NationStates Jolt Archive

Mesua Ghats Indigen Attack Kills 6

The Lasqat Register
Yusuf Al-Khorabi

"They must have crept from the hills. Dusk was falling, and the frogs had begun to call when, all of an instant, they fell silent. Just then, I heard gunfire. Soon afterwards...the smell [of smoke] mingled with nearby screams." So spoke Rida Quli, describing yesterday evening's brutal assault on the mining settlement of Nabire Mesua, home to some 200 Lasqat migrants. The 32-year-old prospector had been on the verge of retiring when several dozen adze-wielding Australoid tribesmen burst into the throng of corrugated tin shanties, casting smoldering brands whilst hacking at panicked miners.

Only after six settlers had been fatally wounded and nine more injured did automatic fire manage to stave away the attackers, of whom around eight were killed. At least one tribesman was captured alive, and reportedly remains in civilian custody. As for the settlement itself, fire damage was minimal.

Domestic response, if understandably devoid of astonishment, has been unified in the breadth and swiftness of its indignation. Provincial Governor Sofyan Daud, at a press conference earlier today, once again vowed to "totally exterminate the Stone-Age retrogrades."

Having shattered a four-week lull in violence, this incident has, throughout the Mesua Ghats, sparked tense anticipation of further attacks.

<bump>

<bump for international response>

Unlike most international news, which sits on someone's desk for several days before going before a committee who's purpose it was to decide if the news was worthy for the president's viewing, this news was delivered to President Copeland as soon as anyone heard about it.

"Oh my God," President Copeland exclaimed. "What will these Muslim beasts do next?" After a slight pause, he added, "Make appointments with my military advisors to convene with me in fifteen minutes. Break this news to the public immediately."

Military leaders filed in to President Copeland's war room. Fifteen minutes after being informed of the situation, Copeland was ready. "As you are aware, gentlemen," he began, "the vile towelheads of Lasqara have announced that they will commit genocide of a group of people in their nation and are currently holding one hostage. If we do not do something, then these innocents will be slaughtered.

"We all know that these people do not respond to civilized means of reconciliation, but we must send an ultimatum anyway so that we do not stoop down to their level. Meanwhile, I want you to prepare a substantial invasion force under the guise that we are doing 'routine drills'."

More in depth plans were discussed by the generals and admirals, but the basic plan was laid down. If the president's request was not met, then an invasion would be launched with the intent of removing the government from power and punishing those responsible for oppression of the Indigens.


Official Transmission
To: Anyone in your nation that is interested in civilized discourse
From: President Copeland, the People's Democratic Republic of Chitzeland

I am aware of your dastardly plans of genocide, and I am afraid that I cannot allow it. You terrorists have gone too far and unless your government gives up power and turns itself in to Chitzeland authorities, appropriate police actions will have to be taken.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/JC_Denton/NationStates/85fd2fc7.jpg
Official Diplomatic Communique
From the Office of Foreign Secretary Neil Jaeger, Federated Union of Demcratic Colonies
To the Offices of the Government of the Emirate of Lasqara


The Democratic Colonies, as well as many other nations of the international community, are concerned by the continuing violence between Lasqat nationals and native tribes in the Mesua Ghats.

While the Democratic Colonies recognizes and fully endorses the right of the Lasqat people to defend themselves and thier property from harm, we do hope that Lasqara would consider seeking out some sort of peaceful agreement with the native tribes, and would be glad to offer any assistance in facilitating any such agreement. A peaceful settlement would be preferable for all, if one can be reached.

- Foreign Secretary Neil Jaeger, Federated Union of Democratic Colonies

OOC: Sorry for the belated nature of this reply. Further demographic and historical background is forthcoming.

Official Transmission
To: Anyone in your nation that is interested in civilized discourse
From: President Copeland, the People's Democratic Republic of Chitzeland

I am aware of your dastardly plans of genocide, and I am afraid that I cannot allow it. You terrorists have gone too far and unless your government gives up power and turns itself in to Chitzeland authorities, appropriate police actions will have to be taken.

Official Communiqué
Joint Composition: Ibrahim Nasir, Minister of Information & Parviz Dawoudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs
To: President Copeland, the People's Democratic Republic of Chitzeland

It is the sincere hope of the Islamic Republic of Lasqara that the PDRC's odiously presumptuous and grossly inflammatory declarations are attributable in entirety to ignorance of Lasqara's internal circumstances. We, on behalf of the Lasqat government, must express profound shock and consternation at your willingness to issue belligerent ultimatums substantiated by nothing more than unfounded supposition and delusional prejudgment.

It is to be known that past and prospective statements on the part of Sofyan Daud, Governor of Mesua Province, are not by virtue of their origin to be held in necessary accordance with Lasqat federal policy. Furthermore, no specific actions or rulings executed or issued at the behest of nationally subordinate administrative districts (nor any perpetrated by the citizenry thereof) are to be construed as manifest indication of supra-governmental awareness or complicity by way of explicit commission, approval, material or logistical support, etc.


Official Diplomatic Communiqué
From the Office of Foreign Secretary Neil Jaeger, Federated Union of Democratic Colonies
To the Offices of the Government of the Emirate of Lasqara

The Democratic Colonies, as well as many other nations of the international community, are concerned by the continuing violence between Lasqat nationals and native tribes in the Mesua Ghats.

While the Democratic Colonies recognizes and fully endorses the right of the Lasqat people to defend themselves and thier property from harm, we do hope that Lasqara would consider seeking out some sort of peaceful agreement with the native tribes, and would be glad to offer any assistance in facilitating any such agreement. A peaceful settlement would be preferable for all, if one can be reached.

- Foreign Secretary Neil Jaeger, Federated Union of Democratic Colonies

Official Communiqué
From: Akbar Mehralizadeh, International Press Liaison, Ministry of Indigenous Affairs
To: Foreign Secretary Neil Jaeger, Federated Union of Democratic Colonies

Peaceful resolution of the Mesua Ghats conflict has been an ongoing aim of the Lasqat government for well over five decades. In the course of agreement realization, approximately 120 government negotiators and native interpreters (primarily Jagara of the surrounding lowlands) have been killed – many in duplicitous agreement to unarmed discussion. Within the last four years alone, murder, theft, and sabotage have claimed the lives of around 200 Lasqat civilians and extorted a staggering financial toll from regional mining ventures. International assistance in achieving diplomatic settlement is welcome.

<bump>

<bump>

Civilian Video: Captive Indigen Executed by N.M. Settlers
[Translated Descriptive Transcript]

As-Sahab Foundation for Islamic Media Publication

The video opens with a single settler, fleet gangrenous grin breaking the worn leather of his face. An outstretched hand props up an elegant black palm bow, clearly of indigenous construction, its upper limb crooked some inches above his head. In the other, a clutch of arrows - barbed ironwood heads fixed in reed shafts.

The camera is swiveled to focus on a lank Australoid, wrists cuffed behind his back. Along his flank, blood crusts a haphazardly taped strip of gauze. Bruises splay heavily across his face. But for his right eye, swollen shut, his gaze is nonetheless level and unbroken. The air hollows behind a distant trill of birdsong.

All at once, another figure comes into view, flicking the hull of a chicory cigarillo to the earth. He strides before the captive, and along the cut of the features angled to the lens there is an intimation of Aceh.

In Hindi, he asks, "What is your name, kaffir?"

The captive murmurs in parched highland Pidgin, indistinctly.

The interrogator motions to someone out of sight, and receives a plastic cup. Its contents he splashes in the captive’s face.

Again: "Who are you?"

The captive blinks, dislodging a moist cascade of beadlets. "Organisesi Mesua Merdeka."

"Where are you based?"

"In the hills and in the forest of the hills."

"Who do you count amongst your supporters?"

"Yalé, Jagara, Ubila."

A pause. "Were you involved in the attack near Modowi?"

"Yes."

"And you do not deny murdering Lasqat ashraf? You have killed settlers?"

"Yes."

"How many?"

"Dozen, maybe."

"Enough."

With this, the interrogator hefts a forearm-length blade from the teak sheath at his waist and in a single fluid stroke beheads the indigen. A dark rosette blossoms on the earth below.

The clip flickers to an end.

The Holy Empire of The Aeson is shocked and appaled at the treatment of the natives. If these attempts at genocide are not ceased immediately, the Empire will take steps.

The citizens of Chitzeland were almost pathetically predictable in their reaction to the video containing the beheading of an Indigen. Massive riots occured in every major city. The horrific nature of the crimes in Lasqara and the Chitzi people's widespread hatred of Muslims combined to create particularly violent scenes. Every riot contained citizens calling for war, with common messages on their signs being "War Now" and "Kill the sand niggers".

Many protests were held in front of government buildings. The rage of those participating in the riots was often directed as much to government officials as it was to the actual Lasqat perpetrators. Claiming that the government was not going to war fast enough, one mob seized a congressmen who was going to lunch and beheaded him with a pocket knife. President Copeland immediately announced that he was working on a solution.

Meanwhile, in the capital, the Communiqué from the Lasqat officials was not even read before it was deleted and thrown away. Firm in his convictions, President Copeland began regular meetings with his military leaders to discuss what must be done.

(OOC: Lasqara, I'll be sending you a TG in a few minutes so we can figure out what will happen.)

Official Communiqué
Joint Composition: Ibrahim Nasir, Minister of Information & Parviz Dawoudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs
To: The Holy Empire of The Aeson

In the interest of eliminating misunderstanding, the Islamic Republic of Lasqara wishes to determine which of its actions are considered genocidal by your nation.

Official Communiqué of The Reunited States

Minister Ibrahim Nasir,

While I do not condone the actions of the miners--I understand their concerns. The attacks upon them are a clear sign of native aggression--though this public execution of one of these natives is horribly ineffective, and counter productive. I encourage you to take the path of peace.

Signed,
Foreign Minister Rodman Pierce
The Reunited States of America

Official Communiqué
Joint Composition: Ibrahim Nasir, Minister of Information & Parviz Dawoudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs
To: The Holy Empire of The Aeson

In the interest of eliminating misunderstanding, the Islamic Republic of Lasqara wishes to determine which of its actions are considered genocidal by your nation.

Official Response
From: The Emperor's Right Hand, Kent Shal
To: The Ministers of Information and Foreign affairs.

The vow of Provincial Governor Sofyan Daud to "totally exterminate the Stone-Age retrogrades."

OOC: Honestly, The Aeson doesn't really care about the natives, but is in this for their own agenda. Is there any way I could arrange to give them weapons?

bump

bump

One more bump.

Official Response
From: The Emperor's Right Hand, Kent Shal
To: The Ministers of Information and Foreign affairs.

The vow of Provincial Governor Sofyan Daud to "totally exterminate the Stone-Age retrogrades."


Official Communiqué
Joint Composition: Ibrahim Nasir, Minister of Information & Parviz Dawoudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs
To: The Emperor's Right Hand, Kent Shal, The Holy Empire of The Aeson

The populist appeals of Governor Daud amount neither to an official declaration nor a substantive plan of action.

[b]Official Communiqué
From: Akbar Mehralizadeh, International Press Liaison, Ministry of Indigenous Affairs
To: Foreign Secretary Neil Jaeger, Federated Union of Democratic Colonies

Peaceful resolution of the Mesua Ghats conflict has been an ongoing aim of the Lasqat government for well over five decades. In the course of agreement realization, approximately 120 government negotiators and native interpreters (primarily Jagara of the surrounding lowlands) have been killed – many in duplicitous agreement to unarmed discussion. Within the last four years alone, murder, theft, and sabotage have claimed the lives of around 200 Lasqat civilians and extorted a staggering financial toll from regional mining ventures. International assistance in achieving diplomatic settlement is welcome.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/JC_Denton/NationStates/85fd2fc7.jpg
Official Diplomatic Communique
From the Office of Foreign Secretary Neil Jaeger, Federated Union of Demcratic Colonies
To the Office of Akbar Mehralizadeh, International Press Liaison, Ministry of Indigenous Affairs, Islamic Republic of Lasqara

The Democratic Colonies is most unsettled by the simply staggering toll that the people of Lasqara have had to pay in thier patient pursuit of peace with the Mesua Ghats Indigens.

The Democratic Colonies is firm in its belief that diplomatic solutions should be pursued whenever possible, but recognizes that diplomacy is only a viable, productive option if all parties are willing to negotiate in good faith. The actions of the Mesua Ghats Indigens, most notably thier assault on those willing to enter unarmed negotiations, reflects a most disturbing lack of good faith in the leadership of the Mesua Ghats Indigens, and indicates that thier intentions are dubious at best.

The Democratic Colonies would like to offer its services, as we believe that our nation has very much to offer, and may help bring about a resolution to the Mesua Ghats conflict.

With the permission of the Government of Lasqara, High Diplomat Kendra Anderton would like to attempt to open negotiations with the Mesua Ghats Indigens, and hopefully make progress in bringing peace to the Mesua Ghats. To ensure the security of High Diplomat Anderton, the Democratic Colonies would like to deploy a single Airmobile Battalion of 1,000 Peacekeepers from our recently founded Peacekeeper Command, a service dedicated to the peaceful resolution of conflicts and trained to use force only as a final resort.

The Democratic Colonies is cautious, but does believe that if we are permitted to assist, we can bring about positive change in the Mesua Ghats.

- Foreign Secretary Neil Jaeger, Federated Union of Demcratic Colonies

Official Communiqué
From: Akbar Mehralizadeh, International Press Liaison, Ministry of Indigenous Affairs
To: Foreign Secretary Neil Jaeger, Federated Union of Democratic Colonies

Your nation's offer of conflict mediation has been forwarded for consideration.

From: President Gregory Neresha
To: Akbar Mehralizadeh, International Press Liaison, Ministry of Indigenous Affairs

The People's Republic of Lingostan is appaled by these rabaric attacks, and at the accepetence of your nation we will send 300 Peacekeeping troops and 2 diplomats to attempt to find a peacefull solution to this conflict.

Official Communiqué
Joint Statement: Mehdi Karroubi, Minister of Indigenous Affairs & Parviz Dawoudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs
To: President Gregory Neresha, People's Republic of Lingostan

The Islamic Republic of Lasqara thanks the People's Republic of Lingostan for their great concern. Your offer, as with that of the Federated Union of Democratic Colonies, will soon go up for preliminary debate in the Majlis.

The stealth helicopter made almost no noise as it touched down. A man in an immaculate suit stepped out. Several large dangerous looking men started unloading crates. The man in the suit raised his hands above his head and called out, "Can I talk to whoever's in charge here?"

First Councillor Lewis looksaround at the collective members of the First Council. He places the dossier before him on the table with a nod.

"Hmm. An intriguing situation. I suggest we keep out of this for now- Lasqara's methods certainly conflict with ours, but as it stands a direct intervention is uncalled for. Do we have an ambassador to Lasqara?"

He looks over to a well-dressed blonde woman, who shakes her head "Our official dealings with Lasqara have as yet been minimal. However, I can offer to send a mediation team if the council wishes?"

A general murmur of assent comes from around the table, and the First Councillor nods "Very well, Miss Swiftblade. Assemble a five-man team. Defence Minister Otetsu, I want at least two of your best Pathfinders as part of that team just in case any hostilities should break out. Remember, any conflict should be avoided at all costs. Miss Swiftblade, I expect the team hand-picked within the next three hours. Meanwhile, send a response to Lasqara offering our mediation. Meeting ajourned, people."

******

Fifteen minutes later, the following official communique is received at lasqara's foreign office:


"Greetings, Minister Dawoudi;

Having been informed of the current unrest in your nation, and the mixed international response, the People's Republic Of Karullia offers to send a 5-man negotiatory team to help solve this matter with the minimum of bloodshed. The Ambassador I propose is Jun Kiyazama, and if you agree she and her entourage can be on Lasqaran soil to begin talks within 24 hours.

I hope this course of action is agreeable to you, and your countrymen.

Yours with regard,

Sapphire Swiftblade, Foreign Minister, First Council Of The People's Republic Of Karullia"

********************