for the Stock Buyback." Meanwhile, KPO will raise the capital from Kalistani and Lourennais Investors to build a new refining facility in Lourenne to increase capacity in Dovani, and allow Lourenne to be able to refine its own oil in a modern facility. In addition, KPO has authorized an increase in production of Petroleum to up to as much as 250,000 barrels a day, up from Kalistan's current production levels of 57,000 barrels a day. KPO will be responsible, as before, for all environmental costs and will attempt to operate in the most environmentally conscious manner.

A profit sharing agreement will need to be hammered out still, though the Board has signaled that profits could be paid out either as an annual royalty to Kalistan, or in the form of dividends equal to the shares of the company, controlling for cost. "Obviously, the goal is that Lourenne earn a fair profit on its extraction and refining," said Brighton as he lobbied the Board. "However, we also want to make sure that 1) Oil is not being extracted at an unsustainable rate, and 2) Kalistan is making a fair amount that will allow us to keep our waterways clean and safe despite oil operations. There is enough oil in the Deep Sea formations to supply a conscientious user for centuries to come, and KALNAPECO has never operated for the goal of earning a lot of profit on oil sales. Ramping back up to old production numbers will obviously deplete those formations faster than we would like to see them depleted, but we feel that Lourenne is committed to keeping the seas and the air clean as well, and reducing pollution caused by fossil fuels, and it is our hope that when the Oil is gone, we will already have made the transition to clean energy through solar, wind, tidal, geothermal and fusion generation, so that fossil fuels are no longer necessary. We are certain that this is Lourenne's goal as well, rather than simply extraction for profit."

Following the role call vote, which came out 72-25 for the buy-in, CEO Marsha Zellig declared the effort a success. "We look forward to strengthening ties with Lourenne over this historic deal. It will be a benefit to both the people of Kalistan and the People of Lourenne, and will help Anantonese Nations break from dependence on foreign energy. We look for many years of cooperation with Lournne over this deal. We will forward this offer to Lourenne for approval, and barring any major changes, begin the merger."

[Doc]

New Lourennais High Chancellor Tours Ananto
Fashion magnate turned politician attracts large crows in Capital
Kaliburg, Ananto
April 14, 5348


Lourennais Premier Maria Adiore arrives in Kaliburg and turns concourse into a Red Carpet event

One of the most recognizable women in the entire world, Lourenne's Maria Adiore, who was recently elected to the High Chancellory, has arrived in Kaliburg. The visit was a sensation across Ananto, where she spent more than a week on a speaking and sightseeing tour, when she was not meeting with members of the Kalistani Government.

Adiore, who is known for speaking Vrassan with a thick Gaduri Accent, as well as her family's massive fortune from her high end fashion line, was something of a celebrity in Kalistan, as adoring fans gathered at her public appearances. "I think she is more famous in some quarters of Kalistan than she is in Lourenne," said one fan, 16 year old Bethanny Jones of Dulnerstaad, where the High Chancellor spent a day greeting members of the Lourennais community in Kalistan. "Of course me and all mes amies went down to check her out and get a picture with her!" Adiore also made a splash in Eveari, where she was billeted while in Kalistan on the Ananto Family Estate. "We were happy to open the residential quarters to Ms. Adiore while she stayed in Kalistan," said Estate Steward George Vespa. "The Staff here made every effort to see that she was comfortable and wanted for nothing while in our care."

The High Chancellor's visit was not a vacation, of course. Adiore spend much of her time in the Capital, meeting with members of the Cabinet, though, as per national tradition, she was not granted permission to speak to the National Assembly on the Floor. "The Law does not allow foreigners, even those from nations who are as close as Lourenne is, to speak in the Chamber," said Foreign Minister Nathan Sanchez, who spent several hours discussing Anantonese Security with the High Chancellor. "We were able to have a reception at the historic Socialist Party Head Quarters where the Chancellor was given the opportunity to address both the Deputies and the National Press."

According to Sanchez, items on the agenda was the recently accepted Lourennais buy in to KALNAPECO, and the progress Lourenne is making restoring the offshore platforms to working condition, as well as naval cooperation, reinforcing research and cultural partnerships across the Passage and efforts to continue to promote green energy in both nations. "We are also interested in welcoming Lourenne fashion and movies to Kalistan, where we already have a decent market for both sectors." Kalistan reiterated its position on neutrality when the topic of collective security was broached, while Kalistan also noted that they were all in on economic integration. "Ideally, we would like to have our currencies float closer together," said Finance Minister Jasmine St. James, "but there are a number of factors which still prevent full economic integration in currency and monetary markets, including Kalistan's unwillingness to abandon zero percent growth and tight capital control policies. We don't see this as a challenge for future cooperation, but then again, Kalistan and Lourenne do not compete in many sectors outside of luxury goods, so though there is not that monetary union, our two economies tend more toward complementing one another than causing competition." Kalistan did underscore that it is interested in increasing trade volume with Lourenne, simply becasue of emerging markets in both countries which can satisfy demand.

High Chancellor Adiore signs a few autographs before dining with the Premier of the Republic in Downtown Kaliburg

All in all, Kalistan reported that the meetings went very well, and the final visit between Premier Michelle Reynolds Torres and Ms. Adiore, which was held in private, finished with a photo opportunity and then a dinner at fashionable Kaliburg Restaurant Michaels on the Mall, where The Chancellor tried a slice of Kalistani Pizza, while Premier Reynolds bravely, if gingerly, tried escargot. The Press were on hand to document the jovial conclusion to the visit, as Chancellor Adiore waved good by to hundreds of well wishers before heading to her next destination.

[Doc]

Troubling news in Gao-Soto; Kunihito Minority called "Poison"
Kalistan steps to front of Human Rights
Kaliburg, Ananto
July 12, 5348


Premier of the Republic Michelle Reynolds-Torres announces new Sanctions

The Republic of Kalistan has ordered a new sanctions regime to go into effect by August 1 of this year against the nation, and specifically the Government of Hulstria and Gao-Soto, due to the support for ethnic violence against a quarter of the population by that nation's leader and his supporters. The sanctions will target trade and diplomatic relations with Gao-Soto and aim to isolate the nation, both economically and diplomatically.

"Gao-Soto is in danger of becoming a rogue state due to a troubling rise in outright racist policies by the cult of personality which has somehow managed to take control of the National Government," said Premier of the Republic Michelle Reynolds-Torres. "As ardent supporters of basic human rights like the freedom to move and live one's life without fear of official or officially sanctioned harassment from their own Government or fellow members of society, especially when it is based on your ancestry, Kalistan will emphatically and explicitly not do business with states that tolerate that sort of racist, hateful, and to be honest, fascist sort of mindset emanating from their own government. Gao-Soto has a choice: They either fix their broken and corrupted minds with regard to the people of their nation, ALL the people of their nation, or they do not associate with this Republic. That is our policy now, and will remain our policy going forward."

The sweeping sanctions package included a recall of Kalistan's diplomatic staff from Gao-Soto, with formal consular services winding within three months, and encouragement of Kalistani Citizens in Gao-Soto to divest themselves of any property or interests held within the nation, a general invitation for members of oppressed communities to consider relocating to Kalistan, where they will be welcomed and integrated into Kalistani Society while being allowed to keep their unique cultural signifiers as long as they prefer, and a suspension of all outstanding trade contracts to and from Gao-Soto, with modest compensation by the Government to Kalistani businesses for any permanent losses which cannot be recuperated elsewhere.

"In addition, the Government has ordered the arrest and detention of all diplomatic staff and high level business representatives from Gao-Soto pending deportation" said the Premier. "We opted for house arrest rather than detention because the sanctions are targetting their nation's government, but they themselves have not broken Kalistani laws, and therefore do not merit incarceration. Additionally, The Gao-Soto ambassador has been declared personna non grata and has already been ejected from the country, and all other detained Gao-Sotans will likely be flown to a third country within the space of three weeks where they can make their own way home. Other Gao-Sotans conducting business or vacationing in Kalistan will be welcomed to make their own way home, but will likewise not be permitted to stay. Gao-Sotan business and property will be protected under Kalistani law. No nationalization or expropriation order has been issued as of yet pertaining to these sanctions. We are hoping that escallation of their nation's racial animus does not necessitate such an action."

The Premier said that the Government of Kalistan is prepared to decrease this sanctions regime if the Government of Gao-Soto takes "adequate steps" toward fully integrating the Kunihito Minority into the general body politic and society of Gao-Soto, so that race division can never be used again by ethnic entrepreneurs like Klaus Eliya. "Our efforts here are to help the Population of that nation excise the brain worm that is currently--and I'll add historically, regularly--infecting that nation, and being used by people like Mr. Eliya to win elections among a scared and demoralized population. Race Baiting and scapegoating has no place in the modern world, and yet it unfortunately still happens. But Kalistan will work to encourage the people of the world who engage in it to lift their knuckles up off the ground, close their perpetually open lower jaw, stand upright and join the community of humans, instead of following degenerates like the Eliyas of the world, who would prefer they devolve into lower forms of life so they can be easily ruled and exploited."

The National Assembly approved the sanctions regime by voice vote.

[Doc]

ODEN reaffirms its commitment to a Drug Law Free World
Dankuk Scandal cited as one of the many areas needing improvement
Kaliburg, Ananto
February 9, 5351


ODEN operated coca fields in Western Odfaray produce lion's share of Continent's Raw Cocaine

Oden K has reaffirmed its commitment to fighting drug laws where they exist in Terra. The venerable narcotics and pharmaceutical cartel has been on the offensive since news was released about Foreign Minister Nathan Sanchez' arrest and imprisonment for possession of legally owned substances that are controlled under Baeguk's National Law. "The Foreign Minister survived the ordeal shaken, but otherwise unharmed by Baeguk officials," said ODEN-K spokesman Lawrence Chong, who was speaking last Friday as part of a new initiative by the Kalistani based drug organization to fight harsh drug laws in foreign nations. "While those substances were under perscription, and Mr. Sanchez is under strict doctor supervision in the use of the various chemicals he had on his person, we don't want to spend time talking about the unjust incarceration of one the most powerful and influential men in Kalistan, but about Baeguk, and other nations' strict drug laws. The prohibition must stop--it destroys human life!"

Chong noted that Kalistan had recently stepped up production of cocaine, marijuana, opium, and rye due to more cultivated crop land coming into the management of the very powerful agricultural producers' syndicate, which is closely aligned with ODEN. "We have seen an increase in coca production, for instance, by more than 265% in Odufaray alone, as cheaper energy lead to better agriculture techniques. In addition, growers in Ananto are beginning to switch to vertical farming methods for poppies and rye in greenhouses, leading to an increased yield per acre and longer, more controlled growing seasons. This naturally leads to an increase of the production of things like cannabis and hashish, raw and processed opium, morphine, heroin, opioids, cocaine and LSD within the Republic. As we end up selling these finished products to international buyers, it is obviously in our interest that other nations begin lowering the barriers to the use of these drugs within their countries."

ODEN-K does not transport drugs from Kalistan: All transportation arrangements are made by the purchasers, who import those drugs from Kalistan via private means. But Kaliburg has a long reputation for being one of the world's largest drug markets, and the reputation is well earned. "Each year, tons of product which is deemed illegal in the country of destination leaves Port Davon, either by boat or by air. We have no idea how much of it arrives at its destination, but this is hardly our concern: Our cartel represents the growers, and we do so by ensuring quality and good wholesale prices that draw people from the whole world to Kalistan." But Chong was also concerned about policy. "It would be better for us, if other nations would lower their laws against drug possession, so that we could do business in peace, and so black market smugglers would not have to carry our product for us. ODEN would love nothing more than to conduct direct shipments, but these countries and their paternalistic attitudes prevent that from happening."

On the current structure, Chong was hopeful. "Well, currently the only other nation fully on board with ODEN is Dolgava, so that means that the rest of the world is fair game. It is what it is: People are always going to want drugs, and that's a fact. Prohibition laws do not prevent them from getting them. That is also a fact. Nations that prohibit drugs in their country merely ensure that the drug trade is controlled by violent organized criminals who run a black market, which doesn't benefit the state or the people. ODEN doesn't take a stance on that: We are a business organization, and our business is to help our growers and producers make a good living. But if a country is concerned about violent organized criminals preying on people, they will legalize drugs within their country, stop harassing individual users, and legalize and tax drugs. We say to the Non-ODEN countries of the world: We would love to do business with you. Please: reconsider your war against your own people. Work with ODEN to bring a brighter, happier future to all of mankind, and let's stop this backward shortsighted policy of prohibition. Let's make the world Drug Law Free!"

[Doc]

As Mikuni enslaves its people, Kalistan deepens Sanctions regime
Ships from the North Western Dovani Rogue State will now be impounded
Kaliburg, Ananto
September 19, 5351


Premier Reynolds-Torres Announcing Crippling new sanctions against Mikuni

The Government of Kalistan has rolled sanctions against Mikuni into the currently standing sanctions regime in place against Trigunia. Both rogue states are currently personna non grata within the Republic, but Mikuni has, to date, been exempted from the commercial and economic sanctions. But following the legalization of slavery in that fascist dungeon, added to the daily egregious violations of the human rights of the People of Mikuni (the longstanding historical name of a nation The Kalistani Republic has previously referred to as Gao-Soto), the Government has extended sanctions to include all property of business interests, commercial interests and financial interests of that nation to be found within Kalistan.

"The Government of Kalistan is imposing a strict non-association with the main economic and political players in the State of Mikuni," said Premier of the Republic Michelle Reynolds-Torres. "They are enslaving their people, in addition to imposing a racist apartheid state and there is no nation in the world who should reward them for their sociopathic racial policy. Kalistan certainly will not be a Party to working with these wicked racists who play on the fears and hatreds of a handful of people to elevate a demagogue."

To wit, the Government of Kalistan has issued a broad expropriation order against all businesses and investments belonging to Mikuni Interests to be found within Kalistan. All bank accounts held by Mikuni investors who use Kalistan as a tax haven will be frozen and their assets nationalized. All Mikuni trading vessels will be denied port at any point along Kalistan's shore, and any ships listing Mikuni as a country of origin or nation of last port will be impounded, searched for Contraband, and expropriated if found to belong to Mikuni owners or the Mikuni State. Mikuni will not be called Hulstria within Kalistan, and any official of that fascist regime to be found within Kalistan will be arrested and incarcerated on the King's Rock Facility in Odufaray, pending the settlement of this crisis. Any Mikuni ship to be found to be transiting the Ananto Strait will be impounded and forced into the nearest port where it will be searched and expropriated. These Sanctions will take effect within 10 days, and will last until the Government of Kalistan drops them, pending significant efforts to improve the nation's human rights record and hold those responsible for this wicked policy to account.

"If the people of Mikuni ever get sick of this, they are welcome to change their government at any time and hold the people responsible for their suffering directly responsible," said the Premier. "We will consider the development of popular, anti-fascist formations within Mikuni to directly resist the efforts of the fascist government to be a positive development, even if they aim at rooting out the fascist leadership and tossing them out of office, and will support as we can."