Kalistani Major History

[Doc]

Kalistan Witnesses First year of Stability
Premier lays out bold new agenda to rebuild Kalistan
Kaliburg, Ananto
August 12, 4759


Premier of the Republic Bennots declares new governmental initiatives

The first year of Lourenne's security effort in Kalistan has brought peace and stability to the country.  Terrorist attacks virtually ceased following the arrival and occupation of the nation by Lourennais security forces, while the Government of Kalistan has been at work following up on several stabilization measures intended to create the ground work for long lasting prosperity and peace in the region.

As the One Year anniversary of Lourenne's arrival is about to be observed in Ananto, the Premier of the Nation issued an address over KKRR in the Capital to all Kalistani nationals.  In the address, he acknowledged return of full civil liberties across the nation.  Included within those liberties is the right to bear all arms as allowed by Republican law, as well as the formation of legitimate Party militias, who have begun coordinating training with select units of the Lourennaise Regular forces stationed across the Republic.  The Premier has also called for Special elections which ratify Isabelle III Orleans-Vassar, who is the currently serving Queen of Lourenne as Titular Head of State for the duration.  The move paves the way for a closer political association between the two nations, and a longer lasting diplomatic affinity between Kalistan and Lourenne.

Premier Bennots also announced a couple very important economic initiatives before the National Assembly.  He stated that the old National Foundry at Sulari and the National Shipworks at Kaliburg would be reopened with healthy Government subsidy.  "We do not yet plan to fully nationalize these two major strategic assets," said Bennots, "though we expect a generous private contribution in the efforts which will be generously compensated when Nationalization of these strategic resources returns to Kalistan.  Those investors who wish to make an investment with a guaranteed return should consider working with us, rather than expressing alarm about the effort, given that while public capital is in short supply due to liberal economic policies and a decade of neglect and decay, nationalization is ultimately a foregone conclusion."  The Premier encouraged local and foreign technology firms to invest in these two industries, as well as in the petroleum and ferromineral sectors, to bring these targets of future nationalization into the modern era.

The Premier also made moves to pave the way for a revitalized Kalsie.  "At one point in the not too distant past, Kalistan was poised to be a hub of international finance.  While we have lost the initial impulse, it is not too late to begin to attract foreign investment in Kalistan.  We are hereby announcing an initial dispensation lasting for a period of 5 years for all foreign capital that invests within Kalistan.  All corporations found a Kalistani branch of their corporation will be experience abatement of all domestic corporate and import and export tariffs for the period of the dispensation, and will find Kalistan a friendly climate for investment.  Meanwhile, following the end of the dispensation, if those companies actually become Kalistani companies, headquartered in Kalistan they will be treated as domestic companies, and will be exempted from Majority Minority shareholder rules that our Government will eventually need to establish as we move toward nationalization of strategic resources.  We welcome the input of all stakeholders as we move forward."

Finally the Premier announced the dredging of the ancient port at Dulnerstaad, in Northwest Ananto.  "This multi year project aims at the construction of a new naval base overlooking the Ananto Strait.  It is our intention to request that the port be used to base future Kalistani fleets, moving them out of Kaliburg, and complimenting the bases on the Mainland, and also hosting foreign fleets.  Bozo River Combined Air Ground and Naval Center will be repurposed to a Kalistani only base and resupply station, though the impact and maneuver areas will remain available for domestic/foreign combined exercises as may be available."  The deepening of the port, which hasn't been used as a port facility of any note since the age of sail, will take four years, and meanwhile, construction of base facilities will begin in earnest next year, the first year where revenues will be restored to the National Government.

In all, the Premier's speech was met with tepid praise from many moderates and Brethrenists, and somewhat more enthusiasm from his more stalwart supporters.  One member of the Society of Brethrenism, Uxue Etxeberri, who intends to put her name forward for a seat in the coming special elections, said "The last thing the Premier should be doing is building weaponry and naval bases.  I understand the need to put Enskal on a positive footing in terms of security, but I think that feeding people will work more wonders than shooting at them.  The Nationalists themselves had the wrong vision for Kalistan too, and see how their warlike vision paid them out.  I hope the Premier knows what he is doing, and I hope those around him hold him in the Light and offer him wise counsel."