NationStates Jolt Archive


General Garrison Steps Down; Hardliner Set to Replace Him

Chimaea
04-12-2004, 09:42
CCBC Special Report

General William Garrison has formally stepped down from the position of Commander in Chief of the Chimaean Armed Forces and retired from active service today in a long-anticipated move.

The 60-year old Garrison is the longest-serving Commander in Chief in the history of Chimaea, having been instrumental in the Amerigo Slaver War, the Clock Hill-Chimaean war which ended in a brief nuclear exchange between two Baron nations, the Hrstrovokian Crisis, the unpopular Street Island occupations during the Styles administration and more controversially, he had a key hand in overthrowing Sir Reginald Styles in a Constitutional military coup which placed his step-daughter and the daughter of the late Governor Bryce into power.

Despite his role in this, he has long been viewed by most as a comparitive moderate in the Armed Forces, often being instrumental in diplomacy, especially between the more militant regimes in other nations. During the later years of the Styles Administration he was a limitting factor against the more radical policies of Sir Reginald Styles, who is now on trial in the High Court for political murder and treason, amongst other accusations.

It was the military coup that heralded the General's retirement, though, as pressure increased in all quarters for the General to step down in a symbollic move to return ultimate authority to the Parliament and the Governor.

Taking over from General Garrison is the more hardline commanding officer of the Chimaean Army, General Sebastian de Santuro. General de Santuro is a respected and sometimes feared leader who was responsible for the now-declassified 'Operation Elixir', where an experimental immobilization gas was tested on a troubled town in Street Island. Many of the people involved still complain of health issues, though the tactic arguably worked in rooting out the targetted militia.

The General has extensive experience in command as the highest ranking officer in the Chimaean Army, responsible for maintaining trillions of dollars worth of equipment, and personnel numbering in the millions. The Army, along with the Navy and Airforce, has a presence around the world in bases, as peacekeeping troops for the United Nations and in active engagement with other forces in such places as Syskeyia and Colombia. The 49-year old General has been overseen an active recruitment campaign and a strengthening of the Army budget over a five-year period. Under his guidance, the Army has worked closer than every before with the Navy and Airforce to achieve a more coordinated and integrated Armed Forces capable of rapid deployment to almost anywhere in the world.

The selection of a more hardline Commander in Chief is seen as a definite message by the current Administration that Chimaea is ready and willing more than ever for an active military role against subversive elements and enemy nations. The message comes at a crucial time as Chimaea is faced with a war against Reich forces in Syskeyia and a resurgent and militant anti-democracy movement around the world.