NationStates Jolt Archive

The Racine Journal Times

GHOLGOTH OPENS TRADE ROUTES WITH HAVEN

In a surprise move today, Lord Damien Dreadfire announced that the regional alliance of Gholgoth will open its markets to nations in the region of Haven. This decision comes after a meeting with the individual leaders of the Gholgoth membership, and has been reported to take effect immediately. Minister Hartman had the following to say on the matter following Lord Dreadfire's decree before the leaders of Gholgoth:

For years Gholgoth nations have shared excellent relations with several countries located within the Haven realm, both through our individual friendships and mutual parnerships via alliances such as GASN and NATO. Today it has been agreed upon that relations with greater Haven shall be opened, and as a token measure of our friendship we hereby offer to open our markets to any Haven nation.

However, this offer is not without limitations. Any signatory of the Sovereign League will be denied trade and diplomatic ties indefinately, due to their stance of opposing Gholgoth at every possible juncture. This shall not change in the foreseeable future.

But back to the glorious announcement at hand! Ships from Freekish companies are already packed with goods and awaiting departure, and our estimates are that other Gholgothan nations will take advantage of this momumental opportunity shortly. We also will honor any request by any Haven nation to not engage in active trade or diplomatic ties should they wish, and any Gholgothan may reserve the right to do so as well, should it be in their national interests.

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Minister Hartman
-Minister of International Affairs-

For decades Freekish markets had been restricted so that no product from any non-allied nation could be traded for, which was put into effect during President Tom Kaye's term following the fallout of World War 4 against the GDODAD. This marks a specific turning point in Freekish history, which suggests that perhaps this decision was not entirely made by Lord Damien himself. Speculation as to why this decision was approved by Freekish leadership continues, but now the world will await the response coming in from Haven nations.

However, the continued blacklist of Sovereign League member states is a clear reminder that while Freekish markets are loosening up, they are still difficult to tap into. Rumor has begun to circulate from sources inside the Great Hall that any nation who chooses to leave the Sovereign League from this point forward will be offered additional benefits, which include economic and military packages. This rumor cannot be confirmed, but perhaps in the days ahead Freekish officials will shed some light.

Official Free Dominion of Vetaka Diplomatic Message:

To: Minister Hartman-Minister of International Affairs
From: Vetakan Foreign Affairs

Subject: Opening of Diplomatic Relations

Greetings,

The Free Dominion of Vetaka is intrested in this current development we are a small nation located within Haven and where until recently part of both the Sovereign League and the Questarian Commonwealth however the Vetakan Government was forced to terminate its membership in both organizations after protest from the Vetakan Electorate.

The Free Dominion of Vetaka would like to seek opening Diplomatic Relations firstly via an Embassy Exchange would you be interested in such a move?

Yours Vetakan Foreign Secretary Thomas Lewis

Whyatican Empire Begins Trade with Gholgoth
Some View as Betrayal of Sovereign League
Today the Whyatican Ministry of Trade announced that it had opened trade relations with the remote region of Gholgoth, former enemies of the Empire and current adversaries of the Sovereign League bloc. The first Whyatican cargo boats, escorted by a Geddy Lee class heavy cruiser, departs for the nation of Automagfreek today, carrying automobiles from Targus Auto [MISE: TGA 83.23]. This is viewed by many as a massive breakthrough in Whyatican-Gholgoth relations, as without trade, little talks will ever take place. A prominent economist at the University of Miana, Keith Olbermann, told us "This announcement may seem great on the surface, but we have to consider the positions of our former allies in the Sovereign League. Many of them already view us as betraying them, and trading with their enemies may make things worse. The gain Whyatican businesses make in Gholgoth markets would not be enough to offset any possible backlash against our business in Sovereign League markets, which are already large and established."

The complete lack of diplomatic relations with any Gholgoth state has nearly brought the Empire to war, when the nation of The Transylvania was a member of the Gholgoth bloc. The invasion of Clandonia Prime was very close to being a catalyst to a Gholgoth-Sovereign League war, however, the expulsion of the Transylvania avoided this crisis.

Top officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have hailed this as "great strides towards peace". The Emperor has yet to comment on this issue.

A traditionally short and blunt message from the Council of Clans followed the announcement by AMF:

"The United Clans of the Charr maintains our long-standing policy of open free trade with any nation that is not a proclaimed enemy of either the UCC or Gholgoth. As such we see this as a somewhat redundant, but nonetheless pleasing, announcement."

Jaw Smokeskin
The United Clans of the Charr

From The Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
At this time, Illior is willing to open trade routes with Havenic nations, either to the Illiorian Homeland, or its colonies in Haven for general luxury items in Illior Prime, and some basic needs to its colonies in Haven, for return shipments of just about anything that Illior can offer. All Illiorian convoys will be protected by one of the Illiorian based GASN escort force groups to ensure no piracy occurs. If any Havenic nation (as long as it fits within the requirements set by Automagfreek) wishes to trade with Illior, they can easily contact my office, and will get a quick response.

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Official Imperial Communiqué

The Imperial Monarchy of Alacea

To: Automagfreek, Gholgoth, Havenic States, SL
From: Alacean Foreign Ministry

We urge all Havenic nations NOT to comply with the proposition proposed by the Freeks. How can you trust a nation that tries to run around stopping world issues? One ruled by a test-tube freak (no pun intended), or certainly one who is ready to jump off to war because their deranged leader fails to realize he's not the biggest giant out there? Do we run off a bridge because Damien Dreadfire does it himself, or just tells us to? Or because of traitors (who shall not be named) that dot Haven on all corners? All Gholgoth nations are to be adamantly denied access to any Alacean ports, or those of her Imperial Colonies around Southeastern Haven. As the GASN seems to have a certain level of competency, no GASN states have extra tarrifs or embargos on their record.

Salutations,
Alexander Salem
Minister of Foreign Affairs

OOC:Alacea, TG

Replied, Whyatica :)

~From the desk of Azrael the Advocate, Imperial Regent of the Excessively Armed Empire of Automagfreek~

I would have Alexander Salem know that this was not my father's idea, but my own. He was the one who merely approved it and put it into law. I would also have him know that swallowing Sovereign League propaganda like they were candies will certainly not elevate their status in the world, and that perhaps leaving the accursed League will be for its own benefit.

Watch as the Havenic nations around you prosper and grow through this new flow of trade, while Alacea festers and rots from within the bloated corpse of the Sovereign League. You insult my father but you will never achieve his level of greatness, nor will your nation ever be anything more than a slave to the Praetonian crown.

Until you see the light Mr. Salem, we would not even dream about opening trade with your nation. The loss is solely on you.

On a lighter note, we would be happy to accommodate the Vetakan government and people in any way possible. We would gladly exchange embassies, and will see to it immediately that there is a place for your dignitaries to communicate with ours.


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Azrael the Advocate
-Imperial Regent of Automagfreek-

Official Announcement from the Free Havenic Republic of Kahanistan
Ministry of Commerce
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Despite the hostility between our nations, our hostility to Doomingsland is far more severe. Slavery has no place in the modern age, and we will fund any attempt to eradicate it from the earth.

In the spirit of human freedom, we will officially announce our markets as open to Freekish goods.

Signed,
Angus McKimble,
Minister of Commerce

As per the Jolt Ordinances of 20XX, a fax machine deep within Automagfreek screamed to life, attempting to manage the absurd amount of data being sent to it. Memory filled, was purged, and filled again with startling rapidity, threatening to overload the poor machine. But after what must have seemed like an eternity of toil, it fell quiet again, a few pieces of paper sitting in its tray.

The message appeared to have originally been written on parchment, a flowing script covering the pages. At its end, the message had been signed twice. (for good measure of course) And without having read a word, the world knew: Amner was back.

Salutations Damien Dreadfire!
It has recently come to my attention that you have proposed unrestricted trade between our respective regions, and by extension, our respective nations. Your offer is rather unexpected considering the rather interesting relations between allies of the Glorious Military Junta and the Excessively Armed Empire, especially in light of your current conflict the Holy Empire of Doomingsland. However, this can all be looked past in the spirit of capitalism and free-market economics. It is my firm belief that despite minute ideological differences, we can mutually benefit from an openly meritocratic economic system.

In light of such, ships of the Glorious Military Junta will be allowed to travel freely to the Gholgoth region, and any and all Gholgoth civilian ships may enter No Endorse territorial waters at the appropriate locations and times. Additionally, insofar as we are able, we shall prevent nations of the Clandonian ilk from interfering with any Gholgoth civilian vessels within Haven. I hope that you will reciprocate these arrangements.

Atal Amner
Atal Amner

P.S. Violet has just completed a rather delicious batch of crumpets. I would send some, but alas, they do not fax effectively. Tis a severe flaw in modern technology.

Amner reclined in his chair, watching the progress bar on his computer. All that's left to do is carbon copy the world!

===================================================

A flotilla of lightly armed merchant ships set sail from Muncheria on the heels of this announcement. In the eternally capitalistic spirit of No Endorse, they sought to break into the lucrative Gholgoth market. They passed silently around the landmass, entering Alacean territorial waters at Corania. Bound for Arcis Insula, they hugged the coastline, hoping to save as much fuel as possible, regardless of political borders. At Arcis Insula, they hoped to resupply for the long jump to Gholgoth across the endless seas, the first new market for No Endorse in years.



Haven Map (http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32/Freebo/Kashmire/HavenMap2.png)

Official Statement from the Federal-Parliamentarian Government of the Union of Southeast Asian Nations
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To: All Parties Concerned
From: Joshua Lin Cheuk Kitt, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Union of Southeast Asian Nations
Subject: Southeast Asian stance on the Imperial Regent's trade proposal

Greetings Esteemed Ladies and Gentlemen, Representatives of the International Community,

Speaking on the behalf of the Federal-Parliamentarian Government of the Union of Southeast Asian Nations, I commend this act of delivering an olive branch. Trade is vital to countries across the planet, and it is one of the reasons why the Union joined the New Alliance Treaty Organization and the Empire of Eternity. Azrael the Advocate, by undertaking this decision, has proven that he is not only adept on the battlefield as a tactician and a warrrior like his father, but also adept in the art of diplomacy, contrary to the belief of opposition of the Excessively Armed Empire. Minister Alexander Salem is naive in the belief that Automagfreek is an evil, aggressive expansionist power, and it is neither my authority nor is it his to question the practices of law and the government in Automagfreek. I hope that he would see otherwise that tension between his country and his allies with Automagfreek is pointless and only the breeding ground for unneccessary and pointless war, and lost prosperity that could have been gained through economics.

May Azrael the Advocate's ascendance into leadership of the Excessively Armed Empire prove to be as great, if not, I daresay, better, than the Excessively Armed Empire's - and his - Father. Godspeed, Imperial Regent Azrael Dreadfire!

Yours Sincerely,
His Excellency
Joshua Lin Cheuk Kitt
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Union of Southeast Asian Nations

OOC: Traitors that dot all corners and whom shall not be named haha love it.

Official Free Dominion of Vetaka Diplomatic Response:

The Free Dominion of Vetaka is not ignorant we are fully aware that many nations throughout Haven believe Vetaka to be traitors and they could not be further from the true. Those nations that call Vetaka "Traitors" with such Vigor I personally as the Political Leader of my people would like to ask those that call us traitors what they base this assumption on?

Personally I believe those preeching nations base their assumption upon the Vetakan Decsion to terminate its Membership of the Sovereign League and the Questarian Commonwealth. Vetakas reason for its withdrawal from the Alliances are well known and no hidden secret.

On to a more pleasent note I have instructed Vetakan Foreign Affairs to make space for Foreign Dignitaries from The Excessively Armed Empire of Automagfreek to move into an Embassy within the Vetakan Embassy Sector.

Vetaka operates a Free and Open Market and we would be happy to accept Automagfreek Products upon the Vetakan Market and we hope Vetakan Products will be accepted upon the Freekisk Markets.

Yours Best Regards

Scarlet Rogers

President of The Free Dominion of Vetaka
Lord-Governor of The Free Dominion of Vetaka
Supreme Commanding Admiral in Chief of the Vetakan Defence Forces

Gholgoth Trade Proposition attracts regional nations of the Haven

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The prospect of new trade has interested the Clandonian Business Initiative (CBI)

From the New Clanon City Times
Front Page, Business Section

In a shock announcement today the Gholgoth nation of Automagfreek announced the intent to open trade routes between Ghologoth and the Haven. The announcement came at a time when Clandonian exports on an increase thanks to the large scale industrialisation of the country. The announcement placed restrictions of those members of the Sovereign League which the United Kingdom is a signatory of. The leading nation of the alliance which promotes laissez faire capitalism and liberal democracy has yet to comment on the latest announcement.

Clandonian Business Initiative leader Lord Deveres speaking to reporters in a press conference spoke of the interest in the new proposition. Lord Deveres highlighted that the recent crisis in the Sovereign League with at least four member states leaving after the collapse of the Alliance for the Preservation of Society and the support by member states for the war between Doomingland and Automagfreek. Critics of the CBI's comments suggest that Gholgoth has little trade opportunities and with the applaing human rights records of some nations then would it be wise to do business on ethical grounds with nations that are classed by the UN as 'dictatorships'. Some sources in the Freekish government have leaked information regarding the benefits of leaving the Sovereign League including military and financial aid which could weaken the alliance even more. Clandonian government officials suggested that no such action would be taken without further consultation with Sovereign League allies and the Praetonian government. Sources close to the Times say the governments position on Gholgoth will be unlikely to change.

Several nations have accepted the offer including Whyatica who were resigned from the Sovereign League after allegations over human rights abuses in Kahanistan and over conflict with Praetonia over issues of national sovereignty in Old Clandonia. Several others nations including Vetaka who Clandonian enjoys warm relations with and No Endorse a nation to the North of Clandonia also excepted the offer. Kahanistan also announced the opening of their markets which suggests a move to distance itself from the Sovereign Leagues offer of protection after Midlonia launched an annexation after the ruling nationalist government declared independence. Readers of the Times Online noted another nation under the name of South East Asia which is believed to be a slave state of the Big Three organisation and not even in the geographical region of the Haven accepted the offer. Economists are split over the issue, some suggesting that the UKCP could loose out on this new deal while others suggest that the offer of open trade will have no considerable effect with many of the Gholgoth nations running state or mixed economies which are unlikely export markets for those capitalist states of the Haven.

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Official Statement from the Office of the President of the Aequatian Republic

The Aequatian Republic is weary of such a move to the opening of relations with the nations of Haven and will take the coming months of transition to monitor the new trade pacts and movements and evaluate its merits to the Republic and the Aequatian citizenry. While we have past dealings with such nations, we are not prepared at the moment to open full-scale trade with the nations of said region.

Signed,

President Holden Reid of Aequatio.

Gholgoth on the Road to Free Trade
Prime Minister celebrates 'victory of ideas' as Gholgoth comes around to Sovereign League ideals of free trade after decades in the protectionist wilderness.

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The Praetonian Civil War: Appealing to historical events in Praetonia's past, the Prime Minister suggests this may be the beginning of the end for Automagfreek tyranny.
___________________
From 'The Herald'
Front Page

For the first time in decades, Gholgoth has reounced her protectionist past and opened up limited trade with the outside world. Automagfreek, which appears to set much of Gholgoth policy, announced the move to the rest of Gholgoth at a closed conference. It is believed that the first privately owned ships will begin moving within days.

At a speech given to a specially convened conference of the Free Trade Congress of the Confederation of Praetonian Industry, the Prime Minister described the decision as "the possible begins of a joyous new day for peoples around the world," and heralded the Automagfreek and Gholgoth swing towards Sovereign League values such as free trade and the freedom of the seas as evidence of the Sovereign League's victory in the 'war of ideas', although he warned that "more would be needed".

Drawing parallels with the creation of the Patrician League in Praetonia, whose formation in the 17th century to call for free internal trade is widely believed to have largely led to the Civil War and the fall of feudalism in this country, the Prime Minister described the announcement as "a tentative first step on the road towards liberty in the controversial region, which is largely shunned by the free world due to the despotic nature of many of its governments, which are known to have executed peaceful dissidents without trial, raised armies of slaves, taxed without the consent of their populaces and commited multiple counts of genocide.

The Prime Minister said he believed that free trade could be the first step on the road to freer society in Gholgoth, but warned that Gholgoth's insistence on only allowing trade with countries more likely to support the legitimacy of the feudalist states' governments may be a sign that their new-found belief in free trade may not be sincere:

"Wherever in the world we look, the countries where people may speak freely, where they may act freely, where they may choose their governments, refuse taxation levied and laws imposed without their consent and have allegations of wrong-doing heard in public before a jury of their peers - Praetonia, Questers, Allanaea, Northford, New Tipperary - allow also the free movement of goods. It is no surprise that we find that these states are also the most wealthy, the most mighty and the most tenacious in the defence of their property and their liberty.

"Indeed, should it surprise us to see the armies of Gholgoth trample with impunity the lands of the protectionist Corporate Alliance which takes what it disdains to acquire by trade by force of arms, or to see the combined might of the communist world arrayed to seize the islands of free states flee before the guns of the Imperial Navy without a shot being fired -- all while Gholgoth stands in fear and awe of the might of the Sovereign League, which they despise with equal vigour, and seek instead to pursue their designs against it with cunning and subterfuge rather than rifles and bayonets? Of course it should not. The merchant navies of the Free World are the heralds of liberty, of prosperity and of might.

"But nor can they work for long to fill the coffers of a despot. An Automagfreek where the goods and culture of the Free World may flow in, expose their rulers as the petty and illegitimate despots they are, and educate their the people in the ideas of the Free World, is a breeding ground for rebellion and change. What surprise, is it, then, that Automagfreek seeks to ban from her shores the merchantmen of those states that are the most wealthy, the most mercantile and the most commited to free trade, preferring instead the merchantmen of those states that are the most suplicant, the most docile, and the most malleable.

"Whatever there is to be said for the poor manner in which this policy shift has been executed, however, one cannot deny that it is completely at odds with all that has come before from the policy apparatchiks in Automagfreek. Where once they intended to intimidate us with their acts of genocide and barbarism against defenceless Peoples, they now try to imitate and placate us. This is an admission of defeat, however grudging it may be, on the part of the Old Order. It represents our victory in the battle of ideas - not only for Praetonia, but for all Free Peoples, everywhere in the world, and all those who labour under despotism aspiring one day to be free. This news is to be rejoiced by us all.

The Prime Minister finished his speech by pledging to work for a free trade agreement and embassy exchange with Gholgoth - an agreement he said he had offered in the past during private correspondances with the Dreadfire government, but which was flatly rejected because of his refusal to recognise the legitimacy of that country's military dictatorship, a factor which may have played a part in Automagfreek's decision to ban Gholgoth trade with the Sovereign League. The Prime Minister finished to a standing ovation from the assembled delegates, including representatives of some of the world's largest and most profitable companies.

Speculation is currently rife over whether this announcement will improve relations between Praetonia and Gholgoth. A senior backbench source in the Liberal-Tory Party hinted that public negotiations may be on the cards, but there has been wide-spread condemnation of Automagfreek's selective approach to trade, which is universally viewed as being politically driven.

Kingston Palace has issued a brief statement saying that His Majesty the King will address the Nation on the issue over the coming days. Details of the speech are being kept under tight control by the Palace, but it has been revealed to The Herald that the King will welcome "the rejection, at least in part, of the morally and intellectually bankrupt system of protectionism, which strikes at the very heart of the Automagfreek political ideology" and call upon Automagfreek to "embrace wider liberalism".




Business gearing up to circumvent "nationalist Automagfreek trade rules"
"The flood gates have opened, and the industry of all nations shall flow freely in."

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Merchantmen, described by the PM has "the heralds of liberty," could soon be delivering Praetonian goods to Gholgoth.
___________________
From 'The Herald'
Business

"The flood gates have opened, and the industry of all nations shall flow freely in" - this was the bold statement made by the Director-General of the CPI Free Trade Congress in defiance of Automagfreek bans on Praetonian imports and exports. In spite of the official embargo which still remains in place, many of the larger businesses are preparing to circumvent the customs man.

Almost eighteen thousand Certificates of Incorporation have been applied for in Whyatica alone by Praetonian nationals in the past four hours, as Praetonian firms lead the surge of Sovereign League companies to set up holding companies in Havenite nations outside the Automagfreek trade ban. Goods will be shipped from the Crown Commonwealth and other Sovereign League nations to countries where trade with Automagfreek is allowed, sold to the holding companies which are incorporated and tax domiciled in these countries, and then sailed in foreign-registered ships to Automagfreek, remaining within the law of each country at every stage.

Sir Desmond Farrier, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lion Motors Ltd., a sunsidiary of the engineering giant Imperial Oil & Gas, explains: "We have an excellent oppurtunity in that here, with Automagfreek, we have a market that has been dominated by domestic and a small number of foreign giants for so long, protected from any serious competition, while companies like ours have had to fight tooth and nail to maintain their positions and grow, and this naturally puts us in a position to offer something really very appetising to the Automagfreek consumer.

"To say that we are somehow doing something wrong by circumventing an unjust law is ridiculous. The embargo against Praetonia is politically motivated, but Automagfreek's ridiculous trade war is against countries, not individuals. Why should Lion Motors suffer because of it? Why should the Automagfreek citizen who would have bought one of our cars if he or she had had the chance?"

It is thought likely that Automagfreek will make some attempt to halt this "carry trade" in goods, but even a disruptive and expensive system of proof of origin certificates and comprehensive physical inspections of every item entering the country is thought highly unlikely to prove a practical means of stopping the transcontinental trade in goods.

"Haven is simply too open," explains Professor Sir Herbet Walsan, from the Royal College of Economics, Kingston, "everything is traded everywhere. If I were to buy a second hand toaster in Kahanistan built by a Questerian worker in Aunesia for a company owned by a Praetonian businessman and originally sold to a Northfordian, and then put that toaster on a ship to Automagfreek, how is anyone meant to know where it came from? Are they going to take the cargo ship, unload all the containers on the dock, open everything up, lay it all out, and run a systematic check on each thing, including my toaster, then pack it all up again and send it on its way?

"Even if they do - and I don't mean to make this policy appear reasonable, because it isn't, and will lead not only to vast delays but huge price inflation on anything imported, effectively rendering the whole exercise of trade pointless - how are they going to know it is from Praetonia? There are over twenty thousand different makes - are they going to get someone to go through each one, to check which it is? And if they see it's Praetonian, what are they going to do? Throw it away? Send it back? Maybe that's possible. Now try to do that with millions of tonnes of goods. The policy of selective trade may work in a protectionist world, but if the world ever was protectionist, times have changed. The policy is simply unviable."

Some companies are taking a more timid approach, and waiting to see the consequences of the "carry trade" before jumping on the band wagon, while others are triumphantly predicting that it will see the selective trading policy buried under a mountain of Made-in-the-Sovereign-League cars, fridge-freezers and spice racks within a matter of weeks.

For too long, my beloved nation has kept to itself, trading only with four groups in it's history. First, the nations of Midnight, then NATO and APTO, and finally our brothers in Gholgoth. We have kept our overflow of goods to ourselves and our allies, in what has ben a most selfish history.

These trade policies have also gone to enforce the peoples of my nation's strong sense of hatred and mistrust of foreigners. I believe that by opening free trade, following in the footsteps of our brother, we can change back into the international powerhouse we once were, before our long period of isolationism.

I am officially announcing the opening of Sigma Octavus' sole port to trade ships. Too long, this port has been used only as a staging ground for our armies, and it's trade centers have fallen into near disuse.

We welcome the trade of those friendly nations of Haven, but bar the trade of Soverign League nations.

-High General James B. Snowlander

Okiean Government to Open Trade with Former Enemy

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Bombings
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Cruelty
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Pain
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Fear

These images of the Okiean-Gholgoth War (1992-2004) is how most Okieans remember Automagfreek. A member of the Gholgoth Alliance, Automagfreek was part of a coalition that nearly invaded the mainland of Okielahoma. However officials hope this is the new face of the relationship

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Okiean and AMF Dominion diplomats shaking hands after signing a trade agreement after Automagfreek announced a trade agreement with Haven. Said one government official:
“Its really nice to have such a powerful nation to trade with. Trading with Questers for tea, Willink for electronics and Jaredcohenia for slaves gets old very quickly. Hopefully this can bolster our economy which erm, has fallen quite rapidly as of late.”
The terms of the deal, most of which are classified, are rumored to even contain arms shipments, which would be a 360 degree reversal of policy after arms embargos were levied on Automagfreek. Of course this could be pure speculation but not highly unlikely. More details on this deal should surface by next month.

Tyrian Times
Page 27
Column 6

FOREIGN RESPONSES to Gholgoth's earlier announcement regarding free trade with the region of Haven have been steadily growing over the last day, to the point where many have been wondering if our own illustrious and incompetent government has anything more to say on the issue. When commanded to reveal his response to the rhetorical nonsense spewed by the enemies of the UCC's allies, the great and powerful Bonfaaz Burntfur laughed at our investigator and remained disinterested.

"It is simple, my inquisitive, irritating friend," Burntfur explained. "This government has no response."

When it was suggested to him by our investigator that the mockeries from Praetonia in particular applied to the UCC as much as the rest of Gholgoth, Burntfur was much more forthcoming with spin.

"Hah! Our civil rights are higher, our economy stronger, and our government smaller," was his response. "That pale-skinned old baldie [Prime Minister] has no idea what utterings are escaping from his grotesque, toothless mouth. He claims ideals as his own that have existed here long before the so-called Sovereign League was even slapped haphazardly together. Let him speak, so that we might all practice ignoring him."

Renowned for hating spin and long-winded speeches, nothing more could be extracted from our elected leader before he pushed our investigator aside and went about his business.

It is to be assumed that his statement was 'off the record', judging by the chunk of Devourer meat he was gnawing at the time, and the government as a national entity has not issued an official response. One earlier quote from a much more jovial Klarr Viletooth was possibly telling of the government's position on the matter, however: "This is more of a Gholgoth - or rather, Automagfreek - announcement than a Tyrian one. We have never restricted private trade with Haven, though I know not whether any have availed themselves of that opportunity until now. It really does not impact our policy either way. The concerns of private businesses are exactly that - private. Let all who are unsure know for certain; unless you dare to bear or threaten arms against us or our allies, all traders are welcome in Tyria. Frankly, we don't care, provided your wares are legal here, and that's a short list of items let me tell you..."

Meanwhile, the Clan Leaders continue to waste time on debating unimportant issues such as continued membership of certain international alliances, ignoring the more important domestic issues which continue to go unchecked. They hate so much to be referred to as politicians, but this reporter finds no other applicable word for such behaviour.

OOC: Thanks Vet, I like to make IC messages overly corny :)

IC:

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Official Imperial Communiqué

The Imperial Monarchy of Alacea

To: Automagfreek, Gholgoth, Havenic States, SL
From: Alacean Foreign Ministry

Despite Freekian disconcordance, Alacea plans on sticking to Praetonia and Questaria in the Sovereign League. As for "festering"*, we would very much like to point out that the sum of major SL powers and the alliance as a whole's GDP and GDP per capita is much higher than that of the totalarian states of Gholgoth. We bid good day, Azrael. See you in hell, or the next time you attack an innocent.

Salutations,
Alexander Salem
Minister of Foreign Affairs


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Livican freight arrives in Queenston

Dodging the bullet or jumping into the frying pan?
Alacea to stick with the Sovereign League
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From The Alacean Times
Page 1a

Yesterday, President Jordan Gardispici gave the order for the Minister of International Affairs to send out a rather insulting communication primarily directed at Gholgoth. AMF responded with a condemnation stating that The question is, did we make the right choice?

Several nations (Whyatica, Vetaka, and Kahanistan) have begun to trade with the Gholgoth nations, Clandonia is soon predicted to open her sovereign ports (or at least consider). Both Questers and Praetonia, two major SL powers, however, are sticking true to their devotions (or as much as you can expect Praetonians or Questarians to). Alacea's ports however, are glued shut to any Gholgoth member (though it is trading freely with GASN nations) Now, its up for the voters to decide if the President made the right choice, coming up in June.

OOC: *= Sorry if this is incorrect, NStracker (the calculator I prefer) is in the middle of a seizure. If it is incorrect, just assume that it was a government estimate, or something.

I may add a few things to the news article, if no one objects.

Also, AMF, the insult to Azrael isn't an IGNORE (since it would be quite stupid to ignore such a high-quality RPer).

[OOC: I would like to point out that, contrary to Alacea's post, Praetonia only reciprocates trade sanctions with Gholgoth. That is, if Gholgoth decides to agree to AMF's prolcaimation of what their official policy must be, and embargoes Praetonia, their ships cannot export goods to Praetonia directly. However any individual Gholgoth state that decides to ignore this diktat and trade openly with Praetonia will have this reciprocated, and they will be allowed to export goods to the country.]

The Racine Journal Times

AZRAEL DRAWS LINE IN THE SAND

After a stunning segment today in the Praetonian 'Herald', outrage erupted throughout the Great Hall that soon spilled out into the streets of ULE City. Accusations were made by the Praetonian Prime Minister that Automagfreek and Gholgoth itself we finally submitting to Sovereign League ideals of free trade, and that the reginal alliance itself was shifting to a new way of life. Imperial Regent Azrael the Advocate was quick to denounce this statement.

What the arrogant Prime Minister fails to realize is that Automagfreek and Gholgoth are not caving into their ideals or those of their alliance, but that we are in fact, beating them at their own game. In months past we have seen several prominent Sovereign League members jump ship, and rumor continues to circulate that perhaps Haven itself is at odds with the League itself.

Wether he chooses to acknowledge it or not, the era of the Praetonian Crown and the Sovereign League is coming to a close. Their allies are beginning to see through their rhetoric and have joined alliances such as NATO, which AMF has been a staple of for years. We are making new friends and allies within their own region, who are more inclined to have partnerships with regional alliances such as Gholgoth who are diverse in their membership and do not suffer from the ego issues that continue to plague the Sovereign League.

What we are seeing is a new shift in world thinking away from that of Praetonia and its ilk and towards Gholgoth, who collectively is much easier to cooperate with than the Sovereign League, no thanks to their delusions of superiority over other cultures. The Gholgothan way does not discriminate due to economic or political beliefs, and we are most pleased to see Haven so readily accept this mindset and make a move to reject the Praetonian prejudice that has blackened its name for so long.

However, things quickly went from bad to worse upon the announcement that Praetonian companies would be sending their ships to Gholgoth anyways, or would use other Haven countries as proxies to circumvent the Sovereign League trade bar. When asked about this, the Imperial Regent responded with:

This is most obviously the Praetonian government testing the resolve of Automagfreek and Gholgoth, and it is a move that I will not tolerate. If the Crown sees fit to enter our waters at all, their ships will be either boarded and siezed, or sent to the bottom. We will not allow this treachery to stand, and we call upon all nations of Haven to denounce Praetonia for interferring in inter-region politics with their own agenda, and the agenda of the Sovereign League. I also call on all Haven countries to refuse to be proxies for Praetonian products for the good of this new trade opening, and to block any shipment from the Crown into Gholgoth.

It would most certainly be a shame to have to put such a sudden end to this trade opening, but under no circumstances will we allow any Praetonian product, or ANY product made by a Sovereign League signatory to enter our region. Period. If the Crown continues to test our resolve, we will take additional measures that I can promise they will not like.

Hear me on this, Prime Minister, I will declare open season on all Praetonian vessels should you continue your belligerence. You will not be warned again, back off, or face the consequences.

Protests erupted once more across the country as news of the Praetonian intentions enraged the already fiercely anti-Sovereign League public even more. Freekish investors were also upset to hear that the new Haven trade routes are in serious risk of being shut down if the Praetonian Crown insists on sending its products into Gholgothan territory regardless of the trade ban.

Confusion reigns over "bizarre" Automagfreek statement
Automagfreek "blind to the world around it... utterly uncomprehending," says Prime Minister

http://www.ships-register.com/images/ship.jpg
Ships like this one may be under threat from the mistaken Automagfreek belief that Praetonia operates a state-owned merchant navy.
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From 'The Herald'
Front Page

Confusion reigns in Kingston over an Automagfreek statement claiming the existance of "Crown merchant ships" and alleging that the Prime Minister had direct control over all trade in and out of the country. The statement threatened war with Praetonia if these non-existant ships are not withdrawn. The statement also seemed to portray Haven as some sort of contiguous governmental entity, making references to concepts generally viewed as meaningless such as "interregional politics".

According to the statement, it was illicited by an article in The Herald business section concerning private companies' plans to circumvent the continued trade ban by loading Praetonian goods onto ships in foreign countries, which is expected to significantly boost in the worth and profitability of those countries' merchant shipping industries, as well as boosting the Gholgoth economies and consumer choice. However, the statement made reference to this being an example of "the Praetonian government testing the resolve of Automagfreek and Gholgoth" - despite the fact that the Praetonian government does not own or control any business or indeed vessel that could be used in this "carry trade".

Even more bizzarely, the statement called on other Haven states to "denounce" the Praetonian government for allegedly carrying out these impossible actions, and referred to "interregional politics" - a term largely agreed to be irrelevent with respect to Haven, which has never been a single allied unit. Indeed, suggestions have been made that isolationism has made the Automagfreek government so myopic that they have difficulty in imagining that any other country is run differently to theirs, with a dictator in ultimate command of all national activities, including shipping, in a region which is viewed as a binding alliance rather than a geographical grouping.

More worryingly, the piece threatened war with Praetonia if the government does not act to prevent the carry trade - even though it has no control over it - and called the intention of private companies to sell consumer products to Automagfreek citizens "belligerence", which it warned Praetonia "not to continue". This bizarre statement appears to have generated a huge response at home, where Automagfreek citizens have taken to the streets to protest against the "belligerence" of Praetonian-made television sets appearing in their shops carried in "Crown ships" that do not exist.

The Prime Minister described the Automagfreek statement "bizarre" and Automagfreek as "utterly uncomprehending of the world around it." The Prime Minister also reiterated that he wished to see free trade flowing between the Sovereign League and Gholgoth, and only Automagfreek obstinancy seemed to be standing in the way of "the one realistic hope for lasting peace." The Prime Minister also denied that trade could be "belligerent".

Cont. pg. 5

AMF News Update

Good day ladies and gentlemen, this is Mort Perkins for AMF New's 6 o'clock report. After a series of verbal exchanges between the Freekish Imperial Regent and the Praetonian Prime Minister, the hopes of open trade with Haven continue to dwindle. After a statement issued in the Praetonian 'Herald' concerning the response to Azrael's decree, the future Freekish Warlord had the following to say.

<Footage cuts to Azrael standing behind a podium in the Great Hall press conference room>

Once again we see the Prime Minister attempting to prod and poke at Automagfreek. I refuse to believe that for one second the Crown has no control over their own companies and what they do. I would certainly imagine that if Praetonian corporations were doing business with terrorist states for example, they would be all over it without hesitation.

You see Mr. Prime Minister, in Automagfreek the corporations do not run the country. They are not left unchecked to do as they please in spite of national interest, and your ignorance in this matter is sickening. To deny that this is a politically motivated maneuver on your behalf to forcibly inject Praetonian products into our nation and region by any means necessary is sheer stupidity. I also find it humorous that a company would just suddenly decide out of the fucking blue to send ships into armed Gholgothan territory, just because trade is being conducted with their regional neighbors. Praetonian products have NEVER touched Freekish soil, so to assert that a company would simply, out of the blue, decide to sell their items in our nation....that spells concern.

The Prime Minister is content to play my statements off as either paranoia or delusion, though this is just a smokescreen to disguse his true intent, which is to quite simply triumph over Automagfreek and Gholgoth, and its way of life. The Sovereign League has historically, through its words and actions, made itself the enemy of Gholgoth, intent on reigning supreme over us and assert themselves as the new world power bloc. Since they cannot possibly do it militarily, they choose to take the battle to the economic front, and I for one see right through the bullshit. Besides, any Praetonian CEO with a working brain would not dare risk having his merchantmen mutilated and his ships siezed or sunk simply to sell a Praetonian TV set.

This is politically motivated, end of story.

Stay tuned for more details as they emerge. We now return you to "Massacre at Austo Hungary; An In Depth Study".

[OOC: I would like to point out that, contrary to Alacea's post, Praetonia only reciprocates trade sanctions with Gholgoth. That is, if Gholgoth decides to agree to AMF's prolcaimation of what their official policy must be, and embargoes Praetonia, their ships cannot export goods to Praetonia directly. However any individual Gholgoth state that decides to ignore this diktat and trade openly with Praetonia will have this reciprocated, and they will be allowed to export goods to the country.]

OOC: Ah. Sorry, I'll take that into account in the future.

Congressional Record
Testimony By
Lukas Hornsby, MALD, MRC
Secretary of State for Commerce, Transport and Energy
Department of Commerce, Transport and Energy

Before the
Royal Senate Foreign Policy Committee

[The Hon. Secretary Hornsby, MRC]
In response to the recent lifting of trade restrictions of Gholgoth by the government of Automagfreek, the Imperial Export-Import Bank has resumed its operations involving "Freekish Gholgoth"-related transactions previously denied to private enterprise. It must be understood that it was, is, and shall be the policy of this government to not in any way impair the free passage of commerce. The citizens of the United Realms are free to engage in trade with any party as long as they do not intend to harm our nation. It is this government's wish that Automagfreek has taken the first step towards the liberalization and democratization of its society.

Hope for the future may be high, but it must be tempered with an appreciation of present realities. Despite its bluster and claims of grandeur, the government of Automagfreek does not speak for the other governments and people of Gholgoth. The United Realms have longstanding trade relations with several Gholgoth states. None of that will change because of what Minister Hartman and the Imperial Regent have said. Oppression, abuse, torture and totalitarianism existed before the announcement and they will continue to exist for the foreseeable future. Trade may trickle into new markets but the institutional biases of those nations will prevent any meaningful economic or societal change from occurring.

Merchants from the United Realms and other Haven states may flock to Automagfreek and its Gholgoth allies but they will soon have to face the dim realization of the true state of affairs. Imperial Regent Azrael does not seek change of any sort. Liberalization of internal and intra-regional economic controls will ultimately undermine the powers of the Freekish government. Mr Azrael would in no way pursue a policy that could lead to a restriction of his own powers. While the Imperial Regent may underestimate the impact of the limited-liberalization of trade, there is no doubt that the Freekish government would negatively react to aggressive liberal economic practices. The forces of free enterprise will be prevented from achieving parity in the Freekish domestic system because they cannot be control by the state. Even now we see that the Freekish government cannot distinguish between private enterprise and public instituations.

Trade can be an avenue for change, but until change has actually occurred the opening of barriers will mean precious little. The Freekish government has not yet shown itself to respect private property and international investment. The economy remains a tool of their government to be used at whim by its leaders. There may be an initial burst of commercial activity between Haven and Gholgoth, that primarily being Automagfreek, but long term prospects remain bleak. Until the Freekish government discontinues its long practice of resorting to force or the threat of it to solve all of its international problems, the risks of trading with "Freekish Gholgoth" will be too great for serious companies to long tolerate. The solution, then, is to reestablish open and frank relations with Automagfreek with the aim of eventually eradicating the principal remaining hurtles to its full economic liberalization.