NationStates Jolt Archive

Tanaka: Welcome to the February tenth edition of Broadcasting Centre, live from Kensington, Eurasia. I'm Mitsuki Tanaka, for the EBG. Please remember that this programme is protected by a glass screen, but vital parts of it aren't. Today, we're interviewing Nuriyah bint Rashad Khadhim, the Prime Secretary of Ariddia. [turns towards Ferailler] Ma'am, it's a great honour.

Khadhim (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Nuriyah_bint_Rashad_Khadhim): "It's a pleasure to be here."

Tanaka: Tell us about how you won the office of Prime Secretary.

Khadhim: "Well... You need a bit of context here. In Ariddia, we've had socialism for almost a century and a half now, and it's become so consensual that the candidate of the DCP - the Democratic Communist Party - is systematically elected. For forty-five years, our Prime Secretary was Comrade Aj Ud (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Aj_Ud) - an admirable man, for whom I have a lot of respect. He was also quite elderly, and because of health problems he delegated a lot. The Council chose me as temporary head of State twelve years ago. That made me the logical choice for candidate when it was time to elect a new Prime Secretary.

The election is quite simple, by the way. We're a democratic country, and any Ariddian person, if they're living in the country and they're at least 16, can vote.

I was elected on a promise to continue the policies of my predecessor, for the most part, and I hope that's what I've been doing."

Tanaka: What kind of policy do you pursue for Ariddia?

Khadhim: "A socialist policy. But that's a very broad concept, so perhaps I should be a bit more specific... Our top priorities are making sure that everyone has access to the essentials. To me, that's what a government, what a society is all about. Everyone in Ariddia has a home, access to running water, food, excellent healthcare, and excellent education. And I'm not the one who says so; our efforts and success in those fields are recognised by the United Nations. Those, I believe, should be the priorities of every government. We're also very careful about the environment, and we have been for a very long time. Ariddian citizens have acquired all the habits to lead... environmentally responsible lives."

Tanaka: Now, I'd like to clear up some misunderstandings about socialist policy that are harboured throughout the world, even in Eurasia. It's accurate to state that Ariddia doesn't interfere in the rights of the people, correct?

Khadhim: "Corr- Well. Define 'rights of the people'. If you mean that people in Ariddia have the right to say what they want, believe what they want, move around freely, do what they want with their lives and vote for whomever they want, then yes, you're entirely correct. We uphold freedom of speech, freedom of religion... All the essential freedoms. There's no interference."

Tanaka: But industry is highly regulated, I presume?

Khadhim: "That depends on how you look at it. There's no private sector in the conventional sense. The economy is fully nationalised. Production and services are operated by the workers themselves, in coordinated with local and national authorities. There's great flexibility, of course. But since there's no private sector, and since there's no... well, the aim isn't profit, so workers don't get fired just so that their employers can squeeze a little more profit out of the rest of them. Our whole economy is completely different from that of capitalist countries, of more industrialised or 'developed' countries."

Tanaka: Could you describe the political system in Ariddia? Many socialist nations, I'm aware, utilise proxy democracy, where councils elect councils that elect the leaders. Is that the case in Ariddia?

Khadhim: "No. I was elected directly by the people. Direct, universal suffrage. The only 'indirect' aspect to it is that the Party chose me as the DCP's candidate, but that's true of virtually all multi-party democracies, and anyone in Ariddia is free and welcome to join the DCP and play an active role in shaping our policies. It's all fully democratic.

I can also be dismissed from my post by the people, by referendum, at any time. Citizens can demand a new election whenever they want. I'm responsible to the people at all times, and they have the power to guarantee that.

The People’s Prime Parliament is also elected by universal direct suffrage. And any proposal that's important enough is submitted to the citizens via referendum. So citizens play a very important role in government in Ariddia."

Tanaka: Well, where do you see Ariddia in the upcoming years?

Khadhim: "I... don't really foresee any major changes. We have a political and social system that's well established, and well suited to our needs. We're able to provide for the needs of everyone living in Ariddia. We've become more active on the international scene, and I suppose that will continue, but other than that... No, I don't foresee any significant change."

Tanaka: Now, I also understand that you are, or rather were, President of Uhuhland. Can you explain that to our audience?

Khadhim: "Ah. Yes, of course. Ariddia is an active member of our geographical region. We have good relations with our neighbours, in the Ariddian Isles and in southern continental Uhuhland. The Uhuhland Union is a sort of... supra-national organisation, with an international government able to legislate for all member States. Ariddia is one of the seven members. Presidency of the Uhuhland Council rotates between those seven countries, and it's traditional for each country's leader to become President of Uhuhland in turn. In practice, having the Presidency means you can suggest legislation to the Uhuhland Council. I've used my two presidencies so far to bring important social and environmental legislation to the countries within the Union. For example, employers who are making a profit can no longer fire employees in member countries just to increase their profits. And there's now an Uhuhland Environmental Council, with the authority to impose environmental legislation on all UU member countries. So Ariddia is playing an important, progressive role in its area of the world."

Tanaka: Your Excellency - that is the proper term of address, I presume - I'm afraid we are running out of time. Is there anything you'd like to add?

Khadhim: "Well, there's a lot more we could have talked about... Ariddian culture and society, for example. To all your viewers living in countries where there's an Ariddian embassy, or a sizeable Ariddian community: Chances are you can find at least one Ariddian cultural centre. Visit it if you want to know more about Ariddia. Or visit the embassy; the staff are there to tell you all about our country.

Thank you, anyway, for inviting me to this interview. It was a pleasure being here. I wish you and the EBG every success."