NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC purpose of this thread.
This is intended to be a ‘random news’ thread for Knootoss, as reported by the Knootoss News Network (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/KNN).

More often then not, you’ll find events here relating somehow to the Tempo Dulu thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=381087) and the related Chantouillet Conference (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=388460) – though a report on all sorts of other affairs is also likely. For now, I’ll just make the overdue start of the Knootian election season. (Okay…. its election season most of the time in the DDR. Its been months already this time so sue me. :P It ties in with Tempo Dulu.)

The poll questions have links to each of the parties!

KNN world news television debates special.
KNN World news presents to you as a weekly feature, the Big Three debate. The three largest Knootian parties will battle it out exclusively on KNN World News in the runner up to the elections. But before the opponents will face each other in debate they have each been granted the opportunity to make a short address to tell us what this campaign is all about for them. We will be taking questions from national and international callers… so get to your phones and call the number at the bottom of the screen. (OOC: That is you!)

Speaking for our Prime Minister Galadriël here today is the first speaker for the conservatives in the Staten, Hugo Deburghraeve (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Hugo_Deburghraeve) of the RCPK (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/RCPK).

(The rather corpulent RCPK leader rearranged his spectacles, looking into the camera in an emotional appeal. While not much to look at, he speaks passionately and seems trustworthy.)

“Fellow citizens. A few words today about who we are, what we have done, and what we are going to do. I can be short on the first matter: the RCPK as a party is Pro-freedom, Pro-strength, Pro-Market and Pro-Knootoss.

Galadriël has done a magnificent job defending the interests of Knootoss. The economy has never been better and the string of top rankings our industries have broken reflects this. The abolishment of income tax has put money back in your pocket. In the field of international cooperation you need only look at our record to see this is true as well. The Rumbiak Brigade would still exist if it were not for decisive RCPK-sponsored action. The Knootian Federation is safer now. The signing of the VERTITAS and KIST treaties reinforced ties with old allies and expanded our circle of friends. In contrast, the greens gave you the UnAPS debacle. We have delivered on all of our promises. Knootoss after eight years of conservatism is freer, stronger, more pro-market and altogether greater.

Much has been done, but much work still lies ahead. We need to further increase our defensive capabilities to achieve parity with the main powers. The RCPK will strive to match the military capabilities of Lavenrunz by the end of our next term. This great nation of ours is slowly waking up to face a new reality. We have a new relationship with the world, a threatening world which, at the same time, we want to make fit to live in. The international trials we now endure test a democratic government's capacity for self-defence in a world where democracy and liberty are all too scarce goods.

But we must first defeat our own weaknesses. Terrorism, religious fundamentalism and the irrational hatred of warmongering peoples can only be stopped from reaching our homes by the superior might and the clear moral conscience of a great civilization.

After these elections we must lay down the differences of the past and realise that a republic worth living in is a republic worth fighting for.”

KNN presents to you now, exclusively, the candidate for Prime Minister of the Social Liberal Party (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/SLP), Jan Willem Daatman (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Jan_Willem_Daatman)

(The next speaker is calm, and has a warmer and more soothing voice. Confidently he looks into the camera with a 'father of the fatherland'ish aura.)

“Knootians. I’d like to speak to you today about hope. In sixteen years of liberal coalitions this great nation has risen from the ruins of the war and turned again toward the future. If we work together for a common purpose, we are stronger. This is true both at home and abroad. If we unite, we will both defeat the enemies that need to be fought and at the same time make Knootoss a better place to live in.

In the coming years our task will be to defeat some of the old miseries and also a few new ones, and I believe that we can defeat them together. The SLP is a party of peace and prosperity. Of progress. Hans van Mierlo is attending negotiations with Tanah Burung representatives in Pantocratoria at this moment thanks to the SLP. The whole world longs for an enduring peace, and therefore we must extend our hand to all peoples, to cross the borders of ideology and regardless of creed if we can find common purpose. This includes the good people in Tanah Burung, the commendable efforts of the government of Reichskamphen to wrestle itself from old evils, the bold steps of the Iesus government in exile – fighting for freedom against a system that is evil. Though the world may seem very dark indeed at times, we must never lose hope.

No Knootian mother should have to mourn her son or daughters death in battle if I am elected as Prime Minister. Thus, I implore this administration in its last months to resolve the situation in Tanah Burung - and if this administration cannot do it then I promise you that I will.

We choose peace, not because we are afraid or cowardly but because it is better. We must choose a fair peace, a safe peace and a strong peace. That is why the SLP supported military action agaist the Rumbiak Brigade terrorists and that is why we support a peace with the people of Tanah Burung now. Tim de Boer (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Tim_de_Boer) will be a worthy successor of the venerable van Mierlo to continue to promote this cause.

Let us build, trade, learn, play and work as never before. The SLP will fight against unemployment, strengthen your individual rights more, improve our education system, make the Knootian Defence Force stronger and preserve the state as an institution that is not a moral agent. Knootian youth unite the best of our people in them, and I speak of them with confidence in our superb education system and great Knootian parenting. With the creation of viable markets at home and abroad, the young will be Knootoss’ new life.”

And from the government parties we now move to the opposition leader – Femke Halsema of the KGP (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/KGP).

(Wearing a beautiful green scarf with a batik motiv, Femke is a truly dazzling sight. No longer the young woman her face is grinded with a certain maturity. She is at the height of her life and it shows. She speaks with vigor, confident but also daring.)

“Friends! Despite the interesting but hollow words you have just heard, the Social Liberal Party and the RCPK are the same, because they all carry out the same policies, and support the Free Market of the Order (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Order_of_the_Invisible_Hand) to its very end. And despite their lip service to a free market, they have signed laws which allow corporations to pocket trillions of euros every year - that is all what is left of our nations environmental policies. The SLP is still stuck in the same neoliberal rut as the RCPK - that's not what a progressive party does.

The green party is in much better shape than it was four years ago. We have been winning local elections left and right because people believe in our alternatives. Daatmans very own party lost ground to the greens in his own city of The Hague. The national government has let down its left of centre voters, leaving them angry and disillusioned. Take the war in Tanah Burung: this coalition dragged this country into an illegal war that the majority of Knootian people opposed. The coalition partners have repeatedly lied to you about this war - its nature, its reasons and its progress. It is a war they have lost because they were doomed to lose it from the beginning.

But even still, I don’t intend only to beat the antiwar drum in the upcoming months. Greens will stand up for what they believe in even when it seems unpopular in the short term. We won't pander to the right-wing media on the issues. We have stood firm and spoken loud about our belief that all sentient rights must be promoted.

Provide enough buses with punctual services, take cars off the road, and have rail and buses complement each other instead of competing with each other as they currently do will turn around the transport industry and limit the damage done to the environment. This is just one example of a smart solution that is discarded for ideological reasons.

The Green Party means Real Progress. This election we will take back the language of progress which has been abused for too long by the proponents of eternal war and unfettered corporate power. We're saying there's a better way of doing things - renewable energies, international cooperation, promoting sentient rights. It is possible to radical and effective. It is possible to be progressive and competent. It is possible to be a politician and at the same time to be an honest person. It is possible to be green.

Tagged :) and I voted.

OOC: You get the 'I voted' sticker then. :)

The Resi Corporation carefully considers the poll, then chooses the candidate it thinks would be worst for its rival in the cola wars. ;)

OOC: Read the poll question luv: Which of these parties would you vote for if you (RL person) were a Knootian citizen?

That said, less OOC chatter, more IC questions. ;)

OOC: Read the poll question luv: Which of these parties would you vote for if you (RL person) were a Knootian citizen?

That said, less OOC chatter, more IC questions. ;)
((OOC: Yeah, but then I saw that bit on international citizens having opinions and it threw me off.))
IC:

Citizen Don Huges, a steel mill worker in Knootoss, had this to say:
"I'm tired of overtime and being under payed. I mean, isn't everyone? We workers need a government that respects us, which is why I'm voting for Daatman. I honestly don't see why someone wouldn't, unless they're one of those greedy corporate fat cats like my boss."

From: Trouw

Christian schools plan lacks support
THE HAGUE - A Liberal SLP proposal to place stronger demands on Christian schools looks set to miss out on parliamentary backing after the Green KGP withdrew its initial reactions of support for the plan yesterday. A poll suggests meanwhile that the electorate is overwhelmingly positive towards the legislative proposal as distrust towards Christian minorities in Knootoss is rising with recent hostile actions from several Christian nations. The 'Christian schools' issue is set to become a main 'moral values' campaign theme despite the tiny number of Christian schools (73) that recieve extraordinary state funding.

A KGP spokeswoman said the SLP was not prepared to adjust its legislative proposal to green concerns, and submitted its own motion calling for extra demands be placed on all non-state schools that recieve subsidies, rather than just Christian institutes. In their proposal the KGP also scrapped SLP demands that all school directors of schools that receive state funding must have the Knootian nationality. The KGP proposed instead that directors need only to “subscribe to basic Knootian values”. The Green proposal also called for measures to enforce that the student make-up of state schools mirrors the ‘cultural diversity’ of the neighbourhood.

Van der Laan reacted with indignation at the KGP's withdrawal of support: "It is a slap in our face. That's not how you treat each other". She also accused the Greens of breaking their promise and denied the SLP was unwilling to discuss the legislative proposal. Governing conservative coalition partner RCPK accused the KGP of carelessness in withdrawing its support for the legislative motion after first supporting it rashly.

Lousewies van der Laan stirred controversy last week, with the SLP’s own Education Minister claiming that the proposal touched upon the Knootian Constitution, which regulates freedom of education. The minister later also said that he did not see it as the government's responsibility have schools mirror any “cultural diversity”, a suggestion he called “inherently discriminatory”..

Van der Laan expressed shock at the minister's remarks, saying that things needed to be done to limit the ‘fundamentalist bulwarks’ amongst the Christian schools, repeating her claim that integration via state institutions is vital to maintaining Knootian values and the separation of church and state. Her comments came despite a recent Education Inspectorate report which indicated that the education offered at the nation's 73 Christian schools do not breach basic Knootian ethics. The Education Inspectorate did affirm that the schools do adhere to ‘fundamentalist’ strains of Christianity.

OOC: Dunno who I'd vote for. The RCPK (aka Order flunkies) are out (especially with that remark about "religious fundamentalism;" the SLP would end the invasion of Tanah Burung, but I don't want [the late] Vogels' gay lover to get a mjaor position (and van der Laan's remark about the "fundamentalist bulwarks" really gets on my nerves.) I'd vote for the Elvish party, but they're capitalist, and pro-capitalist votes might help the Order...

OOC: Once again, another election thread, once again, there are socialists but no Labor Movement party. Oh well, my elections didn't have one either. I only picked the SP because I didn't want to Vote 1 Disaffected Idiot. ;) Can I have a "I Voted" sticker now?

IC:

"Virginie Merlot of the Pantocratorian Imperial Daily News with a question for the candidates." started a Pantocratorian journalist, introducing herself. "What is the exit strategy which each of you envisage for the war in Tanah Burung? That is to say, what do each of you define as the conditions for a Knootian withdrawal, what do each of you see as the timeframe for such a withdrawal, and how do each of you expect to achieve those conditions?"

OOC: Yeah, I just voted for SP too.

FREE TANAH BURUNG!!! (They may be libertine sodomites, but at least they don't worship the [m]arket! :) )

OOC: Yeah, I just voted for SP too.

FREE TANAH BURUNG!!! (They may be libertine sodomites, but at least they don't worship the [m]arket! :) )

Libertine this, biaaaatch. *makes a friendy aboriginal gesture*

Anyway, I voted for the RCPK. I must admit that I was deeply torn between the SLP and RCPK, but in the end the RCPK won my heart with its uber capitalist policy.

"Virginie Merlot of the Pantocratorian Imperial Daily News with a question for the candidates." started a Pantocratorian journalist, introducing herself. "What is the exit strategy which each of you envisage for the war in Tanah Burung? That is to say, what do each of you define as the conditions for a Knootian withdrawal, what do each of you see as the timeframe for such a withdrawal, and how do each of you expect to achieve those conditions?"
Hugo Deburghraeve, RCPK:
“First of all, I have to correct you. Operation Tempo Doeloe is not a war but an antiterrorist operation. The goals of this operation have always been clear and simple: the destruction of the Rumbiak Brigade and the safety of the Knootian Federation If these goals are met we can safely withdraw.

As for your follow-up question, we are of course hoping to make a breakthrough in negotiations soon. We have made serious attempts to do so but they have been stalled by Alkatiri. I will not not see set a timeframe for withdrawal because if we do that, the terrorists and their allies in the ‘government-in-exile’ can just hold out and refuse to compromise until this deadline is reached. Therefore, the RCPK is not willing to exclude a more long-term commitment but of course we hope for the operation to end soon. This is why we have advocated doubling the troop commitment that we have now so that we can more effectively hunt down Rumbiak Brigade terrorists.”

Jan Willem Daatman, SLP:
“We think negotiations can solve this crisis and with our foreign minister Hans van Mierlo I’m confident that this can be done. As I already said in my opening address I think we can solve this situation in the coming months. And if this does not work then I will make sure that a deal is reached during my term as Prime Minister. The SLP does want a peace that is fair, strong and enduring, so we will not sacrifice everything just to get our troops out like the KGP or the SP. This operation will not have been in vain. The terrorist attacks must stop.

Femke Halsema, KGP:
“I would have solved this crisis through negotiation in the first place. I see a Tanah Burung government in exile that is very willing to deal with some people in Knootoss and it has been constructive in the IMC, in particular Ms. Bi Bere. A deal could be reached within a week if it were up to me. I would hope that the troops withdraw before the election here, but as long as the neoliberal market-worshippers are in power I don’t see this happening. Which is sad, very sad, both for the people in Tanah Burung and for us as a nation.”

Other parties – representatives responding via call in in small boxes placed the upper-right corner of the TV screen.
SP: The troops should return immediately. The workers of Tanah Burung are oppressed by the poor sons and daughters of Knootian workers who are driven to do this to survive. The solution is simple: withdraw from the ‘Knootian Federation’ which is a cheap guise for imperialism. That way, we won’t be attacked.
KEP: I have to largely agree with my collegue from the RCPK. It is not in our interest to have a prolonged presence in Tanah Burung but what must be done to guarantee the safety of the Federation must be done.
IP: “Never. The right of conquest is absolute. Tanah Burung – which is what the Knootian East Indies are called nowadays – should be incorporated into the Knootian Federation. Their leaders left it in shame. Now we only deserve to guide them back to being a proper natio.... [cut off by commercials]

From the Trouw newspaper analysis section.
Christian vote split again
THE HAGUE – polling suggests that the 'Christian vote' this year is split between too many parties to to make a real difference. However, the turnout amongst Christians is traditionally relatively high compared to the non-Christian electorate. Exit polls suggest that, historically, the Christian vote is decisive for switching between one and two seats in the Staten-Generaal. However as the electorate is highly split in the upcomging elections they might not act as a swing vote for any party.

About 0,79% of voting population is of some protestant denomination while 0,21 percent is Roman Catholic. A significant amount of these votes will go to the big parties. The SLP, traditionally devoid of any Christian voters, is attracting some voters away from the more socially moderate RCPK with its message of peace. The Order of the Invisible Hand does seem to hit both the SLP and the RCPK; when asked 61% of Christian voters affirmed that it would influence their voting decision.

In a surprising development, a small section of the electorate endorses the communist Socialistische Partij. As one poll sample cited: “FREE TANAH BURUNG!!!” An SP spokesman responded with rather unwelcomewords: “Religion is the opiate of the people”, he told Trouw, “If Christians want to vote for the SP they are welcome to do so. The agenda of the worker is an agenda of compassion, which is what true Christians ought to support. However we will not compromise our agenda of the liberation of the working class.”


OOC: The above is more or less in response to Syskeyias posts and voting decision. You can have the sticker, Pantocratoria. There are all sorts of complicated reasons though for the lack of social democrats. But the SLP and the Greens both vie for that section of the electorate, generally. The Greens are closer to labour then the SP; the SP is fairly radical. That is why I’m a bit surprised that Syskeyia chose the SP over the greens :S

From the Trouw newspaper analysis section.


OOC: The above is more or less in response to Syskeyias posts and voting decision. You can have the sticker, Pantocratoria. There are all sorts of complicated reasons though for the lack of social democrats. But the SLP and the Greens both vie for that section of the electorate, generally. The Greens are closer to labour then the SP; the SP is fairly radical. That is why I’m a bit surprised that Syskeyia chose the SP over the greens :S

OOC: Um, then can I "take back" the vote and vote for the Greens or something? I've got some puppets that could vote. :)

Tim de Boers adress to the SLP Party Conference

“Ladies and gentlemen of the SLP party conference,

As a representative of our foreign policy I have travelled the world. And today’s world would feel better if it could count on Knootoss, a Knootoss that speaks with a single voice to affirm respect for its alliances and national sovereignty, but also to proclaim, whenever necessary, a message of tolerance and moderation, of openness towards difference, and of respect for sentient rights. Indeed, everyone would feel better if the strong voice of Knootoss could be heard. Our role in the world must change. It must be respected and listened to, not only as the economic power it already is, but as a political power which will talk on equal terms to the greatest powers on our planet. For that, it must have the means to act to affirm its values, ensure its security and play an active role in international peacekeeping.

Our work after these elections will be only one phase in the new Knootoss, but it is a key stage in giving our multinational adventure a fresh start after the Tanah Burung affair – which I think we can rightly call a divergence from that path made with all the right intentions and for all the right purposes. The proceedings of this Party conference – our party conference - are therefore an intellectual reassessment of the future of the Knootian Federation. We must transcend the middle way between the warpath of the RCPK and the radicalist path of the left.

While the god hypothesis is no longer scientifically tenable, this does not mean the abandonment of all moral sanctions. We as free individuals must construct some thing to take its place. For now, let us dream together of a Knootoss that does this! Let us dream of a nation at peace, a land of freedom and opportunity where free individuals thrive. A nation clearly identified by the way in which it successfully uses the dynamism of creation while realising the need for solidarity and protection of its poorest and the weakest. Where tolerance is ensured by its cultural diversity. A nation, finally, that is capable of ensuring its own security, whatever the dangers facing it.

Let us also dream of Knootoss's voice in the world, leading by example to ensure its influence and authority. The richness of its culture and the ever-renewed strength of its creativity are known to all. We bring to this anti-democratic, protectionist, warmongering and authoritarian world a voice of reason, a true representative democracy, the humanity of secular humanism, the legal concept of international law and the astute defence of individual liberties. Let us dream of a nation that has the authority to send forth this message of moderation, preaching the quest for mutually acceptable solutions and a passionate attachment to peace. We can indeed dream of such a Knootoss, and persuade others to share that dream!

We are often upbraided for neglecting the Knootian dream, for serving only our own narrow self-interest which is the preservation of economic and financial powers in the day to day wrangling of an international system where our potential friends are, at the same time, our competitors and potential enemies. If we fail to dream we will only remain locked in on ourselves, grimly analysing the causes of our decline and eventual fall. Therefore we must have a passionate interest in the success of our task if we are to engage and persuade others. If we succeed, we can light up the future of Knootoss and change its destiny..

Thank you.

OOC: Sure Sysk. Use a puppet to make your new choice if you must. Just one puppet, please. :)

OOC: The above is more or less in response to Syskeyias posts and voting decision. You can have the sticker, Pantocratoria. There are all sorts of complicated reasons though for the lack of social democrats. But the SLP and the Greens both vie for that section of the electorate, generally. The Greens are closer to labour then the SP; the SP is fairly radical. That is why I’m a bit surprised that Syskeyia chose the SP over the greens :S

OOC: Ah, but out of principle I couldn't bring myself to vote for a party which calls itself the Greens and expects to be treated seriously. ;)

IC:

(Pantocratorian) Imperial Daily
Cardinal starts Knootian letter writing campaign
Louis Cardinal Poitiers-Phocas, Archbishop of New Constantinople, has called on Pantocratorians to start writing letters to any friends or family they may have in the Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss, and on the Pantocratorian clergy to write to the Knootian faithful, urging them to vote for candidates who will bring the occupation of Tanah Burung to an end in the upcoming Knootian elections.

"I urge you all to write to anybody you know who can vote in the Knootian elections, to ask them to vote for whichever candidate they think best capable to end the military occupation of Tanah Burung." said Cardinal Poitiers-Phocas during his homily at Mass this morning at the Church of Saint Mary of Constantinople in New Constantinople. "Remind them of the hold this new religion, the worship of money and of markets, this sanctification of political economy, the hold this Order of the Invisible Hand has on those presently in power in that country, and beg them to bring about a change of government for the benefit of Knootoss and all the world."

Cardinal Poitiers-Phocas has also called upon the clergy to write to Christian communities in Knootoss to stir support for anti-war opposition candidates, in an official letter to the Pantocratorian episcopate and clergy.

"It is fitting that as servants of God we work always for the cause of peace ... and so I ask you all to write to the Catholic faithful of Knootoss, and even to members of schismatic churches and ecclesial communities, to implore them to support candidates who support peace in the name of the Prince of Peace, and further to outline to them the danger posed to the world by the doctrines of the new religion of market-worship and materialism."

Cardinal Conomos, the Archbishop of New Rome, refused to comment.

Continued on page 18...

From: De Telegraaf

James deGritz awarded civil rights award
AMSTERDAM - The prestigious Knootian Civil Rights Award was awarded to the Iuthian leader James deGritz this year. The KCRA is a prize given annually by the J.R. Vogels Institute for Civil rights and Democracy to recognize the courageous and creative work of individuals and organizations that have advanced the cause of sentient rights and civil liberties around the NS world.

The Award itself is a small-scale replica of the Light of the West, an elvish artefact once used by William of Knootcap during the Knootian struggle for independence and religious freedom. The Vogels institute cited the superb civil rights record in Iuthia, even though it is nominally a dictatorship and a member of the Non-Democratic Alliance (NDA). They praised how deGritz had made the Benevolent Dictatorship a socially progressive nation whose people are proud of their wide-ranging civil freedoms. They also noted how “in these dark times where oppression and authoritarian regimes are high-tide, Iuthia has managed to steer clear of degenerative fundamentalism and populism, while maintaining a free and multicultural society. This is to be praised.”

((OOC: Pantocratoria, you can assume it has an effect during the elections. Obviously I cannot say anything about that yet.

Another bit of random news will follow shortly.))

A weak reply to the above award. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=8074905&postcount=19)

OOC: small warning. Some minor details on this may be changed as I wanted to proofread it to some people. This message will be removed when its done (probably tomorrow) Feedback is welcome (telegrams - if there is more feedback I'll start a new thread for it.)

Another small note: the Marine is the Knootian Navy. Not the Marine Corps.

From: Knootian Defence Force Weekly

Navy Commissions New Battleships

DEN HELDER – the Marine today formally presented its plans to commission a new line of battleships designed to replace the several decades old ships developed under the second Vogels administration. The marine (navy) presented to the press today the ‘Ondeugd’ (Vice) class battleships, whose basic hulls have already been completed in Knootian shipyards, as the start of a whole new approach to Knootian naval power featuring several new key technologies.

New technology
The 350 metre long multirole ‘Ondeugd’ class battleships are designed to serve as battlegroup flagships, perform long-range naval superiority roles, engage in coastal bombardment, provide electronic warfare superiority and serve as an anti-Ballistic Missile Platform.

What is truly revolutionary about the concept are the main guns: four turrets will harbour twelve 30.48cm railguns. The railguns are capable of firing massive projectiles at a muzzle velocity of 3000m/s, giving it the revolutionary range of about 300 miles for a devastating effect. Alternatively it can also fire lighter high-explosive shells or 30.48 cm air-burst canisters designed to work as a countermeasure against Theatre Ballistic Missiles (TBM) and anti-air.

Secondary are 24 guns located in 12 small turrets for 15cm medium artillery, shooting 100kg projectiles, but at significantly shorter range. Another new design is the "Raptor" Domed 80 Megawatt Microwave laser, co-developed with Zeppelin Manufacturer Industies. They feature it on their "Capital Venture" class Dreadnoughts. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=393681)

The Waarden-klasse (Values-class) Air Defence Cruiser (ADC) will continue to have the main Air Defence role in any Knootian battlegroup, bur the Ondeugd will be equipped with means for self-defence against aerial attacks, including 12 CIWS 6mm railguns, 6 quadruple Surface to Air missile launcher Boxes and 2 ‘Vrije Vogels’ Vertical Launch Systems. The ship will have also have a helicopter deck with two ‘Zeemeeuw’ ASW helicopters and one transport heli. For protection it will have sturdy ‘Medium’ armour plating.

Command and Control is also to be enhanced by a follow-up to the old CAESAR (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Combat_Application_Engineered_System_for_Advanced_Response) system developed by Caesar SuperComputer Inc. (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Caesar_SuperComputer_Inc) The software for the CAESAR 2.0 computer system is to feature revolutionary new capabilities.

New operating practices
The new battleship coupled with the Waarden-klasse (introduced just in time to see action in Tanah Burung) is to improve the strength of the standard battlegroup. The tactical design in the air will be defensive, rather then offensive.

An advanced Knootian Defence Force battlegroup will include two Ondeugd-class battleships, one aircraft carrier, two air defence cruisers (Waarden-klasse ADC), two normal cruisers, eight destroyers and 2 nuclear submarines. A single old Zeedier class (non-nuclear) submarine will also be part of the standard battlegroup until the last models are taken out of rotation and replaced by a nuclear or fusion design. Initially four such battlegroups will be created. Other ships in the fleet will still conform to old standards (one carrier, one or two conventional battleships and escorts). Old battleships will gradually be taken out of service and mothballed.

In order to improve flexibility, ships will be held in reserve to be part of battlegroups tilted towards specfic roles as “Modules”. The presentation defined several groups:

The Offensive Air Group (OAG) which has an extra carrier
The Marine Amphibious Assault group (MAAG) which has KMC marine landing craft
The Battleship Battle Group (BBBG) which will have two additional Ondeugd-class ships.
The Long-range Offensive Group (LOG). As an extra it will have 1 ammunition ship and 1 supply ship if no friendly ports are availiable for resupply.


Military experts have speculated about a new standard practice of another group of stealth submarines being kept in ‘wolfpacks’ that will travel separately from the main battlegroup with the purpose of reconnaissance, submarine warfare and nuclear capabilities.

Naming practices
The ‘Ondeugd’ class ships will be named after human vices. As a marine spokesman put it: “Vices are simply the errors which a man makes in his search after his own happiness. Vices are usually pleasurable. Unlike crimes, they imply no malice toward others, and no interference with their persons. It is difficult to say of any actions that are called vices, that they really would have been vices, if they had stopped short of a certain point.””

The first line of ships will be named after the main biblical sins: KDF Hoogmoed (pride), KDF Hebzucht (avarice), KDF Jaloezie (envy), KDF Woede (anger), KDF Onkuisheid (lust), KDF Gulzigheid (gluttony) and KDF Traagheid (sloth). The new flagship of the fleet will be the KDF Thana. According to Buddha’s diagnosis the human condition is normally accompanied by suffering (dukkha) caused by delusion (moha) ignorance (avijja), greed (lobha) and hatred (dosa). Together these three constitute craving (thana) which sums up the cause of suffering. The new flagship will replace the KDF Zhakarov and the KDF Sirithil nos Feanör which both have taken turns at the flagship role in the past decades.

From: Trouw

Beach towns consider hiring own security

AMSTERDAM — The beachside municipality of Bloemendaal is considering contracting in a private security company to patrol residential areas on a 24-hour basis amid claims that many residents no longer feel safe. The proposal involves the 24-hour a day use of patrol cars manned by personnel a private security company. The case comes amidst news of the United Nations scaling its crime warning for Knootoss back up again, claiming that crime -- especially youth-related -- is a serious problem.


Police patrols in Bloemendaal, a wealthy town near Amsterdam, have been scaled back due to recent budget cuts and local political party Liberal Bloemendaal has proposed hiring a security company to ease public safety concerns. It said the use of private security agents could be financed by an annual personal contribution from each resident.

The proposal has been backed by former RecDrug Incorporated CEO and present resident Ronald Rademaeker. Both Rademaeker and his wife suffered stab wounds after they were attacked in the backyard of the house last November. His wife was seriously injured in the attack, but has since recovered. "After the attack on my wife and myself, we consulted with the police about adequate actions. But the system appeared insufficient to bring about the necessary changes. Therefore I support the initiative by Liberal Bloemendaal,", he told Trouw.

Bloemendaal police have taken a wait-and-see approach to the plan, admitting that they did not know its full details and preferred to study its contents before officially commenting. "What we absolutely do not want is a form of police next to the existing police," the towns police chief said. "We have already been working closely together for a long time with businesses that want to call in private security. If people want more than what police can offer, you most organise it well within the rules of the game".

Newspapers in Knootoss (http://www.fredvogels.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=11&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0)
Independent Press review:

THE HAGUE TODAY - The latest election-related address by Prime Minister nos Círdan attracts a lot of commentary today from all papers. The NRC Handelsblad is particularly interested in what she had to say about Tanah Burung, and it points out that her tone was less strident, there was no talk of an "enduring terrorist treat", and she seemed more open to multilateralism and diplomacy than before. "Galadriël even mentioned Pantocratoria, so often vilified by her fellow conservatives as a fundamentalist threat, as having been of help in negotiations", says the NRC. "Strange, if you consider that their role so far has been marginal." All the papers wonder how much of the Prime Ministers speech will actually be translated into action.

The left-wing Volkskrant is more sceptical and describes her as "an iron fist in a velvet glove...wary, apparently flexible, but out to perpetuate RCPK hegemony in the face of upcoming elections." The daily opened with a report on efforts by the Socialist Party to influence the Green coalition agenda - as they would like to be part of a new government.

Trouw begins a new series today called "The God of Knootoss", in which the paper surveys the state of present-day religion in the DDR. "Knootoss is secularised, but there is a growing number of people that is interested in spirtuality, especially secular and non-secular humanism" The paper claimed that the differences between the different protestant churches are disappearing in the new united Dutch Reformed church, and described a new phenomenon, namely the rise of immigrant non-human religions.

NRC Handelsblad also quotes a professor of law at the university of Leiden who says the fight against the Rumbiak Brigade is undermining liberal democracy in our society. In his new book, Dangerously Safe, Professor Daamar says, "Knootoss is getting safer, but in the process we are losing sight of the new insecurity." He is particularly critical of the step-by-step introduction of new laws and regulations, such as the possibility of detaining someone suspected of planning a crime, and of the lack of accountability on the part of the authorities in control of confidential information. He fears indiscriminate abuse, error and a lack of checks, and he recommends greater openness. "Trust in the buoyancy of liberal democracy", he says.

The Telegraaf ran a human interest story in its front page, telling the daring tale of the capture of a moose running rampant in the Amsterdam shopping centre after escaping from the local zoo.

Peace Resolution adopted by the Staten-Generaal of the Dutch Demoratic Republic of Knootoss.

The Staten-Generaal of the Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss, gathering at 10th of February 20xx,

STRIVES for a peace of understanding and a lasting reconciliation between the peoples of the Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss and the Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad;
REALISES that any violations of territory, and political, economic, and financial persecutions of citizens of either nation are incompatible with such a peace;
FURTHER REALISNG; that economic and social peace alone will lead to the friendly association of peoples;
RESTATING; that Knootoss only declared war upon the Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad in defence of the freedoms of its citizens and the integrity of the Knootian Federation;

APPROVES of measures taken by the government of the Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad in releasing the Knootian citizens and unfreezing Knootian assets;
ALSO APPROVES; of the unilateral cease-fire declared by the government;

BELIEVES that the original reasons for war are no longer present, and that negotiations for a full peace should now commence;
URGES the government to start such negotiations as soon as possible;
REJECTS any peace proposal which proposes the imposition of economic barriers or the solidification of national hatreds after the war;
AFFIRMS that the Staten-Generaal will promote actively bilateral relations with the Free Republik of Ilek-Vaad upon the conclusion of a peace treaty;

Hereby concludes etc etc.


In favour:
Realistic Conservative Party of Knootoss (69 votes)
Social Liberal Party (63 votes)
Knootoss Elvish Party (1 vote)

Opposed:
Socialist Party (4 votes)
Imperialist Party (1 vote)

Abstaining:
Knootoss green party(62 votes)

Approved in single vote, 133 to 5 with 62 abstentions.

KNN World News – a Showdown: Ilek-Vaad report.

“Today, Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo publicly offered peace to Ilek-Vaad in a simple treaty designed to restore ties between the two nations. The treaty contains the following main points"


Treaty of Restoration of Relations and Friendship

Peace: Declares that a state of peace exists between the Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss and the Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad
Non-aggression: Declares that both sides agree “not to undertake hostilities against each other unless compelled to do so by other treaty arrangements.”
Restoring economic ties: declares that both nations shall end any economic boycotts.
Working together: declares that both nations shall work to promote better bilateral relations and work together towards common goals.


“There has not yet been a response from Ilek-Vaad to this proposal, but Hans van Mierlo announced he had good hopes that Ilek-Vaad would respond positively to the proposal. For more on this latest development we will go to our Haven correspondent, after this…”

From: Trouw

Peace with Ilek-Vaad: electoral impact

THE HAGUE – The Peace treaty with Ilek-Vaad is looking to impact the government parties favourable according to the most recent polls, with the coalition parties regaining parts of the moderate vote. But the opposition keeps going on strong, gaining many seats in comparison to the current Staten-Generaal.

The news is especially good for the liberal SLP, which now looks to maintain its power with 63 seats, actually winning one seat over what it currently occupies in the Staten-Generaal. Voters of the centre and the left credit the liberal foreign minister Hans van Mierlo with the successful peace negotiations. Voters also see it as a good sign that an agreement in Tanah Burung may be reached. 71% of voters believes that a pullout of the United Provinces can start before election day. This is, however, a double edged sword because the SLP will be expected to make good on that trust. The impact also affected the RCPK whose promises of a ‘strong peace’ were fulfilled. The party still stands at a loss, trailing at only 55 seats and thus reduced to a mere third party status, but this is still an improvement over the dramatic 49 seats predicted by The Volkskrant a week ago.

Both left-wing parties are gaining ground as the Green KGP still stands to become the largest party in the country, even surpassing the current RCPK dominance with 70 seats in the polls. With 35% of the vote, this is easily one of their best scores yet. The socialists fail to take as much advantage of the governments electoral problems, maintaining its present five seat gain and polled at 9 seats.

The Imperialistische Partij looks to disappear quietly from the parliament if there is no change to their declining trend of support, while the KEP regains only some of their losses of the last elections with three seats in the polls.

Pictoral representation of the Trouw poll, to make things easier:
http://www.fredvogels.org/images/Trouwpoll.JPG

From: Vigvar Daily


KNOOTIAN DEMOCRATIC CUISINE IN TARASKOVYAN LANDS LEAVES PEOPLE CURIOUS

It is not a mystery to anyone that the Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss is going through a period of electoral campaign before the polls call the Knootian citizens to accomplish their duties and elect a new Parliament and Prime-Minister. Indeed, the inventive Dutch have decided whenever they did to hold elections for both branches of power – the executive and the legislative – simultaneously to save time and funds. However, the economic aspect of the election is none of our business, nor are the elections in the Dutch Democratic Republic properly.

What we will be exploring in the present article is an event unknown in Tarasovka for quite a number of years – a parliamentary election. Indeed, ever since the Council of Duchy has been disbanded, general elections have been unknown throughout the Federation, except for one very small part of it. Indeed, the Europolis islands (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Europolis) are bustling with activity. When the islands were ceded to Tarasovka, the Federal authorities did not demand that all Knootian citizens pledge loyalty to new masters and become Taraskovyan citizens, leaving the permanent inhabitants of Europolis a year to decide themselves, a year during which all applicants would go through a speedy process of naturalization (which, in practice, took mere weeks instead of usual years). Obviously, most Knootians seized the opportunity to become Taraskovyan citizens, for it avoided them the many headaches of obtaining the Federal accreditation for domicile and work in Tarasovka.

And now, the Municipality of Europolis features two million citizens of both Knootoss and Tarasovka. It is not rare for a community to participate in elections going on in their native land while living somewhere abroad. However, history does not know many cases when the overwhelming majority of such a community is confined to an administrative and territorial unit of its own. The Federal authorities authorized for eventual additional polling stations to open outside of the Knootian consulate in Europolis City. Colonel Spokoinov, Governor of the Nothern Fiefdom, has authorized the Municipal authorities to authorize political campaigns in the territory. When asked why would the Federation authorize foreign elections to carry on in its territories, Secretary Khat from the Ruling Council’s Secretariat for Foreign Relations had this to say before dashing away with the Tartarian Ambassador: “Give us reasons why we should not allow them to carry on and we will consider your arguments. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a diplomatic negotiation to attend.”

It would thus seem that for at least some time, Europolis will become the only place in the Federation where political parties will be allowed to propagandize their points of view. A taste of democracy that already leaves many a Taraskovyan citizen thinking about the future of their own homeland.

From: Trouw


Taraskovyan campaign: a conservative spring away from home?

EUROPOLIS – Groups gather round on every square in a large bustling city – coming together for pop music, snacks, socialising and the political message of the day. The message of whoever is throwing the party. And while this is may be a familiar scene in Amsterdam, or Den Helder, or Groningen it is a new sight in the extreme north of the Taraskovyan Federation; essentially an unstable dictatorship led by the beleaguered Ruling Council. Yet on the Europolis islands polling stations are being prepared and election posters made in distant Europe grace walls, billboards and windows. On most of those posters the conservative Prime Minister Galadriël Táralóm nos Círdan smiles proudly, confident of victory.

Traditionally, the Europolis islands were home to the important strategic military base and many of the inhabitants are still related to this original purpose in one way or the other. More recently, the area has been made ripe from farming, giving the island an influx of yet more traditionally conservative voters. And while the RCPK may be the beaten dog back home, the party seems to be going for an easy victory in the isles. The Prime Minister flew in to visit the island as part of the RCPK campaign last week, and was welcomed by the local population with unusual enthusiasm. .

Some have cautiously speculated about the possibilities if democracy were to be restored in Tarasovka, and how Knootian conservatism could be attractive to a larger voting public of Taraskovyans, in particular the Dutchspeaking population far removed from the power struggle between nobilities, Russian nationalists and other ethnic groups. But for now these speculations never become more then timid whispers. For now, the Knootians living in their home away from home are content to leave the violent political arena far away on the unruly mainland while happily indulging in the infotainment and the poli-vents of the politics of the DDR.

((OOC: Cross-referencing the following because I could not decide where to post the KNN news thing. So it is now here and in the Tempo Dulu thread.))

The KNN Online Bulletin was the first to break the story, as leaked carefully by top foreign ministry officials:

Peace deal reached with Tanah Burung, say officials
THE HAGUE – Top foreign ministry officials told KNN News that a conference in Pantocratoria with Tanah Burung diplomats has produced a working deal on a Knootian withdrawal before the elections. In the proposed deal the KDF will withdraw in stages from Tanah Burung, agreeing to hand control of the island of Tiga Burung as soon as all suspected Rumbiak Brigade members there have been arrested by a third nation, which has not yet been selected. Full withdrawal is expected in four months.

Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo and Burungi diplomats are said to be in agreement about trials for the Rumbiak Brigade – to be held in an as yet unnamed nation – as well as agreeing on a procedure for withdrawal. “There are still some minor issues to hammer out”, a foreign ministry official told KNN on condition of anonymity, “but the stakes for both parties are so high that these can be resolved.” While several foreign ministry officials stressed that they were “in no hurry” to conclude a deal there has been some unease amongst coalition politicians about the length of the negotiations, especially as a recent poll put the opposition KGP party at eighty seats in the Staten-Generaal. When asked for comment, the office of the Prime Minister denied that any deal had been concluded.


The headlines of the national papers, as always, gave a mixed view on the situation with each paper choosing its own lead.

LIBERALS RUN FROM TB
Hans van Mierlo bows for terror; secret agreement with enemies

Hawks and doves clash over proposed withdrawal

SLP tries peace with elections imminent

Chantouillet agreement suggests phased withdrawal -
domestic support unclear

From: Trouw, a moderate, centrist paper. Posted in the KNN news thead and the Tempo Dulu thread.

Knootoss walks out of Chantouillet Negotiations

THE HAGUE – Knootoss will no longer participate in the so-called ‘Chantouillet negotiations’ where Pantocratoria mediated between Knootoss and Tanah Burung, Prime Minister Galadriël Táralóm nos Círdan announced today in a press conference. The move was made after an announcement that Pantocratoria would support the secession of Saxmere from the Confederation of Sovereign States and the installment of a Royal on the throne there.

Galadriël wrote in a letter to Drapeur that “the thought of Holy Empires trampling over democratic governments by underhanded means of incitement is unbearable to my peoples democratic hearts.” Dr. Drapeur dismissed Galadriëls stance for democracy as “self-righteous hypocrisy” in the light of Operation Tempo Dulu, but she in turn rejected that claim, saying that there is absolutely no comparison between fighting terror and installing a pro-Pantocratorian royal to replace a democratic allied government.

The decision was made to maintain Knootian credibility when the Holy and Most August Empire acted “so directly opposed to Knootian interests and the general welfare”. As the Prime Minister explained at the press conference: “You cannot deal with Dr. Drapeur the peace negotiator while at the same time having to deal with a Dr. Drapeur acting blazingly against Knootian political interests in a manner that all civilised states should condemn. His neutrality as a mediator has been tarnished. Only if Pantocratoria stops inciting unrest in the territory of our ally can we sit around the same table again."

It appears that the socialist leader sacrificed the prime example of his own own 'peace through engagement' ideals to defend the idea that divine right of kings is the Emperor's, and that the Saxmere democracy should be replaced by a friendly monarchy. It is thought that the socialist leader does not agree himself with these actions, but he has done little to nothing to stop the emperor from supporting the restoration of the Grand Duke of Saxmere.

Lberal SLP politicians have issued mixed reactions, but all were sad that this step had to be taken. Their candidate for Prime Minister, Jan Willem Daatman ( http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Jan_Willem_Daatman), told KNN that he endorsed the decision by the government but regretted that it had to be taken. “Our foreign minister Hans van Mierlo has accomplished a lot with the current draft agreement. The negotiations should be resumed as soon as possible and they should build on the old deal.” Lousewies van der Laan, who is seen as heading the more left-wing faction of the SLP implied that the move by the RCPK leader had ulterior motives, namely to run away with van Mierlos diplomatic victory. But she also condemned in strong words what she termed ‘Pantocratorian imperialism by proxy’. The KGP disagreed with the decision to break off negotiations in Pantocratoria, with Femke Halsema claiming that more avenues should have been explored first.

It is unclear what will happen next in the peace process with Tanah Burung, but analysts believe that negotiations might have to be moved to another nation. Insiders in the RCPK, however, claimed that Mari Alkatiri might be invited to Palace Noordeinde for a personal audience with Galadriël.

((OOC: You might want to move that post to the Tempo Dulu thread, Panto. ;) ))

Published in Trouw a few weeks before the election.

Radical enlightenment / individual freedom above freedom of religion

INTERVIEW - Does a civilised society require religion? Historian Richard Thomassen wrote ‘Radical Enlightenment’ – a book describing the history of as a way of thinking that leaves no room for God. With the ideological battle raging for Saxmere, questions about the nature of ‘Enlightenment’ are no longer an academic matter.

Thomassen is convinced that the Enlightenment is really what is at the centre of the political debate about morals and ideology. “Endorsing a Radical Enlightenment means that that we have to face the big questions. What do we base our moral order on without God? It is important to talk about this.”

Liberals like former Prime Minister Lousewies van der Laan (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Lousewies_van_der_Laan) and the anticlerical wing of the SLP are dominant in the domestic debate right now, using the Enlightenment as an idea about is the liberation of religion from intolerance and fundamentalism, because Christianity in places like Pantocratoria and the Reich lacks ‘Enlightenment’. Prime Minister nos Círdan has adopted a similar attitude in her statements condemning the Saxmere government in exile. The opponents – mostly abroad – of these ladies tend to claim that this is ‘enlightenment fundamentalism’, even saying this belief can in itself be fundamentalist. Conservatives like the small traditionalist wing of the RCPK along with some humanist groups claim that Knootoss has lost its faith in God, tradition and moral values and that it has therefore fallen into cultural relativism and nihilism because of the Enlightenment.

The idea that there is no God is the radical idea that would change the world. In the 17th century, Thomassen explains, almost everyone believed that the world was controlled by higher powers. People prayed and begged God to protect them. Because they died young the question if they would be saved of doomed in the afterlife was dominant. Slowly, modern day science ended this fear. Thanks to the scientific revolution, people discovered that nature could be explained using mathematical lawn. Rationalism raised more doubts about tradition, but Knootian thinkers where amongst those who surmised the most radical conclusions from the new developments. They rejected the belief in a God who ruled over nature and who could perform miracles. Instead of being religiously fearful, people would do better to explore the laws of nature.

There is another connection between early Knootian Enlightenment thinkers and the modern SLP and Galadriëls current rhetoric: its not so tolerant attitude towards intolerant religions. “Other than the moderate Enlightenment thinkers, the supporters of Radical Enlightenment think freedom of worship is less important than freedom of the individual. And for them, freedom to worship was therefore not the core of tolerance, but a matter of lesser importance. Tolerance is in the first place about individual liberties and not about the coexistence of churches and, even less so, about the freedom of clerical structures to multiply, increase their wealth and build educational facilities.” While everyone, some of these historic thinkers argued, should have the liberty to express their religious ideas in any way he or she might choose, there should be a ban on large clerical structures. The state has the right and the duty to limit religion, because it can all too easily undermine the state if the religion in question is not the religion of that state.

Not just the view of SLP radicals on limiting freedom of special (religious) education and sometimes pressuring the freedom to worship appear to have roots in Radical Enlightenment. On a visit to a Christian primary school, Lousewies van der Laan asked which was more important: the Bible or the Constitution. This fits this tradition. Thomassen: “Radical Enlightenment sees the origin and the purpose of religion as promoting obedience to the laws of the state. A religion is therefore always subservient to the interest of the state.”

Thomassen criticises the way the debate in Knootoss is going. First of all he criticises the ignorance of Knootians: they do not know their own traditions in radical enlightenment. Secondly, he thinks it is wrong that the debate focuses on certain religions and foreign states. “I think it is wrong when people say that Knootians have to defend their heritage of the Enlightenment against religious newcomers or foreign states. Formulated like that you promote xenophobia and racism. Whether someone is a Christian does not mater. What matters is that people support the core values of tolerance, democracy and individual liberty. It is completely irrelevant what their background is. We should emphasise that we share this world, and that the basic unit is the sentient being:”

The historian of ideas has little sympathy for post-modern criticism on enlightenment thinking. The term ‘enlightenment fundamentalism’ is, in his opinion, a political strategy to discredit people like van der Laan and her supporters. “It is nonsense, philosophically. There is a difference between reason and religion. When Knootian thinkers talked about reason they talked about things like ‘two and two is four’. That is not belief, but mathematical certainty.”

Thomassen also dismisses the criticism by conservatives that the Enlightenment does not offer any direction about good and evil. “The most important objective of Radical Enlightenment is the attempt to reconstruct moral order on a purely secular basis. Knootian thinkers only parted with good and evil in a theological, absolute sense, but not in a social sense. They were not post-modern cultural relativists.”

The Enlightenment thought of having one community of sentients is not unrealistic wishful thinking, says Thomassen. “It would appear to me as very realistic to say that we occupy one world and one human condition. What is a dream is a dream is the idea of a Knootian or a Pantocratorian culture which is so important that it has to be defended even by military force. People live in such dreams and therefore they are often very powerful. Take Reich fascism, it is very powerful but also very stupid. People have to be very dumb to seriously believe that.”

Thomassen still concludes that Reason is weak. “Many enlightenment thinkers saw that”, says Thomassen, “They thought superstition and ignorance would always have more supporters than pure reason. This is why so many people in the SLP now support the Order of the Invisible Hand as some sort of state religion to teach people the basic principles of justice. Most people, they think, cannot believe without a religion and with reason alone.”

To those in Etaros that read Trouw, which is about 37%, many of them were offended by the Knootian paper. Progressives in the Erasat that drove the current totalitarian government to allow free elections within the coming months have declared Thomassen's ideals "an assault on civilization." Several short news stories highlighted Etarosi anger surrounding the report. . .

Knootian newspaper offends people around the world; apology demanded

In the highly controversial Knootian newspaper Trouw, a recent article highlighted an author's commentary concerning a new idea called "Radical Enlightenment", in which believers proclaim that the existence of God is not necessary for the existence of morality. "The report is not objective. It is a far-left attempt at telling people that God does not exist," exclaims outraged parliamentary candidate Henry Wagner, running on a moderate ticket for the Etarosi Conservative Freedom Party. "It's simply outrageous that a newspaper could be so one-sided," he further stated. However, leftist author Hans Vossel has stated quite the opposite. "Media these days is too often left or right. You can rarely find a moderate, fair outlet. In regards to Trouw, it has every right to be as one-sided as it wishes. Mr. Wagner's outcries are ridiculously partisan." The ECFP has stated that it is "deeply disturbing" that the Knootian government would adopt a policy "so identical to this far-left ideological danger." The Etarosi Democratic Party, a moderate establishment, has said that it politely disagrees with Prime Minister Galadriël's conclusion concerning religion and freedom. "Freedom is that which all people and institutions can enjoy, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious preference, or other factors that inhibit equality. The ignorance portrayed in Thomassen's book is just as negative as that portrayed by the Crusades of the Middle Ages." --from The New Itaros Monitor

OOC: When are the elections? I'm a little lost as I haven't been keeping up with your happenings. :confused:

RANDOM PLUG: My ‘new’ old design for a Battleship, many thanks to Freethinker. :) (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/De_Ruyter-class_Battlecruiser)

Etaros has a TG. Answer to your question: very soon.

Libertine this, biaaaatch. *makes a friendy aboriginal gesture*
Why, thank you for making such a lovely aboriginal gesture. I'm glad you did that instead of making a gesture such as, say, "The Finger." :p

Anyway, in response to Knoot's article:

From the Syskeyiapolis Herald:
New Knootian Book “Voltairian Hogwash,” says Professor

INTERVIEW- “Radical Enlightenment,” a new book by Knootian author Richard Thomassen “astounds the mind with its ideologically driven stupidity and ignorance,” says Thomas Dijambek, a professor of history at St. Thomas Aquinas University in Syskeyiapolis.

Dijambek’s critique of Thomassen’s thesis is twofold: he criticizes the Knootian for his take on religion and the role of reason.

“First of, Thomassen’s perspective on religion is fatally flawed,” asserts the Syskeyiapolitan professor. “The ‘break’ between science and religion is relatively recent, and not universal. During the Middle Ages, St. Thomas Aquinas himself was able to quote Aristotle on how nature controls reason, and not vice versa, without contradicting himself or risk losing his faith. Not to mention the fact that Aquinas’ tutor, St. Albert the Great, was a bit of a scientist himself.”

The real culprit, says Dijambek, is not religion but nominalism.

“The theology and philosophy of William of Ockham, while attempting to ‘free’ Christianity from what he perceived to be the chains of reason and philosophy, did exactly the opposite from what the maverick Franciscan hoped it would,” the scholar remarked. “Far from ‘liberating’ the faith, it did more damage to it than anyone save God could imagine.”

Nominalism’s divorce of faith and reason led not only to a theology that emphasized an irrational and voluntaristic God, “as opposed to the kind of God pictured by the Scholastics, who was rational if still beyond human reason,” but also led philosophy to abandon faith, to disastrous consequences when the Scientific Revolution came about.

“But that by no means meant that one had to be an atheist, or even a deist, in order to be a good scientist,” Dijambek noted. “Examples abound of legendary scientists who were also devout believers. Sir Isaac Newton, while far from being an orthodox Christian, still maintained a devout belief in God and considered himself a Christian, albeit a heretical one. Copernicus, whose heliocentric worldview would cause so much controversy, was himself a Dominican priest. Gregor Johann Mendel, the ‘father of genetics,’ was in fact a priest at an Augustinian monastery, and Louis Pasteur, the legendary French microbiologist and chemist, was a devout Catholic who asked that the life of St. Vincent de Paul be read to him on his deathbed.”

These scientists became more devout because, not in spite of, their scientific discoveries, continues Dijambek.

“Pasteur once said, ‘the more I know, the more nearly is my faith that of the Breton peasant. Could I but know all I would have the faith of a Breton peasant woman.’ Similar sentiments and thoughts can be seen in the writings of scientists such as Einstein and Newton,” noted the professor once again, “which is why the ‘Radical Enlightenment’ Knootian’s emphasis on reason puzzles me. Do they think that the rational order of the universe comes out of nowhere? Aquinas’ argument from casuality has yet, I think, to be refuted.”

Dijambek concluded by remarking that for all their anticlericalist and atheistic rhetoric, the ‘Radical Enlightenment’ Knootians are just as religious as the average Syskeyian. “Nobody can be a real atheist. If they reject one God – such as the true, Triune God of Isaac, Abraham and Jacob – then they’ll inevitably but another one in His place, be it pleasure, power, the free market, or, as seems the case with Lousewies van der Laan, the state.”

“When all is said and done, if the philosophés of Knootoss were really concerned with obeying reason and searching for the truth, they might as well admit it and get baptized next Easter.”

A recent article in the Lassic edition of the LNS Times:

Radical Enlightenment by Richard Thomassen - Book Review

Lina Alderwood

Does man need God? A question posed in the book 'Radical Enlightenment' by noted Knootian historian Richard Thomassen. Not an easy question , but a question nonetheless posed by Professir Thomassen. With solid reasoning Thomassen carefully explains the stance of the 'Radically Enlightened' and the importance of the freedom of the individual in modern, rational society.

Religion of course, is neither modern or rational and is certainly not about freedom. Thomassen quite rightly points out that the intolerant bent of the worlds ' dominant' religions is all about a slavish subservience to 'God' and his earthly minions . He also quite effectively argues that rationale and reason form a much better and higher basis for morals and ethics, after all how many millions of people have been slaughtered in the name of 'God'. Murder has many times becomes moral and ethical in light of religious doctrine and 'Radical Enlightenment' may just offer a rational way to guide modern morals without slavishly chanting the mantra 'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth'.

Surely man and society has come far enough that our parent God would be pleased to see us humble mortals living and making decisions on our own, like any parent would be. Does man need God? Maybe, maybe not, but how will we ever know if we don't learn to think for ourselves?

Radical Enlightenment doesen't answer many questions, but it does pose a good deal of the type of questions that society in general should be striving to answer. Professor Thomassen does a fine job of laying out his beliefs in Radical Enlightenment, but leaves the bigger questions for the reader to answer.

Distributed Through-Out the Population of Knootoss
A Small Editorial

Galadriël - Bringing the House Down for Knootoss

Written By Famous Political Commentator, David Holland

With the political situation on the multinational stage gearing slowly toward those whom hold the most respect of all, it seems as though that of the Knootian Federation is rapidly declining. With sources not being revealed, a study has shown that the average respect has dropped dramsastically ever since Prime Minister Galadriël began to extend her powers overseas, firstly into Tanah Burung and now further into the deepening Excalbian Isles situation. Lableled very much as an imperialist, the Prime Minister of today has shown a larger interest in other subvert matters also, including the growth of the Order of the Invisible Hand. The Order, its exact membership base being unknown shows a history of being linked to the founding and participation of trouble-spots around the globe.

As a political commentator myself, the very notion that Galadriël seems to support the Order of the Invisible Hand defies my confidence that I view in any leader. To have interests outside of running the nation effectively, which affect the course of the nation itself. These links to the Order have effectively dragged Knootoss and its counterparts into battle with non-Order individuals and also into a state of tension with Catholic National Representatives. Problems continue to persist today whereby the nation with its already tarnished reputation recently held a meeting with the VERITAS alliance to discuss the growing situation at the Excalbian Isles, regarding the independance of Saxmere. Considering this was not directly a VERITAS movement, leaders were outraged that the Knootian government led by Galadriël would go so far as to accuse others for not following their treaty obligations which has further tarnished the Knootian reputation as a responsible member of the global community.

Unfortunatley, whether it be through a matter of misunderstanding, or whether it be the actual worst-case scenario, the only way to actually revive the former glory which the Knootian states once held would be through the removal of Prime Minister Galadriël Táralóm nos Círdan, and her collegues from the chair in government. Most of the world has blamed her specificially and her growingly aggressive measures in her foriegn policy have been named the reason why Knootoss has rapidly declined as a respected state. Once, Knootoss stood out from the many when it had been proclaimed and recognised as a liberal - economic state. And how great a time that was for its citizens. And now that such reputation has been overtaken by far Galadriël's newer policy of foriegn events and powers, the name of Knootoss has been tarnished for perhaps forever. Should she be removed from power though, I can only hope personally as a friend of the people of Knootoss, that the new leader have the ability and the wisdom to change the nation's policies for the better, and to remove Knootoss from its suicidal course of political destruction.

A regional paper for Gelderland:
EUROPOLIS GOES TO THE POLLS
Foreign vote marks start of elections

EUROPOLIS – Knootian national elections kicked off today with an early vote on the Europolis Islands in the Taraskovyan Federation. The islands, whose inhabitants overwhelmingly have joint Knootian/Taraskovyan nationality, were given the opportunity by the Ruling Council to stage an election campaign and vote in special polling booths instead of the secure internet vote usually reserved for Knootian nationals abroad. The election itself has to take place several days before the ‘main event’ because of the Orthodox version of Easter, a Christian holiday.

Island issues
Some of the mayor issues of the Knootian campaign also recurred in the Europolis election rallies: the war in Tanah Burung, divisiveness over the leadership of Prime Minister nos Círdan, the nature of 'Knootian values' and tensions in the Atlantic. However Europolis voters seemed much less interested in domestic issues like income tax reform and the debate on funding for extremist Christian schools.

The most important local issue is the question what kind of relationship Knootoss should have with Tarasovka under the Grand Duke Mikhail. Green leader Halsema asked questions in the Staten about the government in exile led by Archduchess Vethara, but these inquiries were carefully dodged by Minister van Mierlo. All major parties seem to agree, however, that ties with the new government should become closer.

Another issue is the future of the Knootian military base on Europolis, as the RCPK campaigned strongly with the recurring theme that SLP and KGP would downsize military commitments abroad and close the base which is still vital for the local economy. Finally, accusations by environmentalist groups that there are trace amounts of radiation leaking from the abandoned KDF nuclear silos have sparked a deep controversy dividing the island between those supporting the military establishment and ‘independent’ inhabitants fearing for their health.

Results: great shifts
Early exit polls show that the RCPK is losing some ground compared to four years ago, but it is still making a strong showing with 37% of the vote. The liberal SLP remains virtually unchanged at 18% of the vote. The real story on Europolis, however, is the unusually strong showing of the Socialistische Partij. With 17% of the vote it is now, theoretically, the third party on the island which almost doubles their results. The Green KGP does similarly well, capturing 16% of the vote – a historic high for an island devoid of the traditionally green demographic. KEP and IP are also big changers, as both capture 6% of the vote, doubling and halving their constituencies respectively.

http://www.fredvogels.org/images/Europolisexitpollsjpg.jpg
Percentage of the vote captured – Europolis Exit Polls

Implications

Europolis certainly has not had a lack of celebrity attention in recent weeks: Prime Minister Galadriël Táralóm nos Círdan visited the Sisgardian islands twice. This may have contributed to what is termed a "tactical victory" for the coalition parties which managed to preserve much their support base on the island. While the Europolis electorate is very small, it is believed by conservative campaign experts that this result will have a strong psychological effect on the elections on mainland Knootoss.

Other experts point out, however, that Europolis is entirely unrepresentative for mainland Knootoss. “The Islands are much more conservative and its population is still largely dependent on a military base. Military families traditionally vote conservative and are unlikely to vote for the Greens. This is also why the Socialist Party can be successful here while it would never get to be be third party the mainland.” [more on page three]

From: Trouw

GALADRIËL:
PEACE WITH HONOUR

THE HAGUE - The Knootian Prime Minister has been hailed as bringing "peace to Knootoss" after signing an agreement with Burungi leader and wanted terrorist Mari Alkatiri regarding the arrest and trial of all terrorists of the so-called Rumbiak Brigade as well as a phased withdrawal from Tanah Burung. PM Galadriël Táralóm nos Círdan arrived back in the DDR today, holding an agreement signed by Alkatiri and herself.

The two leaders had met earlier in Ctan territory, convening to decide on the terms of the agreement. Galadriël declared that the accord with the Burungi terrorist leader signalled "peace and security for a strong Knootoss, and justice for the terrorists", after she had read it to a jubilant crowd gathered at Schiphol airport near Amsterdam. She also commented before a KNN camera that all Knootian demands in the ultimatum before the beginning of Operation Tempo Doeloe had been met in the agreement.

After greeting members of the public and the press at the airport, Galadriël appeared in front of another rejoicing throng on the balcony of Noordeinde Palace with other conservative leaders, and again later at the Binnenhof

Standing on the balcony of the white city-palace she declared, "This morning I had an talk with the Burungi Leader, Mari Alkatiri, and here is the treaty which bears his name upon it as well as mine." Wild cheers broke out, the crowd reiterating the last syllables of the Prime Minister's statement. Galadriël continued: "We are resolved that the method of consultation shall be the method adopted to deal with any other questions that may concern our two countries, and we are determined to continue our efforts to remove possible sources of difference, and thus to contribute to assure the peace and security of our great Federation.” Referencing the Shadow War she continued: “My good friends, for the second time in our history, a Knootian Prime Minister has returned from negotiations bringing peace with honour. I am asking you, the Knootian people, to bestow your trust in this peace agreement."

Foreign minister Hans van Mierlo added in a response that: "We are determined to continue our efforts to remove possible sources of difference and thus to contribute to assure that this agreement will last."

However, Galadriëls personal pact will be little comfort to Hans van Mierlo’s Social Liberal Party, which was forced to hand over the actual signing of the treaty to its conservative coalition partner days before the election. Galadriël was not present at the conference were the terms of the deal were arranged. This deal is expected to boost both the SLP and the conservative RCPK in the elections.

Elements of the Knootian Defence Force have already begun preparing for the arrival of third party peace forces and a gradual withdrawal from the United Provinces.

Extract of a column in Medicine in Practice official journal of the Imperial Doctor's Association

International Reactions to Knootian Secularity

It has come to my attention lately that there was something of a recent commotion about a Knootian book by the name of Radical Enlightenment. This is of course interesting for two reasons. The first reason is the Knootian publication and reviews towards the publication, as expressed in the Knootian press. The second, perhaps more interesting feature, is the international controversy caused by the publication of this tome.

The reaction to the publication of a review, and of course, of the book itself by foreign states, even those such as Etaros as well as more fundamentalist groups such as the fundamentalist state of Syskeyia, is most interesting.

Underlying the book is the simple and seemingly innocuous statement that morality and ethics can be separate from deity and theology. This is of course, something that is important for two reasons. First is that, in order to truly respect the rights of minority religions, a nation must have laws which do not unjustly favour one faith over another. If one were to literally interpret certain ‘holy books’ one could very soon establish a legality which compels citizens to smash the ‘idols’ and desecrate the alters of minority faiths.

I can say with a large degree of conviction that this is unjust.

The second problem that presents itself is less obvious but more insidious, with taking one’s deity or faith as the only source of moral guidance, is that differing faiths must inherently be wrong - as they differ, they are increasingly wrong. In this respect, despite the various claims that what Knootians call ‘Enlightenment’ ethics, which is to say, prising the freedom of the individual over the freedom to worship, the opposing position must at some point either lead to direct ideological conflict between religious groups, with atheists suffering fully but benefiting negligibly in such a condition, or it must prise one religious above all others, and give the backing of the State to that group.

Therefore, one can conclude that the separation of ethics from religion is not only the duty of a politician to serve all people equally before the law, but is also a necessity for simple social order. It has been said by the opponents of the book, that ‘Freedom is that which all people and institutions can enjoy’ this is of course, completely insane. Freedom is something for people, not institutions. A business is not free, it has the rights it has only because of the sapient beings who operate it. A government is not free, it has the privileges and rights it does only because it serves the interest of the people – most if not all of the readers here would agree that any government no longer serving the interests of its people should be swept away. In much the same manner, a religion should have no inherent rights, but should instead only have the rights of the people that compose it.

Of course, this means that the freedom of worship, as it is defined in the Knootian book, is consequently a part of the freedoms of individuals. One has the freedom to live by whatever moral code one desires, as long as one does not, in doing so, impinge on the freedoms of others. In this respect, the thrust of the Knootian publication is a false dilemma. One need not prioritise one or the other, one simply prioritises one aspect, and the second follows naturally from the first…

[...]

Lady Senator Aiyana Tiercean, Occasional Columnist.

(OOC: Biography (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Jan_Willem_Daatman) - picture: Daatman overseeing The Hague.)

http://web.inter.nl.net/users/vanroon/portraits/deetman.jpg
A moderate in the firing line
THE HAGUE - Fielding questions on an English-language television show, The Hague Mayor and SLP candidate for Prime Minister, Jan Willem Daatman maintains the moderate stance that contrasts sharply will the shrill tones of other leading politicians in Knootoss today. De Volkskrant reports.

If you want to make a splash in Knootian politics these days it seems the best approach is to raise your voice repeatedly, bang the table in front of you for emphasis and gesture wildly with your hands for show. Most important of all is a compulsion to break taboos and single out one element of the community for constant, unceasing criticism.

Given the war in Tanah Burung, conflicts elsewhere and recent events in Knootoss, Christianity and Communism are the bogeymen of choice. Galadriël Táralóm nos Círdan broke the mould of traditional, low-key politics in Knootoss since the Shadow War by daring to say the previously unsayable about percieved enemies of Knootoss - and saying it with gusto. She is unshakeably against the Rumbiak Brigade, she opposes a puppet monarch in Saxmere, she wants to close radical churches and she wants the toughest security measures to deal with the threat of terrorism.

The Liberal party has been a coalition partner of her government for over eight years, so presumably The Hague Mayor Jan Willem Daatman is firmly in Galadriël' camp and is just as suspicious of the Christian community in his city?

Wrong.

Building bridges
It stark contrast to Galadriël, Daatman has stuck to a moderate tone and does not seem about to fall into line with the new school of "hyper-politics" in Knootoss. Daatman continued to press his call for calm when he appeared on a special edition of the The Hague Forum, a current affairs discussion programme on the English-language service of Knootian world broadcaster KNN World News.

Daatman was invited on the programme to answer questions about the "extremist challenge" in Knootoss. The mayor also took questions from the audience attending the recording at the exclusive IGB business club in central The Hague and questions emailed by listeners around the world. Daatman recalled that he had been the guest on the first edition of The Hague Forum, also in the IGB club, on 6 May 2002.

"I was here in this chair, in this room, when I heard the news that Galadriël Táralóm nos Círdan had been elected… the first neoconservative in the history of Knootoss," he said. In his view, a new phenomenon has emerged since Galadriël stepped onto the national stage: "There is a real right-wing in Knootoss … it is quite new … Galadriël is a real right-winger".

But unlike Galadriël who is leading the fight-back of the Knootian right-wing, Daatman has concentrated on bridge building between the various communities in The Hague, including a sizable community of Burungi origins. In answer to a question from the audience, Daatman agreed that the "aggressiveness of the debate" could do more harm than good.

"The debate could be more balanced … as it is important that Christians and Burungis and Pantocratorians who have made it in Knootoss are not made to feel they are not welcome here … the debate has to be depolarised," he said.

Anti-terror concerns
Daatman didn't raise his voice once, even for emphasis during the The Hague Forum recording. But he is not in favour either of standing idly by while extremists cause more havoc in the country. He supported, in general terms, the raft of new security laws proposed by the government and backed by his party in Parliament. These measures included an expansion of the security service AIVD and the installation of an Economic Intelligence Agency (the EIVD), imposing street bans on suspected members of the Rumbiak Brigade and the introduction of permanent security risk zones where members of the public can be randomly searched at any point in time.

But Daatman questions the effectiveness of compelling suspects — who have not been charged with any offence — of having to regularly report to a police station. He is also keen to dispel misunderstandings, some of which in typical politician's style, he blames on the media. He laughs slightly when he agrees that Economic Affairs Minister Brinkhorst from his own party should not have declared Knootoss was "at war" with Burungi terrorists after the start of Operation Tempo Doeloe. That sort of language was not helpful and might lead to an "us-and-them" divide, Daatman said, and then he suggested the "w" word might first have been suggested to the minister by a journalist. Asked if that is what happened, Daatman had to admit to the audience's amusement: "No".

Daatman is clearly uncomfortable with the rhetoric coming from some politicians. While politicians such as Galadriël call for tough measures and no compromise, Daatman calls for calm and a return to rational debate. But does that mean that Knootoss does not face more attacks?

"No, it doesn't," says Daatman, but not more than any other nation around the world. "But I really hope it doesn't happen."

Taking action
Daatman has been accused by his detractors of being too lax, easy-going and unwilling to take tough measures. He counters by noting that, after his election, work began on a colour-coded threat-warning system for The Hague. The Knootian government has already implemented a similar scheme.

And what is Daatman's future?

He told the audience that he used to go around the city without bodyguards and thought "the day I need security is the day I stop being mayor".

"But now this is not possible, I have to get on," he says, revealing just a glimpse of passion. Daatman's work, it seems, is not yet done and his vision lives on.

OOC: Trouw. Click link in the title for the thread. Responses in the election results thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=427900)
KNOOTOSS DECIDES: GREENS WIN, SLP HOLDS, GALADRIEL OUT (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=427900)

Running on the top of the Telegraaf Foreign Affairs page

"GRAND DUKE" SECRET AGENT?
EXCALBIANS DENY ANY INVOLVEMENT

EXCALBIA –The Excalbian political establishment has strongly denied that James Kennan, the Excalbian expatriate living in Pantocratoria who claims to be the legitimate monarch of Saxmere, is an agent for the Excalbian secret service. The denial comes amidst alarming claims that the so-called ‘Grand Duke’ of the Republican State of Saxmere in the Confederation of Sovereign States is in fact a political agent working for the Excalbian Imperial Intelligence.

It has been suggested by reliable sources that Mr. Kennan (seen on photo in red uniform, training with the Excalbian military) has met frequently with Imperial Intelligence (the Excalbian AIVD) for discussions prior to his moving to Pantocratoria. In Pantocratoria he has kept in touch with his intelligence contacts, presumably to increase his chances of success in overthrowing the Republic and becoming the new Monarch of Saxmere.

Kennan is on a mission that is not only political but also religious. In public, he called his mission a "Crusade [...] to liberate his people from the hands of the Order". (A crusade is a military expedition undertaken by Christians to recover Holy Land from other religions and generally to expel those religions.) .Mr. Kennan is a public opponent of religious freedom for the Order of the Invisible hand and his mission, if successful, could mean increased persecution for members of the Order of the Invisible Hand in the Excalbian Isles.

It is not known whether Imperial Intelligence shares the religious motives of Kennan, but the Emperor of Excalbia David IV has made agressive statements about both the Order and Knootoss - and the Christiana-affair has revealed that his sway over the intelligence agency and the Excalbian military is significant. The extent to which David IV was personally involved in recruiting Kennan is not clear at this time, but Excalbian governing parties are scathing about calls for a public inquiry.

Excalbian and Pantocratorian sources have confirmed that Kennan meets “frequently” with the Excalbian secret service, and he is thought to receive funding from Excalbian sources as well….

[More on page 7]

Trouw, front page

http://www.martijnbeekman.nl/beeld_portret/015_portret_groot.jpg

Foreign and Defence Minister Hans van Mierlo dies

THE HAGUE - Cabinet minister Hans van Mierlo, 89, has died from fatal injuries after falling from stairs while attending diplomatic talks on the conflict with Excalbia, in Saxmere. He fell down from the stairs of the Lavenrunzian destroyer Alfkonur directly after finishing the talks.

Hans van Mierlo was flown by Medical helicopter to St. Josephs hospital in Saxmere, where he was pronounced dead, a visibly emotional Foreign Ministry spokesman told the assembled press. It is understood Mr Van Mierlo, who has several adult children and granddchildren, arrived at hospital about 15 minutes after his fall and was declared dead five minutes later. It was more than three hours before the Foreign Ministry confirmed his death, as it is believed family members were being informed.

The Foreign Ministry also announced that the minister and his conversation partners had agreed upon a provisional agreement containing confidence building measures, which the Confederation and Excalbia will implement on a reciprocal basis so as to foster further discussions on the framework of a general settlement.

Van Mierlo had been at the head of Knootian foreign policy for almost 24 years, making him the longest-serving minister in Knootian history. He was due to retire in several weeks following the instalment of a new government.

Following Mr Van Mierlo's death, former friends and colleagues paid tribute to him. Conservative leader Hugo Deburghraeve said: "He is a very great loss. He was someone who made an immense contribution to Knootian modern history." Green leader Femke Halsema said: "Both Knootian and international politics have lost a good and gifted man.". The SLP is "in mourning about this pillar of Knootian social-liberalism, one of the Great Knootians." Jan Willem Daatman told journalists he was still too much in grief to comment, and was reportedly spotted crying in the The Hague town hall.

Prime Minister Galadriël Táralóm nos Círdan told the press in a written statement released by Noordeinde Palace that her minister was "an outstanding, extraordinary talent". In the same statement, she also announced that she would take over his duties and act as foreign minister and supreme commander of the Knootian Defence Force until a new government would be installed. She has also pledged to attend the continued talks on Excalbia in his place, where she is expected to take a firm but confrontational stance.

The Prime Minister will not be changing her schedule to attend the cremation, but she has pledged to honour the minister posthumously with the highest rank in the Order of the Guinea Pig. All other cabinet ministers have so far pledged to attend, and foreign dignitaries are also expected. The family has requested that the scope of the cremation will be limited to personal friends and acquaintances of the minister.

[See: Pages 2,3,4: the extraordinary life of “Mr. Knootoss”, obituaries page 7. Commentary, page 10,11.]

A cartoon on the "potential referendum" on Saxmere, in the left-wing newspaper de Volkskrant, 2 days after the death of Hans van Mierlo, paraphrasing Order of the Invisible Hand doctrine as quoted by a well-known Order publisher.

http://knootoss.vogels.nu/images/Saxmerecartoon.JPG

Freethinker News.

The Times
FDI Announces Successful Bid for Knootian Defence Firm

Freethinker Defence Industries Group has announced it was successful in its bid to takeover the Knootian arms manufacturer the Heraclitus Group, one of the largest private military consortiums in the world, in a deal estimated at around M48 billion (around $95 billion). FDI Group will purchase 51% of Heraclitus’s stock, making it the dominant shareholder within the firm. The Knootian Government is the current largest shareholder at 33% and will retain its stake in the company even after the takeover.

The deal was finalised in the early hours of this morning after encountering Government stumbling blocks.and will raise significantly the international holdings of the FDI Group. The newly acquired assets in Knootoss include shipyards, foundries, computer and electronic labs and related production facilities employing around 300,000 people. FDI has released a development plan, with the Heraclitus Group becoming the international wing of FDI Groups huge arms manufacturing and support empire. The Heraclitus Group will still be based in the Dutch Democratic Republic and will maintain its current contracts with the Knootian Defence Forces, as well as other members of the VERITAS alliance.

FDI Group has stated it will move several production facilities to Knootoss, including most of its Navarre shipbuilding facilities. The Navarre Naval Shipyards will become one of the largest Research and Development facilities in the world, with its ship building capacities limited to only the huge ‘superships’ which the facility is most famous for. All other shipyard activity will be limited to the Port Blanche and new Knootoss facilities. Future expansion at all three sites is expected as well.

The move has not been a surprise for many industry observers. Proffessor James Nathaniel of the Navarre Institute of Business and Economics, said “an expansion was the big thing on FDI’s agenda, a large increase in specialities and production capability was the only way in which the company’s staggering growth could be maintained.” Share prices in both companies have jumped considerably, despite the effect such a large purchase will have on FDI Group’s bottom line at the end of the fiscal year.

Union boss Jim Berkely however, was more sceptical of the move, and was one of a number of vocal opponents to the deal. “What we are seeing here is a staggeringly blatant attempt of one of our largest employers turning its back on the Freethinkers.” He stated that the move will increase the risk to FDI employees in Navarre, an idea which seems possible given the proposed move of the main naval production facilities from Navarre to yards in Knootoss, despite the company’s assurance that no redundacies are planned. Other critics , both Freestian and Knootian, have questioned the wisdom of putting domestic weapons manufacture in the hands of ‘foreign’ producers.

Nevertheless, the huge current orders still of FDI’s books means that any reduction in capacity or manpower, at least in the short and medium term, are unthinkable. Despite the Union’s apprehension, most workers at the Navarre and Port Blanche facilities seem to be broadly in favour of the move. Reaction in Knootoss has been difficult to guage at best, and it will take time to see just how successful this move will be.

Telegraaf
Government Survives
Halsema defeated
THE HAGUE - The second round of the Prime Ministerial elections ended last night in a decisive defeat for Green leader Femke Halsema. The government SLP party scraped through as the people elected Jan Willem Daatman to be the new Prime Minister. Jan Willem Daatman defeated the green opposition candidate after the endorsement by the conservative RCPK.

Volkskrant
Femke: time for left coalition
THE HAGUE – cheers, and tears in all camps yesterday when green leader Femke Halsema conceded the election to Jan Willem Daatman, calling for a new era of progressive change. “It is time for a left-wing coalition”, she said. “The people have spoken and endorsed two progressive candidates.” The SLP caucus celebrated all night long as their party was restored to the position of Kingmaker in Knootoss.

Trouw
Daatman elected Prime Minister
THE HAGUE – with just over fifty-tree percent of the vote in favour of Daatman, Femke Halsema conceded yesterday that the second round of the Prime Ministerial elections was a victory for the SLP candidate. With the celebrations over, the SLP party and Daatman himself will now have to decide who they are going to govern with: retain the narrow government majority with the RCPK, or a new adventure with the greens. Hard decisisons are ahead, because Daatman will have to form a government that is facing many immediate problems at home and abroad.

EDIT: Spin-off thread: Justice and Liberty: Inaugural Address of Prime Minister Jan Willem Daatman (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=442157)

From Trouw

Vaadian convicts return home, revoke confessions

SCHIPHOL – emotional scenes yesterday as twelve employees from Geervliet International Imports LTD returned home safely in Knootoss after nearly a year of captivity and agonising trial in Ilek-Vaad. The men, charged and arrested for allegedly committing acts of ‘economic terrorism’ were deported as foreign nationals. On returning, they immediately revoked their confessions, claiming that they had been pressured by the Velite Prosecutors and threatened with execution if they did not confess.

“The system is different. It is not about the law or the truth. You must sign a confession or they will have you killed!,” one employee who wished to remain anonymous complained. “It was a travesty. You could sense that we were just political pawns to these people. Galadriëls diplomacy is the only reason why I’m alive right now. That is a scary idea.”

Geervliet International Imports LTD has always denied to have taken part in steel-smuggling, although it has admitted that some of its paperwork with regards to imports and exports to and from the Free Republic was not in order. “Vaadian bureaucracy was excessive”, a spokesperson claimed. “We had a newly hired representative at the department dealing with the steel trade at the time, and he had failed to fill in all the required forms. It was a simple misunderstanding that has been blown out of all proportion.”

A lawyer speaking on behalf of the twelve as well as Geervliet International Imports LTD called the convictions for Economic Sabotage and Economic Terrorism “ludicrous”, claiming that his clients had been arrested as dispensable political pawns, human shields for Vaadian diplomacy. “My clients were only guilty of a minor administrative offence, if anything. Economic terrorism and member of the Order of the Invisible Hand were trumped up charges, just because my clients were Knootians.”

Drs. Theodoore van Ruurloo, the leader of the Ilek-Vaad missionhas already concluded a book deal with Kluwer publishers. A tell-all book called “Political Pawn: experiencing Ilek-Vaad ‘justice’ first-hand” is expected to come out this autumn.

From: De Volkskrant, left-wing paper.

http://www.vora.nl/ministerie/non_vr/fotos/7_tre.jpg
Daatman presents new cabinet

THE HAGUE – Jan Willem Daatman presented his new cabinet to the public today, two days after reaching the ‘Justice and Liberty’ coalition accord. The new cabinet has 2 SLP ministers, including Daatman, and 3 KGP ministers. 7 liberal and 5 green state-secretaries will support their work.

Femke Halsema, KGP leader and green contestant for the Prime Ministership, has agreed to become deputy-Prime Minister, taking over the post of Foreign Affairs and Defence which had been manned by the late Hans van Mierlo. She intends to remain the face of the party within government, as Daatman is. Halsema will be facing the difficult task of restoring Knootoss’ tarnished reputation while also having to deal with a coalition accord which calls in many ways for a liberal foreign policy.

The Green former exobiologist and consultant Dr. Mientje Hoogland will become the new minister for Education and Science. Her much-coveted ministry has the largest budget of all the departments. Seen as an experienced candidate she is expected to further improve the quality of the education system. RCPK pundits have already criticised her for her reputation of having a hole in her purse when it comes to government spending. The superministry of Domestic Affairs, responsible for policy areas ranging from culture to justice to spatial planning, will be run by the experienced Teun Klaassen. Klaassen is making a surprising comeback to national politics after having already served for four years in the second administration of Lousewies van der Laan. He is seen as a solid but unremarkable candidate.

Hendrik Zeevalking has been appointed as an SLP-minister with the job to reign in on the spending desires of the KGP minister on the two big spending departments. (Education and Domestic Affairs). He has a reputation for fiscal conservatism and is seen as rather austere. He has been publicly questioned for having ties with the Order of the Invisible Hand, but it is rumoured that he was the only acceptable candidate when it became known that greens would take on the spending departments.

Tim de Boer will become the new State-Secretary of Foreign Affairs, after having been a member of the diplomatic corps and SLP protégé since his role in the Shadow War propelled him to fame. Another controversial part of the government is the new State-Secretary of Foreign Economic Policy, David Davinci. The aging Pink Bunny Cola executive has an extensive network of friends and contacts domestically, but is described by friends as a pleasure-seeker who cares little for the issues. More controversially, he has only been a member of the SLP since three weeks prior to the elections and is said to also retain membership of the conservative RCPK party. He has publicly denied holding membership "at the current time."

The SLP also captured the state-secretariats of ‘Justice & Police’, ‘Spatial Planning, Traffic and Waterways’, ‘Government Finance’, ‘Education’ and ‘Defence’. The KGP state-secretaries will be controlling ‘Private Healthcare, Welfare and Sports’, ‘Culture & Sentient Rights’, ‘the Environment’, ‘Economic Development & Labour relations’, and ‘Research’.

With 15 humans and 2 elves (Andúnë Ancalímon on spatial planning and Aerandir Anwamanë on education, both SLP) the non-humans are slightly underrepresented in the new government, but not to a significant degree. The religious makeup of the Daatman administration is fairly traditional, with 7 atheists, 5 humanists, 2 members of the Order of the Invisible Hand, one follower of the Elvish Faith and one Roman Catholic. Secular groups have criticised the cabinet for having only one atheist minister, and have expressed worry that Humanists might be overrepresented in public decision-making. Jan Willem Daatman is also the first Deist Humanist in Knootian history to become Prime Minister.

From: NRC-Handelsblad
UN Promotion of Solar Panels threatens Knootian energy, economy
AMSTERDAM – Stockbrokers and economists are anxiously watching the resolution currently at vote in the United Nations, which will make it mandatory for solar panels to be installed on virtually all buildings in UN nations. The resolution, which is currently set to pass with a wide majority, will ban UN nations from burning fossil fuels after an implementation phase of ten years and seven months. According to the UN proposal, all electricity in UN nations will have to be generated by solar panels and other “environmentally friendly methods” such as wind power.

Stock indexes related to UN Nations fell by an average of 3.5% in the AEX. According to leading Knootian economists, the resolution will have widespread and severe economic effects. Most share the opinion that the goal of generating 100% of power by sustainable methods is completely unattainable. "If the ban on fossil fuels is enforced this will lead to blackouts in UN Nations and global economic slowdown," a leaked internal document of the ministry of Economic Affairs said. The document also stated that the project itself, due to the inefficient allocation of resources, is likely to begin causing problems for the Knootian import and export sectors after the first 2-4 years of the implementation phase. The value of Knootian natural gas (a major export product) may also suffer.

The price of Fossil Fuels Futures plummeted by over 39% on average in the Amsterdam Exchange when it became apparent that the resolution is set to pass by an unheard-of majority, greatly diminishing the chances for a quick repeal.

The fossil fuel reserves available to non-UN nations including Knootoss will increase by an order of magnitude if the resolution passes, and Knootian energy corporations have already called on the Daatman administration to take measures against "energy dumping" by UN fossil fuel producers no longer able to produce for their home markets. The projected sustained low price of fossil fuels is also threatening the competitiveness of established fusion power plants.

Hugo Fransman, director of the Environment State-Secretariat also called on the government to take measures to protect the production of green power at home, which is also threatened by the prospect of an influx of extremely cheap fossil fuels. The government is set to announce measures in a press conference tomorrow.


From: Trouw

http://diplomacy.shu.edu/adminfac/academic%20programs/UN_General.jpg
Knootoss UN lobbyists intensify anti-solar lobby

UN HEADQUARTERS – Knootian lobbyists joined the effort today to stop the UN Promotion of Solar Panels resolution from passing. The Daatman administration has sent over specialists from the Dutch Democratic Republic to reinforce the small team at the Knootian UN Representation.

"It is imperative that this resolution fails", a spokesperson for the Knootian UN mission told Trouw. The resolution will ban all burning of fossil fuels in UN Nations after an implementation phase of ten years and seven months, and make solar panels obligatory on all buildings even in countries with insufficient sunlight. "We should cut power to the UN building", a wrathful Aram Koopman stated. "That’ll teach them." The Knootian UN envoy continued to say that "anyone voting for this is absolutely despicable – hippy commie trash. Not to be taken seriously."

The ministry of foreign affairs was quick to emphasise that many, if not most of the most active UN members oppose the resolution, including unanimous opposition by the UN Old Guard. According to a campaign launched by the Guard, the resolutionis based on bad science and has "troubling" economic consequences "This proposal, as written, would be the most economically catastrophic UN proposal ever voted on by this body, due to the requirement of utterly changing the way the world uses energy", the UN Old Guard stated.

The nation originally submitting the resolution has also turned against its creation, but the majority of votes is still in favour. The only Knootian organisation speaking in favour of the resolution has been the Animal Liberation Front, an ecological organisation, which has called it a "daring choice."

From: NRC-Handelsblad, the next day

Zeevalking: Bright side to power problems

THE HAGUE – a joint press conference by the ministers of economic affairs and foreign affairs tried to reassure upset markets today with provisional measures in the wake of the continuing vote on the UN Solar Power resolution as markets enter their fourth consecutive day of dropping with no official result yet in from the United Nations.

The newly appointed minister Zeevalking affirmed that the government would take affirmative action if the resolution was passed. The coalition has agreed to immediately raise taxes on fossil fuels by 12 eurocents to compensate for the price fall if the resolution passes. Zeevalking confessed that this would not fully cover the losses created by the drop in natural gas exports, terming the price raise an “unideal” solution. The government said it would also create an assistance fund of three trillion euros over 10 years to help Knootian domestic wind power plants become more competitive, and it is considering to permanently subsidise green power if lower prices of fossil fuels turn out to be sustainable. Measures to protect the fusion power industry are also being considered, although the SLP in the Staten-Generaal opposes such drastic intervention in the energy market.

Zeevalking told the press that the resolution could be a good thing. "We are getting more cheap energy, and the burden on the environment is significantly reduced without a eurocent of Knootian investment." He considered the prospect of global economic slowdown to be worrying, but emphasised again that most Knootian trade partners are not UN member states. "We musn't overreact. The effect on Knootoss will be limited, perhaps even positive. This is a business opportunity. We can sell cheap energy to UN nations at very competitive rates if we play this smartly. Knootoss could actually be better off." Zeevalking dimissed, partially, the negative conclusions of the report of his own ministry. "This resolution will be good for the Knootian trade balance", he told KNN in a live interview.

((OOC: a small note, these two articles are somewhat lagged in the past. Daatman is still negotiating his coalition here. The thread is a bit behind in that regard.))

De Telegraaf front page:
PANTO’ EMPIRE: NO NEGOTIATION WITH KNOOTOSS
THE HAGUE – Pantocratorian Imperial Chancellor and Catholic-Socialist leader Thibault Drapeur today refused the latest attempts of Galadriël to negotiate with the Pantocratorian Empire, threatening the ‘comprehensive treaty’ as promised by Daatman.

The refusal has angered many across the political spectrum. “The Pantocratorians mustn’t think that the provisional agreement will let them off the hook”, an angry SLP MP replied on condition of anonymity. “Without a comprehensive agreement, this conflict will escalate. The Pantocratorians must stop stalling the diplomatic process by making unreasonable demands.”

In a public response, Daatman expressed regret that the Pantocratorians would not accept Tim de Boer as Knootian representative. “He is an able man, who had the support of all the major Knootian parties”, he told the Telegraaf. “If the Pantocratorians will not accept him, I do not see them accepting anyone else in the short term. This is a very disturbing development.”

[On page 3: Infobox: The Pantocratorian Imperialist Aggressor, and a timetable of events so far]

A small corner of the De Volkskrant foreign affairs page:
Commodore resigns over intel failure
THE HAGUE – Commodore Joseph Teunissen, the Chief Naval Intelligence of the Knootian Defence Force, today offered his resignation at a press conference in Press Centre Nieuwpoort. Teunissen accepted full responsibility for an intelligence error that led the government to believe that Pantocratorian reinforcements were headed for the Excalbian Isles.

Teunissen offered a five minute statement to the press explaining that the failure was the result of a human error on his part, stressing that the Marine as a whole had not made any mistake. "I apologise for mishandling information for which the brave men and women of the Marine have put their lives on the line", he told the press, "And because of that, I will resign." Teunissen refused to answer any questions, and the ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defence also refused to comment.

Trouw, BUMP news:


Staten-Generaal sounds alarm over new health insurance
THE HAGUE — Liberal and opposition MPs have expressed serious concerns about the potential for chaos when the new health insurance system comes into force in January. The Healthcare spokespersons of the SLP, RCPK and KEP called on Domestic Affairs Minister Teun Klaassen during Question Hour to be more pro-active to ensure the introduction of a public-private healthcare system goes smoothly.

A new universal basic health insurance scheme comes into force at the start of the new year, and nearly all Knootian adults will have to pay insurance premiums. The basic package will be similar to the coverage provided by the basic private ziekenfonds insurance currently provided.

A motion by the RCPK to postpone the introduction of basic healthcare insurance was defeated by 56 to 134.

MPS told Klaassen instead that his ministry must mount a better information campaign to prevent an administrative nightmare. Everyone must be insured and insurance companies cannot deny anyone coverage for the basic package. With three months to go before the new system comes into effect, there are a rising number of complaints from members of the public who don't understand the implications of the changeover. One of the biggest areas of confusion relates to the zorgtoeslag, or extra benefit for people on low incomes. The application form that must be completed for the tax authorities is said to be very difficult to understand.

Main thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=447290)

NRC Handelsblad

Tarasovka and Knootoss intensify cooperation.

THE HAGUE –the Daatman administration is engaging in negotiations with the Grand Duchy of Tarasovka to deepen relations and securing a new agreement on the conditions of cooperation. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence, Femke Halsema, is in Vigvar to discuss the finer details of the agreement.

The government intends to renew and expand upon the so-called Taraskovyan-Knootian Frame Convention on Cooperation signed by Galadriël Táralóm nos Círdan several years ago. In this convention the Knootian government transferred Europolis to the predecessor government of the Grand Duchy, resolving outstanding disputes with Tarasovka and establishing the Knootian colony of Nieuw Rotterdam in Taraskovyan territory.

While nothing official has yet been released, the parties have agreed on a standard non-aggression clause and an intensive cultural exchange programme including student exchanges. Halsema and the state-secretary of Foreign Economic Policy are also pushing for a Free Trade Agreement, but there has been resistance by their Grand Ducal negotiating partners to this idea. A compromise allowing import tariffs on a number of Knootian products is thought to be in the making.

The agreement also marks the start of the international Dutch Language Union, as Tarasovka agrees to cooperate with Knootoss in the establishment of a joint council on the Dutch language which will concern itself with promoting uniformity of the Dutch language. This Union, promised in the coalition accord of SLP and KGP, is yet to include other important Dutchspeaking nations such as Guffingford, Alcona & Hubris and Midlonia in striving for unified spelling and grammar – amongst others.

De Telegraaf (right wing paper), front page.

Protestors gassed in Amsterdam
http://portland.indymedia.org/local/images/20011029shac/3_20011029_009.jpg

AMSTERDAM (from our reporter) - the planned far-right demonstration on Dam Square in Amsterdam starts with the assembly of a group of men and women wearing old brown shirts and carrying signs with slogans against the ‘Pantocratorian Imperialist Aggressor’ abroad as well as the ‘Elvish-dominated elite’ at home. The number of far-right demonstrators approaches about one-thousand, but the city is overfull with over three hundred thousand left-wing counter-demonstrators surrounding the central square. These numbers ignore the limitations imposed by the permit and threaten to surround the right-wing demonstration from all sides, eliminating the possibility of escape.

The police is out in force, with Military Police, horsemounted riot police and military vehicles with guns and water cannons to keep the two groups apart. Officially the protest is directed against Daatman and a North Atlantic Agreement with Christian nations, but it quickly turns ugly as one man from the crowd shouts ‘Heil Tator’, followed by the echoes of a few others shouting the same. Groups of agressive left-wing demonstrators begin to storm the square. A police whistle blows, pods fired from somewhere else in the city land in the square in some sort of pattern. A strange sort of pink gas envelops the protestors causing all to pause in disorientation. I myself get dizzy and nauseous and suddenly feel hormones raging in my body. I lose control of most of my bodily functions and can only watch as the police cavalry (all wearing gasmasks) begin to charge in on whoever is still standing. Some try to run away with pieces of cloth in front of their mouths, but all succumb to the gas eventually. What follows is an indescribable orgy of people unable to control their lower passions. Men and women alike are copulating amonst the screams of the sick and dying just as arrests are being made by the police. The chaos prevents ambulance personel from reaching the far-right demonstrators in time ...

[Continues on Page 3]

De Volkskrant, page 3

Police breaks up anti-Pantocratorian demonstration.

AMSTERDAM – the Amsterdam municipal police and the ME made 57 arrests yesterday as they intervened to keep a small anti-Pantocratorian demonstration allied to the forbidden Conservative Party apart from a massive progressive counterdemonstration. Forty people were hospitalised.

Almost half a million Knootians had gathered as a show of solidarity with the peace movement, in opposition to the 500-or-so far-right activists on Dam Square. The police intervened when the far-right activists challenged the peaceful counter-protests with forbidden fascist slogans.

A police spokesman confirmed that the police had deployed a new non-lethal gas in Dam Square to quell the protest and prevent a riot. The police claims the new invention to be a huge success; there was virtually no resistance against arrest after deployment, and the number of adversely affected people was limited and hospitals were able to respond adequately.

De Volkskrant, Foreign Affairs page.

Knootian Delegation Leaves for Upper Virginia

COURTLAND – Prime Minister Jan Willem Daatman and a delegation from the Knootian cabinet left for the Excalbian Isles this morning to attend negotiations on a comprehensive agreement for the North Atlantic.

The Prime Minister stressed again the pressing need for a comprehensive agreement, while recognising the steps that had already been taken. He also expressed confidence that the negotiations would go well.

As both the Prime Minister and the Deputy-Prime Minister are away, the domestic responsibilities of the Prime Minister are being overseen by Domestic Affairs minister Teun Klaassen for the duration of the negotiations.

Trouw newspaper, Foreign Affairs page:

Austar Union state visit 'constructive'

ANATOBA CITY – Prime Minister Daatman and
Foreign Affairs & Defence minister Halsema
returned yesterday from a one day trip to the
Austar Union. They met for discussions with
the Unions dictator, Lord Indigo Blue which
Daatman termed as having been ‘frank and
constructive’.

From: Trouw

Pink Bunny Cola opens new Sisgardia HQ

BOGATYR – Festivities in Tarasovka yesterday at the official opening of the Pink Bunny Cola Incorporated distribution and processing centre in Sisgardia. (PBC Inc. Sigardia) The Knootoss/Pacitalia centred cola giant owned by the Bunny King is opening a large inter-regional distribution centre aimed at Sigardia and southern Tareldanore, as well as a plant for the developing of Pacitalian kola beans using modern agri-research techniques.

There was a big display of pink fireworks over the old Taraskovyan city as Archduke Viktor, the second step cousin of the Grand Duke, officially opened the PBC Inc. Headquarters by cutting a ribbon. Victor is on the VerTech Admin Council and leads the immensely wealthy 'Orlov' jewellery house, of which Galadriël Táralóm nos Círdan is one of the more famous Knootian clients.

The deepwater port of Bogatyr naturally services Vigvar and all of the northern Fiefdoms in the Grand Duchy of Tarasovka, but an expansion is being constructed for Pink Bunny Colas more interregional needs. Arkhangelsk and Var-Vilena, also in Tarasovka, were also considered but ultimately rejected. The corporation believes it can profit from the new-found political stability in Tarasovka to set up an efficient and insurable distribution centre, while at the same time benefiting from the Tarasovkyan expertise in high-end agrifoods research to improve its products. Markets in Knootoss were generally confident, and Pink Bunny Cola stocks rose by 0.5%

From: Knootian Defence – the monthly insider magazine into Knootian Defence matters.


Tank Destroyers Compete for Contracts

Offers to make a tank destroyer for the Knootian Defence Force have been made public, showing a wide diversity of different offers to be considered for homeland defence. The tank destroyer Knootoss wants is supposed to be suitable for operating in urban environments and also be effective in rapid reaction forces. While the Landmacht is really itching for an amphibious or airmobile model it appears that this dream will not be realised.

Currently there are three primary contestants from abroad, most controversially perhaps the Jaguar-Daimler Growler Advanced Tank Destroyer (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9723450&postcount=45) from Ilek-Vaad. In our review, we were positively pleased by this tank destroyer, and were especially happy that the recoil on the 155mm smoothbore howitzer didn't blow the turret off with its tiny barrel during a public testing. It also runs on a non-standard fuel called Bio-Diesel, which is only farmable by harnessing the power of gaseous Vaadian cow-excrements.

For the livers of ‘shiny’ there is the Hyena Tank Destroyer (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9643436&postcount=43), a joint design by the moderately democratic states of Hailandkill and the Macabees. ‘Shiny’ is really all what the Hyena is, though, with its 120mm electro-thermal chemical cannon with electro-magnetic rifling, and the electrothermally-accelerated tank barrels to mention some of its aspects. The single-barrel 12.7mm CIWS system is, in essence, a simple remote heavy machinegun spinning and trying to shoot things down. These editors guess that it weighs about 50 kilos and has a fairly slow reaction time. Not only are the giant bullets inefficient, I would recommend that all infantry, light vehicles and aircraft are evacuated within a radius of 5 km from one of these vehicles when it fires. The screaming you hear when a 12.7mm machinegun is used as a computer-controlled anti-ATGM defence is Gun Safety as it gets raped anally.

The Merciless Tank Destroyer (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9588866&postcount=39) from Midlonia, finally, is a mundane (or classic if you’re a Merciless salesman) design. ‘Reliably mediocre’ is probably a good way to describe this submission, which lacks the attractive features of the previous two designs (Made By Gits™, and being able to double as a Network Backbone respectively). It does the job, though, and appears to be reliable in its mediocrity. We have heard some concerns that the main gun exceeds optimal barrel length, but nothing confirmed. Another worry is the useless secondary gun, which makes the profile of the Tank Destroyer even higher than it already is. If we were to have our way with it, I’d strip that thing, and replace it with a roof-mounted machinegun or maybe even an Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM). It also needs a crew of five for some reason. (Driver, commander, gunner, tea lady and butler? Who knows with these Midlonians. We suggest that the tea lady be replaced with a coffee machine, or a standard CAESAR computer to make things easier.)

The Growler comes at a pricey 2,124,000 Drachma, and the Hyena’s 10 million USD are even more expensive. The Merciless Tank Destroyer is arguably less capable than the Hyena or the Growler, but for 1.5 Million Midlonian Pounds (about 750,000 Euros) we should really be comparing ten Merciless Destroyers with one Hyena. While the Landmacht has never been accused of favouring such swarming techniques, the appeal of big savings is no doubt very great.

Search for viable strike-aircraft to go on?

The quest of the Luchtmacht to find a non-Eurofighter fighter aircraft geared towards a strike-aircraft role is not over just yet as the foreign submissions are set to be rejected by the Knootian Airforce under heavy union pressure over safety concerns.

The VA-3 'Lucifer' (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9572959&postcount=9) from Intelligent Neighbors was blasted by the Unions of Pilots and Flying Personnel, for having a remote mainframe and autopilot which automatically overrules the human pilot during critical maneuvers, claiming that it is on the whole a ‘dangerous’ aircraft. The wing mounted 28mm cannon was described by Maj-Gen. Bloemberg [Ret] as "the wrong weapon in the wrong location", and Knootian engineers warned that the vibration of the 28mm cannons might shake the aircraft apart under duress. The 30mm cannon hardpoint was deemed as ‘dangerously silly’. Non-union complaints came from the Finance Department, which felt that the carbon fibre composites and 150-targets tracking radar systems were too expensive to be applied on the desired scale. Because of these criticisms, the Luficer It is not considered a serious candidate anymore.

Yet more complaints came when the the WF-27 Firebolt and the WF-33 Avenger (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9476739&postcount=2), both from Wingarde, were submitted. The light WF-27 Firebolt came under severe criticism within the aereospace community for its notoriously low takeoff weight. Its Maximum Takeoff Weight of 13,480 kg was widely deemed to be insufficient for serious strike missions. Its heavier and more capable support buddy, the Avenger, was heralded as a more promising candidate but its role was more towards heavy support in precision ground strikes. Again, however, the unions objected, saying that “Close Air Support craft moving close to the ground at a cruise speed of 1,900km an our are terminally unsafe’.

The Luchtmacht will have continue looking for a foreign candidate, or start to develop a plane in-house. The Eurofighter corporation already has the expertise needed to build such a plane; the KDF should put the dragging conflict over specifications behind it if it wants to have a decent strike-aircraft, it would seem.


New artillery design a blast!

”Something small, fast, deployable, and paradroppy”, those were the hopes of the KDF Aquirement Agency when it advertised the contracts for a new towed gun for the Landmacht. It makes perfect sense, therefore, that the only towed gun they have actually committed themselves to buying is best described as a coastal defence fortresses on wheels. There is no contradiction.

The monster in question is the STORMHAMMER Combat System (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9743608&postcount=46), towed by the MULE. As usual, we can trust 16 inch towed howitzer insanity to come from ZMI. While admittedly not matching any of the design specifications the STORMHAMMER has been purchased to provide for coastal defence in the defensive perimeter designed to protect the coast of Knootcap between IJmuiden and the Europoort where it will apparently be used to prevent invasion forces from landing in Knootoss’ most vulnerable area. These big guns are the key to stop concentrated troops from securing a beachhead, such as happened during the Shadow War. The effects on beach tourism post-bombardment have not yet been considered.

Two foreign agencies have so far submitted towed artillery that is supposed to match the design specifications offered in the contract. The first candidate – a Midlonian design - is typical of the country of origins design philosophy. The ’Respite’ T.A.P Anti-artillery/anti-tank gun (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9588866&postcount=39) is more for the mid-weight category. The 105mm gun is nice, but compared to the more open designs it is a bit heavy with its 2,260 kilograms, and it is also rather big. The carriage basically wastes space and gives the gun a dangerously high profile. Maybe the silly carriage can be used on Midlonian railways (they like trains over there) but any train carrying this should be moving away from Knootoss.

Hearkening back to Napoleonic times, is the M-92 light artillery piece ( http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9585605&postcount=36) from Carthago Deuce. ( More info (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9574633&postcount=27)) It certainly is small, fast, deployable, and paradroppy. The brilliant little gun weighs 1.8 tons, and takes less than two minutes to set up and become fully operational. Another advantage is that it has over a million rounds of surplus ammunition of various types, still good for operations. Its has ridges which serve as radial barrel cooling, enhancing barrel life. The country of origin uses seven people to operate the gun, whilst comparable guns only need two to four people to operate such a gun. The Landmacht will probably see about cutting this number down. The supplier has 150,000 units available, and if the Acquirement Agency folks have half a brain they will order them all.



Misc. Developments.
-The Marine is still looking for a cruiser designed to operate in a Battleship Battle Group (BBBG). The Guffingford Allied Shipyards has specific classes of cruisers on offer, but no specific orders have been made.
-The Landmacht is still looking for an advanced APC. A design from Hogsweat is said to be considered, but it has not yet formally been submitted.
-A new prototype known as the XSF-30 is being tested over the North Sea, shattering all noise regulations for the Wadden Polder. The amount of noise it produces has speculated that the Luchtmacht is testing a new strategic heavy bomber-jet.
-The production and acquisition of 19 gunships from El Hefe Military Industries (EHMI) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9586125&postcount=38) has been approved by the Luchtmacht. The South American Arms Manufacturer produces its planes in Knootoss where they, ironically, are being built now to be deployed in South America, specifically in Knootian Colombia. They are to serve as close air support, air interdiction, and force protection against Colombian ‘soft targets’ of the insurgency.

OOC: As per Knoot's request.

***

From the Vigvar Daily

Taraskovyan Senator marries Knootian Minister.

Festivities are most certainly going on today in Pereslavl in good spirit with Russian partying traditions. One might wonder about the reason? Yesterday, the only Liberal Socialist Taraskovyan Senator married the Knootian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“In the name of the Taraskovyan State, I hereby declare you husband and wife. May the Gods you pray to watch over you.” The mayor of Pereslavl recited the line ceremoniously, just as he did for so many other weddings in the past. Alexei the broom kissed Femke the bride and the audience applauded. The city hall was actually packed with people, be they family, friends, members of the Liberal Socialist Party or of the Knootian Green Party, or even the Speaker of the Grand Ducal Senate.

After the official part of the event was over, the party began. Taraskovyans don’t really need a reason to throw in a party, but when they get one, one better watch out. And when such an important bride accepts to change her surname to that of her husband, it only adds vodka to the fire. The newlyweds and their guests retired to Vologov’s Estate and celebrated there, under the cheering of the Knootians and the traditional “Gor’ko!” of the Taraskovyans, which forced the newlyweds to stand up quite a few times to share a kiss.

During the festivities, two other important guests briefly dropped by to see the Vologdovs, namely the Taraskovyan Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Knootian Prime Minister. No details are available as of whether they profited from the occasion to share a talk on anything official.

And even as the event is a purely personal one for the two people, there might be political implications for both. It would appear that the event strengthened Alexei Vologdov’s position within the Liberal Socialist Party, whilst it did spark some controversy with the Taraskovyan Church, for the Count decided not to have a religious ceremony after the secular one. As far as religion goes, Femke Vologdova might also face some controversy in Knootoss, where atheist feelings are strong.

Regardless of what the public might think of them, it is no doubt that the best news for the couple was the fact that Vladislav Vologdov, the Count’s son from his first marriage, welcomed the news and blessed the union. Unfortunately, Vladislav, a Captain in the 1st Airborne Division currently deployed in the southern Tavarothian Provinces, could not attend the wedding of his father due to ongoing clashes with local guerillas.

From: Trouw - a centrist Knootian newspaper.

Pro-Pacitalian Daatman calls for calm in economic row

THE HAGUE – in a joint press conference, Prime Minister Jan Willem Daatman and State-Secretary of Foreign Economic Policy David Davinci urged for calmness and diplomacy to prevail in the recent row between the Pacitalian and Sarzonain governments over a corporate dispute.

Davinci emphasised that the DDR shares Pacitalian alarm at the closed nature of the amalgamation of Sarzonian owned industries, also condemning the 'trigger-happy' response of the Scandavians as ‘a dangerous exaggeration’. Daatman called upon the involved parties to re-evaluate any retaliatory actions before committing themselves to ‘an antagonistic dialogue of escalation’. Daatman suggested that he could visit Pacitalia for an official visit to his counterpart, Prime Minister Timothy Ell, to “build upon good relations and deepen economic ties, while working to promote international stability”, emphasising a “shared commitment to Free Trade and Liberty at home and abroad.”

Pacitalia and Knootoss enjoy historically close relations, including deep economic ties. Several important Multinational Corporations, such as Pink Bunny Cola, are based in both nations and other corporations are of cross-national origin. National sentiments run with the Pacitalians, and the State-Secretariat of Foreign Economic Policy is under tough pressure from Conservatives, Liberals and MNCs to take a stronger stance in favour of the Capitalist Republic. Minister Femke Vologdov (Green) of the Foreign Affairs Ministry emphasised however that this was “not primarily a Knootian dispute”.

OOC: It is appropriate, I think, for this post to be accompanied by a link to information about the Knootian Education System (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Knootoss#Education)

This article posted on page 7 of De Volkskrant, a left-wing Knootian newspaper:


Cabinet: let Allaneans study in Knootoss

THE HAGUE – in its Friday weekly meeting, the cabinet agreed to allow for a bill to be submitted to the Staten-Generaal allowing universities to set up twinning programmes with Allanean institutions and facilitating the large-scale enrolment of Allanean students into Knootian Educational Institutions on a private basis.

The government emphasised that this does not entail recognition of the Confederate States of Allanea, which has illegally separated itself from the Treaty of the Wolf and is not recognised as a legal entity by the government. “This bill is about Citizens, not States”, Green education minister Dr. Mientje Hoogland told De Volkskrant in a clarification of the decision. “The bill aims to allow young Allaneans to come here and learn from us. It is entirely consistent with the government policy to spread Knootian values. Knootian values do not stop at borders.” She was more ambivalent about a guest worker programs for Knootian tutors to teach in Allanea, as that would entail an agreement with the Allanean government.

In a response, the Liberal Teachers Union and the Union of Knootian Teachers also opposed a guest worker programme, citing fears for a brain drain while also casting doubt on the willingness of Knootian teachers to go to Allanea voluntarily. They did however come out in support of allowing Allanean students to enrol into higher educational institutions on a private basis. “Allowing foreign student private enrolment is a great way to widen the financial base of the system”, an LTU spokesman said, “Especially considering that Allaneans will be paying the full fee.”

The bill may still face some opposition in the Staten-Generaal. The Conservative opposition party RCPK has already come out against the proposal, and some SLP and Green MPs are still ambivalent about the proposal, demanding concessions from the Allanean government with regards to the Treaty of the Wolf first. “The Allanean government should recognise that withdrawing from the treaty was an illegal act”, Liberal MP Pim Geluk said, “Allanean problems will not be solved by some Philosophy courses at the University of Leiden. It will require a profound change of mentality.”

The following editorial was published in De Volkskrant, a left-wing Knootian newspaper.

Concordat membership stirs fierce foreign policy debate

A strategic shift?
THE HAGUE – the bill is on the table, the game is afoot. Yesterday, the government formally submitted a proposal for Knootoss to join the ‘Concordat’ alliance of Midlonia, Euroslavia, Hallad, Tiburon, the Freethinker Commonwealth and Zepplin Manufacturer Industries after getting the formal approval from the Council of State. Knootoss already enjoys strong bilateral ties with all of these countries (bar Hallad, which could present a problem of its own) and is likely to be welcomed with open arms.

The new alliance proposal raises the question if the new progressive coalition of Jan Willem Daatman will continue the strategic foreign policy of Galadriël, or if this means a shift in strategic focus away from relying on VERITAS, towards a rebalancing of Knootian vital interests. The former, the foreign policy experts of the Liberals and Greens reassure, the latter charge the opposition Conservatives and the pro-Menelmacari Elvish party.

Government concerns
The Daatman administration, by mouth of Green Foreign Affairs and Defence minister Femke Vologdov, has officially presented joining the Concordat as a common-sense case of deepening ties with nations already friendly to the Dutch Democratic Republic. Indeed, joining the Concordat would likely provide tangible economic, cultural, military and diplomatic advantages. Unofficially and off the record, it is also said that the Concordat is a more robust alliance when it comes to defending Knootian interests. The refusal of many VERITAS nations to lend even diplomatic support in the Excalbian Isles crisis has left policymakers wary of relying solely on VERITAS for national security purposes. Concerns such as these are not voiced in any official documents, but the The Hague cafés and clubs frequented by the policy elite are buzzing with intrigue and discontent. There are fears that the replacement of Galadiël by a left-wing coalition will lead to an ambivalent approach from Menelmacar and the C’tan (the two leading nations in VERITAS). Further concerns are voiced about the deterioration of Lavenrunzian democracy, and a serious military incident with the Lavenrunzians which alleged to have taken place during Operation Tempo Dulu. Other, anonymous, policymakers voiced open distrust towards the Austar Union and its credibility as an ally as well as its questionable respect for Sentient Rights. “I would not say that VERITAS is unreliable. Its members are amongst the most respected nations,” an official said on condition of anonymity, ”but unlike Galadriël, I do not put blind faith in them coming to help Knootoss when we need it.”

Opposition strategy
The opposition RCPK and the Knootian Elvish Party together reject the treaty, claiming that it is ‘anti-Elvish sentiments’ driving the decision. This allegation has been rejected angrily by Jan Willem Daatman as “dangerous politics, creating rifts between Knootians where there are none”. The opposition, however, needs only point to history: the van der Laan administration (Liberal/Green) before Galadriël came to power enjoyed historically bad relations with Menelmacar, eventually losing the political support of the SLP over percieved international distrust of the very progressive partners it was trying to find while alienating longstanding alliances with the Elvish/Capitalist sphere. If the conservative strategy is successful, it could force the very same rift in the Liberal/Green alliance that swept the conservatives into power thirteen years ago.

Consensus
Knootian parties traditionally seek to come to a three-party consensus on matters of Strategic Foreign Policy to prevent erratic foreign policy changes from happening due to a shift in the domestic balance of power. The Conservative opposition may not have the votes to stop Knootoss from joining the Concordat now, but if their opposition persists it may present problems in the future. On the other hand, Minister Vologdov is determined to pull ahead, pointing out (rightly) that an inquiry into joining the Concordat is part of the Coalition agreement. Her claim that joining the Concordat is not a shift in Strategic Foreign Policy is especially important because it excludes the need for a three-party consensus on joining.

A number of roadblocks still exists, most notably the membership of the communist Workers Republic of Hallad in Haven poses problems. Another issue is Concordat institutional reform, which is necessary to make the treaty more efficient. Presuming that these roadblocks can be overcome, it will be interesting to see how the Foreign Policy game unfolds

~Jan Roodborst is a political scientist at the University of Amsterdam.

Taken from the Foreign Affairs page of Trouw, a centrist Knootian newspaper:

http://kfox.gamehorizons.net/Ell_PM_15Oct.jpg
Pacitalian Prime Minister resigns

TIMIOCATO – Pacitalian Prime Minister Timothy Ell today announced that he would retire voluntarily as Prime Minister and leave Pacitalian politics. Dr. Copilul-Minune is set to be appointed as interim Prime Minister with the job of leading the country to early elections. Foreign and domestic leaders praised Ells leadership, but his resignation may spark a new and uncertain period in Pacitalian politics.

Timothy Ell was elected thrice as Prime Minister of Pacitalia, and he holds numerous prestigious foreign titles. He is credited with successful market reform of the Pacitalian economy and his nation’s emergency as a significant power in the world. In addition, he guided the power through two wars, turning the ambitious Prime Minister who was just 28 years young when he was swept to power into something of a father figure.

In a radio interview, Prime Minister Jan Willem Daatman praised Ell’s “years of great leadership, and the clarity of vision to deepen the economic and diplomatic ties with Knootoss.”, continuing that he would be missed and expressing hope that he would “have a great life outside of Pacitalian politics.” Daatman also expressed confidence that Knootian-Pacitalian relations would continue to be warm with Ell’s successor government. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence Femke Vologdov sent out a congratulatory telegram praising Ell and wishing him well. She also announced that Ell would be bestowed with the title of Knight in the Order of the Guinea Pig. Honorary membership of the Order of the Guinea Pig is Knootoss’ most prestigious civilian award.

Investors weren’t as optimistic, however, and concerns about the medium-term political stability of the Capitalist Republic depressed trading in Pacitalian stock and futures, driving down prices by an average of 2.4 percent.

The following editorial was published in De Volkskrant, a left-wing Knootian newspaper.
Of course, I can’t speak for the rest of the alliance on their individual interpretations of what degree Knootoss needs to be defended, but I will note that the Elenaran has stated to me that he would aim to protect the people of Knootoss, regardless of their leadership, interpret the treaty in the spirit in which it was intended, and use whatever degree of resources is both possible and necessary should Knootoss come under attack.

The policy of the government is and always has been to defend its allies wherever necessary. We understand that there has been concern in Knootoss over the VERITAS reaction to the so-called ‘Excalbian Isles incident.’ We will note that the treaty’s obligations and more importantly, moral obligations do not call upon us to protect Knootians engaged in active pursuit of solely Knootian foreign policy.

Knootoss is a sovereign nation, and we have no intention of removing that sovereignty. With that respect and independence must come a modicum of responsibility. While we would certainly help Knootoss in the event of its civilians being attacked, or even its military being attacked, we must reiterate, it seems, that we are not responsible for enforcing Knootian blockades and other such acts.

The pending decision to join the surprisingly federalist Concordat is one that has attracted little interest from this government in the past, but as the issue has been raised, we will note that while it seems unlikely that the speculative anti-elf motives are true, we will note that thus far into the Daatman administration, no effort appears to have been made to progress or solidify the bonds forged by the Galadriël administration.

While far from harmful, this lapse in policy disappoints and saddens us, and we can only conclude that it lends weight to the apparent speculation of certain RCPK and KEP members. The Necrontyr would happily discuss the matter of this proposed shift in Knootian Foreign Policy, if we were actually consulted on the matter.

- Elash Mîraglariel, Adjutant of the Elenaran

From Trouw, a centrist newspaper:

Liberal MP receives death threat

THE HAGUE – Social Liberal Party MP Pim Geluk has received an anonymous death threat from Taraskovyan extremists, an SLP spokesman confirmed. During anti-Knootian protests called up by the far-right nationalist ‘White Legion’, a photo of Geluk was stuck on a pillar of the fence surrounding the Knootian Embassy, barred with a black Orthodox-Christian cross and signed ‘BL.’ It is not clear if the threat is serious, but police have confirmed that additional security measures will be taken to protect the safety of the Knootian Member of Parliament and his family.

The Vigvar Daily reported that extremists feel that Geluk insulted Christianity in general by taking the Catholic nation of Syskeyia as an example of Christianity-at-its-worst, without striking a difference between Catholicism and Orthodoxy. By mouth of the SLP spokesman, Geluk confirmed that he does not intend to stop speaking out against “The abominations of Christianity, or any other creed which justifies aggression against fellow sentient beings in the name of that creed” and that he considers this a matter of freedom of speech. Some in the SLP leadership are said to be unhappy with recent radical statements by their Member of Parliament, although all leaders questioned emphasised that they support the right of Geluk to speak out.

From the blatantly right-wing newspaper De Telegraaf

Vologdov: Consult on Concordat

THE HAGUE – Green Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence Femke Vologdov is in favour of consultations with VERITAS allies on Foreign Policy, according to an interview in NRC Handelsblad yesterday. Her statement was made in response to comments published by Elash Mîraglariel, the Adjutant of the Elenaran (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9908173&postcount=65) on the political debate about joining the Concordat.

"We must be willing to consult with our allies on Knootian foreign policy, especially when critics are casting doubt on proposed changes", Vologdov emphasised. She expressed hope that such consultations would remove uncertainties and lead to improved mutual understanding and a commitment to solidify existing ties. She hinted at discussions which may be opened with the C'tan Empire and other VERITAS allies on the subject matter.

The Conservative opposition has decried the concession as yet more proof that Knootian allies do not support the proposed alliance, expressing joy about the decision whilst emphasising that Vologdov is caving in to international pressure. "This is a weak, erratic foreign minister", Hugo Deburghraeve (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Hugo_Deburghraeve) told the Telegraaf, "she ignores the voices of concerned Knootians who oppose her radical policies but when a Necontyr asks her to jump, her response is to ask how high." The Conservatives and the Knootian Elvish party oppose joining the Concordat.

OOC: Ctan, maybe you could post any response in the 'justice and liberty' thread? I try to keep this thread newspaper-articles only. Thanks!

From a bar of small defence-related articles in Trouw

Government rejects Allanean arms deal
THE HAGUE – Knootoss will not be buying Allanean weaponry. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence Femke Vologdov rejected in firm terms the offer of the XM-456 “Tulp” 82mm mortar mady by Allanean Arms. She restated that the Dutch Democratic Republic does not recognise Allanea, and that buying Allanean arms would therefore be inconsistent with Knootian foreign policy.

Another Committee on Strike Fighter
THE HAGUE – the Defence dept. announced today it would form yet another study group to look into the acquisition of a new Knootian strike fighter. Two new offers have come on the table, the Vaadian Hecate AFA-99B and the GLI-76 Falcon VTOL Multi-Role Fighter from the Macabees. The Hectate has been in full production for nearly twenty years, and experts fear that the aircraft may lag behind in performance compared to newer craft, arguing against a ‘second-hand buy which isn’t even cheap’, referring to the €226 million price tag. The Falcon comes in at €48 million, but has a significantly shorter range. The strike fighter acquisition is now dragging out to be one of the slowest decision-making processes in Knootian Defence history. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defence has apologised for the delays, but emphasised that it was facing ‘very difficult choices that merit closer considerations’

Reported as a Minor Article; from the " Anatoba City, Daily " ...

Hiroshima Asked to Comment on Knootian / Concordat Interests

It's no secret that Austarian-Knootian relations have been strained in recent times, particularly over the continuing crisis with regards to the Excalbian Isles and the Atlantic Ocean Blockade; which had only seen some form of progress in the recent weeks and days. Trade is down, Foriegn Relations are down, and several of the Union's more popular Social and Political Commentators have spoken on the issue--what lies in store for the future relations with Knootoss? This question, not too many know. But when approached at a General Press Conference on the matter, Foriegn Directorate Mika Hiroshima had the following to comment.

"Frankly," she said with openness. "Im not too surprised that this has happened over its due course. Its only natural that there would be some... bad aftershocks from the Galadriel Administration; of which you all know already that this government has been relatively critical of."

"Still, I would like to refrain from critisizing the newer and more recent Prime Minister Jan Willem Daatman. He appears to me as an idealist, with several of his ideas I could consider great and beneficial," Mika smiled warmly to the press. "And whether he delivers or not is just a test of time."

She gave her final answer with clarity. "At this time the Federated Autocratic States have not consolidated a formal opinion on Knootoss' consideration of the Concordat. On one hand we are indeed quite supportive of that organization in many of their ventures, and are even allied with a couple of their members." She shrugged. "My concern rests with the actions of the government(s) of Knootoss, whereby they have a historical "habit" of leaving when the going gets tough. I emplore them to take with caution their decision on the Concordat. There are benefits, of course, but there are also the few negative concequences they might want to consider; not a threat from me by any means." Her face turned back to that familiar smile. "But in whatever they do, this government will be trying to keep an open mind. We have enjoyed good Knootian relations in the past, and it would be a shame if they were to abandon that for the sake of a few disagreements."

When queried on what she would be doing to help repair damaged relations between the Austar Union and Knootoss, Lady-Director Mika Hiroshima declined to comment.

BIAS WARNING: The following article is from the left-wing Volkskrant which is often more critical of Knootian policies in Colombia. Relevant happenings take place in this thread. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=453977)

Colombian elections set to reaffirm ruling coalition

BOGOTÁ – elections are coming up, but Colombians don’t seem to be getting into an election mood. There are election posters here and there in the Colombian capital, Bogotá, but turnout is expected to be very low for the interim elections called for the Volkraad of the Knootian-administered part of Colombia. The election in Knootian Colombia is to coincide with the first election for a parliament of Chimaean Colombia.

The two-party coalition favouring a continued Knootian presence is set to book small gains over the sceptical opposition and Ralf Metusen, the special envoy to Knootiaans Colombia and the de facto administrator has expressed full confidence that the elections would not be interrupted by insurgent violence. Some troops that had been appointed by the previous administration to serve in Tanah Burung have been reassigned on election duty in Colombia.

On the Chimaean side, things prove to be a little more interesting. The elections will establish a Parliament, with a Prime Minister as head of government and the Chimaean Governor as chief of state. The Chimaean-picked Administrator of Chimaean Colombia is the most feasible candidate for the position of Prime Minister, and the election is not expected to cause a significant shift away from dependency on the Commonwealth.

However it is turnout numbers, not polls, which reveal the sad story behind these Volksraad elections. Only 29% of Knootian Colombians plans to go out and vote, a number which is brought down by the unwillingness of people in rural areas to go out and vote. Another problem is the exclusion of many prominent candidates which the administration has qualified as ‘undemocratic’. Parties and persons which have advocated any sort of violence against the Knootian administration have been systematically excluded from participating. It is not yet known to which extent the Chimaean government will take similar measures (as the insurgency has been weaker in Chimaean parts) but the ruling Liberal Democrats, like the Knootian government, have categorically rejected to accept a political dialogue with violent groups, choosing instead to co-opt parties that are willing to talk.

This article uses RL times for the surveys (November 8 and 26). This is not an endorsement of RL times. The Daatman administration has been in power for under a year when this article is published in the left-wing Volkskrant.

As the Volkskrant is the equivalent of the British Grauniad, I apologise for the poor grammar. >_<

NSUN: Knootoss closes Rich-Poor Divide

THE HAGUE – Knootoss is ranked 48,571st in the world for Greatest Rich-Poor Divides, according to the latest report of the United Nations released on November 26. This figure is a sizeable improvement (of 14,030 positions) over a similar report released on November 8 which placed Knootoss 34,541st. Nations high on this list have large gaps between the incomes of rich and poor citizens. Nations low on the list have high levels of income equality. The Dutch Democratic Republic now scores a ranking of 42,5%; a slightly below-average level of income equality compared to the world at large.

Beacon of Light?
State-Secretary of Economic Development & Labour relations Renske Stoutenburgh (KGP) proudly presented the results of the NSUN survey to the press as an example of the success of economic policies of the Daatman administration. "This is a government of ideals", she told the press, "this report shows that we are successfully promoting economic growth and social equality. It proves that the Daatman and Green policies of ‘incremental idealism’ – taking small steps to put government and economy at the service of the people – are working. It confirms that we are going in the right direction."

The Liberal/Green coalition has succeeded in breaking a historic trend that began during the final years of the administration of Lousewies van der Laan, when the Rich-Poor Divide started to grow from the middle position Knootoss occupied to match the high levels of income inequality experienced in many of its laissez-faire capitalist trading partners. Under the government of Galadriël Táralóm nos Círdan, income inequality rose to 20k rankings in UN surveys. The Daatman administration has reversed this trend in under a year.

The True Handies?
Most striking is the difference with close ally Pacitalia, which is ranked 2,231st, but the Knootian trend is also different from the laissez-faire economies in the VERITAS pact such as New York and Jersey (5,235th) Menelmacar (5,236th) Lavenrunz (6,409th) and Taurenor (7,600th) as well as the friendly Grand Duchy of Tarasovka (13,770th). Indeed, the Knootian Rich-Poor Divide now closely matches that of Tanah Burung (which is ranked ranked 51,061st) and it is closing in on social market economies such as the Resurgent Dream (62,169th) and even surpassing Alcona and Hubris (33,823rd)

"Reports that this government is controlled by the Order of the Invisible Hand have been greatly exaggerated", Stoutenburgh reported ironically, "and those nations who have accused our country of neoliberalism should take note – and point their finger at countries more deserving of such political-economic name-calling."

Macro-economic indicators
A marginal increase in inflation aside, the indicators of the Knootian economy are mostly stable or improving. International comparative surveys put the GDP Per Capita at $46,468.07 and the structural unemployment rate at a steady 2.66%, although more expansive definitions peg the unemployment rate at 5.42% - up .3%. New trade deals and expanded KIST markets have increased exports, which has had a beneficial effect on the nation’s sizeable trade deficit.

Some economists claim to have detected the preliminary indicators for a declining increase in competitiveness in non-core sectors such as car manufacturing. Knootoss is still holding top positions in competitiveness for most industries, but some other countries are catching up and growing faster, and the economic leap of the first five years of the Galadriël administration appear to have passed away. When confronted with these claims, Stoutenburgh told the press that Knootoss is now amongst the most developed nations in this world, and only marginal gains can be expected in what she termed ‘the edge of the envelope’.

Colonial Criticism
Despite these promising figures the government has come under attack from the Socialist Party. The SP pointed out in a public response that even the Knootian protectorate of Ale-Yarok (“the darling poster child of colonialism”) is ranked 8,762nd in the world for Greatest Rich-Poor Divides. The United Nations was unable to gather data for Knootian Colombia, but poverty in the Knootian zone is known to be even worse. Other formerly Knootian colonies such as Guffingford (7,643rd) are also scoring poorly. In response to these criticisms the State-Secretariat of Foreign Economic Policy has been asked to research whether poverty is being exported to the periphery of the Knootian Federation.

Most striking is the difference with close ally Pacitalia, which is ranked 2,231st, but the Knootian trend is also different from the laissez-faire economies in the VERITAS pact such as New York and Jersey (5,235th) Menelmacar (5,236th) Lavenrunz (6,409th) and Taurenor (7,600th) as well as the friendly Grand Duchy of Tarasovka (13,770th). Indeed, the Knootian Rich-Poor Divide now closely matches that of Tanah Burung (which is ranked ranked 51,061st) and it is closing in on social market economies such as the Resurgent Dream (62,169th) and even surpassing Alcona and Hubris (33,823rd).

Meh, Syskeyia beats them all, ranking 100,711 out of 114,036 for Greatest Rich-Poor Divides. Yay equity and Catholic social teaching! ;)

OOC: How about some "yay, replying to my foreign ministers letter", too? And this is an IC newsthread.

From: the classical liberal daily NRC-Handelsblad


Davinci lashes out at Guffingfordi left

THE HAGUE – State-Secretary of Foreign Economic Policy David Davinci (SLP) used the Third National Congress On Trans-Pacific Economic Cooperation today to issue a firm condemnation of suggestions by left-wing Guffingfordi parties to introduce of protectionist measures and strive for a reduction of trade with KIST generally and Knootoss specifically.

"The pundits of the Guffingfordian Socialist Party and the Left Alliance Workers are hurting the Guffingfordi workers with their proposals", he told a collection of Knootian businessmen and entrepreneurs. "Knootian-Guffingfordi trade has historically benefited both nations greatly, and our nations share deep and historic ties." According to the F.E.P. Knootian trade contributes to 14,3 percent of Guffingfordi economic growth yearly, especially in providing a relatively stable market for cheap manufactured goods, gold and industrial-grade diamonds.

He dismissed charges that union activity was becoming more difficult as a result of Knootian trade. "It is really time that these unions and their political allies shape up stop blaming everything that happens there on our country. I think they should rather help to tackle some of the crippling problems their country faces. Guffingfords has massive corruption and lawlessness. Get your house in order before you blame one of the few big importers of Guffingfordi products for your problems. This is scapegoating by parliamentarians who have failed to make a difference for their own people [...] and which now seek to blame a foreign entity."

Davinci restated calls by F.E.P. secretariat for Guffingford to liberalise its mining industry ‘at its own pace’ to increase its efficiency. He also claimed to have full confidence in the ability of President Watermont to take the necessary steps to restore consumer confidence and contribute to reversing a ‘natural and temporary downward trend in the economic cycle.’

The statements come at a controversial time, when both Hell Oil and Pink Bunny Cola Incorporated are considering whether to establish production facilities in the former Knootian colony. If the political climate in Guffingford turns against the DDR it could put these mayor investments at risk. Hell Oil is still awaiting permission to begin offshore test drilling along the Guffingfordi coast. Political relations with the Authoritarian Democracy have been mixed ever since Guffingfordi indpendence in from Knootoss in 1902.

From Trouw, a centrist newspaper:

Pacitalia: CLP debates abound with UN findings

PSC and Greens attack government for 'not viewing the rich-poor problem seriously', FPD and PdT counter with criticisms of Knootian counterparts in Saturday parliamentary session

Manti Soratina-Murana
TIMIOCATO

The Green Party used their power as Official Opposition to call a Saturday session in Pacitalia's lower legislative chamber, the Caza della Legislatorio Parlemento. The session was called over the recent release of United Nations findings that puts Pacitalia at 2,231st in the world for "Greatest Rich/Poor Divides". In comparison, the report put fellow capitalist democracy Knootoss midpoint in the list, a 14'030-spot drop from a similar report earlier this month.

A negative response to such a high result was expected from Pacitalia's leftist opposition. Pacitalian Social Coalition leader Fernando Chiovitti, already doing campaign posturing for the upcoming 30th January election, called on Prime Minister Timothy Ell and his Progressive Democrat government to "do more" about the apparent social crisis in Pacitalia.

"This government is doing absolutely nothing to prevent poverty among the poor in Pacitalia!" Chiovitti shouted over the cat-calls of the FPD government during Question Period. "There is a serious problem here, and it is being ignored by the FPD government. They need to step up to the plate and set the wheels in motion to fix this issue."

Prime Minister Ell was quick to respond. "Mr. Speaker, clearly the venerable Leader of the Opposition has his facts misconstrued. There are, in a nation of three billion plus residents, less than one percent making less than the official designated poverty line. And this government is helping all of them! Once again, Mr Chiovitti is fighting with reality - society will never be perfect according to his ideals. A government can only do so much, and we're doing as much as we can."

The official poverty line in Pacitalia is set at Đ14'389,45 (US$28,778.90), a rather high number for any nation. However, Pacitalia's inflation rate has been above-average ever since the end of the 1980s, and it is just starting to settle now. When that happens, the poverty-line figure is expected to drop to a more reasonable number. Still, only 3.38 million Pacitalians qualify as being under the poverty line, and nearly 95% of them are getting direct government assistance (DGA), according to very recent Pacitalian Health & Welfare Ministry statistics. The Greens capitalised on that, however.

"Where do the other 5% fit in?" Opposition leader Neros Constantakis added in Question Period. "They're just as much Pacitalians as the other 95% and they're not getting anything out of the deal."

Pacitalian Agustinate of Health and Welfare Gisele Rodriguez pointed out to the media after Question Period that the remaining five percent of Pacitalians that are under the poverty line and do not receive DGA are extremely close to the poverty line and thusly "do not qualify for assistance. We do, however, offer assistance in the form of advice and social work to help them complete that last step and get above the poverty line."

Partia di Traditionale leader Marco Quirinamo attacked the PSC and Greens for being "weak-spined". "This crowd of UN apologists on the left," he said, "should be paid no service or attention. The fact remains that these results are most obviously skewed in favour of leftist nations the UN only exists to serve. We all know very well that the UN has got it in for nations like ours, and we should disregard these results all together. Instead of complaining about these results, isn't it funny that leftist parties are not coming up with solutions to help fix the problem?"

The debate continues as the Timothy Ell administration winds down and the nation heads into elections. Still, the issue of rich/poor divides may become a hot-button issue in the Democratic Capitalist Republic, especially during a bitterly fought January election campaign. Six parties are considered seat-contenders, including the new Non-Partisan Association. It is widely expected the FPD will return to power in that election.

The article below is from Trouw, a centrist Knootian newspaper.

Gov't prepares for Anticapitalist Internet Block, other restrictions

THE HAGUE – the Staten-Generaal will be meeting in an emergency session this afternoon as Education & Science Minister Hoogland (KGP) submitted an emergency act to prevent or limit copyright and patent infringement as a result of the upcoming repeal of the UCPL resolution. The government has proposed a package of measures designed to limit the spread of Knootian intellectual property to nations likely to abuse it. The package bill introduces a host of measures including travel restrictions for scientists and a complete block of all internet access for servers located in nations refusing to recognise Knootian patents and intellectual property and posing a serious threat of 'active redistribution'.

"Radical changes require a radical response", Hoogland argued before the press, "nations that agree to respect Knootoss’ intellectual property rights will naturally be exempt from the communications block. This is primarily intended to prevent so-called anti-capitalist ‘hacker nations’ from stealing and redistributing our copyright because of their warped ideology. These nations are often in the United Nations, and the resolution that is now being repealed protected us from them." The minister suspects that the bill will only apply to nations that are already being shunned, seeing as the majority of U.N. nations is likely to recognise foreign intellectual property and patents in some way.

The bill being debated this afternoon also calls for a Bureau of International Intellectual Property (BIIE in Dutch) with powers to combat anti-capitalist infringements online and abroad. Whilst not specifying anything at the moment, it has been suggested that this bureau could be tasked with designing and spreading viruses that seek out and destroy unauthorised content online. Hoogland refused to admit that such a programme was even on the table. "We would never stoop to such tactics", she told the press, "We do not hack."

Across the board, parties have voiced a complete lack of understanding that other free market states support this repeal. "Thanks a lot, Gruenberg", an RCPK spokeswoman sarcastically told this paper. "I really cannot understand why a right-thinking nation would want want to strike such a big blow for the anticapitalist cause. It is just unbelievably stupid. The UCPL resolution was fairly broad, but at least it set clear guidelines to prevent abuse.” The liberal SLP was likewise concerned: "I have no idea why other nations are not worried – they should be", their international trade MP told Trouw, "at least we will not risk losing our competitive advantage to these people if the UN chooses to be naïve again." No party has expressly indicated that they support the bill, given possible implications with regards to sentient rights.

From: the liberal NRC Handelsblad

Global Hell confirms test drills off Guffingfordi coast

HOOGENBOSCH - Global Hell Group is starting a series of test drills off the coast of Guffingford this month, the Knootian-based multinational confirmed in a press release. A series of test platforms will be set up off the coast of the Freestate of Oos Seeland to gauge the possibility of offshore oil reserves in the authoritarian democracy.

"We’re optimistic to find reserves of a significant size", a spokesman told NRC Handelsblad, "all the signs are there, so we are very glad to get this opportunity to unlock what could turn out to be be a very sizable deposit of crude oil." Investors appear to share the corporations optimism, and stocks rose a satisfying 3.6 percent in significant trading over the day.

The drilling marks the material end of a recent political row ( http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9998702&postcount=74) on economic policy as a Guffingford cabinet minister spoke out against Knootian trade. The issue was smoothed over by Mr. Maximillian Kalba of the ruling Eigen Volksparty, who presented an official apology to the Knootian government. David Davinci, the state-secretary of Foreign Economic Policy has already accepted the apology, reassuring Guffingford that Knootoss would continue to cooperate with the Guffingfordi administration in its push for domestic reform and economic development.

Sentient Rights groups and Amnesty International staged protests at the Binnenhof and at the Global Hell Corporate Headquarters, objecting to human rights violations and a lack of democracy in the former Knootian colony. According to 'Knootians for Liberty', "oil money is blood money", but their protests do not appear likely to be heeded any time soon.

From the left-wing Volkskrant

Back to Tanah Burung
Part two of the series by Lydia van Dijck.

RUMBIPURA – I was wearing an Aclonan attire as I mixed into the partying mood in the newly built capital of Tanah Burung. The mood was joyous, and the people open and welcoming as always. But the Tanah Burung of today feels somehow different from the country I’ve always known and loved ever since I visited for the first time as a young girl of seventeen, exploring the world. Perhaps it is I who has changed, or perhaps the circumstances are simply different now that Galadriëls cold breath has extended over this land. There is a sort of false pretence, a dishonesty, about ‘posing’ as a non-Knootian, even if I’m used to speaking in Tetemelayu (which, to be honest, really isn’t nearly as good as some of the people say it is in their compliments) For a moment I, too, could forget what has changed and celebrate and drink banana wine.

The next morning, I brought a visit to Ukun Rasikan. The city has been fixed up, very pretty now, but some of the places still remind me of those television images – that ghastly bombed city filled with smoke and fire. The dust of shattered lives. The black charred spots have been removed in most places, and the memory fades until the moment that I find myself at the ruins of the former Knootian embassy. The embassy exploded mysteriously on the first day of Galadriëls war in circumstances that have never been cleared up but which anyone can guess after. The locals certainly have no doubts about what happened, and standing here makes my pretend identity rather untenable. To talk about Knootoss is the surest way to destroy this festive mood which the country is in right now, and one finds oneself on the defensive. I can tell them, honestly, that I marched against Galadriëls war – but it does not make my conscious entirely clean.

I think that it is not just how we deal with the war, but how we deal with the memory of war. Knootoss never really dealt with the colonial trauma, and ‘Tempo Doeloe’ only renewed this experience. Being here, it feels like Galadriël has put us back over half a decade in developing relations.

But all its talk about reconciliation, there is nothing the Daatman administration has done to show the Burungi a different face. Femke Vologdov campaigned so fiercely on the issue of withdrawing from Tanah Burung when she was in the opposition, but as foreign minister we have heard very little from her about this issue. Perhaps some old wounds need time to heal, but they should never be left untended.

From KNN radio:

"In Financial news, Global Hell announced that it would postpone the investment in Guffingfordi offshore oil fields until military tensions between that nation and Zarbia have died down. Foreign Minister Vologdov announced that the Knootian government was ‘sympathetically neutral’ towards Guffingford and the Macabees, offering the people of Guffingford the aid of the motherland in resolving the conflict. Vologdov condemned the Zarbian military junta for what she called was an act of unprovoked aggression towards the former Knootian colony."

This article was printed in the left-wing Knootian newspaper De Volkskrant.

UN Strikes Blow Against Gay Rights; Abortion Rights Next

THE HAGUE – a repeal of UN resolution #12 on Gay Rights is set to be approved by a large majority of the General Assembly today, striking the first ever socially progressive resolution from the record. The original resolution resolved that UN members should pass laws protecting people from discrimination in all parts of life and mandated the protection and endorsement of gay marriages. At the time of this going to press, delegates have cast 7.607 votes in favour of the repeal, with 4.843 votes - including the vote of the Dutch Democratic Republic - cast against.

Critics of the resolution argued that the resolution did not do anything to protect anything, endorsing the repeal because the United Nations should not have ‘statements of intent’ on the books. Opponents of the repeal argued that the resolution enshrines the values of the UN as pro-civil rights rights, and called the repeal a bad signal. The repeal has been hailed as a step forward by homophobic and fascist groups. Several nations have expressed the desire to illegalise gay marriage because of the ‘signal’ the UN has given with this vote, however other resolutions protecting gay marriage still remain. Scholars remain divided on the effect this repeal will have on anti-discrimination legislation. UN experts have deemed the resolution to be irreplaceable because of perceived overlap.

The two government coalition partners SLP (liberal) and KGP (green) as well as the opposition Socialist Party opposed the repeal. The conservative opposition (RCPK and KEP) was in favour, stressing that their parties supported gay rights but believed that the resolution did not add anything.

Another resolution now in queue for is set to remove pro-choice international legislation by repealing the resolution 'abortion rights'. This resolution is clearly conservative in origin, claiming that giving member states the power to ban abortions as they please is "pro-choice". All Knootian political parties have already voiced their strong opposition to this repeal.

This wave of conservative repeals in the UN General Assembly comes at a highly inopportune moment for the Daatman administration. Foreign Affairs and Defence minister Femke Vologdov (Green) has been negotiating with the Staten-Generaal on possible re-entry into the United Nations after the Law of the Seas resolution was repealed, but the going so far has been tough as a majority of liberal MPs strongly opposes re-entry without more repeals. Recent days have seen support for United Nations re-entry erode rapidly, especially amongst the left and centre of the Knootian electorate. Only 26 percent of Knootians supports re-entry into the United Nations with 48 percent firmly opposed. A poll taken just after Law of the Seas was repealed suggested that 39 percent of Knootians supported re-entry.

In order to respond to the changing climate in the United Nations, Femke Vologdov announced that she would soon be appointing a new deputy ambassador with the objective of ‘helping to turn the conservative tide’. Existing UN ambassador Aram Koopman was not available for comment.

From the centrist daily Trouw ('Loyality')

Knootoss ratifies Treaty of Courtland

THE HAGUE – the Treaty of Courtland, which settles relations between several nations with holdings in the North Atlantic Ocean, was ratified today by the Staten-Generaal. The treaty entails diplomatic cooperation, trade and conflict resolution between the nations of the Excalbian Isles, Knootoss, Pantocratoria and The Resurgent Dream.

The ratification came down to a flat vote between the left and the right. Government coalition parties Social-Liberal Party and Knootian Green Party as well as the socialist SP voted in favour of the treaty, which was negotiated by Prime Minister Jan Willem Daatman (SLP) and Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister Femke Vologdov (KGP). The treaty was opposed by the conservative RCPK and their junior partner, the Elvish interest party KEP.

In the parliamentary debate prior to ratification, which was characterised by observers as dull and predictable, there were complaints by the right opposition that the treaty would tie down Knootian interests far too much without reigning in on "Pantocratorian aggression". In her lengthy exchange with opposition leader Hugo Deburghraeve, the foreign minister defended the treaty as central to the government policy of “restoring trust of the international community” in Knootoss after the controversial policies of former Prime Minister Galadriel Táralóm nos Círdan.

Opinion polls suggest that the population is largely apathetic to ratification of the treaty, which settled the heated conflict around the Excalbian isles several years ago. When asked, 43% of the Knootian population answered to be “somewhat to very much” in favour of the treaty, whereas 19% of the population was “somewhat to very much” opposed. The remainder expressed no opinion.