Lodamun

[imperialpearl]

Largely stemming from the decades-long, broader dispute between Kalistan and Luthorian Commonwealth, the once-vaunted plans for the Lodamese Armed Forces in establishing Mordusia as the centrepiece for much of its operations in Majatra and Southern Dovani have been torpedoed amidst a controversy related to basing rights. Lodamun’s ascension to the Anantonese Empire, the north-seleyan “superstate” nestled on the Anantonese Ocean, has been met with the cold shoulder by some of its traditional partners, primarily Mordusia, who having expressed its disappointment in Lodamun’s abandonment of its once staunch independent streak, temporarily halted planned works on former Naval/Air Station (now Naval Station) Walbrook. The about-turn came as the Mordusian Government shut down the idea that owing to Lodamun’s involvement in the Anantonese Empire, that by virtue of this association, Kalistani forces may have access to the facilities as mentioned in the Lodamun-Mordusia Comprehensive Agreement on Security Cooperation. Here it was argued that by both Mordusian Defence Minister Jeffrey Heart and Foreign Minister Harrold Edwinson that the new development [Lodamun’s ascension to the AE] would ultimately change the dynamic of the Lodamese-Mordusian relationship. 

“It is our wish for them to leave our country. We respect them and want to work with them, Luthori is not in the east, yet, however, we do not feel comfortable with the Anantonese Empire holding bases in our nation, nor did we agree to this. We also find it unreasonable that Lodamun did this without considering the feelings of its partner, how would our alliance work,” Defence Minister Heart noted. In calling for talks between Luthori, Mordusia, Lodamun and Kalistan to mediate what had been brewing into a major dispute behind closed doors, Foreign Minister Edwinson explained, “We made a deal with Lodamun, not the Anatonese Empire, that changes a lot and in our eyes the treaty has ended. The deal with Luthori and Kalistan also stands and Mordusia is keen on it being enforced.” Negotiations were held in Randworth, the Mordusian federal capital and had been attended by numerous officials from the governments of the nations intimately involved in the situation including Kalistani Foreign Minister Christopher Bjorksdattir (acting as the lead negotiator on behalf of Kalistan and the AE), Lodamese Secretary of State Oliver Caillou and Secretary of Defence Kristian Harding, Luthorian Prime Minister Carolina Pryce alongside the aforementioned Defence Minister Heart and Foreign Minister Edwinson.

At the latter end of week-long negotiations, the Mordusian Government released a statement detailing the new terms by which Lodamun’s presence in Mordusia would be governed moving forward. It noted that whereas previously the Lodamese Armed Forces had made plans for a dramatic expansion to basing operations in Naval Air Station Walbrook, such ambitions would be tempered, with proposed plans to be “halved”. Additionally, it grants permission for vessels from nations of the Anantonese Empire other than Lodamun (i.e. Kalistan and Gaduridos) to refuel and repair at the base alongside allowing the AE’s flags to fly on the base granted that it maintains the same level of the Mordusian flag. It placed a 10-year sunset for negotiations between the relevant parties on the aforementioned naval deal and also called for the Lodamese Air Force to depart the facility entirely. 

Secretary Harding noted that the DoD’s assessment of the new terms were reasonable as he noted that given the shortcomings of Lodamun’s failure to inform Mordusia of the nation of their relationship amidst Lodamun’s closer alignment with the AE, there was not much the Lodamese Government could do but accept the terms. “It is our belief that these terms of reasonable, given our own shortcomings in having not informed the Mordusian Government of this changed dynamic,” Harding explained. Luthori’s involvement in the negotiations had been largely restricted to a guarantor of Mordusia, as Prime Minister Pryce attempted to establish a common ground for both Mordusia and Kalistan, the centrepieces of the dispute. Both Luthori and Kalistan have, until recent, maintained an inherent suspicion of the other. Prior to the dispute, Kalistan imposed economic sanctions on the Luthorian Commonwealth, threatening to sanction nations partied to the Commonwealth Treaty. Although the discourse surrounding that controversy has since subsided, with both Kaliburg and Fort William making yeoman steps in improving relations, scars nonetheless remain.

At a press briefing at the DoD building in Kensington, Commander of Seleyan Command (SELCOM) General Francis Carson and Commander of Dovanian Command (DOVCOM) General Derreck Holman noted that although the limitations imposed on the planned expansion of now Naval Station Walbrook were regrettable, it would not hinder the Lodamese Armed Forces’ plans to expand operations into Dovani. “It is ultimately regrettable that the planned expansion of the base to become a major hub for Lodamese operations in Majatra and Dovani was ultimately limited, but we remain steadfast in our goals to establish a clear Lodamese presence in these regions to support our allies in Kafuristan and Dovani,” General Carson explained. He noted that the removal of the Lodamese Air Force from operating in Mordusia would impact Lodamun’s efforts to provide arms to Kafuristan as weapons (be it aircraft or munitions) destined for the South-Eastern Majatran state would ultimately use Naval Air Station (now Naval Station) Walbrook as a transhipment point. Here, it was explained that such operations would likely be shifted to Naval Air Station Amsted in Aldegar. 

“It ought to be noted that the departure of the Air Force from Walbrook would affect our operations in Kafuristan as a lot of the cargo destined from that nation would have used Walbrook as a transhipment/refuelling point before venturing into Kafuristan proper. We are currently in the process of shifting those operations to Amsted in Aldegar,” General Carson explained. On the planned construction of a major command and control centre in Mordusia to act as the heart of Lodamese operations in Majatra, Southern Seleya and Southern Dovani, it was noted that the exit of the Lodamese Air Force would ultimately mean that such a facility would no longer be factored into the now revised plans for Walbrook as the Air Force had been carded to run the facility alongside the Lodamese Army. “Clearly the departure of the Lodamese Air Force from Mordusia would also mean that the C2 Centre would not be factored into our revised plans. We have already initiated talks with the Aldegarian Government on hosting a C2 centre instead. Plans for an over-the-horizon (OTH) radar remain uncertain as the DoD continues to negotiate with the Mordusian Government,” DoD Press Secretary Glen Hale explained.

“What remains clear is our commitment to the Lodamese-Mordusian partnership. We intend to adhere to the terms of this new relationship and will make good on our word to act with the utmost professionalism,” Harding, who was also present for the press conference noted. Harding, a former Chairman of the Combined Chiefs and one of the key drafters of the Lodamun-Mordusia Comprehensive Agreement on Security Cooperation noted that although the dynamic of the relationship had changed, it did not mean that Lodamun would abandon its ambitions in Mordusia. “Although the negotiations ultimately changed the scale of our ambitions in Mordusia, we nonetheless maintain some ambitions. Owing to the new terms, Walbrook will remain a naval base, subject to a tripartite review after 10 years. Mordusia remains a strong ally of Lodamun on the Seleyan continent and will continue to be going forward.”