Kalistani Major History

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The Republic Sits Down with President Delgado
Socialist talks government reorganization, agricultural progress
Kaliburg, Ananto
October 8, 5062


President of the Republic Robert Delgado gives brief interview over cigars and drinks

Named one of the classiest and most interesting heads of state in Terra, President of the Republic Robert Delgado-Bennots sat down with The Republic's Maya Jones-Broward for a brief one on one interview at the Presidential Apartment in Downtown Kaliburg. Topics discussed in the interview were the Socialist's recent unity Government bill, their upcoming revision of the tax code and the budget, agricultural progress on the Mainland and a renewed push to modernize the Navy.

M(aya) J(ones-Broward): Thank you for your time, Comrade President.

(President of the Republic) R(obert) D(elgado-Bennots): It is my pleasure. Naturally, however, we must focus on business.

MJ: Yes, unfortunately.

RD: Of course. For the time being, at least.

MJ: The Socialist Government of Kalistan recently moved two somewhat controversial bills in the Assembly which essentially make Kalistan a one Party Government and return the 1 Ruble tax bracket. What are the Party's motivations behind these two pieces of legislation.

RD: We are currently without a Premier, as the National Conservatives have disbanded, and the Folksparty is also on the verge of disbanding. They have not shown up for a vote in perhaps two years. Consequently, the Socialists are the only active Party right now with any seats. It is our intention to therefore establish a caretaker government who will immediately call for new elections and then I will ask the Assembly to create a new government out of the Parties which have seats. As for the tax bill, it merely raises about 3 billion new Rubles, adding less than 1 fifth of a percent to revenues, but allows all Kalistani citizens an opportunity to buy in to the Republic. The principle that all shall contribute what they can to the Republic is a very near and dear principle of Kalistani Socialism and is one we have always stood for.

MJ: It is said that you intend to conduct constitutional reform in the near future.

RD: Yes, the Party will move to restore the traditional term length of six years, and re-establish the Presidential Prerogative and the Separation of Powers, which we have informally kept during Socialist Administration.

MJ: These policies will be very unpopular among the minor Parties.

RD: It is true, but these are Kalistan's traditions which have long brought stability and good government to our Republic.

MJ: Moving on, do you aim at changing the budget?

RD: Once the tax bill has passed, I have asked the Acting Premier to draft a new budget which reflects our increased obligations in Agriculture and Infrastructure, as well as start a military modernization program in the Republic. The one contribution of the Folksparty to our Republic was to encourage an ongoing commitment to investment in the Mainland Districts, and it is our aim to continue to see this through. Additionally, we have been approached by the Government of Deltaria about the sale of decommissioned naval equipment, which would enhance our security in the Strait and allow us to further guarantee an enhanced security of the Northern Anantonese Ocean.

MJ: Will that come with security commitments to Deltaria?

RD: I imagine it will improve our relationship with that government, but I do not think it will mean alignment. Kalistan has always gone its own way in foreign policy, and has striven to stay out of international conflicts. What the great powers do or do not do is of little concern to the Republic, unless of course they decide to start sailing through our National Waters, of course.

MJ: Kalistan has never had a navy capable of mounting an effective blockage of the Straits. Without a massive overhaul of the Navy, this will likely remain the case.

RD: This is true, but since you know your history, you are aware that we do not have to mount a full defense; we simply need to make it more costly for navies to go into the Strait than to go around on the Lourenne side of Ananto. Then the only nations who decide to challenge us in the Strait are the pigheaded, and the dogmatic adherents to the fiction of international law. And most of them are not capable of seriously pushing that nonsense in Kalistani National Waters. The Republic always prefers peace: Modern destroyers will help us ensure that peace is maintained, and that it is too costly for the navies of the world to stupidly and petulantly sail through our National Waters. Besides: the Kalistani Strait has been claimed as National Territory for thousands of years. The world has, for the most part recognized that claim and have helped us maintain peace in the Northern Anantonese by not instigating conflict over the Strait. We don't really need to relitigate it.

MJ: I believe this is all the time we have for today, Comrade President.

RD: That is a real shame. I was about to play some records, and pour myself another drink.

MJ: All the more reason to end this interview Comrade. Tape Recorder off?

RD: Tape Recorder off. That is a good plan.