NationStates Jolt Archive

DIPLOMATIC COMMUNIQUE {
To: All
From: Gunchenjuris
{
The elections for the 216th Session of the Goobergunchian High Council (HC-216) will be held shortly. For the first time ever, we are activating an international comm feed for other nations to comment on the elections and ask party leaders questions.

The High Council is elected in odd-numbered years by a nation-wide party list vote. There are 100 seats in the High Council, selected proportionally in accordance with the outcome of the election. The High Council is primarily concerned with setting the budget for Goobergunchia and with foreign policy issues. The High Council may also, if 51 Councillors agree, appoint a new President and UN Ambassador.

The following parties have qualified for the ballot:

Liberty Party - favors a pacifistic foreign policy as well as high levels of domestic spending. Supports President Goobergunch and UN Ambassador Evif. Holds 46 seats in HC-215 (the current High Council session).

Unity Party - favors a more militaristic foreign policy as well as lower levels of domestic spending, they support a major tax cut, primarily for the wealthy. Opposes President Goobergunch and UN Ambassador Evif. Holds 41 seats in HC-215.

Independence Party - favors military disarmament as well as low levels of domestic spending. Opposes President Goobergunch and UN Ambassador Evif. Holds 5 seats in HC-215.

Blue Party - favors an isolationist foreign policy as well as high levels of domestic spending. Supports President Goobergunch but opposes UN Ambassador Evif. Holds 4 seats in HC-215.

Toga Party- favors abolition of all tariffs and high levels of international expenses. Opposes President Goobergunch but favors UN Ambassador Evif. Holds 4 seats in HC-215.

Feel free to ask the party leaders questions.
}

A young reporter from the Kerzokoia Times stands up, holding up her pen. "Pacifica Callghan of the Kerzokoia Times. This question is for all parties involved. What is your stance, or rather approach to International Policy?"

A young woman stood up beside her. "Hirsute Kawagiri, Tiburonese National News Service. This one is for all candidates. What is your belief on organizations dedicated to ending oppression?"

A young reporter from the Kerzokoia Times stands up, holding up her pen. "Pacifica Callghan of the Kerzokoia Times. This question is for all parties involved. What is your stance, or rather approach to International Policy?"

{
We are in favor of continued outreach to other nations and UNAOTO participation. Although opposed to GDODAD and other dictatorial nations, we oppose the use of military force unless it is absolutely necessary.

Lady Grandis
Liberty Party Foreign Spokesperson
}
{
We are also against dictators such as the GDODAD. We must act strongly against unfree regimes and must not hesitate to use military force to defend freedom, even if we are not been involved in a given situation.

Lord Farvius
Unity Party Foreign Spokesperson
}
{
Goobergunchia should disarm its military. We should attempt to maintain a peaceful, non-confrontational status with all nations, including the GDODAD. To that end, we should resign from the LAGD.

Lord Kantal
Independence Party Leader
}
{
Goobergunchia should not take an active stance in foreign affairs. The world's nations should not be the concern of Goobergunchian affairs. We should resign from the UN and the UNAOTO.

Lady Rybelis
Blue Party Leader
}
{
Goobergunchia should try to be a friend to all nations. We should try to maintain positive relations with all nations, even if we disagree with their policies.

Lord Yobtarf
Toga Party Leader
}

What are the party's positions on civil liberties?

Rais Delmion
Worker's Party Head
Prime Minister
People's Republic of Darranack

A young woman stood up beside her. "Hirsute Kawagiri, Tiburonese National News Service. This one is for all candidates. What is your belief on organizations dedicated to ending oppression?"

{
We are in support of anti-oppression organizations such as the UNAOTO. Although we are opposed to the use of military action generally (preferring diplomacy), we will use it if our interests or allies are threatened and if UN resolutions are violated.

Lady Grandis
Liberty Party Foreign Spokesperson

What she said.

Lord Goobergunch
Goobergunchian President
}
{
We somewhat agree with the Liberty Party stance. However, we don't believe in their cautious use of military force. Goobergunchia should not hesitate to use its military - which the Liberty Party government has watered down far too much, in my opinion.

Lord Farvius
Unity Party Foreign Spokesperson
}
{
We are vaguely supportive of anti-oppression organizations. However, Goobergunchia should be involved only to a diplomatic extent, not militarily.

Lord Kantal
Independence Party Leader
}
{
We don't have a problem with anti-oppression organizations, but Goobergunchia should not be a part of any alliances at all.

Lady Rybelis
Blue Party Leader
}
{
We don't want to endanger Goobergunchian activities. We are opposed to oppression, but wish to also maintain positive relations with all nations.

Lord Yobtarf
Toga Party Leader
}

What are the party's positions on civil liberties?

Rais Delmion
Worker's Party Head
Prime Minister
People's Republic of Darranack

{
Civil liberties must be respected. The guarantees of the Goobergunchian Charter of Rights must not be compromised. Some would suggest that we should limit the rights of Goobergunchian citizens to fight crime and terrorism, but we would strongly dissent.

Lord Goobergunch
President of Goobergunchia
}
{
Civil liberties are important. However, we must realize that a little giving up of liberties to fight crime and other pernicious activities is a necessary price for freedom.

Lord Belik
Unity Party Leader
}
{
Civil liberties must be respected at all costs. The guarantees of the Charter of Rights are great, but if anything do not go far enough. Goobergunchian citizens must be free to do whatever they want.

Lord Kantal
Independence Party Leader
} [ooc: The Independence Party used to be the Libertarian Party, but that sounded too much like Liberty....]
{
We agree with the Liberty party position on this. Freedom must be respected.

Lady Rybelis
Blue Party Leader
}
{
Civil liberties should only be restricted in times of national emergency.

Lord Yobtarf
Toga Party Leader
}

What are the positions of the various parties when it comes to the seperation of church and state?

Seventia Ilpor
Foreign Affairs Chairwoman
Federation of Militanar

What are the positions of the various parties when it comes to the seperation of church and state?

Seventia Ilpor
Foreign Affairs Chairwoman
Federation of Militanar

{
We stand with the absolute separation of church and state guaranteed in the Charter of Rights. The Goobergunchian government should not give any support to religious groups, and should not endorse any religion.

Lord Goobergunch
President of Goobergunchia (Liberty Party)
}
{
The current administration has taken separation of church and state to an extreme. We should allow religious groups to receive funds, and also allow a Chaplain in the High Council to pray before each day's session convenes.

Lord Belik
Unity Party Leader
}
{
Government should not interfere with religion, nor discriminate between religious and atheist groups. We believe that government is best which governs least.

Lord Kantal
Independence Party Leader
}
{
Church and state should be totally separate. In fact, government should actively promote atheism.

Lady Rybelis
Blue Party Leader
}
{
Goobergunchia should establish the Church of [violet] as the state religion and outlaw all others. So what if they believe in human sacrifice?

Lord Yobtarf
Toga Party Leader
}

Where do the parties stand on protection of the environment?

The nation of Libertarianar proudly endorses the Independence Party, and asks the parties about their stances on free trade.

Where do the parties stand on protection of the environment?

{
We are firmly for environmental protection. If our environment is not sustained, then we could all die. Environmental protections must be strengthened, not diminished.

Lady Kvarnas
Liberty Party Environmental Spokesperson
}
{
The environment must be protected. However, we must also support industry and business. If the environment must be harmed a bit, so be it.

Lord Sempat
Unity Party Environmental Spokesperson
}
{
We support the environment. However, government has no right to regulate what industry does with the land that they own.

Lord Kantal
Independence Party Leader
}
{
Goobergunchia must protect the environment at all costs, even if it harms business and even inhibits people.

Lady Rybelis
Blue Party Leader
}
{
We must protect the environment.

Lord Yobtarf
Toga Party Leader
} [ooc: Deliberately vague....]

The nation of Libertarianar proudly endorses the Independence Party, and asks the parties about their stances on free trade.
{
Why thank you. We believe in free trade between nations for all reasons. Government should not regulate trade.

Lord Kantal
Independence Party Leader
}
{
The other party leaders have refused to reply directly, but have instructed me to state as follows:

Liberty Party: Is for fair trade, not free trade.
Unity Party: Is for fair trade except for medical products.
Blue Party: Is opposed to free trade.
Toga Party: Is opposed to free trade.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Guy Blanche
Premier of the Gunchenjuris
}

^kick^

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This is a Latest Breaking News election update.

A new LBN/GD election poll of 1,700 likely voters shows the Liberty Party with a commanding lead. The most likely result of the election is a liberal coalition. However, with a 4% margin of error, it remains possible that the Liberty Party could gain total control of the High Council. It seems almost certain that President Goobergunch and UN Ambassador Evif will continue in office. The election is still a few days off, though, and anything can happen.

The percentages each party received in the poll are as follows:

Liberty Party 47%
Unity Party 23%
Independence Party 11%
Blue Party 11%
Toga Party 5%

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