NationStates Jolt Archive

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A Declaration By The Commonwealth of Rosdivan


Of late We have seen many corporations who have renounced the international laws and their place in society. They have hired mercenaries and armed their vessels, not to defend themselves from piracy, but rather to commit acts of the worst piracy themselves, attacking and raping even entire nations. They commit these acts solely tot satisfy their own avarice and greed until their lusts drive them once more forward searching for greater plunder. They have soiled the seas with their abominable deeds. We therefore declare:
All such organizations who do not recognize the natural order and who arm themselves to engage in offensive actions against peace, either on or from the high seas, are hereby declared and designated piratical.
All ships and territory belonging to or in the employ of piratical organizations are subject to destruction or seizure by elements of the Rosdivani armed forces.
All persons captured in the act of knowingly serving a piratical organization are subject to summary execution, as is the traditional law of the sea.

His Majesty, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth,
Peter Delvaney

His Grand Ducal Highness supports this Declaration. He has put forth a legislation in the National Congress which, if passed, will cause the Grand Duchy to enact like policies.

Secretary of State Francis Murzycki of the Grand Duchy of Roseberg

Official Communique of The Principality of Damirez

Following the recent affairs in which our nation found itself involved, in which heinous crimes were committed by pirates and blamed upon innocents, The Principality finds itself in agreement with the most of the above statement.

We however like to point out that a proper trial should be given to any such criminals and shame be brought upon the nation endorsing such a practice.

The Holy Sultane of Arab-Canada Hereby agrees with the above statements given out agianst Piracy, on the open seas and in coastal waters. Arab-Canada hereby declares all vessels must be registered to help prevent all forms of Piracy.


Signed:

Holy Sultane

(OOC: Co-incidentally, the number of pirates in the world is linked to global warming - the less pirates there are, the higher the temperatures rise!)

Alfegos Government

Alfegos mirrors Damirez in apllauding the initiative, yet is wary of the points on prosecution.

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AUM statement (Alfegos Underground Mafia) - Via untracebale proxy

Watch your backs...

OFFICIAL IMPERIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The Kregaian Imperium, being a nation with a strong maritime tradition and a vast trading network across the world's oceans, might have been expected to applaud the recent declaration by the Rosdivani Commonwealth. After all, is not piracy a threat to commerce that must be quashed? Perhaps so, but the Imperium refuses to accept this declaration as anything other than an illegal attempt to claim jurisdiction over the ocean. It behooves us to present our reasoning, and thus we shall, that all nations may see why, exactly, this recent announcement is nothing more than unlawful white noise.

Firstly, the Rosdivani Commonwealth is vague: this violation of a 'natural order' which is, apparently, the basis of piracy, is never defined, and we certainly do not trust the Rosdivani to make up a definition as they go.

Secondly, 'offensive actions against peace' constitute all legal military actions taken on the sea, such as an air strike on an enemy convoy, or the bombardment of shore targets by a fleet. Apparently the Commonwealth believes that all ships or aircraft engaged in any kind of offensive military action are subject to seizure or destruction, which is not the case and will not be tolerated. This clause implies, using the Imperium as an example, that our war against the Doomani is illegal and that any offensive actions against the Communist filth are illegal, two falsehoods that are completely unacceptable.

Thirdly, the Rosdivani Commonwealth does not have the authority to judge which organizations are and are not piratical; in fact, as the only definition of 'piratical organization' here has been shown to be vague and illegal, this document does not contain a definition of 'piratical organization' and thus this supposed power of judgment is void.

Fourthly, the Rosdivani Commonwealth has no power to pronounce capital punishment upon pirates: as already stated, they do not have the authority even to decide who is a pirate, and certainly do not have the authority to determine the punishment of a foreign citizen.

We consider this document just short of a declaration of war; it represents an intolerable intrusion into the affairs of all sea-going nations. The Imperium, therefore, with the full sanction of the Sacred Emperor, declares the following:

1. No Kregaian citizens or residents, or the employees of citizens or residents, may be detained, seized, impressed, tried, executed, or otherwise waylaid by the Rosdivani Commonwealth.

2. No Kregaian ships, civil or military, may be attacked, boarded, captured, threatened, or otherwise waylaid by the Rosdivani Commonwealth.

3. The Rosdivani Commonwealth is formally requested to withdraw its recent resolution concerning piracy.

4. Failure to comply with the above provisions will be punished with an immediate embargo of all Rosdivani goods, the expulsion of any Rosdivani nationals in the Empire, and any other measures the Imperium deems necessary and proper to ensure the security of Kregaian interests.

Signed,
Abram Vidann, Minister of Foreign Affairs

We of the Democratic Empire of Great Vantania oppose this movement for many of the same reasons as the Kregaians. As holding both the position of founder and president of the League of Imperial Ocean-faring Nations, we despise this bill even more for making LION illegal. We hope you pull this ill prepared declaration soon.

It is obvious that the Commonwealth of Rosdivan have their nation's interests in mind, and wish to protect them. As Secretary of Foreign Affairs for the League of Imperial Ocean-faring Nations, it is of interest to me that:

1) If piracy is such a concern for the Commonwealth, I propose that a conference could be held between LION nations and Rosdivan, with the purpose of defining piratical acts and their punishments;

2) Rosdivan be encouraged to join the League, which I feel would be a better way to resolve international piracy upon the world's oceans, to possibly be backed by the full force of LION nations; &

3) If the above points are not acceptable to the Commonwealth, that they withdraw their resolution - for the moment - until they can better define who will be determined to be a pirate or what pirate acts are, and that those found committing pirate acts will be given a fair trial by an international committee, of whom members to be determined later.

I await a reply from the Commonwealth,

~Adm. William Kane,
Orzi Representative to the League
Secretary of Foreign Affairs

Naturally, it was never stated openly, but the word was spread through unofficial channels and via word-of-mouth to pirates and companies working with them that Vetalian ports and regulatory officials would turn an eye to their activities and conceal their operations as long as they received a cut of the profits. Not only would it shift a lot of commerce to the Vetalian firms operating around the world, but it would also give the nation a first line of defense against potential enemies.

Of course, it might have been easier to simply force this declaration to be revoked, but it was much more profitable and useful to allow it to stand and reap the benefits from it. No doubt there would be a significant rise in demand for Vetalian shipping channels over the ensuing years, which would make the planned expansion of the ports system all the more genius an idea. Given that many officials in the government held some kind of interest in the project, it made even more sense to pursue a path that would guarantee the desired return on investment.

However, if these same pirates targeted Vetalian commerce, the retribution would be swift and unmerciful. After all, state research agencies always needed additional test subjects...

Official Response from the Republic Navy, Executive Government of the Motherland of Anagonia (EGMA)

Dear Leaders of Rosivani,

We the Admirals and Naval Military Personnel of the Motherland of Anagonia do hereby recognize your right to freedom of piracy. After all, is it not the Navy that prevents such acts upon the citizens whose freedoms it protects? Indeed it is. However, while we recognize and respect you declaration, we will not stand by and let you dive into our waters without consent.

We too have a vast navy, with vast fleets across the world. While some of our forces may or may not be in national waters of other respected nations, we do not interfere in those nations laws and justices without proper approval. In explanation, if a vessel was in distress, we would help. It is the tradition of the Sea to help a fellow seaman.

Yet, we do not send vast fleets to those waters just to make sure those Navy's are doing their job. Whom are we to say what a job done right to them is? Perhaps they profit from having a Pirate Trade with an enemy nation, using that Pirating to protect their waters. Even perhaps, those so-called "Pirates" are actually Civilan Milita's that have risen up to protect their lands. Those are the choices we face, and we do not interfere without proper cause.

We ask you to do the same, and do give a respectable warning to not enter our waters without request by large military force.

Thank you.
Chief Admiral Travis Watson

PRESS RELEASE
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Nationally sponsored piracy is of the most heinous of criminal acts used to harass the international community. The Coast Guard of the Archipelago of Saint Fedski in conjunction with the Police Association of the Archipelago Saint Fedski and the Federal Government of the Archipelago of Saint Fedski officially recognize piracy as crime worthy of capital punishment in the Archipelago of Saint Fedski regardless of the nationalities of those captured, proscuted and summarily punished.

Piracy as defined as violence, robbery or any attempt thereof against an unarmed, merchant marine vessel or a vessel bearing the markings of an international aid organization or international symbol of aid, peace, comfort and humanity.

Piracy may also be defined as violence, robbery and attempted or successful hijacking of a civilian vessel for the purpose of economic or financial benefit to any one nation, criminal organization or individual or fraudulent activity or activity considered criminal when within any nation's maritime boundary.

In an effort to recognize the law enforcement efforts of individual nations when regarding piracy on the high seas, the Archipelago of Saint Fedski shall notify the home government of any national that is captured and charged with under the Piracy Act of 2006. Nations which have treaties pertaining to the exchange of individuals convicted of criminal activity and punishments, rehabilitation and/or regulations similar to and/or setences longer than those of the Archipelago of Saint Fedski, may formally request to have their national returned to fulfil the remainder of their sentence imposed by the Archipelago of Saint Fedski and any addtional charges imposed by the requesting government.

[signed]
Fleet Director Emily Schrader
Director, Coast Guard

Admiral Kenny Murphy
Commander, Navy

Sir Gary Girardi
Vice-Chairman, Archipelago of Saint Fedski

OFFICIAL RESPONSE
GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED DEMOCRATIC EMPIRE OF ASGARNIEU

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From the Office of the President of the United Democratic Empire of Asgarnieu

Our nation has played host to several pirate attacks, all quelled by the Asgarnian Coastal Defense Force and/or the Asgarnian Naval Force. While pirate attacks have not been as heavy in our nation's waters, we feel deeply for those nations which are more heavily affected by these ruthless attacks. That is why we suggest that Rosdivan create an international anti-piracy task force comprised of naval and air elements from nations wishing to be a major part of the solution.

Also, the Asgarnian Armed Forces Command will be stepping up international anti-piracy patrols and will be providing monitary support to nations most heavily affected by piracy.

Respectfully,

Justin A. Herbert
President of the United Democratic Empire of Asgarnieu