NationStates Jolt Archive

Elephantum Royal Palace, Manama, Bahrain
International Clearance Press Release
Elephantum announces Major Spending
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Manama-A representative from the Sultan's Offices announced Operation Omaha , a major spending operation and government reorginization affecting the four provinces. Much of the funding will come from the budget, but the remaining 1 trillion dollars of the Omaha fund will go towards the spending. Spending by category is broken down below.

Omaha Fund- $1,000,000,000,000
Administration Department- $157,000,000,000
Healthcare Department- $79,000,000,000
Education Department- $3,000,000,000
Religion Department- $15,000,000,000
Defence Department- $398,000,000,000
Law and Order Department- $505,000,000,000
Commerce- $109,000,000,000
Transportation Department-$123,000,000,000
The total being spent is 2.389 trillion dollars. Details on what this money will be used for will be announced as information becomes available.

OOC-thats for tommorow, im tired

tag

Breaking News-Manama, 8:23 PM
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Reporter- We're live at the Royal Palace now, where more details about the major spending initiative have just been released. We have a representative from the government here to explain it. He has however, agreed to be here under anonymity. What is the spending effort's intentions?

Represenative-(with his face censored) Well, we have divided it into three main categories, Military Advancement, Domestic Improvement, and Scientific Advancement. In the military category we have several notable spending increases. We are going to increase the amount of carriers, adding three carrier groups, as well as standardizing the fleet. We also need to make sure we have offensive power, so that in the event of war we can apply pressure.

Domestic Improvement will be the largest portion of our spending. Most of this will go to the Gambian reconstruction, as well as to the more wild parts of India. Bahrain will recieve the least in monetary terms, but possibly the most in the end. We are using advanced methods to expand the island to 475 square miles, and increasing urbanization on the island. We plan to increase aluminum and oil production, in order to exhaust our supplies so we can turn the island into a very large city. To monitor growth, we will conduct censuses (censi?) every five years instead of the standard twelve, the first happening in two years. We would at least like to add two hundred thousand inhabitants in the next seven years, increasing it to one million people, the same size as Gambia is currently. The Royal Palace will be expanded as well. The Central Wing will have a floor added to it, and we plan to add a North Wing, West Wing, and expand the East Wing.

Scientific development includes our higher education programs as well. We have allowed the University of Manama to accept foriegn students, as well as allowing them to have foriegn exchange programs. The Bahrain Institute of Technology, Madras School of the Arts, and the Elephanti Medical University have all signed similar agreements. Most of the rest of the program will go towards advancements in our space program. We hope to add three shuttles to the program, and we plan hope to launch our Expander probes in the next year. Expander I will research Venus, and more specifically, its atmosphere. If its gas has any useful properties, as fuel for example, we may place a space station around it for harvesting purposes. Expander II will go to Mars, to investigate the possibilties of a colony there. Expanders III and IV, still in the planning stages, will explore moons of other planets, mainly Saturn and Jupiter.

We will release specifics when we are cleared by the government, probably close to the actual transactions.

Reporter-There you have it, now back to our previously scheduled program, Manama Dance Hour

Cotland would like to open a student exchange program with Elephantum. It is our belief that education and friendship is the key to progress, and will therefor open for foreign students to attend the various universities in Cotland.

We hope for a positive reply.

All of the Institutions mentioned above have agreed to offer students the options to study at Cottish facilities as well as agreeing to accept Cottish students.
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Breaking News
Manama
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We have recieved an anonymous tip from an undisclosed source, declaring that the government would be creating a "patriotism police" force. We will announce more information as it becomes available

Reporter-More details are being released today about the "Patriotism Police", as they have been dubbed. They will be in charge of maintaining loyalty to the Sultan and patriotism to the country. Every citizen's home must have an official flag, or the Sultan's family crest, or a statue of the Sultan. Having more than one is recommended. Not having any of these, or having them in a state of disrepair, can be punished by anything from a slight fine (5 Alibars), to execution. This does not apply to citizens of foriegn countries, and they are allowed to carry flags of their own country. An Elephanti citizen found in possession of a foreign flag, however, will be charge with treason. Also of not is the removal of appeals, in order to speed up the court system. Maximum sentences have been extended, and many new punishments, including torture and several new methods of execution, including the guillotine, draw and quartering, and being fed to wild animals, have been added.

Another new section was the Propaganda Law. Any citizen caught spreading propaganda that is deemed contrary to the best interests of the country will be charged with Betraying the Sultan in Time of War, and subject to whatever punishment desired by the Sultan himself.

The military has been given full wartime power, even at times of peace.
=Reporter continues talking, but all televisons have her voice muted out=

Elephantum Evening News
Manama, 2-7-05
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(new reporter on screen, in military uniform)
"Hello, I am First Lieutenant Al-Razi, now taking the position of head anchor. Yesterday all of the usual reporters resigned. Onto today's headlines.

The government announced today the building of the Habitation Fleets, five Habitation Ships (modified cruise ships) and a small military escort. The First and Second Habitation Fleets, entering construction later this year, will form the First Habitation Collective. The ships will sail throughout our Sultanate. The maiden voyage of the 1st HF will be Manama to Mahe, Mahe to Banjul via Cape of Good Hope, Banjul to Mediterraenean, and Med. to Mahe. The ships will employ all those who rent rooms for six month cruises, and will manufacture ammunition for the military.

In world news, the Elephanti government has contacted the Principality of Gintonpar asking to purchase Ceuta, a port in Morocco. Most of Morocco is held by Granzi, but Gintonpar controls Ceuta and Meilla, two ports on the coast of the M. Sea. We have no details on the amount of money offered, or if any response has been given.

The Sultan has published a brochure, The Dangers of Communism, and How to Prevent Its Spread . Available for viewing at any library, and able to be purchased for a mere Alibar, it explains the dangers of Communist regimes, and gives tips on finding them in your community.

Dangers of Communism
Removes Culture, Religion, Way of Life
Devastates Economy
Immoral Regimes Looked Upon With Scorn by International Communtiy
Destroys all Rank and Status among Community

Causes of Communism
Christians
Buddhists
Westerners (i.e Nebraskans)
Unions
Socialist Policies

The brochure also asks citizens to be vigilant, and to report any suspected Communists to the police immeadiately.

The government stated that they were not officially planning to remove foriegn Communist regimes, stating that the military was busy in reorganization.

And now for the weather report...............

Later that night, Sultanate Square (in front of Royal Palace), 10:36

Crowds filled the square, packed as it always was when something stirred the Elephanti spirts. It didnt happen often, but when it did, it was quite a sight to see. The lighting was not good, at night it only illuminated the flags, statues, and fountains. The crowd brought their own lighting, in the form of flashlights, candles, and the odd torch. You could see the flames from the harbor, all huddled together, all united under a common cause. Seveal large banners were carried by the crowd.

STOP THE RED SPREAD!

DOWN WITH COMMUNISM NOW!

THE ONLY GOOD COMMIE IS A DEAD COMMIE!

Many Elephanti Flags flew, and they were all chanting "STOP THE REDS, STOP THE REDS"

Almost unnoticed, another banner rose:

COMMUNISM FOR THE PEOPLE!!!
SOCIALISM FOR ALL

As the crowd began to notice the Communists, dressed in all red, hiding their faces in masks, the crowd began to gather around them, shouting insults, which were returned by the masked Communists. Riot police began to move in a moment too late. A rock, thrown by unknown hands, soared through the air, hitting a flagpole with a loud *clunk*. Someone shouted
"Protect the flag, protect the country!"
Later to become the motto of the anti-communist leaders, and the fighting began. Rocks were thrown, faces were punched, and a few Molotov Cocktails were tossed, but more importantly, masks were removed. People tore off the masks of the rebellious Communists, and saw the freind, the neighbor, the cousin, the co-worker. This made them angrier, furious that the Communists had spread so far. The police and military were called out to stop the crowds, but they worked their way through the city, finding Buddhist temples, Christian churches, and the homes of those accused of being Communist. Many were the victims. The police eventually gained control of the mobs, leaving 47 dead, Communist and Loyalist alike.
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As the sun rose the next day the Grand Imam of Bahrain, may his name never be spoken, was preparing his thoughts. He was going to adress the crowds still in Sultanate Square, waiting for guidance. He would provide the guidance, as he had for all the Muslims in the country, a full third of the population.

Well, he thought to himself, might as well do it now. He left his spacious suite and walked down to the Square, surrounded by crowds of his supporters. He knew that no one would touch him, appointed by the Sultan, they had been in power for the same time. He also knew no matter what he said at the Square, the Sultan would not challenge him. To do so would be to invoke the holy fury of Islam upon him, and an internal holy war was not something the Sultan would want.
Even this, he knew. It may be a dramatic proposition, and near impossible to do, but between him and the Sultan, the people would work, and fight, until their terminal breaths. Drama was what kept the passion in their hearts, kept the patriotism, allowed remarkable events, like those of last night.
Politics is half the job,and diplomacy has no place in politics, his own personal belief, suited his situation well. Wandu might flip, but in order to preserve Islam, and further his own goals, he had to do it.

He was surprised that they made it to the podium so fast. He looked out over the crowd, and saw many Muslims, but saw many others, some who worshipped the traditional gods of the nobility, others, although comparatively few, were Hindu, immigrants from India. All, believer or not, wanted to hear him speak.

He rose to the podium and began to speak in his loud, commanding voice that demanded respect.

Fellow Citizens,
I come before you today, desperate, not as a desperate Muslim, but as a desperate Elephanti, asking for aid from all of you, Muslim, Elephanti (the religion in this case), Hindu, regardless of your beliefs. I ask that we face our common enemy, and fight it united, together under one banner, no longer squabbling factions. Our enemy is none other than the Red Menace, Communism.

Communism is too great a threat for one religion to stop it, indeed for two. Even all of us united may not be able to stop it, but we must try. The dangers are to great for us to put our property, our lives, before it. Religions are at risk of being destroyed, not only ours, but every religion, no matter how strong, how powerful, is at risk. They will crush our history, our spirit, our souls. They are already in control of much of Muslim and Arabic culture. Baghdad, ancient capital of the great Arabic Empire, is in Communist hands. Medina, and even Mecca, our holiest city, focus of our religion, have been taken, and are in the hands of vile, sacreligious pigs. They control the crossroads of three continents, and many rich oil fields, the worlds most reliable power, trapped within their borders.

These immoral regimes must be stopped, I beg you, you the people in this crowd, you the people of the whole country, you the Sultan on his throne, you the people of the whole world, do not let this evil continue. It must be stopped at any cost. Economy, state, religion, our entire way of life, they are all at risk, no one can afford to let this continue. IT MUST BE STOPPED.
Quietly, he turned around, walked down the steps, and began to leave, as the crowds screamed, cheered, and prayed in his inspiration. The speech, short, inspiring, and consice, was just what the people needed. The people were happy, but the Sultan despaired, what to do, keep the people happy, or keep his country safe? Which one would do more harm?

ooc-Hogsweat, he's mostly bashing in you because you're close, you have Mecca, and you are the only country that I knew thats Communist).

King Fahd Causeway, Bahrain, 2-8-05, 11:27 AM Local
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Crowds of people were gathered around the border patrol station, watching the protesters. Many protesters had decided that the Causeway could not be tolerated, as it connected to a Communist country. They were blocking the road, and appealing to the government to destroy it. The road to Communist Arabia could not be tolerated.

As the peoples' anger grew, the Sultan was frustrated. He could not afford to lose the peoples' support, but international relations could, and probably would, be damaged. For now he would issue a statement, that would hopefully keep everyone happy for a little while.

Proclamation-That the King Fahd Causeway, which does connect the Isle of Bahrain to the land of Arabia, shall henceforth be closed to all traffic, in and out of the country, offenders shall be met with swift justice.

The embassy personell from Cotland watched the demonstration in the Sultanate Square. They saw the start of the riot that ensued, but were ordered into the safety of the embassy by the soldiers who were guarding it. Said soldiers also prepared themselves, and for the first time in the history of the embassy, the soldiers, usually dressed in their blue-khaki parade uniforms, were standing guard in desert-camo battledresses, XM-8s at the ready, scouting the area.

The following day, the embassy personell heard the speech by the Grand Imam. They wrote a report and sent it back to Cotlandstad, were it was carefully studied. One cause of concern was the involvement of the Christian religion to communism.

The following response were issued to the Elephanti government.


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Imperial Communique

The Imperial Government of Cotland wish to express its worries to the Elephanti government for dragging Christianity into Communism. This is a totally wrong interpetation of the religion. Most communist regimes completely forbid any form of religion, Christianity and Islam included.

Cotland and Elephantum have a good and long-lasting friendship. Cottish and Elephanti soldiers have fought side by side, and have bleed for eachother. We fought for eachother in spite of the Cottish believing in the Christianity, more specifically the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, all God), and the Elephanti believing in Islam (Allah and his prophet Mohammed). The religion had nothing to do with the fighting will, nor do it have anything to do with communism. The communists believe in the political leader, not any figure of God. They do only what their leader say, and ignore anything else. They completely dispise anything religious. Therefor, Christianity cannot be assosiated to Communism.

We are sure that the involvement of Christianity were a mere misunderstanding, and hope for a positive reply.

Most friendly farewells,
Imperial Government of Cotland

(ooc-In Bahrain, urban or desert camo would be more appropriate)
Official Response
We would like to respond to the Cottish message with the followung points
A) The Grand Imam is not a political official, he is appointed by the Sultan to serve as the representative for Islam in ceremonial affairs of state, similar to the High Priests and Priestesses of the Elephanti tribal religions.
(ooc-the Queen of England has political power, even if only in influence, like him, she is largely a ceremonial power)
B) The statement involving Christians (and Buddhists), was included because many of the supporters of the socialist movement in our country were members of small minority religions, like Christianity and Buddhism. Of the twenty-three bodies of Communists found in the Square's riots, eleven were Christian, and six were Buddhist. This is nearly 3/4 of the protesters, compared to 1.5% of the general population combined for the two religions. We meant no offence to Cottish Christians.
C) We apologize for placing the Cottish embassy and its citizens in danger, the scale and fury of the rioters was not expected, but now they are under control, and extra personnel, military and civilian, are patrolling the city.

(ooc-In Bahrain, urban or desert camo would be more appropriate)
Official Response
We would like to respond to the Cottish message with the followung points
A) The Grand Imam is not a political official, he is appointed by the Sultan to serve as the representative for Islam in ceremonial affairs of state, similar to the High Priests and Priestesses of the Elephanti tribal religions.
(ooc-the Queen of England has political power, even if only in influence, like him, she is largely a ceremonial power)
B) The statement involving Christians (and Buddhists), was included because many of the supporters of the socialist movement in our country were members of small minority religions, like Christianity and Buddhism. Of the twenty-three bodies of Communists found in the Square's riots, eleven were Christian, and six were Buddhist. This is nearly 3/4 of the protesters, compared to 1.5% of the general population combined for the two religions. We meant no offence to Cottish Christians.
C) We apologize for placing the Cottish embassy and its citizens in danger, the scale and fury of the rioters was not expected, but now they are under control, and extra personnel, military and civilian, are patrolling the city.
ooc: right. edited.
ic: We accept the appology and wish you luck in the social development in your country. Live long and prosper (ooc: Just "saw" a Star Trek film with my girlfriend.. The line clatched itself onto my brain).

The Sultan was meeting with the Grand Imam, just scant hours after his speech was delivered in the Square, which was still crowded.

OOC-Red is the Imam, Blue the Sultan, Black is someone else)

"Do you know how much trouble you are causing? I have already had to issue an apology to Cotland, they thought you were out to stop Christianity!"

'Of course not, my lord, my only quarrel is with the Communists, the followers of Jesus are brothers to me."

"And what were you doing at the Causeway? Who knows what Hogsweat will say when they hear that we closed it"

"Ah yes, Wandu, I meant to mention something about that. I think we need to go a step farther, get rid of the connection entirely."

"Destroy the Causeway, are you mad! The Saudis spent over a billion dollars on that, they wouldn't be happy if we wrecked it, they might even declare war. We probably couldn't stand the onslaught of a direct attack."

"Who said they would strike the first blow? We will have more military equipment coming in soon" replied the Imam

"Do you know what you are risking, aside from the loss of life? We are trying to acquire Ceuta, which we need to supply Gambia. We need to rebuild Gambia, and making a mess of our foriegn relations will not help either. Besides, who knows how many countries would fight against us? Most of the Communist countries would attack, and if the Roman Confederacy came in, we'd be finished. I must say no for now."