Kalistani Major History

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Kalistani Republic
Kalistan begins testing Naval Artillery
Scrapped Light cargoships to be converted to warships
Kaliburg, Ananto District
January 30, 3984


The prototype Mod-12 127s, Kalistan's first Naval Artillery, designed to be modular additions to converted cargo vessels,
fired last fall in Suldanor Proving Grounds

In a move set to begin the final stages of Kalistani Naval Rectification, the Minister of Defense announced definitive tests of a naval artillery system built in Kalistan.  The system, called the 127mm Mod-12 (Mod for "Modular," 12 for the 12th redesign of the prototype) has already been tested successfully on land in Suldanor proving grounds.  The system is designed to be added to a modified commercial transport ship to make it into a warship.  The ship chosen for the test is the decommissioned cargo freighter, the Prince Jango.  Before the Naval artillery is mounted on to the Prince Jango, Naval Engineers will weld reactive plate armor onto the ship, bringing the armament up to normal naval standards. The engineers have stated that the arming of the ship will not be an issue, given the fact that the ship often carried hundreds of tons of cargo when it was active, and the ship is particularly known for its extraordinary displacement.

When the Arming of the ship is complete, two Mod-12s will be installed in a reinforced deck, and a mobile anti-aircraft battery will be mounted on back.  The Mod-12s can turn a full 180 degrees, though this early test will not have an automated aiming system installed-  The guns will still have to be aimed and loaded manually; Engineers state that they have focused on the mounting fireable guns first.  Once the Mod-12 has been successfully test fired, Engineers believe that mechanisms for automatic aiming and reloading of the guns is not far behind.


The Decommissioned Freighter Prince Jango Destined to become Kalistan's first Light Cruiser following installation
of the Mod-12s and an anti-aircraft battery

Once the armor and the guns are mounted, the ship will be recommissioned as the KRS-2 "Jango".  The ship will be classified as a light cruiser, and will join the KRS-1 "Farsun" in the Kalistani Navy.  Additionally, once the Mod-12s are successfully test fired, The Kalistani Government will repeat the process of conversion for 6 other surplus freighters, allowing the Government to acquire a navy without waiting around for other nations to sell us their surplus ships.  The development of the Light Cruisers are deemed important, given the rising tensions at sea with Indrala.

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Kalistani Republic
KRS-2 "Jango" launched on the Anantanese Ocean
Defense Ministry to build 5 more
Kaliburg, Ananto District
March 1, 3984


The KRS-2 "Jango" featuring the new Modular-12 127mm Naval artillery

Just three months after the announcement of the successful test firing of the "Modular" naval cannons at the Suldanor Proving Grounds and the plans to test fire the weapons at sea, the Defense Minister officially launched the first Kalistani Light Cruiser, the KRS-2 "Jango" (RL equivalent Brooklyn-class Light Armored Cruiser, with less firepower) which featured the recently developed Mod-12 127mm cannons mounted to a modified and armor-plated hull of the former decommissioned Freighter Prince Jango .  The ship displaces just over 9700 tons, can travel at top speed at just over 30 knots/hr, and contains 4 of the Mod-12 Main guns (2 aft, 2 astern) with a .50 caliber mounted machine gun for anti-aircraft duties. 

Following successful firing of the main guns, the Naval Engineering unit attached to the project developed the servos and elevators necessary to automatically load and aim the guns from a centralized fire command in the Bridge, making the ship a fully functional war ship.  A second test of the loading and firing mechanism proved satisfactory, with the ship hitting a stationary target 4 out of 5 times and a moving target 3 out of 5 times.  As more work is done to fine tune the firing command, and naval artillerymen are brought up to speed with regard to accurate naval fire, the weapons system is expected to reflect the earned experience.  The tests confirmed that the maximum effective range of the 127mm cannons on the ship was just over 12 nautical miles (22.5 km, or about 14 miles).  Meanwhile, riflers at the Republican Cannon and Rifle Foundry, who produced the barrels for the Mod-12, have hinted that refinements in the rifling and propulsion may yield an additional nautical mile before long-  Only with accurate field testing will they have an idea as to when those refinements will come in.


Defense Minister Grognard, onboard the Jango for the Fire Control test

Pleased with the successful tests, the Defense Minister has ordered 5 more freighters be similarly converted and armed.  Of the conversion program, Defense Minister Grognard stated,

"Conversion of existing decommissioned stock is preferable to not having a navy.  As we have casted about in the world market for nations willing to sell us their surplus, we found no takers, and this is troubling of course, given the provocations laid on us by the Indralan navy.  So-  we must build a fleet from what we have on hand.  The ship yard at Kaliburg, with its wide variety of old ships in dry dock, provides us the perfect opportunity to build a navy from existing stock which will serve the purposes of our nation's defense, as well as encourage us to innovate and develop quite beyond what the rest of the world is willing to offer us.  We are confident that, with the successful test of the prototype Mod-12, we will be able to further develop and build accurate naval artillery.  The Mod-12 therefore is the first step:  Larger cannons are on the horizon, but for now, the Mod-12 will serve as Kalistan's first pre-eminent naval gun." 

After the fleet of 6 Light Cruisers is converted, perhaps as early as October of this year, the Defense Minister has hinted at large scale production of the Mod-12 cannon for international sale.  The Defense Minister said she was pleased that Kalistani engineers had created a gun which can be easily mounted on any decent sized and correctly modified sea going vessel, aiming to lower the cost of naval artillery on the world market and tip the scales a little toward the smaller nations with modestly sized navies.  A mass produced and relatively inexpensive modular gun would suddenly allow even the lesser developed economies the possibility to dream of having a relatively secure coast line, using their own navies.

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Kalistani Republic
President of the Republic outlines Kalistani Successes
Recent years have been ones of "many successes", says President, who also mentions tension
Kaliburg, Ananto District
June 12, 3984


President of the Republic, Poppy Smith Bennots, addressed the Assembly last week

Below is a transcript of the President of the Republic's recent speech to the National Assembly last week:

Friends.  We are called here together to review the stunning progress that the Republic has made in the last few years.  When I first earned the nomination of my Party, I offered to bring Kalistan to peace and prosperity.  We have met that challenge.  I promised that, despite the radical growth of the Society of the Brethren in Kalistan, we would maintain a secular society.  We have kept our word.  I promised that Kalistan would take its rightful place among nations, not as a supporter of underhanded diplomacy like piracy or terrorism, but as a Nation which can stand tall and proud, and be open and completely honest about what it does in our world.  And we have accomplished this.  Of course, the Government is not alone in our struggle for a better Kalistan, one that feeds and houses and employs our people in all sorts of meaningful work across the Republic and around the world.  We are joined by the People of Kalistan, and work toward 7 decades of unrivaled leadership in this Republic, with the help of the people.  At times like this, it is helpful to look back with the aide of a wide lens of History, to see what progress Kalistan has made.  The last few years have brought many successes, and development is on pace to exceed all expectations.

Without exception, the signature achievement of my administration thus far has been the rectification of Kalistan's armed forces.  The process is still on going, but we are in the second phase of the process right now, which is accruing a new fleet.  Kalistan is set to lead the world in acquisitions by regional powers.  And we are on pace to move further ahead in this arena, due to possible developments that will allow Kalistan to purchase vessels outright to add to our fleet.  Kalistan's cannon foundaries have developed a modular gun which will allow us to refit civilian ships for the defense of Kalistan, and sources inform me that they will be building larger and smaller varieties of this naval artillery for different sized ships, which may be both employed domestically and sold abroad to nations who find themselves in similar position of a virtual arms embargo while still needing a defensive naval force.

Meanwhile, Kalistan's National Petroleum Company has hit equilibrium production of petroleum which allows us to meet both domestic and foreign demand, and still add to our national petroleum reserves.  At the sustainable rate of extraction that Kalistan has established, our oil supply will last for centuries, guaranteeing generations of Kalistanis cheap energy.  In addition, we are currently working to design technology which allows us to siphon natural gas from both the petroleum reserves and from composted food stocks as part of the Kalistani Food Bank Program.  This Natural gas requisition program allows Kalistan to deliver clean burning energy to homes all across the Republic, and allows us to save money and resources.

We are also moving ahead with Kalistani Commerce.  During my administration, the port facility at Sulari, begun under my Predecessor, President Delgado was completed.  Port Elga now represents the most modern, most high capacity port facility in North East Selaya, and perhaps on the entire Anantanese Ocean.  From it, Kalistan has already boosted our imports and exports.  We are about to ink a deal which will make Kalistan-ODEN the chief supplier of mind and physiology altering substances to a large scale Corporate Distributor in Jelbania.  In addition, the Foreign Ministry informs us that Jakania is on course to ratify the ODEN treaty, joining Kalistan in widespread distribution and supply side efforts which will enhance Kalistan's national position.  We are not flippant when we say, it is truly a good time to be a drug dealer in the world.  And we proudly point out, that despite widescale efforts by various national governments to suppress and interdict our Cartel's efforts, the demand for drugs throughout the world has never been higher.  Drug sales are poised to surpass oil sales, and Kalistan is poised to be a primary beneficiary of that trend.

At home, we have completed the Nationalization process where several sectors have moved into Kalistan's national economy.  We have made energy and most necessities of life absolutely free for the population, undermining private firms' bargaining position, which uses starvation as a weapon against the legitimate interests of the People.  We have controlled housing, we have committed to environmentalism, we have struck a balance between economic growth, the need to industrialize, and the responsibility we must all share for the protection of our planet.  It seems to be working out for Kalistan.  We have maintained a 128 Billion Ruble annual surplus for decades now with low taxes and high productivity.  And all this for the small price of a percentage or two of GDP growth-  If we hit 0% growth in the economy, we are doing something right!

Friends, our success has not been unmittigated.  We are still harrassed at sea by the Indralan Dragon.  I am sure, the Indralan people are just like the Kalistani people.  It is even said that we share a common ancestor.  But the actions of the government of Indrala, for more than a year now, have served as a constant reminder that they believe Kalistan to be inferior.  That they believe that they can walk over us with impunity.  That they don't need to pay attention to Kalistan's legitimate concerns about our security as they bring the bulk of their navy ever closer to our homeland.  We see what Indrala is doing.  And tonight, I call upon all true citizens of Kalistan to prepare yourself and your family.  Indrala has made absolutely no efforts to resolve our concerns or even address them.  And so we must assume that they are planning to attack us, as appears to be their MO.  We of course must resist their invasion.  I do not suggest that anyone engages in violence.  But I would certainly identify a plan to escape, if you cannot or will not fight.  If you have relatives in another country, you may call them to reconnect with them, in case you need to flee.  Begin making plans to visit another nation and then to remain there for the duration.  For the people of Ananto, you must realize that you are especially vulnerable-  Identify a way off the Island and then make arrangements in case it is needed.  If Indrala continues to follow its current course, there will eventually be conflict and when it all happens, it will happen quickly, and without warning.  So make preparation.

And we are doing so as well.  I have asked Premier Estevez to place the Militia on High Alert.  I have also maintained a state of alert in the Regular forces, and will soon order the navy into hiding, since it is too weak to effectively square off against any possible Indralan force.  We will launch ten more LAFA packs to patrol the sea lanes, and while we hold our fire, we do not expect that Indrala will treat us with the same courtesy.  But if they come, we will be ready for them.

These times are fantastic times to live in.  It is probably best to be prepared by to not dwell on something which hasn't happened yet.  Kalistan is still in great shape As we move forward.  I thank you, the Assembly, and you the people for standing with the government during this difficult time.  Thank you for your efforts on behalf of our Republic!

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Kalistani Republic
ODEN moves Forward
Inks deal with Jelbanian Distro Corporations; More countries look to join
Kaliburg, Ananto District
July 17, 3984


Kalistan-ODEN Director Forrest Gryffin, announcing recent developments of the ODEN cartel

The Director of Kalistan-ODEN, Forrest Gryffin announced today at ODEN International Headquarters news of the first major successes for ODEN since the collapse of CIldania-ODEN decades ago.  Following a determined initiative to expand the Kalistan-based Cartel, the Director announced two major advances in the Cartel.

First:  ODEN has announced a major supply deal with Jelbanian Corporate narcotics distributors.  ODEN replaces Ibutho as the primary supplier for Jelbania's Corporations due to a collapse in Ibutho's supply regime.  In becoming the primary supplier, ODEN finds a regular market for Kalistan's national production.  Director Gryffin stated that ODEN will focus at the outset on the products that Kalistan has a comparative advantage in, primarily processed cocaine, opium and heroin as well as various synthetic narcotics, hydroponic marijuana, and laboratory grade hallucinogenics like LSD and MDMA.  Additionally, Kalistan will work with the Corporations to bring precursors into the deal, though they are not at the moment, included now.  The goal of adding precursors will be to spread the manufacturing process further afield, with the aim of eventually bringing Jelbania into the ODEN cartel. 

Second:  The Director announced that two additional countries stand ready to ratify the ODEN treaty, increasing the size of the cartel by 200 percent.  Al-Jumhuriyyah al-Sahel al-Ma'atraniyyah, also known as Jakania, and The Lourenne Republic have both moved bills in their respective national legislatures to ratify the Treaty.  Jakania's ratification will return ODEN to Majatra, where it has been absent since Cildania's abrogation of the Treaty several years ago, and ratification in Lourenne will give ODEN a foothold on Dovani.  Upon ratification of the Treaty, both nations will be eligible to join the ODEN deal with the Jelbanian Corporate Distribution Network.  The Director stated that he intends to work with the new members when they finally ratify the Treaty to ensure that ODEN nations are not competing with one another, and that each nation develops a portfolio of specialization.  "Of course, nothing prevents any ODEN nation from developing and selling whatever product they want, and if we find a lot of redundancy, what we may propose is ODEN becoming a single purchaser and distributor of each nation's production, so that each nation can ensure that whatever the arrangement, they receive a good price for their production.  This will allow national suppliers to see their interests met, as well as ensuring a unified brand and standard of quality for all drugs sold by ODEN members."

The Director then took questions.

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Kalistani Republic
Grognard reviews troops in the Field; Launches more Fast boats
President welcomes Deltarian Guarantees; announces expulsion of Indralan Diplomatic corps
Eshar, Odufaray District
February 7, 3985


Defense Minister Grognard meets with elements of the Center Army of the Kalistan Regular Forces in Odufaray

Defense Minister Millicent Grognard reviewed Kalistani Regular force preparations in Odufaray and Neveras last week.  Increased tensions between Kalistan and its neighbors to the south have led the Defense Minister to retain alert status for All regular forces. 

"We can't trust that those who seek to violate our national security will simply stand down, neither at sea, nor it seems anywhere else.  There is, of course, a danger to keeping forces on alert:  Eventually you can sharpen a stick to too fine a point and then it suddenly dulls.  But I assure you-  Indrala's patrols in our waters are becoming more aggressive by the day.  We have been patient with them thus far, but there is no telling how long we will be able to put up with that Empire attempting to regain their former glory in our territory.  We reiterate:  The Anantanese Ocean is closed to Indralan Aggressive Naval Units.  We insist that the Faded Empire respect this cordon, and if they continue to refuse, we will take matters to them.  Our forces are ready for any reprisals they may launch in response, but we will not relent on this.  Their threats will not continue unacknowledged!"

 

The Units of the Center Army treated the Defense Minister to a show of firepower which was relayed over State television.  We should also note:  the Center Army still plays host to Trigunian Naval Infantry units who have passed a year in Kalistan.  The Minister's tour comes after she has ordered another 12 LAFA ships into the Anantanese Sea, bringing the total up to 63 LAFA ships, primarily focused along the southern Edge of the International Zone, along Indrala's patrol route. 

"The one thing we agree with the Indralans on:  their increased presence in our waters definitely increases the potential for an accident, though I assure you, it will be Indrala that commits the error.  We do not want war.  We just want Indrala to turn aside, and we are prepared to defend ourselves if they opt not to."

President of the Republic, Poppy Smith Bennots, addressing a massive crowd of Odufar Partisans yesterday, in a message meant implicitly for the Indralan Empire

In other news, The President of the Republic addressed a huge crowd assembled in Eshar.  The President detailed the provocations by the Indralan Empire and for the first time linked Gaduridos to Indrala, arguing that any loses Kalistan experiences as a result of Indralan aggression will be a gain for Gaduridos.  She also acknowledged the Czar of Deltaria's recent message of support and guarantee.

"We welcome the Czar onto the side of good and justice in the Anantanese Ocean.  While we may not share the same governing ideology, nonetheless, we both have an interest in containing Imperial Aggression, Deltaria in Majatra, and Kalistan in Selaya.  Kalistan is a nation of peace, and we demand respect for our sovereignty from all nations of the world.  Indrala insists on stepping on us at every turn, and it is not something that free nations must accept.  I need not remind you that Indrala once claimed ownership of our land.  They still insist that they have free reign in our national territory. 

But we reiterate:  The Anantanese Ocean is closed to their militarism. We will stand up against that aggression even if we have to do it alone.  But we appreciate the fact that we do not:  With Deltaria at our back, Indrala must think twice before continuing their provocative behavior.  Kalistan has never been more prepared to defend its rights than now.  We call on Indrala to stand down.  Once they leave our waters and cease this petty and ridiculous bellicose behavior, we will be happy to discuss their outstanding concerns.  Until that time, we will continue to prepare for the time when we have to defend our liberty and independence from the Faded Empire."

In making the speech, Smith-Bennots went further, to dismiss the Indralan claims of Kalistani support for Piracy, and reiterated that Kalistan is a neutral nation, uninterested in Indralan schemes for world domination.

"We know that the arrival of Indrala's Tortoise Fleet under the thin guise of anti-piracy action is laughable, to say the least.  We know that their actual goal is to re-subjugate our Nation to their hegemony and to use it against their enemies further to the North.  Their escalation indicates the disrespect that have for Kalistani National Integrity and Sovereignty, and their desire to seize a key point in the waterways between three continents.  And in bringing their major fleet north into our Ocean, they have clearly chosen the route of vinegar rather than Honey.  We will never back down.  Kalistan will remain united and strong, and we demand our rightful place among the Peace Loving and Sovereign Nations of the World."

The President also addressed recent developments in the Kalistani Navy, now that 6 Light cruisers have been added to Kalistan's proto-fleet.  The President finished the speech by announcing the expulsion of the Indralan and Gaduri diplomatic Missions from Kaliburg.

"Yeah-  they have 48 hours to leave the country, and they will be welcomed to return when Indrala comes to its senses,"

  The President stated to wild cheering.  The event ended with the singing of the "Hymn of the Revolutionary Socialist Militia of Kalistan" a song which has not been publicly sung for hundreds of years, since the end of the Fourth Crisis, but which has remained popular all this time, given the ubiquitous presence of the RSMoK in Kalistani public affairs.

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Kalistani Republic
Diplomats Return from Indrala
Details evacuation and future status of Kalistani-Indralan Relations
Kaliburg, Ananto District
June 10, 3985


Ambassador Helmer, Ambassador to Indrala, with staff returning to Kalistan

The Kalistani Ambassador to Indrala, Hon. Drake Helmer, returned to Kalistan today along with the remaining members of the Kalistan Embassy following the orderly evacuation and closure of Kalistan's embassy.  Ambassador Helmer, who will remain credentialed to Indrala, gave a brief statement:

"Today, I, along with the rest of the diplomatic mission to the Celestial Empire of Great Indrala, completed our evacuation of the Kalistani Embassy at Tian'An.  We have ensured that all top secret documents relating to Kalistani Activities within Indrala have been recovered, as well as all cryptography and all hard drives from our computers.  We thank the Government of Indrala for their kind treatment of me and my staff, as well as their forbearance as we completed the transfer of our materials to our transport.  The police force of the Capital City is to be especially commended for their willingness to suffer the slings and arrows of the Indralan people, who have been whipped into a stiff froth by demagogues in the public space against Kalistan, and who bore tremendous ill will toward my staff and I.  The Head of the Kalistani Consulate has assured me that all Kalistani Nationals in the country who wanted to return to Kalistan have done so, and to date, the only Kalistani nationals who remain in the country, which has recently become very dangerous for Kalistanis, are 14 individuals who are completing business transactions which they are contractually bound to complete before returning, and 3 young couples who zealously wish to remain among the Indralans to serve as Missionaries for the Society of the Brethren.  Within a week, those 6 individuals will be the only Kalistanis remaining in Indrala, and we call upon the Indralan Government to ensure their safety as they go about their work of conscience.

While we understand the conditions of our departure from Indrala, we would like to take a moment to question the motivation of Indrala in provoking the Nation of Kalistan at sea.  Again, we read in their press this repeated charge of countenancing Piracy.  It is an old trope, to say the least.  Neither I, nor my staff have ever been presented recent evidence of said actions against legitimate Indralan commerce. These notorious claims, which imply Kalistani complicity, if not downright involvement, are unconscionable.  It is the policy of the Government of Kalistan, as I have repeatedly made clear to my counterparts in Indrala, to not endorse piratical activity, nor to participate in it, nor to hinder legitimate trade through our waters.  What is provocative to Kalistan is the persistence of Indralan warships off our coasts.  They have maintained time and again that their ships remain in international waters, while the Law of the Sea Treaty, to which Indrala is not a Party but Kalistan, along with every other nation in Selaya, is, describes fully International Waters as beginning 500 Kilometers from the shore, outside the area of transient jurisdiction.  If this is the case, then no waters between Ananto and Dovani is truly "International", and certainly not water which can be clearly seen from Ananto!  And yet, we provide evidence to Indrala of their trespass, and they insist, yet again that our closure of the ocean is illegal.

The policy of Kalistan has been one of patient pressure.  It has not yielded the results Kalistan has sought.  If something is not done, Kalistan must answer these provocations.  And it will.  We are not prepared to say at the moment what that will involve, but it will be adequate to meet the security crisis Indrala is provoking in Kalistan.  This is all.  We bear no ill will toward the people of Indrala-  we have long viewed them as equals and as brothers and sisters.  The actions of Indrala's government, on the other hand are intolerable."

Helmer's statement was followed closely by consultation with the Premier and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

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Kalistani RepublicPresident Announces Preparations for Kalistani Defense
Society of Brethren denounces Action; Calls for Diplomacy
Kaliburg, Ananto District
March 16, 3986


President Smith-Bennots rallies Kalistani Citizens to the Defense of the Republic

The President of the Republic, fresh off yet another unchallenged re-election, held several rallies across Kalistan last week as she worked to bolster Kalistanis for an attack that she described as "imminent".  Reporters caught up with her at her tour's last stop in Kaliburg, where she made the following comments:

People of Ananto-  I do not need to repeat, yet again, the situation that Kalistan finds itself in.  You all know:  you see reports of Indralan provocation nightly on the news.  We cannot deny that they are growing bolder by the day.  We have very specific intelligence that an Indralan attack is imminent.  And so it is incumbent, upon all of us, to meet this attack, when it finally happens, with resolve and dedication.  Kalistan's independence and sovereignty is not so easily taken from us. The Indralans must not succeed with their belligerent foreign policy, not towards Kalistan, not towards any nation on the planet.

You must understand the precarious situation that Kalistan is in-  Indrala aims to bring the entire east coast of Selaya under their dominance.  They aim at northern countries like Mikuni and Trigunia.  They are in league with the murderers of our former President, Vanuku, and between the two empires, their will permit no resistance.  This is why Kalistan MUST take the position we have taken.  We are the last road block between Indrala and world domination.  Kalistan is a small nation-  We certainly do not match Indrala on the seas.  While we could achieve parity with Indrala on defense of our homeland, we do not have the resources to conduct a successful war of attrition against Indrala.  We must crush their will to fight from the outset, or we will be doomed.

Kalistan is not a unique country.  If Kalistan is wiped off the face of the planet, few will miss us.  We may be the number one producer and exporter of mind altering substances in the world, but most countries revile us for this.  We may be the home to the Society of the Brethren, but few acknowledge our peculiar sect's existence.  Kalistan is not a major world power and have sworn off nuclear, biological and chemical weaponry, we have a middling economy which allows us self-sufficiency, but also we rely on exports for a significant portion of our national economy.  But Kalistan is worth fighting for.  Because this is our home.  This land, the land of our ancestors, the land of our children, this land is ours, and we are not going to give it up without a Fight.

I call on ALL Kalistanis to do their part.  Do not let them take what is yours.  Stand up to the Dragon.  I will be there with you, I will be there with Kalistan.  We stand as one.

The President's words were received with silence.  When she was done speaking, the crowd erupted chanting the President's alternymic "Bennots! Bennots! Bennots!"

And thus, the President's cult of Personality, already troubling to some in Kalistan, continued to grow.

Not all Kalistanis were so taken by the President's words.  Many of the President's erstwhile supporters, who were also members of the Society of the Brethren, launched an official protest movement in the Capital.  The protesters, who numbered several thousands declared that they were concerned that the President was abandoning diplomacy.  Said Clerk Tallin Milgrim,

"We understand the President's move toward the defense of the Nation.  The President is under a different set of pressures than we are, and we believe that her actions are the actions of her conscience.  But we, as Brethren, oppose all war.  We oppose the offensive maneuvers of Indrala, because they threaten the lives of Kalistanis and Indralans alike.  We hold our President in the Light, hoping and praying, that she will find a peaceful solution to the troubles our nation faces.  War is not the failure of diplomacy:  it is the failure of imagination.  And if the President fails in this key test, many Brethren will withdraw their support for her in favor of another candidate who will pursue peace, under all conditions."

Members of the Society of Brethren in Kaliburg sit-down for Peace Yesterday in coordination with a Brethren called General Strike

The Protest was part of a Brethren-called a general strike and sit-down Protest outside the National Assembly in Kaliburg.  More than 35,000 Brethren showed up and held the largest Meeting for Worship in Kalistan's history, in the streets of the capital.  The President joined the Protest, and did not speak out of the Silence, though other Brethren did take the opportunity to address their support for Peace and their calls for diplomacy to the President.

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Kalistani Republic
                                  WAR! 
Kalistan claims Responsibility for Destruction of Indralan Ship
Prime Minister Estevez: "More to come!"
Sulari, Suldanor District
September 12, 3986


Premier Estevez, speaking on behalf of the Government of Kalistan, claims responsibility for Destruction of Indralan Corvette

In a daring pre-emptive strike, Kalistan moved to settle its dispute with Indrala.  According to reports from official Government sources, a Kalistani Light Armored/Fast Attack ship, loaded with high explosives, was turned into a torpedo and sent against an Indralan Corvette.  The driver of the LAFA ship, Ensign Thomas Davis, came under fire near the ship and was forced to bail out before the LAFA reached its target.  The whereabouts of the Ensign are unknown at this time, and it is believed he either drowned or was captured by the Indralans.  Meanwhile, the LAFA streaked toward the Corvette, and struck her amidship, causing the LAFA to explode and detonate the explosives aboard.  The damage was severe enough to ignite the powder stores in the Corvette, leading to a secondary explosion which blew the ship up.

As the Attack was being reported in the Indralan press, the Kalistani Prime Minister, Socialist Juan Carlos Estevez, had assembled a massive crowd of supporters and announced that Kalistan claimed responsibility for the attack.  Below was his brief message:

"Kalistanis-  We are under attack.  For the last time, we have allowed Indrala to breech our national waters.  We have warned them time and again that the Anantanese Ocean was closed to their naval vessels.  Time and again, they have ignored us and flaunted our sovereignty.  And now, we have struck a blow against Indrala.  They will not soon forget this!  Even now, they are beginning the second stage of their plan to re-capture Kalistan:  They have closed the noose on our ports and plan to strangle our great nation.  We will not tolerate it.  The President has ordered our LAFA packs covering the surface of the Ocean to immediately engage the Indralan menace wherever they may be.  We will not stop at military vessels-  We aim to destroy all shipping sailing under an Indralan flag on our Ocean.  We will not be intimidated by Indralan force at sea.  We have demonstrated that we can meet blood for blood, and we will not stop until Indrala recognizes Kalistani sovereignty over the Sea. 

"They ask us for an apology:  None shall be forthcoming.  They ask us for Reparations:  They shall never see a cent.  They propose we accept vassalage:  They will have to vassalize corpses at our military cemeteries.  We will never bow to the Dragon.  But we will show them what Kalistan is made of!  We can assure Indrala, this is only the beginning:  As long as we have breath, there is more to come!"

The crowd, which attended the rally openly displaying firearms, was called upon to immediately enlist or join the militia.  Of the 10,000 people who were estimated to have joined the rally, the Militia gained an additional 3500, and the Regular forces reported their enlistments up by 5000. 


President Smith-Bennots joins the war effort in Ananto

In other news, it is rumored that the President, who has been noticeably absent in national politics for half a year, has joined the Partisans in Ananto, as an Artillery officer, but maintains direct contact with the Government in Kaliburg, to continue to serve in her role as commander in Chief.  Already, Kalistani Propagandists are developing propaganda around this fact, encouraging others to join the fight.

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Reprinted from
Republican Dispatches-  News from the Front
Kalistani Naval units take it to the Dragon
Reports moderate success against Indralan Naval Units
Anantanese Ocean, off Ananto
December 12, 3986


Kalistani LAFA ship, part of the 42nd Kalistani LAFA Pack, off the coast of Ananto, Last Month

Kalistani LAFA forces scored some minor successes against the vastly larger Naval forces of Indrala last month.  The successes mostly consisted of quick attacks against naval personnel aboard Indralan ships, and at least one successful strike against the steerage of an Indralan patrol boat.  While completely out numbered and outgunned at sea, the quick maneuvering and speedy approach of the small ships give Kalistan a degree of parity at sea, especially as Indralan ships draw closer to the shore.  Within about 4 nm of the beach, Kalistani LAFA packs form a fairly lethal strike force against the much larger Indralan ships, who are less maneuverable, and can sustain a lower rate of fire than the LAFAs. 

A direct hit from an Indralan gun will, at best, capsize a LAFA, but a seasoned crew can turn the boat back over.  At worst, it will destroy the ship and kill everyone aboard.  And thus, in the opening weeks of the war, Kalistan has already counted 14 LAFA crew members as casualties, lost at sea.  But despite this, the LAFAs are still highly effective at swarming Indralan ships and claiming casualties of their own, including, according to Kalistani Navy source, 8 unconfirmed Indralan navy deaths and one crippled Patrol vessel who was separated from a larger group and then hit hard by a full LAFA pack.

The LAFAs represent Kalistan's best sea defenses at current, as the larger ships in Kalistan's tiny navy have been moved outside of the war zone and hope to avoid conflict until they can mount an adequate defense of the waves.  There has been some rumor of possible aggrandizement of the Naval fleet, but at the moment, a Kalistani light aircraft carrier and 6 light cruisers in the war zone are sitting ducks, and so the Naval High Command has decided to send the fleet to a much more pacific zone in international waters west of Mikuni.

Naval spokesmen confirm that all zones of the Anantanese Ocean south of Ananto are active, and have cautioned Kalistani Commerce to not attempt transit through the region.

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Kalistani Republic
Defense Minister announces Aggrandizement of Navy
Tentatively set to purchase 4 Frigates from Cildania
Eavari, Ananto District
March 4, 3987

The Minister of Defense, Millicent Grognard, announced a tentative agreement with the Government of the Kingdom of Cildania to purchase four decommissioned Frigates (total of 7980 tons displacement) for just over 26.6 Billion KRB (or 850 Million LOD), and is in support of the Kalistani Naval rectification program.  Following the passage of the Budget appropriation, which will take up a fifth of the annual budget surplus, Kalistan will work with the government of Cildania to take receipt of the ships and sail them to join the rest of the fleet which is currently operating out of harm's way in the pacific waters between Dankuk and Egelion.

When asked about the implications of the War declaration on the purchase, the Defense Minister stated

"It is no problem:  Cildania is not currently at war with Kalistan, nor have they openly declared their allegiance to Indrala.  They therefore, are not covered by our declaration, nor have they done anything to demonstrate hostility to Kalistan.  When the money is appropriated by the Assembly, we will take receipt of the Frigates and then there will be ample time to discuss relations between our two states.  But lets get this deal done, for the good of our national defense, and worry about that bridge when we cross it."