NationStates Jolt Archive

"Stop Uranium Mining NOW!" screams protestors outside the Sporkeric Parliament building in Sporkeric City. Hundreds of Environmentalist wave their signs and protest against the governments recent mining for Uranium in the threatened forests of Sporkeric. Inside the Parliament building Representatives from each state debate over a bill which will make clean air emission standards optional.

"These emission standards were created for a reason." says Rep. Bill Patterson of Fresman. "It is crucial that corporations which emmit pollutant toxins into our air literally clean up their act. Do you really want to go outside and breath in dirty air? I certainly don't. Of course don't forget the health hazords here. Many pollutants which factories emmit into the air are dangerous and can have severe health risks if breathed in. I don't think anyone wants to live in a country where you have to where gas masks outside, because factories decided to soil our air with pollutants."

Meanwhile protestors continue outside. Several anti-Environmentalists show up to counterprotest and things start to get rowdy. "Why don't you tree hugging hippies get out of here?" yells counterprotester Andrew Watson. "Save our environment now, protect it for the future!" shouts Green party activist Lindsay Ostrauch.

The protest begins to heat up, and draws the attention of bypassing citizens. A few blows are exchanges and the protest turns violent. The police are immediately alerted. Cop cars rush instantly on the scene to break the protest up. Tear gas is unleashed to put the protesters down. Many are then arrested while others manage to escape.

The Holy Empire of Sporkeric's Prime Minister Frederick Skujic-Magar Jr. sits inside his office at his mansion in Sporkeric City. Next to him is local news reporter Ace Jolly.

"Prime Minister Skujic-Magar there have been recently many protests as a result of Uranium Mining facilities opening in southern Fletch Island and northern Wilmington forests. As well, there are now several bills in Parilament which propose to weaken environmental protection laws. Many Environmentalists are criticizing your record on environmental issues since your term began earlier this year. What is your response to all of this?"

"I'd just like to start of saying that I will be doing my best to put down these radical protests which are breaking out nationwide.", answers the Prime Minister, "I want to assure the people of Sporkeric that the decision to begin mining for Uranium is for the better of our economy. The Uranium Mining industry promises to bring many new jobs to our nation. I ask these people opposed to this to understand that we will not use up all of the forest land where uranium has been discovered. It is indeed a small sacrifice to make for the advancement of this countries economy. Please just stand by me and great results will come."

It is early in the morning on the Southwest coast of Fletch Island, Sporkeric where the latest Uranium Mining facility has been set up. Uranium Mining Commissioner John Edmonds watches with pride as the miners begin work. Several reporters from the media are there for the event.

"Mr. Edmonds, how do you feel about the opening of this new mining facility?" asks Sporkeric News Network reporter Terrence Slin.

"Well I feel excited. This is a wonderful oppurtunity for the Uranium Industry and the it should have wonderful effects for the Holy Empire of Sporkeric. Many new jobs will be gained and it should be great for the national economy. I'd defineately like to thank the Prime Minister and Parliament for this chance. This facility is just one of several more to come." responds John Edmonds.

Terrence then asks "What is your reaction to the protests opposing the mining of this environmentally sensitive area?"

Edmonds pauses for a moment and then answers. "I'll admit it concerns me. This is a great oppurtunity for Sporkeric and yet they are trying to stop it. I understand they care about the environment but a few mining facilities here and there isn't much of a big deal."

A Sporkeric military soldier stationed to guard the facility rushes over to Edmonds. The soldier has a worried look on his face.

"Protestors have been spotted heading this way." he says.

Edmonds face is a comical expresion of shock.

"Well what do you plan on doing about it?" Edmonds asks with concern.

The soldier answers "Colonel Granger has been informed. Soldiers have been sent to try stopping the protestors before they reach this facility. The rest of us will remain here in case the protestors make it past our soldiers. However, I highly doubt they will sir."

Armed Sporkeric soldiers dressed in the traditional complete green attire rush through the forest with M-16 guns loaded at their side. Only 30 feet ahead of them the protestors march on towards the newly opened mining facility. The troops draw closer to the protestors and soon they are almost ready to meet face-to-face. The soldiers hear footsteps coming their way and Sergeant William Newton orders them to stop. The soldiers quickly get their weapons ready. The protesters become within sight and the protesters hault in front of the armed forces.

"Don't shoot!" yells protest leader Jake Water slowly putting his hands up in the air.

"You can put your guns down." says Sgt. Newton.

Just then one of the soldiers reaching for something in his pocker. Nervously responding with quick reaction he screams "He's got a gun!" One of the soldiers fire and shoot the man down. The rest of the protesters run off in fear for their lives.

Sgt. Newtown rushes over the man who was shot. He looks inside his pocket and says "He was reaching for his wallet..."

The news of the protester mistakenly shot by Sporkeric soldiers has spread rapidly throughout the nation. Many are outraged especially other protesters. They mourn in honor of their fallen comrade. The strongly Environmentalist citizens of Fletch Island take this news the hardest. Fletch Islands Gov. John Hedrick decides to make an important announcement on a local telecvision station.

At 7:00 P.M. the people of Fletch Island turn on their TV to hear their Governor speak.

"Ladies and gentlemen of Fletch Island I thank you for taking your time to hear me out tonight. Things are just going too far now that an innocent man expressing his right to a peaceful assembly has been shot and killed by a Sporkeric soldier. From what I am being told the soldier who fired the shot is being court marshalled. Hopefully such an event will never happen again. In order to avoid such an event ever occuring again I am proposing that we the people of Fletch Island break off and suceed from the rest of the nation. Yes, it is a lot to ask but I feel it is for the better good that we do so. I don't think I want to live in a nation where the environment is viewed as something which should be sacrificed for our own greedy desires. Prime Minister Skujic-Magar claims it is only a small sacrifice. But it is a much bigger sacrifice than he realizes. Throughout the decades forest land has been destoryed and fragmented. We need to be preserving what we have left not tearing it up. I don't care what it does to the economy this is not a sacrifice I am willing to make. Not only this the government is now trying to lower anti-pollution laws. Before we know it we'll have to wear gas masks so we don't suck in the toxic air. This is getting crazy. So many people overlook just how important the envirionment is. The only way to avoid Fletch Island being dismantled by corporations who want to to destory our environment is breaking off from the main land and forming our own environmentally friendly nation. Please I know this is a lot to ask but without your support it will be impossible. I thank you and good night."

The Governor walks off stage and the TV broadcast ends.

SOMEWHERE IN RIBENIA...

Hrrm. Are you taking this down? Yes? Oh, good. Well, then, tell them...

We in the Compassionate Queendom of Ribenia have been following recent events in Sporkeric with growing concern. In view of Her Royal Majety Queen Ayane's commitment to safeguarding peace wherever conflict threatens, I have been authorised to offer the services of our diplomatic facilities, on neutral Ribenese ground, so that you may conduct talks and resolve this matter peacefully. We will assist you in any way you may require.

Throw in the usual polite formulae and send it to both sides. And stop writing everything down.

Signed:
Jun Kurogawa
Official spokesman, Ribenese government

Prime Minister Skujic-Magar, Secretart of Defense Gen. Warren Krami, Gen. Montgomery Jackson, and Fletch Island Parilament Representatives Daniel Quagmire, Casimir LeFaye, Sarah Compton, and Matthew Maine are all seated at a round table in a private room. They are holding a special meeting in response to the recent evens unfolding in Sporkeric. Hundreds of Environmentalists have taken to the streets in the past week in protest. Not only that one protestor has been killed on accident by a Sporkeric soldier. The murder of this innocent protestor has sparked rage by the peoples of Fletch Island. The Governor of Fletch Island has threatened breaking the island off from the mainland of Sporkeric.

"Fletch Island breaking off from the mainland is a threat to this entire nation." says Prime Minister Skajic-Magar. "The loss of Fletch Island could kill our nations economy. The beef-agriculture and Uranium Mining industry are mainly on that island. Those 2 major industries are necesary for the survival of our economy. Also there will be a lost of almost 3 million citizens. Losing Fletch Island is a huge threat to the Holy Empire of Sporkeric. This must be put to an end now."

Sec. of Defense Gen. Krami butts in with his suggestion. "There is only one way we can prevent this from happening. We're going to have to send troops in to take controll of the island. What I propose we do is 1st take the capital city of Nuzelh. From there we will invade the Governors mansion and take Gov. Hedrick captive. Once the capital of the island is secure we will then send troops to secure all other major towns and cities. And of course we'll have to guard all the bridges connecting Fletch Island to the mainland. What they are likely planning to do is destroy these bridges seperating themselves completely from the rest of the nation. We're defineately gonna have to prevent that. Finally, we're gonna need to send more soldiers to guard the Uranium Mining facilites."

"Maybe we could attempt to negotiate with them." suggest Rep. Matthew Maine.

"I think it is too late for that. At this point the saftest thing to do is go on and take control of the island before this situation gets out of hand." responds Gen. Krami.

"I am going to have to agree with General Krami.", says Rep. Casimir LeFaye.

Suddenly the Prime Minister's personal assistant Nick Morman rushes in.

"What's the matter?" asks the Prime Minister.

He catches his breath and answers. "Sources have told us another protest is underway in downtown Keh-Fu, Fresman. Bicyclists are blocking traffic demanding that the government ban the use of cars."

"They're just going insane now!" shouts Gen. Jackson.

"How should we respond to this?" questions Morman.

"Let's play it safe and just ignore this one for now. We have enough on our hands already." says Skajic-Magar.

"I have some more information, sir." adds Morman.

"What?"

"We have received a letter from the Compassionate Queendom of Ribenia. They are offering their diplomatic assistant to help us resolve this issue."

The Prime Minister takes a moment to ponder over the offer. "Write them back and ask them to send a Diplomat here to Sporkeric City right away. I think we can use all the help we can get."

"Yes sir Mr. Prime Minister!"

OOC: I'm very sorry, I haven't been online much recently. :oops:

IC:
"They want us to send a diplomat?" Ayane sat with a faint frown on her forehead, considering this unexpected turn of events. "You did offer them the use of our facilities? In Ribenese territory?"

"That's quite correct, Your Majesty," Kurogawa, her government spokesman confirmed. "And yes, I did."

Ayane sighed delicately.
"Write back to them. Re-emphasise that we have facilities on neutral ground at their disposal. But tell them that we are prepared to send a diplomat to assist them if that is their wish. The important thing is to help prevent hostilities. All else is mere detail..."

"Yes, Your Highness." Kurogawa bowed. "And I will contact our diplomatic centre. I believe Ai Chigusa, one of our diplomats, has always wanted to travel..."