NationStates Jolt Archive

(Ithuanian Press Bitch Leonard Minoy walks into the room, accompanied by several of his staff. Whistling "Mary Had a Little Lamb", he steps up to the podium and shuffles his papers for no particular reason. He looks up, sneezes, then looks up again. The room quiets.)

Almost three days ago, the Republic of Ithuania issued an ultimatium to the government of Galdania to cease its naked aggression or face the logical consequences of its actions. As of yet, our demand has not been heeded. It is quickly becoming apparent that Galdania desires the course of violence rather than peace. That is all.

"Excuse me secretary, my name is Toli Ubregnev of the Aumanii Press Corps. I just have a few questions for you today. My first question is, what are the reasons for your nation going to war? we know that relations between your two nations has never been good but we on Mars have no real understanding of your reasons for war. Secondly, we would like to know what effect conflict would have on trade in the region, what steps you will take to insure it goes on unfettered and so on." Ubregnev held a mini-disc recorder towards the secretary and waited for a response.

(Press Bitch Leonard Minoy clears his throat and responds)
Our reason for war is quite simple--Galdania's naked aggression against its citizens. Recent events, not the least of which has been Galdania's own admission of outlawing prostitution and executing its practitioners, have made it clear that the government of Galdania is not concerned with the individual rights of its citizens. Such a government has relinquished its moral right to exist, and the Republic of Ithuania is justified in removing the current atrocious regime from power to restore to the people of Galdania their basic individual rights.

In answer to your second question, we believe that the only trade disruption will occur in the vicinity of the actual fighting. Our experience in past wars has shown this to generally be the case, and we have no reason to believe this war will be any different.

The Free Entity of Welcome to the Machine applauds Ithuania for its willing to stay the course of righteousness and justice even in the face of hostile and unprincipled opposition, and throws its full military might behind them.

A poorly dressed little man in a fedora (which, yes, had a sign reading 'press' tucked in the band) stood near the back of the room. "Excuse me, Mr. Minoy, sir! Gregory Mathis, IanCorp Wire Services!" After being recognized, the shabby-looking reporter poised his hand above his notepad.

"My readers will wonder, sir, just what your real casus belli is. After all, no nation has the right to act as some sort of supra-national morality police that overrides all concerns of sovereignty, does it? Is there some sort of natural resource on Galdanian soil you want? Perhaps your government is intimidated by increasing Galdnian militancy?"

Press Bitch Leonard Minoy answers:
If you are convinced the Republic of Ithuania has ulterior motives, then you are so irrational that it is pointless to attempt to convince you otherwise.

As for your statement regarding sovereignty, that is correct. However, the government of Galdania, by flagrantly violating the rights of its citizens, has relinquished its sovereignty.

Mathis chuckled. "If that's the line you're going to stick by, then so be it. But I know that it won't be enough to satisfy my readers. They know that humans are an essentially self-interested creature, and that none of them would expend the capital needed for a war of that scale just because some red bastards were going about lopping off heads or whatever."

He paused to take a breath. "And if the citizens of Galdania are so oppressed, why do they not rise up and oust the corrupt from power? Could it be, perhaps, that they do not feel oppressed? I fail to see what business your country has in what is strictly a domestic Galdanian matter, and if I fail to see that, I know my readers will."

A young, slender, and rather attractive woman in a slick suit, shiny black to the extreme, holds up a small recording device and stands.

"Eliza Hartman, Commonwealth News Service, we wish to inquire as to what Ithuania's intentions are now that an international coalition, including the Commonwealth of TA to which this news service reports, has formed to protect the sovereignty of Galdania against Ithuania's "humanitarian" intervention. Do you plan to take these five nations head on or try to attain a diplomatic solution?"

As has been stated, the sovereignty of what calls itself the government of Galdania ceased to exist the day it started violating the rights of its citizens. As for allies, the Republic of Ithuania has assembled allies of its own and is prepared to deal with whatever might stand in the way should Galdania choose the path of war.