NationStates Jolt Archive

Northern UAR Lusaka, in the shadow of Kilimanjaro

“...there is a war going on, of course people are going to want to get out, it makes sense when imperialist’s shells are falling on your home, that you should want to leave.” The government spokesperson, a tall, slender black man probably in his early thirties at most, continued to smile throughout the interview. Behind him dust could be seen rising in the distance as another couple of vans hauled the slight possessions of a white Lusakan family towards the northern frontier and Roycelandian East Africa.

“But doesn’t your government tell us that the Al Khali invaders have been stopped at Mbeya? Why are people fleeing Old Lusaka?”

“Nobody is fleeing Old Lusaka...”

“...But...”

“Nobody is fleeing Old Lusaka... Yis, people are nervous, you know?” Said the spokesperson, laughing. “But this does not mean anything.”

“Why is it that the majority of emigration is accounted for by the minority white population?”

“Erm, this is obviously because the white people are... the colonial population... they have families in the west, and we native Lusakan people do not, so we will stay and fight for our land, you see, yis?”

Dodoma

“Ja, get the mattress on, too, that’s it.”

Another white family may be seen loading-up their rusty old Toyota with the sort of things that would be worth almost nothing in the 1st world states they intended to make for, even in the parts of South Africa or Rhodesia in to which they might be accepted. A foreign journalist explains to camera that, in Lusaka, white people are just as poor as black Africans. Perhaps, she hypothesises, this equality in the face of western imperialist pressures is enough to make bitter colonials want to leave for lands that might afford them some unequal benefits.

Elsewhere, a news media crew from a less sympathetic nation or company interviews a sunburned ex-farmer, who dramatically claims to have been the victim of institutional and epidemic racism. First kicked off his farm –built on land belonged to his family since the Roycelandians subdued the native kingdoms generations ago- by the Igomo Social Progress Party that has clung to power since the revolution of the late 1970s, and replaced by state-subsidised Zanzibar-Arab commercial farmers, he claims most recently to have been abused by black civilians.

“They [the native population] took the evictions, the government-backed evictions, as an okay to get back at successful ethnic Roycelandians... however they liked, you know?” Explains the farmer, Mr.Joehio. “We got nothing when the SPP kicked us off the farm and moved the ra... Arabs in... which they only did so they’d not side with the Al Khalis... ah... and we had to set up in the shanty town outside Doddie [Dodoma]... well, the gondies [blacks] loved it, ja? They’d taunt us, throw rocks, then they set the house on fire... I call it a house... I comes back and Meg says, you know, the f***ing place is on fire, so we barekas [ran] to get the kids from school and get out of here.”

“And the government did nothing?”

“Nah, they’re only interested in... well, I seen one of the guys later goin’ around with an army rifle, so these b*****ds are joining the army and we’ve got to leave the country, you know?”

“The people that burned your home are in the army, now?”

“Ja, that’s it.”

Whatever the cause, it is clear that Lusaka’s population of half a million whites is opting to depart at a rate unprecedented since the bush war with Rhodesia saw native-run forces come within miles of Salisbury before being repelled. While this may seem on the face of it to be a simple consequence of the invasion by neighbouring Arab republic Al Khals, it seems odd to some observers that black African and even Zanzibar Arab populations remain steadfast. While it is true that the whites have more places to run, it seems no more in character for (primarily) Roycelandian peoples to flee their land than it would for Muslims to up and leave Zanzibar, or President Igomo to abandon his African Republic.

The country as a whole continues to suffer the effects of war, near surrounding by hostile powers, a wildly unstable economy, and an unchecked AIDS crisis that claims tens of thousands each year. The relatively minor issue of white unrest seems unimportant to many.

News at 10: Still nobody fleeing anything, war about to be won!

OOC: :D Very funny Lusaka, Ive got a friend (originally Rhodesian now lives in RSA), who speaks just like that.

Joehio family gaoled for illegally removing children from school; pool annexed into Igomo family mansion in Dodoma; president complains about lack of working pump, reminded Joehios were poverty-stricken and had no business owning a pool anyway.

"We are offering any and all right-wing whites, that is whites who can prove they're at right-wing, or willing to learn right-wing ways, and are not now nor have ever been communists or race-mixers, approximately 500,000 dollars to move to Mississippian Egypt. This is a first world nation, a massively large nation with great schools, great hospitals, great cities, great people... We will pay you to move here, we will pay your expenses, and we will put you in a house and find you a job! This is our way of helping our white brethren!" Paul Stahlecker.

The Border between Lusaka/Roycelandian East Africa

Hordes of Refugees crossing into REA were being processed by Immigration Authorities on the Roycelandian side- anyone who could prove they were either born when Roycelandia controlled Lusaka was immediately granted citizenship, whilst persons with an immediate relative in Roycelandia somewhere were granted Permanent Residency.

It was pretty obvious something was going down- the Imperial Roycelandian Government issued a statment decrying the Lusakan "Human Rights Abuses" and threatened "Further Action" if steps were not taken to address the situation. The huge numbers of Imperial Guard on the border made it pretty clear that "Further Action" would be something involving gunfire and probably some light pillaging as well...

Mpika, Muchinga Mountains, Zambia, United African Republic of Lusaka

"Get Rhodri, they're coming up, again!"

Marc's sister dropped her hat in the dash across the yard to find Rhodri, who was sat in the dust lecturing three or four of the community's children on their colonial history and how many gooks he scribbled in the revolutionary and bush wars. One or two of the youngsters evidently couldn't care less, being much more interested in Rhodri's old dog that was rolling about in the dust near by.

Rhodri was alerted by the meek shouts of the on rushing young woman, and rose with great purpose, before turning to lift a tipped-over bathtub and recover a No.4 Enfield rifle and a fabric bag full of workshop-fashioned bullets and crude grenades.

For the next twenty seven minutes shots echoed through the hills, puncturing the shouts of men and barks of dogs that filled the latest ill-advised attempt by the authorities to root-out the pro-colonial militants. No one was killed, this time, as the Army of Lusaka pulled back on realising they'd been given faulty intelligence on the geography of the little livestock farming community.

High in the skies over Mpika and the Muchinga Mountains Lusaka

The Roycelandian C-47 crew were understandably nervous as they approached the agreed rendezvous under the starlight African sky at 10,000 feet.

Disguised as an Air Afrique passenger airliner, complete with flight plan from Salisbury in Rhodesia/Nyasaland to Libreville in Gabon, the C-47 was in fact owned by the Roycelandian Special Operations Command, and carrying several parachute cannisters of .303 ammunition, grenades, and about 200 Mk III Lee-Enfield Rifles. An added bonus was a dozen Light Machine Guns- six Lewis LMGs, and six Bren LMGs. Approximately 50 handguns of various types (particularly the Nagant M1895, Webley Mk VI, and some old Colt M1911A1s) had been packed in a different crate, along with approxmately 40 Sten Guns and M1928A1 SMGs. For good measure, the remainder of the cargo hold was stocked with Humanitarian Supplies for Gabon, although a couple of crates were also going to "accidentally" fall out of the plane over Mpika along with the rest of the less peaceful gifts from the Imperial Government.

"Skipper, there's the signal!" the Loadmaster cried over the Intercom.

The Roycelandian Broadcasting Corporation's World Service had alerted the pro-colonial militias to the airdrop via an intentional error in that evening News Broadcast. The phrase "This is the Roycelandian Broadcasting Corporation World Service, and the time is 24, I'm sorry, 25, minutes past 8PM" sounded innocent enough, but it was in fact the signal, pre-arranged by the IIS agents (disguised as Aid Workers in the appropriate areas) to tell the Militia Members that an airdrop would take place at Location Code 24 at 1:08AM in the morning.

The correct ID torch flashes were seen by the Loadmaster on the C-47, and the cannisters were jettisoned via the lowered cargo ramp. The Loadmaster saw the parachutes billowing open in the starlit sky before they vanished from view, swallowed by the night-time darkness.

The Pilot blinked his landing lights in the agreed signal to indicate the cargo had been successfully paradropped, and, lightened of a large part of it's cargo, the C-47 increased it's speed and flew on into the night, heading for Gabon.

The deviation of an airliner from its course was noticed by one controller on the ground, but the news never reached the military before the plane had long left Lusakan air space.

The collection of new arms increased calls from some of the more youthful and reckless white rebels to take their little fight to the authorities. More level heads like that answering to the name Rhodri were less inclined to get everybody killed by an army almost the size of the white population, especially when a significant percentage of the white population traditionally supported the Igomo Social Progress Party.

There was a considerable period of quite strange quiet in coming days, except on the Al Khali front, of course.

Bluewater Cove, Roycelandia

Sir Duane Dibley put down his coffee with annoyance as the phone rang.

"This had better be important!" he muttered, as his Butler brought out the handset.

"A Commander Sword on the telephone for you, Sir."

Sir Duane's eyebrows raised. If Jack was calling, it must be important. He took the proffered handset, and the butler discreetly withdrew,

"Jack, my dear fellow! How are things in Port Royal? Oh, I see. Running out of steam, you say? Interesting. Where do I fit into all this? Hmmm. Could be a bit risky, you know. You remember Gabon. We were damned lucky to salvage anything at all out of that, you know. Very well, I'll see what I can do. Dinner at White's tonight, perhaps? 7pm, usual table? See you then."

Sir Duane rang off. This was serious. Jack wanted to instigate an uprising by White farmers against the Lusakans, giving Roycelandia a pretext to invade the country for some reason.

Sir Duane made some more phone calls, and then cancelled his Bridge game for that evening. This would take a while to hammer out...

The exodus had continued for several further days with clashes between police and unusually well-armed white settlers only increasing and the Al Khali war looking more and more like a pointless and bloody stalemate. The daring attempt to rescue Secretary Miyanda from the Al Khali island of Mafia had ended in failure, and with it had faded the prospect of Igomo's greatest ally returning to help the ailing President.

Igomo had famously collapsed just months earlier during yet another of the Republic's narrow escapes, and the event had been officially put-down to mere stress and dehydration from over-working during the Gabonaise crisis.

The Lusakan economy's renown for fluctuation and the instability and hostility of the nation's neighbours, along with the support of ever sensitive ethnic and religious divides made the position of President of the United African Republic of Lusaka one of the world's most stressful and demanding jobs.

They'd caused what was in reality Igomo's first stroke. A mild one, but an undeniable sign that the over-weight (he had been a fit man in his youth, but the pursuit of activities such as wrestling had lead to injury and decreased mobility, which combined with prosperity contributed to general ill health) President should slow-down. The Al Khali invasion, the abduction of his good friend Miyanda, and the unexpected increase in ethnic strife combined to fell Igomo for a second time, and he had not been seen in public for a week.

Already forces were gathering against the stricken President, and talk was rife that his absence from public view was evidence of his unsuitability to rule.

Lusakan State TV

The sun beat-down exceptional heat upon the assembled journalists, officials, and soldiers as General Theodore Tendyala, returned from the front at Mbeya, took the hastily erected open-air stage.

"People of Lusaka... Friends... you know I can not talk long... I must get back to the front. I have a sad thing to say to you, today. That is this... our leader, Mr.Derek, he has been a good leader and a good friend since the revolution... which was his day. This... is not his day. He is not around, because he is not able to take a firm hand against people... he has come used to seeing as... his children and his neighbours.

"In this emergency... situation... we must take deeecisive action!" Said the popular young general, wagging his finger up and down with some enthusiasm.

By the end of the address, Lusakans were left wondering whether Tendyala had just proclaimed himself President or something of the sort.

Governor-General's Mansion, Port Imperial, Roycelandian East Africa

Governor-General Fry turned off the TV. "Kiff, what the hell was that?"

Robert Kiff, the Minister of Colonial Affairs (REA), and also an African himself, scratched his head. "I have no idea. If I didn't know any better, I'd say that General Tendyala has just staged a bloodless coup and overthrown the Lusakan Government."

"Jack, what about your thoughts?"

Commander Sword's face was clearly visible on the videophone link from Port Royal.

"Kiff's right. Perhaps Igomo's been whacked? Something's a bit off there."

"Sir Duane, how are things coming along at your end?"

Sir Duane Dibley's voice came over the speakerphone. "Rather slowly, but you should see some results shortly, my dear chap."

"Someone find out from the Al Khalis what's going on at their end. We need to move quickly."

RBC World Service

"Rumours of a suspected Coup tonight in Lusaka as President "Mr Derek" Igomo vanishes from the public eye and General Tendyala threatens to 'Take decisive action' in some unspecified way.

The Roycelandian Government is increasingly concerned about Lusaka, and has repeatedly threatened to 'Do Something' about the country's situation, with that 'Something' looking more and more like an armed intervention.

Meanwhile, the Roycelandian Government is also actively encouraging White Settlers in Lusaka to resist the Lusakan Government's 'Land Reform' programmes by any means necessary, including but not limited to armed rebellion..."

Roycelandian Protectorate of The Seychelles

The Imperial Guards 2nd Rocketry Division looked at the Communique in surprise. They'd been in the Seychelles for years, after the disastrous invasion of Madagascar, and had never been ordered to fire at a "live" target, since the war ended, but this one came from The Top, so they readied the launching pad on their Batsman Long-Range Missiles and keyed in the Target Co-Ordinates.

The small Napalm Explosive Incendiary heads would ensure that, whilst the actual explosion damage would be minimal, the firestorm that would result would very probably create a lot of panic amongst the Lusakan forces in the city, and damage morale, buildings, and equipment.

The NEI had been carefully chosen so as to minimise civillian casualties- fire was horrible, but at least you could run away from it. They'd be doing everyone a favour by fire-bombing the city anyway, and it would teach the Lusakans a lesson.

"FIRE!"

The Batsman missile roared straight up into the stratosphere, adjusted it's course, and, as it descended vertically onto it's target, the rockets cut out, ensuring that it's descent would be silent and devastating.

The Rocket's nosecam gave the Rocketry crews an excellent view of the nothern (Lusakan) part of Mbeya, as the rocket's firey cargo hurtled from the skies towards the Lusakan part of the city...

OOC: Urm, Roycelandia, did you suddenly invade the Seychelles without my knowledge? You do know they have been mine for over a year? Little confused!

OOC: Roycelandia took over The Seychelles as a protectorate after the Invasion of Madagascar went FUBAR... we had to withdraw our troops somewhere, and most of them ended up on Mauritius and The Seychelles.

No-one objected at the time, and the thread was deleted in the Jolt Move.

Perhaps we could assume that Roycelandia has Farquhar Island, which is halfway between Madagascar and The Seychelles? Failing that, some sort of Base-Sharing arrangement or something might be in order?

OOC: Roycelandia took over The Seychelles as a protectorate after the Invasion of Madagascar went FUBAR... we had to withdraw our troops somewhere, and most of them ended up on Mauritius and The Seychelles.

No-one objected at the time, and the thread was deleted in the Jolt Move.

Perhaps we could assume that Roycelandia has Farquhar Island, which is halfway between Madagascar and The Seychelles? Failing that, some sort of Base-Sharing arrangement or something might be in order?

I had always assume that you knew that United Elias incorporated the Seychelles as I often have referred to it dirtectly and indirectly in Africa related posts. Anyway, as they say in your country 'no worries' we'll sort it out. We would be happy to say that you have soverignty over the Farquhar Atoll and the rest belongs to us. Also , while we're on the subject we wish to remind everyone that UE controls Diego Garcia and all of the British Indian Ocean territory. Just for general interest UE has also recently taken over St.Helena and Ascension in the Atlantic (there was a thread a couple of week ago, cant be bothered to dig upthe link though).

On the Lusaka/Strathdonia border the small local units of the Strathdonian Warden Service have simply been overwhelmed by the influx of refugees, in response the President Mrs Jessie Nambutia has added her voice in support of Prime Minister Jacobson's call for vastly increased funding of the Warden service particularly concerning the bill currently before parliment seekign authorisation for the purchase of 5 Seabird SB7L-360Seekers and 2 SB9 Stormers from Jordanian Seabird Aviation.

(OOC my nation is not big enough to have its own aviation industry and i really don't see any other source bar the Rl one for the seeker and stormer).

In a couple of national newspapers there has been rumors concerning unrest about Strathdonia's continuing lack of involvement in the conflict, official sources have put this down to foreign agitators seeking to divert the nation from the road map to recovery.

“Igomo’s had it.”
“You think so?”
“I’m sure!” Rhodri’s face was alight with a daft grin as he walked from the little wooden building to the dusty yard where his family and friends were idling, uncorking a bottle of South African wine -white of course- on the way.

“That’s great!” Said one of the young men near by, fully knowing it best to accept that Rhodri was always going to oppose the Social Progress Party no matter how little reason Igomo’s government had ever given him. Any minute now Rhodri would launch into a history of the Revolution and probably the Bush War, bemoaning the gooks for taking up arms against the colonial government one minute and laughing about how he and his mates helped the Selous Scouts to butcher a militia and the nearest gondie village the next. Best not to question the authenticity of any of his tales, either, it was generally believed that even if he hadn’t been a hero in Nyasaland, he’d almost certainly killed or at least assaulted people since.

Besides, Rhodri was a decent bloke most of the time, and good with the kids.

The farmstead saw drinking and increasingly good cheer reach on deep into the night as alcohol and the camaraderie of the group encouraged the spread of Rhodri’s good cheer at Igomo’s apparently impending fall.

The approach of a lion did nothing to spoil the mood, the number of experienced bushmen assembled was more than sufficient to soothe any nerves over the prowling cat.

“Hahaha! He was chemering like a baby! And Rhodri just chased the thing off into the shateen like it was a fucking kitten or something! Fucking Andy, what a guy.”
“Heh, yeah, I can’t help missing the fat old goat... you know he owns like five used car dealerships in Port Ro...”

The conversation was interrupted at something after midnight as the noise of the bush and the pitch of the night were blasted apart like the radio shed that had suddenly exploded.

“Jesus Christ!”
“Is there anyone out there? I can’t fucking see anyone!”
“Nah, there’s no one! Look, the flood’s still on, there’s no one out there.”
“Then what the hell was that?” Screamed one of the men, gesturing towards the burning remains of the farmstead’s only link to the outside world, which had just been hit square by an unnoticed Raptor glide bomb of the Lusakan Air Force. The lights that kept away certain animals and guarded against governmental incursion under cover of night had evidently proved sufficient aiming point for the South African-origin weapon’s TV guidance.

Now it would be a fearful watch against Army incursion rather than a jolly celebration that would deny farmsteaders their sleep. It was a fruitless watch, of course. Tendyala’s soldiers maintained their cordon around the troublesome ranch, which was now without the means by which it could previously contact the world beyond.

Civilian air traffic over the Republic was meanwhile being reviewed so as to keep routes away from trouble spots. It was an easy enough thing to cite security concerns while Lusaka was fighting a war against Al Khals.

Lusakan State Television

The caption read, "Defence Secretary Colin Olongwe" and the Defence Secretary read, "Just hours ago... radar attached to the Tanga Air Defence Command detected the launch against the United African Republic of a ballistic missile. This was engaged... successfully engaged by the command's SA-20 Triumf battery as provided to the Republic by its Soviet allies during the Lumbosa/Valinon crisis.

"The launch... originated from theee Seychelles. After some analysis... it has been determined that... specifically this was from the Roycelandian territory... there.

"It is not known what... was the payload of this missile, that is, we do not know if it was an attempted nuclear strike against the United African Republic, but it was decided not to launch an immediate counter-strike against Roycelandian East Africa or that Empire's other territories. This was done mainly because Lusaka understands the subjugation of native populations in those places.

"Never...the less... the sword of Lusakan justice can remain sheathed only through so much... there is some provocation to which we can not turn the other cheek.

"We have demanded an explanation and apology from the Roycelandian Emperor and a full admission of guilt in the near creation of a nuclear war, avoided thus far only by the grace of Lusakan moderation."

By now jaws were opening and shutting like the camera shutters pointed in Olongwe's direction. The Roiks had just launched a ballistic missile at the Republic? Our SA-20 batteries are still active? We haven't returned fire?

Olongwe wasn't finished.

"Further to this..." he said, his accent seeming to thicken as his face became ever more emotively stern, "...the Roycelandian lease of what has been called the Congo River Research Facility has been terminated, and the occupants are to be immediatelly evicted and escorted from Lusaka."

Nods and murmers of approval rippled through the assembled journalists and politicians.

Congo River Research Facility

The notice was served at the gates by a Colonel standing against a backdrop of tanks and infantry. Evacuation was to be immediate, and the matter of equipment and research data would be settled at a later date. The Roycelandians were not said to be in a position to object, having been deemed to have lost all legal rights by firing ballistic missiles at Lusaka.

At COM-INDIO (Indian Ocean Command) HQ, Port Victoria Naval Base, Seychelles, there was organised chaos as furiously they reported to Baghdad that no ballistic missile had been fired by them or from the Roycelandian controlled Farquhar Atoll. Then in turn, the Defence and Foreign Ministries published statements decrying Lusaka's claims and demanding proof of this act and also including various complainst about the reppression of whites and one even asked the simple question, who is leader of Lusaka now? Within the establishment questions were being raised about what to do about the UAR, but quite simply there was not enough information.

Simultaneously, also at Port Victoria, the ready alert flight of four Tu-160M strategic bombers were being rearmed with EAW-12ER(N) cruise missiles carrying 340 kiloton thermonuclear warheads. Across the base, silos of EAW-88 Ground Based Ballistic Missile Interceptors opened, ready to launch at a moment's notice. If Lusaka for any reason actually believe they had been attacked by a ballistic missile, they might retaliate in kind, if they could, and that in itself was a matter of debate, but it wasn't worth taking a chance.

The Roycelandian Government has issued a statement to the effect that one of Roycelandia's COMSTAR IV Satellites had been in the process of launching when a "trajectory irregularity" occured, the satellite and rocket went off course, and appeared to crash in Lusakan territory.

The Imperial Space Agency has issued a full apology for the incident, saying they are "very upset" about the damage caused and the loss of the missile.

Meanwhile, the Congo River Research Facility mysteriously caught fire as it was being evacuated- the sort of ferocious, burning hot fire that doesn't lend itself to being extinguished easily.

Oddly, all the files had been transferred out months earlier... the facility had basically been sitting idle anyway, something else that was dismissed as a "coincidence".

Mpika, Muchinga Mountains, Zambia, UARL

"That's it, I've had it."
"They're still out there?"
"Of course they're still out there, that's where all the f... food is!"

The mood at the farmstead was beyond bad after two weeks under siege without a link to the outside. Rhodri, normally the first to reinforce the group's resolve, had been carried away by his part as the tough guy and hero, and had stopped eating three or four days ago, after being on a reduced diet for ten days previous, so that the women and children could share the goat. He was in something of a poor mental state.

The farmsteaders decided to surrender to the troops visible a few hundred yards away. For all they knew, order had been restored, or the world had ended in the days since their radio shed was destroyed.

The machete-hacked corpses of fourteen colonial farmers were given a shallow grave that evening, and by the next day the farmstead had been stripped of what little material value it previously retained. It would take a few weeks for the government to step forward and re-use the land, probably handing it back to native farmers without mention of the end met by the previous occupants. That went for the dead and the four escaped persons, mostly children it was thought.

In the meanwhile, Lusakan media had focused on the restoration to Lusaka of a tiny piece of western territory, and the amusing failure of a Roycelandian venture in rocketry.

IIS HQ, Port Royal, Roycelandia

"Interesting... notice the crops haven't been farmed. In fact, if I didn't know any better, I'd say they'd been torched or abandoned."

The Intelligence Analyst was viewing the latest images from the Roycelandian "Tasco" spy satellite.

"Keep Sir Duane informed, and someone try to find out where Igomo is... I daresay he's not planning on spending his retirement in Lusaka..."

Kinshasa, Presidential palace

Kinshasa was in a state of chaos when news of Igomo's fall and the frenzied white expatriation reached the African Commonwealth. President Ndelebe, having gained his power in much the same way as Tendyala, did not immediately make himself available for comment. With the secular party seeing some internal dissent over the decision to practically annex parts of the republic of Angola and the continually postponed elections, there was much speculation as to where the Commonwealt, and its pull as a major military power in the region, would place itself. At around evening the same day((sorry for the time-mongering, but I have only just seen this now - we can jump where needed, of course.)), a statement was prepared and read aloud by party secretary James Mortu:

We are saddened to learn of a coup taking place, yet we recognize the government of Theodore Tendyala as legitimate. The DCAC will guard its borders carefully and accept a number of immigrants from Lusaka to be specified at a later time. Also, we offer permanent amnesty and protection for Mr. Derek Igomo should he choose to accept it. At this moment, the Secular Party has nothing further to say.

With that, several CAF divisions with appropriate support begin transferral to the formerly disputed Lusakan border, and to the newly created Angolan protectorate corps. Attached were the newly commisioned "Okapi" IAVs, as well as armour and aviary support. It would seem that the AC takes a neutral stance as of now, according to analysts.

RBC World Service

"... promised not to do it again.

In Political News, the Imperial Government has yet to release an official comment on the suspected Coup in the Former Roycelandian territory of Lusaka. High-Ranking officials said that the Emperor is concerned about the developments in Lusaka, but wants to see how things pan out before recommending a particular course of action.

And in News From The Lighter Side, a small village in the Uganda province of Roycelandian East Africa has elected a Water Buffalo as Village Chief.

'It's saved a lot of arguments' said Mboko Wimowe, a Village Elder. 'The new Chief never says anything, never disagrees with anyone, and is totally impartial in all disputes. That, and if we get sick of him, we can trade him to a different Village for Goods and Services. Everyone wins!'

Governor-General Philip J. Fry has not commented officially on the incident, but sources close to the Governor-General said he was "amused" by the incident and had no plans to overturn the Village's decision, pointing out that Roycelandia is a democratic country and there's no law against voting animals, or inanimate/mechanical objects into office in Local Body elections."

Since the coup, little news had escaped the UARL save that exported by a few of the refugees crossing the nation’s vast borders, impossible to fully police.

Derek Igomo remained in the UK, unsure of what to do with himself.

After his Republican Guard became bogged-down in the streets of Mbeya and his air force lost much of its strength in long-range missions against Lusakan bridges, Omar Qottar had contacted New Lusaka City and sued for peace. This Tendyala had expected, and had previously planned to reject, desiring instead to push on and take Al Khali oil wells, but in the event he was widely advised against continuing the war. The economy was falling to pieces and was worse than it had been at any point in the last several years of Igomo’s rule. The United African Republic desperately needed a period of stability.
Across southeastern Lusaka, Al Khali forces were falling back, and they were doing so with little to no harrying by remaining Lusakan air force assets, though some African People’s Volunteer Army units gave the odd parting shot, their officers little able to maintain order.

Evictions continued. Started under the SPP during the Gabonaise crisis, when Igomo created the APVA by offering subsistence farmers the chance to fight in return for their families receiving tokens for food from commercial farms, the programme was spiraling under Tendyala. Igomo’s Social Progress Party had removed the descendents of Roycelandian imperialist landowners from their privately owned farms, and turned the land over to Zanzibar Arab commercial farmers working with the benefit of government subsidy. He hoped at once to win-over the Arab population of Lusaka and to produce food enough to sustain the families of subsistence farmers sent to fight, and had provided displaced white farmers with jobs in the city. Granted, the SPP had resorted to fairly heavy-handed tactics when farmers refused to comply, but considering the situation it was hardly surprising that these incompliant colonials were seen as traitors.

General Tendyala continued to use force even after the war in Gabon was concluded, did not go to the same lengths as had Igomo to ensure that alternate employment was arranged for evictees, and was even reversing the policy of giving land to the Arabs. In his mind, it had been done to placate Al Khals, and had failed. Now all of the land was being returned to black African control, as seemed appropriate.

Tendyala was soon to find that Igomo hadn’t just been thinking of Al Khali Arabs when he began the land reform programme. It was well that Al Khali forces were retreating quickly from the vicinity of Zanzibar.

In true Roycelandian style, many of those being evicted were encouraged to either salt the Earth, burn the crops, and/or destroy the irrigation systems before they left.

The Al Khali withdrawl was a disappointment to the Imperial Guard who had been fighting with them, but given the political situation, the order to withdraw was given.

However, they were ordered to remain on the Al Khali/Lusakan border until the Al Khali Government officially indicated that the area was secure and they could return to Roycelandia...

tag

OOC: right antion this time...

IC:
In response to the cease fire in the Lusakain/Al Khali conflict the Strathdonia defence forces have becoem increasingly paranoid, particularly with the government releasing statements welcoming into the country anyone wishing to flee the corrupt Lusakain government and decrying the lack of democratic prcess in the recetn had over of power.

As a result of the now quite intense paranoia in the SDF command structure, numbers 1 and 2 squadrons of the SADF have been deployed to the northern airbase of Smithsfeild, Karonga and the 1st Dragoon divsion supported by the 3rd heavy brigade have also been reported as deploying in a northerly direction. Currently no calls have been made for the mobilisation of territorial or militia deployments other than the usual ongoing upkeep rotations.

While most of the Strathdonian border remains lightly patrolled and few forces sit opposite, multi-divisional forces within a few miles of the northern extent remain in place following the Al Khali withdrawal from Mbeya. A few units have begun to move east, across the northern frontier, apparently moving to re-secure the Al Khali-Lusakan border. Mzuzu saw about the only other military re-reployment as an AFRISAM battery was moved from near the border with Zimbabwe to that city near Strathdonia's western border.

Lusakan United African Nationalist Party announces receipt of new rockets, missiles

Appearing on Lusakan state TV, newly appointed Defence Secretary for LUAN, Terrence Dato said that the United African Republic had successfully imported several tactical missiles.

These are purported to have been purchased from the reclusive Korean communist republic of Dra-pol, and apparently include more than a dozen FROG-7B battlefield-support artillery rockets and a smaller number of Hwasong-6/Scud-C short range ballistic missiles.

It is thought that the missiles arrived aboard a merchant vessel flying Lusakan colours.

It now seems that the Army of Lusaka intends to convert BMP-1 chassis captured from the retreating Al Khali army to use as launch-vehicles for the FROGs, while the mode of Scud-C deployment remains unclear. No dedicated vehicles have yet been seen, and in light of the economy's utter collapse since Igomo's removal from power and the tens of millions of dollars spent acquiring missiles, it is unclear how the problem of deployment will be resolved.

FROG-7B has a roughly 70km range, and carries a 250-450kg warhead, which may contain high-explosive, sub-munitions, chemical payload, or a nuclear device.

The Drapoel Hwasong-6 has a reputed 500km range making it a worthwhile strategic tool on the Southern African stage, it also has a useful 50m CEP, and its payload is thought to be in the order of 750kg.

While the state of Lusaka's nuclear programme is unlikely to be impressive, the nation is widely believed to have significant stocks of nerve gas that might possibly be applied to new missiles.

The Civil Defence Bureau (Not a military body- they deal with floods, fires, storms, earthquakes, and so on) have reportedly been stockpiling various Nerve Gas Antidote agents, for want of a better term.

Meanwhile, Roycelandia's own Rocketry programme has been expanded, and the Dreadnoughts IRNS Roycelandia and IRNS Kenya have been seen with newly installed Missile Batteries, although the type and design of these batteries isn't immediately clear to those outside the IDB.

CAF spokeswoman Hoa Mbadeke stated earlier today that Lusakan acquisition of WMD-compatible SR/IR Ballistic missiles were 'troubling at best', but that CAF readiness in case any hostilities against AC start("you know.. In the future or the event of another coup. I'm not implying anything, sir.") was adequate. The technological level of the SCUD-C and Frog-7 missiles was practically ancient in comparison to the several-billion dollar CAF rocketry program, and that; in the unlikely event of missile warfare between the AC and the UARL, the Lusakan missiles would be intercepted by Commonwealth SAM in "satisfactory numbers". In fact, the SA-400 long range SAM might be able to pick out a SCUD mere minutes after the take-off.

Still, Secular Party spokesmen seem confident in the stability of the new Lusakan leadership. It has even been hinted that the Commonwealth might open its advanced and lucrative missile market to the Lusakan armoury - This is a shocking development according to international analysts, as the Commonwealth has always been very reluctant to sell its rocket technology. Indeed, the most far-reaching deals made between AC and Lusaka in that field has been the sale of a few Nodong-2 IRBM in the late 2001.

-Published Policy Resolution From Majis Ash Shura (Pariliamentary Congress) Select Committee on Foreign Strategic Weapons Proliferation

Deeply Concerned at the recent public statements by The United African Republic of Lusaka (UARL) stating purchase of tactical and strategic ballistic missiles,

Noting with regret the willingness of foreign nations to export said weapons to The UARL,

Recalling the previous disregard of human rights and noting contraventions of international law by The UARL and its allies,

Emphasising the unstable nature of the new government of The UARL which gained power through a coup d'etat and has failed to convince the intrnational community that it is any less of a tyrannical regime than the previous one,

1. Recommends to The President that economic sanctions on The UARL be maintained by United Elias and that the Foreign Affairs Minister ask other nations within Southern Africa use similar measures;

2. Suggests that United Elias military forces within the region improve their air defence capability and readiness especially with regard to SR/IRBMs;

3. Condemns the government of The UARL and requests that they return said weapons to the seller nation;

4. Condemns the government of Dra-pol for exporting ballistic missiles and calls upon them to reconsider their policy in the interests of all parties;

5. Urges The UARL not to use the NBC capability of these weapons systems;

6. Reaffirms the committee's intent to preserve and create international peace and security and to maintain an active policy of non-proliferation;

7. Resolves that the committee will continue to maintain actively siezed of this matter and co-ordinate is actions with all relevant branches of the Federal Government.

Fixtures shook in London as Mr.Derek pounded the desk with his fist. A substantial stack of papers fell to the floor, scattering the notes that would eventually become his memoirs, which he hoped would support him when the little money he'd salvaged would run out. Igomo had lived a comfortable life as President, but he hadn't exactly hidden away a fortune. Well, once he had, but the accounts had been opened as the revolutionary leader put his own wealth back into the mobilisation over Gabon.

Now he was bellowing about how he'd have to expand the chapter on Elias slander and atrocity. Even the United Nations recognised that the UARL under Igomo was a very fair, equal, and open place to live, though it was admittedly hard to get the SPP out of power. Why would anyone but the selfish have wanted them out of power?

Derek was soon working on a government in exile and would run the Lusakan embassy in London as if it were a little empire.

When the first reports reached the high command of the SDF the usual high levels of paranoia and panic reached fever pitch.

"We're Ah doomed!" bemoaned one General Frazer at the next staff meeting.

"Oh stop being so melodramatic!" snapped General Urubo, head of procurement, "Think of it as an opertuantiy"

"Yeah right, our closest neighbour, who has proven themselves a rapid bunch of hatemongering racists with imperialistic tendecies now has almost strategic missiles!!! How can that be an opertunity?"

"Simple it means that we now finally have the leverage to persade the cabinet to release funds for the MICA VL program plus we should be able to sqeeze at least another battery of PAC3s into the strategic budget."

"Oh come on you know how bloody useless the PAC3s are proving. They were lucky to score 70% in the last exercise. As for the MICAs ballsitic interception isn't an ideal use for them."

"With a few tweaks they should be able to hit ballaistic missiles, heck they can hit stealth criuse missiles are it, yes we might need to develope a specialist version with a hit to kill warhead but EADS and MBDA seem very keen to do business. Perhaps if we keep them sweet we might be able to trade in the PAC3s for ASTER30s when they finalize the land version with ATBM capability. Anyway 70% is better than nothing, thats 70% less missiles falling on our citys and farms."

"Ach it still isn't good but there isn't a lot we can do for the moment. Oh, while i remeber how are thigns comming with the brazillians?"

"Oh not too bad, things are going well in respect to the ASTROS IIIs and the FOG-MPM but i wouldn't hold your breath on the SS-150 or the Av-TM. They are still trying to put the orosio on the table as conditon of opening up on some of the other systems but we simply can't offord it at the moment, unless soemthign very nasty happens to the centurions or the Sheridan 60s then we wont be getting funding for any new armor any time soon."

LUAN spokesman reports ex-Igomo regime members arrested, prisoner-exchange negotiations with Al Khalis on-going

Lusakan state media has today reported on multiple arrests targetting the ousted Igomo Social Progress Party. Colin Olongwe, the former Defence Secretary and a key figure in the anti-Roycelandian war of independence was the subject of the day's highest-profile arrest.

Several reports indicate that Olongwe did not go quietly, and that he was apparently protected by colleagues and a detachment of the Lusakan Revolutionary Alliance Corps when Lusakan Army units turned-up at his home demanding his surrender on charges of anti-republican activity. Shots were fired, and it is widely rumoured that the involved LRAC unit was in fact the 17th "Vultures" under the direct command of the renowned Colonel George Tanko, veteran of Gabon. It is said that Tanko and his men escaped after it became clear that Olongwe could not be rescued.

Meanwhile, New Lusaka City is said to be negotiating for the extradition of former Secretary of the Republic Livingstone Miyanda, who is currently held in Al Khals.

The Imperial Roycelandian Government had released no official comment on the arrest of Colin Olongwe, but Palace insiders reported that His Imperial Majesty Emperor Royce I, Commander Jack Sword, Commander Edmund Blackadder, Foreign Minister Jeff Lebowski, and Governor-General of Roycelandian East Africa Philip J. Fry managed to drink "a lot" of champagne, and the sounds of drunken singing could be heard until the wee hours of the morning.

Roycelandian influence in Gabon has expanded to cover some areas recently vacated by the Lusakan forces, with some minor skirmishes as anti-Imperialist guerrillas continue harassing the Colonial Guard in the Territory.

Meanwhile, a Sunderland Flying Boat containing Roycelandian East Africa's Minister of Colonial Affairs, Robert Kiff, has touched down on Lake Nyasa, as part of a Goodwill visit to the Republic of Strathdonia by Roycelandia. Rumours persist that Roycelandia is putting together a "Goodwill Package" for Strathdonia, including a squadron of Spitfire Fighters, large numbers of SMLE Mk III and Jungle Carbine rifles, some C-47 transports, and possibly a Hawk Motor Torpedo Boat as well.

The Imperial Intelligence Service, meanwhile, is worried by developments in Lusaka, the lack of reports from some of their Field Agents...

Prisoner exchange confirmed as Qottar looks to save-face

Prime Minister Habib Kilany, head of the sitting Al Khals Kadira Republic party, has confirmed that Livingstone Miyanda is to be handed-back in to Lusakan custody in exchange for the release of multiple Al Khali prisoners of war taken at Mbeya, a disastrous battle that killed several thousand Al Khali soldiers.

President Omar Qottar has been struggling to justify his ill-fated decision to invade the United African Republic of Lusaka, an act that cost billions of dollars and more than eight thousand Al Khali lives in a population of four million. The exchange of one Lusakan for several Al Khalis is a good start to recovering face, but still falls far short of making the war look like a good idea. Opposition party chiefs Amal Abeid of Islamic Progress and Atef Al Haddam of Arabic Unity have kept-up criticism of Qottar and Kilany, but their influence has for so long be minute next to the president that it seems likely that he and his Prime Minister may still weather this storm.

On Mafia Island there are underway frantic efforts to recover and useful information or technology from Miyanda's impressive Galaxy transport aircraft, impounded by Al Khals at the start of hostilities. It is not yet clear what sort of pressure LUAN may place on Al Jumhuriyah Al Khals Dimuqratiyah with regards to the valuable aircraft's return.

Meanwhile, Qottar is already pressuring his PM to re-build the shattered Al Khali air force before the new Lusakan regime can consolidate power and look again to Al Khali oil.

New Lusaka City

“No, no! I am not withdrawing any Olifants. The Commonwealth makes spare parts, get some.”
“Yis, sir. Can we have some money? We need money to buy things.”
“I... oh, shit.”

President Tendyala wasn’t enjoying his career so much as had General Tendyala. In the army he was given things, in the government he had to find them. In the meantime, a parade of party and civil service secretaries had found him, and were bothering their new president about the state of the economy.

“...the recent ‘reactive exercises’ including extensive Hawk bombing runs and air to air missile tests expended almost ninety percent of the area command’s quarterly fuel ration. Frankly we do not know where the next quarter’s ration will come from.”
“Same for the army, if we’re to spend on maintaining so many tanks.”
“My car!”
“Yes, there will be enough petrol for your gigantic armoured limo fleet, sir.”
“And as for the SA-20 regiments, sir, Mr.President, it is far beyond our means to support a grid over the entire nation...”
“Igomo managed it!”
“Igomo had allies.”

That secretary instantly regretted having bothered to open his mouth as the look in Tendyala’s face said, “you’ve made the list.” Another department quickly had its agenda ready to put.

“Only one of City’s hospitals is reporting above fifty percent operational condition... in terms of trained doctors available, equipment working, and effective drugs, but... all are claiming over full capacity... of patients. Monkey Trauma Centre’s nurses haven’t been paid in two months, and...”
“Monkey Trauma Centre?”
“Oh, ah, yes, sir... it was the Igomo Mercy Hospital... a new name hasn’t been approved, yet... we’ve been calling it that, unofficially, in the meantime. Nobody told me why, exactly, I...”

Tendyala was waving for the reports to continue. He wanted them over as soon as possible.

“...and, ah, the staff are growing vegetables on the hospital roof in order to feed their families. They have to ask visitors to bring in food for their relatives in wards.”
“The army has the same pay backlog.”
“Pay the army, first.”
“People are starving in their hospital beds...”
“Pay the army, first.”

Ever since LUAN seized power, a move that coincided with a radical change for the worse in how long-standing land reform legislation was enforced, news was leaving the United African Republic at a drastically reduced rate. This was in no small part thanks to new policy on who could go where, and what they could do once there. Most foreign media organisations were now obliged to operate through the foreign-built media centre of Joshuan origin. Many arrogant enough to assume that the large, sparsely populated 3rd world state could not police its own borders or interior were now in custody, arrested for wandering off the beaten path or for travelling without a Government Media Liaison. It was easy enough to claim that anybody difficult had trespassed, since relatively few people or authorities actually understood the specifics of current land reform. Tendyala was still struggling to gain international recognition and legitimacy, and it didn't suit him to have it pointed-out that Igomo's Social Progress Party had a much better grasp on order and even the most basic services. Best to let people believe the largely fabricated slanders levelled by imperialists against Igomo, and it would take time to make sure that everybody in Lusaka agreed that current crises were started rather than managed under Igomo.

The Strathdonian government has been secretly pleased at what snipets of information it had managed to sneak over the border concerning the current civil situation within Lusaka with many jokes about the governments inability to handle simple things like food distribution being all the rage within the echelons of power.

Of course it wasn't long before the typical Strathdonian paranoia set in.
++++

Deep in the bowels of SDF HQ the usual meetings were taking place

"We're Ah doomed I tell ye!" anounced general Frazer, his face the usual personification of pessemisim

"What are you about now Frazer?" queried Urubo exasperated with his old freind.

"Well now that the Lusakans are managing to bugger things up good and proper Ah recon its no long till they start getting a little greened eyed when they look south."

"Personally i don't think it all that likely, even if thigns do get worse they are unlikely to be able to afford much in the way of offensive operations and if they do mount some it will leave them wide open to the commonwealth and Al Khals heck even the Royceies might take advantage."

"ye may have a point but if thigns get any worse then this Tendyala is goign to be desperate for a way out, and think that we may just have EXIT written all over us in big green letters..."

Port Imperial, Roycelandian East Africa

The restrictions on News leaving the UARL had noticeably slowed down Roycelandian Intelligence Gathering, but not completely thwarted it.

"They're growing vegetables on the hospital roof???" Governor-General Fry exclaimed as he read the report.

"It gets better", the recently promoted Lt. Governor Robert Kiff said. "The Army hasn't been paid properly for AGES. The Lusakans have been arresting any foreign Journos who go wandering off without a Media Liason, and the whole country is going rapidly down the crapper."

G-G Fry thought for a moment. "Find out how things in the Border Regions are. Drop Food etc to some of the villages, and talk to the Border Guards on the Lusakan side... offer them a small weekly "spotter's fee" to pass on useful bits of information- perhaps arrange for a truck with some Beer, Porn Mags, Chocolate Bars, Food etc to break down at the border crossing. We can work with this."

Meanwhile, the RBC World Service was keeping people who could pick up the transmissions informed of what was REALLY going on, along with light enterainment, comedy, and all the other things the RBC is famous and popular for...

Roycelandian aircraft violating Lusakan airspace would still be frequently subject to targetting by Republican radar, but as more and more SA-20 batteries were brought off-line to save money -or strip spare parts- for other air defence regiments in critical internal areas, the chances of anything actually happening were much reduced. Most outlying defences were on orders not to expend valuable munitions except where they believed themselves under direct threat, or in some cases where hostiles approached sensitive areas such as elements of the copper industry, or major towns.

Younger AFRISAM batteries tended to be in better shape, but production of them had slowed since Igomo left power, and they were too few to offer total coverage of the vast nation. Normally they might have been mobile, thus offering a good chance that hostile aircraft would unwittingly wander into the sights of a newly relocated battery, but for the last few weeks, as fuel rations were cut or expended, redeployment was increasingly rare, and defended locations were probably becoming fairly extensively plotted by enemy intelligence.

Interceptor squadrons were in a similar condition, though reductions in the Air Force's quantitative strength -notable the withdrawal of Lusaka's five flights of Harrier- meant that at least a reasonable stock-pile of spare parts remained. The planes could have been flying more often if only they had enough fuel.

There did remain in reasonable order at least some parts of the once well integrated, multi-tier air defence grid. ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" were still operational in reasonable numbers. Though a lot remained tied to increasingly static AFRISAM batteries, some vehicles were still moving individually. Sensitive areas were still guarded by 14.5mm, 23mm and 100mm anti-aircraft artillery, SA-7 MANPADS, and SA-2, SA-3, and sometimes SA-20 SAM regiments.

Around Lusaka's borders, old minefields still presented major and far-reaching hazards, and it was anyone's guess as to what remained after poorly-maintained security fencing allowed countless wild animals into these minefields.
Army checkpoints were common, but with reductions in the force it was becoming harder to keep them all manned without risking disorder in the interior.

The traditional patrols by soldiers in BTR-152K APCs and UAZ landcruisers were kept up inspite of the fuel shortages... after all, with very few cars or other private transport, Lusaka's oil demand was fairly low anyway. The only problem with patrols today was that the economy wasn't quite organised like it used to be. Since the disorder surrounding Igomo's fall, the blackmarket in Lusaka had taken-off. Previously it didn't do well, as people felt that the SPP was doing a relatively good job of providing for them compared to the situation in Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, and because there was no currency in circulation in the socialist state.

Now, various forms of currency were being accepted by all the wrong people, and with the army not getting their traditional hand-outs with the regularity they'd come to expect, it was suddenly at least possible that border patrols and checkpoint guards could be bribed.

Reading yet another report on Royce planes violating Lusakan airspace, Ndelebe sighed. He looked at the new vice president and minister of Defense, the promising LFU candidate Francois Kojo. Many considered Kojo to be a bit slow with regards to politics, and indeed blank wonder filled his youthful face currently, but Ndelebe knew that he was worth his salt as general colonel who earned his rank by merit and nothing else.

"So, Kojo, can we spare any air defense assets?". "Why, sah?". "No particular reason, but, er, friends of ours need additional coverage.". Kojos brow contorted in thought for a moment, but then he came up with the answer. "The 22nd and 23rd air defense, sah! Since we scrapped all the older soviet air defense rockets, they are out of employment, but as good as any men we got on the subject. Transferring them and the what AA material you decide is needed to the target area should take but weeks.".

So, thought Ndelebe, and put his fingers to the typewriter..

Friends of the LUAN!

Long did we promise the, now former, government of Lusaka aid with its air defenses, but until now, little assets have been available! In grateful reminiscience of the aid Lusaka gave us in the war against the invaders of Gabon, and in knowing how much your AA grid needs it, we have prepared the Lusakan Air Defense Aid I. Consisting of ADI-A72 SPAAG, what SA-19 and SA-20 missiles we have in surplus, as well as two regiments of experienced engineers and gun crews; we can also arrange the sale of some of our new SAM systems to go with the men. Repayment can be discussed at a later date.

Roycelandian C-47 and C-130 cargo planes had been making airdrops over parts of the northern UARL, whilst Kookaburra Reconnaisance planes and IAe Spitfires took advantage of the relative lack of AA defences to map some of the more strategic areas.

Meanwhile, a Deuce and a Half Truck was found abandoned in a minefield on the Lusakan side of the border near Musoma, minus it's engine and tyres, which had been obliterated by an Anti-Vehicle mine.

Curiously, the back of the truck was stocked with various "goodies", chiefly of the Beer/Medicine/Chocolate variety. Sadly, the petrol tank was almost totally empty.

Meanwhile, high-level meetings were taking place in Port Imperial regarding the "Lusakan Situation", and what action, if any, Roycelandia should take...

Presidential weekly Africa briefing

"So, its true, they've actually managed to to create one of the fastest shrinking economies in the region, they've got no gas, no money and no brains." The President chuckled as he read the intelligence reports infront of him, "My favourite thing about socialist economies is the value-subtractive system, turning perfectly good raw materials into products which don't work, cost too much to produce and no one wants. In this case though, it seems they don't even have a planned socialist economy, they have no economy other than the blackmarket."

The Director of The Federal Intelligence Bureau responded, "Sir, its going to get worse...or better depending on which way you look at it of course... since they've even started to disband air defence units, and given that we massacred thousands of Lusakans with airpower alone in Gabon, you'd think that would be a priority. In my opinion, Tendyala is leading the whole godforsaken country straight down the sh*t chute."

"Interesting..." The President took off his glasses, placing the papers on the mahogany conference table, then tapped his fingers gently on it, his eyes glancing around the room. "Ibrahim, can your staff draw up a plan for the re-unification of Gabon with force depletion projections, forces required etc and then I want your written opinion and that of the Generals....I'm not saying we're going to do it, but it seems we have an interesting oppurtunity so lets look at it" The President stood up and the others rose respectfully, "Thank you gentlemen, that'll be all.