NationStates Jolt Archive

It was shortly after 6am on a Monday morning at the Prosperan Consulate in Johannesburg. The consulate was located in a low-rise office block, occupying both the third and fourth floors. Each morning staff would drive their cars down into a basement parking lot between that block and a neighbouring building and drag themselves into an elevator. Manning the basement's entrance were two friendly-faced security guards hired from a local firm. Even though the guards were clearly armed, no one ever considered that they might ever have to actually use their Glock pistols. After all, nothing in the consulate's history had happened to warrant such thoughts. But on this particular morning, that was about to change.

A flashy silver sedan approached the security checkpoint. The driver's window came down and a grandfatherly looking man with gray wispy hair smiled.
" 'morning, Johan," he said.
The officer smiled back and replied in an unmistakable South African accent.
"Good morning, Mr Blair. Have a nice day, eh."
"You too."
The gate lifted and Ian Blair, the head of the consulate, drove towards his reserved parking space. But he would not make there. Only seconds passed before there was a sudden almighty explosion. The car ripped apart, rocking the building. Alarms were set off and people crashed to the ground.

Parliament, Queenston, Prosperas
16:00 hours EST

"And so, Madame Speaker, I believe that this government, this corrupt government -"
At that point the noise reached an appalling level and the Speaker was forced to bang her gavel. Amused onlookers in the public galleries could only laugh.
"Order! Order! The Member will be heard in silence." She said sternly, her patience wearing thin. "One more interjection, from either side of the House, and there will be severe consequences. The Honourable Cameron Davis, please continue."
Davis, a youngish man with dashing good looks and a certain charismatic charm about him, straightened his tie and cast a menacing grin in the direction of the Treasury benches.
"Thank you, Madame Speaker." He said at a deliberately slow pace. "As I was saying..."
Prime Minister Chris Benedict slumped back in his seat and rubbed his visibly tired face. Next to him sat his deputy Michael Sidney.
"Not a bad speech, is it?" He mumbled, amidst more booing and cheering.
Sidney frowned.
"I'd give him a two for content, and an eight for presentation."
Benedict leaned forward to reach a glass of water but caught sight of a figure approaching. The smartly dressed aide always had a professional look about him, but this time Benedict noted something concerning in his face.
"Sir," he whispered, "There is a matter of urgency which requires your immediate attention."

6:13 AM SAST

Though the whole building was rocked by the bomb, not much damage was caused: part of the second floor of the garage was blown down, and a good number of cars surrounding the consul's car were destroyed as well. Debris flew everywhere, hitting people out in the streets. Police officers soon arrived to help secure the scene, and ambulances were called to take away the injured. As a precaution, the entire block was evacuated and a cordon was formed in the area, sealing off a few streets.

Salisbury, National Capital District-6:45 AM

"I would again stress that the government has done its homework and the new tax scheme will ultimately benefit...No, that's total crap," Prime Minister Colin Amherst said as he was reading over a draft of a speech on the government's sales tax plan. He had to deliver it in a few hours or so, and only had the first three paragraphs finished. "Miranda, what d'you think?"

Miranda agreed. She was Colin's chief editor (having a far superior knowledge of the technical bits of English grammar than he ever would, since he fell asleep when they taught that in school), and chief political advisor (since he didn't trust Federalist hacks). "I'd say go ahead with what you originally wanted that "It is the full intent of this government to deliver real tax relief to South Africans in 2007", but work in something like "in the end both government and consumer will see real lasting benefit, therefore we shall never need to reform the tax code again."

"What would I do without you," he said scribbling the change on the original draft.

Just then, however, the Prime Minister's chief of staff, Frasier Ncube, burst in.

Amherst looked up from the script. "What is it, Frasier? You look like you've seen a ghost!"

"Car bomb went off at the Prosperan consulate in Johannesburg about half an hour ago- five dead so far, unknown number of wounded- building is still standing."

"Well, isn't this just brilliant," Amherst muttered. "Alright, get on the line with the Police and have them put extra security at all consulates/embassies- only for 48 hours or so. Have someone call down to the Taxpayers' Federation and tell them I'll have to reschedule. I'll be off to Parliament within the hour."

"Yes, Prime Minister."

His Imperial Majesty Ilahi Selassie, Ruler of the Orthodox Empire of Abyssinia, will be watching this shocking,recent act of political violence and is eager to help our southern neighbor of South Africa in stopping any terrorism in the continent of Africa.

We, as always, condemnd all forms of terrorism in the world and this case, if it is terrorism, is no exception.

Presidential Press Secretary Adam Smith held a press conference on the American reaction to the attack in South Africa.

"The President extends his sympathies to the Prosperan government, it's embassy staff and their families....."

Marsha Glass (CNN) "Africa has always been an unstable continent and host to numerous terrorist groups including Al Qaeda. Would the United States contribute troops to a multinational force to invade Africa and track down the attackers?"

Smith: "The President wants the world to know that the United States is sure that the government of South Africa is more than able to deal with situations that occur on their territory and that it is prudent to let them do so without outside interference."

Glass (trying to egg him on): "But if they failed, and a military response was required, would the United States send troops to invade South Africa?"

Smith: "South Africa, has no done no harm to the US or its interests. America has no qualm with South Africa. A US invasion of South Africa is unrealistic and does not fit in the current political reality of the warm relationship between the US and South Africa."

George Moore (Fox News): "Are you saying the US won't help South Africa or Prospera if they said they needed it?"

Smith:"It is US policy that to help those who request such help. Since this attack occured on South African territory, it is our position that it is a South African/Prosperan issue for those two nations to work out together without other nations trying to get involved so as to take advantage for their agendas.
If South Africa, asks for assistance, whether it be troops, money, or whatever, the US would take the request into consideration. But we will not get involved in a potential rowe between two countries that are potential trading partners of the US."

OOC: For continuity reasons, I'll move the American and Abyssinian posts to after the PM's speech in Parliament

IC:
Amherst was about to deliver what would quite possibly be the most important address of his entire political career. He waited patiently, making mental notes to himself about what he'd say. Then the moment came.

"The Rt. Hon. Member for Fort Victoria," announced the Speaker.

Amherst rose and began. "Mr. Speaker, our nation has suffered a terrible and treacherous attack. Once more, and I am sure not for the last time, terrorists have chosen to make war on our free and civilised society and have struck at innocent civilians merely going about their day to day lives. It is not just this government that they would seek to destroy, but rather, they would want to bring down our entire society. And for what, I ask you? So that they may realise anarchy and other unspeakable horrors? Fortunately, we are a proud and resolute people who do not give up when challenged..."

He went on for another five minutes, and then closed with the following: "I am sure that with God's help, South Africa will prevail in her eternal struggle for peace and order. We have been issued a special challenge, and, as we have done in the past, we will overcome it. Terrorists who seek to commit crimes against the people of South Africa- and for that matter, the people of Africa in general, are living on borrowed time."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns the reckless violence being committed on the African continent. We urge restraint and a sensible approach to resolving this calamity.

PROSPERAN GOVERNMENT PRESS RELEASE

22.01.2007, 18:01 EST

The Prosperan Government strongly condemns the cowardly attack on its diplomatic post in Johannesburg today, which has tragically claimed the lives of five people, including Head Consulate Ian Blair, and injured fifteen. The Government will be working closely with the South African authorities to ensure that those responsible for this heinous act are brought to justice.

Prosperas would like to thank those nations which have offered their condolences and assistance. Together we must confront the threat of terrorism, not just in the continent of Africa, but around the world.

"What are we doing in Africa again?" Asked the courier
"Well there were reports of terrorism. If we showed ourselves off as a great, freedom-loving people that would do anything to stop suffering, more people would believe in and join our cause." Vladmir, leader of Neo-Russia the 2nd remarked. "The army is being transported here right now, right?"
"Yeah. It'll be here soon enough" Vladmir's military advisor quickly responded.
"Well, comon lets sit back, relax, and acquaint ourselves with some warlords.

Until violence has calmed down the L.A.S. is removing it's diplomats from your country. Please call us here if you have any issues. We are also issueing a travel advisory due to the uncertainty of the perpetraitors of the attacks.

State Department L.A.S. (as delivered via fax)

meanwhile the embassy staff was on a plane headed for Bogota.

While we understand that the L.A.S certainly has a right to withdraw their diplomats, we stress that the incident that occured in Johannesburg is an isolated one. All embassies are safe and protected by South African police, so there is no need for alarm.

-P. K. Hertzog
Foreign Minister of South Africa

"What are we doing in Africa again?" Asked the courier
"Well there were reports of terrorism. If we showed ourselves off as a great, freedom-loving people that would do anything to stop suffering, more people would believe in and join our cause." Vladmir, leader of Neo-Russia the 2nd remarked. "The army is being transported here right now, right?"
"Yeah. It'll be here soon enough" Vladmir's military advisor quickly responded.
"Well, comon lets sit back, relax, and acquaint ourselves with some warlords.

OOC: Can you explain what this means? I'm sorry, but I can't understand the post

OOC: Can you explain what this means? I'm sorry, but I can't understand the post

OOC: Yeah come to think of it, it does have a really subtle meaning. It's sort of like Woodrow Wilson's Moral Diplomacy, to spread Peace and Democracy to improve our image with the South American Nations (meaning by spreading peace, we would look better in the eyes of the world), to the naked eye. The second part implies that we are going to just ally with the most powerful warlord(s), and fight off all ther other warlords, bringing a feeling of peace, while we also make our own gains.