NationStates Jolt Archive

The city smelled faintly of banana wine and construction dust.

Between the two towards of the new government, shimmering a little in the evening sun, a crippled woman shouted out her speech to the people gathered in Rumbipura, new capital of Tanah Burung. Wizened, with the wrinkles and scars of battles in the jungle and on the playing field, Bi Kikere was no longer able to stand. A pair of ex-guerrillas held her frail body up.

"Merdeka! Merdeka saudara-saudari! Pembangunan habis! Funu habis! Ini tempo baru!"

A grin spread across the face of the woman elected as Tanah Burung's first head of government. She punched the air gleefully. "My sisters, my brothers, the time of reconstruction is over. It's a new age, now. A [i]tempo baru,[i] a new time!" She paused to acknowledge the cheers of the people who had come to dwell in Rumpipura, the new capital city located deep within the interior jungles, hacked from the rainforest in a massive national job of reconstruction.

The war was over. That was the time before, now. The Knootians had gone home, handing over to a peacekeeping force from Alcona & Hubris. And Bi Kikere -- football goaltender and manager turned politician turned guerrilla leader -- was now head of a new coalition government. And here was the city she had dreamed of, made reality. She looked up to the towers soaring above her head. Maybe some of the buildings looked as if they were still in their original shrink-wrapping, but the city was there.

"Fello Burungi, we're here to celebrate, not to listen to me make speeches," she said. "The party already started with the football match up in Matebian against our good friends from Ariddia, that was a fine match and a fine day of comradeship. But before the fireworks, let me pass you over to my colleague the minister of foreign affairs." She gave a sour look to the younger man by her side. It was not so long since her KOTA party had been fighting Alvaro Pinto's Cooperative Commonwealth Federation for votes. Now the Catholic-backed CCF was KOTA's partner in the coalition government. So she had to make compromises with Pinto, whose coastal votes were crucial to the government's majority. So be it. But she wouldn't yield the stage without reminding the crowd that she was a woman of the people, and Pinto was not. "My friends, His Excellency Ambassador-Minister Dr. Alvaro Pinto!"

To chants of "Bi! Bi!" she sank into her wheelchair as Pinto began to speak.

"As Madame Bi Kikere has said," Pinto intoned, "our time of reconstruction is over. From occupation, freedom. For every thing a season, and now our season for reconstruction has ended. It is a season today for reconciliation, as we open our doors again to the world. I want to express gratitude to our friends from the Federated Klatchian Coast and the Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad for their aid in rebuilding our country after the ravages of invasion, and also our thanks to our friends in the global Catholic communion for their prayers and support. Not to forget those of other faiths who have helped us to rebuild the United Provinces.

"Today I can announce that Tanah Burung is prepared to restore diplomatic relations with our international friends with whom our relations were disrupted during the time of war and rebuilding. Foreign embassy properties in Ukun Rasikan City are restored unconditionally, and we are prepared to welcome embassies from most countries here in our new capital, Rumbipura, upon application to the foreign ministry. Thank you for your time."

As Pinto finished, music swelled. The city erupted into a party.

http://www.linternaute.com/savoir/grands-chantiers/tours-du-monde/images/guangzhou.jpg
Rumbipura, Government District

To: His Excellency, Dr. Alvaro Pinto, Minister of Foreign Affairs (Tanah Burung)
From: His Grace, Duke Oimikado Ichiro, Minister for Foreign Affairs (Adoki)

Your Excellency,
First I would wish to extend the congratulations of the Adoki people and of His Majesty the Emperor to you and your people on the attainment of your emancipation from Knootian rule. Your heroic struggle has been a shining example to all the peoples of the Earth who still suffer from the remarkable arrogance of a European World confident in its right to tyrannize and rule over the other peoples of the world.

In the spirit of international cooperation, a principle to which this government is sincerely dedicated, and on behalf of His Imperial Majesty, I would wish to request an exchange of ambassadors between our nations. While our nations have had essentially no prior contact, I can think of no more opportune time to establish relations than now, in the wake of your recent reemergence on to the world stage as a sovereign state.
Sincerely,
Oimikado Ichiro

(Oooh! *tag*)

To: Madame Bi Kikere, Dr. Alvaro Pinto, Minister of Foreign Affairs
From: Vrak Diplomatic Corps
Subject: Rebuilding

We are glad to see Tanah Burung finally able to regain their rightful place from under Knootian rule. As Vrak draws breath, our friends in Tanah Burung shall not have that fate befall them ever again.

Self-determination while desirable, is often unattainable. We congratulate Tanah Burung's successful struggle for it proves the character and strength of its people. We sincerely hope that your sovereignty will be respected by others and that any reduction in such is by the choice of the people of Tanah Burung rather than by some colonialist restoration.

The Republic of Rationalist Realms shall at the discretion of the government of Tanah Burung, dispatch an ambassador to assess potential for an establishment of amicable relations and communications, a system of fair exchange in trade and the termination of any potential hostilities between us.

Once again, congratulations.

Senator Alfred Jones
Chairman of the Senatorial Committee on Foriegn Affairs
The Republic of Rationalist Realms

Tanah Burung People's Assembly proceedings, 14th of Pebru, 1300 hours

Enter Bi Kikere, looking slightly hung over. She taps the microphone. Bi Kikere is wearing an association football jersey for the club FC Black-and-Red Army, a woven sarong, and carrying a machete across her lap.

THE SPEAKER: Foho Ramelau, Foho saudara-saudari. I declare question period open. Today's questions are opened by the honourable members from the KOTA party.

MR. JOSE MAUBERE (KOTA party, Matebian province): Eh foho. Can the First Minister confirm reports that the government has agreed to join the Federated Klatchian Coast?

MS. BI KIKERE (head of government, leader of KOTA, Rumbipura DF): In a word, yes. Our neighbours have been most generous during our reconstruction period, and our membership with our Klatchian cousins will guarantee peace and prosperity for our people while preserving our national sovereignty.

MR. ALEX DA SILVA (Socialist Front, Matebian province): You have no right! This Assembly hasn't reached a consensus!

MS. BI KIKERE: Cry me a river. Two-thirds is all it takes, my brother. Two-thirds voted to make the application, and we have made it.

THE SPEAKER: Order, please. Mr. Maubere has the floor.

MR. JOSE MAUBERE: Thank you, Madame Speaker. Has the cabinet agreed on who will be nominated as our Keys in the Klatchian parliament?

MS. BI KIKERE: Again the answer is yes. Our first key will be the Right Honourable Violeta Bibere, leader of the World Federalist party, currently minister for Klatchian affairs. With her is our second key, His Eminence F.X. Mangunvijaya, coordinator of the Tanah Burung Conference of Catholic Bishops, a prominent liberation theologian nominated by the CCF party. It is my great pleasure to report that the KOTA party has nominated as our third key Raden Helena Aitarak, Princess of Ainaro and formerly commander of the Layang platoon of the anti-Knootian resistance forces, Loro Sae province. Helena fought with distinction against the filthy imperialists who were recently expelled from our sacred soil by the people of Tanah Burung. She's also a marine biologist skilled in the care and feeding of sea cows and other large sea mammals.

MR. ALVARO PINTO (foreign minister, leader of the CCF Party, Burung-yang-membuat-dunia province): These nominations are pending the approval of this Assembly, of course.

MS. BI KIKERE: Of course. All three are already in Port Olympus, though.

MR. ALEX DA SILVA: This is an outrage!

THE SPEAKER: Order!

The Assembly dissolves into shouting and a short recess is called. After all assembly members share a cup of kava from a coconut shell, the assembly reconvenes.

MS. FATIMA QUREISHI (World Federalists, Ukun Rasikan province): Has the foreign minister replied to those countries wishing to open diplomatic relations?

MR. ALVARO PINTO: With joy in my heart i can report to the Honourable Assembly that i will be writing shortly to the governments of Adoki and the Rationalist Realms accepting their offer of diplomatic relations. I hope to see early diplomatic relations with some of our Christian friends across the sea as well, and i can also report that we expect to join forces with our dear friends in Biotopia and other states in an environmentalist pact in the near future.

MS. ALVA SUJATMOKO (KOTA, Matebian province): What about the Syskeyians and their noble efforts to wipe out the Invisible Hand cult? What help are you giving them? And when will the government take similar steps against the Bloody-Handed terrorists?

MR. ALVARO PINTO: The government of Tanah Burung has no knowledge of any Invible Hand presence in our economy. We recognize that the government of Syskeyia has the sovereign right to pass any law they wish, but i have no further comment at this time.

MR. JOSE MAUBERE: Now that the Speaker has finally seen fit to let me speak, my question is to the First Minister. Is she aware of reports that members of the Ashtonbury Brigade...

MS. BI KIKERE: The who brigade?

MR. ALEX DA SILVA: The Ashtonbury...

Bi Kikere spat a stream of betel from her mouth onto the floor in a rage and stormed out, as much as it is possible to storm in a wheelchair.

MS. BI KIKERE: Don't mention that murdering dog's name in this assembly!

An unknown location inside Allanean Alabama

It is night. The place is rather spartan - a suburban house’s garage rather than some secret service location. Then again, this is not an operation of the CIA. Rather, it’s a private operation.

The garage is empty of cars – the owner has not bought it for the purpose of putting a car in it. Rather, he uses it for meetings just like this one.

In the middle of the garage stands a table, covered, like with a table cloth, with a flag. Today, despite tradition, it’s not the flag of the Confederacy. Rather – for some symbolic reason – the Knootian tricolor has been chosen. One the flag, an assault rifle lies, as well as a knife.

The owner of the house stands next to it. He looks at the visitors – maybe ten, fifteen people, different ages and races, different origins in society. He can see two truck drivers, a cattle rancher, five schoolboys, a priest and a married couple of retirees. Their faces are uncovered. This is a sign of trust – if any one is interrogated, he will be able to give out the entire group. This is how the owner likes it. He picks out a man in the crowd. A software engineer working for Cerambus International. He speaks.

Come here, Martin.

The programmer walks forward, certain of himself.

Martin, tonight I will give you a dangerous mission. It is likely that you will perish carrying it out. I think that it is necessary, now, that you remember your Oath. I would like you to repeat it, to all of the people here.

Martin puts his hand forward, laying it on the assault rifle. He speaks.

It has been known for centuries, as a truth known to every man, that property is a basic right. Where the right to property perishes, all freedom will soon follow – if it hasn’t followed already. As I dedicate myself to the defense of life and liberty, so will I do my best at any time to defend the sacred right to property – wherever, whenever it will fall in peril, just as our Founder, William Ashtonbury, did.

Before God, I, Martin Cozzano, swear this creed.

I will not falter.

I will not fail.

I will not stop.

So be it, untill all enemies of the Sacred Right perish, and Freedom alone remain – just as Marcus Rumbiak, is dead – and William Ashtonbury lives on.

The supporters replied with screams of support:

Rumbiak is dead! Ashtonbury lives!
Rumbiak is dead! Ashtonbury lives!
Rumbiak is dead! Ashtonbury lives!

* * * * * *

Fifteen days later, Marin Cozzano was on his way to Tanah Burung. He had to change planes several times, but he didn’t care. The Brigade was paying for it, after all.

He did not believe that the tools of his mission would be discovered in flight – the two ceramical throwing knifes hidden in his socks were designed to pass freely through metal detection, and the derringer pistol he had as backup was hidden inside his laptop – and the only way to detect it was to take the computer apart. No, he was not worried.

Rumbiak, after all was dead.

Ashtonbury lived on.

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.

"The Commonality issues cordial, tentative congratulations to and with regards to Tanah Burung's recent acquisition of a modicum of self-determination, and observes it's own acknowledgement of that state's sovereign rights thereto.

"With kind regards,"

~ High King Semir-randil I

To: His Excellency, Dr. Alvaro Pinto, Minister for Foreign Affairs (Tanah Burung)
From: His Excellency, Abraham Goldfarb, Minister for Foreign Affairs (The Resurgent Dream)

Your Excellency,
Allow me to convey on behalf of my people and my King the happiness of the Danaan High Kingdom to see that Tanah Burung is once more opening up to international diplomacy after a long and tragic conflict. Although our government has had very little past involvement in your region of the world, we hgave been following the recent troubles with great concern and we rejoice in the final restoration of peace and stability.

In the spirit of international cooperation and in accordance with the long-standing Danaan policy of pursuing normal relations with all nations which practice a reasonable form of diplomatic courtesy, we would seek to exchange embassies with your nation in the near future.
Sincerely,
Abraham Goldfarb

To: His Excellency, Dr. Alvaro Pinto, Minister of Foreign Affairs (Tanah Burung)
From: His Grace, Duke Oimikado Ichiro, Minister for Foreign Affairs (Adoki)

Your Excellency,
First I would wish to extend the congratulations of the Adoki people and of His Majesty the Emperor to you and your people on the attainment of your emancipation from Knootian rule. Your heroic struggle has been a shining example to all the peoples of the Earth who still suffer from the remarkable arrogance of a European World confident in its right to tyrannize and rule over the other peoples of the world.

In the spirit of international cooperation, a principle to which this government is sincerely dedicated, and on behalf of His Imperial Majesty, I would wish to request an exchange of ambassadors between our nations. While our nations have had essentially no prior contact, I can think of no more opportune time to establish relations than now, in the wake of your recent reemergence on to the world stage as a sovereign state.
Sincerely,
Oimikado Ichiro

Your Grace,

It is with joy that we received your congratulations: what happiness to hear from another nation committed to the principles of global justice and the equality of all peoples, free from colonialist hegemony! We shall receive your ambassador with joy in our hearts, here in the city of Rumbipura.

We have of course been a sovereign state all along. Still, i thank you once more for the greetings on this the beginning of a new age for my country. Please allow me to convey the best wishes of my people, and my own personal regards.

Alvaro Pinto
Minister of foreign affairs & human rights

To: Madame Bi Kikere, Dr. Alvaro Pinto, Minister of Foreign Affairs
From: Vrak Diplomatic Corps
Subject: Rebuilding

We are glad to see Tanah Burung finally able to regain their rightful place from under Knootian rule. As Vrak draws breath, our friends in Tanah Burung shall not have that fate befall them ever again.

Dear Dr. Corps,

It always makes me smile to hear from you, cuddly one. How i admire Vrak. I'm drinking some Vrakian wine right now in fact. Let me just say how pleased i am to have brought my country into the warm, rubbery embrace of the Klatch. I just know it was the right choice. I can taste how right it was. Yum.

Enfolded in the Federated Arms of Peace, i remain your humble correspondent,

Violeta Bi Bere
Minister for Klatchian affairs

Self-determination while desirable, is often unattainable. We congratulate Tanah Burung's successful struggle for it proves the character and strength of its people. We sincerely hope that your sovereignty will be respected by others and that any reduction in such is by the choice of the people of Tanah Burung rather than by some colonialist restoration.

The Republic of Rationalist Realms shall at the discretion of the government of Tanah Burung, dispatch an ambassador to assess potential for an establishment of amicable relations and communications, a system of fair exchange in trade and the termination of any potential hostilities between us.

Once again, congratulations.

Senator Alfred Jones
Chairman of the Senatorial Committee on Foriegn Affairs
The Republic of Rationalist Realms

Dear Dr. Jones,

While my people often prize passion over rationality, still i know we could profit from a dose of the latter. My thanks and the thanks of my people for your message of congratulations: an ambassador from your country would be most welcome in mine. Naturally we welcome trade with almost all countries, if conducted on fair trade principles. There is just one country which we do not wish to trade with, and it is not yours, so i can foresee no possible occasion for hostilities between us. I am sure our relations shall be mutually advantageous.

Alvaro Pinto
Minister of foreign affairs & human rights

"The Commonality issues cordial, tentative congratulations to and with regards to Tanah Burung's recent acquisition of a modicum of self-determination, and observes it's own acknowledgement of that state's sovereign rights thereto.

"With kind regards,"

~ High King Semir-randil I

Your Majesty,

My cordial thanks for your message. It is a source of great pleasure to my government that our right to self-determination has been completely realized and that our sovereignty is respected by the great powers of the world. Please allow me to convey the very best wishes of the United Provinces to your people.

Alvaro Pinto
Minister of foreign affairs & human rights

To: His Excellency, Dr. Alvaro Pinto, Minister for Foreign Affairs (Tanah Burung)
From: His Excellency, Abraham Goldfarb, Minister for Foreign Affairs (The Resurgent Dream)

Your Excellency,
Allow me to convey on behalf of my people and my King the happiness of the Danaan High Kingdom to see that Tanah Burung is once more opening up to international diplomacy after a long and tragic conflict. Although our government has had very little past involvement in your region of the world, we hgave been following the recent troubles with great concern and we rejoice in the final restoration of peace and stability.

In the spirit of international cooperation and in accordance with the long-standing Danaan policy of pursuing normal relations with all nations which practice a reasonable form of diplomatic courtesy, we would seek to exchange embassies with your nation in the near future.
Sincerely,
Abraham Goldfarb

Dear Dr. Goldfarb,

Though we have had few relations with the Danaan High Kingdom, your country's name is spoken here with respect. We honour your government as one that walks the paths of diplomacy with grace; we are honoured in turn to receive your letter. An embassy from your country, it goes without saying, would be a still higher honour, and you are most welcome here.

I thank you for your words of concern about our recent conflict. Without making any recriminations, we hope to put that time of sadness well behind us. If we have learned one lesson from the war that struck our homeland like a sudden hurricane, it is to that conflicts must not be allowed to fester. It shall be the policy of my government to lend its voice and its experience, where we can be of help, to help prevent international conflicts anywhere from escalating into the tragedy of war such as we ourselves suffered of late. In this, i hope, our countries paths may cross.

Yours in the spirit of peace,
Alvaro Pinto
Minister of foreign affairs & human rights

Fifteen days later, Marin Cozzano was on his way to Tanah Burung. He had to change planes several times, but he didn’t care. The Brigade was paying for it, after all.

He did not believe that the tools of his mission would be discovered in flight – the two ceramical throwing knifes hidden in his socks were designed to pass freely through metal detection, and the derringer pistol he had as backup was hidden inside his laptop – and the only way to detect it was to take the computer apart. No, he was not worried.

Rumbiak, after all was dead.

Ashtonbury lived on.

The nation's defences had been rebuilt: anti-missile systems, a decent coast guard, the stratospheric airship surveillance system operating once again... No one worried much about what the thousands of tourists flocking back for discount vacations on the newly-opened beaches was carrying in their luggage. The toughest part of entering Tanah Burung by jet was the pot-holed runways of Tiga Burung Airfield, still the country's only jet-capable airport. It lent an air of adventure tourism to the landing.

Visitors travelling on to the interior rather than one of the beach hotels or bordellos of Tiga Burung faced the surreal experience of being forcibly slowed down to 19th-century pace as they were pointed towards the blimp terminal for transfer to one of Tanah Burung's famous kapal terbang, the hydrogen-filled floating airships that criss-crossed Burungi airspace. The blimps for Rumbipura were packed: Cozzano had to pay extra to make sure of a seat.

Below the rainforest rolled by, endless dark green punctuated by clearings revealing the forest agriculture below the tree canopy. From the blimp's landing spot, it was only a short walk to the new squares and government offices of Rumbipura. True, the short walk teemed with hookers and newspaper hawkers and small children selling pens to tourists, but still the walk was short.

Perweur Haggar was appointed Danaan ambassador to Tanah Burung. She was a thirty-one year old diplomat with a Bachelor's in Public Service and a Masters in Diplomacy from the University of Civic Virtue. Prior to her appointment to Tanah Burung, she had worked as an analyst in the Danaan embassy to Lavenrunz.

Haggar looked over her notes one last time as her plane approached Tanah Burung. There were a few idiosyncracies, such as the government's refusal to believe in Elves (Haggar couldn't help but wonder how that had effected negotiations with Knootoss's last Prime Minister), but on the whole the nation was among the more rational in the modern world or at least among the more normal. It was also a tropical paradise. Like most Danaans, Haggar had been on a summer vacation to the Principality of Pele once or twice and there experienced a similar climate to that the Burungians enjoyed. However, her mind couldn't help but boggle at the idea of an entire large nation with the same climate as the island where a few million odd Danaans lived.

She had learned to play and follow football in preparation for this assignment. While the sport was played back home, neither it nor sports in general received nearly the same degree of attention as they seemed to in Tanah Burung. While not strictly necessary, it had seemed to Haggar that she would find herself much better able to conduct small talk with local officials if she was able to talk football. So she'd learned.

Ministry of State
Holy Empire of Excalbia
Citadel, Excalbia

His Excellency,
Dr. Alvaro Pinto,
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Rights
Tanah Burung

Your Excellency,

Please accept on behalf of His Imperial Majesty our sincerest congratulations on your reconstruction and your reemergence on the world stage. It is our sincerest hope to establish friendly diplomatic and trade relations with your nation. To this end, we invite you to send an ambassador to His Imperial Majesty's court and request the privilege of dispatching our own ambassador to your capital.

With our best wishes,

Sir Albert Cummings,
Minister of State

on behalf of His Imperial Majesty,
David IV

http://members.iinet.com.au/~a_marrington/ns/pantocratoria.jpg

His Excellency Dr Alvaro Pinto
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Rights, United Provinces of Tanah Burung

Your Excellency,

On behalf of His Most Catholic and Imperial Majesty, the Pantocratorian Government, and all the people of Pantocratoria, I offer you and your compatriots sincere congratulations on your magnificent accomplishment in achieving freedom from neo-colonial oppression and the reconstruction of your nation after it was so recently laid waste indiscriminately.

With your gracious permission, I propose an exchange of ambassadors between Tanah Burung and Pantocratoria as soon as possible. I have recommended to His Majesty that Monsieur Jean-Pierre Macedon be issued with letters of recommendation as His Majesty's ambassador to the United Provinces. Monsieur Macedon is a former colleague of the Imperial Chancellor's in the Pantocratorian Council of Trade Unions, and an assistant ambassador to the United Nations, assisting Monsignor Hugh de la Morée on matters regarding human rights. He has served the people of Pantocratoria with distinction as a union leader and champion of human rights, and enjoys the fullest confidence of the Imperial Government. With your permission, he will be dispatched with letters of recommendation forthwith to Rumbipura.

Yours Sincerely,

Demetrios Raoul
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Palais du Parlement, New Rome

From: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
To: Tanah Burung
Message Security: Priority encryption

Esteemed reader,

First of all congratulations on behalf of the whole population of Guffingford!

With great pleasure I salute you, and with joy I watch the progress made by your people. It puts us to shame really, so quick a nation can revive from neo-colonial rule, so awkwardly slow and conservative my nation is. Allow me to enlighten you on our nation briefly. Guffingford used to be a Knootian colony as well and for more than three hundred long and painful years we worked for the taskmasters from The Hague and Amsterdam. But no more, and we know how freedom feels.

[SIGNED], Kellus Constantine
Minister of Foreign Affairs to Guffingford

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/fruityloops/Seal2.png

Ukun Rasikan

The monsoons had come to the sprawling port city that served as Tanah Burung's coastal hub.

From the Green Palace, the old foreign ministry building which Alvaro Pinto still preferred to Rumbipura for its comforts, the foreign minister looked out upon the torrential rains. St. Gabriel, let it wash away the evil,[i] he muttered, fingering the rosary beads and adding a prayer fo thanks for the new letters proposing an exchange of embassies. Letters to Excalbia and Pantocratoria to be written, and soon. Those letters were exactly what he had hoped for.

But first, the new economic regulations and constitutional needed promulgating. And so, he wrote.

[i]Announcement
From the foreign ministry, Six Nations of Tanah Burung,
To our friends across the seas,
Greetings.

It is our pleasure to inform you that our country under a new decentralization law will henceforth be transferring administration over all matters except foreign affairs, defence and economics to the provinces. All six provinces shall be considered soverign members of the federation, this federation to be known as the Six Nations of Tanah Burung.

Under the new law on opening trade, bans on trade with foreign countries who are not members of the International Fair Trade Agreement are hereby lifted. Trade is now permitted with most countries, although tariffs and bans on foreign ownership of Burungi corporations shall remain in place.

The status of Most Favoured Nation shall be extended to member states of the Federated Klatchian Coast and such friendly states as may be announced at a later date. All states are henceforth permitted to trade with the Six Nations in accord with national laws, with the following exceptions:
1. The Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss and corporations headquartered there are not permitted trade with Tanah Burung.
2. Any company found to have greater than 10% ownership by individual members and front organizations of the Order of the Invisible Hand is not permitted trade with Tanah Burung.
3. The ministry of economic affairs, with consent of the people's assembly, shall be permitted to enact bans on specific corporations in order to protect the integrity of exceptions number one and two.
These exceptions are taken in the interests of national security, in order to preclude economic control by the forces which recently invaded our country in defiance of international law and international morality. It is a source of regret to us that they are still needed to protect our country's sovereignty. The federal government of Tanah Burung hopes it will not be necessary for these exceptions to remain in place forever.

If anything, Martin was impressed by the lack of inspection in the local airport – at least in that regard, the communist savages were aware of some civilization, he thought. Sure, the runways were shabby and the airfield generally looked terrible – There be better stuff back home in Alabama, that’s for sure… - but what would you expect from what the papers back home referred to as ‘communists sailing under the flag of anarchism’? At least they apparently had some civilized entertainment. For the twenty meters of walk from the plane he has gotten himself two copies of the local paper, three pens, and something suspicious-looking posing as chocolate. He figured he wasn’t going to need the money after he carried out the Mission.

He liked the kapal terbang, as well. They weren’t exactly like Allanea’s blimp system – admittedly, they were probably better, as Allaneans weren’t much into public transportation of any kind. They were crammed, admittedly, and the thought of being inside a vehicle all full of hydrogen was not very comforting – but then again, Cozzano was an Allanean, and Allaneans are a rather reckless sort.

It was the government offices that were now a problem. He didn’t know how to orient himself to the office of the government official he was seeking – eventually, he just reverted to asking.

’Excuse me, Comrade? I’m a correspondent for the Allanean Worker. Can you tell me where the Deputy Minister’s office is? Comrade? ‘

Ministry of State
Holy Empire of Excalbia
Citadel, Excalbia

His Excellency,
Dr. Alvaro Pinto,
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Rights
Tanah Burung

Your Excellency,

Please accept on behalf of His Imperial Majesty our sincerest congratulations on your reconstruction and your reemergence on the world stage. It is our sincerest hope to establish friendly diplomatic and trade relations with your nation. To this end, we invite you to send an ambassador to His Imperial Majesty's court and request the privilege of dispatching our own ambassador to your capital.

With our best wishes,

Sir Albert Cummings,
Minister of State

on behalf of His Imperial Majesty,
David IV

Dear Sir Albert,

Your letter reached me this day only: forgive my delay in replying. It brought me great joy to read your words. Of course, we are a thousand times willing to agree to this exchange of ambassadors. With your permission, it is my honour to propose to you the name of Elena da Cruz as ambassador to the court of His Imperial Majesty -- to whom i hope you will extend the very highest regards of my government and people. It would be our great honour to also welcome trade from Excalbia, and to extend most favoured nation status to Excalbian trade with Tanah Burung.

On a personal note, i have heard from Bishop Mangunvijaya of BYMD City of your country's kind words and gentle support in our recent time of trouble. His Eminence was kind enough to lend a little support to our reconstruction efforts and say some words in support of our fledgeling government. I hope i may presume to speak on behalf of the religious people of Tanah Burung in particular in extending our very warmest wishes to the government and people of Excalbia.

Alvaro Pinto
Minister of foreign affairs and human rights
Six Nations of Tanah Burung

His Excellency Dr Alvaro Pinto
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Rights, United Provinces of Tanah Burung

Your Excellency,

On behalf of His Most Catholic and Imperial Majesty, the Pantocratorian Government, and all the people of Pantocratoria, I offer you and your compatriots sincere congratulations on your magnificent accomplishment in achieving freedom from neo-colonial oppression and the reconstruction of your nation after it was so recently laid waste indiscriminately.

With your gracious permission, I propose an exchange of ambassadors between Tanah Burung and Pantocratoria as soon as possible. I have recommended to His Majesty that Monsieur Jean-Pierre Macedon be issued with letters of recommendation as His Majesty's ambassador to the United Provinces. Monsieur Macedon is a former colleague of the Imperial Chancellor's in the Pantocratorian Council of Trade Unions, and an assistant ambassador to the United Nations, assisting Monsignor Hugh de la Morée on matters regarding human rights. He has served the people of Pantocratoria with distinction as a union leader and champion of human rights, and enjoys the fullest confidence of the Imperial Government. With your permission, he will be dispatched with letters of recommendation forthwith to Rumbipura.

Yours Sincerely,

Demetrios Raoul
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Palais du Parlement, New Rome

Dear Dr. Raoul,

There is no country that i esteem more highly than Pantocratoria: i remember with fondness my all-too-short tenure as ambasssador to the Court of Christ Pantocrator and the kindness extended to me by the Emperor and by Dr. Drapeur. It gladdens me more than i can say to accept the nomination of Monsieur Macedon as ambassador to Tanah Burung.

I hope you will place before the Emperor our nomination of Marco Sunindyo as Burungi Ambassador to your country. Mr Sunindyo is an accomplished craftsman and member of the Artisans Guild of Loro Sae, as well as a Franciscan Tertiary.

I have issued orders that Pantocratoria be extended immediate status as a most favoured nation for trade with Tanah Burung, and i hope that trade between our countries will flourish along with peaceful diplomatic cooperation.

Alvaro Pinto
Minister of foreign affairs and human rights
Six Nations of Tanah Burung

(ooc: out of time, Guffingford reply soon)