NationStates Jolt Archive

The voting was over and a President was chosen for the Federation. The last one had been Vrakian. This one was a Dyellian, which made many people sceptical. Dyelli Beybi had a somewhat belligerent reputation. Today she would be sworn in...

The TV Cameras were all honed on her. She didn't look particularly old. She wore a light grey business suite, her blonde hair pulled back in a pony tail. She was tall for a Dyellian as well, attractive fine boned features and blue eyes behind a pair of rimless spectacles. She didn't look like she'd hit thirty yet, not exactly the kind of person one would expect the Federation of Klatch to vote in as their new leader. The last one had been a Vrakian Walrus. He had died. There had been chaos in Klatch ever since.

She ascended to the podium and stood there solemly for a moment, the Klatchian flag had been hung in the background...

She placed a hand on a bible. This was not an essential part of the ceremony, but the Dyellians were a religious group, by and large, "I, Caroline ab Ieuaf..." she began in the distinctive Dyellian lilt that often made people mistake them for the irish,

"...do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the Federated Klachian Coast, and will to the best of my ability, preserve the States, protect the rights of the States and defend the Constitution of the Federated Klatchian Coast." that was the end of the formal swearing in, although it was clear she now intended to make a speech...

"The Federation of Klatch, over the last few months, has failed in it's duty to the States. This will not continue." she began angrily.

"Klatch's military shall be rebuilt. And in my new role, I offer this pledge, there will be no dallying around while foreigners make merry on our land or in our water ways. There will be no allowance given to foreigners who attempt to interfere with the running of Government. There will be positive movements by Federal Government to increase regional stability."

"Trade routes will be maintained at all costs and no State in Klatch which refuses to admit the existence of this Government will be seen as anything less than a serious threat to the region."

There were certain threats in that... "Thank you. I will take questions."

Greenmotte Palace, Houses of Parliament, Arn-Maciska, UIK

"This is a formal hardcopy of the notification Minister, from Rechtaire Aryet's desk..."
Perez handed Valdir another sheet of paper. The Minister's eyes glazed over; she'd seen it before, and wordlessly returned it.
"Pledges to clean up the government, threats to Ilek-Vaad, promises to clear the pirates," Valdir said nuetrally. "."
"Should we issue a response Minister?"
"I don't think we can really let this pass," the Minister replied.
"What about Illek-Vaad?"
Valdir titled her head thoughtfully.
"The Vaadians have been better friends to us in the short time we've known them then the rest of the Klatch, save Vrak, have been. Ever. They have better manners, and they're simply more pleasant to deal with."
Perez made a note. "And the Symmetry Tariff?"
Valdir shook her head.
"Stays. While they keep pirating our ships, we will tax theirs," the Minister turned to face her Rechtaire. "Julia, they have to understand; you don't just do this sort of thing, and expect to get away with it," she turned back. "Unless you're brain damaged. Which can be arranged," she added thoughtfully.
"What should I tell Aryet?" Perez prompted.
"I have Parliament in five. Tell her..."

Official Communiqué
Classification: [closed]
From: [MEA]
To: [Office of the President of the Federated Klatchian Coast]
Subject: [Inauguration]

Dear Madam President,

I have the honour, Madam, to extend to you our warm congratulations on your election to the position of President. His Most Serene Majesty's Government is most pleased to see firm leadership again at the helm of the Federated Klatchian Coast.

It remains our belief that the Federation and the Covenant will be able to work together with peaceable and friendly relations, and our hope that your Presidency will usher in a new stage in cooperation between our respective entities.

There is a matter that you should be aware of. As of yesterday, His Most Serene Majesty's Government has levied a tariff upon all Klatchian trade in order to bring about a symmetry of measures with regards to your Squall Straits Reconstruction Tariff. The Squall Straits Symmetry Tariff is now in effect and being levied upon all Klatchian shipping within the Covenant Exclusive Economic Zone. If you so desire, this office shall forward you the details of this measure. We apologise for the inconvenience.

May your Presidency be prosporous.
Baroness Sophronsa Aryet
Rechtaire Assigned to the Federated Klatchian Coast
Ministry of External Affairs.

for and on behalf of,
The Rt. Hon. Sir Edmund Foxworth,
Lord-President of the States-General of the Covenant

Announcement By The First Republican of The Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad:

The Free Republic would simply like to re-affirm it's position on the Federation Government. The Free Republic does not recognize the Federation, or any Federation authority. The Free Republic will not recognize The Federation Government until the following steps, steps the Federation has refused to take, are met.

1.) The Federation must accept an Ambassador of The Free Republic in Port OLympus.

2.) The Federation must send an Ambassador to Great Lassic.

3.) Acts of war on The Free Republic by the Federation State of the alleged 'Greater Empire' of Dyelli-Beybi MUST result in attainment of the illegal regime in Dyelli-Beybi.

4.) Acts of war by the alleged 'Republic of Timaru and Moskau' in the Dyelli-Beybian Arctic Territories MUST lead to attainment of that illegal regime.

5.) The Federation MUST guarantee an end to acts of piracy in Klatchian waters.

6.) The Federation Government MUST remove it's tank divisions from the Karmanyakan/Vaadian border.

7.) The Federation MUST guarantee the right of free access by Vaadian trade partners to Vaadian waters without threat of taxation or tariff.

8.) The Federation and Federation states MUST discontinue their threats of war against The Free Republic.

Until ALL of these issues are settled, The Free Republic will continue to view the Federation as a legal 'non-entity' and condemn all action of the Federation. Looking at the list above, The Free Republic feels it has been very restrained in simply refusing to recognize The Federation and not taking harsher measures.

Many of the grievances listed are obviously naked and open acts of aggression that should normally lead to war, but The Free Republic has decided to show restraint to our neighbors as a matter of courtesy.

Please keep in mind, that with the Military Mandate in Place, Federation authorities are barred from approaching The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or any of The Republican Council. If the Federation wishes to settle the above matters, direct you contacts to Retaliatory Guard Command.

First Republican, Theleb Kanaan
The Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad
'All Power to the People'

There were certain threats in that... "Thank you. I will take questions."

With the break down in security and stability in Port Olympus, Lassic News' intrepid reporter Pat the Llama had snuck back into the city and began to froth at the mouth when Madam President announced she would take questions, he quickly elbowed another reporter out of the way.

"Pat the Llama, Lassic News Service, The only nation in the Klatch that does not recognize the Federation is The Free Republic, do you see The Free Republic as a 'very severe threat' and if so what measures would you take to remove the threat?

A second question, You say you want to guarantee that trade routes through the Klatch will be maintained, my intrepid investigations show that the recent Squall Straits Customs Office piracy ring was being organized from the Federation and Federation officials? How can the Federation President make such a guarantee with her own officials running the piracy that has closed trade routes? Why have no JDF ships been dispatched to the Squall straits?"

"The nature of what is a threat and what must be done to neautralise a threat is something that must first be debated in Parliament." the new politician replied slickly, "These are complicated questions with complicated answers."

"Firstly." she continued, "A legal tarriff as you have so nicely pointed out the Customs Department is levying, does not meet with the Federation's definition of piracy. However, it is obviously not beneficial to International trade and it's actions have been suspended while we negotiate a diplomatic solution to the release of confiscated shipping."

"Secondly." she sounded vaguely confused by the question, "Why would we dispatch JDF shipping to Squall Straight, the Department seems to be perfectly capable of levying the tax without their help. However, I think it is safe to say that this was not a tarriff that was beneficial to International trade, and as such the actions of the Department have been suspended pending a full investigation into the matter. It will not be reopening in the forseeable future."

"Are there any more questions?" she demanded, looking very much like she felt that lunch was in order.

An older gentleman politely raised his hand. "Marcus Navarre, International Tribune. What exactly are your qualifications Madam President? Most Federation Presidents are current or former heads of state, or are very well known and collected politically, with a long record of public service in their respected nations. Preliminary research, draws an interesting series of blanks, what is your record of public service?"

"In the past." she began, "I have been a Major-General of the Armed Forces and am a Baroness of Dyelli Beybi."

"I do not have any formal 'Qalifications' to be President. But who does really? Perhaps it is time we had a President who isn't the head of state for anywhere else? A president who is more neutral?"

To have an Emirate News Network team so deeply imbedded in Klatch was perhaps not the smartest or safest thing to do, but then again News Services were not terribly concerned with safety or intelligence. They were concerned with the story, and the news. And so it was that a Drakonian and Emirate News Team just happened to be at a place, it was likely quite a few Klatchians would not want them to be.

Intrepid reporter David Lei, a native of Tersanctus, took the opportunity to ask his questions. "Madam President," he asked. "Your election was a surprise to many here and abroad. Would you like to comment on just how you were able to rise from bring democracy back to Dyelli Beybi to the Presidency of Klatch? And is there anything you would like to say to those who do not wish you to execute this officer?

"Finally," he continued. "Would you clarify what your position is on the continuation of hostilities with the Drakonian Imperium and their allies, and the civil war in the former Dyelli Beybi Arctic Territories? And what of relations with nations like Glorious Humanity, which is seemingly caught between Klatch and the Imperium?"

David Lei smiled, he was hoping for some very interesting answered. That is assuming someone did not throw him out before he could get them.

'Interesting' answers didn't seem to be something that this new Presdient was adept at skipping. She seemed vaguely suprised by the question, or perhaps it was the source of the question, "According the the Constitution of Klatch the Federation cannot interfere in the running of another State. It has also long been the practice of Klatch to stay out when a coup forms and wait till the fighting is over."

"Obviously," she continued, "This is not a course that is beneficial to the citizens of Klatch. Central Klatchian Government has allowed states to effectively become playgrounds for Imperialistic foreign armies, and has allowed Governments to become propped up by anti-Klatchian regimes abroad."

"Klatch needs to look more to the safety of it's citizens. This clause in the Constitution is clearly in need of ammendment." she concluded, for a moment seeming like she wasn't about to answer any questions at all.

"I must say." she smiled, she had a good smile, "I never expected this position. However desperate times in Klatch called for desperate measures. We need a President or there might as well be no Federation, and it seems there was nobody else who was willing do it."

"As for those who opposed me or voted no confidence..." she paused momentarily, "Some mistrusted me because of my Nationality or Political leanings, some perhaps though I was a poor candidate. One thing I promise is I will not be a weak President and will not be one to uphold the 'status quo'. Failure to pay Federal levies with not be tolerated, neither will corruption in central Government, but most important of all, we will not allow ourselves to be colonised."

"As for the Emirates." she addressed the final question, "I see no reason why this ridiculous situation needs to continue any longer. Past grievances need to be settled. There is no reason why the Emirates and the Federation of Klatch have remained enemies for so long. Perhaps Klatch has been too proud. If the Emirates are willing to work towards establishing a lasting piece, I pledge that Klatch will meet them in the middle. I do not think I would be saying too much if I announced that the New Dyelli Beybian regime is the first regime in that country that has ever truly been open to negotiations."

The Royal Alliance hadn't won yet. She was assuming they would. It was a safe bet.

Seated near the back of the room, Captain Christopher Ames of the President's Guard had fallen into a doze, listening only half-heartedly to the Dyellian on the stage who was making all kinds of promises. When he heard "Glorious Humanity", however, that snapped him back into almost full wakefulness a half second before Georgia Lancaster's elbow in his ribs completed the process. He blinked a couple times, and glanced over at her.

Lancaster's fingers betrayed her irritation as they flicked through several gestures of the intricate sign language used by high ranking GH officials and diplomats when they didn't want to be overheard. You are still on assignment, you know. If she had said that out loud, her tone would've dripped acid.

I think we're safe enough, his fingers shot back. How many times have we been to the Klatch now? Besides, what'll happen here, this is a press conference.

I would appreciate it if you paid attention and stopped thinking about that Alconan girl, Lancaster responded. The tone of her gestures softened a little. Besides, who's going to wake me up if *I* fall asleep?

You won't, Ames answered a little glibly. You love this stuff.

One corner of Lancaster's mouth turned up slightly, then she threw one final series at him. Maybe I do, and if I have to stay awake, so do you. You are still protecting me, even if it's only from stray insects. Then she made a flat cutting motion with one hand, ending the conversation as Caroline ab Ieuaf answered the ENN reporter's questions.

Though her diplomatic status could probably have gotten Lancaster seated a lot closer to the front of the audience, for this event she had wanted to stay under the radar until she chose to speak to someone. She was, as always, dressed conservatively. A tan colored silk dress fell in an unbroken line from her collarbones to her ankles, with no dips or slits to be seen. Black one inch heels adorned her feet, and there was a diamond stud earring in each ear. Her long blonde hair was pulled into a low-maitenance ponytail, and she wore only a light coat of makeup, just enough to make it look like it might just be completely real. With Ames being attentive again, her blue eyes turned back to the stage.

Ames was also dressed so as not to attract too much attention. He wore one of the navy blue silk business suits popular among GH officials, with polished black dress shoes and a white button-up shirt and black tie under the jacket. Under the coat he was carrying a standard-issue Glock 18 in an underarm holster, though the weapon was mostly a formality. As he'd said, the chances of them actually getting into trouble were low to none. His brown hair gave him away as military, there weren't too many civilians that liked high and tight cuts. That couldn't be helped. He compelled gray eyes to stay on the stage and soak up the events unfolding.

When Glorious Humanity had learned of the new Klatchian President, it only made sense to send the diplomat with the most experience in the Klatch to see the ceremony and possibly speak to the new ruler. Hands down that was Lancaster, whose previous dealings with the FKC had pulled Glorious Humanity out of the Emirate-Klatch war and made her a golden girl in the Ministry of International Relations. It was expected that when either Frank Pierce, the current Minister, or Lacey Millhouse, the Deputy Minister, retired from their offices, Lancaster would get one or the other. However, no one expected that for a few years yet, and Lancaster wasn't sure how she would feel about being bumped up. She liked being out in the field, meeting new people and doing a diplomat's job, making peace and making deals to make her country stronger.

Of course, wherever Lancaster went, Captain Ames now went as well. Ames was President's Guard, the most elite protection force in GH, and normally would not have been assigned to something as routine as diplomatic protection. Normally the Ministry of Internal Security handled diplomatic protection, but Lancaster had pulled some strings. Ames had been her bodyguard for the secret negotiations in Knootoss, and then again at the formal meetings in Alcona, as well as the funeral for the former king of Vrak and many other routine visits, and the two of them had become good friends. Lancaster trusted Ames, and so she had used her newfound influence in the government to neatly pinch him from the President's Guard. Now Ames wore his black Guard uniform only occaisionally, mostly on formal occaisions or those rare instances when he was on a mission that was not pulling guard duty on Lancaster. The rest of the time, he was dressed in civvies, and serving as her bodyguard. Truthfully, he didn't mind. There were worse people to look after, and this assignment allowed him to do a lot more travelling than most Guard.

Their sign conversation finished, the two Glorious Humans listened to the speech and waited to see what other questions might come up. Lancaster began compiling a list of notes on a small pad in her lap, based on what had already been said, so that she would be sure to not leave anything out of her report back home.

As usual, the VIS was on hand at this event to not only supply a more unobtrusive form of security, which involved looking for other spooks and diplomats from other nations that may be on hand. Secondly, they were also there to record and analyze what the brand new president would say. Some would call this, well, ridiculous, but Vrak was a state that verged on paranoia and it certainly was that in this current time. As of yet, the new King had not revealed himself to the world (ooc: blame that on lacking time to develop that thread further. Should change soon) which left many citizens still groping around in the dark. As well, since this president was not from Vrak they were more suspicious, which is a result of their psychology and also not having as much access to political power as they once had. In fact, Vrak had become more insular and, if rumours were to be believed, even more militaristic.

The seven foot tall Inuit standing near the back shifted slightly on his feet, slowly and quietly stretching one leg. They all did that when standing for lengthy periods of time. He cocked his head and his eyes narrowed as Pat the Llama identified himself. Unfortunately, his orders were not to kill him, at least not today. Then his gaze shifted as the Drakonian, well, the man sure seemed to be a Drakonian, asked his questions.

Certainly, the agent was a lightning rod for other spooks with his presence. It was hoped that the other VIS agents would pass under their radar. Such as the older gentleman vaguely resembling a certain intrepid reporter of Wombat News fame seated in the same row as Lancaster. His peripheral vision picked up the Glorious Humanity “hand talk” (as the Vrakians were wont to call sign language) and then he risked a glance. Ah yes, Lancaster and Ames. They had a file with the VIS when they were participating in talks with Alcona and Hubris.

A faint smile crossed his lips as he turned away. Most interesting the people that are interested in the new president. I wonder how Sir Ozy is feeling right now?

None of the major newspapers had a reporter in the crowd. MNB had, of course, their token journalist in attendance (who was doodling stick figures in her notebook), but otherwise the Covenant media was entirely absent.

No matter how hard the Vrakians looked, they would be unable to find a single SIS operative in the room; Dame Miranda didn't consider the new President important enough to observe, let alone try anything.

Nor would they, or anyone else, be able to find one of Baroness Aryet's diplomats in the room. Like the head of SIS, the Rechtaire didn't consider the President important enough just yet. While the late King of Vrak had been viewed with respect and, strangely, a level of fondness, by Arn-Maciska, Sir Ozy had been regarded as an impotent non-entity by the Bureau of Klatchian Affairs. This new president was seen as little more than a little puppet girl of the Royalist Alliance of Dyelli Beybi.

Aryet had* sent off the mandatory "congratulations on being elected" note, adding a little paragraph that said "oh, and we're already annoyed with you", but, truth be told, she hadn't even looked at the communiqué before signing it. They knew where her loyalties lay in the Dyellian conflict.

In short, no power in Arn-Maciska believed that this woman was anything but a monkey dancing to Dzerzhinsky's organ. The only question they had was whether she was a loud monkey or an quiet one. They hoped for the latter.

While the President announced the new policy on the Emirates, MNB's journalist decided she was tired of stick figures, and tried her hand at trees. She was good at trees.

*(OOC: as noted far above in the thread)

There didn't seem to be any more questions, so the newly elected President was removed from the room...

It was well known she was Royal Alliance, what perhaps hadn't been noticed by outsiders was that Caroline ab Ieuaf was at least as Senior as Dzerzhinsky in the movement, and had in fact been responsible for his recruitment.

Not that anyone would know that...

Things were about to change in Klatch. Putting a Dyellian in charge was a sure way to get sabres rattling.

The older gentleman watched as the President of the Klatch stepped down and the reporters, diplomats and various spooks began to filter out. Like many of the VIS, he had a head mic and picked up the incoming message. He tilted his head and then gracefully stood up. He was clad in a simple black suit with a red silk tie and polished black shoes and moved well, despite his age.

He turned and made his way towards Lancaster and Ames, appearing to be a dignified older man. Which he was, of course.

"Ah, hello. I saw you at the press conference but I didn't catch the paper you represent. I'm Saul Treymaker, The Vrak Prime Daily English version. Anyhow, you know I thought that perhaps you would like a free copy since you might not be familiar with our paper. Vrakian is hard to read, but the English version should be more along your style. Page four is a good example of my work."

He glanced at his watch and extended his hand with the paper.

"Sorry, but I've got to go. Perhaps some other time? Good bye."

A nod, and then he began to stride away.