NationStates Jolt Archive

After some prompting from several nations, the notoriously slow foreign department of Tiastan has gotten together this document, which will undergo continous expansion as information comes to light.

The People's Socialist Republic of Tiastan

Background: The Kingdom of Tiasthan, located in an unspecified part of South-east Asia; was invaded by France in early 1856, and the conquest of the nation was complete by 1879, although the colony was at this point still a hotbed of civil unrest and armed resistance to the French rulership. It became part of French Indochina in 1887, along with Viet Nam and other Indo-chinese territories. Empowered by the Viet Minh victories in 1954, socialist rebels fought a long and bloody war against France; not winning independence until 1974. While some popular opposition remained against the communist leadership, most Tiastanese still hail them as liberators and as bringing a more agreeable form of government to the country. Attempting to get ground after their beating by U.S. forces, Cambodia(in 1982) and Laos(in 1979) invaded through the nearby nations of China and Pyeki andfought ground wars against Tiastan in the following years, but the unified people's military defeated both nations after relatively short periods of time. In the Tiastan of today, the Communal Central Commision rules benevolently, although it does so with a rather firm hand - Failure to abide by the edicts, plans and reforms set forth by the CCC can mean incarceration or forced labour; and capital punishment remains an option for many crimes.

Interestingly enough, for an authoritarian nation, free and open elections take place; it must be noted that there are really only communist and social-democratic parties in these elections - Overtly capitalist or conservative political movements and parties are either stifled by popular resistance or government censure.

The Tiastani economy is reasonably strong at the moment. Trade connections to socially liberal nations are good, and the current ruling party(National Progressive Marxist party of Tiastan) has no compunctions about freely trading most commodities(although not valuable minerals and armaments) with conservative nations. Primary exports are agricultural goods, crude oil, fish, fruit, machine parts, basic computer hardware and various ores.

Etymology of Name:

In the complicated Tiastanese language Tía likely meant "home" or "land" at one point, the significance of this part is lost to the modern Tiastani language. Than is corrupt and shortened of Stan, or more correctly Hindustan; paying homage to the aryan Hindustani peoples who migrated to Tía in pre-indian times.

Conventional long form: People's Socialist Republic of Tiastan
conventional short form: Tiastan
local long form: Khien Xa Hia Thonh Tías Than
local short form: Tías Than or, more commonly, Tiasthan(anglizised proper form:Tiastan).
abbreviation: PSRT

Nationality:
Tiastan or Tiastanese(both singular and plural)
Adjective: Tiastani

Climate: Tropical in most of the nation, the far north of Tiastan is monsoonal with exceedingly hot rainy periods during May through September. Weather hazards persist in the form of Typhoons and, more rarely, flooding.

Languages: Tiastani(official), English(use of English is widespread), smattering of French, Vietnamese and Khmer.

Religions: Tiastan is an atheist state, but there is no serious repression of religious freedom - Hindu 20.8% Buddhist 15.3%, Catholic 1.7%, Hoa Hao 0.5%, Cao Dai 0.1%, Protestant 0.5%, Muslim 0.1%, none 62%

Population: 84,550,000

Population groups: Tiastan 68.6% Indo-Aryan 22%, Dravidian 1% Other(Caucasian, Viet, Choson, Mongoloid etc.) 8.4%

Military

The Tiastani military remains a sizable force because of conscription and some unrest in the region. Currently the Tiastani Armed Forces have approx. 1,891,000 servicemen.

Branches: Tiastani People's Army, People's Navy Command(Includes Naval Infantry), Coast Guard, People's Air Force and Air Defense and People's Militia Brigades.

People's Army

A powerful entity in Tiastan, the ground forces are the most prioritized part of the military, and also the one with the most manpower; over 200,000 men and women are combat effective in the armoured and infantry brigades. Working from a hybrid of local tactical ideas developed from local equipment and terrain and antiquated Soviet military doctrines; Tiastani strategic plans emphasize air superiority, artillery and force of numbers.

However, technological limits remain on the hand arms and vehicles used; and conservative political leadership of the army hamstrings the progress of administrative modernization reforms.

People's Navy Command

While the PNC has traditionally been limited to defending the large territorial waters of Tiastan, as well as protecting domestic fishing and counteracting smugglers; funds are going to build up a blue waters navy; including ships that can project conventional ground forces to other places in the region. Also, the Tiastani marine core is regarded as some of the finest soldiers in all the branches; but remain relatively low in number because of financial limits.


People's Fighting Coast Guard

Once a ragged bunch of volunteer fishermen trying to get more authority, ironclad reforms are shaping the PFCG into a capable reserve maintaining the former duties of the PNC so that the command can be freed up for military purposes; they rescue sailors lost at sea, protect domestic shipping and so on.

People's Air Force and Ground-Based Air Defense

Arguably the most modernized branch of the armed forces, the People's Air Force operate a large force of jet fighters, as well as some bombers and command craft - while antiquated(most are domestic versions of early post-WW2 air superiority planes), they pose a formidable challenge to a potential invading air force.

The People's Air Force/Army also operate a rotary corps containing a smattering of transport and fire support helicopters of questionable operative capability.

[[More to come - it is allright to RP in this thread, if you want to extend diplomacy, tag me, trade or whatever.]]

Emerging from the backwaters of obscurity, the new Pyekan-Kuogu of Pyeki sees Tía Sthan as a possibility in respect of proper trade relations for the future. The Pyekan require subtlety and order in their foreign relations, especially in these formative days of the new empire made to blow-away the mistakes and alien subjugation of the past: after backing Imperial Japan in the second world war, Pyeki's primitive economy and fractured society fell into near utter collapse until the initiation of the current reformation.

Following imperial decree the Pangkai (Pyekan nationalist democratic organisation), the Pyekan parliament, intends to dispatch a party to investigate the viability of relations.

It should be noted that, inspite of increased economic activity since the reformation, Pyeki's foreign trade is extremely limited. This is ostensibly owing to national self sufficiency, and actually to paranoid introspection and protectionism.

[OOC: The only thing I might question is the conventional Anglicised name itself, though I'm not sure there's much point since it's the one thing that it is too late to change! Tiastan presumably will give English speakers the impression that Tía Sthan used to be part of the Persian empire or at least that it be some how related to that civilisation, which I would suppose not to be the case. I'd probably have gone with Tiashan or something original like that.]

As a matter of fact, Tiastan has a large number of Indian citizens; owing from immigration in ancient times. These peoples, known as 'Hindustani'; are honoured in the nations name.

Nowadays, though, the communists don't put much stock in names. What they do put stock in, though, is relations; The Pyeki delegation is invited into Tiastan City; one of the larger and more modernized Tiastani cities. A welcoming party is organized; and much dancing, good food and beverages is had; as delegates from the Communal Central Commision make their way to the feast to discuss possibilities for future relations.

Bump. Way more to come, of course.

The Pyekan delegation, when it arrives in Tiastan after a day sufficient to have left one wondering just how badly lost they must have been, comes aboard a smoke-belching armoured yatch of obviously epic vintage. The word Yahlen can be made-out by anyone prepared to see past thick soot and severe rusting, and taken to be the vessel's name. This identifies her as the Pyekan National Navy's proud flagship. Her deeply offensive smoke-stacks, pouring filth into the air to hang for miles behind, stand dead straight, and here and there it can be seen that once they were painted a quite brilliant gold though they have declined in finish along with the ship's hull. Smoke and general dliapidation aside it is the Yahlen's mode of propulsion that is typically first to catch foreign eyes, for she is driven by two great paddle-wheels protected by armoured boxes protruding from each side of the vessel. From casemates and above decks protrude a number of light and medium guns of irregular calibres and questionable merit in modern warfare.

From the Pyekan yatch, after its arrival, emerge a number of ministers from the Pangkai, several Imperial Consuls, and the wildly extravagant white uniform of Admiral Akihiko Hirata.

The party from the Pyekan-Kuogu is not clearly lead by any one of the individuals within it, though several members stand out, the Admiral, for his almost Victorian dress, being one, and two of the traditionally robed consuls being striking in rich and sparkling colours and detailed patterns of their own.

The visitors are clearly ill at ease in a city the likes of which have never been allowed to take lasting root in the soil of their homeland.

http://ntrung.bol.ucla.edu/photos/hanoi/trangtien_street.jpg
A snap of life in the picturesque Tiastan City streets.

The reception takes place on the harbour, evidently; as one of the swankier communal restaurants have been made available for the event. The CC Council delegates are evidently prepared to greet all members of the delegation with equal import in their usual communist fashion, consuls, ministers and all; something that may confuse diplomats not at home in Tiastani customs.

While the grotesque amount of exhaust from the Yahlen likely violates Tiastan City's recently passed environmental acts on air and water pollution; such concerns are waived, and commisars and engineer generals of the People's Naval Command Engineer Core approach the admiralty staff and commend them on the armament and tonnage of their vessel. While the PNC might command a little more modern equipment, the Tiastani navy has no ship that even comes close to the size of the Pyekan flagship.

Extremely perceptive onlookers might note that the free press has arrived, but was quickly removed from the scene by the Tiastan City police militia. A few crews were allowed to stay, after swearing on their life that this only made local papers - no TV, no foreign papers, no nothing. Tiastani diplomacy is nothing if not thorough.


((I'm assuming that contact would have been made with the Pangkai to determine who were actually leading the delegation; as to prevent diplomatic cock-ups. If not, party clerks and interpreters will attempt to glean the information from the Pyekan delegation in as polite a manner as possible.))

On the face of it, the Emperor's two traditionally-robed Consuls head the Pyekan delegation, but the men are frustratingly reticent and reserved. The Pangkai ministers tend to jabber and appear a little too keen to convey a sense of their authority, and do most of the talking, casting grudging glances to the Imperial Consuls from time to time, apparently to make sure that they have not over-stepped their bounds. Admiral Hirata remains aloof through out. Almost all of the Pyekan visitors continue to flinch and become withdrawn from time to time as the sights and sounds of the city periodically trouble them anew.

Though this discomfort would be hard to miss, it would probably shock the Tiastanis to learn the depth of their guests' contempt for their very civilisation. Admiral Hirata, a member of the secret four-strong Garcat-Laur conspiracy at the Pyekan-Kuogu's core, was in Tía Sthan singly for the purpose of gathering information for the construction of crude propaganda that the plotters intended to direct against their neighbours.

His countrymen in the expedition remained quite unaware of this aim, much as they were ignorant of Hirata's position of superiority over them, and conducted themselves as cautious advocates of formalised trade and an end to the unofficial and illegal smuggling that no doubt went on between the two lands of Pyeki and Tía Sthan. While the PSRT was openly socialistic and the Pyekan-Kuogu fawned over its divine emperor, the truth was that Pyeki's economy operated in a manner that would have been at least somewhat familiar to many other Asian authoritarian socialists, especially those inclined to in some regard favour the rural peasantry over the workers so vaunted by more western styles of left-economics.

The Imperial Consuls and the Pangkai ministers gently approached the issues of limited trade, counter-smuggling, and the Pyekan-Kuogu's aim of close and friendly relations with its regional neighbours. The Admiral looked on, writing a mental account of the nature and scale of the Tía Sthan threat to Pyekan society.

The Tiastani NPMT party secretaries were quite excited at the prospect of good relations with the long-isolated neighbouring nation. A variety of goods could conceivably be exported to Pyeki; most likely foodstuffs, petroleum and a variety of hand-crafted tools from the rural collectives. Crude oil and weapons are thus far out of the question, but the delegation seems very optimistic. As for the long-suspected smuggling operations of guns, humans and marijuana out of the loosely defined borders, the People's Army and Militias would be given the go-ahead to step up patrols and plan "supressing measures" against the illicit operations.

The admiral were given a number of informations and visual input from which he could coin together the relative power of Tiastan's civilization.

The Tiastani planned economy ensures equal wages on nearly all levels of society, at least paying lip service to marxist ideals - however, said wages are very low, and especially in the cities unequality abounds. The resulting excess goes to the state, and while a lot of the money goes back into both the rural agrarian workers and the heavy industry in the larger cities; the cream of Tiastans riches are poured into commerce, as well as the military and research sectors.

While the Communal Central Commision has made sure not to arrange any parades or similar displays of strength during this friendly meeting, the visitors would likely see armoured cars and personnel carriers of relatively recent design; armed with heavy and light machine guns, driving to and from the many mechanized infantry brigades training on one of the many barracks in the outer slums of Tiastan City. Also, at one point, a helicopter of early Soviet design flew over the harbour; clearly carrying a number of armed soldiers.

Tías Than Armed Forces
Abbreviated TAF and TTAF in British English

Having existed in some form since the liberation war of 1954, the Tiastani Armed Forces is a massive entity, numbering nearly 2 million men and women in military service. Although relatively modernized by the standards of the area Tiastan lies in, the majority of forces still use outdated, poorly maintained and even faulty equipment. Here will come a brief overview of the TTAF, along with explanations of doctrine and equipment used.

Leadership and Administration

The Guardian and his staff

4-star Army General and Guardian of the Republic Kae Thonh is currently the leader of the combined military staff responsible for coordination and leadership of the TTAF.

The combined coordination military staff is known locally as the "Defense Council". Here is six seats, one held by Thonh, one held by the head of every branch save the militia and coast guard, and one held by the ranking political officer in the army, currently undersecretary of Defense, Commissar Wu Parvez.

Commissars

As mentioned with Wu Parvez, a number of political commissars exist on all levels of the armed forces, although few are involved with the coast guard, and none operate in the air defense forces. As with former Chinese and Soviet commissars(where indeed Tiastan got the inspiration from), the Tiastani Political Commissars act as political liasions who boost morale and formulate propaganda in wartime, and make sure directives are followed in accordance with socialist doctrine in time of peace.

Where necessary, they have the authority to override any military officer and relieve him of command, but it has never been done as of 2005. Usually, the mere presence of a commissar in a military unit means that the commanders tighten up discipline and follow orders from the central military leadership.

Administrative and Strategic Doctrines

Currently, Tiastan is at peace; and much of the army is under the civil leadership of the CCC's Defense Coordination; employing the army regiments who are not in the modernized rapid-deployment defense forces in "labour regiments", that they may aid the labourers of the country in work-demanding sectors like agriculture, logging and mining. This "worker's army" initiative is about 5 years old, and very popular with the overburdened manual workers in Tiastan' many poorly industrialized areas.

In wartime, simple tactics are emphasized; stressing ample use of air power and artillery supported by well-guarded logistic trains to deplete enemy strength through attrition. Subordinate commanders such as Field Marshals and Brigade Colonels are granted a lot of latitude to respond to situations as they see fit. This ensures quick response times and often astounding military success - where it doesn't, the party makes sure the responsible commander sees the error of his ways (preferably in a prison).


Tías Than People’s Army

Personnel: Roughly one million men and women in service.
Combat effective: 200,000( not counting immediate reserves.)

Overview

By far the largest part of the TAF, the People’s Army began as the revolutionary insurgence force that forced the overthrow leading to the People’s Republic. Indeed, the 10th of June where the ‘Tiastani Red Army’ officially underwent the transition from militia to an organized ground force is a public holiday in Tiastan.

While many troops still carry vintage armaments and ride fault-prone vehicles or even bicycles; they are undergoing a modernization process as many commanders still consider them the most important part of the armed forces; and currently newer training doctrines and imported armoured vehicles are being integrated.

Organization

[To come]

Infantry Equipment

The standard armament for an infantryman remains the long rifle. Primary arms to this end are the domestically produced Mabu and Taka 7.7mm long rifles, respectively loading by bolt action and semi-automatic closed bolt. The former rifle types, 6.5mm bolt-action rifles modelled on the Arisaka type 38, have been completely phased out; save for civilian use and in a sizable number of poorly outfitted rural militias. Variants and other types exist, most notably the “Sniper Mabu” with a balancing cushion and option of 2.5x and 4.5x telescopic sights; and also the newer Taka jungle carbine, also chambered for 7.7mm but considerably lighter and shorter than its parent rifle, and has an optional flash suppressor.

Sidearms are used almost universally in the armed forces, usually the ubiquitous Silung .38 revolver. Used primarily by the secretive Special Forces as well as by officers in front-line regiments, the newly produced rifled Set-Ni 9mm semi-automatic pistol is used. The gun has great stopping power, but tests and recent combat drills have shown it to accidentally discharge if not maintained properly.

Submachine guns are rather widespread among vehicle crews and among guards of artillery and airfields; the newest and most common one being the domestic SMG type 20, a bullpup-configured weapon with iron sights, a large magazine that is chambered for both 6.5mm, 8mm and 9mm parabellum and an optional bipod.

Support weapons that once were pretty primitive have been given a renaissance in the People’s Army. The standard Type 10 “anti-tank rifle” calibre 20mm that was once the only support weapon used are now given primarily to border guards and militia. Instead, anti-tank missiles, mortars and heavy machine guns dominate the mechanized forces, and more are being produced by the minute. Most of these are domestic copies of Chinese and Soviet design.

Armour and vehicles

[to come]


[much much more to come, school is calling ;)]

Roughly as briefly discussed, I am just dropping by to tell you that, finally, I have started a thread that, with any luck, will build to something worth-while.

Here it is (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=452126).

For a nation situated solidly on the edge of world affairs like Robotstan, allies are relatively difficult to come by and useful allies even moreso.

But when Parliament notices small Tiastan, it decides that a relationship might be useful, especially if the small nation turns out to be sitting on some quantity of oil.

Therefore, a diplomatic telegram is sent to Tiastan expressing Robotstani desire to become friends.