NationStates Jolt Archive

Location: Xari, capital city of Xaristan

Sir Michael Harland, looking aged beyond his years, a touch of gray hair starting to permeate his once jet black hair by the temples, walks up to a podium that is draped in the black flag of Xaristan, placing his papers on it as he looks out over the crowd of international reporters and dignitaries.

"Good afternoon, and thank you all for coming. I'm sure you're all wondering why you were called here today. I admit, I wondered myself if this was a bit premature, considering our size and our history. However, I felt that we were ready to make our reemergence onto the world stage." Sir Michael Harland cleared his throat and smiled out at the reporters and dignitaries before continuing.

"Some of you may remember the nation of Ambrose-Douglas that unexpectedly disappeared from the face of the earth some time ago. A failed coup was the source of that disappearance. And a great... purging after that. From that moment forward, we have worked on consolidating our land, our military, our government, and our culture. Unfortunately, this led to a... re indoctrination of many of our citizens and government members. However, now we are ready to reemerge onto the world stage, a changed nation."

"Today, I officially announce that Ambrose-Douglas is dead. Today, Xaristan is born! Our embassy bloc will be opening soon, along with press releases concerning our nation and its new structure. We have attempted to first get back on the international stage through sports, entering a team first in the World Baseball Classic, and we are hoping to field a football team and a hockey team in the coming years."

"I know open the floor to questions. I will be glad to answer anything that you have to ask me about the coup, our new government structure, myself personally, or our nation in general." With that, Sir Michael Harland took a step back from the podium and looked out over the sea of people.

A tall, balding man with white hair stood up and introduced himself. He is Mr. Ferrando Alba, the Royal Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Brutland and Norden to the former nation of Ambrose-Douglas. Communications with the home country were bad during the turbulent times, and for a while it seemed that the Royal Nord-Brutlandese Embassy would be dragged into the conflict. Now that communications with the home nation is restored, he would like to know the complete story.

"Good afternoon," he said slowly. "I am Ambassador Ferrando Alba of the United Kingdom of Brutland and Norden. Before everything, the United Kingdom of Brutland and Norden would like to congratulate the establishment of your new nation. I had been in touch with the Nord-Brutlandese Ministry of Foreign Affairs when this news reached us. Foreign Minister di Sint'Brullizio and Brutland and Norden would like to re-formalize diplomatic relations with the successor nation to Ambrose-Douglas, Xaristan. As such, an ambassador will be reaccredited to the mission. We would also like to ask if you would do the same.

Secondly, we would like to ask how this new development would affect bilateral relations between our countries.

And lastly, the Foreign Ministry would like to be enlightened on the events surrounding the coup and would like to learn about Xaristan's new governmetn and its leaders.

Thank you."

"Ah, Mr. Alba, how nice to see you again. First of all, let me say that we would be happy to reestablish diplomatic ties with Brutland and Norden. As I said, our diplomatic bloc will be opening up again soon, however, I see no reason why our diplomatic department wouldn't be able to send someone over straight away. I'll get them on it as soon as this press conference ends."

"These recent developments shouldn't affect bilateral relations between our nations in any way except for the fact that our nation is now much smaller and weaker than it ever was before. We were closing in on one billion in population when the coup occurred."

"As for the coup itself, our Intelligence officers have allowed me this information to release. A few months back, the head of the Department of Federation Security, Alexander King, felt that our president, Charles J. Turian, was not doing enough to present Ambrose-Douglas on the world stage. As such, he staged a hostile coup in an attempt to take over the Presidency for himself, completely subverting our constitution. Premier Amanda Parsons joined him in this endeavor, along with Allied-General Carson McClain. As you can imagine, we were caught completely by surprise. The President was assassinated, and most of the other members of the Ambrosian cabinet were taken hostage. Only Yugsev Wadl, our Director of Internal Finance, and I, the President's closest adviser, escaped. We went into exile as King and his cronies cut off our country from the rest of the outside world. Slowly, Wadl and I started to form a resistance. We contacted other military leaders under McClain and arranged for a counter-coup. On February 29th, we led our counter assault. We had much civilian and military support, but so did they. As it was in the old days, Ambrosians and Douglasians fought. Our population was decimated, and yet we were victorious. We have now established a new government and the traitors who were not killed have been exiled."

"As for our new government structure, it is very similar to the old one, except the President's position has been renamed to Emperor. I am officially the first Emperor of Xaristan. Also, the Premier is still elected by the people every four years but can be removed at any time by the Emperor. Also, the Premier does not automatically take over if the Emperor dies unless the Emperor has nominated them as their replacement. All cabinet positions can also be dissolved at a moment's notice."

A younger woman raises her arm; when given permission to speak, she introduces herself as a journalist for Zwangzug's leading newspaper. "I'm curious as to how the Emperor is chosen, the length of their term, and the powers they wield. Also, how could a citizen of Xaristan who espoused political views contrary to the current administration expect to be treated? Thank you, and congratulations on your reemergence-Zwangzug fondly remembers Phoenix participation in the World Baseball Classic."

Sir Michael Harland smiled at the Zwagzug reporter's question. "I remember many a hard-fought game against the Zebras in the World Baseball Classic. Hopefully the team we have entered this year can live up to the standards of their predecessors."

"As first Emperor... well, I chose myself. It was the consensus of all who were involved in the counter-resistance that, since I led it, I should be the one to lead the country. The Emperor rules absolutely for as long as he or she desires, either until they die or until they step down. The next Emperor is chosen by the one preceding them. In the Emperor's first hour of office, they choose a successor. This will obviously change many times throughout their administration, but one is always in place."

"As far as the citizens go," Sir Michael Harland shrugged, "they are welcome to hold those views, they just probably won't be listened to. The average citizen can be easily manipulated to believe one thing or another, and, while it is our duty to ensure their well-being, the government, and namely myself, will be making all final decisions. If you are worried about pogroms or ideological cleansings, you needn't worry. We are not tyrants, but we will make sure that what has happened before does not happen again."