NationStates Jolt Archive

Following the confirmation from Skargarden today that they have sold an island to Knootoss, with the express purpose of creating a Christian colony on the island, the Celdonian Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning what it saw as the expulsion of Christians from Knootoss.

At an earlier press conference a spokeswoman read the following statement:

"We regard the actions of Knootoss as deplorable. Already an almost exclusively atheist nation, it is outrageous that the Knootian government should seek to use these people as pawns in its game of brinksmanship with CACE, whilst at the same time pursuing the aims of ridding the country of Christians.

The CACE is a tolerant organisation, but any student of recent history will be more than acquainted with the instability that aflicts successive Knootian governments, and the ease with which they appear to find themselves involved in conflict. It is therefore most unfortunate that a community of peace loving individuals should be so callously exploited by their own government as to be sent to an area that the Knootian government has sought to destabilise.

We can only hope that Knootoss does not in fact intend to use Christian colonists as a facade with which to build an offensive military base.
We shall therefore be monitoring the island with the utmost vigilance."

As tensions continue to simmer in Aperin, it is understood that patrol vessels have already been rerouted to begin monitoring the island.

I meant to include the link to Knootoss's thread, so here it is: Knootoss establishes Christian colony on Skargarden Island (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=91247)

#tag#

Tahar Joblis condemns this indisputably highly aggressive action by Knootoos; we further disapprove of using the colony as a cover for military operations, should this so be demonstrated.

Moontian fully supports Knootoss in its efforts to remove christians from its society, and will send Knootoss a squadron of aircraft, to be chosen by Knootoss.

The Serene Socialist Republic of Xikuang, as an Aperinian and a CACE nation, shares and restates the concerns of Tahar Joblis. We call for Nieuw-Nederland to stand down on mlitary operations.

*bump* before I go to bed.

-tag-

...the Celdonian Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning what it saw as the expulsion of Christians from Knootoss.... Already an almost exclusively atheist nation, it is outrageous that the Knootian government should [be] ... pursuing the aims of ridding the country of Christians.

I've had similar thoughts on that issue as well.

God bless,

Benedict Michael Sukothai
President and First Consul of the Republic of Syskeyia

Xikuang Radio One special report:


No jazzy music, no excitable voiceover, no catchy lyrics: these do not appeal to the quiet, reflective people of Xikuang, and the only introduction to Public Radio News 1 is a sound that means far more to them: the pure tone of one clear bell.

"This is Xikuang Public Radio News One. I'm Khen Nueden.

"Reaction to the establishment of Knootian colony Nieuw-Nederland on a small formerly Skargardeni island is mixed between apprehension and puzzlement. As the island continues to arm and has issued a 'strong warning' to all CACE governments, stating that any aircraft violating Nieuw-Nederand airspace will be shot down with no mention of hailing offending aircraft, the Knootian government's role in infiltrating CACE security and in the recently uncovered plans to escalate ongoing 'war games' in Skargardeni waters to full conflict with CACE nations are well remembered. Yet concern over the establishment of a demonstrably, if not openly, hostile military presence os shadowed by concern for the welfare of the civilian colonists, members of the Christian Reformed Church, which, it is understood, does not have wide representation or public approval in the DDRK.

"Former Xikuangese ambassador to the Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss Mr. Gheng Kharhe describes the establishment of the colony as 'lunacy'." Ms. Khen's even alto voice is replaced by a soft-spoken male voice.

"Given the current political climate, it's very difficult to see why the colonists should have been so firmly set on establishing themselves in Aperin, and why the government should have supported such a move. Look at it from a larger perspective: Most Aperinian nations are CACE nations, and given the recent exposé, they are very unlikely to look favourably upon a colony belonging to any SATO nation, much less one so prominently implicated. Most of their neighbours, by CACE charter requirements, cannot trade with them. Because of the severance of diplomatic relations, we won't even talk to them. The colony will be expensive and difficult to maintain, isolated, and under constant surveillance. One wonders why anyone would want to place people hoping only to make a new start towards peaceful lives and the pursuit of their chosen spiritual path in such a difficult and strained situation, especially when-- and I must stress that this was offered, several times-- any of a number of the CACE nations in Aperin would have taken the settlers in as immigrants, which would have satisfied their needs without causing this tension."

"Before Xikuang formally severed diplomatic relations with the WBO and SATO, I myself went to discuss these concerns with the colonists themselves.. But I had barely gotten past introductions when the meeting was abruptly terminated-- they seemed to have no interest in talking about it. I cannot imagine that they would not have foreseen these difficulties for their people. I don't understand why they cannot have gone somewhere they would have been welcomed as a colony, or straightforwardly emigrated, if they were so set on Aperin. The whole idea-- it's just lunacy."

When asked whether he thought it likely that any open hostility would be shown by the CACE nations towards Nieuw-Nederland, Elected General Councillor Sarekh Djijirin commented, 'Don't be daft.' Again Khen's voice is replaced by another, this time a brusque baritone with a distinct North Qabka accent. "Of course, we'll be keeping an eye on them. To expect anything else would be absurd, and I won't insult the Knootians' intelligence by suggesting that they would. But we have no reason to show any hostility, and as long as none is forthcoming, they will be treated with respectful silence."

"When asked whether he believed the colony could have been established as part of the recently exposed plans for invasion or as another, different front, Mr. Sarekh declined to comment.

"This has been a special report by Xikuangese Public Radio One. We now move on.."

Assington fully supports the actions of Knootoos and will even send vessels to aid in the transport of the christians.

Tahar Joblis condemns this indisputably highly aggressive action by Knootoos; we further disapprove of using the colony as a cover for military operations, should this so be demonstrated.

"We assure the Tahar Joblissian government that the island is not used as a military base. Celdonia and allies often enough cries 'Help, wolves!', and so far, it has nevert be proven correct.

Aside from that, the Knootian christians are actually leaving because they wnat to leave, nobody forced them to leave their homes. They go willingly, without having to fear governmental oppression or any other sort of discrimination.

We recall our (admittedly short) coordination the one of the allanean wars, and hope you can trust us."

~ Mr. Morden

Response by the Knootian government in a press conference:

Prime Minister Lousewies van der Laan sat behind a light brown bureau in a well-lit room in Nieuwspoort, the main press centre in the Hague. The international press had assembled and was taking pictures of the Prime Minister and several accompanying officials.

“Hi, thank you all for coming”, she greeted warmly and smiled at some of the front-row journalists. “Let me cut right to the case – that is how you prefer it. Frankly I am appalled by how the CACE nations seem to want to spin every action our government takes into anticapitalist propaganda. I’m sure they will somehow spin our recent decision to allow humans to marry their house pets into oppression of the proletariat somehow.”

The journalists laughed wholeheartedly as Lousewies was turning on the charm.

“I mean – let’s face it here people. This is complete nonsense. Knootoss is a liberal democracy and a longstanding member of the UN, even the representative of the Netherlands there when the merger is complete. We have always advocated sentient rights, are members of the New Collateral World Court, the Ur Trade Pact, the United Nations Against Organisation against Tyranny and Oppression, etc. To put us in the corner with the evil alliances is simply ridiculous. If there is one free and liberal democracy in this world it’s us. Mostly to the annoyance of our more conservative allies”, her eyes twinkled and a giggle came from the first rows again.

“As Prime Minister I get paid regardless of what I do so I might as well make some money explaining the obvious to you guys and gals of the international press here”, more laughs.

The Prime Minister now was more serious, as she presented the arguments for her case: “Fact is, the Nieuw-Nederland colony was an initiative from the religious communities themselves and it was carried out mostly by the Dutch Reformed Church and their benefactors. It is not an expulsion, rather the opposite.

The few remaining Christian communities like those in Enumatil actually want to leave. This desired was first voiced directly after the Shadow War (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=59513) ravaged parts of Knootoss. Many refugees left our nation back then, but these communities felt the need to stick together. This is because they, frankly, are a bit atypical. More closed and tightly knit. The post-war cultural environment did not particularly suit them and even though we have done things to accommodate them their desire to leave remained. I’m not a Christian myself but I can understand that it must be difficult to live in a society with fundamentally opposed values. Let me stress again that the decision did not lie with us though; we have had freedom of religion as one of the first countries in Europe almost since the reformation.

While the government is avowedly atheist the UN has always attested our superb civil and political rights record. (OOC: see my country) While keeping the strict separation between church and state we have worked in close cooperation with these communities.

As for the motives to go to Aperin, this was not really our choice again. In talks I had with their community leaders several motives came to the table, such as the religious motives but also strong ties these people had to the Former Federal Aperin Republic. Many Knootians of these communities worked closely with their government before the revolutions came and the continent was split up in a host of separate anticapitalist nations. I am fully aware that the return of these people to Aperin is a sensitive topic, but the democratic Knootian government is there for all of its citizens, even if it causes a little political inconvenience.

This is also why we were glad with the decision by the Skargarden government to sell us this island. The Aperin mainland was the communities first choice but we managed to persuade them that this would have caused too much of a diplomatic row. Knootoss is a pacifist nation and we have no desire for conflict. In fact I believe that with acquiring this island we may have prevented a major international incident. Did I get all the ridiculous claims yet?”

More laughs from the journalists. Someone in the back shouted: “Military base!”

Lousewies looked up and nodded to that person. “Thank you – I almost forgot that one. No the island will not be an offensive military base. In light of recent tensions though, there will merely be a garrison to prevent the island from being occupied or overrun by the CACE. Surely this is only a wise precaution given all the warmongering we have seen coming from the CACE lately. Heck, last week they nearly started a nuclear war.”

She now turned her head slightly to look directly into the camera’s: “To the CACE I have a mixed message: if there is any form of reasonable agreement that can be made we are willing to arrange for it. However any increase in readiness posture by the anticapitalist block will be met with similar measures on our behalf. As a countermeasure to the patrols that we know are underway the Knootian carrier KDF Vogels will begin patrol flights over the island after the war games. Until then planes will be rerouted from the Skargardian war games to monitor the island. We will match any troop build-up or relaxation appropriately. We hope that all tensions can be resolved peacefully – but to quote the SATO unofficial motto: “You fuck with us and we fuck with you. Thank you. Questions please?”

OOC: you (defined as in non-CACE nations journalists) can ask questions if you want to.

A short woman in the back row leaps to her feet. "Madame Prime Minister, Rosa Duarte from Press Tanah Burung Internasional. As you know, the words Knootoss and colonial have been mentioned in the same breath once or twice before. What my readers really want to know is: are you setting up a colony on inhabited land? In other words, this island: does it have people living on it already? And if so, is it a return to the bad old days of the Knootian empire?"

Without waiting, a stout yet lithe woman jumps up, waving her pen. "Patti McGuiver of the Kerzerkoina Daily Telegram! What is the course of action that will be taken to ensure that this doesn't happen?"

A short woman in the back row leaps to her feet. "Madame Prime Minister, Rosa Duarte from Press Tanah Burung Internasional. As you know, the words Knootoss and colonial have been mentioned in the same breath once or twice before. What my readers really want to know is: are you setting up a colony on inhabited land? In other words, this island: does it have people living on it already? And if so, is it a return to the bad old days of the Knootian empire?"

OOC: already discussed by TG but alas... I'll move on the assumption that she doesn't know anything yet.
IC:
Lousewies sighs and carefully weighs her words. With people from the former Knootian colony wording matters, is her instinct.
"We bought the island specifically because it is uninhabited: at least this is what the Skargardians told us. As far as my knowledge extends the island is not permanently inhabited. So, no, we aren't going back to colonialism. Next question?"

Without waiting, a stout yet lithe woman jumps up, waving her pen. "Patti McGuiver of the Kerzerkoina Daily Telegram! What is the course of action that will be taken to ensure that this doesn't happen?"

Lousewies raises an eyebrow: "Erm, Miss? That what does not happen? I am afraid I don't understand the quesion."
The Prime Minister patiently awaits a clarification.