Kalistani Major History

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Kalistani News in Brief: Protestors acquitted in controversial free speech case
Kalistan welcomes Lodamese SoS, Ambassador; FM issues statement on Luthori
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
February 19, 5556


Dame Jacqueline Dumont, His Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister, discusses Empire's increasing role in Seleyan Security

Protestors Acquitted in Airport Case; Free Speech Advocates cheer
Advocates for the right to protest the government cheered across the Mainland as the 14 defendants who were charged under the Lese Majeste law for their vulgarity laced protest of the Princess Consort were acquitted this week in the National Court System. Prosecutors from the Ministry of Justice were unable to convince a jury that the fourteen individuals had actually violated the law. The primary argument for the defense, which was represented by Kaliburg lawyer Michael Dayton was that the charges brought under the Lese Majesty law should be immediately dismissed because the law only covers the Sovereign, and does not explicitly cover a member of the Royal Family. As a result, the jury found, the action, regardless of how distasteful it was, still falls under civil protections for free speech and protest, and were therefore not a crime. The failure to convict sparked outrage by supporters of the Princess Consort in Eveari who asked "Is there no justice in this Empire?" and sparked debates on nighttime news programs on KRTVN between supporters of a more libertarian position regarding civil liberties and those who tend to argue that civil protest needs to have a specific goal of altering some policy. "We should not countenance random acts of personal violence toward the Spouse of His Imperial Majesty," said Professor Richard Martinez, from Kaliburg. "Where will it end?" On the other side of the debate, Dr. Francisco Bostick responded, "It ends where free speech begins, of course. These individuals are contributing to the society by challenging power structures on a basic and fundamental level. But at the end of the day, they did not violate the law, and so ethicality aside, they do not belong on King's Island." The Chancellor of the Empire vowed to continue to look for additional protections for the Royal family under the law, and will bring some policy proposals to begin researching to the next meeting of His Imperial Majesty's Cabinet later this month.

Defense Ministry welcomes Lodamun to the Empire; Key intelligence discussions held in Kaliburg
His Imperial Majesty's Minister of Defense, Colonel Martin Jackson, welcomed his Lodamese Counterpart, Edward Mears to Kaliburg this week to hold meetings over increased cooperation in intelligence sharing and possible cooperation on joint Naval Exercises in the Northern Anantonese Ocean. "We want to re-affirm our commitment to partnership with Lodamun on a wide range of defense related and intelligence related activities," said Col. Jackson. "They have expressed an interest and a desire of taking a larger role in hemispheric security and Kalistan wants to play an active role in that effort in our shared part of the continent and adjoining oceans." To this end, the Defense Minister confirmed that the Kalistani Government is interested in working directly with the Lodamese Naval, air force and intel services to further secure both the Northern and Central Anantonese Oceans, and to include Lodamun in any future joint naval exercises in and around Kalistan. "We face a wide spectrum of simmering threats in our corner of the world," said Col Jackson. "Whether it be the void left by Lourenne's slow collapse, or the obsessively arming nation of Baltusia, or a return of interest of Luthori in our Continent, or any number of threats beyond this, Kalistan stands ready to work with Lodamun to address these threats, and resolve them without resort to war and conflict. Lodamun is one of Kalistan's oldest Partners in defense, and we hope to fully re-ignite that relationship." Kalistan also hinted at possibly increasing access to Kalistani Naval Air Station Yoshimi for Lodamese Intelligence flights, and working with the Lodamun government in OTH radar access out into both the Mad Dog and Western Anantonese. "The political question of Andalay is no stumbling block to the practical benefits of working together," said Jackson who also noted that formal cooperation with Lodamun would be a great opportunity to work with other friendly nations such as Likatonia, Dolgava and Kundrati on exercises. In related News, His Imperial Majesty has welcomed the arrival of both Lodamese Secretary of State Kenly and Ambassador The Honorable John Edmiston, who has taken residence in Kaliburg, with the dispatch of His Imperial Majesty's Ambassador Sir Gregory Waltrip, who will represent His Imperial Majesty to the Government of Lodamun. The visit was covered widely by both the Kalsitani and Lodamese Press, and covered several wide ranging topics, mostly around security and intelligence sharing. It is believed that the two Northern Seleyan Governments have parallel interests and will work closely together as Lodamun steps into a new hemispheric role.

Dame Dumont discusses Luthori
Dame Jacqueline DuMont gave comments to Kalistani Press today concerning the ongoing situation in Luthori. She was responding to a comment made by the Luthorian Press where their Foreign Minister declared that Luthori would not tolerate a permanent presence in Artania.

"At one point in time," said Dame DuMont, "there were open channels between the Empire and Luthori. Those channels have apparently broken down now to the point where Luthori feels the need to pass along warnings to His Imperial Majesty's government via the Press. I have been asked to state that if it is truly Luthori's desire to resolve whatever issues are compelling it to turn its rapacious attention toward our continent, we would certainly welcome the opportunity to discuss our issues with them using normal channels. However, the tenuous relationship promoted by the Former Empress, Princess Nicolette II has been all but dissolved by Luthori's continued moves to re-establish its commonwealth in Seleya and orient our neighbors toward their capital. Each act is a provocation that must be responded to, especially where it concerns the Crown Lands, and Kalistan is prepared to answer by fostering mutual partnerships and associations that are meant to offset relative gains by Luthori in Seleya and western Dovani. Should Luthori continue to push in, or as they themsevles say, attempt to fill a power vacuum on a completely other side of the world from their home base,, this will force Kalistan to push back, and currently, Kalistan is likely in a better position to do so. And as for any warnings about force projection, we will be satisfied when Luthori points that sharpened stick in a different direction than at Kalistan."

Dame DuMont said that Kalistan has already recalled its ambassador to Luthori, and will be considering a reduction in trade between Kalistan and Luthori should the provocations continue. "We will also be exploring other sundry options that represent a proportional response to Luthori Imperialism in Seleya," said Dame DuMont. When asked what that means, she noted that "All options remain on the table. We'll have to see what they do." Dame DuMont also welcomed Likatonian Comments about Baltusia and associated the Kalistani Government with those comments. "We maintain heavy surveilance on the border," said Dame DuMont, "and are ensuring that the communist contagion does not attempt to spread into Kalistan once more."