Kalistani Major History

[Doc]

Barajas Returns to Kalistan
Chief Negotiator is promptly elected President; Delivers blistering, but short inaugural address
Kaliburg, Ananto
October 17, 4417


Ana Barajas, Odfaray Governor and more recently Peace Negotiator, adds "President" to her list of titles

Blythe Johnson-Bennots, Who has served as President of the Republic for the last 11 years has stepped down from office and Handed the reigns over to popular Governor and Diplomat Ana Barajas.

In her farewell address, Johnson recounted a number of challenges and accomplishments of her Administration:

"Since taking office, this Administration has nationalized one half of the Kalistani Economy.  We have concluded alliances with two major powers, Vanuku and Selucia.  We have opened trade , and re-established the Kalistani Government's role in export of drugs, oil, steel, and to which we now add cars, civilian aircraft, fabrics and textiles, and a host of other products.  We have rebuilt the Regular Standing Forces of Kalistan from nothing.  We have successfully concluded peace in a conflict which was not of our choosing over the Ananto Strait.  We defended Kalistani Sovereignty in a number of ways.  I am a humble person, and have recently become a member of the Society of Brethren.  But even I must say, this is impressive.  We now turn the administration of our great nation over to a woman who will no doubt carry on this effort, but certainly expand upon it.  A good Socialist, an accomplished Governor in her own right, a fantastic diplomat, and a good singer, I might add, Comrade President Ana Barajas."

After this introduction, the former President returned to her seat and Barajas took the podium.  She was applauded for several minutes, and at one point needed to step back from the microphone while people cheered.  When she was finally able to regain silence in the crowd, she delivered her innagural address, which was very short, compared to others in Kalistan's History.

"Comrades, Greetings.  In my travels, I have learned a couple things.  First:  Interests are not negotiable.  If they are of fundamental importance to a side, that side will stick on them forever, and will never move.  The way you make them stick to those interests is by mocking the legitimacy of those interests, and belittling the people who hold them.  It is better, in my opinion, to show those people courtesy, to acknowledge the validity of those interests and even if you can't accommodate them all, don't inform them of this fact by dictating terms.  The Second thing I learned is that interests can actually be talked about.  We can talk about policy, we can talk about limits, this that and the other.  We can settle grievances.  That is a give and take process.  But a slight:  You cause a personal harm to another person, one that they take personally, even if you didn't intend it, or they are imagining it, they will NEVER forget that, and they will remember the slight, and the person who caused that slight forever.

"We are reaping the benefits of the previous Administration's policies.  Kalistan is moving into a new age.  And we will never, ever forgive those who gave offense to Kalistan's legitimate national interests.  Just like we don't forget those who came to help Kalistan in the time of need, and just like we don't forget those who took every opportunity to make peace with us at the first opportunity, we also do not forget those who tried to kick us when we were down, and those who tried to pretend that Kalistan had no right to make any claims to anything.  We will never forget the slights given to us.  Kalistan has returned to its rightful position, and can stand up now.  There will be no other power kicking us while we are in a ditch ever again."

After this particularly bellicose inaugural speech, Barajas let the podium.  The first public announcement released from her office was about her intention to seek military exercises with the Vanuku 4th Fleet still stationed at Bozo River Combined Arms Training Facility.  There is no wonder who the President of the Republic referred to in her speech.