NationStates Jolt Archive

[OOC: This is a new chapter in, yet also a continuation of the domestic political storyline which has led to the resignation of Alan Kerk and the swearing-in of Pierre Gautain as his successor. For the backstory, go here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=538913)]


The car coasted in a leisurely manner down the driveway. Alan Kerk opened the passenger door and got in.

"Hi, dad. How are things?" his daughter, Kathy, said.

Alan smiled. "Good." They were, politics notwithstanding. In a way he also felt a bit relieved that now if things went to pieces no one would be banging on the front door demanding to know if he thought it was his incompetence or his corruption that was more to blame.

"Getting ready to move out?" Kathy said casually, testing the waters, as the car approached the gate of the compound.

"Oh... never really liked the place anyway. Too old and ostentatious." Alan said, chuckling.

"Yeah, the place is such a dump, right?"

"Yeah, real dump." Chuckles all round. A pause allowed the car's audio system to make itself heard.

I heard the voice
calling from just outside the well.
She said, "you fool, now that you know your end is near;
you always fall for what you desire or what you fear!"
What you fear, what you fear, what you fear...

"Your taste in music has improved."

"It's Joshua's, actually. I just can't figure out how to change it, but it's better than silence."

"Oh, yes, how is the family doing?"

"I was about to tell you. He just got accepted to University of Etnier. Looks like we'll be having a doctor in the family soon."

"Charmaine going to be coming with us?"

"Yes. She's got a new boyfriend along."

"Interesting..." Alan Kerk said. He wondered if he would not, after all, retire altogether and move to a world full of day trips with the family to Capital National Park, a world where Joshua was his 18-year old grandson and not a political opponent hell-bent on character assasination.

He gazed out the window as the onramp to the Tommy Douglas Bridge approached and the car's audio system breathed a warning...

Resurrected, living in a lighthouse
If you leave then the ships are gonna wreck
Resurrected, living in a lighthouse
The lions and the lambs ain't sleeping yet

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New Cabinet met with criticism

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2008 | NATIONAL | by Teresa Vinbale, political correspondent

There is every prospect that the 40th Parliament could dissolve on the very day it opens following the unveiling by Prime Minister Pierre Gautain of a Cabinet which has attracted criticism from the two opposition parties.

Although Liberals dominate it, the allocation of some key posts to their coalition partners, the Conservatives, threaten to sink the ship before it is launched.

Conservative leader Joshua Anger will hold the position of Deputy Prime Minister and has been given a newly-created Public Security portfolio, which is expected to oversee law enforcement and other public safety matters, responsibilites shaven off the Internal Affairs portfolio which has also gone to Conservative Damien Stockton.

Conservative defence critic Peter Downer will also be the Minister of National Defence, and Deepak Samandha, previously the foreign affairs critic, has been made Minister of Transport. As expected, the Ministry of Cooperatives and Soviets has also been eliminated.

Green Party deputy leader Julianne Smitson said the Cabinet "reflected a dangerous influence of reactionary elements".

"It really is open to question if it is really a Liberal cabinet or if there's a Conservative puppetmaster working. Mr. Gautain has made a lot of dangerous bargains to get into 25 Essex and just how far he's compromised himself is becoming clear."

Meanwhile, United Communist Party leader Anne Marsha Cressey called it "a right-wing coup d'etat".

"The people of Kelssek did not vote for a Cabinet of far-right extremists." she said.

However, both stopped short of saying they would oppose the Cabinet when Parliament opens on February 29. If both the Greens and the UCP voted against the Throne Speech, the government would fall and new elections would likely be required.

THE NEW CABINET
* indicates Conservative Party members.

Prime Minister - Pierre Gautain
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Public Security - Joshua Anger*
Minister of Justice - Paul Conagher
Minister of Foreign Affairs - Nicholas Sheridan
Minister of Commerce and International Trade - Andre-Claude Desjardins
Minister of National Defence - Peter Downer*
Minister of Internal Affairs - Damien Stockton*
Minister of Health - Doris Galliard
Minister of Labour - Alain Rogé
Minister of Communications - Harold Anbright
Minister of Transport - Deepak Samandha*
Minister of Finance - John Foxley
Minister of the Environment - William Hounslow
Minister of Education, Youth and Sport - Wilfrid Marcoux
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration - Margaret Bell
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries - Eileen Kaplan
Minister of Culture and Tourism - Alexander Younge
Minister of Social Development - William Djoko
Minister of Urban Affairs - Gordon McGough

Originally aired on KBC News: The National, Thursday, 14 February 2008

"His official address is now 51 Redwood Park, Windstedt. It's the house he grew up in and inherited when his parents passed away, an unremarkable single-story shingle house that was the pride of the Arabic immigrant who once ran a bakery on this small prairie town's main street.

That main street may now be renamed after the son of that Arab man, who became one of the most influential and respected politicans this country has had, and who recently reverted to that address from 25 Essex Drive, Neorvins. But Alan Kerk actually spends most of his time in Neorvins, the city his children and grandchildren now call home, and where he owns an apartment in the central Halifax district. The house in the town he was born in qualifies him to be the member of Parliament for the riding of Mayerthorpe which incorporates it, and is a good place to stay on the lengthy trips to see how his constituents are doing."

"I've shamefully neglected those duties in the last few years. It's fantastic they're so understanding,"

"Grassroots party operatives helped do the groundwork for him while he was occupied in the seat of power."

"The support has always been tremendous."

"But where to now for Kerk?

Will he now change that address again to Stornoway, the traditional home of the Leader of the Opposition, the position he now occupies by default?

He wouldn't say. For now, Alan Kerk is staying on as Green Party leader, and hence opposition leader. But his deputy Julianne Smitson has been doing most of that work since he resigned as Prime Minister. Alan Kerk says he's taking some time off."

"It's time for me to catch up on some other responsibilities I've been neglecting. But I don't plan to resign my seat or from the party just yet. We'll see what happens."

"'We'll see', indeed. Catherine McClair, KBC News, Windstedt."

Liverpool England Conservatives offer support to Gautain Cabinet

Liverpool England's Prime Minister, Patrick Danahue, has offered his support to Kelssek's new Liberal-led Cabinet under new Prime Minister Pierre Gautain.

Mr Gautain, the Liberal leader who recently replaced Alan Kerk in 25 Essex Drive, has been slammed by opposition parties in Kelssek for his Conservative-dominated Cabinet choices, with one opposition leader going as far as to call it a "right-wing coup d'état". However, the man in 15 Imperial Street, a Conservative himself, has jumped to the defence of Mr Gautain.

"I think to call this a coup d'état is just ridiculously far-fetched. When the Cabinet does not include a Green or a Communist Party member there are bound to be complaints, but surely the Cabinet is the choice of the Prime Minister? I've called Mr Gautain and his new deputy PM, a fellow Tory Mr Anger, to offer my congratulations," Mr Danahue told reporters at his weekly press briefing.

When a member of the local press asked why Mr Danahue was "dabbling in Kelssekian politics" when he had more important local issues to worry about, Mr Danahue hit out. "What happens anywhere in the world ultimately comes back and affects us, especially when it happens in a country that has helped us in the recent past," he said, referring to Kelssek's deployment of firefighters to help control raging blazes set by insurgents just months ago. "What goes on in Neorvins is therefore my concern. We may not have formal ties but developments that occur in Kelssek are of great significance nowadays, especially when you consider their rising influence on the global stage, especially in sport."

Mr Danahue also called any efforts by the opposition to trigger a fall of Mr Gautain's government "farcical and stupid". "What will they accomplish? They're just going to look stupid to everyone watching from outside Kelssek. Stupid and bitter. Bitter that they didn't get in government. What, surely they aren't going to keep forcing a change in government until they get their way. By that time there would be outrage," Mr Danahue said.

Mr Danahue chose not to comment further about Kelssek, instead talking about Liverpool England's future, with a key nation name referendum on the horizon.

Danahue to visit Neorvins

Liverpool England's final Prime Minister, Patrick Danahue, has told journalists that he will visit Kelssek before stepping down later this month as Prime Minister of the newly-renamed Liventia. It will be his first and only trip abroad as Prime Minister.

It is expected he will call on Kelssekian Prime Minister Pierre Gautain, his deputy PM Joshua Anger, as well as call on former prime minister Alan Kerk, while in Kelssek before returning to Orean, the new capital of Liventia. It is unclear at this stage whether Mr Danahue intends to meet anyone else, including Mr Kerk's deputy Green leader whom Mr Danahue recently criticised. Mr Danahue's press office would not say anything more, but it is expected that Mr Danahue will make at least one speech while in Kelssek, although it is not known who he will be speaking to.

Insiders say, however, that it is highly unlikely Mr Danahue's presence will be widely welcomed by the average Kelssekian on the street following his comments calling the Kelssekian opposition "stupid and bitter".

Speaking following a post-referendum rally, Mr Danahue told reporters that he "[does] not care one bit about how the Kelssekian public view me". "I'm just going there to meet Mr Gautain, as well as a friend of mine Alan Kerk. I could care less about how I'm received."

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President refuses to read Throne Speech in unprecedented move

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Feb 29, 2008 08:12PM

ANNE SORLEY
EUGENE CAMPEON
NEORVINS BUREAU

NEORVINS - Political analysts, constitutional lawyers, and other assorted experts are scrambling for answers after another surprising, and this time completely unprecedented move by President Dominique Drapeau, who refused today to read the government's Speech From The Throne at the opening of Parliament.

The Throne Speech, which typically sets out the government's policies and legislative agenda, was instead released to the public as a press release from the Prime Minister's office. Although it is traditionally read by the President, the content is almost entirely written by the government.

Speaking to the press, later, the President explained, "I simply could not accept the words that the Prime Minister is placing in my mouth."

It seems easy to see why Drapeau, who ran for and won his position in 2006 as a militant socialist and is a former chair of the Trades Union Congress, was uneasy about reading out a speech that declares, at one point, "It is time for Kelssek to embrace the progressive and prosperous capitalist world."

The speech also lays out a wide right turn on the economic front, including allowing private competition in utilities, loosening of share ownership restrictions, abolishing tax breaks for sovietisied companies, slashing income taxes and hints at leaving the International Fair Trade Agreement.

Prime Minister Pierre Gautain expressed his "disappointment", but said that he "respects His
Excellency's perogative as the elected head of state".

However, the Conservative leader Joshua Anger was less diplomatic, and said that Drapeau "is out to destroy our very parliamentary system because of his own personal politics."

The situation is likely to ignite a debate about the role of the presidency, which in theory carries broad executive powers, but which in practice are only exercised by the Prime Minister, the government, and by Parliament as a whole. Tradition has long held that the President has only a ceremonial role, however, Drapeau seems determined to break the mould. He has already exercised the powers of his office by refusing to accept a previous cabinet proposal that would have seen Joshua Anger as Prime Minister.

Despite the blip, the rest of the business of Parliament's opening went as planned. Liberal Helen Broughton, MP for the Surono riding of Natanel West, was voted as Speaker of the House, and the President played out his normal role up to the point of the speech, when he instead simply said in French, "I have received the Prime Minister's proposals for his term in office, and declare the Parliament opened." and ended the proceedings.

However, the agenda will still be voted on by the House of Commons and will still be regarded as a confidence motion. One expected item, removing "green" taxes on logging and carbon emissions, was left out, possibly in a bid to entice the Greens not to oppose it. The United Communist Party has already promised to oppose the speech, and the minority coalition would fall if the Greens joined them in opposing it.

The constitutional implications of this move, meanwhile, are still unclear. Professor Jonathan Lindh, who teaches constitutional law at the Victoria University of Neorvins, anticipates a gradual shift towards a semi-presidential system.

"So much of what our government is based on is in fact unwritten; the very basics of our system is all built on tradition and precedent. Most people are surprised to find out, for example, that the position of Prime Minister isn't even mentioned in the constitution. We may need to redraft the constitution itself to maintain the system we're used to, with a non-political President acting at the behest of an all-powerful Parliament. "

"If not, we're probably going to become more of a semi-presidential or even a fully presidential system, With the precedent set by Mr. Drapeau, future presidents will feel fewer and fewer restraints," he says.

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Budget will kill KHRS
Danielle Rogers, parliamentary reporter
Wednesday March 5 2008

The Kelssek High-Speed Railway System (KHRS), one of former Prime Minister Alan Kerk's key public works projects, will not proceed beyond phase one under the preliminary budget proposals unveiled by the government today.

Phase one, which links Outineau, Neorvins and Kirkenes, is scheduled for completion by next summer. Future phases were to connect all of Kelssek's major cities and Coocoobad, the capital of neighbouring Coocoostan, at a total cost estimated at over $9 billion. However, the project will stop there under the current plan for the budget.

Finance Minister John Foxley said that the expenditure was an unjustified and inefficient use of money, and nixing the project was necessary to bring the national budget back into surplus.

"The deficit spending of the profilgate socialist governments is over. We are restoring financial sanity back to Kelssek, and that means some discipline is needed. When air travel can easily fill the need for this system, it's totally wasteful to pursue such an expensive project," Foxley said.

$2.4 billion has already been spent on the system. It had been praised as a visionary national infrastructure program when it was unveiled in 2005.

Proponents of KHRS have reacted strongly to the decision, calling it "short-sighted" and disputing the Finance Minister's claims.

"High-speed rail is far more efficient a means of transport for short distances, especially those between our major eastern cities," argues Robert Shanklin, who as Minister of Transport in Kerk's cabinet was one of the main drivers behind KHRS, "and it is far more environmentally-friendly, since it uses much less energy and that energy can be produced in cleaner ways."

"This short-sighted thinking is not in the best interests of Kelssekians," he added, "we need to move transportation into the 21st century and continuing to rely on 20th-century carbon-spewing airplanes in increasingly congested airspace and airports isn't the solution."

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BUDGET 2008 >> "THEY AREN'T EVEN TRYING TO COMPROMISE"
Opposition slams budget as early details emerge

THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2008 | NATIONAL | by Marcus Tung in Neorvins

The two main opposition parties have criticised the government for refusing to engage in dialogue over the shape of this year's budget, warning that it risks defeat if it does not compromise on some of the more contentious proposals.

A plan to cut off further expansion of the Kelssek High-Speed Railway System has already met with accusations of short-sighted cost-cutting.

The government, however, has fended off these accusations. Prime Minister Pierre Gautain has promised to bring the budget into surplus, saying the "reckless, free-spending" days are over and he won't compromise on what he calls a "commitment to Kelssekians".

"Short-term deficit spending just becomes long-term deficit spending and a mountain of national debt with the free-spending parties of the left," he said, "But this government will tread the path of fiscal responsibility." He has also promised cuts to income tax, which he says "will stimulate consumption and economic growth by putting the money where it belongs - in the pockets of Kelssekians."

Economists, however, have pointed out that deficits are the generally reccomended policy to promote economic growth, and that the policies of the Green Party government were in line with this during a period of economic adversity and uncertainty.

"Through Alan Kerk's term, the economy took several shocks, including wars breaking out in the region and the Infinite Loop submarine nuclear blast almost eliminating the fisheries industry. The economy would have been in much worse shape if not for the deficits he ran, which pumped public investment into the economy and kept it running," says Brent Souray, chief economist for the commercial Kelssek Imperial Dominion Bank, "the fact that we maintained real growth throughout is to the previous government's credit."

Mark Charleston, a lecturer who teaches political economy at the University of Kirkenes, agreed, saying that running a surplus or a balanced budget at the wrong time can even be contractionary to the economy.

"In my opinion, this makes for good political rhetoric, but bad economic sense," he told the Independent, "it's very much politics rather than economics which seems to be the government's concern here, especially given how precarious their minority is. If the opposition brings down the government on the budget, they can go into the election fighting for tax cuts and saying the left wants to raise

continued on page A3

"...but what a time to make a decision like this, Alan." Julianne Smitson seemed genuinely stricken. "We need all the ammunition we can get on this side of the House..."

"I know. But I'm not a young man, even though it's the young who support me. And I've had enough of the responsibilities of office. I had my time, I took my chances, and it's time for me to live my own life now. I'm sure you'll do just fine."

There was a pause, before Smitson asked, "Anything from the NMP?"

"Nope. Not since late January. I think they're realising their mistake."

"I hope."

"Maybe me retiring might take the heat off a bit." Alan Kerk said, though he knew that was unlikely.

"Maybe." said Smitson; and the silence hung in the air again. They had simply run out of things to talk about.

"Alright," said Kerk, exhaling sharply, "all the best."

"Thank you. All the best for you too. It's been an honour."

Alan Kerk nodded in gratitude and left the party's offices, girding himself for what would hopefully be the last press conference he'd have to face. Julianne Smitson sighed as she returned to reading the newspaper.

---

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Government to withhold funding for "offensive" productions

By: Martin Skerrit
March 12, 2008

NEORVINS -- The government is including a provision in this years' budget that would allow the federal film and video tax credits to be denied to any production deemed "offensive" or "against the public's best interest", effectively killing any such production.

The proposed changes to the Income Tax Act form part of the government's budget, which faces significant obstacles to passage and has prompted once again speculation that the minority coalition of the Liberal and Conservative parties could fall on a budget vote.

Although news, sports, reality television and pornography are already excluded from access to the tax credits, but the proposed guidelines would cover a sweeping range of material, such as anything of a "sexual nature", that "denigrates a group" or is "excessively violent".

However, a statement by a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, who said that the guidelines would "deny eligibility [for the credit] to anything against public policy", has provoked outrage among civil rights groups.

The National Civil Liberties Association released a statement condemning the move, in which it said that the measure amounted to "state censorship" and called it an assault on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

United Communist Party leader Anne Marsha Cressey also slammed the move during question period, demanding to know why the government "is determined to muzzle the free speech of Kelssekians and to handicap our cultural industries."

Minister of Internal Affairs Damien Stockton responded that the aim was to prevent the government from having to fund "hate propaganda" and material that might "provoke social unrest" in Kelssek.

"To preserve multiculturalism, you must have judicious and measured processes to prevent divisions being created by irresponsible persons with cameras." He also referred to the controversial Bai Lung filmmaker Marcel Chen, but denied that the measures would muzzle political speech.

"News and informational programming has not recieved this credit and will not be affected by it," he maintained.

Prime Minister Pierre Gautain said that he thought the controversy was overblown. "I will state categorically, and I invite anyone to hold me to these words in the future, political freedom of expression will never be compromised by this and I will ensure it is not compromised."

Results of polling data
Poll conducted from April 3 to 5, 2008 by Digita for the Kelssek Broadcasting Corporation. Margin of error +/- 3 percentage points.

I approve of performance of the current government
Agree: 40%
Disagree: 38%

My preferred Prime Minister is:
Julianne Smitson (Green): 34%
Pierre Gautain (Liberal): 33%
Anne Marsha Cressey (UCP): 15%
Joshua Anger (KCP): 9%

I approve of the formation of the governing coalition of the Liberal and Conservative parties
Agree: 34%
Disagree: 38%

I approve of the actions taken by the President in recent weeks
Agree: 40%
Disagree: 22%

I believe an election for the House of Commons should be called
Agree: 32%
Disagree: 41%

In general, I approve of the government's budget
Agree: 36%
Disagree: 36%

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LABOUR CHIEF SLAMS GOVERNMENT IN MAY DAY SPEECH

MICHAEL TAYLOR
Friday, May 2, 2008

The head of the Trades Union Congress Jolene Naha has strongly criticised the federal government and warned that the coalition between the Liberal and Conservative parties will mount "unprecedented attacks on the working people" in a speech to activists and union members taking part in a rally to celebrate Labour Day in Neorvins's Federation Park yesterday.

She also called for the United Communist Party and the Green Party to put aside their differences and form a coalition, which would become the government given that the two parties hold a majority in Parliament.

"The differences on the left are petty compared to the immense damage that the right is already in the process of wreaking." She pointed to the decision to axe the KHRS high speed railway project, calling it "astoundingly shortsighted". She took aim at the move to deny tax credits to film productions deemed against the public interest, calling it "an audacious bid at outright censorship."

Naha also warned that the right to strike was becoming increasingly endangered, pointing to the strike by Kirkenes Transit Commission employees which was aborted by provincial legislation.

"If a reasonably progressive provincial government feels comfortable compromising the right to strike in that manner just imagine what will happen with this right-wing federal government which the majority of Kelssekians did not vote for." she said.

"We cannot trust our government to people who hate government and want to downsize it. That's exactly the agenda of not only the Conservatives but the Liberals as well."

An audience of about 200,000 were on hand for the rally, organised annually by the Trades Union Congress to mark Labour Day, which commemorates the economic and social achievements of the labour movement. While the rally in Neorvins was the main event, smaller rallies took place in cities throughout Kelssek yesterday.

Fifty thousand unionists gathered in Outineau, in a demonstration whose target was largely the federal government's budget, which saw widespread slashes in spending and has led analysts to warn of a crisis the quality of healthcare and education services.

After the initial blustery firestorm, things at Baker Park Circus had calmed down. The budget had passed and was now being chewed over in the upper house, the Congress of Lords. No problem with that, really, even though the party alignments there weren't favourable. Threats to bring down the government had turned out to be just threats and it was time to push things forward.

Even so, the Prime Minister felt rather ill at ease. Whether it was his instinct telling him that laying off 4,000 government employees was a bad move, he couldn't be sure.

"We're not going to be able to meet the budget target if we don't do this." His coalition partner regarded him with a steely eye.

"I am concerned, monseiur Anger. It's going to provoke the union, certainly!"

"Those busybodies are always obstructing progress. Once people realise this is where the tax cuts are coming from, no one will support them."

"That is your problem, if I may say so. You always assume the people will take your side. You don't know!"

"Who can be against tax cuts?" Joshua Anger said, rhetorically.

"It happened before, in my own province, last year. The provincial budget was voted down because the majority of people were against the tax cuts. You act like it is so certain. You don't know!"

Anger was silent momentarily. "So are you going to just not do anything? You're no leader if you're not going to make the tough decisions. You're going to have to fight the unions sooner or later!"

"Are you threatening me now? Who is the bigger party? You seem to keep forgetting."

"And without me Julianne Smitson is Prime Minister. Are we on the same side or not, Prime Minister?"

Feeling very much as if he was grasping a stick of dynamite with a burning fuse, Pierre Gautain sighed, "All right. We will announce it first thing Monday."

"What did I tell you..." Pierre Gautain muttered bitterly as on the television, the response of the union became public.

"The Kelssek Union of Public Employees, or KUPE, is to hold a vote among members on whether to go on strike and if so, what form of strike action is to be taken following the announcement by the government today of over four thousand layoffs and the prospect of more to come. The over one million members of KUPE will cast their ballots next Wednesday, a simple majority is required to approve a strike action. If the strike vote by Kelssek's largest union succeeds it will be the biggest strike in forty years..."

"...and an across-the-board wage cut of 8%, which the union has blasted as being in bad faith as bargaining efforts continue. However, as the clock ticks down to the July 18th deadline the two sides seem further than ever from an agreement..."

"We MUST face them down. They will cave in. Sooner or later they'll have to admit defeat."

Pierre Gautain looked rather distressed at the entire situation.

"Who's running the country? You, or the unions?" Anger's advice seemed a near-taunt...

"This is KBC Radio One, 99.1FM in Kirkenes. It's seven o'clock and 20 degrees, partly cloudy in Kirkenes. Good evening, I'm Cameron McIntosh with the KBC hourly news. Over 500,000 federal government employees have concluded the first day of a strike over layoffs and wage cuts, a strike with no immediately apparent end date. The national president of KUPE John Manley told reporters he was disappointed with what he said was the federal government's refusal to negoiate."

"We've been trying very hard to reach a deal. We very much want a deal. But the government's position is nine percent wage cut, ten thousand layoffs, take it or leave it. And it's disappointing. We're hoping that through this strike they will realise how integral we are to the strength of this country and come to the table and begin to bargain in good faith."

"Mr. Manley also did not rule out the strike extending to the union's entire membership, which would include provincial and municipal employees, meaning teachers, police officers, and healthcare workers, among others would walk off the job, and that would be the biggest strike in Kelssek for over forty years. A nationwide strike was approved by members in a vote last month and it seems the prospect is being held in reserve. The government on its part has accused the union of being out of touch with the current situation. Deputy Prime Minister Joshua Anger:"

"We've shown the need to cut the bloated federal budget down to size. It's necessary for the growth of this country, to deliver much-needed tax cuts that will boost the stagnating economy. The union is out of touch and is only shooting itself in the foot."

"Meanwhile, public services like tax credit processing, health and safety inspections, visa and passport services, and many other federal services are unavailable and the officers of the National Mounted Police, constrained by essential services rules, is on a work-to-rule action..."

(For backstory see: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13237699&postcount=16)

The meeting seemed by chance, but in fact Ryan Thompson had carefully planned to "bump" into Deputy Commissioner Robson.

"Mr. Thompson."

"Deputy Commissioner."

"Nice to meet you."

"Yes, you recall certain things you said to me last year...?"

"Oh, please, that's-"

"I have to tell you, that I can't hold on to it any longer."

"What do you mean? What are you talking about?"

"I have a duty to the force I have served for over 25 years, and to my country, to the country my children will grow up in. And that overrides any duty towards you, or your schemes."

"Ryan, look..."

"You threw the election. You know that. It was because of that smear that Alan Kerk eventually lost the position of Prime Minister."

"That was the objective, wasn't it? Since you recall it so clearly, I mean. All we were doing back last November, December, was to get him out. I think I told you quite explicitly, remember?"

"But more than that, well, some members of the Burnaby police told me..."

Robson suddenly turned confrontational. "And what did they tell you?"

"That they were ordered back from protection patrols on the day those people were burnt in their car. The day before Alan Kerk resigned."

"Ryan, surely you understand..."

"If that isn't murder, it's pretty damned close!"

"Look, relax. Why don't you go take a walk in the park, eh? It's nice in the summer. Get all this off your mind. Now, certain things had to be done. I'm not saying it was justified, but to achieve the objective, to get Alan Kerk out, some sacrifices had to be made..."

"So you told them to back off and let people get killed?"

"Well, I did tell them perhaps it wasn't necessary to patrol that heavily. So some of the top brass made a mistake. It happens. Now look, go relax a bit. None of this is going to make you feel any good. Have a drink, go take a walk somewhere, look, you aren't a part of this, and none of it will ever land on your doorstep, eh?"

Ryan Thompson grimaced, then said, "Right. You're right. Good day to you."

"Have a good day, Ryan."

Ryan Thompson headed towards the subway, digging out his mobile phone and the contact number of a KBC journalist who'd interviewed him once. He reached into his pocket and stopped the tape recorder.

"Hello?... Yes, my name is Ryan Thomspon, I'm with the Police Services Union. You once interviewed me about the... ah, I'm glad you remember me. Look, I have a tape you might be very interested in. Can I come to your office?"

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AN ELECTION CALL IS THE WRONG CALL
Instead, the Greens and the UCP can and must unite, says James Hendon

From the Weekend Review section
September 7, 2008

As Parliament returns from the summer break, the United Communist Party, excited over its recent by-election win which saw it climb over the Conservatives to become the third-largest party in the House of Commons, has declared that it's time for a general election.

The legitimacy of a government formed by two parties, together in minority coalition, has been suspect from its very beginning. No one can dispute that while Pierre Gautain is Prime Minister, few cast their votes hoping to bring about such an outcome.

However, this is not the time for a new election. It's been less than a year, but the longevity of the government, or the give-them-a-chance cry the right wing has been sounding (no doubt in full knowledge that the chances of Gautain's position being affirmed in government are approximately nil) is not the issue. The issue is that a clear mandate and an obvious mandate to form a government exists, but the left has been too caught up in partisan rivalry to take it and use it.

The clear choice is for Julianne Smitson and Anne Marsha Cressey to go to the Presidential Palace with the news that they have agreed to form the a new government. An alliance between the UCP and the Greens has been the obvious solution since last December. Yet both parties have been slicing through their noses to spite their faces, all because of bickering over the deal they did make when Alan Kerk was still Prime Minister.

The fit is obvious. The environmentalists of the Greens are quickly realising that a consumption-dependent, profit oriented capitalist economy which demands constant growth is incompatible with sustainability and environmental protection. The Communists are dedicated to just such a reform, ready and willing to give the final push Kelssek needs. But both parties have fallen prey to the self-defeating divisions that left-wing politics is so famous for, and have allowed instead the capitalist parties to take control of the country.

The damage is already being done. A slew of frankly insane tax cuts have been the central part of Gautain's budget, accompanied by more cuts than a bad slasher movie. Killing KHRS, the long-term transportation solution the country needs, was just act one. Since then funding for arts, universities, city infrastructure, and food inspection have all been cut, cut, cut, that last one with deadly results.

It is indeed more than enough, but another election isn't the answer. The left has to unite and pick up their mandate from the last election.

OOC: Hope ya don’t mind…

Midlonian Transportation Giant offers Bone to struggling Kelssek Government

The Midland Railway Company, the largest Midlonian Transportation company with numerous profitable subsidiaries in places such as The Freethinkers and Spizania today announced it was interested in doing business within the Kelssek Government in the recently abandoned High Speed Rail project within the country, which was recently cut short due to a sizable budget deficit within the state as the new coalition government desperately tries to get government spending under control after numerous crisis within The East Pacific.

The nation of Kelssek has been struggling for the last 12 months to govern. The minority coalition between Liberals and Conservatives, similar to the disastrous Williams Era in Midlonia during the 1950’s which resulted in the Moonstone Redemption at the conclusion of the Second Moonstone War, has found continuous opposition from a left-wing dominated opposition movement primarily led by the formerly popular Green Party, but also the United Communist Party, who together make up a larger bloc of seats than the Coalition Government, however continued bickering between the two opposition parties has so far ensured that the minority government can still function. Just.

Most recently, in another move to bring spending under control, over 4,000 jobs were lost in the civil service, prompting a mass-strike action from the large union KUPE.

Speaking on the matter of investing heavily into the Kelssek Economy, Midland Railway CEO Lima Hatton had this to say:

“We’re looking at this purely from a business point of view, Rail transportation works best on the land, especially that of High-Speed rail and transportation of people and goods better than more polluting things such as Air Travel, which is only practical for long-haul flights both internally and internationally. As such we will be talking to the Kelssek government in the coming weeks and months on the rest of this High Speed Railway project.”

Such a large undertaking, costing upwards of £8-9 Billion could potentially be scuppored by the “State owns all” United Communist Party should they try to negotiate a power-sharing deal with the Greens, potentially leading Kelssek backwards towards a more state-owned economy which has often led to mass unemployment and the economic problem of “non-jobs”. Jobs which, while employing people to do menial tasks are often unnecessary or even surplus to requirements, employment for employment’s sake has historically led to stagflation of the economy.

The National Coal Consortium is also looking to invest into new coal and gas deposits in the Pacific area, with an eye on several countries should their resources prove economically viable. The NCC has held a long standing and sceptical position with environmentalists world-wide and has clashed itself in the courts on numerous occasions with the fringe Greater Kingdom Green Party.

“Sometimes Environmentalism just makes sense.” Daniel R Pitt, NCC Spokesman. “Sometimes it comes down to a clash between the two, and we always try to respect the balance between the two, we invested into clean-coal and carbon-capturing technology quite heavily in order to be able to combat the issues being raised by the Environmental lobby. However, with environments being so varied across the planet it‘s a bit hard to bring up the issue of Global Warming as seriously viable. It‘s all about personal climate management, which we‘ve always had a decent track record for, often restoring and landscaping the land after we‘re done.”

The question is, whether the Kelssekian government, with it’s predominantly union-dominated workforce, will either be interested or even be able to respond to the offers from the various Midlonian Consortiums, or whether the government’s continued instability will rock the country further into a state of economic discontent as the over-powerful unions continue to rebel against what were a government’s attempts to limit a yawning black hole in the public finances of the Kelssek State.

OOC: I don't mind at all. A response is pending, Midlonia.

___

Digita poll for the KBC
Poll conducted September 3-7, 2008. Margin of error +/- 3 percentage points.

I approve of the performance of the current government
Agree: 37%
Disagree: 45%

If an election was called today, my party vote would be for:
Green Party: 31%
Liberal Party: 25%
United Communist Party: 24%
Conservative Party: 11%
Other parties: 3%

It is the right time for a general election to be held
Agree: 43%
Disagree: 40%

The country is on the right track
Agree: 39%
Disagree: 49%

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Government looks to Midlonia for KHRS development

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2008 | REPORT ON BUSINESS | by Shawn Kech

The federal government may be about to turn around on the Kelssek High-speed Railway System, but not in the way you'd think.

Instead of reinstating funding which will allow the KHRS to expand past phase one, federal Transport Minister Deepak Samandha has indicated that the government is considering an offer from the Midlonia-based Midland Railway Company to build and operate the planned but now nixed future phases of KHRS.

The Midland Railway Company is reportedly willing to invest up to KSD 10 billion to complete the KHRS system, which was originally planned to connect Kelssek's major cities and the Coocoostani capital Coocoobad by 2013. While details have yet to be finalised government sources say the MRC would also operate the system.

The plan is likely to lead to intense opposition, not least because it would divert business away from Outineau-based Celestar, long the dominant transportation company in Kelssek. The country's largest manufacturing-sector employer, which produces trains, buses, aircraft and snowmobiles, is already reeling from the cancellation of the project and news that a foreign company from a staunchly right-wing nation will get the nod instead will no doubt infuriate organised labour. The idea of a private, for-profit corporation running public infrastructure will also be a difficult idea to sell in Kelssek, and the government will likely face tough questions over how it plans to regulate the system.

There are also significant concerns over whether the deal would be legal under the International Fair Trade Agreement, which forbids trade with non-signatories. Says one legal analyst, "The question is whether the transaction will be considered as a trade deal, and if it is, it will simply be illegal." However, he also notes that the provisions could be circumvented by establishing a local corporation.

The news has also prompted rumours that the government may be on the verge of removing regulations on the flow of capital, including the tax on the export of money from Kelssek and currency controls which require Bank of Kelssek approval for the import or export of over $100,000.

However, Brent Souray, chief economist for the commercial Kelssek Imperial Dominion Bank, tells the Independent that if MRC is willing to deal with Kelssek's restrictions on non-IFTA nations, "there is probably a very strong will to proceed with this project, and they've already shown they aren't put off by all this."

And, of course, there's also the question of whether the minority government will survive long enough to invite MRC in.

New Midlonian Subsidy to be launched in Kelssek.
Apex Rail to be Established in Saint-Remy?

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Laws. Laws. Yet more Laws. Ever the boundless problem for many a Midlonian Consortium. However, Midlonian business already has to claw it’s way through the immense balls of red tape often thrown up by the Roanians and the rather meagre problems thrown up by the Kelssek Government so far have proven a welcome break to the thousands of forms the legal department often has to fill in when importing so much as a toothbrush to the Twin Solar Empire.

“We’re quite proud to announce our newest Subsidiary, Apex Rail.” Says MRC Spokesman Edward ‘Teddy’ Dunnit. “We’re hoping to establish this new Subsidiary at Saint-Remy with a central offices and Depot there for running most services from. Obviously as the network expands, we’ll establish more depots and sub-offices.”

When questioned on the issue of expressed anger from potential loss of business by Celestar and the largest transport manufacturer in the country Dunnit was quick to respond.

“At present we’ve got absolutely nothing there. No manufacturing or maintenance base whatsoever. We’ve expressed a will to bring in our own Javelin 290’s [See Picture above, Fact Box below.] but they’d be in their component parts and we’d subsequently need somebody to help us re-assemble and maintain them until our own maintenance facilities were available, even then overhauling the locomotives would still require us to find a contractor with an established base.”

This is the strongest signal yet that the Midland Railway Company is more than willing to invest into Kelssek in the long-run and to assist in transportation matters in an country that the MRC sees as a new major market to consider investment into. When pressed over the matter of ignorance of Capitalistic Corporation Operations from the Kelssek people, opposition from the Communists over a Capitalist Corporation making a move on the Kelssek state and other parties expressing concern of regulation, Dunnit appeared irate and stated:

“Look, as much as some people like the Communists might like to sell the idea of an evil capitalist corporation coming along and hoovering up people’s hard earned money to stuff into their own pockets that simply isn’t the case with any TC [Transport Company] from Midlonia, especially the MRC.

Folks know that a job with us is a stable, well paid job for life. Look at our Rehabilitation Program for drunks and drug addicts in our employment, our Childcare and Family Advice Program. Look at the fact we have a Prosthetics Department manufacturing things like the I-limb to assist people who have lost limbs in tragic work-related accidents.

Our workers matter, and our Customers matter. While profit comes into it you have to remember that we do need to make money from such a massive investment that could be a major drain on our own resources and major expenditure margins for several years. We’re going to be issuing a friendly, helpful leaflet to explain how Apex Rail will work, and even how we’ll make the network profitable without cutting corners.”

Of course, the MRC with it’s vast subsidiaries including several Metropolitan Companies in Navarre, the Freestian Capital and Free Common Rail and the giant Balfor Beatty construction firm securely under it’s belt the MRC has never been afraid of apparently impossible challenges before. But with irate left-wing parties snapping constantly at their heels, will this be the MRC’s last great hurrah?


- The Javelin 290 is the Midland Railway Company’s latest Electric Multiple Unit.
- It’s top Speed at the “Old Dolby Test Track” was 290mph.
- The train is equipped with GPS positioning equipment and a database to calculate the train’s exact position. The pressure-sealed doors on each car can only be opened with an exact alignment to the platform.
- 6-car trainsets consist of: 2 Driving trailer cars each of length 20.65*metres 4 Standard motor cars of length 20*metres
- In total the train is 121.8*metres long.
- Each train set costs approximately £8.9 Million.

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Government survives confidence vote, but perils remain
PRIME MINISTER ACCUSED OF PLOTTING WITHDRAWAL FROM IFTA

NEORVINS -- The Pierre Gautain government has survived a motion of no-confidence brought by the United Communist Party in the House of Commons today as the Green Party abstained from the vote.

But the government was plunged immediately into hot water again after news of the Midlonian Railway Company setting up a subsidiary with the express intent of doing business in Kelssek.

UCP leader Anne Marsha Cressey said that the news "practically confirmed" long-held suspicions that the government wants to withdraw Kelssek from the International Fair Trade Agreement, pointing to past speeches by the Conservative leader and Deputy Prime Minister Joshua Anger where he called the deal a "socialist scheme".

"Trade with Midlonia, which is what the railway company will have to conduct according to their plans, is expressly illegal and there is no conceivable way this would be approved by the IFTA members."

Under the terms of the treaty, any trade with non-signatories must be approved by a vote of the signatories. The chance of an exemption being granted is considered extremely small given the character of Midlonia's capitalist economy.

To recoup its investment, the Midlonian Railway Company would also have to maintain a presence in Kelssek for decades, alleged Ms. Cressey, who said the deal would set a precedent to "expand capitalism through the back door."

The leader of the Opposition and Green Party leader Julianne Smitson was more reserved, saying that expanding public transportation was something to be encouraged, but warned that her party will oppose any move to leave the IFTA.

"The IFTA is an expression of what we believe in. We intend to fight for it," she warned, "KHRS must be reinstated and built, but how something is done is just as important as doing it in the first place."

She also warned that the upheaval from withdrawing from the IFTA and the tremendous disruption of trade would be a severe shock to the economy. "It's not something we can afford to risk at this point," she said.

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September 9, 2008| Courier-Sarge |English Edition


Snefaldia looks to Kelssek, says Smyczek

NEORVINS- Snefaldian ambassador to Kelssek Jan Smyczek indicated today that the embattled government of Snefaldia is looking at the crises in Kelssek for ways to resolve their own problems.

"Certainly, the Parliament is looking at nations with similar problems. Running a state isn't all trial-and-error, observation plays a huge part." said Smyczek this morning. "The problems surrounding this government are nowhere near as extreme facing Sargedain, but the Chancellery feels we can learn a lot from our friends in Kelssek, especially when it comes to democracy and fair trade.

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Ambassador Jan Smyczek favors closer relations with Kelssek

Smyczek, an appointee from the era of the religious government which relinquished power early this year, has pushed the Chancellery to seek close relations with Kelssek for months, arguing the States-Federation needed closer friends in democratic countries to help the development of the new state.

"The weekend protests in Sargedain against the government are something we haven't seen in forty years." Smyczek continued, referring to the 1963 food riots that toppled the Republic of Snefaldia and swept the religious leadership of Aatem Nal into power. "You can be sure my country is watching the events in Kelssek for cues on how to proceed in this century of the Snefaldian people."

"But they wouldn't be able to bring anything in from abroad, in the IFTA... it's explicit...", protested Gautain.

"Defy it, then! Who's going to enforce it? You think the other members have the balls to slap an embargo or whatever on us?"

Not for the first time, Pierre Gautain wondered who really holds the power - the one whose name is on the Prime Minister's office door, or the one who ensures it remains there.

"The railway gets built, and we don't have to spend a cent of public money to do it! Surely that's a win-win situation," pressed Joshua Anger.

"What about Celestar?"

Anger groaned. "You and your provincial pandering again. Guess who your beloved Beaulac voted for in the last election? It wasn't you! The ridings that didn't vote Green went Communist!"

"Celestar is more than just a Beaulac company. It's a Kelssek success story-"

"It's a scheme that Kieran Pearson set up to propogate socialism! Look, don't you see? We got criticised for not building the KHRS, and now we're building it and it's more money we can put into tax cuts! This is called political strategy, in case you didn't know."

"Alright. I will write to the Midlonian Railway Company tomorrow, telling them they are authorised to start building work at their convenience."

"Excellent! You see, it's a common sense solution that everyone can be happy with!" Anger said, with a touch of exasperation.

KBC News: The National - September 11, 2008

"...Mike Sault, reporting from Sargedain tonight. Kelssek's largest city may be about to get a power cut. Noua Cymru Hydro is warning of possible brownouts after a nuclear reactor three hundred kilometers northwest of the city was ordered shut down by the federal nuclear safety regulator. The KBC's Sarah Abrams reports."

"Noua Cymru's utility operator is scrambling to find power somewhere, anywhere, buying up thousands of kilowatts from other provinces and diverting energy to feed the country's biggest city tonight. All this after the country's nuclear safety watchdog ordered the White River reactor near Peterborough shut down after inspections turned up two faulty coolant pumps. The 52-year old reactor is one of the biggest suppliers of power in the province and officials admitted they're having a hard time replacing it."

"We're looking for power from all over the national energy grid today and we've been able to get some replacement but energy use in Kirkenes will be critical and it's possible we could see some brownouts throughout the province until the reactor can come back online."

"Regulators said that one of the coolant pumps had simply broken down, and a battery-operated starter on another pump was faulty. They discovered that the plant had been running the reactor with the faulty starter for the last 17 months during a routine inspection today. A spokeswoman for the Nuclear Safety Commission says that while the risk of a meltdown was not significant, safety was compromised and working pumps are a condition of the reactor's licence."

"It's not as if a meltdown was about to happen or could have happened and we want to emphasise that, but safety is paramount when we're talking nuclear reactors and we want safety of the highest standard in place."

"Sources say it could take up to a month to make the necessary repairs. In the meantime residents of Kirkenes are urged to conserve energy and prepare for possible temporary cuts in power supply. Sarah Abrams, KBC News, Kirkenes."

"When we come back... new research about the effectiveness of arthritis surgery. And, just how precarious is the government, and how likely is an election? We'll probe for the answers."

____

"It really was a conspiracy, a series of truly cynical acts."

"Where did the investigation of Alan Kerk go? Why did it happen?"

"Were they politically motivated? Yes, yes, yes."

"Who really was behind the damaging allegations against Alan Kerk's government? Were they true? Was our last election thrown by the National Mounted Police?"

"These corruption allegations, they've always denied it. And they've denied it because it's not true!"

"Stunning new light on... the thrown election. On the season premiere of the fifth estate. Wednesday at nine, nine-thirty in Kewatin, on KBC1."

House of Commons Debates

1ST SESSION, 40TH PARLIAMENT
Monday, September 15, 2008

ORAL QUESTIONS

Rail transportation

The Hon. Julianne Smitson (Grn., Leader of the Opposition)
The government ,Mr. Speaker, has announced last Friday that they have authorised the Midlonian Railway Company to begin construction of railways in Kelssek. There is no question that they will have to import materials and parts from a country not signatory to the International Fair Trade Agreement, which has been ratified and is thus the weight of law in this country. In short, Mr. Speaker, the government is making itself party to illegal activities. Why are they contravening the IFTA, or do they plan to withdraw Kelssek from it?

The Hon. Deepak Samandha (Minister of Transport)
Mr. Speaker, the opposition screamed and howled when we cancelled the KHRS, and now they're screaming and howling because we're now building it. The project will create assembly plant jobs in Kelssek, it will bring in much-needed foreign investment and it's a far more efficient way to get things done. Maybe the Green Party should make up their minds if they support green transportation and jobs for Kelssekians or not.

[Translation]

The Hon. Julianne Smitson (Grn., Leader of the Opposition)
Mr. Speaker, an assembly plant pales in comparison to the jobs that the KHRS in its original form would have created. If they're going to spend taxpayers' money, why is this government sending it across the world to a capitalist country, instead of putting that money to work right here?

[English]

The Hon. Deepak Samandha (Minister of Transport)
Mr. Speaker, this attitude is exactly what has been holding this country back. We need to open up the economy and invite the world in, not shut them out as this party did when it was in government. We're getting things done for Kelssek, Mr. Speaker.

The Hon. Julianne Smitson (Grn., Leader of the Opposition)
I will put a simple question to the Minister, Mr. Speaker, does the government plan to withdraw us from the IFTA, yes or no?

The Hon. Deepak Samandha (Minister of Transport)
This government is committed to doing what's right for Kelssek, Mr. Speaker, and we will do what's right.

Public safety

The Hon. Peter Coakson (Grn., Colwyn Bay)
Mr. Speaker, this government has displayed a reckless disregard for the public safety of Kelssekians. Faced with unsafe conditions at a nuclear reactor two hours from our nation's largest metropolitan area this government decided to overrule the public official responsible for nuclear safety. Does this government think they know better than nuclear experts, or are they just playing a reckless game of Russian roulette with our citizens' lives?

The Hon. Joshua Anger (KCP, Minister of Public Security)
This government has taken, Mr. Speaker, the hardest and most important decision to restore electricity, the most basic of modern services, to Kirkenes and let's not tell the residents of Kirkenes that they're better off sitting in the dark while bureaucrats shuffle paper about. The fact is that the chance of any accident occuring was and is not significant and there's no justification for what the party opposite would prefer us to do.

The Hon. Peter Coakson (Grn., Colwyn Bay)
Our nuclear safety commissioner ordered the reactor at Peterborough shut down for a good reason, Mr. Speaker, and they are just shooting the messenger on this score. Does the government think it knows more about nuclear safety than the experts on nuclear safety who declared the reactor unsafe, and is it the government's position, Mr. Speaker, that it's okay to roll the dice with people's lives?

The Hon. Joshua Anger (KCP, Minister of Public Security)
We're taking the tough decisions, Mr. Speaker, the decisions that need to be made and the tough decisions that their government shirked. When their government faced a crisis in 2005 when war broke out in this region, I seem to recall the Green Party's so-called leaders cowering in a hospital --

Some hon. members
Oh, oh!

The Speaker
Order. We are wasting a lot of time. I think we would gain more from moving on to other matters at hand.

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Opposition shouts down Anger over "base" attack
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2008 | NATIONAL | by Jeanna Cooper, parliamentary correspondent

Conservative Party leader Joshua Anger was shouted down with cries of "shame, shame" in question period today after he said former prime minister Alan Kerk "cowered in a hospital" during the 2005 Dovakhan crisis, which erupted into a region-wide war.

The Green deputy leader Peter Coakson was questioning the government's actions in firing the head of the Nuclear Safety Commission after she refused to allow the Peterborough reactor to be restarted, citing concerns over a lack of generators for the cooling pumps. He implied that Anger was neglecting his duty as Minister of Public Security, saying that his action had gone against the interests of public safety.

Anger responded by saying the government was taking the "tough decisions [Kerk's] government shirked", and added, "when their government faced a crisis in 2005 when war broke out in this region, I seem to recall the Green Party's so-called leaders cowering in a hospital..."

At this point the back benches of the Green Party erupted in shouts, banging on their desks and jeering.

Speaker of the House Helen Broughton attempted to restore order, but the shouting continued. Broughton cut off the remaining Green questions, giving their time to the United Communist Party instead.

Alan Kerk was hospitalised at the outbreak of hostilities in that international crisis after apparently suffering a nervous breakdown. He recovered from partial facial paralysis to resume his duties after being discharged from hospital, but his deputy prime minister Julianne Smitson handled government functions during the bulk of the crisis.

Ms. Smitson struck out on his behalf today, calling Mr. Anger's words "a base, disgusting attack".

Many members have said the Conservative leader should apologise, and some government back benchers who did not want to be named also told reporters that they too were shocked by the ferocity of the attack. Kevin Airdrie, a United Communist Party MP, subsequently asked Mr. Anger to apologise.

"Mr. Kerk has more than proven his ability to lead this nation through crisis. I dare say he has done a much better job than anyone on the government side of the House would have done. I believe an apology is due. Will the Conservative leader apologise for this undignified attack?"

Anger did not respond personally; instead Government House Leader David Smith deflected the question, although he did say that "all of us... can do more in terms of decorum in this House."

Prime Minister Pierre Gautain has refused comment on the incident, indicating that the government would deal with the matter privately.

House of Commons debates
1ST SESSION, 40TH PARLIAMENT

Thursday, October 9, 2008

ORAL QUESTIONS

Foreign relations


The Hon. Peter Coakson (Grn., Colwyn - Fossborne)
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister announced this week that he will be taking a tour of the East Pacific. While his correction of his, up to today, ignoring of our friends and neighbours is better late than never, the timing is highly suspect.

The Prime Minister is going off on a tour just as Coocoostan has sued his government for abandoning KHRS, just as questions are being raised about what role he had in a smear campaign against his predecessor, just as the public is expressing its outrage about their plans to privatise vital infrastructure projects. Is he just trying to duck and run from all this?

The Right Hon. Pierre Gautain (Lib., Prime Minister)
This is just another example of how this opposition just wants to toss anything they can think of at this government. We are criticised when we do not do something and criticised when we do. They should just make up their minds, Mr. Speaker.

The Hon. Peter Coakson (Grn., Colwyn - Fossborne)
Mr. Speaker, this is not about what the opposition is doing, it is what the government is doing. They are taking this country down the wrong path and the Prime Minister wants to hide from the people when an accounting is about to be made. He knows full well that we want to demand he give answers, so instead he is going to stroke his ego playing the statesman abroad.

Why is the Prime Minister trying to hide from the accountability demanded by the Kelssekian people?

[Translation]

The Right Hon. Pierre Gautain (Lib., Prime Minister)
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite is correct that this is long overdue, so what I cannot comprehend is why he is flinging these accusations. There will never be a good time to visit any foreign country going by their reasoning, because they will always be waiting with another contrivance to attack this government with, and every time, will they accuse us of dodging whatever triviality and whatever dirty linen they want to air?

This is outright silly, Mr. Speaker.

The Hon. Peter Coakson (Grn., Colwyn - Fossborne)
It is an insult to the Kelssekians who are deeply concerned about these issues of trust and honesty, to dismiss them as trivial, Mr. Speaker. We want the Prime Minister to face Parliament, to face Kelssek, and be responsible for what he and his party has done.

Are we supposed to believe he just happened to plan his trip at this time? Will he face these important issues?

The Right Hon. Pierre Gautain (Lib., Prime Minister)
I will face them when I return from conducting the vital business of our foreign relations, Mr. Speaker. I have nothing to hide but I will not allow this opposition witch-hunt to disrupt the vital business of governing this country.

[English]

Public workers strike

The Hon. Anne Marsha Cressey (UCP, Rochdale)
Mr. Speaker, the government has shown that it is not interested in ending the strike by public employees which has gone on for long enough now. The arbitartor with the Labour Relations Board, in today's Chronicle and Herald says, and I quote:

The response by the government side has been less than expected, and they need to do their part to resolve the situation.

Why is the government determined to obstruct the arbitration proceedings?

[Translation]

The Hon. Alain Rogé (Lib., Minister of Labour)
Mr. Speaker, this government is committed to cutting government waste and securing a labour contract which is right for the union as well as Kelssek's taxpayers. We are not about to simply give the union whatever they want, which would simply be irresponsible. We are going to end this strike but we are going to do it in a way that will be in the interests of everyone.

[English]

The Hon. Anne Marsha Cressey (UCP, Rochdale)
The minister may not, but the Chronicle and Herald has an answer for us, Mr. Speaker. It quotes a source within the Conservative Party who says that the government is "determined to break the union". Is this the approach the government will take towards labour in this country?

[Translation]

The Hon. Alain Rogé (Lib., Minister of Labour)
I am not going to put too much trust in unnamed sources, Mr. Speaker, and I hope the UCP leader will do the same. This government is going to be fiscally responsible and that means keeping expenditures down, and we must trim our labour expenditures to do that. We are going to keep government efficient and not the wasteful inefficient excesses that the parties of the left love.

[English]

The Hon. Anne Marsha Cressey (UCP, Rochdale)
This strike has gone on long enough and it is the fault of the government stalling and delaying with their tactics to force the union into an unfavourable settlement, Mr. Speaker. The hardworking public employees of this nation deserve more than to be a political pawn and to be belittled this way. The government must come to a fair agreement immediately, and the workers of Kelssek are all watching.

Why won't this government do the right thing and give the people who keep the government running their fair due?

[Translation]

The Hon. Alain Rogé (Lib., Minister of Labour)
Mr. Speaker, we will reach a fair deal, fair for the public employees union and fair for the taxpayers who are going to have to pay for whatever wage and benefits the government is going to pay them. This is something conveniently forgotten on the other side of the House, all they care about is pandering to the supporters of trade unions. It's about time we showed them that the people of Kelssek are in charge, not them.

[English]

Democratic Republic of Coocoostan

Delia Barron (UCP, New Westminster - Coquitlam)
Mr. Speaker, the government has shamed Kelssek and harmed our relations with our neighbour and largest trading partner. The government of Coocoostan is pursuing legal action over their abandoning the Kelssek High-speed Railway System. This is how terribly they have bungled the situation.

Will the government correct this terrible mistake and commit themselves to building effective public transportation that belongs to the public, and restore the plan that the government of Coocoostan was trusting us to fulfil?

The Hon. Nicholas Sheridan (Lib., Minister of Foreign Affairs)
We are committed to reaching a fair settlement with the government of Coocoostan. Mr. Speaker, we are determined to settle the matter in an open and transparent manner and in a way that will satisfy both parties. Our relations with Coocoostan remain strong, we have good and amicable dialogue with that country's leaders, and we believe they will remain strong.

Delia Barron (UCP, New Westminster - Coquitlam)
Mr. Speaker, the railway link was more than just an infrastructure project, it was meant to be a bridge between our nations for trade and travel, and this government has now destroyed all that. We, and I am sure the people of Coocoostan as well, do not want a lawsuit and money, they wanted that vital link between our nations. This cannot replace the trade and the friendship opportunities that were lost.

Why doesn't this government care about growing closer ties with our closest neighbour?

The Hon. Nicholas Sheridan (Lib., Minister of Foreign Affairs)
This has done nothing to disrupt our ties with Coocoostan, Mr. Speaker, and I suggest the member for New Westminster - Coquitlam is in fact harming them by creating fantasy divisions and anger when there is none. We will come to a fair agreement for Kelssek and for Coocoostan and we look forward to many more years of amity and cooperation.

Kelssek Television Fund

Lara Shewin (Grn., Dumfermline South Centre)
Mr. Speaker, the government has mounted another attack on our cultural industries. Today they have cut $30 million from the Kelssek Television Fund. This fund is a vital source of support for our artists and the development of made-in-Kelssek television programs, and this comes on top of a total of over $200 million in cuts to money for cultural institutions, including the KBC. Why doesn't the government give our cultural industry the support and respect it deserves?

Robert Cashin (Lib., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Culture and Tourism)
The member for Dumfermline South Centre has conveniently ignored that this government has committed over $60 million to film production tax credits, and in fact there has been a net increase in the funding for cultural programs since this government took office. Mr. Speaker, we are supporting our homegrown artists and we are supporting them. Maybe the member opposite needs to do her math.

Lara Shewin (Grn., Dumfermline South Centre)
This from the government that wants to let evangelical Christian groups censor our films and television and deny that tax credit to any production it deems, and I quote, "offensive". Mr. Speaker, Kelssekians are a cultural society. They demand and deserve more on their televisions and in their cinemas. They demand this government support and respect the arts and culture.

Will they heed this call or will they keep censoring and cutting until we have no more of our own culture left?

Robert Cashin (Lib., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Culture and Tourism)
Mr. Speaker, this government cares about culture. That is why we have increased tax credits and subsidies to promote domestic production of film and television. Our record speaks for itself, while the opposition has only distortions to offer.

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Parliamentary committee to investigate "smears"

By: Gordie Leung
November 5, 2008

The House of Commons has voted to establish a parliamentary committee to look into the allegations of corruption in the government of former Prime Minister Alan Kerk. However, it will not be corruption itself being investigated, but the actions of the National Mounted Police and the parties of the current government in putting the accusations forward.

The move comes two days after the National Mounted Police announced they were calling off their investigation due to a lack of evidence, effectively clearing Alan Kerk and the former Green government of the allegations, and in the wake of a high-profile KBC documentary in which a tape purportedly records a senior NMP officer saying removing Kerk as Prime Minister was the "objective" of the launching of the investigation.

Voting for the motion today, the Green Party said that this vindicates their contention that the allegations were politically motivated and that the NMP improperly influenced the 2007 election by announcing the investigation late in the campaign.

"Kelssekians demand to know if our democratic process was subverted by people who violated their responsibilities to the nation," Green leader Julianne Smitson said. "We also must know who was responsible for generating these smears and giving them credibility."

The Green Party and the United Communist Party voted in favour of establishing the committee, while the Liberals and Conservatives abstained from the vote. The deliberations are expected to begin by the end of the month, after the parties nominate members to make up the committee.

The investigation could prove highly embarrasing to the government, with the Greens already promising to force Conservative leader Joshua Anger to testify over the documents his party gave to the NMP which helped to trigger the investigation.

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The great Kelssekian sell-off

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2008 | NATIONAL | by Marcus Tung

The federal government is looking to sell nationally-owned assets in a bid to stave off a potential budget deficit, publically seeking out foreign buyers for such items as the Kelssek Pacific Railway, the KN Tower, Canada Stadium, and Neorvins International Airport in a move that could provoke intense controversy.

After spending over $1 trillion in tax cuts in the budget earlier this year, the government reportedly needs to make up a shortfall of $600 million to balance the budget and is seeking foreign capital to fill the gap. There have been reports that the KN Tower and Canada Stadium have already attracted interest from the Pacitalian technology giant Bluefox, helmed by Pacitalia's second-richest man Michelangelo Anconato Serra.

The opposition, however, has compared the move to the utility privatisations by Lucas Engfehr in the 1960s which led to a period of civil unrest in 1968 now commonly referred to as the "Engfehr Riots".

"This is a short-sighted move. These are one-off sales of assets to cover up financial mismanagement and cannot be undone or repeated if the reckless tax cutting and spending by this government continues," said UCP leader Anne Marsha Cressey.

The government, however, contends that there is no reason the items up for grabs should be under government ownership anyway.

"What benefit is there for the federal government to own a stadium, an airport, a tourist attraction?" said Finance Minister John Foxley, "These are things that should be divested because there is absolutely no reason for the government to be involved."

The timing of the move has widely been seen as a deliberate attempt to avoid triggering an election over the move despite polls showing the potential for large gains by the opposition parties, with the Green Party having recently elected Peter Coakson as leader and thought not to be ready to contest an election in the immediate future.

It has also lit on fire speculation that economic numbers set to be released by Statistics Kelssek in early December could show a weakening economy. According to unofficial numbers, job creation and national income growth have shrunk since July.

KBC Radio One - "The Current", November 27, 2008

"...so it's not a matter of ideology here, it's a matter of doing what's right for the Kelssekian taxpayer."

"There is some talk that the opposition might be willing to bring a confidence vote on the issue and it is a minority government. Is the government willing to fight an election over this?"

"Well, if the opposition chooses to play these kind of games and trigger an election in the middle of winter that's entirely their problem-"

"But surely, Mr. Foxley, you understand that this is a very contentious issue."

"If we have to go to the polls then we can't do anything about it. We are, as you say, in a minority and if the opposition decides they want to go to an election there's nothing we can do about it. I will say, though, that this is an absolutely trivial reason to have a second election in less than twelve months and I believe that they might well realise that it's the wrong move."

"Thank you for speaking with us today, Mr. Foxley."

"My pleasure, Anna."

"John Foxley is the federal Minister of Finance. And as he said much depends on the opposition's response and to give us that we have the leader of the opposition and leader of the Green Party, Peter Coakson, on the line. Mr. Coakson, good morning."

"Good morning, Anna."

"You've heard what Mr. Foxley said, what is your response?"

"Well, I take issue with several things he said. Firstly, he talks about doing the right thing for taxpayers but the reason we're even talking about these sales in the first place is because the government has spent the public purse in such an irresponsible way. They pushed through huge tax cuts which have done nothing for the economy and have just been a terrible example of fiscal management; they went around with a bloody axe looking for things to slash, they couldn't find enough, and now they need to sell things to cover up the shortfall. And this is without having to pay the salaries for public sector workers for nearly half the year! And keep in mind, these are one-off things. It doesn't solve the problem. If they continue managing the economy like this we're headed to a crisis because they won't have anything to sell next year when they realise they've bungled the books again..."

"Sorry to interrupt but I want to get to the other main point here, is the opposition going to bring down the government over this?"

"Well, we certainly are looking at our options. There isn't much we can do to block these deals from going forward because it's not a matter of legislation, it's an executive decision here. But in terms of bringing down the government it's one option we can pursue because perhaps Mr. Foxley and the Liberal Conservatives don't realise this but there is tremendous public opposition here. Perhaps not to the Canada Stadium, or the KN Tower, but when it comes to public infrastructure... we all know what happened the last time the Liberals tried selling things in 1968."

"The Engfehr riots, of course, do you believe that will happen if the KPR and Mackenzie Airport are indeed sold off?"

"I don't think it will be quite that drastic. There was a confluence of factors and events that led to violence that time and those circumstances don't exist today - corruption was a factor, for instance. But I think Mr. Foxley is very wrong about who would get punished at the polling booths."

More Midlonian Companies consider investment into Kelssek

Grand Western Railway and Dove Airlines consider latest potential offers

With the Midland Railway Company still forging ahead with negotiations on the Kelssek High Speed Railway System it has firmly ruled out any interest in running or purchasing the KPR.

The railway network, which some Kelssek politicians consider as “Infrastructure” and not a business enterprise has led to outcry to such measures as selling off what is to the capitalist world, a business enterprise. This has called on the Midlonian Mail to ask one simple question: What business does the government have, running business exactly?

In steps the Grand Western Railway Company, Midlonia’s third largest company, and second largest railway company. As well as the oldest and most prestigious of the Midlonian Transportation companies, owing it‘s origins to the Western Plateway and Canal Company of 1693.

The GWR runs most colonial rail services in the Greater Kingdom of Midlonia and has long standing experience in investing and repairing the infrastructure already in situ and ruthlessly cutting away services that are a major drain on the company’s books. This has, on some occasions nicknamed it’s subsidiaries as “The Withered Arms” after two of it’s subsidiaries, the Birchester Railway Company, and Jogoli Railway were both ruthlessly culled and restructured with around 15,000 miles of track lost between them due to losing competition to road and aerial transportation.

This however saw an aggressive rebuilding and replacement of the fleet and restructuring of the rail services provided, seeing some 20,000 miles of track and infrastructure repaired and renewed.

This is in direct contrast to the Midland Railway Company, which has been known to completely renew most of it’s infrastructure on it’s own subsidiaries, and to aggressively pursue all avenues of efficiency drives before it considers closing down any services. If the bid was successful, the GWR could find itself facing stiff opposition from locals if it attempted to restructure as it would deem necessary.

However, any manufacturing and maintenance jobs that would be gained from such a purchase would in all likelihood remain untouched.

At the time of printing, the Midlonian Mail only got a single comment from the GWR’s PR department at present:

“We are looking into the matter of the viability of purchasing the KPR.”

------------------------

Another Midlonian company looking into gobbling up another part of the Kesselk state on the cards is Dove Airlines. The company, Midlonia’s flagship airline carrier, partially owned by the Church of Midlonia has been seeking to expand it’s porfolio of airports abroad. The Airline claims that it’d be interested in taking over the running of their airport to boost tourism from the Greater Kingdom to Kesselek.

Joshua Anger was expectedly gleeful and only peripherally aware of Pierre Gautain, who was grimly reclining behind his desk saying something like, "We can't let an airline own an airport, that's an incredible conflict of interest. On the other hand the Timicato airport company will definitely know what they're doing..."

"It's funny the offers we've got, they've gone for the railways and the airport, the ones guarenteed to create a huge mess. No one wants a stadium?"

Anger motioned towards the letter on the table. "They're agreeing if they can have the 51% stake. We should give it to them. The Midlonians deserve something for being the first in, don't you think?"

"You're not still serious about this?"

"Of course! Why the hell not?" said Anger. He reached over, took the bottle of wine from Gautain's desk, and began studying the label.

Gautain struggled to conceal his irritation, causing his accent to deteriorate quite drastically. "Mr. Anger, you don't seem to realise that all this is creating intense opposition, and you are not the Prime Minister! This was your idea, and because of it my bloody approval rating just took another fall - as if that were possible - to 24 percent! If I'm going to take the blame for you, then I don't see any reason I should protect you from the testifying!"

Anger swallowed hard. He didn't mind committing some perjury; it was unlikely he'd be prosecuted over it, but he didn't like it to be his only option. "Well, if I'm forced to lie to the inquiry, I could tell some other lies about your involvement. After all, who became Prime Minister because of it?..."

"No one will believe you and that's what you deserve. You think I'm going to call an election just to save you from-tabernac!"

Anger, not realising immediately that Gautain had exclaimed a profanity in his native tongue, remained momentarily oblivious to the "BREAKING NEWS" on the television behind him that "PROTESTORS TAKE OVER NEORVINS AIRPORT"

"...and we really can't be expected to move so quickly on the legal end when the courts can't even agree on who has jurisdiction..."

Ren Dirh was listening only half-heartedly to the Minister of Justice complaining about the effort to forge a new grant with the city of Tawsanggai in the far north. He was focused on the quick burn of a match as the Minister of Finance lit his pipe; the sweet smell of pipe-tobacco infiltrated his nostrils. Andreá Sendávär, Minister of Commerce, turned up her nose.

"We'll have to move forward as quickly as the Provost's office allows- the legislation has to start in the Assembly, and with the Nationalists insisting on provisions for the inclusion of the Tawsini land into the official records and the Republicans opposing them all we have to do is wait. Now, Andreá. You have something?"

"Relations with Kelssek. The diplomatic groundwork has been in place for months, but it's time we started commercial and business relations. This business they're having with the Midlonians is rather telling as to what we should and shouldn't be doing."

Dirh frowned, tapping his pen on the table. "Well then, any ideas?

"Free trade status with Kelssekian goods, with equivalency? Especially for agricultural products." Oder Yahd, the Agriculture Minister, ventured.

Dirh nodded slowly. "The specifics can be hammered down. They're Fair Trade like we are, and with all the diplomatic goodwill that's been generated, and the fuss in Kelssek itself about the Midlonian investments we'll be the preferred partners."

"Tax remittance for Kelssekian businesses?"

The comment from the Trade Bureau chief earned a laugh from Sendávär.

"Remittance from what tax? The only tax is on land and consumption."

The Chancellor tapped his pen, focusing on the pipe again.

"Good. Let's do the groundwork for gradual trade increases, eliminating quotas, that sort of thing. Andrea, keep me briefed- and I want to know what they're saying in Neorvins. You've all seen the KBC today; that's six hours old and we're just getting it now. Alright, next item..."

"More now on the demonstration which has shut down the main international airport in Kelssek's capital, Neorvins. We go now to our correspondent Kevin Maher who is in the terminal building, which has been occupied by thousands of protestors. Kevin, what's the situation there?"

"Well, more and more demonstrators have been streaming in since the invasion, if you will, of the airport, began this morning. Since about lunchtime outgoing flights have had to be cancelled because passengers haven't been able to get into the airport, although arriving passengers were not affected. However flights have been diverted to Kirkenes or Outineau now that demonstrators have blockaded the road to the airport, parking trucks across the road and blocking off the main access route."

"Now, it appears to have largely been organised by the Kelssek Union of Public Employees which has been on strike for several months now and one of the protest leaders told me they just decided to move their picket lines over here when they heard of the deal to sell off the airport as well as some other federal government assets. I'm here with one of the union organisers, Helen Smith. Ms. Smith, how long are you all going to be here?"

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"As long as necessary to ensure this sale does not go through. The government has tried to destroy not only our union, but labour rights for all Kelssekians, and now they are selling off our public assets, which belong to the people, not to them, and giving them to foreign capitalists. We've got sleeping bags, we've got food and water, and we've got fresh supplies organised. We'll be here as long as it takes."

"Is that your only goal? Some other people I've spoken to say they want to see the government step down, as well."

"Well, yes, our primary aim is to stop the sale of our national assets, including this airport. We have retaken this airport for the people of Kelssek to whom it belongs, and if it causes the government to fall, good riddance. They put two parties together and still have a minority; they never had the democratic mandate anyway, and they have acted contrary to the will of the people. If this brings down the Gautain-Anger coalition, fantastic, but if it convinces them of the complete wrong-headedness of this move and gets them to back off, we'll have achieved our aims."

"Perhaps you would like to secure a better bargaining agreement as well?"

"That has, honestly, become secondary, and I don't think it'll become more likely because the government has consistently sought to obstruct the arbitration process. We have a larger goal to accomplish now. The mistakes of this government are numerous and we'll take them on one at a time, the most urgent first, and this is the most urgent."

"Riot police have been arriving here; are you expecting a showdown?"

"We don't want violence, and we hope the government has at least that in common. But we are not going to back down just because some cops in fancy dress costumes show up."

"Thank you for talking to us, Ms. Smith."

"Thank you."

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"It's not just KUPE, of course, more and more ordinary citizens have been joining in throughout the day, including many working here at the airport itself. Members of KALPA, the national airline pilots' union, have thrown flares onto the tarmac and refused to fly; they've been joined in strike actions by the workers on the ramp. The airport management has now decided to evacuate staff who want to leave, and some have left through the airside - the part of the airport used by aircraft - and they have been replaced via the same route by riot police. However, the riot police don't appear to be attempting to evict the protestors due to fear of sparking violence."

"I'm sorry Kevin but we'll have to cut it off there. We should also note that the picket line at the headquarters of the Kelssek Pacific Railway in Kirkenes, another of the assets the federal government is looking to sell, has also turned into a blockade with the strikers now preventing anyone from entering the premises. You're watching KBC Newsworld and we return live to Mackenzie Airport for more on this developing news story after this round-up of the latest world news."

From PNN.pc

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Travellers transfer through Concourse N of Timiocato Santo
Ragazzo International Airport, the country's — and Atlantian
Oceania's — largest and busiest airport. The airport's ownership
group, GroupTSR, is mounting a friendly takeover bid in
concertation with Società Ferroviaria della Repubblica
to assume control of Neorvins International Airport.

Multiple Pacitalian interests looking to gain from Kelssek government sell-offs
Bluefox owner rumoured to be "steps" from securing purchase and naming rights to KN Tower, Canada Stadium


Marco Bantafugra in Timiocato, with reports from Neorvins and Kirkenes

GroupTSR, a multibillion doura company that owns and operates Timiocato Santo Ragazzo International Airport, AO's largest and busiest airport hub, and holds minority stakes in three other major airports in Pacitalia, is putting together a friendly takeover bid with Società Ferroviaria della Repubblica (SFR), the national railway company, to assume ownership of the international airport in Neorvins.

Under the two companies' joint proposal, GroupTSR would own 60 percent of the airport and operate it, while SFR would own 20 percent and get the rights to operate, build and maintain rail infrastructure at the airport and surrounding vicinity. The remaining 20 percent would be retained by Kelssek's government or, alternately, split into ownership options and bonds accessible to Kelssekians for their investments.

GroupTSR senior vice president of operations Abranca Tisola Mancasse says the operator, worth nearly a trillion doura due to the overwhelming size and scope of its principal airport, says they will be fully cooperative in the process of taking over Neorvins International, also known as Mackenzie Airport.

"We will respect whatever conditions the Kelssek government lays out for us," she said. "This is by no means a hostile takeover. There is nothing to be gained by disrespecting the laws of Kelssek or the wishes of Kelssek's government or people. We have seen from the scope of the protest that this is obviously an issue of deep concern to people, and we understand that."

"Our primary concern is that we can work with the government and the unions and workers to maintain a well-run airport, and that the people working at the airport and that rely on the airport to get around get the best deal out of it."

Ms Mancasse says the government buying back a majority share at a later date if they so desire is not out of the question but she says GroupTSR is cautious about a second bid for the airport from a Midlonian-based airline company.

"We welcome a competing bid but we are confused that an airline might be allowed to assume operational control and ownership of an airport," she noted. "That reads as a conflict of interest to us."

SFR also said it would be launching a bid for the rights to build, operate and manage Kelssek's proposed high-speed rail network, a project mired in political battles and a lack of stable funding. But SFR says its own experience implementing high-speed rail in all corners of the Pacitalian Republic gives it a clear advantage in building the KHRS. The rail company says it will finance the construction and will bid to secure the rights to operate and maintain its infrastructure regardless of its overall ownership stake.

Again the competing bid in that contract is a Midlonian rail company, but Midlonian interests have said they will not continue with a bid if they do not obtain majority ownership in the KHRS project. It is likely that the government will retain a majority stake against the new operator of the KHRS; thus, the only Midlonian contribution to the project might end up being the trainsets and nothing more.

Bluefox's owner stretches out his paws
The news of Pacitalian bids for Kelssekian infrastructure holdings follows earlier news that technology tycoon Michelangelo Anconato Serra — Pacitalia's second-richest man and the founder, president and CEO of consumer technology giant Bluefox — is seeking to purchase the KN Tower in Kirkenes and Canada Stadium in Neorvins and transfer naming rights for the properties to Bluefox.

Mr Anconato Serra reportedly wants to redevelop and upgrade the area around Canada Stadium into a civic centre. The area already contains a waterpark, tennis stadium and marina but he will provide up to Đ 3.2-billion in funding for a concert hall and convention centre, finance one or two new hotels and help fund massive upgrades to the parks and greenspace around the stadium.

Mr Anconato Serra has a history of philanthropy, having helped finance the redevelopment of the once-maligned Timiocato Dockyards. The Dockyards are now a key cultural and civic centre in the Pacitalian capital and play host to an amphitheatre, a park, a public golf course, an outdoor shopping centre, and a campus of the Third World Open University.

The neighbourhood surrounding Canada Stadium will likely be retitled Canada Place if this deal goes through but the city of Neorvins may go through with the revitalisation plans regardless. The stadium will be renamed Bluefox Stadium at Canada Place.

Mr Anconato Serra could not be reached for comment, though a spokeswoman for Bluefox said he was in board meetings throughout the day.

Canada Stadium was built in 2001 and seats 68,000 people. It is home to the Kelssekian Rugby Superleague's Neorvins Argos and is a frequent host for larger concert events. The KN Tower is a symbol of Kelssek and the dominant feature of the Kirkenes skyline. It is the country's tallest free-standing structure and sees around five million visitors per year.

"This is KBC Radio One, 91.5FM in Neorvins. It's ten o'clock and minus two in the nation's capital, an overnight low of minus four expected. Winter storm watch is in effect for the Federal Territory; up to twenty-five centimetres of snow expected beginning tomorrow evening. Tomorrow afternoon, increasing cloudiness, high of two degrees. Here is the latest news from KBC Neorvins:"

"Demonstrators continue to occupy Mackenzie Airport tonight as the blockade of Neorvins's main international airport shows no sign of ending. Trucks of supplies have been organised for the over thirty thousand demonstrators occupying the two terminal buildings. All flights in and out of the airport have been cancelled; arriving flights have been diverted to other airports. The KBC's Kevin Maher is at the airport."

"Night has fallen in Neorvins's main international airport, but instead of the late evening rush for international overnight flights, tens of thousands of protestors are tucking into packaged dinners and spreading out sleeping bags and mats. Some of the more dedicated demonstrators maintain a vigil over the blockade of the road into the airport. Protestors have vowed to stay at the airport until the federal government backs off on plans to sell off it and other national assets, and with riot police hesitant to take action and the government insisting it will not bow to what it calls mob rule, the stalemate is set to continue."

[The Guardian is the premier Midlonian left-leaning Newspaper]

Is this what‘s going to happen in Kesselek?

Tim Messenger reports from the Colony of Akuma on the “Withered arm” of the Jogoli Railway


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Abandoned wagons at Jekemo, in the Kalumba District of the Midlonian Colony of Akuma

The Land Rover bounces slightly as it hits another bump in the potted road as we crested the hill and came across this sight. The reality is we’re not on a road, but the former Kalumba Branch of the Jologli Railway. One of the lines culled during the Grand Western’s “economy drive” 10 years ago.

Jekomo is one of numerous towns and villages that have been severely effected in the Kalumba district since the tracks disappeared. Once a bustling Dairy and Cattle Town where monthly markets were held for sending quality beef to the towns and cities further a field, Jekomo is now slowly dying as a community.

We’ve passed numerous dilapidated farmsteads on our journey here. All of them boarded up with long golden grass hiding rusting farm equipment and clogged ditches filled with silt. Come the winter rains this area will flood.

The reason I am here is to see what has happened to the area, one of the most economically sustainable places in the colony which has recently seen an economic collapse practically unheard of in Midlonia’s rich and often bountiful colonies.

“This place used to be filled with people. About 15,000 or more used to live here just 5 years ago.” says Mayor Kitembe, a man educated at Gifford University in Midlonia proper. “Today, there are about 6 thousand. All because the railway went, and with them the cattle barons and the diary.”

What about the road network, which the GWR claimed was making the Kalumba Branch unprofitable?

“In Southern Kalumba maybe.” the mayor hits back. “But in the north it was a vital lifeline. You‘ve seen the roads. We‘re just hoping the Kalumba Railway Project can reach us before more of our citizens decide to leave. The diary is closed, so is the slaughter house and with the roads being so terrible there‘s no easy way to get any produce or supplies in any reasonable way.”

Some thirty miles south is the Kalumba Railway Project. With the economic climate in the district worsening due to the closing of the railway to move larger masses of supplies, numerous cattle barons and other agricultural companies have taken it upon themselves to rebuild the railway themselves in order to save their county’s economy.

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The train is made up of numerous pieces of equipment donated or sold to the KRP via the Small Railways of Midlonia Association


I come across the Kalumba Railway after travelling south to Hejaz. Here I come across the ramshackle set, made up of an aging locomotive from the Ministry of Defence, previously of the Gildford and Haringey railway, and coaches from nearly half a dozen different railway companies from across the entirety of the Greater Kingdom. Here the crew great me warmly, before issuing a series of rather nasty words against the Grand Western that cannot be repeated in print.

Despite the track work being overgrown in places, I gingerly climbed aboard along with nearly 500 others before we set off. The general mood from these people was one of anger that they had to rebuild the railway themselves in order to keep the economy going. Many are now becoming employed by the railway to rebuild it into the far north.

No money has been forthcoming from the GWR and the KRP has had to rely on the Association of Small Railways, a charity designed to assist with expertise in the setting up of small railways and provide rolling stock when necessary. The KRP, with plans to re-instate some 1,500 miles of track, is the largest such undertaking for the ASR. So far some 300 miles have returned to use, with Jekomo being the next target.

“This whole problem would have been a lot easier solved if those *expletive deleted* hadn’t torn the track up so quickly when they gave us a death sentence.” one local said before spitting at the GWR crest attached the to door of the ancient carriage we were travelling in.

Could this story be repeated in Kesselek when the GWR makes it’s moves? Or will someone else step into the breach such as the Pacitalians?

------------------------------------------

[The Midlonian News Network website]

Southern Signals Sudden Interest

In a surprise move by the CEO Terry Golding of the Southern Transportation Consortium [Formerly the Southern Railway, Southern Road and Southern Shipping] has signalled interest in the KPR also. The company is renowned for it’s ability to turn any project to Gold, making it Midlonia’s 5th largest company, despite being the country’s fourth largest railway company. This move comes as a surprise as the Southern, while having a good track record at home, has never bothered to try establishing railway companies abroad, always opting for a shipping line or new road transport subsidiary….

[more]

(OOC: I'm going on a short trip and will be away till next week. Don't expect any updates till then.)

(OOC: I'm going on a short trip and will be away till next week. Don't expect any updates till then.)

(OOC: Enjoy!)

"...latest news from KBC Neorvins."

"It's now official. The federal government today finalised the sale of the KN Tower, Canada Stadium, and Neorvins's Mackenzie Airport, which have all been sold to various Pacitalian companies, while the government continues to ponder its options over the Kelssek Pacific Railway following a last-minute bid by the country's other major railway, the sovietised KN Rail, to buy KPR. However, the move has inflamed an already tense situation. Protestors which have been occupying Mackenzie Airport for over a week have left the airport and descended on Parliament instead, demanding that the entire government step down..."



(OOC: Paci - the airport's rail link is owned by the city government and cannot be sold by the federal government. Also, the city will stick with Commonwealth Park, and there's only really enough space to put in a hotel at most.)

From PNN.pc

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An Alta Velocità Repubblicana train leaves Nortopalazzo's Dobragantia
station en route to Sambuca. Pacitalia's largest railway is reportedly still
waiting to hear from Kelssek's government whether it will build and operate the
country's new high-speed rail network. Protestors in Kelssek's capital have converged
upon Parliament to oppose the sale of state-owned assets to foreign interests.

Pacitalians scoop up KN Tower, Canada Stadium, Mackenzie Airport
SFR still waiting to hear whether it will get rights to build and operate Kelssek's KHRS__|__Protests intensify in Neorvins


Fiorentina Mangherra, Neorvins
PNN East Pacific regional correspondent

Kelssek's government has approved the sale of two national landmarks to Pacitalian multibillionaire investor and technology tycoon Michelangelo Anconato Serra. It also gave the green light to the sale of a stake in Neorvins' Mackenzie King International Airport (IATA: NRV) to a consortium headed by GroupTSR, the operator of Timiocato Santo Ragazzo International Airport, and Società Ferroviaria della Repubblica, the Republic's largest passenger and freight rail operator.

Terms of the airport deal were not fully disclosed but a spokeswoman for the consortium said the GroupTSR/SFR bid team accepted a revised deal that included a good-faith provision that allowed the government to buy back a stake in the airport at any time and that did not include the rights to operate and maintain rail services to and from the airport.

Mr Anconato Serra now owns the landmark KN Tower in Kirkenes as well as Canada Stadium on the Neorvins waterfront. The purchase is estimated at Đ 778,7-million (NS$2.658-billion) and gives the billionaire investor the land rights for at least 50 years. It is unclear whether Mr Anconato Serra will follow through with his promise to pump several billion doura into the local area to fund cultural and civic improvements.

But news of the sale simply served to intensify protests across the largely socialist country, with the main group of demonstrators camped outside Neorvins' Mackenzie Airport folding their tents and moving into the city to occupy the lawns outside the national parliament. The protestors have changed their message to one opposing the sale to one calling for the Liberal—Conservative coalition government to resign.

One of the leading voices of the demonstrations says opposition to the sale has not gone away and will likely turn into outright hostility.

"Kelssekians don't hate Pacitalians or Pacitalian companies, necessarily," Helen Smith, of the Kelssek Union of Public Employees (KUPE), the country's largest labour union, told PNN. "It's just that these sales of state-owned corporations to foreign interests flies in the face of our traditions and our history. It is not in the best interest of Kelssek's workers and people simply cannot stomach seeing control of these companies fall into the hands of foreign interests, let alone companies from a devoutly capitalist country like Pacitalia."

If the government does not regain its sensibilities, workers could revolt against the companies until they relent and pull out, Smith warned.

"Our main goal, though, is to get this government out and replace it with one that defends our interests."

An anonymous source within the Kelssek Conservative Party, the junior partner in the governing coalition, said that "the mood in Kelssek indicates that most Kelssekians are willing to give Pacitalian companies a chance instead of immediately writing them off as heartless and anti-Kelssek."

He noted protestors, however vocal, were still a minority, and did not reflect overall public opinion.

High-speed rail deal still hasn't left the station

Likely due to the intensification of the protests in Kelssek, the government there has still not decided whether to award the operations and construction contracts to SFR. Pacitalia's largest railways operator has pledged to complete the first phase of the proposed Kelssek High-Speed Rail System (KHRS), between Kirkenes, Neorvins and Outineau, by the fall of 2010.

The government's original plan was to complete that phase of the project by next year. Upon forming government, the Liberal—Conservative cancelled the project, deeming it "excessive". However, public outcry helped change that to simply a "postponement". The coalition has also been unable to secure funding because of obstacles in parliament, as it says it would need to rely on foreign interests to help build the massive infrastructure project.

Now, Pacitalian and Midlonian companies are competing in a bid to win the KHRS contract. Sources inside the government appear to suggest Neorvins is leaning toward awarding the contracts to the Midlonians. Another deal has also emerged in which Kelssek's state-owned KN Rail would build and operate the KHRS, thus keeping it in Kelssekian hands.

___________________________________________________

[ OOC: Kels, I hope you don't mind me taking the liberty of using the protest leader / an anonymous Conservative for a quote. ]

(OOC: No worries, although I should point out that phase 1 between Kirkenes, Neorvins and Outineau was not cancelled and is scheduled for completion next year as the money was already spent; it was only the future phases that were nixed).

----

KBC Radio One - "The Current" (December 9, 2008)

"The Right Honourable George Marlin was the seventeenth Prime Minister of Kelssek, who as the leader of the Liberal Party spent twelve years in office from 1992 to 2004 during which he was supported by a coalition agreement with the Green Party - led for most of that time by the eighteenth Prime Minister, Alan Kerk. Mr. Marlin joins us as our guest in the studio today. Welcome, sir."

"Thank you very much. It's been a while since someone called me 'The Right Honourable', heh."

"You've written an interesting op-ed in Saturday's Chronicle and Herald, in which you warned that the Liberal Party, which you once were the leader of, is in danger of falling into, and I'm quoting you here, a political abyss. What do you mean by that?"

"Well, the Liberal Party has always stood for responsible capitalism. What I mean by that is, we believe in the role of private ownership but balance that with the desire for social justice. In short, we believe in pragmatism. But that Liberal Party isn't really in power anymore, despite appearances, and I believe that Gautain's government has just become a front for the free-market and neoliberal ideology of the Conservatives. And because of that, the Liberal Party is now becoming associated with that, and in Kelssek that spells political doom."

"But surely, as Prime Minister Mr. Gautain would get the final say on government policy?"

"Well, that's the thing. I'm not sure he is having the final say. I worked with Pierre for well over a decade and I know he would never support trying to destroy the public workers' union, or sell off assets because of a budget deficit, and that assumes, of course, that budget deficits are necessarily a bad thing in the first place. But one person I know who does think budget deficits are anathema is Joshua Anger. Right now Gautain is relying on Anger's support. It's as precarious as you can get, him becoming Prime Minister in the first place was already quite a contentious thing. And the only thing really keeping them in government is that the Greens aren't election-ready. If Anger withdraws his support there isn't even a shred of legitimacy for him to remain in 25 Essex, never mind that it's just a matter of time before the government is taken down in a confidence vote."

"So Anger really has the power?"

"Yes, probably Pierre's having trouble containing him and his ambitions. I don't think he realised just what he was getting into back in February when they agreed to the coalition, and I think, as strange as it may be to say this, although superficially the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party are closer in ideology than we are to the Green Party, our coalition with the Greens was far more agreeable. We had a very cooperative atmosphere, we worked together on important issues and we had give-and-take going. That's how coalitions are supposed to work, and that's how they usually do work. What we're seeing now is a very antagonistic, conflicted coalition government, and a very insecure one at that, which just exacerbates things. The problem now is that it's the Liberal Party that's taking all the flak that should be aimed at the Conservatives. And if Gautain is not careful we are going to be taking the fall on this. We could be seriously looking at a situation where the Liberal Party basically falls into the political wilderness because I don't know if you've looked outside in the past few days, but the outrage is boiling over. The worst case scenario is that the Liberal Party becomes seen as the party which sold Kelssek out and for the sake of the party and what we believe in, and for the country which would then be left to the leftists and extreme-leftists, we can't let that happen."

"And you're referring to the Greens and the UCP, of course. So what is the way out of this?"

"I'd like to emphasise the word 'former' in the descriptions of me. I'm not in those positions any more and I would never want to seem like I'm telling any of my successors what to do. But I think the best thing for the Liberal Party right now is to live to fight another day. The government should admit defeat over this and allow the left wing parties, which collectively have the parliamentary majority and therefore the moral and democratic legitimacy, to assume power, whether it's just the Greens or if they're going to form a coalition of their own, or probably just an agreement with regards to confidence issues. Proceeding the way we're going now is self-destructive and it's better to know when you're beaten."

"Mr. Marlin, thank you very much for joining us today."

"It's my pleasure."

"George Marlin is the former leader of the Liberal Party and was Prime Minister from 1992 till 2004. And, well, this quite literally is just in, the Green Party has announced this morning that it will table a no-confidence motion in Parliament on their opposition day next Monday, and of course if the UCP and the Greens both vote against the government it will be forced from power..."

Southern Transportation Consortium Launches Detailed bid for the KPR.

The Southern Transportation Consortium today launched a preliminary outline of what they’d do should they purchase the KPR.

The company, renowned for it’s “Golden Touch” with it’s transportation projects have revealed the report, titling it “A future for All” today on the steps of STC’s new Headquarters in Eastleigh.

The report, some 100 pages long goes into detail about each route presently run by the KPR along with projected profits and route mileage replacements per annum as well as investment into new services.

The bid from the Southern is asking for approximately 46% of shares, with the remaining 49% within the Kesselek government to dispose of, or maintain as they wish.

The report also talks about “carbon-neutralizing” the entire network with solar powered and hybrid trains on a rolling program of replacement of the KPR fleet, generating additional jobs for the manufacturing companies within Kesselek.

New routes proposed include several into National Parks across the country, but powered by some of Southern’s latest Hydrogen locomotives to ensure that carbon-neutrality is maintained.

There are also mentions of new “people’s tickets” to aid the lowest-paid citizens, a popular scheme enacted by STC across it’s network five years ago, however in order to enact this scheme it’d require membership and would see marginal fare increases [5%] for regular citizens of Kesselek in Standard and First class fares to offset the cost.

This report of massive investment and replacement to generate jobs and to maintain present employment levels in comparison to the ruthlessness of the GWR’s own bid is in stark contrast and promises renewal as opposed to that of the other state-owned network of KN Rail which would great a singular monolithic entity, which historically has shown to be the most ineffective way to run a rail system as it’s budget is traditionally the first to be inevitably cut during a recession.


--------------------------------


Midland steps up it’s bid by offering major financial incentives to the people of Kesselek.

The Midland Railway Company has now stepped up it’s bid for the KHRS after revealing to effectively double the salaries of construction employees that become part of it’s employee roster in relation to the KHRS, the surprise move has come in retaliation of the Pacitalian Railway company…..

(OOC: "Sovietised" doesn't mean state-owned. The word is, obviously, derived from the name given to workers' councils in the USSR which became essentially political entities. However, in Kelssek it means a private firm wholly owned by its workers, and is closest to the concept described in the Wikipedia article for "Workers' council".)

---

Pierre Gautain tilted his chair back and sipped his glass of wine, savouring the aroma of the Haligonian red and idly listening to a local radio call-in show.

"...they've got more than the money they said they need, why are they going through with this? Why are they even considering selling off the KPR now? It's blatantly ideological. This government is determined to inflict as much of their free-market agenda on us as possible before they are forced from office next Monday, and it boggles the mind!"

Gautain loved the thrill of knowing the answers to them all, of being inside the corridors of power. He was going to miss it.

"...they did nothing to argue against the free trade resolution at the WA, and that's because they're eager to repeal the IFTA through the back door..." the radio thundered on.

"He is officially late again," Gautain commented, tapping his watch.

"I see what you mean, no respect..." his companion ventured.

Another fifteen minutes passed before Joshua Anger cheerfully burst through the doors of the Prime Minister's Office.

"Ah, Mr. Anger. There is something for you to sign, here."

Anger took out his pen, hovering over the line. "What is it?"

"It authorises the sale of the KPR to the Grand Western Railway."

"Oh, great! I thought you were going for the KN Rail offer." He skimmed the document, frowning. "It's post-dated... and why does it say interim Prime Minister under my name? You're not..." he looked up, puzzled. "Why do I sign it? What is the meaning of this?"

"It is not public yet, of course. But I had meeting with the President this morning."

"...you asked him for an election? Or to end the Parliament session? But why 'interim'?..."

"Mr. Anger, after all the shit you put me through, do you really think I would lift a finger to save you from fraud charges, plus perjury charges depending on what you are planning to tell the parliamentary inquiry? And do you really think for a second that His Excellency Dominique Drapeau, former chair of the Trades Union Congress, would prorogate Parliament to let a capitalist government escape a confidence vote it is certain to fail?"

"So.. you resigned, then?"

"I was fired."

"What?!"

"In case you have not noticed, our President with 71% of the vote becomes very activist view of the Presidency. But you will please sign this document, Mr. Anger."

"What? Wait... why?"

Anger's shock at the unprecedented political development was quickly augmented by the shock of having an handgun cocked and pointed at his face. He hadn't even noticed that there was a third person in the room, and now this third person was pointing a gun at him.

"Allow me to introduce myself, sir. I will not tell you my name, of course. However, suffice to say that I am a former member of the Mazinaw Police Service and I know how to use this thing. Emphasis, of course, on the word 'former'. You do remember when you were mayor of Mazinaw, and cut a thousand officers from the force? Oh yes. I was 49 then. Even in Kelssek, do you know how hard it is to get a job with the same pay and benefits at that age? Of course you don't. You've never been in that situation, have you? Neither do you know anyone who has, I'm sure. I'm lucky. I had a clean record and a university degree, and I managed to get a job as a security consultant. My friend Damien wasn't so lucky. He couldn't even get a new job. He lost his wife, who took the children and the nice 3-bedroom flat. We have generous welfare, of course, you never fail to rail against it, and he didn't starve, but who likes living in a single-room flat with the housing board furniture, eating the shitty food program crap, counting carefully every single one of the fucking three hundred dollars the province throws at you every month? He became extremely depressed. Like any friend would I pushed him to get professional help: free, fortunately, but you're against that too, of course, but the five different medications he was on didn't stop him from jumping in front of an M-Train."

"This pistol was smuggled across the border from Coocoostan. You will note that I am wearing latex gloves, so as not to disturb the prints of a wanted hitman which currently festoon this weapon. It would certainly be sad for organised crime to claim so high-profile a victim as he takes a walk in the lovely historic area of the Old City, which is what everyone will know will have happened if you do not sign that document."

Anger turned to Gautain in a mixture of fear and bewilderment. "Why are you threatening me? Of course I'd be willing to authorise something like this..."

"I just wanted to make sure," shrugged Gautain.

Confused and with instinct yelling that something was up, Anger signed the document. Gautain gathered up the papers and smiled. The ex-cop lowered the gun.

"You think I am soft and wimpy just because I am not raging egomaniac, like you, and because I speak English with funny accent. Well, if you wrecked my career, I'm taking you with me. I leave the office to you, Mr. Anger. You will be the interim Prime Minister for about ten hours between midnight tonight and Mr. Coakson being swearing in tomorrow morning, so please enjoy it. I congratulate you on your political courage, for sticking to your principles in full knowledge of the sure public backlash. Good day."

Gautain, checking again that the papers were safely in his briefcase, walked towards the door of the office accompanied by the ex-cop. Pausing on his way out, he added, "I would not try to allege something so ridiculous and unbelieveable as Pierre Gautain having had someone hold a gun to your head. Especially since you will be most hated man in Kelssek by the time Mr. Coakson is moving into this office. Again, now, au revoir."

Anger exhaled heavily and pondered his fate. The implications of what he had just been forced to do were now becoming clear, but there wasn't anything he could have done, anyway.

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Greater Western announces 1/3rd of the KPR network “unsustainable”.

In a series of shocking moves that are causing severe distress on the Midlonian Stock Market as more moral investors worry about the potential court actions being launched by the Southern Transportation Consortium, the colonial authority of Akuma, and further civil unrest in Kelssek
Itself, the Greater Western has announced a 5% drop in profit since the agreement was finalized that the KPR be sold to the GWR. The preliminary report from the company after looking over the books is that around 1/3 of the KPR system is “economically unsustainable by the end of the decade.”

The initial report also calls on the development and deployment of more of the GWR’s successful Nuclear Powered steam-electrics. While highly reliable they are expensive to maintain and there are the problems of waste disposal safely. This is in direct contrast to the STC’s own Hydrogen powered locomotives...

[more]

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COAKSON REVERSES KPR SALE

Prime Minister Peter Coakson's first major decision in office has been the entirely expected move to reverse the intensely controversial sale of the Kelssek Pacific Railway to Midlonia's Greater Western Railway.

A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister's Office said that the money from the sale had been returned to GWR, and that the federal government has resumed ownership of the 51% stake in the railway company.

Although some had speculated that Coakson would seek to work with the GWR company, the final straw is said to have been the announcement by the GWR saying one third of the KPR's network, which is mainly concentrated in southeastern Kelssek and three cross-country lines, was "unsustainable".

Conservative Party leader Joshua Anger apparently took the opportunity of his few hours as interim Prime Minister before Coakson's affirmation ceremony to push through the one remaining and most controversial part of the former Liberal-Conservative coalition government's plan to sell off national assets.

The move, especially as GWR was widely considered the least palatable bidder, was met with widespread anger from the public and intense puzzlement from political commentators. Writing in the National Independent, Karen Multhuse called it "the most curious and frothingly insane move in Kelssekian political history". Anger's Conservative Party has fallen to an abysmal 7% in opinion polling and his own party is agitating for him to step down as leader.

Speaking on KBC television last night, Prime Minister Coakson said that the decision was taken "in view of the astounding manner in which the sale was approved, and the completely understandable outrage on the part of the people."

"This is in no way a snub towards the Midlonian nation; it is to the company itself, which has shown an unacceptable disregard for the public interest, and cannot be allowed to have such control over the movement of goods in this country."

The Prime Minister said, however, that he is not currently considering reversing the other deals made by the Gautain government involving the KN Tower, Canada Stadium, and Neorvins's Mackenzie Airport.

Extract from the national Dannistrian PSB, "BBC Dannistaan"

Anti-Communist Think Tank warning over Kelssek Governmental situation
A group of anti-communist experts, including several influential businessmen, warn that recent events in the Kelssek Government could spark a huge recession and stagnation in the nation. The group, "Sov-Watch", warns that the recent decision by the new Prime Minister, Peter Coakson. The group released a statement, denouncing his recent decision to reverse the sale of the Kelssek Pacific Railway to the Midlonia's Greater Western Railway and the "unfortunate attitude" of the Kelssek people.

"It is our understanding that the Midlonian corporation bought the railway system in good faith only to have it snatched back from them, on the whim of a group of Governmental figures who were initially removed from power and they seem to hold an outdated, autocratic view of the economy. The global markets are suffering at this moment in time and need large amounts of confidence. This will not help at all. The situation in Kelssek is now becoming untenable for many overseas Dannistrian citizens who are unable to break even thanks to their misguided, corrupted left wing rhetoric. What is to stop the Government from seizing other assets from private companies and individuals who have worked their way slowly to the top and are now going to be left with nothing at the end of it all.

We warn the Green Party now that Kelssek will face decades of stagnation unless they bite the bullet and accept Kelssek has to change. It will be slow, it will be painful but in the long run the people of Kelssek will be thankful for the bitter pill it has to swallow, rather than attempting to constantly sticking to the same populist, misguided, socialist views of yesteryear to maintain power."

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EDITORIAL
East Dannistaan's Christmas message to the Kelssek government

It is a hilarious sight when ideological think-tanks lash out with criticism after very little thinking. Such was the case with the Dannistaan-based Sov-Watch group which fired off a statement revealing complete ignorance of the facts and of the very system they attack.

The government of Peter Coakson, and of Alan Kerk for the matter, were never "removed from power". Alan Kerk's resignation was a completely voluntary move to quell violence from right-wing reactionaries, and the loss of seats in the 2007 election was almost entirely due to what we now know to have been an audacious smear campaign. In any case, the legitimacy of Peter Coakson to become the Prime Minister and form the government is unquestionable; with the coalition agreement he commands support from a majority of the members of the House of Commons.

It is also quite unfair to assert that a new government must be bound by decisions of the previous government, particularly if they are poor ones. Sov-Watch also ignores the completely outrageous and underhanded manner in which the sale was approved, an 11th-hour act of spite by a man in a caretaker role which Kelssekians are still struggling to understand. Never allowing a fact to get in their way, Sov-Watch implies the reversal of the deal was essentially "seizing private assets", when every cent of Greater Western Railway's money was returned to them.

The statement proceeds to degenerate into an ideological screed, in which Sov-Watch was joined by the state government of East Dannistaan, built upon the assumption that a non-capitalist economy operates on capitalist principles. They assert that "decades of stagnation" stretch out before Kelssek, and assume that they know better than the Kelssekian people what future they want. But Kelssekians do not want to follow the slide into longer working hours, rampant consumerism and out-of-control consumption, widening inequality, and power concentrated in the hands of the wealthy that capitalist societies inevitably suffer from.

And Kelssekians would definitely not want the spectre of forced overtime, and up to 15 years' jail if they dare protest it, as was the case for workers for East Dannistaan Trains this past week, in a particularly Grinch-like move - except that EDT shows little inclination towards any kind of redemption. Meanwhile, another pressure group, the East Dannistaan Industrial Council, joined in the frenzy against communist evil by threatening legal action against the human rights group World Action if they repeat their verbal criticism from the last time EDT expressed its utter disdain for its workers in this manner. While it is not clear how legal action can be taken against opinion, the utter contempt for free speech, human rights and democracy by all these parties burns like a Yule log.

Commendably, Prime Minister Coakson has refused to dignify this bizarre episode or allow it to distract him from enjoying the holiday season and selecting his Cabinet. Hopefully, he will also refuse to allow the virulent anti-Kelssek attitude of one of its states mar the close and friendly ties with Dannistaan's central government and the rest of the Dannistraan nation. There is, in any case, little he can really do to appease those determined to spew their vitriol.

Extract from the national Dannistrian PSB, "BBC Dannistaan"

Prime Minister and East Dannistrian First minister apologise for thinktank comments; DNP responds
In related news, the Dannistrian Prime Minister, P'aanil F'orrlason-Smith and the East Dannistrian First Minister, Dr. Sarah Kah'riinah, have issued a joint apology to the Kelssek Government for recent comments made by the anti-communist thinktank "Sov-Watch" and the business pressure group the East Dannistaan Industrial Council. In the joint statement, they acknowledge that people have the right in a civilised and free society to voice opinions on any subject, however they indicated they did not agree with the particular comments from the two groups and attempted to distance themselves away from the two groups views.

"The Dannistrian Central Government and the East Dannistrian State Government believe that although freedom of speech is an inviolable right, we can not, do not and will not accept this particular statement as it is highly damaging to Dannistrian-Kelssek relations and therefore will apologise unreservedly. We reiterate that this opinion held is not that of either the Dannistrian Central Government, nor that of the current East Dannistrian State Government nor that of the majority of the Dannistrian people. We hope that the administration of Prime Minister Peter Coakson understands this and we hope to continue with the history of good diplomatic relations between our two nations into the new year."

Dr Sarah Kah'riinah also added that the current total free market Capitalist situation in East Dannistaans economy was unsustainable and that it is highly unbalanced in relation to the rest of the world and her hopes to repeal Clause 45 of the East Dannistrian Businesses and Employment Act, 1992 ameneded 2003.
"For many years, the past Dannistrian Nationalist Party administration has done nothing to help the poor and everything to keep the situation precariously balanced on a knife edge. That is no longer tenable. Although the Dannistrian economy as a whole is doing well despite recent global events, this is now the time for change. For too long East Dannistrian society has been based on corruption and greed. This can no longer be acceptable in a modern world. I hope to be able to deal with this situation by the abolition of Clause 45 of the 1992 East Dannistrian Businesses and Employment Act, which has been a particular black mark against our state and indeed a black mark for everything East Dannistrian society holds dear. A free and fair society has no place for punishment for legitimate grievances and protests."

Meanwhile the far right Dannistrian Nationalist Party, currently in opposition in the East Dannistrian State Parliament and in a very small minority position in the federal Central Parliament has slammed the apology statement, likening it to appeasement of an "evil Communist power". Robert Tyn'dahl, leader of the federal DNP, has also called the move a sham designed to "suck up to the new Kelssek Prime Minister"
"It bewilders, upsets and angers me that our great nation is kowtowing to essentially a Communist power. This is no better than when we were trying to mend fences with the Bai Lungese and look at where that has gotten us. The Kelssekian people must learn that the only way out of their problems is to allow freer trade with the outside world. Their strange, alien even socialist views will be the death of us all."

In response to the statement made by the anti-communist think tank, the leader of the Bai Lung Marxist party Sun Ju-Bai has issued a statement defending the government of Kelssek and sharply criticising the think tank.

"I am deeply flabbergasted by the charges made by the Dannistrian based think tank Sov-Watch. What they are doing is simply giving statements of such absurd falsehoods just for the sake of it and are merely acting as a power vehicle for the right wing Fascists and reactionary politicians that is dominating East Dannistrian politics for the past 2 decades. What the Kelssekian government are doing in their country is of their business and not of the think tank's concern. Peter Coakson feels it is in the [Kelssekian] people's interest that the railways should remain in public ownership and not given to the money grabbing fat cats."

Mr Sun went on to comment on what the think tank will target next.

"Who are they going to target next after communism falls? Bai Lungese people? Dannistrians from a different tribe? Fellow East Dannistrian with a nose not in line with the others? This vicious circle must come to an end or we'll have right wing reactionary politicians going around the world and bullying other countries to fight a war because we're here because we're here because we're here because we're here because we're here because we're here because we're here because we're here because we're here because we're here because we're here...."

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Polls are heartening news for Drapeau

By: Shyam Rama
January 5, 2009

Early polling shows a strong cushion of support for President Dominique Drapeau as he prepares to face a recall referendum on January 26.

In a poll conducted by the polling firm Digita, 63% said they were opposed to recalling Drapeau, while only 32% expressed support. Similar numbers were reported from a poll conducted by the Kelssekian Press, which saw 65% against the recall and 32% in support.

So far, prominent political figures have declared neutrality in the public debate over whether Drapeau should be recalled. Prime Minister Peter Coakson and Leader of the Opposition Pierre Gautain, the two who were most involved in the most recent controversy over presidential activism, have both avoided commenting on the recall. Supporters of the recall say Drapeau is a threat to the system of parliamentary democracy and is attempting to grab power for himself by turning Kelssek towards a semi-presidential system.

The Digita poll did highlight concern with the president becoming too involved in politics, with 52% saying they thought Drapeau was overreaching his office. An overwhelming 85% also said they preferred a parliamentary system to a semi-presidential or a presidential one. Although Kelssek has been under a parliamentary system by tradition and convention, either system is theoretically possible under a strict interpretation of the written constitution, in which the President has broad executive power, but which by convention is only exercised at the behest of the Prime Minister - a position which, despite its dominant political role, is not mentioned in the written constitution.

The campaign to collect the signatures for the petition to trigger a recall has been led by a multi-partisan group of backbench MPs. By law, the number of signatures required is 10% of the number of votes cast in the election; making the job somewhat easier as turnout had been relatively low during the 2006 presidential election, due to the fear of violence in the aftermath of the August Crisis. The result of the election, a 71% victory for Drapeau, was thought to have been fuelled by anger at the right-wing Patriotic Liberation Front militant group which was responsible for the kidnapping and murder of Labour Minister Justin Kermana as well as a bomb attack on the Trades Union Congress headquarters in Neorvins.

The move to recall Drapeau is thought to have been triggered by his sacking of former Prime Minister Pierre Gautain last month, although his use of reserve powers early in 2008 had also been questioned. He had rejected the initial Liberal-Conservative coalition proposal in which Conservative leader Joshua Anger would have been Prime Minister, and also refused to read the government's Throne Speech after accepting a more palatable proposal with Gautain as Prime Minister.

While Drapeau's motivation for the controversial move has been widely debated, according to sources, Pierre Gautain had requested a prorogation of Parliament, thus allowing him to escape a confidence vote, and Drapeau had been so incensed with the request that he removed Gautain instead, even though defeat in Parliament was almost certain.

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UCP leader praises "progress" in Pacitalia

By: Jane Andrews
January 16, 2009

United Communist Party leader Anne Marsha Cressey has praised recent moves in Pacitalia to legalise euthanasia, outlaw the death penalty, introduce a national healthcare system, and legalise trade unions.

Speaking in an interview with the newsmagazine The Red Flag (Disclosure: The soviets owning The Red Flag and this newspaper are both members of the Trades Union Congress), Ms. Cressey, who was recently made Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour, said that "Pacitalia is finally moving closer towards the standards of other developed democracies."

By a margin of 50 to 35 percent, Pacitalians voted to outlaw the death penalty in a national plebiscite held this Monday. Another 14 percent voted to revise the existing policy. The decision will officially take effect on February 1.

"We're not expecting Pacitalia to become a socialist country or even a social democracy overnight. But recent progress has been extremely heartening. With these developments we are now seeing a great deal of social progress. Much work still remains to be done for the Pacitalian nation in terms of economic inequality and many other social issues but they are on the right track."

In the interview, a full version of which will be published in the magazine next Tuesday, Cressey also discusses the coalition deal with the Green Party and what legislative priorities the UCP is pushing for. One of the UCP's items which appears set for passage is the Worker Ownership Act, which will make some degree of worker ownership mandatory in every large business in Kelssek, although the exact numbers are still under review. "The principle, however, has already been agreed and I am confident it will become law in the next session," said Cressey.

Cressey added that although she disagreed with Peter Coakson's decision to allow the deals selling the KN Tower and Canada Stadium, as well as Neorvins's Mackenzie Airport to Pacitalian interests, she would defer to his leadership on the issue. "We have our small disagreements while working towards larger goals. That is the nature of a coalition government."

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COMMENT AND ANALYSIS
Presidential recall election's biggest issue not the president

Jan. 20, 2009

LORENE WALTER

Ahead of the referendum on whether to recall President Dominique Drapeau on January 26, you might expect people to be talking about whether or not he's a threat to the parliamentary system and the merits of that system. Perhaps constitutional matters and whether the constitution should be amended to put into writing what has for so long been unwritten tradition would also be a hot topic.

Presidential elections, due to the limited impact they usually have, tend not to invoke as much interest or engagement as a parliamentary election. Even in this case, where the very question of whether the presidential election will continue to have a limited impact dominates, Kelssekians just don't seem to be getting very exercised about it.

What is drawing a furious debate, however, is the other thing the nation will vote on next Monday: the national anthem. Thanks to a bill passed in the last session of parliament, in this, the first federal election to be held after the bill's passage, a second ballot question will appear throughout the country on whether to keep the current wordless royal fanfare, or switch to The Maple Leaf Forever.

Opinion is decidedly mixed on the issue. Opponents of The Red And Blue decry its history as a tune associated with the old monarchy. After all, we went to a great deal of trouble to get rid of them, so why keep their little tune around? And they look enviously at other countries' official anthems, with their declarations of how free/powerful/strong/harmonious/wonderful/homely their nations are, and their occasional declarations of willingness to die for the motherland. Maple Leaf is a perfect replacement and most people already treat it as the national anthem anyway.

The other side points out that in a multilingual and multicultural society, the words are precisely the problem. English and French versions are readily accepted and available, and even have official status already. But what about Japanese? Russian? Mandarin? Arabic? Welsh Gaelic? The various other languages spoken by the various groups in the country? As we often have to remind ourselves, just because we have two official languages doesn't mean everyone speaks them. And anthems with words are just so... long. Might as well just hum the silly tune and get on with the school day, the professional hockey game, and Wednesday morning in the House of Commons, which are basically the only times we play the damn thing anyway. And isn't there something unique about having a national anthem with no words? Isn't there something, too, to be said for simplicity and not having the typical silly jingoistic clichés that plague so many other anthems?

We're in this situation, of course, because back a century ago in the aftermath of the revolution, the fathers of confederation simply got caught up in squabbling over the anthem with the result that they simply compromised on the one that no one wanted. The socialists and the republicans wanted The Maple Leaf Forever, the Liberals didn't know what to think, and for some bizarre reason the Tories went for Bing Arises which was about the conquest of Beaulac and extolled General Bing, who was universally reviled by the Beaulacois for bringing them under the rule of the foreign roi terribles. This after taking part in a violent revolution to dethrone Bing's master. Perhaps it was an early manifestation of our complex relationship to our history and the Guedian Kingdom, but seriously.

There hasn't been a poll done yet on the national anthem question, surprisingly, but then again all the pollsters in their infinite wisdom thought the presidential recall vote was the only one that mattered. However, in perhaps a telling sign, the organisers of the Alavaria Olympic games are scrambling to find someone to sing a national anthem at the opening ceremony, scheduled mere days after the vote. So, perhaps, in a sense, we will be changing our national anthem to the one it was originally supposed to be. It's odd to be correcting a mistake like this over a century after the fact, but there we go.

ELECTIONS KELSSEK
Preliminary uncertified results of federal election held on January 26, 2009.

Eligible voters (citizens of Kelssek aged 17 years or older): 153,687,299
Total votes cast: 95,119,457 (61.5% turnout)

RECALL OF PRESIDENT
Do you agree to revoke the mandate granted to Dominique Jean Drapeau to serve as President of Kelssek?

Acceptez-vous de révoquer le mandat accordé à Dominique Jean Drapeau en tant que Président du Kelssek?

Yes/Oui: 31,394,776
No/Non: 55,644,822
Spoilt or blank votes: 8,079,859

NATIONAL ANTHEM
Pursuant to Bill C-215 of the 40th Parliament, passed on October 14, 2008, do you agree that the national anthem of Kelssek should be changed to "The Maple Leaf Forever" in the form current in the National Songs Act (Bill C-227 of the 39th Parliament)?

Conformément à projet de loi C-215 du 40e parlement, adopté 14 octobre 2008, acceptez-vous de changer l'hymn nationale du Kelssek pour «Toujours la feuille d'érable» dans la forme utiliser dans la Loi sur les Chansons Nationale (projet de loi C-227 du 39e parlement)?

Yes/Oui: 49,462,117
No/Non: 44,681,653
Spoilt or blank votes: 975,687

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2009 | EDITORIAL

Drapeau's seizure of power to be applauded

With President Dominique Drapeau assuming the absolute executive power today and the abolishment of Constitution, Kelssek is moving into a new era towards the building of a great prosperous and powerful nation.

President Drapeau's insight and capability are of incomparable merit and the illustrious feats already accomplished by His Excellency are a hallmark of what has come to be known as able leadership.

By the removal of the bickering and retarded government coalition of Green and United Communist Parties whose character only becomes more corrupt by the day, President Drapeau has expressed his clear desire for strong and able rule with no interruption or disruption by obstructionist forces. There now stands nothing in the way of a true paradise for people of Kelssek.

It is also clear that the scheming machinations and lies of the cockroach traitor Joshua Anger and his malfeasance cronies in the Conservative Party are acting to destroy the country and handicap the nation. Kelssekian people must not allow these scum worms to compromise the building of a great prosperous and powerful nation. As in the ethos of united we stand and divided we fall it is therefore better off without the partisan and division of the multi party Parliament.

Parliament has only shown its intense corruption and the feckless government of Peter Coakson is greatly to be detested. It is under the leadership of His Excellency that Kelssekians shall build a great propserous and powerful nation. All should applaud the revolutionary actions of President Drapeau and long may his illustrious reign continue.

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CONSERVATIVES READY TO OUST ANGER: SOURCES

Michel-Henri Rivière
17 April 2009


The executive of the Kelssekian Conservative Party has called an emergency caucus meeting for Monday that could force Joshua Anger to step down as the party's leader, sources have learned. The news comes a day after the lawyers representing former Prime Minister Alan Kerk turned up the heat during the highly-anticipated cross-examination of Conservative Party leader Joshua Anger at a public inquiry into alleged electoral misconduct during the 2007 general election.

At the root of the inquiry are accusations that the National Mounted Police improperly influenced public opinion by announcing an investigation into former Prime Minister Alan Kerk's government during the blackout period, and that the Conservative Party provided documents to the police, supposedly proving corrupt payments by cabinet members to certain construction and transporation companies, that they knew were false.

Senior members of the federal police force have already strenuously denied that they had intended to influence the election through the timing of the announcement, although the assistant commissioner accused of being behind the move is still yet to testify.

However, Joshua Anger was forced on the defensive as counsels Angeline Jomchen and Karpal Ravind attacked him for inconsistencies in statments he made to the NMP and to the public, and his testimony earlier this week. The lawyers repeatedly raised e-mails sent from an IP address traced to Conservative Party headquarters to senior NMP officers which they say disproves Anger's repeated denials that the Conservative Party had contact with the NMP in the days before the announcement.

Throughout the day, the lawyers repeatedly accused Anger of committing perjury.

"This is a witch-hunt," exclaimed Anger at one point.

"No, sir, this is an inquiry into the truth and you are lying to us," Jomchen shot back.

The episode has only exacerbated Anger's difficulties, particularly in the wake of his controversially approving the sale of the Kelssek Pacific Railway to a Midlonian company as "interim Prime Minister" following the sacking of Pierre Gautain by President Dominique Drapeau last December. Although constitutional experts have repeatedly pointed out that Anger never actually had any real power to approve the deal, as by legal precedent one cannot wield the powers of the Prime Minister unless expressly appointed by the President, the move nonetheless raised public ire against Anger, and caused his party's poll ratings to plummet to single digits.

Party insiders have spoken of increasing unrest and tension within the caucus since the beginning of the year and it is widely speculated that the federal parliamentary caucus is ready to force Anger out. According to the party's constitution, a vote of two-thirds of the party's executive committee is required to oust a leader.

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FEDERAL POLITICS
Anger forced from Conservative leadership

Apr. 23, 2009

SOPHIE JACOBS

The Kelssekian Conservative Party's executive committee has voted out party leader and caucus chairperson Joshua Anger after Anger reportedly refused to step down of his own accord following an ultimatum during a meeting of the party caucus and executive officers on Tuesday.

Sources who attended the meeting told the Courier that Anger had been asked to resign before the special vote for members of the party's executive, scheduled for today, was held. According to a senior figure in the party, members of the caucus in particular had expressed "extreme concern" over the direction of the party and the widespread public opinion that Anger had lied to an inquiry over the controversial 2007 federal election.

Joshua Anger reacted strongly to his removal, calling the move an "undemocratic coup d'état", and suggested that he would seek other means to regain the position.

"In this sort of situation, it will be necessary to go over the heads of the party cadres, and right to the party members, the voters," he said today, suggesting a possible candidacy in the leadership vote that will have to be held to fill the vacancy.

However, the party may have forestalled that by also revoking Anger's membership. Robert Carp, a Konoha interior MP who has been appointed the party's caretaker leader, has told the media that "Joshua Anger is no longer a card-carrying member of the Kelssekian Conservative Party." It is not clear if he has been expelled from the caucus, however.

In addition to the controversies swirling around Anger, ideological rifts are also said to have developed within the party, with moderate members reportedly concerned with Anger's sharp move to the right during the 2007 election campaign, where he proclaimed his belief in free markets, economic liberalism, and declared that Kelssek was being held back by a "fossiled socialist-communist system".

Members of the federal parliamentary caucus reportedly also feared that Anger might end up costing them their seats in a future election if he remained leader, as the party's popularity plummeted in recent weeks to 4.7% nationally in the most recent Digita poll, the lowest ever recorded and which saw the Bloc Beaulacois, a relatively new party promoting sovereignty for Beaulac with only one federal seat, within their margin of error just two percentage points behind.

Many Conservative supporters have expressed disappointment at the move. Prominent National Telegraph columnist Julien Defame said in an interview with KBC Radio that the party had just "cut off the last man in national politics who was really fighting for the freedom of the Kelssekian people," and suggested that the inquiry was politically motivated. He added that he believed Anger would soon be jailed for perjury "by a kangaroo court".

"This is the state that our democracy has come to. The government is looking to imprison an opposition party leader and has now successfully pressured his own party into casting him off. We are sleepwalking into communist dictatorship."

The KCP caucus was, however, virtually unanimous about ousting Joshua Anger. "Something had to be done," said Conservative MP Irina Pruz, "going into the next election, it would be a complete massacre."

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PACITALIAN COMPANY TO BUY 49% OF VELOCIT

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A Velocit worker prepares a train for departure at the platform in Neorvins's Bay Square station.


Robert Liles
4 May 2009

The Pacitalian company Società Ferroviaria della Repubblica is to own a 49% share of the corporation which operates Kelssek's new high speed railway network, Velocit Kelssek Corporation, Prime Minister Peter Coakson announced at a ceremony to mark the official opening of the Velocit (previously known as the KHRS).

The deal will also see SFR pay for 49% of the estimated $70 billion cost to build phases 2 and 3 of the most expensive public works project in Kelssek's history, which had been put into serious jeopardy after the previous Liberal/Conservative coalition government cancelled the later phases and later attempted to sell the entire network. A great deal of the cost will be in bringing the railway through the Etnierian Mountains. The federal government will maintain the 51% majority shareholding, as required by the law passed by Parliament earlier this year to establish the corporation.

Mr. Coakson said that budgetary constraints necessitated this move and that the construction of the railway was an imperative. "Our budget is already in a $17 billion deficit and there is a point with deficits where you simply cannot afford to add more to it. I am not opposed to running a deficit if economic situations call for it, but the larder simply is empty at the moment. But this railway must be built and it will be built."

He also launched a pre-emptive attack on the opposition. "Some people will likely call me a hypocrite for this. But let me point out first that unlike the great Kelssekian sell-out, the people of Kelssek retain ownership of this railway, and second, this was a situation created by the previous government." He insisted that a balanced budget will be restored next year.

Politics may have had as much to do with the timing of the announcement as the occasion, with the Conservative party having just ousted its controversial leader, leaving the federal opposition fractured. Analysts consider it almost certain that the Green Party's junior coalition partners, the United Communist Party, had already been prepared for the announcement as the main source of opposition to this move would likely have come from the left.

Praising the virtues of the system, Mr. Coakson said, "Velocit is more energy-efficient and over the short haul it is as fast as or even faster than airline travel, and it goes straight to the city centre, where you can easily transfer to the mass-transit system. It is good for our environment and our economy." He also noted that the system was long overdue. "Other developed nations have had high speed rail like this for decades already. But better late than never, we now have a system of our own that we can take pride in."

Mr. Coakson, along with his Transport Minister Robert Shanklin, Deputy Prime Minister Anne Marsha Cressey, as well as Premier of Beaulac Laurent Couillion and Premier of Noua Cymru Douglas McCaern, rode the line from end to end today, starting at Outineau's Gare Centrale and terminating at Redswyth's Millenium Station, stopping at each station to greet Velocit workers, before returning to Neorvins's Bay Square station for the ceremony.

The trains had been operating in revenue service for a month prior to the official opening, and despite some problems with signalling which led to delays during the first two weeks and problems with the entertainment system, the system has gotten off to a good start, meeting the 95% on-time performance standard set by the federal Ministry of Transport.

"The main challenge will be to maintain these high standards. I am certain that with proper management and funding, in twenty, thirty, years these trains will still be good as new and offering excellent services to the people of Kelssek."

[OOC: More information about Kelssek's new high speed railway at http://www.nswiki.net/index.php?title=Velocit ]