NationStates Jolt Archive

GBN Report:

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, I'm Dennis Rodman. Today is Monday, May 10th, 2004. In breaking news today, the island of Réunion voted to join the Commonwealth early this morning. A voter's referendum was held over the weekend, and current reports show the motion was passing 82% to 18%, with arround 94% of the polling stations reporting. In the referendum, Réunion citizens voted to become part of Granzi. This entitle the people benefits such as unrestricted access to Granzian markets without government quotas. A farther initative on becoming a state of Granzi was defeated, however.

The status of Réunion is of an overseas department. For the people, this brings stability to the island, but no federal taxes will be levied. The government released a statement today, saying quote:

"... with the addition of Réunion to the Commonwealth, our standard of life continues to grow. For the people of the island, you will most likely notice relatively few changes. Most of the current infrastructure will be left alone. The voters will be allowed to elect a Governor for a term of 4 years. All taxes will be levied by the local government, and a series of reforms will be placed on the ballot for the citizens to vote on. All legal residents will be granted Granzian citizenship, but overall, a high degree of self-autonamy will be granted. Rest assured, this is not a hostile take-over, but a peaceful choice made by the people."

Nathanial Sun,
Minister of Foreign Affairs

That was the statement released today by the government. In other news, the Granzian Parliament voted to......

OOC: I checked the relevent threads, no one has a claim to Réunion yet.

OOC: Wow, I understand.

24 hours later:

A pair of Fredora Class Destroyers appear off the horizon. Their mission was to escort the troop transport Selias to Réunion. Commander Charles Regar was at the helm aboard the destroyer Aimes. "Captain, land sighted off the starboard!" shouted the lookout.

"Good, I want to reach Saint-Denis Harbor by 9:00. Proceed at 26 knots."

The convoy continued to sail toward Réunion at the utmost speed. At port, the 500 marines were unloaded and began setting up a camp. The general atmosphere was relaxed, as no trouble was expected. Their orders were to guide a smooth transition between governments. A few dozen architects and construction personnel were brought as well, to mark the construction of enlarged port facilities and docking capabilities. A new Governor's Hall was in the works as well, in preparation for the general election soon.

OOC: The government is up and running and elections are expected to be held in about 2 NS weeks. Anyone have comments?

The harbor facilities at Saint-Denis had been enlarged and outfitted for docking large ocean-going ships. At the other end of the port, a section of land abutting the waterfront had been taped off. The deep water at this end was very suitable for large vessels, and plans for a naval base had been approved. Réunion was to serve as Granzi's refueling station in the South Indian, and the frames of several large building had begun to go up. A heavy trawler was commisioned to futher deepen the channel as construction continued.

OOC: Election news to be posted soon.

OOC: Sorry I didn't notice this earlier, but Roycelandia claims Reunion as part of Roycelandian East Africa. So, if you want the Island, you'll either have to fight us for it (and it won't be easy), or locate it in a parallel universe. The thread is here:

http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=120064&highlight=

OOC: Arg, I think every piece of land has already been taken at least twice over. But if not Réunion, I have a few other places I can think of. For the sake of RP, let's just say this is taking place in a parallel universe.

Fair enough. I think most of the planet has been claimed several times over, as you say. Still, you've made the right choice not to try and get involved in a war with Roycelandia- these things have a habit of getting horribly complicated and messy. :wink:

We'll let you get back to annexing Reunion now. 8)

OOC: Thanks Roycelandia.

Election week has come upon Réunion! The citizens are flocking to to the polls in order to exercise their right to vote. (Election canidates will be posted later, just another way of saying BUMP.)

GBN Nightly Report:

After several months of intensive work, the naval base at Saint Denis is almost complete. It features several dry docks and a network of piers intented to be able to secure the largest vessels in the Granzian Navy. Large barracks and a command facility on land will be able to house up to 60,000 troops at once, and construction on a radar station along with several airfields have been continuing. Réunion is expected to become the home port of the Indian Fleet.

In other news, the election results have been finalized. Richard Gardner is voted the island's Governor for the next 4 years. We now go to Robert Fendel, live from Saint Denis. Rob, what is going on?

Well Sandy, I am at the Oceania Hotel, where supporter have gathered to congratulate Gardner. In fact, the new Governor is just about to speak, let's listen in:

"This is a great day for Réunion. Now is the time for us to build a better tommorow for us and our posterity. We the people, working together, can and will make our home strong. I am proud to represent my fellow countrymen in this time of great change... (applause in the background)

~Cuts back to the newsroom~

Thank you and we will bring you more as events unfold. To domestic issues now, where 2 men...

Announcing the completion of the Saint Denis Naval Base:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/images/subase_san-diego2.jpg
A small section of the docks.

Capable of docking an entire fleet at one time, there is space for a total of 58 naval vessels. The permanent home port for the newly formed Indian Fleet, land facilities can house several tens of thousands of soildiers. A radar and detection complex will be scanning the sea at all times with help from orbital satellites. An airfield is also situated next to the compound.