Lorrian Territories
18-08-2006, 17:19
**PRESS RELEASE FOR ALL AGENCIES**
From: Yannis News Service, Lorrian Confederated Territories
To: All National and International News Outlets
MAJOR LORRIAN DEFENSE SPENDING INITIATIVE ANNOUNCED
TAVARES, STATE OF TAVARES, CONFEDERATED LORRIAN TERRITORIES
Today saw witness to a suprise joint announcement by the Secretary of Defense, the President-General, the Foreign Secretary and the Assistant Secretary for Defense Planning and Production for the Territories of a massive multi-billion dollar military upgrade and expansion program that is initially estimated to be worth over $32 billion (TP).
President-General Strasser made the announcement earlier this morning to a crowded room of reporters, flanked by his cabinet members.
"Today we announce the dawning of a new era for our fledgeling nation. Through the dogged efforts of our people and with the assistance of our nation's new international allies, it is now possible for me to say that our nation's security will no longer be a laughing matter. We now have the means to ensure our just sovereignty, and it is the aim of my administration to ensure that our military is given the proper tools and personnel to accomplish that job."
The president continued: "While the situation of the un-united old Lorrian independent states has passed on, the tradition of peace, cooperation and mutual self-defense lives on well. We enter onto the world stage ready to participate both economically and culturally, as well as politically and militarily."
After concluding his speech, the Secretary of Defense then gave details on the military expansion, including sources of international aid and military cooperation.
"We've been fortunate to get a very warm reception from several countries around the world interested in acquiring a new defense partner, and in particular the nations of Illior, Tilsitsin and Northford have pledged considerable support for our defense. A mutual training agreement has been signed with the Illiorian foreign ministry, and direct military aid has been pledged by all three countries." The secretary of Defense then went on to note that the air force and army high commands were also preparing to make immediate hardware purchases, which will include Illiorian warplanes, air defense systems and possibly a reconnaissance satellite, as well as Tilsitsinian tanks, naval vessels and infantry weapons.
When asked what numbers of troops would be involved in the expansion, the Secretary of Defense would confirm only that it would involve a 'significant influx' in the numbers of active and reserve personnel for all services. Sources estimate that troop levels may be increased by as many as 150,000, raising significant concerns over the possibility of conscription being introduced for the first time in the nation's history.
Of more immediate concern to the Armed forces is the affect on the already-acute shortage in all services of military of officers at all levels. An anonymous spokesman for the High Command of the Army noted that a general expansion of the army 'couldn't have come at a worse time', but also acknowledged that given time, the issue could be resolved through heightened academy enrollment and merit commissions.
Lorrian citizens also serving with militaries of other countries as mercenaries or foreign 'legionaires' are being asked to return home and gain commissions into the Lorrian military. It is estimated that over 4,300 Lorrian citizens are serving abroad, with an estimated 700 serving in the Tilsitsinian "Foreign Legion Corps". When contacted about Lorrians serving in the Tilistsinian military being recalled home, an official spokesman for the Tilsitsinian military would only say that the troops had made a commitment to Tilistsin, but that given the situation it may be possible for a "short term solution", should Lorrian citizens wish to return home to serve.
From: Yannis News Service, Lorrian Confederated Territories
To: All National and International News Outlets
MAJOR LORRIAN DEFENSE SPENDING INITIATIVE ANNOUNCED
TAVARES, STATE OF TAVARES, CONFEDERATED LORRIAN TERRITORIES
Today saw witness to a suprise joint announcement by the Secretary of Defense, the President-General, the Foreign Secretary and the Assistant Secretary for Defense Planning and Production for the Territories of a massive multi-billion dollar military upgrade and expansion program that is initially estimated to be worth over $32 billion (TP).
President-General Strasser made the announcement earlier this morning to a crowded room of reporters, flanked by his cabinet members.
"Today we announce the dawning of a new era for our fledgeling nation. Through the dogged efforts of our people and with the assistance of our nation's new international allies, it is now possible for me to say that our nation's security will no longer be a laughing matter. We now have the means to ensure our just sovereignty, and it is the aim of my administration to ensure that our military is given the proper tools and personnel to accomplish that job."
The president continued: "While the situation of the un-united old Lorrian independent states has passed on, the tradition of peace, cooperation and mutual self-defense lives on well. We enter onto the world stage ready to participate both economically and culturally, as well as politically and militarily."
After concluding his speech, the Secretary of Defense then gave details on the military expansion, including sources of international aid and military cooperation.
"We've been fortunate to get a very warm reception from several countries around the world interested in acquiring a new defense partner, and in particular the nations of Illior, Tilsitsin and Northford have pledged considerable support for our defense. A mutual training agreement has been signed with the Illiorian foreign ministry, and direct military aid has been pledged by all three countries." The secretary of Defense then went on to note that the air force and army high commands were also preparing to make immediate hardware purchases, which will include Illiorian warplanes, air defense systems and possibly a reconnaissance satellite, as well as Tilsitsinian tanks, naval vessels and infantry weapons.
When asked what numbers of troops would be involved in the expansion, the Secretary of Defense would confirm only that it would involve a 'significant influx' in the numbers of active and reserve personnel for all services. Sources estimate that troop levels may be increased by as many as 150,000, raising significant concerns over the possibility of conscription being introduced for the first time in the nation's history.
Of more immediate concern to the Armed forces is the affect on the already-acute shortage in all services of military of officers at all levels. An anonymous spokesman for the High Command of the Army noted that a general expansion of the army 'couldn't have come at a worse time', but also acknowledged that given time, the issue could be resolved through heightened academy enrollment and merit commissions.
Lorrian citizens also serving with militaries of other countries as mercenaries or foreign 'legionaires' are being asked to return home and gain commissions into the Lorrian military. It is estimated that over 4,300 Lorrian citizens are serving abroad, with an estimated 700 serving in the Tilsitsinian "Foreign Legion Corps". When contacted about Lorrians serving in the Tilistsinian military being recalled home, an official spokesman for the Tilsitsinian military would only say that the troops had made a commitment to Tilistsin, but that given the situation it may be possible for a "short term solution", should Lorrian citizens wish to return home to serve.