Kanjor

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CLAIRON PICARD
 
FOREIGN MINISTER CONFIRMS TALKS UNDERWAY WITH ISTALIA
 
Foreign Ministry, November 27, 5632: After a Senior Staff meeting at the Foreign Ministry concerning extant ties to multinational organizations, CLAIRON PICARD asked Foreign Minister Marcel Malateste if reports in the Istalian press were correct that Istalia and Kanjor were engaging in talks concerning Western Majatran and South Seleyan security and trade, and Malateste responded:
 

Yes.  Although at a very preliminary stage.  The Foreign Ministry is aware of the opposition to new foreign entanglements prevalent in the governing coalition both in the Parti Social - Democrate (PSD) and my own Union Hosienne -Democrate (UHD). But think we should always certainly look at trade opportunities.
 
I have discussed this matter with the Council of Ministers, and we are in agreement we should see what the concept is and then consider it. Particularly if it included some degree of intelligence sharing. These are uncertain times.

Foreign Minister Malateste

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CLAIRON PICARD
 
FUTURE OF GOVERNING COALITION
 
Governor General’s Palace: July 27, 5633: Parti Social - Democrate (PSD) leadership met at its headquarters in Cap – Oriental to discuss its legislative agenda running into a roadblock from its governing coalition partners.
 
PSD favors nationalizing defense contractors, free public transportation for the poor, free public housing for the unemployed, pulling out of Order of Crowns Treaty, and teaching atheism in public schools. With their supposed partners blocking all of that, their constituency was calling for dissolution of the coalition.
 
PSD’s Premier Bruno LeFebvre asked to discuss the future of the governing coalition with Governor General Barrineau, and she suggested before making demands or resigning, a meeting of the Council of Ministers over which she would preside could consider compromise.  LeFebvre agreed.
 
At the Council of Ministers Meeting today, Federation Canrille (FC)’s Finance Minister Roxanne Marvaux offered to withdraw FC from the Coalition if that would facilitate compromise as did Union Hosienne -Democrate (UHD)’s Foreign Minister Marcel Malateste. Neither however was willing to support minority governance by PSD.
 
The Governor General suggested compromise be sought on each of the five issues and all agreed to try.
 
On the Order of Crowns, Royaume Uni de Kanjor would not withdraw but any actual action beyond voting would require approval of the Chamber of Deputies.
 
On teaching atheism, it was agreed that public school science courses could include evolution as the generally accepted explanation of biological diversity, the big bang theory could be introduced in physics, mathematics and astronomy classes as a theory of the origins of the universe with the caveat that the mathematics may not be holding up on some of its implications and other theories abounded including a bang per galaxy and parallel universes were like loaves of bread, a theory no one present understood but all had often heard from television shows.
 
Further creationism was so poorly presented by its advocates and existing texts that it would not be taught in publics schools, but religious beliefs could be explained in history and anthropology courses as could atheism in those and political science courses where appropriate. Marvaux noted this was in fact being done in the Eliasit’s Institute for Higher Studies.
 
On nationalizing defense industries, all Deputies may vote as they wished, while FC and UHD will join PSD in voting for free public transportation for very low income citizens so certified by the Ministry of Pensions and Benefits.
 
On free public housing for the unemployed, it was agreed that unemployment benefits would be made sufficient for sustenance to include  lodging.
 
All parties agreed to these compromise proposals  and that the governing coalition would stay in place til the next election.


Governor General's Palace

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State visit of Alessandro V and Minister Saragat to Kanjor

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CLAIRON PICARD
 
FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSSES POLICY UPDATES
 
Foreign Ministry, February 27, 5636: After Foreign Minister Marcel Malateste met with Archbishop of Atyr Reynard Bourdeselles  today, CLAIRON PICARD asked why the meeting.  Malateste replied:
 

The ongoing contact point between the Aurorian Patriarchal Church (APC) and the government during the long period of Federation Canrille dominance was the Premier and the Archbishop. With Parti Social - Democrate (PSD) holding the Office of Premier, it was agreed in the Council of Ministers I would be the Archbishop’s contact during the life of this governing coalition.
 
The subject matter was that the Empress of the Empire of Istalia expressed a desire to visit the Arch - Patriarch at Ville de Saints.  In fact, Archbishop Bourdeselles is arranging the meeting as the Empress requested during her visit accompanying her husband Emperor Alessandro V’s State Visit to our Capital.  He has received assurances from the Curia there will be no obstacles.
 

Asked by CLAIRON PICARD, if the rather extensive economic and security arrangements between Istalia and Kanjor was not an abrupt change from the PSD and Union Hosienne -Democrate (UHD) positions on foreign entanglements, the Foreign Minister responded:
 

Perhaps.  It fits very well the traditional Federation Canriulle (FC) view and no doubt seems a little odd for UHD and PSD to be embracing. But we entered the current all parties governing coalition knowing we had differences and have had ongoing discussions to avoid an early break up.
 
We are all in agreement increased trade is good for Royaume Uni de Kanjor. In fairness, PSD is considerably more concerned with other issues but does not object to increasing trade  FC and UHD believe increased trade increases economic activity and brings economic benefits.
 
While FC is the advocate of most specific non aggression pacts, neither UHD nor PSD opposes them nor sees any reason to do so.  None of us  want them with the  few identified pariah nations.  We do not see ourselves as the policeman of Terra and generally speaking believe in sovereign nations which live and let live.
 
As to the  intelligence sharing agreement, these are perilous times, and the Council of Ministers all agreed in advance this was an appropriate  measure which should be undertaken between friends.
 
We are very glad Emperor Alessandro V paid us a State Visit affirming and publicly proclaiming the friendship between us.

Foreign Ministry

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CLAIRON PICARD


Foreign Minister Malateste
 
FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSSES MIGRANT’S PASS
 
Foreign Ministry, August 27, 5636: After Foreign Minister Marcel Malateste met with the Director of Foreign Security (DSE), CLAIRON PICARD asked Malateste where the governing coalition stood on Migrant’s Pass, a matter discussed with the Empire of Istalia during the State Visit of Emperor Alessandro V but not mentioned since.  Malatese responded:
 

There are legitimate reasons a ship might be prevented from free passage through Migrant’s Pass. Being a known pirate or drug smuggler. A time of war or plague.  Absent one of these or other accepted exceptions, there are international waters running through Migrant’s Pass between the national waters of Malivia, Pontesi and Selucia and perhaps even the Dual Republic, Amudin and Cildania.
 
There have been several treaties purporting to control those international waters. Absolutely true.  And absolutely binding. On the signatories thereto. And only those signatories. Those not a party to those treaties are not bound legally by them.  Which is not to say nations may not and have not unlawfully claimed control for hundreds of years.
 
This was discussed during the meetings you reference; and a legitimate question is what are doing about it.  And the truthful answer is not much.  Our one ongoing major customer in Dovani is better reached by going east not west   Likely we would be more prone to immediate action if we had major trade arrangements in western Artania.  We are one of 85 or 86 nations on Terra, and conforming everyone to our view is not our solo task.
 
With that said, we are open to considering suggestions for collective action should they be made.
 

CLAIRON PICARD asked if Royaume Uni de Kanjor would consider closing the Silliers Channel, and Malateste replied:
 

We could do that.  If we were willing to spend a great deal on an ongoing full mobilization of our Navy and having our Army and Air force constantly on alert status. And willing to make enemies of our friends and amuse our enemies.  We really do think it is better to have our transit ports provide fuel, repair services, recreation and rest to commercial and merchant shipping passing through the Channel.
 
As a matter of complete honesty, we have considered restrictions. But that is for the puffin breeding habitat off the La Tondelle Coast and for the two times a year when Humpback Whales traverse the Channel.

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Post was made in error so removed.

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CLAIRON PICARD
 
OIL EXPLORATION IN ODUFART SEA
 
Finance Ministry, September 13, 5638: CLAIRON PICARD sources in the Finance Ministry report that at a meeting with South Seleyan Oil and Gas management and Defense Minister Tristan Thibaut, Finance Minister Roxanne Marvaux reviewed our current oil import and extraction  situation.
 
We have ongoing contracts for importing petroleum as both crude oil and gasoline that pretty much insures our domestic consumption needs can be met. Some of this is imported by South Seleyan Oil and Gas (SSOG) and some by Societe Nationale de Bourse (SNBI), for immediate resale.  Nonetheless, The Government agreed to make  arrangements with the Government of Rildanor to provide an investor with a Rildanorean Company for oil and gas exploration in the Odufart Sea which came to be SSOG..
 
The Rildanorean Company abandoned the enterprise after the existing oil rig tragically blew up.  SSOG had arranged for part of the area where the partners had oil drilling rights to be leased for exploration to Qat Oil Services, once the most prominent oil extracting operator in Jumhuriat al-Badara which now is internationally based in the wake of nationalizing most businesses there.
 
Qat Oil Services (QOS) has a tanker fleet and SSOG has long been operating an oil refinery in Torges. QOS is now drilling and is establishing two oil rigs.  SSOG has the royalty rights and is looking for other investors and is prepared to purchase most of the crude oil produced..  The Government had encouraged the enterprise to insure we would have oil reserves should the need arise.
 
SSOG and the Naval Staff have been discussing providing fuel for the National Navy.  The Chief of Naval Operations and Chief of the National Defense Staff have signed on.
 
CLAIRON PICARD sources have confirmed Finance Minister Marvaux and Defense Minister Thibaut have agreed that this arrangement will be covered by Defense Ministry appropriations thereby insuring Royaume Uni de Kanjor will have emergency oil reserves that the National Navy will maintain.

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NEW PARTY CUTS INTO SPD; FC AND UHD WILL GOVERN
 
CLAIRON PICARD
 
Governor General’s Palace: February  22, 5639:  Governor General Claudette Barrineau of Union Hosienne -Democrate (UHD) was elected to a second term defeating Premier Bruno LeFebvre of Parti Social - Democrate (PSD). Federation Canrille (FC) supported Barrineau.
 
FC and UHD received virtually the same number of seats as prior to the election, but PSD lost a substantial number to a new left wing party, Devant Rouge Kanjorien (DRK) based in Villebrun sur Mer.
 
101 Federation Canrille (FC),
100 Union Hosienne -Democrate (UHD),
125 Parti Social - Democrate (PSD),
  64 Devant Rouge Kanjorien (DRK).
 
The Governor General contacted Premier Bruno LeFebvre of PSD about whether he could form a governing coalition; after a day and a half he notified Governor General Barrineau he would not but would be leading PSD into Opposition.. 
 
Accordingly, Barrineau asked FC’s Paul-Henri Bourmont who was serving as Justice Minister to form a governing coalition.  Bourmont has now announced UHD will join FC in a governing coalition with him a s Premier.  UHD’s Marcel Malateste will continue as Foreign Minister.
 
Incoming Premier Bourmont stated:
 

Contrary to charges made during the campaign, the governing coalition will not be reducing any government benefits.  We will be looking at how some are financed.
 
Think Both UHD and FC want to concentrate on expanding our trading partners and on making small business aspirations a reality.
 
We do thank the Sovereign People for their support.

 
 Premier Bourmont

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GOVERNMENT STILL COMMITTED TO EV CHARGING STATIONS
 
CLAIRON PICARD
 
Kanjo, May 13, 5642: Finance Minister Roxanne Marvaux spoke at a dinner gathering of civic and business leaders in Kanjo on the subject of the future of EV’s. Her remarks included the following:
 

We know petroleum will continue to be a very important source of energy in Royaume Uni de Kanjor certainly for quite a period beyond my lifetime. And we have contracts to import enough to meet our needs and are extracting some from the Odufart Sea to insure we have plenty of  oil reserves.
 
But we are also trying to reduce this dependency. Auto Seleya is producing electrical passenger vehicles in conjunction with Freres LaFollette which also produces electrical small trucks and tractors. Both Auto Seleya and Freres LaFollette provide charging facilities  to their customers as part of their vehicle purchase.
 
A critical financial aspect to continuing in the electrical vehicle business is the 5020 arrangement with Liore for Auto Seleya to market electric automobiles at distribution centers in the cities of Nzurchanga, Yamabiro and Naranpa-Bakundu. The primary product sold is the midsize Carnot Segmento developed with Freres LaFollette who were first to develop electric vehicles in Kanjor concentrating on trucks and tractors in Martois Province. The Carnot Ami is a smaller automobile sold at those locations.  Freres Lafollette handles charging stations there.
 
We do now have nuclear generated electrical power in Numineux Province augmented by solar panels and wind turbines.  The government is still providing charging stations at major highways in Numineux. 

We do not have funds to furnish charging stations on highways  to other Provinces at this time.  But we will absolutely continue to provide them in Numineux.  Now and in the future.  Further, our talks with Freres LaFollette and Auto Seleya on where and when we could provide them next are serious.  Of course, it would be nice if a private business or a number of them would see fit to join in, but so far what little there is in Numineux.

 

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ELECTIONS PRODUCE MIXED RESULTS AND NEW GOVERNING COALITION
 
CLAIRON PICARD
 
Foreign Ministry, March 27, 5647: Parti – Social Democrate (PSD)’s Bruno LeFevre edged out Governor General Claudette Barrineau of Union Hosienne- Democrate (UHD) denying her a second term.
 
In the Chamber of Deputies, seats were filled as follows:
 
102       Federation Canrille (FC),
100       Union Hosienne -Democrate (UHD),
  98       Parti Social - Democrate (PSD),
  90       Devant Rouge Kanjorien (DRK).
 
 
Initially, Governor General LeFevre called on Premier Paul – Henri Bourmont to confirm he could continue with a governing coalition, but there has been considerable delay in making an announcement and now it appears a change may have occurred.
 
CLAIRON PICARD asked Foreign Minister Marcel Malateste what was going on and he responded:
 

Well, it really is a peculiar situation.  Lourenne may be reasserting itself which would be a great help as a renewed trading partner as well as the leader of the Union of Canrille. DRK as a rather inflexible doctrinaire socialist party is steadfastly opposed to having anything to do with Lourenne. 
 
In contrast, FC is always happiest when the Union of Canrille is actually operating and is planning accordingly.  PSD and UHD both find ourselves wanting to be much more cautious and see what opportunities are really there before committing ourselves.
 
Both PSD and UHD in the meantime wish to pursue our traditional national policy of neutrality or more precisely, live and let live.
 
Accordingly, Premier Bourmont has found the votes are not there in the Chamber of Deputies for continuing the current governing coalition.  TLD”S Claudette Barrineau, the outgoing Governor General, is making arrangements to lead a TLD – PSD governing coalition as Premier.
 
And yes, I am slated to be Foreign Minister.

Foreign Minister Malateste