Kalistani Major History

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Kalistani Republic
President of the Republic Smith answers questions about Anantanese Ocean closure
Responds to Indralan Comments
Senvias, Vrassa District
March 7, 3983


President Smith discusses recent Indralan statements made in their press

The President of the Republic, Poppy Smith- Bennots, today addressed a forum on Kalistani Foreign Affairs, where the question about the Government's policy of closure of the Anantanese Ocean was put directly to her.  Here is the statement the President gave in response:

Provocation?  Well, absolutely it is a provocation.  If the nations of the world wish to use the waters around Kalistan as highways for their war materiel, they should know that they won't be able to do so with impunity.  Indrala can paint our actions as supportive of Piracy, if they like.  Kalistan officially opposes the practice, and so that is that.  But one thing I will say is that Indrala seeks to exploit the Anantanese Ocean to conduct war on our neighbors, we should not simply sit idly by while this goes on around us.  How can we, in good conscience, not do anything to intervene against war?

Kalistan is a neutral nation, and it is true that we are relatively less powerful than the Indralans.  But their insistence that they shall operate in international waters at will demonstrates that they do not think very highly of us.  We also operate in international waters, and will do all that we can to protect our national interests, both at home and on the high seas.

We are not at war with Indrala.  We encourage the Empire to reconsider its rhetoric with regard to our attempts to defend our coastline from beligerent forces.  We will not tollerate offensive moves made against us, nor shall we wait until that offense finally drifts into our national waters.  The Anantanese Ocean remains closed, and will remain closed as long as larger, more powerful nations feel free to launch their provocations against Kalistan.  We will not hinder Indralan trade.  We will not hinder their legitimate anti-piracy efforts.  But if it appears that Indrala is coming for us, we will make them bleed.  Their attempts against Kalistan will be painful, and they will end up fighting for every inch they earn.

That is really all there is to say about it.  We invite the Indralans to take up their concerns via normal diplomatic channels.