NationStates Jolt Archive

KaTo: Recent News

Karmanyaka goes tough on accordion players
A sizeable crowd gathered this morning outside Council Hall, Katla, cheering and throwing flowers as the Council of Knights passed a law prohibiting street musicians. Effective immediately, the law states that anyone found playing music in public without a special permit may be sentenced to prison for up to four years. Any musical instruments will be confiscated for immediate destruction.

Recent violent crimes directed against accordion players in streets and train stations across Karmanyaka motioned the Council to legislate against music and entertainment in the public. "This is not only to save people from the horrible noise of the accordion, but also to protect the musicians from those who cannot stand that noise." said Minister of Culture, Gregor Le Charge in a public statement. During the day, the police has combed the streets of Katla for perpetrators, collecting a huge ammount of musical instruments. Police spokesman Jacques Larson expects a huge attendance to the public bonfire in Battle Day Square tomorrow night. Citizens are encouraged to bring their own accordions, harmonicas, violins, xylophones and bagpipes to the bonfire. "Even guitars, saxophones and trumpets will do, only they don't burn as nicely." says Larson.

Stay tuned for more news from Karmanyaka - the Land of the Klatchian Flame!

KaTo: Recent News

National Strength, Not International Weakness
The Supreme Prodirector Christoffer Niels said in a speech yesterday that Karmanyaka should arm itself instead of wasting resources on international cooperation. "The goal of our politics should be national strength, not international weakness" he said to an audience of enthusiasticly applauding military dignitaries attending the demonstration of a new missile defence system. "The 'Smaug' Coastal Defence Missile System will strengthen the already powerful Karmanyakan defence and help protect our coasts from foreign aggression" Niels added. KaTo was unable to get any comments from Council officials or the Lord Tengil. This speech and other recent remarks from high ranking militaries and conservative politicians have fuelled speculations about an emerging conspiracy to remove the new Lord Tengil, reformist Johan Kader. Commander Sergeij Lukas of the Carabineer Police (KCP) says there is no evidence of any such conspiracy, but that the KCP works hard to ensure the safety of all citizens, including the Lord Tengil.


Three Dead in Mining Accident
Despite a high degree of automation the mines of South Orva claimed three victims in an accident this morning. The three technicians were repairing an elevator in one of the shafts when it suddenly plunged down several hundred metres. Union representatives now demand a review of safety procedures in Karmanyaka's mines. The cause of the accident has not yet been determined, but Sectura Mining and the National Accident Investigation Board are working hard to solve the mystery. Meanwhile, all elevators of this type have been taken out of service. Sectura officials says they share the grief of the technicians' families but that the accident will not affect the production.

Stay tuned for more news from Karmanyaka - the Land of the Klatchian Flame!

KaTo: Recent News

Ilek-Vaad Establishes Foreign Guard in Karmanyaka

The Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad recently decided to place a large Foreign Guard force in the old military base at Fort Fyalar, in southern Karmanyaka. Authorities and business leaders welcome the Vaadians and predict a large imporvement in Karmanyakan industry and employment numbers as a direct result of the Foreign Guard program. The Vaadian Foreign Guard will create an estimate of several hundred thousand more work opportunities both in the area around the city of Sleyfalls and in other parts of the country. The contracting of the modernization of Fort Fyalar alone is estimated to be worth hundreds of billions of Kronors.

The Foreign Guard program is only one of a number of steps taken to bring the Dominion and the Free Republic closer to each other. Not long ago the establishing of an open common border between the two neighbors was celebrated by millions of Karmanyakans and Vaadians alike.

Stay tuned for more news from Karmanyaka - the Land of the Klatchian Flame!

KaTo: Recent News

Coup d'État in the Dominion of Karmanyaka

Not much is known at the moment, but it appears there has been a coup d'état in Karmanyaka. Only hours ago armed forces seized control of government buildings, TV and radio stations, and other important facilities in the whole Dominion. Reports say that some one hundred people were killed by military on Battle Day Square, Katla, as tanks and infantry tried to clear the square of the protestors. Reports of firefights between the army and forces loyal to the government have come from all over the country. All foreign citizens have been placed under surveillance, including the Vaadian military delegation in Fort Fyalar.
More details will follow shortly.

Karmanyaka Today – independent news from the Land of the Klatchian Flame

OOC: It is not clear how the Karmanyaka Today News Service can remain free from military influence despite the harsh attempts at controlling the news flow in and out of the country. Possibly it has to do with advanced satellite technology. See thread here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=434414).

KaTo: Recent News

Minister of Foreign Affairs Flee Coup in Karmanyaka

It is reported that sir Henry Pommer, Minister of Foreign Affairs and a close friend and ally of Lord Tengil Johan Kader, managed to flee the country following the military coup early this morning. Sir Henry was returning to Katla after a short vacation in northern Karmanyaka as he got news of the coup and ordered the airplane he was travelling in to turn for Ilek-Vaad.
More details will follow shortly.

Karmanyaka Today – independent news from the Land of the Klatchian Flame

KaTo: Recent News

Coup Leaders Makes Statement to FKC
The Members of FKC today received the first statement from the leaders of the military coup in Karmanyaka yesterday. The statement proclaims that power in Karmanyaka by order of the Council of Knights have been given to the Commander in chief, Field Marshal Nicholas Grune. Sources however inform KaTo that only a small number of Knights took part in the vote that empowered Field Marshal Grune with ruling the Dominion. It is still obvious that the international community cannot recognize the junta now ruling Karmanyaka as a legitimate government. There are as of now no clear indications that Grune will pull Karmanyaka out of the FKC, even though many find such a decision possible.
Stay tuned to KaTo for more details!

Karmanyaka Today – independent news from the Land of the Klatchian Flame

KaTo: Recent News

Karmanyakan delegation sent to Wingarde

Vice Minister of Foreign Affiars sir Daniel Veder today landed in the Democratic States of Wingarde with a diplomatic delegation. The aim of the visit is to establish an embassy and cultivate a business relation between the two countries.

Veder says Wingarde is showing potential to become an important actor in the international arena, both politically and economically. In the wake of the civil war, Karmanyaka is in desperate need of foreign investments to rebuild the national economy. While the Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad has been very generous with financial aid and investments, the government feels that the risk of becoming unhealthily dependent on Ilek-Vaad in the future is a problem.

The Lord Tengil also expressed the importance of political contact with other progressive democracies such as Wingarde and Tanah Burung.

Focus on finance in elections

The upcoming elections for the Council in Karmanyaka has put focus on the need for improving the country's finances. Despite promises from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to spend more money on industry and cutting taxes the Dominion Party (DP) is expected to win a landslide victory. Recent polls show that as many as 54 percent would vote for the DP, if today was election day.

Sir Henry Pommer, current Minister of Foreign Affairs and a hero from the crushing of the Gruneist coup, is now chairman of the DP and promises to continue the democratic and financial reforms in order to strengthen Karmanyaka both politically and economically.

Karmanyaka Today – independent news from the Land of the Klatchian Flame

KaTo: Recent News

Polling stations close after Karmanyaka’s first democratic election

The first elections for the Council of the Dominion in Karmanyaka passed without any major surprises. As expected the Dominion Party got most of the votes and the Socialist Party came in second. Here follows a summary:

The Dominion Party (DP) – A conservative party that aims to preserve the unique traditions and values of Karmanyaka, while at the same time adapting to a modern world. According to polls this is by far the largest party with support from around 48 % of the people. Mostly composed of members of the current political elite. Chairman: The popular former Minister of Foreign Affairs, sir Henry Pommer.

The Karmanyakan Socialist Party (KSP) – A social democratic party concerned mainly with social equality, welfare and human rights. Second largest party with about 18% of the votes. Chairman: Respected former welfare advisor and Chancellery official Anton Krupp.

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) – Around 15% of the population supports the LDP, a party that values human rights, civic liberties and political freedom. With its successful TV campaigns, this party has quickly risen as a serious threat to the DP and is expected to steal a lot of DP votes in the next election in four years. Chairman: Pierre Vanderkost, successful entrepreneur and celebrated philantropist.

The Isolationists / Preserve Karmanyaka (I/PK) – This hardcore right-wing party wants Karmanyaka to return to the long isolation that reigned ever since the War of the Green Valleys. The isolationists work for a departing from the Federated Klatchian Coast (FKC) and for a return to a more non-democratic constitution. Around 9% support this party. Leader: The retired general sir Mandrake Bouffin.

The Communist Party of Karmanyaka (CPK) – A classical "euro-communist" party. Radical environmentalists, Feminists, Stalinists and Marxist-Leninists all strife for power in this fragmented movement whose main goals (among many) are the nationalisation of the means of production and the abandoning of the capitalist system. Around 4% of the population voted for the Communists. Chairperson: Dr. Rita Feen, a popular, former TV-show host and university lecturer in gender theory.

The Environmentalists (E) – A party that turns to the environment friendly segments of the population. Mainly concerned about increasing pollution and about promoting ecologically sustainable means of agriculture an industrial production and with an estimated 2% of the votes. Spokesperson: Vidar Spaend

The Lionheart Party (LP) – A political movement whose main goal is the complete and unconditional independence of the two Green Valleys. Little or no support from outside of the Valleys. Support within the Green Valleys: 35%, support in the nation as a whole, including the Valleys: 0,8%. Thanks to the big support in the Valleys, this small party is still an important factor in Karmanyakan politics. Chairperson: Charismatic schoolteacher Sofia White (believed to be the former leader of separatist terrorist organization 'The Lionhearts').

The remaining 3% of the population support a high number of smaller parties and interest groups. According to early statistics the number of voters was very high, probably above 90% of those entitled to vote.

The current Lord Tengil, Johan Kader, has been proclaimed the first Tengil Premier, the new position replacing that of the Lord Tengil. He is appointed for a period of 6 years. The Tengil Premier is the head of state appointed by the Council of the Dominion and the Prime Minister, currently sir Henry Pommer, is the head of the government and leader of the largest party.

Karmanyaka Today – independent news from the Land of the Klatchian Flame

--

The Lord Tengil Johan Kader of the Dominion of Karmanyaka stepped up to the podium and gazed out on the huge crowd that had gathered on Battle Day Square below the stairs of the Tengil Palace. There were people everywhere with banners and flags and signs and whatnot. Camera crews crowded on the stairs and the cheer almost shook the podium as he raised his hands in the air. The spotlights made his huge shadow appear on the façade of the palace.

“Fellow Karmanyakans, tonight we are victorious!”

The cheer made the windows around the square rattle.

“Not just the Dominion Party and our supporters but the whole nation!” he smiled brightly and nodded as the cheer rose again.

“Today we have seen the seed of democracy sprout a green plant in the soil of Karmanyaka. Today we have seen friends and family go vote for the first time ever. Today we have seen the future!”

The cheering continued and was briefly interrupted by short fragments of speech.

--

The sun had started to rise on the horizon when almost all the votes had been counted and a tired sir Henry Pommer could step up onto the podium and proclaim himself victor in the election. With 48 % of the votes, sir Henry’s Dominion Party had beaten all opposition. He now ruled the nation.

“We now enter a new era, a time of democracy where Karmanyaka leaves behind the murky days of aristocracy. Now is the time for us to rule Karmanyaka together and the tool to do this with is democracy. From this day on, our nation is the Democratic Dominion of Karmanyaka.”

The now somewhat smaller and a lot more tired crowd cheered enthusiastically. But things were looking bright for Karmanyaka.